As the men of the land Bavarian fled from the face of their…

As the men of the land Bavarian fled from the face of their foes, Ringing and clanging behind them ever echoed the dread death-blows, As the vassals of Troneg's hero held them close in chase. Whoso would 'scape, small respite had he in that terrible race! But amidst of pursuit and slaughter, to the rest cried Dankwart the thane: "Halt! on the path of our journey backward turn we the rein. Let us leave them riding in panic, while fast their gashes bleed. Back to our friends let us hasten: of a truth 'tis the better rede." When back to the place of their conflict they came, where many had died, Spake Hagen of Troneg: "Heroes, now let us be certified Who from our ranks be missing, whom of our friends we have lost Here, where the wrath of Gelfrat so many lives hath cost." So they numbered, and four were lacking; but for these they made short moan. Well were they avenged of a surety! For the deaths of these to atone There lay of Bavaria's champions more than a hundred dead. The shields of the men of Troneg with blood were bedimmed and red. Fitfully out of the cloud-rack brake the clear moon's light. Then to the rest spake Hagen: "Let no man tell this night To my well-belovèd liege-lords what hap hath befallen us here. Till the morrow, as touching our welfare, no care let them know nor fear."

When the rest of the host was o'ertaken by these which had come from the fray, Behold, all men were complaining for weariness of the way. "How long must we ride unresting?" many a warrior cried. Spake Dankwart the brave: "No hostel is here wherein to abide. Needs must ye still ride onward till breaketh the light of day." Then Volker the swift war-helper, which ordered their array, Sent one to ask of the Marshal: "Where shall we halt to-morn, Where the steeds and our well-loved masters may rest with toil outworn?" But answered Dankwart the fearless: "I may not certainly say. But we cannot and may not rest us till dawn in the sky is grey:

Then, wheresoever we find us, on the grass must we lay us to rest." Heavily weighed the tidings on many a warrior's breast. Unbewrayed by the blood red-reeking through those dark hours they rode, Till the sun shot forth, for a greeting to Morning's feet, as they trode The crests of the hills, his flame-shafts. Then straightway the King espied The tokens of that grim conflict, and in indignation he cried: "What meaneth this, friend Hagen? And thought ye scorn of our aid, That I might not come to your helping when the rings of your mail were made Red with the blood of battle? Who brought you unto this plight?" He answered: "The deed was Elsè's: he fell on us in the night. To avenge his ferryman's slaying his riders pursued us fast. Dead by the hand of my brother Gelfrat to earth was cast. Then Elsè fleeing outran us—of sore need surely he fled! Of us but four, but a hundred of them, on the field lie dead."

Where stayed they for rest and for slumber, no witness hath testified. Swift ran the tale of their coming through all the country-side, How the sons of Uta the noble unto Etzel's feast would fare. At the last they won unto Passau, and good was their welcome there. The noble princes' uncle, the bishop Pilgerin, Was exceeding gladdened in spirit to behold his royal kin, When into his land with comrades so many and knightly they rode. How fain he was to behold them his deeds right speedily showed. Friends thronged to meet them and greet them afar from the city-wall; And, seeing that lodging in Passau could not be found for them all, To the farther side of the river to a mead were the more part led Wherein by the squires were pavilions and many a fair tent spread. There were they constrained to tarry for the space of one whole day And the night that followed thereafter: right well entreated were they. Thence riding forth and onward, unto Rüdiger's land they passed, And to him the joyful tidings of their coming sped full fast.

Now when by the night's rest strengthened those way-worn warriors were, And by this were drawing nearer to the land of Rüdiger,

There, hard by the marches sleeping, on a certain man did they light, From whose side was stolen by Hagen a goodly glaive of fight. Now the name of the sleeper was Eckwart, a good and noble knight; And exceeding sorrowful-hearted was he for his swordless plight, For the weapon lost through the passing of heroes the while he slept. He was warder of Rüdiger's marches, but for once ill guard had he kept. "Ah, woe is me," cried Eckwart, "that I wake to know this shame! Alas for me, that ever the Burgundians hitherward came! Siegfried's death was the well-spring of all my calamity! Alas for my betrayal of Rüdiger's trust in me!" Full well was heard by Hagen the sorrow of that good knight. He restored him his sword, and he added six armlets of red gold bright: "Take these for thy guerdon, hero, and be thou a friend to us now. Though here unguarded thou liest, a valiant thane art thou." "God guerdon thee for thine armlets!" Eckwart the knight replied. "Yet must I surely sorrow that ye to the Huns will ride. Thou wast the slayer of Siegfried: here hate is undying still. Look well to thyself!—I counsel in all faith and good-will."

"Why then, may God protect us," spake Hagen answering; "But now these thanes be troubled concerning none other thing Save for their harbourage only—my lords and their vassals withal— Even where we shall rest and refresh us at this day's evenfall: For by this forspent be our horses with the weary way they have gone; And consumed is all our victual"—Hagen the thane spake on— "Neither see we where we may buy it. Some noble host would we meet Whose open-handed bounty might give to us bread to eat." And to him made answer Eckwart: "Such a host unto you will I show, That entertainment so goodly on you should none bestow As here shall be your portion, in all lands far or near, If ye, O valiant warriors, will seek unto Rüdiger. Nigh to the highway he dwelleth: the noblest host is he That ever hath dwelt in mansion: his heart with charity

Blooms as the grass with flowers at the touch of May's bright feet. Blithe is he and thankful ever such heroes with service to greet." Then spake unto him King Gunther: "Mine herald wilt thou be To my dear friend Rüdiger? Ask him if, for a grace unto me, To me and to these my kinsmen and vassals he will be host. So will I requite that service unto mine uttermost." "Gladly will I be thine herald," answering Eckwart said. Straightway forth on the errand with eager haste he sped Unto Rüdiger, bearing the message told even now in his ear. There had come no such glad tidings to his lord for many a year.

Men saw from the towers of Bechlaren a knight spur thitherward fast. Well Rüdiger knew that rider, and he said: "In furious haste Cometh Eckwart, vassal of Kriemhild, galloping hitherward." He weened that of foes some mischief had been done to that valiant lord. To the castle-gateway he hied him, and there did the messenger stand Who unclasped his sword from his girdle and laid at his feet the brand. Spake Rüdiger unto the warrior: "What tidings hast thou brought That so hath constrained thee to hasten? hath any spoiled us of aught?" "No man hath done us a mischief," straightway Eckwart replied, "But to-day of three kings bidden unto thee have I hitherward hied, Of the King of Burgundia, Gunther, of Gernot and Giselher: And of these knights each commendeth unto thee his service fair. The like do Hagen and Volker; and each man sayeth it In loyal faith and hearty. Moreover I do thee to wit Of the message that the marshal of Gunther hath charged me withal, That the good knights pray thee to grant them lodging at evenfall." With smiling lips of kindness unto him did Rüdiger say: "Welcome to me be the tidings that kings so noble as they Now stand in need of my service: nothing to these I deny. So they will but come to my dwelling, exceeding glad am I." "From Dankwart the marshal moreover a message to thee I bring, How many unto thy castle this day be journeying.

Threescore valiant champions and a thousand knights draw near, And with these be squires nine thousand." Blithe was the host of cheer. "Welcome be these guests! Welcome the tidings," did Rüdiger cry, "That such noble and valiant heroes to my castle-halls draw nigh Unto whom I have ne'er shown kindness for kindness shown unto me! What ho, my kinsmen and vassals, ride forth to meet them ye!" Then hasted they to their horses, and rode forth, squire and knight. Whatsoever their lord commanded, that seemed them meet and right; For so with swifter obedience they rendered him service due. But still in her bower sat Gotlind, and nothing thereof she knew.

XXVII. How they came to Bechlaren

Thence hasted him the Margrave to where in the Ladies' Bower Were sitting his wife and his daughter: unto these in the selfsame hour Told he the joyful tidings that but now had gladdened his ear, That the brethren of her Lady and Queen to their halls drew near. "Now therefore, O my belovèd," spake Rüdiger earnestly, "Graciously shalt thou receive them, these noble princes three, When they and their train come hither as they fare unto Etzel's court. And Hagen, Gunther's liegeman, shalt thou greet in friendly sort. With these cometh also another, and Dankwart he hath to name, And another withal, named Volker, of knightly honour and fame. Upon these six thou and my daughter shall the greeting-kiss bestow, And the grace of courteous kindness unto all the knights shall ye show."

All this did the ladies promise, and nothing loth were they. Then sought they out of the coffers their goodliest array, That so they might greet the warriors in worthy bravery. So with eager haste they bestirred them, those ladies fair to see.

Of false-feigned bloom of roses on their cheeks was little enow; But shining golden chaplets they bare upon each white brow Fashioned as rich-wrought garlands, that so their braided hair By the wind might not be ruffled: all dainty and fresh they were. In the labours of women busied those courtly dames leave we, The while went swiftly riding far over the river-lea Rüdiger's friends and kinsmen, till they spied that princely band; Then heartiest welcome they gave them into the Margrave's land.

So when to the castle the Margrave beheld that company ride, How blithely hailing their presence the eager Rüdiger cried, "Welcome to me, ye princes, and all in your vassal-train! Here in mine own fair country I behold you exceeding fain." Then bowed them to him the heroes in friendship and faith unfeigned. Well proved he with what gladness by their host were they entertained. Unto Hagen special greeting, as a friend known long agone, He gave, and withal unto Volker, Burgundia's hero-son. Dankwart withal he greeted; then spake that valiant thane: "If thou care for us here in thy castle, who then will see to our train, Unto all the array which hath followed from Worms beyond the Rhine?" Straightway answered the Margrave: "Put by this fear of thine; For all thy vassal-companions, and what possessions soe'er Ye have brought into this my country—steeds, silver, and raiment fair— I will cause them to have such warding that nought therefrom shall be lost. By a single spur no poorer shall be any man of your host. Pitch the pavilions therefore, ye squires, on yonder lea. Whatsoe'er from your store shall be missing shall be all made good by me. Cast off the bit and bridle, and let the steeds range wide." Never had men such welcome from any host beside! Glad were the guests when they heard it. So then when his bidding was done, And the lords rode thence to the castle, the squires all one after one Stretched them at ease on the greensward. Sweet rest at last had they: Nought like it before nor after found they in all the way.