"So then to my mother Uta the Queen of the land say thou That with heart uplifted and joyous I am faring homeward now. And how we have sped in our wooing do thou to my brethren unfold: And to all our nearest and dearest withal be the story told. Yea, from my sister, the fair one, nought shalt thou hide thereof: Commend unto her Queen Brunhild and me in service of love. And unto all my servants and to all my vassals say, Whatsoever mine heart hath longed for, all have I gained this day. And to Ortwein, my nephew belovèd, bear this hest of mine, That he shall prepare us high-seats in the city beside the Rhine. Tell also my vassals and kinsfolk this--be it known to them all That I purpose for Brunhild's bridal a high-tide festival. And make my request to my sister, that now that she hath learned How that I to the land Burgundian with these my guests have returned, She receive with loving welcome this my belovèd bride: So bound evermore unto Kriemhild shall my love and my service abide." Then of the Lady Brunhild and of all her following Fair leave was taken of Siegfried, the child of Siegmund the King, Even as was meet and seemly: then on to the Rhine rode he. No better herald than Siegfried in all the world might be! {P. 74} With good knights four-and-twenty to the city of Worms he came. "Without Gunther he cometh!"--the rumour through the city ran like flame. Then all the thanes were troubled, and a wailing moaned all round. They foreboded that in that far land his death the King had found. But the knights with hearts uplifted sprang each from his gallant steed. Then Giselher to meet them, the young Prince, hied him with speed: Came Gernot beside him, his brother, and in eager haste he cried, When he marked how no King Gunther was there by Siegfried's side: "Now welcome to thee, Lord Siegfried! I beseech thee, tell this thing, Where left ye in your departing my brother, Gunther the King? The mighty strength of Brunhild, I fear me, hath reft him from us; So for us should his princely wooing have issue dolorous."