The Fall of the Niebelungs | Page 6

Gunther hath many mighty men, were it
none other than Hagen, an arrogant and overweening knight. I fear both thou and I must
rue that thou goest after this king's daughter."
"What harm can come thereof?" answered Siegfried. "What I win not for the friendly

asking, I will take by the prowess of my hand. I doubt not but I shall strip him of both
liegemen and lands."
But Siegmund said, "I am grieved at thy word. If it were heard at the Rhine, thou durst
not ride at all into Gunther's country. Both Gunther and Gernot are known to me from
aforetime, and by force shall none win the maiden. That have I often heard. But if thou
wilt ride thither with warriors, I will summon my friends. They will follow thee nothing
loth."
Siegfried answered, "I will not ride with an army of warriors to the Rhine; it would
shame me so to win the maiden by force. I would win her with mine own hand. One of
twelve I will forth to Gunther's land, and to this shalt thou help me, my father Siegmund."
They gave to his knights cloaks of fur, some grey and some striped.
Sieglind his mother heard it, and sorrowed for her dear son, for fear she might lose him
by the hand of Gunther's men. The noble queen wept sore.
Siegfried went where she sat, and spake comfortably to her. "Weep not, mother, for my
sake, for I shall be without scathe among foemen. Help me rather to the journey that I
make into Burgundy, that I and my fellows may have raiment beseeming proud knights.
For this shalt thou have much thanks."
"Since thou wilt not be turned," spake Sieglind, "I will give to thee, my only child, the
best apparel that ever knight did on, and to thy companions, for thy journey. Thou shalt
receive without stint."
The youth bowed before the queen and said, "Twelve strong we ride forth, no more. I
would have raiment for so many; for I would see with mine eyes how it standeth with
Kriemhild."
The women sat night and day, nor rested till Siegfried's mantle was ready; for none could
dissuade him from his quest. His father let forge for him a coat of mail that might do
honour to his land. Bright were the breastplates and the helmet, and the bucklers fair and
massy.
Now the time was come to ride forth, and all the folk, men and women, made dole, lest
they should return never more. The hero bade load the sumpters with the arms and
apparel. The horses were goodly, and their equipment of ruddy gold. None had more
cause for pride than Siegfried and his knights. He asked leave to set out for Burgundy,
and the king and the queen gave it sorrowing. But he spake comfortably to both of them,
and said, "Weep not for my sake; nor fear aught for my life."
The knights were downcast, and the maidens wept. Their hearts told them, I ween, that by
reason of this day's doings, many a dear one would lie dead. Needs made they dole, for
they were sorrowful.
On the seventh morning after this, the fearless band drew towards Worms on the Rhine.

Their garments were woven of ruddy gold, and their ridinggear was to match. Smooth
paced the horses, deftly managed by
Siegfried's bold warriors. Their shields were new,
bright and massy, and their helmets goodly, as Siegfried the hero and his following rode
into Gunther's country to the court. Never knights were in seemlier trim. Their
sword-points clanged on their spurs, and in their hands they bare sharp spears; the one
that Siegfried carried was broad two spans or more, of the sort that maketh grim wounds.
Gold-hued were their bridles, their poitrels of silk; so they rode through the land.
Everywhere the folk marvelled, gazing at them, and Gunther's men ran to meet them;
proud warriors, knights and squires, went toward the strangers, as was meet, and
welcomed the guests to the court of their king, taking horse and shield from their hands.
They would have put the horses in the stalls, but Siegfried spake in haste, "Let our horses
stand, for I am minded to depart again speedily. Where I may find Gunther, the great king
of Burgundy, let whoso knoweth tell me."
One answered him that knew, "Thou mayest see the king if thou wilt. I saw him amidst of
his men in yonder wide hall. Go in to him. Thou shalt find there many brave warriors."
They told the king that a valiant knight, fair equipped and apparelled, that knew none in
Burgundy, was come thither. And the king marvelled where those proud knights in
shining harness, with their shields new and massy, might