Page:The German Novelists (Volume 1).djvu/12

viii to the dwarfs. Then God created the heroes, who were of a middle rank, between the dwarfs and giants. And it should be known that the heroes were worthy and faithful for many years, and that they were created to come to the assistance of the dwarfs, against the unfaithful giants, the beasts and the worms. The land was then waste, therefore God made strong heroes, and gave them such a nature, that their mind was ever bent on manhood, and on battles and fights. Among the dwarfs were many kings, who had giants for their servants; for they possessed rough countries, waste forests, and mountains near their dwellings. The heroes paid all observance and honour to the ladies, protected widows and orphans, did no harm to women, except when their life was in danger, were always ready to assist them, and often shewed their manhood before them, both in spirit and in earnest. It should also be known that the heroes were always emperors, kings, dukes, earls, and served under lords or as knights and squires; and that they were all noblemen, and no one was a peasant. And from them are descended all our lords and noblemen.