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.

I come to ask for justice and for truth.

  CHAPLAIN.

  Thou seekest vengeance, and the Lord hath said,
  Vengeance is mine.  It is the Lord alone
  Who sees what’s hidden.  He alone requites.

  KRIEMHILD.

  I am a woman, weak, half crushed to earth;
  No warrior can I strangle with my hair. 
  What vengeance then is left for me, I pray?

  CHAPLAIN.

  Why should’st thou search to find thine enemy,
  Unless thou seek’st on him to take revenge? 
  His Judge knows all, and is not that enough?

  KRIEMHILD.

  I do not want to curse the innocent.

  CHAPLAIN.