my sorrow, nay, to
none save a steadfast friend dare I declare it.'

When Siegfried heard the King's words, his fair face flushed, then
paled again.

'Already,' cried the hero, 'have I followed thee in time of need. For
indeed during the year which he had spent at Worms, Siegfried had gone
with Gunther on more than one foray into the neighbouring kingdoms.

'Now,' he continued, 'now if trouble hath come to thee my arm is
strong to bring thee aid. I will be thy friend if thou art willing
while life is mine.'

'God reward thee, Sir Siegfried!' cried King Gunther, and right glad
of heart was he. 'It may be I shall not need thy strength to aid me in
my battles, yet do I rejoice that thou art my friend. Never while my
life lasts shalt thou be sorry for thy words.'

Then King Gunther told to the brave knight the insolent message which
the heralds had brought from their masters, Ludegast and Ludeger.

'Thou needst not be troubled at these tidings,' said the young
knight. 'If thy foes were as many as thirty thousand, yet with one
thousand warriors would I destroy them. Therefore leave the battle in
my hands.'

King Gunther, for he was not very brave, rejoiced at Siegfried's
words, and scattered his fears to the four winds.

Then he sent for the heralds, and bade them return to their masters to
say that King Gunther defied their threats, and in proof thereof would
ere long send an army to punish them for their insolence.

Now when the heralds reached their own country with these tidings,
King Ludegast of Denmark, and King Ludeger the Saxon, who was his
brother, were filled with dread. Moreover the heralds told them that
the famous hero Siegfried would fight for Burgundy, and when they
heard that the hearts of the rude kings failed for fear.

In great haste they gathered together their warriors, and soon
Ludegast had twenty thousand men ready to defend his land. Ludeger the
Saxon, too, had called together even more than forty thousand men, and
the two armies formed a mighty host.

King Gunther meanwhile had assembled his men, and the chief command
was given to Hagen with the grim face and the piercing eyes.

When Siegfried saw that Gunther was buckling on his armour he drew
near to him, and said, 'Sir King, stay thou at home in the royal city
and guard the women. Neither dost thou have any fear, for in good
sooth, I can protect both thine honour and thy men.'

And King Gunther stayed in the royal city while his w