To fight for you, fair lady, and many a helmet will by them be riven.”

[1177]

Then spake the winged angel: “I bid you now farewell,

And leave you in God’s keeping, for work awaits me still.

I overstay my errand to linger here, yet speaking.”

Then from their sight he faded, and left the maidens’ hearts well-nigh to breaking.

[1178]

Then said Hilda’s daughter: “My sorrows none can know;

Much that I wished to ask thee, now must I forego.

For the sake of Christ, I beg thee, ere thou alone dost leave me,