Part 15

[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.