e for you. And, if ever you need the help of my arm,
you have but to say the word, and I will hasten to your aid."

Then the Burgundian kings besought the hero to take the fourth part
of their kingdom as his own and Kriemhild's, and to think no more of
leaving them. But Siegfried would not agree to this. His heart yearned
to see his father and mother once again, and then to return to his own
loved Nibelungen Land. So he thanked the kings for their kind offer, and
hastened to make ready for his intended journey.

Early on Midsummer Day the hero and his bride rode out of Gunther's
dwelling, and turned their faces northward. And with them was a noble
retinue of warriors,--five hundred brave Burgundians, with Eckewart as
their chief,--who had sworn to be Queen Kriemhild's vassals in her new,
far-distant home. Thirty and two fair maidens, too, went with her. And
with Siegfried were his Nibelungen earls.

As the company rode down the sands, and filed gayly along the
river-road, it seemed a lovely although a sad sight to their kinsmen
who gazed after them from the castle-towers. Fair and young were all the
folk; and the world, to most, was still untried. And they rode, in the
morning sunlight, away from their native land, nor recked that never
again would they return. Each warrior sat upon a charger, richly geared
with gilt-red saddle, and gorgeous bridle, and trappings of every hue;
and their war-coats were bright and dazzling; and their spears glanced
in the sun; and their golden shields threw rays of resplendent light
around them. The maidens, too, were richly dight in broidered cloaks
of blue, and rare stuffs brought from far-off Araby; and each sat on a
snow-white palfrey geared with silken housings, and trappings of bright
blue.

For some days the company followed the course of the river, passing
through many a rich meadow, and between lovely vineyards, and fields of
yellow corn. Then they rode over a dreary, barren waste, and through
a wild greenwood, and reached, at last, the hills which marked the
beginning of King Siegmund's domains. Then Siegfried sent fleet heralds
before them to carry to his father the tidings of his coming with
his bride, fair Kriemhild. Glad, indeed, were old King Siegmund and
Siegfried's gentle mother when they heard this news.

"Oh, happy is the day!" cried the king. "Thrice happy be the day that
shall see fair Kriemhild a crowned queen, and Siegfried a king in the
throne of his fathers!"