And now the men of Kriemhild before the mountain stood, And some, too, of her kinsmen; the hoard, as best they could, Down to the sea they carried; there in good barks 'twas laid, Thence o'er the waves, and lastly up the Rhine convey'd. XXIV The tale of that same treasure might well your wonder raise; 'Twas much as twelve huge wagons in four whole nights and days Could carry from the mountain down to the salt-sea bay, If to and fro each wagon thrice journey'd every day. XXV It was made up of nothing but precious stones and gold; Were all the world bought from it, and down the value told, Not a mark the less thereafter were left, than erst was scor'd. Good reason sure had Hagan to covet such a hoard. XXVI And there among was lying the wishing-rod of gold, Which whoso could discover, might in subjection hold All this wide world as master, with all that dwell therein. There came to Worms with Gernot full many of Albric's kin. XXVII When Gernot and young Giselher had thus possession gain'd Of that power-giving treasure, the rule they straight obtain'd Of the country and the castles and many a warlike knight; All was constrained to serve them through terror of their might. XXVIII When they had brought the treasure thence to King Gunther's land, And had their charge delivered into fair Kriemhild's hand, Cramm'd were the towers and chambers wherein the same they stor'd. Ne'er told was tale of riches to match this boundless hoard. XXIX Yet had she found the treasure a thousand-fold as great, Could she have seen but Siegfried restored to life's estate, Bare as her hand had Kriemhild preferr'd with him to live, Renouncing all the puissance which all that hoard could give. XXX Now she had gain'd possession, so liberal was the dame, That foreign knights unnumber'd into the country came. All prais'd her generous virtues, and own'd they ne'er had seen Lady so open-handed as this fair widow'd queen. XXXI To rich and poor together began she now to give; Thereat observed Sir Hagan, "If she should chance to live Some little season longer, so many should we see Won over to her service, that ill for us 'twould be." XXXII Thereto made answer Gunther, "The hoard is hers alone; How can I check her giving? She gives but from her own. Scarce could I gain forgiveness for my offence of old. I care not how she scatters her jewels and ruddy gold." XXXIII "A prudent man," said Hagan, "not for a single hour Would such a mass of treasure leave in a woman's power. She'll hatch with all this largess to her outlandish crew Something that hereafter all Burgundy may rue." XXXIV