Before her meekly seated many a fair maid was seen, Pale sorrowful companions of that woe-wither'd queen. The cloth, that veil'd her bosom, with scalding tears was wet. Well saw the noble margrave, her grief was lively yet. LXXXVII Then spake the high-born envoy, "Fair child of mightiest kings, To me and to my comrades after our wanderings, Vouchsafe now your permission before you here to stand, And tell what brought us hither from our far-distant land." LXXXVIII "Now take my full permission," the queen said with a sigh, "And speak your wishes freely; not ill inclin'd am I To hear you, honored margrave! You are an envoy good." Thereby her firm reluctance the rest well understood. LXXXIX Then the Prince of Bechlaren, Sir Rudeger, thus spake, "The mighty monarch Etzel, lady! for your fair sake Has bidd'n me journey hither, and many a good knight too Has sent with me to Rhineland all for your hand to sue. XC "True love to you he proffers, pleasure unmix'd with pain, A firm unswerving friendship, that shall to death remain; Such love he bore Dame Helca; deep in his heart she lay; He now for her lost virtues leads many a joyless day." XCI Then thus the queen made answer, "Margrave Rudeger, If man could feel my sorrows, no suit would vex my ear, Again to take a husband, and be again undone. More have I lost already than woman ever won." XCII "What more amends for anguish," the warrior answer'd kind, "Than faithful love unchanging, could one the blessing find, Choosing the heart's beloved and choosing not amiss? For life-consuming sorrow what sweeter balm than this? XCIII "To love my noble master should you consenting deign, You o'er twelve mighty kingdoms a crownéd queen shall reign. And more than thirty princedoms he at your feet will lay, Won by his matchless puissance in many a bloody fray. XCIV "To you, besides, obedience many a good knight shall do, That to my Lady Helca were wont to serve and sue. And all the dames and damsels, that once swell'd Helca's state. Daughters of high-born princes, shall now on Kriemhild wait. XCV "Thereto my lord will give you (this bade he me declare), If you vouchsafe beside him the queenly crown to wear, The highest rights and honors that once were Helca's due; All these before his liegemen shall be transferred to you." XCVI "How can I feel contented," the mourning queen replied, "To wed another hero, a widow and a bride? Grim Death in one already has wounded me so sore, That nought can now await me, but sorrow evermore." XCVII "Fair queen," the Huns made answer, "if only you consent, Your days will with King Etzel so royally be spent, That each will, as it passes, some varied pleasure bring; Such store of courtly warriors has our redoubted king. XCVIII