Were sitting his wife and his daughter: unto these in the selfsame hour
That the brethren of her Lady and Queen to their halls drew near.
“Now therefore, O my belovèd,” spake Rüdiger earnestly,
“Graciously shalt thou receive them, these noble princes three,
When they and their train come hither as they fare unto Etzel’s court.
And Hagen, Gunther’s liegeman, shalt thou greet in friendly sort.
With these cometh also another, and Dankwart he hath to name,
All this did the ladies promise, and nothing loth were they.
Then sought they out of the coffers their goodliest array,
So with eager haste they bestirred them, those ladies fair to see.
{p. 226}
Of false-feigned bloom of roses on their cheeks was little enow;
But shining golden chaplets they bare upon each white brow
Fashioned as rich-wrought garlands, that so their braided hair
The while went swiftly riding far over the river-lea
“Welcome to me, ye princes, and all in your vassal-train!
Then bowed them to him the heroes in friendship and faith unfeigned.
Well proved he with what gladness by their host were they entertained.
Unto Hagen special greeting, as a friend known long agone,
He gave, and withal unto Volker, Burgundia’s hero-son.
“If thou care for us here in thy castle, who then will see to our train,
Unto all the array which hath followed from Worms beyond the Rhine?”
Straightway answered the Margrave: “Put by this fear of thine;
For all thy vassal-companions, and what possessions soe’er
Ye have brought into this my country—steeds, silver, and raiment fair—
By a single spur no poorer shall be any man of your host.
Whatsoe’er from your store shall be missing shall be all made good by me.
Never had men such welcome from any host beside!
Glad were the guests when they heard it. So then when his bidding was done,
And the lords rode thence to the castle, the squires all one after one
Stretched them at ease on the greensward. Sweet rest at last had they:
Nought like it before nor after found they in all the way.
{p. 227}
To the front of the castle-gateway did the noble Margravine haste
With her beauteous daughter; and many a lady lovely-faced
Gleamed many a precious gemstone casting afar its sheen
Forward the guests came riding; from selle sprang they to the earth,—
What knightly grace and courteous showed they of Burgundian birth!
Fair to all heart’s desiring were the women lovely-eyed
Yea, fairest greeting was tendered of noble damsel and dame.
Then the Margravine welcomed the princes with the kiss of courtesy,
And fain would she have refrained her, for his favour was passing grim.
Yet as their host her father commanded needs must she do:
Thereafter Dankwart kissed she, and the lord of the viol-string,
For his might and his valour won him the greeting due to a king.
Unto Giselher the courteous, the Prince of Burgundia-land.
And the hand of the valiant Gunther the Margravine hath ta’en.
So blithely into the castle with the heroes passed these twain.
The host gave hand unto Gernot: to the great hall so they came.
Then poured they the wine of welcome, and bare to the guests all round.
Never more gracious greeting have heroes-errant found!
With eyes of admiration37 looked many a warrior there
On the damsel, Rüdiger’s daughter, for the maiden was passing fair.
In his heart did many a good knight her loveliness embrace:
Well might they, her queenly spirit made a splendour of her face.
{p. 228}
Ah, they might dream as they listed!—’twas a dream no morn should fulfil!
But the heart of the noble minstrel warmed to their host above all.
In the great hall of the castle for the knights were the tables arrayed,
And there to the friends from a far land was eager service paid.
For a grace to her guests Burgundian the noble Margravine
Sat in their midst at the table; but there was her child not seen,
And the brave knights sighed for the beauty they might no longer behold.
So when with the meats and the wine-cup the guests were satisfied,
Back to the feast-hall led they the ladies lovely-eyed.
For that same viol-minstrel spake freely and openly:
Now if I were the heir to a kingdom,” that viol-minstrel said,
I speak:—she is lovely to look on, noble and good is she.”
But the Margrave spake in answer: “How might it befall, this thing,
That my daughter should be the chosen and the heart’s delight of a king?
No lands can we give for her portion—what availeth beauty alone?”
Answered and spake to him Gernot, the royal-natured knight:
“Might I choose for my bride a maiden in whom my soul should delight,
Such wife as she should gladden ever mine heart and mine eyes.”
Spake Hagen withal and answered in knightly-courteous wise:
{p. 229}
“For my young lord Giselher’s spousals a fitting time were this:
And of such right noble lineage the child of the Margrave is,
Good in the eyes of the Margrave was the word of the princes found,
And sweet in the ears of Gotlind did the counsel of Hagen sound.
So of one accord were the heroes that the noble Giselher
Should take to wife that maiden—meet bride for a king she were!
They summoned the Margrave’s daughter to appear before them in hall:
Then sware the father to give him the lovely damsel to wife,
And the Prince for his part hath pledged him to cherish her all his life.
And with oaths of confirmation56 by the noble Gunther’s hand
Was it sealed unto her, and by Gernot, that all should so be done.
Then spake her father: “Albeit castles have I none,
And I can but loyally prove me your friend for evermore,
Yet shall my daughter’s dower be silver and gold good store
After the ancient custom. Full many a strong young thane
Stood there and gazed upon them with laughter-litten eyes,
Thinking such thoughts as ever in young hearts wont to rise.
So then when her kin put question unto the winsome maid—
“Wilt thou take this knight to thine husband?” awhile was she loth and afraid:
Yet her heart within her was pleading for him, that goodly one;
But for shame she hung on her answer, as many a maiden hath done.
Then Rüdiger her father spake saying, “Answer yea,
And gladly for husband take him.” How swiftly did he straightway
With loving white hands clasping to his heart his belovèd press;
Even Giselher the young prince!—how brief was their happiness!
{p. 230}
Then spake once more the Margrave: “O kings of lineage high,
What time to the realm Burgundian returning ye pass hereby,
Then will I give you my daughter, even as is meet and right,
And then did the new-wed maiden to her bridal-chamber wend,
And the guests through the castle rested and slept till the day shone clear.
Then brake they the bread of the morning, and the host made abundant cheer.
And now when the feasting was ended, they addressed them thence to go
Journeying on to the Hunland—“I pray you, do not so,”
Said the Margrave noble-hearted; “awhile yet tarry here.
Long is it since in my castle I have harboured guests so dear.”
Whence should provision of victual and of wine be gotten of thee
Enough to suffice for the feasting of so great a company?”
But the host made answer: “I pray you, put all such vain words by!
My lords and dearly beloved, ye may not say me nay.
With meat and drink can I feast you till endeth the fourteenth day,
And all that with you came hither, both lords and vassal-train.
Little enow of my substance King Etzel from me hath ta’en.”
How sorely soe’er they excused them, yet there perforce they abode
Of their host’s free-handed bounty, that the fame thereof spread wide,
No longer now might they tarry: they must needs press on to the goal.
Before the gate of the castle the squires brought harness-dight
Long lines of goodly horses: then came forth many a knight
Unto where the steeds stood waiting. Their shields on their arms they bare,
For thence would they now be riding unto Etzel’s land to fare.
{p. 231}
But, or ever the high-born strangers forth of the feast-hall strode,
Freely the host on the heroes the gifts of his love had bestowed.
He could live wealth-crowned with honour, how largely he gave soe’er.
His daughter, a gift all-priceless, had he given to Giselher;
But to Gunther the peerless hero Rüdiger gave a thing
Right seldom the King took presents, but he bowed him courteously70
As he took from the hand all-courteous the hauberk goodly to see.
And a sword, a light of battle, unto Gernot the princely he gave;
Smiled on him the wife of the Margrave as he took that gift from his hand.
—Ah me, but her noble husband was to die by that same brand!
Then, as well beseemed such a lady, unto Hagen Gotlind brought
Gifts of her lovingkindness: since the King had refused them not,
She prayed he would fare not forward unto Etzel’s festal-tide
Unholpen of her bounty; but the hero refused, and replied:
“Of all things that ever,” said Hagen, “I have seen unto this day,
Nought I desire so sorely to bear with me hence away
As the shield that hangeth yonder against your palace-wall:
That same would I bear right gladly unto Etzel’s festival.”
When heard of the wife of the Margrave was the word that Hagen spake,
To the thane made answer the mother: “O yea, the shield will I give.
Ah, would to God in Heaven that yet on the earth he might live
Who bare it of old! In battle he slept the iron sleep.
Then the noble wife of the Margrave rose up from her carven chair,
And she took down the shield of the dear dead with her own white hands, and bare
And gave it, her gift unto Hagen: he received in his hands the same;
Ay, and he won for the buckler new glory of deathless fame!
{p. 232}
A cover of bright-hued loomwork enfolded its blazonries.
Never hath shone the daylight on better shield than this.
So richly with precious gemstones bordered was its device,
That, if any were fain to buy it, a thousand marks were its price.
His squires bare forth at his bidding that shield for the mighty thane.
Then came his brother Dankwart before the chatelaine,
And on him rich-broidered vesture did the Margrave’s daughter bestow
But of all gifts Rüdiger gave them, how great soever of worth,
Were it not for his courteous kindness, and the love it begat that day—
Then Volker the battle-eager, with his viol in his hand,
Stepped forth with courtly bearing before Gotlind to stand;
And the sweet notes rang through the feast-hall as he chanted the lovely lay.
So took he leave of the Lady ere he passed from Bechlaren away.
Then the wife of the Margrave commanded that her maids unto her should bring
A casket—of gifts love-sweetened now shall the minstrel sing:—
Twelve armlets she took from the coffer, and she slid them over his hand:
“These bear thou, Volker, I pray thee, into King Etzel’s land;
And there for my sake shalt thou wear them in presence of King and thane,
That folk may tell me the story, when hither thou comest again,
Of the courtly service rendered unto me of Etzel’s guest.”
And the bold knight did thereafter according to all her request.
Then spake to his guests the Margrave: “For your safe journeying hence
Myself will be your escort: so strong shall be your defence,
That none shall set upon you to do you hurt by the way.”
Then was his sumpter-palfrey saddled without delay.
Arrayed he stood for the journey, and, furnished with raiment and steed
Good knights with him five hundred; and all these thence did he lead
{p. 233}
Bound for the Hunfolk’s high-tide with merry hearts and light—
There returned again to Bechlaren of them all no single knight!
Then did their host with kisses of love from his dear wife part;
They held in their arms fond-clasping their wives, the passing fair.
Ah, soon bewept full sorely by many a maiden they were!
To see the Lord of the Marches with all his men forth ride.
Wept many a winsome lady and maiden to see them go.
For beloved friends and for kinsmen all these were sorrowing sore
Whom the watchers should see returning to Bechlaren never more.
Yet rode that company blithely down to the river-strand,
And far through the Danube-valley away to the Hunfolk’s land.
Then to the thanes Burgundian the princely Margrave cried,
Even Rüdiger the noble: “We may now no longer hide
From the lords of the realm the tidings that to Hunland we draw near.
Sooth, never hath King Etzel heard aught to his heart so dear.”
And so full soon did the tidings through all the country ring
That from Worms-over-Rhine the heroes were coming thitherward.
(C) And when to the Daughter of Princes the tidings thereof was told,
From her stricken heart in a measure the burden of grief was rolled,
Since now from the land of her fathers came they which had done her a wrong—
Ay, they through whom King Etzel had sorrow enow ere long!
How that the Niblung chieftains nigh unto Hunland were.
For her kinsmen, as friends sore-yearning look forth as friends draw nigh.
At last she beheld those thousands from the ancient home that came;
{p. 234}
To be crowned with exceeding honour thy brethren come unto thee.”
“Glad am I for these good tidings,” spake Kriemhild her heart within.
“Ha, many a bright new buckler they bring, my faithless kin,
And hauberks gleaming and glancing!—now whoso will take of my gold,
And think on my wrongs, such champion my friend for aye will I hold.”
(C) In her soul was she thinking—thinking—“The day of reckoning is this!
At this guest-greeting! Ready am I and exceeding fain.
(C) O yea, I will so devise it, that on this festal day
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
bower
|
|
| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
joyful
|
|
| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
knightly
|
|
| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bestow
|
|
| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
courteous
|
|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
kin
|
|
| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
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： |
|
|
|
|
9
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
ruffled
|
|
| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
dame
|
|
| n.女士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
dames
|
|
| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
kinsmen
|
|
| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
heartiest
|
|
| 亲切的( hearty的最高级 )； 热诚的； 健壮的； 精神饱满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
blithely
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，快活地，无挂虑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
wed
|
|
| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
valiant
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
warding
|
|
| 监护，守护（ward的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
winsome
|
|
| n.迷人的，漂亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
bracelet
|
|
| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
costly
|
|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
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： |
|
|
|
|
32
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
usher
|
|
| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
comely
|
|
| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
thronged
|
|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
sundered
|
|
| v.隔开，分开( sunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mid
|
|
| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
bounty
|
|
| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
bliss
|
|
| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
demesne
|
|
| n.领域，私有土地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
pall
|
|
| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
doomed
|
|
| 命定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
ware
|
|
| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
allotted
|
|
| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
confirmation
|
|
| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
plighted
|
|
| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
plight
|
|
| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
lavish
|
|
| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
whatsoever
|
|
| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
crave
|
|
| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
begrudged
|
|
| 嫉妒( begrudge的过去式和过去分词 )； 勉强做； 不乐意地付出； 吝惜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
courteously
|
|
| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
mightily
|
|
| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
marvel
|
|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
rekindled
|
|
| v.使再燃( rekindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
lament
|
|
| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
smite
|
|
| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
yearning
|
|
| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
casements
|
|
| n.窗扉( casement的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
casement
|
|
| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
boding
|
|
| adj.凶兆的，先兆的n.凶兆，前兆，预感v.预示，预告，预言( bode的现在分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
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： |
|
|
|
|
87
vassals
|
|
| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
worthily
|
|
| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
contrive
|
|
| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
bereaved
|
|
| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
requital
|
|
| n.酬劳；报复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |