owess of whose hand
he had seen in grim battle, and in warlike deeds. None could deny their
valour.

It irked Kriemhild's envoys to be delayed, for they greatly feared their
master, and every day they desired to be gone. But Hagen kept them for
his crafty ends. He said to his lord, "We must beware of letting them go
or we be ready to follow them, in a sennight. We shall be safer so, if
they mean us harm. Kriemhild will not have the time to contrive our
hurt. Or, if she be minded thereto, it may go ill with her, since we
lead with us to the Huns so many chosen men."

Shields and saddles and all the vesture they were to take with them, to
Etzel's land, were now ready, and Kriemhild's envoys were bidden to
Gunther's presence. When they appeared, Gernot said, "The king will
obey Etzel's wish. We go gladly to his hightide to see our sister. She
may count on us."

Gunther asked, "Can ye tell us when the hightide falleth, or when we must
set forth?"

And Schwemmel answered, "Next midsummer, without fail."

The king gave them leave, for the first time, to visit Brunhild, but
Folker, to please her, said them nay.

"Queen Brunhild is not well enow for you to see her," said the good
knight. "Wait till morning, and ye shall win audience of her." They had
fain beheld her, but could not.

Then the rich prince, that he might show favour to the envoys, bade bring
thither of his own bounty gold upon broad shields. He had plenty
thereof. His friends also gave them rich gifts. Giselher and Gernot,
Gary and Ortwin, let it be seen that they could give freely. They
offered such costly things to the envoys that these durst not take them,
for fear of their master.

Then said Werbel to the king, "Keep your gifts, O king, in your own
land. We may not carry them with us. My lord forbade us to take aught.
Thereto, we have small need." But the prince of the Rhine was angry
because they refused so great a king's gift. So, at the last, they were
constrained to take his gold and vesture, and carry them home into
Etzel's land.

They desired to see Uta or they departed. Giselher, the youth, brought
the minstrels before his mother, and the lady bade them say that she
rejoiced to hear how that Kriemhild was had in worship. For the sake of
Kriemhild, that she loved, and of King Etzel, the queen gave the envoys
girdles and gold. Well might they receive this, for with true heart it
was offered.

The envoys had now taken le