The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 09: Friedrich Hebbel and Otto Ludwig
General
The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 09: Friedrich Hebbel and Otto Ludwig
German literature -- 19th century -- Translations into English; German literature -- 20th century -- Translations into English
I fain would weep myself. Yet of his death
You've heard already? By the holy words
Of our good priest you were to learn of this.
I went to tell him in the night.
UTE (_with a motion of the head_).
Thou see'st
The dead man told his story for himself.
GUNTHER (_aside to DANKWART_).
But how was this?
DANKWART.
My brother bore him here!
GUNTHER.
For shame!
DANKWART.
From his intent he'd not desist,
And when he came again he laughed and said:
This is my gratitude for his farewell.
SCENE VII
_Enter the Chaplain._
GUNTHER (_going to meet him_).
Too late!
CHAPLAIN.
And such a man slain in the woods!
DANKWART.
The robber's spear was guided by blind chance,
So that it struck the spot. In such a way
A child may kill a giant.
UTE (_still busying herself with the maidens over KRIEMHILD_).
Rise, Kriemhild!
KRIEMHILD.
Another parting? No, I'll cling to him,
And to the grave together will we go,
Or you must leave him here. But half my love
I gave him living. Now that he is dead
I know it. Were it the reverse! His eyes
I never yet had kissed! All, all is new!
We thought we'd time before us.
UTE.
Come my child!
We cannot leave him lying in the dust.
KRIEMHILD. Oh that is true! The costliest and rarest
Today shall be as naught.
[_She rises._]
Here, take the keys!
[_She throws down keys._]
There'll be no festivals again! The silk,
The wondrous golden garments, and the linen--
Bring everything. Be sure to gather flowers--
He loved them so! And you must cut them all,
Even the little buds that have not bloomed.
For whom then should they blossom? Lay them all
Within his coffin, then my bridal robes,
And lay him softly down, and I'll do so,
[_She stretches out her arms._]
And I will be his covering!
GUNTHER (_to his followers_).
Your oath!
Let no one harm her more.
KRIEMHILD (_turns around_).
The murderer's here?
Away, for fear the blood should flow again!
No! No! Come here!
[_She lays hold of DANKWART._]
That Siegfried may bear witness!
[_She wipes her hand on her dress._]
Alas, alas! My right hand nevermore
May dare to touch him. Does the blood gush forth?
O Mother, look! I cannot! No? Then these
But hide the deed. I seek the murderer.
If Hagen Tronje's here, let him come forth!
He is not guilty--I'll give him my hand.
UTE.
My child--
KRIEMHILD.
Now go and hear Brunhilda laugh.
She's eating too, and drinking.
UTE.
It was robbers--
KRIEMHILD.
I know them well.
[_She takes GISELHER and GERENOT by the hand._]
Thou wast not with them there!
Thou didst not go!
UTE.
But hear me!
RUMOLT.
Through the wood
We had been scattered; for it was his wish,
And 'tis our custom too. We found him dying
At our next meeting place.
KRIEMHILD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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