But again to her friends spake Kriemhild: “Leave me not this day
To keep vigil alone o’er the hero, the hope of the world and its pride;
Now all the joy of my life-days is buried by his side.
Three days, three nights unceasing will I keep vigil here
Till my soul is filled with lamenting for him, my lord most dear.
Peradventure His white Death-angel for me too God will send;
So the sorrow of Kriemhild the hapless should find a blessèd end.”
Now homeward the folk of the city were gone to their rest and their sleep:
But the priests and the monks aye chanting that vigil with her must keep;
And his vassals and leal retainers that served that gallant chief—