e warder to where he found the keys. Before the castle stood
Kriemhild's liegemen and a deal of her kinsfolk. Men bade carry the
treasure hence to the sea, down to the boats; one bare it then upon
the waves to the mountains on the Rhine. Now may ye hear marvels of the
hoard, the which twelve huge wains, packed full, were just able to bear
away from the hill in four days and nights and each must make the trip
three times a day. There was naught else but gems and gold, and had men
paid therewith the wage of all the world, not a mark less had it been
in worth. Forsooth Hagen did not crave it so without good cause. The
greatest prize of all was a wishing-rod (3) of gold. He who knew its
nature, might well be master over any man in all the world.

Many of Alberich's kinsmen journeyed with Gernot hence. When they
stored away the hoard in Gunther's land and the queen took charge of
everything, chambers and towers were filled therewith. Never did men
hear tales told of such wondrous store of goods. And had it been a
thousand times as much, if the Lord Siegfried were but alive again,
Kriemhild would fain have stood empty-handed at his side. No more
faithful wife did hero ever win. Now that she had the hoard, she brought
many unknown warriors to the land. In truth the lady's hand gave in
such wise that men have never seen such bounty more. She used great
courtesie; men owned this of the queen. To the rich and the poor she
began to give so greatly that Hagen said, should she live yet a while,
she would gain so many a man for her service that they would fare full
ill.

Then spake King Gunther: "Her life and her goods be hers. How shall I
hinder that she do with them as she will? Forsooth I hardly compassed
it, that she became thus much my friend. Let us not reck to whom she
deal out her silver and her gold."

Spake Hagen to the king: "No doughty man should leave to any wife aught
of the heard. With her gifts she'll bring about the day when it well may
rue the brave Burgundians sore."

Then spake King Gunther: "I swore an oath, that nevermore would I do her
harm, and will keep it further, for she is my sister."

Spake then Hagen: "Let me be the guilty one."

Few of their oaths were kept. From the widow they took the mighty
store and Hagen made him master of all the keys. This vexed her brother
Gernot, when he heard the tale aright. Lord Giselher spake: "Hagen hath
done my sister much of harm; I should prevent it. It would cost