Now the King in his heart was bearing a burden of sorrow and fear; Then the hero, the swift war-helper, beheld him heavy of cheer, And he marvelled thereat, for he knew not why he went 'neath a load of care. And he spake, and he prayed King Gunther the cause thereof to declare. { P. 22} "Exceeding sorely I marvel," the hero Siegfried said, "Wherefore thine olden joyance this day is utterly fled, The gracious cheer that aforetime made the hearts that love thee light." Answered and spake to him Gunther, that royal-goodly knight: "In sooth may I suffer not all men in my sorrow of soul to have part: I must keep my grief deep-hidden, I must bear it alone in mine heart: Unto tried friends only and steadfast may a man unveil his pain." Then pale grew the face of Siegfried, and anon waxed crimson again. He spake to the King, and he answered: "Have I ever denied thee aught? I will help thee to cast the burden of thy spirit sorrow-fraught. If ye seek for friends true-hearted, lo, such an one even am I: I will cleave unto thee and aid thee in honour till I die." "Now God requite thee, Siegfried, for thy words as music ring! Yea, though thy might and thy valour no help unto me could bring, Even so should thy love's assurance make glad mine heart this day. If I live on yet for a season, of a surety I will repay. Thou therefore shalt hear the trouble wherewith mine heart is stirred: Mine adversaries' heralds have brought unto me this word, That their kings be marching to seek us here with their war-array;-- Such outrage never warriors have dealt to us unto this day!" "Let this not disquiet thy spirit," spake the hero in answer thereto; "Speak peace to thine heart, and according to this my counsel do: 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. { P. 23} Yea also let Hagen help us, and Ortwein fare to the fight, Dankwart and Sindold, each man a well-belovèd knight, Therewithal shall ride in our war-host Volker the aweless one, And he shall be banner-bearer: better than he is none. And let those war-denouncers to their own lords' land ride back, And cause them to bear this message, that we follow hard on their track: So safe shall our castles be warded, and their peace no foe shall mar." Then the king bade summon the muster of his friends and his men of war.