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But naught avail’d their praying, until that Rüdeger

All privately did whisper into the great queen’s ear,

That all she ever suffer’d he would make good again.

Whereat her great misliking somewhat began to wane.

Unto the queen thus spake he: “Let now your weeping be. If you among the Hunsfolk had ne’er a friend save me,

And all my trusty kinsmen, and eke my liegemen true,

Hath any done you evil right dearly should he rue.”

Thenceforth the lady’s humour somewhat more gentle grew.

She said: “An oath now give me: whatever men may do

That you will be the first one to right mine injury.”

Whereto the margrave answer’d: “That will I readily.”

With all his men did Rüdeger swear by an oath to her

That he would serve her truly; and that no warrior

Should ever aught deny her, throughout King Etzel’s land,

In what concern’d her honour. So pledged her Rüdeger’s hand.

Then, faithful-hearted, thought she: “Since on my will to wait

I’ve met with friends so many, I’ll let the people prate

Howe’er they have a mind to, of me, poor wretched wife!

What if I yet have vengeance for my dear husband’s life?”

She thought: “Since Etzel holdeth so many knights in fee,

I also may command them, and do what pleaseth me.

So wealthy is he also, I shall have much to give:

Me did that hateful Hagen of all my goods deprive.”