So when they knew of a surety that they could not in any wise shake Her purpose, the men of Siegfried into bitter weeping brake. Ah, with what deep heart-anguish King Siegmund took farewell Of Kriemhild! Renewal of sorrow on the childless father fell. "A curse on that festal high-day!" the King in bitterness cried: "Never to king and his dear ones did such foul fortune betide As here upon us hath fallen--and that at a feast, good sooth! In Burgundy here shall they see us never again, of a truth!" Then in fierce anger shouted the thanes of Siegfried's band: "Nay, once more yet may we journey unto this accursèd land, If we find, if we prove of a surety who laid our dear lord low. Amidst his friends have they won them deadly foes enow!" For the last time kissed he Kriemhild. He spake in sorrow's despair, When he saw her steadfastly purposed to abide with her people there: "Now ride we forth all joyless, as home to our people we go! Now first my depth of affliction and all my sorrow I know!" {P. 149} So rode they without all escort from Worms on Rhine away. Well might they go all-fearless: so stern of mood were they, That if haply foemen in malice had set upon them then, Their heads had their own hands warded, those aweless Niblung men. No leave would they take of any: they shook off the dust of their feet. Yet Giselher and Gernot full lovingly came to greet The old king at his departing; for they sorrowed in his heart-pain, And thereof did they give clear witness, those valiant heroes twain. For to Siegmund spake Prince Gernot exceeding courteously: "Now God in Heaven be witness, of the death of Siegfried am I Wholly and utterly guiltless! Never I heard this said, That any bare him malice. From mine heart do I mourn for thy dead." Then Giselher the young prince provided them escort fair. So led he unvexed of any the hearts overburdened with care, Even the King and his good knights, back to their Netherland home. Ah, with how little rejoicing their kinsmen beheld them come! Touching all that befell them thereafter the old song holdeth its peace: But at Worms was the plaining of Kriemhild heard without surcease That her heart and her wounded spirit had no comforter, Save one, the loving and faithful, her brother Giselher. But there sat Brunhild the lovely enthroned in her arrogant pride. Little she recked of Kriemhild as from depths of despair she cried. Never in kindness or pity she stooped to the stricken again. But the years stole on, till Kriemhild wrung her heart too with pain. XIX. How the Hoard of the Niblungs came to Worms