they made them ready for the journey. When they would hence,
Folker, the daring, must bear the flag. In such wise they
thought to ride from Worms across the Rhine. Hagen of Troneg was
master of the troop; with them rode Sindolt and Hunolt, too, who
wist well how to merit Gunther's gold. Dankwart, Hagen's
brother, and Ortwin, too, well could they serve with honor in
this war.

"Sir King," spake then Siegfried, "stay ye at home; since that
your warriors are willed to follow me, remain ye with the ladies
and keep your spirits high. I trow well to guard for you both
honor and estate. Well will I bring it to pass that those who
thought to seek you out at Worms upon the Rhine, had better far
have stayed at home. We shall ride so nigh unto their land that
their proud defiance shall be turned to fear."

From the Rhine they rode through Hesse with their warriors
towards Saxon land, where they later fought. With fire and
pillage, too, they harried all the countryside, so that the two
kings did learn of it in dire distress. Then came they to the
border; the warriors marched along. Siegfried, the strong, gan
ask: "Who shall now guard here the troop?" Forsooth never did
men ride more scathfully to the Saxons. They spake: "Let the
valiant Dankwart guard the young upon the way, he is a doughty
knight. Thus shall we lose the less through Liudeger's men. Let
him and Ortwin guard the rear."

"Then I myself will ride," spake Siegfried, the knight, "and play
the outlook toward the foe, until I discover aright where these
warriors be." Quickly the son of fair Siegelind donned his