Now so soon as the guests of Gunther had wended all away

Now so soon as the guests of Gunther had wended all away, Then spake the Son of Siegmund unto them of his vassal-array: "Time is it we made us ready to our fatherland to ride." Right glad to hear that saying was the heart of Kriemhild the bride. Then spake she unto her husband: "How soon is thy mind to depart? So hastily hence to be faring is nowise after mine heart, Ere my brethren divide me my portion of the land of Burgundy." But vexed was the soul of Siegfried that such her desire should be. Then came unto him the Princes, and with one voice spake all three: "We do thee to wit, Lord Siegfried, that for aye are we bound unto thee In loyalty of service, so long as life shall remain." Unto this their gracious tender low bowed that royal thane. "We will give thee withal thy portion," the young lord Giselher cried, "Of all that we hold in possession, of our castles and manors wide, And of all this mighty kingdom the rule whereof we claim. Yea, thou receivest with Kriemhild thine own full share of the same." Made answer then to the Princes the son of Siegmund the King, When he heard the speech of their kindness and their royal offering: "God seal unto you by His blessing your heritage all your life, And therewithal its people: but this my beloved wife, No need hath she of the portion that ye so freely would give. Where she shall reign a crowned queen—if to see that day we live— There shall she be far richer than any the wide world through. For all that beside ye have proffered I am ever beholden to you." Then answered the Lady Kriemhild: "Though lightly thou reck of my land, As touching the thanes Burgundian not so doth the matter stand: For the escort-royal homeward these may no king disdain. Let my loving brethren give me of these for my princely train."