Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/295

XX.]

“For if she hence should bring it, I’ll wager verily

’T would be in largesse given to stir up hate for me.

They have not e’en the horses to carry it away.

’Tis Hagen’s will to keep it, thus unto Kriemhild’ say.”

Now when she heard this message, smit to the heart was she.

The word was likewise carried unto the kings all three.

Fain would they have gainsaid it, but as this did no good,

Sir Rüdeger the noble outspake in joyous mood:

“O, mighty Queen, and noble, why grieve ye for this gold?

When unto you king Etzel such kindliness doth hold,

That when his eyes behold you, he’ll give such riches rare

That you can never spend it: that, lady, will I swear.”

To him the queen made answer: “Most noble Rüdeger,

Never had a king’s daughter more wealth bequeath’d to her

Than that of which Sir Hagen hath now despoiléd me.”

Then went her brother Gernot unto the treasury.

By right the king’s key took he and put it in the door:

And gold therefrom withdrew they, that was of Kriemhild’s store;

Of marks full thirty thousand or something more they had:

He bade the guests to take it: and Gunther was right glad.

Then he from Bechelaren, dame Gotelinda’s lord,

Said: “If my lady Kriemhild yet ownéd all the hoard

Such as it was aforetime when brought from Niblung-land,

Nor I, nor the queen either, would touch it with our hand.