And to her with the best of his kinsfolk straightway cometh the King.
But Hagen the murderer dared not in the presence of Kriemhild be seen:
Too well did he know his vileness, the wrong he had done to the Queen.
Yet, seeing her hatred of Gunther was in semblance so put by,
With the kiss of reconcilement might he too have drawn nigh;
Yea, but for the felon plotting, the inexpiable wrong,
Even he might have stood unshrinking mid that false courtier-throng.
Never was reconcilement ’twixt sundered friend and friend
Made with such weeping. Rankled the wound in her heart without end.
Yet unto all forgiveness she granted—save that one.