How Siegfried Was Bewailed and Buried, LXXI–LXXIII

Many were there among them who made unceasing moan, Nor ate nor drank for anguish till three whole days were gone. Then hard constraint compell'ed them to life against their will, And they from grief recovered, as haps to thousands still.

In deadly swoon unconscious the widow'd Kriemhild lay, Both day and night unalter'd e'en to the second day, Nor heard whate'er was spoken, nor mark'd what pass'd around; In like unheeding sorrow was eke King Siegmund drown'd.

With pain back to his senses return'd the childless chief; Shrunk were his powers, and weaken'd through the strong dint of grief, Nor was there ground for wonder. Then said his liegemen near "My lord, best travel homeward; we must not tarry here."