Loki reached down and took the magic wishing-cap.

As soon as the cap was off, the toad disappeared, and there lay
Alberich, held fast by Wotan's giant foot.

"Let me go!" shrieked the dwarf. "Take your foot off of me, this
minute!"

Wotan calmly answered: "You may go when you have promised all I ask."

"Then what do you want?" groaned Alberich.

"I want all your glittering gold," said Wotan.


THE CURSE

Alberich held the ring close under his breast and muttered to himself:
"They may have the gold! What do I care! With this ring I can soon make
my slaves dig more."

Then aloud he said: "You may take the gold. My slaves shall heap it at
your feet."

He slyly slipped his hand to his lips and, kissing the ring, called his
slaves with its magic.

In a moment the little black Nibelungs came in swarms from every shaft,
bearing the precious gold.