He led him to the settle / where himself he sat:
He bade pour for the strangers / (a welcome work was that)
Mead the very choicest / and the best of wine,
That e'er ye might discover / in all the lands about the Rhine.
Giselher and Gere / joined the company too,
Eke Dankwart and Volker, / when that they knew
The coming of the strangers: / glad they were of mood,
And greeted 'fore the monarch / fair the noble knights and good.
Then spake unto his master / of Tronje the knight:
"Let our thanes seek ever / fully to requite
What erstwhile the margrave / in love to us hath done:
Fair Gotelinde's husband / our gratitude full well hath won."
Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Withhold it not I may.
How they both do bear them, / tell me now, I pray,
Etzel and Helke / afar in Hunland."
Then answered him the margrave: / "Fain would I have thee understand."
Then rose he from the settle / and his men every one.
He spake unto the monarch: / "An may the thing be done,
And is't thy royal pleasure, / so will I naught withhold,
But the message that I bring thee / shall full willingly be told."