Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/319

XXIII.]

Then spake the fiddle-player, the haughty Schwemmelin:

“When will in this your kingdom your wedding-feast begin?

That we to your friends yonder unerringly may say.”

Then answer made King Etzel: “On next Midsummer-day.”

“We’ll do as thou dost bid us,” made answer Werbelin.

Then gave the queen an order that they be brought within

Her private room in secret, to speak with her alone.

Whereof soon many a warrior but sorry comfort won.

To both the envoys spake she: “Well shall it be for you

If you my will and purpose right faithfully shall do,

And say whate’er I bid you when to my home you go;

In goods I’ll make you wealthy, and raiment rich bestow.

“What friends of mine soever ye see and meet with there

At Worms on the Rhine river, take heed lest ye declare

That ye have ever seen me in melancholy mood:

And bear my greeting unto those heroes bold and good.

“To what the king requireth beg them that they agree,

And thereby let them make me from all my trouble free.

The Huns may well believe that I have no friends at all.

Were I a knight, “I’d ever be ready at their call.

“And to my noble brother, to Gernot eke say ye

That in the world is no one I hold more lovingly:

Our best of friends and kinsmen bid him unto this land

To bring, that so the better we may in honour stand.