And for pledge hereunto be given a king’s unsullied hand.”
“I will do even after thy counsel,” he said. So parted they:
And unto their adversaries was answer made straightway
That the gold was desired of no man that was proffered of them at the first.
Ah, sick were their hearts with longing for dear ones, and home-athirst!
Shields many treasure-laden his henchmen thitherward bare,
And therefrom to his friends bright silver unweighed did the knight-king share,
Five hundred marks unto each one—unto many an one yet more:
So was Gunther advised of Gernot, that noble counsellor.
Then prayed all, “Let us depart hence”; for now would they fain ride home;