Thence in his cloud-cloak Siegfried descended to the strand; There he found a shallop, that close lay to the land; Unseen the bark he boarded, that from the harbor pass'd Moved by the son of Siegmund, as though before the blast. II The steersman could see no man; yet the vessel flew Beneath the strokes of Siegfried the yielding water through. 'T was a tempest thought they, that drove it furious on. No! 't was the strength of Siegfried, fair Sieglind's peerless son. III All that day they were running, and all the night the same, Then to a famous country of mighty power they came, Days' journey full a hundred stretching far away, The Nibelungers' country, where his hard-won treasure lay. IV Alone the champion landed in a meadow wide; Straight to the shore securely the little bark he tied, And then went to a castle seated upon a hill, To ask for food and shelter as weary travellers will. V All found he barr'd and bolted as near the walls he drew; Men both life and honor kept then as now they do. The stranger all impatient began a thundering din At the well fasten'd portal. There found he close within VI A huge earth-shaking giant, the castle set to guard, Who with his weapons by him kept ever watch and ward. "Who beats the gate so stoutly?" the yawning monster ask'd; His voice, as he gave answer, the crafty hero mask'd, VII And said, "I am a warrior; open me the gate; I'm wroth with lazy losels who make their betters wait, While they on down are snoring as if they'd never wake." It irk'd the burly porter that thus the stranger spake. VIII Now had the fearless giant all his weapons donn'd, Bound on his head his helmet, and in his monstrous hond A shield unmeasur'd taken; open the gate he threw, And his teeth grimly gnashing at Siegfried fiercely flew. IX "How could he dare to call up men of mettle so?" With that he let fly at him many a wind-swift blow, That the noble stranger put back with wary fence. At last upheav'd the giant an iron bar immense, X And his firm shield-band shatter'd; scarce could the warrior stand, He fear'd, though for a moment, grim death was close at hand, With his enormous weapon the porter smote so sore, Yet for his dauntless bearing he lov'd him all the more. XI With the mighty conflict the castle rung around; To th' hall of the Nibelungers reach'd the stunning sound. At length the vanquish'd porter he bound with conquering hand. Far and wide flew the tidings through the Nibelungers' land. 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 noble guest victorious, and the panting giant bound. XIII