Still had they the trappings and housings wherewith they wont to ride In Siegfried's days, so that maidens many in pomp and pride Might fare in the train of Kriemhild, what time she would be gone. How goodly the jewelled saddles for those fair ladies shone! What lovely raiment soever they had e'er worn theretofore, Thereof for this wondrous journey they brought forth all their store. { P. 173} From casket and bolted coffer they drew forth vesture and gem-- Such marvels of the splendour of Etzel were told unto them. Busy they were and eager till the eve of the fifth bright day. Out of the presses sought they all things therein that lay.
And Kriemhild now bestirred her to unlock her treasury Of purpose to load with riches all Rüdiger's company. Still had she somewhat remaining of the gold of the Niblung Land; And this to the Hunnish heroes would she deal with lavish hand. Scarce could a hundred horses bear thence that precious load. But some talebearer to Hagen the purpose of Kriemhild showed. "Never," he said, "will Kriemhild forgive me that ancient wrong: Therefore the gold of Siegfried must needs here bide full long. Should I leave so mighty a treasure to my bitterest foes, and rue? Right well do I know what Kriemhild with all this wealth would do! If forth of the land she convey it, I know this certainly That with champions she will but share it, to stir up foes against me:-- And she hath not so much as horses of number to bear it away! Hagen for her will keep it: to Kriemhild thus let them say."
When the thing was told unto Kriemhild, she was stung with indignant pain. Of the tyrannous wrong of Hagen to the three Kings did she complain. His will were they fain to have thwarted, but his purpose none could shake. Then Rüdiger the noble lightly to Kriemhild spake: "O high-born Daughter of Princes, wherefore lament for the gold? Unto thee is my Lord King Etzel so loving and bounteous-souled, That, soon as his eyes have beheld thee, he will give thee such rich store That never thine hands may spend it: I pledge my faith therefor." Unto him the Queen made answer: "O noble Rüdiger, Never had Daughter of Princes such treasure bequeathed unto her As that whereof Hagen hath stripped me with neither ruth nor shame!" Then to the treasury royal her brother Gernot came: In the door did he set the great key with authority as of a king, And all the treasure of Kriemhild forth of the place did they bring, { P. 174} Marks full thirty thousand--yea, more, it may haply be-- That the guests might take it; and Gunther rejoiced that deed to see. But out spake he of Bechlaren, the fair Gotlinda's lord: "Nay, though 'neath the hand of Kriemhild lay all the treasure-hoard That ever was brought aforetime out of the Niblungs' land, Nor I nor the Queen my Lady would touch the same with a hand. Back let them take, let them keep it; for I thereof will naught. Of mine own wealth out of my country such plenty have I brought, That of this no whit for our journey shall we need, through the land as we fare. Even we for our own wayfaring have gotten enough and to spare."