Читать книгу The Song of the Nibelungs - Anonymous - Страница 21

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Siegfried

20

There grew likewise in Netherland / a prince of noble kind,

Siegmund hight his father, / his mother Siegelind—

Within a lordly castle / well known the country o'er,

By the Rhine far downward: / Xanten was the name it bore.

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Siegfried they did call him, / this bold knight and good;

Many a realm he tested, / for brave was he of mood.

He rode to prove his prowess / in many a land around:

Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle / anon in Burgundy he found!

22

In the springtime of his vigor, / when he was young and bold,

Could tales of mickle wonder / of Siegfried be told,

How he grew up in honor, / and how fair he was to see:

Anon he won the favor / of many a debonair lady.

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As for a prince was fitting, / they fostered him with care:

Yet how the knightly virtues / to him native were!

'Twas soon the chiefest glory / of his father's land,

That he in fullest measure / endowed with princely worth did stand.

24

He soon was grown in stature / that he at court did ride.

The people saw him gladly, / lady and maid beside

Did wish that his own liking / might lead him ever there.

That they did lean unto him / the knight was soon right well aware.

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In youth they let him never / without safe escort ride;

Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind / apparel rich provide;

Men ripe in wisdom taught him, / who knew whence honor came.

Thus many lands and people / he won by his wide-honored name.

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Now was he of such stature / that he could weapons bear:

Of what thereto he needed / had he an ample share.

Then to think of loving / fair maids did he begin,

And well might they be honored / for wooer Siegfried bold to win.

27

Then bade his father Siegmund / make known to one and all

That he with his good kinsmen / would hold high festival.

And soon were tidings carried / to all the neighboring kings;

To friends at home and strangers / steeds gave he and rich furnishin

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Wherever they found any / who knight was fit to be

By reason of his kindred, / all such were courteously

Unto the land invited / to join the festal throng,

When with the prince so youthful / on them the knightly sword was hung.

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Of this high time of revelry / might I great wonders tell.

Siegmund and Siegelind / great honor won full well,

Such store of goodly presents / they dealt with generous hand,

That knights were seen full many / from far come pricking to their land.

30

Four hundred lusty squires / were there to be clad

In knight's full garb with Siegfried. / Full many a beauteous maid

At work did never tire, / for dear they did him hold,

And many a stone full precious / those ladies laid within the gold,

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That they upon the doublets / embroidered cunningly

Of those soon to be knighted: / 't was thus it had to be,

Seats bade the host for many / a warrior bold make right

Against the high midsummer, / when Siegfried won the name of knight.

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Then went unto the minster / full many a noble knight

And gallant squires beside them. / The elder there with right

Did wait upon the younger, / as once for them was done.

They were all light-hearted, / in hope of pleasure every one.

33

God to praise and honor / they sang the mass' song;

There, too, were crowds of people, / a great and surging throng,

When after knightly custom / knighthood received they then,

In such a stately pageant / as scarce might ever be again.

34

They hastened where they found them / saddled many a steed;

In the court of Siegmund's castle / they tilted with such speed

That far the din resounded / through castle and through hall,

As in the play with clamor / did join the fiery riders all.

35

Well-tried old knights and youthful / met there in frequent clash,

There was sound of shattered lances / that through the air did crash,

And along before the castle / were splinters seen to fly

From hands of knights a many: / each with other there did vie.

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The king he bade give over: / they led the chargers out:

There was seen all shattered / many a boss well-wrought,

And many a stone full costly / lay there upon the sward

From erstwhile shining shield-bands, / now broken in the jousting hard.

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The guests all went thereafter / where seats for them were reared;

They by the choicest viands / from weariness were cheered,

And wine, of all the rarest, / that then in plenty flowed.

Upon both friends and strangers / were fitting honors rich bestowed.

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In such merry manner / all day did last the feast.

Many a wandering minstrel / knew not any rest,

But sang to win the presents / dealt out with bounteous hand;

And with their praise was honored / far and wide King Siegmund's land.

39

The monarch then did order / Siegfried his youthful son

In fee give lands and castles, / as he erstwhile had done.

To all his sword-companions / he gave with such full hand,

That joyed they o'er the journey / they now had made unto that land.

40

The festival yet lasted / until the seventh day.

Siegelind after old custom / in plenty gave away

—For so her son she honored—/ rich gifts of shining gold:

In sooth deserved she richly / that all should him in honor hold.

41

Never a wandering minstrel / was unprovided found:

Horses there and raiment / so free were dealt around,

As if to live they had not / beyond it one day more.

I ween a monarch's household / ne'er bestowed such gifts before.

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Thus closed the merry feasting / in this right worthy way,

And 't was well known thereafter / how those good knights did say

That they the youthful hero / for king would gladly have;

But this nowise he wished for, / Siegfried the stately knight and brave.

43

While that they both were living, / Siegmund and Siegelind,

No crown their son desired, /—thereto he had no mind.

Yet would he fain be master / o'er all the hostile might

That in the lands around him / opposed the keen and fiery knight.