(C) Now concerning the tameless Earth-dwarfs this thing have I heard folk say, That they dwell in the mountain-caverns, and about their heads they lay For helmets the Hoods of Darkness, and a strange power floweth thence; For who weareth such on his body, therein hath perfect defence (C) From stroke of sword and from spear-thrust; while resteth on him this pall, No man may in any wise see him, but he heareth and seeth all So much as his soul desireth, yet himself may none behold; And his strength to a giant's waxeth, as the tale in our ears hath been told. Now the Hood of Darkness Siegfried for their help at need hath ta'en, Even that which the valiant warrior had wrested with toil and strain From Alberich, Dwarf of the Mountain, in the stormy days gone by. So these to their journey addressed them in their fearless chivalry. Now whene'er the stalwart Siegfried had donned that Hood of Night, He gat from its overscreening exceeding fulness of might; In twelve men's strength he clad him, as the runes of the old songs run. So it fell, by the Dwarf-lords' cunning that glorious bride was won. Yea, and so wondrous-shapen was that strange cloudy Hood, That a man overpalled by its shrouding might do even that which he would, Yea, after his heart's good pleasure, for of none was he espied: Therewith did he win Queen Brunhild--and through her at the last he died.
"Now, ere we set forth on our journey, unto me, O Siegfried, declare How best for our honour and glory over the sea we may fare. Shall we lead 'neath our banners a war-host of knights unto Brunhild's land? Swiftly may thrice ten thousand be arrayed in our warrior-band." "How great soever the war-host that we take," spake Siegfried to him, "The might of that queen and her fury be so exceeding grim, That all our array should be blasted 'neath the storm of her battle-mood. I will give to you better counsel, O valiant thanes and good: { P. 47} In guise as of lone knights-errant let us sail adown the Rhine. Touching who in our band shall be numbered, hear this counsel of mine: With thee and with me two only let there go, none other beside, That with these we may woo this lady, whatsoever thereafter betide. Even I am one in the venture, the second must needs be thou, And let the third be Hagen--fear not, we shall prosper now;-- For the fourth be chosen Dankwart, that lord of battle-might; Then not a thousand aliens shall ever withstand us in fight."