"You have deserved their anger; for truth can I relate, That both our puissant masters bear you deadly hate. They'll lead a host unnumber'd to Worms unto the Rhine. Of this be warn'd for certain; fix'd is their proud design. VII "Within twelve weeks at farthest their camp will onward go; If you've good friends to aid you, 'twill soon be time to show. Their best will sure be needed to guard both fort and field, Soon shall we here be shiv'ring many a helm and many a shield. VIII "Or would you seek a treaty, let it at once be said, Ere their prevailing myriads, one wasteful ruin spread Through all your wide dominions with their consuming might, And Death unsated feast him on many a gallant knight." IX "Now wait awhile, ye strangers," thus spake the noble king, "I must think, ere I answer the message that you bring. I've friends and faithful liegemen, whose sage advice I use, And with them I must counsel take on this heavy news." X The nigh approaching danger irk'd King Gunther sore, And the proud defiance deep in heart he bore; He sent for valiant Hagan and many another knight, And Gernot, too, bade hasten with all the speed he might. XI At once they flock'd around him, a stern and stately band; Then spake the king, "Proud strangers, here, in our own good land, Have sent to bid us battle; weigh well such tidings told." Thereto straight answer'd Gernot, a hardy knight and bold. XII "Then with our swords we'll meet them; defiance we'll defy; None but the death-doom'd perish, so bravely let them die; I'll ne'er forget my honor for all they choose to send. So fierce a foe to Gernot is welcome as a friend." XIII "Rash hold I such hot counsel," said Hagan, Trony's knight, "Both Ludegast and Ludeger are men of mickle might: In so few days our vassals we scarce can muster well." He paused a space, then added, "The news to Siegfried tell." XIV Meanwhile they lodg'd the strangers within the city fair; Though all were foes around them, King Gunther bade them share All courteous entertainment; so fitly dealt the king, Till he had learn'd, what forces he might together bring. XV Right ill at ease was Gunther; his brow was clouded o'er; A gallant knight, who mark'd him what heavy cheer he bore, Who had not heard the tidings, nor thus the truth could guess, With friendly will thus mov'd him his sorrow to confess. XVI "I wonder much," said Siegfried, "why I of late have seen With care so overshadow'd that frank and merry mien, That gave a zest to pleasure, and heighten'd each delight." Whereto gave answer Gunther the far-renowned knight; XVII