When stark Siegfried did on the _Tarnkappe_, he was strong with the
strength of twelve men, and with these cunning devices he won the royal
maiden; for the cloak of cloud was fashioned on such wise, that who wore
it did what him listed, none seeing; and he won Brunhild thereby, that
after brought him dole.

"Now tell me, Siegfried, or we depart, how we may cross the sea with
honour? Shall we take warriors with us to Brunhild's land? It were easy
to summon thirty thousand knights."

But Siegfried answered, "Howsoever great a host we led thither, the
cruelty of the queen is such, that every mother's son of them must
perish. A better plan is mine, most noble king. Let us down to the
Rhine as simple knights, even these friends that I name. Thou and I,
and, further, only two. So shall we woo the damsel, let the issue be as
it may. I shall be one, and thou shalt be another. Let the third be
Hagen, and the fourth Dankwart, the doughty man. A thousand shall not
prevail against us."

"Fain would I know," said the king then, "what manner of raiment we
should wear before Brunhild. Prithee, counsel me in this matter,
Siegfried."

"In the land of Brunhild they wear naught but the beast, wherefore let us
appear before the women in goodly apparel, that none may cry shame on us
hereafter."

Then said the knight, "I will go, myself, to my dear mother, and beseech
her that she let her damsels make ready for us such garments as may bring
us honour before the royal maiden."