"Three days and three nights further / shall he lie on bier,
Until my heart find quiet / that weeps for spouse so dear.
God perchance commandeth / that death eke me do take:
That were for me poor Kriemhild / fit end of all my woe to make."
Then of the town the people / went to their homes again.
Priests and monks yet bade she / longer there remain,
And all the hero's followers / who willing served alway.
They watched a night all gruesome, / and full of toil was eke the day.
Meat and drink forgetting / abode there many a one.
If any were would take it / 'twas unto all made known,
That have they might in plenty: / thus did provide Siegmund.
Then for the Nibelungen / did trouble and sore need abound.
The while the three days lasted / —such the tale we hear—
All who could join the chanting, / mickle must they bear
There of toil and trouble. / What gifts to them they bore!
Rich were seen full many / who did suffer need before.
As many poor as found they / who themselves had naught,
By them yet an offering / bade they there be brought,
Of gold of Siegfried's treasure. / Though he no more might live,
Yet for his soul's reposing / marks many thousand did they give.