planned
  Might not be all in vain.  She’ll not betray
  The secret to me unless he hath told
  The matter to her.  Then you may decide
  Whether to use the knowledge I may gain;
  And you may really do, if so you please,
  What I shall but pretend, and so in war
  Protect the place where death may find him out. 
  But you must know where is his mortal spot.

      [Exit.]

  SCENE IV

  GISELHER (to GUNTHER).

  Thou hast returned to thine own loyalty
  And faithfulness, or else I’d say:  this trick
  Is far beneath a king!

  VOLKER.

  Thy angry mood
  Is natural; thou wast thyself deceived.

  GISELHER.

  That was not why.  Yet let us not dispute
  When all is well again.

  VOLKER.

  When all is well?

  GISELHER.

  Is it not well?

  VOLKER.

  They tell me that the Queen
  In mourning robes is clad, and food and drink
  Refuses—­even water.

  GUNTHER.

  True, alas!

  VOLKER.

  How then is’t well?  What Hagen said is true. 
  She’s not like others; for the breath of time
  Her wounds can never heal, nor give her peace. 
  And we must face the question:  He or she! 
  Thou sayest truly, Siegfried’s not to blame
  That to him clung the girdle like a snake,
  And was discovered.  That is pure mischance;
  But this mischance is deadly, and thou canst
  Determine only whom it shall destroy.

  GISELHER.

  Let that one die who hath no will to live!

  GUNTHER.

  Oh, fearful choice!

  VOLKER.

  I warned thee long ago,
  From starting on this course, but now at last
  We see the end.

  DANKWART.

  And is it not our law,
  That even blunders bring their penalty
  He who runs through his bosom friend by night
  Because he bore his lance too carelessly,
  Can never free himself with all his tears,
  However hot and bitter they may flow.—­
  The price is blood.

  GUNTHER.

  Now I will go to her.

    [Exit.]

  SCENE V

  VOLKER.

  There comes Kriemhild with Hagen.  She’s distressed,
  As he predicted.  Let us go.

    [Exeunt omnes.]

  SCENE VI

  Enter HAGEN and KRIEMHILD.

  HAGEN.

  Thou com’st
  So early to the hall?

  KRIEMHILD.

  I could not bear
  To linger in my chamber.

  HAGEN.

  Saw I not
  Thy husband parting from thee?  He was flushed,
  And angry were his looks.  Is there not peace
  Between yourself and Siegfried once again? 
  Is he not kind and gentle with his bride? 
  Tell me, and I will talk with him.