How Siegfried Went to Worms, LXXI–XCVII

"I'll ne'er renounce my purpose," the fiery youth replied; "If through thy might thy country cannot in peace abide, I'll take on me to rule it, and what I hold in fee, If thou by strength canst take it, shall alike submit to thee.

"Let thy broad lands and mine too be laid in equal scale, And whichsoe'er in battle o'er th' other shall prevail, To him let all be subject, the liegemen and the land." But Hagan sought, and Gernot, such purpose to withstand.

"To us 'tis little pleasing," Gernot made reply, "That we should lands be seizing, whose lords should slaughter'd lie That we may win unjustly; our lands are fair and wide; We are their rightful masters, and none they need beside."

Grim glar'd King Gunther's warriors (of gathering wrath the sign!) Among them lower'd the darkest the knight of Metz, Ortwine. "It irks me much," exclaim'd he, "to hear these words of pride. Sir King! by haughty Siegfried thou'rt wrongfully defied.

"Were thou and thy brave brethren stript of those arms you boast, While he to back his quarrel should bring a royal host, E'en then I'd trust to teach him a humbler pitch to fly, And cower as low before us, as now he mounteth high."

Wroth was at this defiance the chief of Netherland. He cried, "Thou durst not venture 'gainst me to lift thy hand. I am a mighty monarch, a monarch's man art thou; Should twelve like thee resist me, twelve such to one should bow."

Then 'gan for swords call loudly the knight of Metz, Ortwine, The sister's son of Hagan, pride of his lofty line. It irk'd him that his uncle so long had silent stood. Bold Gernot interposing thus cool'd his fiery mood.

"Ortwine!" said he, "be calmer; why thus to weapons run? To us the valiant stranger no such offence has done. We yet may part in kindness; I rede thee, wrath give o'er, And make a friend of Siegfried; this still were to our credit more."

"It well may irk," said Hagan, "all us good knights of thine, That this imperious wanderer e'er rode unto the Rhine. Such strife-producing journey were better ne'er begun. Ne'er had the kings my masters by him so evil done."

Thereto straight answer'd Siegfried, fiercely frowning still, "If these my words, Sir Hagan, have chanc'd to please you ill, Be sure, high deeds of valor, you at these hands shall see, Deeds, that e'en less may please you here in Burgundy."

"This I alone," said Gernot, "can turn from evil end;" So all his warriors bade he the stranger not offend With words that breath'd defiance, and thus the turmoil stay'd; And Siegfried too was thinking upon the stately maid.

"How suits this strife with either?" the prudent warrior said, "How many chiefs soever should in this broil lie dead, By us would little honor, by you small gain be won." Thereto gave answer Siegfried, King Siegmund's haughty son:

"But wherefore lingereth Hagan, and wherefore proud Ortwine, That, with their friends thus swarming upon the banks of Rhine, Nor one, nor other ventures a stranger's arm to brave?" Both kept unwilling silence, such counsel Gernot gave.

"You shall to us be welcome," resum'd Queen Uta's son, "You and your faithful comrades, all and every one. We shall be proud to serve you, I and all kin of mine," Then for the guests 'twas order'd to pour King Gunther's wine.

LXXXV Then spoke the sov'reign ruler, "Whatever ours we call, Should you in honor claim it, is at your service all— Our persons—our possessions—if so it seems you good." Thereat became Sir Siegfried of somewhat milder mood.

Forthwith their whole equipment down from their beasts was brought; For Siegfried and his fellows with fitting zeal were sought Of all convenient chambers the choicest and the best. At length the bold Burgundians look'd friendly on their guest.

Thenceforth were fitting honors paid him many a day, A thousand-fold, be certain more than I can say. This earn'd his strength and valor; so gracious was his state, 'Twas rare that any mortal could look on him with hate.

Their hours they spent in pastime—the kings and all the rest— Whate'er the sport that pleas'd them, 'twas Siegfried play'd it best. Such was his skill and puissance, that none could come him near To hurl the stone tempestuous or dart the whizzing spear.

Whene'er before the ladies, all in courtly guise, Plied the contending champions their knightly exercise, Then all look'd on delighted as noble Siegfried strove; But he his thoughts kept ever fix'd on his lofty love.

At court the lovely ladies were asking evermore, Who was the stately stranger that so rich vesture wore, At once so fair of presence and so strong of hand. Then many a one gave answer, "'Tis the King of Netherland."

He ever was the foremost, whate'er the game they play'd. Still in his inmost bosom he bore one lovely maid, Whom he beheld had never, and yet to all preferr'd; She too of him in secret spoke many a kindly word.

When in the court contending fierce squire and hardy knight, As fits the young and noble, wag'd the mimic fight, Oft Kriemhild through her window would look, herself unseen: Then no other pleasure needed the gentle queen.

What then had been his rapture, could he have only guess'd, That on him she was looking, who reign'd within his breast! Could he but once have seen her, I ween, not all the bliss, That all the world can lavish, would he have ta'en for this.

Whene'er, as is the custom at intervals of sport, He midst the crowd of heroes was standing in the court, So graceful was the bearing of Siegelind's matchless son, That the heart of every lady that look'd on him he won.

Oft too would he be thinking, "How now can it be, That I the noble maiden with mine eyes may see, Whom I in heart love dearly, and so long have done? And she's an utter stranger! Ah! Woe is me, unhappy one!"

Whene'er the kings it needed through their land to ride, Then kept their faithful liegemen attendance by their side, And with them forth must Siegfried; this irk'd his lady sore; He through her love was pining the while as much or more.

So with those kings, high honor'd Siegmund's noble son In Gunther's land was dwelling till full a year was run, Nor, all that weary season, a single glimpse could gain Of her, who after brought him such pleasure and such pain.