Thus there did tarry Ruediger / until the third day.
The king did counsel summon / —he moved in wisest way—
If that unto his kinsmen / seemed it fitting thing,
That Kriemhild take unto her / for spouse Etzel the king.
Together all save Hagen / did the thing advise,
And unto King Gunther / spake he in this wise:
"An hast thou still thy senses, / of that same thing beware,
That, be she ne'er so willing, / thou lend'st thyself her will to share."
"Wherefore," spake then Gunther, / "should I allow it not?
Whene'er doth fortune favor / Kriemhild in aught,
That shall I gladly grant her, / for sister dear is she.
Yea, ought ourselves to seek it, / might it but her honor be."
Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Now such words give o'er.
Were Etzel known unto thee / as unto me of yore,
And did'st thou grant her to him, / as 'tis thy will I hear,
Then wouldst thou first have reason / for thy later weal to fear."
"Wherefore?" spake then Gunther. / "Well may I care for that,
E'er to thwart his temper / that so I aught of hate
At his hands should merit, / an if his wife she be."
Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Such counsel hast thou ne'er of me."