Part 7

[424] “Might we in this be lucky, our toil we well shall spend; And, with a happy outcome, our sorrows have an end. If only to the seashore he will ride with his daughter, We well shall be rewarded at home by our master Hettel, for whom we sought her.”

[425] Then from out the castle they were led by the crafty man, So that the kingly Hagen mistrusted not their plan. When, for their floating shelter, they the courtyard quitted, All they had done for their master should not, I ween, by him at home be slighted.

[426] They told the aged Wâ-te what yet to none was known: They said the high-born maiden her love did freely own Unto their master, Hettel, for whom they now had sought her; They talked with wise old Wâ-te how best to bring her home across the water.

[427] Then spake the aged Wâ-te: “Were she once outside the gate, And I the lovely maiden there might only meet, However hard the struggle that there we had with the foeman, To cross her father’s threshold none again should see that lovely woman.”

[428] Their plot, well-laid and crafty, to no one did they break, But slyly made them ready their homeward way to take. This they told the warriors on board their ship there lying; Not loth were they to hear it, for now to sail the weary men were sighing.

[429] They quickly brought together such goods as they did own; Then, in stillness whispered, their hidden thought made known. Later, throughout Ireland, it was mourned, with bitter wailing; Though woe it brought to Hagen, the Hegeling’s greatness would it soon be telling.

[430] Upon the fourth day’s morning to court they bravely rode, With new and well-cut clothing; none better ever showed. Then the guests there gathered were their wishes speaking; Of the king and all his liegemen they asked that they their leave might now be taking.

[431] Then spake to them King Hagen: “Why will you leave my land? So far as I was able, I have striven for this end,— That you within my kingdom should meet with kindness only; Now would you hence be sailing, leaving me here, to lead a life all lonely.”

[432] To him old Wâ-te answered: “The Hegeling king, our lord, Has sent to call us homeward; he will not hear a word Of aught but our forgiveness. Then, too, for us are mourning Those we left behind us; we therefore soon must back on our way be turning.”

[433] Then said to him wild Hagen: “Your loss my heart doth break; Horses and fine clothing deign, for my love, to take, With gold and costly jewels. Right well it doth beseem me For all your gifts to pay you; in this shall no one ever dare to blame me.”

[434] Then said the hoary Wâ-te: “Too rich am I to-day That I the gold you give us should wish to take away. Our master, whose forgiveness our friends have lately won us, The rich and mighty Hettel, in such a deed would truly never own us.

[435] “One thing we have yet further, my lord, to ask of thee; (If you this kindness show us, a worthy boon, ’twill be.) It is that you shall witness how well we can be feasting; Of food for hearty eaters we have in store what might three years be lasting.

[436] “To all who ask we give it, for hence we sail o’er the deep; May God long give you honor, yourself may He ever keep. We now betake us homeward, we here may bide no longer; Now may you and your kinsfolk ride with us to our ship; no guard were stronger.

[437] “If but your lovely daughter, and with her my lady, your wife, Shall look upon our riches, glad will it make our life, And dear to us forever. If this to us be granted, Great and good King Hagen, from you no other gifts shall e’er be wanted.”

[438] Then to his guests he answered, with seemly, well-bred mien: “Since you are now so earnest, at early morn shall be seen A hundred mares made ready, saddled for woman or maiden; I, too, will ride down with them; right glad am I that to see your ship I’m bidden.”

[439] Then for the night they left him, and rode away to the shore. Then up on the beach was carried of wine a goodly store, That in the bark was lying; for food they were not lacking. By this the ship was lightened; wisely had Fru-te of Denmark his plans been making.

Tale the Seventh. HOW THE MAIDENS CAME TO SEE THE SHIP, AND WERE CARRIED TO HETTEL’S KINGDOM.

[440] Early on the morrow, after the mass was said, To don their richest clothing strove each wife and maid: A throng of these King Hagen to the sandy shore was leading; And with them riding gayly a thousand stalwart Irish knights were speeding.

[441] Within the town of Ballian the guests had heard the mass. Of all the woe and sorrow, that soon would come to pass, Hagen as yet knew nothing: little honor was left him By his guests’ withdrawal; this of his fair and well-born child bereft him.

[442] When now they all had ridden to the ships upon the strand, Queen Hilda and her ladies were lifted down on the sand. The young and lovely maidens to see the ships were taken: The traders’ booths were open, and the goods did wonder great in the queen awaken.

[443] Many fair-wrought jewels lay in sight in the shops, Such as men prize highly; King Hagen to see them stops, And many with him also: soon as the goods were shown them, The maidens, too, must see them, and rings and bands of gold were pressed upon them.

[444] To see the sights King Hagen into a boat had gone: Not all the booths were open, nor all the goods were shown, When Wâ-te’s men heaved anchor up from the sea-sands deftly, And Hilda with her maidens was borne away from the land of her fathers swiftly.

[445] For no one’s hate and anger Wâ-te greatly cares; Little he recks what happens to the shops of costly wares: Hilda, the queenly mother, was sundered from her daughter; The men, in the ship long hidden, up-sprang and sorrow made for Hagen on the water.

[446] Then the sails were hoisted, and ’twas seen that they were set: From the ship they threw the foemen, who thoroughly were wet, Like sea-birds on the water, when near the sands they flutter. For her daughter dear-belovéd sorrow and anger the queen aloud did utter.

[447] When the weaponed fighters by Hagen there were seen, Then, in truth, how scornful and wrathful was his mien! “Now bring to me my long-spear, to feel it I will teach them; They all shall die full quickly when my strong right arm with that shall reach them!”

[448] Boldly then spoke Morunc: “Be not so much in haste! Though now you think to fight us, and to rush on us so fast With a thousand well-armed foemen, we yet will overthrow them, And fling them into the water; a damp, cold lodging we will quickly show them!”

[449] Still, brave Hagen’s followers the fight would not give o’er; The water shone and glistened with the armor that they wore; Then they drew their long-swords, spears were thickly flying; But oars were dipped full quickly, and fast the boats away from the shore were hieing.

[450] The bold and daring Wâ-te from the sands had given a bound Into a well-manned row-boat; loud did his mail resound, As he, with fifty warriors, after Hilda hasted: Hagen’s careless followers now must rouse themselves, no time they wasted.

[451] Onward came King Hagen; his fighting-gear he wore, And a heavy sword, the sharpest, he proudly with him bore; But now the aged Wâ-te almost too long had waited; Wild and grim was Hagen, and high his spear he raised ’gainst his foe belated.

[452] Loudly then he shouted, and bade his men make haste; None of all his followers would he allow to rest, Hoping these guests, now fleeing, who had been such traitors, Might be with speed o’ertaken, and either should be slain, or bound in fetters.

[453] The king had now about him fighters many and brave, But yet he could not follow across the wild sea-wave; His ships were all unready, and many of them leaking, When now he would be sailing; of Hagen’s blame for this were all soon speaking.

[454] On the gravelly sea-shore standing, no other way he knew But that more ships be builded for him and his liegemen true, And workmen called together, who must therein be speedy: All came who now were able, and these he found to be both skilled and ready.

[455] Upon the seventh morning, there left the Irish land The men sent forth by Hettel to ask for Hilda’s hand, And bring to him the lady. They were a thousand barely; Hagen brought against them thirty hundred men, if reckoned fairly.

[456] The daring knights of Denmark sent men home before, To carry word to Hettel that Hagen’s child they bore, And to his land would bring her, with honor him befitting. Though now they little thought it, still harder work erelong must they be meeting.

[457] To them their master, Hettel, in happy mood then spoke: “My sorrows now are over. Great toils my liegemen took For me in Hagen’s kingdom, and now have brought me gladness; Since they on their errand left me, fear for their doom has filled my heart with sadness.

[458] “Dear friends, if with your tidings you have not me betrayed, And do not tell me falsely that you have seen the maid Near to my land and kingdom, and in my friends’ safe-keeping, For your tale will I reward you, and gladly will your praise be ever speaking.”

[459] They said: “No lie we tell you, that we the maid have seen; But when we miles had measured, the daughter of the queen Sadly said, for our welfare she feared, and was heavy-hearted, Lest the king, her father, to follow with his ships e’en then had started.”

[460] For the tidings, Hettel gave them a hundred marks in worth; For all his knights there gathered, men at once brought forth Swords as well as helmets, and shields for them were bidden: Thus from Hettel’s castle they went, as if to court, to bring the maiden.

[461] All the men he was able Hettel for this now sought; Greatly was he hoping, and much thereof he thought, So great a host to muster, and these so well outfitted, That never to king’s fair daughter so fine a welcome might again be meted.

[462] In haste were all then bidden who ought with him to go; They still made ready slowly, till gifts he should bestow Of all things that they needed; they for this were waiting. At length by him were gathered a thousand men or more, for Hilda’s greeting.

[463] Gay were they in clothing,— ’gainst this could none say nay,— Poor as well as wealthy were shining in war-array: To bring the lovely ladies to their new home and dwelling Were Hettel’s lieges earnest; with lofty hopes of this their hearts were swelling.

[464] Soon as they left the castle, shouts the land did fill, As they their way were making thro’ lowland and o’er hill; Men saw upon the pathways crowds still thronging nearer: Hettel hastened forward, to see the maid, than every other dearer.

[465] At last the aged Wâ-te, the knight from the Sturmisch land, Had reached the Waalisch marches and stepped upon the sand. There on the shore were gathered the sailors, water-weary; Shelter they sought for Hilda, and in a friendly land were glad to tarry.

[466] Stakes for tents were driven near to the broad sea-flood By the followers of Wâ-te; they were in happy mood. Erelong the news was bruited, and soon to them was given, That Hettel, king of the Hegelings, had left his home, and now was near them even;

[467] And that he with many liegemen was riding down to the shore, To meet his well-belovéd. Now hoped the maids the more That she with greatest honor should, as her birth befitted, Be brought into his kingdom. No more the thought of strife their hearts affrighted.

[468] The guests for nothing wanted, they had both wine and food; Those who were living near them freely on them bestowed The best that they were able; the wants of all they heeded; Whate’er they had they gave them, and left them not to lack for aught they needed.

[469] Hettel now drew nearer to those who had reached his land; And with him, gathered hastily, the strong and goodly band, Drawn from his father’s kingdom. They came bedecked so gaily, And in such glittering armor, the guests looked on full glad, and praised them freely.

[470] Then the men of the Hegelings came down upon the plain, And soon the rushing riders a tilting-match began; All with youthful boldness for knightly prizes striving: Then came the Danish Fru-te, and with him Wâ-te, wise as any living.

[471] They were seen from afar by Hettel; happy in heart was he. His horse he set a-prancing; right glad was he to see Two of his bravest liegemen, sent by him o’er the water, With fighters bold to Ireland, in hopes to win for him wild Hagen’s daughter.

[472] On him, too, looked they gladly, their worthy king, so good; Each day they spent there with him found them in happy mood. Wâ-te with all his fellows, while far away they were living, Had known much bitter hardship: for this would Hettel now reward be giving.

[473] As he met his friendly liegemen, King Hettel wore a smile; Then said he to them kindly: “Much have I feared erewhile For you, my faithful helpers, and a heavy heart was bearing, Lest in Hagen’s castles my men were held, and all were bondage sharing.”

[474] Then for love he kissed them, both those gray old men; His eyes had never rested on so glad a sight as then, Nor on a fairer pasture had fed, with longing fonder. I ween that never to Hettel was aught so full of bliss and sudden wonder.

[475] Then spake the aged Wâ-te: No harm to us was done; But yet a sway so mighty I ne’er before have known, As this that wild King Hagen over his lands now wieldeth: His followers bear them proudly, and he himself in strength to no one yieldeth.

[476] “It was a day as happy as ever could be thought, When we to you sent tidings that we had Hilda brought, The loveliest of maidens (no falsehood have I spoken, Believe the tale I tell you) that ever in this world my eyes did look on.”

[477] The high-born knight then added: “Belike with greatest speed Will come these daring foemen; for this should you take heed Lest the angry Hagen soon shall overtake us Here within your marches; if so, his hatred bitter woe will make us.”

[478] Then Wâ-te and Sir Fru-te down to the shore did bring Many worthy followers, knights of Hettel, the king, There to see fair Hilda, and there must they await her. Upon their shining bucklers many a spear-shaft crashed in battle later.

[479] Now came the fair young maiden, under a comely hat; Then all the men of the Hegelings who on their horses sat By the side of the king, their master, upon the grass alighted. With merry hearts then gladly the well-bred throng their love and friendship plighted.

[480] Irold, he of Ortland, and Morunc of the Frisian land, Both of those brave champions, one on either hand, Came with lovely Hilda, and Hettel soon were meeting; Worthy was she of praises. Now thought the maid to give the king her greeting.

[481] With her there came young maidens, twenty or even more, All clad in fair white linen,— whiter none e’er wore,— Or best of silken clothing, that could be found by any: Proud were they to wear them, and, gaily decked, they there were seen by many.

[482] The king, both good and stately, then began to greet With well-bred, seemly bearing, the maid he thought was meet To wear the crown hereafter. He gazed on her with yearning; Her in his arms he folded, and fondly kissed the maid, her face upturning.

[483] Then one by one he welcomed all the maidens fair; But one there was among them so lofty in her air She might of birth be kingly: in nought her kin were lacking. She was one of the maidens who with the griffin long her home was making.

[484] She bore the name of Hildeburg: from Hilda, Hagen’s wife, She ever had won the honor befitting her worthy life; Born in the land of Portugal, thence had she been taken. She now saw many strangers: a longing sad for her friends did this awaken.

[485] Hettel to all the maidens gave a welcome free, Yet was their lot no brighter; for when they thought to see An end of all their sadness, upon the coming morrow, Soon as the day was dawning, there came to them again as great a sorrow.

[486] Her throng of high-born followers were greeted on every side; Near to Hagen’s daughter on a flowery meadow wide, Under silken awnings, many there were seated. But Hagen was now too near them; to them from him must many ills be meted.

Tale the Eighth. HOW HAGEN FOLLOWED HIS DAUGHTER.

[487] When the day was dawning, there was seen full well, And known by Horant of Daneland, a cross upon a sail, With other emblems blazoned, that pilgrims did betoken. For such a band of pilgrims in Wâ-te’s heart was little love bespoken.

[488] Loudly Morunc shouted to Irold brave and true: “Now ask our lord, King Hettel, what he thinks to do? A sail with the arms of Hagen comes to our shore too nearly: Too long have we been sleeping, and well to be rid of this will cost us dearly.”

[489] To Hettel the tale was carried that the father of his bride, Hither from Ireland sailing, with ships broad-built and wide As well as many a galley, now their shore was nearing. From Wâ-te and from Fru-te their wisest thoughts the king was bent on hearing.

[490] Both those knights of Denmark could hardly this believe, Had not their eyes beheld it, that Hagen, with followers brave, Seeking his daughter Hilda, to the river Waal was steering. The men who came from Ortland lay happy on the beach, no danger fearing.

[491] The fair and noble Hilda soon heard the wondrous tale, Whereat the kindly maiden did loudly thus bewail: “My father, if he comes hither, soon will make such slaughter, That none e’er knew the sorrow that will be felt by many a wife and daughter.”

[492] “We ’gainst that can guard us,” answered the knight Irold: “However he may bluster, I would not take of gold A mountain’s weight in barter, that day when foes are mated, Could I see my uncle Wâ-te near wild Hagen come, with anger heated.”

[493] Then the lovely maidens began to wail and mourn. The ship was tossed and rolling, now by the west wind borne, With warriors filled and crowded, near to Waal, the river. They there, in heavy fighting, soon found a blood-stained resting-place forever.

[494] Wâ-te bade that Hilda on board a ship should stay. To guard the queenly maiden, while near the shore it lay, On every side all hastily men their shields were bearing: To keep a watch o’er the ladies, there were on board a hundred warriors daring.

[495] Ready now for battle were all who to the strand Had brought the lovely Hilda from her Irish fatherland, Whence they the maid had stolen, to her father Hagen’s sorrow. Many, sound and healthy, must sorely fear for their lives before the morrow.

[496] Hettel was soon heard shouting and calling aloud to his men: “Be on your guard, brave fighters! Who never gold did gain, To him it shall be measured, in handfuls, without weighing. Let this be not forgotten,— that now your Irish foes you may be slaying.”

[497] Bearing then their weapons, down they rushed to the sand; Stirred with warlike bustle was all the Waalisch strand. Thither to King Hettel flocked his champions daring; Friends as well as foemen soon towards the self-same spot were faring.

[498] Now had Hagen also reached the sandy shore, And men at him were hurling the spears they bravely bore: Those upon the seashore well their lives then guarded From the stormy Irish onset; but wounds yet all the more their bravery rewarded.

[499] How seldom would a father have wished to send his child Where sparks of fire, all-glowing, were struck by foemen wild Forth from hardened helmets, in sight of many a maiden! To have sailed with these roving fighters did now at last the lovely Hilda sadden.

[500] By turns they smote each other with heavy spears and long: Altho’ themselves they guarded beneath their bucklers strong, Yet wounded thro’ their hauberks, they were gashed and bloody; And soon with flowing life-blood the waters’ depths were deeply stained and ruddy.

[501] Then to his trusty liegemen Hagen called aloud: The sea gave back his shouting,— truly his strength was good,— He bade them help to land him, their wounds by them unheeded; Glad were they to do it: thereby were spears in many hearts imbedded.

[502] Hagen now drew nearer, not far was he from the sand; His sword it clattered loudly; Hettel, near at hand, Was standing by the water, on the seashore waiting: There, with daring followers, deeds he did that praise should aye be meeting.

[503] Hagen, wild with anger, leaped into the wave, And to the shore he waded. Then on that warrior brave Came a shower of lances; like snowflakes falling thickly, Fast they fell around him, shot by the Hegeling foemen, thronging quickly.

[504] Then from the clash of sword-blades a mighty noise arose. Those who would slay wild Hagen soon beneath his blows Were seen to reel and stagger. Hettel, the noble fighter, Drew near to Hilda’s father; at this the maiden wept, with tears most bitter.

[505] It was indeed a wonder, as we the tale have heard, So strong and brave was Hagen, that Hettel, the Hegeling lord, Before him held his footing. As soon as, wildly fighting, They had reached each other, their helmets rang beneath the heavy smiting.