It is a mighty marvel, which oft e’en now we spy,
  That, when the blood-stain’d murderer comes to the murder’d nigh,
  The wounds break out a bleeding, then too the same befell,
  And thus could each beholder the guilt of Hagen tell.

But, instead of showing remorse, Hagen boldly proclaims he merely did his duty when he slew the man who cast a slur upon the honor of his queen.

18th Adventure. Having laid his beloved son to rest, old Siegmund returns home, after vainly urging Kriemhild to leave the place where Siegfried is buried and return to her son, for, although Kriemhild’s mother and brothers try to show her every mark of sympathy, Brunhild reveals no pity.

  Meanwhile sat misproud Brunhild in haughtiness uncheck’d;
  Of Kriemhild’s tears and sorrows her it nothing reck’d. 
  She pitied not the mourner; she stoop’d not to the low. 
  Soon Kriemhild took full vengeance, and woe repaid with woe.

19th Adventure. Three years elapse before Hagen suggests to Gunther that his sister send for the Nibelung hoard which was given her on her marriage.  Intending to employ it to buy masses and avengers for Siegfried, Kriemhild gladly consents, and we are told twelve wagons travelled four nights and days to convey the store of gold from the Nibelung castle to the sea, whence it was carried to Kriemhild at Worms.  With such a treasure at her disposal, the widowed queen proceeds to win so many adherents that Hagen, deeming this gold may prove dangerous, advises her brothers to take possession of it.  No sooner have they done so than, fearing lest they may restore it to Kriemhild, Hagen buries it in the Rhine, telling none but his masters in what place it is hidden.

20th Adventure. Having lost his first wife, Etzel, king of Hungary, now deems it advisable to marry again and secure an heir to his realm.  As no other woman seems so fitted for so exalted a station as Kriemhild, Etzel sends his chief nobleman, Rudiger, to Worms with his proposal.  After tarrying a few days on the way with his wife and daughter, this ambassador hurries to Worms, where he is welcomed by Hagen, who had formerly spent several years as a hostage at Etzel’s court.  Rudiger having made his errand known, Gunther beseeches three days’ time to ascertain his sister’s wishes.  Flattered by the prospect of such an alliance, Gunther hopes Kriemhild will accept Etzel’s proposal, but Hagen rejoins that should she secure such powerful allies, she might in time punish them for Siegfried’s death.  At first the widowed Kriemhild refuses to listen to Etzel’s offers, but, when Rudiger swears to her past or future ills, she suddenly announces her consent.

  Then swore to her Sir Rudiger and all his knightly train
  To serve her ever truly, and all her rights maintain,
  Nor e’er of her due honors scant her in Etzel’s land. 
  Thereto gave the good margrave th’ assurance of his hand.