impossible, they live too far away; I dare not ask them this."

To this Brunhild replied in full crafty wise: "However high and
mighty a king's vassal be, yet should he not leave undone
whatsoever his lord command him."

King Gunther smiled when she spake thus. However oft he saw
Siegfried, yet did he not count it to him as service.

She spake: "Dear lord, for my sake help me to have Siegfried and
thy sister come to this land, that we may see them here. Naught
liefer might ever hap to me in truth. Whenso I think on thy
sister's courtesie and her well-bred mind, how it delighteth me!
How we sate together, when I first became thy wife! She may with
honor love bold Siegfried."

She besought so long, till the king did speak: "Now know that I
have never seen more welcome guests. Ye need but beg me gently.
I will send my envoys for the twain, that they may come to see us
to the Rhine."

Then spake the queen: "Pray tell me then, when ye are willed to
send for them, or in what time our dear kinsmen shall come into
the land. Give me also to know whom ye will send thither."

"That will I," said the prince. "I will let thirty of my men ride
thither."

He had these come before him and bade them carry tidings to
Siegfried's land. To their delight Brunhild did give them full