How Hagan Refused to Rise to Kriemhild, XXXVI–LXIII

Whate'er had then befallen, had once the strife begun, Sure had those two companions the palm of knighthood won; Well had they prov'd their valor in many a field before. The Huns their high adventure perforce through fear gave o'er.

Thus spake one of the warriors, "Why look ye so on me? From this foolish promise at once I'll set me free. No gifts shall ever move me to lose my precious life. The queen misleads us merely; trust not King Etzel's wife."

"Ay, friend!" rejoin'd another, "I'm in the self-same case; Yonder large-lim'b minstrel never would I face, No, not if one would give me whole towers of good red gold. Mark his sharp, quick glances; he's wary as he's bold.

"Well know I, too, Sir Hagan, e'en from his youthful days, And so can well give credence when others speak his praise. In two and twenty battles I've seen him sway the strife; That arm of his, believe me, has widow'd many a wife.

"He and the valiant Spaniard many an adventure sought While here they dwelt with Etzel, and many a battle fought To the king's boot and glory; full oft they prov'd their might; All tongues must so much honor yield Hagan as his right.

"Yet then the hardy warrior in years was but a child; Now are they grave and grizzled who then were raw and wild. Now is he proved in counsel, a champion stern and strong, And eke wears trusty Balmung, which erst he gain'd by wrong."

Thus 'twas at once decided, and struck was not a blow. Sore irk'd it angry Kriemhild; her heart was wrung with woe. Thence back the knights departed, each fearing to be sped By that redoubted couple; good cause had they for dread.

Then spoke the valiant gleeman, "We now have seen too clear, As we were told by Dietrich, that foes beset us here. Best to court hence hurry, and with the kings unite; Then none against our masters will dare provoke the fight."

How oft does the faint waverer let slip the lucky hour, While friend by friend firm standing confronts the deadliest store. Be they but bold and ready! no charm 'gainst sword and dart Like that which smith ne'er temper'd, wise head and fearless heart.

"Lead on then," answer'd Hagan, "I'll follow close behind." They went, where yet the warriors they were in time to find In the court still waiting, girt by a glittering crowd. Thereat the dauntless Folker cried to his lords aloud,

"Noble Burgundian princes! how long here will you stay In all this crowd and pressure? better to court away, And learn the mind of Etzel from his own proper tongue." Then each chose his companion the well-prov'd knights among.

The Prince of Bern, Sir Dietrich, took friendly by the hand Gunther the puissant ruler of Burgundy's fair land, Irnfried went pair'd with Gernot the knight devoid of fear, And to court strode Rudeger with youthful Giselher.

Howe'er the rest were coupled, as mov'd to court the train, Folker and Hagan they parted ne'er again, Save in one mortal struggle, e'en to their dying hour. That strife high dames lamented each in her widow'd bower.

So on to court mov'd slowly the kings in royal state, Their train a thousand nobles proud on such lords to wait; With them were sixty champions, the flower of all contest, Whom in his land Sir Hagan had chosen for the best.

Hawart and Iring, of knighthood each the pride, With the royal brethren mov'd softly side by side; Dankwart and Wolfhart, a valiant hardy knight, Display'd their courteous bearing in each beholder's sight.

Soon as the Lord of Rhineland had come within the door, The mighty monarch Etzel could keep his seat no more. At the first glimpse of Gunther up you might see him spring, And welcome him as warmly as king did ever king.

"Sir Gunther, welcome hither! welcome Sir Gernot too, And your fair brother Giselher; my faithful service true I sent you, as befitted, to Worms beyond the Rhine. Your friends, too, all are welcome alike to me and mine.

"And you, bold pair, trice welcome, whom I together view, Danger-defying Folker, and peerless Hagan too, To me and to my lady; she'll see you nothing loath. She many a friendly message to Rhine has sent for both."

Then said the Knight of Trony, "Such oft have reach'd my ear And, had I not come hither to serve my lieges dear, I fain, to do you honor, had ridd'n into this land." His guests then noble Etzel took friendly by the hand.

Straight to the seat he led them where he had just been sitting; Then to the guests were handed with grave and zeal befitting Mead, morat, wine, successive, in golden goblets bright, And each the noble strangers welcom'd as best he might.

Then thus resum'd King Etzel, "I will confess to all, That in this world could nothing so to my wish befall As your arrival hither; besides, this happy day Has to my queen giv'n comfort, and charm'd her griefs away.

"Before, I own, I wonder'd what wrong I could have wrought, That, while in crowds my table guests of high lineage sought, You ne'er had ridden hither, as though from some annoy, But now that here I see you my wonder's lost in joy."

The lofty-minded Rudeger thereto this answer gave, "Well may you joy to see them; they're good and true as brave. The kinsmen of my lady all honor's lore are taught; They many a stately warrior have to your dwelling brought."

'Twas an eve of fair midsummer when the lords of Rhineland came To the court of mighty Etzel, and seldom chiefs of fame Met so warm a welcome as was on these bestow'd. 'Twas now the hour of revel: the king with them to table strode.

Host with guest together ne'er merrier took his seat. They gave them in abundance alike of drink and meat. Whate'er they wish'd or fancied was brought in plenteous store. Great wonders of the warriors had oft been told before.

Etzel, the mighty monarch, had on th' Hungarian soil Uprais'd a spacious fabric with mickle cost and toil, Palaces and turrets within a fortress wide, And chambers without number, and a splendid hall beside.

Long, high and wide had Etzel uprear'd this gorgeous frame, For that to him such numbers of trooping champions came; Beside his other courtiers, twelve kings that sceptres bore; And crowds of worthy warriors had he at all times more

Than king had e'er assembled, as I for truth have found. He lived in mirth and honor with his kin and men around. The shouting and the pressing of knights from far and wide Had the good prince ever about him; he thus the world defied.