Rather than die, I’d serve thee!” the crafty one did say.
499
But Alberich was bound as the giant had been bound,
And by the strength of Siegfried much pain and trouble found.
The dwarf began to question: “How are you call’d?” quoth he,
He said: “My name is Siegfried: I should be known to thee!”
500
“That is a goodly hearing!” said Alberich the dwarf.
“Now know I of a surety what metal you are of,
And know you have good reason to lord it in the land.
If you my life will leave me, I’ll do what you command.”
501
Thus spake the hero Siegfried: “Then must thou straightway go
And bring me of the warriors the best we have, I trow;
Of Nibelungs a thousand I fain would here behold.”
But wherefore these he wanted that was to no man told.
502
Of Albrich and the giant the fetters he unbound.
Then Alberich ran quickly to where the knights he found.
The Nibelungs he wakened from sleep right cautiously,
And said: “Up now, ye heroes! to Siegfried hasten ye!”
503
Then sprang they from their couches all ready at his call—
A thousand active warriors equipp’d stood in the hall.
So went they unto Siegfried, who by himself did stand,
And fairly did he greet them— some knelt to kiss his hand.
504
They lit full many a taper, pure wine for him they pour’d.
He thank’d them all for coming so promptly at his word.
Then spake he: “Ye must yonder with me across the flood!”
For this he found them ready, those heroes bold and good.
505
Full thirty hundred warriors had come at his behest:
From out their numbers took he a thousand of the best.
To these were brought their helmets, and all their gear to hand—
Because he fain would lead them unto Brunhilda’s land.
506
He spake: “Ye good knights, hearken to that which now I say:
Your raiment should at court be exceeding rich and gay—
For many a lovely woman will look on us, I trow;
So make your bodies handsome with good clothes ere we go.”
507
All on a morning early the bold knights rode away.
What gallant comrades Siegfried had got himself that day!
They all had good war-horses, and garments rich and grand:
With knightly mien and bearing they came to Brunhild’s land.
508
Upon the turrets standing was many a winsome maid.
Then spake the queen: “Doth any know who be these,” she said,
“Whom I see sailing hither from o’er the sea so far?
Their sails be richly woven— whiter than snow they are.”
509
And the Rhine-king made answer: “My warriors are they,
Whom I did on the journey bid near at hand to stay.
I sent to fetch them, lady, and here they come, I see.”
Whereon the noble strangers were eyed all wond’ringly.
510
For plainly saw they Siegfried upon the foredeck stand,
Arrayed in costly raiment, with all his warrior-band.
Then said the queen: “Now must you, my Lord King, counsel me:
Shall these new guests be welcomed? or shall I let them be?”
511
He spake: “Without the palace to meet them you should go,
As if we saw them gladly, that they may take it so.”
Then did the queen according unto the king’s behest;—
Though, in her greeting, Siegfried she sever’d from the rest.
512
A lodging was found for them, their goods were put in store.
And now so many strangers had landed on that shore,
That great the throng of folk was, whichever way one went.
The knights on sailing homewards to Burgundy were bent.
513
Then spake the Queen Brunhilda: “Right thankful should I be
To him who could my silver and gold divide for me
Between my guests and Gunther’s; an ample store I have.”
Then Dankwart said:—the liegeman of Giselher the brave—
514
“Most noble Queen and Lady, let me now have the key.
I trow I can divide it: if shame should fall on me,
So let it be mine only.” Thus spake the doughty thane.
That he a gentle knight was, was from his bearing plain.
515
As soon as Hagen’s brother the key had at command,
So many gifts and costly dispensed the hero’s hand:
To those who one mark needed, such bounty did he give,
That all the poorest, henceforth, in comfort well might live.
516
Pound pieces by the hundred he, without reckoning, gave.
In clothing rich, full many that royal hall did leave
Who ne’er such splendid raiment before that time had worn.
This vexed the queen right sorely, it was not to be borne!
517
She spake, in her vexation: “Sir King, it seems to me
This chamberlain of yours is with all my goods so free
He soon will leave me nothing: he throws my gold away!
I shall be aye beholden to him who this can stay.
518
Such rich gifts doth he lavish, the thane must sure believe
I’ve sent for Death to take me: but I would longer live!
Whate’er my father left me I trow I well can spend.
On such a spendthrift treasurer did never queen depend!”
519
Then Hagen spake of Tronjé: “Fair lady, have no fear!
The king of the Rhine river hath gold enough, and gear
To lavish just as freely; and well may we forego
To take Brunhilda’s treasure when hence we homeward go.”
520
“Nay, for mine own sake, hear me,” the queen said, “for I will
Take with me twenty coffers, which I with gold will fill
And silken stuffs, which also I’ll give with mine own hand,
When we come over yonder unto King Gunther’s land.”
521
With precious stones and jewels they did her coffers lade;
Her own lords of the chamber to help therewith she bade:
For she would put no trust in the men of Giselher.
Gunther, therefore, and Hagen began to laugh at her.
522
Then spake the Queen Brunhilda: “To whom leave I my land?
That first must be determined by thine and mine own hand.”
The noble king made answer: “Let him forthwith appear
Who best thereto would please you— we’ll leave him steward here.”
523
One of her noblest kinsmen the lady to her bade,
(It was her mother’s brother) to him the maiden said:
“To you be now entrusted my castles and the land,
Until they come directly under King Gunther’s hand.”
524
Then did she of her people choose twenty hundred men,
Who with her to the Rhineland must make the voyage then—
Beside the thousand warriors who came from Niblung land.
Then all to start made ready: they rode down to the strand.
525
Of women six and eighty along with her she took,
And eke a hundred maidens, who comely were in look.
Then they delay’d no longer— they wearied to be gone;
But those they left behind them, these wept, ay, many a one!
526
With seemly grace the lady fared from her fatherland;
She kissed her nearest kinsmen, who stood on either hand.
With kindliest leave-takings they came unto the shore;—
To her forefathers’ country the lady came no more!
527
One heard of games of all kinds to pass the time away
And make the journey shorter: a hundred pastimes gay.
They had,
