Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/273

XX.]

After the death of Siegfried, as verily appears,

With many troubles burthen’d she dwelt for thirteen years;

And all the while could never forget the warrior dead.

She aye was faithful to him: that all the people said.

Now on a time it happen’d that lady Helka died;

Then was King Etzel minded to woo another bride:

His friends all bade him look to the land of Burgundy,

Towards a high-born widow; Kriemhilda named was she.

Soon after the fair Helka departed had this life,

Quoth they: “If thou would’st ever possess a noble wife,—

The highest and most worthy that king did ever have,

Then take this selfsame lady, widow of Siegfried brave.”

“How might that be accomplish’d,” then said the mighty king,

“Seeing Tamaheathen and ne’er had christening?

The lady is a Christian; she never would agree,

A miracle must happen, if this should ever be.”

The ready ones made answer: “What if perchance she should?

With thy high name to help thee and all thy substance good,

To win the noble lady one very well might try.

To woo so fair a person would please you verily.”