Legends of the Middle Ages. H. A. Guerber

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ For love of the stern maiden I'll frankly risk my life;

       Ready am I to lose it, if I win her not to wife.'"

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).

      In vain Siegfried, who knew all about Brunhild, tried to dissuade him; Gunther insisted upon departing, but proposed to Siegfried to accompany him, promising him as reward for his assistance Kriemhild's hand as soon as the princess of Issland was won. Such an offer was not to be refused, and Siegfried immediately accepted it, advising Gunther to take only Hagen and Dankwart as his attendants.

      [Sidenote: The expedition to Issland.] After seeking the aid of Kriemhild for a supply of rich clothing suitable for a prince going a-wooing, Gunther and the three knights embarked on a small vessel, whose sails soon filled, and which rapidly bore them flown the Rhine and over the sea to Issland. When within sight of its shores, Siegfried bade his companions all carefully agree in representing him to the strangers as Gunther's vassal only. Their arrival was seen by some inquisitive damsels peering out of the windows of the castle, and reported to Brunhild, who immediately and joyfully concluded that Siegfried had come to seek her hand in marriage. But when she heard that he held another man's stirrup to enable him to mount, she angrily frowned, wondering why he came as a menial instead of as a king. When the strangers entered her hall she would have greeted Siegfried first had he not modestly drawn aside, declaring that the honor was due to his master, Gunther, King of Burgundy, who had come to Issland to woo her.

      Brunhild then haughtily bade her warriors make all the necessary preparations for the coming contest; and Gunther, Hagen, and Dankwart apprehensively watched the movements of four warriors staggering beneath the weight of Brunhild's ponderous shield. Then they saw three others equally overpowered by her spear; and twelve sturdy servants could scarcely roll the stone she was wont to cast.

      Hagen and Dankwart, fearing for their master—who was doomed to die in case of failure—began to mutter that some treachery was afoot, and openly regretted that they had consented to lay aside their weapons upon entering the castle. These remarks, overheard by Brunhild, called forth her scorn, and she contemptuously bade her servants bring the strangers' arms, since they were afraid.

      "Well heard the noble maiden the warrior's words the while,

       And looking o'er her shoulder, said with a scornful smile,

       'As he thinks himself so mighty, I'll not deny a guest;

       Take they their arms and armor, and do as seems them best.

      "'Be they naked and defenseless, or sheath'd in armor sheen,

       To me it nothing matters,' said the haughty queen.

       'Fear'd yet I never mortal, and, spite of yon stern brow

       And all the strength of Gunther, I fear as little now.'"

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).

      [Sidenote: Siegfried and the Tarnkappe.] While these preliminaries were being settled, Siegfried had gone down to the ship riding at anchor, and all unseen had donned his magic cloud-cloak and returned to the scene of the coming contest, where he now bade Gunther rely upon his aid.

      "'I am Siegfried, thy trusty friend and true;

       Be not in fear a moment for all the queen can do.'

      "Said he, 'Off with the buckler, and give it me to bear;

       Now what I shall advise thee, mark with thy closest care.

       Be it thine to make the gestures, and mine the work to do.'"

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).

      In obedience to these directions, Gunther merely made the motions, depending upon the invisible Siegfried to parry and make all the attacks. Brunhild first poised and flung her spear with such force that both heroes staggered and almost fell; but before she could cry out victory, Siegfried had caught the spear, turned it butt end foremost, and flung it back with such violence that the princess fell and was obliged to acknowledge herself outdone.

      [Sidenote: Brunhild's defeat.] Nothing daunted, however, by this first defeat, she caught up the massive stone, flung it far from her, and leaping after it, alighted beside it. But even while she was inwardly congratulating herself, and confidently cherishing the belief that the stranger could not surpass her, Siegfried caught up the stone, flung it farther still, and grasping Gunther by his broad girdle, bounded through the air with him and landed far beyond it. Brunhild was outdone in all three feats, and, according to her own promise, belonged to the victor, Gunther, to whom she now bade her people show all due respect and homage.

      "Then all aloud fair Brunhild bespake her courtier band,

       Seeing in the ring at distance unharm'd her wooer stand:

       'Hither, my men and kinsmen, low to my better bow.

       I am no more your mistress; you're Gunther's liegemen now.'"

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).

      [Illustration: GUNTHER WINNING HIS BRIDE.—Keller.]

      The warriors all hastened to do her bidding, and escorted their new lord to the castle, whither, under pretext of fitly celebrating her marriage, Brunhild summoned all her retainers from far and near. This rally roused the secret terror of Gunther, Hagen, and Dankwart, for they suspected some act of treachery on the part of the dark-browed queen. These fears were also, in a measure, shared by Siegfried; so he stole away, promising to return before long with a force sufficient to overawe Brunhild and quell all attempt at foul play.

      Siegfried, having hastily embarked upon the little vessel, swiftly sailed away to the Nibelungen land, where he arrived in an incredibly short space of time, presented himself at the gates of his castle, and forced an entrance by conquering the giant porter, and Alberich, the dwarf guardian of his treasure. Then making himself known to his followers, the Nibelungs, he chose one thousand of them to accompany him back to Issland to support the Burgundian king.

      [Sidenote: Marriage of Gunther and Brunhild.] The arrival of this unexpected force greatly surprised Brunhild. She questioned Gunther, and upon receiving the careless reply that they were only a few of his followers, who had come to make merry at his wedding, she gave up all hope of resistance. When the usual festivities had taken place, and the wonted largesses had been distributed, Gunther bade his bride prepare to follow him back to the Rhine with her personal female attendants, who numbered no less than one hundred and sixty-eight.

      Brunhild regretfully left her own country, escorted by the thousand Nibelung warriors; and when they had journeyed nine days, Gunther bade Siegfried spur ahead and announce his safe return to his family and subjects. Offended by the tone of command Gunther had assumed, Siegfried at first proudly refused to obey; but when the king begged it as a favor, and mentioned Kriemhild's name, he immediately relented and set out.

      "Said he, 'Nay, gentle Siegfried, do but this journey take,

       Not for my sake only, but for my sister's sake;

       You'll oblige fair Kriemhild in this as well as me.'

       When so implored was Siegfried, ready at once was he.

      "'Whate'er you will, command me; let naught be left unsaid;

       I will gladly do it for the lovely maid.

       СКАЧАТЬ