As one did come to me.’ ‘Brunhild!’ he cried;
And a loud cry arose from all his friends,
A sudden turmoil, suddenly to cease,
Leaving them mute, amazed. Then Merow spake:
“‘Queen, to thine hosts impute no treachery,
For Praetextatus and myself are free
From guilt in this though Fredegonde conspired:
Who said my heart consented lied to thee!
O Queen of the white hands and smiling eyes,
My heart is not a traitor to its love