Part 13

[918] Now may God in his keeping have those who there lie dead, And the holy men there dwelling. Those then homeward sped Who still upon the Wulpensand were left among the living; After all their sorrows, they reached their fatherland, no more in warfare striving.

Tale the Nineteenth. HOW THE HEGELINGS WENT HOME TO THEIR OWN LAND.

[919] The kinsmen of King Hettel upon the sands had left Many in death’s fast keeping; never knights bereft Their homeward way had taken, hearts so sorry bringing. Thereafter lovely women for this, with weeping eyes, their hands were wringing.

[920] Ortwin, the knight of Ortland, who to the fight had come, After such shame and losses, back to fair Hilda’s home Feared to bring these tidings, his mother dear to sadden. She there was waiting daily, hoping her men would bring Gu-drun the maiden.

[921] Wâ-te, fearing sorely, rode to Hilda’s land; The others dared not tell her of the loss on the Wulpensand. Ill in the storm of fighting, his strength her men had warded; Not lightly her forgiveness he hoped to gain, who thus her lord had guarded.

[922] When the word was spoken that Wâ-te near had come, At once were men faint-hearted. Erewhiles when he came home, Back from the war-field riding, it was with war-horns braying. This he did at all times; but now they all were still, and nought were saying.

[923] “Woe’s me!” said Lady Hilda, “what sorrows must we fear? The men of the aged Wâ-te shattered shields now bear; Slowly step the horses, with armor heavy-loaded. Some evil has befallen. Oh! say what harm to the king is now forboded?”

[924] When thus the queen had spoken, but little time had passed Ere to the aged Wâ-te crowds came up in haste, Who of friends and kinsfolk tidings now were seeking. Soon a tale he told them with which the hearts of all were well-nigh breaking.

[925] Thus spake the Sturmisch Wâ-te: “Your loss I may not hide, Nor falsehood will I tell you; all in the fight have died.” The young and old together at this with fear were stricken. Ne’er was a throng more wretched; no other woes could one to theirs e’er liken.

[926] “Alas! my bitter sorrow!” said King Hettel’s wife. “From me my lord is sundered, who there laid down his life, The great and mighty Hettel! My pride, how is it fallen! Lost are child and husband! Gu-drun I ne’er shall see, from me forever stolen.”

[927] Then both knights and maidens with sharpest woe were torn; Their sorrow knew no healing. Loudly the queen forlorn Was heard, throughout the palace, for her husband mourning. “Ah, wretched me,” cried Hilda, “that now to Hartmut’s side the luck is turning!”

[928] Then spake the brave old Wâ-te: “My lady, end your moan: Home are they coming never, but when to men are grown The youths within our kingdom, sad days will have an ending; To Ludwig and to Hartmut the like we’ll do, our wrath upon them spending.”

[929] Then quoth the weeping lady: “Alas, that I must live! Whatever I am owning I would most gladly give Could e’er my wrongs be righted. If but this were granted, That I, poor God-forsaken, might see Gu-drun again, naught else were wanted.”

[930] Old Wâ-te spake to Hilda: “Lady, weep no more. ’Tis best that we be sending, before twelve days are o’er, To gather all your warriors, who will help you gladly To plan a raid on the foeman; so with the Norman will it yet go badly.”

[931] He said: “My Lady Hilda, list to what befell: Erewhile I took from pilgrims nine ships, and then set sail: These should again be given to those we ill have treated; That when new strifes we’re waging, a better luck to us may then be meted.”

[932] The weeping Hilda answered: “’Tis best that this be done; Ever is it fitting that men for misdeeds atone. To steal the goods of pilgrims is a sin not lightly shriven: For every mark we’ve taken, to them three marks of silver shall be given.”

[933] The ships were brought to the pilgrims, as the queen did say; Not one there was among them, when they sailed away, Who left a curse behind him. For wrongs they found a healing; And for Hilda, Hagen’s daughter, they harbored, when they left, no bitter feeling.

[934] Upon the morrow early, thither to come was seen Herwic, the lord of Sealand; soon he found the queen Weeping for her husband, who in death was lying. She gave the knight a welcome, with hands she ever wrung, and deeply sighing.

[935] Seeing the lady weeping, then, too, to weep began The young and lordly Herwic; soon spake that well-born man: “Their lives not all have given, who help to you are owing, And who would gladly grant it; though many by their death their love were showing.

[936] “My arm shall never falter, nor heart from care be free, Till Hartmut feels my anger, who stole the maid from me, And dared from home to tear her, death to many dealing: Soon will I ride to his borders; then will I seize and hold his lands and dwelling.”

[937] His men, though filled with sorrow, rode towards the town, Flocking to Matelan castle. The queen her hope made known That, whatsoe’er might happen, their fealty would not weaken; And, though the worst befell them, that she by them would never be forsaken.

[938] To her the men from Friesland and those from Sturmland went, And from the Danish kingdom were warriors likewise sent; The knights of Morunc also, from the land of Waleis riding, Thither came with the Hegelings, to where the fair Queen Hilda was abiding.

[939] Forthwith there came from Ortland, Ortwin, Hilda’s son; Then mourned they, as was fitting, his father dead and gone. Soon were all the warriors aside with their ladies speaking, And talking of the inroad the fighters strong one day would thence be making.

[940] Then said the aged Wâ-te: “This can never be Till those who now are children fully-grown we see, And worthy to be swordsmen. Then, their fathers mourning, And of their kinsmen mindful, gladly will they with us to war be turning.”

[941] Queen Hilda then made answer: “To wait for this were long; Meanwhile Gu-drun, my daughter, held by foemen strong, Must in a far-off kingdom be kept in bondage bitter; And I, poor queen and mother, shall know no bliss, and my heart will ne’er grow lighter.”

[942] Then said the Danish Fru-te: “The maid we cannot free Until once more your kingdom shall full of warriors be. Then, for the struggle ready, we hence shall ride, unfearing; And so upon our foemen shall work the greatest ill with blows unsparing.”

[943] To this Queen Hilda answered: “That day may God soon give; But I, unhappy woman, a weary life must live. Whoe’er of me is mindful, and of Gu-drun, poor maiden, Him will I trust most fully, knowing his heart for us with care is laden.”

[944] They now their leave were taking; to them the lady spake: “May he be blest and happy who thought for me shall take. ’Tis right that you, brave warriors, to fight for me are ready; Meanwhile for the coming inroad do all you can, and therein be you speedy.”

[945] Wisely then spake Wâ-te, the warrior old and good: “Lady, we should be felling trees in the western wood. Since we to fight have chosen, our hopes upon it staking, The men of every princedom should forty well-built ships for us be making.”

[946] “I too will bid,” quoth Hilda, “that near the deep sea-flood Twenty ships be builded, strong, and firm, and good; And have them fully ready —my hest shall well be heeded— To bear my friends and kindred to where they for the fight will soon be needed.”

[947] Siegfried, lord of Moorland, while their leave they took, With kind and seemly bearing, thus to the women spoke: “You have to tell me only when our time to wait is ending; To sail shall I be ready, nor need you then for me be further sending.”

[948] Then to the sorrowing women, before they spread the sail, The friendly guests, now leaving, bade a kind farewell. The hearts of knights and maidens deep in woe were sinking; Yet warlike deeds they plotted of which their Norman foes were never thinking.

[949] When they at length had ridden back again to their land, Sadly they mourned their losses: then to the Wulpensand, For the sake of the dead, did Hilda bid that food be taken To the priests for them there praying. The queen was wise, the dead were not forsaken.

[950] There she bade to be builded a minster fair and wide; A house for the sick, and a cloister built they at its side, Near where the slain were buried. In many a land one heareth Its name, and of those there fallen: ‘The church of Wulpensand’ is the name it beareth.

Tale the Twentieth. HOW HARTMUT WENT HOME TO NORMANDY.

[951] No further will we tell you of how with these it fared, Or how the cloister-brothers their life together shared. Now to the tale of Hartmut we ask you all to listen; How he with many maidens, high-born and fair, unto his land did hasten.

[952] After the fight was ended, as I have told before, For many there was sorrow for the bitter wounds they bore: Many who had fallen on the stormy field lay dying; Children bereft of fathers bewailed them soon with tears they ne’er were drying.

[953] With heavy hearts the Normans were wafted o’er the flood; Every night and morning many a warrior good Felt ashamed and sorry, thus from the sands to be driven; So felt the old and the youthful, although in all things else they well had thriven.

[954] They came to the Norman borders, unto King Ludwig’s land. It was a day of gladness to all the sailing band, To see at last their homesteads and thither to be steering. Then said one among them: “These are Hartmut’s towns that we are nearing.”

[955] Helped by kindly breezes, soon they reached the shore. Now the men of Normandy happy hearts all bore, When to their wives and children they again were coming; Long had they been fearing that they must die, while they afar were roaming.

[956] When now the glad King Ludwig did on his castles look, Thus the lordly Norman to Gu-drun, the maiden, spoke: “See you that palace, Lady? In bliss you may there be living; If you to us are kindly, our richest lands will we to you be giving.”

[957] Then the high-born maiden thus made her sorrow known: “To whom should I feel kindly, when kindness none have shown? From that, alas! I’m sundered, and in my hopes am thwarted; Nothing I know but hardship, and all my weary days I spend sad-hearted.”

[958] Then answered her King Ludwig: “Throw off this sorry mood, And give your love to Hartmut, a knight both brave and good. Whatever we are owning to give you we are willing; With one who is so worthy blest may you live, and lofty rank be filling.”

[959] Then spake Hilda’s daughter: “Why leave me not in peace? Rather than wed with Hartmut death would I dread far less. That he should be my lover by birth he is not fitted; To lose my life were better than take his love and as his bride be greeted.”

[960] When this was heard by Ludwig, filled with wrath was he; Quick by the hair he seized her, and flung her into the sea. Straightway the daring Hartmut his ready help then gave her; He sprang at once to the maiden, and from the whirling waves his arm did save her.

[961] Just as the maid was sinking Hartmut reached her side; Had not her lover helped her drowned were she in the tide. Her yellow locks well grasping, then from out the water With his hands he drew her: else nought from death had spared Queen Hilda’s daughter.

[962] Back to the ship did Hartmut bring the maiden fair;— Rough ways to lovely women Ludwig did not spare. Dragged from out the water, she in her smock was seated; How full was she of sadness! Never before had the maiden thus been treated.

[963] Then all her friends together wept for the lovely maid, None could there be happy; for what could be more sad Than to see the king’s own daughter handled thus so roughly? The thought to them was rising: “To us they now will bear themselves more gruffly.”

[964] Then said the knightly Hartmut: “Why drown my hoped-for wife, Gu-drun, the lovely maiden, dear to me as life? If any but my father so foul a wrong had done her, Sore would be my anger, and I from him would take both life and honor.”

[965] To him King Ludwig answered: “Ever free from shame Have I till age been living, and still a worthy name And rank among my fellows will hold till life is ending. Bid now Gu-drun, your lady, that she no more her scorn on me be spending.”

[966] Now unto Queen Gerlind errand-bearers came, Who, in mood most happy, bore in Hartmut’s name Words of love and honor, as from her son was fitting. He asked a friendly welcome for his many knights who on the shore were waiting.

[967] They bore from him the tidings that he across the wave Had brought the Hegeling maiden, to whom his love he gave Ere he had looked upon her, and for whom he still was pining. When this was heard by Gerlind, a happier day on her was never shining.

[968] Then said he who told it: “Lady, you now should ride To the sea before the castle, where yet the maid doth bide, And give her, in her sorrow, your love and kindly greeting; You and your daughter, Ortrun, should haste to the shore, the homeless maiden meeting.

[969] “Likewise, riding with you down unto the flood, Should go both maids and women, and also warriors good. Her you will find in the harbor who from home was riven; Both to the maid and her followers a welcome kind by you should now be given.”

[970] Then Queen Gerlind answered: “That will I gladly do; ’Twill make me richly happy King Hettel’s child to know, And to find that, with her maidens, she has come to tarry. Well I know that Hartmut will soon be blest, when he the maid shall marry.”

[971] Then she bade that horses, with saddle-cloths, be brought. Ortrun, the youthful princess, was happy in the thought Soon in her father’s kingdom to see Gu-drun, the maiden, If this might truly happen; for the speech of all was with her praises laden.

[972] Then out of chests were taken of all the clothes the best They knew therein were lying, to be worn to meet the guest. Soon the knights of Hartmut to don the clothes were bidden; Erelong a throng of followers, gaily bedight, from Gerlind’s halls had ridden.

[973] Upon the third day early, women as well as men, All who there had gathered before Gerlind, their queen, To give the maidens welcome, were ready and outfitted; Out of the gates they crowded, and on their steeds not long in the court-yard waited.

[974] The Normans now with the women had into the harbor come: The booty they unloaded that they would carry home. All unto their birthland back had come right gladly; Gu-drun and her band of maidens, alone of all, demeaned themselves but sadly.

[975] Now the brave Sir Hartmut led her forth by the hand, If she had deemed it fitting, this she had not deigned; Yet the poor child, in sorrow, took his love but coldly, Altho’ he showed it warmly, and worship more had done freely and boldly.

[976] With her went sixty maidens who over the sea had come: One saw, as he beheld them, how that all from their home Came with proudest bearing. They erst high rank had taken, In other lands and kingdoms; their hearts were heavy now, of bliss forsaken.

[977] The sister of young Hartmut between two barons rode; Now to Hilda’s daughter a welcome warm she showed: Ortrun, Ludwig’s daughter, her eyes now wet with weeping, Kissed the homeless maiden, while she her fair white hands in her own was keeping.

[978] Then the wife of Ludwig to kiss her, too, was fain, But to the youthful maiden the thought was full of pain. Thus she spake to Gerlind: “Why come you here to meet me? Loath am I to kiss you, and neither can I bear that you should greet me.

[979] “’Twas by your own ill-doing that I, poor wretched maid, Have known no home nor dwelling; heart-sorrow long I’ve had; My lot, alas! is shameful, and will, I fear, grow harder.” Then Ortrun strove to soothe her, and did her best that with love Gu-drun should reward her.

[980] One by one she greeted the maids on every side. Now rose a wondrous shouting; men flocked from far and wide: Upon the pebbly sea-beach stakes for tents were driven; With silken ropes were they fastened; to Hartmut and his men was shelter in them given.

[981] To bear the goods from the seaside the folk were all astir. Gu-drun, fair maiden, sorrowed, and pain it gave to her To see that all around her the Normans were so many; Unless it were to Ortrun, she never showed a friendly mood to any.

[982] The maidens on the seashore must all the day abide. With tears their eyes were flowing, whatever others did; Dry were they but seldom, their cheeks were pale with sorrow: Hartmut tried to soothe them, but their sadness lasted yet through many a morrow.

[983] To hold Gu-drun in honor was Ortrun ever stern, And, e’en if others wronged her, with love to her did turn: She in her father’s kingdom strove to make her merry, But, far from friends and kindred, often the poor young girl was sad and weary.

[984] To the Normans home was welcome, as indeed was right; They boasted much of the booty, both churl as well as knight, Brought from the Hegeling kingdom, as they home were turning. What welcome glad all gave them who ne’er to see them hoped, albeit yearning!

[985] Soon as Hartmut’s warriors from all their toil were free, And they were fully rested from off the stormy sea, They quickly left each other, for their homes in many places: While some their hands were wringing, smiles were seen to brighten others’ faces.

[986] Then did Hartmut also turn away from the shore, And to a stately palace the fair Gu-drun he bore. Henceforth the youthful maiden must tarry there far longer Than she to stay was minded, and there her woe and pain grew ever stronger.

[987] When now the high-born maiden sat in Hartmut’s hall, Where his men should crown her, then he bade them all To be forever faithful, and their goodwill to show her; So would she not forget them, but would enrich whoe’er should kindness do her.

[988] Then spake the mother, Gerlind, old King Ludwig’s wife: “When will Gu-drun be ready to share young Hartmut’s life, Our youthful prince so noble, and in her arms to fold him? Of her his rank is worthy, and ne’er will she be sorry for her lord to hold him.”

[989] Gu-drun to this had listened, the wretched, homeless maid; She said: “My Lady Gerlind, ’twould make you sad indeed If you must take in wedlock one who the lives had wasted Of many friends and kinsfolk; by toil for him your life were ever blasted.”

[990] “This shall no one hinder,” to her then said the queen; “Gainsay his will no longer, let your love for him be seen, And on my head I pledge you that rich shall be your guerdon: If to be a queen you spurn not, you of my crown shall bear the happy burden.”

[991] Then said the sorrowing maiden: “That will I never wear; Of all his wealth and greatness you the tale may spare. Your son, the knightly Hartmut, my love can ne’er be winning: Unwilling here I linger, and hence to go I day by day am pining.”

[992] Then the youthful Hartmut, who of the land was lord, Was angry with the maiden when he her answer heard. He said: “If, then, to wed her the lady granteth never, So, also, to the fair one shall my goodwill and love be wanting ever.”

[993] Then the wicked Gerlind to Hartmut said, in turn: “Ever the young and thoughtless from the wise should learn. Now leave to me this maiden, let me for her be caring, And I so well shall teach her that she will quickly drop her lofty bearing.”

[994] “That will I grant you gladly,” Hartmut answering said; “Whate’er from this may follow, to you I give the maid, To have in your good keeping, as suits her rank and honor; The maid is sad and homeless; lady, ’tis right that kindly care be shown her.”

[995] So Gu-drun, the fair one, when Hartmut went that day, Was left unto his mother, and given to her sway: But Hilda’s youthful daughter Gerlind’s guidance hated; She could not brook her teaching, and never her dislike for this abated.

[996] Then to the lovely maiden the old she-devil spake: “If you will not live happy, then sorrow you must take. You have to heat my chamber; yourself the fire must kindle; See, there is none to help you, nor may you hope your toil will ever dwindle.”

[997] The high-born maiden answered: “That I well can do; Whatever you shall bid me, in all must I yield to you, Until the God in heaven at last my wrongs has righted. Never my mother’s daughter the fire upon the hearth ere this has lighted.”

[998] Said Gerlind: “As I’m living, to toil must you begin, As never queenly daughter to do before was seen. To be so proud and headstrong I will make you weary: Before to-morrow darkens, your maidens you must leave, and ne’er be merry.

[999] “You hold yourself too highly, as I have heard it said; For this shall work most toilsome soon upon you be laid. This pride and froward bearing must be by you forsaken; Your lofty mood will I lower, and all your hopes will very quickly weaken.”

[1000] Then went the wicked Gerlind to court, in anger wild; She said to her son, young Hartmut: “Hettel’s wilful child Scorns both you and your kindred, and ever at us is sneering: Would we had never seen her, if we such talk from her must now be hearing.”