Chapter VII: Part 7

[1077]
The men sent out by Hilda to Herwic rode in haste:
For what they then were coming the king full quickly guessed;
Then went he forth to meet them, soon as he saw them nearing;
Gladly them he greeted, and soon from them Queen Hilda’s wish was
hearing.

[1078]
“Well you know, Lord Herwic, our woe and plight forlorn,
And how the Hegeling warriors to help the queen have sworn.
Yourself Queen Hilda trusteth more than any other;
To none Gu-drun is dearer,— the homeless maid, long sundered from
her mother.”

[1079]
The well-born knight thus answered: “I know in truth too well
How Hartmut had the boldness my fair betrothed to steal,
Because his love she slighted, and hearkened to my wooing;
For this Gu-drun, my lady, her father lost, and still her lot is
ruing.

[1080]
“My pledge and hearty greeting bear to your lady good;
No more the Norman Hartmut by me shall be allowed
To hold so long in bondage my own betrothéd maiden:
For me, of all, ’tis fittest to bring the lady home, our lives to
gladden.

[1081]
“To Hilda and her kinsmen this answer you may say:
When Christmas time is over, on the sixth-and-twentieth day,
I will ride to the Hegelings, three thousand fighters taking.”
Then the men of Hilda waited no more, but home their way were
making.

[1082]
Now Herwic made him ready, and to the strife gave thought,
With many faithful liegemen who oft had bravely fought.
Those who to go were willing he for war outfitted;
Though wintry was the weather, they to take the field no longer
waited.

[1083]
Of help the widowed Hilda sorely felt the need:
Soon to her friends in Denmark she sent her men with speed,
To tell the knights and warriors no more at home to tarry;
For they to the Norman kingdom must ride, to free Gu-drun from
bondage dreary.

[1084]
They bore to the youthful Horant this errand from the queen:
That he and all his kinsmen were to her lord of kin,
And the sorrows of her daughter should by them be heeded;
For death to her were better than ever that her child to Hartmut
should be wedded.

[1085]
Then sent the knight this answer: “Unto Queen Hilda say,—
Though yet ’twill cost to women many a bitter day,
I still, with all my followers, will help be gladly giving;
For this will be heard the weeping of many a mother’s child, in the
land now living.

[1086]
“I bid you now, moreover, to say unto the queen,—
Ere many days are ended, in her land will I be seen;
Tell her that my wishes all to war are bending,
And soon ten thousand warriors from out the Danish land will I be
sending.”

[1087]
The men sent there by Hilda of Horant took their leave:
They sped to the Waalisch marches, and found Morunc the brave
With all his men about him, a margrave rich and daring.
He gladly saw them coming, and of a loving welcome was not sparing.

[1088]
Then spake the knightly Irold: “Since now by me ’tis known
That into the Hegeling kingdom, before seven weeks are gone,
I with all my followers am bidden to be riding,
For this will I be ready, whatever luck be there for us betiding.”

[1089]
The news was spread by Morunc, within the Holstein land,
That Hilda now was sending for all her friends at hand;
He said that all good warriors must the field be taking.
To the Danish knight, brave Fru-te, they also gave the word, his
help bespeaking.

[1090]
The worthy knight, then answering, his ready will did show:
“Back to her home will we bring her. Thirteen years ago,
We swore the land of the Normans should with war be wasted;
’Twas then the friends of Hartmut stole the maid Gu-drun, and
homeward hasted.”

[1091]
Wâ-te, the knight from Sturmland, to this at once gave thought,
How he might also help her. Altho’ he yet knew nought
Of the word that Hilda sent him, yet he at once bestirred him;
Of his knights a goodly number then in haste he called, who gladly
heard him.

[1092]
All of them were busy with care for the coming war;
Wâ-te the old from Sturmland brought from near and far
Full a thousand kinsmen, for the fight well fitted;
With these he hoped that Hartmut would soon be overcome and be
outwitted.

[1093]
The sad and homeless women in toil and pain were kept
By the cross and evil Gerlind: but fewer wrongs were heaped
Upon the Lady Hergart; (this name to her was given:)
She loved the king’s high cup-bearer, and greatly hoped to be a
princess even.

[1094]
For this fair Hilda’s daughter often sorely wept;
And Hergart, too, yet later woe and sorrow reaped,
Because she ne’er with others would their toils be sharing.
Whate’er to her might happen, Gu-drun for all her ills was little
caring.

[1095]
Of the Hegelings none were idle, as you before have heard:
Tho’ many for all their toiling would find but scant reward,
Yet all within the kingdom their ready help were lending.
Now the knights were thinking for the brother of Gu-drun ’twere best
they should be sending.

[1096]
Riders then went swiftly into the land of the North,
And found in an open meadow the youth of kingly birth,
Where by the edge of a river many birds were flocking:
There with his trusty falconer he showed his skill, and spent his
time in hawking.

[1097]
As soon as, riding quickly, these by him were seen,
He said: “Those men now coming are sent to us by the queen;
They come to give her bidding, proudly hither hasting;
My mother thinketh wrongly that we the war forget, and time are
wasting.”

[1098]
He set his hawk a-flying, and thence at once he rode.
Very soon thereafter darkened was his mood;
For when the men he greeted, and they their tale were telling,
He learned that the queen, his mother, ever in tears her loss was
aye bewailing.

[1099]
She to the youthful warrior sent her greeting kind:
In her wretched lot, she asked him what might be his mind;
And asked how many followers he could to the war be leading;
For from the Hegeling kingdom they all to the Norman land must soon
be speeding.

[1100]
Then Ortwin sent this answer: “Me dost thou rightly bid;
I from hence will hasten, and bring from far and wide
Twenty thousand fighters,— men both brave and daring;
These my steps will follow even to death, their lives and homes
forswearing.”

[1101]
Now from every border many warriors went
Riding to Hilda’s kingdom, for whom the queen had sent;
They vied with one another, to win her praises striving.
Not less than sixty thousand together came, their help for Hilda
giving.

[1102]
On the river Waal Sir Morunc had upon the wave
Of broad-built ships full sixty, strong to bear the brave
Who with the Hegelings sailing would o’er the sea be carried,
To free Gu-drun, the maiden, who sadly now among the Normans
tarried.

[1103]
From out the Northland also finest ships were brought,
With horses and with clothing, as good as could be sought:
Decked were all the helmets, the weapons glittered brightly,
Ready for the onset bravely they came, in armor fair and knightly.

[1104]
Now by their shields men reckoned how many there might be
Who to the Norman kingdom would go the maid to free,
And to the great Queen Hilda their help to give were ready;
They numbered seventy thousand; gifts to all were given by the
queenly lady.

[1105]
On all who there were gathered, or to court who later came,
The queen, though ever mournful, yet let her kindness beam:
She gave them hearty welcome, and every one she greeted;
Wondrous was the clothing that to the chosen knights Queen Hilda
meted.

[1106]
The many ships of Hilda were stored with all things well,
And early on the morrow were ready thence to sail;
Seemly was the outfit for her worthy guests who waited:
They chose not to be going, while aught they lacked to meet the
foeman hated.

[1107]
They put on board the weapons, as was the queen’s behest,
And with them many helmets of beaten steel the best.
Hauberks white were given, besides the ones in wearing,
For warriors full five hundred; these she bade them take, to war now
faring.

[1108]
Their anchor-ropes well twisted of strongest silk were made:
Their sails both rich and showy to the winds were spread;
These to the shores of the Norman the Hegelings would carry,
Who back to Lady Hilda would gladly bring Gu-drun, of waiting weary.

[1109]
The anchors for the sailors were not of iron made,
But of bell-metal moulded; (so have we heard it said:)
They with Spanish brasses all were bound and strengthened,
That loadstones should not hold them, and so the sailors’ way by
this be lengthened.

[1110]
To Wâ-te and his followers the Lady Hilda gave
Many clasps and arm-bands. This roused the strong and brave
To meet their death from foemen, for the Hegelings fighting,
When they from Hartmut’s castle strove to wrest the maid, in bondage
sitting.

[1111]
Freely then and earnestly Queen Hilda spoke her thought
Unto the men from Daneland: “When you have bravely fought
On the stormy field of warfare, I will reward you fitly.
Still my banner follow; that will show the way, and lead you
rightly.”

[1112]
They asked of her, who held it; to this then answered she:
“He bears the name of Horant; a Danish lord is he.
His mother, Hettel’s sister, she it was who bore him;
Let him by you be trusted; forsake him not in fight with foes before
him.

[1113]
“Never, my hardy warriors, must you forget my son,
Young Ortwin, dear-belovéd, to manhood nearly grown.
Of life the youth has numbered twenty years already;
If any risk should threaten, to guard him well then let your help be
speedy.”

[1114]
To this they pledged them gladly, and all together said,
So long as they were with him nought had he to dread;
If he their lead would follow, those from whom he parted
Again unharmed would see him. At this young Ortwin showed himself
light-hearted.

[1115]
Soon the ships were laden with goods of every kind,
And now to tell his wonder none fit words could find.
They asked good Hilda’s blessing on the work now undertaken;
The queen then begged of Heaven that they by Christ should never be
forsaken.

[1116]
Many youths went with them whose fathers erst were slain;
Now bereft, these brave ones to right their wrongs were fain.
The women of the Hegelings were mourning all and weeping,
Beseeching God in Heaven to bring them back their sons in his holy
keeping.

[1117]
But all this pain and sorrow the warriors might not bear;
They sternly bade the women their bitter wails to spare;
Then on their way they started in gladness, shouting loudly,
And as they went on shipboard all were heard to sing, and set forth
proudly.

[1118]
After these daring sailors had cast off from the land,
Many sorrowing women did at the windows stand:
From Matelan’s lofty castle, never the watch forsaking,
Their eyes the sea-path followed, as from the land the men their way
were taking.

[1119]
A friendly wind was blowing, and loudly cracked the mast;
They the sails stretched tightly, and left the land at last.
The son of many a mother went, for honor seeking;
Though this awaited many, yet to gain it they must toil be taking.

[1120]
I cannot tell you fully of all that them befell,
Save that the lord of Karadie, who in that land did dwell,
With fighters came to help them, the foeman never fearing;
He from home brought with him ten thousand knights, all men of
strength and daring.

[1121]
Where foes upon the Wulpensand had met in deadly fray,
These knights from many a kingdom, now, at this later day,
Chose the spot for meeting; and here they came together:
A church had here been builded, and old and young alike had their
gifts brought hither.

[1122]
Now within its harbor, to seek their fathers’ graves,
Out of the ships here gathered went many of Hilda’s braves.
Bitter was their sorrow, and anger keen did waken;
Hard would it be for any who erst in fight the lives of their
friends had taken.

[1123]
Unto the lord of Moorland they hearty welcome gave.
Four and twenty broad-boats he brought with warriors brave;
Food therein was laden that might for all have lasted
Till twenty years were ended: to war with the Normans now they
gladly hasted.

[1124]
When they to sail were ready, they left the sheltering shore
To make their way o’er the waters; but heavy toil they bore
Upon the wild sea-billows before their sail was ended.
What helped it that their leaders, Fru-te the Dane and Wâ-te, them
befriended?

[1125]
A wind from the south was blowing, and drove them out to sea.
The crew of warlike shipmates from fear no more were free;
They could not find the bottom, altho’ they should be casting
Lengths of rope a thousand; many sailors wept, their lot
foretasting.

[1126]
Before the mount at Givers soon lay Queen Hilda’s host;
However good their anchors, upon that gloomy coast,
Drawn by loadstones thither, they a long time rested.
Their masts so tough and hardy soon before their eyes were bent and
twisted.

[1127]
When now the hopeless sailors were weeping o’er their lot,
Thus spoke the aged Wâ-te: “Anchors again throw out,
The strongest and the heaviest, into the sea unsounded.
I’ve heard of many wonders I would rather see, than here on the
rocks be grounded.

[1128]
“Since, astray long sailing, our lady’s ships here lie,
And we so far are driven across the darkling sea,
I now will tell a sea-tale, that stirred my childish wonder,
Of how, near the mount at Givers, a kingdom erst was built by a
mighty founder.

[1129]
“Men there in wealth are living; so rich is all their land
That under the flowing rivers silver is the sand;
With this they make their castles, and the stones are golden
With which their walls are builded. In all the kingdom none in want
are holden.

[1130]
“’Twas told to me, moreover, (by God are wonders wrought,)
If one who by the loadstone unto this mount is brought,
Here will only tarry till the wind from the land is blowing,
He with all his kindred may be forever rich when homeward going.

[1131]
“Let us our food be eating until our luck shall turn,”
Said then the aged Wâ-te; “before we hence are borne,
Our ships that here are lying shall with ore be loaded:
When this we home shall carry, wealth shall we have that no one e’er
foreboded.”

[1132]
Then spake the Danish Fru-te: “A still, unruffled sea
Shall never keep in idleness the men now here with me:
A thousand times I swear to you, no gold would I be seeking,
But rather away from this mountain, with friendly winds, would I my
way be taking.”

[1133]
The Christian men among them raised to Heaven a prayer;
But yet the ships ne’er yielded, strongly fastened there:
For four long days or over all their hopes were thwarted;
Sorely feared the Hegelings that they from thence could nevermore be
started.

[1134]
The clouds now lifted higher, as the mighty God had willed;
Then no more they sorrowed, for soon the waves were stilled,
And from out the darkness the sun was shining brightly.
A wind from the west was blowing, and now the woes were o’er of the
wanderers knightly.

[1135]
For miles full six and twenty, past Givers’ craggy shore,
The ships at last were wafted. By this they saw yet more
The work of God and his goodness, in all the help then given.
Wâ-te with his followers had been too near the rocks of loadstone
driven.

[1136]
To smoothly flowing waters they now were come at last:
Their sins were not rewarded, and all their woes were past,
While fear from them was taken, since God was not unwilling.
The ships that bore the warriors straight to the Norman land at
length were sailing.

[1137]
But soon among the sailors arose again a wail;
For now the ships were groaning, and soon began to reel,
Tossed among the breakers that overwhelmed them nearly:
Then said the brave knight Ortwin: “We now indeed must buy our
honors dearly.”

[1138]
Outspake then one of the sailors: “Alas! and well-a-day!
I would we were at Givers, and dead near its mountain lay!
If one is by God forgotten, by whom is he befriended?
My brave and hardy warriors, the roar of the blustering sea is not
yet ended.”

[1139]
Then cried the knight, Sir Horant, he of the Danish land:
“Be of good heart, brave fellows; I well can understand
This wind no harm will do us; from out the west ’tis blowing.”
This cheered the lord of Karadie, on him and on his men fresh hope
bestowing.

[1140]
Horant, the daring warrior, up to the topmast climbed,
And the widely stretching billows swept, with eyes undimmed,
Keeping for land an outlook. They soon his call were hearing:
“Wait you now, unfearing; I see that we the Norman land are
nearing!”

[1141]
The word to all was given, that they should lower sail:
Searching the waters over, they saw far off a hill,
Lofty, and thickly wooded, with groves and leafage shaded;
Then old Wâ-te bade them thither to bend their way, and this they
heeded.

Tale the Twenty-Third.
HOW HILDA’S WARRIORS LANDED IN SIGHT OF HARTMUT’S KINGDOM.

[1142]
Before the hill they landed, in sight of the leafy grove;
Wary to be, and daring, them did it now behoove.
First they dropped their anchors, deep the waters under;
In a lonely spot were they hidden, where none could see, nor at
their coming wonder.

[1143]
Then from the ships, to rest them, they stepped upon the beach.
Hey! what they had longed for was now within their reach!
A stream of pure, cold water, through the fir-trees flowing,
Ran down the wooded hillside, upon the wave-worn knights new life
bestowing.

[1144]
While the weary warriors were resting and asleep,
Irold soon had clambered, there his watch to keep,
Into a tree high-branching. He then began to ponder
Which way they should be taking; and, lo! the Norman land he saw
with wonder.

[1145]
“Now, my youths, be merry!” thus cried the youthful knight.
“My cares indeed are lightened, for now I have in sight
Seven lofty palaces, with roomy halls wide-spreading;
Before to-morrow’s midday, the land of Normandy shall we be
treading.”

[1146]
Then said the wise old Wâ-te: “Up to the sands now bear
All your shields and weapons, whate’er in fight you wear.
Let every one be busy, and let the youths be hastened;
At once lead out the horses; helmets and breastplates must with
straps be fastened.

[1147]
“And now, if any outfits are not good to wear,
Nor meet for you in fighting, to that I’ll give my care.
The queen, my lady Hilda, has sent with us already
Full five hundred breastplates; these will we give to any who are
needy.”

[1148]
Quickly were the horses forth on the sea-beach led;
And all the showy horse-cloths, that should on them be spread,
Were by the men unfolded, and laid on steeds in waiting,
To see which best beseemed them; and each then took the one he
deemed most fitting.

[1149]
In leaping, and in galloping up and down the shore,
They rode, and watched the horses; many, strong before,
Now were dull and sluggish, nor longer quick at running;
Too long had they been standing, and Wâ-te had them killed, as not
worth owning.

[1150]
Fires by the men were lighted; and good and hearty food,
The best that could be met with so near the shore and flood,
By the tired and hungry wanderers soon was cooked and eaten.
They had not hoped beforehand that rest like this their toilsome
life would sweeten.

[1151]
Throughout the night they rested, till dawn of the coming day.
To Ortwin Wâ-te and Fru-te each his mind did say;
Talking aside on the seashore, many a threat was spoken
Against their Norman foemen, who into the Hegeling castle erst had
broken.

[1152]
“Men must we now be sending,” to them young Ortwin said,
“Who shall tidings bring us, if they be not yet dead,
About my long-lost sister and many a homeless maiden;
For when on them I’m thinking, my heart is heavy, oft with sorrow
laden.”

[1153]
Together they bethought them, whom they hence should send,
By whom the news they wished for might with truth be gained,
And who could tell them rightly where to find the maiden;
By them, too, must the errand on which they came, from foes be
wisely hidden.

[1154]
Then spake the youthful Ortwin, who from Ortland came,
A faithful knight as any: “Myself for the search I name;
The maid, Gu-drun, is my sister, child of my father and mother;
Of all, however worthy, am I more fit to go than any other.”

[1155]
Then spake the kingly Herwic: “I too will go with thee;
To live or die I am ready, seeking the maid to free.
To you she is a sister, but to me for a wife they gave her;
To her am I ever faithful, nor for a day uncared-for will I leave
her.”

[1156]
Then quoth Wâ-te angrily: “’Tis childish thus to speak,
Brave and chosen warriors: such risks you should not seek,
And this for truth I tell you. Spurn you not my warning;
Should you be found by Hartmut, you’ll on his gallows hang, your
rashness mourning.”

[1157]
To him King Herwic answered: “Though good or ill betide,
Friends should aye be friendly, standing side by side.
I and my friend, young Ortwin, will ne’er the task give over,
Whatever shall befall us, and search will make till we Gu-drun
recover.”

[1158]
When now upon this errand both were bent to go,
They sent for friends and kinsfolk, and did their wishes show.
They bade them to be faithful, and said the oaths then taken
Must never be forgotten, and they who went must never be forsaken.

[1159]
“Of your pledges I remind you,” the youthful Ortwin said:
“If we, by foemen taken, should be in bondage led,
You with gold must free us, and so our bonds must loosen;
Lands must you sell and castles, nor ever sorrow feel that thus
you’ve chosen.

[1160]
“And, warriors brave, now hearken to what we more will say;
If foes our life begrudge us, and us in fight shall slay,
Be not our death forgotten, let it on them be wroken:
Your swords in Hartmut’s kingdom must make your daring there be
loudly spoken.

[1161]
“This we further bid you, my good and well-born knights:
E’en though, with toil the hardest, every warrior fights,
Let not those homeless maidens be by you forsaken;
Until the strife is settled, let not their hope and trust in you be
shaken.”

[1162]
Their faith then freely pledging, each gave to the king his hand;
And all the best among them swore that home and land
They nevermore would look on, but still afar would tarry,
Until again to their homesteads they from the Norman land the maids
should carry.

[1163]
All of them were faithful, but yet were weeping sore;
They feared the hate of Ludwig, and ills for them in store.
That they could send no others they were deeply mourning;
And all were sadly thinking, “No one now can death from them be
turning.”

[1164]
All day they talked together; it now was near its end:
The sun, that low was sinking, thro’ clouds its beams did send:
Erelong it sank o’er Gulstred, and there at last was hidden.
Ortwin and Herwic tarried, that night to go, by the waning light
forbidden.

Tale the Twenty-fourth.
HOW THEIR COMING WAS MADE KNOWN TO GUDRUN.

[1165]
Of them we speak no longer; we now will let you hear
Yet more about the maidens: how hope their lot did cheer
Who on a far-off seashore must wearily toil at washing:
Gu-drun and Hildeburg must wash all day on the sands where waves
were dashing.

[1166]
’Twas the time of spring-tide fasting, and at the noon of day.
To them a swan came floating; thereat Gu-drun ’gan say:
“O bird so fair and lovely, such pain for me thou art feeling,
That now thou hither speedest from a far-off land, across the water
sailing.”

[1167]
Then to her in answer spake the friendly swan,
Although a God-sent angel, in speech most like a man:
“Words from God I bring you; if you for this be seeking,
Tidings I give of your kindred; of these, most high-born maid, would
I be speaking.”

[1168]
When the lovely maiden his speech so wondrous heard,
Scarce could she believe it, that thus an untamed bird,
Now, within her hearing, in tones like these had spoken.
While to him she listened, it seemed that his words from the mouth
of a man had broken.

[1169]
Then said the bird-like angel: “Hopeful you now may be,
Homeless, sorrowing maiden; gladness shall come to thee.
If you would hear of your birth-land, listen while I tell you;
From there I bring you tidings, for God hath sent me, of your woes
to heal you.”

[1170]
At this, Gu-drun, the fair one, upon the sands down fell;
Crossing her arms, the maiden her lowly prayers did tell.
Then she said to Hildeburg: “God hath us in his keeping,
And help to us has granted; we now no more shall sorrow know, nor
weeping.”

[1171]
To the bird then said the maiden: “Christ has sent thee here
To us, poor homeless maidens, our heavy hearts to cheer;
Good and trusted harbinger, tidings tell yet other:
Is now Queen Hilda living? Of poor Gu-drun is she the much-loved
mother.”

[1172]
The Heaven-sent bird thus answered: “This can I say to thee;
Hilda, thy queenly mother, in health did I lately see.
To search for thee already her warriors she has banded;
Such throngs no kin or widow, seeking for friends, on foeman’s shore
e’er landed.”

[1173]
Then spake the high-born maiden: “Good tidings thou dost bear:
Be thou with me not weary, still more I fain would hear.
Lives yet my brother Ortwin, as king in Ortland dwelling,
And Herwic, my betrothéd? ’Twould gladden me could’st thou this news
be telling.”

[1174]
The bird-like angel answered: “That can I gladly tell;
Herwic and young King Ortwin are both alive and well.
Upon the swelling billows, that rose and sank unending,
I saw those knightly sailors; each with even stroke to his oar was
bending.”

[1175]
She said: “This tell me also, if ’tis known to thee,
Whether Morunc and Irold are now upon the sea,
And hither come to seek me; the truth I fain would gather.
Gladly I would see them, for they are kin to Hettel, who was my
father.”

[1176]
To her the bird thus answered: “That can I tell you, too;
Morunc, and with him Irold, I saw, in search of you.
They to this land are coming; their help will soon be given
To fight for you, fair lady, and many a helmet will by them be
riven.”

[1177]
Then spake the winged angel: “I bid you now farewell,
And leave you in God’s keeping, for work awaits me still.
I overstay my errand to linger here, yet speaking.”
Then from their sight he faded, and left the maidens’ hearts
well-nigh to breaking.

[1178]
Then said Hilda’s daughter: “My sorrows none can know;
Much that I wished to ask thee, now must I forego.
For the sake of Christ, I beg thee, ere thou alone dost leave me,
Poor and wretched maiden, that freedom from my woes thou yet wilt
give me.”

[1179]
Before her eyes he floated, and once again he spake:
“Ere yet we two are parted, and hence my way I take,
If I in aught can help you, of that I will not weary,
And, since through Christ you ask it, to tell you of your kin will
longer tarry.”

[1180]
She said: “I fain were hearing, if thou the truth hast learned,
If Horant, lord of Denmark, his way has hither turned,
And with him leads his kinsmen? They leave me here forsaken.
Knowing him brave and daring, I would my lonely lot his care might
waken.”

[1181]
“From Denmark sailing hither, Horant, your kinsman, comes;
He to war is leading his followers from their homes.
The banner of Queen Hilda aloft in his hand he is bearing;
’Tis thus the Hegeling warriors now the Norman Hartmut’s land are
nearing.”

[1182]
Gu-drun then asked him further: “This would I also hear:
Lives Wâ-te still of Sturmland? If so, no more I fear.
We all might then be happy, if thou could’st this be telling,—
That under the flag of my mother he and the aged Fru-te are hither
sailing.”

[1183]
To her the angel answered: “Hither comes in haste
Wâ-te the old from Sturmland. He in his hand holds fast
The strong and guiding rudder, and Fru-te’s ship is steering.
Truer friends or better you ne’er need wish their swords for you
were bearing.”

[1184]
Once more the bird was ready upon his way to go;
Then said the wretched maiden: “I still am full of woe;
And now to know am longing— if life such bliss can lend me—
When I, poor homeless maiden, shall see my mother’s knights, whom
she doth send me.”

[1185]
The angel answered quickly: “Your happiness is near;
To-morrow morning early, will two brave knights be here.
Both are true and upright, and falsehood ne’er will tell you;
Whatever news they bring you you well may trust, and never will it
fail you.”

[1186]
At last the heavenly angel hence in truth must go:
From him the homeless maidens sought no more to know.
In mind they ever wavered, ’twixt hope and fear still tossing;
Where their helpers lingered they could not know, yet trust were
never losing.

[1187]
Lazily and slowly they washed the livelong day;
Of knights sent there by Hilda, who now were on their way
From over the Hegeling border, busily they chatted:
Gu-drun’s good, faithful kinsmen were by the long-lost maids
uneasily awaited.

[1188]
Each day must have its ending; to the castle now must go
The weary, homesick maidens. They there must harshness know
From evil-minded Gerlind, who their lives still harrowed;
A day went by but seldom that she scolded them not, nor still their
bondage narrowed.

[1189]
Thus she spoke to the maidens: “Who gave the word to you
That you might wash so slowly my clothes and linen, too?
All the things I gave you must be quickly whitened;
’Twere best that you be careful, you else shall weep, and for your
lives be frightened.”

[1190]
Then answered her young Hildeburg: “Our work we ever mind;
Truly you ought, fair lady, to be to us more kind.
We oft are almost freezing, with water o’er us splashing;
If only the winds were warmer, we might for you far better then be
washing.”

[1191]
Grimly answered Gerlind, and roughly them did twit:
“Whatever be the weather, my work you may not slight.
Early must you be washing, nor rest till night be knowing;
To-morrow morn, at daybreak, you from my room must down to the beach
be going.

[1192]
“I ween you know already that Holytide is near;
Palm-Sunday soon is coming, and guests will then be here:
If to ill-washed clothing my knights shall then be treated,
Never in kingly castle to those who washed have woes like yours been
meted.”

[1193]
Then the maidens left her; they laid aside, all wet,
The clothing they were wearing— they better care should get.
All they had known of kindness for them no longer lasted,
And soon for this they sorrowed, for bread and water now was all
they tasted.

[1194]
Now the downcast maidens for sleep had sought their bed;
But this was not the softest, and each one, in her need,
A dirty shirt was wearing. Thus was Gerlind showing
Her care and kindness for them, on benches hard a pillow ne’er
bestowing.

[1195]
Never Gu-drun, poor maiden, on a harder bed had lain;
All were tired with watching till day should dawn again.
They had but broken slumber; I ween, they oft bethought them
How soon the knights were coming, of whom the angel-bird the news
had brought them.

[1196]
Soon as the morning lightened, Hildeburg the good,
Erst from Galicia stolen, at the window gazing stood;
All night she slept but little, but on her bed lay tossing.
She saw that snow had fallen, and hope the heart-sick maid was
wellnigh losing.

[1197]
Then spake the hapless maiden: “To wash we now must go.
Should God not change the weather, and we, in storm and snow,
To-day must stand a-washing, before the evening cometh
We, all chilled and barefoot, shall dead be found, while us the cold
benumbeth.”

[1198]
By hope they yet were gladdened, e’en as they well might be,
That those sent out by Hilda they ere night should see.
When the lovely maidens upon this thought were dwelling,
It made them now more happy, and lighter was the pain their hearts
were feeling.

[1199]
Then said Hilda’s daughter: “My friend, you should beseech
The stern, ill-minded Gerlind, that on the pebbly beach
Shoes she will allow us; she may herself be learning
That if we go there barefoot we soon shall freeze, and there our
death be earning.”

[1200]
The maidens then went seeking King Ludwig and his queen.
He, in sleep held fondly, in Gerlind’s arms was seen;
Both were sunk in slumber, and the maids, their anger fearing,
Dared not them to waken: erelong Gu-drun yet greater woe was
bearing.

[1201]
The weeping of the maidens by the sleeping queen was heard,
Who quick began to chide them with many a surly word:
“Why, you heedless maidens, are you not to the seashore going,
There to wash my clothing, and rinse them with clean water o’er them
flowing?”

[1202]
Then said Gu-drun, in sorrow: “I know not where to go,
For in the night has fallen a deep and heavy snow.
That we by death be stricken unless you now are willing,
Do not send us washing; to stand without our shoes will us be
killing.”

[1203]
To her the she-wolf answered; “That I do not fear;
Now to the shore betake you, or weal or woe to bear.
If you be slow in washing, my wrath may you be dreading;
E’en if you die, what care I?” At this the hopeless maids more tears
were shedding.

[1204]
Taking then the clothing, they went to the water’s brink:
“Of this,” said Gu-drun, “God willing, I will make you think.”
Then, in the cold, barefooted, through the snow they waded;
The very high-born maidens, forsaken in their woe, were worn and
faded.

[1205]
Down to the beach they plodded, as was their wont before,
Bearing the clothing with them to the bleak and sandy shore.
They once more were standing, over the washing stooping;
Ever they were thinking of their sorry plight, and sadly were they
hoping.

[1206]
Often now, and earnestly, over the watery waste,
While they toiled and sorrowed, longing looks they cast;
Still of those now dreaming sent by the queen to free them,
Who o’er the sea were sailing. The high-born maidens hoped erelong
to see them.

Tale the Twenty-Fifth.
HOW HERWIC AND ORTWIN FOUND GUDRUN.

[1207]
After they long had waited, now saw these washers lone
Two in a boat fast nearing; others were there none.
Then said the maiden, Hildeburg, unto Gu-drun, the lady:
“These two are sailing hither; perhaps the friends sent here are
come already.”

[1208]
She, full of sorrow, answered: “Ah, woe is me, poor maid!
Although, in truth I’m happy, I yet am also sad.
If at the seaside washing Queen Hilda’s men shall see us,
Standing thus barefooted, we from the shame of this can never free
us.

[1209]
“A poor, unhappy woman, I know not what to do:
Hildeburg, my dearest, your mind now let me know;
To hide me were it better, or shall I stay to shame me
When they shall find me toiling? Rather would I that they a drudge
should name me.”

[1210]
Then said the maiden Hildeburg: “E’en how it stands you see;
A thing that is so weighty you should not leave to me,
Whate’er you think the better, your choice will I be sharing;
With you I’ll stay forever, both good, and ill together with you
bearing.”

[1211]
Then from the water turning, both fled away in haste;
But now the boat of the sailors had neared the land so fast,
They saw the lovely washers, away from the seashore hieing,
And at once bethought them that they for shame away from the clothes
were flying.

[1212]
They called unto the maidens, as they sprang upon the beach:
“Whither so fast are you fleeing, fair washers, we beseech?
We are far-off wanderers, as well our looks are showing;
Your linen may be stolen, if you leave it here, and from us in haste
are going.”

[1213]
They kept their way still swiftly, as if they heard it not:
But yet the boisterous shouting had reached their ears, I wot.
The bold and knightly Herwic too roughly bade them hear him,
For he not yet mistrusted ’twas his betrothed that now he saw so
near him.

[1214]
Cried Herwic, lord of Sealand: “Maidens fair and young,
Tell us now, we pray you, to whom these clothes belong.
We ask you in all honor, by the faith to maidens owing,
Most fair and lovely ladies, that back to the shore you will again
be going.”

[1215]
Gu-drun, the maid, then answered: “It were a shame, forsooth,
Since to the trust of woman you give your pledge in truth,
Were I of this unworthy, nor faith in you were showing:
To the shore we back will hasten, although my eyes with tears are
overflowing.”

[1216]
They, in their smocks, came nearer; both with the sea were wet.
Before that time, the maidens were always clean and neat;
Now the wretched drudges with cold and frost were quaking;
Little of late had they eaten, and with the March-like winds were
chilled and shaking.

[1217]
The time had come already for snows to melt away,
And, with each other vying, the little birds, each day,
Again their songs would warble, as soon as March was ended;
But in the snow, and ice-cold, the maids were found forlorn, and
unbefriended.

[1218]
Stiff were their locks and frosted, when they now drew near;
However well and carefully they had smoothed their hair,
It now was tossed and tumbled by the wind so wildly blowing:
Hard bestead were the maidens, toiling there, whether it rained or
was snowing.

[1219]
The ice was loose and broken, floating everywhere
Upon the sea before them. The maids were filled with care;
Pale were now their bodies, e’en as the snow around them,
By their scanty clothes scarce hidden. Sad was the lot in which the
knights had found them.

[1220]
Then the high-born Herwic a kind “Good-morning” bade
To the sad and homeless maidens; of this sore need they had,
For oft their keeper, Gerlind, had them with harshness taunted.
To hear “Good-morning,” “Good-evening,” was now to the maids but
very seldom granted.

[1221]
Then said the youthful Ortwin: “I beg you say to me
To whom belongs this clothing, that on the sands I see?
For whom are you here washing? You both are so comely showing,
Who can this shame have done you? May God bring low the man such
outrage doing!

[1222]
“So fair are you and lovely, you well might wear the crown;
If all that is your birthright you now could call your own,
You would, in truth, be worthy to be with ladies seated.
Has he for whom you are toiling more such washers fair so foully
treated?”

[1223]
To him the lovely maiden in greatest sorrow spoke:
“Many he hath beside us who fairer still do look.
All that you list now ask us; yet, with eye unsleeping,
One from the leads doth watch us, who ne’er will forgive the talk
with you we’re keeping.”

[1224]
“Be not at this uneasy, but deign our gold to take,
And with it these four arm-bands. These your reward we make,
If you, most lovely ladies, of speech will not be wary;
To you we give them gladly, if of the truth we seek you be not
chary.”

[1225]
“God leave to you your arm-bands, albeit you we thank;
Nought for hire may you give us,” quoth the lady high in rank.
“Ask what you will, but quickly, for we must hence be going;
If we were seen here with you, nothing but sorrow should we then be
knowing.”

[1226]
“We beg you first to tell us who this land doth own?
Whose are the castles also? By what name is he known
Who leaves you without clothing, low tasks upon you laying?
He may of his worth be boastful; that he doeth well no man may now
be saying.”

[1227]
To him Gu-drun thus answered: “Hartmut is one of the lords
To whom these lands owe fealty. His castles well he guards,
With Ludwig, king of the Normans, who is Hartmut’s father:
And many knightly vassals, to keep their lands from foes, they round
them gather.”

[1228]
“Gladly would we see them,” said Ortwin, the friendly knight;
“Happy were I, fair lady, if we could learn aright
Where, within their kingdom, we might those kings be meeting,
We bring to them an errand; as henchmen of a king, we bear his
greeting.”

[1229]
Gu-drun, the high-born lady, thus to the warrior spake:
“This very morning early, ere yet they were awake,
I left them in their castle; in their beds they slumbered.
I know not if thence they have ridden: their men, I think, full
forty hundred numbered.”

[1230]
Again King Herwic asked her: “To us yet further tell,
Why is it such brave princes in fear like this should dwell,
That they so many warriors always should be needing?
Had I that band of fighters, to gain a kingdom I would them be
leading.”

[1231]
To him Gu-drun thus answered: “Of that we nothing know;
And where their lands are lying, that neither can we show:
But from the Hegeling kingdom, although it is not near them,
They fear that harm awaits them from foes who soon may come, who
hatred bear them.”

[1232]
Trembling, cold, and shivering, the maids before them stood;
Then the knightly Herwic spake, in kindly mood:
“I would, most lovely ladies, if we might be so daring,
And if no shame it gave you, that on the shore our cloaks you would
be wearing.”

[1233]
Hilda’s daughter answered: “May God your kindness bless;
We cannot take your mantles, but we thank you none the less.
No eye shall ever see me manly clothing wearing.”
If only the maidens knew it, much greater ills would they yet be
often bearing.

[1234]
Oft the eyes of Herwic did on the maiden rest;
To him she seemed most comely, and her bearing was the best.
For all her heavy sorrows sighs in his heart were wakened;
And to one erst thought of kindly, from him long taken, he the
maiden likened.

[1235]
Then spake again young Ortwin, who was of Ortland king:
“Can either of you ladies tidings whatever bring
Of a band of homeless maidens who to this land were carried?
Gu-drun was one among them, and gladly would we learn where she has
tarried.”

[1236]
To him the maiden answered: “To me is that well known;
A maiden throng came hither in days now long bygone:
They to this far-off kingdom by fighters bold were taken;
And full of heavy sorrow came these maids forlorn, of hope forsaken.

[1237]
“The maid whom you are seeking I know,” she said, “full well;
I here have seen her toiling, this for a truth I tell.”
She was herself the maiden who was by Hartmut stolen,
Gu-drun, Queen Hilda’s daughter, and all she told had erst herself
befallen.

[1238]
Then spake the knightly Herwic: “Ortwin, list to me:
If fair Gu-drun, your sister, yet alive may be,
In any land whatever, for us on earth still watching,
This must be that lady; ne’er have I seen two maids so nearly
matching.”

[1239]
To him then said young Ortwin: “The maid in truth is fair,
But to my long-lost sister no likeness doth she bear.
The days are not forgotten when we were young together;
Should I rove the whole world over, so fair as she I ne’er could
find another.”

[1240]
When now Gu-drun, who listened, heard the name of the man,
That his friend did call him Ortwin, she looked at him again:
For she indeed were happy if she were thus befriended,
And found in him a brother, for then her cares were o’er and her
sorrows ended.

[1241]
“However they may call you, a worthy knight are you:
A man in all things like you in days of yore I knew;
The name of Herwic bore he, in Sealand was his dwelling.
If that brave knight were living, to loose us from our bonds he were
not failing.

[1242]
“I am one of the maidens whom Hartmut’s warriors stole,
And bore across the waters, in thraldom sorrowful.
Gu-drun you here are seeking, but need not thus have hasted;
The queenly Hegeling maiden at last is dead, with toil and hardship
wasted.”

[1243]
The eyes of Ortwin glistened, filling fast with tears;
Nor was it without weeping that now King Herwic hears
The tidings to them given,— that fair Gu-drun, their lady,
From them by death was taken; at this their heavy hearts to break
were ready.

[1244]
When both, before her weeping, were seen by the homeless maid,
With eyes upon them fastened, thus to them she said:
“It seems to me most likely, by the mood that you are wearing,
That to Gu-drun, the maiden, you worthy knights are love and kinship
bearing.”

[1245]
To her young Herwic answered: “Yes, for the maid, forsooth,
I shall pine till life be ended; to me she gave her troth,
And to me, in wedlock plighted, with faithful oaths was given:
Since then, by the craft of Ludwig, her have I lost, by him from her
birthland riven.”

[1246]
Then said the sorrowing maiden: “Your words would me mislead,
For men have often told me that Herwic long is dead.
No bliss on earth were greater, that God to me were granting,
Could I learn that he is living; a friend to lead me hence were then
not wanting.”

[1247]
Then said the knightly Herwic: “Upon my hand now look;
Know you this ring I am wearing? Mine is the name you spoke;
With this were we betrothéd: to Gu-drun I am faithful ever,
And if you were my loved one, I would lead you hence, and would
forsake you never.”

[1248]
Upon his hand then looking, a ring there met her sight,
Set with a stone from Abalie, in gold that glittered bright;
Never her eyes had rested on one more rich or fairer.
Gu-drun, the queenly maiden, of this same ring had whilom been the
wearer.

[1249]
The happy maiden, smiling, with words her bliss did show:
“Of this I once was owner, and well the ring I know.
Look upon this I am wearing; ’twas the gift of my early lover,
While I, a gladsome maiden, still dwelt at home, nor stepped its
borders over.”

[1250]
He, on her hand now gazing, upon the ring did look;
Then unto the maiden the knightly Herwic spoke:
“That a queenly mother bore thee, I see by many a token;
After my heavy sorrows, a blessed sight upon my eyes has broken.”

[1251]
Then in his arms he folded the fair and high-born maid:
For all they told each other they were both glad and sad.
He kissed the maiden fondly, how oft I cannot reckon;
So, too, he greeted Hildeburg, showing his love to both the maids
forsaken.

[1252]
Then the youthful Ortwin begged the maid to say
Whether to do her task-work there was no other way
Than, standing by the seaside, all day to wash the clothing?
At this she greatly sorrowed, and felt for her work the deepest
shame and loathing.

[1253]
“Tell me now, fair sister, where may your children be
Whom you have borne to Hartmut, in his land across the sea,
That all alone on the seashore to wash they thus allow you?
If here a queen they call you, the name you bear but little good can
do you.”

[1254]
Shedding tears, she answered: “How should I have a child?
No love could Hartmut kindle, that I to him should yield;
And well do all men know it who near him here are dwelling.
Because I would not love him I now must toil, and woe my heart is
swelling.”

[1255]
Then spake the knightly Herwic: “We now can truly say
That we good luck have met with, on our errand far away;
And nought could have befallen that for us were better.
It behooves us now to hasten to free the maid from the ills that
here beset her.”

[1256]
Then said the knight, young Ortwin: “That may never be.
Had I a hundred sisters, I would sooner let them die
Than here, in another’s kingdom, to hide a deed of plunder;
Stealing those from our foemen whom they by stormy fight from us did
sunder.”

[1257]
Then spake the lord of Sealand: “This do I greatly fear,
Should our search be known to any, or if they find us here,
They then may take the maiden, and her far hence may carry,
And never shall we see her: ’twere best to hide the deed, nor longer
tarry.”

[1258]
Him did Ortwin answer: “How can we leave in need
Her faithful band of maidens? So long a stay they’ve made
Here in this land of foemen that well may they be weary:
Gu-drun, my worthy sister, should ne’er forsake her maids, in
bondage dreary.”

[1259]
To him then spake brave Herwic: “Is this in truth your mind?
Ne’er shall my well-belovéd be left by me behind;
To take the ladies with us, e’en as we can, ’tis better.”
Him did Ortwin answer: “Here to be hacked with the sword for me were
fitter.”

[1260]
Then said the downcast maiden: “What have I done to thee,
My dearest brother Ortwin? Never as yet in me
Was seen such ill-behavior that I for that was chidden.
For what great sin I know not am I, my lord, to make atonement
bidden?”

[1261]
“I do not thus, dear sister, for want of love to thee;
Thereby your band of maidens I shall the better free.
Only as fits my honor, hence will I ever take you;
Herwic for your lover you yet shall have, and ne’er will he forsake
you.”

[1262]
Gu-drun was heavy-hearted as they went on board the boat;
She said: “Woe worth my wanderings! my sorrow endeth not.
He whom once I trusted, must hope in him be shaken
That he will break my bondage? My bliss is yet far off, and my faith
mistaken.”

[1263]
In haste the daring warriors turned from the shore away.
Gu-drun, the maid, heart-broken, to Herwic called to stay:
“Of me you once thought highly, but now you hold me lightly:
To whom, in my woe, do you leave me? Bereft of kin, to whom can I
trust me rightly?”

[1264]
“I do not hold you lightly; you are of maids the best.
My coming, queenly lady, hide within your breast;
Again, ere morning lightens, these shores will I be treading,—
For this my troth I pledge you,— eighty thousand followers with me
leading.”

[1265]
As fast as they were able they hastened then away;
Never friends were sundered more sadly than that day
Were these from one another; (the truth to you I’m telling.)
As far as their eyes could follow, the maidens watched the boat away
fast sailing.

[1266]
Gu-drun, the queenly maiden, her washing now forgot;
Betwixt her bliss and sorrow, her toil she heeded not.
The harsh and wicked Gerlind, the idle women spying
Standing by the seashore, in anger stormed, that her clothes
unwashed were lying.

[1267]
Then said the maiden Hildeburg, from Ireland, o’er the sea:
“Why do you let the clothing here uncared for be?
The clothes of Ludwig’s followers still unwashed are waiting.
If this be known to Gerlind, yet harder blows from her shall we be
getting.”

[1268]
Queen Hilda’s daughter answered: “Too proud I am, I ween,
That for the wicked Gerlind I e’er should wash again.
Henceforth a toil so lowly in scorn shall I be holding,
For two young kings have kissed me, they in kindness me in their
arms enfolding.”