XI

"Since you're resolv'd," said Hagan, "this would I chief advise; Request of n.o.ble Siegfried in this dread enterprise To take his part among us; thus 'twould be best, I ween, For none so well as Siegfried knows this redoubted queen."

XII

Said Gunther, "Wilt thou help me, Siegfried tried and true?

To win the lovely maiden? What I entreat thee, do, And if I only gain her to my wedded wife, For thee I'll gladly venture honor, limb and life."

XIII

Thereto answer'd Siegfried, Siegmund's matchless son, "Give me but thy sister, and the thing is done.

The stately queen fair Kriemhild let me only gain, I ask no other guerdon for whatever toil and pain."

XIV

"I promise it," said Gunther, "and take in pledge thy hand, And soon as lovely Brunhild shall come into this land, To thee to wife my sister surely will I give, And may you both together long time and happy live."

XV

Then each they swore to th' other, the high-born champions bold, Which wrought them toil and trouble thereafter manifold, Ere to full completion they brought their high design, And led at last the lady to the banks of Rhine.

XVI

I have heard strange stories of wild dwarfs, how they fare; They dwell in hollow mountains, and for protection wear A vesture that high cloud-cloak, marvellous to tell; Whoever has it on him may keep him safe and well.

XVII

From cuts and stabs of foemen; him none can hear or see As soon as he is in it, but see and hear can he Whatever he will around him, and thus must needs prevail; He grows besides far stronger; so goes the wond'rous tale.

XVIII

And now with him the cloud-cloak took fair Sieglind's son; The same th' unconquer'd warrior with labor hard had won From the stout dwarf Albric in successful fray.

The bold and wealthy champions made ready for the way.

XIX

So, as I said, bold Siegfried the cloud-cloak bore along.

When he but put it on him, he felt him wond'rous strong.

Twelve men's strength then had he in his single body laid.

By trains and close devices he woo'd the haughty maid.

XX

Besides, in that strange cloud-cloak was such deep virtue found, That whosoever wore it, though thousands stood around, Might do whatever pleas'd him unseen of friend or foe.

Thus Siegfried won fair Brunhild, which brought him bitterest woe.

XXI

"Before we start, bold Siegfried, tell me what best would be; Shall we lead an army across the sounding sea, And travel thus to Brunhild as fits a royal king?

Straight could we together thirty thousand warriors bring."

XXII

"Whatever our band," said Siegfried, "the same would still ensue; So savage and so cruel is the queen you woo, All would together perish by her o'ermastering might; But I'll advise you better, high and n.o.ble knight.

XXIII

"As simple knights we'll travel a-down the Rhine's fair tide, Two to us two added, and followers none beside.

We four will make the voyage, true comrades one and all, And thus shall win the lady, whatever thence befall.

XXIV

"I will be one companion, thou shalt the second be, The third shall be Sir Hagan, in sooth a goodly three!

The fourth shall be Sir Dankwart that redoubted knight.

Trust me, no thousand champions will dare us four to fight."

XXV

"Fain would I learn," said Gunther, "ere we hence depart On the hard adventure, that so inflames my heart, Before the royal Brunhild what vesture we should wear, That may best become us; this, Siegfried, thou declare."

XXVI

"Garments the best and richest that ever warriors wore Robe in the land of Brunhild her lieges evermore; And we should meet the lady array'd at least as well; So shame will ne'er await us, when men our tale shall tell."

XXVII

Then answer'd good King Gunther, "I'll to my mother dear, That she and her fair maidens ere we for Issland steer, May furnish us with raiment in full and copious store, Which we may wear with honor the stately queen before."

XXVIII