Then spake the lofty ruler: / "I joy o'er this ye bring.
How liveth royal Etzel," / further spake the king,
"And Kriemhild, my sister, / afar in Hunland?"
Then answered him the fiddler: / "That shalt thou straightway understand.
"That never any people / more lordly life might show
Than they both do joy in, / —that shalt thou surely know,—
Wherein do share their kinsmen / and all their doughty train.
When from them we parted, / of our journey were they fain."
"My thanks for these high greetings / ye bring at his command
And from my royal sister. / That high in joy they stand,
The monarch and his kinsmen, / rejoiceth me to hear.
For, sooth to say, the tidings / asked I now in mickle fear."
The twain of youthful princes / were eke come thitherward,
As soon as they the tidings / from afar had heard.
Right glad were seen the messengers / for his dear sister's sake
By the young Giselher, / who in such friendly manner spake:
"Right hearty were your welcome / from me and brother mine,
Would ye but more frequent / ride hither to the Rhine;
Here found ye friends full many / whom glad ye were to see,
And naught but friendly favors / the while that in this land ye be."