"Whom mak'st thou now a harlot?" / the king's wife answered her.
"That do I thee," spake Kriemhild, / "for that thy body fair
First was clasped by Siegfried, / knight full dear to me.
In sooth 'twas ne'er my brother / won first thy maidenhead from thee.
"How did thy senses leave thee? / Cunning rare was this.
How let his love deceive thee, / since he thy liegeman is?
And all in vain," quoth Kriemhild, / "the plaint I hear thee bring."
"In sooth," then answered Brunhild, / "I'll tell it to my spouse the king."
"What reck I of such evil? / Thy pride hath thee betrayed,
That thou deem'st my homage / should e'er to thee be paid.
Know thou in truth full certain / the thing may never be:
Nor shall I e'er be ready / to look for faithful friend in thee."
Thereat did weep Queen Brunhild: / Kriemhild waited no more,
But passed into the minster / the monarch's wife before,
With train of fair attendants. / Arose there mickle hate,
Whereby eyes brightly shining / anon did grow all dim and wet.
However God they worshipped / or there the mass was sung,
Did deem the Lady Brunhild / the waiting all too long,
For that her heart was saddened / and angry eke her mood.
Therefore anon must suffer / many a hero keen and good.