XL

"What would the king with Hagan?" the warrior made demand.

"Here in my house are wand'rers from some far-distant land, Unknown to all around me; observe the strangers well, And if thou e'er hast seen them, the truth, good Hagan, tell."

XLI

"That will I straight," said Hagan; to a window then he went, And his eyes attentive on the strangers bent.

Well pleas'd him their fair vesture, and well their armor sheen, Yet sure the like he never in Burgundy had seen.

XLII

"Whencever come these champions whom chance to Rhineland brings, Kings might they be," said Hagan, "or messengers of kings.

How highly bred their chargers! how gorgeous their array!

Wherever lies their country, high-mettled lords are they."

XLIII And thereto added Hagan, "This too I'll vouch for yet; Albeit on n.o.ble Siegfried I never eyes have set; Still to aver I'll venture, that (let whate'er befall) 'Tis he that's stalking yonder, so stately and so tall.

XLIV

"He brings some new adventure to our Burgundian land; The valiant Nibelungers he slew by strength of hand, Nibelung and Shilbung the princes stern in fight, And since has many a wonder achiev'd with all-surpa.s.sing might.

XLV

"As all alone and aidless he was riding once at will, As I have heard reported, he found beside a hill With Nibelung's h.o.a.rded treasure full many a man of might; Strange seem'd they to the champion, till he came to know them right.

XLVI

"They had brought the treasure, as just then befell, Forth from a yawning cavern; now hear a wonder tell, How those fierce Nibelungers the treasure would divide; The n.o.ble Siegfried eyed them, and wonder'd as he eyed.

XLVII

"He nearer came and nearer, close watching still the clan, Till they got sight of him too, when one of them began, 'Here comes the stalwart Siegfried, the chief of Netherland.'

A strange adventure met he with that Nibelungers' band.

XLVIII

"Him well receiv'd the brethren Shilbung and Nibelung.

With one accord they begg'd him, those n.o.ble princes young, To part the h.o.a.rd betwixt them, and ever pressing bent The hero's wavering purpose till he yielded full consent.

XLIX

"He saw of gems such plenty, drawn from that dark abode, That not a hundred wagons could bear the costly load, Still more of gold so ruddy from the Nibelungers' land.

All this was to be parted by n.o.ble Siegfried's hand.

L "So Nibelung's sword they gave him to recompense his pain, But ill was done the service, which they had sought so fain, And he so hard had granted; Siegfried, the hero good, Fail'd the long task to finish; this stirr'd their angry mood.

LI

"The treasure undivided he needs must let remain, When the two kings indignant set on him with their train, But Siegfried gripp'd sharp Balmung (so hight their father's sword), And took from them their country and the beaming precious h.o.a.rd.

LII

"For friends had they twelve champions, each, as avers my tale, A strong and st.u.r.dy giant, but what could all avail?

All twelve to death successive smote Siegfried's mastering hand, And vanquish'd chiefs seven hundred of the Nibelungers' land.

LIII

"With that good weapon Balmung; by sudden fear dismay'd Both of the forceful swordsman and of the sword he sway'd, Unnumber'd youthful heroes to Siegfried bent that hour, Themselves, their lands, their castles, submitting to his power.

LIV

"Those two fierce kings together he there depriv'd of life, Then wag'd with puissant Albric a stern and dubious strife, Who thought to take full vengeance for both his masters slain, But found his might and manhood with Siegfried's match'd in vain.

LV

"The mighty dwarf successless strove with the mightier man; Like to wild mountain lions to th' hollow hill they ran; He ravish'd there the cloud-cloak from struggling Albric's hold, And then became the master of th' h.o.a.rded gems and gold.

LVI

"Whoever dar'd resist him, all by his sword lay slain, Then bade he bring the treasure back to the cave again, Whence the men of Nibelung the same before had stirr'd; On Albric last the office of keeper he conferr'd.

LVII

"He took an oath to serve him, as his liegeman true, In all that to a master from his man is due.

Such deeds," said he of Trony, "has conqu'ring Siegfried done; Be sure, such mighty puissance, knight has never won.

LVIII

"Yet more I know of Siegfried, that well your ear may hold; A poison-spitting dragon he slew with courage bold, And in the blood then bath'd him; this turn'd to horn his skin.

And now no weapons harm him, as often proved has been.