Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/325

XXIV.]

“Of former faith and kindness the queen doth you remind,

And how with heart and body you aye to her inclined.

But to the king’s self firstly have we been sent, to pray

That into Etzel’s country ye deign to take your way.

“That we thereto should urge ye hath given strict command

The rich and mighty Etzel, who likewise doth demand

That if ye by your sister would not again be seen,

Then would he fain have knowledge of what his fault hath been

“That ye are strangers to him, and to his country, too;

For if the Queen Kriemhilda were all unknown to you,

Still he himself were worthy for you to come to see.

And were this thing to happen, ’twould please him verily.”

Then spake the royal Gunther: “A week from now being gone,

So will I give you tidings of what conclusion

My friends and I have come to. Meanwhile for you ’twere best

To go unto your hostel, and may ye have good rest.”

But Werbelin spake further: “If such a thing might be,

Fain would we have permission my lady first to see—

I mean the mighty Uté,— before our rest we seek.

Then Giselher the noble in courtly wise did speak:

“That no man shall deny you; and if to her ye go,

Ye will my mother’s pleasure right well accomplish so:

For gladly will she see ye; and for my sister’s sake,

The Lady Kriemhild namely, you welcome will she make.”