Unto God then earnestly prayed she the path of her feet to…

Unto God then earnestly prayed she the path of her feet to show; For, albeit hers should be raiment and silver and gold to bestow, As of yore when she dwelt with her husband, when his life within him was whole, The glorious hours of the old time could no more gladden her soul. Aye in her heart was she musing: "And can I link my life With a husband that is a heathen—and I, a Christian wife? Reproach must then be my portion through all the earth, and shame. Though he gave the whole world's riches, not so could I stain my name!" So even there did she leave it. The livelong night till the day With deep heart-searchings haunted on her bed that lady lay; And her eyes, the starry-shining, from tears were never dry, Till she rose, and passed to the mass-tide when the morning sun was high. Now also unto the mass-tide were come those princes three; And they took the hand of their sister, and spake to her lovingly, Still counselling her unto marriage with the Lord of the Hunland folk: But never the light of smiling o'er the face of sadness broke.

Then sent they for Etzel's heralds once more to her presence to come— For now from the land of Gunther would they fain be faring home Bearing consent or denial, as Kriemhild's mind might be. Then Rüdiger came to the palace. Now his fellows instantly Urged him to seek decision of the mind of the noble King, And betimes to end their doubting: such was the counselling Of all; for a weary journey to their land before them lay. So into the presence of Kriemhild Rüdiger brought they. With words exceeding courteous that gallant knight drew nigh To the lady sorrow-stricken, and prayed her to make reply For the message wherewith she would charge him, to bear to the land of the Hun. But the herald with all his pleading nought but denial won:— "Never man will I love hereafter, nor another husband wed!" "Nay, Lady," answered the Margrave, "is the word so wisely said? Wherefore to sorrow's blasting this glory of beauty ban, When thou mayest become with honour the bride of a good true man?"

Yet nothing availed their pleading, till Rüdiger drew near, And murmured a word in secret in the Lady Kriemhild's ear That for all the wrongs she had suffered should requital be made unto her. Now sinketh the storm of her sorrow as the new thoughts inly stir. Yet again to the Queen he whispered: "Let be thy mourning and moan; For, though thou hadst mid the Hunfolk none save me alone, Even me and my loyal kinsmen, and my vassals stout and true, Whosoever had wronged thee, Lady, we would make him bitterly rue." Then the face of the lady lightened, her eyes like steel flashed keen— "Swear unto me," she answered, "whatsoever my wrong hath been, That, Rüdiger, thou wilt be foremost to avenge me with heart and hand." Made answer to her the Margrave: "Unto this, Queen, will I stand." For himself and for all his vassals Rüdiger sware to her then To the death evermore to serve her, and that he and his mighty men Would deny or delay her nothing afar in Etzel's land, Whatsoever her honour demanded; and to this he gave his hand.

Then thought the Faithful-hearted: "Since I thus lightly have won Friends so many and steadfast, I will e'en let folk say on What things they list of 'the Heathen'! O sorrow-laden wife!— What and if I at last win vengeance for my lost belovèd's life?" She thought: "Since this King Etzel is served of many a knight Over whom shall I be mistress, I may do as seemeth me right. He hath such stintless treasures, I may yet give bounteously:— All that was mine hath Hagen the ruthless torn from me!" Again unto Rüdiger spake she: "Except I had heard folk say That the King is a heathen, gladly my feet should tread the way Whither the great King biddeth, and him for my lord would I take." "Fret not thyself, O Lady," he answered, "for such words' sake. (C) Not wholly is he a heathen; this know thou for very sooth. For my belovèd master was indeed baptized in his youth, Though haply he since have turned him unto ancient altar and fane. But, Lady, if thou wilt wed him, his heart may be turned yet again.

So many good knights serve him which be thanes of Christ the Lord, That no ill may betide thee with the King, or in deed or word. And what if thine holy converse thy lord to the font should bring? Then proud wert thou and happy to be wife of Etzel the King!"

Then spake unto her her brethren: "Belovèd sister, consent, And all thy tribulation shall be swallowed up in content." So long and so instantly prayed they, that the Queen of the Sorrowful Life Pledged her at last to the heroes to be King Etzel's wife. She spake: "I needs must yield me, a crown of sorrow who wear, With you to go to the Hunfolk when ye bid me thither to fare, If I find friends trusty and loyal to lead me hence to your land." And thereto in the heroes' presence fair Kriemhild gave her hand.

Answered the Lord of the Marches: "Though thou have but liegemen twain, Thereto can I add full many. With all these in thy train Of a surety in safety and honour shalt thou be brought over Rhine. Lady, tarry no longer in the land that is no more thine! Knights have I here five hundred, and kinsmen, a warrior-band. Lo, these be all thy servants, both here and in Etzel's land, Sworn to do all thy bidding. I stand by my plighted troth. I will shame mine honour never when thou biddest remember mine oath. Prepare then journeying-raiment and the trappings of the steed. As touching Rüdiger's counsel, thou never shalt rue his rede. And bid thy maidens who journey with thee that they swiftly prepare. Many a chosen hero shall meet us as onward we fare."

Still had they the trappings and housings wherewith they wont to ride In Siegfried's days, so that maidens many in pomp and pride Might fare in the train of Kriemhild, what time she would be gone. How goodly the jewelled saddles for those fair ladies shone! What lovely raiment soever they had e'er worn theretofore, Thereof for this wondrous journey they brought forth all their store.

From casket and bolted coffer they drew forth vesture and gem— Such marvels of the splendour of Etzel were told unto them. Busy they were and eager till the eve of the fifth bright day. Out of the presses sought they all things therein that lay.

And Kriemhild now bestirred her to unlock her treasury Of purpose to load with riches all Rüdiger's company. Still had she somewhat remaining of the gold of the Niblung Land; And this to the Hunnish heroes would she deal with lavish hand. Scarce could a hundred horses bear thence that precious load. But some talebearer to Hagen the purpose of Kriemhild showed. "Never," he said, "will Kriemhild forgive me that ancient wrong: Therefore the gold of Siegfried must needs here bide full long. Should I leave so mighty a treasure to my bitterest foes, and rue? Right well do I know what Kriemhild with all this wealth would do! If forth of the land she convey it, I know this certainly That with champions she will but share it, to stir up foes against me:— And she hath not so much as horses of number to bear it away! Hagen for her will keep it: to Kriemhild thus let them say."

When the thing was told unto Kriemhild, she was stung with indignant pain. Of the tyrannous wrong of Hagen to the three Kings did she complain. His will were they fain to have thwarted, but his purpose none could shake. Then Rüdiger the noble lightly to Kriemhild spake: "O high-born Daughter of Princes, wherefore lament for the gold? Unto thee is my Lord King Etzel so loving and bounteous-souled, That, soon as his eyes have beheld thee, he will give thee such rich store That never thine hands may spend it: I pledge my faith therefor." Unto him the Queen made answer: "O noble Rüdiger, Never had Daughter of Princes such treasure bequeathed unto her As that whereof Hagen hath stripped me with neither ruth nor shame!" Then to the treasury royal her brother Gernot came: In the door did he set the great key with authority as of a king, And all the treasure of Kriemhild forth of the place did they bring,

Marks full thirty thousand—yea, more, it may haply be— That the guests might take it; and Gunther rejoiced that deed to see. But out spake he of Bechlaren, the fair Gotlinda's lord: "Nay, though 'neath the hand of Kriemhild lay all the treasure-hoard That ever was brought aforetime out of the Niblungs' land, Nor I nor the Queen my Lady would touch the same with a hand. Back let them take, let them keep it; for I thereof will naught. Of mine own wealth out of my country such plenty have I brought, That of this no whit for our journey shall we need, through the land as we fare. Even we for our own wayfaring have gotten enough and to spare."

Yet had her maidens already therefrom filled coffers twelve Of gold the finest and purest that miner ever may delve. And with these they bare from the city many a precious thing, Even jewels and gems, that the maidens would wear in their journeying; —Yet still by the dread overshadowed of Hagen's might were they;— And a thousand marks for masses yet by Kriemhild lay: For the peace of the soul of Siegfried she gave them as love's last due. And Rüdiger thought: "This woman is faithful and loving and true."

Then spake that Lady of Sorrows: "Who love me yet so well That for me they be willing as strangers in a strange land to dwell? Who now will companion my journey, unto Etzel's land as I ride? Let them take of my gold, and purvey them horses, and raiment provide." Then Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, drew nigh, and thus spake he: "Since the day when I was appointed to wait, O Queen, upon thee, Faithfully and truly have I served thee," said that thane; "Now also to my life's ending in my fealty will I remain. Good knights withal five hundred of mine own will I take with me, And I tender to thee their service in faith and fealty. We will ever abide unsundered, except death make an end." Low bowed her Kriemhild, and thanked him, that loving and loyal friend.