How the Lords All Came into Hungary, I–XXXVI

But let us tell no further how there the work they plied. Never to a king's country were known before to ride Such well-appointed squadrons as thither were to speed. They had whate'er they wanted, both weapons and eke weed.

The King of Rhine apparel gave to his liegemen bold, To threescore and a thousand, as I have heard it told, Beside nine thousand yeomen, on mirth and revel bent. Those, whom they left behind them, soon rued that e'er they went.

In Worms, as their equipment was carrying through the court, From Spire an aged bishop, of reverend report, Thus bespake fair Uta, "Our worthy friends prepare To yonder feast to travel; God watch and ward them there!"

Thereon the noble Uta bespake her children dear, "Far better stay, good heroes, and tend your safety here. I had last night, my children, a dream of ghastly dread, How all the birds, that flutter throughout this land, were dead."

"Who cares for dreams," said Hagan, "and thinks by them to walk, Ne'er in the path of honor with sturdy steps can stalk, Or breathe the voice of reason, but wavers to and fro. I rede, my noble master take leave and forward go.

"Yes, we shall ride full gladly hence into Etzel's land. There kings need for their service many a good hero's hand, And this fair feast of Kriemhild's awaits us there to view." So Hagan urg'd the journey, which soon he came to rue.

He ne'er had giv'n such counsel but for what late had pass'd, When scorn on him Sir Gernot had so unseemly cast, Reminding him of Siegfried, and what had erst been done, As though for that dislik'd him the journey to the Hun.

Then answer'd he of Trony, "Fear prompts not what I rede. If so you'll have it, heroes, fall to the work and speed; You'll find me not the hindmost to ride to Etzel's realm." Soon shatter'd he thereafter many a shield and many a helm.

The boats were waiting ready, the band was muster'd there; Thither his choice apparel each one made haste to bear. Their toil was scarce well over ere eve fell on the lea; So from their homes they parted as merry as might be.

Beyond the Rhine's fair current their hasty camp was seen; There tents and proud pavilions bespotted all the green. The lovely queen her husband detain'd for that one night, The last they spent together, dole mingling with delight.

At early dawn there sounded sweet flute and trumpet-clang; 'Twas the hour of parting; to work the warriors sprang. With a hasty kiss fond lovers were then constrain'd to sever. With woe and death fell Kriemhild soon sunder'd them for ever.

The children of fair Uta a man had at their court, Bold alike and faithful, in all of best report. The same, as they were going, drew the king aside. "Woe's me," said he, "dear master, you to this feast will ride."

The good knight's name was Rumolt, a tall man of his hands. Said he, "To whom commit you your people and your lands? Would one could turn your warriors to do what best you should; This message of your sister's it never seem'd me good."

"This is my will and pleasure; to thee my infant heir, To thee I trust my country; of the women take good care; Whomever thou see'st weeping, his woe with comfort charm. Sure at the hands of Kriemhild we ne'er can come to harm."

For the kings and for their liegemen the steeds were ready ranged; How many then, with kisses of true love interchanged, Full flown with lively vigor, athirst for bold emprise, Left each a stately lady to droop in tears and sighs.

When light into their saddles up sprang the warriors good, Then might you see the women how sorrowful they stood. All felt, they did for ever, and to their doom, depart, A dreary, dark foreboding, that shakes the firmest heart!

As the bold Burgundians rode forth in gallant show, To see them all the country ran hurrying to and fro. On either side the mountains both men and women wept. Little reck'd they the weepers; their joyous course they kept.

In habergeons a thousand the knights of Nibelung's reign, Who many a lovely lady they ne'er should see again Had left at home in sorrow, rode gaily with the rest. The wounds of Siegfried fester'd in Kriemhild's throbbing breast.

So went they ever onward until the Main they spied, Thence up through Eastern Frankland the men of Gunther hied. Well knew the roads Sir Hagan, who led their steps aright; Their marshal was Sir Dankwart, the stout Burgundian knight.

As on from Eastern Frankland to Schwanfeld still they rode, Their grace and stately courtesy and knightly bearing show'd, The princes and their kindred deserv'd their lofty fame. The king on the twelfth morning unto the Danube came.

A space the Knight of Trony rode on before the host; He still the Nibelungers best cheer'd and aided most. The fear-defying champion alighted on the lea, And fast beside the river his horse tied to a tree.

Swoln was the roaring river, bark was there none to spy; Every bold Nibelunger look'd on with wistful eye In doubt how to pass over, the surges spread so wide. Many a good knight from saddle down sprung the stream beside.

"Good Lord of Rhine," said Hagan, "much mischief here may be, Much may'st thou have to suffer, as thou thyself may'st see. Strong is the flood and furious, the stream can ill be cross'd. Many a good knight, I fear me, will here to-day be lost."

"Why dost thou check me, Hagan?" the troubled king 'gan say; "Do not, as thou are valiant, the daunted more dismay. Look out a ford up higher, above these lower meads, Where we may pass in safety our baggage and our steeds."

"So here beside the water, ye noble knights, abide; Myself will seek the ferrymen along the river side, And bid them bring us over hence into Gelfrat's land." With that the sturdy Hagan took his good shield in hand.

Well arm'd was the stern champion; he bore a shield of might; Strongly lac'd was his helmet, well-temper'd, burnish'd bright; His broadsword in a baldric hung o'er his armor sheen; Wounds could it cut full ghastly with both its edges keen.

As there and here for boatmen look'd out the warrior good, He heard a splash of water; listening awhile he stood. The sound came from wise women, who took their pleasure near, Bathing for refreshment in a fountain cool and clear.

'Ware of them was Hagan; nigh he closely crept; Sudden they espied him,—how away they swept! That they had so escap'd him, their bosoms swell'd with joy; He seiz'd upon their raiment, nor wrought them more annoy.

Then one of them bespake him (Hadburg was her name), "Noble knight, Sir Hagan, go seek a worthier game. Give us back our raiment, and we will tell thee all That from this march to Hungary shall thee and thine befall."

Like water-hens they floated before him on the wave. Him seem'd, their well-known wisdom of truth assurance gave; Hence what they chose to tell him, he took with more belief. Then thus they of the future resolv'd the listening chief.

Said th' one, "To Etzel's country (doubt not what Hadburg saith) You well may ride and safely, for that I pledge my faith, And never band of heroes sought kingdom far or near To win such height of honor; 'tis true as we are here."

Well pleas'd her speech Sir Hagan, his heart wax'd light and gay; He gave them back their vesture, and would no longer stay; But when again the mermaids had donn'd their wondrous weed, They told in truth, how Gunther in Hungary should speed.

And then the other mermaid, that Sieglind hight, began, "I will warn thee, Hagan, thou son of Aldrian; My aunt has lied unto thee her raiment back to get; If once thou coms't to Hungary, thou'rt taken in the net.

"Turn, while there's time for safety, turn, warriors most and least; For this, and for this only, you're bidden to the feast, That you perforce may perish in Etzel's bloody land. Whoever rideth thither, Death has he close at hand."

Thereto gave answer Hagan, "In vain you cheat and lie, How can it ever happen that there we all shall die, However fierce the hatred that one to us may bear?" They then began the future more fully to declare.