Hero Tales and Legends of the Rhine

Aquitaine. But it has other claims to fame. Before entering on the consideration of G

n: A Tale of D

Dietrich legends. Originally he was a bona-fide historical personage, Theodoric the Ostrogoth, and as such gained a widespread popularity among his people. His historical character, however, was soon lost in the maze of legendary lore which surrounded his name, and which, as time went on, ascribed to him feats ever more wildly heroic. Among the various traditions there

formed, in fact, a kind of Round Table-and the knights who composed it were as eager as their lord to seek fresh fields wherein to display their prowess, and

ould boast of such warriors as he could muster. The assembled knights greeted the assertion with hearty accl

ing to say, Her

ghts than these?"-indicating his

tacit objection to Dietrich's claim. "Ay," he sai

h paragons?" inquired the

easure. None save these may enter its precincts unless the queen give him leave, and that the sacred boundaries may not be overstepped twelve war

ss the guard?" asked a young knight.

e prize. 'Tis but a crown of roses and a kiss from one of the queen's la

cried the warriors indignantly. "

nks that for the honour and glory I would e'en meet these doughty war

t that time a monk in the monastery of Munchenzell. Rüdiger was margrave to King Etzel, and had to obtain his lord's permission to venture forth on the romantic undertaking; Dietleib's father strongly recommended that the quest be abandoned, though the youth himself was as eager as any to accompany Dietrich; while as for Ilsan, he found it especially difficult to obtain leave of absence, for, naturally, his abbot deemed the enterp

his antagonist was Wolfhart, who submitted to being crowned with a rose-wreath, but disdained to accept the rest of the reward. The monk, who was the next victor, took the roses and kissed the maiden heartily. But alas! a bristly beard covered his chin, and the maid was left ruefully rubbing her pouting lips. One by one Di

vil's

leman who at one time lived in that neighbourhood was in the habit of drinking more of the Rhenish w

mined to bring about his fall, and as the old man's love of wine was his only serious weak

impressed by the recital, but spoke of a wine which he had tasted in the South and which far surpassed any other vintage. The nobleman was all curiosity. The stranger talked of the wonderful wine with feigned reluctance, and at len

t he christened the wine Liebfrauenmilch, signifying 'Milk of our Blessed Lady.' The Devil was furious at this reference to the Holy Virgin, but he consoled himself with the thought that in due course the man's soul would be his. But the Virgin herself was pleased with

to the Virgin in his vineyard. He lived for a long time to enjoy the luscious wine,

us story, is there not the Liebfrauenmilch, most

iden's

landless and poor and no longer able to uphold his former dignities. In his youth the keeper had lived a gay and careless life, but now he was old and infirm and cared no longer for worldly vanities. His sole pride was his young daughter, a bewitching maiden who had

birth, he was, notwithstanding his poverty, by far the most eligible of the youths who sought her in marriage, and the castellan

conceived a wild scheme to test her lover's affection: she bade him go to the cross-roads at midnight, watch the procession of witches, and return to tell her what he saw. The awed company protested vigorousl

nds in futile grief. At length a few braver spirits volunteered to go in search of their comrade, but no trace of him could they find. His widowed mother, of whom he had been the only son, cursed the maid who was the

o the winds. But some, less superstitious than their neighbours, declared that he had been murdered by his rivals, the disappointed suitors, and that his

belung

iginal founded on ballads or folk-songs was in use about the middle or latter end of the tenth century. The work, despite many medieval interpolations and the manifest liberties of generations of bards and minnesingers, bears the unmistakable stamp of a great antiquity. A whole literature has grown up around this mighty e

whole without entering rather deeply into philological and mythical considerations of considerable complexity. We shall therefore confine ourselves to the main points of

rigin

audiences, would cast about for fresh incidents to introduce into the story. Popular as was the tale, even a medieval audience could tire of the oft-repeated exploits of its dramatis personae, and the minstrel, dependent upon their goodwill for bed and board, would be quick to note when the tale fell flat. Accordingly he would attempt to infuse into it some new incident or series of incidents, culled from other stories more often than not self-created. Such an interpolation is probably to be noted in the presence of Dietrich of Bern, otherwise Theodoric the Ostrogoth, at the court of Etzel or Attila. To say nothing of the probability of anachroni

ow German account, and a Rhenish version which was evidently moulded into its present shape by an Austrian or Tyrolese craftsman-a singer well versed in court poetry and courtly etiquette. The date when the Nibelungenlied received its latest form was probably about the end of the twelfth century, and this last v

gmentar

strel has interpolated this incident or joined together these passages to secure the necessary unity of narrative. Moreover, in none of the several versions of the Siegfried epic do we get the 'whole story.' One suppleme

hild'

and state which they maintained, and many and brave were the warriors who drank wine at their board. Given to martial exercises were those men of might, and day by day the courts of the palace ra

two great eagles swooped from the sky and tore it to pieces before her very eyes. Affected by this to an extent that seemed inexplicable, she related her dream to her mother, Ute, a dame of great wisdom, who interpreted it as foretelling for her a noble husband, "whom Go

gfr

en, a mighty Burgundian paladin (in a passage which is obviously adapted from another version for the purpose of recounting Siegfried's previous adventures), tells how "he had slain a dragon and made himself invulnerable by bathing in its blood. We must receive him graciously, and avoid making him our enemy." Siegfried sojourned at Worms for over a year, distinguishing himself in all the martial exercises of the Burgundians and rendering them splendid service

ore. As the silver moon obscures the light of the stars by its superior splendour, so did Kriemhild obscure the beauty of the ladies who surrounded her. When he beheld her each hero drew himself up more proudly than ever and appeared as if ready to do battle for such a paragon of beauty. She was preceded by chamberlains in rich attire, but no ushers might keep back the knights from sight of her, and they crowded about her to ca

ing of

nlied proper is silent regarding Siegfried's previous relations with Brunhild. In Scandinavian versions-such as the Volsunga Saga, where this legend, originally a German one, is preserved in its pagan form-Brunhild was a Valkyr, or war-maiden of Odin, who sent her to sleep with a prick of a magic thorn and imprisoned her within a circle of flame, through which Siegfried (in this

through a pantomime of the appropriate actions while Siegfried performed the feats. The passage which tells of the encounter is curious. A great spear, heavy and keen, was brought forth for Brunhild's use. It was more a weapon for a hero of might than for a maiden, but, unwieldy as it was, she was able to brandish it as easily

for in this land we shall perish at the hands of women. Oh, that my brother Hagen and I had but our good swords here! Then would these carles of Brunhi

these heroes' swords into their hands," she

its weight upon his limbs. "Now I am ready for such play as they l

elve of them it took to carry it, so ponderous it was. Woe

by his side and touched him lightly to give him confidence, but G

touched me

en. Give me thy shield and mark well what I say. Make thou motions as if to guar

he hurled the spear at his shield. It passed through the iron as if it had been silk and struck on the rings of Gunther's armour. Both Gunther and Siegfried staggered at the blow. But the latter, alt

ng of combat, she cast it from her twelve fathoms. Leaping after it, she sprang farther than she had thrown it. Then went Gunther to the stone and poised it while Siegfried threw it. He cast the stone farth

when she saw herself defeated

w are ye subject to Gunther the King, for

them lovingly. Brunhild came forward, took him by the hand, and granted to him full power throughout her dominions. They proceeded to

ch Queen Brunhild doth speak not yet begun? I long to see how they may be played." He acted his part so

it that you were not present when the games

ut of his mouth and said: "O Queen, the good knight Siegfried was hard by t

s it possible," he exclaimed, "is it possible, O Queen, that you have been vanquished at the sports in whi

o do ere yet I quit my lands. First must I inform my kindred and vassals of this

ome without delay to Isenstein. For several days they arrived in troops: early and late they came, sin

ed and

kiss, sadness and jealousy wrung the heart of the war-maiden, and she evinced anything but a wifely spirit toward her husband Gunther, whom, on the first night of their wedded life, she wrestled with, defeated, and bound with her girdle, afterward hanging him up by it on a peg in the wall! Next day he appealed to Siegfried for assistance, and that night the hero donned his magic cloak of inv

unther's vassal, as Gunther had informed her, he neither paid tribute nor rendered homage. The invitation was accepted cordially enough. But Kriemhild and Brunhild quarrelled bitterly regarding a matter of precedence as to who should firs

tempted to make peace between their wives. But all to no avail. A deadly feud had sprung up between them, which was to

against

d Siegfried to his care. Now, when Siegfried slew the dragon which guarded the treasure of the Nibelungs, he bathed in its blood and became, like Achilles, invulnerable, save at a spot where a linden leaf had fallen between his shoulders as he bathed, and so prevented cont

ht know that now his land would remain at peace. This Siegfried was loath to hear, for he would have done battle for his friends, and it was with difficulty that Gunther's vassals could hold him back. Then he rode to Gunther, who thanked him warmly for having so quickly granted his prayer. Gunther assured him that if need

nd when he had departed Hagen and the King took counsel together. After they had agreed upon the manner in which they would compass the destruction of Siegfried, they communicated their plan

d away the warriors cantered with a cla

Farewell t

rewell to Kriemhild, who, she knew not

again," said Siegfried. "Keep thou a m

but she could not tell Siegfried of it. Sorely she wept, wishi

ou fled, but they pursued you and wounded you, and the blossoms under your feet were red with blood. You behold my tears. Siegfried,

leave thee, beloved," he said. "Who can bear me hate if I cherish none aga

dreamed another dream. You passed by two mountains, and they rocked on their bases, fell,

ne. Leaping on his steed, he rode off at a g

lliant, brave, and goodly of cheer was the company, and rich was their entertainment. Many pack-horses laden with meats and wines

they were to begin the hunt, and watchers were sent round the camp, so that no

t, and he desired to be home again with Kriemhild. "Ha, comrades,

divide the huntsmen and the hounds so that each may ride alone where he choose

nly for one hound that had been well

ed the sportsmen to where there was an abundance of game. Many beasts we

er it was bear or boar he soon came up with it and slew it. Once he encountered a stark and mighty lion.

or hind escape him, so swift and wight was he. Anon he brought a wild boar to bay. The gris

e to us something living, for in truth thy st

uts of the hunters and the baying of dogs. In that hunting many a beast met its death-day and great was the rivalry. But when the

y pelt of the wolf. Meat abounded in that place, and the blast of a horn announced to the hungry knights that the King was about to feast. Said Si

d here Siegfried thought to run the beast down, but the sides were too steep and the knight could not approach it on horseback. Lightly he sprang from his steed, and the bear, seeing his approach, once more took flight. So swift, however, w

re cooking by the great fire. There was a clatter of iron pots, and burning brands were strewed about. Many goodly dishes were spoiled. The King gave order to slip the hounds that were on leash. Taking their bows and spears, the warriors set off in chase of the bear-but they feared to shoot at it through fear of w

No suspicion had Siegfried that he was doomed, for his heart was pure of all deceit.

If this is the manner in which you treat good hunters, certes,

not, Siegfried, for the fault is Hagen's

ethought we were to hunt to-day at Spessart and thither did I send the wine

wine lacks, then must we have water. We

ing of S

"I know of a cool spring close at hand. If

ring to draw him away from the company so that none else would follow them, said to him as they were setti

er, and see who wins there first. If I lose I will lay me before you in the gra

ff they set. But Siegfried easily passed them and arrived at the lime-tree where was

o drink also. But the false Hagen, carrying his bow and sword out of reach, sprang back and gripped

. Deeply did the blade pierce through the spot where lay the secret mark, so that the blood spurted out on

is shield. This he picked up from the water's edge and ran at Hagen, who might not escape him, for, sore wounded as he was, so mightily did he smite

He could not stand upright. Down he crashed among the flowers; fast flowed h

you done by your friends, for sons of yours as yet unborn will feel the weight of this deed. Yo

lso wept. But the dying man, turning to him, said: "Does he weep for the evil from who

our care is past. Who will now withstand us?

, O king," he said to Gunther. "I saved thy life and honour. But if thou canst show truth to any

watched him, and as he became

to come," he groaned, "for know, all of ye,

uggled grimly with death, but too deep had

and took counsel with one another how they sh

all hide this thing, and hold to one tale: that is, that as

elf bear him back to Burgundy. It is li

hild'

of treachery. Kriemhild secretly vowed a terrible revenge and would not quit the land where her beloved spouse was buried. For four years she spake never a word to Gunther or Hagen, but sat silent and sad in a chamber near the minster where Siegfried was buried. Gunther sent for the Nibelungen treasure for the purpose of pr

of Nibelungs, as Siegfried was called Lord of the Nibelungs on first possessing the hoard, and for this reason that pa

tterly cherished every hostile act committed against her by her uncle Hagen and her brothers,

d Marrie

permitted to interview Kriemhild. At first she would not hear of the marriage, but when Rüdiger expressed his surprise at the manner in which she was treated in her own country, and hinted that if she were to wed with Etzel she would be guarded against such insulting conduct, she consented. But first she made Rüdiger swear to avenge her wrongs, and this he did lightly, thinking it merely a woman's whim which would pass away after marriage. She accompanied Rüdiger to the court of Etzel, stopping at his castle of Bech

vengeance had now arrived. To this end she induced Etzel to invite her brethren and Hagen to his court at Vienna. At first the Burgundians liked the hospitable message well, but suspicion of it was sown in their minds by Hagen, who gu

Jo

such a rich and noble retinue. Well might one see that these were princes. On the twelfth day they came to the banks of the Danube, Hagen riding in the van. He dismounted on the river's sandy sho

rd. See ye not that the river is swollen and its flood i

e the King. "Meeter were it for thee to sear

rown in these broad waves. Better that men should die by my sword in Etzel's lan

g not far off some women were bathing. Hagen spied them and crept stealthily toward them.

wish to find a ferry. Now give to us our garments and we will show you where one is." They breasted the waves like swans. Once more

his speech. Back he handed

word of mine aunt, for she has sore deceived thee. Go not to Etzel's land, for the

for how should it be that all of us d

shall live, save the King's chaplain, who alone w

ould Gunther and his lords believe me should I tell

n you from your journey. See you yonder inn by the w

and his brother, Knight Gelfrat, will make it go hard with you an ye cross their dominions. Guard you carefully and deal wisely with the ferryman, for he is li

ound an inn upon the farther shore. Loudly he called across the flood. "Come fo

e as proud as he. They heard Hagen calling, but recked not of it. Loudly did he call ac

se lands because of a great feud." As he spake he raised his sp

cross, but when he arrived at the farther ba

Amelrich, but you are not like him whom I thought to be here, fo

ng with his rudder oar, which broke over Hagen's head. But the warrior smote him so fiercely with his sword that he struck his head off and cast it on the ground. The skiff began to drift down the stream, and Hagen, wading into the water, had much ado to secure it and bring it back. With m

gage were placed in the skiff, and Hagen, playing the steersman, ferried full many mighty warriors into the unknown land.

the relics, and recalling that the wise women had told him that only this priest would return and n

d his comrades. Giselher grew

n, what availeth you the chaplain's dea

nce more he came to the surface, and this time he was carried by the force of the waves to the sandy shore. Then Hagen knew we

, Hagen broke it in pieces and cast it into the flood. When asked wherefore he had done

ould turn his back on the Huns, when he cometh

y gifts upon them, bestowing upon Gernot his favourite sword, on Gunther a noble suit of armour, and on Hagen a famous shield. He accompanied the strangers to the court of Etzel, where they were met first of all b

good journey to this

ild's

ye me from Worms beyond the Rhine that ye should be so welcome to me here? Where have ye put the Nib

by his liege lords to sink it in the Rh

. The Queen, alarmed, desired that all weapons should be placed in her charge, but to this Hagen demurred, and

was greatly abashed at this, and without speaking a word she left the company; but ere she went she darted furious glances upon them, from which they well saw with what a dangerous foe they had to deal. King Etzel then asked who

ts M

of Aquitaine. Indeed, the great German epic contains repeated allusions to th

lled by accident in a tournament, but Etzel protected his Burgundian guests. At length Blodelin was bribed by Kriemhild to attack Dankwart with a thousand followers. Dankwart's men were all slain, but he himself made good his escape by

"for as ye sit there our knights and

e this deed?"

he breathes no longer, for myself

for him," replied the grim Hagen; "but,

rt carelessly. "The blood is that of other men, so man

so that not a single Hun may escape. I will hold parley with t

ankwart; "I shall play ye the part of cham

ing of the

e, but without avail; and the terrible conflict continued till nightfall, when a truce was called. From his place of vantage in the hall Giselher reproached his sister with her treachery, and Kriemhild offered to spare her brothers if they would consent to give up Hagen. But this offer they contemptuously refused, holding death preferable to such dishonour. Kriemhild, in her bitter hate, set the hall on fire, and most of the Burgundians perished in the conflagration. Kriemhild and the Huns were astounded, however, when in the morning they discovered six hundred of the Burgundians were still alive. The queen appealed to Rüdiger to complete the slaughter, but he, aghast at the idea of attacking friends whom he had sworn to protect, was about to refuse, when Kriemhi

ch Int

and. He felt a heroic mood inspire him, a good sword was in his hand, and a sto

esires to join battle with us after his great sorrow. To-day shall

refore have ye treated me so? All my men are gone, I am bereft of all good, Knight Rüdiger the brave and true is slain. Why have ye done these things? Never should I have worked you such sorrow. Think on yourselve

ot your men come to this hall armed fro

said the hero. "Gunther, thou hast fought well. Yield thee now as hostage,

ll unfettered and we are only two. Would

n," said Dietrich earnestly. "Yield thee, I beg,

en angrily. "Such a tale shall never be told

od, Dietrich snatched up his shield. A moment later Hagen's sword rang on his helm, but the Lord of Bern guarded him well against the dreadful blows. Warily did he guard him against Hagen's mighty falchion Balmung. At last he dealt Hagen a wound deep and wide. But he did not wish to slay him, desiring rather to have such a hero as hostage. Casting away his shield, in his arms

her of all that he had done against her. "Let him not suffer," said he, "because

d bound him. Then was he too taken before Kriemhild, and once again the noble Dietrich begged a life from the Queen. This she gladly promised, but treachery was in her heart. Then went she to Hagen and said to him that if he would return the Nibelungs' treasure to her he might still go home safe and sound to Burgundy. The grim champion answered that she wasted her words, and that he had sworn an oath not to show the hoard

nd Gernot also. Now none knoweth of the treasure sav

of Hagen a

ill have ye requited me, Sir Hagen," she cried fiercely, and drawing the sword of Siegfr

should die bound and by the hands of a woman. Here lieth the best of knights that ever cam

e to pass, "Little shall it profit her that she hath slain him so f

ldebrand clove her in twain. The victims of fate lay still. Sorely wept Dietrich and Etzel. So ended the high feast in death

t Lorch, and the Drachenfels, or Dragon's Rock, is on the banks of the Rhine. Singularly enough, however, if we desire a full survey of the Nibelungenlied story, we have to supplement it from earlier versions in use among the peoples of Scandinavia and Iceland. These are distinctly of a more simple and early form than the German versions, and it is to be assumed that they represent the original Nibelungenlied story, which was preserved faithfully in the North, whereas the f

olsun

animal. Loki in his turn obtained the ransom from the dwarf Andwari, who had stolen it from the river-gods of the Rhine. The dwarf, incensed at losing the treasure, pronounced a most dreadful curse upon it and its possessors, saying that

came under the tutelage of Regin, the son of Hreithmar and brother of Fafnir, received the magic steed Grani from the king, and then was requested by Regin to assist him in obtaining the treasure guarded by Fafnir. After forging a sword for himself out of the fragments of a blade left by his father Siegmund, he avenged his father's death and then set out to attack Faf

r than anyone in the world. The birds further betrayed Regin's evil intentions, and advised Sigurd to kill him. Seeing his danger, Sigurd went to where Regin was and cut off his head and ate Fafnir's heart. Following once again the advice of the birds, he brought the treasure from the cave and then journeyed to the mountain Hindarfjall, where he rescued the sleeping Valkyr, Brynhild or Brunhild, who had been pierced by the sleep-thorn of Woden and lay in slumber clad in full armour within a

r Rhine. Three sons had he, Gunnar, Hogni, and Gutthorm, and a daughter Gudrun, a maiden of exquisite beau

ced forgetfulness of the war-maiden, so that he accepted the hand of Gudrun which Giuki offered him. The marriage was

le. Gunnar attempted to pierce the flames, but was unable to do so even when seated on Sigurd's horse, for Grani would not stir, knowing well that it was not his master who urged him on. At last they made use of a potion that had been given them by Grimhild, and Sigurd, in the shape of Gunnar, rode through the wall of fire. He explained to the war-maiden that he was the son of Giuki and had come to claim her hand. The destiny laid upon her by Woden co

ed to her bed, and when Gunnar inquired what ailed her, asked him if he recalled the circumstances of their wooing, and how Sigurd, and not he, rode through the flames to win her. So furious was she at the dreadful insult which had been placed upon her by Gudrun that she attempted to take Gunnar's life. She still loved Sigurd, and could never forgive Gunnar and his sister for robbing her of him. So terrible was her grief that she sank into a deep slumber in which she remained for seven days, no one daring to waken her. Finally Sigurd succeeded in doing so, and she lamented to him how cruelly she had been deceived; she declared that he and she had been destined for one a

deterred from slaying him by the hero's penetrating glance. The third time, however, he found him asleep and pierced him with his sword. Sigurd awoke and hurled his own sword after Gutthorm, cutting him in two. He then died, stating that he knew Brunhild to be the instigator of the murder. Gudrun's grief was frantic, and at this Brunhild laughed aloud as

's Adv

court. But Gudrun sent a message of warning to her brother. The runes which composed this, however, were so manipulated by Vingi, one of the messengers, that they read as a harmless invitation instead of a warning, and this Gunnar and Hogni determined to accept. They reached Atli's court in due season, and as they arrived Vingi disclosed his true character, stating that he had lured them into a snare. Hogni slew him, and as they rode to Atli's

as that of a coward. They then cut out Hogni's heart, and Gunnar, seeing that this was indeed the heart of a prince, was glad, for now he alone knew where the treasure of the Rhinegold was hid, and he vowed that Atli should never know of its whereabouts. In great wrath the Hunnish monarch o

g she killed her two sons, Erp and Eitil, and served their flesh at the banquet which the King was giving for his warriors. When

ng. He awoke through the pain of his wound, and was informed by Gudrun that she was his murderess. He bitterly reproached her, only to be told that she cared for no one but Sigurd. Atli's last request w

in certain songs in the Edda, but the Volsu

ns betwee

un are parallels with Gunther, Hagen, and Kriemhild-although, strangely enough, that name is also borne by Gudrun's mother in the Volsunga Saga. We will recall that the even

or Hi

ical training, that no story of any antiquity exists which does not contain a substantial substratum of mythical circumstance. So speedy is the crystallization of myth around the nucleus of historical fact, and so tenacious is its hold, that to disentangle it from the factors of reality is a task of the most extreme difficulty, requiring careful handling by scholars who possess a wide and accurate knowledge of mythological processes. Even to-day, when studen

spell rendered her unconscious until awakened by Siegfried. There are many other mythological factors in the story, and either a diurnal or seasonal myth may be indicated by it. But it would require a separate volume to set forth the arguments in favour of a partial mythological origin of the Nibelungenlied. One point is to be especially observed-a point which we have not so far seen noted in a controversy where it

torical

oper epochs and grouped around this nucleus. Thus the murder of Segeric, which happened eighty-nine years later, and the murder of Attila by his Burgundian wife Ildico, are torn from their proper historical surroundings and fitted into the story. Boer, on the other hand, will not have it that there is any mythology at all in the Nibelungenlied, and, according to him, the nucleus of the legend is an old story of the murder of relatives. This became grafted on the Siegfried legend according to some authorities, but Boer will not admit this, and presents a number of arguments to disprove the mythical character of the Siegfried story. The reasoning is ingenious, but by no means valuable. We kno

Kl

her, or at all events himself. They are received with great rejoicing-Gotelint and her daughter think "both to receive love without sorrow, as often before, from beloved glances." The young margravine has a foreboding of evil at seeing the messengers so few-only seven. Then her mother tells her of an evil dream which she has had, and she in turn has to tell of another which has come to herself. Meanwhile the messengers are at hand, and are observed to be sad. They give to Rüdiger's wife the false tidings of peace which they have been instructed to relate, and the younger lady wonders that her father should have sent no message to herself specially. The ladies continue to question the messengers about Kriemhild: how has she received her brother? what did she say to Hagen? what to Gunther? How is it, asks the younger one, that Giselher has sent her never a message? Each lying answer costs the speaker more and more sorrow, and at last his tears begin to flow. The young margravine exclaims that there must be ill news, that evil has befallen them, and that the guests and her father must be dead. As she speaks one of the messengers can contain himself no longer, an

r of A

lusions to it. Founded upon traditional materials collected and edited by some gifted occupant of the cloister, it opens in the grand manner by telling how the empire of the Huns had already lasted for more than a thousand years, when Attila invaded the territory of the Franks, ruled over by Gibicho. Gibicho, trembling for his throne, by the advice of his counsellors determined to pay tribute and give hostages to the terrible Hun; but

stage to the Huns. Better that one should suffer than that the realm should be laid waste." The Huns accepted Hildegund as a hostage, and with much treasure turned their faces wes

had won in war. Life was pleasant for the youthful hostages, but one day news came to the ear of Attila that Gibicho was dead and that Gunther was his successor. Learning this, Hagen succeeded in making his escape by night, and fearing that Walthar would follow his example, Attila's queen suggested to her husband that he should marry the youthful warrior, who had greatly distinguished himself at the head of the Huns, to a Hunnish maiden. But Walthar had no mind for such a match and declared

le, was anxious to escape, and would have fled ere this but that it grieved him to leave

aid; "I am ready for his lov

hey filled two chests with Hunnish money in the shape of golden rings, placed four pairs of sandals

Es

e clear and the tables removed, he handed to the king a splendid carven goblet, full to the brim of the richest and oldest wine. This Attila emptied at a draught, a

and taking with them some food for the journey, set off. Hildegund took the reins, Walthar in full armour sitting behind her. All night they did not draw rein, and during the day they hid in the gloomy woods. At ever

e pair had escaped, made loud wail through the palace. Angry and bewildered, Attila could touch neither food nor drink. Enraged at the manner in which he had been deceived, he offered great gifts to him who would bring back

the forest, they beheld the silver Rhine gleaming in the sunlight and spied the towers of Worms. At length he found a ferry, but, fearing to make gossip in the vicinity, he paid the ferryman with fishes, which he had previously caught. The ferryman, as it chanced, sold the fish to the king's cook, who dressed them and placed t

ne other than my comrade Walthar

s clear that by him the Almighty sends me

m twelve of his bravest chiefs besides Hagen, who sough

e

it haunt for bandits, carpeted with green moss. But little sleep had Walthar known since his escape from the Hunland, so, spying this cool retreat, he crept inside it to rest. Putting off his heavy armour, he placed his head on Hildegund's lap, bidding her keep watch and wake him by a touch if she

y her; but Walthar smilingly bade her be of good cheer, as he had recognized Hagen's helm. He was evidently aware, however, of the purpose for which he had been followed, an

illo, the prefect of Metz, was sent to him for this purpose. Camillo told him that if he would give up hi

e will not oppose my passage I will present

h tore off one of the king's legs in conflict, and put out one of his own eyes when he came to Gunther's aid. Gunthe

d. "I will stay here and se

all of which end in his triumph. The sixth champion he had to meet was Patavrid, sister's son to Hagen, who vainly endeavoured to restrain him, but who also was worsted, an

e narrowness of the path they could not come at him with any better succe

was moved by Gunther's description of the manner in which his kinsfolk had been slain by Walthar. Hagen's advice was to lure Walthar in

maining in the cave till the morning, so after placing bushes around the mouth o

h she was tired herself, Hildegund kept awake by singing in a low tone. After his first sleep Walthar rose refreshed, and bidding Hildegund rest herself, he stood leaning upon his spear, keeping guard at the cave-mouth. When morning had come he loaded four of the hor

althar to flee. But that he would not do, saying: "If honour falls, shame shall attend my last hour." He bade her take the reins of Lio

, he should depart rich, his shield full of red gold. Irritated at such an offer, Hagen replied that he would not be deluded, and that for Walthar's slaying of his kinsmen he must have vengeance. So saying, he hurled his spear at Walthar, which the latter avoided. Gunther then cast a shaft which was equally harmless. Then, drawing their swords and covering themselves with their shields, the Franks sought to close with the Aquitainian, who kept them

ke of his spear carried away a part of his armour. Then with a marvellous blow of his sword he smote off the king's leg as far as the thigh. He would have dispatched him with a second

d drawing with his left hand a Hunnish half-sword girt to his right side, he struck at Hagen so fiercely that he bereft him of his right eye, cutting deep into the temple and lips and striking out six of his teeth. But neither might fight

cracked many a joke over th

ill thy right-hand glove with soft wool, that thou mayest deceive the game with the semblance of a hand. But what sayest

ops of heroes with a side glance. When thou gettest thee home, make thee

ore him back to Worms, whilst Walthar and Hildegund pursued their way

behold, my blunted pen refuses to mark. Thou whosoever readest this, forgive a chirping cricket. Weigh not a yet rough vo