Epics and Romances of the Middle AgesWägner, Wilhelm
History
Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages
Wägner, Wilhelm
Literature, Medieval; Romances
Laurin then returned to the hall, filled the goblets of the warriors
from a particular jar, and entreated them to drink the wine, which
would insure them a good night’s rest. They did so, and immediately
their heads sank upon their breasts, and a heavy drugged sleep fell
upon them. Then turning to the queen, Laurin desired her to go to her
room, for these men must die in punishment for the wreck they had made
of his rose-garden; adding that her brother was safely locked up in a
distant room, that he might escape the fate of his comrades. Künhild
wept aloud, and said that she would die if he carried out his cruel
purpose. He gave her no distinct answer, but reiterated his command.
As soon as the queen had retired, he sounded his horn, and immediately
five giants and a number of dwarfs hurried into the room. He commanded
them to bind the warriors so tight with cords that they could not move
when they awoke. After that he had them dragged to a dungeon, where
they might remain until he should decide their fate next morning.
Having seen his orders carried out, he went to bed, and began to think
whether it would be better to let the men off to please the queen, or
to punish them for their evil deed. The last seemed to him the wiser
plan, and he fell asleep, gloating over the intended slaughter of his
helpless victims.
Dietrich awoke soon after midnight; he felt that he was bound hand and
foot, and called to his comrades for aid; but they were as powerless as
he. Then Dietrich’s wrath was roused to such a pitch, that his fiery
breath burnt the cords that bound one hand, and left it free. After
that, it was a matter of little difficulty to untie the knots at his
wrist and feet, and then to set his comrades at liberty. What was to be
done now? They could not break open their dungeon door. They had
neither weapon nor coat of mail. They were helpless victims. At this
very moment, while they were looking at each other in despair, they
were startled by hearing a woman’s voice asking in a low whisper if
they were yet alive.
“We thank you, noble queen,” answered Hildebrand, “we are alive and
well, but totally unarmed.”
So Künhild opened the door, and appeared on the threshold with her
brother. She placed her finger on her lips to enforce silence, and led
the way to where the heroes’ armour was piled. As soon as they were
ready, the queen gave each of them a ring, by means of which he could
see the dwarfs, even when they wore their caps of darkness.
“Hurrah!” cried Wolfhart. “We can make as much noise as we like, now
that we have our armour on, and our weapons in our hands.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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