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." Yet had her maidens already therefrom filled coffers twelve Of gold the finest and purest that miner ever may delve. And with these they bare from the city many a precious thing, Even jewels and gems, that the maidens would wear in their journeying; --Yet still by the dread overshadowed of Hagen's might were they;-- And a thousand marks for masses yet by Kriemhild lay: For the peace of the soul of Siegfried she gave them as love's last due. And Rüdiger thought: "This woman is faithful and loving and true." Then spake that Lady of Sorrows: "Who love me yet so well That for me they be willing as strangers in a strange land to dwell? Who now will companion my journey, unto Etzel's land as I ride? Let them take of my gold, and purvey them horses, and raiment provide." Then Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, drew nigh, and thus spake he: "Since the day when I was appointed to wait, O Queen, upon thee, Faithfully and truly have I served thee," said that thane; "Now also to my life's ending in my fealty will I remain. Good knights withal five hundred of mine own will I take with me, And I tender to thee their service in faith and fealty. We will ever abide unsundered, except death make an end." Low bowed her Kriemhild, and thanked him, that loving and loyal friend. {P. 175}