[1451]

Then spake in answer Werbel: / "And might such favor be
That we the royal mistress / should first have leave to see,
Ute, the lofty lady, / ere that we seek our rest?"
To him the noble Giselher / in courteous wise these words addressed.

[1452]

"That grace shall none forbid you. / Will ye my mother greet,
Therein do ye most fully / her own desire meet.
For sake of my good sister / fain is she you to see,
For sake of Lady Kriemhild / ye shall to her full welcome be."

[1453]

Giselher then led him / unto the lofty dame,
Who fain beheld the messengers / from Hunland that came.
She greeted them full kindly / as lofty manner taught,
And in right courteous fashion / told they to her the tale they brought.

[1454]

"Pledge of loyal friendship / sendeth unto thee
Now my lofty mistress," / spake Schwemmel. "Might it be,
That she should see thee often, / then shalt thou know full well,
In all the world there never / a greater joy to her befell."

[1455]

Replied the royal lady: / "Such thing may never be.
Gladly as would I oft-times / my dearest daughter see,
Too far, alas, is distant / the noble monarch's wife.
May ever yet full happy / with King Etzel be her life.