rtnight, with all your fellowship that is come hither with you. King
Etzel hath taken from me as yet full little of my goods."

However much they demurred, still they must needs tarry there until the
fourth morning, when such deeds were done by the bounty of the host that
it was told after. He gave his guests both mounts and robes. No longer
might they stay, they must fare forth. Through his bounty bold Rudeger
wot how to save but little. Naught was denied that any craved, it could
not but please them all. Their noble meiny now brought saddled before
the gate the many steeds, and to them came forth thee stranger knights.
In their hands they bare their shields, for they would ride to Etzel's
land. Before the noble guests come forth from the hall, the host had
proffered everywhere his gifts. He wist how to live bountifully, in
mickle honors. To Giselher he had given his comely daughter; to Gunther,
the worshipful knight, who seldom took a gift, he gave a coat of mail,
which the noble and mighty king wore well with honor. Gunther bowed low
over noble Rudeger's hand. Then to Gernot he gave a weapon good enow,
the which he later bare full gloriously in strife. Little did the
margrave's wife begrudge him the gift, but through it good Rudeger was
forced to lose his life. Gotelind offered Hagen a loving gift, as well
befit her. He took it, sith the king had taken one, that he should
not fare forth from her to the feasting, without her present. Later he
gainsayed it. "Of all that I have ever seen," quoth Hagen, "I crave to
bear naught else save that shield on yonder wall; fain would I take that
with me into Etzel's land."

When the margravine heard Hagen's speech, it minded her of her
grief--tears became her well. She thought full dearly on Nudung's (3)
death, whom Wittich had slain; from this she felt the stress of sorrow.
To the knight she spake: "I'll give you the shield. Would to God in
heaven, that he still lived who bare it once in hand. He met his death
in battle; for him must I ever weep, which giveth me, poor wife, dire
woe."

The noble margravine rose from her seat and with her white hands she
seized the shield. To Hagen the lady bare it, who took it in his hand.
This gift was worthily bestowed upon the knight. A cover of shining silk
concealed its colors, for it was set with precious stones. In sooth the
daylight never shone on better shield. Had any wished to buy it at its
cost, 'twere well worth a thousand marks.