By the knight to be informéd / how the thing befell,
And if betimes they knew it / 'twould please them all full well,
For weary was the journey / and long unto their land.
Soon did the noble Ruediger / again in Kriemhild's presence stand.
In full earnest manner / then the knight gan pray
The high royal lady / that she to him might say
What were from her the message / to Etzel he should bear.
Naught but denial only / did he from the lady hear,
For that her love might never / by man again be won.
Thereto spake the margrave: / "Ill such thing were done.
Wherefore such fair body / wilt thou to ruin give?
Spouse of knight full worthy / may'st thou yet in honor live."
Naught booted how they besought her, / till that Ruediger
Spake in secret manner / in the high lady's ear,
How Etzel should requite her / for ills she e'er did know.
Then gan her mickle sorrow / milder at the thought to grow.
Unto the queen then spake he: / "Let now thy weeping be.
If 'mong the Huns hadst thou / other none than me
And my faithful kinsmen / and my good men alone,
Sorely must he repay it / who hath aught to thee of evil done."