Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/315

XXIII.]

She would not be persuaded to be content with aught

But that the child of Etzel should to the font be brought,

With Christian rites according. Ortlieb they named the boy:

Which all through Etzel’s country was cause of mickle joy.

Whatever noble virtues in Lady Helka lay,

To match them dame Kriemhilda aye studied, day by day.

The customs soon were taught her, by Herrat, maid forlorn,

Who with a secret longing for Helka still did mourn.

To native folk and strangers she now was widely known:

Twas said of her, that never did any king’s land own

A better, milder mistress; right sure of this they were.

Such fame she bore in Hunsland until the thirteenth year.

Now since she knew for certain that none would her gainsay

E’en as kings’ warriors mostly their princes’ wives obey,—

And as twelve kings before her were ever seen to come,

She thought on all the sorrows that she had known at home.

She thought, too, of the honours that once in Niblungland

Had been in her possession; and which by Hagen’s hand,

At time of Siegfried’s murder, were wholly done away:

And whether he might ever for that be made to pay.

“It might be, could I bring him by some means to this land.”

She dreamt that she was walking, and near her, close at hand,

Was Giselher, her brother, and in her gentle sleep

She kissed him very often. He soon had cause to weep!