Classic Poem

1778

" Full surely will I help thee, " / the minstrel straight replied;
" And saw I e'en a monarch / with all his men beside
Hither come against us, / the while a sword I wield
Not fear shall ever prompt me / from thy side one pace to yield. "

1779

" Now God in heaven, O Volker, / give thy high heart its meed
Will they forsooth assail me, / whereof else have I need?
Wilt thou thus stand beside me / as here is thy intent,
Let come all armed these warriors, / on whatsoever purpose bent. "

1780

" Now rise we from this settle, " / the minstrel spake once more,
" While that the royal lady / passeth here before.
To her be done this honor / as unto lady high.
Ourselves in equal manner / shall we honor eke thereby. "

1781

" Nay, nay! as me thou lovest, " / Hagen spake again,
" For so would sure imagine / here each hostile thane
That 'twere from fear I did it, / should I bear me so.
For sake of never any / will I from this settle go.

1782

" Undone we both might leave it / in sooth more fittingly.
Wherefore should I honor / who bears ill-will to me?
Such thing will I do never, / the while I yet have life.
Nor reck I aught how hateth / me the royal Etzel's wife. "

1783

Thereat defiant Hagen / across his knee did lay
A sword that shone full brightly, / from whose knob did play
The light of glancing jasper / greener than blade of grass.
Well perceived Kriemhild / that it erstwhile Siegfried's was.

1784

When she the sword espied, / to weep was sore her need.
The hilt was shining golden, / the sheath a band of red.
As it recalled her sorrow, / her tears had soon begun;
I ween for that same purpose / 'twas thus by dauntless Hagen done.

1785

Eke the valiant Volker / a fiddle-bow full strong
Unto himself drew nearer; / mickle it was and long,
Like unto a broad-sword / full sharp that was and wide.
So sat they all undaunted / the stately warriors side by side.

1786

There sat the thanes together / in such defiant wise
That would never either / from the settle rise
Through fear of whomsoever. / Then strode before their feet
The lofty queen, and wrathful / did thus the doughty warriors greet.

1787

Quoth she: " Now tell me, Hagen, / upon whose command
Barest thou thus to journey / hither to this land,
And knowest well what sorrow / through thee my heart must bear.
Wert thou not reft of reason, / then hadst thou kept thee far from here. "

1788

" By none have I been summoned, " / Hagen gave reply.
" Three lofty thanes invited / were to this country:
The same I own as masters / and service with them find.
Whene'er they make court journey / 'twere strange should I remain behind. "

1789

Quoth she: " Now tell me further, / wherefore didst thou that
Whereby thou hast deserved / my everlasting hate?
'Twas thou that slewest Siegfried, / spouse so dear to me,
The which, till life hath ended, / must ever cause for weeping be. "

1790

Spake he: " Why parley further, / since further word were vain?
E'en I am that same Hagen / by whom was Siegfried slain,
That deft knight of valor / How sore by him 'twas paid
That the Lady Kriemhild / dared the fair Brunhild upbraid!

1791

" Beyond all cavil is it, / high and royal dame,
Of all the grievous havoc / I do bear the blame.
Avenge it now who wisheth, / woman or man tho't be.
An I unto thee lie not, / I've wrought thee sorest injury. "

1792

She spake: " Now hear, ye warriors, / how denies he not at all
The cause of all my sorrow. / Whate'er may him befall
Reck I not soever, / that know ye, Etzel's men. "
The overweening warriors / blank gazed upon each other then.

1793

Had any dared the onset, / seen it were full plain
The palm must be awarded / to the companions twain,
Who had in storm of battle / full oft their prowess shown
What that proud band designed / through fear must now be left undone.

1794

Outspake one of their number: / " Wherefore look thus to me?
What now I thought to venture / left undone shall be,
Nor for reward of any / think I my life to lose;
To our destruction lures us / here the royal Etzel's spouse. "

1795

Then spake thereby another: / " Like mind therein have I.
Though ruddy gold were offered / like towers piled high,
Yet would I never venture / to stir this Fiddler's spleen.
Such are the rapid glances / that darting from his eyes I've seen.

1796

" Likewise know I Hagen / from youthful days full well,
Nor more about his valor / to me need any tell.
In two and twenty battles / I the knight have seen,
Whereby sorest sorrow / to many a lady's heart hath been.

1797

" When here they were with Etzel, / he and the knight of Spain
Bore storm of many a battle / in many a warlike train
For sake of royal honor, / so oft thereof was need.
Wherefore of right are honors / high the valiant Hagen's meed.