No sooner had Sir Siegfried seen them so ill appaid (He knew not what had happen'd), suddenly he said, "Why are these women weeping? the cause, I pray you, show, And why I'm hither summon'd, I should be glad to know."

XLIV

Thereto replied King Gunther, "With anguish I'm oppress'd.

My wife has told me something that's poison in my breast.

She says, thou hast been boasting her virgin love to have won; So thy wife Kriemhild told her. Hast thou, Sir Knight, so done?"

XLV

"Not I," made answer Siegfried, "and if she so did say, Ere I rest, she surely shall for her folly pay, And before all thy liegemen my solemn oath I'll take, That not to her nor others such words I ever spake."

XLVI

Then said the King of Rhineland, "Make this at once appear; The oath, which thou hast proffer'd, take before us here, And of all idle charges at once I'll set thee free."

In circle the Burgundians all standing you might see.

XLVII

Straight the n.o.ble Siegfried swore with uplifted hand, "'Tis enough," said Gunther, "so well I understand Thy innocence, that freely all doubts I here remit, My sister did accuse thee, and I with joy acquit."

XLVIII

Then answer'd n.o.ble Siegfried, "If it avail her aught To have griev'd thy gentle consort, and set her thus at naught, Such gain of her's a.s.sure thee, I deeply shall lament."

Then the bold knights fix'd glances each on the other bent.

XLIX

"Women must be instructed," said Siegfried the good knight, "To leave off idle talking, and rule their tongues aright.

Keep thy fair wife in order, I'll do by mine the same.

Such overweening folly puts me indeed to shame."

L

Hasty words have often sunder'd fair dames before.

Then went on sad Brunhild to weep and wail so sore, That Gunther's warriors could not but pity such deep grief.

Then to his sovran lady came Hagan, Trony's chief.

LI

He ask'd her, what had happen'd--wherefore he saw her weep She told him all the story; he vow'd to her full deep, That reap should Kriemhild's husband as he had dar'd to sow, Or that himself thereafter content should never know.

LII

Ortwine of Metz and Gernot both came to the debate, Where the collected chieftains advis'd on Siegfried's fate.

Fair Uta's son, young Giselher, alike the council sought; He, when he heard the question, thus spoke his honest thought.

LIII

"Ye good knights and n.o.ble, why would you do this?

Never sure has Siegfried done so much amiss, Or merited such hatred, that he should lose his life.

Sure 'tis but a trifle to stir an angry wife."

LIV

"Shall we bring up b.a.s.t.a.r.ds?" said Hagan furiously; "That were little honor for knights of our degree.

He hath slander'd my dear lady in his boastful fit.

Die will I in this quarrel, or his life shall answer it."

LV

Then spake himself King Gunther, "Naught has he done but give To us all love and honor; we needs must let him live.

How can it be fitting that I should do him ill?

True was he to us ever alike in deed and will."

LVI

The Knight of Metz in answer, Ortwine, then sternly said, "That strength of his, so matchless, shall stand him in no stead.

Let but my lord permit me, myself will do the deed."

Against him then the chieftains unrighteous doom decreed.

LVII

None urged the matter further, except that Hagan still, Kept ever prompting Gunther the guiltless blood to spill; Saying, that, if Siegfried perish'd, his death to him would bring The sway o'er many a kingdom. Sore mourn'd the wavering king.

LVIII

Still shrunk they from performance; fair sports meanwhile were plied.

Ah! what spears were shiver'd between the palace wide And the lofty minster Siegfried's fair dame before!

This with angry murmurs the men of Gunther bore.

LIX

Then said the king, "Ye warriors, refrain your murderous hate; Born was he for the safety and honor of our state.