Behind the rest in Rhineland. Soon woe for them it made:
With him was many a warrior to cruel death betray’d.
1421
With message and with letters they were provided now:
To live henceforth in plenty of wealth they had enow.
Their leave they took of Etzel and of his lady fair.
And clad in rich apparel a goodly sight they were.
Adventure XXIV
How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand
1422
When Etzel to the Rhineland had sent his embassy,
The news thereof right swiftly from land to land did fly:
He greeting gave and bade them, by messengers right fleet,
To come unto his feasting: whence many death did meet.
1423
From out the Huns’ dominions the envoys swiftly went
To the Burgundian country; for thither were they sent
Three noble kings to summon, and eke their chivalry,
To come and visit Etzel: so rode they speedily.
1424
First were they on their journey to Bechelaren brought;
The folk there served them gladly. That he might fail in naught
By them unto the Rhineland sent greeting Rüdeger,
As also did Gotlinda and eke their daughter dear.
1425
Nor did they send them further without a proper meed,
Whereby the men of Etzel made all the better speed.
To Uté and her children sent message Rüdeger,
To say there lived no margrave who meant them kindlier.
1426
Unto Brunhilda also a kindly greeting went,
Of good faith ever steadfast, and friendliest intent.
When they these words had taken, forth would the envoys fare:
That God in Heaven would keep them, was Gotelinda’s prayer.
1427
Ere yet the envoys fully had cross’d Bavarian ground,
The ever-ready Werbel the worthy bishop found.
What message for his kinsmen upon the Rhine he told
Thereof I have no knowledge; save that in ruddy gold
1428
He gave the twain a token before he let them ride.
Quoth Pilgerin the bishop: “And could I at my side
See them, so were I happy— these sister’s sons of mine:
Scarce can I come to see them, myself, unto the Rhine.”
1429
The ways by which they travell’d o’er land unto the Rhine,
I cannot say for certain. Silver and raiment fine
By none from them was stolen: men fear’d their lord’s despite—
That king of noble lineage— ay, potent was his might!
1430
In the Burgundian country, to Worms upon the Rhine
Came, after twelve days’ riding, Werbel and Schwemmelin.
Unto the king the tidings were told, and to his men,
Of foreign envoys coming. Gunther made question then.
1431
Quoth he, the Lord of Rhineland: “Who can to us declare
Whence come these foreign riders that through our country fare?”
But that was known to no one: till Hagen of Tronjé,
As soon as he had seen them, did thus to Gunther say:
1432
“Strange news to us is coming that much I will aver.
The fiddle-players of Etzel I have but now seen here.
Unto the Rhine your sister hath sent them, verily;
For sake of both their sovereigns right welcome must they be.”
1433
Meanwhile before the palace in full array they rode;
No prince’s minstrels ever in nobler fashion show’d.
The royal court-folk hasten’d to meet them presently:
They bade men take their mantles and found them hostelry.
1434
Their travelling clothes were costly, with work so deftly done
That they might well with honour before the king have gone.
Yet in the same apparel to court they would not go:
Who cared for it might have it, the envoys let men know.
1435
Without delay they met with folk who were well content
To take the clothing gladly; and unto them ’twas sent.
And thereupon the strangers put on far better gear,
As it behoves kings’ heralds in full array to wear.
1436
So went, when leave was given, to where the monarch sat
Those followers of Etzel: and all were glad thereat.
With courtesy did Hagen towards the heralds make,
And gave them kindly greeting, for which their thanks they spake.
1437
To learn from them the tidings to questioning he fell,
If Etzel and his lieges were faring all right well?
Then answer’d him the minstrel: “Ne’er throve the country more,
Nor were the folk so happy— of that thou may’st be sure.”
1438
Towards the host then went they. Crowded the palace was;
Unto the guests was offer’d such kindly welcome as
In foreign kings’ dominions is ever given of right.
And there, in Gunther’s service, found Werbel many a knight.
1439
And graciously King Gunther began to greet them then:
“Be both of ye right welcome, ye Hunnish minstrelmen,
And your companions also. Ye are, I understand,
Sent hither by great Etzel to the Burgundian land?”
1440
Before the king they bow’d them, and then spake Werbelin:
“To thee his service offers that well-loved lord of mine;
And to this land thy sister Kriemhilda greeting saith.
They send us to you warriors trusting in your good faith.”
1441
The mighty prince made answer: “Of this right glad am I.
And tell me how is Etzel,” so did the king reply.
“And eke my sister Kriemhild, yonder in Hunnish land?”
Then spake the fiddle-player: “I’ll answer this demand.
1442
“Of this ye may be certain, that never yet there were
Two folks who lived together more happy than this pair;
And all the knights around them, their kinsfolk and their men.
When on this ride we started, right joyous were they then.”
1443
“Gramercy for the greeting he hath sent me this day,
And thank my sister also; since it be as ye say,
That all live in contentment, ruler and ruled as well:
For I with some misgiving, ask’d ye the news to tell.”
1444
The king’s two younger brothers had likewise come by now:
For they the news from Hunsland but now had got to know.
And Giselher right gladly, for his dear sister’s sake,
Set eyes upon the envoys and kindly to them spake.
1445
“Right welcome must ye heralds be unto me and mine,
And if ye rode more often hither unto the Rhine,
Friends would ye find here always rejoicing ye to see.
That aught should here befall you small peril can there be.”
1446
“We trust you in all honour,” made answer Schwemmelin.
“And never can I tell you by any wit of mine,
How Etzel hath enjoin’d us to greet you lovingly,
As hath your noble sister, who there hath honour high.
1447
“Of former faith and kindness the queen doth you remind,
And how with heart and body you aye to her inclined.
But to the king’s self firstly have we been sent, to pray
That into Etzel’s country ye deign to take your way.
1448
“That we thereto should urge ye hath given strict command
The rich and mighty Etzel, who likewise doth demand
That if ye by your sister would not again be seen,
Then would he fain have knowledge of what his fault hath been
1449
“That ye are strangers to him, and to his country, too;
For if the Queen Kriemhilda were all unknown to you,
Still he himself were worthy for you to come to see.
And were this thing to happen, ’twould please him verily.”
1450
Then spake the royal Gunther: “A week from now being gone,
So will
