Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/207

XII.]

“Brunhilda, too, my mistress, and all her maidens fair

Rejoice at this my errand; if likelihood there were

That they once more might see you, happy would be their mood.”

Unto the fair Kriemhilda this message seemed right good.

As Gere was her kinsman, the host then bade him sit.

Wine for the guests he ordered; nor long they wanted it.

And thither, too, came Siegmund, who had the heralds seen;

To the Burgundian heroes he spake with friendly mien:

“Be welcome, Gunther’s liegemen, ye warriors, every one!

Since it hath happ’d that Siegfried my son to wife hath won

Kriemhilda fair, more often ye would we gladly see

In this our land, if truly to us ye’ll friendly be.”

They said that if he wish’d it they’d gladly come again.

And so in pleasure vanish’d their weariness and pain.

The messengers were seated, and food was brought them there:

For guests so welcome Siegfried had plenty of good fare.

For nine days’ space and longer to stay they were constrain’d.

Until, at last, the horsemen, who would be gone, complain’d

That back into their country they never more would ride.

Meanwhile his friends King Siegfried had summon’d to his side,

To ask them what they counsell’d: would they go to the Rhine?

“He hath sent here to fetch me, Gunther, that friend of mine,—

He and his kinsfolk bid us to keep festivity:

I’d gladly go there, save that his land too far doth lie.