170.
King Ludeger the Saxon assembled his men, too,
Till he had forty thousand or even more to show,
Ready to join the others, and ride to Burgundy.
Nor was King Gunther idle at home, for also he
171.
Sent word to all his kinsmen, and to his brothers’ men,
To bid their troops assemble to go to battle then;
And likewise Hagen’s warriors, the heroes needed all.
Whereby must many a chieftain in death, thereafter, fall.
172.
So made they all things ready. When perfect was each plan,
The gallant warrior, Volker, was bade to lead the van,
And thus they rode together from Worms, upon the Rhine,
The chief command to Hagen of Tronjé they assign.
173.
With them did ride Sir Sindold, and eke the brave Hunold,
Two knights of whom was either well worth King Gunther’s gold;
And Dankwart, Hagen’s brother, his nephew Ortwein too,
Who also might with honour upon the war-march go,
174.
“Sir king,” said Siegfried, “prithee, in quiet bide at home,
Seeing that all thy warriors with me to battle come,
Remain to guard the women, and aye be of good cheer:
I trow I can take care of your honour and your gear!
175.
“From those who would assail you, at Worms upon the Rhine,
I’ll see that nought of evil befall or thee or thine.
So closely will we press them, and compass them so near,
That all their braggart boasting shall soon be changed to fear.”
