1480
He said unto his masters: “We must be on our guard
Lest we to go allow them, before we are prepared
Within a week thereafter to Etzel’s land to go.
If any ill-will bear us, thus shall we better know.
1481
“So shall not Dame Kriemhilda be taking heed hereto,
That any, by her counsel, should evil to us do.
And if it be her purpose her own may be the pain:
With us to Hunsland take we so many chosen men.”
1482
Their bucklers, then, and saddles, and all of such like gear
As they to Etzel’s country had in their minds to bear,
By many valiant liegemen for use were ready made.
The envoys of Kriemhilda were unto Gunther bade.
1483
And when the heralds enter’d, unto them Gernot said:
“The king will take the offer to us by Etzel made;
And we will come right gladly unto his festival,
And see again our sister: of that doubt not at all.”
1484
Then spake to them King Gunther: “Can ye not tell us, pray,
When is this merry-making? or rather, on what day
’Twere best that we come thither?” ’Twas Schwemmelin replied:
“Ye must be there for certain at next Midsummer-tide.”
1485
The king unto them granted, if haply they were will’d
(For not yet had they done it) to see the Dame Brunhild,
That they with his approval might to her presence go.
It was gainsaid by Volker: for her sake did he so.
1486
“In sooth the Lady Brunhild is not now in the mood
For you to look upon her,” so spake the warrior good.
“Wait ye until to-morrow, then her they’ll let you see.”
So hoped they to behold her; but it was not to be.
1487
The mighty prince then order’d (he held those envoys dear)
Out of his own great kindness, that folk should thither bear
His gold upon broad bucklers; great store thereof he had.
And by his kinsmen also rich gifts to them were made.
1488
For Giselher and Gernot, Gere and Ortwein, too,
That they were kindly-hearted right plainly then did shew.
They such abundant largess unto the envoys gave,
That, fearful of their rulers, none of it would they have.
1489
Then Werbelin the herald unto the king did say:
“Your gifts, Lord King, so please ye, let in your kingdom stay;
We may not take them with us; my lord bade us take heed,
Lest gifts by us be taken: nor is there any need.”
1490
Then did the Lord of Rhineland this thing unkindly take,
That they a great king’s treasure of small account should make;
So were they bound to take it, his gold and habiting,
And unto Etzel’s country were fain with them to bring.
1491
They would see Uté also ere they set forth again.
So Giselher the ready brought both the minstrelmen
Unto his mother Uté. This word the lady sent:
That if Kriemhild were honour’d her mother was content.
1492
Then bade the queen be given of gold and broidery,
All for the sake of Kriemhild— so dear to her was she—
And for the sake of Etzel, unto the minstrels both.
They readily might take it: ’twas done in honest troth.
1493
The messengers’ leave-taking was done; and now they had
Parted from men and maidens; and so with hearts right glad
They rode on into Swabia; thus far ’twas Gernot’s will
His heroes should escort them, that none might do them ill.
1494
When they, who thus did guard them, parted and homewards rode,
In Etzel’s power a safeguard they found on ev’ry road,
Whence none essay’d to rob them of horse or wearing gear.
And so to Etzel’s country they speedily drew near.
1495
Where’er they found acquaintance, to them the news they said:
How the Burgundian people, ere many days were sped,
Unto the Hunfolk’s country were coming from the Rhine.
The news was carried also to Bishop Pilgerin.
1496
As they by Bechelaren along the highway went,
To Rüdeger folk told it— as naught could well prevent—
And also to Gotlinda, the margrave’s wedded wife.
That she was soon to see them was joy unto her life.
1497
Folk saw how with the tidings the minstrels swiftly rode,
Until they found King Etzel at Gran, where he abode.
And greeting upon greeting which unto him were sent
They to the king deliver’d; ruddy with joy he went.
1498
And when the queen the tidings did fairly understand,
That verily her brothers were coming to the land,
In mood she was right happy; and both the minstrelmen
With costly gifts rewarded: and honour had she then.
1499
“Now Schwemmelin and Werbel, each one of you,” said she,
“Tell me which of my kinsmen will at our feasting be,
Of whom the best and dearest unto our land we bade?
And, when the news was told him, tell me what Hagen said?”
1500
They said: “One morning early he came to the debate,
And not a good word from him we early had or late;
And when the ride to Hunsland was praised by all the folk
Grim Hagen looked not elsewise than if of death they spoke.
1501
“Your brothers here are coming, the noble kings all three,
In high and lordly humour. But who with them may be
That news I cannot give you, seeing I do not know;
But Volker the bold minstrel hath vow’d with them to go.”
1502
“Him could I spare right blithely,” in answer spake the queen:
“Since many a time and often here Volker have I seen.
But fain I am of Hagen, the hero excellent;
That here we soon shall see him doth give me much content.”
1503
Then went the royal lady where she the king did find;
How gently Dame Kriemhilda unto him spake her mind!
“How do the tidings please thee, my lord beloved,” she said,
“Now all my heart hath yearned for shall be accomplishéd.”
1504
“Thy will is eke my pleasure,” thus did the king reply,
“Nor any of my kindred so glad to see were I,
If e’er they should be coming hither unto my land.
For sake of them that love thee is all my trouble bann’d.”
1505
King’s officers then straightway commandment gave to all
That seats should be made ready in palace and in hall,
Meet for the guests belovéd who would be there anon.
By them, ere long, for Etzel was pleasure all fordone.
Adventure XXV
How the Lords All Went to the Huns
1506
Now let us leave the story of how they prosper’d there.
Ere then did never warriors of higher courage fare
In such like state and splendour through any king’s domain.
Of armour and apparel all had as they were fain.
1507
The warden of the Rhineland equipp’d his warriors bold,
A thousand knights and sixty, so is the story told,
With men-at-arms nine thousand for this great festival.
They whom they left behind them ere long bewail’d them all.
1508
Their riding gear they carried to Worms across the court.
Whereon an aged bishop of Spires spake in this sort
Unto the comely Uté: “Our friends have mind to fare
Unto this high assembly: God guard their honour there!”
1509
Thereon unto her children did noble Uté say:
“Ye should,
