The Nibelungenlied

Quoth the translator, “This translation of the Nibelungenlied is published with the simple purpose of placing one of the world’s great epic poems within the reach of English readers.” George Henry Needler attempted not just to transliterate the original, but to reproduce its poetic form in modern English; the result is a fine, fine thing, and well worth examination. This particular translation is from an edition published as The Nibelungenlied in 1909. The translation is engaging and fairly modern English it opens “Full many a wonder is told us in stories old, of heroes worthy of praise, of hardships dire, of joy and feasting, of the fighting of bold warriors, of weeping and of wailing; now ye may hear wonders told. . . .” The Nibelungenlied was originally written in Middle High German (M.H.G.), sometime around 1200 A.D., though the dating is by no means certain. The author is unknown, but the text is legend, and legendary.