his heart, and summoned Hagen, and others of his men, and sent to the
court in haste for Gernot. His best knights drew round him, and he said,
"Without cause, and with a mighty army, foemen come hither against us
into our land."

Thereto answered Gernot, a hardy and bold warrior, "We shall hinder that
with our swords. They only perish that fate dooms. Let them die. They
shall not turn from honour. Our foemen are welcome."

Spake Hagen of Trony then, "Methinketh that were unwise. Ludgast and
Ludger are proud men withal, and we can hardly in so few days muster our
men." Therefore the bold knight said, "Tell Siegfried."

They bade lodge the envoys in town. Albeit they were his foemen,
Gunther, the great king, commanded the folk to entreat them well -
rightly he did so - till that he knew the friends that would stand by him.

The king was heavy of his cheer, and Siegfried, the good knight, saw that
he was downcast, but wist not the reason, and asked King Gunther what
ailed him. "I marvel much," said Siegfried, "that thou takest no part in
our sports as heretofore." And Gunther, the doughty knight, answered
him, "Not to every man may I declare the secret heaviness of my heart;
only unto true friends shall the heart tell its dole."

Siegfried changed colour, and grew red and white, and he said to the
king, "I have denied thee naught, and now I would help thee. If thou
seekest friends, I will be one of them, and stand to it truly to my
life's end."

"Now God requite thee, Sir Siegfried, for I like thy word; and albeit thy