And he gave to them courteous greeting: “Welcome to me be ye.
What man hath sent you hither not yet hath been told unto me:
Speak out and utter your message,” said the noble king war-wise.
Then sank their hearts, as they looked on the flame in Gunther’s eyes.
“If thou, O King, wilt suffer that we speak”—the heralds replied—
“Unhindered all our message, no word from thee will we hide.
So name we to you the princes who have laid on us this command:
Lo, Lüdegast hitherward marcheth with Lüdiger unto your land.
Ye twain have provoked their anger: in our ears was spoken the word,
How that ye in the hearts of our liege-lords deadliest hate have stirred;