The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) (18 page)

‘She will certainly come,’ replied Sir Gere.

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Uote then bade the messengers be quick to come before her. From her questions it was apparent that she was glad to hear that Kriemhilt was still in good health. Gere said in what health he had found her, and that she would arrive there shortly.

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Nor did the messengers conceal at court the gifts Lord Sivrit had given them. The gold and also the garments were brought forward to be seen by the three kings’ vassals. They gave thanks for the great generosity they had met with there.

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‘It is easy for him’, said Hagen then, ‘to give so readily. He couldn’t squander it all away, even if he were to live forever. His hands
hold the hoard of the Nibelungs. Ah, if that should ever come to Burgundy!’

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All the retinue rejoiced that they were to come. The three kings’ vassals were about their business early and late. They began then to set up seating for great numbers of people. Bold Hunolt and Sir

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Sindolt had a great deal to do, ordering stewards and cupbearers to set up many benches. Lord Ortwin also helped them in this. Gunther thanked them for it. The lord of the kitchen, Rumolt—how

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well he soon set his underlings in order! Huge cauldrons in great numbers, pots and pans—oh, how many were to be found there! They then prepared the dishes for those who were to come to that land.

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L
ET
us leave them about their business now, and tell how Lady Kriemhilt, together with her maidens, travelled from the land of the Nibelungs to the Rhine. Never did packhorses carry so many sumptuous garments. Lots of trunks were sent ahead along the roads.

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Sivrit the warrior then rode to his destination, together with his friends and also the queen, anticipating a joyful arrival. (Afterwards great grief was to be inflicted upon them all.)

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They left Sivrit’s baby, Kriemhilt’s son, back at home—that had to be. Their journey to the foreign court cost him much sorrow. Never again did the child see his father and his mother. Lord Sigmunt

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also rode there with them. If he had known for certain what would happen afterwards at the festivity, he would have seen none of it. Never could a worse fate befall his dear friends. Messengers were

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sent ahead to tell the tidings of their journey. Then many of Uote’s allies and Gunther’s vassals rode to meet them with a joyous company. The host went to great trouble to greet his guests.

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He walked over to where Prünhilt was sitting: ‘Now, how was it my sister welcomed you when you arrived in my lands? You must welcome Sivrit’s wife in the same way.’

‘I will do so,’ said she, ‘and willingly. She is dear to me, as is only right.’

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Then the mighty king said: ‘They will come to us tomorrow morning. If you wish to welcome them, set about it soon, and let us not wait for them here in the castle. Never at any time have guests come who are so truly dear to me.’

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Prünhilt then bade her maidens and her ladies at once seek out fine clothing, the best to be found, for her retinue to wear before the guests. They were most willing to do so, it goes without saying. Gunther’s

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vassals also hastened to wait upon them then. The host gathered all his warriors about him. Then the queen rode off in much splendour. A great number of greetings were bestowed upon the dear guests.

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How joyfully the guests were welcomed! It seemed to them that Lady Kriemhilt had never given such a warm welcome to Lady Prünhilt when she arrived in Burgundy. Those who had never seen Kriemhilt before became acquainted with the great high spirits she evoked.

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By now Sivrit, together with his vassals, had also arrived. They saw the heroes twisting and turning, backwards and forwards, in all corners of the plain, with their huge companies. No one could put a stop to the press of the crowds and the dust that arose there.

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When the lord of the land saw Sivrit, and also Sigmunt, how affectionately he spoke up: ‘A hearty welcome to you from me and all my allies! We rejoice that you have made this journey to our court!’

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‘Now God reward you!’ said Sigmunt, ever desirous of honour. ‘Ever since my son Sivrit won you for his ally, my mind has been intent on seeing you.’

King Gunther replied: ‘This is a happy sight for me also!’

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Sivrit was welcomed with the greatest honour, as well befitted him. No one there bore him ill-will. Giselher and Gernot gave their assistance, with great courtesy. I believe no guests were ever so graciously received.

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Then the two kings’ wives approached one another. Many saddles were emptied there, many a fair lady lifted down onto the grass by a hero’s hands. How busy were those who delighted in waiting upon ladies! The lovely women then walked up to one another. Knights in

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great numbers rejoiced that they greeted one another so prettily. Many warriors could be seen standing next to their damsels there. The noble

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retinues took one another by the hand. There was much bowing out of courtesy to be seen there, and loving kisses on the part of well-favoured ladies. Gunther’s and Sivrit’s vassals were glad at that sight.

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They waited there no longer, but rode up to the town. The host asked that his guests be shown clearly that they were glad to see them in Burgundy. Splendid jousts in great numbers took place before the damsels. Hagen of Tronege, and also Ortwin, showed clearly what

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power they wielded. No one dared fail to carry out all they commanded. They rendered many services to the dear guests. There at

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the castle-gate many shields were heard to resound with the cut and thrust. The host and his guests halted in front of the gate for a long time before they rode in. The time passed quickly for them, so great was their enjoyment.

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Then they rode joyfully up to the splendid great hall. They saw lots of elegant phellel-silks, fine and well-cut, dangling from all the saddles of the well-favoured ladies. Then Gunther’s men arrived. They commanded

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that the guests be taken without delay to their chambers.

Prünhilt was seen to cast glances now and then at Lady Kriemhilt, who possessed ample beauty. Her complexion matched in its great splendour the sheen of the gold.

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All over the city of Worms the din of the retinue was to be heard. Gunther then asked Dancwart, his marshal, to see to them. He set about finding good quarters for the folk. Both outside and inside the

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castle food was provided for them. Never were foreign guests better tended! All that they desired was at their disposal. The king was so wealthy that no one was refused anything there. They served them

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amicably, with no hint of rancour. The host then sat down at table with his guests. Sivrit was asked to take a seat as he had done in former times. Gallant men in great numbers then took their seats alongside him.

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Some twelve hundred warriors sat at table in the circle there. Queen Prünhilt thought that no bondsman might ever be more powerful. She was still so well-disposed to him that she could let this behaviour on his part pass by.

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On that evening when the king was sitting there, many of the sumptuous garments were wetted with wine as the cupbearers approached the tables. Assiduous service was carried out to the full there, as has long been the custom at festivities. Ladies and maidens

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were ordered to be given splendid quarters. No matter where they came from, the host bore them goodwill. They gave them all ample and gracious hospitality.

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When the night had ended and day broke, precious stones in great numbers were taken out of the trunks; they shone in the fine garments
as the ladies’ hands touched them. Splendid dresses in great numbers were sought out.

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Before day had fully broken many knights and squires came up to the hall. Then a great din arose again before an early mass, sung for the king. Young heroes rode such jousts there that the king thanked them for it. The sound of many trumpets rang out with a loud clamour.

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The din of drums and flutes grew so great that the whole wide city of Worms resounded loudly with it. The high-spirited heroes all mounted their chargers. Then there arose in that land a game

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played at very high stakes between many good warriors. There were lots to be seen there whose young hearts gave them high spirits. Fine, doughty knights in great numbers could be seen fighting behind their shields.

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The proud women took their seats in the windows, together with many fair maidens—they were elegantly attired. They saw many a bold man indulging in his pastime. The host himself, with his allies, mounted his charger.

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Thus they passed the time—it did not hang heavily for them. From over in the cathedral the sound of many bells could be heard. Then the palfreys arrived, and the ladies rode over to the minster. Many bold men followed the noble queens.

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They alighted on the grass before the minster. Prünhilt was as yet still well inclined towards her guests. Wearing their crowns, they entered the spacious minster. Afterwards that affection of theirs ended—great enmity brought that about.

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After they had heard mass, they left. Later they were to seen to walk joyfully to table, amid great hospitality. Their happiness never ceased at that festivity until the eleventh day dawned.

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B
EFORE
vespers much ado arose on the part of many warriors in the courtyard. They were practising chivalry, intent on amusing themselves. Men and women in great numbers ran over to watch.

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The powerful queens were sitting together then. Their thoughts were bent upon two warriors, who were of great renown. Then fair
Kriemhilt said: ‘I have a husband who might fittingly hold all these kingdoms in his power.’

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Lady Prünhilt replied: ‘How might that be? If no one else were alive but he and you, then the kingdoms might well be subject to him. For as long as Gunther lives, that could never be.’

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Then Kriemhilt spoke again: ‘See now, how he stands there! How splendidly he walks before the warriors, like the bright moon before the stars! I have good reason to be in high spirits!’

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Then Lady Prünhilt said: ‘No matter how handsome your husband may be, how worthy and fair, yet you must give precedence over him to Gunther the warrior, your noble brother. He must take precedence over all other kings, do not doubt it!’

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Then Lady Kriemhilt said: ‘My husband is of such high worth that it is not without reason that I have praised him. He stands in high honour in so many respects. Believe me, Prünhilt, he’s fully Gunther’s equal.’

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‘Now, don’t take it ill on my part, Kriemhilt, for I’ve not spoken without good reason. I heard them both say, when I saw them for the very first time, and when the king had his will of me and won

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my love in such a knightly way—then Sivrit himself said he was the king’s vassal, which is why I’ve held him to be a bondsman, ever since I heard him say so.’

Then fair Kriemhilt said: ‘If that were so, I would have fared ill.

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How might my noble brothers have arranged that I should be a bondsman’s wife? Therefore, Prünhilt, I ask you in all friendship, to leave off such words, in all kindness.’

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‘I can’t take my words back,’ said the king’s wife. ‘Why should I relinquish so many knights who are bound in service to us together with that warrior?’

Beautiful Kriemhilt began to be very angry: ‘You must give up

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any thought of his ever performing any service for you. He is higher in rank than Gunther, my brother, that most noble man. You must spare me such words as I have heard from you. Indeed, it amazes me,

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since he is your bondsman and you hold such power over us both, that he has paid no dues to you for so long! I ought by rights to be spared your arrogance!’

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‘You are getting above yourself !’ said the king’s wife. ‘Now I would gladly see whether people honour you as highly as they do me.’

Both the ladies were by now in a very angry frame of mind.

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Then Lady Kriemhilt said: ‘That must now be put to the proof.
Since you have claimed my husband for your bondsman, today the two kings’ men must now see if I dare go to the minster ahead of the king’s wife. You shall see today that I am a free noblewoman

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and that my husband is higher in rank than yours. I do not want to be so insulted. You shall see before the night is out how your own bondswoman goes to court before the warriors in Burgundy.

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I myself claim to be higher in rank than any queen known to have ever worn a crown.’

Then great enmity arose between the ladies. Prünhilt replied:

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‘If you won’t admit you’re my bondswoman, then you and your ladies must walk separately, not together with my retinue, when we go to the minster.’

Kriemhilt answered: ‘In truth, that will be done! Dress yourselves

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now, my maidens,’ said Sivrit’s wife. ‘I will suffer no disgrace here. You must show clearly whether you have sumptuous clothing. Prünhilt will have good reason to take back her words.’

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They needed no prompting to seek out sumptuous garments. Many ladies and maidens were most elegantly attired there. Then the noble king’s wife walked forward with her retinue. Fair Kriemhilt herself was also well attired. She had with her forty-three maidens

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whom she had brought to the Rhine; they wore bright phellel-silks wrought in Arabia. Thus the well-favoured maidens made their way to the minster. All Sivrit’s men were waiting for them outside the hall.