Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/205

XII.]

And quickly to a window she bade a maiden go,

Who saw the gallant Gere stand in the court below,

Him and the comrades with him, who had been thither sent;

Instead of all her heartache how great was her content!

Unto the king then spake she: “Now look you down below,

How they with doughty Gere about the courtyard go,

Whom my good brother Gunther here down the Rhine hath sent!”

The stalwart Siegfried answered: “We’ll make them well content.”

Then all the court attendants did hasten out to greet,

And every one among them did speak a welcome meet;

They gave unto the envoys the best words that they had.

The old King Siegmund likewise was of their coming glad.

A lodging was appointed for Gere and his men,

The horses too were cared for. The messengers went then

Unto the hall where Siegfried near to Kriemhilda sat.

At court they had free entry: and therefore did they that.

The host rose with the hostess and near to them did stand.

Right well was Gere welcomed from the Burgundian land,

With all his knightly comrades,— King Gunther’s men to wit.

The noble Gere bade they upon the bench to sit.

“Before we sit allow us to tell you of our news;

Though weary with our journey, to stand the while we choose.

We have to give a message which unto you we bring

From Gunther and Brunhilda,—  and weighty is this thing.