Then made she trial of Gunther, if haply she might attain Her purpose, to meet Queen Kriemhild face to face again; {P. 99} And she took with him secret counsel for that whereon aye did she brood. But the word of the Queen unto Gunther seemed in no wise good. "How might we bring them hither?" that noble King replied, "Even to this our kingdom? The thing can never betide. Too far is their dwelling: I dare not ask that this might be!" But Brunhild to him made answer with speech of subtlety: "And be he never so mighty, who is vassal still to a King, Whatsoever his liege-lord biddeth, of force must he do the thing." Smiled Gunther for this delusion that in her heart had place-- Little he thought on homage when he looked upon Siegfried's face. "Nay, dear my lord," she made answer, "I pray thee, help me herein-- By my love I beseech thee--that Siegfried and thy sister Kriemhild the Queen May come unto this thy kingdom, that we may behold them here. In all this world could be given no joy to mine heart more dear. That gracious mien of thy sister, and her queenly courtesy, Still as I muse thereover, how sweet is the memory, How we sat at the feast of my bridal side by side at the board! In sooth hath she chosen with honour Siegfried the brave for her lord." She lay on him sore in entreaty, that at last King Gunther said: "Now know, that no guests more welcome my feast-hall floor could tread. Lightly is gained thy petition: swift messengers of mine Shall be sent unto them, to bid them come unto us by Rhine." Then spake that Daughter of Princes: "Now shalt thou tell unto me When thou wilt send to bid them, and how many days shall it be Ere come into this our kingdom the friends we love so well. And whom thou wilt send to bid them unto me beforehand tell." "Yea," answered the King, "that will I: There shall go of my knightly array Thirty thitherward riding." For these did he send straightway; And with that message he charged them, to bear it to Siegfried's land. Rich raiment to gladden their spirits received they of Brunhild's hand. "My knights, ye shall take this message from me"; thus spake the King; "And of all wherewith I have charged you withhold not anything. {P. 100} Say unto Siegfried the mighty, and unto my sister say, That in all this world may no one be dearer to me than they. And pray them to come to their kinsfolk here beside Rhine-river: And for this unto them shall Brunhild and I be beholden ever. Ere summer to autumn waneth full many shall he see here, Even he and his men, that in honour hold him passing dear. And bear ye to King Siegmund my service in courtesy, And say that to him aye bounden my friends and I shall be: And pray ye also my sister that she tarry not to ride To her friends--she hath lighted never on so worthy a festal-tide."