So he came before that burg-gate: fast locked and barred did it stand;
For jealous aye for their honour were the warders of that land.
On the massy door ’neath the gate-tower did the unknown one begin
Straightway to beat, and his smiting roused up therewithin
A mighty one and a giant, that there kept watch and ward,
And night and day beside him his armour lay and his sword:
And he spake: “Who knocketh so roughly on the burg-gate therewithout?”
In a feigned voice Siegfried the valiant sent back the answering shout:
“Up! I am a knight belated. Knave, open to me forthright,
Else I with strokes heavy-handed shall gall a laggard wight