How Gunther Invited Siegfried to the Festival, I–XXXV

Still Gunther's consort ever thought with deep-musing care, Why should the Lady Kriemhild herself so proudly bear? And yet her husband Siegfried—what but our man is he? And late but little service has yielded for his fee.

In her heart his thought she foster'd deep in its inmost core; That still they kept such distance, a secret grudge she bore. How came it that their vassal to court declin'd to go, Nor for his land did homage, she inly yearn'd to know.

She made request of Gunther, and begg'd it so might be, That she the absent Kriemhild yet once again might see, And told him too, in secret, whereon her thoughts were bent. With the words she utter'd her lord was scarce content.

"How could we bring them hither," the king in turn began, "Such a length of journey? 'twere past the power of man. I could not ask it of them, they dwell from us so wide." Thereto in haughty fashion the frowning queen replied,

"How rich soe'er a vassal, how broad soe'er his lands, Obedience is his duty, whate'er his lord commands." Sure could but smile Sir Gunther when thus he heard her fret. 'Twas not for suit and service that he and Siegfried met.

Said she, "Dear lord, for my sake thy efforts join with mine, That Siegfried and thy sister once more may seek the Rhine, That we again may see them, and all in love unite. Nothing, I well assure thee, could give me more delight.

"What soft emotion soothes me, whene'er I call to mind Thy sister's noble graces, her accent soft and kind, And how, when both were married, we both sat side by side! No doubt may she with honor be Siegfried's loving bride."

She press'd so long, that Gunther replied with alter'd cheer, "Now know that guests so welcome never saw I here. Much pressing little needed; so messengers of mine I'll send to bid them hasten hither to the Rhine."

Thereto the queen made answer, "Tell me now, I pray, When you will send to ask them, and about what day We may expect the travellers to both of us so dear; And who will bear your message, I willingly would hear."

"So will I do," replied he; "thirty of my men Shall be commission'd thither." Forthwith he summon'd them Those by whom his message to Siegfried's land he sent, Brunhild sumptuous vesture gave them to their full content.

Then spake the king, "Ye warriors, from me this message bear (That you keep back nothing I bid you well beware), Which I to valiant Siegfried and to my sister send, That in this world can no man to both be more a friend;

"And beg them hasten hither us on the Rhine to see; It shall be well requited both by my wife and me. By the next midsummer he and his men shall find From every one among us high honor, welcome kind.

"Unto the good King Siegmund my service, too, commend; Say, I and mine shall ever hold him as our friend. Bid too my sister hasten to meet her kinsmen dear. Ne'er graced she royal festal like that which waits her here."

Brunhild and Uta and every lady there Into the land of Siegfried their greeting bade them bear To many a noble warrior and many a lady gay. So with the king's commission the couriers went their way.

To start they now were ready; to each of all the band Was brought both steed and vesture; so rode they from the land. With happy haste they journey'd, and ever prick'd they hard; The king had sent an escort his messengers to guard.

In the weary journey three toilsome weeks they spent. At last in Niblung's castle, whither they had been sent, E'en in the march of Norway, they found king Siegmund's son. Horses alike and riders were travel-tainted and fordone.

To Siegfried and to Kriemhild forthwith the tidings came, That knights had journey'd thither, whose venture was the same As what by men of worship was born in Burgundy. From her day-bed Kriemhild up sprung hastily.

Sudden to a window she bade a damsel go, Who saw bold Gary standing in the court below, Him, and his valiant comrades on the same errand bound. For her long-brooded sorrow what rapture then she found!

Loud call'd she to her husband, "See you, where they stand Down in the court there waiting, stout Gary and his band, Whom my good brother Gunther has sent us down the Rhine?" "Welcome are they," said Siegfried, "welcome to me and mine."

Where they saw them standing, all the household ran; They kindly then saluted, as man encounter'd man, And, as they best could please them, spoke many a friendly word, With no small joy King Siegmund of their arrival heard.

Straight were allotted quarters to Gary and his men, And charge ta'en of their courses; the messengers went then To where sat bold Sir Siegfried by gentle Kriemhild's side; They were to court invited, and so they thither hied.

Uprose, as in they enter'd, the host and his fair dame. Full well receiv'd was Gary, and all who with him came His followers, Gunther's liegemen from distant Burgundy. To a seat the warrior was motion'd courteously.

"Nay, deign," said he, "our message to hear before we sit, And us, way-wearied wanderers, the while to stand permit. We have to tell you tidings to us committed late By Gunther and by Brunhild, who are both in best estate;

"And from the Lady Uta we come, your mother dear, And from the good Sir Gernot and youthful Giselher, And from your choicest kinsmen, who all with kind intent By us to you their service from Burgundy have sent."

"Now God then quit!" said Siegfried, "that they're sincere and true, I trust with full assurance, as men with friends should do. The same too feels their sister. Now further to us tell, Whether our friends in Rhineland are hearty all and well.

"Since we from them departed, has any neighboring foe Harried my consort's kindred? this let me surely know. To them by me shall ever such friendly aid be lent, That their wrong the doers shall bitterly repent."

Thereto the Margrave Gary, the good knight, made reply, "Fraught with all manly virtues they bear them proud and high. They bid you to a festal, which they at home prepare. You need not doubt, your kinsmen would gladly see you there.

"They also beg my lady thither with you to wend, Soon as the blustering winter shall come at length to end, You both ere next midsummer they all expect to see." Then said the valiant Siegfried, "That can hardly be."

But straight the bold Burgundian Gary gave this reply, "Surely your mother Uta you never can deny, Nor Giselher, nor Gernot, who all would meet you fain. That you dwell so far distant, I hear them daily plain.

"Brunhild, my noble lady, and all her maidens fair, Are glad to think that forthwith you thither will repair. That they once more may see you, fills every heart with glee." His words to lovely Kriemhild seem'd full good to be.

Gary was her kinsman; him begg'd the host to sit, And straight bade fill the goblets to pledge them, as was fit; Then too, to meet the envoys, King Siegmund join'd the rest, And to the bold Burgundians these friendly words address'd:

"Welcome, ye men of Gunther! since Siegfried, my good son, Your noble lady Kriemhild for his wife has won, You at our court more frequent we should have gladly seen. Your presence of our friendship the surest bond had been."

They said, whene'er he wish'd it, they willingly would come. Their toil and teen through gladness forgot they all and some. Siegfried bade all be seated, and viands of the best, And in full abundance, be brought to every guest.

Nine days in mirth and feasting the envoys needs must stay. At length the active warriors could brook no more delay. Again would they ride homeward; on that their minds were bent In th' interval King Siegfried for his friends had sent.

He ask'd them what they counsel'd; he needs must to the Rhine; "I bidden am by Gunther that dear friend of mine. At a high feast my presence he and his kinsmen pray. Fain would I ride thither, were't not so far away.