Made answer the great King Etzel: "When think ye forth to fare To the wooing of the winsome? God take you into his care, And crown with honour mine envoys unto her, my wife that shall be, Let fortune but aid us, and Kriemhild incline to us graciously." And Rüdiger made answer: "Ere we ride from thy land away, We must needs provide us with armour and royal-rich array, To stand in the presence of princes with honour worthy of thee. I think to lead into Rhineland five hundred knights with me; So when in the realm Burgundian men look on me and mine, With one voice all the people shall cry in the land of Rhine: 'Never so far from his kingdom was such a goodly band Sent forth by a king, as Etzel hath sent to Burgundia-land!' Know thou, O King most mighty,--let the thing not give thee pause-- The wife of the chiefest hero on earth, of Siegfried, she was, Of Siegmund's son: that champion aforetime here didst thou see. Right worship-worthy might all men account him verily." Answered and spake King Etzel: "If she was his worthy mate, That noble prince's glory is so exceeding great That wholly it were for mine honour to call her my queen, I trow. So great is the fame of her beauty that mine heart goeth out to her now." Answered the Lord of the Marches: "This then remaineth to say-- Hence will we take our departing on the four-and-twentieth day. Unto Gotlind the well-belovèd, my wife, will I send the word That I for the wooing of Kriemhild am on ambassage sent of my Lord." To his wife at Bechlaren tidings sent that knightly thane. Joyful at once and sorry was that high-born chatelaine That her lord should be sent forth seeking another bride for his King; For unto the dear dead Helka did the love of her heart still cling. {P. 159} So when the messengers' tidings to the Margravine were told, Unwelcome it came in a measure, and the Lady was sorrowful-souled; For she feared she should see no mistress like her of the days of yore. Ever she thought on Helka, and her heart within her was sore. Seven days had passed, and the Margrave rode from the land of the Hun. Greatly rejoiced King Etzel that his hest so swiftly was done. In the city Vienna already was prepared their festal array, And from setting forth on his journey would the knight no longer delay. Gotlind his wife in Bechlaren for his coming eagerly stayed; And the Margravine, Rüdiger's daughter, a young and winsome maid, Was fain to behold her father and them of his vassal-throng. Sooth, that was a loving waiting of ladies fair and young.