After they had eaten, and while with them he sat,
The lord of the land of Garadie the maidens did entreat
To say by whom such fair ones were brought unto that shore.
The children, at his asking, only felt their sorrow grow the more.
[118]
First answered him the eldest of those who with him sat:
“I come from a far-off kingdom, (my lord, now hear my fate;)
I was born in the land of India, a land wherein my father
Was king while he was living, but I, alas! the crown must leave to
another.”
[119]
Then spake the maid next younger: “I too have come from far;
Erewhile a strong old griffin did me from Portugal bear.
A king in the land was my father; none than he was prouder,
Nor for a mighty ruler, far or near, were ever praises louder.”
[120]
Then the youngest maiden, who by the earl sat near,
To him spoke low and modestly, and said: “I pray you hear;
From Iserland I was carried, my father there held power;
But from those who hoped to rear me, alas! afar was I borne in an
evil hour.”
[121]
The high-born knight then answered: “By God ’tis ordered well,
Since you among your kinsfolk not long were left to dwell;
Now, at last, by his kindness you are freed from dangers,
For I within these borders have found you living here, such lovely
strangers.”
[122]
However much he asked them, they yet to tell were loath,
How unto them it happened grim death had spared them both,
When erewhiles the griffin unto his nest had brought them.
Many had been their sorrows; no more to speak of these the maids
bethought them.
[123]
Then said the worthy leader, turning to the youth;
“My dearest friend and fellow, now let me hear the truth;
Since unto me these maidens their sorry tale have given,
From you would I hear gladly, and learn the land and kin whence you
were riven.”
[124]
To him wild Hagen answered: “That will I tell to you;
One of those dreadful griffins bore me hither too.
Sigeband was my father; in Ireland once was I living;
But long with these lovely maidens I since have dwelt, with many
sorrows striving.”
[125]
Then they all besought him to say how it befell
That, living with the griffins he had come off so well.
To them young Hagen answered: “To God it all was owing;
But now I have cooled my anger; no more for them my heart with hate
is glowing.”
[126]
Then spake the lord of Garadie: “I fain would learn from you
How you were freed from danger?” He said: “I quickly slew
Both the old and the young ones; not one of those is living
By whom my life was threatened, and who to me such fear were daily
giving.”
[127]
Then said all the sailors: “Your strength indeed was great;
For every man and woman to praise you it were meet.
A thousand of us truly ’gainst them in, vain had striven,
Nor ever could have slain them; truly to you have blessings great
been given.”
[128]
The earl and all his followers were of the boy afraid;
His strength was past all measure, and sorrow for them made.
They would by craft his weapons have taken from him gladly,
But these he sternly guarded, and soon, thro’ him, it ended for them
sadly.
[129]
Then spake the earl yet further: “It now has happened well,
After our toilsome wanderings, and all that us befell.
But since you are a kinsman of my foeman, Sigeband,
And here have come from Ireland, I as a hostage hold you in my hand.
[130]
“You come to me most fitly, as you shall know ere long,
For many of your kindred have done to me great wrong.
In Garadie’s fair kingdom, which lies too near their border,
In a heavy fight, my warriors were seized upon and murdered by their
shameful order.”
[131]
Then answered him young Hagen: “Of all the wrongs they did
I am wholly guiltless; if me to them you lead
I their hearts will soften, and so will the strife be ended.
Let hope to me be granted that I on my kinsmen’s shore may soon be
landed.”
[132]
Then said the earl to Hagen: “For a pledge must you abide,
And I shall keep these maidens to live at court by my side;
They will swell my greatness, and I shall be their owner.”
Then thought the youthful Hagen, such words to be to him a wrong and
a dishonor.
[133]
He quickly said in anger: “No bondsman will I be;
That may no man ask for, who would unscathed go free.
And now, my worthy sailors, you needs to my land must bear me;
I will reward you gladly, and to give you clothes and gold will
never spare me.
[134]
“The earl has thought my maidens his own shall ever be;
But they shall yet be happy, and shall of him be free.
Whoe’er is blest with wisdom, let him my bidding follow;
Look to your sails, and turn them, and guide the ship to Ireland,
o’er the billow.”
[135]
The men, as the earl had bidden, to seize the boy now dared,
But boldly did he meet them, and for their lives they feared.
He by the hair caught thirty, and into the water flung them;
Soon the strength of his body was known to all, and dreaded much
among them.
[136]
Had not the kindly maidens sought to end the fight,
Soon the earl of Garadie he would have killed outright.
’Gainst neither low nor mighty did his anger falter;
These warriors and sailors now to Ireland’s shores their way must
alter.
[137]
They began at once to hasten, lest he their lives might take;
For now the wrath of Hagen made them with fear to quake.
For seventeen days the sailors from toiling never rested,
And sorely were they frightened; whene’er he seemed unkind they ills
forecasted.
[138]
When he now drew nearer unto his father’s shore,
He saw the roomy castles he well had known before;
Soon a lofty palace he spied at the edge of the river;
Three hundred towers fully he there beheld, as strong and good as
ever.
[139]
In it dwelt King Sigeband, with his proud and queenly wife.
Again each pilgrim sailor thought to lose his life;
For should the lord of Ireland aught of them be learning,
They feared that he would slay them; but Hagen stood between, his
anger turning.
[140]
Then spake unto the pilgrims that brave and warlike man:
“Your peace will I make gladly, altho’ I do not reign;
I hold no sway in the kingdom, but thither will I be sending,
And ’twixt yourself and my father of the hatred old I soon will make
an ending.
[141]
“Would any now be doing what wealth to him will bring,
Let him my errand carry. Whoever to the king
Shall say what I shall bid him, gold will I give him truly;
And also, very gladly, my father and my mother will reward him
duly.”
[142]
Twelve of the stranded pilgrims he bade to ride away:
“Now ask of the king, my father,” thus the youth did say,
“Whether to see young Hagen, his son, he still is yearning,—
Him who erst by the griffin was stolen far away, heart-sorrow
learning.
[143]
“I know that what you tell him the king will not believe;
Then ask you of my mother if she her faith will give,
And if for her child to own me she will at last be willing,
If I upon my bosom will show a golden cross, the proof fulfilling.”
[144]
When those he sent had ridden farther into the land,
They found, in the palace seated, Queen U-te and Sigeband.
Then knew the king that the riders from Garadie came thither,
And that they to him were foemen; at this both he and his men were
wroth together.
[145]
He asked of them how dared they to come within his land?
Then one among them answered: “We are sent here at the hand
Of your son, the youthful Hagen. If any fain would meet him,
He now is here, so near you, that you ere many hours, in truth, may
greet him.”
[146]
Then spake the kingly Sigeband: “To cheat there is no need;
The loss of my dear little one, who hath so long been dead,
Still my heart’s deep sorrow doth too oft awaken.”
“Ask, then, the queen, your lady, if for a falsehood should our word
be taken?
[147]
“The little boy so often in her fond care has been,
She knows if on his bosom a golden cross was seen.
And if upon this wanderer be found the self-same token,
You as your child can own him; you then will grant that truth by us
is spoken.”
[148]
Then to the Lady U-te the tale was quickly told;
Glad was she of the tidings, yet mourned she as of old.
She said: “Now let us hasten, that the truth no more be hidden.”
Her lord then bade to saddle; and steeds for himself and his bravest
knights were bidden.
[149]
Straightway one of the pilgrims to the fair Queen U-te said:
“I will tell you, if you listen, what now to do you need.
You first must carry clothing for each young lovely maiden
Whose coming does you honor; as followers of your son were they
hither bidden.”
[150]
Soon brought they richest clothing, and tiring-women, too;
The queen was also followed by men both brave and true.
They found the youthful Hagen, who on the shore was standing;
And many men from Garadie, who with the wandering boy on the beach
were landing.
Tale the Fourth.
HOW HAGEN WAS MET BY HIS FATHER AND MOTHER.
[151]
Soon both men and women riding there were seen;
Then the brave young Hagen went forth to meet his kin.
Who ’twas that came to greet him he now to know was seeking;
The throng grew ever thicker of friends who came in haste, their
kindness speaking.
[152]
The king a friendly welcome into his land soon gave;
He said: “To send men hither did you the boldness have,
To say that our queen beloved is in truth your mother?
If the words are true you’ve spoken, so glad as now I am there’s not
another.”
[153]
His queen, the lovely U-te, with lofty breeding, said:
“Bid that for these new-comers lodgings now be made;
I shall know right easily if he for the crown is fitted.”
She found, in truth, the token, and, full of bliss, her youthful son
she greeted.
[154]
With eyes all wet with weeping, she kissed him on the mouth:
“Though I before was ailing, I now am well in sooth.
Welcome be thou, my Hagen, my only child, loved dearly!
All in the land of Sigeband right glad shall be for him they lost so
early.”
[155]
The king to the youth came nearer; his happiness was great.
For the hearty love he bore him his manly cheek was wet;
With tears that hot had risen his eyes were overflowing.
For the child, from him erst stolen, rightly the father felt the
love he was showing.
[156]
The queenly U-te welcomed the homeless maids that day;
Many clothes she gave them, both bright in hue and gray,
Of silk, with downy linings, that much the maidens wanted.
Their sorrows now were lightened by all the gifts the wife of
Sigeband granted.
[157]
Well they clothed the maidens, as their loveliness became;
This they long had needed, and oft had blushed with shame;
But, decked with gaudy trimmings, now they came less shyly.
The king and all his followers soon to the maidens gave a welcome
freely.
[158]
Hagen asked that friendship to the men of Garadie
Should by the king and his lieges be granted speedily;
Beseeching his forgiveness for all their foul misdoing.
Soon, at the wish of Hagen, kindness to the pilgrims he was showing.
[159]
When the king had kissed them and soothed his angry mood,
He to the shipwrecked pilgrims made their losses good.
To them it was a blessing, and praise to Hagen carried;
The lands of the men of Ireland never since have they as foemen
harried.
[160]
Then their food and clothing the guests took out, for use,
And up on the sands they bore them, trusting in Hagen’s truce;
To take their rest for a fortnight them did he embolden.
The band of haughty pilgrims to give to him their thanks were now
beholden.
[161]
Then, in the midst of uproar, they rode away from the shore;
Up the castle of Ballian came also many more,
Led by a tale of wonder that the son of the king was living,—
Of their king so rich and mighty; a thing so strange was to many
past believing.
[162]
The water-weary pilgrims, long-tossed upon the sea,
When fourteen days were ended to leave the land were free.
To them by the host were given gifts of gold, bright shining;
By the help of his son’s great kindness he hoped a lasting
friendship to be winning.
[163]
Hagen his maidens never henceforth unthought-of leaves;
Kindly doth he teach them ofttimes to bathe in the waves.
He showed himself most loving, ever for them caring;
Rich clothes to them were given, and wise beyond his years was all
his bearing.
[164]
Now was the youth beginning to be a man well-grown.
He ever showed his kinsmen the skill to warriors known;
Whate’er a knight befitteth with hand and weapon doing.
In the land of his father, Sigeband, his mighty sway he soon to all
was showing.
[165]
Hagen was ever learning what doth a king beseem.
He who of knights is leader must ever free from shame
And every stain be living; this earns fair women’s praises.
So gentle was he truly that every one with wonder on him gazes.
[166]
Brave he was and daring, (such is the olden song,)
And ever was he ready to right his neighbor’s wrong.
He high upheld his honor in all things, never fearing;
Throughout the land, his praises were spoken and were sung in all
men’s hearing.
[167]
In a waste he grew to manhood, that youthful son of a king,
Wild beasts his only fellows; but none so quick could spring
That they to flee were able, if he for them was striving.
I ween both he and his maidens had wonders seen, while by the waters
living.
[168]
Rightly his name was Hagen; but later men did own
He was “of kings the Devil;” so came he to be known
In every land and kingdom, such was his strength in fighting.
The bold and wild young Hagen well did earn his name, his foemen
smiting.
[169]
He oft was begged by his kinsmen that he a wife would take;
One so fair was near him that none had need to seek
A fairer or a lovelier, all earthly kingdoms over.
He himself had taught her; with her in sorrow grown, and now her
lover.
[170]
She bore the name of Hilda; from India she had come,
And love she oft had shown him under their wretched doom,
Since, in their early childhood, he in the cave had found her.
None better need he wish for, or seek in any land the heavens under.
[171]
His father bade him hasten to be knighted with the sword,
With a hundred of his vassals. He gave, with kindly word,
To him and to his maidens, for clothes and horses needed,
A thousand marks of silver. Hagen said that the will of his father
should be heeded.
[172]
The news of this was bruited through many a prince’s land;
And the day when it should happen all did understand.
Soon the king’s great kindness from all won praises golden
In a year and three days after the festival of knighting them was
holden.
[173]
For this the knights made busy, glad to be bidden there.
Soon they made them bucklers, bright and painted fair;
In making showy saddles the workmen were not idle;
With gold both red and shining the breastplate was bedecked, as was
the bridle.
[174]
Upon a broad green meadow the guests of the mighty king
Were bidden then to gather. He left not anything
That they from him could ask for; seats were spread in order,
And many guests soon after were seen to ride to his land from every
border.
[175]
To those from far now ready the sword with him to bear
Fighting-gear was given, that beseemed them well to wear.
They who from other kingdoms into his land were faring
A thousand men were reckoned; to give them clothes and steeds he was
not sparing.
[176]
Unto his friends then said he: “If now you deem it fit
That men a king should call me, it therefore seemeth meet
That she my heart holds dearest a crown with me be wearing;
Never shall I rest happy until, for her love to me, she this is
sharing.”
[177]
Then asked of him his followers who might the lady be,
Who, riding proudly before them, they at court should see?
He said: “Her name is Hilda, in India once living;
To me and to my kindred she, as our queen, no shame will e’er be
giving.”
[178]
Well pleased was now his mother, when she the tidings had,
That they thought to crown the lady; his father, too was glad.
Of them was she so worthy, that high in heart they set her.
With him the sword was taken by full six hundred; the number e’en
was greater.
[179]
As is the way of Christians, both of them were bid
First for the crown to be hallowed; this at once they did.
King Hagen with Queen Hilda in state were soon seen riding;
Many games of knighthood were played at court by his men, at Hagen’s
bidding.
[180]
Sigeband, too, rode with them; high rose his heart as he went;
He reckoned very little the wealth that must be spent.
When in jousts they had ridden, in ways most true and knightly,
Then were pages busy to make the halls for the guests all fair and
sightly.
[181]
Seats were brought together, strong, and broad, and long,
With stools besides, and tables. After the mass was sung,
U-te, his wife, came riding, with women round her thronging;
These the youthful warriors to gaze on, as they rode, right
earnestly were longing.
[182]
While the great King Sigeband sat by U-te’s side,
And Hagen next to Hilda, all looked on with pride;
And said, in his child-belovéd happy was their master.
Before them, while at table, the throng was great; the clash of
spears grew faster.
[183]
After the king of Ireland at the meal his fill had eat,
By riders the grass was trodden; flowers to dust they beat
With rude and heavy trampling, while in uproar riding.
The men best known for bravery, before the fair, in knightly jousts
were leading.
[184]
Four and twenty warriors, bearing well the shield,
Over the plain came riding; bold were they in the field,
And now in many a struggle all their strength were spending.
’Twas done in sight of the ladies, and hard it was of their games to
make an ending.
[185]
The brave young son of Sigeband himself in the onset rode.
Not loth was she to gaze on him who her with hope had wooed;
That she to him was friendly in a far-off land forsaken,
For this would he reward her. No truer knight the sword had ever
taken.
[186]
Amid the throngs here riding, one thro’ the dust might see
Men whose birth was princely, in number twelve and three;
The Christian and the heathen to him their fiefs were owing,
And honor now, right heartily, to Sigeband and Hagen they were
showing.
[187]
Long those high times lasted; their mirth, how loud it rose!
With crowding and with shouting great the bustle grows.
The king now bade the champions to end the strife so heated;
And leave to them was given that they beside the ladies should be
seated.
[188]
Before his friends and kinsmen then spake King Sigeband:
“Unto my dear son Hagen give I now my land,
With the dwellers and the strongholds, be they far or nearer.
Let all my trusty liegemen have him now for their lord, and hold
none dearer.”
[189]
As soon as his father, Sigeband, his sway did thus forego,
Hagen his lands and castles began in fief to bestow;
This he did right freely, and to those to whom he gave them
He seemed so true and worthy that they indeed from him would gladly
have them.
[190]
As by feudal law is rightful, many stretched the hand
To the youthful king in fealty. To all, from every land,
Or far or near, then gave he clothes and riches hoarded.
A feast so freely given would now the poor not harm, and with thanks
be rewarded.
[191]
At court now dwelt the maidens who had before been brought
With him within those borders; of these one now was sought,
And sent to the king and Hilda; there she soon was dwelling.
The maid it was from Iserland; of one more fair to see none e’er was
telling.
[192]
A princely youth soon wooed her, who saw the maiden fair
Beside the king’s fair daughter. Soothly might he swear
That she by right was worthy to be of a crown the wearer.
She had erst been Hilda’s playmate; of widespread lands she now
became the sharer.
[193]
At last the guests were scattered, and all now left the king.
That high-born lady also men did straightway bring
Into the land of Norway, to her youthful lord’s kind keeping.
After her heavy sorrows, blest with hope, she knew no more of
weeping.
[194]
Now, throughout all Ireland, did Hagen his sway begin.
If ever among his lieges a deed of wrong was seen,
At once for this the doer must pay with pain well dreaded;
Of such, within a twelvemonth, eighty or more were for evil deeds
beheaded.
[195]
An inroad made he later into the lands of his foes.
He spared the poor, and brought not flames, to add to their woes;
But if with pride and rudeness he was by any treated,
He quick laid waste their strongholds, and deadly wounds in bitter
wrath he meted.
[196]
When it came to fighting, he was a goodly knight.
Of heroes high in breeding he soon brought low the might;
To all he showed his bravery, whether far or near him.
Of kings was he the Devil; in truth his many foes might greatly fear
him.
[197]
The life he led was happy, nor of gladness asked he more.
His wife, from far-off India, to her lord and master bore
A fair and lovely daughter; she also, like her mother,
Bore the name of Hilda; well known is her tale to us, and to many
another.
[198]
Wild Hagen bade his maidens so to rear the child,
That the sun ne’er shone upon her; nor were rough winds wild
Oft allowed to touch her. She was by ladies guarded,
And cared for by her kinsmen; most wisely was the trust to them
awarded.
[199]
Before twelve years were ended the fair and well-born maid
Was comely more than any, and her name was widely spread;
Rich and high-born princes gladly would have sought her,
And earnestly were thinking how they could win wild Hagen’s lovely
daughter.
[200]
One of these same princes in Denmark had his home,
Within the land of Waleis. When the tale to him had come
About this lovely maiden, his longing ne’er would leave him;
But he was scorned by Hagen, who swore of life and name he would
bereave him.
[201]
Whene’er to seek the maiden men were by wooers sent,
In his pride, wild Hagen upon their death was bent.
He to none would give her who than himself was weaker;
Of the tale of the mighty Hagen, far and near, was every man the
speaker.
[202]
He bade that more than twenty of those sent there be hung;
None might wreak his anger, though sore his heart was wrung.
When all had done their errand, for Hagen’s daughter suing,
“Enough,” soon went the saying: “’Twere best that none should go for
her a-wooing.”
[203]
But still by high-born warriors the maid was not unsought.
Let pride be ne’er so lofty, as we have long been taught,
There always is another with just as high a bearing;
While to win her kindness his yearning grows, and his toil he is
never sparing.
Tale the Fifth.
HOW WÂ-TE WAS SENT TO IRELAND AS A SUITOR.
[204]
Hettel was lord in Daneland; to be its king he rose;
’Twas in the Sturmisch marches, as many a one well knows;
There abode his kindred, who ways of honor taught him.
Ortland also served him. His might and worth high fame with all soon
brought him.
[205]
One among his kinsfolk the name of Wâ-te bore;
He for his lands and castles fealty to Hettel swore.
As kinsman of his master, he careful teaching gave him
In all things good and worthy, and in his watchful care did ever
have him.
[206]
A landed knight in Daneland was Wâ-te’s sister’s son,
The brave and upright Horant. Later his faith was shown
Unto his lord, King Hettel, who for his worth did crown him.
This to him he grudged not, but ever for a prince was glad to own
him.
[207]
Hettel, rich and mighty, at Hegeling held his seat,
Not far from the lord of Ortland; this is true, I weet.
He there owned many castles, eighty at least or over;
They who these strongholds guarded in truest faith and honor held
them ever.
[208]
Lord he was of Friesland, its waters and its land;
Ditmarsh, as well as Waleis, were swayed by his kingly hand.
Hettel was truly mighty; his kinsmen they were many;
Bold was he and daring, and ’gainst his foes he plotted, well as
any.
[209]
Hettel was an orphan, and so he felt the need
That he a wife should find him. To him, at last, were dead
Father as well as mother, who their lands had left him.
He friends in truth had many, yet found he much in life that of
bliss bereft him.
[210]
The best of these besought him some maiden’s love to seek,
Who of his birth was worthy. The knight did answer make:
“I here know none who fitly should be o’er the Hegelings seated,
Nor is there any lady who, brought from far, should as my queen be
greeted.”
[211]
Then spake a knight of Nifland, Morunc, a youthful lord:
“I know of a lovely maiden, of whom I oft have heard;
She in truth is fairer than all on earth now living.
Her will we gladly sue for, that she her troth to you may soon be
giving.”
[212]
Then quoth the king: “Who is she? her name I pray you tell.”
Then said Morunc: “’Tis Hilda, in Ireland she doth dwell;
Her father’s name is Hagen; King Ger was her forefather.
If to this land she cometh, your life will then be blissful
altogether.”
[213]
Then spake the young King Hettel: “I oft have heard it said,
Whoever woos this maiden her father’s wrath must dread.
Many a worthy suitor his life for her has ended;
But none among my vassals must meet his death for having me
befriended.”