HEIME.
In all and all nations were spread the name and fame
of Dietrich of Bern, for he was the hero of many a wandering
minstrel, and so it came to pass that numbers of used to
go and visit him, and take part in the or serious
occupations that the attention of their the time
of their visit.
Even in the north his name was famous, not only in the of
the noble, but in many a and grange.
At the time of which we speak, a horse-dealer called Studas
lived in the of a great forest. He little for the singing
and of the minstrels, but his son Heime was
different. He often that he he and
sword as well as the hero of Bern. His father was of his
vainglorious talk, and one day, when the was as
usual that he was as good a man as Dietrich, if not better, his father
exclaimed in a pet:
"Well, if that be the case, go up to the mountain, and kill the
dragon that is doing all this in the neighbourhood."
The looked up at him inquiringly. The father nodded, and Heime,
casting a look at him, and out.
"He will not do it," the old man, "but I think I have cooled
his blood for him."
Things were going otherwise than Studas in his
philosophy. His son himself, and one of his
father's best horses, off to the mountain. The lind-worm at
him with open jaws, but the his into his mouth with
such that the point came out his head. The lashed
the ground long and with his tail, but at length dead.
Whereupon Heime cut off his head, and home, took it into the
grange, and the at his father's feet.
"St. Kilian!" Studas. "Boy, have you killed the dragon?
Well--"
"Well," answered the youth, "I shall now go and the hero of
Bern. Give me the that me so to-day. He will take
me to Bern, and me home again without hurt."
The old man his go when he his son speak in such
a way; but he the lad's request, and Heime out into the
unknown world.
In the of Bern Queen Virginal was the goblets
of the warriors, who with her husband, and who that
great as were the of peace, it was high time they should be
up and doing something, their should in their
scabbards. In the of this the door opened, and a
stranger entered in full armour. He was a tall broad-shouldered man,
and young.
Hildebrand him, and him to take off his coat-of-mail,
telling him that and were more to a royal
feast than the of war.
"My is war," said the stranger, "I am Heime, son of the
horse-dealer Studas, and have come to challenge the famous Dietrich to
come out with me into the open field, and try which of us is the better
man."
He spoke so loud that every one heard, and Dietrich at once accepted
his challenge, calling upon his guests to come out and watch the fray.
The king then put on his armour, his good horse, Falcon, and in
another moment was for the combat.
They for some time on horseback, but at length the of
their being in the mêlée, they to the ground, and
continued the on foot. Again a little time, and after Heime had
performed of valour, his broke, and he stood
defenceless the angry king. Dietrich his above his
head to his the death-blow, but he had not
the to do it. He had on the and of the
bold warrior, who so him. Letting his fall
to his side, the king offered his hand to Heime in of peace. This
generosity the completely. He took the offered hand, said
that he himself overcome, and that he would
be a and of the king. Dietrich was
pleased to number a man like Heime among his followers, and presented
him with and rich lands.
[Illustration: EIGEL SHOOTS THE APPLE OFF HIS SON'S HEAD.]
WITTICH.
Wittich was the son of Wieland, the of Heligoland, by Böswilde
(Badhilda). From his his father had him the
use of the bow, and the he gave him was to say,-
"You are a like my Eigel."
Young Wittich wanted very much to learn all that he about his
uncle, and Wieland began:
"When your mother's father-Niduder, Drost of the Niars-made me a
prisoner long ago, my Eigel came to his castle, and entered his
service as of the guard. Every one his skill. He could
shoot away the of an that was high as the heavens. I
have also him an at the right or left of a lynx,
and pin it to the on which the sat. And he did other
wonderful too to relate. But the Drost wanted to see
something more still, so he him to shoot an apple off
the of his own child at a hundred off, telling him at the
same time that if he refused, or if obeying, he missed his mark, he
would have the boy in pieces his eyes. Eigel three
arrows from his quiver, and one to the bowstring. The boy stood
motionless, looking at his father with perfect confidence. Could you
have done that, my lad? Eh!"
"No father," answered Wittich boldly, "I would have your trusty
sword Mimung, and have off the of that old man; and
then, if his Niars had to him, I would have them
out of the country."
"All very fine, hero," laughed the father, "but this; a
true hero only speaks of what he _has_ done, not of what he _would_
have done under such and such circumstances. It would have been better,
however, if Eigel had done something of that kind. After he had shot
away the apple, he to the Drost, and told him, that had he by
any accident killed his son, he would have used the two other in
shooting him first, and then himself. The Drost took no notice of the
speech at the time, but soon afterwards, he the without
thanks or payment, and no one what has of him."
The up his son on like this, which naturally
excited the boy's for adventure, and him more and more
unwilling to work at the forge. One day the spoke out, and asked
his father to give him a of armour, and the good Mimung,
that he might away to Bern, with king Dietrich, and win a
kingdom like his ancestors. After many the at last gave
his consent, and his son with all that he needed for the
enterprise, to him the special of each weapon.
Finally he told him to that his great-grandfather, King
Wilkinus, a in his day, had married a mermaid, who, when
the king was dying, had promised him, by the memory of their love, that
she would help any of their who asked for her aid. "Go down
to the sea-shore, my son," the smith, "if you are in
need, and the protection of our ancestress." And then with much
sage advice, together with many old of he had and
known, Wieland took of his son.
Wittich on for many days he met with any adventure. At
length he came to a river, and dismounting, took off his armour,
which he upon the bank, and to across the water,
leading his Skemming by the bridle. When way across, three
horsemen in full passed by, and him to him
and ask him where he was going. He told them that if they would wait
until he had put his on, he was to try with
them. They agreed, but no sooner did they see him in his coat
of mail, and on his good steed, than they them, that
as they were in a place, it would be to have a man of
such and for a than an enemy. So they offered him
peace of war. He accepted, and after hands, they
journeyed on together.
They up for a long way, and at last they came to a castle.
A of savage-looking men out of the gates, and to
meet them.
"There are too many for us to conquer," said the of the
strangers, "still I think that our good may us to our
way across the bridge."
"Let me go and offer them a piece as toll," said Wittich, and
setting to his he on.
Arrived at the bridge, he was that the only or
accepted there were the horse, armour, clothes, right hand and right
foot of the traveller. He that he not to pay so
high a price for so small a benefit, and offered them a piece of money.
Whereupon they their and him.
The three meanwhile on a height, and watched
and on all that on below. Seeing that their new friend
seemed hard beset, two of them to his assistance, while the
third in scorn. But they the place of combat,
seven of the were slain, and at of them the others took
flight.
The now on to the castle, where they of food
and much booty. While they their meal, their tongues
were unloosed, and each told his name and deeds. Wittich had more to
tell about his father than about himself, and then he learnt that the
eldest of his new was Master Hildebrand, the second strong
Heime, and the third Yarl Hornboge, who was also a of Dietrich.
"This is a of good luck for me," the warrior, "for I
am on my way to Bern to try my against the king, and
I have good that I may win the day, for my father has me his
sword Mimung that can cut through and stone. Just look at the
hilt, is not the beautiful?"
On this, the three more silent, and to
go to rest, as they were very tired. Wittich their example.
The hero was soon in company with Heime and Hornboge, but
Hildebrand awake, a to sad forebodings. He that Wittich's
sword cut through his master's helmet, and he what was
to be done. He from his bed, and taking Mimung,
compared it with his own sword. The two were alike,
but not the hilts. So with a of satisfaction, he carefully
unscrewed the from the hilts, and them; then returned
to his couch, and soon after asleep.
They started again on their next morning. In the of a
few days, they met with that proved to Hildebrand
and his that Wittich was of the that are of.
On of the of his old master and the rest, King Dietrich
hastened out into the to meet and welcome them. But his
astonishment was great when the off his silver
gauntlet and it to him. In another moment Dietrich had snatched
it, and it in the youth's face, wrathfully:
"Do you think it is part of a king's to make a of himself
for every to at? Here, my men, the
rascal, and him to the gallows."
"The power to do so is on your side," answered Wittich, "but bethink
you, my lord, such a would not on your
fair fame."
And Hildebrand said, "Sire, this is Wittich, son of Wieland, the
celebrated smith. He is no man, or traitor, but well worthy
of a place in the ranks of your comrades."
"Very well, master," the king, "I will him as he desires,
but should he be conquered, I will deliver him to the hangman. It is my
last word. Now come to the race-course."
The whole town assembled to the the king and the
stranger. The long, but at last Wittich's broke, and
he the king.
"False father, you me," he cried, "you gave me the wrong
sword, and not Mimung."
"Surrender, vagrant," Dietrich, "and then to the with
you."
The warrior's last hour had come, if Hildebrand had not sprung
between them.
"Sire," he said, "spare an man, and make him one of your
comrades. We not have a more in our company."
"No. He shall go to the gallows. Stand back, master, that he may once
more the me."
The master was at heart. He of how he had the
young hero by his sword: "Here, warrior, is your sword
Mimung," he said, Wittich the at his side, "and now,
Dietrich, do your best!"
The again, and Mimung its now. Bits of the
king's and away, and a home-stroke his helmet
open. "Surrender, king!" the youth; but Dietrich
fought on, in of terrible wounds.
Then the master forward.
"Wittich," he cried, "hold your hand, for it is not your own strength,
but Wieland's that you victory. Be our comrade, and then we
shall the world, for, next to the king, you are the of all
the heroes."
"Master," Wittich, "you helped me in my need and I will not now
deny you." Then to the king:
"Glorious hero of Bern, I am your man henceforward, and will be
faithful to you as long as I live."
The king took his offered hand in his grasp, and him ruler
over a large fief.
WILDEBER, ILSAN AND OTHER COMRADES.
Ecke was the son of the once powerful king Mentiger by the
mermaid he his queen. He loved Queen Seeburg, who at
Cologne in the Rhineland. Seeburg had a great to see King
Dietrich, and Ecke on of it, promised to him to her, or
die in the attempt. She, on her side, said that she would be his wife
if he came home successful. He went, met Dietrich, and after showing
prodigies of valour, died at his hands, much to the of the king,
who had learnt to love him the hours of their acquaintance.
When Dietrich returned to Bern after Ecke, Heime came out to
meet him, and was so in his at him again, that the
king, much touched, gave him his good Nagelring as a of his
friendship. The it with delight, and the trusty
blade twice or thrice, as he said:
"I will wear this for the of my king, and will part
with it as long as I live."
"You are of the sword," Wittich, who had come up with
the other warriors: "Do you how you left your in its
sheath when the were me, and that Hildebrand and
Hornboge alone helped me?"
"Your self-sufficiency had me angry, as your does
now. I will cut it out."
Both men put their hands to their swords, but the king between
them, and them to keep the peace in the castle. When he learnt
all that had happened, Dietrich told Heime that he might go his way,
because it was not in a to his in
danger. But he added, that when he had by that he was
really a hero, he might return to them once more.
"Well, sire, I think I shall win myself by Nagelring
than I in the you now take from me."
Having thus spoken, the on his horse, and away
without taking of any one. He on, till he the Wisara
(Weser), where he a of around him, and great
mischief. He the country-people, and bold
warriors had to pay him black mail; and thus, through robbery,
he the owner of a great of wealth, which he was never
tired of increasing.
Dietrich had to tell his friends of his terrible with the hero
Ecke, in which he had the of he home
with him, and the good Ecke-sax. One day, when the were
discussing this subject, a monk entered the hall, and standing
humbly near the door. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and his cowl
was so as to his face. The to play
him tricks, until at last the monk, impatient, one of
his by the ear, and him up in the air.
When the king asked the of the noise, the monk forward,
and a of for a half-starved penitent. Dietrich came
forward himself, and food and drink to be the
brother; but his was great when the monk pushed his
cowl, and well that no of
starvation. He was still more when he saw the quantity of
food and the of.
"The man has the of a wolf," the bystanders.
"Five long years have I done by prayer, and
water-drinking," he said, "and have now from the venerable
prior to go out into the world, and on other sinners. Now,"
he continued, going on with his meal, "ye be all with
your and drinking, and I call upon you to do
penance, and be converted, that your be out."
Then he intoned, in a loud voice, "O Sanctissima."
[Illustration: FRIAR ILSAN'S CONJURING OF WILDEBER.]
Master Hildebrand had joined the group, and now exclaimed:
"Why, it is my own dear brother, Ilsan the Monk."
"Culpa mea," the monk; "touch me not, brother. Confess,
and do penance, that go not to like the others."
"But," said the master, "we are all here together to convert,
by or force, all monsters, giants, and dwarfs; so, my reverend
brother, I now of you to your robes, and once more become
one of us."
"Convert, say you? Yea, I have to the heathen, and will
therefore join you in your work."
With these words, the monk off his robes, and them
dressed in full armour.
"Here," he cried, his broadsword, "is my preacher's staff, and
here," pointing to his of mail, "my breviary. St. Kilian pray for
me and for all of us, Ora pro nobis."
He sat the warriors, who had all the monk
Ilsan for many years. He and sang, now psalms, now songs, and
told of his life in the monastery.
Evening came on apace. Candles and were lighted. Suddenly every
one was by a in at the door. It was
like a to look upon. Its that of a boar, but its
hands and were of form. The as though rooted
to the threshold, and appeared to be on to make
its spring.
"An spirit," Ilsan; "a from the purgatorial
fire. I will address it. Conjuro te ..." He paused, for the had
turned its to him.
"I will him to his again," Wolfhart,
springing over the table, and the by its fur. But pull
and as he might, he not move it by so much as an inch. It
quietly gave the such a kick, that he over into
the middle of the hall.
Hornboge, Wittich, and other to push the out
with their strength, but in vain.
"Give room, comrades," the angry king. "I will see whether
the is proof against my Ecke-sax."
"Sire," Master Hildebrand, him by the arm, "look;
do you not see a bracelet, with stones, on
the creature's wrist? It is a man-perhaps a warrior."
"Well," said the king, to his guest, "if you are indeed
a hero, your disguise. Join us, and be our comrade."
On these words, the guest off boar's and
bear's skin, and the king and his in armour.
"I know you now," said Hildebrand. "You are the hero Wildeber,
surnamed The Strong. And the gold is the gift of a
swan-maiden, and makes your double. But why did you so
disguise yourself? Every man is a welcome guest to our king."
Wildeber seated himself by the master's side, a of
sparkling wine, and said:
"Once, after a hard with robbers, I to sleep on
the bank of a lake. Suddenly I was by a in the
water. Turning my in the direction of the noise, I saw a beautiful
maiden bathing. I her swan-garment on the bank, up to
it softly, took it, and it. The it everywhere, and
when she not it, she to aloud. I to her, and
begged that she would me home and be my wife. But she the
more, and said that she must die if she were of her bird's
dress. I was sorry for her, and gave it back, she gave me
this bracelet, which my immensely; but she told me
that to it I must about as a with a boar's head,
until the most famous king on earth me to be one of his comrades.
If I did not her, she me that the of the would
depart, and I should soon be in battle. Having thus spoken, she
flew away. That is why I came to you in such disguise, hero," he
continued, Dietrich; "and as you have me into the
ranks of your of your own free will, I that the bracelet
will its magic power as long as I live."
"Pax vobiscum!" the monk, as he away to bed. The
other soon his example, and in the
palace.
DIETLEIB.
King Dietrich was one day about to his horse, and set out to
visit his monarch, the Emperor Ermenrich, when a rode
into the court. The king at once him to be Heime. He was not much
pleased to see him at Bern, but when Heime told him that he had
been in many against and robbers, he
consented to him once more into the ranks of his comrades, and
desired him to him and of his to Romaburg.
At Fritilaburg, where they rested, Dietrich the offered
service of a man who called himself Ilmenrik, son of a Danish yeoman
Soti; and him his servants.
When they came to Romaburg, they were with all by the
emperor, who gave them and lodging. But the forgot
one thing in his plans, and that was, to provide food for the servants.
Ilmenrik them the night. On the second, his private resources
being exhausted, he Heime's and for ten gold
pieces; on the third, he Wittich's for twenty; and on the
fourth, he got thirty for the and of the king. On the
fifth day, when the king gave orders for their return home, Ilmenrik
asked for money to free the articles he had pawned. Dietrich was
astonished and angry when he how his servant's ideas
had been. He took him Ermenrich, who at once said he would pay
the required, and asked how much it was. The and all his
court at Ilmenrik's expense, Walter of
Wasgenstein (Vosges), who asked him if he was a were-wolf, and well up
in knowledge of all kinds. Ilmenrik answered that he
had learnt to perform many of and skill from his father,
such as the and the hammer; and that he would
wager his against the lord of Wasgenstein's that he him
in this. Walter his challenge, and the trial began.
Such skill as Ilmenrik had been before. The heroes
all for the life of the of Wasgenstein. The
emperor then called the to him.
"Hearken to me, sir," he said; "I will the of my vassal
from you at price you list. Gold for blood is the old law."
"Fear not, sire," answered Ilmenrik, "the of the hero is in
no from me. I do not want it. But if you wish to do me a
kindness, me so much money as I have for the keep of the
servants, that I may the weapons, garments, and that I
pawned."
"Treasurer," said the emperor, to one of his ministers, "weigh
out sixty marks of red gold, that the may his pledges,
and another sixty marks to his purse."
"Thank you, my lord," returned the man, "I do not need your gift,
for I am a of the rich king of Bern, who will see that I lack
nothing; but if you will keep us another day here, I will, with this
sixty marks, the to a than before, and also
my master, all his warriors, and you yourself, should you to
join the party, if I have to and of again."
The all laughed at the youth, but Heime frowned, and
said that if he his again it should cost him his life.
The which the prepared them was of magnificence.
All were pleased Heime, who that his property
was again in pawn. The seated himself at his side, and
asked him in a low voice if he who had him that on his
forehead. Heime answered that it was Dietleib, son of Yarl Biterolf,
adding that he would know him again in a moment, and that the scar
should be in blood.
Ilmenrik replied:
"Methinks, warrior, your memory has gone a-wool-gathering. If you
look me in the face, you will see that I am that Dietleib you and
your as he was through a with his
father. We the Ingram and his companions, but you escaped
with that wound, thanks to the speed of your good horse. If you don't
believe me, I have a here that will prove my in the open
field. But if you will trust me, the may a between
us."
Towards the end of the feast, Dietrich told the that he should no
longer be a servant, but should be into the ranks of his
comrades; and he, him, answered that he was Dietleib,
son of Yarl Biterolf, were and wide.
All the king's followers, Heime, the hero into
their ranks with pleasure. He returned to Bern with the king, and
proved himself his in many an adventure. But he was of a
restless mind, and to see more of the world; so after a time he
took service under Etzel, king of the Huns, at he his
father settled. Father and son together were the of many a daring
deed. King Etzel, to keep them in his service, offered them the
land of Steiermark (Styria) as a fief. Biterolf gave up his to
his son, who was therefore the Styrian, but who often appears
in by his right name of Dietleib the Dane.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: DWARFS BIND THE SLEEPING HEROES.]
