The Nibelungenlied quotes

To us, in olden legends, is many a marvel told

Of praise-deserving heroes, of labours manifold, Of weeping and of wailing, of joy and festival; Ye shall of bold knights’ battling now hear a wondrous tale.

“What sayest thou of husbands, O dearest mother mine? Never for hero’s wooing shall I, your daughter, pine! Spotless and fair would I be, as now, unto my death;— I would forego the sorrow that lurks man’s love beneath.”

“Forswear not Love thus lightly,” her mother answer gave,

“If heart’s joy ever reach thee in life, as women crave, Through man’s love thou must gain it;— thou wert a seemly bride If God do not deny thee a good knight at thy side.”

This prince’s name was Siegfried, a gallant knight and good, In many kingdoms proved he his brave and warlike mood; So great his strength of body, he rode from land to land.

Ha! what fine warriors found he on the Burgundian strand!

In his best days of prowess, when he was young and slim, Full many a wondrous story the country told of him— How noble was his stature, how fair he was to see— And many a comely woman look’d on him lovingly.

Four hundred squires receivèd their knightly gear that day. Together with young Siegfried; and maidens fair, they say, Toiled at the festal raiment, because they did him hold So dear, and many a jewel they broidered in the gold.

And wove them in the robe-weft, and stitched upon the hem:

Sure, to such proud young warriors behovèd lace and gem! The host had seats preparèd for many a gallant man, At that June feast, where Siegfried his knightly course began.

Three sev’ral times he’d traversed the host, from end to end, And now, to help him, Hagen his steps did thither bend.

Right well in fight assuaged they the fierceness of their mood:

Through them that day must perish full many a warrior good.

Upon her raiment glittered full many a precious stone: Her rosy blushing colour with lovely radiance shone. Though any would deny it he could not but confess, That on this earth he never had seen more loveliness.

Just as the moon in brightness excels the brightest stars,

And, suddenly outshining, athwart the clouds appears; So seemed she now, comparèd with dames of fairest guise. Then did our gallant hero feel his bold spirits rise.

Whene’er she threw the javelin she next would hurl this stone. Then did the stout Burgundians within their spirit groan: “God help us!” cried Sir Hagen, “what bride our king hath woo’d!

Hell were her proper sojourn, she’s of the Devil’s brood!

”

His feet and hands together she fasten’d therewithal;

Then to a nail she bore him, and hung him on the wall!

Because her sleep he hinder’d, to him she love forbad: Her strength, in sooth, was such that his death he well-nigh had.

Thereto said dame Kriemhilda: “ ’Twere best to let me fare! By this gold ring I’ll prove it, which on my hand I wear; ’Twas brought to me by Siegfried when by your side he lay.”

Ne’er yet had Queen Brunhilda outlived a sadder day.

She spake: “This golden jewel was from me stol’n away, And hath from me most wrongly been hidden many a day. I now at last discover who stole my ring from me!” By this time were both ladies in direst enmity.

“Alack! ye gallant warriors, now wherefore do ye that? I trow that never Siegfried deservèd such like hate, That he, by reason of it, should need to lose his life:

Ay, very trifles are they that make an angry wife!

”

“Alack! ye gallant warriors, now wherefore do ye that? I trow that never Siegfried deservèd such like hate, That he, by reason of it, should need to lose his life: Ay, very trifles are they that make an angry wife!”

“Are we to harbour cuckoos?” cried Hagen, answering:

“To gallant knights as we are scant honour that would bring! That he of my dear lady hath bragg’d so scurvily His life shall make atonement; or I myself will die.”

Unto his vassal Gunther in evil hour gave ear. With treason foul to tamper, ere any grew aware, Began those chosen warriors of chivalry the boast.

By wrangling of two women was many a hero lost.

Then spake Hagen of Tronjé: “Upon his garment sew A little token for me, that I the spot may know Where I have got to shield him, when we stand in the strife.”

She thought to save the hero: by this he lost his life.

She spake: “With fine silk will I upon his garment sew A little cross unnoticed, that so thy hand may know, O hero, where to guard him, when into fight he goes, And in the stress of battle he stands before his foes.”

Amongst them there were many who, for their sorrow’s sake, Till those three days were ended nor meat nor drink did take. Yet could they not their bodies abandon utterly:

So feasting follow’d sorrow, as evermore will be.

“Be not deceived,” said Hagen, “whate’er the message be The envoys bring from Hunsland. Would you Kriemhilda see, Be well prepared to forfeit your honour and your life:

Long-waiting in her vengeance is she, King Etzel’s wife.

”

“Ay! homeward shouldst thou turn thee; yet is there time to spare: Seeing that ye, bold heroes, have thus been bidden there, That all of you may perish within King Etzel’s land.

Whoe’er goes riding thither hath Death at his right hand.

”

“Then let her brood for ever!” Hagen in answer said, “For many a long year is it since he was stricken dead. To love the King of Hunsland is now her duty plain:

Siegfried hath long been buried; he comes not back again.

”

“For love of me, I pray thee, do it not,” Hagen spake: “Lest otherwise these warriors perchance the deed mistake And think that I had risen, through fear, upon my feet.

For such as her and her kind I’ll never leave my seat!

“For both of us ’twere better, methinks, to let it be. Why should I do her honour who bears such hate to me? Nay, that will I do never as long as I have life; Nor care I for the hatred of royal Etzel’s wife!”

“

How oft a man, faint-hearted, will let a chance slip by,

When if a friend beside him upheld him cheerfully And with good understanding, he would not do the same. Right many a man by forethought is saved from loss and shame.”

“How oft a man, faint-hearted, will let a chance slip by, When if a friend beside him upheld him cheerfully And with good understanding, he would not do the same.

Right many a man by forethought is saved from loss and shame.

”

Since means there were not elsewise to cause the strife to start, (Kriemhilda’s olden sorrow lay graven in her heart) She bade them bring to table King Etzel’s little son:

How could a vengeful woman more cruelly have done?

Then went that self-same minute of Etzel’s liegemen four, And thither from his chamber the young king Ortlieb bore Unto the prince’s table, where Hagen also sate. (The boy was doom’d to perish through Hagen’s deadly hate.)

“

I cannot show you mercy; unmerciful am I.

For me hath Tronian Hagen wrought so much misery It may not be atoned for as long as I have life. Ye all must pay the forfeit;” so answer’d Etzel’s wife.

Then Hagen spake, of Tronjé: “Ye noble knights and good, Whoe’er by thirst is troubled may quench it here with blood.

In heat like this ’tis better than wine of any kind,

And at this time, moreover, no better may ye find.”

Then Hagen spake, of Tronjé: “Ye noble knights and good,

Whoe’er by thirst is troubled may quench it here with blood.

In heat like this ’tis better than wine of any kind, And at this time, moreover, no better may ye find.”

Then Tronian Hagen shouted: “Stand closer to the wall! Let not the burning embers upon your helm-bands fall, But in the blood more deeply trample them with your feet:

This feast the queen hath made us is but a sorry treat!

”

Of promising and giving might wondrous tales be told. She bade her folk on bucklers to bring the ruddy gold; She gave to all who craved it and would accept her fee.

Ay! ne’er was greater guerdon spent for an enemy.

A mighty force of warriors came in their panoply. To them cried gallant Volker: “Here waiting still are we! I ne’er saw knights more gladly go forth to face the foe Than these who the king’s bounty have taken, for our woe.”

Aloft the gift of Rüdeger in hand he swung: and though His own wound, too, was deadly, he dealt on him a blow Right through his stalwart buckler unto his helmet’s slot. The fair Gotlinda’s husband fell dead upon the spot.

In sooth a gift so precious was worse requited ne’er;

The two fell slain together, Gernot and Rüdeger, Like-fated in the combat, each by the other’s stroke. When this great loss to Hagen was known, his wrath outbroke.

Then Siegestab outspeaking— the duke from Bern—said he: “Forever now is ended the hospitality That Rüdeger aye show’d us after our days of pain.

The Comfort of the exile lies by you heroes slain.

”

Then spake the fiddle-player: “

Fear claims too much, I trow, When all that is forbidden a man must needs forego;

By me that were not reckon’d a right good hero’s mood!” The speech of his companion seemed unto Hagen good.