Rudeger's daughter was looked at with loving eyes, she was so fair; and
many a good knight loved her in his heart. And well they might, for she
was an high-hearted maiden. But their thoughts were vain: it could not
be.

They kept spying at the women, whereof many sat round. Now the fiddler
was well-minded to Rudeger.

Women and knights were parted then, as was the custom, and went into
separate rooms. The table was made ready in the great hall, and willing
service was done to the strangers.

To show love to the guests, the Margravine went to table with them. She
left her daughter with the damsels, as was seemly, albeit it irked the
guests to see her no longer.

When they had all drunk and eaten, they brought the fair ones into the
hall again, and there was no lack of sweet words. Folker, a knight bold
and good, spake plenty of them. This same fiddler said openly, "Great
Margrave, God hath done well by thee, for He hath given thee a right
beautiful wife, and happy days. Were I a king," said the minstrel, "and
wore a crown, I would choose thy sweet daughter for my queen. She would
be the choice of my heart, for she is fair to look upon, and, thereto,
noble and good."

The Margrave answered, "How should a king covet my dear daughter? My
wife and I are both strangers here, and have naught to give. What
availeth then her beauty?"

But said Gernot, the courteous man, "Might I choose where I would, such a
wife were my heart's desire."

Then said Hagen graciously, "It is time Giselher wedded. Of such high
lineage is the noble Margravine, that we would gladly serve her, I and
his men, if she wore the crown in Burgundy."

The word pleased both Rudeger and Gotelind greatly. Their hearts were
uplifted. So it was agreed among the heroes that noble Giselher should
take her to wife; the which a king might well do without shame.

If a thing be right, who can withstand it? They bade the maiden before
them, and they swore to give her to him, whereupon he vowed to cherish
her. They gave her castles and lands for her share. The king and Gernot
sware with the hand that it should be even as they had promised.

Then said the Margrave, "Since I have no castles, I can only prove me
your true friend evermore. I will give my daughter as much silver and
gold as an hundred sumpters may carry, that ye warriors may, with honour,
be content."

Then the twain were put in a circle, as the custom was. Many a young
knight