Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/169

IX.]

King Gunther made him answer: “Lo, what you say is right,

And for this errand, surely there is no better knight

Than you yourself, friend Hagen; so ride now to my land:

Our journey no one better can make them understand.”

Whereto made answer Hagen: “Small use should I be there!—

Let me look to the cabin, whilst on the flood we fare:

I’ll stay beside the women, and to their gear attend,

Until we bring them safely into Burgundian land.

“Bid Siegfried rather do it, and him your envoy make;—

His mighty strength will aid him, the task to overtake.

Should he decline the going, you must, with kindliness,

For love of your fair sister, the journey on him press.”

He sent to fetch the warrior, who came at his command.

Quoth Gunther; “Since we’re nearing our home in mine own land,

I ought to send a message unto my sister dear,

And eke unto my mother, that we the Rhine draw near.

“This ask I of thee, Siegfried: the favour grant, I pray,

That I may ever thank thee,’ the warrior good did say.

But Siegfried did withstand him,— he was so bold a man!

Until King Gunther sorely to plead with him began.

“To ride thou shouldst be willing, for my sake,” Gunther said,

“And likewise for Kriemhilda’s, the beautiful young maid;—

That we may owe thee service, the noble maid and I.”

When Siegfried heard that saying he could no more deny.