As soon as Siegfried was made aware of the threatened invasion he declared that if Gunther would only give him one thousand brave men he would repel the foe.  This offer was too good to refuse; so Gunther hastily assembled a chosen corps, in which were his brothers Gernot and Giselher, Hagen and his brother Dankwart, Ortwine, Sindolt, and Volker,—­all men of remarkable valor.

“‘Sir king,’ said noble Siegfried, ’here sit at home and play,
While I and your vassals are fighting far away;
Here frolic with the ladies and many a merry mate,
And trust to me for guarding your honor and estate.’”

          
                                                          Nibelungenlied (Lettsom’s tr.).

This little force, only one thousand strong, then marched bravely out of Worms, passed through Hesse, and entered Saxony, where it encountered the enemy numbering no less than twenty thousand valiant fighting men.  The battle was immediately begun; and while all fought bravely, none did such wonders as Siegfried, who made both kings prisoners, routed their host, and returned triumphant to Worms, with much spoil and many captives.

A messenger had preceded him thither to announce the success of the expedition, and he was secretly summoned and questioned by Kriemhild, who, in her joy at hearing that Siegfried was unharmed and victorious, gave the messenger a large reward.

“Then spake she midst her blushes, ’Well hast thou earn’d thy meed,
Well hast thou told thy story, so take thee costliest weed,
And straight I’ll bid be brought thee ten marks of ruddy gold.’ 
No wonder, to rich ladies glad news are gladly told.”
Nibelungenlied (Lettsom’s
tr.).

[Sidenote:  Celebration of Siegfried’s victory.] Kriemhild then hastened to her window, from whence she witnessed her hero’s triumphant entrance, and heard the people’s acclamations of joy.  The wounded were cared for, the captive kings hospitably entertained and duly released, and great festivities were held to celebrate the glorious victory.  Among other entertainments the knights tilted in the tournaments, and, by Gernot’s advice, Ute, Kriemhild, and all the court ladies were invited to view the prowess of the men at arms.  It was thus that Siegfried first beheld Kriemhild, and as soon as he saw her he gladly acknowledged that she was fairer than he could ever have supposed.

    “As the moon arising outglitters every star
    That through the clouds so purely glimmers from afar,
    E’en so love-breathing Kriemhild dimm’d every beauty nigh. 
    Well might at such a vision many a bold heart beat high.”
          
                              Nibelungenlied {Lettsom’s tr.}.

Siegfried’s happiness was complete, however, when he was appointed the escort of this peerless maiden; and on the way to and from the tournament and mass he made good use of his opportunity to whisper pretty speeches to Kriemhild, who timidly expressed her gratitude for the service he had rendered her brother, and begged that he would continue to befriend him.  These words made Siegfried blush with pride, and then and there he registered a solemn vow to fulfill her request.