Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/196

138 “Awake, Sir Siegmund; Kriemhild, my lady, bade me go to fetch you. A wrong hath been done her that doth cut her to the heart, more than all other ills. Ye must help her mourn, for much it doth concern you.”

Siegmund sat up; he spake: “What are fair Kriemhild’s ills, of which thou tellest me?”

Weeping the messenger spake: “I cannot hide them from you; alas, bold Siegfried of Netherland is slain.”

Quoth Siegmund: “For my sake let be this jesting and such evil tales, that thou shouldst tell any that he be dead, for I might never bewail him fully before my death.”

“If ye will believe naught of what ye hear me say, then you may hear yourself Kriemhild and all her maids bewailing Siegfried’s death.”

Siegmund then was sore affrighted, as indeed he had great need. He and a hundred of his men sprang from their beds and grasped with their hands their long sharp swords. In sorrow they ran toward the sound of wail. Then came a thousand men-at-arms, bold Siegfried’s men. When they heard the ladies wail so pitifully, some first grew ware that they should dress them. Forsooth they lost their wits for very sorrow. Great heaviness was buried in their hearts.

Then King Siegmund came to where he found Kriemhild. He spake: “Alas for the journey hither to this land! Who hath so foully bereft me of my child and you of your husband among such good friends?”

“Oh, if I knew him,“ spake the noble wife, “neither my heart nor soul would ever wish him well. I would