[768]

Old knights and youthful squires / crowded, as is their way,
To ask of them the tidings. / Thus did the brave knight say:
"When to the king I tell them / then shall ye likewise hear."
He went with his companions / and soon 'fore Gunther did appear.

[769]

Full of joy the monarch / did from the settle spring;
And did thank them also / for their hastening
Brunhild the fair lady. / Spake Gunther eagerly:
"How now liveth Siegfried, / whose arm hath oft befriended me?"

[770]

Then spake the valiant Gere: / "Joy o'er the visage went
Of him and eke thy sister. / To friends was never sent
A more faithful greeting / by good knight ever one,
Than now the mighty Siegfried / and his royal sire have done."

[771]

Then spake unto the Margrave / the noble monarch's wife:
"Now tell me, cometh Kriemhild? / And marketh yet her life
Aught of the noble bearing / did her erstwhile adorn?"
"She cometh to thee surely," / Gere answer did return.

[772]

Ute straightway the messengers / to her did command.
Then might ye by her asking / full well understand
To her was joyous tidings / how Kriemhild did betide.
He told her how he found her, / and that she soon would hither ride.