ty words unsaid. Forbid it to thy wife, and I'll do the same to
mine. In truth, I do shame me of her great discourtesie."

Many fair ladies were parted by the speech. Brunhild mourned so sore,
that it moved King Gunther's men to pity. Then came Hagen of Troneg to
his sovran lady. He found her weeping, and asked what grief she had.
She told him then the tale. On the spot he vowed that Kriemhild's lord
should rue it sore, or he would nevermore be glad. Ortwin and Gernot
joined their parley and these heroes counseled Siegfried's death.
Giselher, the son of the noble Uta, came hither too. When he heard the
talk, he spake full true: "Ye trusty knights, wherefore do ye this?
Siegfried hath not merited forsooth such hate, that he should therefore
lose his life. Certes, women oft grow angry over little things."

"Shall we then raise cuckolds?" answered Hagen; "such good knights would
gain from that but little honor. Because he hath boasted of my liege
lady, I will rather die, an' it cost him not his life."

Then spake the king himself: "He hath shown us naught but love and
honor, so let him live. What booteth it, if I now should hate the
knight? He was ever faithful to us and that right willingly."

Knight Ortwin of Metz then spake: "His great prowess shall not in sooth
avail him aught. If my lord permit, I'll do him every evil."

So without cause the heroes had declared a feud against him. In this
none followed, save that Hagen counselled all time Knight Gunther the
that if Siegfried no longer lived, then many kingly lands would own his
sway. At this the king grew sad, so they let it rest.

Jousting was seen once more. Ho, what stout shafts they splintered
before the minster in the presence of Siegfried's wife, even down to the
hall! Enow of Gunther's men were now in wrath. The king spake: "Let be
this murderous rage, he is born to our honor and to our joy. Then, too,
the wonderly bold man is so fierce of strength, that none durst match
him, if he marked it."

"No, not he," spake Hagen then, "Ye may well keep still; I trow to bring
it to pass in secret, that he rue Brunhild's tears. Certes, Hagen hath
broken with him for all time."

Then spake King Gunther: "How might that chance?"

To this Hagen made answer: "I'll let you hear. We'll bid messengers,
that be not known to any here, ride into our land, to declare war upon
us openly. Then do ye say before your guests that ye and your men will
take the field. When that is