"Now, ere we set forth on our journey, unto me, O Siegfried, declare How best for our honour and glory over the sea we may fare. Shall we lead 'neath our banners a war-host of knights unto Brunhild's land? Swiftly may thrice ten thousand be arrayed in our warrior-band." "How great soever the war-host that we take," spake Siegfried to him, "The might of that queen and her fury be so exceeding grim, That all our array should be blasted 'neath the storm of her battle-mood. I will give to you better counsel, O valiant thanes and good: {P. 47} In guise as of lone knights-errant let us sail adown the Rhine. Touching who in our band shall be numbered, hear this counsel of mine: With thee and with me two only let there go, none other beside, That with these we may woo this lady, whatsoever thereafter betide. Even I am one in the venture, the second must needs be thou, And let the third be Hagen--fear not, we shall prosper now;-- For the fourth be chosen Dankwart, that lord of battle-might; Then not a thousand aliens shall ever withstand us in fight." "Of this too," spake King Gunther, "would I fain be certified-- For thereof should mine heart be gladdened--or ever forth we ride, What manner of raiment in presence of Brunhild befits that we wear Such as shall meetly beseem us: this, O Siegfried, declare." "In the richest of all rich vesture that is found in any land Be arrayed evermore the people that in Brunhild's presence stand. Let us therefore appear before her in silk and in ermine and gold, That none think scorn of our splendour when the tale thereafter is told." Answered the good thane Gunther: "Myself will go forthright To my well-belovèd mother, if haply good in her sight It shall be that her comely maidens may fashion attire so fair As before that queenly lady with honour we may wear." Then out spake Hagen of Troneg, that lord of stately port: "What boots it to trouble thy mother for service in such a sort? Breathe but a word to thy sister of thy thought and thy desire, And cunning fingers shall frame you exceeding rich attire." Then the King sent word to his sister that fain would he confer With her, even he and Siegfried. But, or ever they came unto her, That lovely one had adorned her in such royal-rich array That with right scant heart-misgivings their coming did she stay. Stood the ladies that waited upon her clad richly in their degree: Then came to her bower the Princes: at their entering-in rose she To meet them, from her high seat: ah, with what queenly grace She greeted the noble stranger and her brother with radiant face! {P. 48} "Blithe welcome unto my brother, and welcome to his friend! I am fain," spake on that sweet one, "I am fain to know the end Of your coming to this bower royal, what thing your hearts would crave. I beseech you, let me hearken what the noble knights would have."