548.
The noble Siegfried answer’d: “An I can serve the maid,
Right faithfully and gladly that service shall be paid.
Now who will tell these ladies that them I fain would see?”
’Twas Giselher the comely his messenger would be.
549.
Swift Giselher the tidings unto his mother told,
And eke unto his sister, when he did them behold:
“To us the hero Siegfried of Netherland hath come;
Him hath my brother Gunther here to the Rhine sent home.
550.
“He bringeth us full tidings of how the king doth fare.
Now must ye give permission that he to court repair;
From Iceland brings he hither a true report, I trow.”—
Yet soon these noble ladies much sorrow were to know.
551.
To get their robes they hasten’d, and did themselves array;
And then they summon’d Siegfried to come to court straightway,—
Which did he, willing-hearted, too happy her to see:
The noble maid Kriemhilda spake to him graciously.
552.
“Be welcome, my lord Siegfried, thou worthy knight!” she cried;
“Where doth my brother Gunther, the noble king, abide?
Of him, by Brunhild’s prowess, I ween we are forlorn!
O woe is me, poor maiden, that ever I was born!”
553.
Then spake the gallant hero: “Now pay me herald’s fee!
For know, O beanteous ladies, no need to weep have ye.
In lusty health I left him, of that ye may be sure;—
To te! you both these tidings he sent me on before.
