1489.
Then Werbelin the herald unto the king did say:
“Your gifts, Lord King, so please ye, let in your kingdom stay;
We may not take them with us; my lord bade us take heed,
Lest gifts by us be taken: nor is there any need.”
1490.
Then did the Lord of Rhineland this thing unkindly take,
That they a great king’s treasure of small account should make;
So were they bound to take it, his gold and habiting,
And unto Etzel’s country were fain with them to bring.
1491.
They would see Uté also ere they set forth again.
So Giselher the ready brought both the minstrelmen
Unto his mother Uté. This word the lady sent:
That if Kriemhild were honour’d her mother was content.
1492.
Then bade the queen be given of gold and broidery,
All for the sake of Kriemhild,— so dear to her was she,—
And for the sake of Etzel, unto the minstrels both.
They readily might take it: ’twas done in honest troth.
1493.
The messengers’ leave-taking was done; and now they had
Parted from men and maidens; and so with hearts right glad
They rode on into Swabia; thus far ’twas Gernot’s will
His heroes should escort them, that none might do them ill.
1494.
When they, who thus did guard them, parted and homewards rode,
In Etzel’s power a safeguard they found on ev’ry road,
Whence none essay’d to rob them of horse or wearing gear.
And so to Etzel’s country they speedily drew near.
