he found
the stranger, that had made an end of binding the giant. Now Albric was
bold and stout, and on his body he had a helmet and coat of mail, and in
his hand a heavy scourge of gold. He hasted and fell on Siegfried. The
scourge had seven heavy knobs hanging from it, wherewith he smote so
heavily to the left upon the shield that he well night brake it. Then
the noble guest came in peril. He threw away the broken shield and stuck
his long sword into the sheath, for he would not slay his chamberlain,
but ever spared his own folk; wherein he did honourably. With his strong
hands he ran at Albric, and grasped the age-hoary man by the beard, and
shook him sore, that he yelled aloud. Certes, the young hero's handling
was dolorous enow to Albric, who cried out, "Spare me. Had I not sworn
fealty to a knight already, I would serve thee till I died." This he
spake craftily. Siegfried bound Albric as he had done to the giant, and
the dwarf was in evil case through Siegfried's strength, and asked, "What
is thy name?"

Siegfried answered, "Siegfried is my name. Methought thou hadst known
me."

"Right glad am I to hear it," said Albric the dwarf, "for now I know, by
thy prowess, that thou art worthy to be the lord of this land, and I will
do all thy behest, if thou spare my life."

Said Siegfried then, "Haste and bring me a thousand Nibelung knights, of
the best we have. I would see them here before me. Thou hast naught to
fear at my hand." He loosed the giant and Albric, and Albric ran to the
knights, and waked them eagerly, and said, "Rouse ye, O heroes, and go to
Siegfried."

They sprang from their beds and were ready on the instant, a thousand
good knights and rich attired. They went where Siegfried stood, and he
greeted them fair. They lit many tapers, and poured for him the spiced
draught. And he thanked them that they had not lingered, and said, "Ye
shall follow me hence across the sea;" whereto he found the good knights
willing.

Full thirty thousand warriors were come at his bidding, and from these he
chose a thousand of the best. And some brought them their helmets, and
some their coats of mail, for they had to follow Siegfried into
Brunhild's land. He said then, "Hearken, good knights; ye go to court,
and must have rich apparel, for ye shall be seen of fair women.
Wherefore array you in your best."

Now a fool might say, "Thou liest. How could so many knights dwell
together? Where find the