asked and learned it, / the noble monarch's wife.
For her loved son she sorrowed / lest he should lose his life,
For well she knew the humor / of Gunther and his men.
Then gan they from the wooing / strive to turn the noble thane.
52
Then said the doughty Siegfried: / "O father dear to me,
Without the love of woman / would I ever be,
Could I not woo in freedom / where'er my heart is set.
Whate'er be said by any, / I'll keep the selfsame purpose yet."
53
"Since thou wilt not give over," / the king in answer said,
"Am I of this thy purpose / inwardly full glad,
And straightway to fulfil it / I'll help as best I can,
Yet in King Gunther's service / is many a haughty-minded man.
54
"And were there yet none other / than Hagen, warrior-knight,
He with such haughty bearing / is wont to show his might,
That I do fear right sorely / that sad our end may be,
If we set out with purpose / to win the stately maid for thee."
55
"Shall we by that be hindered?" / outspake Siegfried then;
"Whate'er in friendly fashion / I cannot obtain
I'll yet in other manner / take that, with sword in hand.
I trow from them I'll further / wrest both their vassals and their land."
56
"I grieve to hear thy purpose," / said Siegmund the king;
"If any one this story / unto the Rhine should bring,
Then durst thou never after / within that land be seen.
Gunther and Gernot, /—well known to me they long have been.
57
"By force, however mighty, / no man can win the maid,"
Spake King Siegmund further, / "to me hath oft been said.
But if with knightly escort / thither thou wilt ride,
Good friends—an have we any—/ shall soon be summoned to thy side."
58
"No wish," then answered Siegfried, / "it ever was of mine,
That warrior knights should follow / with me unto the Rhine
As if arrayed for battle: / 'twould make my heart full sad,
To force in hostile manner / to yield to me the stately maid.
59
"By my own hand—thus only—/ trust I to win my bride;
With none but twelve in company / to Gunther's land I'll ride.
In this, O royal father, / thy present help I pray."
Gray and white fur raiment / had his companions for the way.
60
Siegelind his mother / then heard the story too,
And grieved she was on hearing / what her dear son would do,
For she did fear to lose him / at hands of Gunther's men.
Thereat with heart full heavy / began to weep the noble queen.
61
Then came forth Sir Siegfried / where the queen he sought,
And to his weeping mother / thus gently spake his thought:
"No tear of grief thou shouldest / ever shed for me,
For I care not a tittle / for all the warriors that be.
62
"So help me on my journey / to the land of Burgundy,
And furnish such apparel / for all my knights and me,
As warriors of our station / might well with honor wear.
Then I in turn right truly / to thee my gratitude will swear."
63
"Since thou wilt not give over," / Siegelind then replied,
"My only son, I'll help thee / as fits thee forth to ride,
With the best apparel / that riders ever wore,
Thee and thy companions: / ye shall of all have goodly store."
64
Then bowed the youthful Siegfried / the royal dame before,
And said: "Upon the journey / will I take no more,
But twelve good knights only: / for these rich dress provide,
For I would know full gladly / how 't doth with Kriemhild betide."
65
Then sat at work fair women / by night and eke by day,
And rest indeed but little / from busy toil had they,
Until they had made ready / the dress Siegfried should wear.
Firm bent upon the journey, / no other counsel would he hear.
66
His father bade a costly / garb for him prepare,
That leaving Siegmund's country / he the same might wear.
For all their glittering breastplates / were soon prepared beside,
And helmets firmly welded, / and shining shields long and wide.
67
Then fast the day grew nearer / when they should thence depart.
Men and likewise women / went sorrowing in heart,
If that they should ever / see more their native land.
With full equipment laden / the sumpter horses there did stand.
68
Their steeds were stately, furnished / with trappings rich with gold;
It were a task all bootless / to seek for knights more bold
Than were the gallant Siegfried / and his chosen band.
He longed to take departure / straightway for Burgundian land.
69
Leave granted they with sadness, / both the king and queen,
The which to turn to gladness / sought the warrior keen,
And spake then: "Weep ye shall not / at all for sake of me,
Forever free from doubtings / about my safety may ye be."
70
Stern warriors stood there sorrowing, /—in tears was many a maid.
I ween their hearts erred nothing, / as sad forebodings said
That 'mongst their friends so many / thereby were doomed to die.
Good cause had they to sorrow / at last o'er all their misery.
71
Upon the seventh morning / to Worms upon the strand
Did come the keen knights riding. / Bright shone many a band
Of gold from their apparel / and rich equipment then;
And gently went their chargers / with Siegfried and his chosen men.
72
New-made shields they carried / that were both strong and wide
And brightly shone their helmets / as thus to court did ride