Then spake to a lord King Gunther: "Summon him hither thou. If he of such deed have boasted, he must make confession now, Or must give to the lie denial, this hero of Netherland." So unto that presence Siegfried was called by the King's command. So then when the good knight Siegfried saw faces disquieted, And the cause thereof divined not, straightway he spake and said: "Now wherefore weep these ladies? This unto me make known; And wherefore the King hath called me hither, be this too shown." Then spake King Gunther: "Sorrow I find here bitter as death. The Lady Brunhild hath told me a tale of venomous breath, Even this, that thou hast vaunted that thou in bridal bed First didst embrace her. Of Kriemhild thy wife is this thing said."
Made answer the hero Siegfried: "If Kriemhild hath said this thing, I will take no rest or ever she rue her slandering! Yea, and thereof will I clear me in presence of all thy lords By the faith of my solemn oath-plight, that never I spake such words." { P. 117} Answered the Lord of Rhineland: "Give that assurance thou. Let the oath that thou hast tendered be spoken before these now. So shalt thou of treacherous dealing be acquitted, and stand without stain." Then made they the proud Burgundians in a ring draw round these twain. His hand stretched Siegfried the dauntless to the hand of the King to swear; But Gunther spake: "Thine utter guiltlessness here I declare Out of mine heart's assurance. Thou goest of this charge free. That whereof Kriemhild accused thee never was done of thee."
Then yet again spake Siegfried: "And if ever my wife reap joy Of her sowing for Lady Brunhild this seed of heart-annoy, This unto me of a surety shall be nought but measureless grief." Then looked on each other the good knights with faces of glad relief. "So must men's wives be governed," again spake Siegfried the thane, "That from all such arrogant speeches they may for ever refrain. Thou then to thy wife forbid them; this likewise to mine will I. For such overweening railing I take shame verily."
But by reason of words once spoken fair ladies held them apart. And the Lady Brunhild sorrowed with such sore anguish of heart That in all her affliction afflicted were Gunther's vassal-train. Then went in Hagen of Troneg to commune with the Queen of her pain. And he asked of her what ailed her, that weeping he found her there; And she told him the shameful story. A grim oath straightway he sware: "For this shall the lord of Kriemhild to the uttermost atone, Or never hereafter joyance by Hagen shall be known!"