"How high soe'er and mighty / king's man were ever one,
Whate'er should bid his master, / may he not leave undone."
Thereat did smile King Gunther, / as such words spake she:
Ne'er bade he aught of service, / oft as Siegfried he did see.
She spake: "Full loving master, / as thou hold'st me dear,
Help me now that Siegfried / and thy sister fair
Come to this our country, / that them we here may see;
In sooth no thing could ever / unto me more welcome be.
"Thy sister's lofty bearing / and all her courtesy,
Whene'er I think upon it, / full well it pleaseth me,
How we did sit together / when erst I was thy spouse!
Well in sooth with honor / might she the valiant Siegfried choose."
She pleaded with the monarch / so long till answered he:
"Know now that guests none other / so welcome were to me.
To gain thy wish 'tis easy: / straight messengers of mine
To both shall message carry, / that hither come they to the Rhine."
Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Now further shalt thou say,
When thou them wilt summon, / or when shall be the day
That our dear friends come hither / unto our country.
Who'll bear thy message thither, / shalt thou eke make known to me."