Then said the gallant prince of Bern: “Most high and potent Queen! There ne’er appeared as captive bound So brave a knight, I ween, As he whom unto thee I gave With loyal courtesy, At thy fair hands let him partake Of favor due to me!” Kriemhild declared she would perform his wish; whereupon Dietrich departed, his eyes wet with tears. But no thought had she for aught save vengeance. Causing Günther to be also chained and cast into a separate dungeon, she betook herself to Hagen. Again she demanded of him her treasure, promising him his life if he would confess where he had hidden it. Hagen, although a captive, wounded and in chains, was still undaunted. With a scornful glance at Kriemhild he replied: “I gave a solemn oath to my lord Günther, that never while he drew breath would I divulge the spot where it lies.” “Now will I quickly make an end of that, forsooth!” cried Kriemhild; and thereupon she ordered Günther’s head to be struck off. Then she took it to Hagen, saying: “Now doth thy lord no longer live and thereby art thou freed from thy sworn oath!” But Hagen cried: “Thou hast indeed thy will fulfilled, As I did fear thou wouldst! Now where the hoard lies hid is known To none but God and me, And shall from thee, accursed Queen! Forever hidden be!” She said: “Thou’st foul atonement made In purpose, deed, and word; Therefore will I possess myself Of virtuous Siegfried’s sword, Which he did bear upon his thigh When last I saw that chief, Whose death has ever been to me A keen heart-rending grief.” She drew it from the well-known sheath Nor could he this prevent; To take the warrior’s life forthwith Was her unmasked intent. She swung it with both hands, and smote His head from off its trunk. King Etzel saw the vengeful deed, And from its horror shrunk. Just at this moment the King had appeared in the dungeon with Hildebrand. “Alas!” the King of Huns did cry, “How doth the matter stand-- That he, the boldest of all knights, Should fall by woman’s hand? He who in onslaught was the first, The bravest that bore shield! Although he was mine enemy, I fain to sorrow yield.” But Hildebrand shouted in wrath: “She shall rue this shameful deed! Though he hath well-nigh slain me, yet will I forthwith take vengeance for valiant Hagen’s death!” And drawing his sword he rushed on Kriemhild, and despite her shrieks he smote the terrified Queen so that she fell dead upon the ground. Thus were the mighty of the earth By hand of death laid low. The people all lamented loud And bitter grief did show. In suffering did the King’s feast end-- That joyous time was past, For love to sorrow aye must turn, So long as life shall last. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.