1146
The ready ones made answer: “What if perchance she should?
With thy high name to help thee and all thy substance good,
To win the noble lady one very well might try.
To woo so fair a person would please you verily.”
1147
Then said the noble sovereign: “Doth any one of you
The people of the Rhineland and eke the country know?”
Good Rüdeger made answer, who from Bechlaren came:
“I’ve known her from her childhood, this queen of noble name.
1148
“King Gunther and King Gernot, the noble knights and brave,
And Giselher, the third one— each ever doth behave
In such wise as high honour and virtue too have taught;
Nor elsewise from aforetime have their forefathers wrought.”
1149
But furthermore said Etzel: “Friend, I would learn of thee
If in my land she’s worthy to wear the crown with me?
And if she’s fair of body as has to me been said?—
Then those to me most friendly, need never be dismay’d.”
1150
“Indeed unto my lady in beauty likeneth she,
To Helka, the most mighty; ay! in this world could be
For any king whatever never a wife more fair.
To whom her love she plighteth he may be of good cheer.”
1151
He spake: “Then win her, Rüdeger, if dear to thee am I.
And if beside Kriemhilda it e’er be mine to lie,
I will reward thee for it as fully as may be;—
Seeing thou wilt my wishes have compass’d thoroughly.
1152
“So much out of my treasure I’ll have bestow’d on thee
That thou and thy companions may live right merrily;
Of horses and of raiment whatever you may need,
I will have for your journey made ready with all speed.”
1153
Sir Rüdeger made answer: —a mighty margrave he—
“Did I thy riches covet, that were unpraiseworthy.
Unto the Rhine thy message to bear I shall be glad
At charge of mine own fortune, which from thy hands I had.”
1154
Then spake the mighty sovereign: “Now when wilt thou fare hence
To seek this lovely lady? May God give thee defence
And honour in the journey, and eke this lady mine,
May she to us, luck helping, a gracious ear incline.”
1155
Then Rüdeger spake further: “Ere yet we leave the land,
We must prepare both raiment and weapons to our hand,
That so before the princes due honour we may have.
I’ll lead unto the Rhineland five hundred warriors brave.
1156
“So, me and mine beholding, the men of Burgundy
Shall every man among them be fain to testify
That ne’er from king in those parts on such a journey went
So many men or better than thou to the Rhine hast sent.
1157
“And be it not displeasing by thee, great ruler, found
That, noble love obeying, she was in wedlock bound
To Siegfried, son of Siegmund; him hast thou here beheld.
In honour great he must be in truth for ever held.”
1158
Then said King Etzel: “Though she was wife unto that knight,
Yet was his noble body so precious in my sight,
That on the queen I cannot e’er look disdainfully;
By her exceeding beauty right well she pleaseth me.”
1159
Then spake to him the margrave: “The four and twentieth day
From now, I dare to promise, shall see us on our way.
I’ll send and tell Gotlinda, my dear wife, presently,
That I myself will envoy unto Kriemhilda be.”
1160
So thence unto Bechlaren sent Rüdeger straightway.
Both sorrowful and proud was the margravine that day.
A wife by him, he told her, must for the king be woo’d;
Still tenderly, as living, she thought of Helka good.
1161
For when her husband’s letter the margravine did spell
Some little was she troubled and straight to weeping fell.
Would she another mistress like her have e’er again?
And when she thought of Helka it gave her heartfelt pain.
1162
In seven days’ space had Rüdeger set forth from Hungary.
A glad man was King Etzel, and gay at heart was he.
Already in Vienna the travelling gear was made,
Nor would he that the journey should longer be delayed.
1163
Gotlinda at Bechlaren awaited Rüdeger;
The margravine his daughter was also waiting there,
And glad she was on seeing her father and his men.
And many fair young maidens watch’d kindly for them then.
1164
Ere Rüdeger the noble forth for Bechlaren went
From out Vienna’s city, all his accoutrement
Was perfectly made ready and on the sumpters laid.
They travell’d in such fashion that nothing was waylaid.
1165
When they to Bechelaren within the town did fare,
The host his fellow travellers bade kindly welcome there,
And offer’d board and lodging. Good quarters each one had.
The noble Gotelinda to see him come was glad.
1166
Likewise his well-loved daughter, the little margravine,
At her dear father’s coming could ne’er have gladder been.
The heroes out of Huns’ land how glad she was to see!
And them the noble maiden accosted merrily:
1167
“Right heartily be welcome my father and his men!”
And readily, to thank her, fair words were spoken then
Unto the margrave’s daughter, by many a worthy knight.
Sir Rüdeger’s demeanour Gotlinda read aright.
1168
For when alone at night-time by Rüdeger she lay,
How lovingly besought him the margravine to say
Whither the king from Huns’ land had bidden him to go.
Said he: “My wife Got’linda, I’ll gladly let thee know.
1169
“I for the king my master must seek another wife,
Now that the beauteous Helka departed hath this life.
Therefore to fetch Kriemhilda unto the Rhine ride we;
To Huns’ land she is coming a mighty queen to be.”
1170
“God grant,” said Gotelinda, “that that may come to pass
Since we have heard, in honour, how much she doth surpass.
She may replace my lady belike, in days to be,
We’ll let her wear in Huns’ land the queen’s crown willingly.”
1171
Then said the margrave to her: “Beloved wife of mine,
The men who hence are riding with me unto the Rhine,
All kindly must thou offer with them thy stores to share:
When heroes fare right nobly more stout of heart they are.”
1172
She answered: “There is no man who cares to take of me,
To whom whate’er beseemeth I give not willingly,
Or ever hence depart ye, thou and thy fighting men.”
Then said to her the margrave: “So doth it please me then.”
1173
Ay, and what noble garments they from the storerooms bare!
For every noble warrior there was a plenteous share.
All lined they were with peltry downwards from throat to spur;
What best his purpose suited was chosen of Rüdeger.
1174
Upon the seventh morning from Bechelaren rode
The host with all his warriors. Weapons and raiment good
They bore with them in plenty through the Bavarian land;
Nor on the road were harass’d by any robber band.
1175
Within a twelve days’ journey they to the Rhine did ride;
The tidings of their coming small chance there was to hide.
Some to the king gave warning, and eke his men did tell,
That stranger-guests were coming. The host to asking fell
1176
If they were known to any? that was he fain to know.
One saw their sumpter-horses so heavy-laden go:
That they were very wealthy was plain enough to see.
In the great town was found them a hostel presently.
