Part 5

[259] “We then the tale will tell him, we wretched outlaws are; And thus at once the pity of Hagen we shall share. To us, poor homeless wanderers, shelter will be granted, And in his land King Hagen thenceforth will see that nought by us is wanted.”

[260] Hettel asked his warriors: “My friends, I pray you tell, Since you to go are willing, how soon you hence will sail?” “So soon as comes the summer, and May with gladsome weather,” They said, “we shall be ready, and, riding again to court, will we come hither.

[261] “Meanwhile must men be making whatever we shall need,— Sails and also rudders, well-made, and that with speed, Barges wide, and galleys, to bear us to our haven; So the swell of the waters shall stir us not, nor make us sick or craven.”

[262] King Hettel said: “Ride quickly, now, to your land and home. For horses and for clothing no cost to you shall come; For you and all your followers such outfit shall be ready, That you no shame shall suffer, whenever you are seen by any lady.”

[263] When he his leave had taken, Wâ-te to Sturmland rode; Horant and with him Fru-te followed in hurried mood, Back to the land of Denmark, where they held the lordship. To help their master Hettel they thought could never be to them a hardship.

[264] Then, in his home, King Hettel let his will be known; Of shipwrights and of workmen idle was not one. While the ships were building to do their best they hastened; The beams that met together, were with bands of silver strongly fastened.

[265] All the spars and mast-trees, they were strong and good; Red gold, and brightly shining, was laid on the rudder-wood, And like to fire was glowing: wealth their master blesses. When time it was for leaving, the men their tasks had done, and won high praises.

[266] The ropes that held the anchors came from a far-off strand, Brought from the shores of Araby; never on sea or land, Before that day or after, had any man seen better: So might the men of the Hegelings easier make their way o’er the deep sea-water.

[267] They who the sails were making worked late, and early rose; For the king had bid them hurry. For making these they chose Silken stuff from Abalie, as good as could be brought them. Truly far from idle were, in those days, the busy hands that wrought them.

[268] Can any one believe it? They had the anchors made Of purest beaten silver. The heart of the king was led Strongly now to wooing; no rest would he be knowing, Nor of his men was sparing, until the day when they should thence be going.

[269] Well-framed, with heavy planking, now the ships were seen, Sound ’gainst war and weather. Then word was sent to the men, That to seek the lovely lady they must soon be faring. This was told to no one but those who the trust of the king were rightly sharing.

[270] Wâ-te to meet King Hettel from Sturmland held his course; With silver gear and housing, heavily went his horse. To court went, too, his followers, four hundred men undaunted; And now the doughty Hettel brave knights enough, for guests, no longer wanted.

[271] Morunc, the brave and daring, from Friesland thither went, And with him brought two hundred. Word to the king was sent That now, with helms and breastplates, they were thither riding; In haste came Irold also; thus gladly Hettel’s kinsmen did his bidding.

[272] Thither rode from Denmark Horant young and brave; Hettel to do his errand did trusty liegemen have; A thousand men or over might he for this be sending; Only a prince so mighty of such a task had ever made an ending.

[273] Irold, too, of Ortland, was ready now to go: E’en though on him King Hettel should never clothes bestow, Yet, for himself and his followers, he had of these so many, That wheresoe’er they were going, they never need to beg for aught from any.

[274] The king, as well beseemed him, greeted all the band; First, his liegeman Irold he kindly took by the hand; Then he turned to Wâ-te, to where he found him seated: At last, his hardy warriors, ready to leave the land, his word awaited.

[275] To all it now was bidden that they should give good heed, And everything make ready that knights could ever need. Now were seen by the warriors the ships so fair and stately; To woo the lovely Hilda the king in all things showed his forethought greatly.

[276] Two new and well-made galleys they had upon the flood, With two broad ships of burden; both were strong and good. A ship of state went with them; than this had ne’er a better, By any friend or foeman, on the shores of any land, been seen upon the water.

[277] To start they now are willing; already on the ships Were the clothes and horses loaded. Then from Wâ-te’s lips Came kindly words to Hettel; he begged him to feel easy, Till they should again be coming, for to do his bidding they would all be busy.

[278] The king to him said mournfully: “I give into your care The knights, untaught and youthful, who such risks will dare, With you upon this errand: most earnestly I pray you That, for your honor, daily you teach these youths with care, and make them to obey you.”

[279] Him thus Wâ-te answered: “To that give not a thought; Keep a brave heart, I beg you, that here at home, in nought You fail of being steadfast, where’er your honor reaches: Watch well, too, o’er our holdings: these youths shall learn from me what wisdom teaches.”

[280] The good and trusty Fru-te the wealth of the king did guard,— The gold and costly jewels, and of many things a hoard. The king was free in spending whatsoe’er was wanted; If Fru-te aught did ask for, thirty-fold to him he gladly granted.

[281] A hundred men were chosen, and now within the ship, Wherein to woo the maiden his friends must cross the deep, All craftily were hidden, to help them, if ’twere needful. Gifts both rich and worthy the king to give these faithful men was heedful.

[282] With these, among the followers, every rank was seen; Of knights and squires also, thirty hundred men, Who, for toil and struggle, from far-off lands came riding. Then said the king to his lieges: “May God in heaven to you give careful guiding.”

[283] To him thus Horant answered: “From fear now be you free; When you shall see us coming, you then with us will see A maid so fair and lovely, you well may wish to greet her.” This the king heard gladly, but far was the day when he at last should meet her.

[284] They took their leave with kisses, the king and many a guest; For these the king was feeling wearisome unrest. While they for him are toiling, each hour he fear must borrow; He forsooth was downcast, and nought could cheer him, in his mood of sorrow.

[285] This was for his welfare, that a wind from out the north Now their sails was swelling, and briskly helped them forth. The ships were wafted evenly, as they from land were turning; But hardships they had known not the youths, upon their way, erelong were learning.

[286] The truth we cannot tell you, nor can it e’en be guessed, For nights full six and thirty what lodgings gave them rest, While upon the water. The youths they with them carried, Bound by oaths of fealty, swore again to keep them, where’er they tarried.

[287] However willing were they to sail on the tossing sea, Yet sometimes it befell them in great unrest to be. Ease they took but seldom, as the waves would spare it; But he who ploughs the waters pain must often feel, and yet must bear it.

[288] After the waves had borne them full a thousand miles, They came to Hagen’s castle, where, as was said erewhiles, He, the master of Ballian, shamefully had lorded: This was a wicked falsehood, the deeds were never done as the tale was worded.

[289] When now the men from Hegeling over the sea had gone, And neared wild Hagen’s castle, their coming soon was known; Much the folk there wondered from what far kingdom sailing The waves had borne them thither; how finely they were clad all men were telling.

[290] First the ship with an anchor was fastened on the strand; To furl the sails then quickly each gave a ready hand. It was not long thereafter before the news was bruited, Throughout King Hagen’s castle, that ships, with unknown men, in his harbor floated.

[291] Now on the shore they landed, and did their goods unlade; Whatever could be wanted on the sands, for sale, they spread, And all that any asked for. In wealth they were not lacking; But tho’ their men had silver, ’twas little that they bought, or for themselves were taking.

[292] Clothed in the garb of tradesmen, on the shore did stand Sixty men or over, well-dight, a goodly band. Fru-te, the lord of Denmark, was busy as their leader; His clothing was far better than there was worn by any other trader.

[293] The worthy lord and master over Ballian town, When he heard of their coming, and the riches they did own, Rode down with many followers to where those crafty sellers He found, himself awaiting. Kind was the mien of all who there were dwellers.

[294] First the master asked them: “Whence their way they had made, And over the sea come thither?” To him then Fru-te said: “God have you in his keeping; we from afar are sailing; Tradesmen truly are we; our masters rich, near by, in ships are dwelling.”

[295] “Let peace with us be plighted,” old Wâ-te then began; But from the master’s grimness, the truth to see was plain, That, where he was the ruler, stern and harsh was his bearing. Straightway then to Hagen they led the guests, who with their tale were faring.

[296] Hagen said, as he met them: “Safeguard to you I give; My peace I pledge you willingly. He shall no longer live, But hang upon the gallows, who these guests shall harry: Let them not be fearful; them shall nothing harm while in my land they tarry.”

[297] Rich and costly jewels they to Hagen gave, In worth, of marks a thousand. From them he nought did crave, Nor even so much as a penny; but what for sale they offered He begged of them to show him, such as to knights and ladies might be proffered.

[298] For all he thanked them warmly; he said: “If I should live Not more than three days longer, for all that now they give My guests shall be rewarded. If my liegeman do not heed me, And these for aught be lacking, all shall then for this with right upbraid me.”

[299] Now the gifts they gave him the king with his men did share; Among them there were necklaces, fit for ladies fair, With finger-rings and arm-bands, as well as ribands dainty, And head-gear, to bedeck them: these the king to many gave in plenty.

[300] His wife and lovely daughter now most rightly thought That never to their kingdom had gifts for them been brought, That were so rare and costly, by sellers or by traders. Horant and Wâ-te also in sending gifts to court were now the leaders.

[301] Sixty silken garments, the best that e’er were sold, Up to the shore were carried, and forty wrought with gold. They would have prized but lightly cloths from Bagdad even; Of linen suits a hundred, the best they had, now to the king were given.

[302] Beside the handsome clothing, made of silken stuff, Of richest inner garments they also gave enough; There might perhaps be forty, or more, if reckoned fully; Could ever man buy praises, they by their costly gifts had gained them truly.

[303] Twelve Castilian horses, all saddled, were brought, I trow; Also many breastplates, and well-made helmets, too, Men were bidden to carry; twelve bucklers likewise bore they, Rimmed with golden edges. Kind were Hagen’s guests; free givers were they.

[304] Then, too, with gifts came riding Horant the brave and bold; Irold the strong came with him; this to the king was told: ’Twas said to him, moreover, that those now thither faring Of lands were the lords and owners. This might well be seen by the gifts they were bearing.

[305] After these came riding four and twenty men Whom they were thither leading, well-bred were they, I ween; Such also was their clothing, they seemed as if well fitted, And now in truth were coming, that very day to be by Hagen knighted.

[306] Then unto King Hagen one of his friends thus spake: “The gifts the men now bring you ’tis best you deign to take: Never must you leave them unthanked for all their treasure.” Hagen lacked not riches, but yet his thanks he gave them without measure.

[307] He said: “I thank you kindly, as I of right should do.” Then he bade that his stewards to see the gifts should go; And also that the clothing, piece by piece, be shown them. Glad were they to see them, and wondered greatly as they gazed upon them.

[308] Then said one of the stewards: “Hear now the truth I tell: Chests there are of silver, and filled with gold as well, With many costly jewels, rich and kingly even: Marks fully twenty thousand the goods are worth, which they to you have given.”

[309] Then the king thus answered: “Blessings on my guests! I now will share with others the riches in these chests.” Then to his knights was given whate’er of these they wanted; To every one among them all that he might wish by the king was granted.

[310] The king now seated near him both the two young men,— Irold and also Horant; he began to ask them then, “Whence to his kingdom sailing, they to come had striven? Gifts so rich and worthy have ne’er before by guests to me been given.”

[311] Then spake the knightly Horant: “This shall you know full well; My lord, now hear us kindly while we our sorrows tell. Outlawed wanderers are we, and from our homes were driven; A king most rich and mighty, to wreak his anger, woe to us hath given.”

[312] Then spake again wild Hagen: “What may be his name, From whose rich kingdom driven, outcasts you became? You of wealth are owners, and, if not by his wits forsaken, To keep such worthy lieges within his land he would some pains have taken.”

[313] He asked “Who them had outlawed, and what name he bore? Of what misdoings guilty, had they to this far shore Made their flight in sorrow, to ask the help of strangers?” To him then answered Horant: “To you will we make known our woes and dangers.

[314] “He bears the name of ‘Hettel, Lord of the Hegeling land’; Brave and mighty is he, and sways with a heavy hand. We of all our happiness have been robbed and plundered; Of right are we embittered, since from our land and home we now are sundered.”

[315] To him spoke Hagen kindly: “This to your good shall turn; I will in full repay you the losses that you mourn. If I make myself a beggar, by thus so freely giving, Yet from the king of the Hegelings you need not ask for help while I am living.

[316] “If you, good knights,” he added, “here with me will stay, With you will I share right gladly the lands I own to-day; Such guerdon by King Hettel ne’er to you was given. The wealth from you he has taken, that give I you, and more by tenfold even.”

[317] “To stay with you we are ready,” then said Horant the Dane, “But we fear that when King Hettel shall learn that we were seen Within the Irish borders, he will find a way to reach us; And I am ever dreading that we can nowhere live, and this he’ll teach us.”

[318] Then to the band of wanderers the lordly Hagen said: “Do what now I bid you, and a home for you is made. Never will King Hettel dare for your harm to seek you Within my land and kingdom; it were a wrong to me from hence to take you.”

[319] He bade they should be sheltered, at once, within his town; Then to his men and lieges he made his wishes known, That now unto the wanderers all honor should be granted. The water-weary sailors soon found the rest that they so long had wanted.

[320] Then the townsmen freely did the king’s behest; To do it they were ready: houses, the very best, Forty, or even over, were empty left, to be taken By the Danish sailors; their homes, by the king’s good lieges were willingly forsaken.

[321] Up on the beach were carried the wares, full many a pile, That in the ships lay hidden. Their owners thought, the while, That they would rather struggle with storms upon the water, Than to seek their luck and welfare in wooing Hilda, Hagen’s lovely daughter.

[322] Hagen bade his followers: “Now ask these guests of mine If they will deign most kindly to eat my bread and wine, Till they, within my kingdom, on lands they hold are living.” The Danish Fru-te answered: “To take your food would shame to us be giving.”

[323] “If erst the great King Hettel had been to us so good, That he both gold and silver would give to us for food, We in our houses had them, and might of them be wasteful; We e’en could stay our hunger, and feed thereon, if this to us were tasteful.”

[324] ’Twas bidden then by Fru-te that his booth should be set up. To see for sale such riches men ne’er again could hope. Never within their borders did any trader offer Fine goods at such a bargain; they easily were sold before the day was over.

[325] All could buy who wished them, gold and jewels rare. The king, by greatest kindness, was to his guests made dear. If any, without buying, still these treasures wanted, The traders were so friendly that they, as gifts, the goods to many granted.

[326] Whate’er of Wâ-te or Fru-te was said by any one,— Of all the deeds of kindness that here by them were done,— The tale might not be trusted, how they for these were ready; They strove to gain high praises, and this at court was told to many a lady.

[327] Of the poor nor man nor woman for clothes was seen to lack; To those in need among them they gave their pledges back, And from debt they freed them. To the princess, morn and even, Oft by her faithful steward the tale of these guests from far was truly given.

[328] To the king she made her prayer: “Dearest father mine, Ask that these guests so worthy to ride to court will deign. They say that one among them hath charms beyond all measure; Should he to your bidding listen, the sight of him ofttimes would give me pleasure.”

[329] To her the king thus answered: “That shall quickly be; His well-bred ways and bearing I soon will let you see.” But still the great King Hagen never yet had known him; Long the ladies waited till Wâ-te came, and they could look upon him.

[330] Word to the guests was carried; to them ’twas kindly said, That if it e’er should happen that they of aught had need, They should to the king betake them, and his food be sharing. To Fru-te this was pleasing, for wise he was, not less than he was daring.

[331] Those who came from Denmark, when at court, took care Ever to be blameless for the clothes that they should wear: ’Twas so with the men of Wâ-te, from Sturmland thither faring, And than himself no sword-knight in any land could show a finer bearing.

[332] Those who came with Morunc wore mantles over all, With robes from far Kampalia. Fiery red, as a coal, Gold and gems that sparkled on their clothes were shining. Irold, the daring champion, came not alone, young Hilda bent on winning.

[333] Thither came brave Horant; all others he out-vied In rich and costly clothing. With mantles long and wide, Gay in hue and gaudy, his men were decked out brightly: Those brave men from Denmark proudly came, and had a look most knightly.

[334] Tho’ Hagen’s birth was kingly, and lordly was his mood, He yet went forth to meet them. His daughter, fair and good, Rose up before old Wâ-te from where she now was seated. Such was Wâ-te’s bearing as if with smiles his friends he never greeted.

[335] She said, in way most seemly: “Welcome to you I give; Both I and the king, my father, must from your looks believe That you are weary warriors, and sorely have been fighting. Good-will the king will show you, and soon his faith to you will he be plighting.”

[336] To her they all bent lowly; their ways, they were well-bred. The king then bade to be seated, as hosts are wont to bid. Of drink to them was given, wine the best and rarest; Better ne’er was tasted in the home of any lord, albeit the fairest.

[337] In talk and fun and merriment seated were they all. Soon the queenly maiden was seen to leave the hall: But first she begged her father the kindness now to show her To bid the knights so worthy to come to her, for pastime, to her bower.

[338] Her wish the king then granted, (so to us, ’tis said); His young and lovely daughter at this was truly glad. Soon fair clothes and jewels the maidens all were wearing; And earnestly were watching the many knights from far, to see their bearing.

[339] When now the elder Hilda sat by her daughter fair, Each one of her lovely maidens demeaned herself with care; So that all who saw her high in breeding thought her, And nothing else could say of her, but that she was indeed a king’s fair daughter.

[340] Now bade they that old Wâ-te should to the maids be brought; Though he was gray and aged, none the less they thought, To guard against his wooing, they must as children meet him. Then to the aged Wâ-te stepped forth the youthful queen, right glad to greet him.

[341] She was the first to do so, but wished she might be spared When she now must kiss him: broad and gray was his beard, And the hair of the aged Wâ-te with golden strings was braided. He and the Danish Fru-te the queen’s behest to seat them slowly heeded.