Classic Poem

The youthful Siegfried was brave and bold;
He hastened away from his father's hold.

In his father's castle he would not bide,
But longed thro' the world to wander wide.

Often he met with a worthy knight
With glittering shield and broadsword bright.

Siegfried only a cudgel bore;
I trow, as he gazed, his heart grew sore.

And as through a darksome wood he passed,
To a glowing smithy he came at last.

There saw he of iron and steel good store,
And heard the flames of the furnace roar.

" O master smith! O master dear!
Let me awhile be thy comrade here!

And teach me, I pray thee, with patient care,
How I may make me a broadsword fair. "

Siegfried the hammer swung deftly round;
He hammered the anvil hard into the ground!

He hammered till loudly the forest rang,
And all the iron in pieces sprang.

And then from the last bar, sound and strong,
Made he a broadsword, wide and long.

" Now have I made me a broadsword bright,
Now may I cope with the boldest knight;

Now may I slay, like a hero brave,
Giants and dragons in field and cave! "