A braver fiddle-player in sooth had ne’er been known.
With such sweet-sounding music upon the strings he play’d,
That all the high-born strangers their thanks to Volker paid.
1835
The sweet clang of his viol made all the house resound.
His strength and skill together right excellent were found.
More softly and more sweetly to fiddle he began,
And lull’d upon their couches full many a troubled man.
1836
And when they all were sleeping, and he thereof was sure,
The thane took up his buckler upon his arm once more,
And went outside the chamber before the tower to stand,
To guard the sleeping strangers against Kriemhilda’s band.
1837
When halfway spent the night was, or earlier it might be,
The gallant Volker, watching, a shining helm could see
Far off amid the darkness. ’Twas one of Kriemhild’s men,
Who all to do a mischief unto the guests were fain.
1838
Then spake the fiddle-player: “My friend, Sir Hagen, there,
Together it is fitting that we this trouble share.
I’ve seen some folk in armour before the house but now,
Else I am much mistaken, they’ll set on us, I trow.”
1839
“Then hold thy peace,” quoth Hagen, “and let them nearer come.
Or ever they can see us, our swords will have struck home
And split their helmets for them, with double-handed might.
We’ll send them back to Kriemhild, methinks, in sorry plight!”
1840
One of the Hunnish warriors had soon enough espied
That guarded was the doorway; how suddenly he cried:
“The matter we intended, in sooth will not go well.
I see the fiddle-player standing as sentinel!
1841
“A brightly polish’d helmet upon his head hath he
Of pure, hard-temper’d metal, and strong, and blemish-free.
His hauberk’s rings are glowing as fiery embers would.
By him stands also Hagen: the guests have watchmen good.”
1842
Forthwith they turn’d them backwards. When Volker that espied,
Again to his companion in wrathful voice, he cried:
“Now let me from the palace after the warriors go;
Of Dame Kriemhilda’s liegemen somewhat I fain would know.”
1843
“Nay, do it not,” said Hagen; “I pray you by my love!
These ever-ready warriors, if from the house you move,
Would with their swords, I doubt not, bring you such straits to face,
That I should have to help you, were’t death to all my race.
1844
“For whilst we two together are busy in the fray,
Some two or four among them will to the house away,
And quickly force an entrance, and some foul mischief do
Unto our sleeping comrades, which we shall ever rue.”
1845
Then Volker spake in answer: “Let it be settled so;
But that I’ve seen them coming at least we’ll let them know,
So Kriemhild’s men hereafter shall never dare deny
That they would fain against us have wrought vile treachery.”
1846
With that, towards them Volker sent forth a lusty shout:
“Ye nimble knights, in armour why go ye thus about?
Ye warriors of Kriemhilda, if ye on foray ride,
Myself and my companion ye should have at your side!”
1847
No word there came in answer. Then wrathful wax’d his mood:
“Fie on ye, skulking rascals!” shouted the hero good;
“Would ye have caught us sleeping, and murder’d every one?
So foul a deed on heroes hath never yet been done.”
1848
Unto the queen right truly was told how lucklessly
Her messengers had prosper’d. Good cause for grief had she.
Then otherwise contrived she: so cruel was her mood;
By which ere long to perish were heroes bold and good.
Adventure XXXI
How They Went to Church
1849
“So cold I feel my armour:” quoth Volker presently,
“Methinks the night is wearing and soon will ended be;
I mark that by the breezes; ’twill very soon be day.”
Then many a man awoke they who still in slumber lay.
1850
The morning light broke over the guests within the hall.
Hagen began on all sides the warriors to call,
To know if to the Minster to matins they would fare.
Meanwhile, in Christian fashion, the bells were chiming clear.
1851
So diverse was the chanting, thereby ’twas plain to see
That Christians and heathens were not in unity.
And yet the men of Gunther to church would go withal;
They from their beds together had risen one and all.
1852
The warriors then array’d them in clothes so finely wrought,
That better raiment never by heroes had been brought
To any king’s dominions. Ill did it Hagen please.
Said he: “Now should ye, heroes, don other suits than these.
1853
“Enough about the matter ye surely understand;
Ye should, instead of roses, bear weapons in the hand.
For caps beset with jewels take shining helms and good;
Since we are well-adviséd of wicked Kriemhild’s mood.
1854
“This day must we do battle, I will to you declare;
Instead of silken doublets, ye should your hauberks wear,
And in the place of mantles take bucklers good and wide—
That if they seek a quarrel, the brunt ye may abide.
1855
“My well-belovéd masters, your friends and kinsmen too,
Go now unto the Minster— that should ye gladly do—
And pray to God Almighty in your distress and need:
For know now, of a surety, that Death is nigh indeed.
1856
“See, too, that ye forget not aught ill that ye have done,
And with true zeal and duty stand ye before God’s throne.
Of this, right noble warriors, I warn ye well afore,
Save God in Heaven may grant it, ye’ll hear no masses more.”
1857
They went unto the Minster, the princes with their men.
But in the hallow’d precincts bold Hagen spake again
And bade them halt, lest any should leave the company:
“None knoweth what the Hunfolk to us may do,” said he;
1858
“My friends, set down your bucklers upright before your feet,
And answer ye to any who may unkindly greet
With deep and deadly sword-stroke. Hark ye, to Hagen’s rede,
So will ye find it worthy to serve you in your need.”
1859
With that Hagen and Volker, the twain together, went
In front of the great Minster. ’Twas done with this intent,
That they might make it certain that the king’s wife would need
To crowd them as she enter’d: their mien was grim indeed.
1860
Then came the land’s Upholder, and eke his lady fair.
And deck’d about the body with raiment rich and rare
One saw the doughty warriors along with them go by;
The dust aloft was whirling from Kriemhild’s chivalry.
1861
Now when the mighty ruler in armour saw array’d
The kings and their companions, how quickly then he said:
“Why thus my friends behold I marching with helmets on?
’Twould grieve me, on my honour, had aught to them been done.
1862
“I’ll gladly make atonement, however they think good;
If any here have vext them in either heart or mood,
I give them full assurance that sorely vext am I;
And whatsoe’er they bid me I’ll do it readily.”
1863
To this made answer Hagen: “By none have we been harm’d.
It is my masters’ custom to go thus fully arm’d
To every courtly meeting— until three days have run;
To Etzel we will tell it if aught to us be done.”
1864
This answer made by Hagen Kriemhilda heard right well.
How hatefully
