And the tale of your war-defiance shall of all my friends be heard." Of a truth unto Gunther the mighty full heavy the tidings were, And his innermost heart was burdened by the message that it bare; And he bade to his presence Hagen and other his liegemen withal, And he sent to summon Gernot in haste to his council-hall: So gathered his best, all vassals unto whom came that command; And he spake: "Lo, our foes be minded to march into Burgundy-land With a mighty array--ye may well be indignation-stung At the unprovoked defiance that these in our faces have flung!" "From these shall our swords defend us!" Prince Gernot's voice rang high. "Men must die in the day of their dooming: in death e'en let them lie! I will never forget mine honour for dread of what may befall! We will welcome our adversaries to the War-god's festival!" Then answered Hagen of Troneg: "O'er-hasty, I trow, are thy words; For the kings of the Danes and the Saxons be exceeding arrogant lords; And so few days cannot suffice us for our war-host's mustering. It were good," said the valiant warrior, "that we told unto Siegfried the thing." So they gave those war-denouncers for dwellings their city's best, How hateful they were soever, for such was the knightly hest Of Gunther the noble-hearted--since thus fair honour bade-- Till the friends should be known who would fail not to bring their battle-aid. Now the King in his heart was bearing a burden of sorrow and fear; Then the hero, the swift war-helper, beheld him heavy of cheer, And he marvelled thereat, for he knew not why he went 'neath a load of care. And he spake, and he prayed King Gunther the cause thereof to declare. {P. 22} "Exceeding sorely I marvel," the hero Siegfried said, "Wherefore thine olden joyance this day is utterly fled, The gracious cheer that aforetime made the hearts that love thee light." Answered and spake to him Gunther, that royal-goodly knight: "In sooth may I suffer not all men in my sorrow of soul to have part: I must keep my grief deep-hidden, I must bear it alone in mine heart: Unto tried friends only and steadfast may a man unveil his pain." Then pale grew the face of Siegfried, and anon waxed crimson again. He spake to the King, and he answered: "Have I ever denied thee aught? I will help thee to cast the burden of thy spirit sorrow-fraught. If ye seek for friends true-hearted, lo, such an one even am I: I will cleave unto thee and aid thee in honour till I die." "Now God requite thee, Siegfried, for thy words as music ring! Yea, though thy might and thy valour no help unto me could bring, Even so should thy love's assurance make glad mine heart this day. If I live on yet for a season, of a surety I will repay. Thou therefore shalt hear the trouble wherewith mine heart is stirred: Mine adversaries' heralds have brought unto me this word, That their kings be marching to seek us here with their war-array;--