How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhild, I–XXXV

Now might you ever daily see riding toward the Rhine Troops of good knights ambitious at that proud feast to shine. Whoe'er for love of Gunther to Gunther's court would speed, Was at his hands provided with vesture and with steed.

Assign'd were seats befitting to every high-born guest. Thither, as has been told us, the noblest and the best Came two and thirty princes to that high festal tide. In gawds and gems the women each with her neighbor vied.

Now here, now there was busy the youthful Giselher; He and his brother Gernot each with his meiny there Right hospitable welcome to friend and stranger made, And every fitting honor to every warrior paid.

Full many a gold-red saddle, full many a sparkling shield, With store of sumptuous vesture for that high festal field, Were then convey'd to Rhineland; many an ailing wight Grew merry again and gladsome to see so fair a sight.

Each, who in bed lay wounded, though like to yield his breath, Could now no more remember the bitterness of death. By the sick the healthy could now no longer stay; Comrade laugh'd with comrade against the festal day

On the good entertainment prepar'd for young and old; Measureless contentment, enjoyment manifold Enliven'd all the people, and spread from band to band. The note of pleasure echoed through all King Gunther's land

'Twas on a Whitsun' morning the warriors you might see, Five thousand men or better, fair pricking o'er the lea, Yclad in courtly raiment, to that high festival, In jollity and pastime were vying one and all.

Right well had mark'd King Gunther, who love could understand, What heartfelt love impassion'd the knight of Netherland, E'en though he ne'er had seen her, his peerless sister bare, The maid proclaim'd by all men the fairest of the fair.

Said he, "Now all advise me, kinsmen and men of mine, How best of this high tourney to perfect the design, So that our earnest efforts henceforth none may blame. 'Tis but on deeds deserving that rests enduring fame."

He scarce had thus address'd them, when answer'd bold Ortwine, "Would you, O King! full honor to this high feast assign, Bring forth our choicest treasures to this proud chivalry, The matrons and the maidens of our fair Burgundy.

"What more the heart enraptures, or courage more inflames Than to look on lovely damsels, on high and stately dames? Bid too come forth your sister to feast each stranger's sight." Well was approv'd the counsel by each surrounding knight.

"'Tis well advis'd," said Gunther, "I straight will do my part." Whoever heard his answer was inly glad at heart. Then bade he Lady Uta and her fair daughter call To grace the court and tourney, them and their maidens all.

In haste through all the presses for rich attire they sought, What lay in wrappers folded alike to light was brought, Bracelets and clasps and brooches all ready forth were laid. Soon deck'd in all her choicest was every noble maid.

Many a young knight that morning, within his flutt'ring breast, Long'd, that on him, contented, bright beauty's glance might rest; Such glance he would not barter for all a king can own. Each look'd on each full gladly, albeit before unknown.

Then bade the wealthy monarch with royal pomp and state Of his men a hundred on his sister wait, His and the maiden's kinsmen; each carried sword in hand. These were the chosen courtiers of Burgundy's fair land.

With her the wealthy Uta there coming too was seen; She had with her in waiting of fair and stately mien, A hundred dames or better, all gorgeously array'd. Her daughter, too, was followed by many a noble maid.

On from bower advancing they came in fair array; Much press was there of heroes along the crowded way Through anxious glad expectance to see that beauty rare, The fairest and the noblest of the noble and the fair.

Now went she forth, the loveliest, as forth the morning goes From misty clouds out-beaming; then all his weary woes Left him, in heart who bore her, and so, long time, had done. He saw there stately standing the fair, the peerless one.

Many a stone full precious flash'd from her vesture bright; Her rosy blushes darted a softer, milder light. Whate'er might be his wishes, each could not but confess, He ne'er on earth had witness'd such perfect loveliness.

As the moon arising outglitters every star That through the clouds so purely glimmers from afar, E'en so love-breathing Kriemhild dimm'd every beauty nigh. Well might at such a vision many a bold heart beat high.

Rich chamberlains before them march'd on in order due; Around th' high-mettled champions close and closer drew, Each pressing each, and struggling to see the matchless maid. Then inly was Sir Siegfried both well and ill apaid.

Within himself thus thought he: "How could I thus misdeem That I should dare to woo thee? sure 'twas an idle dream! Yet, rather than forsake thee, far better were I dead." Thus thinking, thus impassion'd, wax'd he ever white and red.

So stood the son of Siegelind in matchless grace array'd, As though upon a parchment in glowing hues portray'd By some good master's cunning; all own'd, and could no less, Eye had not seen a pattern of such fair manliness.

Those, who the dames attended, bade all around make way; Straight did the gentle warriors, as such became, obey. There many a knight, enraptur'd, saw many a dame in place Shine forth in bright perfection of courtliness and grace.

Then the bold Burgundian, Sir Gernot, spoke his thought, "Him, who in hour of peril his aid so frankly brought, Requite, dear brother Gunther, as fits both him and you, Before this fair assembly; th' advice I give, I ne'er shall rue.

"Bid Siegfried come to Kriemhild; let each the other meet; 'Twill sure be to our profit, if she the warrior greet. 'Twill make him ours forever, this man of matchless might, If she but give him greeting, who never greeted knight."

Then went King Gunther's kinsmen, a high-born haughty band, And found, and fair saluted the knight of Netherland. "The king to court invites you; such favor have you won; His sister there will greet you; this to honor you is done."

Glad man was then Sir Siegfried at this unlook'd-for gain; His heart was full of pleasure without alloy of pain, To see and meet so friendly fair Uta's fairer child. Then greeted she the warrior maidenly and mild.

There stood he, the high-minded, beneath her star-bright eye, His cheek as fire all glowing; then said she modestly, "Sir Siegfried, you are welcome, noble knight and good!" Yet loftier at that greeting rose his lofty mood.

He bow'd with soft emotion, and thank'd the blushing fair; Love's strong constraint together impelled th' enamour'd pair; Their longing eyes encountered, their glances, every one, Bound knight and maid for ever, yet all by stealth was done.

That in the warmth of passion he press'd her lily hand, I do not know for certain, but well can understand. 'Twere surely past believing they ventur'd not on this; Two loving hearts, so meeting, else had done amiss.

No more in pride of summer nor in bloom of May Knew he such heart-felt pleasure as on this happy day, When she, than May more blooming, more bright than summer's pride, His own, a dream no longer, was standing by his side.

Then thought full many a champion, "Would this had happ'd to me To be with lovely Kriemhild as Siegfried now I see, Or closer e'en than Siegfried; well were I then, I ween." Never yet was champion who so deserv'd a queen.

Whate'er the king or country of the guests assembled there, All could look on nothing save on that gentle pair. Now 'twas allow'd that Kriemhild the peerless knight should kiss. Ne'er in the world had drain'd he so full a draught of bliss.

Then spake the King of Denmark the gather'd crowd before, "Because of this high greeting lie many wounded sore, As I know to my sorrow, by Siegfried's might and main. God grant, he ne'er to Denmark may find his way again."