Shall we lead ’neath our banners a war-host of knights unto Brunhild’s land?
Swiftly may thrice ten thousand be arrayed in our warrior-band.”
“How great soever the war-host that we take,” spake Siegfried to him,
“The might of that queen and her fury be so exceeding grim,
That all our array should be blasted ’neath the storm of her battle-mood.
I will give to you better counsel, O valiant thanes and good:
In guise as of lone knights-errant let us sail adown the Rhine.
Touching who in our band shall be numbered, hear this counsel of mine:
With thee and with me two only let there go, none other beside,
That with these we may woo this lady, whatsoever thereafter betide.