Epic poetry, German -- Translations into English; Nibelungen -- Poetry
Then of her train one answered: "I needs must own, O Queen,
That of yonder company no man heretofore have I seen;
Yet amidst them is one man standing who beareth Siegfried's guise;
And in loyal love I counsel, receive him in gracious wise.
And the second his comrade appeareth so worship-worthy to me,
That if haply he wield power royal, a king may he verily be
Over princely domains far-stretching, if he hold such sway indeed;
For he stands mid the rest, meseemeth, as one of royal seed.
For the third of these faring-fellows, he seemeth stern of mien,
Yet none the less of stateliest stature, O mighty Queen.
Swift, keen be his glances as lightning, and flash still to and fro:
Dour and quick unto anger his spirit shall be, I trow.
For the youngest, of all praise worthy he seemeth in mine eyes.
A gallant knight we account him, yet withal of such winsome guise
That the grace of a maiden shineth through all his mien high-born;
Yet verily might all tremble to deal to him scathe or scorn.
For all his gentle bearing and his goodlihead withal,
Yet many a comely woman should weep for her lover's fall,
If his wrath to the battle were kindled: right sinewy-shapen is he,
In all manner of knightly virtues a flower of chivalry."
Then spake that Daughter of Princes: "Bring royal raiment to me.
Now if yon mighty Siegfried to my country be come oversea
To seek my love in his wooing, he imperilleth his life.
Nowise I dread him so sorely as to stoop to be his wife!"
{P. 57}
So Brunhild the passing lovely full soon was splendour-arrayed;
And there in her train paced hallward many a winsome maid:
Five-score, nay more peradventure, all costly-vestured came:
And to look on the guests with Brunhild went many a noble dame.
To right and to left went marching strong thanes of Isenland,
Vassal-knights of Brunhild, each man with his sword in his hand,
Five hundred, yea more, it may be--for the guests an evil sight!
Then rose from their seats at her coming the Four, those men of
might.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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