Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/163

VIII.]

Seven knots, both hard and heavy, hung down in front of it,

With which the bold man’s buckler so ruthlessly he hit,—

As in his hand he held it,— that it in pieces fell.

Then was the goodly stranger in fear for life as well.

The shield, that now was broken, he from his hand did throw,

And thrust into its scabbard his sword,—’twas long enow.—

His treasurer he would not, an he could help it, slay:

His breeding he forgat not, as was his righteous way.

With his strong hands for weapons at Alberich he ran,

And by the beard he gripp’d him, that old and grizzly man!

So ruthlessly he pull’d it, that loud the old man cried:

The grip of the young hero could Albrich ill abide,

Loud was the bold dwarf’s outcry: “I prithee now, have done;

An I could be the liegeman of any knight, save one

To whom I have sworn fealty to be his vassal aye,—

Rather than die, I'd serve thee!” the crafty one did say.

But Alberich was bound as the giant had been bound,

And by the strength of Siegfried much pain and trouble found.

The dwarf began to question: “How are you call’d?” quoth he,

He said: “My name is Siegfried: I should be known to thee!”

“That is a goodly hearing!” said Alberich the dwarf.

“Now know I of a surety what metal you are of,

And know you have good reason to lord it in the land.

If you my life will leave me, I’ll do what you command.”