brother. I'll answer that the maid will see you gladly."

Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Howsoever I may serve her, that shall
be gladly done, in faith. Who now will tell the ladies that I
would hie me thither?"

Giselher then became the messenger, the stately man. The doughty
knight spake to his mother and his sister too, when that he saw
them both: "To us is come Siegfried, the hero from Netherland;
him my brother Gunther hath sent hither to the Rhine. He
bringeth the news of how it standeth with the king. Pray let him
therefore come to court. He'll tell you the right tidings
straight from Isenland."

As yet the noble ladies were acquaint with fear, but now for
their weeds they sprang and dressed them and bade Sir Siegfried
come to court. This he did full gladly, for he was fain to see
them. Kriemhild, the noble maid, addressed him fair: "Be
welcome, Sir Siegfried, most worshipful knight. Where is my
brother Gunther, the noble and mighty king? We ween that we have
lost him through Brunhild's strength. Woe is me, poor maid, that
ever I was born."

Then spake the daring knight: "Now give me an envoy's guerdon, ye
passing fair ladies, ye do weep without a cause. I do you to
wit, I left him safe and sound. They have sent me with the
tidings to you both. He and his bride do send you kindly
greetings and a kinsman's love, O noble queen. Now leave off
your weeping, they'll come full soon."