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She sorely strove against it; but presently to her

There came her brother Gernot and the lad Giselher.

These tenderly besought her to be of cheerful mood:

If she the king would marry, ’twould be for her true good.

Not one of them was able the lady to persuade,

That she should e’er be willing another man to wed;

Then did the thanes beseech her: “At least we beg of thee—

If thou naught else wilt grant us— the messengers to see.”

“That will I not refuse ye,” replied the noble wife,

“For gladly would I look on Sir Rüdeger in life,

For all his many virtues. If he it had not been,

Whoever were the envoy, I would have stay’d unseen.”

She spake: “To-morrow morning, I pray ye, bid him go

To see me in my chamber; then will I let him know

What is my will, right surely: to tell him am I fain.”

Then did her grievous sorrow break forth in tears again.

To Rüdeger the noble naught better could have been

Than that he should be granted to see the mighty queen:

He knew that, could this happen, so wise in words was he,

She, by the warrior’s talking, must needs persuaded be.

So, early on the morrow, after the mass was sung,

Arrived the noble envoys; then mighty was the throng.

Of those who to the palace with Rüdeger should go,

All gallantly accoutred; one saw a goodly show.