371.
Thanks manifold and hearty their judgment did receive.
And then these joyous warriors desired to take their leave;—
This did the noble comrades with knightly courtesy.
Bright eyes were then, with weeping, all sad and watery.
372.
She said: “My dearest brother, you still have time to stay,
And woo some other woman, ’twould be the better way.
You would not then endanger your body and your life:
Here might you find, much nearer, as highly-born a wife!”
373.
Her heart, I ween, foreboded what, later, did befall:
As ev’ry word was spoken they fell to weeping all.
The gold upon their bosoms was tarnished with the tears
Which rainéd from their eyelids, by reason of their fears.
374.
Again she spake: “Sir Siegfried, let me commend, I pray,
Unto your truth and kindness, my brother dear alway;—
That no mischance befall him in Queen Brunhilda’s land.”
The gallant here swore it, upon Kriemhilda’s hand.
375.
The mighty thane thus answered: “So long as I shall live,
You, to his safety, lady, no anxious thought need give;
I safe and sound will bring him home to the Rhine;” he said,
“That know now of a surety.” The fair maid bow’d her head.
376.
Their gilded shields were carried straight down unto the shore,
And to the ship was taken of clothing their whole store;
They bade men bring their horses, they hasted to be gone.
Then was by beauteous women much bitter weeping done.
