Nibelungenlied

âventiure von den Nibelungen.

Adventure of the Nibelungs.

uns. ist. inalten mæren. wunders vile geseit.

To us in old tales many wonders are told

von heleden lobebæren. von grôzer arebeit.

of heroes worthy of praise, of great hardship,

von vröuwede unde hôchgezîten von weinenne unde klagenne.

of joys and festivals, of weeping and lamenting;

von küener recken strîtenne. müget ir nû wunder hoeren sagen.

of bold warriors' fighting you may now hear wonders told.

ez wuohs in Burgonden. ein vile edel magedîn.

In Burgundy there grew up a very noble maiden,

daz in allen landen. niht schoeners mohte sîn.

such that in all lands there could be none more beautiful,

Kriemhilt geheizen. diu wart ein schoene wîp.

named Kriemhild. She became a beautiful woman;

dâr umbe muosen degene. vile verliesen den lîp.

because of her many warriors had to lose their lives.

ir pflâgen drî küninge. edel unde rîche.

Three kings had her in their care, noble and mighty,

Gunther unde Gêrnôt. die recken lobelich.

Gunther and Gernot, warriors worthy of praise,

unde Gîselher der junge. ein wætlîcher degen.

and young Giselher, a handsome warrior.

diu vrouwe was ire swester die helde hêtensi inire pflegen.

The lady was their sister; the heroes had her in their care.

ein rîchiu küninginne. vrouwe Uote ire muoter hiez.

A mighty queen, Lady Ute, was their mother's name.

ire vater der hiez Dancrât. der in diu erbe liez.

Their father was called Dankrat, who left them the inheritance

sît nâch sîneme lebene. ein ellenes rîcher man.

afterwards, at the end of his life, a man rich in courage,

der ouch insîner jugende. grôzer êren vile gewan.

who in his youth too won much great honour.

die hêrren wâren milte. von arte hôch erboren.

The lords were generous, of high birth by lineage,

mit kraft unmâzen küene. die recken ûzerkoren.

immeasurably bold in strength, the chosen warriors.

dâ zeden Burgonden. sô was ire lant genant.

Among the Burgundians: so their land was called.

si vrumeten starkiu wunder. sît in Ètzelen lande.

They later did mighty wonders in Etzel's land.

ze Wormeze bî dem Rîne. si woneten mit ire kraft.

At Worms on the Rhine they dwelt in their power.

in dieneten von ire landen. vile stolziu ritterschaft.

Very proud knights from their lands served them

mit lobelîchen êren. unz an ire endes zît.

with praiseworthy honour until the time of their end.

si sturben jæmerlîche. sît von zweier vrouwen nîde.

They later died wretchedly through the hatred of two women.

ouch die bezzisten recken. von den man hât gesaget.

and also the best warriors that have ever been told of,

starc unde vile küene. inscharpfen strîten unverzaget.

strong and very bold, undaunted in fierce battles.

daz was von Tronege Hagene. unde ouch der bruoder sîn.

That was Hagen of Tronje, and also his brother,

Dancwart der snelle. von Metzen Ortwîn.

Dankwart the bold; Ortwin of Metz;

die zwêne marcgrâven. Gêre unde Ègewart.

the two margraves, Gere and Eckewart;

der die hêrren pflâgen. mit vröuweden al ire leben

that the lords kept up with joy all their lives,

des enkunde iu ze wâre. niemen gar ein ende geben.

of that, in truth, no one could ever tell you the end.

in disen hôhen êren. troumte Kriemhilte.

Amid this high honour Kriemhild dreamed

wie si züge einen valken. starc schoene unde wilde.

that she was raising a falcon, strong, beautiful and wild,

den ir zwêne arne erkrummen. daz si daz muoste sehen

which two eagles tore with their talons. That she had to see it—

ir enkunde indirre werlte. leider niemer geschehen.

nothing more painful could ever have happened to her in this world.

den troum si dô sagete. ire muoter. Uoten.

She then told the dream to her mother, Ute.

sine kundees niht bescheiden. baz der guoten.

She could not interpret it any better for the good girl:

der valke den dû ziuhest. daz ist ein edel man.

The falcon that you are raising, that is a noble man.

in welle got behüeten. dû muost in schier verloren hân.

Unless God protects him, you must soon have lost him.

waz saget ir mir von manne. vile liebiu muoter mîn.

What are you telling me of a man, my very dear mother?

âne recken minne. sô wile ich iemer sîn.

Without a warrior's love I will always remain.

sus schoene ich wile belîben. unz an mînen tôt.

Fair as I am, I will remain so until my death,

daz ich vone recken minne. sol gewinnen niemer nôt.

so that I shall never come to grief through a warrior's love.

nûne versprich ez niht ze sêre. sprach ire muoter dô.

Now do not forswear it too firmly, her mother then said.

soltedû iemer herzenlîche. zeder werlte werden vrô.

If you are ever to be glad at heart in this world,

daz kumet vone mannes minne. dû wirdest ein schoene wîp.

that comes from a man's love. You will become a beautiful woman,

ob dir got gevüeget eines rehte guoten ritters lîp.

if God grants you a truly good knight.

die rede lât belîben. vile liebiu vrouwe mîn.

Let that talk be, my very dear lady.

ez ist an manigen wîben. vile dicke worden schîn.

It has very often been shown in many women

durch sîn eines sterben. starp vile manic muoter kint.

Because of that one man's death many a mother's child died.

âventiure von Sîvride wie der erzogen wart.

Adventure of Siegfried, how he was brought up.

dô wuohs inNiderlanten. eines edeln küninges kint.

There grew up in the Netherlands the child of a noble king,

des vater der hiez Sigemunt. sîn muoter Sigelint.

whose father was called Siegmund, his mother Sieglind,

ineiner rîchen bürge. wîten wole bekant.

in a mighty castle, well known far and wide,

nidene bî dem Rîne. diu was ze Santen genant.

down on the Rhine; it was called Xanten.

Sîvrit was geheizen. der snelle degen guot.

Siegfried was the name of the bold, good warrior.

er versuochte vile der rîche. durch ellenthaften muot.

He tried many kingdoms out of a valiant spirit.

durch sînes lîbes sterke. suochteer vremediu lant.

Because of his bodily strength he sought out foreign lands.

hei waz er sneller degene. sît ze Burgonden vant.

Ah, what bold warriors he later found among the Burgundians!

ê daz der degen küene. vol wüehse zemanne.

Before the bold warrior had fully grown to manhood,

dô hêt er solichiu wunder. mit sîner hant getân.

he had done such wonders with his hand

suochte niuwan strîten. sîn ellenthaftiu hant.

His valiant hand sought nothing but fighting;

tet in zeallen zîten. in vremeden rîchen wole bekant.

at all times it made him well known in foreign kingdoms.

âventiure wie Sîvrit ze Wormeze kom.

Adventure: how Siegfried came to Worms.

den hêrren muoten selten. decheiniu herzenleit.

Seldom did any heartache trouble the lord.

er hôrte sagen mære. wie ein schoeniu meit.

He heard tidings told of how a beautiful maiden

den vorhte si verliesen. von Gunthers mannen.

She feared she would lose him through Gunther's men.

den gewerp man dô dem degene. sêre leiden began.

Then people began to make the wooing very hateful to the warrior.

dô sprach der starke Sîvrit. vile lieber vater mîn.

Then strong Siegfried said: My very dear father,

âne edeler vrouwen minne. wolte ich iemer sîn.

I would always be without a noble lady's love

ich enwürbe dar mîn herze. vile grôze liebe hât.

unless I wooed where my heart has very great love.

sô wile ich wole getrûwen. swie ez sich gevüeget hât.

I am quite ready to believe, however it may have come about,

sô ist ez der recke. der dort sô hêrlîchen stât.

that it is the warrior who stands there so splendidly.

er bringet niuwe mære. her inditze lant.

He is bringing new tidings here into this land.

die küenen Nibelunge. sluoc des heldes hant.

The bold Nibelungs were slain by the hero's hand,

Schilbunc unde Nibelunc. diu rîchen küninges kint.

Schilbung and Nibelung, the mighty king's sons.

er vrumete starkiu wunder. mit sîner grôzen krefte sint.

He worked mighty wonders with his great strength thereafter.

dâ der helt aleine. âne alle helfe reit.

When the hero rode alone, without any help,

er vant vore einem berge. daz ist mir wole geseit.

he found before a mountain (this I have been told for certain)

bî Nibelunges horde. vile manigen küenen man.

by Nibelung's hoard very many bold men,

die wârn im êr vremede. unz er ire künde dâ gewan.

who had been strangers to him until he came to know them there.

hort der Nibelunges. der was gar getragen.

The hoard of Nibelung had all been carried

ûz einem holen berge. nû hoeret wunder sagen.

out of a hollow mountain. Now hear a wonder told:

wie in teilen wolten. der Nibelunge man.

how the Nibelungs' men meant to divide it.

daz sach der degen Sîvrit. den helt es wundern began.

The warrior Siegfried saw this; the hero began to wonder at it.

er kom zuozein sô nâhen. daz er die recken sach.

He came so near to them that he saw the warriors,

unde ouch in die degene ir einer dârunder sprach.

and the warriors [saw] him too. One of them said:

hier kumet der starc Sîvrit. der helt von Niderlant.

Here comes the strong Siegfried, the hero from the Netherlands.

vile seltsæniu mære. er an den Nibelungen vant.

Very strange things he met with among the Nibelungs.

den recken wole entviengen. Schilbunc unde Nibelunc.

Schilbung and Nibelung received the warrior well.

mit gemeinem site. die edeln vürsten junc.

With one accord the noble young princes

den schatz in bâten teilen. den vile küenen man.

asked him, the very bold man, to divide the treasure,

unde bâtenes in sô lange. unz er inez loben began.

and asked him for so long that he promised them to do it.

er sach sô vile gesteines. als wir hoeren sagen.

He saw so many precious stones, as we hear tell,

hundert kanzwegene. ez mohten niht getragen.

that a hundred great wagons could not have carried them;

noch mêr des rôten goldes. von Nibelunge lande.

still more of the red gold from the Nibelung land.

daz solte in allez teilen. des küenen Sîvrides hant.

All this bold Siegfried's hand was to divide for them.

dô gâben si im ze miete. daz Nibelunges swert.

Then they gave him Nibelung's sword as payment.

si wurden mit dem dieneste. vile übele gewert.

They were very ill repaid by the service

den in dâ leisten solte. der vile küene man.

that the very bold man was to render them there.

erne kundees niht verenden. dô wart der helt von in bestân.

He could not bring it to an end; then the hero was attacked by them.

den schatz er ungeteilet. belîben muose lân.

He had to leave the treasure undivided.

dô begunden mit im strîten. der zweier küninge man.

Then the two kings' men began to fight with him.

mit ire vateres swerte. daz Balmunc was genant.

With their father's sword, which was called Balmung,

ez streit abin der küene. den hort unde Nibelungelande.

the bold man won from them by fighting the hoard and the Nibelung land.

si hêten dâ ire vriunde. zwelif küene man.

They had there as their friends twelve bold men,

die starc als risen wârn. waz kundeez si vervâhen.

who were as strong as giants. What could it help them?

die sluoc sît mit zorne. diu Sîvrides hant.

Siegfried's hand afterwards slew them in anger,

unde recken sibenhundert. twancer von Nibelunge lande.

and seven hundred warriors from the Nibelung land he subdued.

dâr zuo die rîchen küninge. die sluocer beide tôt.

Besides this, the mighty kings: he struck them both dead.

er kom von Alprîche. sît ingrôze nôt.

From Alberich he then came into great danger.

der wânte sîne hêrren. rechen dâ zehant.

He thought to avenge his lords there at once,

unz er die grôzen sterke. sît an Sîvride vant.

until he afterwards found the great strength in Siegfried.

dône kunde im gestrîten. daz starke getwerc.

Then the strong dwarf could not hold out against him.

alsam die lewen wilde. si liefen an den berc.

Like wild lions they ran to the mountain,

dâ er die tarnkappen. Alprîche ane gewan.

where he won the cloak of invisibility from Alberich.

dô wart des hordes hêrre. Sîvrit der vile küene man.

Then Siegfried, the very bold man, became lord of the hoard.

die dâ getorsten strîten. die lâgen alle erslagen.

Those who dared to fight there all lay slain.

den schatz hiez er dô balde. vüeren unde tragen.

He then had the treasure quickly taken and carried

dâ in êr dâ nâmen. die Nibelunges man.

to where the men of Nibelung had taken it from before.

Alprîch der vile starke. dô die kameren gewan.

Alberich the very strong then took charge of the treasure-chamber.

er muose im swern eide. er dienete im sô sîn kneht.

He had to swear him oaths that he would serve him as his servant.

allerhande dieneste. was er im gereht.

He was ready to do him every kind of service.

sô sprach von Tronege Hagene. daz hât er getân.

So spoke Hagen of Tronje: That is what he has done.

alsô grôzer krefte. niemere recke gewan.

No warrior ever gained such great strength.

noch weiz ich an im mêre. daz mir ist bekant.

I know still more of him, which is known to me:

einen lintrachen. sluoc des heledes hant.

the hero's hand slew a dragon.

dô badete er in dem bluote. des ist der helt gemeit.

Then he bathed in its blood; so the bold hero has

von alsô vester hiute. daz in nie wâfen sît versneit.

skin so hard that no weapon has cut him since.

nû sulen wir den recken. entvâhen deste baz.

Now we should receive the warrior all the better,

daz wir iht verdienen. den sînen starken haz.

so that we do not earn his fierce hatred.

sîn lîp der ist sô küene. man sol in holden hân.

He is so bold that one should keep him friendly.

er hât mit sînen ellene sô menigiu wunder getân.

With his courage he has done so many wonders.

dô sprach der küninc rîche. dû maht wole haben wâr.

Then the mighty king said: You may well be right.

nû sich wie degenlîche. er stêt gein strites vâr.

Now see how like a warrior he stands, ready for the peril of battle.

mit vröuweden iemer mêre. dâr nâch unze an ire tôt.

with joy forever after, until their death.

mit liebe was verswunden. des küninges kumber unde nôt.

With happiness the king's grief and distress had vanished.

âventiure wie Kriemhilt von Wormeze schiet dô si gein den Hiunen vuor

Adventure: how Kriemhild left Worms when she journeyed to the Huns.

die boten lâzen rîten. unde tuon iu daz erkant

Let us leave the messengers riding, and I will make known to you

wie diu küninginne. vüere durch daz lant.

how the queen journeyed through the land,

der Gotelinde tohter. unde alsô guot gewant.

to Gotelind's daughter, and such fine clothes

daz si niht bezzeres brâhte. indaz Ètzelen lant.

that she brought nothing better into Etzel's land.

swie ir genomen wære. der Nibelunge golt.

Although the Nibelungs' gold had been taken from her,

alle die si gesâhen. die machete si ir holt.

all who saw her she made well-disposed to her

noch mit dem kleinem guote. daz si dâ mohte hân.

still, with the little wealth that she could have there.

inswiegetânem lebene. sich ieteslîcher truoc.

in whatever way of life each one lived,

daz schuof des küninges milte. daz man allen gap genuoc.

the king's generosity saw to it that all were given plenty.

âventiure wie Kriemhilt unde Ètzele brûtten in der stat ze Wiene.

Adventure: how Kriemhild and Etzel held their wedding in the city of Vienna.

si was ze Treisenmûre. unz an den vierden tac.

She stayed at Traismauer until the fourth day.

diu molte ûf der strâze. die wîle nie gelac.

All that while the dust on the road never settled;

sine stübe sam iz brünne. allenthalben dannen.

it flew up everywhere around as if something were burning,

dâ riten durch Ôsterrîche. des küninges Ètzelen man.

as King Etzel's men rode through Austria.

dô wâren ouch dem küninge. diu mære nû geseit.

By then the news had also been told to the king,

des im von gedanken. swunden sîniu leit.

and at the thought of it his sorrows vanished.

unde daz si alle zîte. zwelif küninge vore ir sach.

and that at all times she saw twelve kings before her,

dô gedâhtesi maniger leide. der ir dâ heime geschach.

then she thought of many a sorrow that had befallen her at home.

si gedâhte ouch maniger êren. von Nibelunge lande.

She thought too of many honours in the land of the Nibelungs

der si dâ was gewaltic. unde die ir Hagenen hant.

that she had held in her power there, and that Hagen's hand

mit Sîvrides tôde. hête gar benomen.

had taken from her entirely with Siegfried's death.

ir habet uns hinne erbunnen. vile maniges recken gemeit.

You have robbed us in here of very many a gallant warrior.

er sluoc ûf Hiltebranden. daz man wole vernam.

He struck at Hildebrand, so that one could clearly hear

Balmungen diezen. daz Sîvride nam.

Balmung ringing, which was taken from Siegfried

Hagene der küene. dâ er den recken sluoc.

by bold Hagen, there where he slew the warrior.

dô widerstuont im Hiltebrant. der im vile wênic iht vertruoc.

Then Hildebrand withstood him, who let him get away with very little.

der Wolvhartes oeheim. sluoc ein wâfen breit.

Wolfhart's uncle swung a broad blade

daz ist an mînen vröuweden. mir der lezzeste tac.

This is the last day of my joys.

ôwê daz vore leide. niemen sterben ne mac.

Alas, that no one can die of grief!

âventiure wie der hêrre Dietrîch Gunthern unde Hagenen betwanc.

Adventure: how lord Dietrich overcame Gunther and Hagen.

dô suochte der hêrre Dietrîch selbe sîn gewant.

Then lord Dietrich himself went to find his armour.

dô half daz er sich wâfenete. meister Hiltebrant

Master Hildebrand then helped him arm himself.

dô klagete alsô sêre. der kreftige man.

The mighty man lamented so loudly then

daz im daz hûs erdiezen. gein sîner stimme began.

that the building began to resound with his voice.

der helt gewan dô widere. rehten mannes muot.

The hero then regained a true man's spirit.

ingrimme wart gewâfenet. dô der degen guot.

In fury the good warrior was then armed.

dô wart von im betwungen. der vile küene man.

Then the very bold man was overcome by him.

Gunther der vile edele. dârumbe trûren began.

Gunther the very noble began to grieve over it.

Hagenen bant dô Dietrîch. unde vuorte in dâ er vant.

Then Dietrich bound Hagen and led him to where he found

die edeln Kriemhilten. unde gap ir bî der hant.

the noble Kriemhild, and gave into her hand

den küenesten recken. der ie swert getruoc.

the boldest warrior who ever bore a sword.

von eineme scharpfen swerte. daz truoc hêrr Dietrîch.

from a sharp sword that lord Dietrich bore.

doch hêt gewert Gunther. nâch müede lobelîche sich.

Yet Gunther, for all his weariness, had defended himself admirably.

der hêrre wart gebunden. von Dietrîches hant.

The lord was bound by Dietrich's hand,

swie küninge niene solten. lîden solichiu bant.

though kings should never suffer such bonds.

er dâhte ob er sie lieze. ungebunden wesen.

He thought that if he let them stay unbound,

daz si zwêne indeme lande. niemen liezen genesen.

the two of them would let no one in the land survive.

der voget von Berne. der nam in bî der hant.

The lord of Bern took him by the hand;

dô brâhteer in gebunden. dâ er Kriemhilten vant.

then he brought him, bound, to where he found Kriemhild.

dô was mit sîneme leide. ire sorge ein teil benomen.

Then her anxiety was partly taken away by his suffering.

si sprach küninc Gunther. sît mir grôze willekomen.

She said: King Gunther, you are most welcome to me.

swie ez verlobet hête. daz vile edele wîp.

however much the very noble woman had forsworn it,

si dâhte ich geriche hiute. mînes vile lieben mannes lîp.

she thought: Today I shall avenge my very dear husband.

dô gie diu küninginne. dâ si Hagenen sach.

Then the queen went to where she saw Hagen.

wie reht erbolgenlîche. si zuo dem recken sprach.

How very angrily she spoke to the warrior:

wellt ir mir geben widere. daz ir mir habet genomen.

If you will give me back what you have taken from me,

sô müget ir mit dem lebene. wider zeden Burgonden komen.

then you may come home alive to the Burgundians.

dô sprach der grimme Hagene. diu rede ist gar verloren.

Then grim Hagen said: That talk is wholly wasted,

vile edeliu küninginne. jâ hân ich des gesworen.

most noble queen. I have indeed sworn

daz ich den hort iht zeige. die wîle decheiner lebe.

that I will not show the hoard as long as any

der mînen edelen hêrren. unde in niemanne gebe.

of my noble lords lives, and will give it to no one.

er wiste wole diu mære. sine liezen in niht genesen.

He knew well how matters stood: they would not let him live.

wie möhte ein untriuwe. iemer sterker wesen.

How could any treachery ever be greater?

er vorhte sô si hête. im sînen lîp genomen.

He feared that, once she had taken his life,

daz si danne ire bruoder. lieze heim ze lande komen.

she would then let her brother come home to his land.

ich bringeez an ein ende. gedâhte daz edel wîp.

I will bring it to an end, thought the noble woman.

dô hiez si ire bruoder. nemen den lîp.

Then she ordered her brother's life to be taken.

man sluoc im abe daz houbet. bî hâre si ez truoc.

His head was struck off; she carried it by the hair

vüre den helt von Tronege. dô warde im leide genuoc.

before the hero of Tronje. Then he was sorely grieved.

alsô der ungemuote. sînes hêrren houbet sach.

When the despondent man saw his lord's head,

wider Kriemhilten. dô der recke sprach.

the warrior then spoke to Kriemhild:

dû hâst ez zeeineme ende. nâch dîneme willen brâht.

You have brought it to an end, as you wished,

unde ist ouch rehte ergangen. als ich mir hête gedâht.

and it has turned out just as I had thought.

nû ist von Burgonden. der edel küninc tôt.

Now the noble king of the Burgundians is dead,

Gîselher unde Volcgêr. Dancwart unde Gêrnôt.

Giselher and Volker, Dankwart and Gernot.

den hort den weiz nû nieman. wan got unde mîn.

Now no one knows of the hoard but God and I.

der sol dich vâlantinne. iemer wole verholen sîn.

From you, she-devil, it shall be hidden forever.

si sprach sô habet ir übele. geltes mich gewert.

She said: Then you have paid me back badly.

sô wile doch ich behalten. daz Sîvrides swert.

Then I will at least keep Siegfried's sword.

daz truoc mîn holder vriedel. dô ir im nâmet den lîp.

My dear beloved wore it when you took his life

mortlîche mit untriuwen. sprach dô daz jâmerhafte wîp.

murderously, with treachery, said the grieving woman.

si zôch ez von der scheiden. daz enkundeer niht gewern.

She drew it from the sheath; he could not prevent it.

dô dâhte si den recken. des lîbes vol behern.

Then she meant to rob the warrior of his life entirely.

si huopez mit ire handen. daz houbet si im abe sluoc.

She raised it in her hands; she struck off his head.

daz sach der küninc Ètzele. dô was im leide genuoc.

King Etzel saw that; then he was sorely grieved.

wâfen sprach der vürste. wie ist nû tôt gelegen.

Alas, said the prince, how now lies dead

von eines wîbes handen. der allerbezziste degen.

at a woman's hands the very best warrior

der ie kom zestürmen. oder ie schilt getruoc.

who ever came to battle or ever bore a shield!

swie vîant ich im wære. ez ist mir leide genuoc.

Enemy to him though I was, it grieves me sorely.

dô sprach meister Hiltebrant. jâne geniuzet si es niht.

Then Master Hildebrand said: Truly she shall have no profit

daz si in slahen torste. swaz halt mir geschihet.

from daring to slay him, whatever may happen to me.

swie er mich selben bræhte. inangestlîche nôt.

Though he brought me myself into fearful danger,

iedoch sô wile ich rechen. des vile küenen recken tôt.

yet I will avenge the death of the very bold warrior.

Hiltebrant mit zorne. zuo Kriemhilte spranc.

Hildebrand in anger leapt at Kriemhild.

er sluoc der küninginne. einen grimmen swanc.

He dealt the queen a fierce sweeping blow.

jâ tet ir diu sorge. von dem degene wê.

Indeed her dread of the warrior caused her pain.

si mohte lützel helfen. daz si sô angestlîchen schrê.

It helped her little that she screamed so fearfully.

dô was gelegen aller. dâ der veigen lîp.

Then all the doomed lay dead there.

zestücken lac verhouwen. dô daz edel wîp.

The noble woman then lay hewn to pieces.