The Nibelungenlied Part 114

"What I have done, proud princess, I never will deny.

The cause of all the mischief, the wrong, the loss, am I.

So now, or man, or woman, revenge it who so will; I scorn to speak a falsehood, I've done you grievous ill."

x.x.xV

Said she, "You hear it, warriors, how he confesses all, All the wrong he did me; what thence may him befall, To me it nothing matters, ye knights, King Etzel's best!"

The haughty Huns stood doubting, and each look'd on the rest.

x.x.xVI

Whate'er had then befallen, had once the strife begun, Sure had those two companions the palm of knighthood won; Well had they prov'd their valor in many a field before.

The Huns their high adventure perforce through fear gave o'er.

x.x.xVII

Thus spake one of the warriors, "Why look ye so on me?

From this foolish promise at once I'll set me free.

No gifts shall ever move me to lose my precious life.

The queen misleads us merely; trust not King Etzel's wife."

x.x.xVIII

"Ay, friend!" rejoin'd another, "I'm in the self-same case; Yonder large-lim'b minstrel never would I face, No, not if one would give me whole towers of good red gold.

Mark his sharp, quick glances; he's wary as he's bold.

x.x.xIX

"Well know I, too, Sir Hagan, e'en from his youthful days, And so can well give credence when others speak his praise.

In two and twenty battles I've seen him sway the strife; That arm of his, believe me, has widow'd many a wife.

XL

"He and the valiant Spaniard many an adventure sought While here they dwelt with Etzel, and many a battle fought To the king's boot and glory; full oft they prov'd their might; All tongues must so much honor yield Hagan as his right.

XLI

"Yet then the hardy warrior in years was but a child; Now are they grave and grizzled who then were raw and wild.

Now is he proved in counsel, a champion stern and strong, And eke wears trusty Balmung, which erst he gain'd by wrong."

XLII

Thus 'twas at once decided, and struck was not a blow.

Sore irk'd it angry Kriemhild; her heart was wrung with woe.

Thence back the knights departed, each fearing to be sped By that redoubted couple; good cause had they for dread.

XLIII

Then spoke the valiant gleeman, "We now have seen too clear, As we were told by Dietrich, that foes beset us here.

Best to court hence hurry, and with the kings unite; Then none against our masters will dare provoke the fight."

XLIV

How oft does the faint waverer let slip the lucky hour, While friend by friend firm standing confronts the deadliest store.

Be they but bold and ready! no charm 'gainst sword and dart Like that which smith ne'er temper'd, wise head and fearless heart.

XLV

"Lead on then," answer'd Hagan, "I'll follow close behind."

They went, where yet the warriors they were in time to find In the court still waiting, girt by a glittering crowd.

Thereat the dauntless Folker cried to his lords aloud,

XLVI

"n.o.ble Burgundian princes! how long here will you stay In all this crowd and pressure? better to court away, And learn the mind of Etzel from his own proper tongue."

Then each chose his companion the well-prov'd knights among.

XLVII

The Prince of Bern, Sir Dietrich, took friendly by the hand Gunther the puissant ruler of Burgundy's fair land, Irnfried went pair'd with Gernot the knight devoid of fear, And to court strode Rudeger with youthful Giselher.

XLVIII

Howe'er the rest were coupled, as mov'd to court the train, Folker and Hagan they parted ne'er again, Save in one mortal struggle, e'en to their dying hour.

That strife high dames lamented each in her widow'd bower.

XLIX

So on to court mov'd slowly the kings in royal state, Their train a thousand n.o.bles proud on such lords to wait; With them were sixty champions, the flower of all contest, Whom in his land Sir Hagan had chosen for the best.

L

Hawart and Iring, of knighthood each the pride, With the royal brethren mov'd softly side by side; Dankwart and Wolfhart, a valiant hardy knight, Display'd their courteous bearing in each beholder's sight.