695.
“Gladly foregoes the portion that ye to her would give.
A crown she’ll soon be wearing, and, if we both should live,
She’ll be, in sooth, far richer than any living bride.
In aught else at your service I’ll loyally abide.”
696.
Then spake the lady Kriemhild: “Though naught my land you deem,
Burgundian thanes should never stand in such small esteem!
To lead them to his country right glad a king might be.
Ay! let my own dear brothers e’en share in all with me.”
697.
Then spake the noble Gernot: “Take whom thou hast a mind;
Of those who would ride with thee, thou here wilt plenty find!
Of thirty hundred warriors a thousand we’ll give thee
To be thine own attendants.” Then Kriemhild speedily
698.
For Hagen sent, of Tronjé, and likewise for Ortwein:
“Will ye and eke your kinsmen,” she asked, “be men of mine?”
But Hagen, when he heard it, cried in a mood of wrath:
“Nay, Gunther may not give us to anyone on earth!
699.
“Let others of your household attend you on your way,
Well might you know by this time the customs of Tronjé
Upon the king attending at court we choose to stay,—
Whom we thus far have follow’d, we still would serve alway.”
700.
’Twas therefore so decided: to start they did prepare.
As noble court-attendants Dame Kriemhild took with her
Of maidens two-and-thirty, besides five hundred men.
Sir Eckewart, the Margrave, went with Kriemhilda then.
