eyes, and the wrinkles on his swarthy face seemed to deepen
with agony, as he arose, and left the smithy. And Siegfried
sat alone before the smouldering fire, and pondered upon
what he had heard.





Adventure II.
Greyfell.



Many were the pleasant days that Siegfried spent in Mimer's
smoky smithy; and if he ever thought of his father's stately
dwelling, or of the life of ease which he might have enjoyed
within its halls, he never by word or deed showed signs of
discontent. For Mimer taught him all the secrets of his
craft and all the lore of the wise men. To beat hot iron, to
shape the fire-edged sword, to smithy war-coats, to fashion
the slender bracelet of gold and jewels,--all this he had
already learned. But there were many other things to know,
and these the wise master showed him. He told him how to
carve the mystic runes which speak to the knowing ones with
silent, unseen tongues; he told him of the men of other
lands, and taught him their strange speech; he showed him
how to touch the harp-strings, and bring forth bewitching
music: and the heart of Siegfried waxed very wise, while his
body grew wondrous strong. And the master loved his pupil