The Fall of the Niebelungs | Page 9

great strength. Held the doughty warriors tourney before the
women, then looked these all with favour on the knight of the Netherland. But, as for him,
he thought only on his high love. The fair women of the court demanded who the proud
stranger was. "He is so goodly," they said, "and so rich his apparel."
And there answered them folk enow, "It is the king of the Netherland." Whatsoever sport
they followed, he was ready. In his heart he bare the beautiful maiden that as yet he had
not seen: the which spake in secret kind words also of him. When the youths tilted in the
courtyard, Kriemhild, the high princess, looked down at them from her window; nor, at
that time, desired she better pastime. Neither had he asked better, had he known that his
heart's dear one gazed upon him: the fairest thing on earth had he deemed it to behold her
eyes. When he stood there amidst of the heroes in the tilt-yard, as the custom is, to rest at
the tourney, so graceful the son of Sieglind bare him, that the hearts of many maidens
yearned toward him. And ofttimes would he think, "How shall I attain to behold the noble
lady that I have loved long and dearly? She is still a stranger. For this reason I am
downcast."
When the rich kings rode abroad, it behoved the knights to go with them, wherefore
Siegfried also rode forth, the which irked the damsel sore; and likewise, for love of her,
he was heavy enow of his cheer.
So in a year (I say sooth) he abode by these princes, nor in all that time had once seen his
dear one, that afterward brought him so much gladness and dole.
Fourth Adventure
How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons

Now there were brought into Gunther's land strange tidings by envoys sent from afar by
foreign princes that hated him; and when they heard the message they were troubled. The
kings were as I will tell you: Ludger of the Saxons, a high and might prince; and Ludgast
of Denmark, and many bold warriors with them.
These envoys, sent by his foemen, came into Gunther's land, and the strangers were asked
their business, and brought before the king.
The king greeted them fair, and said, "I know not who hath sent you hither, and would
hear it." So spake the good king, and they greatly feared his wrath.
"If thou wilt have our message, O king, we will tell it plain, and name thee the princes
that have sent us. They are Ludgast and Ludger, and will come against thee into they land.
Thou are fallen in their displeasure, and we know that they bear thee bitter hate. They
come hither with an armed force to Worms by the Rhine - they and their warriors.
Wherefore be warned. Inside of twelve days they will ride. If thou hast truly friends, let it
appear now; let them help thee to keep thy castles and they country, for, or long, there
will be smiting of helmets and shields here. Or wouldst thou treat with them, then declare
it straightway, that thy foemen come not night thee to thy hurt, and that goodly knights
perish not thereby."
"Tarry a while - ye shall have answer betimes - that I may bethink me," said the good
king. "If I have true liegemen, I will not hide it from them, but will take counsel with
them on this hard matter."
Heavy enow of his cheer was Gunther. He pondered the message secretly in his heart,
and summoned Hagen, and others of his men, and sent to the court in haste for Gernot.
His best knights drew round him, and he said, "Without cause, and with a mighty army,
foemen come hither against us into our land."
Thereto answered Gernot, a hardy and bold warrior, "We shall hinder that with our
swords. They only perish that fate dooms. Let them die. They shall not turn from honour.
Our foemen are welcome."
Spake Hagen of Trony then, "Methinketh that were unwise. Ludgast and Ludger are
proud men withal, and we can hardly in so few days muster our men." Therefore the bold
knight said, "Tell Siegfried."
They bade lodge the envoys in town. Albeit they were his foemen, Gunther, the great
king, commanded the folk to entreat them well - rightly he did so - till that he knew the
friends that would stand by him.
The king was heavy of his cheer, and Siegfried, the good knight, saw that he was
downcast, but wist not the reason, and asked King Gunther what ailed him. "I marvel
much," said Siegfried, "that thou takest no part in our sports as heretofore." And Gunther,
the doughty knight, answered