The ships stood ready waiting, / whereunto ample store
Of clothing for the journey / men full many bore,
Nor had they time for resting / till shades of even fell.
Anon in mood full joyous / bade they friends at home farewell.
Tents full large and many / arose upon the green,
Yonder side Rhine river. / But yet the winsome queen
Caressed the doughty monarch / that night, and still did pray
That far from Etzel's country / among his kinsmen might he stay.
When sound of flute and trumpet / arose at break of day,
A signal for their parting, / full soon they took their way.
Each lover to his bosom / did friend more fondly press:
King Etzel's wife full many / did part anon in dire distress.
The sons of stately Ute, / a good knight had they,
A brave man and a faithful. / When they would thence away,
Apart unto the monarch / did he his mind reveal,
And spake: "That ye will journey, / may I naught but sorrow feel."
Hight the same was Rumold, / a man of doughty hand.
He spake: "To whom now leave ye / people here and land?
O that never any / might alter your intent!
Small good, methinks, may follow / message e'er by Kriemhild sent."