The Lay of the Nibelung Men. Anonymous

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      Then came to the land of Gunther tidings strange and dread;

      For out of a far, far country were heralds to Burgundy sped

      With a tale of unknown warriors and the hate they bare to the king;

      And in passing great disquiet the brethren heard that thing.

      Now these were they that had sent them:—the lord of the Saxon land,

      King Lüdiger mighty in war-hosts, mighty in strength of hand;

      And Lüdegast for his helper, the lord of the land of the Dane;

      And warriors marched unnumbered ’neath the banners of these twain.

      So they came to the land of Gunther, those bearers of threats of war,

      Even they whom his adversaries had sent forth from afar.

      And men looked on the unknown faces, and asked, “What tale do ye bring?”

      And they led the heralds of war-storm to the presence of the King.

      And he gave to them courteous greeting: “Welcome to me be ye.

      What man hath sent you hither not yet hath been told unto me:

      Speak out and utter your message,” said the noble king war-wise.

      Then sank their hearts, as they looked on the flame in Gunther’s eyes.

      “If thou, O King, wilt suffer that we speak”—the heralds replied—

      “Unhindered all our message, no word from thee will we hide.

      So name we to you the princes who have laid on us this command:

      Lo, Lüdegast hitherward marcheth with Lüdiger unto your land.

      Ye twain have provoked their anger: in our ears was spoken the word,

      How that ye in the hearts of our liege-lords deadliest hate have stirred;

      And they purpose to lead their battles unto Worms beside the Rhine.

      See ye that your war-thanes help you! Lo, this is the warning-sign.

      Within twelve weeks shall the thunder of the tramp of their hosts draw near.

      If then ye have loyal vassals, let their fealty now appear:

      Let them ward the peace of the castle, let them keep unharried the field.

      Ha, here shall be fearful hewing of many a helm and shield!

      Or if haply for peace ye will pray them, now let us be certified,

      Or ever their ranks of battle across your marches ride,

      Or ever your strong foes bow you in bitterness of soul.

      Ha, many a champion shall perish when hither the war-waves roll!”

      “Ye shall tarry a little season—my mind shall ye know ere long—

      While I ponder upon this matter,” spake Gunther the valiant and strong.

      “O yea, I have loyal vassals; to them will I bear this word,

      And the tale of your war-defiance shall of all my friends be heard.”

      Of a truth unto Gunther the mighty full heavy the tidings were,

      And his innermost heart was burdened by the message that it bare;

      And he bade to his presence Hagen and other his liegemen withal,

      And he sent to summon Gernot in haste to his council-hall:

      So gathered his best, all vassals unto whom came that command;

      And he spake: “Lo, our foes be minded to march into Burgundy-land

      With a mighty array—ye may well be indignation-stung

      At the unprovoked defiance that these in our faces have flung!”

      “From these shall our swords defend us!” Prince Gernot’s voice rang high.

      “Men must die in the day of their dooming: in death e’en let them lie!

      I will never forget mine honour for dread of what may befall!

      We will welcome our adversaries to the War-god’s festival!”

      Then answered Hagen of Troneg: “O’er-hasty, I trow, are thy words;

      For the kings of the Danes and the Saxons be exceeding arrogant lords;

      And so few days cannot suffice us for our war-host’s mustering.

      It were good,” said the valiant warrior, “that we told unto Siegfried the thing.”

      So they gave those war-denouncers for dwellings their city’s best,

      How hateful they were soever, for such was the knightly hest

      Of Gunther the noble-hearted—since thus fair honour bade—

      Till the friends should be known who would fail not to bring their battle-aid.

      Now the King in his heart was bearing a burden of sorrow and fear;

      Then the hero, the swift war-helper, beheld him heavy of cheer,

      And he marvelled thereat, for he knew not why he went ’neath a load of care.

      And he spake, and he prayed King Gunther the cause thereof to declare.

      “Exceeding sorely I marvel,” the hero Siegfried said,

      “Wherefore thine olden joyance this day is utterly fled,

      The gracious cheer that aforetime made the hearts that love thee light.”

      Answered and spake to him Gunther, that royal-goodly knight:

      “In sooth may I suffer not all men in my sorrow of soul to have part:

      I must keep my grief deep-hidden, I must bear it alone in mine heart:

      Unto tried friends only and steadfast may a man unveil his pain.”

      Then pale grew the face of Siegfried, and anon waxed crimson again.

      He spake to the King, and he answered: “Have I ever denied thee aught?

      I will help thee to cast the burden of thy spirit sorrow-fraught.

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