Then was told the tale of his purpose unto Siegmund the ancient King, For his people brought him the tidings, and so was he ware of the thing Whereunto was his son's mind steadfast; and the King was sore afraid For the peril of Siegfried's wooing of the haughty-hearted maid. Yea also the selfsame rumour did the lady Siegelind hear; And her heart was exceeding heavy with a burden of sorrow and fear; For she wotted how grim was Gunther and the earls of his war-array: And they laboured to turn Prince Siegfried from the perilous quest away. Then answered the aweless Siegfried: "Heart's dearest, father mine, Never to love of woman shall the soul of me incline, Except I may woo untrammelled where love leads forth mine heart!" And never, for all their pleading, would he from the word depart. "If thus thou abide unshaken," the King made answer again, "Know thou, of thine high-wrought purpose my soul is exceeding fain; And with heart and hand will I aid thee to the uttermost of my might. Yet mid King Gunther's vassals is many a haughty knight: Yea, had he none other than Hagen the stalwart to stand at his side, That champion is so uplifted with overweening pride, That I fear, I fear me sorely lest his malice bring us to bane If we woo that high-born maiden, the Lady of Disdain." "Shall the pride of the haughty thwart us?" hot-hearted Siegfried cried. "If they mock at the speech of friendship, if I be with scorn denied, Then will I do my wooing with the strength of mine own right hand; Yea, I will wrest from the proud ones their vassals and their land!" Then answered and spake King Siegmund: "Woe's me for this word of thine! For if haply this thy defiance should be told by the waters of Rhine, { P. 9} Never couldst thou thereafter to the land of Gunther ride;-- Long time have I known them, Gunther and Gernot, the children of pride. By violence may no man win her, that the maiden should stoop to his love," Spake Siegmund the King, "assurance most utter have I thereof. Yet if thou with a host of warriors wouldst thitherward spur the steed, Lo, all our battle-helpers shall with thee into Rhineland speed." "Now nay, it shall nowise please me," the son of Siegmund said, "That a host of knights into Rhineland by my banner should be led Arrayed in the ranks of battle; for my sorrow should it be To constrain that daughter of princes to yield her love unto me. I will woo her alone, unholpen of aught but mine own right hand: With none save with twelve companions will I unto Gunther's land. Thus far and no further, my father, mine emprise shall ye aid, That my knights be in bright-hued vesture and grey furs costly arrayed."