So ceased the weary warriors with one consent from the fight; And many a shattered helmet and shield to left and to right Did they cast from their hands; nor any of all on the field that lay, But blood-besprent from the hewing of Burgundia's swords were they. From the field, by the right of the victor, what captives they would did they lead: And the swift war-helpers, Gernot and Hagen, took order with heed That the wounded men upon litters be borne: so led they away, Captives unto the Rhine-flood, five hundred men from the fray. All empty-handed of triumph home rode each Danish knight, Nor yet had the Saxons borne them so stoutly in that fight That their people should sing their praises: in sorrow and shame went they Mid wailing for dear ones fallen in the slaughter of that day. Now their needless armour Rhineward the sumpter-beasts might bear, For Siegfried the strong and his helpers had rid the land of the fear Of foes from border to border: so had he accomplished this That all King Gunther's war-host must acclaim the deed for his. Straightway to Worms Prince Gernot hasted the messengers' feet To bear unto friends in the homeland the tidings passing sweet, That tale of the might triumphant of the Kings and their war-array, The tale of the deeds of the valiant, of the dawn of glory's day. Fast, fast those victory-heralds sped, and the tale was told. How leap their hearts for gladness that of late were sorrowful-souled, For all those joyful tidings through the jubilant land that ring! How instant are high-born ladies with eager questioning How had it fared with their dear lords in the King's war-host who fought! Yea, into the presence of Kriemhild was a messenger straightway brought: Yet the thing was done as in secret, and she would not that folk should know, For the Hero's sake in whose keeping was her heart from long ago. When stood that victory-bringer in her bower before her eyes, Kriemhild the lovely bespake him in exceeding gracious wise: {P. 31} "Now tell me thy joyful tidings, and my gold shall thy guerdon be; And, so nought of the truth be hidden, thou hast ever a friend in me. Tell how hath my brother Gernot come forth of the battle-strife, And other my friends and kinsmen. Be there many that lost their life? Who in that day triumphant was in prowess chief?--say on!"