How King Etzel Sent into Burgundy to Propose for Kriemhild, LXXI–CV

Then spake in wrath Sir Giselher, fair Uta's youngest son, "We must not sure like traitors demean us every one. Her good should make us happy, her hopes we should fulfil. Howe'er you murmur, Hagan, I'll serve her truly still."

Ill pleas'd thereat was Hagan, and darkly frowning stood. Gernot straight and Giselher, the noble knights and good, And the rich King Gunther in this conclusion met, T' assent, if Kriemhild wish'd it, and all ill will forget.

"I'll go and tell my lady," said Gary there in place, "That forthwith to King Etzel she may accord her grace. He holds such countless warriors beneath his awful sway; Full well may he requite her for many a mournful day."

Swift went the chief to Kriemhild, exulting for her sake; Gladly she receiv'd him; how quickly then he spake! "Well may you greet me, lady; my newsman's guerdon give; You and your woes are parted—henceforth with pleasure live.

"One of the mightiest monarchs that ever sceptre bore Of far-extended kingdoms, or crown imperial wore, Now for your love is suing; noble knights, his friends, Are hither come to woo you; this news your brother sends."

Then spake the sorrow-laden, "Now God in heaven forfend That you, or any other that calls himself my friend, Should mock a lonely widow! Who once has gain'd the free And virgin love of woman, how can he think of me?"

Firmly she made denial; together came to her Next her two faithful brethren, Gernot and Giselher. With loving words they cheer'd her, and kindly urg'd her, too, To take the king for husband; right well she thus would do.

Yet could not all persuasion the faithful mourner bring To choose a second lover, and yield unto the king. Then begg'd the noble warriors, "If nothing more can be, Consent at least a moment the messengers to see."

"I'll not deny," soft sighing the noble dame replied, "But that I'd fain see Rudeger renown'd so far and wide For all his many virtues: 'tis due to him alone; Were't any other envoy, to him I'd ne'er be known.

"So beg him," said she further, "to let me see him here In my bower to-morrow; then I'll acquaint his ear Myself with all my wishes and tell him all my tale." Then bitterly began she once more to weep and wail.

Nothing the noble Rudeger had more desir'd, I ween, Than to obtain an audience of that fair widow'd queen. Such he well knew his wisdom and smooth persuasive skill, He doubted not, to reason he'd bend her stubborn will.

So early on the morrow, about the matin song, Forth came the noble envoys; there was a mighty throng; To court with the good margrave there went a gorgeous crowd, In glittering weed accoutred, of high-born knights and proud.

Kriemhild, the fair, the spotless, amidst her ladies stood, Waiting for Sir Rudeger the noble envoy good. He found her in the vesture that every day she wore; Her dames stood by in raiment all work'd and broider'd o'er.

To the door to meet him with stately step she went, And well and warmly welcom'd the chief from Etzel sent. Eleven good knights were with him, himself the twelfth was there. Ne'er came such high-born suitors to woo a queen so fair.

They bade the chief be seated, and with him all his band. There the two noble margraves were seen before her stand, Eckewart and Gary; none there was blithe or glad; All wore one face of mourning, e'en as their lady sad.

Before her meekly seated many a fair maid was seen, Pale sorrowful companions of that woe-wither'd queen. The cloth, that veil'd her bosom, with scalding tears was wet. Well saw the noble margrave, her grief was lively yet.

Then spake the high-born envoy, "Fair child of mightiest kings, To me and to my comrades after our wanderings, Vouchsafe now your permission before you here to stand, And tell what brought us hither from our far-distant land."

"Now take my full permission," the queen said with a sigh, "And speak your wishes freely; not ill inclin'd am I To hear you, honored margrave! You are an envoy good." Thereby her firm reluctance the rest well understood.

Then the Prince of Bechlaren, Sir Rudeger, thus spake, "The mighty monarch Etzel, lady! for your fair sake Has bidd'n me journey hither, and many a good knight too Has sent with me to Rhineland all for your hand to sue.

"True love to you he proffers, pleasure unmix'd with pain, A firm unswerving friendship, that shall to death remain; Such love he bore Dame Helca; deep in his heart she lay; He now for her lost virtues leads many a joyless day."

Then thus the queen made answer, "Margrave Rudeger, If man could feel my sorrows, no suit would vex my ear, Again to take a husband, and be again undone. More have I lost already than woman ever won."

"What more amends for anguish," the warrior answer'd kind, "Than faithful love unchanging, could one the blessing find, Choosing the heart's beloved and choosing not amiss? For life-consuming sorrow what sweeter balm than this?

"To love my noble master should you consenting deign, You o'er twelve mighty kingdoms a crownéd queen shall reign. And more than thirty princedoms he at your feet will lay, Won by his matchless puissance in many a bloody fray.

"To you, besides, obedience many a good knight shall do, That to my Lady Helca were wont to serve and sue. And all the dames and damsels, that once swell'd Helca's state. Daughters of high-born princes, shall now on Kriemhild wait.

"Thereto my lord will give you (this bade he me declare), If you vouchsafe beside him the queenly crown to wear, The highest rights and honors that once were Helca's due; All these before his liegemen shall be transferred to you."

"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."

"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 passes, some varied pleasure bring; Such store of courtly warriors has our redoubted king.

"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."

"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.

So to their several chambers the lofty strangers went. Straight to her brother Giselher the noble 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.

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.

"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."

"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."

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."

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