ild's mother began to
beg that she would remain among her kinsfolk.

The wretched queen said, "That could hardly be. How could I have ever
before mine eyes him that hath brought this woe upon me, miserable woman
that I am?"

Giselher the youth said, "Dear sister mine, thy duty is here by thy
mother. Thou need'st no service from them that have wounded and darkened
thy spirit, for thou shalt live at my sole charge."

But she answered the knight, "It cannot be; I must die of grief but to
look on Hagen."

"Nay, I counsel thee, dear sister, to stay by thy brother Giselher; and I
will make good to thee thy husband's death."

But the God-forsaken one answered, "Need enow hath Kriemhild of comfort."

While the youth besought her so kindly, Uta and Gernot began to pray her,
and her faithful kinsmen also, that she should tarry, for she had few
kinsmen among Siegfried's men.

"They are all strangers to thee," said Gernot, "and however strong a
friend may be, one day he must die. Consider it, dear sister, and take
comfort and stay here by thy kinsfolk. It were better for thee."

So she promised Giselher she would remain there.

The horses were led out for Siegmund's men, for they were ready to ride
back to the land of the Nibelungs; and their harness was laid on the
sumpters.

Then went Siegmund to Kriemhild, and said to her, "Siegfried's men wait
by their horses. Let us away, for it irketh me here by the Burgundians."

Kriemhild answered, "They that are faithful among my kinsfolk counsel me
to abide here with them. I have no kinsmen in the Nibelung land."

Siegmund was woeful when he heard this from Kriemhild, and he said, "Let
none tell thee that. Before all my kinsmen shalt thou wear the crown,
and have dominion as aforetime; no man shall avenge on thee the loss of
the hero. Come with us for thy little child's sake. Leave it not an
orphan. When thy son is grown to a man he shall comfort thee; and
meanwhile many a bold knight and good shall serve thee."

But she answered, "My lord Siegmund, I cannot go. Whatso come of it, I
must tarry here with my kinsfolk, who will help me to mourn."

The warriors liked not the news, and they said with one accord, "Then
might we bewail our wrong indeed, if thou shouldst abide here by our
foemen. Heroes never rode to a sorrier hightide."

"Depart without fear, and in God's keeping. I will see that ye come well
escorted to your land. I commend my dear child to your c