n my brother
Gunther's household. Those men are from the fatherland, and they bring
tidings from the dear old Burgundian home."

"Welcome are they to our Nibelungen Land!" cried the delighted king.

And he ordered that the strangers should be brought into the castle,
and that the most sumptuous rooms should be allotted to them, and a
plenteous meal prepared, and every thing done to entertain them in a
style befitting messengers from Kriemhild's fatherland. Then Gere, the
trusty captain, was led into the presence of the king and queen. Right
gladly did they welcome him, and many were the questions they asked
about their kin-folk, and the old Rhineland home.

"Tell us, good Gere," said Siegfried, "what is thy message from our
friends; for we are anxious to know whether they are well and happy, or
whether some ill luck has overtaken them. If any harm threatens them,
they have but to speak, and I, with my sword and my treasures, will
hasten to their help."

"They are all well," answered the captain. "No ill has befallen them,
and no harm threatens them. Peace rules all the land; and fair weather
and sunshine have filled the people's barns, and made their hearts glad.
And thus it has been ever since Gunther brought to his dwelling the
warrior-maiden Brunhild to be his queen. And this is my errand and the
message that I bring: King Gunther, blessed with happiness, intends
to hold a grand high-tide of joy and thanksgiving at the time of the
harvest-moon. And nothing is wanting to complete the gladness of that
time, but the sight of you and the peerless Kriemhild in your old places
at the feast. And it is to invite you to this festival of rejoicing that
I have come, at the king's command, to Nibelungen Land."

Siegfried sat a moment in silence, and then thoughtfully answered,--

"It is a long, long journey from this land to Burgundy, and many dangers
beset the road; and my own people would sadly miss me while away, and I
know not what mishaps might befall."

Then Gere spoke of the queen-mother Ute, now grown old and feeble,
who wished once more, ere death called her hence, to see her daughter
Kriemhild. And he told how all the people, both high and low, yearned
for another sight of the radiant hero who in former days had blessed
their land with his presence and his noble deeds. And his persuasive
words had much weight with Siegfried, who said at length,--

"Tarry a few days yet for my answer. I will talk with my friends