deth us adown the Rhine."

Spake Then the valiant Siegfried: "They be welcome to us."

All the courtiers ran to where one saw them. Each of them in turn then
spake full kindly, as best he could to the envoys. Siegmund, the lord,
was right blithe of their coming. Then Gere and his men were lodged and
men bade take their steeds in charge. The messengers then went hence
to where Lord Siegfried sate by Kriemhild. This they did, for they had
leave to go to court. The host and his lady rose from their seats at
once and greeted well Gere of the Burgundian land with his fellowship,
Gunther's liegemen. One bade the mighty Gere go and sit him down.

"Permit us first to give our message, afore we take our seats; let us
way-worn strangers stand the while. We be come to tell you tidings which
Gunther and Brunhild, with whom all things stand well, have sent you,
and also what Lady Uta, your mother, sendeth. Giselher, the youth, and
Sir Gernot, too, and your dearest kin, they have sent us hither and
commend their service to you from out the Burgundian land."

"Now God requite them," quoth Siegfried; "I trow them much troth and
good, as one should to kinsfolk; their sister doth the same. Ye must
tell us more, whether our dear friends at home be of good cheer? Since
we have been parted from them, hath any done amiss to my lady's kinsmen?
That ye must let me know. If so, I'll ever help them bear it in duty
bound, until their foes must rue my service."

Then spake the Margrave Gere, a right good knight: "They are in every
virtue of such right high mood, that they do bid you to a feasting by
the Rhine. They would fain see you, as ye may not doubt, and they do beg
my lady that she come with you, when the winter hath taken an end. They
would see you before the next Midsummer's Day."

Quoth the stalwart Siegfried: "That might hardly hap."

Then answered Gere from the Burgundian land: "Your mother Uta, Gernot,
and Giselher have charged you, that ye refuse them not. I hear daily
wail, that ye do live so far away. My Lady Brunhild and all her maids
be fain of the tidings, if that might be that they should see you
again; this would raise their spirits high." These tidings thought fair
Kriemhild good.

Gere was of their kin; the host bade him be seated and had wine poured
out for the guests; no longer did they tarry. Now Siegmund was come
to where he saw the messengers. The lord said to the Burgundians in
friendly wise: "Be welcome, Sir Kn