How Siegfried Came to the Nibelungers, XXXVI–XLIX

Soon as Hagan's brother had the keys in hand, Gold began and silver to run away like sand. If one a mark requested, gifts had he shower'd so rife, That home might go the poorest merry and rich for life.

By th' hundred pounds together he gave uncounted out. Crowds in gorgeous vesture were stalking all about, Who ne'er had worn such splendor, and scarce so much as seen. They told the tale to Brunhild; it fretted sore the queen.

Straight she spoke to Gunther, "Sir king, I've cause to grieve. Your treasurer, I fear me, scarce a rag will leave Of all my choice apparel, my last gold piece he'll spend. Would somebody would stop it! I'd ever be his friend.

"He wastes so, he must fancy in his wayward will I've sent for death to fetch me, but wealth I can use still, And what my father left me can waste myself, I ween." Treasurer so free-handed never yet had queen.

Then spake the knight of Trony, "Lady, you must be told, The king of Rhine has plenty of raiment and of gold, And can of both so lavish, that we may well dispense With all fair Brunhild's vesture, nor need bring any hence."

"Nay, for my love," said Brunhild, "with gold and silken vests Let me from all my treasure fill twenty travelling chests, That when we come together in Burgundy to live, This hand may still have something royally to give."

Forthwith her chests were loaded with many a precious stone. She o'er the work appointed a treasurer of her own. She would not trust to Dankwart, Giselher's thriftless man. Gunther thereat and Hagan both to laugh began.

Then spake the martial maiden, "Whom shall I leave my lands? This first must here be settled by our united hands." The noble monarch answer'd, "Who most is in your grace, Him will we leave behind us to govern in our place."

One of her near relations was standing by the maid; He was her mother's brother; to him she turn'd and said, "Take to your charge my castles, and with them all my land, Till I or else King Gunther give otherwise command."

She chose a thousand heroes from all her chivalry To the Rhine's distand borders to bear her company, With the thousand champions from the Nibelungers' land. They bown'd them for their journey, and hastened to the strand.

Six-and-eighty women, a hundred maidens too She took with her from Issland; fair were they all to view. They now no longer tarried; they ready were to go. From those they left behind them what tears began to flow!

In manner as became her she left her native ground; She kiss'd her nearest kindred who weeping stood around. So with fair dismissal they came down to the shore. To her father's country the maid return'd no more.

With sound of all sweet music they floated on their way; From morn to eve was nothing but change of sport and play; The soft sea-breeze they wish'd for was fluttering in their sail; Yet for that voyage how many were yet to weep and wail!

But still her lord deferring with maidenly delay Brunhild reserv'd one pleasure to the fair wedding-day, When home to Worms together the king and queenly dame, Full flown with mirth and rapture, with all their heroes came.