old her dear. But first and foremost we be sent to the king, that ye
may deign to ride to Etzel's land. The mighty Etzel enjoined us strictly
to beg you this and sent the message to you all, that if ye would not
let your sister see you, he fain would know what he had done you that
ye be so strange to him and to his lands. An' ye had never known the
queen, yet would he fain bring it to pass that consent to come and see
him. It would please him well if that might hap."

Then spake King Gunther: "In a sennight I will tell you the tale of what
I have bethought me with my friends. Meanwhile hie you to your lodgings
and rest you well."

Quoth Werbel again: "And could that be that we might see my lady, the
royal Uta, afore we take our easement?"

The noble Giselher spake then full courteously: "None shall hinder that.
An' ye would go before her, ye will do in full my mother's wish, for she
will gladly see you for my sister's sake, the Lady Kriemhild; she will
make you welcome."

Giselher led them to where they found the queen. Gladly she gazed upon
the envoys from the Hunnish land. Through her courtesie she gave them
gentle greeting. The good and courtly messengers then told their tale.
"My lady offereth you of a truth," so spake Swemmel, "her love and duty.
Might that be that she could see you oft, ye may well believe she had no
better joy in all the world."

Then spake the queen: "That may not be. However gladly I would often
see the dear daughter of mine, yet doth the wife of the noble king live,
alas, too far from me. May she and Etzel be ever blessed. Pray let me
know before ye leave, when ye would hence again; not in a long time have
I seen messengers so gladly as I have you." The squires vowed that this
should hap.

Those from the Hunnish land now rode to their lodgings. Meanwhile the
mighty king had sent to fetch his friends. The noble Gunther asked his
liegemen how they liked the speech. Many a one gan say that the king
well might ride to Etzel's land. The very best among them advised him
this, save Hagen alone; him misliked it sore. Privily he spake to the
king: "Ye fight against yourself; ye know full well what we have done.
We may well be ever on our guard with Kriemhild, for with mine own hand
I slew her husband to death. How durst we ride to Etzel's land?"

Then spake the mighty king: "My sister gave over her wrath; with a kiss
she lovingly forgave what we had done her, or ever she rode away. Unless
be th