e we
known a truer wife.

After that Kriemhild forgave Gunther, and yet, through his fault, lost
her great treasure, her heart's dole was a thousand times worse than
afore, and she was fain to be gone. A rich palace was built for Uta fast
by the cloister of Lorsch. She left her children and went thither, and
there she lieth still, buried in her coffin.

Then said the queen, "Dearest daughter mine, since thou canst not tarry
here, dwell with me in my house at Lorsch, and cease from weeping."

But Kriemhild answered, "To whom then should I leave my husband?"

"Leave him here," said Uta.

"God in Heaven forbid!" said the good wife. "That could I never do,
dearest mother; he must go with me."

The sorrowful one had his body taken up, and his noble bones were buried
again at Lorsch beside the minster with great honour; and there the bold
hero lieth in a long coffin.

But when Kriemhild would have journeyed thither with her mother, the
which she was fain to do, she was forced to tarry, by reason of news that
came from far beyond the Rhine.

Book II

Twentieth Adventure

How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy for Kriemhild

It was in the days when Queen Helca died, and King Etzel wooed other
women, that his friends commended to him a proud widow in the land of
Burgundy, that hight Queen Kriemhild.

Seeing fair Helca was dead, they said, "If thou wouldst win a noble wife,
the highest and the best that ever a king won, take this woman. Stark
Siegfried was her husband."

The great king answered, "How could that be, since I am a heathen, and
have not received baptism? The woman is a Christian--she will not
consent. It were a wonder, truly, if it came to pass."

But the good knights said, "What if she do it gladly, for thy high name's
sake, and thy great possessions? One can ask her at the least; she were
a fitting and comely mate for thee."

Then the noble king answered, "Which among ye knoweth the folk by the
Rhine, and their land?"

Said good Rudeger of Bechlaren, "From a child I have known the high and
noble kings, Gunther and Gernot, good knights both. The third hight
Giselher; each of these doeth whatso goeth best with honour and virtue.
The like did their fathers."

But Etzel said, "Friend, tell me now, is she meet to wear the crown in my
land? If her body be so fair as they say, my best friends shall never
rue it."

"She resembleth great Helca, my mistress, for beauty. No king's wife in
t