To kiss me on the cheek, then drew our son
From the huge horse that proudly carried him,
To his own saddle-bow; and so they rode
Through all the army while I followed them.”
The grave voice slackened from its pitch, and fell
Quavering, and the silence held them both.
Then Brunhild raised again her head and spoke
In a deep, even voice and passionless:
“The swallows of our summer soon were fled.
Sigebert left me with a slender guard