Then Gunther the King and his kinsmen rode forth of Burgundia-land, Even all that were best and noblest among them, a princely band. But to work the will of his hatred Hagen tarried alone, His undying hatred of Kriemhild: that he did, for her hurt was it done. For ere that the great King Gunther homeward returned again, In those days all that treasure Hagen by force had ta'en. In the river-mere at Lochheim 'neath Rhine he sank it deep. He sowed unto greed--but destruction was the fruit that his hands were to reap. Now before that Hagen of Troneg thus hid the Treasure from sight, Those kinsmen had sworn to each other an oath of awful might, { P. 155} That, while in the land of the living they were, it should hidden abide; So these could not use it, nor give it to any other beside.
Thereafter returned those princes with many a noble thane. Then Kriemhild came before them of her grievous wrong to complain: With her ladies she came and her maidens. The wrath of the earls flamed high: They arrayed them against the traitor, and said, "He shall surely die!" With one voice cried they together: "A wicked deed hath he done!" From their anger he needs must hide him for a space, till again he won The princes' pardon and favour, and they yielded to let him live. But henceforth was he hated of Kriemhild with the hate that will never forgive. For now with a new affliction her heart was wrung once more:-- First took they the life of her husband, and now these traitors tore From her hands her possessions! Her mourning was never at a stay Through all the space of her life-tide unto her latest day. From the hour of the death of Siegfried--behold, this witness is true-- Wearily lived she thirteen years of sorrow through, And ever the death of the Hero unto her spirit clung. Unto him was she true and faithful, as many a bard hath sung.
(C) A wealthy and princely abbey had Uta builded high After the death of Dankart with the wealth of her treasury, And with revenues richly endowed it, which it draweth unto this day. By Lorsch that cloister standeth in honour abiding aye. (C) Unto this were given thereafter of Kriemhild unstinted doles For the peace of the soul of Siegfried, and for all Christian souls. Gold gave she with hand ungrudging, and many a precious stone. More faithful wife hath never on earth unto us been known. (C) Since Kriemhild had granted forgiveness to the King for her lord's blood spilt, And of that great hoard thereafter had been spoiled through Gunther's guilt, Then higher swelled than ever the tide of her anguish of heart, And the noble lady and royal from his city was fain to depart. (C) Now it was so, that Lady Uta had builded a mansion beside That cloister of Lorsch, a palace goodly and great and wide. { P. 156} Thither went she leaving her children, and hid her from all men's eyes; And there to this day in her coffin the great queen buried lies.