He rode around the Kynast and straight to her rode he; Said the lady Kunigunde of Kynast: Thanks be to God in heaven, who gave thy life to thee!
Thanks be to God that into thy grave thou didst not ride! Said the lady Kunigunde: Come down from off thy horse now, O knight, unto thy bride!
Then spake the noble rider, and greeted, as he sate, The lady Kunigunde: O trust a knight for horsemanship! well have I taught thee that.
Now wait till comes another who can the same thing do, O lady Kunigunde of Kynast! I've wife and child already, can be no spouse for you.
He gave his steed the spur, now; rode back the way he came; The lady Kunigunde! The lady saw him vanish, she swooned with scorn and shame.
And she remains a virgin, her pride had such a fall, The lady Kunigunde! Changed to a wooden image she stands in sight of all.
An image, like a hedgehog, with spines for hair, is now The lady Kunigunde of Kynast! The stranger has to kiss it, who climbs the Kynast's brow.
We bring it him to kiss it: and if it shocks his pride, The lady Kunigunde of Kynast! He must pay down his forfeit, who will not kiss the bride, The lady Kunigunde!
Rückert. Tr. C. T. Brooks.