Then bade he bear that treasure to the mountain-fastness again
Whence the Niblung vassals had haled it forth as the dead kings bade;
And the warder of the treasure strong Alberich he made.
By an oath most mighty he bound him his thrall, to be faithful and true,
And ever in loyal service his uttermost bidding to do.”
So ended Hagen of Troneg—“All this hath the hero done:
Through the world in battle-prowess peer unto him is there none.
Men tell of another emprise—as I heard it, I tell it to you—
A Worm, a winged fen-dragon, the hand of the hero slew:
Then he bathed in the blood of the monster, and his skin became as horn,