Chapter V: Part 5

[692]
Then the chests were opened; men to court soon bore
Whate’er therein was lying, of fighting-gear a store,
Fast with steel well studded; then the knights were laden
With armor white as silver: this made glad the heart of the queenly
maiden.

[693]
To full a thousand warriors were given clothes and steeds;
Out of stalls men brought them, as oft the horse one leads,
When, along the highways, men to the fight go riding.
Of all the king’s good horses they left but very few at rest
abiding.

[694]
When from his queenly lady the king his leave did take,
Both Hilda and her daughter began to weep for his sake;
But on the knights forth riding gladly they were gazing,
And said: “May God in heaven so help the fight that men may you be
praising.”

[695]
After they all were gathered without the castle gate,
Youths were there heard singing, hoping for plunder great.
Each thought, by hardest fighting, to win himself much riches;
But far must they yet be riding, for long the way to their master’s
foemen stretches.

[696]
On the third morning early came, at break of day,
The very aged Wâ-te with a thousand to the fray;
And from the Danish kingdom, as the seventh day was dawning,
Came Horant with four thousand, to whom the fair Gu-drun had sent
her warning.

[697]
From out the Waalisch marches Morunc thither rode;
He ever fought for the ladies, for the love to them he owed.
Twenty thousand warriors he brought,—for nought he tarried:
These were all well-weaponed, and happily rode, while help to the
king they carried.

[698]
The queenly maiden’s brother, Ortwin, the youthful knight,
Brought across the water, to help her in the fight,
Forty hundred warriors, or even a number greater:
Were it known to the men of Alzabie, well might they have feared to
meet him later.

[699]
Before they yet could help him, to Herwic and his men
The strife had now gone badly, his luck began to wane:
To him and all his followers was evil sore betiding;
Altho’ they struggled bravely, his foes too near his castle gate
were riding.

[700]
Great mishaps to Herwic from Siegfried’s kin arose;
For now the gates of the castle were shattered by their blows.
False friends had made it easy, and boasts too loudly spoken:
If e’er to such one trusteth, it worketh him no good, and his hopes
are broken.

[701]
Now ’twas told to Herwic, men fast for help had gone.
The foes from fight ne’er rested, by anger driven on;
From early morn to even, they oft to the strife were bidden:
But now the friends of Herwic on every side drew near, nor long lay
hidden.

[702]
When this the men of Karadie did learn, they well might fear
That now two kings against them in the fight should share:
For them it was unlucky that Hettel now was leading
His many fighters thither; he from afar had come, to Herwic
speeding.

[703]
Friends were they to each other; so both would meet the foe.
These, the men from Moorland, bold themselves did show:
One saw by all their bearing they would from none be flying;
Those who with them struggled by hardest toil must their reward be
buying.

[704]
Wâ-te, the very daring, with all his knights had come;
Gu-drun, the lovely lady, had called him from his home
To help her lover, Herwic, and a host had ridden hither:
Whate’er might now befall them, later full happy rode they thence
together.

[705]
Although their foes were heathen, from out the Moorish land,
They might not back be driven: one well might understand
That in any earthly kingdom they were the best and boldest.
To all who came to meet them they gave a sorry welcome and a shelter
coldest.

[706]
Herwic, king of Sealand, his loss would now make good
Upon his foes from Alzabie. For this must flow the blood
On either side of many; to friends and kin were given
Wounds full fast and heavy: to bear his own was hard for Hettel
even.

[707]
When they had come together of whom I spoke before,
Bringing all their followers, gladness they knew no more;
On them were ever resting heavy care and sorrow
For what the night might bring them. They thought: “How shall we
live to see the morrow?”

[708]
Thrice with the Moorish foemen they strove on the stormy field,
While peace was given the castle, as knights are wont to yield.
Again with sword and spear-shaft they the strife would settle:
Peace not yet they wished for, but wounds the more they got in
hard-fought battle.

[709]
Nor Herwic’s men nor Siegfried’s yet would leave the fight;
They to the last had struggled, and many a bravest knight
Upon the field lay wounded, or in death was sleeping.
This was told to the women, who now began a wild, unmeasured
weeping.

[710]
How well the daring Wâ-te in battle-storm did fight!
Strong was he and skilful, and oft the aged knight
Gave to the foe heart-sorrow, by all the ill he wrought him:
Ever to fight with his warriors, by the side of the boldest and
best, his wishes taught him.

[711]
Horant, too, from Denmark, brave was he enough!
Beneath his hand were shattered helmets strong and tough;
Ne’er by him ’twas forgotten to wear his armor shining;
Ill he wrought to many, and oft the ranks of his foemen he was
thinning.

[712]
The quick and fearless Morunc boldly stretched his hand
Ofttimes beyond his buckler, and oft the fight he gained.
To shun the king of Moorland ne’er would he be seeking;
Upon that king, so mighty, he the wrath of Herwic now was wreaking.

[713]
The great and doughty Hettel, when that his daughter fair
Had sent to beg her father in Herwic’s fight to share,
That peace at last might follow, fought for him not idly:
If life were dear to any, ’twere best to shun King Hettel’s borders
widely.

[714]
Bravely strove King Herwic on the field and at the gate;
None than he fought better. His head was often wet,
Beneath his armor dripping, with sweat that fast was oozing.
In death were many deafened; they who would crush him must their
lives be losing.

[715]
Wigaleis, the faithful, great ill to many wrought.
Sir Fru-te, too, from Daneland, with knightly prowess fought:
The thanks of all his fellows he should of right be sharing;
He strove where the fight was stormy, and none e’er knew an aged
knight so daring.

[716]
The lord who came from Ortland, Ortwin, brave and young,
Showed the hand of a warrior; it was on many a tongue,
That never man in warfare bore himself more boldly:
Wounds he gave the deepest, and this by none was ever told of
coldly.

[717]
For twelve long days of fighting, earnestly they strove.
The men led on by Hettel oft their spear-shafts drove
Thro’ their foes’ light bucklers, as close they met together:
The fighters proud from Moorland sorely rued the day that brought
them thither.

[718]
Upon the thirteenth morning, ere early mass was said,
With sorry heart spake Siegfried: “How many here lie dead
Of all our bravest warriors! In his lofty wooing
The king of Sealand also here to himself has evil great been doing.”

[719]
Then to the men of Karadie made he known his will,
To a stronghold to betake them, there their wounds to heal:
They, with those from Alzabie, were earnest to go thither;
Right glad were these far-riders that all in death might not be
found together.

[720]
Then to a sheltering castle to turn they all began,
Where onward, fast beside it, a wide, deep river ran.
While they were thither riding, fleeing away from danger,
They were still seen fighting with those who ne’er would yield their
homes to a stranger.

[721]
Now against King Hettel the king of Moorland rode:
Well might one believe it, his former warlike mood
Was but a slight beginning; he soon a foe was meeting
Who many of his kinsmen with deep and deadly wounds of late was
greeting.

[722]
Hettel, he of the Hegelings, and Siegfried, the Moorland king,
There unto the struggle all their strength did bring;
Shields were hacked to pieces by the swords they wielded:
The mighty lord of Moorland to the castle fled, nor to him of
Daneland yielded.

[723]
Camps by the men from Denmark for themselves were made:
Then the beleaguered warriors,— it cannot be gainsaid,—
E’er many days were over, with care were burdened sadly;
However good their shelter, all would then have been at home more
gladly.

[724]
Thus the boastful fighters were by the foeman’s hand
Fast held within the stronghold; nor was their knightly band
Now able to give battle, although for this yet longing.
Their castle well they guarded, as best they might, wherein they now
were thronging.

Tale the Fourteenth.
HOW HETTEL SENT TIDINGS FROM HERWIC’S LAND.

[725]
Hettel then sent tidings, to still their fears at home.
To the fair and high-born ladies men with news did come,
That unto the old and youthful, throughout the stormy fighting,
Good luck had aye befallen; and now, with hope must they for them be
waiting.

[726]
He bade his men to tell them how Siegfried was besieged,
While he with all his followers war against him waged,
To help the lord of Sealand, loved by Gu-drun, his daughter;
That all, as they were able, daily fought for her, and for him who
sought her.

[727]
Hettel’s queen, fair Hilda, the hope began to have
That luck would follow Herwic and all his warriors brave;
And, as their worth befitted, all might well be speeding.
Then said Gu-drun: “God grant it, that they our friends may back in
health be leading.”

[728]
By Wâ-te’s men from Sturmland, the foes from Alzabie
And all who came from Moorland were kept away from the sea;
Sadly must they tarry within the sheltering castle:
In Wâ-te and in Fru-te foes they had with whom they ill could
wrestle.

[729]
Loudly swore King Hettel the castle ne’er to leave;
That he and all his followers still to the end would strive,
Till those to him had yielded who now the Moor befriended.
Unwise had been their inroad, and this for them one day in sorrow
ended.

[730]
Meanwhile the spies of Hartmut, whom he had thither sent,
Tho’ little good they looked for, from the Norman border went;
Ever to learn what happened they a watch were keeping,
And from the stormy warfare they hoped that Hettel might no gain be
reaping.

[731]
Now they saw that Siegfried, the Moorland king high-born,
Was kept within the castle, besieged both eve and morn;
Thence could he sally never, and this he knew with sorrow;
His lands so far were lying, he little help from them could hope to
borrow.

[732]
The Norman errand-bearers, sent forth their watch to make
By Ludwig and young Hartmut, to them now hastened back:
The happy news they carried, and soon at home were giving,
That Hettel, the king, and Herwic were busy now, in warfare ever
striving.

[733]
To them the lord of Normandy thanks for the tidings gave,
And asked them: “Can you tell us how long those foemen brave,
The men from the land of Karadie, will in Sealand tarry,
Fighting ’gainst its warriors, till they, their wrongs avenged, of
war are weary?”

[734]
One of them made answer: “The truth you now may hear:
There they yet must linger more than another year.
Never from their stronghold will the Hegelings free them;
They there so well are guarded, that on their homeward way none e’er
shall see them.”

[735]
Then the knight of Normandy, the daring Hartmut, spake:
“This frees my heart from sorrow, and hope in me doth wake!
If they are now beleaguered, then are we well befriended;
We must to Hegeling hasten, ere Hettel’s fight with Siegfried shall
be ended.”

[736]
Ludwig and young Hartmut had both the selfsame mind,—
Had they ten thousand fighters whom they at once could find,
Gu-drun they might lay hold on, and to their home might carry,
Before her father, Hettel, came back again from the land where he
did tarry.

[737]
Hartmut’s mother, Gerlind, earnestly gave thought
To wreak her wrath on Hettel, that he to harm be brought,
Because her dear son Hartmut he shamefully had slighted.
She wished the aged Wâ-te and Fru-te might be hanged, for the help
they plighted.

[738]
Then spake the old she-devil: “Good knights, your hire behold!
If you will now ride thither, my silver and my gold,
That will I give you freely,— but women shall not share it.
I care not if Hettel and Hilda shall rue their wrong, and ne’er
again will dare it.”

[739]
Quoth Ludwig, Hartmut’s father: “We from our Norman land
Forthwith must make an inroad: soon will I have at hand
Twenty thousand fighters whom I for war will gather;
With these it will be easy to seize Gu-drun, and bear her from her
father.”

[740]
Then spake the youthful Hartmut: “Might ever this betide,
That Hilda’s lovely daughter I here should see my bride,
I would not take in barter for that a princedom fairest;
Then might we here together pass our lives, each one to the other
dearest.”

[741]
Busily his followers, hour by hour, gave thought
How they could do his wishes. A host King Ludwig brought
To lead against the Hegelings; well were they outfitted.
How should Hilda know it, that soon thereby her welfare would be
blighted?

[742]
The wife of Ludwig also helped them as she could.
For this she plotted ever, that fair Gu-drun be wooed,
And, as the bride of Hartmut, to Normandy be carried;
She did her best most busily that the maid one day should to her son
be married.

[743]
Ludwig said to Hartmut, his well belovéd son:
“Think well, O knight most worthy, no toil we now must shun,
Until our foes are mastered and from their lands are driven.
Reward the guests who help us; to our men at home by me shall gifts
be given.”

[744]
These they soon were sharing, all and every one.
Never yet in Suabia gifts so rich were known,
Of steeds for war or burden, saddles, and shields fair shining;
I ween they were gladly given: Ludwig ne’er before such thanks was
winning.

[745]
Quickly all made ready to start upon their way.
Sailors were found by Ludwig; skilful men were they,
Who the deep sea-pathways knew, and well could follow;
Hard must they be toiling to win their wages high upon the billow.

[746]
Now, in seemly measure, fit were they to go.
Throughout the lands and highways soon the news did grow
That Ludwig and young Hartmut home and land were leaving.
They yet would see much sorrow, when they erelong their Hegeling foe
were braving.

[747]
When to the shore they had ridden, ships were floating there,
That workmen well had builded, the knights away to bear;
Gerlind’s gold and riches had made them strong and steady.
Nor Wâ-te the old nor Fru-te of this knew aught, nor were for their
coming ready.

[748]
With three and twenty thousand they sailed the waters o’er.
Now for Gu-drun young Hartmut a weight of sorrow bore:
This, before his followers, to hide he was not earnest;
He hoped to meet King Hettel, and him to overcome in strife the
sternest.

[749]
As yet they knew not fully how they his land could reach.
To the sons of many a mother the raid did sorrow teach.
Near to the shores of Ortland the rolling billows bore them,
Before ’twas known to Hettel: now Hilda’s castle rose in sight
before them.

[750]
The warriors led by Hartmut were still twelve miles away;
Yet had they come already over the wide, deep sea,
Unto the land of the Hegelings, and to its shores so nearly
That castles, towers, and palaces in Hilda’s town they all could see
most clearly.

[751]
Ludwig, king of Normandy, bade that on the sand
They now should drop the anchors; he then gave word to land
To all his men together, and bade them do it quickly:
They now had come so near them, they feared the Hegeling bands would
gather thickly.

[752]
Then bore they up the weapons, with shields and helmets good,
That they had with them carried over the heaving flood:
They to fight made ready; yet they at first bethought them
To send through the land their runners, to learn if friendly helpers
might be brought them.

Tale the Fifteenth.
HOW HARTMUT CARRIED AWAY GUDRUN.

[753]
Now at Hartmut’s bidding heralds quickly rode
To where the queenly Hilda and her daughter dear abode.
To them his word they carried, that if to wed the maiden
They should think him worthy, her and her mother both it well might
gladden.

[754]
If she her love would give him, as he had asked before,—
Ofttimes his heart was heavy for the love to her he bore,—
That he would ever serve her so long as he was living,
And many lands wide-reaching, held of his father, would to her be
giving.

[755]
But if she would not love him, she then would earn his hate;
He asked of her that kindly she his love would meet,
So that he to his fatherland his lovely bride might carry
Without a fight or struggle. To hope for this brave Hartmut ne’er
was weary.

[756]
Did she gainsay his wooing, Hartmut sent this word:
“I will not be bought with silver, albeit a heavy hoard,
To leave in peace her kingdom; she yet shall give me heeding.
I will show Gu-drun, fair maiden, brave knights enough, to be for
her eyes fine feeding!

[757]
“Further, good errand-bearers, this say to her from me:
I ne’er will leave her borders to sail on the wide, deep sea;
Better will I think it to be hewn in pieces even,
Unless the Hegeling maiden will follow me hence, to me in wedlock
given.

[758]
“But, should she scorn me wholly, and never my bride will be,
Then me, with my daring fighters, riding here she will see.
Before the Hegeling castle I will then leave lying
Twenty thousand warriors, on both sides of the roadway, dead or
dying.

[759]
“Since by the craft of Wigaleis King Hettel has been led,
And by the aged Wâ-te, hither our way we’ve made
Into the Hegeling kingdom, time and toil thus spending;
For this shall many be fatherless, and glad shall I be of the whole
to make an ending.”

[760]
Those sent forth by Hartmut fast on their way did ride,
For he bade them wait no longer. They came to a castle wide,
By name ycleped Matelan; therein was Hilda dwelling,
And with her was her daughter, the maid about whose charms all men
were telling.

[761]
With them sent Hartmut also two earls of wealth and name,
Who with him out of Normandy over the waters came.
He bade them see Queen Hilda, and kindly to bespeak her;
To pledge to her his friendship, and say that his goodwill would
ne’er forsake her.

[762]
Of her they must ask her daughter, for him who in his mind
So high had ever set her, above all womankind:
In worthy love he wooed her, and she would rank be taking
That for aye would make her happy; to do her will she ne’er would
find him lacking.

[763]
To the maiden’s waiting-women the news was quickly told,
That from out the land of Normandy a band of wooers bold
Hither rode to Matelan, and for Gu-drun were suing:
Hilda hushed the tidings, for now Gu-drun in fright the tale was
ruing.

[764]
Queen Hilda’s faithful warders opened soon the gate;
Those who had ridden thither need no longer wait;
They to come in were bidden. The gate was thrown wide open,
And the men sent there by Hartmut into Matelan rode: no ill to them
did happen.

[765]
They quickly told their wishes, to see King Hettel’s wife.
It was not yet allowed them; they who should guard her life,
And to the king must answer, at first had this forbidden:
They never left uncared for Hilda the queen, and eke Gu-drun the
maiden.

[766]
At last the men of Hartmut into the hall were led.
To them the queenly Hilda kindly greeting made,
As did Gu-drun the lady, with fair and lofty bearing;
But she, the high-born maiden, love for Herwic in her heart was
wearing.

[767]
Altho’ they felt unfriendly, yet drink they gave to the men
Ere yet they told their errand; freely then the queen
Bade them to be seated before herself and her daughter.
She begged them then to tell her: “What boon to seek had brought
them o’er the water?”

[768]
All the men of Hartmut before their seats yet stood,
As well-bred men beseemeth, and errand-bearers should.
Then they told the ladies what they would there be doing,—
That for their master, Hartmut, they for the fair Gu-drun had come
a-wooing.

[769]
The high-born maiden answered: “Of this I nought will hear,—
That with the young King Hartmut I the crown should share,
Before our friendly kinsmen, and troth to him be plighted:
The name of the knight is Herwic whose love shall never by myself be
slighted.

[770]
“To him I am betrothed; me he chose for a wife,
And him for myself I have taken. Ever, throughout his life,
All of good I wish him that can henceforth befall him:
Ne’er, till my days are ended, will I ask the love of another, or my
lord will call him.”

[771]
One of them then answered: “This warning Hartmut gives:
If nay shall be your answer, before three days, if he lives,
Against great Matelan castle you shall see him leading
All his knightly followers.” Smiles at this were the maiden’s face
o’erspreading.

[772]
Their leave they would be taking, and hasten on their way,
Those two great earls so haughty; but Hilda bade them stay.
Altho’ she ne’er had known them, of gifts she was not chary;
But yet they would not take them, for crafty men were they, and in
truth were wary.

[773]
At those sent there by Hartmut Hettel’s followers sneered,
And said, their scorn and anger they very little feared:
If to drink the wine of Hettel they were, in truth, unwilling,
Then this warning gave they: that they their cup with blood would
soon be filling.

[774]
When they had heard this answer, back to the shore they went
Whence they had been by Hartmut upon their errand sent.
He then ran forth to meet them, to ask how they were treated,
And what had them befallen, and how his courtship by Gu-drun was
greeted.

[775]
Then one of them thus answered: “This to us they said:
The high and queenly maiden a lover long has had,
For whom, beyond all others, love in her heart she is feeling:
If you will not taste their wine-cup, they soon will fill to you,
your life-blood spilling.”

[776]
“Ah, woe is me!” said Hartmut, when he this answer heard;
“My heart is full of anger, with shame I hear your word!
Never men more friendly shall I need, till I am dying,
Than those who now will help me.” Straightway his men upsprang, on
the shore then lying.

[777]
Ludwig now and Hartmut, with their men, set out for war;
Their banners high uplifted in pride and wrath they bore.
These from Matelan castle were seen afar to shimmer:
“Cheer up!” then said the maiden; “Herwic and Hettel come! their
weapons glimmer!”

[778]
But Hilda saw the standard bore not King Hettel’s mark:
“Ah, woe shall now betide us before this day grows dark!
To seek Gu-drun are coming foemen grim and daring;
Many a well-made helmet their blows shall hew before the night is
nearing.”

[779]
Then her friendly Hegelings thus to Hilda spake:
“If those led on by Hartmut to-day an onslaught make,
Wounds we then must deal them, and show we are the stronger.”
Queen Hilda then gave bidding to shut the castle gates, and wait no
longer.

[780]
But the men of brave King Hettel followed not her hest;
They who the castle guarded thought to fight their best.
They bade that now their banners to the shafts be fastened;
King Hettel’s daring followers, to slay his foes, from out the
castle hastened.

[781]
The bars that should be lowered, to keep the foemen out,
Were left, in over-boldness, and the gates not fully shut,
Since from Hartmut’s foreguard they little harm foreboded.
But when they pressed in boldly, then came the rest, who ever on
them crowded.

[782]
A thousand men or over stood before the gate;
These, their swords upbearing, the fight did there await.
A thousand more with Hartmut now came thronging thickly;
They then from their steeds alighted, and back to the rear they sent
their horses quickly.

[783]
Spears in hand they carried, with points full keen to cut.
Who could shun their onset? With heavy wounds they smote
Those who the castle guarded, in their pride o’erweening.
Just at the hour came Ludwig, with his Norman knights, as the fight
was now beginning.

[784]
Much the women sorrowed as Ludwig nearer rode:
The banners o’er them floating well and proudly showed
The fearless foe oncoming; beneath each standard flocking,
Three thousand now came boldly, tho’ sad on their homeward way they
might yet be looking.

[785]
Before the walls beleaguered the guards were a busy band:
Never hardier fighters were seen in any land
Than were the faithful warders in Hettel’s castle dwelling;
Their blows they were thickly dealing, and Hartmut’s men their
strength were quickly feeling.

[786]
Ludwig, Hartmut’s father, the Norman king, was seen
From hardened rims of bucklers to strike a fiery sheen:
Truly, great was the bravery that now his heart was swelling;
His friends and followers also, in the bloody game, were bold beyond
all telling.

[787]
When they who the castle guarded hoped for rest and peace,
Then their daring foemen did nearer to them press,
Led by him of Normandy: the youthful Hartmut’s father
Grudged no toil to help him; and this from that day’s fight one well
might gather.

[788]
Now the trustful warders began in truth to mourn,
That they, ’gainst Hilda’s bidding, had their care forborne,—
The hest of the wife of Hettel, the high and worthy lady.
For this their shields were shattered, and many a life was lost, in
fight too ready.

[789]
Ludwig now and Hartmut on the field had met,
And, holding speech together, learned that, striving yet,
Queen Hilda’s men were seeking the castle gates to fasten;
Then, with shields before them, to bear their flags within they all
did hasten.

[790]
Rocks were hurled from the castle, and many spears were thrown,
But the foe it hurt but little, and his daring lessened none.
Little thought was given to the dead around them lying:
With heavy stones down beaten, many bold besiegers there fell dying.

[791]
When Hartmut and King Ludwig came within the gate,
Many, badly wounded, from them their death-stroke met.
For this the lovely maiden began to sorrow sorely;
Now in Hettel’s castle the woe they wrought was growing greater
hourly.

[792]
Then the king of Normandy was glad enough, I ween,
When to the halls of Hettel he could lead his men,
Bearing well their weapons: soon his banner fluttered
Over the roof of the castle. Hilda at this her sorrow loudly
uttered.

[793]
Greatly do I wonder what might these guests befall,
Had now the grim old Wâ-te been there, and seen it all,
The while the men of Hartmut, with Ludwig, brave and daring,
Thro’ the halls were rushing, and from her home the fair Gu-drun
were tearing.

[794]
Both Wâ-te and King Hettel, if to them that day
A warning had been given, would stoutly have barred the way;
They their foemen’s helmets with swords would so have riven
That back to their homes in Normandy, without Gu-drun, would they
have soon been driven.

[795]
Now within the castle were all in saddest mood;
So men to-day might sorrow. Whate’er the foemen would,
There did they lay hands on, and took from out the dwelling.
Rich grew Hartmut’s followers,— you well may trust that I the truth
am telling.

[796]
Then came the bold young Hartmut where he Gu-drun could see,
And said: “Most worthy lady, you erst looked down on me;
But now both I and my followers think of your kin so little,
We will not seize and hold them, but slay and hang them, so the
strife to settle.”

[797]
Then said the maiden only: “Alas! O father mine,
Had you of this been knowing, that I, a child of thine,
One day from out your kingdom would thus by foes be stolen,
Never to me, poor maiden, such woe and sorry shame had here
befallen.”

[798]
Then was the gold and clothing borne out by the robber band:
Forth they took Queen Hilda, led by her snow-white hand.
Matelan’s goodly castle they would have burned up gladly;
For what became of the dwellers the Normans never cared, nor thought
of sadly.

[799]
But Hartmut now had bidden that it should not be burned,
To leave the land he hastened, and home again he turned,
Before ’twas known to Hettel, who with his men was lying
Within the Waalisch marches, and there against his foe his strength
was trying.

[800]
“Leave your stolen booty!” to his men young Hartmut said;
“At home my father’s riches will I give to you instead:
Thus o’er the watery pathway our sail will be the lighter.”
To Gu-drun the hand of Ludwig brought a heavy wrong, and woe full
bitter.

[801]
They overthrew the castle, the town with fire they burned;
From it the best was taken; with wealth they homeward turned:
Two and sixty women thence with them they carried,
And many lovely maidens. With heartfelt woe was queenly Hilda
wearied.

[802]
How were they filled with sadness to leave the wine behind!
Now did the queenly mother a seat in the window find,
And looked upon her daughter, from home in sorrow turning.
Many a stately lady the Normans left in tears, and bitterly
mourning.

[803]
Weeping now and wailing was heard on either hand;
No one there was happy, when from the father-land
The foe with Hilda’s daughter and with her maidens hasted.
Many, now but children, for this, when men, to work them woe ne’er
rested.

[804]
Those who were seized by Hartmut down to the shore he took;
All their lands were wasted; their homes went up in smoke.
Now his hopes and wishes happily were granted:
Both Gu-drun and Hildeburg he with him carried off,—the prize he
wanted.

[805]
Well he knew that Hettel was many a league away,
And war was grimly waging; no more would Hartmut stay.
Yet from the Hegeling kingdom no whit too fast he speeded,
For word was sent by Hilda to Hettel and his friends, that much
their help was needed.

[806]
How mournful were the tidings before the king she laid!—
That in his home and castle his knights were lying dead,
Or else were left by Hartmut now with death-wounds bleeding;
That foes had seized his daughter, and with her many maids were
homeward speeding.

[807]
She said: “Now tell King Hettel that I am here alone;
Evil hath me o’ertaken, and now, with pride o’ergrown,
Our mighty foeman, Ludwig, back to his land is faring;
A thousand men or better lie at our gates, and the pains of death
are bearing.”

[808]
Quickly then went Hartmut, and, ere three days were o’er,
On board his keels was ready; these the plunder bore,
As much as they could carry, whate’er his men had stolen.
The men of brave King Hettel were dazed and stunned by all that had
befallen.

[809]
What further did betide them, who in truth can tell?
Loud on the ear it sounded, as they shifted the flapping sail,
And away from the Hegeling kingdom, unto an isle forsaken,
They their barks were turning; the name of Wulpensand—or shore of
the wolves—it had taken.

Tale the Sixteenth.
HOW HILDA SENT TO HETTEL AND HERWIC TO ASK THEIR HELP AGAINST HARTMUT.

[810]
The fair and queenly Hilda, with all her will and mind,
Gave her thoughts now wholly trusty men to find
To bear the tale to Hettel. Her heart indeed was riven
By the wrongful deeds of Hartmut, and food for tears he to her eyes
had given.

[811]
To Herwic and her husband she bade that it be said
That foes had seized her daughter, that many knights lay dead;
And she was left in wretchedness, lonely and forsaken;
That all her gold and jewels the Normans on their way had with them
taken.

[812]
Quickly rode the heralds and through the land they went:
The queen in greatest sorrow these on their way had sent.
Upon the seventh morning, they came where they were greeted
With the sight of beleaguering Hegelings who before their Moorland
foes were seated.

[813]
Oft in knightly matches strove they every day,
And one might also hear them at many a game and play,
That they might not be weary who the siege were keeping;
Some at a mark were shooting, and others strove in running and in
leaping.

[814]
When by the Danish Horant errand-bearers were seen
Who to the land were coming, thither sent by the queen,
Then said he unto Hettel: “With news for us they’re riding;
May God in kindness grant it, no ill to those at home is now
betiding!”

[815]
The king himself went forward, and met them where they stood.
He said, with seemly bearing, to them in their sorry mood:
“Brave knights, I give you welcome here to this far-off border.
How fares it with Queen Hilda? Who sent you here? and who is left to
guard her?”

[816]
Said one: “Your lady sent us; to you for help she turns:
Wasted are your castles; your lands the foeman burns.
Gu-drun from thence is carried; her maidens, too, are taken:
Never can your kingdom from all these woes and ills again awaken.

[817]
“This must I say, moreover, we are in straitest need;
Now of your men and kindred a thousand there lie dead;
And into far-off kingdoms have foes your riches carried;
Your hoard of wealth is scattered: it shames good knights that thus
your lands are harried.”

[818]
The king then bade them tell him who these deeds had done.
One among them answered, and their names to him made known:
“Ludwig was one, the Norman; with many knights he fought us;
Hartmut, his son, was the other: ’twas they the inroad made, and
havoc wrought us.”

[819]
Then King Hettel answered: “To Hartmut I would not give,
For his bride, Gu-drun my daughter; for this he now doth strive
To waste with war my kingdom. I know his lands are holden
Of Hagen, her mother’s father; to woo her should his rank not him
embolden.

[820]
“To our beleaguered foemen we nought of this must tell,
And to our friends but whisper the ills that us befell;
We then must call our kinsmen hither to be hasting.
Worse could never happen unto good knights at home, from warfare
resting.”

[821]
Herwic then was bidden to Hettel forthwith to go:
Hettel’s friends and kindred and his men were sent for, too.
When now these knights so worthy their way to him had taken,
They found their king and master dark in mind, and of every hope
forsaken.

[822]
Then said the lord of the Hegelings: “To you I make my moan;
And, trusting in your friendship, my sorrows must I own:
The queen, my Lady Hilda, has sent to give us warning,
That the men of the Hegeling kingdom are ill bestead, and bitterly
are mourning.

[823]
“My lands with fire are wasted, and my castle broken down;
Ill our walls were guarded while we from home were gone:
Foes have seized my daughter; my kin in death are sleeping;
My trusty men are slaughtered to whom I left my land and name in
keeping.”

[824]
Herwic now was weeping, in his eyes the tear-drops stood;
Wet were the eyes of Hettel, and fast they overflowed:
So it was with others, at seeing them thus weeping;
Every one was sorrowful who, near the king, his faith to him was
keeping.

[825]
Then said the aged Wâ-te: “Further of this say nought.
For all the woe and losses these friends to us have brought,
Soon will we repay them, and we shall yet be gladdened;
Ludwig’s kin and Hartmut’s shall at our hands for this erelong be
saddened.”

[826]
Hettel asked in wonder: “How can that be done?”
To him old Wâ-te answered: “’Tis best that peace be won
Now with the king of Moorland, with whom we yet are warring;
Our men, who here besiege him, to seek for fair Gu-drun we may then
be sparing.”

[827]
Wise was the aged Wâ-te, the words he spake were meet:
“To-morrow morning early, let us with Siegfried treat;
And we ought so to bear us that he shall well be knowing
That, should we not allow it, he with his men can ne’er be homeward
going.”

[828]
Then said the daring Herwic: “Wâ-te has spoken right;
To-day must you be thinking how, with the morrow’s light,
You all before the foeman may show a warlike bearing:
It gives me pain that women should make us leave our siege, and
hence be faring.”

[829]
Then they got together horses and clothes with speed;
Unto the words of Wâ-te they readily gave heed.
When the day was dawning, they again were striving
’Gainst those from Abakia. Great praise for this were all to them
soon giving.

[830]
On every side, with banners, they to the field did throng;
Many, sound in body, there were slain erelong:
Wâ-te’s men from Sturmland “Nearer! Nearer!” shouted;
But those they would o’ermaster were quicker yet in fight, and
nought it booted.

[831]
Soon the knightly Irold, over the edge of his shield,
Called out, “Men of Moorland, to peace with us will you yield?
King Hettel bids us ask you, will you this be choosing?
Your lands so far are lying, that you your goods and men will else
be losing.”

[832]
Siegfried, lord of Moorland, answered to him thus:
“Would you for peace have pledges, then win the fight o’er us;
With no one will I bargain for aught my name may lessen:
If you think to overcome us, you will the more by this your losses
hasten.”

[833]
Then spake the knightly Fru-te: “If help to us you’ll give,
And pledge your word to do it, your stronghold you may leave
And go from my master’s kingdom, without more bloody fighting.”
The Moors from Karadie on this stretched forth the hand, their faith
thus plighting.

[834]
There came to strife a stand-still, this I for truth may say.
The glad and happy warriors met that selfsame day;
Those who erst were foemen their help to each other granted.
They both had quenched their hatred; to fight the Normans now was
all they wanted.

[835]
Then to Siegfried of Moorland at once King Hettel told
All the heavy tidings that he in his breast did hold;
He pledged to him his friendship, so long as he was living,
If Hartmut’s foul misdoing now to repay, his help he would be
giving.

[836]
To him the lord of Alzabie, the Moorish Siegfried said:
“Knew we where to find them, they should our coming dread.”
The aged Wâ-te answered: “I can show you nearly
Their path across the water: and we perhaps on the sea may meet them
early.”

[837]
Then to them all spake Hettel: “Where can ships be sought?
And, if I wish to harm them, how bring my wish about?
I might at home make ready within their lands to seek them,
And there, when I had found them, my anger for my wrongs should
quick o’ertake them.”

[838]
To him then said old Wâ-te: “In this I can help you still;
God is ever mighty to do whate’er he will.
I know within these borders now are lying near us
Well-made ships full seventy; filled with food, these barks from the
sands will bear us.

[839]
“In them have wandering pilgrims sailed the waters o’er:
Their ships, whatever happens, we must seize upon the shore;
The pilgrims must be willing that on the sand we leave them,
Until our Norman foemen make good our wrongs, or we again shall
brave them.”

[840]
At once old Wâ-te started, no longer would he wait;
A hundred knights went with him, the others lingered yet.
He said he came for buying; what could the pilgrims sell him?
For this men died thereafter, and, for himself, but sorry luck
befell him.

[841]
On the shore he found the pilgrims,— this I know is true,—
Fully thirty hundred, I ween, and better, too.
To fight were they unready, and could not rouse them quickly:
Nearer came King Hettel, and with him led his men, now crowding
thickly.

[842]
Their goods the pilgrims guarded, yet Wâ-te sent on shore
All that he had no need for, of silver and clothes a store;
But the food was left on shipboard, so old Wâ-te chooses:
He said he should come hereafter, and would reward them well for all
their losses.

[843]
Sadly mourned the pilgrims, for sorest was their need;
But for all they said old Wâ-te cared not a crust of bread:
The bold, unyielding warrior, stern and never smiling,
Said: “Both ships and flatboats they to leave to him must now be
willing.”

[844]
Hettel recked but little if ever they sailed again
Over the sea with their crosses: then he took of their men
Five hundred at least, or over, the best they had among them;
Of these to the Hegeling kingdom few came back, from the death that
overhung them.

[845]
I know not whether Hettel atoned for his evil deed
Done to these poor pilgrims, that made their hearts to bleed,
And, in a far-off kingdom, rent their band, to their sorrow.
I ween the God in heaven saw the wrong, and his anger showed on the
morrow.

[846]
King Hettel and his followers met with a kindly breeze,
And now their way were taking quickly across the seas;
Seeking for their foemen, they sailed far over the water,
Wherever they might find them, longing to show their wrath, and bent
on slaughter.

Tale the Seventeenth.
HOW HETTEL CAME TO THE WULPENSAND IN SEARCH OF HIS DAUGHTER.

[847]
Ludwig, king of the Normans, and Hartmut, too, his son,
Now, with all their followers, far away had gone,
And on a lone, wild seashore, after their toil, were resting.
Though many there were gathered, yet little happiness they then were
tasting.

[848]
’Twas on a broad, low island, hight the Wulpensand,
That now the brave King Ludwig, and they of the Norman land,
Shelter for men and horses had found unto their liking;
But a doom to them most woful erelong must come, instead of the rest
they were seeking.

[849]
The very high-born maidens, torn from the Hegeling land,
Had been led out, and wandered along the barren sand;
So far as ’twas allowed them to show their feelings freely,
They who had been stolen in sadness wept before the foeman daily.

[850]
Fires upon the seashore were seen on every side;
The men from far-off Normandy were thinking there to abide.
Gladly with the maidens would they seven days have rested,
And there have made them lodgings; but every hope of this erelong
was blasted.

[851]
While on this isle forsaken Hartmut now must stay,
Loth were he and his followers the hope to put away,
Which till now they fostered, that they for rest might tarry
Throughout a week in the shelter whither they the maidens fair did
carry.

[852]
It was from far-off Matelan that Ludwig and his band
The fair Gu-drun had taken unto this lonely strand;
Nor felt they now uneasy lest to their hidden dwelling
Wâ-te them should follow, and never harm from him were they
foretelling.

[853]
Now saw King Ludwig’s sailors, tossing on the wave,
A ship with sails the richest. To the king they warning gave;
But when ’twas seen by Hartmut, and others with him standing,
That on the sails were crosses, they said these must be pilgrims,
bent on landing.

[854]
On the waters floating three good ships were seen,
With new and well-made flatboats; they bore across the main
Those who on their clothing never yet wore crosses,
Their love to God thus showing. The Normans must from them meet
heavy losses.

[855]
As they the shore were nearing, one on the ships might see
Helmets brightly shining. No more from care were free
King Ludwig and his kinsmen, and harm their fears foreboded:
“Look there!” then shouted Hartmut; “with grimmest foes of mine
these ships are loaded.”

[856]
The ships were turned so quickly that now men loudly heard
Rudders strained and cracking, held by those who steered.
Both the young and aged, who on the sea-sands rested,
Were indeed bewildered when to spring on shore the foeman hasted.

[857]
Ludwig and young Hartmut their shields in hand now bore.
For them it had been easier to reach their homes once more
If they had not too freely their rest on the island taken:
They had falsely reckoned that Hettel had now no friends, and was
all forsaken.

[858]
Ludwig called out loudly to all his trusty men,
(He thought it child’s play only that he before had seen,)
“Now with worthy foemen must I, at length, be striving!
He shall be the richer who ’neath my flag his help to me is giving.”

[859]
Soon was Hartmut’s banner raised upon the shore.
The ships had now come nearer; with spears the Normans bore
To reach the foe were easy from where they now were waiting:
I ween the aged Wâ-te was ready with his shield, the foeman meeting.

[860]
Ne’er before so grimly did champions guard their land.
Boldly the Hegeling warriors nearer pressed to the strand;
Soon they met the Normans with sword and spear, undaunted;
Blows they freely bartered: such bargains cheaply given no more they
wanted.

[861]
Everywhere the Hegelings sprang upon the shore.
After a wind from the hill-tops was never seen before
Snow so thickly whirling as spears from hands that threw them:
Though they had done it gladly idle it were to shun the strokes that
slew them.

[862]
Thick fly the spears on both sides: the time but slowly goes,
Till they on the beach are standing. Quickly on his foes
Sprang the aged Wâ-te, just as they were nearing;
His mood was of the grimmest, and soon they saw what mind he now was
bearing.

[863]
Ludwig, king of the Normans, then at Wâ-te ran,
And hurled a spear well sharpened against the brave old man.
The shaft, in splinters shattered, high thro’ air went crashing,
For Ludwig drove it bravely; soon to the fight came Wâ-te’s kinsmen
dashing.

[864]
With a heavy stroke, old Wâ-te Ludwig’s helmet cut;
The edge of the sword he wielded the head of his foeman smote,
Who beneath his breastplate a shirt of silk was wearing;
(In Abalie ’twas woven;) were it not for this, his end he must be
nearing.

[865]
Hardly from him could Ludwig with life and limb go free;
The spot he would fain be leaving, for Wâ-te was ill to see
When he was roused to anger, and to win the day was trying:
Struck by his hand were many, who, brave in warfare, now on the
field lay dying.

[866]
Irold and young Hartmut each on the other sprang:
On either side their weapons on the foeman’s helmet rang;
Throughout the throng of fighters, all could hear it loudly;
For bold in war was Irold, and Hartmut, too, was brave, and bore him
proudly.

[867]
Herwic from the Sealands, a warrior strong and good,
Could not reach the landing, but leaped into the flood,
And in the waves was standing, up to his shoulders hidden.
Soon to his cost was he learning how hard a task it is to win a
maiden.

[868]
They the shore who guarded their foemen thought to drown
While in the waters struggling. Shafts at them were thrown,
And many on them broken; but they, their foes now seeking,
Soon the sands were treading, and many a knight his wrath on them
was wreaking.

[869]
Ere they had reached the shoreland, one saw the watery flood
Dyed by the killed and wounded, in hue as red as blood;
Everywhere, so widely the reddened waves were flowing,
One could not shoot beyond them, how far soe’er he might his spear
be throwing.

[870]
Heavier toil and losses heroes never found,
And never so many warriors lay trampled on the ground:
Enough were they for a kingdom who lay, unwounded, dying.
The Normans who o’erthrew them, on all sides too, I ween, in death
were lying.

[871]
It was to save his daughter that there King Hettel fought,
And all his kinsmen with him. On every side were wrought,
By him and those who helped him, havoc and bitter sorrow.
Dead on the Wulpensand were many bodies found before the morrow.

[872]
Unto their lords all faithful, they strove upon the sand,—
Alike the men of Normandy and they of the Hegeling land.
Warriors brave from Denmark fought with matchless daring;
He ne’er should wait their onset who much for his welfare or his
life was caring.

[873]
Morunc and with him Ortwin boldly held their ground,
And for themselves won honor; nowhere could be found
Men who greater slaughter wrought, with hearts undaunted:
The heroes twain, with their followers, gave full many wounds, with
spears well planted.

[874]
Proudly the men from Moorland, as I have heard it said,
When from their ships they landed, the way to the foemen led.
Hettel hoped, in his struggle, help from them to be gaining,
For they were daring fighters: one saw the blood beneath their
helmets raining.

[875]
How could he who led them have braver or bolder been?
That day he dimmed with life-blood many breastplates’ sheen;
Siegfried it was, unyielding in storm of battle ever.
How could the Danish Fru-te, or even Wâ-te the old, have shown them
braver?

[876]
Thickly hurled were lances, hither and thither thrown:
Ortwin, with his followers, in hopeful mood came on;
Helmets that day he shattered, blows upon them dealing.
Gu-drun was bitterly weeping: her women, too, were deepest sorrow
feeling.

[877]
The strife, on both sides, lasted throughout the livelong day;
Longing to reach each other, they crowded to the fray.
There to knights and warriors must the fight go badly,
Where the friends of Hettel to win his daughter back were striving
gladly.

[878]
The evening sun sank lower; and for King Hettel now
His losses grew the greater. King Ludwig’s men, I trow,
Did their best in fighting, but could not flee the slaughter;
Their foes they wounded deeply, and guarded thus Gu-drun from those
who sought her.

[879]
The strife began at morning; by night alone ’twas stopped,
And steadily had lasted; they ne’er their weapons dropped.
The old and young together gained no shame in fighting.
Now the brave King Hettel forward pressed, the king of the Normans
meeting.

Tale the Eighteenth.
HOW LUDWIG SLEW HETTEL, AND STOLE AWAY IN THE NIGHT.

[880]
High in hand their weapons Hettel and Ludwig bore,—
Well had they been sharpened. Soon each knew the more
Who was now his foeman, such strength they both were showing.
Ludwig slew King Hettel; and out of this our mournful tale is
growing.

[881]
When the lord of Matelan upon the field lay slain,
Soon ’twas told to his daughter: loudly then began
Gu-drun to mourn her father, so did many a maiden;
Not one could stop her wailing: friends and foes alike were
sorrow-laden.

[882]
Soon as the grim old Wâ-te the death of the king did know,
He cried and roared in anger. Like to the evening glow,
Now were helmets blazing, beneath the strokes quick given
By him and all his followers, who by their loss were unto madness
driven.

[883]
However hard their fighting, how could it bring them good?
Drenched was all the island with many knights’ hot blood.
Not yet the Hegeling warriors to think of peace were ready;
Away from the Wulpensand they only wished to bring Gu-drun, their
lady.

[884]
In stormy fight the Waal men bewreked the death of the king;
To many a fighting Ortlander and hard-pressed Hegeling
Those who came from Denmark of friendship gave a token:
Soon these knights so daring found in their hands their trusty
weapons broken.

[885]
Now to avenge his father Ortwin bravely strove:
Faithful to him did Horant and all his followers prove.
Night the field had darkened, the light of day was failing;
Then were given to many wounds from which the life-blood fast was
welling.