How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons, I–XXXV

Now strange and stirring tidings were brought to Gunther's throne By messengers commissioned from foreign chiefs unknown, Who bore the brethren malice, and whom they well might fear. When they receiv'd the message, right heavy was their cheer.

The same I now will tell you; King Ludeger the bold, From the land of the Saxons (a mightier ne'er was told) Was leagued with him of Denmark, King Ludegast the strong, And many a famous warrior both brought with them along.

Their messengers, hard riding, came to King Gunther's land, As his far-distant foemen had given them in command; Then ask'd the crowd, what tidings the unknown guests might bring. To court they straight were hurried, and set before the king.

Them well the monarch greeted: "You're welcome; never fear; From whom you come, I know not, but willingly would hear, And it is yours to tell me." So spake the monarch good. Then 'gan they sore to tremble at Gunther's angry mood.

"Since you, O king! permit us to utter plain and true This our high commission, naught will we hide from you. Our masters we will tell you, who gave us this command. King Ludegast and King Ludeger will visit you in this land.

"You have deserved their anger; for truth can I relate, That both our puissant masters bear you deadly hate. They'll lead a host unnumber'd to Worms unto the Rhine. Of this be warn'd for certain; fix'd is their proud design.

"Within twelve weeks at farthest their camp will onward go; If you've good friends to aid you, 'twill soon be time to show. Their best will sure be needed to guard both fort and field, Soon shall we here be shiv'ring many a helm and many a shield.

"Or would you seek a treaty, let it at once be said, Ere their prevailing myriads, one wasteful ruin spread Through all your wide dominions with their consuming might, And Death unsated feast him on many a gallant knight."

"Now wait awhile, ye strangers," thus spake the noble king, "I must think, ere I answer the message that you bring. I've friends and faithful liegemen, whose sage advice I use, And with them I must counsel take on this heavy news."

The nigh approaching danger irk'd King Gunther sore, And the proud defiance deep in heart he bore; He sent for valiant Hagan and many another knight, And Gernot, too, bade hasten with all the speed he might.

At once they flock'd around him, a stern and stately band; Then spake the king, "Proud strangers, here, in our own good land, Have sent to bid us battle; weigh well such tidings told." Thereto straight answer'd Gernot, a hardy knight and bold.

"Then with our swords we'll meet them; defiance we'll defy; None but the death-doom'd perish, so bravely let them die; I'll ne'er forget my honor for all they choose to send. So fierce a foe to Gernot is welcome as a friend."

"Rash hold I such hot counsel," said Hagan, Trony's knight, "Both Ludegast and Ludeger are men of mickle might: In so few days our vassals we scarce can muster well." He paused a space, then added, "The news to Siegfried tell."

Meanwhile they lodg'd the strangers within the city fair; Though all were foes around them, King Gunther bade them share All courteous entertainment; so fitly dealt the king, Till he had learn'd, what forces he might together bring.

Right ill at ease was Gunther; his brow was clouded o'er; A gallant knight, who mark'd him what heavy cheer he bore, Who had not heard the tidings, nor thus the truth could guess, With friendly will thus mov'd him his sorrow to confess.

"I wonder much," said Siegfried, "why I of late have seen With care so overshadow'd that frank and merry mien, That gave a zest to pleasure, and heighten'd each delight." Whereto gave answer Gunther the far-renowned knight;

"To all the world I cannot my bitter bale impart; Bear it I must, and wrap it close in my inmost heart. Bosom woes can only to bosom friends be said." Thereat the hue of Siegfried wax'd both white and red.

He thus bespake the monarch, "I ne'er denied you aught, And now will serve you truly, whate'er be in your thought. Need you friends, King Gunther? no firmer friend than I. Is it a deed of danger? I'll do it, or I'll die."

"Now God reward you, Siegfried; your words they please me well; E'en should your strength avail not this danger to repel, There's comfort in such friendship as you have shown to-day. Let me live a little longer, well will I all repay.

"And now my source of sorrow, Sir Siegfried, you shall know; It comes of two proud princes, each my deadly foe, Who me with war would visit, and all my lands o'errun, A deed that here by warrior before was never done."

"Take little thought," said Siegfried, "of them and their emprise; Calm but your anxious spirit, and do as I advise. Let me for you advantage as well as honor win, And bid at once to aid you your warriors hasten in.

"If your o'erweening foemen can together call Thirty thousand champions, I'll stand against them all With but a single thousand; for that rely on me." "For this," replied King Gunther, "I'm ever bound to thee."

"So from your army give me a thousand men at most, Since I, who well could muster at home a gallant host, Have here twelve comrades only; thus will I guard your land. Count on true service ever from Siegfried's faithful hand.

"And Hagan too shall help us, and with him stout Ortwine, Dankwart and Sindolt those loving lords of thine, And fear-defying Folker shall our companion be; He shall bear our banner; better none than he."

And forthwith did the envoys back to their lords return: "Tell them they soon shall see us, and to their cost shall learn How we devise protection for castle and for town." Straight call'd the king his kinsmen and the suitors of his crown.

The messengers of Ludeger before th' assembly went; They heard with joy and gladness that home they would be sent. With costly presents Gunther their parting steps pursued, And with them sent an escort; this rais'd full high their mood.

"Ye messengers," said Gunther, "thus to your masters say, They'd best be pricking homeward as quickly as they may; Or, should they please to seek us among our liegemen true, Let but our friends be faithful, we'll find them work to do."

Then forth the costly presents to the messengers they bore; Enough, be sure, and more, too, King Gunther had in store. King Ludeger's men to take them in sooth were nothing coy; Then leave they took of Gunther, and parted thence with joy.

Now when back to Denmark were come the envoys bold, And to the stout King Ludegast had the tidings told, How they of Rhine were coming, fierce war themselves to bring, To hear of their high courage troubled sore the king.

Said they, "Yon proud Burgundian has many a man of might, But for the first and foremost we mark'd a matchless knight, One that men call Siegfried, a chief of Netherland." Ill foreboded Ludegast from such a foe at hand.

When to them of Denmark were these tidings told, The more their friends they summon'd to muster manifold, Nor press nor hasty message did stout Sir Ludegast slack, Till twenty thousand champions were marching at his back.

Alike to brave Sir Ludeger did his Saxons throng, Till they in arms had gather'd full forty thousand strong, Ready at his bidding through Burgundy to ride, Nor less at home did Gunther his men at arms provide.

His kinsmen and his brethren he begg'd at once to speed, And to the war that dar'd them their muster'd vassals lead, And death-defying Hagan; they gather'd far and nigh. Full many a chief thereafter that journey brought to die.

They one and all were stirring; no loiterer was there; The danger-daring Folker the standard was to bear. To cross the Rhine they purpos'd and leave their native land. Hagan the knight of Trony was marshal of the band.

With them, too, rode Sindolt, and with them Hunolt bold, Both resolv'd by service to earn King Gunther's gold, And Dankwart, Hagan's brother, and the brave Ortwine, Alike would seek for honor in the march beyond the Rhine.