Part 16

[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.”