[TWENTIETH] ADVENTURE
How King Etzel sent to Burgundy for Kriemhild
In that same time when ended / was Lady Helke's life,
And that the monarch Etzel / did seek another wife,
To take a highborn widow / of the land of Burgundy
Hun his friends did counsel: / Lady Kriemhild hight was she.
Since that was ended / the fair Helke's life,
Spake they: "Wilt thou ever / win for thee noble wife,
The highest and the fairest / that ever king did win,
Take to thee this same lady / that doughty Siegfried's spouse hath been."
Then spake the mighty monarch: / "How might that come to pass
Since that I am a heathen, / nor named with sign of cross?
The lady is a Christian, / thereto she'll ne'er agree.
Wrought must be a wonder, / if the thing may ever be."
Then spake again his warriors: / "She yet may do the same.
For sake of thy great power / and thy full lofty name
Shalt thou yet endeavor / such noble wife to gain.
To woo the stately lady / might each monarch high be fain."