XV

Thus spake she to the monarch, "Dear lord, full fain would I Entreat of thee a favor, which thou wilt not deny If thou think'st I deserve it, to let me see aright If my friends in good earnest have favor in thy sight."

XVI

Then spake the mighty monarch (kind was his heart and true), "Of that can I a.s.sure thee; whatever good accrue To those bold knights, be certain to me content it lends; Never through love of woman acquir'd I better friends."

XVII

Then thus made Kriemhild answer, "'Tis true, as thou dost know, Right n.o.ble are my kinsmen, yet ever am I woe That still they keep so distant nor I by them am seen.

I'm told, for a mere outcast people report your queen."

XVIII

Then answer'd thus King Etzel, "Dear love and lady mine, If they regard not distance, I'll send beyond the Rhine.

And hither bid whomever thou here to see art fain."

Much joy'd the vengeful lady thus his consent to gain.

XIX

Said she, "Would'st thou but please me, dear lord and master mine, Despatch from hence thy envoys to Worms beyond the Rhine.

Such friends as most I long for, I hither will invite, And straight will come among us full many a n.o.ble knight."

XX

Said he, "As thou would'st have it, so let the matter be; a.s.sure thee, thou wilt never thy friends so gladly see As I shall gladly see them, n.o.ble Uta's children dear; It irks me much and deeply, they've been such strangers here.

XXI

"So, if it thus content thee, dear love and lady mine, I'll gladly send my minstrels for those good friends of thine.

They this very morning shall start for Burgundy."

With that, the king his minstrels bade summon instantly.

XXII

They hasten'd at the summons where, newly ris'n from bed, The king sat with his consort; thus to both he said, "Hence you with a message to Burgundy must ride."

With that, the richest vesture, he bade for them provide.

XXIII

For four and twenty warriors fit raiment was prepar'd.

Moreover to his envoys his will the king declar'd, How they should to Hungary bid Gunther and his folk.

But what the queen enjoin'd them close apart she spoke.

XXIV

Thus them address'd King Etzel, "I'll tell you what to do; To my good friends go tender my love and service true, And bid them deign ride hither, and taste our Hunnish cheer.

Guests have I none other whom I hold so dear.

XXV

"So if they will do me the favor which I pray, Entreat them not to linger; speed makes the surest way.

At my high feast this summer I trust to see my friends, And on my wife's fair kinsmen much of my joy depends."

XXVI

Thereto replied the minstrel, the haughty Swemmeline, "When in this land of Hungary your feast do you design?

That to your friends exactly your purpose we may say."

"About," replied King Etzel, "next midsummer day."

XXVII

"We'll surely do your bidding," Werbel made reply.

Into her inmost chamber the queen bade by and by In secret bring the envoys, and there her will 'gan tell, Whence death and grim destruction many a good knight befell.

XXVIII

She said to both the envoys, "Now only serve me true, And as I command you my will discreetly do, And, when you come to Rhineland, speak but my bidding there, And I'll give you gold and raiment plenty and to spare.

XXIX

"To my friends, whomever you meet with, more or less, At Worms, as there you tarry, be sure you ne'er confess That ever you beheld me moody or sorrow-worn; Only let my service to the good knights be borne.

x.x.x

"Beg them to grant the favor for which the king hath sent, And so at once will vanish my only discontent.

I here am fancied friendless, and scarce esteem'd aright.

I'd go myself to visit them if I but were a knight.

x.x.xI

"And also to Sir Gernot, my n.o.ble brother, say, That none can love him better than his sister far away, And bid him bring me hither our friends most prov'd and true, That all may here accord us the honor that's our due.