when we get home to the land of Burgundy."

They filled the chests with precious stones. Her own chamberlain saw to
it, for she would not trust Giselher's man. And Gunther and Hagen began
to laugh.

Then the queen said, "To whom shall I leave my kingdom? Thy hand and
mine must establish that or we depart."

The king answered, "Call forth whom thou wilt, and he shall be regent."

The lady saw her nearest of kin standing night her - her mother's brother
- and to him she said, "Take my castles and land in charge, till that
King Gunther's own hand holdeth rule here."

She chose from among her knights two thousand men to follow her to the
Rhine, and the thousand Nibelung warriors. Then she made ready for the
journey, and rode down to the shore. She took with her six and eighty
women, and an hundred fair damsels, and they tarried not longer, but set
out. They that were left behind wept sore! Graciously and sweetly the
lady quitted her land. She kissed her nearest of kin that stood round.
With loving farewells they reached the sea. To the land of her fathers
the maiden returned nevermore.

Many hands made music during the voyage, and they had all manner of
pastime, and a favouring wind. And so they sailed away; and many a
mother's son wept for it.

Brunhild wedded not the king on the voyage, but waited for a hightide
that was to be held in the castle of Worms; and thither they speeded