Yet the thing was done as in secret, and she would not that folk should know,
For the Hero’s sake in whose keeping was her heart from long ago.
When stood that victory-bringer in her bower before her eyes,
Kriemhild the lovely bespake him in exceeding gracious wise:
“Now tell me thy joyful tidings, and my gold shall thy guerdon be;
And, so nought of the truth be hidden, thou hast ever a friend in me.
Tell how hath my brother Gernot come forth of the battle-strife,
And other my friends and kinsmen. Be there many that lost their life?
Who in that day triumphant was in prowess chief?—say on!”
Spake the messenger true-hearted: “Sooth, battle-blencher was none;