To bear them over the Rhine-flood ready the galleys lay; So the warriors set a-shipboard their goodly vesture-array: With lading and unlading till eventide busy they were. --O forth from their homes full blithely on the journey did they fare. The warriors pitched in the meadow for themselves pavilion and tent On the other side the Rhine-flood, where that last night was spent. "Tarry, O Gunther!" did Brunhild, his lovely wife, implore, As she clasped to her heart her husband that night, and never more. Shrilled flutes and blared forth trumpets as the first of the dawn-light shone, Bidding them forth on the journey, and all made haste to be gone. Lover in arms of lover was strained close, close to the heart, They whom with anguish unending would the wife of Etzel part. Now the sons of the fair Queen Uta had of their vassals a man Bold and withal true-hearted: even as the journey began, The thoughts of his heart he uttered to the King, for he drew him aside, And he said: "It grieveth me sorely that thou goest to this high-tide." And the name of the thane was Rumold, trusty of heart and hand. "Whom wilt thou leave as warden," he said, "of thy folk and thy land? {P. 207} Alas that none can turn you, O knights, from your enterprise! Never the message of Kriemhild was good in thy servant's eyes." "Unto thee be the land committed, and also my little son. To our wives do loyal service: I will that so it be done. Whomsoever thou seest weeping, speak to them words of cheer. No hurt shall the wife of Etzel do us; have thou no fear." (C) Moreover the King took counsel, or ever they parted thence, With all his chiefest liegemen: he left not bare of defence His kingdom and his castles: to keep them safe in ward He delivered them over to chosen barons, to watch and to guard. All harnessed stood the horses for vassal and for king. With loving kisses of parting did wives unto husbands cling In whose bosoms were hearts high-leaping, in whose veins was lusty life, Yet for whom there was soon sore weeping of many a widowed wife. (C) Now all the air was thrilling with weeping and wailing wild. To the King drew nigh Queen Brunhild; she bare in her arms their child: "How canst thou endure to leave us desolate both in a day? For love of us," said the woeful Queen, "ah, stay with us, stay!" (C) "My wife, it doth not beseem thee thus to be weeping for me; Rather in queenly courage fearless here shouldst thou be. With joy shall we soon be returning safe and sound again." In that same hour from their dear ones parted all his train. Now did those valiant warriors their steeds at last bestride, While many a loving woman stood watching tearful-eyed. "Long, long shall be this parting!" their hearts were whispering still. None can be blithe of spirit in the shadow of coming ill.