Chapter 45

HAGEN.

Come, gather round and vote without delay The doom of death.

GUNTHER.

Hagen, what sayest thou?

HAGEN.

Have we not cause enough? There stands the Queen And burning tears are streaming from her eyes. For shame she weeps!

(_To BRUNHILDA._)

Oh, thou heroic Queen, To whom alone my homage I do yield, The man who shamed thee so must surely die!

GUNTHER. Hagen!

HAGEN (_to BRUNHILDA_).

The man must die unless thou wilt Forego revenge and plead for him thyself.

BRUNHILDA.

I'll touch no food till judgment is fulfilled.

HAGEN.

Forgive me that I spoke before my king! I only strove to make the matter plain, Yet free decision is thy royal right-- So make thy choice between thy bride and him.

GISELHER.

Thou canst not mean it! For a trifling fault, Thou wouldst not slay the truest man on earth? My King! My brother! Say it is not so!

HAGEN.

Will ye rear bastards here within your court? I doubt me if the proud Burgundians Will crown them! Yet thou art the master here!

GERENOT.

Brave Siegfried soon will quell all murmurings, If we ourselves cannot perform the task.

HAGEN (_to_ GUNTHER).

Thou speakest not. 'Tis well. The rest is mine!

GISELHER.

In bloody counsels I will take no part!

[_Exit_.]