Cometh Eckwart, vassal of Kriemhild, galloping hitherward.”

He weened that of foes some mischief had been done to that valiant lord.

To the castle-gateway he hied him, and there did the messenger stand

Who unclasped his sword from his girdle and laid at his feet the brand.

Spake Rüdiger unto the warrior: “What tidings hast thou brought

That so hath constrained thee to hasten? hath any spoiled us of aught?”

“No man hath done us a mischief,” straightway Eckwart replied,

“But to-day of three kings bidden unto thee have I hitherward hied,

Of the King of Burgundia, Gunther, of Gernot and Giselher:

And of these knights each commendeth unto thee his service fair.