Then the King sent word to his sister that fain would he confer

With her, even he and Siegfried. But, or ever they came unto her,

That lovely one had adorned her in such royal-rich array

That with right scant heart-misgivings their coming did she stay.

Stood the ladies that waited upon her clad richly in their degree:

Then came to her bower the Princes: at their entering-in rose she

To meet them, from her high seat: ah, with what queenly grace

She greeted the noble stranger and her brother with radiant face!

“Blithe welcome unto my brother, and welcome to his friend!

I am fain,” spake on that sweet one, “I am fain to know the end