rd will give thee thirty princes' lands
that his strong hand hath overcome. And thou shalt be mistress of many
worshipful men, that were subject to my lady Helca, and of many beautiful
maidens, the kin of kings, that she ruled over. My master bade me say
that, if thou wilt wear the crown with him, he will give thee all the
high power that Helca had. Mightily shalt thou wield it over Etzel's
men."

But the queen answered, "How could I incline my heart again to be a
hero's wife? Death hath wrought me such a woe through one, that I must
stand joyless till my life's end."

The Huns answered, "Great queen, thy life by Etzel will be so glad that
thou wilt know nothing save delight, if thou consent. For the king hath
many a peerless knight. Helca's maidens, and thine together, shall be
thy attendants, by reason whereof many warriors shall rejoice. Be
counselled, O queen, for thy good."

She said courteously, "Let the matter stand till to-morrow morning. Come
to me then; and I will answer you concerning your business." To the
which the bold knights agreed.

When they were all gone to their lodging, the lady sent for Giselher and
her mother. To both she said that weeping beseemed her better than aught
else.

But her brother Giselher said, "Sister, something telleth me, and I trow
it, that King Etzel will end all thy dole. It seemeth good to me that
thou take him to husband, whatso any other may counsel. He may give thee
again all that thou hast lost. From the Rhone to the Rhine, from the
Elbe to the sea, no king is so mighty as he is. Thou mayest well rejoice
that he chooseth thee for his queen."

She answered, "Dear brother, wherefore counsel me thus? Mourning and
weeping suit me better. How could I appear before the knights at court?
Had my body ever beauty, it hath lost it."

Then said queen Uta to her dear daughter, "Dear child, do what thy
brother saith. Be counselled by thy friends, and good will betide thee.
Too long have I seen thee mourning bitterly."

Then she asked mighty God to guide her. Albeit she might have gold and
silver and apparel to give, as aforetime, when her husband lived, never
again could she have the happy hours.

She thought to herself, "Shall I give myself to a heathen? I am a
Christian woman. I should be shamed before the world. Though he gave me
the riches of the whole earth, it could never be."

At that point she left it; and all night long, till the day, the woman