"To all the world I cannot my bitter bale impart; Bear it I must, and wrap it close in my inmost heart. Bosom woes can only to bosom friends be said." Thereat the hue of Siegfried wax'd both white and red. XVIII He thus bespake the monarch, "I ne'er denied you aught, And now will serve you truly, whate'er be in your thought. Need you friends, King Gunther? no firmer friend than I. Is it a deed of danger? I'll do it, or I'll die." XIX "Now God reward you, Siegfried; your words they please me well; E'en should your strength avail not this danger to repel, There's comfort in such friendship as you have shown to-day. Let me live a little longer, well will I all repay. XX "And now my source of sorrow, Sir Siegfried, you shall know; It comes of two proud princes, each my deadly foe, Who me with war would visit, and all my lands o'errun, A deed that here by warrior before was never done." XXI "Take little thought," said Siegfried, "of them and their emprise; Calm but your anxious spirit, and do as I advise. Let me for you advantage as well as honor win, And bid at once to aid you your warriors hasten in. XXII "If your o'erweening foemen can together call Thirty thousand champions, I'll stand against them all With but a single thousand; for that rely on me." "For this," replied King Gunther, "I'm ever bound to thee." XXIII "So from your army give me a thousand men at most, Since I, who well could muster at home a gallant host, Have here twelve comrades only; thus will I guard your land. Count on true service ever from Siegfried's faithful hand. XXIV "And Hagan too shall help us, and with him stout Ortwine, Dankwart and Sindolt those loving lords of thine, And fear-defying Folker shall our companion be; He shall bear our banner; better none than he." XXV And forthwith did the envoys back to their lords return: "Tell them they soon shall see us, and to their cost shall learn How we devise protection for castle and for town." Straight call'd the king his kinsmen and the suitors of his crown. XXVI The messengers of Ludeger before th' assembly went; They heard with joy and gladness that home they would be sent. With costly presents Gunther their parting steps pursued, And with them sent an escort; this rais'd full high their mood. XXVII "Ye messengers," said Gunther, "thus to your masters say, They'd best be pricking homeward as quickly as they may; Or, should they please to seek us among our liegemen true, Let but our friends be faithful, we'll find them work to do." XXVIII Then forth the costly presents to the messengers they bore; Enough, be sure, and more, too, King Gunther had in store. King Ludeger's men to take them in sooth were nothing coy; Then leave they took of Gunther, and parted thence with joy. XXIX