t to
our power. Of these ye and Kriemhild shall have a goodly share."

The son of Siegmund spake to the princes, as he heard and saw the
lordings' will: "God grant that ye be ever happy with your heritage and
the folk therein. My dear bride can well forego in truth the share which
ye would give. There where she shall wear a crown, she shall be mightier
than any one alive, and live to see the day. For whatsoever else ye do
command, I stand ready to your bidding."

Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Though ye forego my heritage, yet is
it not so light a matter with the Burgundian men-at-arms. A king might
gladly lead them to his land. Forsooth my brothers' hands must share
them with me."

Then spake the Lord Gernot: "Now take whomsoever thou dost wish. Thou
wilt find here really a one who'll gladly ride with thee. We will
give thee a thousand of our thirty hundred warriors; be they thy court
retainers."

Kriemhild then gan send for Hagen of Troneg and also for Ortwin, to ask
if they and their kinsfolk would be Kriemhild's men.

At this Hagen waxed wonderly wroth. He spake: "Certes, Gunther may not
give us to any in the world. Let others follow as your train. Ye know
full well the custom of the men of Troneg: we must in duty bound remain
here with the kings at court. We must serve them longer, whom we till
now have followed."

They gave that over and made them ready to ride away. Lady Kriemhild
gained for herself two and thirty maids and five hundred men, a noble
train. The Margrave Eckewart (1) followed Kriemhild hence. They all
took leave, both knights and squires and maids and ladies, as was mickle
right. Anon they parted with a kiss and voided merrily King Gunther's
land. Their kinsmen bare them company far upon the way and bade them
pitch their quarters for the night, whereso they listed, throughout the
princes' land.

Then messengers were sent eftsoon to Siegmund, that he might know,
and Siegelind, too, that his son would come with Lady Uta's child,
Kriemhild, the fair, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Liefer tidings might
they never have. "Well for me," spake then Siegmund, "that I have
lived to see fair Kriemhild here as queen. My heritage will be thereby
enhanced. My son, the noble Siegfried, shall himself be king."

Then the Lady Siegelind gave much red velvet, silver, and heavy gold;
this was the envoy's meed. The tale well liked her, which then she
heard. She clad her and her handmaids with care, as did bese