The Story of Siegfried

At Santen, in the Lowlands, there once lived a young prince named Siegfried. Hisfather, Siegmund, was king of the rich country through which the lazy Rhine windsits way just before reaching the great North Sea; and he was known, both far andnear, for his good deeds and his prudent thrift. And Siegfried's mother, the gentleSigelind, was loved by all for her goodness of heart and her kindly charity to thepoor. Neither king nor queen left aught undone that might make the young princehappy, or fit him for life's usefulness. Wise men were brought from far-off lands tobe his teachers; and every day something was added to his store of knowledge orhis stock of happiness. And very skilful did he become in warlike games and inmanly 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 ridewith more becoming ease. His gentle mother took delight in adding to the beauty ofhis matchless form, by clothing him in costly garments decked with the rarestjewels. The old, the young, the rich, the poor, the high, the low, all praised thefearless Siegfried, and all vied in friendly strife to win his favor. One would havethought that the life of the young prince could never be aught but a holiday, andthat the birds would sing, and the flowers would bloom, and the sun would shineforever for his sake