?"

Sorely she gainsaid it, but then came Gernot, her brother, and Giselher,
the youth, and lovingly bade her ease her heart. It would do her good in
truth, could she but take the king.

None might persuade the lady that she should marry any man. Then the
knights begged: "If ye do naught else, pray let it hap that ye deign to
see the messengers."

"I'll not deny," spake the noble dame, "but that I should gladly see
the Margrave Rudeger for his passing courtesie. Were he not sent hither,
whoever else might be the messenger, never should he become acquainted
with me. Pray bid him come to-morrow to my bower. I'll let him hear my
will in full and tell it him myself." At this her great laments brake
forth anew.

The noble Rudeger now craved naught else but that he might see the
high-born queen. He wist himself to be so wise that she could not but
let the knight persuade her, if it should ever be. Early on the morrow
when mass was sung, the noble envoys came. A great press arose; of those
who should go to court with Rudeger, many a lordly man was seen arrayed.
Full sad of mood, the high-born Kriemhild bided the noble envoy and
good. He found her in the weeds she wore each day, whereas her handmaids
wore rich clothes enow. She went to meet him to the door and greeted
full kindly Etzel's liegeman. Only as one of twelve he went to meet her.
Men offered him great worship, for never were come more lofty envoys.
They bade the lording and his vassals seat them. Before her were seen to
stand the two Margraves Eckewart and Gere, the noble knights and good.
None they saw merry of mood, for the sake of the lady of the house. Many
fair women were seen to sit before her, but Kriemhild only nursed her
grief; her dress upon her breast was wot with scalding tears. This the
noble margrave noted well on Kriemhild.

Then spake the high-born messenger: "Most noble princess, I pray you,
permit me and my comrades that are come with me, to stand before you and
tell you the tidings for the sake of which we have ridden hither."

"Now may ye speak whatso ye list," spake the queen. "I am minded to hear
it gladly; ye be a worthy messenger."

The others noted well her unwilling mood.

Then spake Prince Rudeger of Bechelaren: "Etzel, a high-born king,
hath in good faith sent you a friendly greeting, my lady, by messengers
hither to this land. Many good knights hath he sent hither for your
love. Great joy without grief he doth offer you most truly