"Take whom thou wilt, fair sister," Sir Gernot straight replied, "No doubt you'll find abundance, who long with you to ride. From thirty hundred vassals, each one a chosen man, Take for thy train a thousand." Kriemhild to send began IX First for Ortwine and Hagan, the noble knights and true, If they and their bold kinsmen would Kriemhild serve and sue. Thereat wax'd Hagan wrathful, and frowning thus 'gan say, "Nor right nor power has Gunther to give us thus away. X "For followers and companions seek elsewhere if you will. As for our Trony customs, sure you must know them still. At court we guard our princes, nor from this duty swerve. Thus here we serv'd them ever, thus will we ever serve." XI Thereto was made no answer; all on their journey thought. Her noble train together the lady Kriemhild brought, Two and thirty maidens and five hundred men. Eckewart the Margrave follow'd Kriemhild then. XII Leave last by all was taken, both by squire and knight And by dame and damsel, as fitting was and right. With many a kiss they parted, and many a grasp of hand, And so not ill contented they left King Gunther's land. XIII Far rode their loving kinsmen to bring them on their way; Each night they found them quarters where'er it pleas'd them stay, While they upon their journey through Gunther's country went Then messengers were forthwith to old King Siegmund sent, XIV To him and to Dame Sieglind the hasty news to bear, That his son was coming, and with him Kriemhild fair, The daughter of Dame Uta, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Ne'er to such welcome tidings did they their ears incline. XV "Ah! well is me," cried Siegmund, "that I this day have seen, That here the lovely Kriemhild should move a crowned queen My heritage high worship shall hence and honor gain; Here too my son Siegfried himself a king shall reign." XVI Then gave the Lady Sieglind good store of velvet red; Full weight of gold and silver shower'd she for newsman's bread. Much at the gladsome tidings rejoic'd the royal dame. Her train themselves apparel'd as nobles well became. XVII 'Twas told her, who was coming with him into the land. Then rais'd in haste were sittings, as Sieglind gave command, Whither crown'd should march Sir Siegfried in front of all his train. Then forth to meet the strangers rode Siegmund's knights amain. XVIII If e'er was heartier welcome than was receiv'd that day In good King Siegmund's country, is more than I can say. To meet the lovely Kriemhild the royal Sieglind came With many a lovely lady and many a knight of fame. XIX