E’en as kings’ warriors mostly their princes’ wives obey—
And as twelve kings before her were ever seen to come,
She thought on all the sorrows that she had known at home.
1392
She thought, too, of the honours that once in Niblung-land
Had been in her possession; and which by Hagen’s hand,
At time of Siegfried’s murder, were wholly done away:
And whether he might ever for that be made to pay.
1393
“It might be, could I bring him by some means to this land.”
She dreamt that she was walking, and near her, close at hand,
Was Giselher, her brother, and in her gentle sleep
She kissed him very often. He soon had cause to weep!
1394
I ween some evil devil Kriemhilda did provoke
That with her brother Gunther her friendship now she broke,
Whom she, in full forgiveness, kiss’d on Burgundian soil.
Then with hot tears began she once more her robe to spoil.
1395
And ever, late and early, within her heart it wrought
How, without fault on her part, she had thereto been brought,
That henceforth with a heathen she must in wedlock live;
This bitterness did Hagen and Gunther, too, contrive.
1396
The wish that dwelt within her ne’er let her heart alone;
Thought she: “I am so mighty, and such great riches own.
That on my foes in vengeance some ill I may repay.
Thus would I do right gladly to Hagen of Tronjé.
1397
“My heart is longing sorely for my dear faithful one:
Might I but get them near me who ill to me have done,
So would I take full vengeance for my beloved’s life;—
Scarce can I bide their coming;” so murmur’d Etzel’s wife.
1398
The whole of the king’s liegemen held highly in esteem
The warriors of Kriemhilda: and well it was, I deem.
Her treasurer was Eckwart— good friends thereby he made.
Nor could Kriemhilda’s wishes by any be gainsaid.
1399
Now was she ever thinking: “I will beseech the king!”
To wit, that of his goodness he would allow this thing,
That unto the Hun-country her kinsmen might be brought.
But no one there discover’d the queen’s unholy thought.
1400
It came to pass one night-time, as by the king she lay,
(His arms were cast about her, as was his wont alway,
Loving the noble lady: for she was as his life)
That of her foes was thinking the fair and noble wife.
1401
And to the king thus spake she: “My ever dear good lord,
I fain would ask a favour, if thou wouldst such accord:
If I am worthy of it, that thou shouldst let me see
Whether my friends and kinsmen thou lovest verily.”
1402
Then spake the mighty sovran, and guileless was his mood:
“I would have thee believe that, if any grace or good
Be done unto those warriors, I must thereat be glad,
Since I by love of woman ne’er better friends have made.”
1403
And yet again the queen spake: “To thee it hath been said,
That I have high-born kinsmen; and this my grief hath made
That they have never troubled to come to see me here.
I hear the people call me naught else but foreigner.”
1404
Whereunto answer’d Etzel: “Belovéd lady mine,
If not too far it seemeth, so will I from the Rhine
Bid all unto my kingdom whom thou art fain to see.”
When thus she learnt his purpose right glad at heart was she.
1405
She said: “If thou right truly wouldst serve me, master mine,
So wilt thou send an envoy to Worms beyond the Rhine.
That I may tell my kinsfolk all that I have in mind.
Then many a knight right noble his way to us shall find.”
1406
“Whenever thou commandest,” said he, “it shall be done.
Thou canst not be so eager thy friends to look upon
As I of noble Uté the sons to see am fain;
That we are still such strangers hath caused me mickle pain.
1407
“And if it should content thee, belovéd lady mine,
So will I send right gladly, unto those friends of thine,
My players on the fiddle to the Burgundian land.”
To bring the worthy fiddlers straightway he gave command.
1408
They hasten’d very quickly to where King Etzel sat.
And eke the queen beside him. He told them both, how that
As envoys they were chosen to Burgundy to fare.
For them he bade his people rich raiment to prepare.
1409
For four-and-twenty warriors was new apparel made;
And by the king their errand was also to them said:
How Gunther and his people to bring there they should seek.
But fain was Lady Kriemhild apart with them to speak.
1410
Then said the king most mighty: “Now hark ye what to do!
All that is good and kindly I bid my friends, by you;
If they vouchsafe to journey unto my kingdom here.
Ne’er yet have I had knowledge of guests as these so dear.
1411
“And if they so be minded my will herein to do,
These kinsmen of Kriemhilda, then must they not forego
To come to us this summer, to keep my wedding-feast;
For much on my wife’s kindred my happiness doth rest.”
1412
Then spake the fiddle-player, the haughty Schwemmelin:
“When will in this your kingdom your wedding-feast begin?
That we to your friends yonder unerringly may say.”
Then answer made King Etzel: “On next Midsummer-day”
1413
“We’ll do as thou dost bid us,” made answer Werbelin.
Then gave the queen an order that they be brought within
Her private room in secret, to speak with her alone.
Whereof soon many a warrior but sorry comfort won.
1414
To both the envoys spake she: “Well shall it be for you
If you my will and purpose right faithfully shall do,
And say whate’er I bid you when to my home you go;
In goods I’ll make you wealthy, and raiment rich bestow.
1415
“What friends of mine soever ye see and meet with there
At Worms on the Rhine river, take heed lest ye declare
That ye have ever seen me in melancholy mood:
And bear my greeting unto those heroes bold and good.
1416
“To what the king requireth beg them that they agree,
And thereby let them make me from all my trouble free.
The Huns may well believe that I have no friends at all.
Were I a knight, I’d ever be ready at their call.
1417
“And to my noble brother, to Gernot eke say ye
That in the world is no one I hold more lovingly:
Our best of friends and kinsmen bid him unto this land
To bring, that so the better we may in honour stand.
1418
“To Giselher say also that he must not forget
That never have I suffer’d by fault of his as yet:
Wherefore would I right gladly set eyes on him again;
And, for the faith he show’d me, to see him here am fain.
1419
“And also tell my mother what honours now I bear.
If Hagen, too, of Tronjé shall still be dwelling there
By whom shall they more fitly be through the country shown?
To him the roads to Hunsland from childhood have been known.”
1420
Unknowing were the envoys what meaning therein lay,
That Hagen,
