Too far from us she dwelleth, that noble Queen, alas!
Evermore upon her and Etzel all blessing come to pass!
Send word to me—see that ye fail not—ere ye must hence away,
When ye will go. I have seen not for many and many a day
Messengers so welcome as now, when I look upon you.”
Then did the young men pledge them her heart’s desire to do.
So passed they unto their hostels, those knights from the land of the Huns;
And the King to a council summoned his kin and his mighty ones.
Then Gunther the noble questioned the heroes man by man
Touching their rede of the matter; and many an one began