With merriment and laughter they left their land behind.
528
Not once upon the journey did she embrace her lord:
Until they reached his palace their pleasure was defer’d.
At Worms they, in the castle, their wedding feast would hold;
Where they, ere long, with gladness came with their heroes bold.
Adventure IX
How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms
529
When they nine days had travel’d upon their homeward way,
Spake Hagen, lord of Tronjé: “Now hark to what I say!
We yet have sent no tidings to Worms upon the Rhine:
Your heralds should be, surely, in Burgundy long syne.”
530
King Gunther made him answer: “Lo, what you say is right,
And for this errand, surely there is no better knight
Than you yourself, friend Hagen; so ride now to my land:
Our journey no one better can make them understand.”
531
Whereto made answer Hagen: “Small use should I be there!—
Let me look to the cabin, whilst on the flood we fare:
I’ll stay beside the women, and to their gear attend,
Until we bring them safely into Burgundian land.
532
“Bid Siegfried rather do it, and him your envoy make;—
His mighty strength will aid him, the task to overtake.
Should he decline the going, you must, with kindliness,
For love of your fair sister, the journey on him press.”
533
He sent to fetch the warrior, who came at his command.
Quoth Gunther: “Since we’re nearing our home in mine own land,
I ought to send a message unto my sister dear,
And eke unto my mother, that we the Rhine draw near.
534
“This ask I of thee, Siegfried: the favour grant, I pray,
That I may ever thank thee,” the warrior good did say.
But Siegfried did withstand him— he was so bold a man!
Until King Gunther sorely to plead with him began.
535
“To ride thou shouldst be willing, for my sake,” Gunther said,
“And likewise for Kriemhilda’s, the beautiful young maid;—
That we may owe thee service, the noble maid and I.”
When Siegfried heard that saying he could no more deny.
536
“Whate’er thou wilt command me, I cannot say thee nay!
For love of that fair maiden I’ll do what thou dost say.
How could I aught deny her, who owns my heart alone?
For her sake that thou askest is all as good as done.”
537
“Go then and tell my mother, Uté, the noble queen,
That we anent this journey in joyous mood have been;
And let the kings, my brothers, know each how we did fare;
And all our friends must also the happy tidings hear.
538
“And from my beauteous sister, I pray thee naught reserve;
But say that I and Brunhild will her right gladly serve.
And tell unto the court-folk and all my serving-men,
That what my heart had yearn’d for, full well did I attain!
539
“And tell to gallant Ortwein, that nephew dear of mine,
That he have seats erected by Worms upon the Rhine.
And all my other kinsmen, they also should be told
That I, with Queen Brunhilda, high festival will hold.
540
“And tell unto my sister (as soon as she hath learn’d
How, with my guests so shortly I shall be home return’d)
That she to my betroth’d one a welcome good must give:—
So shall I to Kriemhilda for aye beholden live.”
541
Then did the noble Siegfried a courteous farewell
Take of the Lady Brunhild, as did beseem him well—
And of her courtiers likewise; then to the Rhine rode he.
No messenger were better in all the world than he.
542
With four and twenty horsemen he into Worms did ride.
“Without the king he cometh!” was heard on every side;
And all the folk lamented, and stirr’d were with the dread
Lest in that foreign country they’d left their master dead!
543
They from their steeds dismounted: right happy was their mood;
And Giselher hasten’d to them, the youthful king and good,
And eke his brother Gernot: how eagerly spake he,
When he the kingly Gunther did not with Siegfried see!
544
“Be welcome, Siegfried,” cried he, “but, pray you let me know
Where you have left my brother, who forth with you did go?
If Queen Brunhilda’s prowess have robbed us of our king,
Methinks your high-aim’d wooing hath been an evil thing!”
545
“Forego your fears!” quoth Siegfried, “my noble comrade sends
His loyal love and greeting to you and all his friends.
In rare good health I left him: I came at his command
To bring you, as his envoy, tidings to this your land.
546
“You must see to it quickly, however it may be,
That I the good queen-mother and your fair sister see;—
For they must hear the message, which I was bade to tell,
From Gunther and Brunhilda: with both of whom ’tis well.”
547
Then Giselher the lad said: “Go then to her you’ve won,
Since for my sister’s favour, such service you have done!
Great trouble doth she suffer about my brother’s fate.
The maid will see you gladly, I’ll warrant me of that!”
548
The noble Siegfried answer’d: “An I can serve the maid,
Right faithfully and gladly that service shall be paid.
Now who will tell these ladies that them I fain would see?”
’Twas Giselher the comely his messenger would be.
549
Swift Giselher the tidings unto his mother told,
And eke unto his sister, when he did them behold:
“To us the hero Siegfried of Netherland hath come;
Him hath my brother Gunther here to the Rhine sent home.
550
“He bringeth us full tidings of how the king doth fare.
Now must ye give permission that he to court repair;
From Iceland brings he hither a true report, I trow.”—
Yet soon these noble ladies much sorrow were to know.
551
To get their robes they hasten’d, and did themselves array;
And then they summon’d Siegfried to come to court straightway—
Which did he, willing-hearted, too happy her to see:
The noble maid Kriemhilda spake to him graciously.
552
“Be welcome, my lord Siegfried, thou worthy knight!” she cried;
“Where doth my brother Gunther, the noble king, abide?
Of him, by Brunhild’s prowess, I ween we are forlorn!
O woe is me, poor maiden, that ever I was born!”
553
Then spake the gallant hero: “Now pay me herald’s fee!
For know, O beauteous ladies, no need to weep have ye.
In lusty health I left him, of that ye may be sure;—
To tell you both these tidings he sent me on before.
554
“They send to you their duty— he and that bride of his—
With all true love and kindness, most noble queen; it is
High time to leave off weeping— for they will soon be here!”
For many a day she had not heard tidings half so dear.
555
Then with her snow-white kerchief she wiped her lovely eyes
That were all wet with weeping; and in her gracious wise
Began to thank the bearer for the good news he brought.
And so her grief and sorrow were turn’d to pleasant thought.
556
She bade him to be seated, whereof right glad was he.
Then spake the lovesome
