Never—ah me all-hapless!—had I such need of a friend!”
“O Queen, no whit I deny it, an oath unto thee did I take
That my life and my very honour I would venture for thy sake.
But to peril my soul’s salvation!—that have I never sworn.
It was I that brought to this high-tide those princes nobly-born.”
“Rüdiger,” said she, “bethink thee of that thy plighted troth,
How that in all mine affliction—thou didst promise and seal it by oath—
Aye wouldst thou be mine avenger, in my wrongs wouldst stand by my side.”
Made answer the Lord of the Marches: “Never yet hath my word been belied!”
Then did the great King Etzel set him withal to entreat;