You found him there? What did he say? A word! His dying word! I will believe thy tale, if thou canst tell, And if it is no curse. But oh, beware! For sooner would a rose bloom from thy mouth Than thou imagine what thou didst not hear. (_As RUMOLT hesitates._) It is a lie! CHAPLAIN. 'Tis possible! I've heard A magpie dropped a knife that killed a man Who could not have been reached by human hands. And what a wingéd 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 being set down._] Be welcome too, If you are seeking peace as Siegfried is. [_He holds up the cross before KRIEMHILD._] Thou turn'st away from this most holy cross? KRIEMHILD.