With one accord they answer'd, "We must in truth confess, That never till this moment we felt true bitterness, If thou persist to tarry among our foemen here. Sure for a peaceful journey knights never paid so dear." XVIII "Hence without thought of danger ride home with God to friend, Your steps a fitting escort shall through this land attend E'en to your native country. Farewell, good knights and true; My dear, my orphan'd infant I trust, my friends, to you." XIX When they perceiv'd for certain that she her purpose kept, The warriors of King Siegmund with one accord they wept. With what heart-rending sorrow the reverend Siegmund, too, Parted from Lady Kriemhild! then what was grief he knew. XX "Woe worth this dreary festal!" the hoary monarch cried, "To kings nor to their kinsmen shall never more betide From merriment and pleasure such heart-devouring teen. In Burgundy shall Siegmund never more be seen." XXI Then said and frown'd indignant the knights of Siegfried's train, "Nay, into this same country we well may come again To seek and find the traitor who laid our master low. Among the kin of Siegfried they have many a mortal foe." XXII Lovingly kiss'd he Kriemhild, and sadly thus 'gan say, When he could see too clearly that she was fix'd to stay, "Now home, bereav'd and joyless, a weary way we go. 'Tis only now I'm feeling the fulness of my woe." XXIII They rode without an escort from Worms beyond the Rhine. Sorrowful and silent they mov'd in lengthen'd line, Nor fear'd assault or ambush by lurking foemen plann'd; Secure each Nibelunger felt in his own right hand. XXIV From all they kept disdainful, leave of none they took; Giselher and Gernot such parting could not brook. But lovingly approach'd them; woe were they for their woe; That for their loss they sorrow'd, they gave their guest to know. XXV Then gently spoke Prince Gernot, and heav'd full many a sigh, "God in heaven is my witness, nor part the guilt had I In the death of Siegfried, nor had I heard before That any him bore malice; I sorrow for him sore." XXVI To them was given good escort by Giselher the young. Deep-sorrowing altogether he brought them safe along, Both king and loyal liegemen, home to Netherland. There met they all their kindred; small joy was in the band. XXVII What happ'd to them thereafter is more than I can say. At Worms still heard was Kriemhild complaining, day by day. That none her sorrow pitied, or brought her comfort due, Save Giselher her brother; he still was good and true. XXVIII Meanwhile sat misproud Brunhild in haughtiness uncheck'd; Of Kriemhild's tears and sorrows her it nothing reck'd. She pitied not the mourner; she stoop'd not to the low. Soon Kriemhild took full vengeance, and woe repaid with woe. NINETEENTH ADVENTURE