[855]

Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Now shall he come near,
And hath he such thing boasted, / so shall he let us hear:
Eke must full deny it / the knight of Netherland."
Then straight the spouse of Kriemhild / hither to bring he gave command.

[856]

When that angry-minded / Siegfried them did see,
Nor knew thereof the reason, / straightway then spake he:
"Why do weep these ladies? / I'd gladly know that thing,
Or wherefore to this presence / I am bidden by the king."

[857]

Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Sore grieveth me this thing:
To me my Lady Brunhild / doth the story bring,
How that thereof thou boastest / that her fair body lay
First in thy embraces: / this doth thy Lady Kriemhild say."

[858]

Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "An if she thus hath said,
Full well shall she repent it / ere doth rest my head:
Before all thy good warriors / of that I'll make me free,
And swear by my high honor / such thing hath ne'er been told by me."

[859]

Then spake of Rhine the monarch: / "That shalt thou let us see.
The oath that thou dost offer, / if such performéd be,
Of all false accusation / shalt thou delivered stand."
In ring to take their station / did he the high-born thanes command.