Rudeger's Hospitality, XXXVI–LXIX

Her father Rudeger told her at once to answer, "Yes," And that she fain would take him. In a trice with tenderness Young Giselher around her, the shrinking and the coy, Lock'd his white hands together; alas! how fleeting was their joy!

Then spake again the margrave, "Ye rich and noble kings, When you, as is the custom, after your revellings Return by us to Rhineland, I'll give my child to you, To take her in your party." They promis'd so to do.

The merry sound of revel was hush'd perforce at last. With mincing step the maidens forth to their chambers pass'd, And eke in rest the strangers slept on till break of day. Then the first meal was ready; none better far'd than they.

Their fast they scarce had broken, when they at once would start For the realm of Hungary; "You must not thus depart," Said the good host Sir Rudeger; "awhile here tarry yet, Such guests and so beloved but seldom have I met."

"That must not be," said Dankwart, "your ruin you design, Where can you find provisions, bread as well as wine, If day by day an army is eating up your store?" Soon as the host had heard him, he said, "Talk thus no more.

"Nay, thus to refuse me, my dear lords, do not think; For fourteen days together I'll find you meat and drink, You and all those about you, your well-appointed train. Full little of my substance has yet King Etzel ta'en."

Whate'er excuse they offer'd, there perforce they stay'd Feasting till the fourth morning; then well their host display'd His far-renowned bounty, and to his parting guests Gave without stint for presents proud steeds and gorgeous vests.

This now could last no longer; thence must they forward fare. Little his custom'd bounty did then the margrave spare. All then was had for asking; that morn denied was none; All kindness and all honor to every guest was done.

And now their noble meiny brought up before the gate Store of good chargers saddled; thither to swell their state Flock'd troops of foreign champions, all bearing shield in hand, All with the Rhenish brethren bound to King Etzel's land.

The noble host in plenty proffer'd his gifts to all Before the noble strangers came outside the hall. With open hand liv'd Rudeger, stout heart, and honor clear; He now his lovely daughter had given to Giselher.

Then gave he valiant Gernot a sword full sharp and bright, Which soon the bold Burgundian bore manfully in fight. That so her husband gave it, well pleased the margrave's wife. Alas! the fatal present cost Rudeger his life.

Then to the great King Gunther he gave from out his store A mailcoat, that with honor the sturdy champion wore. But seldom could the monarch to take a present brook, Yet at the hand of Rudeger this with warm thanks he took.

Then Gotelind, as was fitting, offer'd with fair accord A parting gift to Hagan, that, like the king his lord, He, too, not empty-handed, to Etzel court might ride, But he declin'd the present, and to the dame replied,

"I ne'er saw ought, fair lady, however rich and rare, That it would more content me hence as my own to bear, Than yonder well-form'd buckler that hangs on yonder wall. To take that shield to Hungary would please me most of all."

Soon as the Lady Gotelind heard Hagan's accents deep, They brought to mind her sorrow; she could not choose but weep. Then thought she on bold Nudung, by mightier Wittich slain, And to her wounded bosom the smart return'd again.

Thus she bespake Sir Hagan, "That shield I freely give, And would to God the warrior among us still did live, Who bore it erst in battle; dead on the field he lay; Him must I weep for ever, mourning my life away."

Then from her seat she totter'd; her limbs with anguish shook; The shield of her lamented in her white hands she took, And carried it to Hagan; he grasp'd the gift she gave, Giv'n and receiv'd in honor, and fitting well the brave.

A veil of glittering samite its varied hues conceal'd; Never had the daylight shone on a better shield. With precious stones far-beaming 'twas richly deck'd all o'er. It could not have been purchas'd for a thousand marks or more.

So by command of Hagan the shield away was ta'en. Then came to court Sir Dankwart among the parting train. To him gave Rudeger's daughter robes richly broider'd o'er, Which 'midst the Huns thereafter in joyous mood he wore.

Of all the gifts that morning bestow'd on every guest, Not one by those Burgundians had ever been possess'd, But by the margrave's bounty, which so by proof they knew. Soon they became such foemen, that they the giver slew.

And now the valiant Folker with high-bred courtly grace Stepp'd forth before Dame Gotelind, and, standing there in place, His sweetest tones attemper'd and sang his choicest lay, Ere he from Bechlaren took leave and went his way.

With that the gentle hostess bade bring a casket near (Of friendly gifts and bounty and kindness you must hear); From this she took twelve bracelets, and drew them o'er his hand; "These you must take, and with you bear hence to Etzel's land,

"And for the sake of Gotelind the same at court must wear, That I may learn, when hither again you all repair, What service you have done me in yon assembly bright." The lady's wish thereafter full well perform'd the knight.

Then the noble margrave his parting guests bespake, "That you may ride the safer, myself the charge will take To guide you, lest from robbers you suffer by the road." With that upon his sumpters in haste was laid their load.

The host he soon was ready with full five hundred men Well horsed and well apparell'd; them led he merrily then To the proud feast of Etzel, and they him follow'd fain; Not one of them came living to Bechlaren back again.

The host from home departed with many a loving kiss: The like did also Giselher; his honor counsell'd this. Each to his beating bosom his trembling lady press'd. That parting planted sorrow in many a virgin breast.

All windows in Bechlaren now flew open wide. Straight would to horse the margrave, and with his warriors ride I ween, their hearts that moment their coming doom forbode. Many a dame and many a damsel loud sobb'd as forth they rode.

E'en for their best beloved in heart they sorrow'd sore, For those, whom at Bechlaren they were to see no more. Yet merrily the champions prick'd along the strand Downward beside the Danube to reach the Hunnish land.

Then thus to the Burgundians out spake the stately knight. "Rudeger the noble, methinks, it were but right We should announce we're coming e'en now to Hunnish ground; More pleasantly no tidings in Etzel's ear will sound."

Straight adown through Austria he bade a courier ride; At once among the people 'twas publish'd far and wide, That coming were the heroes from Worms beyond the Rhine. Right glad were Etzel's vassals, and those of Etzel's line.

With the news the couriers forth gallop'd hastily, That the Nibelungers were now in Hungary. "Well should'st thou receive them, Kriemhild, lady mine! They come to do thee honor, these brethren dear of thine."

Dame Kriemhild at a window was standing there to view; She look'd out for her kinsmen as friend for friends will do. From her native country saw she many a man. The king too heard the tidings and for joy to laugh began.

"Now I at last am happy," exclaim'd th' exulting queen; "Hither are come my kinsmen with many a mailcoat sheen, And many a new-made buckler; who would for gold endeavor, Let him my wrongs remember, and I'll befriend him ever.

"Yes! I will so contrive it, to take revenge for all At this same feast of Etzel's (whatever thereafter fall) On his abhorred body, who so the traitor play'd, And all my joy so blasted.—I shall be now repaid."