Then prayed she God with fervor / that he might her provide
With store of gold and silver / and raiment rich beside,
As erstwhile when her husband / did live a stately thane:
Since then so happy hour / never had she known again.
In her own bosom thought she: / "An shall I not deny
My body to a heathen / —a Christian lady I—
So must I while life lasteth / have shame to be my own.
An gave he realms unnumbered, / such thing by me might ne'er be done."
And there withal she left it. / The night through until day,
Upon her couch the lady / with mind full troubled lay.
Nor yet her eyes full shining / of tears at all were free,
Until upon the morrow / forth to matins issued she.
When for mass was sounded, / came there the kings likewise.
Again did they their sister / by faithful word advise
To take for spouse unto her / of Hunland the king.
All joyless was the visage / they saw the lady thither bring.
They bade the men of Etzel / thither lead again,
Who unto their country / fain their leave had ta'en,
Their message won or fruitless, / how that soe'er might be.
Unto the court came Ruediger. / Full eager were his company