“Ye shall tarry a little season—my mind shall ye know ere long—
While I ponder upon this matter,” spake Gunther the valiant and strong.
“O yea, I have loyal vassals; to them will I bear this word,
And the tale of your war-defiance shall of all my friends be heard.”
Of a truth unto Gunther the mighty full heavy the tidings were,
And his innermost heart was burdened by the message that it bare;
And he bade to his presence Hagen and other his liegemen withal,
And he sent to summon Gernot in haste to his council-hall:
So gathered his best, all vassals unto whom came that command;
And he spake: “Lo, our foes be minded to march into Burgundy-land