The Nibelungenlied Part 87

Straight from her sleek palfrey the queen was lifted down; No longer dallied Etzel, the king of wide renown; From horse with many a warrior he lighted on the green, And merrily went forward to meet the n.o.ble queen.

XV

Two great and mighty princes, as has to us been told, Advanc'd with the fair lady in raiment rich with gold, As the wide-ruling Etzel approached his bride to meet, When she deign'd the monarch with a loving kiss to greet.

XVI

With that her veil back threw she; forth beam'd her rosy hue From the gold around it; many were there to view; All own'd Dame Helca's beauty scarce with hers could vie.

There the king's brother Bldel close was standing by.

XVII

Him the first kiss'd Kriemhild as bade the margrave good, And next to him King Gibek; there too Sir Dietrich stood.

Twelve, the chief and n.o.blest, were kiss'd by Etzel's bride.

With courteous grace she welcom'd many a good knight beside.

XVIII

All the while that Etzel talk'd with his lady true, The young knights were doing as young knights now will do.

They tried their skill in tilting as best they could devise, Christian alike and heathen each in his country's guise.

XIX

In Dietrich's men bold bearing and knightly you might spy.

How high above the bucklers they made the splinters fly (So mighty was their puissance) and deafen'd all the field!

By the German strangers pierc'd through was many a s.h.i.+eld.

XX

The crash of spears resounded as band encounter'd band.

Thither were come from all sides the warriors of the land, And the king's guests together, n.o.bles in proud array; Thence now with Lady Kriemhild King Etzel went his way.

XXI

Close by, a rich pavilion for their retreat they found; Crowded with tents and cabins was all the field around.

There, after all their labors, their languid limbs they laid.

Many a good warrior thither led many a gentle maid,

XXII

Where on a cus.h.i.+on'd sofa rich beyond compare The stately queen was seated: the margrave's anxious care For all things most convenient to pomp and ease had sent, And so at once serv'd Kriemhild, and gave the king content.

XXIII

The tale then told by Etzel is more than I can say; Soft in his hand reposing her snowy fingers lay.

So sat they gentle toying, for Rudeger, I ween, Left not the king a moment in secret with the queen.

XXIV

Then o'er the s.p.a.cious meadow they bade the tourney cease; With honor all that tumult now was hush'd in peace.

Then Etzel's men betook them to cabin, booth, or tent; Fit and convenient harbor they found where'er they went.

XXV

The day at last was ended, then took they their repose, Till, at her hour returning, the cheerful dawn arose.

Then hasten'd many a warrior to horse at once to spring.

Ah! what pastimes plied they in honor of the king!

XXVI

The king his Huns exhorted to do as honor bade.

From Tulna to Vienna their journey then they made.

There found they many a lady adorn'd in all her pride To welcome with due honor King Etzel's n.o.ble bride.

XXVII

In overflowing fulness all, that could each delight, To his wish was ready; exulting many a knight Look'd forward to the revels; joy smil'd on most and least; With mirth and gladness open'd King Etzel's marriage-feast.

XXVIII

The numbers now a.s.sembled the city could not hold, So all, who were not strangers, the n.o.ble margrave told To seek convenient quarters in all the country round.

Still constant in attendance on the fair queen were found

XXIX

The valiant chief, Sir Dietrich, and many a knight besides; Needful rest and solace each himself denied To cheer the n.o.ble strangers and give them full content.

Sir Rudeger and his comrades had heartiest merriment.

x.x.x

Held was the marriage festal on a Whitsuntide; 'Twas then that royal Etzel embrac'd his high-born bride In the city of Vienna; I ween she ne'er had found, When first she wed, such myriads all to her service bound.