Chapter IX: Part 9

[1463]
“Fly from here I cannot; no wings for this have I;
Nor in the earth can hide me, whatever else I try.
Neither from the foeman to the waves can we be turning:
Now, in our lot so wretched, what best it is to do from me be
learning.

[1464]
“Good knights of mine, now hearken; there’s nothing left to do
But, to the ground alighting, their hot life’s-blood to hew
From out the ringed armor: fear not the word I’ve given.”
Then, from their saddles leaping, their horses back at once from
them were driven.

[1465]
“Now on, brave knights and warriors!” Hartmut called to all;
“To the castle-gates press nearer, whatever may befall.
I yet must meet old Wâ-te, whether I live or am dying;
To drive him from the gateway, and from the walls, I will at least
be trying.”

[1466]
Soon, with swords uplifted, rushing on were seen
The brave and youthful Hartmut, and with him all his men.
He fell upon grim Wâ-te, who met his coming gladly;
Now their sword-blades clattered, and many knights lay dead, or
wounded badly.

[1467]
When Wâ-te saw young Hartmut the onslaught on him make,
While Fru-te bore the banner, in wrath old Wâ-te spake:
“I hear the swords loud ringing of many pressing near us;
I beg, dear cousin Fru-te, let none come out from the gates; from
that now spare us.”

[1468]
Then Wâ-te, wild with anger, did on King Hartmut run;
But he, so brave and daring, the onset would not shun.
The sun with dust was darkened, now from the struggle rising:
Their strength was unabated; still for good name they fought, that
both were prizing.

[1469]
What helped it that of Wâ-te men said he was as strong
As six and twenty warriors? Though this was on each tongue,
Yet still to him young Hartmut his knightly skill was showing:
Howe’er his foe was striving, the Norman lord and his men no less
were doing.

[1470]
A knight he was most truly, and well indeed he fought;
Of the dead there lay a mountain whom on the field he smote.
It was, forsooth, a wonder that Hartmut had not yielded,
And died before old Wâ-te: grim was the wrath from which himself he
shielded.

[1471]
Soon heard he, loudly shrieking, old King Ludwig’s wife;
Sorely she was mourning the loss of her husband’s life.
She said she would reward him who felt his death past bearing,
And would Gu-drun be slaying, with all the maids who there her lot
were sharing.

[1472]
Then ran a worthless fellow, to whom the fee was dear,
To where the Hegeling maidens sat together near.
Then the hearts of the women with many fears he loaded;
For the sake of gold to be given, to take their lives he now was
sharply goaded.

[1473]
When that Hilda’s daughter against her saw him bear
A sharp and naked weapon, she well indeed might fear,
And mourn that, far from kindred, she was thus forsaken.
Had not young Hartmut seen it, the knave her head from her would
then have taken.

[1474]
She so forgot her breeding that now she screamed aloud,
As if in dread of dying; great fear made wild her mood.
’Twas the same with all her maidens, there beside her seated,
From out the window gazing; the ladies such behavior ill befitted.

[1475]
At once the sound of her wailing to Hartmut made her known;
And greatly did he wonder what made her scream and moan.
Soon he saw a ruffian whose sword was near to falling,
As if he meant to kill her. Loudly now to him ’gan Hartmut calling:

[1476]
“Who are you, low-born dastard? For what reward or need
Do you affright these maidens, and seek to strike them dead?
If you shall strike one lady, I give you now this warning,
Your life shall quick be ended; your kinsmen too shall hang, this
very morning.”

[1477]
Back then sprang the rascal,— his anger he did fear;
For now the youthful Hartmut held his life not dear,
When to the homeless maidens he his help was giving:
With care was he o’erladen, while from grim death to free them he
was striving.

[1478]
Quickly then came Ortrun, she of Norman lands,
The fair and youthful princess; in woe she wrung her hands.
She to Gu-drun came nearer, the stately, high-born maiden,
And, at her feet down-falling, bewept her father’s death, with
sorrow laden.

[1479]
She said: “Most queenly lady, do not your tears forbear,
For all my many kinsmen who death together share.
Bethink you, if you also a father slain were weeping,
How you would feel, great princess. My father slain I mourn, in
death now sleeping.

[1480]
“Behold, most high-born maiden, my woe and bitter need;
How almost all my kinsmen lie, with my father, dead:
And now the knightly Hartmut is death from Wâ-te fearing.
If I should lose my brother, bereft of kindred, nought could life be
cheering.

[1481]
“Reward the love I’ve shown you,” said the Norman maid.
“Of all that saw your sorrow, when none a tear did shed,
I then alone was friendly, and had you in my keeping;
For all the wrongs they did you, I the livelong day for you was
weeping.”

[1482]
Queen Hilda’s daughter answered: “Thou wast indeed my friend;
But yet this strife so deadly I know not how to end.
Were I indeed a warrior, and knightly weapons wearing,
I’d stop the fighting gladly; and none to slay your brother then
were daring.”

[1483]
Ortrun was sorely weeping; she still the maid besought,
Until within the window Gu-drun at length she brought,
Who with her hand then beckoned, and begged that it be told her
If from the land of her fathers knights had come who did in
friendship hold her.

[1484]
Then the knightly Herwic answer thus did make:
“Who are you, young maiden, who news from us do seek?
We are not the Hegelings, whom you see so near you;
We hither come from the Sealands. Tell us, maiden, how we now can
cheer you?”

[1485]
“This do I beseech you,” said the queenly maid:
“Sore has been the fighting; him will I thank, indeed,
Who now cuts short the struggle. Me will he be cheering
Who from the hands of Wâ-te will Hartmut free in the strife that I
am fearing.”

[1486]
Then asked the well-bred warrior who from the Sealands came:
“Tell me, worthy maiden, what may be your name?”
She said: “Gu-drun they call me, of Hagen’s blood I own me;
Altho’ my birth was lofty, of late but little love has here been
shown me.”

[1487]
He said: “If you, fair lady, my dear Gu-drun can be,
Then faithfully to help you gladness will give to me;
For I, in truth, am Herwic; you for my own I have chosen,
And fain am I to show you how you from bonds of sorrow I can
loosen.”

[1488]
She said: “If you would help me, my good and worthy knight,
I trust that you will grant me that what I ask is right:
To me these lovely maidens their prayers are ever making,
That from the fight with Wâ-te some friendly hand will Hartmut soon
be taking.”

[1489]
“That will I do right gladly, dearest lady mine.”
Then to his men young Herwic called above the din:
“Now against old Wâ-te let my flag be carried.”
Herwic then pressed forward, and none of all his men behind him
tarried.

[1490]
To do the lady’s bidding hard it was for him;
But Herwic called out loudly to Wâ-te old and grim,
And said, “My dear friend Wâ-te, to grant my wish be ready:
Let strife be ended quickly: this is the prayer of many a lovely
lady.”

[1491]
Then spake in wrath old Wâ-te: “Sir Herwic, get you gone!
Did I mind the will of a woman, how should I do my own?
If I thought to spare the foeman, unasked I’d do it even.
I will not do your bidding: Hartmut to pay for his sins must now be
driven.”

[1492]
Herwic, for love of his lady, on both the fighters sprang
Right fearlessly and boldly; loud the sword-blades rang.
Wâ-te was wild with anger, and bitter pain it gave him
That, ere the foeman yielded, Herwic from his hand should dare to
save him.

[1493]
Then he smote King Herwic a strong and heavy blow,
Ere he could part the fighters, and quickly laid him low;
Now rushed the men of Herwic, and did from Wâ-te bear him.
Hartmut was seized and taken, though Herwic and his knights had
sought to spare him.

Tale the Twenty-Ninth.
HOW HARTMUT WAS TAKEN PRISONER.

[1494]
Wâ-te loud was storming; then went he towards the hall
That stood before the gateway. On every side did fall
The din of sword-blades clashing, of groaning and of weeping.
Hartmut was in bondage; ill luck alone his liegemen, too, were
reaping.

[1495]
With him were also taken eighty warriors brave;
The others all were slaughtered. Hartmut his life did save,
But to a ship was carried, and fast and long they kept him.
Not yet was sorrow ended; greater ills must they know who now bewept
him.

[1496]
Though often from the stronghold Wâ-te’s men they drove,
Both with slings and arrows, yet still he grimly strove,
And won from them the castle. The heavy bolts were broken
That once the gates had fastened; at this fair women wept, with fear
outspoken.

[1497]
Horant, the lord of Denmark, Queen Hilda’s flag now bore;
Him followed many warriors, he might not wish for more.
Up to a palace tower that high its walls was rearing,
Far above all others, the Hegeling men the banner soon were bearing.

[1498]
As I have told already, the castle now was won:
To those they found within it grimmest deeds were done.
Great was the crowd on-pressing, for booty to enrich them.
Then cried the stern old Wâ-te: “Where are now the sacks, and youths
to fetch them?”

[1499]
Now was broken open many a well-filled room;
Loud was the din and uproar that from within did come:
But all were not like-minded who the halls were thronging;
While wounds were dealt by many, others for plunder searched, for
riches longing.

[1500]
They bore so much from the castle, as we have heard it told,
That such a heavy burden two ships could never hold:
Richest silken clothing, silver and gold, were taken,
To load the ships on the waters; tho’ much they took, yet much must
be forsaken.

[1501]
Now within the castle joy was all unknown.
To all the folk there gathered the greatest wrongs were done;
Men alike and women were slain who there were dwelling:
To children in their cradles, even to them, the foemen death were
dealing.

[1502]
Irold then to Wâ-te thus his mind made known:
“Of harm to you these children devil-a-bit have done.
They indeed are blameless, nor hate to our kin were showing;
For the love of God, I beg you, spare the poor babes, some pity now
bestowing.”

[1503]
The aged Wâ-te answered: “Thou hast the mind of a child;
Tho’ now in the cradle wailing, say, wouldst thou have willed
That I should leave them living? As soon as they are older,
They never can be trusted; to trust a Saxon wild would be no
bolder.”

[1504]
Blood throughout the castle flowed on every side.
Those who saw the slaughter, how bitterly they cried!
Now the high-born Ortrun, filled with care and sorrow,
Sought Gu-drun, kind maiden: she feared yet greater wrongs before
the morrow.

[1505]
Then, her head low bending before the lovely maid,
She said: “Gu-drun, my lady, have pity on my need,
And, in my sharpest sorrow, leave me not forsaken;
I trust me to your kindness, or else my life will by your friends be
taken.”

[1506]
“Gladly will I shield you,” she answered, “if I can;
Ever to do you kindness, and help you, I am fain.
I will gain for you forgiveness; no more for life be fearing.
Your maids and women also must stand near me, my care they, too, are
sharing.”

[1507]
“This doth make me happy,” the youthful Ortrun said.
With three and thirty maidens, she was kindly kept and fed;
Warriors two and sixty there the ladies guarded:
If they should gain their freedom, their keepers would be slain, and
thus rewarded.

[1508]
The old and wicked Gerlind ran to Gu-drun in haste;
As if she were her bondwoman, herself at her feet she cast,
Saying: “Most high-born lady, thou alone canst save us
From Wâ-te and his followers; else will his wrath, I ween, of life
bereave us.”

[1509]
To her said Hilda’s daughter: “I hear you asking now
That I to you be friendly; how should I kindness show?
Nought that e’er I wished for to grant me were you willing:
To me you showed but hatred; and now my heart with hate for you is
swelling.”

[1510]
That Ortrun then was near him Wâ-te became aware:
He his teeth was gnashing, and straight up-stood he there;
Now his eyes were flashing; his yard-wide beard was flowing;
And all were sorely frightened, and feared what the Sturmisch lord
would next be doing.

[1511]
Over him blood was streaming, with it his clothes were wet.
Tho’ Gu-drun was glad to see him, she had liked it better yet
If he, in mood less wrathful, had come for her to greet him;
Such fear they all were feeling, I ween that no one there was glad
to meet him.

[1512]
To meet her friend, old Wâ-te, went Gu-drun alone;
Then said Hilda’s daughter, with sad and care-fraught tone:
“Welcome art thou, Wâ-te! How glad would be my greeting,
If now these folk so many no evil from thy hand should here be
meeting.”

[1513]
“I thank you, fair young maiden! Are you Queen Hilda’s child?
Who are these many women, whom here you seek to shield?”
“This,” said Gu-drun, in answer, “is Ortrun, high in breeding;
I beg you, Wâ-te, spare her: her women here your wrath are sorely
dreading.

[1514]
“Those there are wretched maidens, from far across the sea,
Brought from the Hegeling kingdom by Ludwig’s men with me.
But you are wet and bloody; do not come so near us:
For all your help we thank you, nor in our woe do scorn the love you
bear us.”

[1515]
Wâ-te went on further, and Herwic soon he found,
And with him youthful Ortwin, as king in Ortland owned.
Irold was there and Morunc; Fru-te had thither hasted:
None of these were idle; many they slew, nor soon from slaughter
rested.

[1516]
Quickly then came Hergart, the lady of a duke,
And said: “Gu-drun, good lady, on me with kindness look,—
On me, a wretched woman. Forget not that we ever
Have been and are your handmaids; and let me, lady, lose thy
friendship never.”

[1517]
Gu-drun in anger answered: “Stand back, come not so near!
Whatever we poor maidens of wrong have had to fear,
For all you wept but little, and cared for it but slightly.
Not much do I care either whether for you it now goes ill or
rightly.

[1518]
“You still among my maidens may linger, if you choose.”
Now the stern old Wâ-te looked round among his foes,
To find the wicked Gerlind, whom he in wrath was seeking.
That devilish crone, with her women, the kindness of Gu-drun was now
bespeaking.

[1519]
Grimly then old Wâ-te stood before the hall,
And said: “Gu-drun, my lady, send down, with her maidens all,
The old and wicked Gerlind, who made you wash by the water;
And with her send her kinsmen, who in our land so many knights did
slaughter.”

[1520]
The lovely maiden answered: “Not one of them is here.”
Then Wâ-te, in his anger, went in and to her came near;
He said: “Now show me quickly the women I am seeking;
Else shall they, with your maidens, all alike in the grave their
home be making.”

[1521]
Wâ-te was sorely angry, of this was she aware.
A wink of her eye then gave him a lovely maiden there,
And he knew the old she-devil, on whom her glance was turning.
“Tell me,” he said, “Queen Gerlind, for other maids to wash are you
still yearning?”

[1522]
Then by the hand he took her, and dragged her thence away;
The while the wicked Gerlind sank down in sore dismay.
Said Wâ-te, wild to madness: “Most lofty queen, I warn you,
Never again, at your bidding, shall my ladies wash for you; they now
can scorn you.”

[1523]
I ween that when he brought her without the palace gate,
All looked on to witness what he would do in his hate.
Then by the hair he grasped her, no one a whit he dreaded,
His wrath indeed was bitter, and at once the evil queen he there
beheaded.

[1524]
Loudly shrieked the maidens, their fright at this was sore.
Back again went Wâ-te, and said: “Who is there more,
Who to the queen owns kinship? To me you now must show her;
However high she holds her, I yet to earth her head will quickly
lower.”

[1525]
Sobbing then and weeping, the child of Hettel said:
“Let these with me find shelter, who now to me have fled,
To ask of me forgiveness, here my love bespeaking.
This is the well-born Ortrun, who with her Norman maids my help is
seeking.”

[1526]
Those who were forgiven she bade stand further back.
Then, in mood unfriendly, the angry Wâ-te spake:
“Where shall I find young Hergart, now of a lord the lady,
Who here within this kingdom to take the love of the king’s great
lord was ready?”

[1527]
None of them would tell him, but he to her came near,
And said: “Were you the owner of all this kingdom here,
Who could in you be looking to see so proud a bearing?
Ill have you served your lady, here in the land where you her lot
were sharing.”

[1528]
Then all cried out together: “Let her now go free.”
But the aged Wâ-te answered: “That can never be;
I have the care of the women; behold my overseeing!”
With a stroke he her beheaded, while the maids in fright behind
Gu-drun were fleeing.

[1529]
Now from the bloody struggle there was a rest for all.
Then the brave King Herwic came to Ludwig’s hall,
Leading in his warriors, with stains of blood upon them.
Gu-drun her welcome gave him; her love for him was shown, and
kindness done them.

[1530]
Soon the knightly Herwic his sword from his side unbound:
He then shook off his armor into his shield on the ground,
And stood before the ladies; iron-stained was his body.
That day, for love of his lady, he oft on the field had hewn a
pathway bloody.

[1531]
With him came Ortwin also, who was of Ortland king.
When Irold came with Morunc, the clothes they off did fling
Worn outside their armor, for they were over-heated.
They wished to see the ladies, and hoped by them they would be
kindly greeted.

[1532]
When now the Danish warriors were both with slaughter spent,
They laid aside their weapons, and before the ladies went.
Shields no longer bore they, their helmets were unfastened;
A very loving welcome to give to both the knights Gu-drun then
hastened.

[1533]
Irold and Morunc with him then most lowly bowed
Before the lovely maiden. How well her bearing showed
That to see these guests so lordly she was indeed most willing!
Right glad and happy truly the child of the Hegeling Hilda now was
feeling.

[1534]
Alike they all were thinking, both lords and all their men:
“Since now we have the castle,— the stronghold Kassiane,—
Of the land are we the masters, and everything is ours.”
Soon bade the aged Wâ-te that men should burn with fire the palace
with its towers.

[1535]
The Danish Fru-te answered: “That may never be;
In this my queenly lady to live must now be free.
Bid that from out the castle men the dead shall carry;
Then ’twill be the better for all our knights who in the land shall
tarry.

[1536]
“Very strong is the castle, wide it is and good;
Bid from the walls now everywhere to wash away the blood,
That for a home the maidens may not dislike it wholly:
Then the land of Hartmut we will raid throughout, and see it fully.”

[1537]
They did as Fru-te bade them, for wise he was, in truth;
They bore from out the castle many who there, forsooth,
Were sorely slashed and wounded, and many who were dying:
Then to the waves they carried those who before the gates in death
were lying.

[1538]
They to the sea intrusted four thousand of the dead;
This to them was toilsome, but Fru-te thus had bade.
The work that they were doing not as yet was ended;
Then in Ludwig’s castle the maid Ortrun was held, now
ill-befriended.

[1539]
Two and sixty warriors and thirty maidens fair
With her were also taken. Then said Gu-drun: “Forbear!
The maids are in my keeping, my word to them I plighted:
Wâ-te may do as he wishes with the knights he seized, until my
wrongs are righted.”

[1540]
Siegfried, king of Moorland, found a welcome warm,
As should to knights be granted after the battle-storm.
Thanks to that worthy warrior were by the ladies given,
That he from the land of Karadie so far had come, and so well for
them had striven.

[1541]
To the care of the Danish Horant they their foes did give
Who in the castle of Kassian still were left alive.
To him was Gu-drun intrusted, and all her maidens near her:
To her was he a kinsman; they so might hope that he would kindness
bear her.

[1542]
Him they made the master of forty towers strong,
And six wide, roomy dwellings, that stood the shore along.
Over three rich palaces to him was lordship granted,
And there Gu-drun, the maiden, with him must stay, and nought she
ever wanted.

[1543]
To guard their ships on the waters others now they bade;
Then back to castle Kassian Hartmut, the knight, was led
With many of his kinsmen, who in the fight were taken;
There the Norman ladies, seized with the knights, were held, by hope
forsaken.

[1544]
They bade that care be taken that none from them might flee;
A thousand of their brave ones must the women oversee:
They, with the men from Denmark, kept guard in many places.
Wâ-te, meanwhile, with Fru-te, sought other foes, and shields to hew
in pieces.

[1545]
Thirty thousand warriors with them the war-path shared.
Fire was thrown on all sides; flames now flashed and flared.
Throughout the land, the dwellings everywhere were burning;
And now the brave young Hartmut, sad at heart, his first true woe
was learning.

[1546]
The warriors from Sturmland, and they of the Danish land,
Broke down the well-built castles on every hill and strand.
They took away more plunder than foemen ever carried;
Many lovely women the Hegelings seized, the while the land they
harried.

[1547]
Before the friends of Hilda came back thro’ the wasted land,
Six and twenty castles fell beneath their hand.
Happy went they homeward; proud were they of their raiding;
Soon of those there taken a thousand or more to Hilda they were
leading.

[1548]
Throughout the Norman kingdom was Hilda’s banner seen,
Waving now unhindered; back again her men
Bore it down to the sea-sand, where they had left their lady.
Here would they stay no longer; to seek their homes they all were
glad and ready.

[1549]
Those who still were resting within King Hartmut’s halls
Down to their friends came riding from out the castle walls.
Gladly both old and youthful now each other greeted;
Then asked they of Denmark: “Youths, what luck in the raid hath you
awaited?”

[1550]
To them King Ortwin answered: “We there have done so well
That I to those who helped me my thanks must ever tell.
Our foes are well rewarded, tho’ sore has been the fighting,
For all the wrongs they did us; a thousand-fold have we ourselves
been righting.”

[1551]
Then spake the aged Wâ-te: “Who best can tarry here
To guard for us this kingdom? Bid now Gu-drun, the fair,
Come down again to meet us; soon shall we be going
To Hilda’s land of the Hegelings; and what we bring we will to her
be showing.”

[1552]
Then said they all together, both the old and young:
“To Horant and to Morunc doth the warder’s task belong;
They, and a thousand with them, here in this land must tarry.”
’Twas done as they had bidden; but those who went did many a hostage
carry.

[1553]
When to go back to Hegeling they now made up their minds,
Then to their ships they carried goods of many kinds,
All they once brought with them, and all they had of plunder.
Gladly they bore their booty; on this their friends at home would
look with wonder.

[1554]
Hartmut now was bidden to leave his father’s hall,
With all his bravest warriors, five hundred men in all;
They now were held in bondage who had in strife been taken,
And won from their foes thereafter many a weary day, of hope
forsaken.

[1555]
Ortrun took they likewise, the fair and high-born maid;
On her and on her maidens a heavy woe they laid:
As they away from fatherland far from friends were carried,
They well might know the sorrows felt by Gu-drun and her maids, who
with them tarried.

[1556]
Those whom they had taken they bore with them away.
The castles, overmastered, henceforth must own the sway
Of Morunc and of Horant: when they homeward started,
They left in the Norman kingdom a thousand of their men, all
fearless-hearted.

[1557]
“Now do I beseech you,” to them young Hartmut spake,
“That in my father’s kingdom my freedom I may take;
If this to me be granted, I pledge my life and riches.”
The aged Wâ-te answered: “Now in our hands to keep you wisdom
teaches.

[1558]
“Why it is I know not, that ’tis my nephew’s will
To carry home young Hartmut, who him would gladly kill,
And take from him his riches. Even before the morrow,
Were only my nephew willing, I would see that his foe no more in
bonds should sorrow.”

[1559]
Then spake the youthful Ortwin: “What gain to us would come
If we should slay our foemen here in their land and home?
Hartmut and his kindred may better things be hoping;
Them will I bring to my mother, as well beseems a knight to wrong
ne’er stooping.”

[1560]
All their goods and riches down to the ships were brought;
With gold and gems and clothing, and horses they were fraught.
Her whom they had sought for they were homeward bringing:
They who once went mourning now on their way were heard in gladness
singing.

Tale the Thirtieth.
HOW GUDRUN WAS BROUGHT HOME TO HILDA.

[1561]
Homeward the men of the Hegelings gladly took their way;
But many whom they carried erewhile across the sea
Now lay dead and wounded; these must they be leaving:
Three thousand men or over were mourned by friends, who tears to
each were giving.

[1562]
Now their ships went smoothly, the winds for them were good:
Bearing home their booty they came in happy mood.
How it was done I know not, they sent on men before them
Unto the Hegeling ladies: of what had them befallen they tidings
bore them.

[1563]
With all their speed they hastened,— that I well can say,—
And reached at last their kingdom,— I cannot tell the day.
Never a tale so happy had Lady Hilda gladdened
As this that now they told her: Ludwig was slain, who long her life
had saddened.

[1564]
She asked: “Still lives my daughter, and all her maiden band?”
They answered: “Herwic brings her, his own, again to her land.
Ne’er to so brave a warrior it hath befallen better.
Ortrun, too, they are bringing, and Hartmut, her brother; these in
bonds they fetter.”

[1565]
“A happy tale you bring me,” said then the well-bred queen;
“My life with care and sadness by them hath cumbered been.
If e’er my eyes behold them, ill shall they be faring:
Through them have I much sorrow, untold and openly, for years been
bearing.

[1566]
“The news that you have brought me a rich reward shall gain;
For you my heart have lightened of hopeless woe and pain.
Gold I give you freely, and this I do most rightly.”
They said: “Most noble lady, to make us rich we need your gold but
slightly.

[1567]
“Of the booty we have gotten we’re bringing home so much,
You need not think us scornful if your gold we do not touch:
Indeed, our boats are heavy with shining gold they’re bearing.
Over all our riches keepers we have, who well for it are caring.”

[1568]
Then did Lady Hilda, when she the tidings heard
That guests so dear were coming, for food and drink give word;
For stools and benches, also, on which they should be seated.
She of all was thoughtful, that they might feel that they were fitly
greeted.

[1569]
Now at Matelan castle none were idle found;
Down on the sandy beaches and on the level ground
Workmen quickly gathered, who nought of toil abated
That fair Gu-drun and Herwic, as them beseemed, should worthily be
seated.

[1570]
I cannot tell you truly if aught upon the sea
Of ill had them befallen. Six long weeks it must be
Ere Ortwin’s men saw Matelan at length before them looming.
They brought with them their lady, and many well-bred maids with her
were coming.

[1571]
When now they reached their homeland, this for truth we hear,
Their search and strife for the lady had lasted full a year:
It was upon a May-time their foes they home were bringing.
Their toils were not forgotten, but, as they came, the strand with
shouts was ringing.

[1572]
Soon as Matelan castle now from the ships was seen,
Of sackbuts and of trumpets loud began the din,
Of horns as well as fluting, and drums that men were beating.
The ships of the aged Wâ-te at last in a harbor good their rest were
meeting.

[1573]
After these came also Ortland’s warriors brave;
Then Hilda with her ladies to them a welcome gave.
Out from Matelan’s castle she to the shore went riding;
Gu-drun they saw was coming, with well-bred maidens wont to do her
bidding.

[1574]
Alighted from their horses, and standing on the sand,
Were Hilda and all her ladies. Then, leading by the hand
Gu-drun, the lovely maiden, came Irold, proud and knightly.
Though Hilda well had known her, yet now she knew her not, nor
others rightly.

[1575]
Hilda, among the followers a hundred women saw;
She said: “I know not truly which one from me should draw
A mother’s loving welcome; unknown to me is my daughter:
I give to all my greeting who here with her have come across the
water.”

[1576]
“This is your long-lost daughter,” by Irold she was told;
Hilda to her stepped nearer. Could ever wealth or gold
Outweigh the bliss that filled them, as each the other greeted,
And welcome gave with kisses? Now from their hearts had all their
sorrow fleeted.

[1577]
To Irold and his kinsmen kind greeting Hilda said;
Then to the aged Wâ-te a lowly bow she made.
“Welcome, knight of Sturmland! bravely thou hast striven!
Who can e’er reward thee, unless to thee both land and crown are
given?”

[1578]
He to the lady answered: “To help you all I may,
For that am I most willing, e’en to my latest day.”
Then, for love, she kissed him, and Ortwin thus she greeted.
Now came Herwic also, with proud and worthy knights, as him
befitted.

[1579]
Ortrun, the Norman maiden, then by the hand he led.
Gu-drun besought her mother kindly to meet the maid:
“Dear lady, greet with kisses this good and high-born maiden;
Oft in my years of sorrow my life with help and kindness she did
gladden.”

[1580]
“To none will I give kisses who is to me unknown.
Who are this maiden’s kinsmen? What name doth the lady own,
That you should bid me kiss her, and be so friendly with her?”
He said: “Her name is Ortrun; she from the Norman kingdom cometh
hither.”

[1581]
“Never shall I kiss her; how can you ask for this?
If I should bid them kill her I should not do amiss.
Truly have her kinsmen filled my life with sorrow;
They fed their eyes upon it, and gladness all the while from this
did borrow.”

[1582]
Gu-drun to Hilda answered: “Ne’er hath this lovely maid
The word to any given that wrong on you be laid.
Bethink you now, dear mother, would blame to me be owing
Should our men slay her kinsmen? To the luckless maid, I beg, your
love be showing.”

[1583]
Gu-drun in vain besought her, until at last, with tears,
The maid now begged her mother; then gave she willing ears,
And said: “I can no longer see you sadly weeping:
If e’er the maiden helped you, for this shall she, in my land, her
life be keeping.”

[1584]
Then the stately Hilda kissed King Ludwig’s child,
And greeted other ladies, e’en as Gu-drun had willed.
Then came also Hildeburg, from far-off lands brought thither,
Erst with her found washing. Now, by the hand, Sir Fru-te led her
hither.

[1585]
Then Gu-drun said further: “Mother, most dear to me,
Your greeting give to Hildeburg. What better can there be
Than true and faithful friendship? Gold and jewels even,
Whate’er the kingdom holdeth, to Hildeburg most rightly should be
given.”

[1586]
Then said to her Queen Hilda: “To me it hath been told
How she both weal and sorrow hath borne with you of old.
Never shall I sit happy beneath the crown I’m wearing,
Till I indeed reward her for all the ills that she with you was
sharing.”

[1587]
At once she kissed the maiden, and others, too, as well.
Then Hilda said to Fru-te: “No shame for this I feel,—
That I have come to meet you and those whom you are leading.
Good knights, you all are welcome into the Hegeling land, now
homeward speeding.”

[1588]
As they with thanks were bowing, and she her greeting gave,
Siegfried, king of Moorland, drew nearer on the wave,
And with his warriors, shouting, up to the beach was springing:
A merry song from Araby were all, as best they might, together
singing.

[1589]
Queen Hilda him awaited till on the shore he stood.
Then to the lord of Karadie a greeting warm she showed:
“Sir Siegfried, king of Moorland, welcome to you is given;
It ne’er shall be forgotten how you to right my wrongs have ever
striven.”

[1590]
“Lady, if I have helped you, to do it I was glad.
Now must I hasten thither to where my home I’ve had
Since early days of boyhood, ere I thence had ridden
To war against King Herwic; henceforth to strive with him it is
forbidden.”

[1591]
Then they their ships unloaded, and up they bore on the sand
The many things brought with them into Queen Hilda’s land.
The night was drawing nearer, the air was colder growing;
The guests no longer waited: to seek a shelter they in haste were
going.

[1592]
Then with the guests Queen Hilda rode up on to the plain.
Before great Matelan castle huts and tents were seen
Bedecked with gold and shining; there the guests were seated
Upon rich seats made ready: within the tents were all most kindly
treated.

[1593]
Such wealth, at Hilda’s bidding, was brought up to the land,
That none need leave behind him his pledge or bond to stand.
Never in giving freely could any host be vying
With this most high-born widow: no guest need wine or other cheer be
buying.

[1594]
There the weary rested until five days were gone.
The greatest care and kindness unto the guests were shown;
But Hartmut greatly sorrowed— no happiness it gave him—
Until the lovely maiden begged Queen Hilda would in freedom leave
him.

[1595]
Then Ortwin went with his sister where Hilda had her seat.
She said: “My dearest mother, never this forget,—
We must not reward with evil him who a wrong is doing.
Of your worthy name bethink you; you should on Hartmut smile,
forgiveness showing.”

[1596]
She answered: “Dearest daughter, you do not ask aright:
I at the hands of Hartmut the greatest ills have met;
He must atone in bondage for all his wrongful dealing.”
Then at the feet of Hilda Gu-drun fell down, with sixty maidens,
kneeling.

[1597]
Then spake the lady Ortrun: “In freedom let him live;
To you will he be faithful, for this my word I give.
Be to my brother friendly, nor of your love be sparing;
’Twill be to you an honor if he again the kingly crown be wearing.”

[1598]
His friends all wept together that he in bondage sat,
Wearing chains so heavy; their eyes with tears were wet:
Much they pitied Hartmut, no more his kingdom swaying.
On him and on his followers fetters fast and strongest now were
weighing.

[1599]
Then spake to them Queen Hilda: “Leave your weeping now;
Their chains will I unloosen; they to my court may go:
But not to seek their freedom they their word must give me,
And with an oath must swear it,— not hence to ride unbidden, nor to
leave me.”

[1600]
Now the noble bondsmen were from chains set free.
Gu-drun then bade these warriors to bathe them in the sea;
Then, in finest clothing, men to court must lead them.
Knights were they most worthy; and so the more, good luck did ever
speed them.

[1601]
There among the others Hartmut now was seen;
Never a braver warrior or better knight had been:
E’en now, amid his sorrows, such a mien was he wearing,
It seemed as if a pencil had drawn him there, and a parchment him
was bearing.

[1602]
Now on him with kindness did all the ladies look,
While he, their friendship trusting, greater boldness took.
Ill-will, that erst was borne him, none were longer feeling;
It was by all forgotten what wounds they erst had been to each other
dealing.

[1603]
Herwic now bethought him from the land of the Hegeling
How he might be going. He bade his men to bring
His clothing and his weapons, and on the horses load them:
When this was known to Hilda, to let them go no ready will she
showed them.

[1604]
She said: “My good Lord Herwic, I beg you longer stay!
All your love and kindness a weight on me doth lay.
Not yet with my good wishes may you hence be riding;
Before you yet shall leave me, there shall be high times for the
guests with me abiding.”

[1605]
To her Lord Herwic answered: “Lady, you know the way,
How those who send their kinsmen to lands which others sway
Again at home to see them are always greatly longing:
With pain our friends are waiting until again they see us homeward
thronging.”

[1606]
Then spake again Queen Hilda: “Grudge not, I beg, to me
One happiness and honor, for none can greater be;
Herwic, king most worthy, the boon now deign to give me,
That I, poor lonely woman, may see my daughter crowned, ere she
shall leave me.”

[1607]
For this was he unwilling; but still she begged and bade:
Thereby those held in bondage were soon from sorrow freed.
When now at last he told her that to do it he was willing,
Then the Lady Hilda was glad in heart, and rest of mind was feeling.

[1608]
Seats were made at her bidding, yet more and better still,
Which many knights with honor, near Hilda, soon did fill,
When came the high times merry, that now were widely bruited.
To crown Gu-drun, the fair one, King Herwic bade, for him it now
well suited.

[1609]
Of those who him had followed there went away not one
Before at Matelan castle the high times were begun.
Then by Lady Hilda was clothing kindly given
To sixty maids or over: for praise and honor she had ever striven.

[1610]
To full a hundred women clothing good she gave:
None of those were slighted, but all her care did have,
Who from their homes were taken; these had clothes the rarest.
The gifts indeed were wondrous that Hilda gave, of queens the best
and fairest.

[1611]
Irold must guard the treasure; to dwell in Hilda’s home
That knight erelong was bidden, and quickly did he come:
Wâ-te, he of Sturmland, must carve the meat at table;
They also sent for Fru-te, to come to her as soon as he was able.

[1612]
Her cup-bearer she made him; thereon thus spake the knight:
“That will I be most gladly, if now you think it right.
A fief you then will give me, with banners twelve to show it;
Then am I lord in Denmark.” Queen Hilda smiled, but never thought to
do it.

[1613]
To Fru-te thus she answered: “That gift is not for thee;
For still your nephew Horant Daneland’s lord must be.
You, in his stead, for friendship, must now our cup be filling;
And, while he is with the Normans, kindly to care for him must you
be willing.”

[1614]
The men and maids in waiting all to their tasks were set:
Silken clothes were called for; a hoard both rich and great,
In rooms and chests long treasured, Queen Hilda bade them open.
These were brought by stewards, and all the guests to them were
freely holpen.

[1615]
Of these the very lowest had clothing of the best.
If others than the Normans were bidden to the feast,
Or why they called them thither, I have no way of telling:
Full thirty thousand were they whom there they brought, in Norman
lands once dwelling.

[1616]
Clothes for all were wanted, but where could these be found?
If e’en the wealth of Araby any there had owned,
I ween he could no better or finer clothes have given
Than now they shared so freely: that this should be, Gu-drun her best
had striven.

[1617]
Soon as this lovely maiden by the guests had now her seat,
She sent for her brother Ortwin, and did his coming wait,
That she the word might give him to be fair Ortrun’s lover;
She, King Ludwig’s daughter, beside Gu-drun was seated then, as
ever.

[1618]
Ortwin, lord of Ortland, made haste to his sister’s bower:
Him welcomed many a maiden who sat with her that hour.
Then, from her seat arising, by the hand she kindly took him;
And him aside then leading, at the further end of the hall she thus
bespoke him,

[1619]
Saying: “Dearest brother, hear what for you is best;
All that I shall tell you comes from a faithful breast.
If you for bliss are hoping, so long as you are living,
Then for Hartmut’s sister you must, as best you may, henceforth be
striving.”

[1620]
To her young Ortwin answered: “Now think you this is well?
I and her brother Hartmut never as friends can feel;
We slew their father Ludwig, and, when to me she’s wedded,
Of him will she be thinking; then with her sighs I oft shall be
upbraided.”

[1621]
“You such love must show her that for him she will not long.
If now this word I give you, ’tis from a love as strong
As I have had for any, or e’er in my life was feeling.
Should she to you be wedded, your bliss with her will be beyond all
telling.”

[1622]
Then said her knightly brother: “If she to you is known,
And now you think the Hegelings will her for a mistress own,
Gladly will I love her,— a maid of such high-breeding.”
Him Gu-drun then answered: “You’ll ne’er a sorry day with her be
leading.”

[1623]
Of this he spoke to others, but Hilda’s word was nay;
He told it unto Herwic, to hear what he would say,
Who held it right and worthy; then to Fru-te speaking,
That friend would have him woo her, “for many knights will she your
own be making.

[1624]
“Soothed should be the hatred that we each other bore;
Of how it may be ended, I now will tell you more;
Then,” said the Danish Fru-te, whose word was ever heeded,
“Hildeburg, the maiden, to young King Hartmut also must be wedded.”

[1625]
The wise and upright Herwic with faithful words thus spake:
“I deem it right and fitting the maiden him should take;
When in the land of Hartmut she is queen and lady,
A thousand lordly castles to own her sway will there be glad and
ready.”

[1626]
Then to the high-born Hildeburg Gu-drun the fair thus spake,
With words unheard by others: “Care for your weal I’ll take;
If I may well reward you, my friend and playmate dearest,
For all the love you’ve shown me, soon in the Norman land a crown
thou wearest.”

[1627]
To her then said fair Hildeburg: “For me it were not well
To give my troth to any who ne’er his love did tell,
Nor unto me, in fondness, e’er his heart was turning;
Should we grow old together, I fear between us oft there’ll be
heart-burning.”

[1628]
Her Gu-drun thus answered: “Give not a thought to that:
I soon will send to Hartmut, and bid him answer straight
Whether he now would like it if from his pledge I free him,
As well as all his followers, and send him home, that his friends
again may see him.

[1629]
“If he his thanks shall tell me, I then in turn will bid
That he by deeds shall show it, and shall my wishes heed.
I then will freely ask him if he will wed a maiden,
That I and all my kinsmen may him with love and friendship ever
gladden.”

[1630]
To her they brought young Hartmut, king of the Norman land,
And with him came old Fru-te. Near her, on either hand,
Proud Hildeburg and Ortrun within her bower were sitting;
If the lady’s word they heeded, their many woes they both would be
forgetting.

[1631]
Hartmut, the son of Ludwig, went through the palace hall;
To him a friendly greeting was given by one and all,
Alike both high and lowly from their seats arising.
None than he was braver; no worth or greatness e’er in him was
missing.

[1632]
He by Gu-drun, fair lady, to seat himself was told;
And neither of the others her greeting did withhold.
Then said Queen Hilda’s daughter: “I beg you to be sitting
Near my faithful maidens, who washed with me for your knights, as
was befitting.”

[1633]
“This in scorn you bid me, fair and lovely queen!
Whatever wrong was done you truly gives me pain:
’Twas by my mother’s wishes that this from me was hidden;
To keep it from my father, and from his knights as well, were all
men bidden.”

[1634]
To him the maiden answered: “My wish I may not hide:
I now, in truth, Sir Hartmut, must speak with you aside.
I and yourself, we only, may hear what I am saying.”
Hartmut then bethought him: “May God now grant she is not falsely
playing.”

[1635]
No one else but Fru-te allowed she to come near;
Then the high-born maiden said in Hartmut’s ear:
“If you to me will hearken, and do what I shall tell you
With ready heart and freely, now of all your sorrows I will heal
you.”

[1636]
“Well I know your wisdom,” then young Hartmut said;
“Of aught that is unworthy I need not be afraid.
My heart for nothing wishes, unless to do your bidding:
Gladly, high-born lady, to all that you shall say will I give
heeding.”

[1637]
She said: “My wish I tell you, and now your life would cheer;
I, and my kinsmen with me, will give you a helpmeet fair.
To keep both land and honor you may thus be seeking,
And of the hate we bore you none shall evermore a word be speaking.”

[1638]
“Who is it, say, fair lady, that you for me will choose?
Ere yet my love I give her, life would I rather lose
Than ever that my kinsmen her with scorn were eying;
For me it were far better that I in death upon the field were
lying.”

[1639]
“I will give your sister Ortrun, the maid beloved and fair,
To be a wife to my brother, himself to me most dear.
You must wed with Hildeburg, of a king the well-born daughter:
Never a dearer maiden you in the world could find, where’er you
sought her.”

[1640]
“If this indeed may happen,” then young Hartmut said,
“And now your brother Ortwin shall take that lovely maid,
My dear-loved sister, Ortrun, and she to him is wedded,
Then I will woo fair Hildeburg; thus hate will end, nor longer shall
be dreaded.”

[1641]
She said: “To this I’ve brought him; his troth to her he gave.
If now ’twould make you happy your father’s lands to have,
And again within his castles that you should soon be living,
You well may wed with Hildeburg, and there the queenly crown to her
be giving.”

[1642]
He said: “That pledge I gladly, and on it give my hand;
As soon as the king of Ortland shall with my sister stand,
And both the crown have taken, then I, no more forbearing,
Will, with lovely Hildeburg, among our men our lands and fiefs be
sharing.”

[1643]
When he his word had plighted, then said the high-born maid:
“Now will I do gladly a further friendly deed;
Unto the lord of Karadie for a wife will I be giving
The sister of King Herwic, that she with him may evermore be
living.”

[1644]
I ween that never hatred was smoothed as now was done:
Brave knights who long were foemen now became as one.
Fru-te, the lord of Daneland, thought it right and fitting
Soon to send for Ortwin; also the Moorland king must them be
meeting.

[1645]
When they to court were coming, finest clothes they wore.
The news Gu-drun had told them others to Wâ-te bore;
To Irold, too, they gave it, as soon as he came thither;
This aside they talked of, and fitting speech long time they held
together.

[1646]
Then spake the aged Wâ-te: “Peace we can never know
Until Ortrun and Hartmut to Hilda, the queen, shall go,
And ask of her forgiveness, down at her feet low bending.
Only if she allows it, can we be friends, and hatred have an
ending.”

[1647]
Then spake Gu-drun, the high-born: “This I can truly say:
To them is she not unfriendly; Ortrun wears to-day
Such clothes as by my mother to me and my maids were given.
I’ll gladly gain forgiveness; in me they all may trust, from home
now riven.”

[1648]
Within a ring of maidens Ortrun then they set,
And with her also Hildeburg, of birth both high and meet:
Ortwin then and Hartmut led them out to wed them.
“I hope,” said Lady Hilda, “that now, forever, we our friends have
made them.”

[1649]
When to his side young Ortwin did the maiden Ortrun bring,
Lovingly and kindly, he took a golden ring,
And this upon the finger of her fair white hand he fitted.
Then far off were driven the many woes that late her life had
greeted.

[1650]
Hartmut around fair Hildeburg then his arms did throw;
Each on the hand of the other did a golden ring bestow.
The lovely maid was blameless, and sorrow gave him never;
Of him and of fair Hildeburg nothing their faithful hearts thro’
life could sever.

[1651]
Then said Queen Hilda’s daughter: “Herwic, my lord most dear,
Say, does the land of your fathers lie to us so near
That men could bring your sister, if this by us were needed,
Here to my mother’s kingdom, that she to the lord of Karadie may now
be wedded?”

[1652]
To her King Herwic answered: “This will I say to you:
Your men, if they will hasten, in twelve days’ time can go;
But if any to your kingdom the maiden would be leading,
Ill luck, I ween, awaits him, unless with him my own good knights be
speeding.”

[1653]
Then answered Hilda’s daughter: “Your help, I beg you, grant;
By doing this, of happiness you nought shall ever want.
To your men both food and clothing my mother will be giving;
Only bring us the maiden, that I may thank you, long as you are
living.”

[1654]
To her then said Lord Herwic: “How can she be clad?
The mighty lord of Karadie a waste of my kingdom made;
There he burned my castles, and of her clothes bereft her.”
Then said the king of Moorland: “Her would I woo, if only a smock
were left her.”