Excerpt: ...wed? I, a Christian woman, share a heathen's bed? Throughout the world dishonor would surely be my due. No-not for all his kingdoms thus could I ever do." 201 CVII So let she rest the matter. All night till break of day With troublous thoughts companion'd on her weary couch she lay, Nor ceas'd the tears a moment from her fair eyes to flow, Till early dawn to matins bade the pale mourner go. CVIII Just at mass time returning the kings her brethren came; To their reluctant sister their suit was still the same; To wed the King of Hungary they urg'd her o'er and o'er, But not a whit more yielding they found her than before. CIX Then summon'd were the warriors that came on Etzel's part; They sought a farewell audience ere they should home depart, Successful or successless, as it might chance to fall. To court straight came Sir Rudeger and his valiant comrades all. CX These press'd their noble leader ever by the way To learn the mind of Gunther, and that without delay, For they had far to travel back to their homes, they said. Straight was good Sir Rudeger to Kriemhild's presence led. CXI With soft persuasive accents the knight began to pray The fair and high-born lady, that she to him would say, What answer to King Etzel she to return would deign. Naught, ween I, but denial he from her lips could gain. CXII "She'd take no second husband, love she could feel for none." "Nay," said the noble margrave, "that were unwisely done. Why such surpassing beauty waste in a mourning bed? 'Twould sure be to your honor a loving lord to wed." CXIII In vain they her entreated, in vain to her they pray'd, Till to the queen the margrave this secret promise made, "He'd full amends procure her for past or future ill." Those words her storm-toss'd bosom had power in part to still. 202 CXIV Then spoke he to the princess, "Cease now to weep and moan; Among the Huns to friend you had you but me alone, And my fearless vassals, and eke my kinsmen true, No one should work...