The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics)

by Cyril Edwards

  1997

  When Lord Rüedeger left the hall, five hundred or more followed the Lord of Pöchlarn, his friends and vassals, at whose hands King Gunther afterwards gained great losses.

  1998

  Then a Hunnish warrior saw Etzel walking close by Dietrich—he wanted to profit by that.* The fiddler dealt him such a blow that his head swiftly landed at Etzel’s feet.

  1999

  When the lord of that land had made his way out of the hall, he turned back and looked at Volker: ‘Alas for these guests of mine, this is dire peril—that all my warriors should lie dead before them! Woe

  2000

  upon this festivity!’ said the proud king. ‘There is one fighting inside there called Volker, fierce as a wild boar, and he is a minstrel. I thank my good fortune that I escaped that devil! His lays* sound ill, his

  2001

  bowing is red. His melodies fell great numbers of heroes dead. I don’t know what that minstrel has against us, but I never gained such great woe by any guest.’

  2002

  They had let those they wanted leave the hall. Inside great clamour then arose. The guests grievously avenged what had befallen them before. Ah, what helmets valiant Volker broke apart! Gunther,

  2003

  the proud king, turned towards the turmoil: ‘Do you hear the melodies, Hagen, which Volker is fiddling amongst the Huns over there, all those who go to the doors? It is red rosin he rubs on his fiddle’s bow!’

  2004

  ‘I regret beyond measure’, said Hagen, ‘that I ever sat higher than that knight in hall. I have been his companion and he mine, and if we ever return home, we will still remain true to one another. See now,

  2005

  proud king, how Volker holds you dear! He is willingly earning your silver and your gold. His fiddler’s bow cuts its way for him through the hard steel. It breaks brightly shining marks on the helmets.

  2006

  I never saw a fiddler make such a splendid stand as Volker the warrior has done today. His lays ring out through helmets and rims. He ought indeed to ride good warhorses and wear splendid garments!’

  2007

  Of all the kinsmen of the Huns who had been in the hall, none now was left alive inside. Thus the clamour had died down—no one did further battle with them. The bold, gallant warriors laid their swords aside.

  2008

  THIRTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE

  HOW THEY THREW THE DEAD OUT OF THE HALL

  THE lords sat down then after their wearisome labours. Volker and Hagen walked out of the hall. Those haughty warriors leaned upon their shields. Wise words were spoken by both of them there.

  2009

  Then Giselher, the warrior of Burgundy, spoke up: ‘Dear friends, you may not rest yet. You must carry the corpses out of the hall. We’ll be attacked again, I tell you in all truth! They must lie no longer

  2010

  beneath our feet here. Before the Huns vanquish us by their attacks, we will yet hew such wounds as will give me great joy. I am firmly resolved on that,’ said Giselher then.

  2011

  ‘Happy am I to have such a lord!’ said Hagen then. ‘Such counsel would befit none but a warrior who has done such deeds as my young lord has today. You Burgundians may all rejoice in this!’

  2012

  They followed that counsel then and carried seven thousand dead out through the doorway; they threw them out. They tumbled down the steps of the hall. Then there arose a most woeful clamour among their kinsmen. There were several among them who were so slightly

  2013

  wounded that if they had been tended more gently they would yet have recovered—falling from such a height, they inevitably died. Their friends mourned over them then, as they had good reason to do.

  2014

  Then Volker the fiddler, that gallant hero, said: ‘Now I see for myself that what I have been told is true. The Huns are base—they lament like women. They ought now to tend to their sorely wounded.’

  2015

  A margrave then thought these words were well-meant. He had seen one of his kinsmen fall into the blood. He took him up into his arms and wanted to carry him away. The valiant minstrel then speared him to death with his javelin as he bent over his kinsman.

  2016

  When the others saw that, they took flight. All of them took to cursing that same minstrel. He picked up a javelin, very sharp and hard, which one of the Huns had flung up at him there. He flung it powerfully

  2017

  far away through the castle, high above the folk’s heads. He gave Etzel’s men lodgings further off from the hall.* People on all sides feared his mighty courage.

  2018

  Many thousand men stood in front of the hall then. Volker and Hagen then declared to King Etzel their full intent. (It was to cost the bold and worthy heroes dear in time to come.) ‘It would become

  2019

  the people’s protector* well,’ said Hagen, ‘if the lords were to fight at the very front, just as each of my lords does here. Their swords hew through helmets, and blood flows in their wake.’

  2020

  Etzel was so bold that he grasped his shield. ‘Be on your guard now,’ said Lady Kriemhilt, ‘and offer gold to the warriors, piled high upon shield-rims, for if Hagen gets to grips with you over there, you will be in death’s clutches.’ The king was so bold that he

  2021

  wouldn’t relent, something seldom practised by such a powerful prince nowadays. They had to drag him back by his shield-strap.

  Grim Hagen set about mocking him again: ‘It was no close

  2022

  kinship,’ said Sir Hagen, ‘that Etzel and Sivrit shared with one another. He loved Kriemhilt before she ever beheld you—basest of kings, why do you plot against me?’

  2023

  The noble king’s wife heard these words. Kriemhilt was enraged that Hagen dared upbraid her before Etzel’s men, and therefore she again began to plot against the guests. She said: ‘For any man who

  2024

  were to slay Hagen of Tronege for me and bring his head before me here, I’d fill Etzel’s rim with red gold, and give him as a reward, moreover, many good castles and lands.’

  2025

  ‘Now I don’t know what they are waiting for,’ said the minstrel. ‘I never saw heroes standing in such a cowardly way before, when such a great reward was heard to be offered. Etzel ought never to hold them dear for this!’ Those who eat the prince’s bread so disgracefully

  2026

  here and now fail him in his greatest need—I see many of them standing here in most cowardly fashion. Yet they are supposed to be bold! They must bear the shame of this forever!’

  2027

  THIRTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE

  HOW IRINC WAS SLAIN

  THEN Margrave Irinc of Denmark called out: ‘For a long time now I have risked my life for honour and have done much of the best when folk have met in battle. Bring me my armour now—I will take on Hagen!’

  2028

  ‘I would advise against that,’ said Hagen then. ‘Tell the Hunnish warriors to stand further back. If some two or three of you leap into the hall, I’ll send you back down the steps in a most unhealthy state!’

  2029

  ‘That’ll not deter me!’ replied Irinc. ‘I have tried such perilous tests before. I’ll take you on alone with my sword. How will the haughty words you have spoken help you then?’

  2030

  Irinc the warrior was quickly armed then, and Irnfrit of Thuringia, a bold youth, and mighty Hawart with a good thousand men. No matter what Irinc undertook, they wanted to stand by him in everything.

  2031

  Then the fiddler saw a huge company approaching, all armed, alongside Irinc. Great numbers of them were wearing stout helmets, strapped on. Bold Volker grew somewhat angry at that. ‘Do you see,

  2032

  friend Hagen, Irinc walking there, he who vowed to take you on alone with his sword? How does such
lying become heroes? I have nothing but contempt for this! There must be a good thousand warriors or more walking armed alongside him.’

  2033

  ‘Now do not accuse me of lying!’ said Hawart’s vassal. ‘I’ll willingly carry out all that I have vowed. By no means will I desist out of fear. Grim though Hagen may be, I will take him on alone.’

  2034

  Irinc knelt at the feet of his kinsmen and vassals, beseeching them to let him take on the warrior alone. They did so unwillingly, for proud Hagen of Burgundy was well known to them. Yet Irinc

  2035

  pleaded with them so long that in the end it did take place. When his retinue saw what his intention was and that he was in pursuit of honour, they let him go ahead. A fierce battle then broke out between those two.

  2036

  Irinc of Denmark held his javelin high in the air. That proud warrior of high repute covered himself with his shield. Then he ran up the stairs to Hagen, right up to the hall. Great clamour arose then among the warriors. They hurled their javelins from their hands with

  2037

  all their might then, penetrating their sturdy shields right through to their bright garments, so that the shafts of the javelins flew high into the air. Next the two fierce, bold men reached for their swords.*

  2038

  Bold Hagen’s valour was mighty and great. Irinc, for his part, struck such blows at him that all the hall resounded. The palace and the towers echoed with the sound of their blows. The warrior could not carry out his intent then. Irinc left Hagen standing there

  2039

  unwounded. He hastened over to the fiddler. He thought he might overcome him with his fierce blows. Volker, that gallant warrior, was well capable of protecting himself with his shield. Then the fiddler

  2040

  struck him such a blow that Irinc’s shield-bolts flew up over the rim into the air at Volker’s hands. Irinc left him alone then—he was a deadly foe. Next he charged at Gunther of Burgundy. Each of them

  2041

  was strong enough in battle. No matter what blows Gunther and Irinc dealt one another, they caused no blood to flow from wounds. Their armour prevented that, being sturdy and of good quality.

  2042

  Irinc abandoned Gunther and charged at Gernot—he hewed fire out of his chainmail. Mighty Gernot of Burgundy came close to slaying bold Irinc. Then Irinc leapt away from the prince—he was fleet

  2043

  enough of foot. The hero had soon slain four of the Burgundians, of the noble retinue of Worms on the Rhine.

  At that Giselher grew angrier than ever before. ‘God knows, Sir

  2044

  Irinc,’ said young Giselher, ‘you must pay at my hands for those who now lie dead before you here!’ With that he charged at him. He struck the Dane so hard that he could not move from the spot. At Giselher’s

  2045

  hands he fell down into the blood, so that they all believed that the worthy hero would never strike another blow in battle. Yet Irinc lay there unwounded at Giselher’s feet. Because of the din when the

  2046

  helmet was struck and the ringing of the sword his wits were much enfeebled, so that the bold warrior lost consciousness. Mighty Giselher had brought that about by his strength.

  2047

  As the impact from the great blow to his head he had suffered there began to recede, Irinc thought: ‘I am still alive and not wounded at all. For the first time now I have met the acquaintance of Giselher’s valour!’ He heard his foes talking as they stood on both sides of him.

  2048

  If they knew the truth he would have suffered still more. He could also hear that Giselher stood close by him there. He wondered how he might escape his foes.

  2049

  Like a man berserk, he leapt up out of the blood! He owed his life to his fleetness of foot. Then he ran out of the hall, but there he found Hagen again and struck fierce blows against him with his courageous hands. At that Hagen thought: ‘You must die! Unless the Foul

  2050

  Fiend protects you, you can’t escape!’ Yet Irinc wounded Hagen through his visor. The hero struck that blow with Waske,* an excellent sword.

  2051

  When Lord Hagen realized he had been wounded, the sword threshed about wildly in his hand.* Hawart’s vassal had to give way to him then and there. Hagen followed him down the steps. Valiant Irinc

  2052

  flung his shield over his head. Even if that staircase had been three times as long, Hagen would never have let him strike a single blow. Ah, what red sparks flew from the top of his helmet!

  2053

  Irinc came back to his men safe and sound. Then Kriemhilt was told of those tidings, of what he had done in battle against Hagen of Tronege; the queen thanked him most profoundly. ‘Now

  2054

  God reward you, Irinc, most famed, worthy hero—you have given good hope to my heart and mind. Now I see Hagen’s garments red with blood.’ Kriemhilt herself, in her joy, took the shield from his hands.

  2055

  ‘You have small cause to thank him,’ said Hagen. ‘If he’d make another attempt, that would befit a warrior. If he were to escape then, he’d be a bold man indeed! The wound I have received from him will bring you little profit. Your seeing my chainmail red because of my

  2056

  wound urges me on to bring about many a man’s death! Only now am I angry at Hawart’s vassal. Irinc the warrior has done me little damage as yet.’

  2057

  Irinc of Denmark stood facing the wind. He was cooling himself in his chainmail; he unbuckled his helmet. All the people then said that he was of great courage. That raised the margrave’s spirits high.

  2058

  Irinc spoke once more: ‘My friends, I would have you know that you must arm me soon. I’ll make another attempt to see if I can yet vanquish that haughty warrior.’

  His shield was hewn to pieces; he obtained a better one. With all

  2059

  speed the warrior was better armed. Full of hostile intent, he seized a mighty javelin, with which he wanted to attack Hagen again there. That deathly fierce* man waited for his foe to approach.

  2060

  Hagen the warrior could wait no longer for him. He ran towards him, hurling spears at him and striking blows with his sword, all the way down the steps and out—his anger was great indeed. Irinic profited very little by his strength then. They struck such blows through their

  2061

  shields that flames flew up in fiery red blazes. Hawart’s vassal was so severely wounded by Hagen’s sword, piercing his shield and his breastplate, that he was never to recover.

  2062

  When Irinc the warrior realized he was wounded, he shifted his shield higher over his helmet-straps.* He thought he had suffered enough damage there. King Gunther’s vassal was to do him still greater harm. Hagen found a javelin lying at his feet.

  2063

  He flung it at Irinc, the hero of Denmark, so that the shaft was left sticking out of his head. Hagen the warrior had doled him a grim end.

  2064

  Irinc had to retreat to the men of Denmark. Before they unbuckled the warrior’s helmet they broke the javelin off his head—death neared him then. His kinsmen wept over this, as they had good reason to do. The queen then walked over to where he lay. She started the

  2065

  lament for mighty Irinc. She wept over his wounds; it grieved her deeply. Then the bold and gallant warrior said before his kinsmen:

  2066

  ‘Leave off this lament, most noble lady. What help is your weeping? I must lose my life because of these wounds I have received. Death will no longer let me serve you and Etzel.’

  2067

  He said to the men of Thuringia and those of Denmark: ‘No hand of yours is to accept the queen’s gift, her bright red gold! If you take on Hagen, you must meet with death.’

  2068

  His colour had fad
ed. Valiant Irinc bore the sign of death. It grieved them deeply. Hawart’s vassal could live no longer.

  The men of Denmark had no choice but to do battle then. Irnfrit

  2069

  and Hawart leapt out of the chamber, with some thousand heroes. Uproar far beyond measure was heard on all sides, a great and mighty roar. Ah, what sharp javelins they hurled at the Burgundians!

  2070

  Bold Irnfrit ran at the minstrel, gaining great harm at his hands. The noble fiddler dealt the landgrave a blow through his stout helmet—he was a fierce fighter! Then Lord Irnfrit dealt the bold

  2071

  minstrel such a blow that the mesh of his mail broke and his breastplate was covered in red fire. Nevertheless the landgrave fell dead before the fiddler.

  2072

  Hawart and Hagen had found their way to one another. He who watched that fight might have seen marvels. The swords in the heroes’ hands rained down upon one another. Hawart had to die at the hands of the Burgundian. When the Danes and the Thuringians

  2073

  saw their lords were dead, dread peril arose outside the hall before they had gained the door by their courageous hands. Great numbers of helmets and rims were hewn to pieces there.

  2074

  ‘Draw back,’ said Volker then, ‘and let them come in. Come what may, they will not accomplish what they intend. They must die in here, in no time at all. They will earn by their deaths what the queen gives them.’

  2075

  When the haughty warriors came into the hall, their heads were brought so low, great numbers of them, that they had to die by the Burgundians’ fierce blows. Bold Gernot fought well; so also did Giselher the warrior.

  2076

  A thousand and four had come into the hall. The glint of swords was to be seen, great numbers of them hissing fiercely. In the end all the warriors inside were slain. Many marvels might be told of the Burgundians.

  2077

  After that there was silence, once the clamour had died down. The blood of the dead men flowed through the drains and the gutters on all sides there. The men of the Rhine had brought that about by their great valour. Then the Burgundians sat down to rest again. They