Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/167

VIII.]

Then Hagen spake of Tronjé: “Fair lady, have no fear!

The king of the Rhine river hath gold enough, and gear

To lavish just as freely; and well may we forego

To take Brunhilda’s treasure when hence we homeward go.”

“Nay, for mine own sake, hear me,” the queen said, “for I will

Take with me twenty coffers, which I with gold will fill

And silken staffs, which also I’ll give with mine own hand,

When we come over yonder unto King Gunther’s land.”

With precious stones and jewels they did her coffers lade;

Her own lords of the chamber to help therewith she bade;

For she would put no trust in the men of Giselher.

Gunther, therefore, and Hagen began to laugh at her.

Then spake the Queen Brunhilda: “To whom leave I my land?

That first must be determimed by thine and mine own hand.”

The noble king made answer: “Let him forthwith appear

Who best thereto would please you,— we'll leave him steward here.”

One of her noblest kinsmen the lady to her bade,

(It was her mother’s brother) to him the maiden said:

“To you be now entrusted my castles and the land,

Until they come directly under King Gunther’s hand.”

Then did she of her people choose twenty hundred men,

Who with her to the Rhineland must make the voyage then,—

Beside the thousand warriors who came from Niblung land.

Then all to start made ready: they rode down to the strand.