Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/203

XII.]

She spake: “My lord belovéd, I pray thee, for my sake,

Lend me thine aid; that Siegfried may with thy sister take

Their journey to this country,— that here we them may see;—

For nothing that could happen would be more sweet to me.

“Thy sister’s gentle breeding and well-contented mood,

Whene’er I think upon them, in sooth, it doth me good.

How we did sit together, when first I was thy wife!

Right well hath she deservéd bold Siegfried’s love and life.”

So long she thus besought him, until the king did say:

Be sure that guests more welcome could ne’er be any day;

’Tis easy to persuade me! and messengers of mine

I’ll send unto the couple, to bring them to the Rhine.”

Then spake the queen yet further: “Now also you must say

When you will send to fetch them, and at what time we may

Look for our well-loved kinsfolk to come unto our land:

And whom you purpose sending I fain would understand.”

“That will I do,” the king said: “thirty of mine own men

Will I send riding thither.” These did he summon then,

And by them sent his message unto Prince Siegfried’s land.

Dame Brunhild to content them gave much apparel grand.

Then said the king: “This message ye’ll take, my warriors bold,

Wherewith I now entrust ye —see that ye naught withhold—

Unto the mighty Siegfried and to my sister dear:

That in this world doth no one  more kindness to them bear.