Thirteenth Adventure: How They Went to the Festival

Now we awhile must leave them on household toils intent,
And tell how Lady Kriemhild and her maidens went
From the Nibelungers' country to the Rhine's fair shore.
Such plenty of rich vesture never sumpters bore.

Dispatch'd were travelling cases well fraught with precious load;
Then with his queen and comrades Sir Siegfried forward rode.
Her heart with pleasure's promise was ready to o'erflow;
All was chang'd thereafter to wail and mortal woe.

At home, since so it needed, they left their infant heir,
The son that valiant Siegfried begot on Kriemhild fair.
To the poor boy misfortune that fatal journey bore;
His father and his mother saw he never more.

And with them good Sir Siegmund prick'd forth in merry mood.
Had he but once foreboded the woes that thence ensued,
At that disastrous festal he ne'er had sat a guest,
Ne'er had he seen the ruin of those he loved the best.

Dispatch'd before were couriers to say they were at hand
Straight rode out to meet them a royal vested band,
Many a friend of Uta's, of Gunther's many a knight.
The host himself was stirring to welcome them aright.

Forthwith he sought out Brunhild, where sat the stately dame.
"How did my sister greet you when first you hither came?
So greet the wife of Siegfried, take care to fail in nought."
"So will I," said she, "gladly; I love her as I ought."

"To-morrow they'll be with us," said he, "by early day,
So, if you mean to greet them, be stirring while you may.
We must not, sure, be lurking within the castle here.
Never had I the fortune to welcome guests so dear."

She bade her dames and damsels look out their choicest vests,
The same they wore at festals before high-honor'd guests,
Such were to be expected with to-morrow's sun,
I need not say her bidding right willingly was done.

Then too, to do their service the men of Gunther sped.
With him all his warriors the host in squadron led.
Next the queen came pacing full royally array'd.
To guests belov'd so dearly was goodliest welcome made.

With what joy and gladness welcom'd were they there!
It seem'd, when came Dame Brunhild to Burgundy whilere,
Her welcome by Dame Kriemhild less tender was and true;
The heart of each beholder beat higher at the view.

Now too was come Sir Siegfried with all his men around.
You might see the warriors careering o'er the ground,
Now hither and now thither, with fire-sparkling hoof.
From the dust and tumult none could keep aloof.

When Siegfried and eke Siegmund met King Gunther's eyes,
The host both son and father bespoke in loving wise.
"To me you are right welcome, to all my friends as dear.
It is our pride and pleasure as guests to have you here."

"Now God you quit!" said Siegmund, the grave and reverend man;
"Ever since my Siegfried you for his comrade wan,
My wish had it been always to see you and to know."
"Right glad I am," said Gunther, "it now has happen'd so."

Receiv'd was bold Sir Siegfried, as fitted well his state,
With the highest honors; no man bore him hate.
Young Giselher and Gernot proffer'd all courtly care;
Never met friend or kinsman reception half so fair.

Now either king's fair consort nigh to the other came;
Emptied were store of saddles; many a smiling dame
To the grass by stalwart champions down was lifted light.
In the ladies' service how busy was many a knight!

And now the lovely ladies each to the other went.
Thereat was many a chieftain full well at heart content,
When both a welcome offer'd so friendly and so fair.
Meanwhile the warriors ceas'd not to tend the ladies there.

Chieftain now to chieftain held out the cordial hand;
Low bows were made in plenty by either courtly band.
Amongst the high-born ladies pass'd many a loving kiss.
Both Gunther's men and Siegfried's were fain to look on this.

They linger'd there no longer, but toward the city rode.
To his guests King Gunther by every action show'd
How welcome was their presence to all in Burgundy.
Young knights before young maidens ran tilting joyously.

The power of mighty Hagan and eke of bold Ortwine
Well there might each beholder from what he saw divine.
Whate'er they pleas'd to order, from all obedience won;
To the lov'd guests by either was courtly service done.

The shields they clang'd and clatter'd before the castle gate
With fencing and with foining; long time had there to wait
His guests and good King Gunther ere they could enter in.
They pass'd the time right joyous amidst the press and din.

So to the spacious palace on rode they merrily.
You might see rich foot-cloths, well cut and artfully,
Down hang from o'er the saddle of many a high-born dame.
Forward to receive them King Gunther's servants came.

Then to their several chambers the guests were led aside.
From time to time Queen Brunhild with searching glances eyed
The love-enkindling Kriemhild; lovely she was indeed;
Her hue the gold outsparkled that glitter'd in her weed.

At Worms through all the city rang the mirthsome shout
Of the rejoicing followers; Gunther the noisy rout
Commended to his marshal, and bade him treat them fair;
Dankwart sought out good quarters and fitly lodg'd them there.

Without, within, was feasting; unbounded was the store.
Sure stranger guests were never treated so well before.
It only needed asking, and all was straight supplied;
So rich a king was Gunther that nothing was denied.

With friendly zeal they serv'd them, with hearts devoid of hate;
Amidst his guests at table the host exulting sate.
To sit was bidden Siegfried where he of yore had done.
With him strode to the banquet proud warriors many a one.

Twelve hundred stalwart champions in circle there were seen
With him at table sitting; Brunhild, the watchful queen,
Thought to herself, no vassal could ever wealthier be.
Still him she so far favor'd, that from harm she left him free.

All that feastful evening, as sat the king to dine,
Store of the richest vesture was wetted by the wine,
That in hasty hurry the butlers ever pour'd.
Sore toil'd they in their service at that o'ercrowded board.

Then, as is still the custom at each well-order'd feast,
To rest the dames and damsels were in good time releas'd.
All guests with gifts and honors, from whenceso'er they came,
The noble host entreated as well beseem'd his fame.

When now the night was over, and reappear'd the dawn,
By the fair hands of ladies was many a jewel drawn,
Sparkling in goodly raiment, from many a travelling chest,
And out was sought and hurried many a lordly vest.

Ere 'twas full day, came flocking the palace hall around
Knights and squires in plenty; then arose the sound
Of matins sung to Gunther, and, when this was done,
So well rode youthful warriors, that the king's thanks they won.

Shrill fifes and loud-voic'd clarions and blaring trumpet-clang
Mix'd with the shouts of thousands, that all the city rang,
And through the startled welkin th' alarum spread around.
Proud knights on strong-hoof'd chargers rode thund'ring o'er the ground.

At once without the city a tourney they began.
There his career exulting many a young warrior ran,
Whom his fresh boiling courage impell'd to honor's field.
Many a knight of prowess was there seen under shield.

Many a stately matron and many a smiling maid
Sat at the castle windows in costly robes array'd,
And look'd on while the warriors display'd their skill and force;
The good host with his comrades himself would run a course.

The time seem'd not to linger, so merrily it pass'd.
Pealing from the minster they heard the bells at last.
Then up were led the palfreys; forth rode each lady bright;
The noble queens were follow'd by many a valiant knight.

Down before the minster they lighted on the green.
Still to her guests was gracious King Gunther's haughty queen.
Both crown'd, into the minster they stepp'd with royal state.
Too soon their love was sunder'd and all through jealous hate!

Soon as the mass was over, with regal pomp and pride
Thence came they to the palace, and straight exulting hied
To the joyous banquet, and neither stop nor stay
Was put to the high festal until th' eleventh day.

Then thought Queen Brunhild, "Silent no longer I'll remain.
Howe'er to pass I bring it, Kriemhild shall explain,
Wherefore so long her husband, who holds of us in fee,
Has left undone his service; this sure shall answer'd be."

So still she brooded mischief, and conn'd her devil's lore,
Till she broke off in sorrow the feast so blithe before.
Ever at her heart lay closely what came perforce to light.
Many a land she startled with horror and affright.