Then said Giselher, the knight of Burgundy, “Do fairly by her for once, friend Hagen. Make good to her the hurt thou hast done her. Let her prosper without grudging it. Thou hast caused her much sorrow, and well might she hate thee. Never was woman bereft by any man of more joy.” “Trow me, I know that well. And were she to take Etzel, and to live long enow, she would do us all the hurt she could. She will have many valiant men to serve her.” But bold Gernot answered Hagen, “Belike we shall never come into Etzel’s land till they be both dead. Let us do truly by her, and it will be to our honour.” Said Hagen, “None need tell me that. If Kriemhild wear Helca’s crown, she will do us all the hurt she can. Let the thing alone; it were better for you knights.” Then Giselher, fair Uta’s son, spake angrily, “We will not all do basely. If aught good befall her, we shall be glad. For all thou canst say, Hagen, I will serve her truly.” When Hagen heard that, he was wroth. Gernot and Giselher, the proud knights and good, and Gunther, the great king, agreed in the end, that they would allow it gladly, if Kriemhild were so minded. Then Prince Gary said, “I will tell the lady, that she may incline her heart to King Etzel, for many a knight is his vassal. He may make good to her the wrong she hath suffered.” The good knight went to Kriemhild. She welcomed him kindly, and he said without ado, “Greet me gladly, and give me the envoy’s meed, for good fortune parteth thee from all thy dole. One of the best men that ever ruled a king’s land with honour, or wore a crown, hath sent hither to sue for thy love. Noble knights are come wooing for him; thy brother bade tell thee this.” But the sorrowful one said, “God forbid that thou and all my friends should mock my misery. What could I be to a man that hath known the heart’s love of a good wife?” She would none of it. But Gernot, her brother, and Giselher the youth, came to her, and lovingly they bade her be comforted, for, if she took the king, it were truly to her profit. But none could prevail on the lady to wed with any man. Then the knights prayed her, saying, “Receive the envoys, 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.