853.
“Kriemhilda of mine honour would like to cozen me;
And, seeing she’s thy sister, I make complaint to thee.
She swears I’ve played the wanton with her own man, Siegfried.”
Then answer’d the King Gunther: “She doth an evil deed!”
854.
“She weareth here my girdle, which I so long have lost,
My ring of red gold likewise. To me ’tis bittermost
That e’er my mother bore me. An’ thou wilt not disprove,
O king, this grievous scandal, no longer thee I’ll love.”
855.
Then up and spake King Gunther: “Siegfried shall now appear;
If he hath play’d the braggart, he shall the truth declare,
Or else deny the slander,— this knight of Netherland!”
Then did Kriemhilda’s husband right soon before them stand.
856.
As soon as he had look’d on these dames discomfited,
(Naught knowing of the matter) the noble Siegfried said:
“Why are these ladies weeping? that am I fain to hear,
And wherefore I am bidden before the King to appear?”
857.
Then spake to him King Gunther: “Right sorrowful am I;
To me my wife Brunhilda hath told a history
That thou thyself hast boasted her first love to have won:
Thy wife, Kriemhild, declareth that thou, thane, this hast done.”
858.
Then spake the noble Siegfried: “And if she so hath said,
Before I rest I’ll see that for this she be repaid!
In face of all your lieges I’m ready to aver
By oath of mine most solemn, I never told it her!”
