ADVENTURE XV.—HOW SIEGFRIED WAS BETRAYED.
877.
Upon the fourth day morning came two and thirty men
Unto the king’s court riding; and word was carried then
To Gunther, the most mighty, that he was call’d to war.
The lie cost many a woman much grief and sorrow sore.
878.
When leave to them was granted, before the king they went,
And said that they were under King Lud’ger’s government,—
Who vanquish’d was aforetime by doughty Siegfried’s hand,
And brought by him a captive unto King Gunther’s land.
879.
Then greeted he the heralds, and bade them seated be.
But one among them pray’d him: “Sire, let us stand, till we
Our message have deliver’d and errand duly done:
Know then that thou art hated by many a mother’s son!
880.
“King Ludegast and Lud’ger, do challenge you to war,
Of whom you were aforetime the bloody conqueror:
They’re coming with their armies, to ride thy country through.”
At this the king feign’d anger, as if to him ’twere new.
881.
They took these counterfeiters to hostel presently.
How then could Siegfried ware be of any treachery,—
Could he or any other suspect they played a part?
Unto themselves hereafter befell the pain and smart.
