Liudegast stood in sorry mood. He begged for life and made
offrance of his lands and said that his name was Liudegast. Then
came his warrior's, who had witnessed what there had happed upon
the lookout. As Siegfried would lead his captive thence, he was
set upon by thirty of these men. With mighty blows the hero's
hand guarded his noble prize. The stately knight then wrought
worse scathe. In self-defense he did thirty unto death; only one
he left alive, who rode full fast to tell the tale of what here
had chanced. By his reddened helmet one might see the truth. It
sorely grieved the men of Denmark, when the tale was told them
that their king was taken captive. Men told it to his brother,
who at the news began to rage with monstrous wrath, for great woe
it brought him.

Liudegast, the warrior, then was led away by Siegfried's might to
Gunther's men and given to Hagen in charge. When that they heard
it was the king, full moderate was their dole. The Burgundians
now were bidden raise their banner. "Up, men," cried Siegfried,
"here shall more be done, ere the day end, and I lose not my
life. Full many a stately dame in Saxon land shall rue this
fight. Ye heroes from the Rhine, give heed to me, for I can
guide you well to Liudeger's band. So shall ye see helmets
carved by the hands of goodly knights; ere we turn again, they
shall become acquaint with fear."

To their horses Gernot and all his men now hasted, and soon the
stalwart minstrel, Sir Folker, grasped the battle-flag and rode
before the band. Then were all the comrades arrayed in lordly
wise for strife; nor had they more than a thousand men, and
thereto Siegfried's twelve men-at-arms. Now from the road gan