But they clashed their uptossed bucklers, with the battle-lust were they mad. But the noble Daughter of Princes now pleaded, and now forbade Those knights all battle-eager to rush upon their doom; And it troubled her very sorely that they would not be turned therefrom. Then she turned to the King--"Lord Siegmund, for this time sheathed be the sword Till there come a convenient season. Fear not, for my murdered lord I will help you to wreak full vengeance. Who hath torn my love from mine hands Shall drink of my vengeance deeply, when once convicted he stands. But here by the Rhine so many of our haughty foes there are, That I counsel you, I beseech you, rush not yet into war. They can set in array full thirty where we can set but one. May God so do to the traitors as they unto us have done! Abide ye here in the palace, and mourn for my dead with your Queen, Until the day beginneth, O heroes battle-keen: Then help me to lay in a coffin the man beloved of me." Answered the thanes: "Dear Lady, as thou wilt, so shall it be." The marvel of that lamentation, no man can tell it o'er, How the wail of the knights and the maidens, like the stormy tempest-roar, {P. 141} Shrieked through the shuddering city till all her people heard, And thitherward hasted the burghers, a great throng terror-stirred. They joined to the guests' their wailing, they grieved for the glory gone. Wherein had Siegfried offended, unto no man was it known: Nay, none could divine cause wherefore the good knight lost his life. So wept with the Queen's handmaidens many a burgher's wife. Now for the silversmiths sent they, and bade them haste to mould A great and strong-knit coffin of silver and ruddy gold; And with burnished steel they bade them brace it in every part. All folk were of sorrowful spirit, and exceeding heavy of heart. By this was the night passed over: one said, "Lo, day is near." And the noble Queen commanded to the minster-door to bear Her royal dead, her husband for ever well-beloved; And with her all friends sore weeping in long procession moved. So when to the minster they brought him, tolled forth many a bell, And the chant of the priests rose upward, and the requiem's solemn swell. And thitherward King Gunther and all his liegemen came. Yea, Hagen the grim mid the mourners stood--and had no shame!