an' he make thee his wife."

She spake: "My dear brother, why dost thou advise me this? Weeping
and wailing beseem me better far. How should I go to court before his
knights? Had I ever beauty, of this I am now bereft."

To her dear daughter the Lady Uta spake: "Whatever thy brothers counsel
thee, dear child, that do. Obey thy kindred and it will go well with
thee. I have seen thee now too long in thy great grief."

Then she prayed God full oft to grant her such store of goods that she
might have gold, silver, and clothes to give, as at her husband's side
of yore, when that he was still alive and well. Else would she never
have again such happy hours. She thought within her mind: "And shall
I give my body to a paynim (6) (I am a Christian wife), forever in the
world must I bear shame. An' he gave me all the kingdoms in the world
still 1 would not do it."

Thus she let the matter rest. All night until the break of day the lady
lay upon her bed in thought. Her bright eyes never grew dry, till on the
morn she went to matins. Just at the time for mass the kings were come
and took their sister again in hand. In truth they urged her to wed the
king of the Hunnish land; little did any of them find the lady merry.
Then they bade fetch hither Etzel's men, who now would fain have taken
their leave, whatever the end might be, whether they gained or lost
their suit. Rudeger came now to court; his heroes urged him to learn
aright the noble prince's mind. To all it seemed well that this be done
betimes, for long was the way back into their land. Men brought Rudeger
to where Kriemhild was found. Winningly the knight gan beg the noble
queen to let him hear what message she would send to Etzel's land. I
ween, he heard from her naught else than no, that she nevermore would
wed a man. The margrave spake: "That were ill done. Why would ye let
such beauty wither? Still with honor may ye become the bride of a worthy
man."

Naught booted that they urged, till Rudeger told the noble queen in
secret that he would make amends for all that ever happed to her. At
this her great sorrow grew a deal more mild. To the queen he spake: "Let
be your weeping. If ye had none among the Huns but me and my faithful
kin and liegemen, sore must he repent it who had ever done you aught."

At this the lady's mood grew gentler. She spake: "Then swear me an
oath, that whatever any do to me that ye will be the first to amend my
wrongs."

Quoth the margrave: