1243.
Said Giselher, her brother: “Sister, ’tis my belief—
And some to me have said it— that all thy bitter grief
King Etzel will make vanish: and shouldst thou marry him—
Whatever others counsel— well done I will it deem.
1244.
“He surely may console thee,” said Giselher again:
“From Rhone unto the Rhine-stream, from Elbe unto the main,
There’s not another sovran so powerful as he.
Right soon may’st thou be happy, if wife he makes of thee.”
1245.
“My brother well belovéd, how canst thou thus advise?
To weep and mourn seems ever more fitting in mine eyes.
How, at the court there, should I before the warriors go?
If ever I were comely, no longer am I so.”
1246.
Then spake the lady Uté her daughter dear unto:
“Whate’er thy brothers counsel, fail not, dear child, to do;
Follow thy friends’ advising, so will it prosper thee.
Too long have I beheld thee in thy great misery.”
1247.
Then God she pray’d right sorely that store of worldly gear,
Of silver, gold and raiment be granted unto her,
To give; as when her husband in life and health she had;
Though never as aforetime could life again be glad.
1248.
Within her heart she ponder’d: “Shall I my body give—
Who am a Christian woman— and with a heathen wive?
Fore all the world and ever disgrace on me ’twould bring,—
Though all his wealth he gave me, I would not do this thing!”
