at the least, if thou wilt not
yield."

"That I will do," said the queen; "I am fain to see Rudeger, by reason of
his many virtues. Were it not he, but another envoy, I had remained a
stranger to him." She said, "Send him hither to my chamber to-morrow
early, and I will tell him my mind on this matter."

Then her bitter weeping began afresh.

Rudeger desired nothing better than to see the queen. He knew himself so
skilful in speech that, could it be at all, he must prevail with her.

Early the next morning when they were singing the mass, the noble envoys
came. The press was great, and the valiant men that were bound for the
court with Rudeger were richly arrayed.

Poor Kriemhild, the sad-hearted one, waited for Rudeger, the noble
envoy. He found her in the clothes that she wore every day, albeit her
attendants were in rich raiment enow. She went to the door to meet him,
and received Etzel's man kindly. With twelve knights only he came before
her. They were well entreated, for never were better envoys. They bade
the warrior and his men sit down. The two Margraves, Eckewart and Gary
stood before her, but all were sad of their countenance by reason of the
sorrowful queen; many fair women sat round her, and Kriemhild did nothing
but weep; that her robe on the bosom was wet with hot tears.

The Margrave saw this, and rose from his seat and spake courteously,
"Most noble king's daughter, grant to me and my friends that are with me,
to stand before thee and tell thee the message we bring hither."

"Thou hast permission," said the queen; "say what thou wilt, and I will
hear it gladly, for thou art a good envoy."

The others perceived her unwilling mind, but Prince Rudeger of Bechlaren
said, "Etzel, a great king, commendeth his true love to thee, here in
this land. He hath sent many good knights to sue for thy love. Love
without sorrow he offereth thee, and the like firm affection that he
showed erstwhile to Queen Helca, that lay upon his heart. Thou shalt
wear the crown, even as my mistress did aforetime."

Then said the queen, "Margrave Rudeger, none that knew my bitter woe
would counsel me to wed another man, for I lost one of the best that ever
woman had."

"What comforteth more in grief," said the bold man, "than true love? He
that chooseth to his heart's desire findeth that naught healeth sorrow
like love. If thou consent to wed my noble master, twelve royal crowns
shall be thine; thereto, my lo