Suffer me, even me, to win thee honour and goodly gain
Or ever thy foes to the marches of this thy land attain.
Yea, had those thy mighty foemen of battle-helpers arrayed
So many as thrice ten thousand, by me should their onset be stayed,
Had I at my side but a thousand. Commit thy cause unto me.”
Then spake unto him King Gunther: “I am bounden for ever to thee!”
“Give charge that a thousand riders shall follow me forth to the fray,
Inasmuch as of mine own warriors no more can I set in array
Here, than my twelve war-fellows: so will I ward your land,
And loyal service ever shall be done you by Siegfried’s hand.