The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) by Cyril Edwards Read Free Book Online

afterwards found in Burgundy!
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    In his best times, in his young days, many marvels might be told of Sivrit: how his reputation grew, and how handsome he was. Afterwards women of great beauty came to love him. He was brought
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    up with such care as well befitted him. What knightly qualities he acquired, being naturally disposed towards them! His father’s lands came to be adorned by this, everyone finding him so truly noble in all respects.
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    Now he had reached the right age for riding to court. The people were glad to see him. Many a lady and maiden wished that he would always feel disposed to go there. A good many grew fond of him, as the lord well observed.
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    They very rarely let the boy ride without a guard. * Sigmunt and Siglint ordered that he be elegantly dressed. The wise men of the court, knowledgeable in matters of reputation, also took care of him. Thus he proved well capable of winning for himself both the people and the land. By now his strength was such that he was well capable
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    of bearing arms. He had ample supply of all he needed for that. He began to woo, astutely, beautiful women. It was a high honour for them to make love to bold Sivrit.
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    Then his father, Sigmunt, proclaimed to his vassals that he wanted to hold a festivity among his dear friends. Those tidings were then taken into other kings’ lands. He gave chargers and good garments to strangers and acquaintances alike. Wherever any were found who
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    might be made knights by virtue of their lineage, those noble children were invited to the land for the festivity. They afterwards took sword * together with the young king.
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    Marvels might be told of that festivity. Sigmunt and Siglint were well capable of acquiring much honour by their lavish hospitality; their hands dealt out many gifts. In consequence many strangers were seen to ride into their land.
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    Four hundred squires were to take sword and wear knights’ clothing together with Sivrit. Great numbers of fair maidens were busy at their work, for they held him dear. The ladies laid many precious stones into the gold, which they wanted to work with braids into the
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    garments of the proud young knights—that could not be omitted.The host then bade seats be set up for bold men in great numbers at the summer solstice, when his son gained a knight’s name in splendour.
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    Then wealthy squires in great numbers and many noble knights went into a minster. The old and wise men did right to serve the young and foolish, as had been done for them before. They took pleasure in this, and also had hopes of great joy to come.
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    Then, to honour God, they sang a mass. A great press of people arose where they became knights, according to knightly law, with such a display of high honour as may in all likelihood never happen again.
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    They ran to where they found many warhorses saddled. At Sigmunt’s court the bohort * grew so great that the palace and great hall were heard to echo with the sound. Those high-spirited knights created a mighty clamour. Many a charge was to be heard,
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    undertaken by old and young alike, the splitting of shafts resounding in the air. Splinters were seen to fly far beyond the great hall, the work of many a warrior’s hands—skill was at work there!
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    The host asked that the fighting should cease. Then the warhorses were reared in. A great many sturdy shield-buckles were seen to be shattered there, many precious stones felled onto the grass from the bright shields’ bosses—the charges had brought all that about.
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    Then the host’s guests went to where they had been assigned their seats. Noble food in plenty parted them from their weariness, together with the very best of wine, brought in for them in great quantities. Ample hospitality was offered there to strangers and acquaintances alike. Though the nobles enjoyed their pastimes all the day long,
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    many travelling people * took no rest. They served to earn gifts, which were to be found