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“Whate’er thou wilt command me, I cannot say thee nay!

For love of that fair maiden I’ll do what thou dost say.

How could I aught deny her, who owns my heart alone?

For her sake that thou askest is all as good as done.”

“Go then and tell my mother, Uté, the noble queen,

That we anent this journey in joyous mood have been;

And let the kings, my brothers, know each how we did fare;

And all our friends must also the happy tidings hear.

“And from my beauteous sister, I pray thee naught reserve;

But say that I and Brunhild will her right gladly serve.

And tell unto the court-folk and all my serving-men,

That what my heart had yearn’d for, full well did I attain!

“And tell to gallant Ortwein, that nephew dear of mine,

That he have seats erected by Worms upon the Rhine.

And all my other kinsmen, they also should be told

That I, with Queen Brunhilda, high festival will hold.

“And tell unto my sister (as soon as she hath learn’d

How, with my guests so shortly I shall be home return’d)

That she to my betroth’d one a welcome good must give:—

So shall I to Kriemhilda for aye beholden live.”

Then did the noble Siegfried a courteous farewell

Take of the Lady Brunhild, as did beseem him well,—

And of her courtiers likewise; then to the Rhine rode he.

No messenger were better in all the world than he.