XVIII

"Hence without thought of danger ride home with God to friend,
Your steps a fitting escort shall through this land attend
E'en to your native country. Farewell, good knights and true;
My dear, my orphan'd infant I trust, my friends, to you."

XIX

When they perceiv'd for certain that she her purpose kept,
The warriors of King Siegmund with one accord they wept.
With what heart-rending sorrow the reverend Siegmund, too,
Parted from Lady Kriemhild! then what was grief he knew.

XX

"Woe worth this dreary festal!" the hoary monarch cried,
"To kings nor to their kinsmen shall never more betide
From merriment and pleasure such heart-devouring teen.
In Burgundy shall Siegmund never more be seen."

[XXI]

Then said and frown'd indignant the knights of Siegfried's train,
"Nay, into this same country we well may come again
To seek and find the traitor who laid our master low.
Among the kin of Siegfried they have many a mortal foe."

XXII