(To the knights.)

  Follow me!

  [Exeunt omnes.]

  ACT II

  Worms.  Courtyard of the Castle.

  SCENE I

  Enter RUMOLT and GISELHER, meeting.

  GISELHER.

  Now, Rumolt, will a single tree be left? 
  For weeks now thou hast brought whole forests in
  And grimly thou provid’st the wedding feast,
  As if men, dwarfs, and elves were all to come.

  RUMOLT.

  I make me ready, and if I should find
  A single kettle that’s not full enough,
  I’ll seize the lazy cook and throw him in
  And use the scullion-boy to stir the stew.

  GISELHER.

  Art thou so certain what the end will be?

  RUMOLT.

  I am, for Siegfried woos.  The man who takes
  Two noble princes captive, sends them home
  As though they were no more than frightened hares,
  Will not be daunted by a witch-wife now.

  GISELHER.

  There thou art right!  We have good hostages
  Since we have Luedegast and Luedeger! 
  They meant to bring a host of armed men,
  A greater than e’er Burgundy had seen. 
  Yet humbly here as prisoners they came,
  Nor needed any guard upon their way. 
  So cook, my man, we shall not want for guests!

  [GERENOT enters.]

  And here’s the hunter!

  GERENOT.

  But he brings no game! 
  I was upon the tower and saw the Rhine
  All covered o’er with ships.

  RUMOLT.

  It is the bride! 
  I’ll send my men to drive the beasts about,
  That from the noisy turmoil in the court
  The sound shall reach afar and prove to her
  The welcome that awaits her!

  [Trumpets are heard.]

  GERENOT.

  ’Tis too late!

  SCENE II

  Enter SIEGFRIED, with retinue.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Here am I once again!

  GISELHER.

  Without my brother?

  SIEGFRIED.

  Nay, fear not!  As his messenger I come!—­
  And yet I bear the message not for thee! 
  ’Tis for thy Lady Mother, and I hope
  That I may see thy sister Kriemhild, too.

  GISELHER.

  Brave knight, that shalt thou, for we owe to thee
  Our thanks for capturing the noble Danes.

  SIEGFRIED.

  I wish that I had never sent them here.

  GISELHER.

  Why so?  Thou hadst no better way to prove
  What we have gained in winning thy right arm,
  For truly are the Princes stalwart men!

  SIEGFRIED.

  It may be!  Yet had I not done the deed,
  Perhaps some bird had flown and spread abroad
  The rumor that the Danes had slain me there,
  And I might ask how Kriemhild heard the tale.