ld from Siegfried's treasure chamber.
Since he might not live, many thousand marks of gold were given for his
soul. She dealt out well-tilled lands, wherever cloisters and pious folk
were found. Enow of gold and silver was given to the poor. By her deeds
she showed that she did love him fondly.

Upon the third morning at time of mass, the broad churchyard by the
minster was full of weeping country folk. They served him after death,
as one should do to loving kin. In the four days, as hath been told,
full thirty thousand marks or better still were given to the poor for
his soul's sake. Yet his great beauty and his life lay low. When God
had been served and the chants were ended, much people fought 'gainst
monstrous grief. Men bade bear him from the minster to the grave. Those
were seen to weep and wail who missed him most. With loud laments the
people followed hence; none was merry, neither wife nor man. They sang
and read a service before they buried him. Ho, what good priests were
present at his burial! Ere Siegfried's wife was come to the grave, her
faithful heart was rung with grief, so that they must needs oft sprinkle
her with water from the spring. Her pain was passing great; a mickle
wonder it was that she ever lived. Many a lady helped her in her plaint.

Then spake the queen: "Ye men of Siegfried, by your loyalty must ye
prove your love to me. Let me receive this little favor after all my
woe, that I may see once more his comely head."

She begged so long, with griefs strong will, that they must needs break
open the lordly casket. Then men brought the lady to where he lay. With
her white hand she raised his fair head and kissed the noble knight and
good, thus dead. Tears of blood her bright eyes wept from grief. Then
there happed a piteous parting. Men bare her hence, she could not walk,
and soon they found the high-born lady lying senseless. Fain would the
lovely fair have died of grief.

When they had now buried the noble lord, those who were come with him
from the Nibelung land were seen to suffer from unmeasured grief. Men
found Siegmund full seldom merry then. There were those that for three
days would neither eat nor drink for passing grief. Yet might they not
so waste away their bodies, but that they recovered from their sorrows,
as still happeneth oft enow.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Bleed". This was not only a popular superstition, but also
a legal practice in case of a murder when the crim