But once again said Hagen: “I’ll ne’er agree to this.”
1207
Then messengers to Gernot and Giselher they sent,
To ask of these two princes if they were well content
To have Kriemhilda marry the rich and noble king.
Sir Hagen still gainsayed it, but had no following.
1208
Then spake of the Burgundians the warrior Giselher:
“Now may you show, friend Hagen, that loyal still you are:
Make good to her the evil that you to her have done:
If aught may bring her fortune, that should you leave alone.
1209
“You’ve wrought unto my sister such evil manifold,”—
So Giselher spake further— the knight of spirit bold:
“That she hath had good reason to hold you in despite.
Ne’er yet was any woman bereft of more delight.”
1210
“That am I well aware of and willing to allow.
And should she marry Etzel and live for long enow,
She’ll do us yet much evil, howe’er she it contrive;
For many a goodly warrior to serve her there doth live.”
1211
Thereon the valiant Gernot to Hagen answeréd:
“In that case it behoves us, until they both be dead,
To study that we ride not into King Etzel’s land.
We must be loyal to her: thus honour doth demand.”
1212
Whereto again spake Hagen: “No man can me gainsay!
And should the noble Kriemhild wear Helka’s crown one day,
She’ll do to us a mischief, howe’er it may be done:
It better would beseem you to leave the thing alone.”
1213
Then wrathfully cried Giselher, of Uté fair the son:
“We need not all be traitors, though thou perchance be one!
If honour doth befall her, right joyful should we be,
Whate’er thou sayest, Hagen, I’ll serve her faithfully.”
1214
When Hagen heard that saying, anger’d was he in mood:
For Giselher and Gernot, proud warriors both and good,
And mighty Gunther likewise, did all of them agree
That if it pleased Kriemhilda they would no hindrance be.
1215
Then spoke the princely Gere: “The lady I’ll advise
That she do let King Etzel find favour in her eyes:
So many knights obey him, and suit and service owe—
He yet may make her happy in spite of all her woe.”
1216
Then went the ready warrior where Kriemhild he did see;
She graciously received him: how quickly then spake he!
“Well may you greet me, lady, and give me herald’s bread,
For good luck comes to save you now out of all your need.
1217
“For love of you, dear lady, lo! there hath hither sent
One of the best and greatest that e’er had government
O’er realm with highest honour, or ever crown shall wear;
And noble knights sue for him: your brother bids declare.”
1218
Then spake the sorrow-laden: “Now God prohibit thee
And all my friends from making a mockery of me!
Of me, the poor forlorn one! what could I be to one
Who heartfelt love hath ever from a good woman won?”
1219
She sorely strove against it; but presently to her
There came her brother Gernot and the lad Giselher.
These tenderly besought her to be of cheerful mood:
If she the king would marry, ’twould be for her true good.
1220
Not one of them was able the lady to persuade,
That she should e’er be willing another man to wed;
Then did the thanes beseech her: “At least we beg of thee—
If thou naught else wilt grant us— the messengers to see.”
1221
“That will I not refuse ye,” replied the noble wife,
“For gladly would I look on Sir Rüdeger in life,
For all his many virtues. If he it had not been,
Whoever were the envoy, I would have stay’d unseen.”
1222
She spake: “To-morrow morning, I pray ye, bid him go
To see me in my chamber; then will I let him know
What is my will, right surely: to tell him am I fain.”
Then did her grievous sorrow break forth in tears again.
1223
To Rüdeger the noble naught better could have been
Than that he should be granted to see the mighty queen:
He knew that, could this happen, so wise in words was he,
She, by the warrior’s talking, must needs persuaded be.
1224
So, early on the morrow, after the mass was sung,
Arrived the noble envoys; then mighty was the throng.
Of those who to the palace with Rüdeger should go,
All gallantly accoutred; one saw a goodly show.
1225
The high-born dame Kriemhilda her heart with trouble sore,
For Rüdeger was waiting— the goodly warrior.
He found her in the raiment she wore for ev’ry day:
But none the less her women had donn’d their best array.
1226
She rose and went to meet him, and by the door she stood,
And unto Etzel’s liegeman she gave a welcome good.
With but eleven comrades he came therein to her.
Worship had he, for never came nobler messenger.
1227
One bade them all be seated— the leader and his men.
The while before her standing they saw her margraves twain,
Counts Eckewart and Gere— both noble knights and good.
For sake of her, their mistress, none seem’d of joyful mood.
1228
They saw beside her sitting full many a lady fair.
For nothing save her sorrow had Kriemhild any care.
The raiment on her bosom was wet with tear-drops hot,
Nor fail’d the noble margrave Kriemhilda’s grief to note.
1229
Then spake the lordly envoy: “Daughter of kingly race,
To me and to my comrades who here with me have place,
I pray you leave to grant us that we before you stand
And tell to you the errand that brings us to this land.”
1230
“Now be it to you granted,” the queen in answer said,
“To speak as ye are minded; for I am purposéd
Right willingly to listen: thou art a herald good.”
Yet to the others’ hearing unwilling was her mood.
1231
Then he of Bechelaren, Prince Rüdeger, began:
“With plenteous love, and faithful, Etzel, a great sovran,
To this thy land, fair lady, hath sent an embassy
Of knights to seek thy favour— a goodly company.
1232
“He offers thee right frankly love free from all alloy:
And eke such stedfast friendship thou shalt with him enjoy,
As erewhile did dame Helka, so near his heart who lay.
Ay, he hath mourn’d her virtues for many a joyless day.”
1233
“Sir Rüdeger the margrave,” in answer spake the queen,
“No one who hath already my bitter sorrow seen,
To any man would bid me myself in wedlock bind.
Ay! I have lost the best one that ever wife did find.”
1234
“What else,” the bold man answer’d, “for sorrow may atone
So well as loving friendship, if such may be, from one
Who for himself is choosing what seems to him the best?
Naught, after heartfelt sorrow, can give such happy rest.
1235
“If to my noble master to give thy love thou’lt deign,
Of twelve right wealthy kingdoms thou shalt be sovereign.
My lord will also give you full thirty princes’ lands,
Each one of which was conquer’d by his all-potent hands.
1236
“Thereto shalt thou be mistress of many a worthy wight
Who to my lady Helka did service owe of right;
And over many a lady who dwelt beneath her sway,
Of high and princely lineage.” Thus did the bold knight say.
1237
“My
