XCVI

"How can I feel contented," the mourning queen replied, "To wed another hero, a widow and a bride?

Grim Death in one already has wounded me so sore, That nought can now await me, but sorrow evermore."

XCVII

"Fair queen," the Huns made answer, "if only you consent, Your days will with King Etzel so royally be spent, That each will, as it pa.s.ses, some varied pleasure bring; Such store of courtly warriors has our redoubted king.

XCVIII

"Together Helca's damsels and your fair maids will vie In zeal to do you service, one blooming company; Good knights will there be merry amid so bright a train; Be well advis'd, high lady! in sooth 'twill be your gain."

XCIX

"Well," said she, soft and courteous, "this converse now give o'er Until to-morrow morning, then hither come once more, And then your monarch's message I'll answer as I may."

The high-descended warriors could not but obey.

C

So to their several chambers the lofty strangers went.

Straight to her brother Giselher the n.o.ble lady sent, And eke to her good mother; to both them 'gan she say, That nothing now became her but to weep her life away.

CI

Then spake her brother Giselher, "Sister, I have been told, And I would fain believe it, that all thy griefs of old, Etzel will turn to joyance if thou with him wilt dwell.

Whatever others counsel, I like this marriage well.

CII

"Thee will he sure," he added, "for all the past repay, For there reigns ne'er a monarch of such redoubted sway From Rhone to Rhine, believe me, from th' Elbe to the salt sea.

With such a king for husband needs must thou happy be."

CIII

"Ah! why," said she, "dear brother, advise me to my bale?

Sure it befits me better ever to weep and wail.

How could I ever venture to yonder court to go?

If I once had beauty, 'tis withered all with woe."

CIV

Thereat to her dear daughter, the Lady Uta spake, "Give ear unto thy brethren, dear child, their counsel take; Do what thy friends advise thee, 'twill to thy profit be.

Thy never-ending sorrow it has griev'd my heart to see."

CV

Full oft she G.o.d entreated, nor ceas'd for wealth to pray, That she might give to others gold, silver, garments gay, As erst, ere n.o.ble Siegfried, her warlike lord, was slain, Yet never liv'd the mourner such happy hours again.

CVI

Then to herself thus thought she, "How can I Etzel wed?

I, a Christian woman, share a heathen's bed?

Throughout the world dishonor would surely be my due.

No--not for all his kingdoms thus could I ever do."

CVII

So let she rest the matter. All night till break of day With troublous thoughts companion'd on her weary couch she lay, Nor ceas'd the tears a moment from her fair eyes to flow, Till early dawn to matins bade the pale mourner go.

CVIII

Just at ma.s.s time returning the kings her brethren came; To their reluctant sister their suit was still the same; To wed the King of Hungary they urg'd her o'er and o'er, But not a whit more yielding they found her than before.

CIX

Then summon'd were the warriors that came on Etzel's part; They sought a farewell audience ere they should home depart, Successful or successless, as it might chance to fall.

To court straight came Sir Rudeger and his valiant comrades all.

CX

These press'd their n.o.ble leader ever by the way To learn the mind of Gunther, and that without delay, For they had far to travel back to their homes, they said.

Straight was good Sir Rudeger to Kriemhild's presence led.

CXI

With soft persuasive accents the knight began to pray The fair and high-born lady, that she to him would say, What answer to King Etzel she to return would deign.

Naught, ween I, but denial he from her lips could gain.

CXII

"She'd take no second husband, love she could feel for none."

"Nay," said the n.o.ble margrave, "that were unwisely done.

Why such surpa.s.sing beauty waste in a mourning bed?