Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/161

VIII.]

Though no one saw the steersman, fast sped the bark along,

Urged by the strength of Siegfried,— in sooth his arms were strong.

Men thought that she was driven by some strange, mighty wind:

No, it was Siegfried drave her, the son of fair Sieglind.

When he a day had voyaged, and likewise through a night,

He came unto a country, by dint of main and might;—

From one end to the other a hundred leagues or more,

The Niblung land, where kept he the mighty hoard in store.

Then, all alone, the hero steered to an eyot broad,

And ran his skiff alongshore and left her safely moor’d.

Then climbed he to a mountain, on which a castle stood,

And, like a wayworn traveller, for shelter sought and food.

So came he to the gateway, which, locked, before him stood,—

They guarded well their honour, as folk at this day would.

Then straight he fell a-knocking, like any man unknown.

The gate was kept well guarded: he saw within it soon

A monstrous giant warder, who sentinel did stand,

And kept at all times ready his weapons close at hand,

He called: “Who cometh knocking so loudly at the door?”

Then answer’d the bold Siegfried— but changed his voice therefore—

And said; “I am a warrior; undo me now the gate,

Ere I arouse to anger some one, though it be late,

Who rather would sleep softly and in his chamber bide.”

It anger’d the gate-keeper that Siegfried thus replied.