The crown shalt thou wear, and the kingdom shall bow beneath thy sway.
Thee shall the vassals of Siegfried with willing heart obey,”
Then the word to the squires was given, “Home ride we ere eventide!”
Out of the field they gathered in haste the steeds they should ride.
To dwell mid their deadly foemen was now to their souls as gall.
For the journey prepared was raiment of the dames and the handmaids all.
But now when the old King Siegmund was at point to ride away,
Drew nigh the kinsmen of Kriemhild to plead with her and to pray
That still she would stay with her mother in the land of Burgundy.
Made answer the joyless-hearted: “Now nay, it can never be!