The Nibelungenlied Part 73

x.x.xV

Too many of the chieftains their plighted faith forsook; The powerful h.o.a.rd 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.

x.x.xVI

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 n.o.ble Siegfried's wife.

x.x.xVII

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.

x.x.xVIII

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."

x.x.xIX

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 h.o.a.rd, 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 h.o.a.rd bereft By such o'erweening outrage; in tears the mourner lay, Nor ever ceas'd to sorrow e'en till her dying day.

XLVI

From the death of Siegfried for thirteen years she dwelt On her wrongs ever brooding, nor joy one moment felt.

The murder of her husband she could not once forget.

To him she still was faithful; that praise is Kriemhild's yet.

XLVII

The wealthy Lady Uta, when death took Dankrat hence, A sumptuous monastery rais'd at her own expense, Endowed with rich revenues, which yet its coffers fill; The abbey of Lorsch they call it; 'tis high in honor still.

XLVIII

Thereto the mourning Kriemhild no little part supplied Both for the soul of Siegfried and for all souls beside.

She gave both gold and jewels; a wife more chaste and true, And a more liberal giver man surely never knew.

XLIX

Since Kriemhild had King Gunther once to her grace restor'd, And yet by his connivance next lost the precious h.o.a.rd, A thousand-fold more sorrow at her heart there lay.

The proud and high-born lady would gladly thence away.

L

Meanwhile for Lady Uta was built with skill and care At Lorsch, fast by her abbey, a sumptuous palace fair.

The widow left her children, and there seclusion found.

Still lies she in her coffin deep in that hollow'd ground.