The horses were led out for Siegmund’s men, for they were ready to ride back to the land of the Nibelungs; and their harness was laid on the sumpters.
Then went Siegmund to Kriemhild, and said to her, “Siegfried’s men wait by their horses. Let us away, for it irketh me here by the Burgundians.”
Kriemhild answered, “They that are faithful among my kinsfolk counsel me to abide here with them. I have no kinsmen in the Nibelung land.”
Siegmund was woeful when he heard this from Kriemhild, and he said, “Let none tell thee that. Before all my kinsmen shalt thou wear the crown, and have dominion as aforetime; no man shall avenge on thee the loss of the hero. Come with us for thy little child’s sake. Leave it not an orphan. When thy son is grown to a man he shall comfort thee; and meanwhile many a bold knight and good shall serve thee.”
But she answered, “My lord Siegmund, I cannot go. Whatso come of it, I must tarry here with my kinsfolk, who will help me to mourn.”
The warriors liked not the news, and they said with one accord, “Then might we bewail our wrong indeed, if thou shouldst abide here by our foemen. Heroes never rode to a sorrier hightide.”
“Depart without fear, and in God’s keeping. I will see that ye come well escorted to your land. I commend my dear child to your care.”
When they saw plain that she would not go, Siegmund’s men all fell to weeping. How right piteously Siegmund parted from Kriemhild! His grief was bitter, and he said, “Woe is me for this hightide! Never yet hath such evil befallen a king and his men at a feast. They shall see us no more in Burgundy.”
Siegfried’s men said openly, “Nay, we might well ride hither again if we knew who had murdered our master. Among his kinsmen they have stark foes enow.”
Siegmund kissed Kriemhild, and spake dolefully when he saw she would tarry, “We fare home joyless to our land. Now, for the first time, I know all my sorrows.”