Then spake the high-born envoy, "Fair child of mightiest kings,
To me and to my comrades after our wanderings,
Vouchsafe now your permission before you here to stand,
And tell what brought us hither from our far-distant land."
LXXXVIII
"Now take my full permission," the queen said with a sigh,
"And speak your wishes freely; not ill inclin'd am I
To hear you, honored margrave! You are an envoy good."
Thereby her firm reluctance the rest well understood.
LXXXIX
Then the Prince of Bechlaren, Sir Rudeger, thus spake,
"The mighty monarch Etzel, lady! for your fair sake
Has bidd'n me journey hither, and many a good knight too
Has sent with me to Rhineland all for your hand to sue.
XC
"True love to you he proffers, pleasure unmix'd with pain,
A firm unswerving friendship, that shall to death remain;
Such love he bore Dame Helca; deep in his heart she lay;
He now for her lost virtues leads many a joyless day."
XCI
Then thus the queen made answer, "Margrave Rudeger,
If man could feel my sorrows, no suit would vex my ear,
Again to take a husband, and be again undone.
More have I lost already than woman ever won."
XCII