When to their native Denmark / the messengers returned,
And the king Luedegast / the answer too had learned,
They at the Rhine had sent him, / —when that to him was told,
His wrath was all unbounded / to have reply in words so bold.
'Twas said their warriors numbered / many a man full keen:
"There likewise among them / with Gunther have we seen
Of Netherland a hero, / the same that Siegfried hight."
King Luedegast was grievéd, / when he their words had heard aright.
When throughout all Denmark / the tidings quick spread o'er,
Then in hot haste they summoned / helpers all the more,
So that King Luedegast, / 'twixt friends from far and near,
Had knights full twenty thousand / all furnished well with shield and spear.
Then too his men did summon / of Saxony Luedeger,
Till they good forty thousand, / and more, had gathered there,
With whom to make the journey / 'gainst the land of Burgundy.
—At home likewise the meanwhile / King Gunther had sent forth decree
Mighty men to summon / of his own and brothers twain,
Who against the foemen / would join the armed train.
In haste they made them ready, / for right good cause they had.
Amongst them must thereafter / full many a noble thane lie dead.