Spake that true-hearted herald: "Unto you by Rhine which dwell In all manner of loyal service my King commendeth him well And to all thy friends and kinsmen, the vassals of thy throne. In faithfulness utter-loyal is this my message done. The noble King requesteth that ye mourn his hapless lot; For his people be sitting joyless: our Lady and Queen is not. The wife of my good Lord, Helka the mighty, low is laid, Whereby are young lives orphaned, even many a tender maid, Children of noble princes, whom she fostered in bower and hall, Whereby the whole land sitteth dark-shrouded in sorrow's pall; For now, ah me, have they no one whose love shall bless them and ward. Long shall it be ere assuaging come to the grief of my Lord!" "God guerdon him," said Gunther, "that so graciously he commends His loving and courteous service unto me and these my friends! Gladly I hearken the greeting borne this day unto me, And willing service I tender from me and mine by thee." Outspake a Prince Burgundian, and the good knight Gernot said: "Well may the world sit mourning that Helka the fair is dead; For in her did princely virtues and the law of kindness reign." "This witness is true: I have seen it," said Hagen the high-born thane. But again that noble herald, Lord Rüdiger, spake on: "Lord King, now suffer me further: mine errand not yet is done. I would utter the word of my dear Lord, the which by my mouth he saith. He liveth in sorrow exceeding since the Lady Helka's death. They have told my Lord that Kriemhild sitteth a widow alone, Now that Siegfried is dead. If it be so, if the truth unto him hath been shown, Then if thou, O King, accord it, beneath the crown shall she stand Before the knights of Etzel. I have spoken my Lord's command." {P. 164} Answered and spake King Gunther of his princely-courteous mind: "She shall hear my will in the matter, if her heart be so inclined. Thereof will I certify you in three days from this day. Or ever I prove her heart's wish, why should I say thee nay?"