heavy beard; and he had but one eye, which twinkled and
glowed like a burning coal. And all the guests sat moveless
in their seats, so awed were they in the presence of him who
stood at the door; for they knew that he was none other than
Odin the All-Father, the king of gods and men. He spoke not
a word, but straight into the hall he strode, and he paused
not until he stood beneath the blossoming branches of the
tree. Then, forth from beneath his cloud-gray cloak, he drew
a gleaming sword, and struck the blade deep into the
wood,--so deep that nothing but the hilt was left in sight.
And, turning to the awe-struck guests, he said, 'A blade of
mighty worth have I hidden in this tree. Never have the
earth-folk wrought better steel, nor has any man ever
wielded a more trusty sword. Whoever there is among you
brave enough and strong enough to draw it forth from the
wood, he shall have it as a gift from Odin.' Then slowly to
the door he strode again, and no one saw him any more.

"And after he had gone, the Volsungs and their guests sat a
long time silent, fearing to stir, lest the vision should
prove a dream. But at last the old king arose, and cried,
'Come, guests and kinsmen, and set your hands to the ruddy
hilt! Odin's gift stays, waiting for its fated owner. Let us
see which one of you is the favored of the All-Father.'
First Siggeir, the King of the Goths, and his earls, the
Volsungs' guests, tried their hands. But the blade stuck
fast; and the stoutest man among them failed to move it.
Then King Volsung, laughing, seized the hilt, and drew with
all his strength; but the sword held still in the wood of
Odin's tree. And one by one the nine sons of Volsung tugged