Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/270

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The gem of all lay lowest— a little rod of gold.

Whoever understood it he might the mastery hold

In all the world’s dominions, o’er every race of men.

Of Albrich’s kinsmen many did follow Gernot then.

As soon as they had carried the hoard to Gunther’s land,

And thus the queen had taken the whole into her hand,

The storerooms and the towers were full as they could hold.

Never of such vast treasure the marvel hath been told.

And even were the treasure increased a thousand fold,

And she once more might Siegfried in health and strength behold,

Gladly to him would Kriemhild have empty-handed gone:

For never could a hero a truer wife have won.

Now that she had the treasure, she brought unto the land

Full many a stranger-warrior; in truth the lady’s hand

Her bounty gave so largely, the like had ne’er been known.

This queen had many virtues: that all the folk did own.

To poor men and to wealthy she now began to give

So much, that Hagen argued: if she perchance should live

For long enough, ’twas likely so many would she win

To stay there in her service, that ’twould go ill with him.

King Gunther said: “Her own are her body and estate;

What she shall do with either how then can I dictate?

Nay, hardly could I compass that she became thus kind.

So let both gold and silver go as she hath a mind.”