was the hero in dire need. Siegfried gan fear a deal his death, when the
warder struck such mighty blows. Enow his master Siegfried loved him for
this cause. They strove so sore that all the castle rang and the sound
was heard in Nibelung's hall. He overcame the warder and bound him, too.

The tale was noised abroad in all the Nibelungs' land. Alberich, the
bold, a savage dwarf, heard the fierce struggle through the mountain.
He armed him quick and ran to where he found the noble stranger, as he
bound the mighty giant. Full wroth was Alberich and strong enow. On his
body he bare helmet and rings of mail and in his hand a heavy scourge of
gold. Swift and hard he ran to where Siegfried stood. Seven heavy knobs
(3) hung down in front, with which he smote so fiercely the shield upon
the bold man's arm, that it brake in parts. The stately stranger came in
danger of his life. From his hand he flung the broken shield and thrust
into the sheath a sword, the which was long. He would not strike his
servant dead, but showed his courtly breeding as his knightly virtue
bade him. He rushed at Alberich and with his powerful hands he seized
the gray-haired man by the beard. So roughly he pulled his beard, that
he screamed aloud. The tugging of the youthful knight hurt Alberich
sore.

Loud cried the valiant dwarf: "Now spare my life. And might I be the
vassal of any save one knight, to whom I swore an oath that I would own
him as my lord, I'd serve you till my death." So spake the cunning (4)
man.

He then bound Alberich as he had the giant afore. Full sore the strength
of Siegfried hurt him. The dwarf gan ask: "How are ye named?"

"My name is Siegfried," he replied; "I deemed ye knew me well."

"Well is me of these tidings," spake Alberich, the dwarf. "Now have I
noted well the knightly deeds, through which ye be by right the sovran
of the land. I'll do whatso ye bid, and ye let me live."

Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Go quickly now and bring me the best of
knights we have, a thousand Nibelungs, that they may see me here."

Why he wanted this, none heard him say. He loosed the bonds of Alberich
and the giant. Then ran Alberich swift to where he found the knights. In
fear he waked the Nibelung men. He spake: "Up now, ye heroes, ye must go
to Siegfried."

From their beds they sprang and were ready in a trice. A thousand
doughty knights soon stood well clad. They hied them to where they saw
Sir Siegfried stand. Then was done a fair