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Read Ebook: The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Carpenter William H William Henry Author Of Introduction Etc Lettsom William Nanson Translator
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Ebook has 3219 lines and 153045 words, and 65 pages
Rumolt the steward , Sindolt, and Hunolt; these serv'd the brethren three, At their court discharging their several duties well; Besides, knights had they many whom now I cannot tell.
Dankwart was marshal to the king his lord, Ortwine of Metz, his nephew, was carver at the board, Sindolt, he was butler, a champion choice and true, The chamberlain was Hunolt; they well their duties knew.
The gorgeous pomp and splendor, wherein these brethren reign'd, How well they tended knighthood, what worship they attain'd, How they thro' life were merry, and mock'd at woe and bale-- Who'd seek all this to tell you, would never end his tale.
A dream was dreamt by Kriemhild the virtuous and the gay, How a wild young falcon she train'd for many a day, Till two fierce eagles tore it; to her there could not be In all the world such sorrow at this perforce to see.
To her mother Uta at once the dream she told, But she the threatening future could only thus unfold; "The falcon that thou trainedst is sure a noble mate; God shield him in his mercy, or thou must lose him straight."
"A mate for me? what say'st thou, dearest mother mine? Ne'er to love, assure thee, my heart will I resign. I'll live and die a maiden, and end as I began, Nor will suffer woe for man."
"Nay," said her anxious mother, "renounce not marriage so; Would'st thou true heartfelt pleasure taste ever here below, Man's love alone can give it. Thou 'rt fair as eye can see, A fitting mate God send thee, and naught will wanting be."
"No more," the maiden answer'd, "no more, dear mother, say; From many a woman's fortune this truth is clear as day, That falsely smiling Pleasure with Pain requites us ever. I from both will keep me, and thus will sorrow never."
So in her lofty virtues, fancy-free and gay, Liv'd the noble maiden many a happy day, Nor one more than another found favor in her sight; Still at the last she wedded a far-renowned knight.
He was the self-same falcon she in her dream had seen, Foretold by her wise mother. What vengeance took the queen On her nearest kinsmen who him to death had done! That single death atoning died many a mother's son.
SECOND ADVENTURE OF SIEGFRIED
In Netherland then flourished a prince of lofty kind, In a sumptuous castle down by the Rhine's fair side; Men did call it Xanten; 't was famous far and wide.
I tell you of this warrior, how fair he was to see; From shame and from dishonor liv'd he ever free. Forthwith fierce and famous wax'd the mighty man. Ah! what height of worship in this world he wan!
Siegfried men did call him, that same champion good; Many a kingdom sought he in his manly mood, And through strength of body in many a land rode he. Ah! what men of valor he found in Burgundy!
Before this noble champion grew up to man's estate, His hand had mighty wonders achieved in war's debate, Whereof the voice of rumor will ever sing and say, Though much must pass in silence in this our later day.
In his freshest season, in his youthful days, One might full many a marvel tell in Siegfried's praise, What lofty honors grac'd him, and how fair his fame, How he charm'd to love him many a noble dame.
As did well befit him, he was bred with care, And his own lofty nature gave him virtues rare, From him his father's country grace and honor drew, To see him prov'd in all things so noble and so true.
He now, grown up to youthhood, at court his duty paid; The people saw him gladly; many a wife and many a maid Wish'd he would often thither, and bide forever there; They view'd him all with favor, whereof he well was ware.
The child by his fond parents was deck'd with weeds of pride, And but with guards about him they seldom let him ride. Uptrain'd was he by sages, who what was honor knew, So might he win full lightly broad lands and liegemen too.
Now had he strength and stature that weapons well he bore; Whatever thereto needed, he had of it full store. He began fair ladies to his love to woo, And they inclin'd to Siegfried with faith and honor true.
Then bade his father Siegmund all his liegemen tell, With his dear friends to revel it would please him well. Where other kings were dwelling the tidings took their course. To friends and eke to strangers he gave both weed and horse.
Whosoe'er was worthy to become a knight For his lofty lineage, did they each invite, High-born youths and valiant to the feastful board; With the young king Siegfried took they then the sword.
Of that proud feast royal wonders one might say; King Siegmund and Queen Siegelind well might that day Win honor for the bounty they shower'd with lavish hand, For which full many a stranger came flocking through their land.
Sworded squires four hundred rich raiment had to wear With the noble Siegfried. Full many a maiden fair Ceaseless plied the needle to please the warrior bold; Precious stones unnumber'd the women set in gold,
, and as each could best For the love of Siegfried they work'd the jewel'd vest. The Host rais'd seats unnumber'd for many a martial wight On the fair midsummer when his heir was dubb'd a knight.
Forthwith to the high minster flock'd many a squire along, And many a knight of worship. To fitly train the young The old should lend that service which once to them was lent. They pass'd the hours in pastime and gentle merriment.
But first to God's due honor a holy mass they sung, And then a press and struggle arose the crowd among, And then with pomp befitting each youth was dubb'd a knight. In sooth, before was never seen so fair a sight.
All ran at once, where saddled many a war-horse stood. In the court of Siegmund the tourney was so rude, That both hall and palace echoed far around, As those high-mettled champions shock'd with thundering sound.
Old and young together fiercely hurtling flew, That the shiver'd lances swept the welkin through; Splinters e'en to the palace went whizzing many a one From hands of mighty champions; all there was deftly done.
The Host bade cease the tourney; the steeds were led away; Then might you see, all shatter'd how many a shield there lay, And store of stones full precious from bucklers beaming sheen In those fierce shocks were scatter'd upon the trampled green.
Thence went the guests in order, and sat around the board; Many dainty dishes their wearied strength restor'd, And wine, of all the richest, their burning thirst allay'd: To friends alike and strangers was fitting honor pay'd.
Albeit in ceaseless pastime they sent the livelong day, The mummers and the minstrels never ceas'd their play. They flock'd to golden largess, a roving frolic band, And pour'd a flood of praises on Siegmund's fertile land.
The king, too, as his father to him before had done, Enfeoff'd with lands and castles Siegfried his youthful son; Gifts to his sword-companions he gave with liberal hand, So glad was he, it pleased them to come into his land.
The gorgeous feast it lasted till the seventh day was o'er; Siegelind the wealthy did as they did of yore; She won for valiant Siegfried the hearts of young and old, When for his sake among them she shower'd the ruddy gold.
You scarce could find one needy in all the minstrel band; Horses and robes were scatter'd with ever open hand. They gave as though they had not another day to live, None were to take so ready, as they inclin'd to give.
So was dissolv'd with honor the mighty festival: The high-descended Barons assembled there in hall, That youth were well contented as lord to serve and sue, But that desir'd not Siegfried, the champion stout and true.
While Siegelind and Siegmund yet liv'd and flourished there, Full little reck'd their offspring the royal crown to wear. He only would be master and exercise command, 'Gainst those whose pride o'erweening disturb'd the peaceful land.
None ventur'd to defy him; since weapons first he took, The bed of sloth but seldom the noble knight could brook. He only sought for battles; his prowess-gifted hand Won him renown eternal in every foreign strand.
THIRD ADVENTURE
HOW SIEGFRIED WENT TO WORMS
'Twas seldom teen or sorrow the warrior's heart assay'd; At length he heard the rumor, how a lovely maid In Burgundy was dwelling, the fairest of the fair. From her he won much pleasure, but dash'd with toil and care.
For all the host of suitors that sought to bend her will, True to her own coy promise remain'd fair Kriemhild still, That she, for all their wooing, would love vouchsafe to none. He was a distant stranger, who at last her favor won.
Then sought the son of Siegelind to gain the haughty fair; The vows of other suitors to his were light as air. Such knight deserv'd to vanquish the coyest maiden's pride; Ere long the noble Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's bride.
His kinsmen and his liegemen then gave him counsel true, That now, if he in honor were inclin'd to woo, He should be bound in wedlock to no unequal make: Then said the noble Siegfried, "Sure will I fair Kriemhild take,
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