How King Etzel Sent into Burgundy to Propose for Kriemhild, I–XXXV

'Twas of yore, in the season when Dame Helca died, And the stout King Etzel would take another bride, His friends all gave him counsel his marriage troth to plight To a proud Burgundian widow, that Lady Kriemhild hight.

His courtiers thus, when Helca had ended now her life, Bespoke him, "Would you ever take a noble wife, The best with whom a monarch could share his royal state, Make choice of this fair lady; bold Siegfried was her mate."

Then answer'd stout King Etzel, "How can succeed the plan, For me, that am a heathen, and not a christen'd man, To woo a Christian woman? never consent will she; Sure 'twere a very marvel if this could ever be."

Thereto his knights made answer, "What if she yet consent Mov'd by your name so glorious and potent regiment? 'Twere well to make the trial whatever thence accrue; For such a fair companion a king might gladly sue."

The noble king then question'd, "Who among you knows The people and the country where Rhine's fair current flows?" Said Rudeger of Bechlaren, "For that trust me alone; I from earliest childhood the noble kings have known.

"Gunther and Gernot, good knights as e'er can be; The third is the young Giselher; each of the brethren three Does all, whereby clear honor and high repute are won, Just as their brave forefathers down to our times have done."

Thereto gave answer Etzel, "Friend, do to me declare, If she indeed be worthy here the proud crown to wear; And, if she be so lovely as by report is borne, My best friends may be certain, they'll have no cause to mourn.

"For peerless grace and beauty with Helca she may vie, My lady ever-honor'd; saw yet never eye In all this world a fairer; she's of all queens the best; The lord of such a lady must be supremely blest."

"Then, as thou lov'st me, Rudeger, go, court her for my bride, And if I should come ever to lie by Kriemhild's side, Assure thee, to my utmost I will thy pains requite; Well thou hast ever serv'd me, and done my will aright.

"Out of my treasure-chamber whate'er thou wilt I'll give, That thou and thy companions merrily may live. Clothes, horses, all thou needest, I'll willingly defray. Of such make full provision, and speed thee on thy way."

Thereto in answer Rudeger, the wealthy margrave, spake, "Surely 'twould ill beseem me ought from the stores to take. Fain will I bear thy message to the Rhenish brethren bold From my own rich possessions, that of thee I have and hold."

Then spake the mighty monarch, "Now when will you ride To seek my love and lady? God be your guard and guide, And keep you both in safety through all the paths you trace, And fortune speed my wooing, that I may win my lady's grace."

Then Rudeger made answer, "Ere this land we quit, With weapons and with raiment our band we out must fit, That we before the princes in splendor due may shine. Five hundred stately warriors I'll lead unto the Rhine;

"That, when the stout Burgundians me and mine shall see, It by all beholders at once confess'd shall be, That ne'er despatch'd a monarch, on distant wooing bent, A band more choice and numerous than thou to Rhine hast sent.

"And, noble king, remember whom thou desir'st to wed; The first of martial champions, Sir Siegfried, shar'd her bed, The son of royal Siegmund; thou hast seen him here before; From all, the highest honors, and well deserv'd, he bore."

Then replied King Etzel, "If she was Siegfried's wife, So honor'd was her husband, while he was yet in life, That at my hands his consort will meet true love and care. Heaven grant that I may find her as gracious as she's fair!"

Then spake the noble margrave, "Thus then at once I say, We'll fix for our departure the four and twentieth day. Straight to my dear wife Gotelind I'll send to let her know, That on this quest for Kriemhild I must in person go."

Rudeger to Bechlaren bade a courier speed amain; The margravine his message fill'd both with joy and pain. He told her he was going for the king to woo; Fair Helca she remembered with tender love and true.

Glad was she from her husband such tidings to receive, And yet in part she sorrow'd; she could not choose but grieve, In doubt to find a mistress so gracious as before, And when she thought on Helca, her very heart was sore.

Seven days Sir Rudeger in Hungary abode; Well pleas'd was stout King Etzel when forth his envoy rode. In the city of Vienna was ordered all their weed. The margrave would not tarry, but ever on would speed.

Right gladly at Bechlaren he and his men were seen; Him waited there Dame Gotelind and the young margravine Rudeger's gentle daughter, and many a noble dame Was there with fitting welcome as home the warriors came.

Ere the noble Rudeger to Bechlaren took his way From the city of Vienna, the raiment rich and gay Had safe arriv'd to meet them, full many a sumpter's load; So strong they march'd, that little was robb'd upon the road.

When they came to Bechlaren, to his companions brave A warm and hearty welcome, the host, as fitted, gave, And in commodious chambers lodg'd them all and some. Dame Gotelind the wealthy rejoic'd to see him come.

And so did his dear daughter, the fair young margravine. Never were guests so welcome as these to her, I ween. The chiefs that came from Hungary how gladly she survey'd! Then thus with smiling aspect spake the noble maid.

"Welcome home, dear father, welcome thy comrades too!" Fair thanks were paid the damsel by all that knightly crew, As them and her befitted, for her reception kind. Well to Lady Gotelind was known her husband's mind.

As by the side of Rudeger that night awake she lay, Thus in soft accents asking the margravine 'gan say, "Whither have you been order'd by the King of Hungary?" Said he, "My Lady Gotelind, I'll tell you willingly.

"Our king again would marry now that fair Helca's dead, And I must go a-wooing in royal Etzel's stead. To ask the hand of Kriemhild hence to the Rhine I ride. Here will she rule as lady with queenly power and pride."

"God grant it!" answered Gotelind, "So 'twill be surely best. We hear her praise and honor by every tongue confess'd. She'll be to us hereafter what Helca was whilere. We the proud crown of Hungary may gladly see her wear."

Then said the noble margrave, "Love and lady mine, To the good knights, that with me prick hence unto the Rhine, Give friendly gifts in plenty from our abundant store. Fair robes and rich equipments the bold embolden more."

"Whoe'er will take a present," she answer'd, "not a guest Shall go by me unguerdon'd of what may suit him best. Whoever poor dismounted, rich shall return to selle." Thereto replied the margrave, "Your words content me well."

Ah! what rich stuffs the warriors then from her chamber bore! 'Mong the good knights were mantles shar'd out in copious store, Each with the patient needle well sewn from throat to spur. Therefrom whatever pleas'd him chose out Sir Rudeger.

'Twas on the seventh fair morning that from Bechlaren rode The host and his companions; they through Bavaria yode With store of arms and raiment, yet such was their array, That robbers rarely ventur'd to assail them on their way.

Within twelve days of journey by Rhine they drew the rein. The news of their arrival no secret could remain. To the king and his liegemen at once the tidings ran, That come were certain strangers; the host to ask began,

If they were known to any; who knew, should say so straight 'Twas seen their sturdy sumpters bore many a heavy weight; So, that they were wealthy, each took at once for known. Forthwith were they to chambers in the wide city shown.

Since no man knew the strangers who to the land were come, Narrowly was each chieftain observ'd by all and some. They wonder'd wherefore came they, and from what distant coast. The same of stout Sir Hagan inquir'd the anxious host.