It befell in the selfsame season, when the Lady Helka had died, And Etzel the King would be wooing another woman for bride,
That his kinsmen in council assembled spake unto him of the fame
Of a certain proud queen widowed, that Kriemhild had to name.
Since Helka the Queen, the lovely, was taken from him and from life,
They said: “If haply thou thinkest on another noble wife,
In blood and in virtue the highest that ever prince hath won,
Take Kriemhild: Siegfried the Hero was her lord in days bygone.”
{p. 157}
But the mighty King made answer: “Nay, how may this thing be?
A heathen am I; baptismal waters have touched not me;
And she is a Christian woman—the thing may never befall.
If ever she came, this surely a miracle might one call!”
But the valiant knights made answer: “Perchance may she do that same
For the sake of thy great dominions, for the sake of thy glorious name.
In any wise might one seek her to be thy noble queen.
She is worthy, O King, thy wooing; never lovelier woman was seen.”
And the noble King made answer: “Unto whom of you all be known
The people that dwell in Rhineland, and the realm their princes own?”
Answered the Lord of Bechlaren, the knightly Rüdiger:
“Known be its princely rulers unto me from my birth-tide year.
Lo, these be Gunther and Gernot, valiant knights and true,
And of these is Giselher youngest, and ever the Princes do
What sorteth wholly with honour and chivalry high-souled:
Yea, they walk in the steps of their fathers, the stainless heroes of old.”
Answered and spake King Etzel: “Friend, unto me declare
If indeed it well beseemeth that the crown at my side she wear.
If indeed she hath such beauty as flieth on rumour’s wing,
Mine high-born kinsmen shall never repent their counselling.”
“She is such as was once my Lady: in beauty is she no less
Than thy Queen the noble Helka; she is peerless in loveliness
Through all the wide world’s compass, a bride for a king to wed.
Who winneth her love, of a surety may his heart be comforted.”
Said the King: “By my love I charge thee, Rüdiger, win me this bride;
And if ever to me fair Kriemhild shall be joined at the marriage-tide,
To the uttermost of my power shalt thou have guerdon of me;
And thou shalt have fulfilled my pleasure in faith and in fealty.
I will bid my treasure-keepers freely to give unto thee
Horses and goodly raiment, whatsoever thy need shall be,
That thou and thy journeying-fellows in joyance ever may live.
Yea, as a great king giveth, for thine ambassage so will I give.”
{p. 158}
Answered the Lord of the Marches, the mighty Rüdiger:
“If I sought of thee aught of thy bounty, not for mine honour it were:
Blithe will I go unto Rhineland at my good Lord’s command,
Of mine own wealth full-furnished: I received it all of thine hand.”
Made answer the great King Etzel: “When think ye forth to fare
To the wooing of the winsome? God take you into his care,
And crown with honour mine envoys unto her, my wife that shall be,
Let fortune but aid us, and Kriemhild incline to us graciously.”
And Rüdiger made answer: “Ere we ride from thy land away,
We must needs provide us with armour and royal-rich array,
To stand in the presence of princes with honour worthy of thee.
I think to lead into Rhineland five hundred knights with me;
So when in the realm Burgundian men look on me and mine,
With one voice all the people shall cry in the land of Rhine:
‘Never so far from his kingdom was such a goodly band
Sent forth by a king, as Etzel hath sent to Burgundia-land!’
Know thou, O King most mighty,—let the thing not give thee pause—
The wife of the chiefest hero on earth, of Siegfried, she was,
Of Siegmund’s son: that champion aforetime here didst thou see.
Right worship-worthy might all men account him verily.”
Answered and spake King Etzel: “If she was his worthy mate,
That noble prince’s glory is so exceeding great
That wholly it were for mine honour to call her my queen, I trow.
So great is the fame of her beauty that mine heart goeth out to her now.”
Answered the Lord of the Marches: “This then remaineth to say—
Hence will we take our departing on the four-and-twentieth day.
Unto Gotlind the well-belovèd, my wife, will I send the word
That I for the wooing of Kriemhild am on ambassage sent of my Lord.”
To his wife at Bechlaren tidings sent that knightly thane.
Joyful at once and sorry was that high-born chatelaine
That her lord should be sent forth seeking another bride for his King;
For unto the dear dead Helka did the love of her heart still cling.
{p. 159}
So when the messengers’ tidings to the Margravine were told,
Unwelcome it came in a measure, and the Lady was sorrowful-souled;
For she feared she should see no mistress like her of the days of yore.
Ever she thought on Helka, and her heart within her was sore.
Seven days had passed, and the Margrave rode from the land of the Hun.
Greatly rejoiced King Etzel that his hest so swiftly was done.
In the city Vienna already was prepared their festal array,
And from setting forth on his journey would the knight no longer delay.
Gotlind his wife in Bechlaren for his coming eagerly stayed;
And the Margravine, Rüdiger’s daughter, a young and winsome maid,
Was fain to behold her father and them of his vassal-throng.
Sooth, that was a loving waiting of ladies fair and young.
Ere Rüdiger the noble forth of Vienna’s gate
Rode to Bechlaren, ready for him did all things wait
On the sumpter-beasts full laden, the raiment and warrior-gear.
So strongly guarded they journeyed, no spoiler dared draw near.
So when they were come to Bechlaren, and had passed through the gates thereof,
For all his warrior-fellows that knightly host of his love
Bade lodging fair be provided, and all was done as he willed.
And the Lady Gotlind hailed him with eyes with gladness filled,
Even she and her dear-loved daughter, the fair young Margravine.
No sweeter sight than the coming of her father had she seen.
When came out of Hunland the heroes, she saw them joyful-eyed,
And with smiling lips of greeting the high-born maiden cried:
“Welcome be now my father, and ye his vassal-train!”
Thereat to their lord’s young daughter many a gallant thane
In knightly courtesy bent him, and rendered thank unto her.
Well knew the Lady Gotlind the mind of Rüdiger;
For when in the hush of the night-tide by Rüdiger’s side she lay,
With loving speech she questioned, and the Margravine bade him say
{p. 160}
Whither away from Hunland by his lord the King he was sent.
“Gotlind my wife,” he answered, “I will tell to thee all his intent:
This charge my lord hath given, that I woo him another bride,
Inasmuch as Helka the lovely, the wife of his youth, hath died.
Therefore to win for him Kriemhild now to the Rhine ride I;
And she, if she will, mid the Hunfolk shall be throned in empery.”
“God grant it may fall,” said Gotlind, “according to this thy word!
A tale of such glory and honour of that lady have we heard,
She might comfort our hearts for Helka whom we lost in the days bygone:
We might well mid the Hunfolk gladly behold her set on the throne.”
Answered the Lord of the Marches: “Heart’s dearest, lady mine,
These friends that with me be riding from this land on to the Rhine—
I would have thee with hand all-bounteous on these of thy wealth bestow;
For when heroes be rich-appointed, with hearts uplifted they go.”
“No man of them all,” she answered, “so he at my request
Take all that I freely offer, but shall have what suiteth him best,
Ere thou from Bechlaren departest with all thy vassal-train.”
Answered the Lord of the Marches, “Of thy bounty am I full fain.”
O me, what costly loom-work from her treasures forth she bare!
Thereof had the noble warriors raiment enough and to spare.
With diligence did she array them wholly, from neck to spur.
What vesture soever pleased him was chosen of Rüdiger.
On the seventh morning thereafter rode from Bechlaren away
That host with his train of warriors: weapons of war had they
And store of costly raiment, through Bavaria-land as they pressed.
Such steel-clad strong wayfarers no spoiler dared molest.
So then on the twelfth day’s morning to the land of Rhine they came.
Swiftly the tale of their coming flew on the wings of fame.
Full soon to the King and his kinsmen did the city-warders show
That guests were come from a far land. And now would Gunther know—
“Doth any man know yon strangers? If it be so, let him declare.”
Men looked on the sumpter-horses, and the heavy loads they bare;
{p. 161}
How rich were the alien heroes might all discern thereby:
Then all through the wide-wayed city they lodged them royally.
So soon as men saw these strangers through the streets of the city ride,
They gazed on the long procession with wonder eager-eyed,
Sore marvelling whence these barons to the land of the Rhine had come.
“Know’st thou,” the King asked Hagen, “who these shall be, and wherefrom?”
Answered the Lord of Troneg: “Not yet have I looked on them well.
So soon as mine eyes have marked them, doubt not but I shall tell
From what far country hither hath ridden their knightly array.
They must needs be far-off dwellers if I know them not straightway.”
So when into many a hostel those guests of a king were brought,
King Etzel’s herald arrayed him in vesture richly wrought,
Even he and all his fellows, and they rode to the palace thus;
And the fashion of their raiment was exceeding glorious.
Then spake the valiant Hagen: “As I call up things long past,—
For in sooth many days have fleeted since I saw yon baron last,—
Such are they in semblance, methinketh, as Rüdiger now might be,
Out of the land of the Hunfolk, in port and in valiancy.”
“Meseems it is past believing,” the King made answer again,
“That unto this far country should journey Bechlaren’s thane!”
Yet scarce had the word of misgiving from the lips of Gunther flown,
Than by Hagen of a surety was the knightly Rüdiger known.
Then Troneg’s lord and his kinsmen to meet that stranger stept,
As valiant thanes five hundred down from the saddle leapt.
Courteous greeting and loving those Hunland envoys had.
Sooth, never a great king’s heralds had come so royally clad.
Then Hagen of Troneg lifted his voice, and he cried aloud:
“Now unto us be welcome these gallant thanes and proud!
Welcome the Lord of Bechlaren and all his valiant ones!”
Yea, hailed with abundant honour in truth were the warrior Huns.
King Gunther’s nearest kinsmen with welcoming hands drew nigh,
And to Rüdiger did Ortwein, fair Metz’s warder, cry:
{p. 162}
“No guests so passing welcome to our hearts for many a day
Have we looked upon in Rhineland: sheer truth is that I say.”
Then one and all for his greeting they thanked that princely thane;
And into the Hall of the Presence paced Rüdiger and his train.
There they beheld King Gunther begirt with barons bold;
And he rose from his throne to greet them, like a great king courteous-souled.
With welcome how royal-courteous those heralds did he meet!
How eagerly did Gunther and Gernot his brother greet
That stately guest and his good knights! Worthy thereof they were.
Then by the hand did Gunther the King lead Rüdiger:
He brought him unto the high-seat whence himself had risen but now;
And he bade pour out for his guest-friends—and with joy they obeyed, I trow—
The sparkling mead of welcome, and the choicest of all wine
That man might find by searching in the lands that fringe the Rhine.
Came Giselher and Gere to bid the guests all-hail;
Dankwart withal and Volker, for these too heard the tale
Of the strangers worship-worthy. Blithe were they all of mood
As they greeted in Gunther’s presence that noble knight and good.
And now to his liege-lord Gunther did Hagen of Troneg say:
“With loving service ever should these thine earls repay
The kindness the Lord of the Marches showed unto us of old.
Now let the husband of Gotlind be requited manifold.”
Then spake King Gunther: “From asking will I no more delay:—
How fare thy Lord and thy Lady tell unto me straightway,
Etzel and Queen Helka, which rule the Hunfolk’s land.”
Answered the Margrave: “Gladly will I do my Lord’s command.”
Then rose he up from the high-seat; uprose his vassals all;
And he answered and spake unto Gunther: “If this indeed may befall
That thou givest me, King, free licence, without more tarrying
With willing lips will I utter the message that I bring.”
{p. 163}
And the King said: “Whatsoever the charge of thy message be,
With friends do I take not counsel ere I grant thee liberty
To speak out all thy message unto me and my friends, O guest.
All honour shall be accorded thy petition and thy request.”
Spake that true-hearted herald: “Unto you by Rhine which dwell
In all manner of loyal service my King commendeth him well
And to all thy friends and kinsmen, the vassals of thy throne.
In faithfulness utter-loyal is this my message done.
The noble King requesteth that ye mourn his hapless lot;
For his people be sitting joyless: our Lady and Queen is not.
The wife of my good Lord, Helka the mighty, low is laid,
Whereby are young lives orphaned, even many a tender maid,
Children of noble princes, whom she fostered in bower and hall,
Whereby the whole land sitteth dark-shrouded in sorrow’s pall;
For now, ah me, have they no one whose love shall bless them and ward.
Long shall it be ere assuaging come to the grief of my Lord!”
“God guerdon him,” said Gunther, “that so graciously he commends
His loving and courteous service unto me and these my friends!
Gladly I hearken the greeting borne this day unto me,
And willing service I tender from me and mine by thee.”
Outspake a Prince Burgundian, and the good knight Gernot said:
“Well may the world sit mourning that Helka the fair is dead;
For in her did princely virtues and the law of kindness reign.”
“This witness is true: I have seen it,” said Hagen the high-born thane.
But again that noble herald, Lord Rüdiger, spake on:
“Lord King, now suffer me further: mine errand not yet is done.
I would utter the word of my dear Lord, the which by my mouth he saith.
He liveth in sorrow exceeding since the Lady Helka’s death.
They have told my Lord that Kriemhild sitteth a widow alone,
Now that Siegfried is dead. If it be so, if the truth unto him hath been shown,
Then if thou, O King, accord it, beneath the crown shall she stand
Before the knights of Etzel. I have spoken my Lord’s command.”
{p. 164}
Answered and spake King Gunther of his princely-courteous mind:
“She shall hear my will in the matter, if her heart be so inclined.
Thereof will I certify you in three days from this day.
Or ever I prove her heart’s wish, why should I say thee nay?”
Thereafter they gave fair lodging unto all their guests straightway.
So kindly were they entreated that Rüdiger needs must say
That amid King Gunther’s liegemen good friends had he found enow.
Glad service did Hagen render for his kindness of long ago.
There did the Lord of Bechlaren till the third day’s dawning abide;
And the King dealt prudently, calling his counsellors to his side;
And he asked of his friends and his kinsmen if good in their sight this thing
Seemed, that his sister Kriemhild should wed with Etzel the King.
“Yea, good in our eyes it seemeth,” said they with one accord
Save Hagen alone: unto Gunther he spake, that valiant lord:
“If thou be wise and prudent, hereof take thou good heed,
That, be she never so willing, thou never consent to the deed.”
“Wherefore,” made answer Gunther, “should I his wooing withstand?
What kindness soever or blessing the Queen may have of mine hand,
That will I grant her gladly. Sister she is unto me.
Yea, ourselves might seek such alliance, if such for her honour be.”
But again made answer Hagen: “Nay, put this counsel by!
Did ye but know this Etzel and his might so well as I—
If thou, as thou saidst in mine hearing, unto hers add thy consent,
Above all men thou most surely shalt have chief cause to repent.”
“Wherefore?” said Gunther. “Lightly may I ward me against this,
To come so nigh to his presence that through any malice of his
Hurt I should be or imperilled, although she be wedded to him.”
“Never will I approve it!” made answer Hagen the grim.
Then the King bade summon Gernot to his presence and Giselher,
And he asked of these two princes if good in their eyes it were
That the Lady Kriemhild be wedded to the mighty Lord of the Hun:
And of these, save Hagen only, there spake against it none.
{p. 165}
Then answered the Prince Burgundian, Giselher the knight:
“Now surely shouldst thou, friend Hagen, deal by her according to right.
Make good unto her that sorrow thou hast brought upon her ere now.
Whatsoever shall be for her profit, ungrudging suffer thou.
Yea, thou hast brought on my sister such passing bitter pain”—
So Giselher, peerless hero, unto Hagen spake again—
“That, how stern soe’er were her hatred, thy due hast thou but received.
Never by man hath woman of joy been so bereaved!”
“O yea, full well I know it: who knows it, nought care I!
But, if she take this Etzel, and see her hour draw nigh
Wherein she may compass her vengeance, she will do us what hurt she can:
And verily then in her service shall be many a mighty man!”
Made answer Gernot the dauntless, and unto Hagen he said:
“Nay then, long time may we tarry, yea, till these twain be dead,
Ere unto the land of Etzel the Hun-king journey we.
Let us deal with my sister truly: for our honour this shall be.”
Thereto made answer Hagen: “I say—gainsay it who dare—
If once the high-born Kriemhild the crown of Helka wear,
Whatsoever she may of mischief, that unto us will she do.
Ye knights, let be, I counsel: better shall this be for you.”
Then Giselher spake in his anger, the fair Queen Uta’s son:
“We be not in any wise minded to be traitors every one!
Whatsoe’er may befall her of honour, let us be glad thereof.
Whatsoever thou sayest, Hagen, I serve her in faith and love.”
When Hagen heard that saying, he was wroth and bitter of mood.
But Giselher and Gernot, the haughty knights and good,
And the King, the mighty Gunther—in one mind stood these three:
If this should be Kriemhild’s pleasure, they would grant it ungrudgingly.
Spake Gere, Lord of the Marches: “This word unto her will I bring
That none shall let her from yielding her love unto Etzel the King
Unto whom in fear and in homage many a good knight bends.
For all her past wrongs suffered unto her may he make amends.”
{p. 166}
Then into the presence of Kriemhild passed that gallant knight.
She gave to him gracious welcome, and he spake the word forthright:
“Well mayst thou blithely greet me, and give me the messenger’s meed
For tidings of good fortune and days from sorrow freed!
One seeketh thy love, O Lady: lo, here his heralds be.
He is noble among the noblest that in honour and majesty
Have ruled over royal dominions, or a knightly crown have worn.
Proud knights be his suitors. This message from thy brother to thee have I borne.”
Then answered the sorrow-burdened: “Now God forbid that ye,
Even thou and all my kinsmen, should make a mockery
Of me in mine affliction! How should I shadow the life
Of a man that hath known th............