"Welcome, ye men of Gunther! since Siegfried, my good son, Your noble lady Kriemhild for his wife has won, You at our court more frequent we should have gladly seen. Your presence of our friendship the surest bond had been." XXXIII They said, whene'er he wish'd it, they willingly would come. Their toil and teen through gladness forgot they all and some. Siegfried bade all be seated, and viands of the best, And in full abundance, be brought to every guest. XXXIV Nine days in mirth and feasting the envoys needs must stay. At length the active warriors could brook no more delay. Again would they ride homeward; on that their minds were bent In th' interval King Siegfried for his friends had sent. XXXV He ask'd them what they counsel'd; he needs must to the Rhine; "I bidden am by Gunther that dear friend of mine. At a high feast my presence he and his kinsmen pray. Fain would I ride thither, were't not so far away. XXXVI "They beg moreover, Kriemhild the journey too may share. Now, my good friends, advise me; what's best to do, declare. Should they for them request me to harry thirty lands, Well they such warlike service might claim at Siegfried's hands." XXXVII Thereto his knights thus answer'd, "As you desire to speed, If you this feast will visit, hearken to our rede. Take of your best warriors a thousand by your side. So 'midst the bold Burgundians in honor you'll abide." XXXVIII Then spake the lord of Netherland, Siegmund the frank and free, "If you're for this high festal, why say not so to me? I, if it not displease you, will with you to the Rhine, And bring, to swell your squadron, a hundred knights of mine." XXXIX "Will you too journey with us, my father ever dear?" Exclaim'd the bold Sir Siegfried; "it glads me this to hear. Within twelve days at furthest we'll wend upon our way." To all, who ask'd, then gave he good steeds and garments gay. XL When now to take the journey fix'd was the king's design, He bade the knights of Gunther ride back unto the Rhine, And sent by them a message to Kriemhild's kinsmen there, That to the feast, they purpos'd, full fain would he repair. XLI Siegfried and Kriemhild (so says the tale) bestow'd More gifts upon the envoys, than o'er such length of road Their horses home could carry; a wealthy man was he. They drove their strong-back'd sumpters merrily o'er the lea. XLII Siegfried and eke Siegmund their people cloth'd anew; Eckewart the Margrave all Siegfried's country through Bade seek out women's raiment, whate'er was stored in chest Or could be bought for money, the choicest and the best. XLIII