1690
" Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high
A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply,
For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train.
Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en. "
1691
Though fain they had declined it, / yet they there must stay
E'en to the fourth morning. / Then did the host display
So generous hand and lavish / that it was told afar.
He gave unto the strangers / horses and apparel rare.
1692
The time at last was over / and they must journey thence.
Then did the valiant Ruediger / with lavish hand dispense
Unto all his bounty, / refused he unto none
Whate'er he might desire. / Well-pleased they parted every one.
1693
His courteous retainers / to castle gateway brought
Saddled many horses, / and soon the place was sought
Eke by the gallant strangers / each bearing shield in hand,
For that they thence would journey / onward into Etzel's land.
1694
The host had freely offered / rich presents unto all,
Ere that the noble strangers / passed out before the hall.
High in honor lived he, / a knight of bounty rare.
His fair daughter had he / given unto Giselher.
1695
Eke gave he unto Gunther, / a knight of high renown,
What well might wear with honor / the monarch as his own,
— Though seldom gift received he — / a coat of harness rare.
Thereat inclined King Gunther / before the noble Ruediger.
1696
Then gave he unto Gernot / a good and trusty blade,
Wherewith anon in combat / was direst havoc made.
That thus the gift was taken / rejoiced the margrave's wife:
Thereby the noble Ruediger / was doomed anon to lose his life.
1697
Gotelinde proffered Hagen, / as 'twas a fitting thing,
Her gifts in kindly manner. / Since scorned them not the king,
Eke he without her bounty / to the high festivity
Should thence not onward journey. / Yet loath to take the same was he.
1698
" Of all doth meet my vision, " / Hagen then spake,
" Would I wish for nothing / with me hence to take
But alone the shield that hanging / on yonder wall I see.
The same I'd gladly carry / into Etzel's land with me. "
1699
When the stately margravine / Hagen's words did hear,
Brought they to mind her sorrow, / nor might she stop a tear.
She thought again full sadly / how her son Nudung fell,
Slain by hand of Wittich; / and did her breast with anguish swell.
1700
She spake unto the hero: / " The shield to thee I'll give.
O would to God in heaven / that he still did live,
Whose hand erstwhile did wield it! / In battle fell he low,
And I, a wretched mother, / must weep with never-ending woe.
1701
Thereat the noble lady / up from the settle rose,
And soon her arms all snow-white / did the shield enclose.
She bore it unto Hagen, / who made obeisance low;
The gift she might with honor / upon so valiant thane bestow.
1702
O'er it, to keep its color, / a shining cover lay
With precious stones all studded, / nor ever shone the day
Upon a shield more costly; / if e'er a longing eye
Did covet to possess it, / scarce thousand marks the same might buy.
1703
The shield in charge gave Hagen / thence away to bear.
Before his host then Dankwart / himself presented there,
On whom the margrave's daughter / did costly dress bestow.
Wherein anon in Hunland / arrayed full stately he did go.
1704
Whate'er of gifts by any / was accepted there,
Them had his hand ne'er taken, / but that intent all were
To do their host an honor / who gave with hand so free.
By his guests in combat / soon doomed was he slain to be.
1705
Volker the valiant / to Gotelinde came
And stood in courteous manner / with fiddle 'fore the dame.
Sweet melodies he played her / and sang his songs thereby,
For thought he from Bechelaren / to take departure presently.
1706
The margravine bade to her / a casket forth to bear.
And now of presents given / full freely may ye hear.
Therefrom she took twelve armbands / and drew them o'er his hand.
" These shall thou with thee carry, / as ridest thou to Etzel's land,
1707
" And for my sake shalt wear them / when at court thou dost appear,
That when thou hither comest / I may the story hear
How thou hast done me honor / at the high festival. "
What did wish the lady, / faithfully performed he all.
1708
Thus to his guests the host spake: / " That ye more safely fare,
Myself will give you escort / and bid them well beware
That upon the highway / no ill on you be wrought. "
Thereat his sumpter horses / straightway laden forth were brought.
1709
The host was well prepared / with five hundred men
With horse and rich attire. / These led he with him then
In right joyous humor / to the high festival.
Alive to Bechelaren / again came never one of all.
1710
Thence took his leave Sir Ruediger / with kiss full lovingly;
As fitting was for Giselher, / likewise the same did he.
With loving arms enfolding / caressed they ladies fair.
To many a maid the parting / did bring anon full bitter tear.
1711
On all sides then the windows / were open wide flung,
As with his train of warriors / the host to saddle sprung.
I ween their hearts did tell them / how they should sorrow deep.
For there did many a lady / and many a winsome maiden weep.
1712
For dear friends left behind him / grieved many a knight full sore.
Whom they at Bechelaren / should behold no more
Yet rode they off rejoicing / down across the sand
Hard by the Danube river / on their way to Etzel's land.
1713
Then spake to the Burgundians / the gallant knight and bold,
Ruediger the noble: / " Now let us not withhold
The story of our coming / unto the Hun's country.
Unto the royal Etzel / might tidings ne'er more welcome be. "
1714
Down in haste through Austria / the messenger did ride,
Who told unto the people / soon on every side,
From Worms beyond Rhine river / were high guests journeying.
Nor unto Etzel's people / gladder tidings might ye bring.
1715
Onward spurred the messengers / who did the message bear,
How now in Hunnish country / the Nibelungen were.
" Kriemhild, lofty lady, / warm thy welcome be;
In stately manner hither / come thy loving brothers three. "
1716
Within a lofty casement / the Lady Kriemhild stood,
Looking for her kinsmen, / as friend for friend full good
From her father's country / saw she many a knight;
Eke heard the king the tidings, / and laughed thereat for sheer delight.
1717
" Now well my heart rejoiceth, " / spake Lady Kriemhild.
" Hither come my kinsmen / with many a new-wrought shield
And brightly shining hauberk: / who gold would have from me,
Be mindful of my sorrow; / to him I'll ever gracious be. "
" Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high
A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply,
For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train.
Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en. "
1691
Though fain they had declined it, / yet they there must stay
E'en to the fourth morning. / Then did the host display
So generous hand and lavish / that it was told afar.
He gave unto the strangers / horses and apparel rare.
1692
The time at last was over / and they must journey thence.
Then did the valiant Ruediger / with lavish hand dispense
Unto all his bounty, / refused he unto none
Whate'er he might desire. / Well-pleased they parted every one.
1693
His courteous retainers / to castle gateway brought
Saddled many horses, / and soon the place was sought
Eke by the gallant strangers / each bearing shield in hand,
For that they thence would journey / onward into Etzel's land.
1694
The host had freely offered / rich presents unto all,
Ere that the noble strangers / passed out before the hall.
High in honor lived he, / a knight of bounty rare.
His fair daughter had he / given unto Giselher.
1695
Eke gave he unto Gunther, / a knight of high renown,
What well might wear with honor / the monarch as his own,
— Though seldom gift received he — / a coat of harness rare.
Thereat inclined King Gunther / before the noble Ruediger.
1696
Then gave he unto Gernot / a good and trusty blade,
Wherewith anon in combat / was direst havoc made.
That thus the gift was taken / rejoiced the margrave's wife:
Thereby the noble Ruediger / was doomed anon to lose his life.
1697
Gotelinde proffered Hagen, / as 'twas a fitting thing,
Her gifts in kindly manner. / Since scorned them not the king,
Eke he without her bounty / to the high festivity
Should thence not onward journey. / Yet loath to take the same was he.
1698
" Of all doth meet my vision, " / Hagen then spake,
" Would I wish for nothing / with me hence to take
But alone the shield that hanging / on yonder wall I see.
The same I'd gladly carry / into Etzel's land with me. "
1699
When the stately margravine / Hagen's words did hear,
Brought they to mind her sorrow, / nor might she stop a tear.
She thought again full sadly / how her son Nudung fell,
Slain by hand of Wittich; / and did her breast with anguish swell.
1700
She spake unto the hero: / " The shield to thee I'll give.
O would to God in heaven / that he still did live,
Whose hand erstwhile did wield it! / In battle fell he low,
And I, a wretched mother, / must weep with never-ending woe.
1701
Thereat the noble lady / up from the settle rose,
And soon her arms all snow-white / did the shield enclose.
She bore it unto Hagen, / who made obeisance low;
The gift she might with honor / upon so valiant thane bestow.
1702
O'er it, to keep its color, / a shining cover lay
With precious stones all studded, / nor ever shone the day
Upon a shield more costly; / if e'er a longing eye
Did covet to possess it, / scarce thousand marks the same might buy.
1703
The shield in charge gave Hagen / thence away to bear.
Before his host then Dankwart / himself presented there,
On whom the margrave's daughter / did costly dress bestow.
Wherein anon in Hunland / arrayed full stately he did go.
1704
Whate'er of gifts by any / was accepted there,
Them had his hand ne'er taken, / but that intent all were
To do their host an honor / who gave with hand so free.
By his guests in combat / soon doomed was he slain to be.
1705
Volker the valiant / to Gotelinde came
And stood in courteous manner / with fiddle 'fore the dame.
Sweet melodies he played her / and sang his songs thereby,
For thought he from Bechelaren / to take departure presently.
1706
The margravine bade to her / a casket forth to bear.
And now of presents given / full freely may ye hear.
Therefrom she took twelve armbands / and drew them o'er his hand.
" These shall thou with thee carry, / as ridest thou to Etzel's land,
1707
" And for my sake shalt wear them / when at court thou dost appear,
That when thou hither comest / I may the story hear
How thou hast done me honor / at the high festival. "
What did wish the lady, / faithfully performed he all.
1708
Thus to his guests the host spake: / " That ye more safely fare,
Myself will give you escort / and bid them well beware
That upon the highway / no ill on you be wrought. "
Thereat his sumpter horses / straightway laden forth were brought.
1709
The host was well prepared / with five hundred men
With horse and rich attire. / These led he with him then
In right joyous humor / to the high festival.
Alive to Bechelaren / again came never one of all.
1710
Thence took his leave Sir Ruediger / with kiss full lovingly;
As fitting was for Giselher, / likewise the same did he.
With loving arms enfolding / caressed they ladies fair.
To many a maid the parting / did bring anon full bitter tear.
1711
On all sides then the windows / were open wide flung,
As with his train of warriors / the host to saddle sprung.
I ween their hearts did tell them / how they should sorrow deep.
For there did many a lady / and many a winsome maiden weep.
1712
For dear friends left behind him / grieved many a knight full sore.
Whom they at Bechelaren / should behold no more
Yet rode they off rejoicing / down across the sand
Hard by the Danube river / on their way to Etzel's land.
1713
Then spake to the Burgundians / the gallant knight and bold,
Ruediger the noble: / " Now let us not withhold
The story of our coming / unto the Hun's country.
Unto the royal Etzel / might tidings ne'er more welcome be. "
1714
Down in haste through Austria / the messenger did ride,
Who told unto the people / soon on every side,
From Worms beyond Rhine river / were high guests journeying.
Nor unto Etzel's people / gladder tidings might ye bring.
1715
Onward spurred the messengers / who did the message bear,
How now in Hunnish country / the Nibelungen were.
" Kriemhild, lofty lady, / warm thy welcome be;
In stately manner hither / come thy loving brothers three. "
1716
Within a lofty casement / the Lady Kriemhild stood,
Looking for her kinsmen, / as friend for friend full good
From her father's country / saw she many a knight;
Eke heard the king the tidings, / and laughed thereat for sheer delight.
1717
" Now well my heart rejoiceth, " / spake Lady Kriemhild.
" Hither come my kinsmen / with many a new-wrought shield
And brightly shining hauberk: / who gold would have from me,
Be mindful of my sorrow; / to him I'll ever gracious be. "
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