hat the King of the Netherlands owed no duty to him,
the King of Burgundy.

Then Brunhild, seeing that by anger she would not gain her wish,
smiled and coming close to Gunther said, 'My lord, fain would I see
thy sweet sister once more. If thou mayest not bid, wilt thou not
entreat Siegfried to bring Kriemhild to our country that again we may
sit together as we were used to do? In truth the gentleness of thy
lady sister did ever please me well.'

Now Gunther, hearing his wife's kind words, was wishful to do her
will. Therefore he sent for thirty warriors, and bade them ride into
King Siegfried's land, and entreat him once again to come with his
fair wife to the royal city of Worms. Queen Ute also sent messages to
Queen Kriemhild beseeching her to come again to her own country.

Well pleased was Kriemhild when the knights from Burgundy were shown
into her presence, and right glad was the welcome given to them by
King Siegfried. Then one of the knights hastened to deliver King
Gunther's greetings and the greetings of Queen Ute and her ladies.

'The King and Queen bid you also welcome to a high festival which they
hold as soon as the winter is ended,' he said.

But King Siegfried, thinking of all the business of the state,
answered courteously, 'Nay, I fear that I may scarce leave my land
without a king. Yet will I lodge you here while I take counsel with my
liegemen.'

For nine days King Gunther's men tarried in the Netherlands, and
banquets and tournaments were given in their honour.

Then Siegfried summoned his liegemen together and told them of King
Gunther's desire that he and his Queen should go to Rhineland, and
bade them give him their counsel.

'Take with thee a thousand warriors, sire, and if it be thy will ride
thus into Burgundy,' said the King's chief adviser.

'I also will go with thee,' said Siegmund, for well did he love his
son. 'I also will go with thee and take a hundred swordsmen along with
me.'

Right glad was Siegfried when he heard his father's words. 'My own
good father dear,' he cried, and seizing his hand he kissed it. 'In
twelve days will I leave my realm and journey toward Burgundy, and
thou shalt ride with me and Queen Kriemhild.'

Then the heralds of King Gunther, laden with rich gifts, were bidden
to hasten back to their own land with tidings that Siegfried and his
Queen would ere long follow them to the royal city.

When the heralds stood again before King Gunther, they delive