Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/223

XIV.]

Thereto said dame Kriemhilda: “’Twere best to let me fare!

By this gold ring I’ll prove it, which on my hand I wear;

’Twas brought to me by Siegfried when by your side he lay.”

Ne’er yet had Queen Brunhilda outlived a sadder day.

She spake: “This golden jewel was from me stol’n away,

And hath from me most wrongly been hidden many a day.

I now at last discover who stole my ring from me!”

By this time were both ladies in direst enmity.

Yet spake Kriemhilda further: “I will not pass for thief!

Thou mightst have kept thy counsel, to thee were honour lief.

This girdle be my witness, that round my waist I wear,

That I am not a liar. Ay! Siegfried was thy dear.”

The girdle she was wearing was silk from Nineveh,

With precious stones for fastening, right good it was to see,

When dame Brunhild beheld it to weeping she did fall:

It must be told to Gunther and to his lieges all.

Then spake the queen in answer: “Go hence, and bring to me

The sovran-prince of Rhineland, and from my lips shall he

Hear how his sister flouts me, and slandereth my life,

By openly declaring I have been Siegfried’s wife!”

The king came with his warriors; and when the weeping eyes

He saw of his belov’d one, he spake, in kindly wise:

“Now tell me, dearest lady, who hath done aught to thee?”

Unto the king she answered: “Aye joyless must I be!