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So sent he to his sister; saying, he fain would see

Her face, as would Sir Siegfried. But, long ere this, had she

Put on her goodliest raiment; and stood, so fair a maid,

I trow that at their coming she was not much dismay’d!

Also her court-attendants array’d were as was meet

When princes twain were coming; and as she heard their feet,

Straight from her chair upstanding right modestly she went

To greet the noble comers with fitting compliment.

“Right welcome is my brother, and his companion eke;

But fain would I have knowledge,” thus did the maiden speak,

“What is your lordships’ pleasure that ye at court appear?

With you two noble warriors how stands it? let me hear.”

Then spake King Gunther: “Lady, to you the truth I’ll tell:

Although we have high courage, yet have we cares as well.

For we would go a-courting, far in a foreign land,

And now, unto this journey, fine raiment would command.”

“So sit you down, dear brother,” bade the king’s daughter fair.

“And who may be the ladies, for I would rightly hear,

Whom you would go a-wooing in other ruler’s land?”

These favour’d knights the lady did take now by the hand.

And with them straight returnéd to where she sat afore,

Rich mattresses, I doubt not were spread upon the floor,

With pictures fair embroidered, set off with golden thread.

Then must they with the ladies a pleasant time have had.