How Siegfried fought with the Saxons-3
1095 Words
Now hearken to the story I tell thee, noble Princess fair.
"Them both hath taken captive Siegfried's doughty hand.
Hostages were so many ne'er brought into this land
As to the Rhine come hither through his great bravery."
Than these could never tidings unto her heart more welcome be.
"With captives home they're hieing, five hundred men or mo',
And of the wounded dying Lady shalt thou know,
Full eighty blood-stained barrows unto Burgundian land,
Most part hewn down in battle beneath keen Siegfried's doughty hand.
"Who message sent defiant unto the Rhine so late
Must now as Gunther's prisoners here abide their fate.
Bringing such noble captives the victors glad return."
Then glowed with joy the princess when she the tidings glad did learn.
Her cheeks so full of beauty with joy were rosy-red,
That passed he had uninjured through all the dangers dread,
The knight she loved so dearly, Siegfried with doughty arm.
Good cause she had for joying o'er all her friends escaped from harm.
Then spake the beauteous maiden: "Glad news thou hast told me,
Wherefor now rich apparel thy goodly meed shall be,
And to thee shall be given ten marks of gold as well."
'Tis thus a thing right pleasant to ladies high such news to tell.
The presents rich they gave him, gold and apparel rare.
Then hastened to the casement full many a maiden fair,
And on the street looked downward: hither riding did they see
Many a knight high-hearted into the land of Burgundy.
There came who 'scaped uninjured, and wounded borne along,
All glad to hear the greetings of friends, a joyful throng.
To meet his friends the monarch rode out in mickle glee:
In joying now was ended all his full great anxiety.
Then did he well his warriors and eke the strangers greet;
And for a king so mighty 'twere nothing else but meet
That he should thank right kindly the gallant men each one,
Who had in storm of battle the victory so bravely won.
Then of his friends King Gunther bade tidings tell straightway,
Of all his men how many were fallen in the fray.
Lost had he none other than warriors three score:
Then wept they for the heroes, as since they did for many more.
Shields full many brought they all hewn by valiant hand,
And many a shattered helmet into King Gunther's hand.
The riders then dismounted from their steeds before the hall,
And a right hearty welcome from friends rejoicing had they all.
Then did they for the warriors lodging meet prepare,
And for his guests the monarch bade full well have care.
He bade them take the wounded and tend them carefully,
And toward his enemies also his gentle bearing might ye see.
To Luedeger then spake he: "Right welcome art thou here.
Through fault of thine now have I lost many friends full dear,
For which, have I good fortune, thou shall right well atone.
God rich reward my liegemen, such faithfulness to me they've shown."
"Well may'st thou thank them, truly," spake then Luedeger;
"Hostages so noble won a monarch ne'er.
For chivalrous protection rich goods we offer thee,
That thou now right gracious to us thy enemies shalt be."
"I'll grant you both your freedom," spake the king again;
"But that my enemies surely here by me remain,
Therefor I'll have good pledges they ne'er shall quit my land,
Save at my royal pleasure." Thereto gave Luedeger the hand.
Sweet rest then found the weary their tired limbs to aid,
And gently soon on couches the wounded knights were laid;
Mead and wine right ruddy they poured out plenteously:
Than they and all their followers merrier men there none might be.
Their shields all hacked in battle secure were laid away;
And not a few of saddles stained with blood that day,
Lest women weep to see them, hid they too from sight.
Full many a keen rider home came aweary from the fight.
The host in gentlest manner did his guests attend:
The land around with stranger was crowded, and with friend.
They bade the sorely wounded nurse with especial care:
Whereby the knights high-hearted 'neath all their wounds knew not despair.
Who there had skill in healing received reward untold,
Silver all unweighéd and thereto ruddy gold
For making whole the heroes after the battle sore.
To all his friends the monarch gave presents rich in goodly store.
Who there again was minded to take his homeward way
They bade, as one a friend doth, yet a while to stay.
The king did then take counsel how to reward each one,
For they his will in battle like liegemen true had nobly done.
Then outspake royal Gernot: "Now let them homeward go;
After six weeks are over, —thus our friends shall know—
To hold high feast they're bidden hither to come again;
Many a knight now lying sore wounded will be healed ere then.
Of Netherland the hero would also then take leave.
When of this King Gunther did tidings first receive,
The knight besought he kindly not yet his leave to take:
To this he'd ne'er consented an it were not for Kriemhild's sake.
A prince he was too noble to take the common pay;
He had right well deserved it that the king alway
And all his warriors held him in honor, for they had seen
What by his arm in battle bravely had accomplished been.
He stayed there yet a little for the maiden's sake alone,
Whom he would see so gladly. And all fell out full soon
As he at heart had wished it: well known to him was she.
Home to his father's country joyously anon rode he.
The king bade at all seasons keep up the tournament,
And many a youthful rider forth to the lists there went.
The while were seats made ready by Worms upon the strand
For all who soon were coming unto the Burgundian land.
In the meantime also, ere back the knights returned,
Had Kriemhild, noble lady, the tidings likewise learned,
The king would hold high feasting with all his gallant men.
There was a mickle hurry, and busy were fair maidens then
With dresses and with wimples that they there should wear.
Ute, queen so stately, the story too did hear,
How to them were coming proud knights of highest worth.
Then from enfolding covers were store of dresses rich brought forth.
Such love she bore her children she bade rich dress prepare,
Wherewith adorned were ladies and many a maiden fair,
And not a few young riders in the land of Burgundy.
For strangers many bade she rich garments eke should measured be.
- Writer
