Early on a morn they started on their way. What a speedy journey
Siegfried won! They took with them good steeds and lordly harness, and
thus they came in knightly wise to Brunhild's land. The fair maids stood
upon the battlements. Then spake the queen: "Knoweth any, who they be
whom I see sailing yonder far out upon the sea? They have rich sails
e'en whiter than the snow."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "They're men of mine, the which I left
hard by here on the way. I had them sent for, and now they be come, my
lady." All eyes were fixed upon the lordly strangers.
Then one spied Siegfried standing at his vessel's prow in lordly weeds
and many other men. The queen spake: "Sir King, pray tell me, shall I
receive the strangers or shall I deny them greetings?"
He spake: "Ye must go to meet them out before the palace, that they may
well perceive how fain we be to see them here."
Then the queen did as the king advised her. She marked out Siegfried
with her greetings from the rest. Men purveyed them lodgings and took
in charge their trappings. So many strangers were now come to the land,
that everywhere they jostled Brunhild's bands. Now would the valiant men
fare home to Burgundy.
Then spake the queen: "My favor would I bestow on him who could deal out
to the king's guests and mine my silver and gold, of which I have such
store."
To this Dankwart, King Giselher's liegeman, answered: "Most noble
queen," spake the brave knight, "let me but wield the keys. I trow to
deal it out in fitting wise; whatso of blame I gain, let be mine own."
That he was bountiful, he made appear full well.
When now Sir Hagen's brother took the keys in charge, the hero's hand
did proffer many a costly gift. He who craved a mark (6) received such
store that all the poor might lead a merry life. Full hundred pounds
he gave, nor did he stop to count. Enow walked before the hall in rich
attire, who never had worn afore such lordly dress. Full sore it rued
the queen when this she heard. She spake: "Sir King, I fain would have
your aid, lest your chamberlain leave naught of all my store of dress;
he squandereth eke my gold. If any would forfend this, I'd be his friend
for aye. He giveth such royal gifts, the knight must ween, forsooth,
that I have sent for death. I would fain use it longer and trow well
myself to waste that which my father left me." No queen as yet hath ever
had so bounteous a chamberlain.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, be it told you that the king of
the Rhineland hath such great store of gold and robes to give, that we
have no need to carry hence aught of Brunhild's weeds."
"Nay, and ye love me," spake the queen, "let me fill twenty traveling
chests with gold and silk as well, the which my hand shall give, when we
are come across to Gunther's land."
Men filled her chests with precious stones, the while her chamberlains
stood by. She would not trust the duty to Giselher's men. Gunther and
Hagen began to laugh thereat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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