"When Mimer gives me leave, and Odin calls me," answered the
lad, "then I, too, will go faring over the world, like my
kin of the earlier days, to carve me a name and great glory,
and a place with the noble of earth."

Regin said not a word; but he took his harp, and smote the
strings, and a sad, wild music filled the room. And he sang
of the gods and the dwarf-folk, and of the deeds that had
been in the time long past and gone. And a strange mist swam
before Siegfried's eyes; and so bewitching were the strains
that fell upon his ears, and filled his soul, that he forgot
about his errand, and his master Mimer, and his father
Siegmund, and his lowland home, and thought only of the
heart-gladdening sounds. By and by the music ended, the
spell was lifted, and Siegfried turned his eyes towards the
musician. A wonderful change had taken place. The little old
man still stood before him with the harp in his hand; but
his wrinkled face was hidden by a heavy beard, and his thin
gray locks were covered with a long black wig, and he seemed
taller and stouter than before. As Siegfried started with
surprise, his host held out his hand, and said,--

"You need not be alarmed, my boy. It is time for you to know
that Regin and Mimer are the same person, or rather that
Mimer is Regin disguised.[EN#8] The day has come for you to
go your way into the world, and Mimer gives you leave."

Siegfried was so amazed he could not say a word. He took the
master's hand, and gazed long into his deep, bright eyes.