Those who were her kin4 she kissed upon the mouth. Lovingly they took their leave of Margrave Rudeger’s men. The queen had with her many a fair-fashioned maid, full a hundred and four, that wore costly6 robes of rich, gay-colored silks. Many broad shields were borne close by the ladies on the road, but many a lordly warrior7 turned then from her.
They journeyed soon from thence down through Bavarian land. Here the tale was told that many unknown strangers had gathered there, where still a cloister8 standeth and where the Inn floweth into the Danube. In the town of Passau, where lived a bishop9, lodgings10 were soon emptied and the prince’s court as well, as they hurried forth11 to meet the strangers in the Bavarian land, where the Bishop Pilgrim 99 found fair Kriemhild. The knights13 of the land were little loth, when in her train they saw so many comely14 maids; with their eyes they courted the daughters of noble knights. Later good lodgings were given the noble guests.
With his niece the bishop rode toward Passau. When it was told the burghers of the town that Kriemhild was come, their prince’s sister’s child, well was she greeted by the merchants. The bishop had the hope that they would stay. Then spake Sir Eckewart: “That may not be. We must fare further down to Rudeger’s land. Many knights await us, for all wot well the news.”
Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble child with care. Rudeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth, with his vassals15 to the Enns 100 for to meet her. When this message had been given, one saw on every side the roads alive; on foot and horse they hastened to meet their guests. Now was the queen come to Efferding. 101 Enow there were from the Bavarian land who might perchance have done the guests much harm, had they robbed upon the roads, as was their wont16. That had been forestalled17 by the lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or more.
Now Gotelind, the wife of Rudeger, was come; with her there rode many a noble knight12 in lordly;vise. When they were come across the Traun, 102 upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected18 huts and tents, where the guests should have their lodgings for the night. Rudeger gave the vitaille to his guests. Fair Gotelind left her lodgings far behind her; along the road there trotted19 many a shapely palfrey with jingling21 bridle22. Fair was the welcome; right well was Rudeger pleased. Among those who rode to meet them on the way, on either side, in praiseworthy wise, was many a knight. They practised chivalry24, the which full many a maiden25 saw. Nor did the service of the knights mislike the queen. When that Rudeger’s liegemen met the guests, many truncheons 103 were seen to fly on high from the warriors26’ hands in knightly27 custom. As though for a prize they rode before the ladies there. This they soon gave over and many warriors greeted each other in friendly wise. Then they escorted fair Gotelind from thence to where she saw Kriemhild. Scant28 leisure had they who wot how to serve the ladies.
The lord of Bechelaren rode now to his wife. Little it irked the noble margravine that he was come so well and sound from the Rhine. In part her cares had given way to .joy. When she had welcomed him, he bade her dismount with the ladies of her train upon the sward. Many a noble knight bestirred him and served the ladies with eager zeal29. Then Kriemhild spied the margravine standing30 with her meiny. No nearer she drew, but checked the palfrey with the bridle and bade them lift her quickly from the saddle. Men saw the bishop with Eckewart lead his sister’s child to Gotelind. All stood aside at once. Then the exiled queen kissed Gotelind upon the mouth. Full lovingly spake Rudeger’s wife: “Now well is me, dear lady, that I have ever seen with mine own eyes your charming self in these our lands. Naught31 liefer might hap20 to me in all these times.”
“Now God requite32 you,” quoth Kriemhild, “most noble Gotelind. Shall I and Botelung’s 104 son remain alive and well, it may be lief to you that ye have seen me here.”
Neither knew what must needs later hap. Many maidens33 went to meet each other in courtly wise. The warriors, too, were full ready with their service. After the greeting they sat them down upon the clover. With many they became acquaint, who were full strange to them aforetime. As it was now high noon, men bade pour out wine for the ladies. The noble meiny no longer tarried, but rode to where they found many broad pavilions; there ample service stood ready for the guests.
That night they had repose34 till early on the morn. Those from Bechelaren made ready for to lodge35 the worthy23 guests. So well had Rudeger planned, that little enow they lacked. The embrasures in the walls stood open, the castle at Bechelaren was opened wide. In rode the guests whom men were fain to see; the noble host bade purvey36 them proper easement. Most lovingly Rudeger’s daughter with her meiny went to welcome the queen. There, too, stood her mother, the margrave’s wife; many a high-born maid was greeted with delight. They took each other by the hand and hied them hence to a broad hall, fashioned full fair, under which the Danube flowed along. Towards the breeze they sate37 and held great pastime. What more they did I cannot tell, save that Kriemhild’s men-at-arms were heard to grumble38 that they fared so slowly on their way, for much it irked them. Ho, what good knights rode with them hence from Bechelaren!
Rudeger offered them much loving service. The queen gave Gotelind’s daughter twelve ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as good as any that she brought to Etzel’s land. Although the Nibelung gold was taken from her, yet she did win the hearts of all that saw her with the little she still might have. Great gifts were given to the courtiers of the host. In turn the Lady Gotelind offered the guests from the Rhine worship in such friendly wise, that men found passing few of the strangers that did not wear her jewels or her lordly robes.
When they had eaten and should depart, faithful service was proffered39 by the lady of the house to Etzel’s bride. The fair young margravine, too, was much caressed40. To the queen she spake: “Whenso it thinketh you good, I know well that my dear father will gladly send me to you to the Hunnish land.” How well Kriemhild marked that the maiden loved her truly.
The steeds were harnessed and led before the castle of Bechelaren and the noble queen took leave of Rudeger’s wife and daughter. With a greeting many a fair maid parted too. Full seldom did they see each other since these days. From Medelick 105 the folk bare in their hands many a rich cup of gold, in which they offered wine to the strangers on the highway. Thus they made them welcome. A host dwelt there, hight Astolt, 106 who showed them the road to the Austrian land, towards Mautern 107 down the Danube. There the noble queen was later served full well. From his niece the bishop parted lovingly. How he counseled her that she should bear her well and that she should purchase honor for herself, as Helca, too, had done! Ho, what great worship she later gained among the Huns!
To the Traisem 108 they escorted hence the guests. Rudeger’s men purveyed41 them zealously42, until the Huns came riding across the land. Then the queen became acquaint with mickle honor. Near the Traisem the king of the Hunnish land did have a mighty43 castle, hight Zeisenmauer, 109 known far and wide. Lady Helca dwelt there aforetime and used such great virtues44 that it might not lightly ever hap again, unless it be through Kriemhild. She wist so how to give, that after all her sorrow she had the joy that Etzel’s liegemen gave her great worship, of which she later won great store among the heroes. Etzel’s rule was known far and wide, so that all time one found at his court the boldest warriors of whom men ever heard, among Christian45 or among paynim. They were all come with him. All time there were at his court, what may not so lightly hap again, Christian customs and also heathen faith. In whatsoever46 wise each lived, the bounty47 of the king bestowed48 on all enow.
点击收听单词发音
1 fealty | |
n.忠贞,忠节 | |
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2 crave | |
vt.渴望得到,迫切需要,恳求,请求 | |
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3 kinsmen | |
n.家属,亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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4 kin | |
n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的 | |
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5 doughty | |
adj.勇猛的,坚强的 | |
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6 costly | |
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的 | |
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7 warrior | |
n.勇士,武士,斗士 | |
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8 cloister | |
n.修道院;v.隐退,使与世隔绝 | |
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9 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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10 lodgings | |
n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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11 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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12 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
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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 | |
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14 comely | |
adj.漂亮的,合宜的 | |
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15 vassals | |
n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 );(封建时代)诸侯;从属者;下属 | |
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16 wont | |
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯 | |
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17 forestalled | |
v.先发制人,预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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19 trotted | |
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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20 hap | |
n.运气;v.偶然发生 | |
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21 jingling | |
叮当声 | |
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22 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
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23 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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24 chivalry | |
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤 | |
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25 maiden | |
n.少女,处女;adj.未婚的,纯洁的,无经验的 | |
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26 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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27 knightly | |
adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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28 scant | |
adj.不充分的,不足的;v.减缩,限制,忽略 | |
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29 zeal | |
n.热心,热情,热忱 | |
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30 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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31 naught | |
n.无,零 [=nought] | |
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32 requite | |
v.报酬,报答 | |
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33 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 | |
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34 repose | |
v.(使)休息;n.安息 | |
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35 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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36 purvey | |
v.(大量)供给,供应 | |
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37 sate | |
v.使充分满足 | |
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38 grumble | |
vi.抱怨;咕哝;n.抱怨,牢骚;咕哝,隆隆声 | |
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39 proffered | |
v.提供,贡献,提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40 caressed | |
爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41 purveyed | |
v.提供,供应( purvey的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42 zealously | |
adv.热心地;热情地;积极地;狂热地 | |
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43 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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44 virtues | |
美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
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45 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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46 whatsoever | |
adv.(用于否定句中以加强语气)任何;pron.无论什么 | |
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47 bounty | |
n.慷慨的赠予物,奖金;慷慨,大方;施与 | |
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48 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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