How Siegfried Went to Worms, I–XXXV

'Twas seldom teen or sorrow the warrior's heart assay'd; At length he heard the rumor, how a lovely maid In Burgundy was dwelling, the fairest of the fair. From her he won much pleasure, but dash'd with toil and care.

By fame her peerless beauty was bruited far and wide, Nor less her lofty virtue, and her pure virgin pride Was day by day reported among the martial band. This drew guests every flocking to good King Gunther's land.

For all the host of suitors that sought to bend her will, True to her own coy promise remain'd fair Kriemhild still, That she, for all their wooing, would love vouchsafe to none. He was a distant stranger, who at last her favor won.

Then sought the son of Siegelind to gain the haughty fair; The vows of other suitors to his were light as air. Such knight deserv'd to vanquish the coyest maiden's pride; Ere long the noble Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's bride.

His kinsmen and his liegemen then gave him counsel true, That now, if he in honor were inclin'd to woo, He should be bound in wedlock to no unequal make: Then said the noble Siegfried, "Sure will I fair Kriemhild take,

"The bright Burgundian maiden, best gem of Gunther's throne, Whose far-renowned beauty stands unapproach'd, alone; On earth nor king nor kaiser lives there so proud, I ween, But he might deem him happy to win so fair a queen."

Forthwith were the tidings to Siegmund's ear preferr'd; His anxious liegemen told him; from them his father heard The high design of Siegfried; it much to heart he laid, That he aspir'd so boldly to win so fair a maid.

The news came eke to Siegelind, the noble monarch's wife; Full sore the mother trembled for her darling's life, For well she knew fierce Gunther and his vassals stern; So strove they both the champion from his high emprise to turn.

Then spake the valiant Siegfried, "Dearest father mine, The love of high-born women forever I'll resign, Rather than play the wooer but where my heart is set." Howe'er they sought to move him, but small success they met.

"Since naught can then dissuade thee," outspake his royal sire, "Glad am I, blood of Siegmund should to such height aspire, And so thy hopes to forward I'll do the best I can; Yet in his court has Gunther many a proud o'erweening man.

"E'en were there none but Hagan, that redoubted knight In pride can match the proudest, the mightiest in might; So that, my son, I fear me, this hour we both may rue, If our minds are settled the stately maid to woo."

"What can ill befall us?" Siegfried made reply; "If that misproud Burgundian my friendly suit deny, Be sure, as much and more, too, I'll seize by strength of hand; In this I trust to strip him of liegemen and of land."

"Little thy words content me," the hoary prince replied, "In the land of King Gunther thou sure durst never ride, If, on the Rhine, young Siegfried, this tale were only told. Gunther and eke Gernot I know them both of old.

"By force, fair son, assure thee, can none the maiden woo," Resum'd the princely Siegmund, "this I have heard for true; But if with knights to back thee, thou'lt ride to Gunther's land, We've friends enough, and forthwith I'll summon all the band."

"'Tis not to me well pleasing," the fiery youth replied, "That I the Rhine should visit with warriors by my side, As in array of battle, and 'twould my honor stain, If I should need assistance the peerless maid to gain.

"I little care to win her save by my own good hand; With comrades but eleven I'll hence to Gunther's land. Thus far, father Siegmund, of you help I pray." Then his friends, to trim their garments, receiv'd striped furs and gray.

To his mother Siegelind the heavy news they bore; The queen straight for her Siegfried began to sorrow sore. She shudder'd lest the lov'd one should all untimely die By the fierce knights of Gunther, and wept full bitterly.

Then in haste went Siegfried where she her moan did make, And thus his sobbing mother tenderly bespake, "Weep not for me, dear mother, in better hope repose, Count me forever scathless e'en 'midst a thousand foes.

"So give me all that's needful through Burgundy to ride, That I and mine may journey with such fair weeds supplied As best becomes companions of high degree to wear, And from my heart I'll thank thee for all thy love and care."

"Since naught avails to stay thee," so spake his mother mild, "I'll equip thee for the journey, my dear, my only child, Thee and thy bold companions, and send thee richly dight With weeds the best and fairest that e'er were worn by knight."

Then to the queen young Siegfried in duty bent him low, And said, "Upon this journey I would not that we go More than twelve together, so these with robes provide. Full fain am I to witness how stands it with my bride."

Fair women at the needle were sitting night and day; Scarcely could a seamstress her head on pillow lay, Till robes were work'd for Siegfried and all his company. The youth was ever yearning to start for Burgundy.

His sire prepar'd his armor, and nothing left undone, That he might leave his country as fitted Siegmund's son; Well temper'd were their breast-plates that flash'd against the light, Of proof were their morions, their bucklers broad and bright.

Their way they now were ready to Burgundy to take; Then man and wife were heavy with sorrow for their sake, Lest evil should befall them, and bar their homeward road, With weapons and apparel the heroes bad the sumpters load.

High-mettled were their chargers, gold-bright their riding weed, None ever rode more proudly (little were there need) Than then did noble Siegfried, and that fair company That with him leave were taking, all bound for Burgundy.

The king and queen, each weeping, gave him leave to part, And he to both gave comfort all with a loving heart. "Weep not," said he, "dear parents, of better courage be, I'm safe where'er I travel, so take no thought for me."

Ah! woe were then the warriors, and wept, too, many a maid, Their hearts, I ween, the future in deepest gloom array'd, And told them from that journey many a dear friend would bleed. Full cause had they for sorrow, it brought them woe indeed.

On the seventh fair morning by Worms along the strand In knightly guise were pricking the death-defying band. The ruddy gold fair glitter'd on every riding vest; Their steeds they meetly govern'd, all pacing soft abreast.

Their shields were new and massy and like flame they glow'd, As bright too shone their helmets, while bold Siegfried rode Straight to the court of Gunther to woo the stately maid; Eye never look'd on champions so gorgeously array'd.

Down to their spurs loud clanging reach'd the swords they wore; Sharp and well temper'd lances the chosen champions bore. One, two spans broad or better, did Siegfried sternly shake, With keen and cutting edges grim and ghastly wounds to make.

Their golden-color'd bridles firm they held in hand; Silken were their pöitrels; so rode they through the land. On all sides the people to gaze on them began; Then many of Gunther's liegemen swift to meet them ran.

Many a haughty warrior, stout squire, and hardy knight, Went to receive the strangers as fitting was and right, And, as to guests high honor'd, did courteous service yield, Their steeds held as they lighted, and took from each his shield.

They were in act the chargers to lead away to stall, When the redoubted Siegfried quick to them did call, "Nay, leave us here the horses, we look not long to stay, Anon with my companions I shall wend upon my way.

"Affairs of high concernment this squadron hither bring, So, whoso knows, straight tell me where I may find your king, The wide-renowned Gunther, who reigns in Burgundy." Then one who near was standing thus answer'd courteously,

"If you would find the monarch, you need not long to wait; In yonder hall at leisure myself I left him late Begirt with all his warriors; there you may feast your sight: In sooth you'll find about him full many a stately knight."