e his wife, I need not come so nigh
him that I must feel his hate."

But Hagen said, "I will never approve it."

They summoned Gernot and Giselher, and asked whether it seemed good to
them that Kriemhild should take the great king. And none save Hagen was
against it.

Then said Giselher, the knight of Burgundy, "Do fairly by her for once,
friend Hagen. Make good to her the hurt thou hast done her. Let her
prosper without grudging it. Thou hast caused her much sorrow, and well
might she hate thee. Never was woman bereft by any man of more joy."

"Trow me, I know that well. And were she to take Etzel, and to live long
enow, she would do us all the hurt she could. She will have many valiant
men to serve her."

But bold Gernot answered Hagen, "Belike we shall never come into Etzel's
land till they both be dead. Let us do truly by her, and it will be to
our honour."

Said Hagen, "None need tell me that. If Kriemhild wear Helca's crown,
she will do us all the hurt she can. Let the thing alone; it were better
for you knights."

Then Giselher, fair Uta's son, spake angrily, "We will not all do
basely. If aught good befall her, we shall be glad. For all thou canst
say, Hagen, I will serve her truly."

When Hagen heard that, he was wroth. Gernot and Giselher, the proud
knights and good, and Gunther, the great king, agreed in the end, that
they would allow it gladly, if Kriemhild were so minded.

Then Prince Gary said, "I will tell the lady, that she may incline her
heart to King Etzel, for many a knight is his vassal. He may make good
to her the wrong she hath suffered."

The good knight went to Kriemhild. She welcomed him kindly, and he said
without ado, "Greet me gladly, and give me the envoy's meed, for good
fortune parteth thee from all thy dole. One of the best men that ever
ruled a king's land with honour, or wore a crown, hath sent hither to sue
for thy love. Noble knights are come wooing for him; thy brother bade
tell thee this."

But the sorrowful one said, "God forbid that thou and all my friends
should mock my misery. What could I be to a man that hath known the
heart's love of a good wife?"

She would none of it. But Gernot, her brother, and Giselher the youth,
came to her, and lovingly they bade her be comforted, for, if she took
the king, it were truly to her profit.

But none could prevail on the lady to wed with any man. Then the knights
prayed her, saying, "Receive the envoys,