Then serving-men full many / bade they ready be:
'Twas done alone that Siegfried / and his men the same might see.
Then bade he make them ready / the knights of Netherland,
And soon did Siegfried's warriors / for fight apparelled ready stand.
"My royal father Siegmund, / here shalt thou remain,"
Spake then Sir Siegfried. / "We come full soon again
If God but give good fortune, / hither the Rhine beside;
Here shalt thou with King Gunther / full merrily the while abide."
Then bound they on the banners / as they thence would fare.
Men of royal Gunther / were full many there,
Who naught knew of the matter, / or how that thing might be:
There with Siegfried saw ye / of knights a mickle company.
Their helms and eke their mail-coats / bound on horse did stand:
And doughty knights made ready / to fare from out that land.
Then went of Tronje Hagen / where he Kriemhild found
And prayed a fair leave-taking, / for that to battle they were bound.
"Now well is me, such husband / I have," Kriemhild said,
"That to my loving kindred / can bring so potent aid,
As my lord Siegfried / doth now to friends of me.
Thereby," spake the high lady, / "may I full joyous-minded be.