Many of Albric’s kinsmen went with Gernot. When Gernot and Giselher the youth got possession of the hoard, there came into their power lands, and castles, also, and many a good warrior, that served them through fear of their might.
When the hoard came into Gunther’s land, and the queen got it in her keeping, chambers and towers were filled full therewith. One never heard tell of so marvelous a treasure. But if it had been a thousand times more, but to have Siegfried alive again, Kriemhild had gladly stood bare by his side. Never had hero truer wife.
Now that she had the hoard, it brought into the land many stranger knights; for the lady’s hand gave more freely than any had ever seen. She was kind and good; that must one say of her.
To poor and rich she began to give, till Hagen said that if she lived but a while longer, she would win so many knights to her service that it must go hard with the others.
But King Gunther said, “It is her own. It concerneth me not how she useth it. Scarcely did I win her pardon. And now I ask not how she divideth her jewels and her red gold.”
But Hagen said to the king, “A wise man would leave such a treasure to no woman. By reason of her largess, a day will come that the bold Burgundians may rue.”
Then King Gunther said, “I sware an oath to her that I would do her no more hurt, nor will I do it. She is my sister.”
But Hagen said, “Let me be the guilty one.”
And so they brake their oath and took from the widow her rich hoard. Hagen got hold of all the keys.
Gernot was wroth when he heard thereof, and Giselher said, “Hagen hath greatly wronged Kriemhild. I should have withstood him. Were he not my kinsman, he should answer for it with his life.”