And of many a high-born lady from princely lineage sprung
That to her once rendered service”—spake on that winning tongue—
“This also the King shall give thee, he bade me say unto thee,
So thou yield to wear beside him the crown of royalty,
Power, even the highest that ever in the hands of Helka lay;
All the warrior-vassals of Etzel thee also shall obey.”
“Ah me! how could I ever,” Queen Kriemhild mournfully cried,
“Incline mine heart hereafter to be any hero’s bride,
Even I, whom death hath stricken through one with such bitter grief
That unto my life’s end never from pain shall I find relief?”