Upon a day came Siegfried / when they did counsel take,
And there the knight of Netherland / thus unto them spake:
"How goeth now so sorrowful / amid his men the king?
I'll help you to avenge it, / hath he been wronged in anything."

[884]

Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Of right do I lament,
Luedegast and Luedeger / have hostile message sent:
They will in open manner / now invade my land."
The knight full keen gave answer: / "That in sooth shall Siegfried's hand,

[885]

"As doth befit thy honor, / know well to turn aside.
As erstwhile to thy enemies, / shall now from me betide:
Their lands and eke their castles / laid waste by me shall be
Ere that I give over: / thereof my head be surety.

[886]

"Thou and thy good warriors / shall here at home abide,
And let me with my company / alone against them ride.
That I do serve thee gladly, / that will I let them see;
By me shall thy enemies, / —that know thou— full requited be."

[887]

"Good tidings, that thou sayest," / then the monarch said,
As if he in earnest / did joy to have such aid.
Deep did bow before him / the king in treachery.
Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Bring that but little care to thee."

[888]