To the presence of King Gunther they passed the thronged…

To the presence of King Gunther they passed the thronged halls through; And the guests with courteous welcome were received, as aye is it due That envoys so be greeted in the land of another king. There round King Gunther standing were knights in a stately ring. Unto them the King gave greeting of princely courtesy: "O servants of King Etzel, ye minstrels, welcome be ye, Welcome your journeying-fellows! Wherefore hath Etzel your lord Into the land Burgundian sent you hitherward?" Before the King they bowed them, and Werbel answer made: "My dearly belovèd master and Kriemhild your sister bade That hither we fare to your kingdom, and commend their service to you. Unto you, O knights, have they sent us in kindness loving and true." And the mighty King made answer: "Of thy tidings am I fain. How fareth it now with Etzel?"—spake on that royal thane— "And how with Kriemhild my sister in the Hunland hath it sped?" "I will tell thee all their story," the viol-harper said. "Better in any kingdom never its lords have been, Nor blither, know of a surety, than Hunland's King and Queen, And all their kinsmen and liegemen, and all their knightly train. Right glad were they of our journey, when hither we fared, we twain." "Now thank we him for the message that he sendeth by your voice. Thanks unto him and my sister: herein do I greatly rejoice That your King and all his people in peace and in bliss abide;— For indeed I feared in mine asking lest haply worse might betide."

Now came the two young princes into the hall, and heard; For touching those glad tidings had come to them yet no word. Bright at beholding the envoys shone young Giselher's eyes For the love that he bare to his sister: and he spake in friendliest wise: "Heralds twain, ye be welcome, right welcome to us this day! An ye came but oftener riding upon the Rhineward way, Here should ye find friends' faces that ye should gladly see. Small sorrow or scathe should betide you here in Burgundy!"