Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/95

III.]

“And unto him for wages they gave the Niblungs’ sword:

But little they foreboded what would be their reward

For rendering this service to Siegfried, the good knight;—

Ere he could end the sharing they had begun to fight.

“They had their friends anear them, twelve gallant arméd men,

Who all were mighty giants,— but what availed them then?

For Siegfried fell upon them and slew them in his ire,

Full seven hundred Niblungs, vanquished in battle dire,

“With their good sword resistless, that was yclept ‘Balmung.’

And through the mighty terror that seized those warriors young,

Dread of the sword, and hero who bravely did it wield;—

Their land and eke their castles unto him did they yield.

“The wealthy kings he also smote, till they both fell dead.

But he himself, through Albrich, was grievously bested,

Who would avenge his masters upon the spot,—till he

Found the great strength of Siegfried beyond his mastery.

“The sturdy dwarf was powerless against him in the fray.

Like lions wild to the mountain they twain then broke away,

Till the Tarnhelm from Albrich he wrested; and thus lord

Became the dreaded Siegfried of all the Niblung hoard.

“They who had dared the battle there, one and all, lay slain.

Then bade he that the treasure be carried back again

Unto the cave, whence erstwhile the Niblungs did it take,

And then did he stout Albrich his treasure-keeper make.