But although this wealth is said to have filled nearly one hundred and fifty wagons, Kriemhild would gladly have given it all away could she but have seen her husband by her side once more. Not knowing what else to do with it, she gave away her gold right and left, bidding all the recipients of her bounty pray for Siegfried's soul. Her largesses were so extensive that Hagen, who alone did not profit by her generosity, and who feared the treasure might be exhausted before he could obtain a share, sought out Gunther and told him that Kriemhild was secretly winning to her side many adherents, whom she would some day urge to avenge her husband's murder by slaying her kindred. [Illustration: SIEGFRIED'S BODY BORNE HOME BY THE HUNTSMEN.--Pixis.] While Gunther was trying to devise some plan to obtain possession of the hoard, Hagen boldly seized the keys of the tower where it was kept, secretly removed all the gold, and, to prevent its falling into any hands but his own, sank it in the Rhine near Lochheim. "Ere back the king came thither, impatient of delay, Hagen 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. "He nevermore could get it for all his vain desire; So fortune oft the traitor cheats of his treason's hire. Alone he hop'd to use it as long as he should live, But neither himself could profit, nor to another give." _Nibelungenlied_ (Lettsom's tr.). When Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher heard what Hagen had done, they were so angry that he deemed it advisable to withdraw from court for a while. Kriemhild would fain have left Burgundy forever at this fresh wrong, but with much difficulty was prevailed upon to remain and take up her abode at Lorch, whither Siegfried's remains were removed by her order. [Sidenote: King of Hungary a suitor for Kriemhild.] Thirteen years had passed by since Siegfried's death in the Odenwald when Etzel, King of Hungary, who had lost his beautiful and beloved wife, Helche, bade one of his knights, Rüdiger of Bechlaren, ride to Worms and sue for the hand of Kriemhild in his master's name. Rüdiger immediately gathered together a suitable train and departed, stopping on the way to visit his wife and daughter at Bechlaren. Passing all through Bavaria, he arrived at last at Worms, where he was warmly welcomed, by Hagen especially, who had formerly known him well. In reply to Gunther's courteous inquiry concerning the welfare of the King and Queen of the Huns, Rüdiger announced the death of the latter, and declared that he had come to sue for Kriemhild's hand. "Thereon the highborn envoy his message freely told: 'King, since you have permitted, I'll to your ears unfold Wherefore my royal master me to your court has sent, Plung'd as he is in sorrow and doleful dreariment.