She press'd so long, that Gunther replied with alter'd cheer, "Now know that guests so welcome never saw I here. Much pressing little needed; so messengers of mine I'll send to bid them hasten hither to the Rhine." IX Thereto the queen made answer, "Tell me now, I pray, When you will send to ask them, and about what day We may expect the travellers to both of us so dear; And who will bear your message, I willingly would hear." X "So will I do," replied he; "thirty of my men Shall be commission'd thither." Forthwith he summon'd them Those by whom his message to Siegfried's land he sent, Brunhild sumptuous vesture gave them to their full content. XI Then spake the king, "Ye warriors, from me this message bear (That you keep back nothing I bid you well beware), Which I to valiant Siegfried and to my sister send, That in this world can no man to both be more a friend; XII "And beg them hasten hither us on the Rhine to see; It shall be well requited both by my wife and me. By the next midsummer he and his men shall find From every one among us high honor, welcome kind. XIII "Unto the good King Siegmund my service, too, commend; Say, I and mine shall ever hold him as our friend. Bid too my sister hasten to meet her kinsmen dear. Ne'er graced she royal festal like that which waits her here." XIV Brunhild and Uta and every lady there Into the land of Siegfried their greeting bade them bear To many a noble warrior and many a lady gay. So with the king's commission the couriers went their way. XV To start they now were ready; to each of all the band Was brought both steed and vesture; so rode they from the land. With happy haste they journey'd, and ever prick'd they hard; The king had sent an escort his messengers to guard. XVI In the weary journey three toilsome weeks they spent. At last in Niblung's castle, whither they had been sent, E'en in the march of Norway, they found king Siegmund's son. Horses alike and riders were travel-tainted and fordone. XVII To Siegfried and to Kriemhild forthwith the tidings came, That knights had journey'd thither, whose venture was the same As what by men of worship was born in Burgundy. From her day-bed Kriemhild up sprung hastily. XVIII Sudden to a window she bade a damsel go, Who saw bold Gary standing in the court below, Him, and his valiant comrades on the same errand bound. For her long-brooded sorrow what rapture then she found! XIX Loud call'd she to her husband, "See you, where they stand Down in the court there waiting, stout Gary and his band, Whom my good brother Gunther has sent us down the Rhine?" "Welcome are they," said Siegfried, "welcome to me and mine." XX