"You know the weight of my hammer's blow," he threatened, while the Giants laughed a horrible, rumbling laugh and Donner swung his hammer. Wotan feared the strife that would surely follow, and being a god of war, understood the value of diplomacy, as well as of force, so he interposed his spear between the Giants and Donner. "Thy thunder is powerless against my spear, Donner. The whole world is shattered if only I interpose thus; so hold thy peace." "Even Wotan abandons us," Fricka cried in despair. "Where is now thy fine Loge?" "I can quench thy accursed Loge with only one blow of my hammer, which shall make the mists collect and the waters descend upon the earth till his fires are put out," Donner answered bitterly. "Hold thy peace," Wotan commanded. "His cunning is worth all thy force and here he comes to straighten out this coil. Come, Loge," Wotan demanded, "thou hast promised to free us from this bargain; get thy wits to work." "Alas, Wotan!" the tricky fellow replied, coming into their midst, "I have wandered everywhere for a substitute for the Goddess Freia, and have found none; but I have brought news of great misfortune, which thou art called upon to set right," he said, watching the Giants craftily out of the corner of his eye. "The Rhein-daughters have lost their gold. It has been stolen by a Nibelung, and with the golden treasure he can rule the world. The bargain with the Fates was: he who should forswear love forever would be able to make of the Rheingold a magic ring which would give him power over all the earth and over the Eternals as well. Alberich has done this and has stolen the gold." Now, while the cunning Loge spoke, the Giants had been listening, and exchanging glances. When Loge had finished, Fafner spoke up: "I would not mind having that gold for myself." "How? Wouldst thou take it in exchange for Freia?" Wotan instantly asked. "Have a care, brother," Fasolt interposed; "after all, a woman's love----" "It will not gain for us what the Rheingold will gain," Fafner answered determinedly. "Wilt give us the gold for Freia?" he asked Wotan. All the Gods fell to talking among themselves. Freia pleaded with Wotan, and Wotan reflected: the word "gold" made even the Gods tremble with pleasure. Why should Wotan not have the treasure for himself? "Well, answer us!" Fafner shouted, making a motion to take the Goddess and flee. Fricka and Freia shrieked with fright. "What is the secret of this ring?" Fafner asked again. "That whoever shall make a ring out of the Rheingold shall rule the universe. Alberich has already forsworn love, and is already having the ring made."