IX

Thereto the queen made answer, "Tell me now, I pray, When you will send to ask them, and about what day We may expect the travellers to both of us so dear; And who will bear your message, I willingly would hear."

X

"So will I do," replied he; "thirty of my men Shall be commission'd thither." Forthwith he summon'd them Those by whom his message to Siegfried's land he sent, Brunhild sumptuous vesture gave them to their full content.

XI

Then spake the king, "Ye warriors, from me this message bear (That you keep back nothing I bid you well beware), Which I to valiant Siegfried and to my sister send, That in this world can no man to both be more a friend;

XII

"And beg them hasten hither us on the Rhine to see; It shall be well requited both by my wife and me.

By the next midsummer he and his men shall find From every one among us high honor, welcome kind.

XIII

"Unto the good King Siegmund my service, too, commend; Say, I and mine shall ever hold him as our friend.

Bid too my sister hasten to meet her kinsmen dear.

Ne'er graced she royal festal like that which waits her here."

XIV

Brunhild and Uta and every lady there Into the land of Siegfried their greeting bade them bear To many a n.o.ble warrior and many a lady gay.

So with the king's commission the couriers went their way.

XV

To start they now were ready; to each of all the band Was brought both steed and vesture; so rode they from the land.

With happy haste they journey'd, and ever p.r.i.c.k'd they hard; The king had sent an escort his messengers to guard.

XVI

In the weary journey three toilsome weeks they spent.

At last in Niblung's castle, whither they had been sent, E'en in the march of Norway, they found king Siegmund's son.

Horses alike and riders were travel-tainted and fordone.

XVII

To Siegfried and to Kriemhild forthwith the tidings came, That knights had journey'd thither, whose venture was the same As what by men of worship was born in Burgundy.

From her day-bed Kriemhild up sprung hastily.

XVIII

Sudden to a window she bade a damsel go, Who saw bold Gary standing in the court below, Him, and his valiant comrades on the same errand bound.

For her long-brooded sorrow what rapture then she found!

XIX

Loud call'd she to her husband, "See you, where they stand Down in the court there waiting, stout Gary and his band, Whom my good brother Gunther has sent us down the Rhine?"

"Welcome are they," said Siegfried, "welcome to me and mine."

XX

Where they saw them standing, all the household ran; They kindly then saluted, as man encounter'd man, And, as they best could please them, spoke many a friendly word, With no small joy King Siegmund of their arrival heard.

XXI

Straight were allotted quarters to Gary and his men, And charge ta'en of their courses; the messengers went then To where sat bold Sir Siegfried by gentle Kriemhild's side; They were to court invited, and so they thither hied.

XXII

Uprose, as in they enter'd, the host and his fair dame.

Full well receiv'd was Gary, and all who with him came His followers, Gunther's liegemen from distant Burgundy.

To a seat the warrior was motion'd courteously.

XXIII

"Nay, deign," said he, "our message to hear before we sit, And us, way-wearied wanderers, the while to stand permit.

We have to tell you tidings to us committed late By Gunther and by Brunhild, who are both in best estate;

XXIV

"And from the Lady Uta we come, your mother dear, And from the good Sir Gernot and youthful Giselher, And from your choicest kinsmen, who all with kind intent By us to you their service from Burgundy have sent."

XXV

"Now G.o.d then quit!" said Siegfried, "that they're sincere and true, I trust with full a.s.surance, as men with friends should do.

The same too feels their sister. Now further to us tell, Whether our friends in Rhineland are hearty all and well.