Laurel · Anonymous · The Lay of the Nibelung Men

Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians came to Etzel's strong City

Anonymous (about 1200), translated by Arthur S. Way · 1911

rhyming couplets · 179 lines · from The Lay of the Nibelung Men

Now when the Burgundian Heroes came to the Hunfolk's land,Told was the thing to the warrior of Bern, old Hildebrand,And he unto Dietrich told it; and his lord with grief and dismayHeard; yet he bade him welcome that valiant knightly array.Then were the horses saddled at the bidding of Wolfhart the strong.With the Hero of Bern went riding knights in a lordly throngTo greet the friends far-travelled. On the river-plain they metWhere many a goodly pavilion the squires by this had set.

So soon as Hagen of Troneg beheld them from far away,In knightly-courteous fashion unto his lords did he say:"Now, warriors battle-eager, leap each man down from the selle,And go ye forward to meet them which be come to greet you well.A warrior company cometh; full well be they known unto me;Thanes battle-eager and stalwart from the Amals' land they be;And the Hero of Bern is their leader, and their courage is high inthe fray.Ye shall nowise scorn the service they proffer to you this day."Then sprang to the earth from the saddle, even as was meet and right,Dietrich, and there with their captain were many a squire and knight.Forward to that guest-greeting they strode to the hero-band,And in kindliest wise they welcomed the men of Burgundia-land.

So now when the noble Dietrich beheld them drawing nigh,Gladness and sorrow within him strove for the mastery.Well knew he the deadly secret: a grief was their journey to him;But he weened that Rüdiger knew it, and had told of the peril grim."Welcome, my lords! O Gunther and Giselher, welcome be ye!Gernot and Hagen, welcome! Lord Volker, welcome to theeAnd to Dankwart the battle-eager!--but hath no man told you the taleHow still for the Niblung Hero doth Kriemhild weep and wail?""Let her weep so long as she listeth!" scornfully Hagen replied."Many a year hath fleeted since her lord was smitten and died.Ay, let her joy and her solace be the love of the Lord of the Hun!Siegfried returneth never; he was buried long agone."

"Enough of the slaying of Siegfried! His memory is not dead.So long as Kriemhild liveth may the vengeance-snare be spread."--So spake the noble Dietrich, the Hero of Bern, his rede.--"O hope of the Niblung Nation, of her vengeance take good heed!""Beware of my sister!--and wherefore?" proudly the King replied."Etzel hath sent to us heralds--what should I ask beside?--Bidding us ride to meet him here in this land as a friend.Yea, many a loving greeting did my sister Kriemhild send.""Hearken," again spake Hagen, "and so will I counsel you.Hear ye this story of Kriemhild, and let it be told all throughBy Dietrich the Lord of the Amals, and his heroes valorous:So shall the mind of Kriemhild be wholly revealed unto us."Then drew them apart the Princes, and spake together the three,Even Gunther the King and Gernot and Dietrich secretly:"O Knight of Bern most noble and valiant, tell us now--Of the inmost mind of Kriemhild the Queen what knowest thou?"And the Prince of Bern made answer: "What other can be my taleSave this, that morning by morning I hear her weep and wail--This Etzel's wife, Queen Kriemhild--with bitter and passionate breathAppealing to God in Heaven to avenge strong Siegfried's death?""O'erlate is it now for repenting as touching this thou hast told,"Spake Volker the viol-minstrel, the warrior ever bold."Let us on to the court of the Hun-king, and let it there be seenWhat deeds shall be done of the Hunfolk to the warriors battle-keen."

So on to the court went riding that bold Burgundian band,Bearing themselves right proudly after the wont of their land.Then many a valiant warrior of the Huns watched eagerlyFor the coming of Hagen of Troneg, what manner of man should he be.Known long since was the story to all folk, how that his handHad dealt unto Siegfried the death-stab, to the King of the NetherLand,Of all stark knights the strongest, the lord of Kriemhild the Queen:Therefore the expectation of men to behold him was keen.Mighty of mould was the hero, as the soothfast songs declare,Exceeding broad in the shoulders and deep of chest, and his hairBy this was a sable silvered; sinewy, long of limb,As a king was he stately in going, and his face as death was grim.

Then all the thanes Burgundian into hostels did they bring;But the train of the squires of Gunther were sundered far from theKing.It was done by the Queen's devising, for the hate that to him shebare.Slain ere long in their hostels all those henchmen were.Dankwart the brother of Hagen was marshal of all that train,And to him did the King commit them, charging him once and againTo do his utmost endeavour for supplying of all their need;And he laboured with willing spirit, and served with diligent heed.

Forth came the fair Queen Kriemhild with a goodly company.With falsely-feignèd kindness those Niblungs greeted she.Then Giselher her brother did she kiss, and she clasped his hand:When Hagen of Troneg saw it, he tightened his helmet-band."Good sooth, after such a welcome," Hagen cried, "there is needThat the battle-eager warriors should take to themselves good heed!The greeting of prince and of liegeman is here no whit the same.I wot, on an evil journey to this high-tide we came!"She answered, "To him be welcome who joyeth to see thy face!For thy friendship's sake is accorded here no greeting's grace.This tell to me, what dost thou bring me from Worms beyond the Rhine,That unto me so welcome should be this presence of thine?""What new thing shall this be, quotha!" spake Hagen scornfully,"That these good knights Burgundian should be bringers of gifts untothee?Had I known that thou wert so grasping--I am rich enow, I wot,--A gift unto thee of my bounty to the Hunland had I brought.""Thy gifts!--thou answer the question I ask of thee this day:The Hoard, the Niblung Treasure--where have ye thrust it away?That at least was mine own possession, well dost thou understand!That should ye have brought to its owner unto King Etzel's land.""Of a truth, my lady Kriemhild, full many a day hath passedSince the gold of the Niblung Treasure of me was beholden last.Under the Rhine-river waters by command of my lords was it drowned:There must it stay of a surety till the Trumpet of Doom shall sound."And the Queen made bitter answer: "I trowed that so it would be!Of his spoil has the thief brought hither little enow unto me,Though the gold was mine own possession, erewhile of me controlled!For the gold and its lord have I suffered anguish manifold.""The Fiend a gift do I bring thee!" cried Hagen in savage scorn."'Tis enough for me that I carry the shield on mine arm that isborne,And the harness about my body, and mine helm bright-glittering,And the sword at my side--they suffice me: nothing to thee do Ibring."(C) "Nay, never think thou," she answered, "that it is for the gold Icare.I need not to stint my bounty, enough have I and to spare.But the murderer, twice a robber, who hath stol'n from my life itslight,The spoiler of helpless women, him would I fain requite!"

Then spake that Daughter of Princes to Burgundy's warriors all:"It fits not that ye bear weapons here in the royal hall.Commit them to me, ye heroes, and well will I ward them for you.""Of a truth," made answer Hagen, "that will we never do!I crave not the honour, O gracious child of a princely line,That thou to thy place of safety bear any weapon of mine,Nor shield, nor battle-harness--queen, well I wot, thou art here.Wisely my father taught me to ward mine own war-gear.""Ah, woe is me for the sorrows heaped on me!" Kriemhild cried."For what cause now of my brother and of Hagen is this deniedThat I have their shields in my keeping? Of a surety, warned arethey!If I knew what man hath betrayed me, his head for his treason shouldpay!"Then Dietrich flamed into anger, and swiftly answered he:"Lo, I am he that hath warned them, these Princes of Burgundy,And the King of the Rhineland's liegemen, and Hagen the unafraid!Make trial, thou child of the Devil, if the debt shall by me bepaid!"Then quailed before him Kriemhild, and darkly she flushed with shame:For before the mighty Dietrich great fear on her spirit came.Straightway she went from their presence: no word to her lips arose,But one swift glance of hatred she flashed upon her foes.

Stood face to face these heroes with hand in right hand clasped:Dietrich of Bern in friendship the hand of Hagen grasped.Then spake to the knight of Troneg that battle-mighty chief:"Of a truth your journey to Hunland is pain unto me and grief,Forasmuch as yon Daughter of Princes hath so revealed her hate."Answered him Hagen of Troneg: "We will put to the test our fate."So did the dauntless heroes each unto other say.King Etzel beheld them communing, and he questioned of themstraightway:"Fain would I one should tell me," so asked of his men the King,"What knightly warrior yonder with such friendly welcomingIs greeted by our lord Dietrich. A lofty spirit he bears:What thane soe'er was his father, a goodly knight he appears."Spake of the train of Kriemhild to the King a certain knight:"Troneg is the warrior's birthplace, his father Aldrian hight.How blithely soever he bear him, a grim stark foeman he is.I trow, ere long shall I prove it, that utter truth is this.""Nay, how should I learn that the hero is in battle so grim?" hereplied;For as yet had the King no knowledge of the snares of death spreadwideAround the feet of her kinsmen by the Queen for revenge who yearned--So wide, that back from the Hunland no man of them all returned.

"Well knew I Aldrian," spake he: "my liegeman he was of old.Praise at my court he won him and honour manifold:Yea, and of me was he knighted, and I gave him gold and gear;And my true and faithful Lady, Helka, held him dear.Well known thereafter was Hagen unto me: in years long fledAs hostages high-born children twain to my land I led,Even him and Walter the Spaniard. Here unto men grew they,Till I sent home Hagen; but Walter with Hildegund fled away."So mused he on days passed over and deeds done long agone,And his warrior-friend of Troneg whom there of old he had known,Who in youth had rendered him service in many a strenuous day,But now in his age was destined a host of his friends to slay.

Words in this poem 53

bade: A form of the pat tense of Bid.
valiant a.: Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant, valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L. valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail, Convalesce, ]
knightly a.: Of or pertaining to a knight; becoming a knight; chivalrous; as, a knightly combat; a knightly spirit. [AS. cnihtlic boyish.]
saddled a.: Having a broad patch of color across the back, like a saddle; saddle-backed.
went n.: Course; way; path; journey; direction.
goodly a.: Pleasant; agreeable; desirable. [OE. godlich, AS. g. See Good, and Like.]
pavilion n.: A temporary movable habitation; a large tent; a marquee; esp., a tent raised on posts. [F. pavillon, fr. L. pavilio a butterfly, also, a tent, because spread out like a butterfly's wings.]
stalwart a.: Brave; bold; strong; redoubted; daring; vehement; violent. [OE. stalworth, AS. stælwyrth serviceable, probably originally, good at stealing, or worth stealing or taking, and afterwards extended to other causes of estimat]
shall v. i.: To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
nowise adv.: Not in any manner or degree; in no way; noways. [For in no wise. See Wise, n.]
solace n.: Comfort in grief; alleviation of grief or anxiety; also, that which relieves in distress; that which cheers or consoles; relief. [OF. solas, ssoulaz, L. solacium, solatium, fr. solari to comfort, console. Cf. Console, v. t.]
rede v. t.: To advise or counsel. [See Read, v. t.]
beware v. t.: To avoid; to take care of; to have a care for.
wherefore adv.: For which reason; so; -- used relatively. [Where + for.]
valorous a.: Possessing or exhibiting valor; brave; courageous; valiant; intrepid. [Cf. F. valeureux, LL. valorosus.]
inmost a.: Deepest within; farthest from the surface or external part; innermost. [OE. innemest, AS. innemest, a double superlative form fr. inne within, fr. in in. The modern form is due to confusion with most. See In, and cf. Aftermost, Fore]
appealing a.: That appeals; imploring.
hast: , 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
folk n.: In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe. [AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel. f, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E. follow.]
nether a.: Situated down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; -- opposed to upper. [OE. nethere, neithere, AS. ni, fr. the adv. ni downward; akin to neo below, beneath, D. neder down, G. nieder, Sw. nedre below, nether, a. & adv., and also to S]
stark adv.: Wholly; entirely; absolutely; quite; as, stark mind.
mould n.: Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil. [OE. molde, AS. molde; akin to D. mul, G. mull, mulm, OHG. molt, molta, Icel. mold, Dan. muld, Sw. mull, Goth. mulda, and E. meal flour. See Meal, and cf. Mole a]
soothfast a.: Firmly fixed in, or founded upon, the thruth; true; genuine; real; also, truthful; faithful. -- Sooth"fast`ness, n. [Sooth + fast, that is, fast or firm with respect to truth.]
sable n.: A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela zibellina) native of the northern latitudes of Europe, Asia, and America, -- noted for its fine, soft, and valuable fur. [OF. sable, F. zibeline sable (in sense 4), LL. sabellum; cf. D. sabel, Dan. sabel, zobel, Sw. sabel, sobel, G. zobel; all fr. Russ. sóbole.]
endeavour v. t.: To exert physical or intellectual strength for the attainment of; to use efforts to effect; to strive to achieve or reach; to try; to attempt. [OE. endevor; pref. en- + dever, devoir, duty, F. devoir: cf. F. se mettre en devoir de faire quelque chose to try to do a thing, to go about it. See Devoir, Deb]
laboured a.: Bearing marks of labor and effort; elaborately wrought; not easy or natural; as, labored poetry; a labored style.
sooth a.: True; faithful; trustworthy. [OE. soth, AS. s, for san; akin to OS. s, OHG. sand, Icel. sannr, Sw. sann, Dan. sand, Skr. sat, sant, real, genuine, present, being; properly p. pr. from a root]
whit n.: The smallest part or particle imaginable; a bit; a jot; an iota; -- generally used in an adverbial phrase in a negative sentence. [OE. wight, wiht, AS. wiht a creature, a thing. See Wight, and cf. Aught, Naught.]
quotha interj.: Indeed; forsooth. [For quoth'a, said he, 'a being corrupted from he.]
enow: A form of Enough.
bounty n.: Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [OE. bounte goodness, kindness, F. bonté, fr. L. bonitas, fr. bonus good, for older duonus; cf. Skr. duvas honor, respect.]
beholden p. a.: Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted. [Old p. p. of behold, used in the primitive sense of the simple verb hold.]
erewhile adv.: Some time ago; a little while before; heretofore.
suffice v. i.: To be enough, or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate. [OE. suffisen, OF. soufire, F. suffire (cf. suffisant, p.pr.), L. sufficere to put under, to substitute, to avail for, to suffice; sub under + facere to make. Se]
spoiler n.: One who spoils; a plunderer; a pillager; a robber; a despoiler.
fain v. t.: To be glad ; to wish or desire.
crave v. t.: To ask with earnestness or importunity; to ask with submission or humility; to beg; to entreat; to beseech; to implore. [AS. crafian; akin to Icel. krefia, Sw. kr, Dan. kr.]
honour n.: Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.]
burgundy n.: An old province of France (in the eastern central part).
straightway adv.: Immediately; without loss of time; without delay.
forasmuch: In consideration that; seeing that; since; because that; -- followed by as. See under For, prep.
dauntless a.: Incapable of being daunted; undaunted; bold; fearless; intrepid.
yonder adv.: At a distance, but within view. [OE. yonder, ýonder; cf. OD. ginder, Goth. jaindr there. Yond, adv.]
birthplace n.: The town, city, or country, where a person is born; place of origin or birth, in its more general sense.
hight v. t.: To be called or named. [OE. heiten, highten, haten, hoten; also hight, hatte, hette, is called, was called, AS. hatan to call, name, be called, to command, promise; also hatte is calle]
blithely adv.: In a blithe manner.
foeman n.: An enemy in war. [AS. fhman.]
trow v. i.: To believe; to trust; to think or suppose. [OE. trowen, AS.treówan to trust, believe, fr. treów trust, treówe true, faithful. See True.]
thereafter adv.: After that; afterward. [AS. th\'d6ræfter after that. See There, and After.]
twain a.: Two;- nearly obsolete in common discourse, but used in poetry and burlesque. [OE. twein, tweien, tweyne, AS. twegen, masc. See Two.]
walter v. i.: To roll or wallow; to welter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [See Welter.]
spaniard n.: A native or inhabitant of Spain.
strenuous a.: Eagerly pressing or urgent; zealous; ardent; earnest; bold; valiant; intrepid; as, a strenuous advocate for national rights; a strenuous reformer; a strenuous defender of his country.

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians came to Etzel's strong City is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Lay of the Nibelung Men, Project Gutenberg ebook #59831, the Arthur S. Way translation; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Anonymous, Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians came to Etzel's strong City, in The Lay of the Nibelung Men (1911), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #59831, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/nibelungenlied/adventure-xxviii-how-the-burgundians-came-to-etzel-s-strong-.html, id L14309.

Form and metre

Adventure XXVIII: How the Burgundians came to Etzel's strong City is 179 lines in 10 verse paragraphs. It is in rhyming couplets, 51% of the lines. 78% of its stressed syllables fall where the metre puts the beat. The lines average 13.9 syllables. 11 lines end on an unstressed syllable, a feminine ending. 19% of the lines run on without a stop at the line end.

See other poems in rhyming couplets.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

1 AABBCCDD land^A · hildebrand^A · dismay^B · array^B · strong^C · throng^C · met^D · set^D
2 AABBCC-AADDEE away^A · say^A · selle^B · well^B · me^C · be^C · in · fray^A · day^A · right^D · knight^D · band^E · land^E
3 A-BBAACCDD-- nigh^A · mastery · him^B · grim^B · ye^A · thee^A · tale^C · wail^C · replied^D · died^D · hun · agone
4 AABBCCDDEE----FFGGHHIIJJ dead^A · spread^A · rede^B · heed^B · replied^C · beside^C · friend^D · send^D · you^E · through^E · valorous · us · three · secretly · now^F · thou^F · tale^G · wail^G · breath^H · death^H · told^I · bold^I · seen^J · keen^J
5 AA--A-ABBCCDD band^A · land^A · eagerly · be · hand^A · nether · land^A · queen^B · keen^B · declare^C · hair^C · limb^D · grim^D
6 ABAB--CCDD bring^A · the^B · king^A · she^B · bare · were · train^C · again^C · need^D · heed^D
7 --AABBCCDDEE-----FFGGHHIIJJKKL-LM-M-NN--- company · she · hand^A · band^A · need^B · heed^B · same^C · came^C · face^D · grace^D · rhine^E · thine^E · scornfully · unto · thee · wot · brought · day^F · away^F · understand^G · land^G · passed^H · last^H · drowned^I · sound^I · be^J · me^J · controlled^K · manifold^K · scorn^L · is · borne^L · glittering^M · i · bring^M · i · care^N · spare^N · its · light · requite
8 AABBCCDDEE-F-FG-HGHIIJJ all^A · hall^A · you^B · do^B · line^C · mine^C · here^D · gear^D · cried^E · denied^E · are · they^F · should · pay^F · he^G · burgundy · unafraid^H · be^G · paid^H · shame^I · came^I · arose^J · foes^J
9 AABBCCD-DEE--FF---G-GHH clasped^A · grasped^A · chief^B · grief^B · hate^C · fate^C · say^D · them · straightway^D · king^E · welcoming^E · bears · appears · knight^F · hight^F · is · this · he · replied^G · spread · wide^G · yearned^H · returned^H
10 AABBCCDDEEDD old^A · manifold^A · gear^B · dear^B · fled^C · led^C · they^D · away^D · agone^E · known^E · day^D · slay^D

Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. How this is done.

Line	Syl.	Stress
Now when the Burgundian Heroes came to the Hunfolk's land,	15	···˘/˘˘/˘······
Told was the thing to the warrior of Bern, old Hildebrand,	15	······/˘˘···/˘·
And he unto Dietrich told it; and his lord with grief and dismay	16	····/˘········˘/
Heard; yet he bade him welcome that valiant knightly array.	14	·····/˘·/˘/˘˘/
Then were the horses saddled at the bidding of Wolfhart the strong.	16	···/˘/˘··/˘·····
With the Hero of Bern went riding knights in a lordly throng	15	··/˘···/˘···/˘·
To greet the friends far-travelled. On the river-plain they met	14	·····/˘··/˘···
Where many a goodly pavilion the squires by this had set.	16	·/˘·/˘˘/˘·/˘····
So soon as Hagen of Troneg beheld them from far away,	15	···/˘···˘/···˘/
In knightly-courteous fashion unto his lords did he say:	15	·/˘/˘˘/˘·······
"Now, warriors battle-eager, leap each man down from the selle,	15	·/˘˘/˘/˘·······
And go ye forward to meet them which be come to greet you well.	15	···/˘··········
A warrior company cometh; full well be they known unto me;	17	·/˘˘/˘˘/˘········
Thanes battle-eager and stalwart from the Amals' land they be;	15	·/˘/˘·/˘·······
And the Hero of Bern is their leader, and their courage is high in	17	··/˘····/˘··/˘···
the fray.	2	··
Ye shall nowise scorn the service they proffer to you this day."	15	··/˘··/˘·/˘····
Then sprang to the earth from the saddle, even as was meet and right,	16	·······/˘/˘·····
Dietrich, and there with their captain were many a squire and knight.	15	/˘····/˘·/˘····
Forward to that guest-greeting they strode to the hero-band,	14	/˘···/˘····/˘·
And in kindliest wise they welcomed the men of Burgundia-land.	15	······/˘·······
So now when the noble Dietrich beheld them drawing nigh,	14	····/˘/˘˘/·/˘·
Gladness and sorrow within him strove for the mastery.	14	/˘·/˘······/˘˘
Well knew he the deadly secret: a grief was their journey to him;	16	····/˘/˘····/˘··
But he weened that Rüdiger knew it, and had told of the peril grim.	17	··············/˘·
"Welcome, my lords! O Gunther and Giselher, welcome be ye!	15	/˘···/˘····/˘··
Gernot and Hagen, welcome! Lord Volker, welcome to thee	14	···/˘/˘·/˘/˘··
And to Dankwart the battle-eager!--but hath no man told you the tale	17	·····/˘/˘········
How still for the Niblung Hero doth Kriemhild weep and wail?"	14	······/˘······
"Let her weep so long as she listeth!" scornfully Hagen replied.	16	·······/˘···/˘˘/
"Many a year hath fleeted since her lord was smitten and died.	15	/˘···/˘····/˘··
Ay, let her joy and her solace be the love of the Lord of the Hun!	17	······/˘·········
Siegfried returneth never; he was buried long agone."	14	/·˘/˘/˘··/˘·˘/
"Enough of the slaying of Siegfried! His memory is not dead.	16	˘/··/˘·/··/˘˘···
So long as Kriemhild liveth may the vengeance-snare be spread."	14	·········/˘···
--So spake the noble Dietrich, the Hero of Bern, his rede.--	14	···/˘/˘·/˘····
"O hope of the Niblung Nation, of her vengeance take good heed!"	15	······/˘··/˘···
"Beware of my sister!--and wherefore?" proudly the King replied.	15	˘/··/˘·/˘/˘··˘/
"Etzel hath sent to us heralds--what should I ask beside?--	14	/˘····/˘····˘/
Bidding us ride to meet him here in this land as a friend.	14	/˘············
Yea, many a loving greeting did my sister Kriemhild send."	15	·/˘·/˘/˘··/˘···
"Hearken," again spake Hagen, "and so will I counsel you.	14	/˘˘/·/˘····/˘·
Hear ye this story of Kriemhild, and let it be told all through	15	···/˘··········
By Dietrich the Lord of the Amals, and his heroes valorous:	16	·/˘····˘/··/˘/˘˘
So shall the mind of Kriemhild be wholly revealed unto us."	15	········/˘˘/···
Then drew them apart the Princes, and spake together the three,	15	···˘/·/˘··˘/˘··
Even Gunther the King and Gernot and Dietrich secretly:	15	/˘/˘······/˘/˘˘
"O Knight of Bern most noble and valiant, tell us now--	13	·····/˘·/˘···
Of the inmost mind of Kriemhild the Queen what knowest thou?"	14	··/˘·······/˘·
And the Prince of Bern made answer: "What other can be my tale	15	······/˘·/˘····
Save this, that morning by morning I hear her weep and wail--	14	···/˘·/˘······
This Etzel's wife, Queen Kriemhild--with bitter and passionate breath	15	·/˘·····/˘·/˘˘·
Appealing to God in Heaven to avenge strong Siegfried's death?"	15	˘/˘···/˘·˘/·/··
"O'erlate is it now for repenting as touching this thou hast told,"	16	······˘/˘·/˘····
Spake Volker the viol-minstrel, the warrior ever bold.	15	·/˘·/˘/˘·/˘˘/˘·
"Let us on to the court of the Hun-king, and let it there be seen	16	················
What deeds shall be done of the Hunfolk to the warriors battle-keen."	17	···········/˘˘/˘·
So on to the court went riding that bold Burgundian band,	15	······/˘··˘/˘˘·
Bearing themselves right proudly after the wont of their land.	14	/˘˘/·/˘·······
Then many a valiant warrior of the Huns watched eagerly	16	·/˘·/˘/˘˘····/˘˘
For the coming of Hagen of Troneg, what manner of man should he be.	18	··/˘·/˘····/˘·····
Known long since was the story to all folk, how that his hand	14	·····/˘·······
Had dealt unto Siegfried the death-stab, to the King of the Nether	16	····/·········/˘
Land,	1	·
Of all stark knights the strongest, the lord of Kriemhild the Queen:	14	·····/˘·······
Therefore the expectation of men to behold him was keen.	15	····˘/˘···˘/···
Mighty of mould was the hero, as the soothfast songs declare,	15	/˘····/˘··/˘·˘/
Exceeding broad in the shoulders and deep of chest, and his hair	15	˘/˘···/˘·······
By this was a sable silvered; sinewy, long of limb,	14	····/˘/˘/˘˘···
As a king was he stately in going, and his face as death was grim.	17	·····/˘·/˘·······
Then all the thanes Burgundian into hostels did they bring;	15	····˘/˘˘··/˘···
But the train of the squires of Gunther were sundered far from the	16	·····/˘·/˘·/˘···
King.	1	·
It was done by the Queen's devising, for the hate that to him she	16	······˘/˘·······
bare.	1	·
Slain ere long in their hostels all those henchmen were.	12	·····/˘··/˘·
Dankwart the brother of Hagen was marshal of all that train,	15	···/˘·/˘·/˘····
And to him did the King commit them, charging him once and again	16	······˘/·/˘···˘/
To do his utmost endeavour for supplying of all their need;	16	···/·˘/˘·˘/˘····
And he laboured with willing spirit, and served with diligent heed.	16	··/˘·/˘/˘···/˘˘·
Forth came the fair Queen Kriemhild with a goodly company.	14	·········/˘/˘˘
With falsely-feignèd kindness those Niblungs greeted she.	12	·/˘·/˘···/˘·
Then Giselher her brother did she kiss, and she clasped his hand:	15	·····/˘········
When Hagen of Troneg saw it, he tightened his helmet-band.	15	·/˘······/˘·/˘·
"Good sooth, after such a welcome," Hagen cried, "there is need	14	······/˘/˘····
That the battle-eager warriors should take to themselves good heed!	16	··/˘/˘/˘˘···˘/··
The greeting of prince and of liegeman is here no whit the same.	15	·/˘····/˘······
I wot, on an evil journey to this high-tide we came!"	14	····/˘/˘······
She answered, "To him be welcome who joyeth to see thy face!	14	·/˘···/˘······
For thy friendship's sake is accorded here no greeting's grace.	14	··/˘··˘/˘··/˘·
This tell to me, what dost thou bring me from Worms beyond the Rhine,	15	···············
That unto me so welcome should be this presence of thine?"	14	·····/˘···/˘··
"What new thing shall this be, quotha!" spake Hagen scornfully,	14	······/˘·/˘···
"That these good knights Burgundian should be bringers of gifts unto	16	····˘/˘˘········
thee?	1	·
Had I known that thou wert so grasping--I am rich enow, I wot,--	16	·······/˘···˘/··
A gift unto thee of my bounty to the Hunland had I brought."	16	·······/˘·······
"Thy gifts!--thou answer the question I ask of thee this day:	14	···/˘·/˘······
The Hoard, the Niblung Treasure--where have ye thrust it away?	14	·····/˘·····˘/
That at least was mine own possession, well dost thou understand!	15	······˘/˘····˘/
That should ye have brought to its owner unto King Etzel's land."	15	·······/˘···/˘·
"Of a truth, my lady Kriemhild, full many a day hath passed	15	····/˘···/˘····
Since the gold of the Niblung Treasure of me was beholden last.	16	·······/˘···˘/˘·
Under the Rhine-river waters by command of my lords was it drowned:	17	····/˘/˘·˘/······
There must it stay of a surety till the Trumpet of Doom shall sound."	17	······/˘˘··/˘····
And the Queen made bitter answer: "I trowed that so it would be!	15	····/˘/˘·······
Of his spoil has the thief brought hither little enow unto me,	16	·······/˘/˘˘/···
Though the gold was mine own possession, erewhile of me controlled!	17	······˘/˘······˘/
For the gold and its lord have I suffered anguish manifold."	15	········/˘/˘/˘·
"The Fiend a gift do I bring thee!" cried Hagen in savage scorn.	15	·········/˘·/˘·
"'Tis enough for me that I carry the shield on mine arm that is	16	·˘/····/˘·······
borne,	1	·
And the harness about my body, and mine helm bright-glittering,	16	··/˘···/˘····/˘˘
And the sword at my side--they suffice me: nothing to thee do I	16	·······˘/·/˘····
bring."	1	·
(C) "Nay, never think thou," she answered, "that it is for the gold I	16	··/˘···/˘·······
care.	1	·
I need not to stint my bounty, enough have I and to spare.	15	······/˘˘/·····
But the murderer, twice a robber, who hath stol'n from my life its	16	··/˘˘··/˘·······
light,	1	·
The spoiler of helpless women, him would I fain requite!"	14	·/˘·/˘/˘····/˘
Then spake that Daughter of Princes to Burgundy's warriors all:	16	···/˘·/˘·/˘˘/˘˘·
"It fits not that ye bear weapons here in the royal hall.	14	······/˘···/˘·
Commit them to me, ye heroes, and well will I ward them for you."	16	˘/····/˘········
"Of a truth," made answer Hagen, "that will we never do!	14	····/˘/˘···/˘·
I crave not the honour, O gracious child of a princely line,	15	····/˘·/˘···/˘·
That thou to thy place of safety bear any weapon of mine,	15	······/˘·/˘/˘··
Nor shield, nor battle-harness--queen, well I wot, thou art here.	14	···/˘/˘·······
Wisely my father taught me to ward mine own war-gear."	13	/˘·/˘········
"Ah, woe is me for the sorrows heaped on me!" Kriemhild cried.	14	······/˘······
"For what cause now of my brother and of Hagen is this denied	16	······/˘··/˘··˘/
That I have their shields in my keeping? Of a surety, warned are	16	·······/˘··/˘˘··
they!	1	·
If I knew what man hath betrayed me, his head for his treason should	16	······˘/·····/˘·
pay!"	1	·
Then Dietrich flamed into anger, and swiftly answered he:	14	·/˘···/˘·/˘/˘·
"Lo, I am he that hath warned them, these Princes of Burgundy,	15	·········/˘·/˘˘
And the King of the Rhineland's liegemen, and Hagen the unafraid!	17	·····/·····/˘··˘/
Make trial, thou child of the Devil, if the debt shall by me be	16	·/˘····/˘·······
paid!"	1	·
Then quailed before him Kriemhild, and darkly she flushed with shame:	14	········/˘····
For before the mighty Dietrich great fear on her spirit came.	15	····/˘/˘····/˘·
Straightway she went from their presence: no word to her lips arose,	15	/˘····/˘·····˘/
But one swift glance of hatred she flashed upon her foes.	13	·····/˘······
Stood face to face these heroes with hand in right hand clasped:	13	·····/˘······
Dietrich of Bern in friendship the hand of Hagen grasped.	13	/˘···/˘···/˘·
Then spake to the knight of Troneg that battle-mighty chief:	14	·········/˘/˘·
"Of a truth your journey to Hunland is pain unto me and grief,	16	····/˘··········
Forasmuch as yon Daughter of Princes hath so revealed her hate."	16	·····/˘·/˘··˘/··
Answered him Hagen of Troneg: "We will put to the test our fate."	17	/˘·/˘·········/˘·
So did the dauntless heroes each unto other say.	13	···/˘/˘···/˘·
King Etzel beheld them communing, and he questioned of them	15	·/˘˘/·˘/˘··/˘··
straightway:	2	/˘
"Fain would I one should tell me," so asked of his men the King,	14	··············
"What knightly warrior yonder with such friendly welcoming	15	·/˘/˘˘/˘··/˘/˘˘
Is greeted by our lord Dietrich. A lofty spirit he bears:	16	·/˘·/˘·/˘·/˘/˘··
What thane soe'er was his father, a goodly knight he appears."	14	·····/˘·/˘··˘/
Spake of the train of Kriemhild to the King a certain knight:	14	···········/˘·
"Troneg is the warrior's birthplace, his father Aldrian hight.	15	····/˘˘/··/˘···
How blithely soever he bear him, a grim stark foeman he is.	16	·/˘˘/˘······/˘··
I trow, ere long shall I prove it, that utter truth is this."	14	·········/˘···
"Nay, how should I learn that the hero is in battle so grim?" he	16	·······/˘··/˘···
replied;	2	˘/
For as yet had the King no knowledge of the snares of death spread	15	·······/˘······
wide	1	·
Around the feet of her kinsmen by the Queen for revenge who yearned--	16	············˘/··
So wide, that back from the Hunland no man of them all returned.	15	·············˘/
"Well knew I Aldrian," spake he: "my liegeman he was of old.	14	········/˘····
Praise at my court he won him and honour manifold:	13	········/˘/˘·
Yea, and of me was he knighted, and I gave him gold and gear;	15	······/˘·······
And my true and faithful Lady, Helka, held him dear.	13	····/˘/˘·····
Well known thereafter was Hagen unto me: in years long fled	15	··˘/˘·/˘·······
As hostages high-born children twain to my land I led,	14	·/˘˘··/˘······
Even him and Walter the Spaniard. Here unto men grew they,	15	/˘··/˘·/˘······
Till I sent home Hagen; but Walter with Hildegund fled away."	16	····/˘·/˘·····˘/
So mused he on days passed over and deeds done long agone,	14	············˘/
And his warrior-friend of Troneg whom there of old he had known,	16	··/˘˘···········
Who in youth had rendered him service in many a strenuous day,	17	····/˘·/˘·/˘·/˘˘·
But now in his age was destined a host of his friends to slay.	15	······/˘·······

Notes from the edition 1

Arthur S. Way's notes to his translation (1911; Project Gutenberg #59831).

Stanza 3, line 2 For this and the next line Simrock's text is followed.

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

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The Lay of the Nibelung Men