XXVIII

"Why, where were then thy senses? sure 'twas a crafty train, To take a lowly lover, to ease a va.s.sal's pain!

Complaints from thee," said Kriemhild, "methinks are much amiss."

"Verily," said Brunhild, "Gunther shall hear of this."

XXIX

"And why should that disturb me? thy pride hath thee betray'd.

Why didst thou me, thy equal, with va.s.salship upbraid?

Know this for sure and certain (to speak it gives me pain) Never can I meet thee in cordial love again."

x.x.x

Then bitterly wept Brunhild; Kriemhild no longer stay'd; Straight with all her followers before the queen she made Her way into the minster; then deadly hate 'gan rise; And starting tears o'erclouded the shine of brightest eyes.

x.x.xI

For all the solemn service, for all the chanted song, Still it seemed to Brunhild they linger'd all too long.

Both on her mind and body a load like lead there lay.

Many a high-born hero for her sorrow was to pay.

x.x.xII

Brunhild stopp'd with her ladies without the minster door.

Thought she, "This wordy woman shall tell me something more Of her charge against me spread so loud and rife.

If he has but so boasted, let him look to his life!"

x.x.xIII

Now came the n.o.ble Kriemhild begirt with many a knight; Then spake the n.o.ble Brunhild, "Stop and do me right.

You've voic'd me for a wanton; prove it ere you go.

You and your foul speeches have wrought me pain and woe."

x.x.xIV

Then spake the Lady Kriemhild, "'Twere wiser to forbear; E'en with the gold I'll prove it that on my hand I wear; 'Twas this that Siegfried brought me from where by you he lay."

Never liv'd Queen Brunhild so sorrowful a day.

x.x.xV

Said she, "That ring was stolen from me who held it dear, And mischievously hidden has since been many a year.

But now I've met with something by which the thief to guess."

Both the dames were frenzied with pa.s.sion masterless.

x.x.xVI

"Thief?" made answer Kriemhild, "I will not brook the name.

Thou would'st have kept silence, hadst thou a sense of shame.

By the girdle here about me prove full well I can That I am ne'er a liar; Siegfried was indeed thy man."

x.x.xVII

'Twas of silk of Nineveh the girdle that she brought, With precious stones well garnish'd; a better ne'er was wrought; When Brunhild but beheld it, her tears she could not hold.

The tale must needs to Gunther and all his men be told.

x.x.xVIII

Then outspake Queen Brunhild; "Go some one straight and call Hither the Prince of Rhineland; sure will I tell him all, What infamy his sister has forc'd me to endure, And how his wife she voices for Siegfried's paramour."

x.x.xIX

The king with his chieftains up came hastily; There saw he his beloved weeping bitterly.

"Dearest heart!" soft said he, "who has serv'd you so?"

With many a sob she answer'd, "Deep cause have I for woe.

XL

"Of my good name and honor than life more dear would fain Thy cruel sister rob me; to thee I needs must plain.

She says her husband Siegfried my virgin favors won."

Thereto replied King Gunther, "Then she foul wrong has done."

XLI

"Besides, my long-lost girdle she weareth as in scorn, My gold adorns her finger;--would I had ne'er been born!

Is not all this an outrage to sting and wound me sore?

King! if thou dost not clear me, I'll never love thee more."

XLII

Thereto return'd King Gunther, "I will do no less; If Siegfried so has boasted, he shall the same confess, Or frankly disavow it." Then turn'd he to his band, And bade them summon forthwith the Chief of Netherland.

XLIII