And they sent word praying Siegfried to come unto them straightway.
Full fain did he come at their summons, and he met them with joyful eyes.
Then spake Kriemhild the queenly to the hero in gracious wise:
“Now welcome, Lord Knight Siegfried, peer unto whom is none!
Where bideth my brother Gunther, that noble kingly one?
Through the might of Brunhild, I fear me, are we left of his love forlorn!
Woe for me, hapless maiden, that ever I was born!”
But the bold knight smiled in answer—“My good-news’ guerdon pay!
Ye be weeping, O lovely Ladies, without a cause this day.
Whole and unharmed I left him: this know ye in very deed.