Now when back to Denmark were come the envoys bold, And to the stout King Ludegast had the tidings told, How they of Rhine were coming, fierce war themselves to bring, To hear of their high courage troubled sore the king. XXX Said they, "Yon proud Burgundian has many a man of might, But for the first and foremost we mark'd a matchless knight, One that men call Siegfried, a chief of Netherland." Ill foreboded Ludegast from such a foe at hand. XXXI When to them of Denmark were these tidings told, The more their friends they summon'd to muster manifold, Nor press nor hasty message did stout Sir Ludegast slack, Till twenty thousand champions were marching at his back. XXXII Alike to brave Sir Ludeger did his Saxons throng, Till they in arms had gather'd full forty thousand strong, Ready at his bidding through Burgundy to ride, Nor less at home did Gunther his men at arms provide. XXXIII His kinsmen and his brethren he begg'd at once to speed, And to the war that dar'd them their muster'd vassals lead, And death-defying Hagan; they gather'd far and nigh. Full many a chief thereafter that journey brought to die. XXXIV They one and all were stirring; no loiterer was there; The danger-daring Folker the standard was to bear. To cross the Rhine they purpos'd and leave their native land. Hagan the knight of Trony was marshal of the band. XXXV With them, too, rode Sindolt, and with them Hunolt bold, Both resolv'd by service to earn King Gunther's gold, And Dankwart, Hagan's brother, and the brave Ortwine, Alike would seek for honor in the march beyond the Rhine. XXXVI "Sir King," said noble Siegfried, "here sit at home and play, While I and your vassals are fighting far away; Here frolic with the ladies and many a merry mate, And trust to me for guarding your honor and estate. XXXVII "Those foes of yours, that threaten'd as far as Worms to roam, I will be their surety, that they shall bide at home. So deep within their country we are resolv'd to ride, To wail shall turn their vaunting, to penitence their pride." XXXVIII From Rhine through Hesse advancing they rode upon their way, Toward the Saxon country, where after happ'd the fray. Far and wide they ravag'd, and fiery brands they toss'd, Till both the princes heard it and felt it to their cost. XXXIX They now were on the borders; then hasten'd every man, When the stalwart Siegfried thus to ask began: "Who shall be appointed to guard our company? Sure ne'er was raid that threaten'd such ill to Saxony." XL They answered, "Let to Dankwart the charge committed be To guard the young and heedless; more nimble none than he. We thus the less shall suffer from aught our foes design. To him commit the rearward, and with him too Ortwine." XLI