together, and refused to be comforted, till the gold on their breasts was
wet with the tears that rolled down from their eyes.

She spake further, "Sir Siegfried, to thy care and good faith I commend
my dear brother, that no evil betide him in Brunhild's land." The knight
gave his hand thereon, and promised it. He said, "Fear not, lady; if I
live, I will bring him back safe to the Rhine. I swear it by mine own
body."

And the fair maiden thanked him.

They carried down the shields of ruddy gold to the strand, and stowed
their armour in the vessel, and let fetch their horses, for they were
eager to be gone. The women made mickle dole. Fair damsels stood at
the windows. The fresh wind caught the sail, and lo! the good knights
sat on the Rhine.

Then said Gunther, "Who shall be steersman?"

"That will I be," answered Siegfried. "Trust me, ye heroes, and I will
pilot you hence, for I know the currents." So with stout hearts they
left Burgundy. Siegfried took hold of the pole and pushed from the
strand. Gunther himself took an oar, and they fell away from the shore.
They had rich meats with them, and Rhine wine of the best. Their horses
stood easy and quiet; their boat flew light, and misadventure they had
none. Their strong sails filled, and they made twenty miles or night
fell, for the wind favoured them. But their high emprise brought many
women dole. They say that by the twelfth morning the wind had blown them
afar to Isenstein in Brunhild's land, the which none had seen before
that, save Siegfried. When King Gunther beheld so many towers and