Lo, all our battle-helpers shall with thee into Rhineland speed." "Now nay, it shall nowise please me," the son of Siegmund said, "That a host of knights into Rhineland by my banner should be led Arrayed in the ranks of battle; for my sorrow should it be To constrain that daughter of princes to yield her love unto me. I will woo her alone, unholpen of aught but mine own right hand: With none save with twelve companions will I unto Gunther's land. Thus far and no further, my father, mine emprise shall ye aid, That my knights be in bright-hued vesture and grey furs costly arrayed." Unto Siegelind his mother were the tidings borne anon, And the queen brake forth into weeping for her well-beloved son: "If he meet the hosts of Gunther, he is lost unto me!" she said. Then wept that daughter of princes as women weep for the dead. But Siegfried the knight beheld her weeping, and came to her side With speech of loving comfort, and blithe of heart he cried: "Nought hast thou to do with weeping, dear lady and queen, for my sake. Though a host should arise against me, mine heart should in no wise quake. Nay, help me thou on my journey when to Burgundy I fare, And for me and my war-fellows fashion such goodly raiment to wear As shall be for the praise and the honour of knights so gallant as they; And so shall mine heart go singing its thanks unto thee alway." "If in sooth thou abidest unshaken," the lady Siegelind said, "Then, O my child, my beloved, of me shall thy journey be sped; For the costliest raiment and fairest that ever good knight wore Shall ye have, even thou and thy war-thanes, an exceeding plenteous store." Then lowly in thanks he bent him, Siegfried the fair and young; And he spake: "For my journeying-fellows shall I take no mighty throng, {P. 10} But only twelve of my champions: make ready their raiment thou;-- I am longing to learn, O mother, how fares it with Kriemhild now." Then nightlong, daylong toiling sat ladies lovely-eyed: Was none that for rest or for pastime would lay her labour aside Till the fingers of love had fashioned all Siegfried's goodly gear: For his heart was set on the journey, none other rede would he hear. And his father bade make ready for the prince his knightly array Wherein he should go forth riding from Siegmund's land away; And the warriors' glittering hauberks withal were ready dight, And their strong-knit helms and their war-shields broad and gleaming bright.