He led them bound to Kriemhild, and implored her to have pity upon them and spare their lives.
"'Fair and noble Kriemhild,' thus Sir Dietrich spake, Spare this captive warrior, who full amends will make For all his past transgressions; him here in bonds you see; Revenge not on the fetter'd th' offenses of the free.'" _Nibelungenlied_ (Lettsom's tr.).
[Sidenote: Kriemhild's cruelty.] By the queen's orders, Gunther and Hagen were confined in separate cells.

There she soon sought the latter, promising him his liberty if he would but reveal the place where her treasure was concealed.

But Hagen, mistrusting her, declared that he had solemnly sworn never to reveal the secret as long as one of his masters breathed.

Kriemhild, whose cruelty had long passed all bounds, left him only to have her brother Gunther beheaded, and soon returned carrying his head, which she showed to Hagen, commanding him to speak.

But he still refused to gratify her, and replied that since he was now the sole depositary of the secret, it would perish with him.
"'So now, where lies the treasure none knows save God and me, And told it shall be never, be sure, she-fiend, to thee!'" _Nibelungenlied_ (Lettsom's tr.).
[Sidenote: Kriemhild slain.] This defiant answer so exasperated Kriemhild that she seized the sword hanging by his side,--which she recognized as Siegfried's favorite weapon,--and with her own hands cut off his head before Etzel or any of his courtiers could interfere.