Yet could not all persuasion the faithful mourner bring
To choose a second lover, and yield unto the king.
Then begg'd the noble warriors, "If nothing more can be,
Consent at least a moment the messengers to see."
LXXIX
"I'll not deny," soft sighing the noble dame replied,
"But that I'd fain see Rudeger renown'd so far and wide
For all his many virtues: 'tis due to him alone;
Were't any other envoy, to him I'd ne'er be known.
LXXX
"So beg him," said she further, "to let me see him here
In my bower to-morrow; then I'll acquaint his ear
Myself with all my wishes and tell him all my tale."
Then bitterly began she once more to weep and wail.
LXXXI
Nothing the noble Rudeger had more desir'd, I ween,
Than to obtain an audience of that fair widow'd queen.
Such he well knew his wisdom and smooth persuasive skill,
He doubted not, to reason he'd bend her stubborn will.
LXXXII
So early on the morrow, about the matin song,
Forth came the noble envoys; there was a mighty throng;
To court with the good margrave there went a gorgeous crowd,
In glittering weed accoutred, of high-born knights and proud.