"Right noble queen and gracious, trust but your keys with me; Your wealth I'll so distribute, all shall contented be, And as to blame or damage, let that be mine alone." That he was free and liberal, that made he clearly shown. XXXVI Soon as Hagan's brother had the keys in hand, Gold began and silver to run away like sand. If one a mark requested, gifts had he shower'd so rife, That home might go the poorest merry and rich for life. XXXVII By th' hundred pounds together he gave uncounted out. Crowds in gorgeous vesture were stalking all about, Who ne'er had worn such splendor, and scarce so much as seen. They told the tale to Brunhild; it fretted sore the queen. XXXVIII Straight she spoke to Gunther, "Sir king, I've cause to grieve. Your treasurer, I fear me, scarce a rag will leave Of all my choice apparel, my last gold piece he'll spend. Would somebody would stop it! I'd ever be his friend. XXXIX "He wastes so, he must fancy in his wayward will I've sent for death to fetch me, but wealth I can use still, And what my father left me can waste myself, I ween." Treasurer so free-handed never yet had queen. XL Then spake the knight of Trony, "Lady, you must be told, The king of Rhine has plenty of raiment and of gold, And can of both so lavish, that we may well dispense With all fair Brunhild's vesture, nor need bring any hence." XLI "Nay, for my love," said Brunhild, "with gold and silken vests Let me from all my treasure fill twenty travelling chests, That when we come together in Burgundy to live, This hand may still have something royally to give." XLII Forthwith her chests were loaded with many a precious stone. She o'er the work appointed a treasurer of her own. She would not trust to Dankwart, Giselher's thriftless man. Gunther thereat and Hagan both to laugh began. XLIII Then spake the martial maiden, "Whom shall I leave my lands? This first must here be settled by our united hands." The noble monarch answer'd, "Who most is in your grace, Him will we leave behind us to govern in our place." XLIV One of her near relations was standing by the maid; He was her mother's brother; to him she turn'd and said, "Take to your charge my castles, and with them all my land, Till I or else King Gunther give otherwise command." XLV She chose a thousand heroes from all her chivalry To the Rhine's distand borders to bear her company, With the thousand champions from the Nibelungers' land. They bown'd them for their journey, and hastened to the strand. XLVI Six-and-eighty women, a hundred maidens too She took with her from Issland; fair were they all to view. They now no longer tarried; they ready were to go. From those they left behind them what tears began to flow! XLVII