The magic ring, Vol. 2 (of 3)

Of a discourse, at midnight, betwixt Sir Otto and the black-visaged Armourer. The banquet was now ended, and the wine-cups drained. It was night, and Sir Otto had laid himself on a couch to repose after the fatigues of the day and of his unwonted sea-voyage. About midnight, however, he was disturbed by a strange noise of knocking and singing, which sounded with hollow reverberations through the vaults of the castle. At first all this only blended with his dreams, and he continued to sleep, though unquietly; but, at last, as the noises were kept up without intermission, he was thoroughly roused. Looking around him, and recollecting himself with a mixed feeling of alarm and pleasure, he discovered that his bedchamber was right over the vault, inhabited by the black-visaged armourer, Asmandur, who, at this dead hour of the night, was busily employed on the young champion’s sword, all the while chaunting an ancient ballad, setting forth how the falchion of the great Siegmund Wolsung was broken on the battle-field by the spear of King Odin, and how thereafter a wise magician joined the pieces together, so that it might be wielded by Sigurd, the serpent-slayer, Wolsung’s only son. Of this ballad, Sir Otto had learned many heart-stirring stanzas from his father, the old Knight of Trautwangen; and now he could not resist his desire to hear them again from the lips of a Norman. Moreover, it was not this ballad only that was to be heard from Asmandur; for he mingled with it now and then another chaunt, setting forth the story of a great giant, named Hugur, who was yet unknown to Sir Otto, and by whom his heart was vehemently attracted. So he rose softly from his couch, took his mantle and battle-axe, groped his way down stairs, and following the sounds of Asmandur’s voice, he at last made his appearance unexpectedly in the vault of the armourer, who now broke off angrily from his labour, and, wielding his hammer, came forward to meet the intruder. As soon, however, as he recognised Sir Otto, he seemed quite satisfied, only laid his finger on his lips, in token that silence was absolutely required. Then he proceeded, as before, with his employment; and Sir Otto, obedient to his directions, took his place opposite on an old anvil, without saying a word. So then the armourer, as he resumed his