Thy daughter by thee shall be widowed, who scarce is a bride this day.
If thou and thy battle-helpers beset me now in fight,
What treason unto friendship should this be in all men’s sight,
For that beyond all other in thee did I confide
In the hour wherein I won me thy daughter to be my bride!”
“Ah, think thou on thy troth-plight!” spake Rüdiger answering;
“And if God shall bring you safely forth hence, O noble king,
Requite not thou on my daughter the sin of Rüdiger.
By all thy princely honour, be gracious unto her!”
“It were meet that I held to the troth-plight,” young Giselher replied;