When now the good King Siegmund ready was to ride, Her mother sued to Kriemhild among her kin to bide, That still her only daughter her aged eyes might see. The joy-bereft made answer, "Nay, that can hardly be. VI "With my eyes could I ever the fawning friend behold, Who wrought me, wretched woman, sorrows so manifold?" Then spake the youthful Giselher, "Dear sister, why away? For love's sake and for duty's, here with thy mother stay. VII "Who have weigh'd thee down with sorrow and wreak'd on thee their hate, Of them thou need'st no service; live from my sole estate." She answer'd thus the warior, "No! no! it cannot be. Die should I straight of horror, if I should Hagan see." VIII "From that thou may'st be certain I'll shield thee, sister dear, With me shalt thou dwell ever, thy brother Giselher, Who, if love can bring comfort, will thy sad loss supply." "Ah!" said the heaven-forsaken, "Of that sore need have I." IX Soon as this gentle proffer the youthful knight had made, Next Uta and good Gernot and their true cousins pray'd The joy-deserted mourner among them there to stay. Her kin 'mong Siegfried's followers were few and far away. X "To you they all are strangers," said Gernot, drawing nigh; "No man there lives so mighty but he must some time die; Consider this, fair sister, and comfort to you take; Here with your friends 'twere better your fix'd abode to make." XI At last she promised Giselher that she would there abide. Meanwhile the knights of Siegmund ready were to ride To the Nibelunger's country; their steeds were led from stall, And on the sturdy sumpters was laid their raiment all. XII The venerable Siegmund went up to Kriemhild then, And with these words address'd her: "Lady, Siegfried's men Are waiting with the horses; part must we instantly; It irks me every moment we stay in Burgundy." XIII Then answer'd Lady Kriemhild, "Such friends as wish me well And bear me love, advise me among them here to dwell, Since in the land of Nibelung nor kith nor kin have I." Woe was the noble Siegmund at hearing her reply. XIV "In this at least," return'd he, "trust not their offers fair. Thou before all my kindred the royal crown shalt wear With the same pride and puissance as ere our joys were crost, Nor want of aught remind thee that Siegfried we have lost. XV "Come then, return among us for thy fair infant's sake; Desert not the young orphan; a mother's duty take. When he grows up to manhood, he'll comfort thy sad cheer; Meanwhile good knights shall serve thee, who held thy husband dear." XVI Said she, "My good lord Siegmund, from home I cannot ride. Whatever hence befall me, here must I still abide Among my proper kinsmen, who'll help me to lament." Her words gave the good warriors sorrow and discontent. XVII