Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/481

XXXIX.]

He spake: “I needs must thank thee, most noble sister mine,

Though I would fain a greeting more gracious have than thine!

O queen, well do I know thee, how wrathful is thy mood,

And that for me and Hagen thou hast no greeting good.”

Of Bern then spake the hero: “Never, most noble queen,

Knights of such fair demeanour, your hostages have been

As these, most gracious lady, whom now to you I give:

See that ye let the strangers for my sake safely live.”

She vow’d to do it gladly: so the Lord Dietrich came—

His eyes with tears o’erflowing— from those two chiefs of fame.

Soon vengeance sore upon them was wreak’d by Etzel’s wife:

Of both these chosen warriors she took away the life.

Her evil mood obeying, apart she made them lie,

That neither on the other from that time forth set eye,

Until in front of Hagen her brother’s head she laid.

On both of them Kriemhilda her vengeance well repaid.

For first the queen betook her where she might Hagen see:

And spake unto the warrior,— how full of enmity!

“What thou from me hast taken if thou again wilt give,

Then home thou yet mayst journey to Burgundy alive.”

But Hagen grim made answer: “You throw your words away,

Most noble queen, for truly I’ve sworn, and now I say

The treasure I will show not, so long as either one

Be living of my masters;— I’ll yield it up to none.”