Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/317

XXIII.]

It came to pass one night-time, as by the king she lay,

(His arms were cast about her, as was his wont alway,

Loving the noble lady: for she was as his life)

That of her foes was thinking the fair and noble wife.

And to the king thus spake she: “My ever dear good lord,

I fain would ask a favour, if thou wouldst such accord:

If I am worthy of it, that thou shouldst let me see

Whether my friends and kinsmen thou lovest verily.”

Then spake the mighty sovran, and guileless was his mood:

“I would have thee believe that, if any grace or good

Be done unto those warriors, I must thereat be glad,

Since I by love of woman ne’er better friends have made.”

And yet again the queen spake: “To thee it hath been said,

That I have high-born kinsmen; and this my grief hath made

That they have never troubled to come to see me here.

I hear the people call me naught else but foreigner.”

Whereunto answer’d Etzel: “Belovéd lady mine,

If not too far it seemeth, so will I from the Rhine

Bid all unto my kingdom whom thou art fain to see.”

When thus she learnt his purpose right glad at heart was she.

She said: “If thou right truly wouldst serve me, master mine,

So wilt thou send an envoy to Worms beyond the Rhine.

That I may tell my kinsfolk all that I have in mind.

Then many a knight right noble his way to us shall find.”