Siegfried vs Giant

A giant who the castle / did guard with watchful eye,
And near him did at all times / his good weapons lie.
Quoth he: "Who now that knocketh / at the door in such strange wise?"
Without the valiant Siegfried / did cunningly his voice disguise.

He spake: "A bold knight-errant / am I; unlock the gate.
Else will I from without here / disturbance rare create
For all who'd fain lie quiet / and their rest would take."
Wrathful grew the Porter / as in this wise Siegfried spake.

Now did the giant valorous / his good armor don,
And placed on head his helmet; / then the full doughty man
His shield up-snatched quickly / and gate wide open swung.
How sore was he enraged / as himself upon Siegfried he flung!

'How dared he thus awaken / brave knights within the hall?'
The blows in rapid showers / from his hand did fall.
Thereat the noble stranger / began himself to shield.
For so a club of iron / the Porter's mighty arm did wield,

That splinters flew from buckler, / and Siegfried stood aghast
From fear that this same hour / was doomed to be his last,
So mightily the Porter's / blows about him fell.
To find such faithful warder / did please his master Siegfried well.

So fiercely did they struggle / that castle far within
And hall where slept the Nibelungen / echoed back the din.
But Siegfried pressed the Porter / and soon he had him bound.
In all the land of Nibelungen / the story soon was bruited round.

- Eighth Adventure: How Siegfried Fared to his Knights, the Nibelungen