t have been reached by human hands.
And what a winged thief by chance could do
Because his gleaming booty burdened him,
A robber well might do.
KRIEMHILD.
Oh, holy father,
Thou knowest not!
DANKWART.
Princess, thy grief is sacred,
But yet unjust and blind. Our warriors here,
Our noblest will bear witness--
[_Meanwhile the door has been closed and the body is no longer
visible._]
KRIEMHILD (_who observes this_). Halt! Who dares--
[_She hastens to the door._]
UTE.
Stop, stop! He was but gently lifted up
As thou thyself would'st wish.
KRIEMHILD.
Oh, give him back!
Else they will rob me, they will bury him
Where I shall never find him!
CHAPLAIN.
To the church!
I'll follow him, for now he's God's alone.
[_Exit._]
SCENE VIII
KRIEMHILD.
So be it! To the church!
(_To GUNTHER._)
'Twas robbers then?
I bid thee gather all thy kindred there
To try the test of murder.
GUNTHER.
Be it so.
KRIEMHILD.
But bring them one and all, for now I find
That some are missing. Call the absent too!
[_Exeunt omnes; the men and women by
different doors._]
SCENE IX
_In the cathedral. Torches. The Chaplain with other priests is at one
side before an iron door. At the main entrance of the cathedral about
sixty of_ HAGEN's _kindred are assembled. Finally_ HAGEN, GUNTHER _and
the others. Knocking is heard._
CHAPLAIN.
Who knocks
VOICE FROM WITHOUT.
A great king from the Netherlands
Whose crowns are as the fingers on his hands.
CHAPLAIN.
I know him not.
[_The knocking is repeated._]
Who knocks?
VOICE FROM WITHOUT.
A warrior brave,
Whose trophies are as many as his teeth.
CHAPLAIN.
I know him not.
[_The knocking is repeated._]
Who knocks?
VOICE FROM WITHOUT.
Thy brother Siegfried,
Whose sins are as the hairs upon his head.
CHAPLAIN.
Then open!
[_The door is opened and_ SIEGFRIED's _body
is brought in on the bier._ KRIEMHILD _and_
UTE _with their maidens follow him._]
CHAPLAIN (_turning toward the bier_).
Thou art welcome, my dead brother,
For peace thou seekest here!
[_To the women whom he keeps away from
the coffin by coming between them and it,
while it is bei
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