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XX.]

And so she left the matter: but all night long, till day,

The lady on her pillow with endless brooding lay.

Her eyes that shone so brightly, from tears were never dried,

Until at dawn of morning unto the mass she hied.

The kings came thither also close on the hour of mass;

They had been taking counsel upon their sister’s case:

To marry they advised her the king of Hungary.

But neither found the lady disposed more cheerfully.

Forthwith were orders given King Etzel’s men to bring,;

Who now would leave have taken and home been travelling,—

Accepted or rejected, whichever of the twain.

Then to the court came Rüdeger. The heroes urged again

That he should rightly fathom the noble Gunther’s mood,

And do it very quickly: to all did this seem good:

To get back to their country, they needs must journey far.

And so unto Kriemhilda they usher’d Rüdeger.

With kindly words of pleading began the warrior;

The noble queen beseeching that she would let him hear

What message for his master, to Etzel’s land she sent.

I ween he found her answer naught save discouragement:

That she forsooth would never again wed anyone.

Whereon the margrave answer’d: “That surely were ill-done!

Why shouldst thou thy fair body so wastefully disdain?

Thou mightst become with honour a good man’s wife again.”