How Siegfried Went to Worms, XXXVI–LXX

Now to great King Gunther were the tidings told, That there had journey'd thither hardy knights and bold, Yclad in flashing armor and glittering vesture gay, But who and whence the strangers, could no Burgundian say.

Much wonder'd the monarch, whence came the gallant band, That with so fair equipment had reach'd Burgundian land, And with so massy bucklers; that none could tidings bring Of those heroic strangers, but little pleas'd the king.

To Gunther then made answer the knight of Metz, Ortwine, A warrior bold and mighty, and of the loftiest line, "Since none of us can tell you who these same knights may be, Send for my uncle Hagan; let him strangers see.

"He knows the proud and puissant of every foreign land; So we, what now we guess not, from him shall understand." Him and his warlike vassals the impatient king bade call, And soon redoubted Hagan strode tow'ring through the hall.

"What would the king with Hagan?" the warrior made demand. "Here in my house are wand'rers from some far-distant land, Unknown to all around me; observe the strangers well, And if thou e'er hast seen them, the truth, good Hagan, tell."

"That will I straight," said Hagan; to a window then he went, And his eyes attentive on the strangers bent. Well pleas'd him their fair vesture, and well their armor sheen, Yet sure the like he never in Burgundy had seen.

"Whencever come these champions whom chance to Rhineland brings, Kings might they be," said Hagan, "or messengers of kings. How highly bred their chargers! how gorgeous their array! Wherever lies their country, high-mettled lords are they."

And thereto added Hagan, "This too I'll vouch for yet; Albeit on noble Siegfried I never eyes have set; Still to aver I'll venture, that (let whate'er befall) 'Tis he that's stalking yonder, so stately and so tall.

"He brings some new adventure to our Burgundian land; The valiant Nibelungers he slew by strength of hand, Nibelung and Shilbung the princes stern in fight, And since has many a wonder achiev'd with all-surpassing might.

"As all alone and aidless he was riding once at will, As I have heard reported, he found beside a hill With Nibelung's hoarded treasure full many a man of might; Strange seem'd they to the champion, till he came to know them right.

"They had brought the treasure, as just then befell, Forth from a yawning cavern; now hear a wonder tell, How those fierce Nibelungers the treasure would divide; The noble Siegfried eyed them, and wonder'd as he eyed.

"He nearer came and nearer, close watching still the clan, Till they got sight of him too, when one of them began, 'Here comes the stalwart Siegfried, the chief of Netherland.' A strange adventure met he with that Nibelungers' band.

"Him well receiv'd the brethren Shilbung and Nibelung. With one accord they begg'd him, those noble princes young, To part the hoard betwixt them, and ever pressing bent The hero's wavering purpose till he yielded full consent.

"He saw of gems such plenty, drawn from that dark abode, That not a hundred wagons could bear the costly load, Still more of gold so ruddy from the Nibelungers' land. All this was to be parted by noble Siegfried's hand.

"So Nibelung's sword they gave him to recompense his pain, But ill was done the service, which they had sought so fain, And he so hard had granted; Siegfried, the hero good, Fail'd the long task to finish; this stirr'd their angry mood.

"The treasure undivided he needs must let remain, When the two kings indignant set on him with their train, But Siegfried gripp'd sharp Balmung (so hight their father's sword), And took from them their country and the beaming precious hoard.

"For friends had they twelve champions, each, as avers my tale, A strong and sturdy giant, but what could all avail? All twelve to death successive smote Siegfried's mastering hand, And vanquish'd chiefs seven hundred of the Nibelungers' land.

"With that good weapon Balmung; by sudden fear dismay'd Both of the forceful swordsman and of the sword he sway'd, Unnumber'd youthful heroes to Siegfried bent that hour, Themselves, their lands, their castles, submitting to his power.

"Those two fierce kings together he there depriv'd of life, Then wag'd with puissant Albric a stern and dubious strife, Who thought to take full vengeance for both his masters slain, But found his might and manhood with Siegfried's match'd in vain.

"The mighty dwarf successless strove with the mightier man; Like to wild mountain lions to th' hollow hill they ran; He ravish'd there the cloud-cloak from struggling Albric's hold, And then became the master of th' hoarded gems and gold.

"Whoever dar'd resist him, all by his sword lay slain, Then bade he bring the treasure back to the cave again, Whence the men of Nibelung the same before had stirr'd; On Albric last the office of keeper he conferr'd.

"He took an oath to serve him, as his liegeman true, In all that to a master from his man is due. Such deeds," said he of Trony, "has conqu'ring Siegfried done; Be sure, such mighty puissance, knight has never won.

"Yet more I know of Siegfried, that well your ear may hold; A poison-spitting dragon he slew with courage bold, And in the blood then bath'd him; this turn'd to horn his skin. And now no weapons harm him, as often proved has been.

"Receive then this young hero with all becoming state; 'Twere ill advis'd to merit so fierce a champion's hate. So lovely is his presence, at once all hearts are won, And then his strength and courage such wondrous deeds have done."

Then spake the mighty monarch, "Thou counsellest aright. See how stands full knightly, prepar'd for fiercest fight, He and his hardy comrades, the death-defying man! Straight we'll descend to meet him as courteous as we can."

"That be assur'd," said Hagan, "with honor may be done; Of lofty kin is Siegfried, a mighty monarch's son. Me seemeth, if to purpose his bearing I have eyed, By heaven, 'tis no light matter hath bidd'n him thither ride."

Then spake the country's ruler, "He shall be welcome here, Bold is the knight and noble, that I discover clear, And much shall it avail him on our Burgundian ground." Then thither went King Gunther where he Siegfried found.

The host and his companions so well receiv'd the guest, That nothing there was wanting that courtesy express'd; And low inclin'd the warrior to all in presence there, Since they had giv'n him greeting so friendly and so fair.

"I wonder much," said Gunther, "and fain would understand, Whence comes the noble Siegfried to this Burgundian land, And what he here is seeking at Worms upon the Rhine." The guest to the king made answer, "Concealment is no art of mine.

"Afar I heard the tidings, e'en in my father's land, That here with you were dwelling (fain would I know the band) The best and prowest champions so voic'd by all and some, That ever king surrounded; I'm therefore hither come.

"Your own renown I've heard, too, through all this country ring, That never eye of mortal has seen so bold a king. Your prowess and your knighthood are vouch'd by high and low, Now ne'er will I turn homeward till this by proof I know.

"I too am a warrior, and shall a sceptre sway, And I would fain bring all men perforce of me to say, That I both land and liegemen have nobly merited. This to maintain I'll freely pledge, my honor and my head.

"Now since you are so famous for manhood and for skill, Naught reck I, if my purpose be taken well or ill, But all that's own'd by Gunther I'll win by strength of hand, And force to my obedience his castles and his land."

The king was lost in wonder, and with him all the rest, At such a strange pretension from that o'erweening guest, Who claim'd his whole possessions that stretch'd so wide around. His vassals heard the challenge, and for anger sternly frown'd.

"How," cried the valiant Gunther, "have I deserv'd this wrong, That what my noble father with honor rul'd so long, I now should yield to any, o'ermaster'd by his might? Ill should I show, that I too can bear me like a knight!"