Part 9

[590] “Who tells you,” said King Ludwig, “she is so very fair? Tho’ she all lands were owning, the home is not so near, Wherein the maid is dwelling, that we should go a-wooing; If we sent our men before us to ask her love, their task they would soon be ruing.”

[591] Then did Hartmut answer: “For me ’tis not too far; Whene’er the lord of a kingdom no pain or toil doth spare To win a wife and riches, he gains a life-long blessing. My wish, I pray you, follow; let men be sent, that they my suit be pressing.”

[592] Then spake his mother, Gerlind, of Normandy the queen: “Letters must now be written; let clothes, the best e’er seen, With gold, to those be given upon your errand speeding; They, too, must learn the roadways that towards the home of fair Gu-drun are leading.”

[593] Then spake again King Ludwig: “Know you not full well That Hilda, the maiden’s mother, did erst in Ireland dwell? And know you not what happened to many a one who sought her? Her kin are proud and lofty, and now will scorn the love we shall have brought her.”

[594] Then young Hartmut answered: “Tho’ with a warlike band I afar must seek her, over sea and land, That shall I do most willingly: my heart to her is given, And never will I rest me till I for Hilda’s daughter happily have striven.”

[595] “Gladly will I help you,” King Ludwig then did say: “Let this now make you happy; erelong, upon the way I’ll send twelve sumpter-horses bearing silver treasure; That when they hear our errand, our wealth and worth they may more rightly measure.”

[596] By Hartmut then were chosen sixty men, to send To woo the fair young maiden, and help to him to lend; With food and clothing also well were they outfitted, And on the road well guided: Ludwig was wise, and was in this foresighted.

[597] When everything was ready that soon the men would need, Then were letters written, sealed, and given with speed, Both by brave young Hartmut and his queenly mother. Then from home they started; so proud a throng there never was another.

[598] Fast they rode and steadily for many a day and night, Until the land they sought for came at last in sight, And they might tell the errand they were thither bringing. Long was Hartmut waiting, while love and care were in his heart upspringing.

[599] Over land and rivers they took their toilsome way, As far as in days a hundred a pasturing herd may stray, Until the land of the Hegelings lay before them stretching. Their steeds were worn and weary ere they gave the letters they were fetching.

[600] At last they far had ridden, and to the sea had come, Upon the shores of Denmark: sadly they long did roam, Before they reached the kingdom, and its lord did know them; Now they begged for guidance, and men were bid the nearest way to show them.

[601] The news was given to Horant, the knight well-bred and bold; Now asked the errand-bearers, and the truth to them was told, About King Hettel and Hilda, and all they had been hearing. They saw the men of Hettel coming in throngs, their shields and weapons bearing.

[602] Horant, lord of Daneland, then to his liegemen spake, And bade for the errand-bearers a safeguard now to make, And that the men of Hartmut should be by them well guided To the court of his lord, King Hettel; they grudged no toil, and well his bidding heeded.

[603] When thro’ the Hegeling kingdom the heralds took their way, So lordly was their bearing, that often men did say: “These folk are rich and mighty, whatever they are seeking.” The news to the king was carried, and soon to him all men the tale were speaking.

[604] To all the guests from Normandy were lodgings given there; The king now bade his liegemen to wait on them with care. He knew not yet their errand, and why to him they had ridden; But on the twelfth day, early, young Hartmut’s men before the king were bidden.

[605] An earl there was among them; how well his breeding showed! Upon their clothing also were praises high bestowed; They rode the best of horses on which men e’er were seated, And before the king they gathered, in fairest guise, that well they might be greeted.

[606] The king gave kindly welcome, as also did his men, Until their wooing errand was unto him made plain: Then were they ill-treated, and knew the king’s hard feeling. I ween the mighty Hettel to grant young Hartmut’s wish would ne’er be willing.

[607] One who in that was skilful to the king the letters read; But he was greatly angered that they to court were led By the good and upright Horant, a knight so brave and noble; And, had they not his friendship, they had not left the king without more trouble.

[608] Then spake to them King Hettel: “No good to you ’twill bring That you were sent a-wooing by Hartmut, your lord and king. To pay for this full dearly you may well be fearing; Your kingly master’s wishes both I and Lady Hilda are wroth at hearing.”

[609] One among them answered: “Hartmut makes it known That much he loves the maiden; and if to wear the crown In Normandy she deigneth, before his friends there living, That he, a knight all spotless, will rightly earn the love she shall be giving.”

[610] Then quoth the Lady Hilda: “How can she be his wife? A hundred and three of his castles his father held in fief, Within the land of Cardigan, from Hagen, my noble sire; It ill becomes my kinsmen to be King Ludwig’s vassals, or owe him hire.

[611] “Ludwig dwelt in Scotland, and there it erst befell That a brother of King Otto did wrong to Ludwig deal: Both were Hagen’s vassals, and of him their lands had taken; And thus my father’s friendship for him was lost, and hate instead did waken.

[612] “Say you now to Hartmut she ne’er his wife shall be. Your lord is not so worthy that he to boast is free, That he doth love my daughter, and she doth not disdain him; Bid him elsewhere be looking, if he be fain a queen for his land to gain him.”

[613] The heralds’ hearts were heavy; ’twas not for their good name That they, for miles full many, in sorrow and in shame, Back to their homes in Normandy this news must carry sadly. Hartmut, as well as Ludwig, was vexed that they herein were foiled so badly.

[614] Forthwith to them said Hartmut: “Tell me now the truth, The grand-daughter of Hagen have you seen, forsooth? Is the maid, Gu-drun, as lovely as men have here been saying? May God bring shame to Hettel, that he my suit with such ill-will is paying!”

[615] Then the earl thus answered: “This can I truly say,— Whoe’er shall see the maiden must feel her charms and sway; Above all maids and women, her worth is past the telling.” Then quoth the kingly Hartmut: “To live without her ne’er shall I be willing.”

[616] Whereon his mother, Gerlind, sadly thus did say, With tears her lot bewailing: “My son, oh, lack-a-day! Alas that e’er the heralds to win the maiden started! If we at home had kept them, e’en to this day had I been still light-hearted.”

Tale the Eleventh. HOW HERWIC SENT TO SEEK GUDRUN AND HOW HARTMUT CAME HIMSELF.

[617] Hartmut left his wooing to wait for many a year. Soon a tale was bruited (’twas true what men did hear) Of one whose name was Herwic, a king as yet but youthful; Often his worth was spoken, and men yet speak of him with praises truthful.

[618] He began his wooing, trusting the lovely maid Would take him for her lover; long his hopes he fed, And much he toiled to win her, both with love and riches: But tho’ the maid was willing, her father, Hettel, he in vain beseeches.

[619] Though Herwic long was striving, and men to seek her rode, Yet was his wooing slighted; for this his wrath he showed. The heart of proud young Herwic by heavy care was fettered; Freely his love he gave her, and thought a life with her could not be bettered.

[620] There came at length a morning when it to them befell That in the Hegeling kingdom both knights and maids as well, With many lovely ladies, his coming never fearing, Before them saw bold Hartmut; Hettel could not believe he’d be so daring.

[621] From this did endless evil soon come upon the land: These guests high-born and worthy were yet an unknown band; Hartmut and his kinsmen their host’s goodwill were sharing, And he the hope still harbored that the maid would yet the crown with him be wearing.

[622] Now before Queen Hilda by ladies he was seen To stand with lofty breeding, and with a stately mien. There the proud young Hartmut wore a look so knightly, That he the love of ladies well might ask, and ’twould be granted rightly.

[623] Well-grown was he in body, fair he was and bold, Kind as well as lordly. Why I ne’er was told Had Hettel and Queen Hilda from him withheld their daughter, When he had thought to woo her; wroth was he to be scorned when now he sought her.

[624] Of her his heart had longed for he now had gained the sight; There oft were stolen glances between Gu-drun and the knight. He made it known to the maiden, by speech from others hidden, That he was young King Hartmut, and from the Norman land had lately ridden.

[625] Then she told her wooer the pain to her it gave; And tho’ she wished he ever a happy life might have, Yet from her father’s kingdom she begged him now to hasten, For in the land of Hettel was his life at risk, and this would never lessen.

[626] She looked on him so kindly that now her heart was warned That he should stay no longer, for here his suit was spurned. Friendly was she to Hartmut, who her love so wanted, But his hopes she little heeded, and while he wooed, not much to him she granted.

[627] At last her well-bred lover from Hettel’s land must go; He bore upon his shoulders a heavy load of woe: To wreak his wrath on Hettel would he now be choosing, Yet feared he, if he harmed him, that he the maiden’s love would then be losing.

[628] ’Twas thus the daring Hartmut the Hegeling kingdom left; Much he felt of sadness, though not of hope bereft. He knew not yet the ending of his wooing of the maiden; For the sake of her, thereafter, were helmets cleft, and many sorrow-laden.

[629] When he had reached his kingdom, and home again did turn, Where dwelt his father and mother, Hartmut, grim and stern, For war with Hettel longing, began to make him ready. Gerlind, the old she-devil, at all times spurred him on with hatred steady.

Tale the Twelfth. HOW HERWIC MADE WAR ON HETTEL, AND HOW GUDRUN WAS BETROTHED TO HIM.

[630] What more befell young Hartmut we now forbear to say. Upon the brave King Herwic a weight of sorrow lay, As great as that of Hartmut, for love of the high-born lady. He, with all his kinsmen, to woo Gu-drun, as best they might, made ready.

[631] Near her he was dwelling, and there he held his land. A thousand times tho’ daily he should send to ask her hand, Ever would his wooing be met with scorn and flouting; But though he now was thwarted, later on her, as his wife, he was fondly doting.

[632] The king forbade him longer to woo Gu-drun, his child; Then sent he word in anger that never would he yield: Hettel should see him coming, with men and shields, a-wooing; And this to him and Hilda would evil bring, that they would long be ruing.

[633] Whose rede it was I know not, but thrice a thousand men, Showing thus their friendship, were soon with Herwic seen. By them against the Hegelings harm erelong was plotted For the sake of the lovely maiden he fondly hoped would be to him allotted.

[634] Those who came from Sturmland the tale would not believe, To those from Denmark also none the tidings gave; But Irold, lord of Ortland, soon the word was hearing That now the daring Herwic for warlike ends to Hettel’s home was faring.

[635] When ’twas known to Hettel that Herwic, fearing naught, E’en now the land was nearing, and followers with him brought, Then asked he of his kinsmen, and of the queen, his lady: “What say you to the tidings? I hear that guests to our home have come already.”

[636] She said: “What can I answer, but that ’tis well and right, When one such deeds is doing as befit a worthy knight, Tho’ good or ill it bring us, praise should they be earning. Can aught amiss befall him? Herwic is wise, and aye for honor yearning.”

[637] His queenly wife said further: “Yet must we beware, That he may bring no burden unto our kinsmen here. This have many told me,— ’tis for the sake of your daughter That he with many warriors has come into your borders, o’er the water.”

[638] Hettel with his kinsmen had waited a little too long: The wrath of young King Herwic now had waxen strong. In the cool of the early morning, he, with followers daring, Reached King Hettel’s castle, and later with his men the strife was sharing.

[639] While yet the men were sleeping within King Hettel’s halls, The watchman from the castle down to them loudly calls: “Up from your rest now, quickly! Arm yourselves and listen! Foes from abroad are coming! E’en now, on their way, I see the helmets glisten.”

[640] From off their beds upsprang they, no longer dared they lie; Whoe’er there was among them, in rank or low or high, Must bear a heavy burden, for life and honor caring. Thus the young King Herwic strove for a wife, the storm of warfare daring.

[641] Hettel and Queen Hilda had now to the window come: Men they saw with Herwic, brought from a far-off home Among the hills of Galeis, where they had their dwelling; These the mighty Morunc in Waleis knew, and oft of them was telling.

[642] The foes were seen by Hettel, thronging towards the gate. Well Gu-drun’s brave father must fear to meet their hate, As they were rushing onward, tho’ high his heart was swelling: Much they roused his anger, but them his burghers helped erelong in quelling.

[643] Armed to guard the castle were a hundred men or more; Hettel himself fought boldly, goodwill for this he bore. His lieges all were doughty, but yet they could not save him; Hard were the blows for Hettel, that in the fight the brave young Herwic gave him.

[644] Upon his foeman’s helmet whizzing blasts, fire-hot, Were struck by the daring Herwic. The many blows he smote Gu-drun now saw with wonder, her eyes upon him feeding: He seemed a knight most worthy, and love she felt, e’en though her heart was bleeding.

[645] Hettel bore his weapon grimly ’gainst his foe; Of strength no less than riches he had, in truth, enow: But soon he did unwisely, he pressed on him too nearly, And those within the castle saw the fight between them all too clearly.

[646] The sore-beleaguered dwellers the gates would gladly shut; But now their losses told them that this would nothing boot: Friends as well as foemen near the gates were thronging, And great was the hope of Herwic to win the maid for whom his heart was longing.

[647] Hettel then and Herwic against each other dashed, In sight of all their followers; flames shot out and flashed On the bosses of the bucklers which they both were wearing: But little while it lasted, ere knowledge of each other they were sharing.

[648] When Hettel saw in Herwic a warrior so proud, And one so truly daring, he cried to all aloud: “Should any here forbid me that I with him be friendly, He knows the knight but little; deadly wounds he hews, in mood unkindly.”

[649] Gu-drun, the lovely maiden, looked on, and heard the din. Luck is round and rolling, like a ball, I ween; And since to end the fighting to her it was not given, She hoped that, when ’twas over, her father and his foe would find their strength was even.

[650] She then began to call to him, from out the palace hall: “Hettel, my noble father, behold how blood doth fall, From out the hauberks flowing! Everywhere about us The walls therewith are spattered! A neighbor ill is Herwic, and harm hath wrought us.

[651] “If you would grant my wishes, you now will be at peace; Give rest to heart from anger, and let your fighting cease, Till I can ask of Herwic, and he to us be telling, About his land and kingdom, and where his nearest kinsmen have their dwelling.”

[652] Then said the proud young Herwic: “Not yet may peace begin, Unless without my weapons I your love may win. If rest a while be granted, the knowledge you are seeking I then will give you freely, and of my kinsmen will to you be speaking.”

[653] Now, for love of the maiden, the strife did they forego. Then shook they off their armor, each battle-weary foe, And bathed in running waters, from rusty stains to free them. They soon were cheered and rested, and none could grudge in happy mood to see them.

[654] A hundred knights with Herwic went from the field to find Gu-drun, the Hegeling maiden, still wavering in her mind. She, with other ladies, gave him welcome kindly; But the worthy, high-born Herwic hardly dared to think their wishes friendly.

[655] The fair and comely maiden showed the guests their seats; The bravery of Herwic erelong with love she meets: His high and noble breeding earned him kindest greeting. ’Twas thought Gu-drun and Hilda should grant his suit, without a longer waiting.

[656] To the ladies then spake Herwic: “I oft have heard it said That you of me speak lightly, and think me lowly bred: Your scorn may bring you sorrow, after all my striving; The rich may from the poorest a blessing gain, the while with them they’re living.”

[657] She said: “Where is the maiden who could behold with scorn A knight who strove so bravely, or from his love could turn? Believe me,” said the maiden, “I do not hold you lightly; Never maid more kindly has looked on you, or prized your worth more rightly.

[658] “If now my friends and kindred leave for this will give, Even as you wish it, with you I will gladly live.” Then with fondest glances he her eye was seeking: In her heart she bore him, and owned the truth to all, no falsehood speaking.

[659] The brave and happy Herwic begged that he might dare To woo the fair young maiden. Now to grant his prayer Were Hettel and Hilda ready; but first must they be knowing Whether Gu-drun, their daughter, was glad or sorry for the kingly Herwic’s wooing.

[660] Herwic was quick in learning how kindly was her mood: And now the brave young warrior before the maiden stood, In shape as fair and comely as if the hand of a master On a white wall had drawn him: while there he stood her love but grew the faster.

[661] “If you your love will give me,” he said, “most lovely maid, Then shall my truest worship to you be ever paid; Throughout my lands and castles to you there shall be given My kinsmen’s faithful service, and ne’er shall I repent that thus I’ve striven.”

[662] She said: “I give you freely the love for which you pray; By all your toils and daring you well have earned to-day That you and all my kindred foes shall be no longer. Now none can make me sorrow, and every day our bliss shall grow the stronger.”

[663] Then they sent for Hettel: thus ended was the fight. Soon came he to his daughter; and many a faithful knight Followed the king, their master, who unto him had ridden From all the Hegeling kingdom. Thus to the strife a long farewell was bidden.

[664] Now when Hettel’s kinsmen their wish for this did speak, Then asked he of his daughter if she would gladly take Herwic, the knight so noble, who in his heart had set her. Then said the lovely maiden: “There’s not another I could love the better.”

[665] They then betrothed the maiden at once to the knightly king, Who in his land would crown her. This did gladness bring To him, and sorrow likewise: ere many years were ended, And she to him was wedded, good knights in stormy fight their lives defended.

[666] To take the maiden with him Herwic now was fain; But this her mother grudged him: thereby much woe and pain Came upon him later from foes as yet unheeded. The king was told by Hilda that longer time ere she be crowned was needed.

[667] They thought it best for Herwic to leave the maiden there, While he with other women might pass the time elsewhere, And wait to wed the lady until a year were ended. This learned the men of Alzabie: to wait so long for her young Herwic ill befriended.

Tale the Thirteenth. HOW SIEGFRIED MADE WAR AGAINST HERWIC.

[668] Siegfried, king of Moorland, called for all his men; Ships were soon made ready, wherever they were seen; Then with food and weapons to load them it was bidden, For war against King Herwic: from all but faithful friends his thoughts were hidden.

[669] A score of wide, strong barges bade he to be made. I ween they liked it little to whom the king now said That forthwith unto Sealand to fight must they be faring; And he would thither hasten as soon as, winter o’er, springtide was nearing.

[670] Eighty thousand warriors soon to him had come; Of fighting men in Alzabie none were left at home. Then swore the Moorland princes for war to make them ready; Some of these still lingered, others to follow with the king were speedy.

[671] Then against the Sealands the threat of war he made. This roused the wrath of Herwic, who well might him upbraid; To earn the hate of Siegfried wrong had he done him never. His marches and his castles he bade his men to guard, now more than ever.