Oh, holy father, Thou knowest not!
DANKWART.
Princess, thy grief is sacred, But yet unjust and blind. Our warriors here, Our n.o.blest will bear witness--
[_Meanwhile the door has been closed and the body is no longer visible._]
KRIEMHILD (_who observes this_). Halt! Who dares--
[_She hastens to the door._]
UTE.
Stop, stop! He was but gently lifted up As thou thyself would"st wish.
KRIEMHILD.
Oh, give him back!
Else they will rob me, they will bury him Where I shall never find him!
CHAPLAIN.
To the church!
I"ll follow him, for now he"s G.o.d"s alone.
[_Exit._]
SCENE VIII
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 a.s.sembled. 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!