them.

Whilst they carried their harness across the court at Worms, an old
bishop from Spires said to fair Uta, "Our friends will ride to the
hightide. God help them there."

Then noble Uta said to her children, "Stay here, good heroes. Last night
I dreamed an evil dream, that all the birds in this land were dead."

"He that goeth by dreams," said Hagen, "careth little for his honour. I
would have my noble master take leave without delay, and ride forward
merrily into Etzel's land. There kings need heroes' hands to serve them,
and we must see Kriemhild's hightide."

Hagen counselled them now to the journey, but he rued it later. He had
withstood them, but that Gernot had mocked him. He minded him on
Siegfried, Kriemhild's husband, and said, "It is for that, that Hagen
durst not go."

But Hagen said, "I hold not back from fear. If ye will have it so,
heroes, go forward. I am ready to ride with you to Etzel's land." Soon
many a helmet and shield were pierced by him.

The ships lay waiting for the kings and their men. They carried their
vesture down to them, and were busy till eventide. Merry of cheer they
quitted their homes. On the camping ground across the Rhine they pitched
tents and put up booths. The king's fair wife entreated him to stay, for
much she loved him. Flutes and trumpets rang out early in the morning,
and gave the signal to be gone. Many a true lover was torn from his
loved one's arms by King Etzel's wife.

King Uta's sons had a liegeman bold and true. When he saw they would
forth, he spake to the king secretly, "Much I grieve that thou goest to
this hightide." Rumolt was his name, a chosen knight. He said, "To whom
wilt thou leave thy folk and thy land? Alack! that none can turn you
knights from your purpose! Kriemhild's message never pleased me."

"I leave my land and child in thy charge. I will have it so. Comfort
them that thou seest weeping. Etzel's wife will do us no hurt!"

The king held a council with his chief men or he started. He left not
land and castles defenceless. Many a chosen knight stayed behind to
guard them.

The horses stood ready for the kings and their followers. With sweet
kisses parted many whose hearts still beat high. Noble women soon wept
for them. Wailing was there, with tears enow. The queen bare her child
in her arms to the king. "How canst thou leave us both desolate? Stay
for our sake," said the sorrowful woman.

"Weep not for me