To the presence of King Gunther they passed the thronged halls through;
And the guests with courteous welcome were received, as aye is it due
That envoys so be greeted in the land of another king.
There round King Gunther standing were knights in a stately ring.
Unto them the King gave greeting of princely courtesy:
“O servants of King Etzel, ye minstrels, welcome be ye,
Welcome your journeying-fellows! Wherefore hath Etzel your lord
Into the land Burgundian sent you hitherward?”
Before the King they bowed them, and Werbel answer made:
“My dearly belovèd master and Kriemhild your sister bade