Spake Kriemhild the Fair: “It were better for thee hadst thou let me go!
With the golden ring I prove it on mine hand that glittereth—lo!
Unto me did Siegfried bring this what time by thy side he lay.”
Never had dawned on Brunhild such an utter-wretched day.
She cried: “This gold ring royal—even this was stolen from me!
It hath been for long years hidden by caitiff treachery!
I am now on the track of the felon, the thief that my jewel hath ta’en!”
Raging in reinless fury were now these ladies twain.
Spake Kriemhild again: “Of thy jewel the thief was nowise I.
Far better hadst thou kept silence, hadst thou held thine honour high!