Eleventh Adventure: How Siegfried Brought his Wife Home

The festal hall was silent, and parted every guest,
When thus the son of Siegmund his loving friends address'd.
"We too must make us ready, and forthwith home return."
Glad was his noble consort her lord's resolve to learn.

She thus bespake the warrior, "Since we are home to fare,
Of over-haste in parting, I beg thee, well beware.
First should of right my brethren with me the lands divide."
Sir Siegfried heard with sorrow these words from his fair bride.

Then came to him the princes, and thus spake all the three,
"Know that for you, King Siegfried, shall ever ready be
Our true and loving service, that e'en of death is vow'd."
To them for their fair promise the stately warrior bow'd.

"With you too we are anxious," said Giselher the young,
"To part the lands and castles that to us all belong.
Of all the broad possessions, o'er which the rule we bear,
We'll yield to you and Kriemhild a good and ample share."

Soon as the son of Siegmund their loving offer heard,
To the noble princes this answer he preferr'd.
"God grant you long enjoyment of your possessions fair;
For me and my dear consort, our part we well can spare.

"The right that you allow her my wife may well lay down;
Henceforth in my country she'll wear the queenly crown,
And, should I live, be richer than any living wight.
In all things else, your bidding I'll do with all my might."

"In th' heritage," said Kriemhild, "though you renounce our rights,
Not of so little value are our Burgundian knights;
Them might a king be happy to bring into his land,
And I my portion in them claim at each brother's hand."

"Take whom thou wilt, fair sister," Sir Gernot straight replied,
"No doubt you'll find abundance, who long with you to ride.
From thirty hundred vassals, each one a chosen man,
Take for thy train a thousand." Kriemhild to send began

First for Ortwine and Hagan, the noble knights and true,
If they and their bold kinsmen would Kriemhild serve and sue.
Thereat wax'd Hagan wrathful, and frowning thus 'gan say,
"Nor right nor power has Gunther to give us thus away.

"For followers and companions seek elsewhere if you will.
As for our Trony customs, sure you must know them still.
At court we guard our princes, nor from this duty swerve.
Thus here we serv'd them ever, thus will we ever serve."

Thereto was made no answer; all on their journey thought.
Her noble train together the lady Kriemhild brought,
Two and thirty maidens and five hundred men.
Eckewart the Margrave follow'd Kriemhild then.

Leave last by all was taken, both by squire and knight
And by dame and damsel, as fitting was and right.
With many a kiss they parted, and many a grasp of hand,
And so not ill contented they left King Gunther's land.

Far rode their loving kinsmen to bring them on their way;
Each night they found them quarters where'er it pleas'd them stay,
While they upon their journey through Gunther's country went
Then messengers were forthwith to old King Siegmund sent,

To him and to Dame Sieglind the hasty news to bear,
That his son was coming, and with him Kriemhild fair,
The daughter of Dame Uta, from Worms beyond the Rhine.
Ne'er to such welcome tidings did they their ears incline.

"Ah! well is me," cried Siegmund, "that I this day have seen,
That here the lovely Kriemhild should move a crowned queen
My heritage high worship shall hence and honor gain;
Here too my son Siegfried himself a king shall reign."

Then gave the Lady Sieglind good store of velvet red;
Full weight of gold and silver shower'd she for newsman's bread.
Much at the gladsome tidings rejoic'd the royal dame.
Her train themselves apparel'd as nobles well became.

'Twas told her, who was coming with him into the land.
Then rais'd in haste were sittings, as Sieglind gave command,
Whither crown'd should march Sir Siegfried in front of all his train.
Then forth to meet the strangers rode Siegmund's knights amain.

If e'er was heartier welcome than was receiv'd that day
In good King Siegmund's country, is more than I can say.
To meet the lovely Kriemhild the royal Sieglind came
With many a lovely lady and many a knight of fame.

A whole day's journey's distance, till came the guests in view.
Then no small toil and trouble both friends and strangers knew
To reach a spacious fortress (Xanten the name it bore),
Where royal crowns thereafter the bride and bridegroom wore.

Sieglind and Siegmund wecom'd fair Kriemhild lovingly;
With laughing mouth full often they kiss'd her tenderly,
And did as much to Siegfried; far flown was all their care.
All the train of followers were warmly greeted there.

Straight were brought the strangers to Siegmund's royal hall.
Down there the lovely maidens from horse were lifted all
By knights and squires officious, and many a high-born man
To wait on beauteous ladies with courtly zeal began.

How great soe'er the splendor of Gunther's marriage day,
Yet here were fairer garments profusely given away
Than ever yet at festals had deck'd the warriors bold;
Of their surpassing richness marvels might be told.

As sat they in high honor with all delights in store,
What bright gold-color'd raiment their joyful followers wore,
Laces and stones full precious fair work'd in vesture sheen!
Well were the guests entreated by the rich and noble queen.

Then spake the good Sir Siegmund before his friends in hall,
"This my resolve declare I to Siegfried's kinsmen all,
That he before these warriors my royal crown shall wear."
The news gave full contentment to the Netherlanders there.

His crown and power he gave him and seisin of his land;
Their master then became he; zealous was every hand
To execute his judgments; his mouth pronounc'd the law.
To th' husband of fair Kriemhild all look'd with fear and awe.

So liv'd he in high honor, a rightful monarch crown'd,
And giving righteous judgment till the tenth year came round,
When the fair queen his consort bore him at last an heir.
Glad were thereat his kinsmen, glad too the royal pair.

Forthwith the babe was christen'd, and given him was a name
After his uncle Gunther; it could not bring him shame.
If he his kin resembled, in worth he would excel;
His parents, as became them, train'd up the infant well.

About the self-same season the Lady Sieglind died;
The child of noble Uta her vacant place supplied,
And to the power succeeded that Sieglind held before.
The people deeply sorrow'd that Sieglind was no more.

Next messengers came posting the joyful news to bring,
How by the Rhine to Gunther, the stout Burgundian king,
A son was borne by Brunhild the once relentless dame;
He for the love of Siegfried receiv'd the hero's name.

With every care they train'd him; Gunther his father dear
Bade tutors the young infant in every virtue rear,
That, nurtur'd so to manhood, all worship he might win.
Ah! by mishap thereafter how lost he all his kin!

Thenceforward at all seasons full many a tale was told,
How nobly and how knightly the wariors fierce and bold
Liv'd in the land of Siegmund; fame voiced their praises loud.
Like them lived good King Gunther and his noble kinsmen proud.

Their land the Nibelungers of Siegfried held in fee;
None e'er of all his kindred so wealthy was as he.
His were the knights of Schilbung and both the brethren's store.
Through this the bold Sir Siegfried himself the loftier bore.

The richest of all treasures, that e'er was gain'd by knight,
Save by its former masters, he held by conqueror's right.
The same before a mountain by dint of sword he won.
To win it, many a champion his hand to death had done.

Huge was his wealth and worship; yet, had he naught possess'd
Whoever look'd upon him could not but have confess'd,
He was the prowest champion that e'er in saddle sat.
All trembled at his manhood; good cause had they for that.