hen Lady Helca (2) died and the king Etzel sought
another wife, that his friends advised his marriage to a proud widow in
the Burgundian land, hight Lady Kriemhild. Since fair Helca was dead,
they spake: "Would ye gain a noble wife, the highest and the best king
ever won, then take this same lady; the stalwart Siegfried was her
husband."

Then spake the mighty king: "How might that chance, sith I am heathen
and be christened not a whit, whereas the lady is a Christian and
therefore would not plight her troth? It would be a marvel, and that
ever happed."

The doughty warriors answered: "What if she do it, perchance, for the
sake of your high name and your mickle goods? One should at least make a
trial for the noble dame. Well may ye love the stately fair."

The noble king then spake: "Which of you be acquaint with the people and
the land by the Rhine?"

Up spake then the good knight Rudeger of Bechelaren: (3) "I have known
from a child the three noble and lordly kings, Gunther and Gernot, the
noble knights and good; the third hight Giselher. Each of them doth use
the highest honors and courtesie, as their forebears, too, have always
done."

Then answered Etzel: "Friend, I prithee, tell me whether she should wear
the crown in this my land. An' she be so fair, as hath been told me, it
shall never rue my dearest kin."

"She compareth well in beauty with my Lady Helca, the royal queen.
Certes, there might not be in all this world a king's bride more fair.
He may well be of good cheer to whom she plight her troth."

He spake: "So bring it to pass, Rudeger, as I be dear to thee; and if
ever I do lie at Kriemhild's side, I will requite thee for it as best
I may. Then hast thou done my will in fullest wise. From my treasure
chambers I will bid thee be given such store of horses, of clothes and
all thou wilt, that thou and thy fellowship may live full merrily. I'll
bid full plenty of these things be made ready against thine errand."

To this the lordly margrave Rudeger replied: "Craved I thy goods, that
were not worthy of praise. With mine own goods, which I have from thy
hands, will I gladly be thy envoy to the Rhine."

Then spake the mighty king: "Now when wilt thou ride for the fair? May
God keep thee and my lady in all worship on the journey. May fortune
help me, that she look with favor on my suit."

Rudeger made answer: "Ere we void the land, we must first make ready
arms and trappings, that we may stand with ho