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 leave of both men and women, and rode merrily
forward to Swabia. Gernot sent his warriors with them thus far, that
none might do them a hurt.
When their escorts parted from them, Etzel’s might kept them safe by
the way, that none robbed them of horses or vesture. Then they spurred
swiftly to the land of the Huns. Them that they knew for friends, they
told that the Burgundians from the Rhine would pass there shortly. They
brought the tidings also to Bishop Pilgerin.
When they rode down by Bechlaren, they failed not to send word to
Rudeger and Dame Gotelind, the Margrave’s wife, that was merry of her
cheer because she was to see the guests so soon.
The minstrels were seen spurring through the land. They found Etzel in
his town of Gran. They gave the king, that grew red for joy, the
greetings that had been sent him.
When the queen heard for certain that her brothers would come, she was
well content, and requited the minstrels with goodly gifts, which did
her honour. She said, “Now tell me, both of you, Werbel and Schwemmel,
which of my friends, of the best that we have bidden, come to the
hightide. What said Hagen when he heard the news?”
“He came to the council one morning early. He had little good to say of
the hightide. It was named by grim Hagen the death-ride. Thy brothers,
the three kings, come in merry mood. Who further are with them I cannot
say. Folker, the bold minstrel, is one.”
“I had made shift to do without Folker,” said the king’s wife. “Hagen I
esteem; he is a good knight. I am right glad that we shall see him
here.”
Then Kriemhild went to the king, and spake to him right sweetly, “How
doth the news please thee, dearest lord? All my heart’s desire shall
now be satisfied.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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