Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/204

146 To the warrior she spake: “Certes, it may not hap, for I should die of dole whenever I should gaze on Hagen.”

“I’ll give thee rede for that, dear sister mine. Thou shalt live with thy brother Giselher, and of a truth I’ll comfort thee of thy husband’s death.”

Then answered the hapless wife: “Of that hath Kriemhild need.”

When the youth had made her such kindly offer, then gan Uta and Gernot and her faithful kin entreat. They begged her to tarry there, for but little kith she had among Siegfried’s men.

“They be all strangers to you,” spake Gernot; “none that liveth is so strong but that he must come to die. Consider that, dear sister, and console your mind. Stay with your kinsfolk; ye shall fare well in truth.”

Then she made vow to Giselher that she would stay. The steeds were brought for Siegfried’s men, sith they would ride to the Nibelung land. Also all the trappings of the knights were packed upon the sumpters. Then the Lord Siegmund hied him to Kriemhild’s side. To the lady he spake: “Siegfried’s men are waiting by the steeds. Now must we ride away, for I be ill content in Burgundy.”

The Lady Kriemhild then replied: “All that I have of faithful kin advise me that I stay here with them; I have no kith in the Nibelung land.”

Loth it was to Siegmund, when that he found Kriemhild of this mind. He spake: “Let no one tell you that. Before all my kinsmen ye shall wear the crown with such sovran power as ye did aforetime.