The Nibelungenlied Part 32

XII

While in the dubious combat they both were struggling still, Albric the wild dwarf heard it far through the hollow hill.

Straight he donn'd his armor, and thither running found The n.o.ble guest victorious, and the panting giant bound.

XIII

A stout dwarf was Albric, and bold as well as stout; With helm and mail securely he was arm'd throughout; A golden scourge full heavy in his hand he swung.

Straight ran he to the rescue, and fierce on Siegfried sprung.

XIV

Seven ponderous k.n.o.bs from th' handle hung, each one by its thong; With these the dwarf kept pounding so st.u.r.dy and so strong, That he split the s.h.i.+eld of Siegfried to the centre from the rim, And put the dauntless champion in care for life or limb.

XV

Away he threw his buckler broken all and smash'd; His long well-temper'd weapon into its sheath he dash'd, To spare his own dependents his virtue mov'd him still, And to his heart sore went it his chamberlain to kill.

XVI

With mighty hands undaunted in on the dwarf he ran; By the beard he caught him, that age-h.o.a.ry man, He dragg'd him, and he shook him, his rage on him he wreak'd, And handled him so roughly, that loud for pain he shriek'd.

XVII

Loud cries the dwarf o'ermaster'd, "Spare me and leave me free, And could I ever servant save to one hero be, To whom I've sworn allegiance as long as I have breath,"

Said the crafty Albric, "you would I serve to death."

XVIII

Then bound was writhing Albric as the giant just before; The nervous grasp of Siegfried pinch'd him and pain'd him sore.

Then thus the dwarf address'd him; "Be pleas'd your name to tell."

Said he, "My name is Siegfried; I thought you knew me well."

XIX

"Well's me for these good tidings," Albric the dwarf replied.

"Now know I all your merit, which I by proof have tried.

High rule o'er all this country well you deserve to bear; I'll do whate'er you bid me; the vanquish'd only spare."

XX

Then said the n.o.ble Siegfried: "You must hence with speed, And bring me, of the warriors that best we have at need, A thousand Nibelungers; them I here must view; No evil shall befall you, if this you truly do."

XXI

The dwarf and eke the giant the champion straight unbound; Then ran at once swift Albric where he the warriors found.

The slumbering Nibelungers he wak'd with eager care, Saying, "Up, up, ye heroes! ye must to Siegfried fare."

XXII

Up from their beds they started, and instant ready made, Nimble knights a thousand richly all array'd.

So flock'd they quick, where waiting they saw Sir Siegfried stand; Then was there goodly greeting with word of mouth and clasp of hand.

XXIII

Straight lit was many a taper; then the spiced draught he drank; His friends, who came so quickly, he did not spare to thank.

He said, "You hence must instant far o'er the wave with me."

He found them for th' adventure as ready as could be.

XXIV

Full thirty hundred warriors were come at his request; From these he chose a thousand the bravest and the best.

Helmets and other armor were brought for all the band, For he resolv'd to lead them e'en to Queen Brunhild's land.

XXV

He said, "Good knights adventurous, to my words give heed.

At the proud court of Brunhild our richest robes will need.

There many a lovely lady will look on every guest, So we must all array us in our choicest and our best."

XXVI

"How?" said a beardless novice, "that sure can never be.

How can be lodg'd together so many knights as we?

Where could they find them victual? where could they find them vests?

Never could thirty kingdoms keep such a crowd of guests."

XXVII

You've heard of Siegfried's riches; well could he all afford With a kingdom to supply him, and Niblung's endless h.o.a.rd.

Rich gifts were in profusion to all his knights a.s.sign'd.

Much as he drain'd the treasure, as much remain'd behind.