The Nibelungenlied - - (english love story books .txt) 📗

he all goodwill bore them to all he plainly show’d.
Apart he greeted Hagen, a friend of old was he;
And did the like to Volker, the knight of Burgundy.

1658

Dankwart he also greeted; whereon that bold thane spake:
“Since thou wilt give us shelter, pray, who shall undertake
To cater for our people whom we have brought so far?”
Then answer’d him the margrave: “This night be free from care.

1659

“And as to all your people, and aught that in your band,
Horses be it, or raiment, hath come unto this land,
So safely will I guard them and all from loss insure,
That ye shall have no damage, nay, not by a single spur.

1660

“So pitch your tents, ye yeomen, upon the open ground,
For any loss ye suffer I’m willing to be bound.
Take off the horses’ bridles and let them freely run.”
The like to them but seldom a host ere then had done.

1661

Right glad of heart the guests were. When all had come to pass,
The lords rode off together. Then down upon the grass
On all sides lay the yeomen, and right good rest they had;
I ween in all the journey they ne’er so softly laid.

1662

The noble margrave’s lady without the castle gate
Had gone with her fair daughter. One saw there with her wait
A crowd of lovely women, and many a maiden fair.
Who wore a store of armlets, and raiment rich and rare.

1663

The precious gems glowed brightly, and might be seen afar
Upon their rich apparel; so finely clad they were.
And now the guests arriving dismounted speedily.
Ay me! what gallant breeding showed they of Burgundy!

1664

Of maidens six-and-thirty and many another dame,
As ever eye could wish for so fair in form they came,
And went towards the strangers with many a gallant man.
Ah, then in sooth fair greetings of noble dames began!

1665

Then kiss’d the margrave’s daughter the three kings fittingly,
As also did her mother; Hagen was standing by,
Her father bade her kiss him; she cast a look at him,
And fain had she not done it⁠— she thought he look’d so grim.

1666

Yet straightway must she do it, since so the master said;
Her cheeks were changed in colour to mingled white and red.
Then Dankwart likewise kiss’d she, and then the Minstrel too;
By reason of his valour such greeting was his due.

1667

The margrave’s youthful daughter took presently the hand
Of Giselher, the warrior from the Burgundian land:
Her mother, too, did likewise to Gunther, the brave king.
So went they with the heroes in gladness revelling.

1668

The host along with Gernot went into a wide hall,
Where they were quickly seated, both knights and ladies all:
Good wine was call’d for straightway, which to the guests they gave.
Ay, surely never heroes could better treatment have.

1669

With many an eager eye-glance the men look’d lovingly
On Rüdeger’s young daughter: she was so fair to see.
Ay, in his thoughts embraced her full many a warrior good,
And right well she deserved it; but she was proud of mood:

1670

Think might they as it pleased them, such thing could not be done.
And to and fro men’s glances meanwhile oft lit upon
Right many a dame and maiden; plenty were seated there.
Goodwill the noble minstrel unto the host did bear.

1671

According to the custom they sever’d then in two,
The warriors and the ladies to separate rooms withdrew.
In the wide hall the tables in order straight were set,
And soon the stranger guest-folk with royal service met.

1672

To do her guests more honour the noble margravine
Sat down with them at table; her daughter was unseen,
Left with the younger children, where fittingly she sat;
The guests, who miss’d her presence, were sorely vext thereat.

1673

When meat and drink abundant had been enjoy’d by all
The ladies fair were usher’d again into the hall.
There lack’d not mirthful story, nor jesting manifold:
Busy of tongue was Volker, a knight of mood right bold.

1674

Thus spake the noble minstrel, aloud that all might heed:
“Most rich and noble margrave, God hath with you indeed
Dealt graciously, in granting so fair a dame for wife,
And likewise in bestowing on you a joyous life.

1675

“If haply,” said the minstrel, “I were a prince of blood,
And wore the crown of kingship, surely for wife I would
Make choice of your fair daughter, for her my heart doth woo:
Lovesome she is to look on and good and noble too.”

1676

Then said to him the margrave: “How could it ever be,
That any king should ask for my daughter dear of me?
We are but stranger-people, my wife as well as I:
What boots it that the damsel so fair is bodily?”

1677

To him made answer Gernot, that man of breeding high:
“If I would have a sweetheart, my heart to satisfy,
So would I such a woman be ever glad to wed.”
Then Hagen put his word in, with kindly speech, and said:

1678

“ ’Tis still to be remember’d Lord Giselher should wed:
Of ancestry so noble the margravine is bred,
That I and all his liegemen would serve her willingly,
If with a crown upon her she came to Burgundy.”

1679

To Rüdeger this counsel in every way seem’d good,
As likewise to Gotlinda: ay, both were glad of mood.
And soon the chiefs so order’d that she was bride beloved
Of Giselher the noble, as well a king behoved.

1680

When aught is bound to happen who may the same gainsay?
Forthwith they bade the damsel to court to take her way.
They took an oath to give him the winsome maid to wife,
And he, on his side, promised to love her as his life.

1681

They gave the maiden warrant for castles and for land,
The noble king confirm’d it by oath and his right hand,
As likewise did Lord Gernot, that thus it should be done.
Then spake to them the margrave: “Though castles I have none,

1682

“Yet you will I at all times in faithful friendship hold:
I give unto my daughter of silver and of gold
As much as five score horses may carry at their best,
That so well-pleased, in honour, the hero’s kin may rest.”

1683

The pair were thereon bidden within a ring to stand,
According to the custom. Of many youths a band,
In mood for merry-making, stood opposite the twain,
And thought what they were minded, as youngsters still are fain.

1684

When they began to question, and ask’d the winsome maid
If she would have the warrior, she was a whit dismay’d:
And yet she still was minded to take the goodly wight;
She blush’d but at the question, as any maiden might.

1685

Then Rüdeger her father bade her to answer “Yea!”
That she would gladly take him. Whereon, without delay,
His white hands stretch’d towards her to fold her lovingly,
Young Giselher came forward⁠— short though their joy must be!

1686

“Ye noble kings and mighty,” thereon the margrave spake;
“When home again your journey to Burgundy ye take,
Then I (as is the custom) will give my child to you,
That ye may take her with you.” That