Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/272

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The king and all his kinsmen now left their land behind—

The best of all were taken that one therein could find—

None stay’d save Hagen only; that did he for the hate

He bore unto Kriemhilda; with purpose did he wait.

Before the mighty king came back to his home again,

Hagen had meanwhile managed the treasure great to gain.

Down in the Rhine at Lochheim he sank it bodily.

He hoped yet to enjoy it: but that was not to be.

The princes came back shortly, and with them many a man.

Of her great loss Kriemhilda to make complaint began,

And all her maids and ladies: great was their grief, in sooth.

Ready with faithful service was Giselher the youth.

They one and all said: “Hagen hath done us a foul wrong.”

Then from the princes’ anger  he kept aloof for long,

Till he regain’d their favour; and so they left him free:

Yet never to Kriemhilda could he more hateful be.

Before Hagen of Tronjé had hidden thus the hoard,

They made a pact together and with strong oaths assured,

That it should remain hidden as long as each should live:

None for himself should take it, nor to another give.

So now again with sorrow her heart was desolate:

First for her husband’s murder, and now that her estate

Had all been taken from her. Thus she became a prey

Unto her grief forever until her dying day.