inal had
not been discovered, or if any one was suspected. The
suspected person was requested to approach the bier and
touch the body, in the belief that the blood would flow
afresh if the one touching the body were guilty. Our
passage is the first instance of its mention in German
literature. A similar one occurs in "Iwein", 1355-1364.
The usage was also known in France and England. See the
instances quoted by Jacob Grimm in his "Rechtsaltertumer",
930.

ADVENTURE XVIII. How Siegmund Journeyed Home Again.

Kriemhild's husband's father went to where he found her. Unto the queen
he spake: "We must unto our land; by the Rhine, I ween, we be unwelcome
guests. Kriemhild, dear lady, now journey with me to my lands. Albeit
treachery here in these lands hath bereft us of your noble husband, yet
should ye not requite this. I will be friendly to you for my dear son's
sake, of this shall ye have no doubt. Ye shall have, my lady, all the
power which Siegfried, the bold knight, gave you aforetime. The land and
also the crown shall be subject to you. All Siegfried's men shall serve
you gladly."

Then the squires were told that they must ride away. A mickle hurrying
for steeds was seen, for they were loth to stay with their deadly foes.
Men bade dames and maidens seek their robes. When that King Siegmund
would fain have ridden forth, Kriemhild's mother gan beg her that she
stay there with her kindred.

The royal lady answered: "That might hardly hap. How could I bear the
sight of him from whom such great wrong hath happed to me, poor wife?"

Then spake young Giselher: "Dear sister mine, by thy troth thou shouldst
stay here with thy mother. Thou dost need no service of them that have
grieved thee and saddened thy mood. Live from my goods alone."

To the warrior she spake: "Certes, it may not hap, for I should die of
dole whenever I should gaze on Hagen."

"I'll give thee rede for that, dear sister mine. Thou shalt live with
thy brother Giselher, and of a truth I'll comfort thee of thy husband's
death."

Then answered the hapless wife: "Of that hath Kriemhild need."

When the youth had made her such kindly offer, then gan Uta and Gernot
and her faithful kin entreat. They begged her to tarry there, for but
little kith she had among Siegfried's men.

"They be all strangers to you," spake Gernot; "none that liveth is so
strong but that he must c