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With one accord they answer’d: “Then must we fain confess

That for the first time, truly, our hearts know bitterness

Since you indeed are willing here with our foes to bide:

On such a grievous journey did heroes never ride.”

Said she: “Ye may, God-speeding, without foreboding fare:

Safe-conduct shall be given— of that I’ll have a care—

From here to Siegmund’s country. As for my darling child,

Unto ye knights I trust him, and to your mercies mild!”

When they were well persuaded that thence she would not go,

The lieges all of Siegmund did weep for very woe.

How full of bitter sorrow was Siegmund when his leave

He took of dame Kriemhilda! Then knew he how to grieve.

“Woe be on these great doings,” the noble king quoth he:

“An ending worse of pleasure there ne’er again can be

To king or to his kinsfolk, than this to us has been.

No more shall we henceforward in Burgundy be seen.”

Then loud, that all might hear them, the men of Siegfried spake:

“Yet once again the journey may we to this land make,

When we shall have discover’d who laid our master low.

They’ll have among his kinsfolk stout enemies enow!”

And so he kiss’d Kriemhilda; and mournfully did say,

Whenas he saw for certain she had a mind to stay:

“Now will we unrejoicing go home unto our land.

My sorrow for the first time now do I understand.”