Reely's Poetry Blog

by UHLAND (1787-1862)

Young Siegfried's heart was full of pride :
He from his father's castle hied;

Could not rest in his father's home,
But over the wide world would roam.

There met him many a brave knight,
With massive shield and broadsword bright.

Only a staff young Siegfried bore;
This chafed and vexed his spirit sore.

And as he went through the dark wood,
Soon came he where a smithy stood.

Plenty of iron and steel was there;
The fire was blazing in the air.

" Good master, listen now to me,
And let me thine apprentice be;

" And teach thou me, with skill and care,
How they the good broadswords prepare."

Young Siegfried swung the hammer round—
He smote the anvil to the ground.

He smote so that the woodlands rang,
And all the iron to pieces sprang.

From the last bar of iron he made
A good broadsword—a gleaming blade.

" Now have I forged a broadsword bright,
Now I'm a match for any knight.

" Now, like a hero, will I kill
Giants and dragons in forest and hill."

translated by Lady John Manners