The Rhenish heroes truly, so fell a riding made,
’Twere better for their foemen if they at home had stayed.
234
“The two bold knights of Tronjé did work much dire distress,
What time the charging armies did one another press.
And many a warrior perished beneath bold Hagen’s hand;—
There’s much to tell of him yet here in Burgundian land.
235
“Sindold and Hunold also, who were King Gernot’s men,
And the bold warrior Runold, such doughty deeds did then,
That Ludeger the Saxon must rue, until he die,
That ever he thy kinsmen did on the Rhine defy.
236
“Yet still the best achievement that on that field hath been,
Or any, from the youngest to the oldest man hath seen,
Was done in knightly fashion by Siegfried’s own right hand.
Rich hostages he bringeth here, into Gunther’s land.
237
“These by sheer strength he vanquished, the brave and goodly wight!
And Ludegast of Denmark hath suffered great despite,
And Ludeger his brother, who from the Saxons came.
Now hearken to my tidings, most rich and noble dame!
238
“They twain were taken prisoners, and that by Siegfried’s hand.
Never so many captives were brought into this land
As to the Rhine are coming only for Siegfried’s part.”
No news could have been dearer to Lady Kriemhild’s heart.
239
“Unwounded captives bring they— five hundred men and more;
And then the deadly-wounded— of bloody biers fourscore;—
Full eighty blood-stained stretchers, my Lady, understand!
The better part of these were slain by bold Siegfried’s hand.
240
“They who, thus overweening, have flouted us on Rhine,
Must now, as battle-pris’ners, in Gunther’s kingdom pine:
Yea, even now they bring them with joy unto our land.”
Then sweetly flushed her fair face, as she did understand.
241
Her lovely face, with pleasure, became all rosy red;
For, by good luck, deliver’d out of the direst need
Had been her goodly warrior— the young man, Prince Siegfried;
For all her friends rejoiced she— as she was bound, indeed.
242
Then spake the winsome maiden: “Well hast thou said, and now
Thou shalt have costly raiment for guerdon, that I owe;
And ten good golden marks too; they shall be brought thee here!”
Such tidings to rich ladies a man would gladly bear!
243
They gave him for his guerdon the raiment and the gold.
Then to the windows hastened the fair maids, to behold
The horsemen up the street come: and, watching eagerly,
They saw the gallant riders come home to Burgundy.
244
They came, the hale and hearty, the wounded also came.
They heard the neighbours’ greetings, and need not blush for shame.
The host rode forth rejoicing to meet his guests again:
It was a joyful ending to all his anxious pain.
245
He welcomed home his warriors, and all the strangers too;—
To the great king ’twas fitting not otherwise to do
Than graciously to tender his thanks to those who came,
Who had in fight defended the honour of his name.
246
Then Gunther asked for tidings, that he to hear was fain,
Of those who had returned not— their comrades who were slain.
But sixty men were missing, and he had lost no more;—
For these they might cease mourning, as for the brave of yore.
247
The men who were unwounded brought many a battered shield,
And many a dinted helmet, to Gunther from that field.
Before the royal palace dismounted all the men,
And, with a shout of gladness, were welcomed home again.
248
’Twas ordered then to billet the warriors in the town.
The king bade that his guests be well-treated, as his own.
The wounded must be cared for and granted quiet rest;—
E’en for his foes his kindness the king did manifest.
249
To Ludegast of Denmark he said: “Be welcome here!
Though, through your fault, much damage we have incurred, I fear;
But that will be repaid me, if I have luck!” quoth he,
“May God reward my brave friends, who fought so well for me.”
250
“And you do well to thank them,” King Ludeger outspake,
“For never king before did such high-born prisoners take!
The honourable usage shall well rewarded be,
Which unto us, your foemen, you’ve granted graciously.”
251
“I’ll let ye both,” cried Gunther, “here, on the spot, go free,
If all the other pris’ners swear to remain with me.
For these I will have pledges, that they leave not my land
Without my given warrant.” Thereon each gave his hand.
252
All were to rest and comfort within the hostels brought;
They put to bed the wounded, with kindly care and thought;
While to the hale and hearty good wine and mead they gave.
A gayer time and gladder the folk could never have.
253
The battered shields were taken and put away in store.
Of blood-besprinkled saddles were there enough and more;—
The men were told to hide them, in case the women wept.
Still many a wayworn horseman into the city crept.
254
For his guests the king provided with kindness wonderful.
With strangers and indwellers the land was very full.
Those who lay sorely wounded he greatly cared for, too.
’Twas thus the good king humbled his proud and haughty foe.
255
To all well skilled in leechcraft no guerdon was denied.
Unstinted store of silver and shining gold beside,
If they could heal the heroes, who wounded were in fight:
To load his guests with presents was eke this king’s delight.
256
If any there were minded to journey home again,
They, in most friendly fashion, were bidden to remain.
And then the king took counsel how to reward his men,
Who had his will accomplished with honour and with pain.
257
The warrior Gernot counselled: “Let these now homeward ride!
In six weeks’ time we’ll bid them, if nothing should betide,
Return with us to join in a great festivity;
By then may they be healéd who sorely wounded lie.”
258
For leave asked Siegfried likewise, the lord of Netherland;
But when the royal Gunther his wish did understand,
He lovingly entreated his dear friend not to go;—
Though, but for Gunther’s sister, he would have gone, I trow.
259
Though Siegfried was too wealthy to care for the king’s pay,
Right well had he deserved it. He was his friend alway,
And eke of all his kinsmen: for had their eyes not seen
How by his strength in combat the victory had been?
260
For love of the fair maiden he thought he still would stay—
Perchance he yet might see her: which came to pass one day,
Just as he most desiréd;— he learnt to know the maid.
Thereafter to his country right joyously he sped.
261
Each day in knightly contests the host would prove his men:
Which willingly were practised by many a proud young thane.
Then had he seats erected by Worms, upon the strand,
For those whom he awaited in his Burgundian land.
262
About this time, when well-nigh the coming guests were due,
The beauteous Kriemhilda heard what he had in view:
That he, with friends, was meaning to keep high festival.
Then was a great commotion among the fair dames all
263
As to the robes and ribands ’twere best for each to wear.
Unto the rich queen Uté the tidings straight they bear
Of the proud stranger-warriors, who now were on their way.
Then
