old King Volsung and of the deeds of the Volsung kings:--

"Long years ago, before the evil days had dawned, King
Volsung ruled over all the land which lies between the sea
and the country of the Goths. The days were golden; and the
good Frey dropped peace and plenty everywhere, and men went
in and out and feared no wrong. King Volsung had a dwelling
in the midst of fertile fields and fruitful gardens. Fairer
than any dream was that dwelling. The roof was thatched with
gold, and red turrets and towers rose above. The great
feast-hall was long and high, and its walls were hung with
sun-bright shields; and the door-nails were of silver. In
the middle of the hall stood the pride of the Volsungs,--a
tree whose blossoms filled the air with fragrance, and whose
green branches, thrusting themselves through the ceiling,
covered the roof with fair foliage. It was Odin's tree, and
King Volsung had planted it there with his own hands.

"On a day in winter King Volsung held a great feast in his
hall in honor of Siggeir, the King of the Goths, who was his
guest. And the fires blazed bright in the broad chimneys,
and music and mirth went round. But in the midst of the
merry-making the guests were startled by a sudden peal of
thunder, which seemed to come from the cloudless sky, and
which made the shields upon the walls rattle and ring. In
wonder they looked around. A strange man stood in the
doorway, and laughed, but said not a word. And they noticed
that he wore no shoes upon his feet, but that a cloud-gray
cloak was thrown over his shoulders, and a blue hood was
drawn down over his head. His face was half-hidden by a