If with the king thou deignest to wear the crown one day—
The highest power that ever he unto Helka gave:
Thou over Etzel’s vassals authority shalt have.”
1238
Then spake the queen: “What pleasure remains for me in life,
That ever I should covet to be a hero’s wife?
Such sorrow have I suffer’d all through the death of one,
That I must aye be joyless, until my life be done.”
1239
But once more spake the Hunsman: “Most high and noble queen,
Your life along with Etzel so glorious would be seen,
Naught would it be but gladness, if this should come to pass:
And many a handsome warrior the mighty monarch has.”
1240
“The damsels of Queen Helka, the maids that follow thee,
Shall make with one another a single company;
A sight at which the warriors shall merry be of mood.
Be counsell’d therefore, lady; in sooth ’tis for thy good!”
1241
With courtesy she answer’d: “Now let this parley be
Until to-morrow early; then come again to me
And you shall have my answer to what you have at heart.”
Needs must the valiant warrior agree, and so depart.
1242
When they unto their hostel had all returnéd home,
Then sent the noble lady for Giselher to come,
And likewise for her mother: and unto both did vow,
That nothing else save weeping was fitting for her now.
1243
Said Giselher, her brother: “Sister, ’tis my belief—
And some to me have said it— that all thy bitter grief
King Etzel will make vanish: and shouldst thou marry him—
Whatever others counsel— well done I will it deem.
1244
“He surely may console thee,” said Giselher again:
“From Rhone unto the Rhine-stream, from Elbe unto the main,
There’s not another sovran so powerful as he.
Right soon may’st thou be happy, if wife he makes of thee.”
1245
“My brother well belovéd, how canst thou thus advise?
To weep and mourn seems ever more fitting in mine eyes.
How, at the court there, should I before the warriors go?
If ever I were comely, no longer am I so.”
1246
Then spake the lady Uté her daughter dear unto:
“Whate’er thy brothers counsel, fail not, dear child, to do;
Follow thy friends’ advising, so will it prosper thee.
Too long have I beheld thee in thy great misery.”
1247
Then God she pray’d right sorely that store of worldly gear,
Of silver, gold and raiment be granted unto her,
To give; as when her husband in life and health she had;
Though never as aforetime could life again be glad.
1248
Within her heart she ponder’d: “Shall I my body give—
Who am a Christian woman— and with a heathen wive?
Fore all the world and ever disgrace on me ’twould bring—
Though all his wealth he gave me, I would not do this thing!”
1249
And so she left the matter: but all night long, till day,
The lady on her pillow with endless brooding lay.
Her eyes that shone so brightly, from tears were never dried,
Until at dawn of morning unto the mass she hied.
1250
The kings came thither also close on the hour of mass;
They had been taking counsel upon their sister’s case:
To marry they advised her the king of Hungary.
But neither found the lady disposed more cheerfully.
1251
Forthwith were orders given King Etzel’s men to bring,
Who now would leave have taken and home been travelling—
Accepted or rejected, whichever of the twain.
Then to the court came Rüdeger. The heroes urged again
1252
That he should rightly fathom the noble Gunther’s mood,
And do it very quickly: to all did this seem good:
To get back to their country, they needs must journey far.
And so unto Kriemhilda they usher’d Rüdeger.
1253
With kindly words of pleading began the warrior;
The noble queen beseeching that she would let him hear
What message for his master, to Etzel’s land she sent.
I ween he found her answer naught save discouragement:
1254
That she forsooth would never again wed anyone.
Whereon the margrave answer’d: “That surely were ill-done!
Why shouldst thou thy fair body so wastefully disdain?
Thou mightst become with honour a good man’s wife again.”
1255
But naught avail’d their praying, until that Rüdeger
All privately did whisper into the great queen’s ear,
That all she ever suffer’d he would make good again.
Whereat her great misliking somewhat began to wane.
1256
Unto the queen thus spake he: “Let now your weeping be.
If you among the Hunsfolk had ne’er a friend save me,
And all my trusty kinsmen, and eke my liegemen true,
Hath any done you evil right dearly should he rue.”
1257
Thenceforth the lady’s humour somewhat more gentle grew.
She said: “An oath now give me: whatever men may do
That you will be the first one to right mine injury.”
Whereto the margrave answer’d: “That will I readily.”
1258
With all his men did Rüdeger swear by an oath to her
That he would serve her truly; and that no warrior
Should ever aught deny her, throughout King Etzel’s land,
In what concern’d her honour. So pledged her Rüdeger’s hand.
1259
Then, faithful-hearted, thought she: “Since on my will to wait
I’ve met with friends so many, I’ll let the people prate
Howe’er they have a mind to, of me, poor wretched wife!
What if I yet have vengeance for my dear husband’s life?”
1260
She thought: “Since Etzel holdeth so many knights in fee,
I also may command them, and do what pleaseth me.
So wealthy is he also, I shall have much to give:
Me did that hateful Hagen of all my goods deprive.”
1261
To Rüdeger thus spake she: “If it were known to me
That he were not an heathen, I would come willingly,
Whithersoe’er he listeth, and take him for my lord.”
The margrave answer’d: “Lady, heed not a single word.
1262
“He hath so many warriors, who in Christ’s faith believe
That with the king at no time shall you have cause to grieve.
What if your faith should win him to take the Christian life?
Then might you well be happy to be King Etzel’s wife.”
1263
Then said her brothers also: “Now, sister mine, say ‘Yes,’
And so be quit for ever of your unhappiness.”
Thus long did they beseech her, till, full of sorrow, she
Before the heroes promised King Etzel’s wife to be.
1264
She said: “You will I follow, a queen right sad of heart,
And fare with you to Huns’ land; so may we now depart,
When I the friends have found me to bring me to his land.”
To that, before the heroes, fair Kriemhild gave her hand.
1265
Then to her said the margrave: “Hast thou a pair of men,
To them I can add many: it will be easy then
To bring you with due honour unto Rhine’s further side:
No longer, mid Burgundians, lady, must thou abide.
1266
“I have five hundred liegemen, and kinsmen too, of whom
Thou mayst command the service— or here, or there at home
To do thy bidding, lady; and I will do the same,
Whene’er thou claim’st my promise— that so I have no shame.
1267
“Now see that you have ready your horse accoutrement;
What Rüdeger doth
