Then curse thou no man, and ’twill not befall!—­
  Thou poor frail child created but from dust
  And ashes, with no strength to breast the wind,
  Thy burden’s great, well may’st thou cry to heaven,
  Yet gaze on Him who bore a greater still! 
  In humblest guise He came upon the earth,
  And took upon Himself the sins of men,
  And suffered for atonement all the griefs
  That ever there have been throughout all time—­
  The griefs that follow fallen mortals still. 
  He suffered in thy sorrow more than thou! 
  And heavenly power flowed from out His lips
  And all the angels floated round his head,
  But Jesus Christ was faithful unto death—­
  Unto His shameful death upon the cross. 
  This sacrifice He brought thee in his love,
  In pity that we may not comprehend. 
  Wilt thou deny thine offering to Him? 
  Then let them bury him!  And turn thou back!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Thy work is done, and I will now do mine!

  [She goes and stands at the head of the
  coffin.]

  Approach the bier, the dread ordeal begins!

  CHAPLAIN (goes also to the coffin and stands at the foot. 
  Three trumpet blasts are heard).

  HAGEN (to GUNTHER).

  What then has happened?

  GUNTHER.

  Murder has been done.

  HAGEN.

  Why stand I here?

  GUNTHER.

  Suspicion rests on thee.

  HAGEN.

  My kin are gathered here.  Of my fair name
  I’ll question them.—­Are ye prepared to swear
  That Hagen Tronje is no murderer?

  ALL EXCEPT GISELHER.

  We are prepared.

  HAGEN.

  Thou’rt silent, Giselher? 
  Wilt thou not for thine uncle take thine oath
  That Hagen Tronje is no murderer?

  GISELHER (raising his hand).

  I am prepared.

  HAGEN.

  Ye need not take the oath.

  [He goes forward to KRIEMHILD in the
  cathedral.]

  Thou see’st, my kin will clear me when I will,
  ’Tis needless that I now approach the bier,
  Yet will I stand there and will be the first!

  [He walks slowly to the bier.]

  UTE.

  Oh Kriemhild, do not look.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Perchance he lives! 
  My Siegfried!  Had he strength to speak one word
  Or gaze but once upon me!

  UTE.

   My poor child,
  It is but nature, moving once again. 
  Ghastly enough!

  CHAPLAIN.

  It is the hand of God,
  That softly stirs once more these sacred springs
  Because He must inscribe the sign of Cain.

  HAGEN (bending over the coffin).

The scarlet blood!  I ne’er believed the sign! 
But now I see it here with mine own eyes.