Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/132

54

King Ludegast of Denmark was healed now of his wound,

And eke the Saxon leader was once more whole and sound.

Albeit many dead men they left in alien land.

Then went the royal Gunther to where Siegfried did stand.

And to the warrior spake he: “Advise what I shall do;

For early on the morrow our foes intend to go,

And crave abiding pledges of peace, from mine and me:

Now counsel me, thane Siegfried, what seemeth good to thee?

“What ransom they have offered thou shalt be truly told:

So much as mares five hundred can carry of pure gold,

This will they give me gladly, if I will set them free.”

Then Siegfried answered stoutly: “That would unworthy be!

“Free, and without a ransom hence shouldst thou let them fare:

And that these noble warriors henceforward may beware

How they come hither, riding as foemen to our land,

Of this in full assurance let both kings give their hand.”

“This counsel will I follow!” So saying, forth they went.

A message to the foemen was soon thereafter sent:

“The gold, that ye have offered, doth no man care to keep,

While for the strife-worn warriors at home their dear ones weep,”

Then many a shield with treasure piled high they carried there:

Enough, although he weighed not, for every friend to share;

Five hundred marks well-counted, yea more, he gave to some.

This counsel to King Gunther had from bold Gernot come.