Classic Poem

1243

Then spake her brother Giselher: / " Sister, to me 'tis told —
And well may I believe it — / that thy grief manifold
Etzel complete will scatter, / an tak'st thou him for man.
Whate'er be other's counsel, / meseems it were a thing well done. "

1244

Further eke spake Giselher: / " Console thee well may he.
From Rhone unto Rhine river, / from Elbe unto the sea,
King there is none other / that holds so lordly sway.
An he for spouse do take thee, / gladden thee full well he may. "

1245

" Brother loved full dearly, / wherefore dost counsel it?
To mourn and weep forever / doth better me befit.
How may I 'mid warriors / appear in royal state?
Was ever fair my body, / of beauty now 'tis desolate. "

1246

Then spake the Lady Ute / her daughter dear unto:
" The thing thy brother counsels, / my loving child, that do.
By thy friends be guided, / then with thee well 'twill be.
Long time it now hath grieved me / thee thus disconsolate to see. "

1247

Then prayed she God with fervor / that he might her provide
With store of gold and silver / and raiment rich beside,
As erstwhile when her husband / did live a stately thane:
Since then so happy hour / never had she known again.

1248

In her own bosom thought she: / " An shall I not deny
My body to a heathen / — a Christian lady I —
So must I while life lasteth / have shame to be my own.
An gave he realms unnumbered, / such thing by me might ne'er be done. "

1249

And there withal she left it. / The night through until day,
Upon her couch the lady / with mind full troubled lay.
Nor yet her eyes full shining / of tears at all were free,
Until upon the morrow / forth to matins issued she.

1250

When for mass was sounded, / came there the kings likewise.
Again did they their sister / by faithful word advise
To take for spouse unto her / of Hunland the king.
All joyless was the visage / they saw the lady thither bring.

1251

They bade the men of Etzel / thither lead again,
Who unto their country / fain their leave had ta'en,
Their message won or fruitless, / how that soe'er might be.
Unto the court came Ruediger. / Full eager were his company

1252

By the knight to be informed / how the thing befell,
And if betimes they knew it / 'twould please them all full well,
For weary was the journey / and long unto their land.
Soon did the noble Ruediger / again in Kriemhild's presence stand.

1253

In full earnest manner / then the knight gan pray
The high royal lady / that she to him might say
What were from her the message / to Etzel he should bear.
Naught but denial only / did he from the lady hear,

1254

For that her love might never / by man again be won.
Thereto spake the margrave: / " Ill such thing were done.
Wherefore such fair body / wilt thou to ruin give?
Spouse of knight full worthy / may'st thou yet in honor live. "

1255

Naught booted how they besought her, / till that Ruediger
Spake in secret manner / in the high lady's ear,
How Etzel should requite her / for ills she e'er did know.
Then gan her mickle sorrow / milder at the thought to grow.

1256

Unto the queen then spake he: / " Let now thy weeping be.
If 'mong the Huns hadst thou / other none than me
And my faithful kinsmen / and my good men alone,
Sorely must he repay it / who hath aught to thee of evil done. "

1257

Thereat apace all lighter / the lady's sorrow grew,
She spake: " So swear thou truly, / what any 'gainst me do,
That thou wilt be the foremost / my sorrows to requite. "
Thereto spake the margrave: / " Lady, to thee my word I plight. "

1258

With all his men together / sware then Ruediger
Faithfully to serve her, / and in all things whatsoe'er
Naught would e'er deny her / the thanes from Etzel's land,
Whereof she might have honor: / thereto gave Ruediger his hand.

1259

Then thought the faithful lady: / " Since I thus have won
Band of friends so faithful, / care now have I none
How shall speak the people / in my sore need of me.
The death of my loved husband / perchance shall yet avenged be. "

1260

Thought she: " Since hath Etzel / so many knights and true,
An shall I but command them, / whate'er I will I do.
Eke hath he such riches / that free may be my hand:
Bereft of all my treasure / by Hagen's faithless art I stand. "

1261

Then spake she unto Ruediger: / " Were it not, as I do know,
The king is yet a heathen, / so were I fain to go
Whithersoe'er he willed it, / and take him for my lord. "
Thereto spake the margrave: / " Lady, no longer hold such word.

1262

" Such host he hath of warriors / who Christians are as we,
That beside the monarch / may care ne'er come to thee.
Yea, may he be baptized / through thee to Christian life:
Well may'st thou then rejoice thee / to be the royal Etzel's wife. "