meat, and where the vesture? It were not
possible, if Siegfried had thirty lands." But ye have heard that
Siegfried was rich, for the kingdom and the hoard of the Nibelungs were
his. Wherefore his knights had enow and to spare, for the hoard grew
never less for all that he took from it.

They rose up early in the morning (doughty followers had Siegfried won!),
and took good horses with them, and sumptuous apparel, and departed
proudly for Brunhild's land.

Many beautiful maidens gazed from the windows there, and the queen said,
"Do any of you know who they be, that I behold yonder, afar off on the
waves? Their sails are rich and whiter than the snow."

The King of Rhineland answered, "They are my men, that I left some little
way behind when I journeyed hither. I summoned them, and now, Queen,
they are here."

They welcomed the noble guests courteously. Siegfried stood in the prow
of the vessel, richly clad, and many warriors beside him.

The queen said, "Tell me, O King, shall I greet the guests, or no?"

He answered, "Go out now before the castle. So shall they see that they
are welcome." And the queen did as he counselled her, and greeted
Siegfried before any. And they lodged them, and took their arms in
charge.

Now so many guests were in the land that they were pressed for room, and
the Burgundians were eager to be home.

Then said the queen, "I would thank him that would distribute for me,
among mine and the king's guests, the gold and silver that I have in
plenty."

Dankwart, bold Giselher's man, answered, "Noble Queen, give me the key,
and I will so divide it that, if there be any shame, it shall be mine
only."

None could deny that he gave freely. When Hagen's brother held the key,
he bestowed costly gifts without stint. Whoso desired a mark received so
much that the poorest was rich his life long. Pounds, by the hundred, he
gave uncounted, and many an one went forth from the hall richly dight,
that never afore had worn so fair vesture.

They told it to the queen, who was wroth, and said, "I would know, King,
wherefore thy chamberlain leaveth me naught of my apparel, and spendeth
all my gold. I would thank him that stayed his hand. He giveth as he
thought I had summoned Death hither. But I trust to live yet a while,
and can spend for myself, I trow, what my father left me."

Never had queen so lavished a chamberlain.

But Hagen of Trony made answer, "Know, Lady, that the King of th