Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/214

156 whether she should wear the crown in this my land. An’ she be so fair, as hath been told me, it shall never rue my dearest kin.”

“She compareth well in beauty with my Lady Helca, the royal queen. Certes, there might not be in all this world a king’s bride more fair. He may well be of good cheer to whom she plight her troth.”

He spake: “So bring it to pass, Rüdeger, as I be dear to thee; and if ever I do lie at Kriemhild’s side, I will requite thee for it as best I may. Then hast thou done my will in fullest wise. From my treasure chambers I will bid thee be given such store of horses, of clothes and all thou wilt, that thou and thy fellowship may live full merrily. I’ll bid full plenty of these things be made ready against thine errand.”

To this the lordly margrave Rüdeger replied: “Craved I thy goods, that were not worthy of praise. With mine own goods, which I have from thy hands, will I gladly be thy envoy to the Rhine.”

Then spake the mighty king: “Now when wilt thou ride for the fair? May God keep thee and my lady in all worship on the journey. May fortune help me, that she look with favor on my suit.”

Rüdeger made answer: “Ere we void the land, we must first make ready arms and trappings, that we may stand with honor before princes. I will lead to the Rhine five hundred stately men, that wherever in Burgundy I and mine be seen, all may say of thee: ‘Never did any king send afar so many men in better wise than thou hast done to the Rhine.’ If thou, O mighty king, wilt not turn back on this account, I’ll tell thee that her noble love was subject unto Siegfried,