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“And pray that both do shortly come to us on the Rhine,

For which we’ll ever thank them, I and this lady mine.

Before this next midsummer he and his men shall see

Things done, which to his pleasure and honour great shall be.

“And likewise to King Siegmund my service take and say,

That I and all my people be bound to him alway,

Say also to my sister, that she must tarry not;

More worthy entertainment shall never be her lot.”

Brunhilda and Queen Uté, and every dame at hand,

Sent messages of service to all in Siegfried’s land;

Unto the lovely women, and many a man of worth.—

Then by the king’s good pleasure the messengers set forth.

In trav’lling guise they journey’d; their steeds and wearing-gear

Were ready made beforehand; so from the land they fare.

They made good progress onward to where their goal did lie,

The king came with an escort to speed his embassy.

At end of three weeks’ riding they came into the land

Wherein the Niblung stronghold, where they were sent, did stand

On the Norwegian border; and there they found the thane.

Both steeds and men were weary with their long journey’s pain.

Then was it unto Siegfried and to Kriemhilda said

How knights had come on horseback and so apparelléd

As in Burgundian country the fashion was that day:

Straight from the couch up-sprang she whereon she resting lay.