you into Burgundy?"

They bowed before him, and Werbel answered, "My dear master, and
Kriemhild thy sister, commend their service to thee. With true intent
they have sent us hither to you, O knights."

Then said the noble prince, "I rejoice at the tidings. How fareth it
with Etzel, and Kriemhild my sister?"

Whereto the fiddler answered, "Never was king of any land better or
happier, nor his kinsmen nor vassals; know that for certain. Right glad
were they when we set forth on this journey."

"Thank him and my sister for their greeting. I rejoice that it is well
with the king and his folk, for I asked, much fearing."

The two young kings were also come in, and had heard the news for the
first time. Giselher, the youth, was glad to see the envoys, for love of
his sister, and said to them kindly, "Ye be heartily welcome. If ye came
oftener to the Rhine, ye would find friends worth the seeing. Small ill
should betide you here."

"I trow it well," answered Schwemmel. "Word of mine cannot tell thee how
right lovingly Etzel commendeth him to thee, and eke thy sister, that is
holden in high esteem. The king's wife biddeth thee remember thy love
and faith, and that thou wert ever true to her in heart and soul. And,
first of all, we are sent to the king, to invite you to ride into Etzel's
land, and Sir Gernot with you. Mighty Etzel commanded me to say to you
all that, even if ye desire not to see your sister, he would fain learn
what wrong he hath done you, that ye are such strangers to him and his
court. Had ye never known the queen, he deserveth no less of you than
that ye come to see him. If ye consent to this, ye shall please him
well."

And Gunther answered, "A sennight from now I will let thee know what I
and my friends have determined on. Go meanwhile to thy lodging and rest."

But Werbel said, "Might we not, ere we seek repose, win audience of great
Uta?"

Whereto the noble Giselher answered courteously, "None shall hinder you,
for in this ye shall have done my mother's will. For the sake of my
sister, Queen Kriemhild, she will see you gladly. Right welcome shall ye
be."

Giselher brought them before the lady, who rejoiced to see envoys from
the land of the Huns. Kindly and lovingly she greeted them, and the
courtly messengers and good delivered their tidings. "My mistress
commendeth to thee," said Schwemmel, "her service and her true love.
Could she but have sight of thee oftener, naught on