The full valiant Siegfried / in oath the hand did give.
Then spake the lordly monarch: / "Well now do I perceive
How thou art all blameless, / of all I speak thee free;
What here maintains my sister, / the same hath ne'er been done by thee."
Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "If gain should e'er accrue
Unto my spouse, that Brunhild / from her had cause to rue,
Know that to me full sorely / 'twould endless sorrow be."
Then looked upon each other / the monarchs twain right graciously.
"So should we govern women," / spake the thane Siegfried,
"That to leave wanton babble / they should take good heed.
Forbid it to thy wife now, / to mine I'll do the same.
Such ill-becoming manner /in sooth doth fill my heart with shame."
No more said many a lady / fair, but thus did part.
Then did the Lady Brunhild / grieve so sore at heart,
That it must move to pity / all King Gunther's men.
To go unto his mistress / Hagen of Tronje saw ye then.
He asked to know her worry, / as he her weeping saw.
Then told she him the story. / To her straight made he vow,
That Lady Kriemhild's husband / must for the thing atone,
Else henceforth should never / a joyous day by him be known.