So she gave to her brother the promise, to abide with them in the land. Now by this were the horses gathered for the men of Siegmund's band; And all to the land of the Niblungs were ready to ride away, And laden upon the horses was the good knights' war-array. Then unto the bower of Kriemhild went grey-haired Siegmund the King, And he spake to the Lady: "The warriors of Siegfried's following Stand waiting beside their horses. Forth and away let us ride. The hours unto me are bitter while with Burgundy's folk I abide." But the Lady Kriemhild made answer: "My kinsmen have wrought on my will, Even my nearest and dearest, here to abide with them still. None in the land of the Niblungs, say they, of my blood can I find." Then sore aggrieved was Siegmund that such should be Kriemhild's mind. And answered and spake the old King: "Lest any deceive thee beware. Thou before all my kinsfolk the royal crown shalt wear, Yea, wear it by right of kingship, even as heretofore. For this shalt thou nowise suffer, that thy lord is beside thee no more. {P. 148} Nay, forth with us do thou journey unto thine home and thy child; Let him not be an orphan, his father dead, his mother exiled. When thy son is grown unto manhood, thy comfort shall he be then: Till then shalt thou have true service of many valiant men." But she answered: "My dear lord Siegmund, with thee I may not ride. Nay, here with mine own must I tarry, what issue soever betide. In my grief and my wrong to my kinsfolk for comfort and help must I look." When this was told them, the tidings ill could the good knights brook. With one voice cried they against it: "Our plight may we surely deplore That on us hath affliction lighted now as never before! If here in the land Burgundian thou with our foes wilt abide, Never have heroes ridden to an eviller festal-tide!" But she answered: "In God's good keeping shall ye fearlessly journey home. I will get for you trusty escort for your warding until ye be come Unto your own dear country. Good knights, farewell each one. Unto your love and compassion I commend my little son."