Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/151



now the strangers had all ridden hence, Siegmund’s son spake to his fellowship: “We must make us ready, too, to journey to my lands.”

Lief was it to his wife, when the lady heard the tale aright. She spake to her husband: “When shall we ride? I pray thee, make me not haste too sore. First must my brothers share their lands with me.”

It was loth to Siegfried, when he heard this from Kriemhild. The lordings hied them to him and all three spake: “Now may ye know, Sir Siegfried, that our true service be ever at your bidding till our death.”

Then he made obeisance to the knights, as it was proffered him in such kindly wise. “We shall share with you,” spake Giselher, the youth, “both land and castles which we do own and whatever broad realms be subject to our power. Of these ye and Kriemhild shall have a goodly share.”

The son of Siegmund spake to the princes, as he heard and saw the lordings’ will: “God grant that ye be ever happy with your heritage and the folk therein. My dear bride can well forego in truth the share which ye would give. There where she shall wear a crown, she shall be mightier than any one alive, and live to see the day. For whatsoever else ye do command, I stand ready to your bidding.”