XI. How Siegfried and his Wife journeyed Home

 Now so soon as the guests of Gunther had wended all away,

Then spake the Son of Siegmund unto them of his vassal-array:

“Time is it we made us ready to our fatherland to ride.”

Right glad to hear that saying was the heart of Kriemhild the bride.

Then spake she unto her husband: “How soon is thy mind to depart?

So hastily hence to be faring is nowise after mine heart,

Ere my brethren divide me my portion of the land of Burgundy.”

But vexed¹ was the soul of Siegfried that such her desire should be.

Then came unto him the Princes, and with one voice spake all three:

“We do thee to wit, Lord Siegfried, that for aye are we bound unto thee

In loyalty² of service, so long as life shall remain.”

Unto this their gracious tender low bowed that royal thane.

“We will give thee withal thy portion,” the young lord Giselher cried,

“Of all that we hold in possession, of our castles and manors³ wide,

And of all this mighty⁴ kingdom the rule whereof we claim.

Yea, thou receivest with Kriemhild thine own full share of the same.”

Made answer then to the Princes the son of Siegmund the King,

When he heard the speech of their kindness and their royal offering:

“God seal unto you by His blessing⁵ your heritage all your life,

And therewithal its people: but this my beloved wife,

No need hath she of the portion that ye so freely would give.

Where she shall reign⁶ a crowned queen—if to see that day we live—

There shall she be far richer than any the wide world through.

For all that beside ye have proffered⁷ I am ever beholden to you.”

Then answered the Lady Kriemhild: “Though lightly thou reck of my land,

As touching⁹ the thanes Burgundian not so doth the matter stand:

For the escort-royal homeward these may no king disdain¹⁰.

Let my loving brethren give me of these for my princely train.”

{p. 95}

Answered and spake Lord Gernot: “Whomsoever thou wilt¹¹, take thou.

Thou shalt find here many that gladly will ride with thee, I trow.

There be good knights¹³ thirty hundred; take thee a thousand of these

For thy palace-retainers.” Kriemhild ’gan send forth¹⁴ messages

Unto Hagen of Troneg and Ortwein, and asked that mighty twain

If they and their kinsmen¹⁵ accepted Kriemhild for suzerain.

But an answer of scornful anger from Hagen her message won:

“Unto no one on earth can Gunther pass us as chattels¹⁶ on!

Let other escort-vassals with you on your journey go.

The Law of the Men of Troneg full well by this should ye know:

We be bound to abide¹⁷ with our liege-lord the King in hall and field,

And to them which have had our homage¹⁸, our homage ever to yield.”

So they spake no more of the matter, but they dight them for the way;

And Kriemhild took for escort of her noble palace-array

Two-and-thirty maidens¹⁹, and of knights five hundred men;

And Eckwart Lord of the Marches went forth with Kriemhild then.

All these took leave of their people, from the henchman unto the knight¹²,

The stately dame²⁰ and the handmaid, even as was meet and right:

With manifold clasping and kissing was wrought²¹ that sundering²².

So fared they forth blithe-hearted from the land of Gunther the King.

Far on the way with them kinsfolk for friendship and honour fared.

Unto Burgundy’s uttermost marches for their resting was lodging²³ prepared

Wheresoe’er in the land of Gunther they chose to abide for the night.

Therewithal to the old king Siegmund were messengers sent forthright²⁴,

To bear unto him the tidings and to Siegelind the Queen

That his son and the Daughter of Uta full soon at his gates should be seen,

Kriemhild the Fair, from the City of Worms, from the Rhine-stronghold.

Never could welcomer tidings in the ears of these be told.

“Happy am I,” cried Siegmund, “that I live to see the day

When in this land Kriemhild the Lovely shall be crowned for royal sway!

Henceforth shall my father’s kingdom yet higher in honour stand,

For now shall my son, my Siegfried, himself be king of the land.”

{p. 96}

Then Siegelind gave to the heralds²⁵ for vesture the velvet²⁶ red

And the massy gold and the silver, their guerdon for tidings sped.

She joyed beyond words for the story, she had gotten her heart’s desire.

And all her palace-maidens made ready their fairest attire²⁷.

Each told unto other what escort drew with Siegfried near;

And they gave command that the craftsmen²⁸ should the ranks of the high-seats rear

Wherefrom all friends should behold⁸ him crowned their king ere long.

Then rode forth onward²⁹ to meet them King Siegmund’s vassal-throng.

If ever was royaller welcome, thereof have I heard not yet

Than this wherewith were the heroes in the land of Siegmund met.

Forth to the meeting with Kriemhild did Siegfried’s mother ride

With many a lovely lady and valiant³⁰ knight at her side.

A day’s march rode they, or ever those guests they might behold.

Home-dwellers and far-comers alike were restless-souled

Till they met at the last by a fortress³¹ with towers encompassed³² round,

Xanten its name, where Siegfried and Kriemhild ere long should be crowned.

With smiling lips King Siegmund and Siegelind greeted there

With kisses on loving kisses Queen Uta’s daughter fair

And Siegfried the Knight—for his safety had their hearts been long in pain;—

And they gave withal glad welcome unto all his escort-train.

Into the hall of Siegmund the long-desired led they;

And unto the winsome³³ handmaids was many a hand straightway

Upreached, from the palfreys to lift them: knights many of high degree

Waited on those fair ladies with eager courtesy.

How splendid soever the bridal had been where Rhine-river flowed,

This day far goodlier raiment on the hero-guests they bestowed³⁴

For the marriage-feast, than ever had arrayed them in all their days.

Of the wealth of their kingdom marvels³⁵ are sung in the minstrels’ praise.

So sat they high in honour amid all that heart desired.

In what gold-broidered vesture were the palace-pages attired³⁶!

{p. 97}

With needlework laid were their garments and the gemstone’s starry³⁷ sheen

By the heedful care provided of Siegelind the Queen.

Then in his leal friends’ presence did Siegmund rise and say:

“Be it known unto all my lovers and all my folk this day

That from this hour forward Siegfried the crown of my lordship shall wear.”

And with joy that proclamation did the men of the Netherland hear.

Unto Siegfried his crown he committed, his land, and the power of the sword.

Henceforth was he lord and master: as he spake in judgment³⁸’s award,

As he visited for transgression³⁹, his word was the whole land’s law,

So that under the lord of Kriemhild all men bowed down in awe⁴⁰.

In the midst of such high honour he lived—this witness is true—

Doing crowned kings’ judgment and justice, till onward the tenth year drew.

And now to the fair Queen Kriemhild was born at the last a son

In whom for the kinsmen of Siegfried all hope and desire were won.

They bare to the font baptismal the babe, and they chose him a name,

The name of his uncle Gunther—thereof could he take no shame.

So he grew unto man like his kinsman⁴¹, a valiant lord should he be.

And with watchful⁴² love, as behoved them, they nurtured⁴³ him heedfully.

Now it came to pass that in those days did the Lady Siegelind die,

And to Uta’s noble daughter passed all her majesty⁴⁴,

As beseemed so royal a lady in the land where her lord bare sway:

Yet sorely for her they lamented⁴⁵ whom death had taken away.

Now also beside Rhine-river, as the olden minstrels sing,

In that fair land Burgundian unto Gunther the mighty king

The Queen, even Brunhild the lovely, had also borne a son.

Siegfried, for love of the Hero, they named that little one.

Ah, with what care exceeding they watched his childhood-days!

Wise warders Gunther appointed to rear him in wisdom’s ways,

Even all that for noble manhood and knightly⁴⁶ should stand him in stead.

—Ah me, what woes⁴⁷ from his kinsfolk lighted on that child’s head!

{p. 98}

Through the golden years was the story aye published far and wide

In what fashion those valiant barons⁴⁸ in princely pomp and pride

Lived in the land of Siegmund through the happy-fleeting days.

Yea, Gunther withal with his kinsfolk dwelt amid all men’s praise.

All the land of the Niblungs was bowed under Siegfried’s sway,

—Such wealth had none of his kinsfolk as gathered in that Hoard⁴⁹ lay—

With all the knights of Schilbung and the slain⁵⁰ kings’ treasure-store;

And for this cause heart-uplifted was the hero yet the more.

Yea, a Hoard, of treasures the hugest that ever hero won,

Save the lords that of old possessed⁵¹ it, had Siegfried gained for his own,

The which by the Misty⁵² Mountain his right hand took in fight,

When he dealt for its sake the death-stroke unto many a stalwart knight.

He was crowned with the fulness of honour—yea, had his portion been less,

Yet of that noble warrior⁵³ all men must needs confess

That of all knights this was the chiefest that ever backed a steed.

Men dreaded⁵⁴ his might—and reason had they in veriest deed!

1 vexed   

adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论

参考例句：

• The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
• He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

3 manors   

n.庄园（manor的复数形式）

参考例句：

• Manors were private estates of aristocrats or of distinction. 庄园是贵族与豪族的私人领地。 来自互联网
• These lands were parcelled into farms or manors. 这些土地被分成了农田和庄园。 来自互联网

4 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

5 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

6 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

7 proffered   

v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She proffered her cheek to kiss. 她伸过自己的面颊让人亲吻。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He rose and proffered a silver box full of cigarettes. 他站起身，伸手递过一个装满香烟的银盒子。 来自辞典例句

8 behold   

v.看，注视，看到

参考例句：

• The industry of these little ants is wonderful to behold.这些小蚂蚁辛勤劳动的样子看上去真令人惊叹。
• The sunrise at the seaside was quite a sight to behold.海滨日出真是个奇景。

9 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

10 disdain   

n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑

参考例句：

• Some people disdain labour.有些人轻视劳动。
• A great man should disdain flatterers.伟大的人物应鄙视献媚者。

11 wilt   

v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱

参考例句：

• Golden roses do not wilt and will never need to be watered.金色的玫瑰不枯萎绝也不需要浇水。
• Several sleepless nights made him wilt.数个不眠之夜使他憔悴。

12 knight   

n.骑士，武士；爵士

参考例句：

• He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
• A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

13 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

14 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

15 kinsmen   

n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Kinsmen are less kind than friends. 投亲不如访友。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• One deeply grateful is better than kinsmen or firends. 受恩深处胜亲朋。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学

16 chattels   

n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• An assignment is a total alienation of chattels personal. 动产转让是指属人动产的完全转让。 来自辞典例句
• Alan and I, getting our chattels together, struck into another road to reassume our flight. 艾伦和我收拾好我们的财物，急匆匆地走上了另一条路，继续过我们的亡命生活。 来自辞典例句

17 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。

18 homage   

n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬

参考例句：

• We pay homage to the genius of Shakespeare.我们对莎士比亚的天才表示敬仰。
• The soldiers swore to pay their homage to the Queen.士兵们宣誓效忠于女王陛下。

19 maidens   

处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• Transplantation is not always successful in the matter of flowers or maidens. 花儿移栽往往并不成功，少女们换了环境也是如此。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

20 dame   

n.女士

参考例句：

• The dame tell of her experience as a wife and mother.这位年长妇女讲了她作妻子和母亲的经验。
• If you stick around,you'll have to marry that dame.如果再逗留多一会，你就要跟那个夫人结婚。

21 wrought   

v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的

参考例句：

• Events in Paris wrought a change in British opinion towards France and Germany.巴黎发生的事件改变了英国对法国和德国的看法。
• It's a walking stick with a gold head wrought in the form of a flower.那是一个金质花形包头的拐杖。

22 sundering   

v.隔开，分开( sunder的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Where were now her discreet plans for sundering their lives for ever? 现在，她那个考虑周到的永远斩断他们之间生活联系的计划哪里去了呢？ 来自辞典例句

23 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

24 forthright   

adj.直率的，直截了当的 [同]frank

参考例句：

• It's sometimes difficult to be forthright and not give offence.又直率又不得罪人，这有时很难办到。
• He told me forthright just why he refused to take my side.他直率地告诉我他不肯站在我这一边的原因。

25 heralds   

n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要）

参考例句：

• The song of birds heralds the approach of spring. 百鸟齐鸣报春到。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountain. 山雨欲来风满楼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

26 velvet   

n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的

参考例句：

• This material feels like velvet.这料子摸起来像丝绒。
• The new settlers wore the finest silk and velvet clothing.新来的移民穿着最华丽的丝绸和天鹅绒衣服。

27 attire   

v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装

参考例句：

• He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。
• Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。

28 craftsmen   

n. 技工

参考例句：

• rugs handmade by local craftsmen 由当地工艺师手工制作的小地毯
• The craftsmen have ensured faithful reproduction of the original painting. 工匠保证要复制一幅最接近原作的画。

29 onward   

adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先

参考例句：

• The Yellow River surges onward like ten thousand horses galloping.黄河以万马奔腾之势滚滚向前。
• He followed in the steps of forerunners and marched onward.他跟随着先辈的足迹前进。

30 valiant   

adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人

参考例句：

• He had the fame of being very valiant.他的勇敢是出名的。
• Despite valiant efforts by the finance minister,inflation rose to 36%.尽管财政部部长采取了一系列果决措施，通货膨胀率还是涨到了36%。

31 fortress   

n.堡垒，防御工事

参考例句：

• They made an attempt on a fortress.他们试图夺取这一要塞。
• The soldier scaled the wall of the fortress by turret.士兵通过塔车攀登上了要塞的城墙。

32 encompassed   

v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括

参考例句：

• The enemy encompassed the city. 敌人包围了城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I have encompassed him with every protection. 我已经把他保护得严严实实。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

33 winsome   

n.迷人的，漂亮的

参考例句：

• She gave him her best winsome smile.她给了他一个最为迷人的微笑。
• She was a winsome creature.她十分可爱。

34 bestowed   

赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• It was a title bestowed upon him by the king. 那是国王赐给他的头衔。
• He considered himself unworthy of the honour they had bestowed on him. 他认为自己不配得到大家赋予他的荣誉。

35 marvels   

n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The doctor's treatment has worked marvels : the patient has recovered completely. 该医生妙手回春，病人已完全康复。 来自辞典例句
• Nevertheless he revels in a catalogue of marvels. 可他还是兴致勃勃地罗列了一堆怪诞不经的事物。 来自辞典例句

36 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

37 starry   

adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的

参考例句：

• He looked at the starry heavens.他瞧着布满星星的天空。
• I like the starry winter sky.我喜欢这满天星斗的冬夜。

38 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

39 transgression   

n.违背；犯规；罪过

参考例句：

• The price can make an action look more like a transaction than a transgression.罚款让一个行为看起来更像是一笔交易而不是一次违法行为。
• The areas of transgression are indicated by wide spacing of the thickness contours.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。

40 awe   

n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧

参考例句：

• The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。

41 kinsman   

n.男亲属

参考例句：

• Tracing back our genealogies,I found he was a kinsman of mine.转弯抹角算起来他算是我的一个亲戚。
• A near friend is better than a far dwelling kinsman.近友胜过远亲。

42 watchful   

adj.注意的，警惕的

参考例句：

• The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲的小心照看下玩耍。
• It is important that health organizations remain watchful.卫生组织保持警惕是极为重要的。

43 nurtured   

养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长

参考例句：

• She is looking fondly at the plants he had nurtured. 她深情地看着他培育的植物。
• Any latter-day Einstein would still be spotted and nurtured. 任何一个未来的爱因斯坦都会被发现并受到培养。

44 majesty   

n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权

参考例句：

• The king had unspeakable majesty.国王有无法形容的威严。
• Your Majesty must make up your mind quickly!尊贵的陛下，您必须赶快做出决定！

45 lamented   

adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• her late lamented husband 她那令人怀念的已故的丈夫
• We lamented over our bad luck. 我们为自己的不幸而悲伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

46 knightly   

adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地

参考例句：

• He composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and knightly adventure. 他谱写英雄短歌并着手编写不少记叙巫术和骑士历险的故事。
• If you wear knight costumes, you will certainly have a knightly manner. 身着骑士装，令您具有骑士风度。

47 woes   

困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉

参考例句：

• Thanks for listening to my woes. 谢谢您听我诉说不幸的遭遇。
• She has cried the blues about its financial woes. 对于经济的困难她叫苦不迭。

48 barons   

男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨

参考例句：

• The barons of Normandy had refused to countenance the enterprise officially. 诺曼底的贵族们拒绝正式赞助这桩买卖。
• The barons took the oath which Stephen Langton prescribed. 男爵们照斯蒂芬？兰顿的指导宣了誓。

49 hoard   

n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积

参考例句：

• They have a hoard of food in the basement.地下室里有他们贮藏的食物。
• How many curios do you hoard in your study?你在你书房里聚藏了多少古玩？

50 slain   

杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词)

参考例句：

• The soldiers slain in the battle were burried that night. 在那天夜晚埋葬了在战斗中牺牲了的战士。
• His boy was dead, slain by the hand of the false Amulius. 他的儿子被奸诈的阿缪利乌斯杀死了。

51 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

52 misty   

adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的

参考例句：

• He crossed over to the window to see if it was still misty.他走到窗户那儿，看看是不是还有雾霭。
• The misty scene had a dreamy quality about it.雾景给人以梦幻般的感觉。

53 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

54 dreaded   

adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
• He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》