Then answer'd good King Gunther, "I'll to my mother dear, That she and her fair maidens ere we for Issland steer, May furnish us with raiment in full and copious store, Which we may wear with honor the stately queen before." XXVIII Hagan, the Knight of Trony, then spake in courtly wise, "Why would you ask your mother such service to devise? If only your fair sister our purpose understood, She's in all arts so skilful, the clothes would needs be good." XXIX Then sent he to his sister, that he'd to her repair, And with him only Siegfried; ere they could thither fare, Kriemhild in choicest vesture her beauty had array'd; Little did their coming displease the gentle maid. XXX And deck'd too were her women as them best became. Now were at hand the princess; straight the queenly dame, As she beheld them coming, rose stately from her seat, And went the noble stranger and her brother, too, to greet. XXXI "Welcome to my brother and to his comrade dear," Said the graceful maiden, "your news I fain would hear. Tell me what brings you hither, what deeds are now to do; Let me know how fares it, noble knights, with you." XXXII Then spake the royal Gunther, "Dame, I will tell my care. We must with lofty courage a proud adventure dare. We would hence a-wooing far over seas away; For such a journey need we apparel rich and gay." XXXIII "Now sit thee down, dear brother, and tell me frank and free," Said the royal maiden, "who these dames may be, Whom you would go a-courting in a distant land." Both the chosen warriors then took she by the hand. XXXIV Anon she both led thither where before she sat On rich embroider'd cushions (I can vouch for that), O'erwrought with goodly figures well rais'd in glitt'ring gold. There they with the fair lady might gentle converse hold. XXXV Many a glance of rapture, many a longing look, As there talk'd the lovers, either gave and took. He in his heart enshrin'd her; she was to him as life. Thereafter lovely Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's wife. XXXVI Then said to her King Gunther, "Right noble sister mine, What I wish can never be but with help of thine. We'll to the land of Brunhild to take our pastime there, And must before the lady princely apparel wear." XXXVII Then spake the queen in answer, "Right loving brother mine, If ought I can will profit whatever end of thine, Depend on me to do it; thou'lt find me ready still. If any aught denied thee, 'twould please thy Kriemhild ill. XXXVIII "Noble knight, thou should'st not, as doubting, ask and pray, But, as my lord and master, command, and I'll obey. Thou'lt find me, whatsoever thou hast in heart to do, Not more a loving sister than a servant true." XXXIX