Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/337

XXV.]

The sons of the fair Uté for vassal had a man

As bold as he was faithful; now, when the march began,

He to the king, in secret, did thus his mind declare.

Said he: “It needs must grieve me that to this feast ye fare.”

This man by name was Rumold, a knight of ready hand.

“To whom,” so spake he, “leave ye your people and your land?

Alas, that none can turn you, ye warriors, from your mood!

This message of Kriemhilda’s to me ne’er boded good.”

“To thee my realm be trusted, and eke my little son,

Serve faithfully the ladies; so let my will be done.

Shouldst thou see any mourner, ’tis thine to cheer his life.

No harm will e’er befall us by cause of Etzel’s wife.”

The horses were awaiting the kings and eke their men;

With loving kiss departed full many a husband then,

Whose heart was full of courage, and body strong with life:

Soon to be sadly wept for by many a comely wife.

Who saw the eager warriors unto their horses go,

Saw likewise many a lady there standing in her woe.

That they for long were parting too surely did they feel,

Foreboding great disaster. Heart never thus had weal.

Now quickly the Burgundians did on their journey ride.

Then was there much disturbance through all the country wide;

On either side the mountains both women wept and men.

Howe’er their people bare it forth fared they blithely then.