When beauteous Kriemhilda comes hither for a crown!
Mine heritage I reckon thereby a worthier thing:
My son, the noble Siegfried, shall here himself be king.”
705
Then gave the Lady Sieglind much velvet of red hue,
And weighty gold and silver, that was their herald’s due;
So much the news rejoiced her which she had heard that day.
With zeal her waiting-maidens now donn’d their best array.
706
Folks talk’d of who was coming with Siegfried to their land.
They bade men raise a platform, with benches close at hand,
Wherefrom his friends might see him as with his crown he rode.
King Siegmund’s men went forward to meet him on the road.
707
If any better welcome to heroes aye befell
Than in this land of Siegmund, it is not mine to tell.
To meet the fair Kriemhilda Sieglind herself did ride,
With many a lovely lady and gallant knights beside.
708
After a whole day’s journey at length the guests they spied.
Both native-born and strangers did weary of the ride,
Before they reached a fortress— a castle large and strong—
’Twas Santen hight; and therein they wore their crowns erelong.
709
With smiling lips and loving, Sieglind and Siegmund too
Greeted the fair Kriemhilda, with kisses not a few;
They did the like to Siegfried; now gone was all their pain.
Their followers did likewise a hearty welcome gain.
710
They bade the guests be taken in front of Siegmund’s hall.
And there the beauteous maidens were holpen, one and all,
To dismount from their palfreys; and there was many a man
Who on these lovely women to wait with zeal began.
711
How grand soe’er the wedding had been upon the Rhine,
Here did they give the heroes apparel far more fine
Than they, in all their lifetime, had ever worn before.
One might tell mickle marvels of all their wealth in store.
712
They sate in state and splendour, and had of all enough.
What raiment wore their servants of golden-colour’d stuff!
With broider’d lace adornéd, and precious stones inwrought!
The noble Queen Sieglinda of this had taken thought.
713
Before his friends and kinsmen then noble Siegmund spake:
“I charge all Siegfried’s kinsfolk notice hereby to take,
That he, before these warriors, my crown henceforth shall wear.”
This news the Netherlanders were glad in sooth to hear.
714
To him he gave his kingdom, his crown, and government.
Henceforth he was their master. And his arbitrament
And rendering of justice became abiding law;—
So that fair Kriemhild’s husband was greatly held in awe.
715
In this estate of honour, he lived, as all declare,
And wore the crown and govern’d— until, in the tenth year,
His comely wife in safety brought forth her firstborn son;
Whereat the royal kinsfolk were gladden’d ev’ryone.
716
They hasten’d to baptize him, and gave him for a name,
After his uncle, Gunther, which could not bring him shame.
Were he but as his forbears, a brave man he would grow.
They gave him careful training, as bounden so to do.
717
About the self-same season Dame Sieglind pass’d away.
Then noble Uté’s daughter did over all hold sway—
As doth beseem such ladies who wealth and lands possess.
That Death the queen had taken they mournéd none the less.
718
Now yonder too, in Rhineland— so doth the story run—
Unto the wealthy Gunther there had been born a son
Of beauteous Brunhilda, in realm of Burgundy;
And, for the love of Siegfried, that hero’s name had he.
719
With what great care unceasing that child was watch’d and taught!
For him the noble Gunther caused teachers to be sought,
To rear him in all virtues befitting man’s estate.
Alas! how in his kinsfolk he found an evil fate!
720
In legends old, the story hath many a time been told,
Of how those gallant warriors lived in the days of old;
Worthy of praise, at all times, in good King Siegmund’s land.
The like did also Gunther and all his knightly band.
721
The kingdom of the Niblungs was under Siegfried’s sway—
Among his wealthy kinsfolk there was no wealthier aye—
And Schilbung’s warriors also, and all their goods and gold.
Well might the gallant warrior his head more highly hold.
722
The greatest of all treasures that ever hero won,
Save they that erst-time held it, the gallant knight did own;—
Which once upon a mountain he wrested by his might;
He did to death to gain it full many a doughty knight.
723
He had his fill of honour; and had it not been so,
In justice to the hero one needs must own, I trow,
That he among the best was that e’er on horseback sat;
Men fear’d his strength of body; with reason did they that.
Adventure XII
How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Festival
724
Now Gunther’s wife the meanwhile was brooding ev’ry day:
“Why bears herself Dame Kriemhild in such a lofty way?
Is not her husband Siegfried a vassal of our own?
Scant service hath he paid us in all these years agone!”
725
Within her heart this kept she, and heed took thereanent.
Yet that they came not ever did make her ill-content,
And that she got no service out of Sir Siegfried’s land;
And wherefore this should happen she fain would understand.
726
So of the king inquired she, whether it might not be
That she the Lady Kriemhild yet once again might see?
She privily spoke to him of what her mind thus teased:
But when her lord had heard her, he was but half well-pleased.
727
“And how are we to bring them,” then said the mighty king,
“Here into this our country? that were no easy thing!
Too far from us they’re dwelling; to ask I am afraid.”
Then answer’d him Brunhilda, with crafty air and said:
728
“However high and mighty a king’s man be, I say
That he his lord’s commandments should never dare gainsay.”
And to himself smiled Gunther whilst she laid down the law:
He had no thought of service whene’er he Siegfried saw.
729
She spake: “My lord belovéd, I pray thee, for my sake,
Lend me thine aid; that Siegfried may with thy sister take
Their journey to this country— that here we them may see;—
For nothing that could happen would be more sweet to me.
730
“Thy sister’s gentle breeding and well-contented mood,
Whene’er I think upon them, in sooth, it doth me good.
How we did sit together, when first I was thy wife!
Right well hath she deservéd bold Siegfried’s love and life.”
731
So long she thus besought him, until the king did say:
“Be sure that guests more welcome could ne’er be any day;
’Tis easy to persuade me! and messengers of mine
I’ll send unto the couple, to bring them to the Rhine.”
732
Then spake the queen yet further: “Now also you must say
When you will send to fetch them, and at what time we may
Look for our well-loved kinsfolk to come unto our land:
And whom you purpose sending I fain would understand.”
733
“That will I do,” the king said: “thirty of mine own men
Will I send riding thither.” These did he summon then,
And by them
