Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/225

XIV.]

Then spake the King of Rhineland: “Give proof of that must thou!

The oath which thou dost offer, if thou canst take it now,

From ev’ry untrue dealing I’ll hold thee clear and free.”

Then in a ring around him stood they of Burgundy.

His hand the gallant Siegfried outstretched the oath to take.

Then spake the mighty sovran: “So certain do I make

Of thy great innocency, that I will thee acquit:

Sure what my sister charges thou never didst commit.”

Yet once again spake Siegfried: “And if she joy doth find

In that she hath so troubled Brunhilda’s peace of mind,

My sorrow, of a surety, too deep were to be told.”

Then look’d at one another these ready knights and bold.

“So should one train one’s women,” the hero Siegfried said,

“That suchlike haughty speeches should aye be left unsaid:

Unto thy wife forbid them, to mine I’ll do the same;

Such ill-advised behaviour doth fill my heart with shame.”

By this dispute were many fair women kept apart.

Brunhilda still the matter so sorely took to heart

That needs must Gunther’s warriors feel pity for the dame.

Then Hagen, knight of Tronjé, unto his lady came.

He bade her say what ail’d her, finding her weeping sore.

Then told she him the story, and unto her he swore

That either Kriemhild’s husband must for the lie repent

Or he himself thereafter would never live content.