Of the rifted heart of the mountain—a strange, wild tale is this
How the Niblung men were wrangling o’er the treasure’s portioning!
So came Knight Siegfried upon them, and he marvelled at that strange thing.
So nigh he drew unhindered that he saw each battle-lord,
And on him looked they: to his fellow a prince spake straightway the word:
“‘Lo, here cometh Siegfried the stalwart, the Low Land’s hero renowned!’—
Good sooth, a weird adventure mid the Niblung men he found!
Then Schilbung and Nibelung greeted the hero with courteous speech;
And now do the high-born princes that stranger knight beseech
That himself would consent between them that mighty treasure to share;