e.

When that Etzel had sent his envoys to the Rhine, these tidings flew
from land to land. Through full speedy messengers he begged and bade to
his high feasting. From this many a one met there his death. The envoys
rode away from the Hunnish land to Burgundy. They were sent thither for
three noble kings and for their men, that these should come to Etzel;
therefore all gan haste. To Bechelaren they came a-riding, where served
them gladly. Rudeger and Gotelind and the child of them twain delayed
not to send their service through the envoys to the Rhine. Nor did
they let them part hence without gifts, that Etzel's men might fare
the better. To Uta and her sons Rudeger sent word that they had no more
loyal margrave than he. To Brunhild, also, they tendered service and
good wishes, constant fealty and a loving mind. When they heard the
speech that the envoys would ride, the margravine begged God in heaven
to keep them well.

Before the messengers were quite come through Bavarian land, the doughty
Werbel sought out the good Bishop Pilgrim. What word he sent to his kin
upon the Rhine, that I know not, but naught but ruddy gold he gave the
messengers for love and let them ride.

Then spake the bishop: "And might I see them here, my sister's sons, I
should be blithe of mood, for full seldom can I come to them upon the
Rhine."

What roads they traveled to the Rhine, I cannot tell. None robbed them
of their silver and their weeds; men feared their master's wrath. Certes
the noble high-born king was a mighty lord.

Within a twelfth night Werbel and Swemmel came to the Rhine, to the land
of Worms. To the kings and their liegemen tidings were told that there
came strange messengers. Gunther, the lord of the Rhineland, gan ask:
"Who will do us to wit, from whence these strangers ride into our land?"

This none wist, till Hagen of Troneg saw them, who then spake to
Gunther: "New tidings be come to us, as I will vouch, for I have seen
King Etzel's minstrels here. Them your sister hath sent to the Rhine;
for their master's sake we must give them a kindly welcome."

Already they were riding up before the palace; never did a prince's
minstrels journey in more lordly wise. Straightway the king's meiny
bade them welcome. Men gave them lodgings and bade take in charge their
trappings. Their traveling clothes were rich and so well fashioned that
with honor they might come before the king, but they would not wear them
longer there at