Adventure I.
Mimer, the Master.



At Santen, in the Lowlands, there once lived a young prince
named Siegfried. His father, Siegmund, was king of the rich
country through which the lazy Rhine winds its way just
before reaching the great North Sea; and he was known, both
far and near, for his good deeds and his prudent thrift. And
Siegfried's mother, the gentle Sigelind, was loved by all
for her goodness of heart and her kindly charity to the
poor. Neither king nor queen left aught undone that might
make the young prince happy, or fit him for life's
usefulness. Wise men were brought from far-off lands to be
his teachers; and every day something was added to his store
of knowledge or his stock of happiness. And very skilful did
he become in warlike games and in manly feats of strength.
No other youth could throw the spear with so great force, or
shoot the arrow with surer aim. No other youth could run
more swiftly, or ride with more becoming ease. His gentle
mother took delight in adding to the beauty of his matchless
form, by clothing him in costly garments decked with the
rarest jewels. The old, the young, the rich, the poor, the
high, the low, all praised the fearless Siegfried, and all
vied in friendly strife to win his favor. One would have
thought that the life of the young prince could never be
aught but a holiday, and that the birds would sing, and the
flowers would bloom, and the sun would shine forever for his
sake.