h guile the faithless man bowed low.

Quoth Lord Siegfried: "Ye shall have small care."

Then they made ready for the journey hence with the men-at-arms. This
was done for Siegfried and his men to see. He, too, bade those of
Netherland get them ready. Siegfried's warriors sought out warlike
weeds. Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "My father Siegmund, ye must
stay here. We shall return in short space hither to the Rhine, and God
give us luck. Ye must here make merry with the king."

They tied fast their banners, as though they would away, and there were
enow of Gunther's men who wist not wherefore this was done. Great rout
of men was seen at Siegfried's side. They bound their helmets and their
breastplates upon the steeds, and many a stout knight made ready to
quit the land. Then Hagen of Troneg went to find Kriemhild and asked for
leave; sith they would void the land.

"Now well is me," spake Kriemhild, "that I have won a husband who dare
protect so well my loving kinsfolk, as my Lord Siegfried doth here.
Therefore," spake the queen, "will I be glad of heart. Dear friend
Hagen, think on that, that I do serve you gladly and never yet did bear
you hate. Requite this now to me in my dear husband. Let him not suffer,
if I have done to Brunhild aught. I since have rued it," spake the noble
wife. "Moreover, he since hath beaten me black and blue; the brave hero
and a good hath well avenged that ever I spake what grieved her heart."

"Ye'll be friends once more after some days. Kriemhild, dear lady, pray
tell me how I may serve you in your husband Siegfried. Liefer will I do
this for you than for any else."

"I should be without all fear," quoth the noble dame, "that any one
would take his life in the fray, if he would not follow his overweening
mood; then the bold knight and a good were safe."

"Lady," spake then Hagen, "an' ye do think that men might wound him,
pray let me know with what manner of arts I can prevent this. On foot,
on horse, will I ever be his guard."

She spake: "Thou art my kinsman and I am thine. I'll commend to thee
trustingly the dear lover of mine, that thou mayst guard him well,
mine own dear husband." She made him acquaint with tales which had been
better left unsaid. She spake: "My husband is brave and strong enow.
When he slew the dragon on the hill, the lusty warrior bathed him of
a truth in the blood, so that since then no weapon ever cut him in
the fray. Yet am I in fear, whenever he st