How Werbel and Swemmeline Delivered the Message, XXXVI–LXX

The messengers from Hungary thence to their chambers went; Meanwhile in haste King Gunther round to his friends had sent, And, when all were assembled, inquir'd of every man, What thought they of the message; many then to speak began.

That into Etzel's country be might in safety ride, This all the best advis'd him, who stood there by his side, Save only stern Sir Hagan; he drew the king apart, And grimly frowning mutter'd, "You strike at your own heart.

"You sure must still remember what we ere now have done. We must beware of Kriemhild for ever, every one. To the death her husband I smote with this good hand; How then can we with prudence set foot in Etzel's land?"

Then spake the mighty monarch, "She thinks no more of this; At parting she forgave us, with many a loving kiss, All we had done against her; her wrath is overblown. If she bear malice, Hagan, 'tis sure 'gainst you alone."

"Trust not, Sir King," said Hagan, "how smooth soe'er they be, The messengers from Hungary; if Kriemhild you will see, You put upon the venture your honor and your life. A nurse of ling'ring vengeance is Etzel's moody wife."

Then took the word Prince Gernot, and in the council spake, "Because you with good reason believe your life at stake In yonder Hunnish kingdoms, must we too Kriemhild shun, And visit not our sister? that sure were wrongly done."

Then to the frowning warrior Prince Giselher turn'd his rede, "Since you know yourself guilty, friend Hagan, in this deed, Better stay here in safety, and of your life take care, And with us to our sister let journey those who dare."

Thereat the Knight of Trony to kindle wrath began, "Never shall you, never, lead with you hence a man That with you dare ride readier to visit your worst foe; Since you will not hear counsel, this I ere long will show."

Then spake the steward Rumolt, a hardy knight and true; "You can dispose in Rhineland of friends and strangers too After your own good pleasure; abundance have you here; No one, I ween, in Hungary has bound you to appear.

"Since you will not hear Hagan, to my advice attend; This is what Rumolt counsels, your firm and faithful friend; Stay here in peace and plenty; let those who need it roam, And let the great King Etzel cheer his fair queen at home.

"Where can you be better for pleasure or repose? Where more with friends surrounded, and more secure from foes? So be wise and merry, the richest raiment wear, Drink the best wine in Rhineland, and woo the fairest fair.

"Store have you too of dainties, the best and most to prize That ever feasted monarch, and, if 'twere otherwise, At home you still should tarry for love of your fair wife, Nor in such childish fashion expose your precious life.

"Stay here then, I beseech you; rich are your lawns and leas, Here every pledge of pleasure you may redeem with ease, Far better than in Hungary; who knows what there may rise? Stay here, my lord, and stir not; this is what I advise."

"Stay will we not, assure thee," Prince Gernot answer'd straight; "How can we, when my sister and the great king, her mate, Have bidd'n us by a message so loving and so kind? Who will not freely with us may safely stay behind."

Thereto made Hagan answer, "Be not displeas'd at all With what I now shall counsel, whatever hence befall. In faith and truth I warn you; would you in safety go, Ride well array'd to Hungary, and arm'd from top to toe.

"Since you still will forward, for all your warriors send, For every valiant stranger and every trusted friend. From all I'll choose a thousand, each a well-proved knight; Thus you may rest in safety from moody Kriemhild's spite."

"I gladly take thy counsel," the king at once replied; Throughout his lands despatch'd he his messengers far and wide. Three thousand knights or better came on with proud intent. Little thought they to purchase such doleful dreariment.

With jollity and joyance to Gunther's land they rode; On all, that proffer'd service, was horse and weed bestow'd, For soon were they to travel far from Burgundian ground. Many a good knight to join him the king right willing found.

Then Hagan told Sir Dankwart, his brother good at need, Eighty of their warriors forth to the Rhine to lead. Thither they came full knightly; the well-appointed band Harness with them, and raiment, brought into Gunther's land.

Folker, a noble minstrel, and eke a hardy knight, Came to partake their journey with thirty men of might, All clad in such apparel as well a king might wear; He bade announce to Gunther, to Hungary he'd fare.

LVI Now, who was this same Folker, I'll tell you faithfully. He was a high-born warrior, and had in Burgundy Many good knights for vassals of honor undefil'd. For playing on the viol the minstrel he was styl'd.

Hagan chose out a thousand whom well before he knew In stern assaults and forays for valiant men and true, And in all forms of battle their worth he oft had tried. Their well-approved prowess by none could be denied.

Sore irk'd it Kriemhild's envoys to make so long a stay; They fear'd their lord's displeasure, and fain would speed away. They daily were entreating for leave at once to part, But Hagan still refus'd it through subtlety of heart.

To his lords he thus gave warning, "We must well beware Of letting these ride homeward, unless ourselves we fare Within a sennight after straight into Etzel's land. We shall be thus the safer if any fraud be plann'd.

"With all her thirst for vengeance, Kriemhild will want the time To weave a web of mischief, and muster strength for crime, Or, if she strike too early, she'll be the sufferer then, Since we shall bring to Hungary such a host of chosen men."

Forthwith for many a champion, who thence would soon away, Prepar'd were shields and saddles and all the proud array That to the land of Etzel each was with him to bring; Meanwhile Queen Kriemhild's envoys were call'd before the king.

Then thus began Sir Gernot to th' envoys there in place, "The king will do the bidding of royal Etzel's grace. Fain will we seek his festal, which it were ill to miss, And see once more our sister; she may depend on this."

Then spake to them King Gunther, "Could you to us declare The time of this high festal, and when we should be there With all our following present?" then Swemmeline made reply, "For the next midsummer is fix'd the festal high."

The king then gave permission, not granted till that hour, If they wish'd to visit Dame Brunhild in her bower, With his free allowance thither at once to go, Then interpos'd Sir Folker (the queen would have it so).

"Just now my Lady Brunhild is not so well of cheer," Said the good knight, "that strangers before her can appear. Wait until to-morrow; then you the queen may see." Much wish'd they to behold her, yet never could it be.

Then in his gracious fashion commanded straight the king Through kindnes to the envoys forth his gold to bring Spread out on massy bucklers; good store thereof had he. Rich gifts his friends too gave them with liberal hand and free.

Gernot alike and Giselher and Gary and Ortwine Show'd, they as well could lavish the treasures of the mine. Such rich gifts on the envoys were shower'd with one accord, That they durst not accept them through terror of their lord.

On this the messenger Swemmeline thus to the king 'gan say, "Sir King, needs must your presents here in your country stay; We cannot take them with us; our king has so decreed, And strictly that forbidden; besides, we've little need."

Not little wonder'd Gunther, and felt displeasure more, That they refus'd such presents given from his royal store. Still he at last constrain'd them his gold and weed to take, And to the land of Etzel to bear them for his sake.

An audience of Queen Uta, ere they set out, they sought. Young Giselher the minstrels before his mother brought. The lady to her daughter by them this message sent, To hear of all her honors, it gave her full content.