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Translated by W. N. Lettsom
AND now the men of Kriemhild before the mountain stood, | |
| And some too of her kinsmen; the hoard, as best they could, | |
| Down to the sea they carried: there in good barks ’t was laid, | |
| Thence o’er the waves, and lastly up the Rhine conveyed. | |
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| The tale of that same treasure might well your wonder raise; | 5 |
| ’T was much as twelve huge wagons in four whole nights and days | |
| Could carry from the mountain down to the salt-sea bay, | |
| If to and fro each wagon thrice journeyed every day. | |
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| It was made up of nothing but precious stones and gold; | |
| Were all the world bought from it, and down the value told, | 10 |
| Not a mark the less thereafter were left, than erst was scored. | |
| Good reason sure had Hagan to covet such a hoard. | |
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| And thereamong was lying the wishing-rod of gold, | |
| Which whoso could discover, might in subjection hold | |
| All this wide world as master, with all that dwell therein. | 15 |
| There came to Worms with Gernot full many of Albric’s kin. * * * * * | |
| When they had brought the treasure thence to King Gunther’s land, | |
| And had their charge delivered into fair Kriemhild’s hand, | |
| Crammed were the towers and chambers wherein the same they stored. | |
| Ne’er told was tale of riches to match this boundless hoard. * * * * * | 20 |
| Now she had gained possession, so liberal was the dame, | |
| That foreign knights unnumbered into the country came. | |
| All praised her generous virtues, and owned they ne’er had seen | |
| Lady so open-handed as this fair widowed queen. | |
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| To rich and poor together began she now to give; | 25 |
| Thereat observed Sir Hagan, “If she should chance to live | |
| Some little season longer, so many should we see | |
| Won over to her service, that ill for us ’t would be.” | |
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| Thereto made answer Gunther, “The hoard is hers alone; | |
| How can I check her giving? she gives but from her own. | 30 |
| Scarce could I gain forgiveness for my offence of old. | |
| I care not how she scatters her jewels and her ruddy gold.” * * * * * | |
| Then said the good Sir Gernot, “Ere this pernicious mine | |
| Confound us any further, better beneath the Rhine | |
| Sink it altogether, and tell no mortal where.” | 35 |
| Then sadly went fair Kriemhild to her brother Giselher. | |
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| She wept and said, “Dear brother, pray take some thought of me; | |
| Of my person and possessions thou shouldst the guardian be.” | |
| Then spake he to his sister, “I will, whate’er betide, | |
| Soon as we come back hither, for now we hence must ride.” | 40 |
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| King Gunther and his kinsmen they forthwith left the land. | |
| The very best among them he took to form his band. | |
| There stayed behind but Hagan; fierce hate and malice still | |
| He bore the weeping Kriemhild, and sought to work her ill. | |
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| Ere back the king came thither, impatient of delay | 45 |
| Hagan seized the treasure, and bore it thence away. | |
| Into the Rhine at Lochheim the whole at once threw he! | |
| Henceforth he thought t’ enjoy it, but that was ne’er to be. | |
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| He nevermore could get it for all his vain desire; | |
| So fortune oft the traitor cheats of his treason’s hire. | 50 |
| Alone he hoped to use it as long as he should live, | |
| But neither himself could profit, nor to another give. | |
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