become his
wife."

Said Hagen: "Never will I give you this advice."

For Gernot and Giselher men bade send to learn whether the two lords
would think it well that Kriemhild should take the mighty and noble
king. Hagen still gainsaid, but no one other. Then spake the knight
Giselher of Burgundy: "Friend Hagen, ye may still show your fealty. Make
her to forget the wrongs that ye have done her. Whatever good fortune
she may have, this ye should not oppose. Ye have in truth done my sister
so many an ill," continued Giselher, the full lusty knight, "that she
hath good cause, if she be angry with you. Never hath one bereft a lady
of greater joys."

Quoth Hagen: "I'll do you to wit what well I know. If she take Etzel and
live long enow, she'll do us still much harm in whatever way she can.
Forsooth full many a stately vassal will own her service."

To this brave Gernot answered: "It may not happen, that we ever ride to
Etzel's land before they both be dead. Let us serve her faithfully, that
maketh for our honor."

Again Hagen spake: "None can gainsay me, an' the noble Kriemhild wear
the crown of Helca, she will do us harm as best she may. Ye should give
it over, 'twould beseem you knights far better."

Wrathfully then spake Giselher, fair Uta's son: "Let us not all act as
traitors. We should be glad of whatever honors may be done her. Whatever
ye may say, Hagen, I shall serve her by my troth."

Gloomy of mood grew Hagen when he heard these words. Gernot and
Giselher, the proud knights and good, and Gunther, the mighty, spake at
last, if Kriemhild wished it, they would let it hap without all hate.

Then spake Prince Gere: "I will tell the lady that she look with favor
upon King Etzel, to whom so many knights owe dread obedience. He can
well requite her of all the wrongs that have been done her."

Then the doughty warrior hied him to where he saw Kriemhild. Kindly she
received him. How quickly then he spake: "Ye may well greet me gladly
and give me a messenger's meed. Fortune is about to part you from all
your woes. For the sake of your love, my lady, one of the very best that
ever gained a kingdom with great honors, or should wear a crown, hath
sent envoys hither. Noble knights be wooing; this my brother bade me
tell you."

Then spake the sorrow-laden dame: "God should forbid you and all my
kinsmen that ye make a mock of me, poor woman. What could I be to a man
who had ever gained heartfelt love from a faithful wife