[845]

Brunhild with her ladies / 'fore the minster did appear.
Thought she: "Now must Kriemhild / further give me to hear
Of what so loud upbraideth / me this free-tongued wife.
And if he thus hath boasted, / amend shall Siegfried make with life."

[846]

Now came the noble Kriemhild / followed by warrior band.
Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "Still thou here shalt stand.
Thou giv'st me out for harlot: / let now the same be seen.
Know thou, what thus thou sayest / to me hath mickle sorrow been."

[847]

Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "So may'st thou let me go.
With the ring upon my finger / I the same can show:
That brought to me my lover / when first by thee he lay."
Ne'er did Lady Brunhild / know grief as on this evil day.

[848]

Quoth she: "This ring full precious / some hand from me did steal,
And from me thus a season / in evil way conceal:
Full sure will I discover / who this same thief hath been."
Then were the royal ladies / both in mood full angry seen.

[849]

Then gave answer Kriemhild: / "I deem the thief not I.
Well hadst thou been silent, / hold'st thou thine honor high.
I'll show it with this girdle / that I around me wear,
That in this thing I err not: / Siegfried hath lain by thee full near."