Thereto replied King Gunther, "An oath to her I swore, That I would ne'er offend her nor harm her any more; And I'm resolv'd to keep it; my sister too is she." At once Sir Hagan answer'd, "Then lay the blame on me." XXXV Too many of the chieftains their plighted faith forsook; The powerful hoard the perjur'd from the poor widow took; Sir Hagan straight made seizure at once of every key. When her brother Gernot heard it, bitterly wroth was he. XXXVI Then spake the young Sir Giselher, "Hagan the fierce and rude Hath foully wrong'd my sister; this I should have withstood; But that he is my kinsman, it should cost his life." Then afresh all vainly wept noble Siegfried's wife. XXXVII Then said the good Sir Gernot, "Ere this pernicious mine Confound us any further, better beneath the Rhine Sink it altogether, and tell no mortal where." Then sadly went fair Kriemhild to her brother Giselher. XXXVIII She wept and said, "Dear brother, pray take some thought of me; Of my person and possessions thou should'st the guardian be." Then spake he to his sister, "I will, whate'er betide, Soon as we come back hither, for now we hence must ride." XXXIX King Gunther and his kinsmen they forthwith left the land. The very best among them he took to form his band. There stay'd behind but Hagan; fierce hate and malice still He bore the weeping Kriemhild, and sought to work her ill. XL Ere back the king came thither, impatient of delay Hagan seiz'd 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. XLI He never more could get it for all his vain desire; So fortune of 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. XLII Once more return'd the princess, and with them all their train. Forthwith began sad Kriemhild her heavy loss to plain With ladies and with maidens; their grief indeed was strong. In all good faith was Giselher ready to venge her wrong. XLIII Then said they altogether, "Much evil hath he done." So for a time Sir Hagan retir'd their wrath to shun, Till he regain'd their favor; at last they look'd it o'er. Thereat to him fair Kriemhild yet deadlier hatred bore. XLIV Ere thus the Knight of Trony had hidd'n the wondrous hoard, They all an oath together had sworn with one accord To keep it in concealment while one of them should live, So none himself could take it, nor to another give. XLV With this new weight of anguish surcharg'd was Kriemhild left, Of her bold husband widow'd, and of the hoard bereft By such o'erweening outrage; in tears the mourner lay, Nor ever ceas'd to sorrow e'en till her dying day. XLVI