rely of the mind that they, the bold Nibelungs, could well defend
them, should they be encountered in hostile wise. Leave they asked of
none, but Gernot and Giselher were seen to go to Siegmund in loving
wise. These brave and lusty knights convinced him that they mourned his
loss. Courteously Prince Gernot spake: "God in heaven knoweth well that
I be not to blame for Siegfried's death, nor heard I ever that any was
his foe. I mourn him justly."

Giselher, the youth, gave them then safe-conduct. Sorrowly he led them
from the land home to Netherland. How few kinsman were found joyous
then!

How they now fared at Worms I cannot tell. All time men heard Kriemhild
mourn, so that none might comfort her heart nor mind, save Giselher
alone; loyal he was and good. Brunhild, the fair, sate in overweening
pride. How Kriemhild wept, she recked not, nor did she ever show her
love or troth. Lady Kriemhild wrought her in after days the bitterest
woe of heart.

ADVENTURE XIX. How The Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms.

When the noble Kriemhild thus was widowed, the Margrave Eckewart with
his vassals stayed with her in the land, and served her alway. He also
often helped his mistress mourn his lord. At Worms, hard by the minster,
they built for her a dwelling, broad and passing large, costly and
great, where, with her maids, she since dwelt joyless. She liked for to
go to church and did this willingly. Where her love lay buried, thither
she went all time in mournful mood (how seldom she gave that over). She
prayed the good God to have mercy on her soul. With great fidelity she
bewept the knight full oft. Uta and her meiny comforted her all time,
but so sorely wounded was her heart, that it booted naught, whatever
comfort men did offer her. She had the greatest longing for her dear
love, that ever wife did have for loving husband. One might see thereby
her passing virtue; until her end she mourned, the while life lasted. In
after days brave Siegfried's wife avenged herself with might.

Thus she dwelt after her sorrow, after her husband's death, and this is
true, well three and one half years, that she spake no word to Gunther,
nor did she see her foeman Hagen in all this time.

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "If ye could compass it to make your sister
friendly, then might come to these lands the gold of Nibelung. Of this
might ye win great store, an' the queen would be our friend."

The king made answer: "Let us try. My broth