Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/173

IX.]

“They send to you their duty,— he and that bride of his,—

With all true love and kindness, most noble queen; it is

High time to leave off weeping,— for they will soon be here!”

For many a day she had not heard tidings half so dear.

Then with her snow-white kerchief she wiped her lovely eyes

That were all wet with weeping; and in her gracious wise

Began to thank the bearer for the good news he brought.

And so her grief and sorrow were turn’d to pleasant thought.

She bade him to be seated, whereof right glad was he.

Then spake the lovesome maiden: “ Rejoicéd should I be,

Could I for herald’s guerdon give all my gold away!

Too rich for such meed are you,— I’ll be your debtor aye.”

Said he: “If for my portion I thirty kingdoms had,

I would, by your hands given, of any gift be glad!”

“Well!” said the gracious lady, “it shall be given to you.”

Her chamberlain was bidden to fetch the herald’s due.

Full four-and-twenty buckles, set with bright stones and good,

She gave him for his guerdon. And yet the hero’s mood

Allowed him not to keep them;— he handed them around

Unto her nearest ladies that in the room he found.

Her mother gave him greeting, in kind and courtly way.

“I have yet more to tell you,” the valiant man did say,

“Of what the king requireth when to the Rhine comes he;—

If, lady, you will grant it, he’ll aye beholden be.