Then spake unto him Queen Kriemhild: "Lord Margrave Rüdiger, If of mine heart's affliction any man were ware, He would counsel me never to hearken if another man should woo, Who have lost the best and the dearest that ever woman knew." "Wherein is there comfort for sorrow," answered the valiant thane, "More than in love of a true heart? Whoso this treasure may gain, And hath won whom his heart hath chosen, and filled the void thereof, He proveth that for sorrow there is no salve like unto love. And if thou to my noble master wilt yield thy love, and wed, Twelve crowns of mighty kingdoms will he set upon thine head, Yea, and of thirty princes my Lord shall give thee the lands; Subject are they, overmastered by his all-conquering hands. Thou shalt be withal liege-lady of many a warrior bold Which were vassals to my mistress Helka in days of old, And of many a high-born lady from princely lineage sprung That to her once rendered service"--spake on that winning tongue-- "This also the King shall give thee, he bade me say unto thee, So thou yield to wear beside him the crown of royalty, Power, even the highest that ever in the hands of Helka lay; All the warrior-vassals of Etzel thee also shall obey." "Ah me! how could I ever," Queen Kriemhild mournfully cried, "Incline mine heart hereafter to be any hero's bride, Even I, whom death hath stricken through one with such bitter grief That unto my life's end never from pain shall I find relief?" {P. 169} "O mighty Queen," the Hunfolk unto Kriemhild made reply, "Their life who dwell with Etzel so royally fleeteth by, That a dream of delight shall thy days be, if thou hearken our counselling. O, many a gallant baron doeth homage to Etzel the King. And the bower-maidens of Helka and they that be here with thee Shall wait upon thy pleasure in one bright company; And many a knight beholding these shall be glad of heart. For thy good shall it fall, O Lady, if thou choose the better part." Then she spake like a courteous lady: "Awhile from speech refrain Till the morning-tide of to-morrow; then come ye to me again. So touching this your petition will I tell you mine intent." And the valiant barons of Hunland thereto must needs consent.