Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/211

XIII.]

Rumold the kitchenmaster, knew well to rule aright

His underlings and scullions! Ay me! it was a sight

To see the polish’d kettles and pots and pans at hand!

For food must be made ready when guests were in the land.

Now in their stir and bustle awhile we’ll let them be,

And tell how Dame Kriemhilda and her fair company

Hence, on their journey Rhinewards, from Niblung-land did go.

No horses of fine raiment e’er bore so grand a show.

When many sumpter-coffers were ready for the way,

Then with his friends Sir Siegfried no longer did delay

To ride forth, with Kriemhilda, wherein they look’d for joy.

For all of them soon after it turn’d to sore annoy.

They left at home behind them Sir Siegfried’s baby son,

The firstborn of Kriemhilda,— not elsewise could be done.

From out of their state-journey arose much woe and pain;

His father and his mother that babe saw ne’er again.

Thence also did Lord Siegmund together with them ride.

Had he but known what evil thereafter would betide

At this same courtly banquet, he ne’er had gone at all:

To him by loss of kindred worse ill could ne’er befall.