Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/230

172 Then came her brother Gernot to the treasure chamber. By leave of the king in the door he thrust the key. Kriemhild’s gold was handed forth, a thousand marks or more. He bade the strangers take it; much this pleased King Gunther.

Then spake Gotelind’s knight from Bechelaren: “And had my Lady Kriemhild all the hoard that was brought from the Nibelung land, little of it would mine or the queen’s hand touch. Now bid them keep it, for I will none of it. Forsooth I brought from home such store of mine that we can lightly do without this on the road, for we be furnished for the journey in full lordly wise.”

Afore this her maids had filled twelve chests at leisure with the very best of gold that anywhere might be. This they took with them and great store of women’s trinkets, which they should wear upon the road. Her-thought too great the might of Hagen. Of her gold for offerings she had still a thousand marks. For her dear husband’s soul she dealt it out. This Rüdeger thought was done in faithful love. Then spake the mournful lady: “Where be now my friends who for my sake would live in exile? Let those who would ride with me to the Hunnish land, take now my treasure and purchase horses and trappings.”

Then spake the margrave Eckewart to the queen: “Since the day I first became your vassal, I have served you faithfully,” spake the knight, “and aye will do the same by you until mine end. I will take with me also five hundred of my men and place them in your service right loyally. Naught shall ever part us, save death alone.”