ome 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. Ye shall not
suffer, because we have lost the knight. Ride also with us home again,
for the sake of your little child. Lady, ye should not leave him
orphaned. When your son groweth up, he will comfort your heart.
Meanwhile many bold heroes and good shall serve you."

"Sir Siegmund," quoth she, "forsooth I like not for to ride. Whatever
fortune, here must I tarry with my kindred, who help me mourn."

These tales gan now displease the doughty warriors. All spake alike: "We
might well aver that now first hath ill befallen us. If ye would
stay here with our foes, then have heroes never ridden to court more
sorrowfully."

"Ye shall journey free of care, commended unto God; ye shall be given
safe-conduct to Siegmund's land, I'll bid them guard you well. To the
care of you knights shall my dear child be given."

When they marked that she would not go hence, then wept all of
Siegmund's men alike. How right sorrowfully Siegmund parted then from
Lady Kriemhild! He became acquaint with grief. "Woe worth this courtly
feasting," spake the noble king. "Through pastime will nevermore hap to
king or to his kinsmen, what here hath happed to us. Men shall see us
nevermore in Burgundy."

Then Siegfried's men spake openly: "A journey to this land might still
take place, if we discovered aright him who slew our lord. Enow of his
kinsmen be their deadly foes."

He kissed Kriemhild; how sorrowfully he spake, when he perceived aright
that she would stay: "Now let us ride joyless home unto our land, now
first do I feel all my sorrow."

Down to the Rhine from Worms they rode without an escort. They were
su