Forbidding was the darkness and wearisome the light.
1058
From eating and from drinking did many a man abstain.
If any cared to take it, to them it was made plain
That they might have in plenty: Siegmund of that took care.
And yet, full many a labour the Niblung-folk must share:
1059
For three whole days, unceasing— the story thus we hear—
They who had skill in singing must needs the burden bear
Of chanting many an office. What alms to them folk paid!
They who were poor aforetime now wealth in plenty had.
1060
Whene’er they found poor people who nothing had to bring,
They sent them to the minster, with gold for offering
From Siegfried’s treasure taken. Since life he could not have,
Of marks for his soul’s welfare they many thousand gave.
1061
The first-fruits were divided in all the land around,
Wherever cloister-houses or goodly folk were found.
Of silver and of raiment the poor got ample store:
Men did the like as showing what love to him they bore.
1062
Upon the third day early, just at the hour of Mass,
The churchyard wide extending— that by the minster was—
With country-people’s wailing was fill’d from end to end.
In death they did him service, as to a well-loved friend.
1063
In those four days of mourning, indeed, it hath been said,
That marks full thirty-thousand, or even more, were paid
For sake of his soul’s welfare, and given to the poor.
Laid low was all his beauty, his life was now no more.
1064
When God was servéd duly, and all the chants were sung,
A dreadful cry of sorrow arose from out the throng;
Out of the minster must they now bear him to his grave.
Those who were loth to lose him fresh tears and cries forth gave.
1065
With cries of lamentation the people follow’d then;
The faces all were joyless of women and of men.
Ere in his grave they laid him they sang and read withal;
Ay! and the priests were worthy who gave him burial.
1066
Or ever Siegfried’s widow had come unto the grave,
Her faithful heart with sorrow such bitter strife did have
That they must needs revive her with water from the spring;
Her bitterness of sorrow was past all measuring.
1067
It was a mickle wonder that strength again she found.
With cries of pity, helping, the women throng’d around.
Then spake the Queen: “O liegemen of Siegfried, hearken ye!
I pray you of your fealty a favour grant to me—
1068
“That after all my sorrow this small grace I may gain,
And on his goodly features may set my eyes again.”
So long did she beseech them, with all her sorrow’s strength,
That they the splendid coffin must break apart at length.
1069
And then they brought the lady to where her love did lie,
And she his fair head lifted, with white hand tenderly,
And in his death she kiss’d him— the noble knight and good;
Her shining eyes, for sorrow, were weeping tears of blood.
1070
It was a piteous parting, if ever there was one.
And so away they bore her; she could not go alone,
For in a swoon and senseless that noble wife lay low;
Her life, for weal appointed, was well-nigh lost in woe.
1071
When now their noble master within his grave was laid,
Unmeasured was the sorrow that all his followers had,
Who from the Niblung country had borne him company;
And little joy or gladness in Siegmund was to see.
1072
Amongst them there were many who, for their sorrow’s sake,
Till those three days were ended nor meat nor drink did take.
Yet could they not their bodies abandon utterly:
So feasting follow’d sorrow, as evermore will be.
Adventure XVIII
How Siegmund Went Back to His Own Land
1073
Kriemhilda’s husband’s father had to her presence come.
And to the queen thus spake he: “We now would fain go home,
I trow that we in Rhineland, unwelcome guests must be.
Kriemhilda, dearest lady, come to my land with me.
1074
“Since that your noble husband, by treason underhand,
Hath from us all been taken here in this very land,
You must not overlook it: I will be kind to you
For love of my son Siegfried; doubt not that this is true.
1075
Henceforward also, Lady, to you the power I’ll yield
That the bold warrior Siegfried did teach you how to wield.
The land and the crown likewise shall subject be to you;
And all of Siegfried’s vassals will gladly service do.”
1076
Then were the servants bidden that thence they were to ride;—
It was a mighty business the horses to provide!
Amidst their bitter foemen to dwell were sorry cheer.
They bade the dames and maidens to seek their travelling gear.
1077
And when King Siegmund also was ready forth to ride,
The kinsmen of Kriemhilda besought her to abide:
Her place was with her mother, and there to stay ought she.
Then spake the noble lady: “Nay, that can hardly be!
1078
“How could I bear for ever him with these eyes to see,
Through whom to me, poor woman, hath come such misery?”
Then Giselher, the youthful, made answer: “Sister dear,
For duty’s sake now shouldst thou bide with thy mother here.
1079
“Of them who have distress’d thee, and brought thee to despair,
Thou dost require no service; my fortune thou shalt share.”
But to the knight she answer’d: “Nay, this can never be;
I needs must die of sorrow if I should Hagen see.”
1080
“I’ll see that doth not happen, my sister dear,” quoth he,
“With Giselher thy brother in safety shouldst thou be;
Amends will I make to thee, for thy dear husband’s death.”
Then spake the poor forlorn one: “True need Kriemhilda hath!”
1081
When this so kindly offer to her the young man made,
Uté and also Gernot fell likewise to persuade,
With all her faithful kinsfolk: they begged her not to go:
For amongst Siegfried’s kindred not many did she know.
1082
“They are all strangers to thee,” Gernot began to say;
“So strong is no man living but he must die one day.
Bethink thee then, dear sister, and comfort thy sad mood;
Stay with thy friends and kinsmen: it will be for thy good.”
1083
So Giselher she promised that there she would abide.
The horses all were ready for Siegmund’s men to ride—
Who would be homeward riding unto the Niblung-land;
The pack-horses all laden with knightly gear did stand.
1084
Lord Siegmund came, and standing before Kriemhilda, then
Said he unto the lady: “The whole of Siegfried’s men
Await you by the horses; ’tis time we rode away—
For willingly I would not with the Burgundians stay.”
1085
But lady Kriemhild’ answer’d: “My friends their counsel give—
So many as are faithful— that I with them should live:
For I have ne’er a kinsman within the Niblung-land.”
Sad was the heart of Siegmund when he did understand.
1086
Then answer’d her King Siegmund: “Let that be said by none!
Rather than to my kinsmen I’ll give to you my crown.
With power and might you’ll wear it, as you have done before;
You shall be none the worse that our
