Siegfried
980 Words
Siegfried
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There grew likewise in Netherland a prince of noble kind,
Siegmund hight his father, his mother Siegelind—
Within a lordly castle well known the country o'er,
By the Rhine far downward: Xanten was the name it bore.
Siegfried they did call him, this bold knight and good;
Many a realm he tested, for brave was he of mood.
He rode to prove his prowess in many a land around:
Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle anon in Burgundy he found!
In the springtime of his vigor, when he was young and bold,
Could tales of mickle wonder of Siegfried be told,
How he grew up in honor, and how fair he was to see:
Anon he won the favor of many a debonair lady.
As for a prince was fitting, they fostered him with care:
Yet how the knightly virtues to him native were!
'Twas soon the chiefest glory of his father's land,
That he in fullest measure endowed with princely worth did stand.
He soon was grown in stature that he at court did ride.
The people saw him gladly, lady and maid beside
Did wish that his own liking might lead him ever there.
That they did lean unto him the knight was soon right well aware.
In youth they let him never without safe escort ride;
Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind apparel rich provide;
Men ripe in wisdom taught him, who knew whence honor came.
Thus many lands and people he won by his wide-honored name.
Now was he of such stature that he could weapons bear:
Of what thereto he needed had he an ample share.
Then to think of loving fair maids did he begin,
And well might they be honored for wooer Siegfried bold to win.
Then bade his father Siegmund make known to one and all
That he with his good kinsmen would hold high festival.
And soon were tidings carried to all the neighboring kings;
To friends at home and strangers steeds gave he and rich furnishin
Wherever they found any who knight was fit to be
By reason of his kindred, all such were courteously
Unto the land invited to join the festal throng,
When with the prince so youthful on them the knightly sword was hung.
Of this high time of revelry might I great wonders tell.
Siegmund and Siegelind great honor won full well,
Such store of goodly presents they dealt with generous hand,
That knights were seen full many from far come pricking to their land.
Four hundred lusty squires were there to be clad
In knight's full garb with Siegfried. Full many a beauteous maid
At work did never tire, for dear they did him hold,
And many a stone full precious those ladies laid within the gold,
That they upon the doublets embroidered cunningly
Of those soon to be knighted: 't was thus it had to be,
Seats bade the host for many a warrior bold make right
Against the high midsummer, when Siegfried won the name of knight.
Then went unto the minster full many a noble knight
And gallant squires beside them. The elder there with right
Did wait upon the younger, as once for them was done.
They were all light-hearted, in hope of pleasure every one.
God to praise and honor they sang the mass' song;
There, too, were crowds of people, a great and surging throng,
When after knightly custom knighthood received they then,
In such a stately pageant as scarce might ever be again.
They hastened where they found them saddled many a steed;
In the court of Siegmund's castle they tilted with such speed
That far the din resounded through castle and through hall,
As in the play with clamor did join the fiery riders all.
Well-tried old knights and youthful met there in frequent clash,
There was sound of shattered lances that through the air did crash,
And along before the castle were splinters seen to fly
From hands of knights a many: each with other there did vie.
The king he bade give over: they led the chargers out:
There was seen all shattered many a boss well-wrought,
And many a stone full costly lay there upon the sward
From erstwhile shining shield-bands, now broken in the jousting hard.
The guests all went thereafter where seats for them were reared;
They by the choicest viands from weariness were cheered,
And wine, of all the rarest, that then in plenty flowed.
Upon both friends and strangers were fitting honors rich bestowed.
In such merry manner all day did last the feast.
Many a wandering minstrel knew not any rest,
But sang to win the presents dealt out with bounteous hand;
And with their praise was honored far and wide King Siegmund's land.
The monarch then did order Siegfried his youthful son
In fee give lands and castles, as he erstwhile had done.
To all his sword-companions he gave with such full hand,
That joyed they o'er the journey they now had made unto that land.
The festival yet lasted until the seventh day.
Siegelind after old custom in plenty gave away
—For so her son she honored— rich gifts of shining gold:
In sooth deserved she richly that all should him in honor hold.
Never a wandering minstrel was unprovided found:
Horses there and raiment so free were dealt around,
As if to live they had not beyond it one day more.
I ween a monarch's household ne'er bestowed such gifts before.
Thus closed the merry feasting in this right worthy way,
And 't was well known thereafter how those good knights did say
That they the youthful hero for king would gladly have;
But this nowise he wished for, Siegfried the stately knight and brave.
While that they both were living, Siegmund and Siegelind,
No crown their son desired, —thereto he had no mind.
Yet would he fain be master o'er all the hostile might
That in the lands around him opposed the keen and fiery knight.
- Writer
