And ever with the dragons is their home
Within the earth and in the mountain caves.—
First cousins to the moles they are.
WULF.
But strong!
TRUCHS.
And clever are they too! One need not seek For mandrakes[4] if one has these dwarfs for friends.
WULF (pointing toward the treasure).
He who owns that needs neither of the two.
TRUCHS.
I love it not. It is an ancient saw
That magic gold is thirstier for blood
Than ever was the driest sponge for water;
And, more than all, the Niblung heroes tell
The strangest tales!