Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/324

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The mighty prince made answer: “Of this right glad am I.

And tell me how is Etzel,” so did the king reply.

“And eke my sister Kriemhild, yonder in Hunnish land?”

Then spake the fiddle-player: “I’ll answer this demand.

“Of this ye may be certain, that never yet there were

Two folks who lived together more happy than this pair;

And all the knights around them, their kinsfolk and their men.

When on this ride we started, right joyous were they then.”

“Gramercy for the greeting he hath sent me this day,

And thank my sister also; since it be as ye say,

That all live in contentment, ruler and ruled as well:

For I with some misgiving, ask’d ye the news to tell.”

The king’s two younger brothers had likewise come by now:

For they the news from Hunsland but now had got to know.

And Giselher right gladly, for his dear sister’s sake,

Set eyes upon the envoys and kindly to them spake.

“Right welcome must ye heralds be unto me and mine,

And if ye rode more often hither unto the Rhine,

Friends would ye find here always rejoicing ye to see.

That aught should here befall you small peril can there be.”

“We trust you in all honour,” made answer Schwemmelin.

“And never can I tell you by any wit of mine,

How Etzel hath enjoin’d us to greet you lovingly,

As hath your noble sister, who there hath honour high.