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Then spake to him the margrave: “The four and twentieth day

From now, I dare to promise, shall see us on our way.

I’ll send and tell Gotlinda, my dear wife, presently,

That I myself will envoy unto Kriemhilda be.”

So thence unto Bechlaren sent Rüdeger straightway.

Both sorrowful and proud was the margravine that day.

A wife by him, he told her, must for the king be woo’d;

Still tenderly, as living, she thought of Helka good.

For when her husband’s letter the margravine did spell

Some little was she troubled and straight to weeping fell.

Would she another mistress like her have e’er again?

And when she thought of Helka it gave her heartfelt pain.

In seven days’ space had Rüdeger set forth from Hungary.

A glad man was King Etzel, and gay at heart was he.

Already in Vienna the travelling gear was made,

Nor would he that the journey should longer be delayed.

Gotlinda at Bechlaren awaited Rüdeger;

The margravine his daughter was also waiting there,

And glad she was on seeing her father and his men.

And many fair young maidens watch’d kindly for them then.

Ere Rüdeger the noble forth for Bechlaren went

From out Vienna’s city, all his accoutrement

Was perfectly made ready and on the sumpters laid.

They travell’d in such fashion that nothing was waylaid.