With his friends the monarch / secret counsel sought. Hagen of Tronje / let him tarry not. Of the king's men yet were many / who fain would peace restore: But nowise would Hagen / his dark purpose e'er give o'er. 883 Upon a day came Siegfried / when they did counsel take, And there the knight of Netherland / thus unto them spake: "How goeth now so sorrowful / amid his men the king? I'll help you to avenge it, / hath he been wronged in anything." 884 Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Of right do I lament, Luedegast and Luedeger / have hostile message sent: They will in open manner / now invade my land." The knight full keen gave answer: / "That in sooth shall Siegfried's hand, 885 "As doth befit thy honor, / know well to turn aside. As erstwhile to thy enemies, / shall now from me betide: Their lands and eke their castles / laid waste by me shall be Ere that I give over: / thereof my head be surety. 886 "Thou and thy good warriors / shall here at home abide, And let me with my company / alone against them ride. That I do serve thee gladly, / that will I let them see; By me shall thy enemies, / --that know thou-- full requited be." 887 "Good tidings, that thou sayest," / then the monarch said, As if he in earnest / did joy to have such aid. Deep did bow before him / the king in treachery. Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Bring that but little care to thee." 888 Then serving-men full many / bade they ready be: 'Twas done alone that Siegfried / and his men the same might see. Then bade he make them ready / the knights of Netherland, And soon did Siegfried's warriors / for fight apparelled ready stand. 889 "My royal father Siegmund, / here shalt thou remain," Spake then Sir Siegfried. / "We come full soon again If God but give good fortune, / hither the Rhine beside; Here shalt thou with King Gunther / full merrily the while abide." 890 Then bound they on the banners / as they thence would fare. Men of royal Gunther / were full many there, Who naught knew of the matter, / or how that thing might be: There with Siegfried saw ye / of knights a mickle company. 891 Their helms and eke their mail-coats / bound on horse did stand: And doughty knights made ready / to fare from out that land. Then went of Tronje Hagen / where he Kriemhild found And prayed a fair leave-taking, / for that to battle they were bound. 892 "Now well is me, such husband / I have," Kriemhild said, "That to my loving kindred / can bring so potent aid, As my lord Siegfried / doth now to friends of me. Thereby," spake the high lady, / "may I full joyous-minded be. 893 "Now full dear friend Hagen, / call thou this to mind, Good-will I e'er have borne thee, / nor hate in any kind. Let now therefrom have profit / the husband dear to me. If Brunhild aught I've injured / may't not to him requited be. 894