The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) by Cyril Edwards Page A
Authors: Cyril Edwards
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Nibelungs, with the good sword which
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was called Balmunc. Because of the mighty fear that great numbers of young warriors had of that sword and its bold bearer, they made the land and its castles subject to him. Moreover, he slew both the powerful kings.
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After that he met with great danger from Albrich, who wanted to avenge his lords at once there, until he found what great strength Sivrit possessed. The strong dwarf could not match him in battle
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then. Like wild lions they ran to the mountain, where he afterwards gained the cloak of invisibility from Albrich. Then Sivrit, that fearsome fighter, became lord over the hoard. Those who had dared
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to fight there all lay slain. He quickly gave the order that the treasure becarried and carted to the cave from which Nibelunc’s men had previously taken it. Mighty Albrich then became chamberlain in charge of the treasure. He had to swear oaths to serve Sivrit as his vassal.
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He was ready to do his bidding in all things.’ Those were Hagen of Tronege’s words. ‘That is what he has achieved. Never did any warrior gain such great strength. I know yet more about him: that
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hero’s hands slew a dragon. He bathed in the blood—his skin turned horny. Therefore no sword can cut him, as has often been shown.
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We must give the lord a good welcome to avoid earning the young warrior’s enmity in any way. He is so bold that he ought to be kept on friendly terms. He has performed so many marvels, thanks to his great strength.’
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Then the powerful king said: ‘You may well be right. Look now, how warrior-like he stands, ready for battle, both he and his knights—that valiant man. We must go down to him, to meet the warrior.’
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‘You may do so without dishonour,’ replied Hagen. ‘He is of noble kin, a powerful king’s son. He stands there with such an air that, Christ knows, it seems to me that no small matters have caused him to ride here!’
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Then the king of that land said: ‘Now let him be welcome here. He is noble and bold, as I have clearly heard. Nor shall he lose by that in Burgundy.’
Then Lord Gunther walked over to Sivrit. The host and his warriors
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gave the stranger such a welcome that very little was lacking in their courtesy. The handsome man bowed to them in thanks for their having greeted him so splendidly.
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‘I wonder, noble Sivrit, where you have come from,’ said the king at once, ‘riding into this land, or what your purpose is in Worms by the Rhine.’
Then the stranger said to the king: ‘That shall not be concealed from you. In my father’s land I was told that alongside you here are
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the boldest warriors that a king ever gained—I’d gladly learn if this is true! I’ve heard a great deal about this. That is why I have come here. Moreover, I have heard such bravery imputed to you yourself
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that no bolder king may ever have been seen. People talk much about this all over these lands. Now I will not rest until I have found this out for myself. I am also a warrior and was myself to wear a crown. *
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I would have it that people say of me that I rightfully possess both people and land. My honour, and my head, too, shall be the pledgefor that. Now you are so bold, so I am told, that I don’t care whether
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anyone likes it or not—I will win by force from you all that you may have. Your lands and castles shall be subject to me!’
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The king marvelled, as did his men, at what they heard there, that Sivrit was intent on taking his lands from him. His knights heard this—at that, anger made their acquaintance.
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‘How might I have deserved,’ said Sir Gunther, ‘that we should lose what my father long maintained in all honour by any one man’s strength? That would be a poor way for us to show that we also practise chivalry.’
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‘I will have it no other way,’ said bold Sivrit. ‘Unless your land can be protected by your valour, I shall rule over it all, as well
94
was called Balmunc. Because of the mighty fear that great numbers of young warriors had of that sword and its bold bearer, they made the land and its castles subject to him. Moreover, he slew both the powerful kings.
95
After that he met with great danger from Albrich, who wanted to avenge his lords at once there, until he found what great strength Sivrit possessed. The strong dwarf could not match him in battle
96
then. Like wild lions they ran to the mountain, where he afterwards gained the cloak of invisibility from Albrich. Then Sivrit, that fearsome fighter, became lord over the hoard. Those who had dared
97
to fight there all lay slain. He quickly gave the order that the treasure becarried and carted to the cave from which Nibelunc’s men had previously taken it. Mighty Albrich then became chamberlain in charge of the treasure. He had to swear oaths to serve Sivrit as his vassal.
98
He was ready to do his bidding in all things.’ Those were Hagen of Tronege’s words. ‘That is what he has achieved. Never did any warrior gain such great strength. I know yet more about him: that
99
hero’s hands slew a dragon. He bathed in the blood—his skin turned horny. Therefore no sword can cut him, as has often been shown.
100
We must give the lord a good welcome to avoid earning the young warrior’s enmity in any way. He is so bold that he ought to be kept on friendly terms. He has performed so many marvels, thanks to his great strength.’
101
Then the powerful king said: ‘You may well be right. Look now, how warrior-like he stands, ready for battle, both he and his knights—that valiant man. We must go down to him, to meet the warrior.’
102
‘You may do so without dishonour,’ replied Hagen. ‘He is of noble kin, a powerful king’s son. He stands there with such an air that, Christ knows, it seems to me that no small matters have caused him to ride here!’
103
Then the king of that land said: ‘Now let him be welcome here. He is noble and bold, as I have clearly heard. Nor shall he lose by that in Burgundy.’
Then Lord Gunther walked over to Sivrit. The host and his warriors
104
gave the stranger such a welcome that very little was lacking in their courtesy. The handsome man bowed to them in thanks for their having greeted him so splendidly.
105
‘I wonder, noble Sivrit, where you have come from,’ said the king at once, ‘riding into this land, or what your purpose is in Worms by the Rhine.’
Then the stranger said to the king: ‘That shall not be concealed from you. In my father’s land I was told that alongside you here are
106
the boldest warriors that a king ever gained—I’d gladly learn if this is true! I’ve heard a great deal about this. That is why I have come here. Moreover, I have heard such bravery imputed to you yourself
107
that no bolder king may ever have been seen. People talk much about this all over these lands. Now I will not rest until I have found this out for myself. I am also a warrior and was myself to wear a crown. *
108
I would have it that people say of me that I rightfully possess both people and land. My honour, and my head, too, shall be the pledgefor that. Now you are so bold, so I am told, that I don’t care whether
109
anyone likes it or not—I will win by force from you all that you may have. Your lands and castles shall be subject to me!’
110
The king marvelled, as did his men, at what they heard there, that Sivrit was intent on taking his lands from him. His knights heard this—at that, anger made their acquaintance.
111
‘How might I have deserved,’ said Sir Gunther, ‘that we should lose what my father long maintained in all honour by any one man’s strength? That would be a poor way for us to show that we also practise chivalry.’
112
‘I will have it no other way,’ said bold Sivrit. ‘Unless your land can be protected by your valour, I shall rule over it all, as well
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