And say this to your maidens whom you will thither bring:
‘Ay, many a chosen hero shall we meet travelling.’ ”
1268
Still much of wrought equipment from Siegfried’s time they had,
That had been used in riding; wherewith full many a maid
Might take the road with honour whene’er they thence should fare.
Ay! goodly were the saddles they gave the ladies fair.
1269
If suchlike costly raiment they ere had worn before,
Now ready for the journey they had a goodly store;
For of the King such marvels had unto them been said.
Chests that had long been standing close-lock’d were open laid.
1270
Unwearyingly work’d they till unto the fifth day;
They sought from out the presses the stores that in them lay.
Her treasure-chests to open Kriemhild herself did go.
On Rüdeger’s good liegemen she fain would wealth bestow.
1271
Still had she somewhat over of gold from Niblung-land;
(Among the Huns she thought to divide it with her hand),
A hundred sumpter horses the load could nowise bear.
This tale about Kriemhilda was brought to Hagen’s ear.
1272
Quoth he: “Because Kriemhilda will ne’er to me be kind,
The gold that once was Siegfried’s, she needs must leave behind.
Why should I such a treasure unto my foes let go?
Right well I know what Kriemhild with all this gold will do.
1273
“For if she hence should bring it, I’ll wager verily
’Twould 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.”
1274
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:
1275
“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.”
1276
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.
1277
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.
1278
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.
1279
“Now back let it be taken, for of it will I naught;
Sufficient from my country, ay, of mine own, I brought,
That we can do without it right well upon the way,
And all our homeward charges right royally can pay.”
1280
Unto that end her maidens had meanwhile pieces told
Into a dozen coffers, all of the finest gold
That ever one might meet with: these with them they would bear,
And ornaments for ladies upon the road to wear.
1281
The mastery of grim Hagen seem’d overpowering.
Some thousand marks still had she left from the almsgiving.
For her dear husband’s welfare the whole did she dispart;
And Rüdeger but deem’d it done with a right true heart.
1282
Then said the weeping lady: “Where are those friends of mine
Who for my sake are willing in banishment to pine?
They who unto the Huns’ land will bear me company?
Let them take of my treasure and horse and raiment buy.”
1283
Then Eckewart the margrave, made answer to the queen:
“So long as in your household a servant I have been
Right truly have I served you,” thus did the warrior say,
“Nor will I cease to do so until my dying day.
1284
“And of my men five hundred eke will I bring with me,
Whom I unto your service do pledge right faithfully.
For nothing shall divide us, till Death our lives do part.”
She bent her head to thank him: too full was her sad heart.
1285
Then led they forth the palfreys, for it was time to go.
Her friends all fell a-weeping, and many tears did flow.
The noble lady Uté and many a maiden fair
Show’d that for dame Kriemhilda their hearts were full of care.
1286
A hundred high-born maidens along with her she led,
Who as their rank befitted were all apparelléd.
Then from their eyes bright-shining did many a tear-drop well.
And yet with Etzel later much pleasure them befell.
1287
Lord Giselher came also and Gernot none the less,
With many of their household, as bade their courtliness.
They would their well-loved sister upon her journey bring.
They led a thousand warriors, a goodly following.
1288
The ever-ready Gere, and Ortwein also came;
Rumold the kitchen-master he too must come with them.
Night-quarters made they ready hard by the Danube side.
But Gunther from the city did but a small space ride.
1289
Ere from the Rhine they journey’d they had before them sent
Their messengers, who swiftly unto the Huns’ land went,
And told the king beforehand how Rüdeger had done,
And as a wife for Etzel the noble queen had won.
Adventure XXI
How Kriemhilda Went to the Huns
1290
Leave we the heralds riding: we must make known to you
How the Queen’s journey prosper’d, as she the land rode through;
And where from her did Gernot and Giselher depart.
Right truly each had served her, as taught of faithful heart.
1291
They rode as far as Pfoering, upon the Danube-strand.
Then of the queen began they kind quittance to demand,
Since homeward they returning unto the Rhine would ride:
Nor might this without weeping ’twixt loving friends betide.
1292
Then Giselher the ready unto his sister said:
“If ever thou, fair lady, shouldst stand in need of aid,
If e’er thou art in danger, fail not to let me know.
To Etzel’s land to serve thee I presently will go.”
1293
Those who were of her kindred upon the mouth she kist;
And at the hour of parting full many a loving tryst
One saw the liegemen keeping of margrave Rüdeger:
For many a well-dight maiden the queen led forth with her.
1294
Five score and four in number: rich clothing did they wear
And brightly tinctured cloth-stuffs: and many men did bear
Broad shields to guard the ladies beside them on the way.
But many a princely warrior must part from them that day.
1295
Thence rode they swiftly forward down through Bavarian land.
The people told the tidings of how a mickle band
Of unknown guests were coming, nigh where a cloister still
Doth stand, and where Inn river the Danube’s flood doth fill.
1296
Within the town of Passau there was a bishop’s see.
The hostels and the palace stood empty presently:
To meet the guests men hied them on to Bavarian ground,
Where Pilgerin the bishop the fair Kriemhilda found.
1297
The warriors of the country no whit
