Woe was the n.o.ble Siegmund at hearing her reply.

XIV

"In this at least," return'd he, "trust not their offers fair.

Thou before all my kindred the royal crown shalt wear With the same pride and puissance as ere our joys were crost, Nor want of aught remind thee that Siegfried we have lost.

XV

"Come then, return among us for thy fair infant's sake; Desert not the young orphan; a mother's duty take.

When he grows up to manhood, he'll comfort thy sad cheer; Meanwhile good knights shall serve thee, who held thy husband dear."

XVI

Said she, "My good lord Siegmund, from home I cannot ride.

Whatever hence befall me, here must I still abide Among my proper kinsmen, who'll help me to lament."

Her words gave the good warriors sorrow and discontent.

XVII

With one accord they answer'd, "We must in truth confess, That never till this moment we felt true bitterness, If thou persist to tarry among our foemen here.

Sure for a peaceful journey knights never paid so dear."

XVIII

"Hence without thought of danger ride home with G.o.d to friend, Your steps a fitting escort shall through this land attend E'en to your native country. Farewell, good knights and true; My dear, my orphan'd infant I trust, my friends, to you."

XIX

When they perceiv'd for certain that she her purpose kept, The warriors of King Siegmund with one accord they wept.

With what heart-rending sorrow the reverend Siegmund, too, Parted from Lady Kriemhild! then what was grief he knew.

XX

"Woe worth this dreary festal!" the h.o.a.ry monarch cried, "To kings nor to their kinsmen shall never more betide From merriment and pleasure such heart-devouring teen.

In Burgundy shall Siegmund never more be seen."

XXI

Then said and frown'd indignant the knights of Siegfried's train, "Nay, into this same country we well may come again To seek and find the traitor who laid our master low.

Among the kin of Siegfried they have many a mortal foe."

XXII

Lovingly kiss'd he Kriemhild, and sadly thus 'gan say, When he could see too clearly that she was fix'd to stay, "Now home, bereav'd and joyless, a weary way we go.

'Tis only now I'm feeling the fulness of my woe."

XXIII

They rode without an escort from Worms beyond the Rhine.

Sorrowful and silent they mov'd in lengthen'd line, Nor fear'd a.s.sault or ambush by lurking foemen plann'd; Secure each Nibelunger felt in his own right hand.

XXIV

From all they kept disdainful, leave of none they took; Giselher and Gernot such parting could not brook.

But lovingly approach'd them; woe were they for their woe; That for their loss they sorrow'd, they gave their guest to know.

XXV

Then gently spoke Prince Gernot, and heav'd full many a sigh, "G.o.d in heaven is my witness, nor part the guilt had I In the death of Siegfried, nor had I heard before That any him bore malice; I sorrow for him sore."

XXVI

To them was given good escort by Giselher the young.

Deep-sorrowing altogether he brought them safe along, Both king and loyal liegemen, home to Netherland.

There met they all their kindred; small joy was in the band.

XXVII

What happ'd to them thereafter is more than I can say.

At Worms still heard was Kriemhild complaining, day by day.

That none her sorrow pitied, or brought her comfort due, Save Giselher her brother; he still was good and true.

XXVIII

Meanwhile sat misproud Brunhild in haughtiness uncheck'd; Of Kriemhild's tears and sorrows her it nothing reck'd.

She pitied not the mourner; she stoop'd not to the low.

Soon Kriemhild took full vengeance, and woe repaid with woe.

NINETEENTH ADVENTURE

HOW THE TREASURE OF THE NIBELUNGERS WAS BROUGHT TO WORMS