XXIV
"And from the Lady Uta we come, your mother dear,
And from the good Sir Gernot and youthful Giselher,
And from your choicest kinsmen, who all with kind intent
By us to you their service from Burgundy have sent."
XXV
"Now God then quit!" said Siegfried, "that they're sincere and true,
I trust with full assurance, as men with friends should do.
The same too feels their sister. Now further to us tell,
Whether our friends in Rhineland are hearty all and well.
XXVI
"Since we from them departed, has any neighboring foe
Harried my consort's kindred? this let me surely know.
To them by me shall ever such friendly aid be lent,
That their wrong the doers shall bitterly repent."
XXVII
Thereto the Margrave Gary, the good knight, made reply,
"Fraught with all manly virtues they bear them proud and high.
They bid you to a festal, which they at home prepare.
You need not doubt, your kinsmen would gladly see you there.
XXVIII
"They also beg my lady thither with you to wend,
Soon as the blustering winter shall come at length to end,
You both ere next midsummer they all expect to see."
Then said the valiant Siegfried, "That can hardly be."