How Werbel and Swemmeline Delivered the Message, I–XXXV

When Etzel had his envoys for the Rhenish border bown'd, From land to land the tidings at once flew wide around. He pray'd and eke commanded by many a nimble post Guests to his gorgeous festal; 'twas the doom of death to most.

So from the realm of Hungary forth the envoys went To the bold Burgundians; thither were they sent To three royal brethren and their warriors wight To bid them come to Etzel; fast prick'd they as they might.

Thence came they to Bechlaren as on the spur they rode; There all were glad to tend them, and naught but kindness show'd. Rudeger and Gotelind by them their service true Sent to their friends in Rhineland, so did their daughter too.

Thence without many a present they would not let them part, So that the men of Etzel might go with merrier heart. Rudeger bade tell Uta and her children three, That sure no other margrave lov'd them so well as he.

And eke they sent to Brunhild their service and best will, Their loyalty devoted, and love enduring still. So, thus at full commission'd, the envoys sprung to selle; The margravine at parting pray'd God to guard them well.

Ere the despatchful minstrels had ridd'n Bavaria through, Swift Werbel found the bishop, Queen Kriemhild's uncle true. What to his Rhenish kinsmen by their mouths he said Came never to my knowledge; but th' envoys gold so red

He gave for a remembrance ere he let them part; But first thus spake good Pilgrin, "'Twould gladden sure my heart To see them in Bavaria, these sister's sons of mine, Since I can hope so seldom to seek them by the Rhine."

What roads they took yet further, as to the Rhine they far'd, Is more than I can utter; none sure to pilfer dar'd Their silver or their raiment; Etzel all had dread; His majesty and puissance so wide around were spread.

Within twelve days, so riding, they came unto the Rhine, E'en to Worms, the minstrels Werbel and Swemmeline. To the kings and their liegemen forthwith the tidings ran, That come were foreign envoys. Gunther to ask began.

Thus said the Lord of Rhineland, "I fain would understand, Whence have the strangers journey'd who thus have sought our land." Not one to his inquiry could satisfaction bring, Till they were seen by Hagan, who thus bespake the king;

"These must be weighty tidings; that can I vouch for true; Sure they are Etzel's minstrels whom here I have in view. Your sister sends them hither unless I much mistake; Let's give them hearty welcome for their great master's sake."

At once up to the palace in fair array they rode; Never prince's minstrels before so lordly show'd. Forth stepp'd King Gunther's servants with courteous act and look, And led them to fit chambers, and in charge their raiment took.

So rich and so well fashion'd were the riding-vests they wore, That in them they with honor might go the king before; Still they resolv'd no longer the same at court to wear, But ask'd, "Who would accept them?" of those who loiter'd there.

It chanced that there were many, who were right well content To take their proffer'd bounty; to these they straight were sent. Then robes of such rare splendor put on the lofty guests, That well might royal envoys keep state in meaner vests.

Straightway, with leave accorded, Etzel's servants went To where the king was sitting; kind looks were on them bent. To them in courteous fashion up stepp'd Sir Hagan brave, And warmly bade them welcome; due thanks in turn they gave.

Much after news inquir'd he, much after great and small, How it was with Etzel, how with his warriors all. The minstrel thus made answer, "The land was ne'er so well, The people ne'er so happy; this I for truth can tell."

To the host then went the envoys; throng'd was the palace wide; They met right courteous greeting from knights on every side, Such as in distant countries to noble guests is due. Werbel there found with Gunther many a champion bold and true.

Courteously King Gunther greeted them as they stood; "Welcome to Worms, both welcome, ye Hunnish minstrels good, You and your worthy comrades; wherefore from Hungary Has noble Etzel sent you so far to Burgundy?"

Low bow'd they to King Gunther, then Werbel spake, "By me My good king and thy sister their service send to thee, And their fraternal greeting with kind sincere intent. We to you knights of Rhineland in love and truth are sent."

Then said the puissant Gunther, "This news I'm glad to hear; And how," asked he, "is Etzel, whom long I've held so dear, And my fair sister Kriemhild, who reigns in Hungary?" Then answer'd thus the minstrel, "I'll tell you faithfully.

"This take for true and certain, that never yet were seen People so blithe and merry as our good king and queen, Their vassals, and their kinsmen, and knights in bower and hall; The tidings of our journey rejoic'd them one and all."

"Thanks for his friendly message, which you so far have brought, And also for my sister's; it glads my inmost thought To find they all live happy, both king and liegemen bold. I ask'd with fear and trembling before your tale was told."

The two young kings together alike the presence sought. But just before, the tidings had to their ears been brought. Right glad to see the envoys for his dear sister's sake Was the young knight Giselher, and friendly them bespake.

"Welcome, ye noble envoys, welcome to me and mine; Should you be pleas'd more frequent to travel to the Rhine, Friends you would meet with ever who'd see you still with joy, And little you'd encounter to cause you here annoy."

"For that we freely trust you," straight answer'd Swemmeline; "Express ne'er could I fitly by wit or words of mine What kind and friendly greetings I from King Etzel bear, And from your noble sister, who reigns so proudly there.

"Your love and old affection she bids you keep in mind, And how to her you ever in heart and soul were kind. But first to the king and foremost we come by high command, To beg you'd deign to travel hence into Etzel's land.

"In strictest charge 'twas given us by our redoubted king, Unto you all this message on his account to bring, If you your loving sister are so resolv'd to shun, Yet fain would learn King Etzel, what he to you has done,

"That you to him such strangers and to his land have been; E'en were you distant aliens, nor kinsmen of his queen, He at your hands might merit that you his guests should be, And if this e'er should happen, right well content were he."

Thereto replied King Gunther, "Before this sennight's end, I'll tell you, after counsel first ta'en with many a friend. What I shall have determin'd; meanwhile for you 'twere best To go back to your quarters and there in pleasure rest."

Then said the minstrel Werbel, "And might it also be, That you would permit us a little space to see My gracious Lady Uta ere we retire to rest?" Thereto assent Sir Giselher thus courteously express'd.

"That no one will refuse you, and, would you thither go, Full well you'd please my mother, that for a truth I know; Surely for my sister the Lady Kriemhild's sake She will behold you gladly, and friendly welcome make."

Giselher then led them where he the lady found; Full gladly she beheld them, the chiefs from Hunnish ground. She gave them friendly greeting, for she was good and wise; They then their charge deliver'd in grave and courtly guise.

"To you the queen my lady," thus noble Swemmeline spake, "Commends her love and duty; this you for truth may take, That if your royal daughter her mother oft could see, In all the world no pleasure more dear to her would be."

Thereto the queen made answer, "That cannot be, I fear; Much as 'twould glad me, often to see my daughter dear, She dwells from hence too distant, the noble Etzel's wife. May she and he together ever lead a happy life!

"I pray you, give me notice, e'er you from Rhineland go, When you begin your journey; this too for certain know, That I never envoys with more content have seen." The squires to do her pleasure made promise to the queen.