Before they yet could help him, to Herwic and his men
The strife had now gone badly, his luck began to wane:
To him and all his followers was evil sore betiding;
Altho’ they struggled bravely, his foes too near his castle gate
were riding.
[700]
Great mishaps to Herwic from Siegfried’s kin arose;
For now the gates of the castle were shattered by their blows.
False friends had made it easy, and boasts too loudly spoken:
If e’er to such one trusteth, it worketh him no good, and his hopes
are broken.
[701]
Now ’twas told to Herwic, men fast for help had gone.
The foes from fight ne’er rested, by anger driven on;
From early morn to even, they oft to the strife were bidden:
But now the friends of Herwic on every side drew near, nor long lay
hidden.
[702]
When this the men of Karadie did learn, they well might fear
That now two kings against them in the fight should share:
For them it was unlucky that Hettel now was leading
His many fighters thither; he from afar had come, to Herwic
speeding.
[703]
Friends were they to each other; so both would meet the foe.
These, the men from Moorland, bold themselves did show:
One saw by all their bearing they would from none be flying;
Those who with them struggled by hardest toil must their reward be
buying.
[704]
Wâ-te, the very daring, with all his knights had come;
Gu-drun, the lovely lady, had called him from his home
To help her lover, Herwic, and a host had ridden hither:
Whate’er might now befall them, later full happy rode they thence
together.
[705]
Although their foes were heathen, from out the Moorish land,
They might not back be driven: one well might understand
That in any earthly kingdom they were the best and boldest.
To all who came to meet them they gave a sorry welcome and a shelter
coldest.
[706]
Herwic, king of Sealand, his loss would now make good
Upon his foes from Alzabie. For this must flow the blood
On either side of many; to friends and kin were given
Wounds full fast and heavy: to bear his own was hard for Hettel
even.
[707]
When they had come together of whom I spoke before,
Bringing all their followers, gladness they knew no more;
On them were ever resting heavy care and sorrow
For what the night might bring them. They thought: “How shall we
live to see the morrow?”
[708]
Thrice with the Moorish foemen they strove on the stormy field,
While peace was given the castle, as knights are wont to yield.
Again with sword and spear-shaft they the strife would settle:
Peace not yet they wished for, but wounds the more they got in
hard-fought battle.
[709]
Nor Herwic’s men nor Siegfried’s yet would leave the fight;
They to the last had struggled, and many a bravest knight
Upon the field lay wounded, or in death was sleeping.
This was told to the women, who now began a wild, unmeasured
weeping.
[710]
How well the daring Wâ-te in battle-storm did fight!
Strong was he and skilful, and oft the aged knight
Gave to the foe heart-sorrow, by all the ill he wrought him:
Ever to fight with his warriors, by the side of the boldest and
best, his wishes taught him.
[711]
Horant, too, from Denmark, brave was he enough!
Beneath his hand were shattered helmets strong and tough;
Ne’er by him ’twas forgotten to wear his armor shining;
Ill he wrought to many, and oft the ranks of his foemen he was
thinning.
[712]
The quick and fearless Morunc boldly stretched his hand
Ofttimes beyond his buckler, and oft the fight he gained.
To shun the king of Moorland ne’er would he be seeking;
Upon that king, so mighty, he the wrath of Herwic now was wreaking.
[713]
The great and doughty Hettel, when that his daughter fair
Had sent to beg her father in Herwic’s fight to share,
That peace at last might follow, fought for him not idly:
If life were dear to any, ’twere best to shun King Hettel’s borders
widely.
[714]
Bravely strove King Herwic on the field and at the gate;
None than he fought better. His head was often wet,
Beneath his armor dripping, with sweat that fast was oozing.
In death were many deafened; they who would crush him must their
lives be losing.
[715]
Wigaleis, the faithful, great ill to many wrought.
Sir Fru-te, too, from Daneland, with knightly prowess fought:
The thanks of all his fellows he should of right be sharing;
He strove where the fight was stormy, and none e’er knew an aged
knight so daring.
[716]
The lord who came from Ortland, Ortwin, brave and young,
Showed the hand of a warrior; it was on many a tongue,
That never man in warfare bore himself more boldly:
Wounds he gave the deepest, and this by none was ever told of
coldly.
[717]
For twelve long days of fighting, earnestly they strove.
The men led on by Hettel oft their spear-shafts drove
Thro’ their foes’ light bucklers, as close they met together:
The fighters proud from Moorland sorely rued the day that brought
them thither.
[718]
Upon the thirteenth morning, ere early mass was said,
With sorry heart spake Siegfried: “How many here lie dead
Of all our bravest warriors! In his lofty wooing
The king of Sealand also here to himself has evil great been doing.”
[719]
Then to the men of Karadie made he known his will,
To a stronghold to betake them, there their wounds to heal:
They, with those from Alzabie, were earnest to go thither;
Right glad were these far-riders that all in death might not be
found together.
[720]
Then to a sheltering castle to turn they all began,
Where onward, fast beside it, a wide, deep river ran.
While they were thither riding, fleeing away from danger,
They were still seen fighting with those who ne’er would yield their
homes to a stranger.
[721]
Now against King Hettel the king of Moorland rode:
Well might one believe it, his former warlike mood
Was but a slight beginning; he soon a foe was meeting
Who many of his kinsmen with deep and deadly wounds of late was
greeting.
[722]
Hettel, he of the Hegelings, and Siegfried, the Moorland king,
There unto the struggle all their strength did bring;
Shields were hacked to pieces by the swords they wielded:
The mighty lord of Moorland to the castle fled, nor to him of
Daneland yielded.
[723]
Camps by the men from Denmark for themselves were made:
Then the beleaguered warriors,— it cannot be gainsaid,—
E’er many days were over, with care were burdened sadly;
However good their shelter, all would then have been at home more
gladly.
[724]
Thus the boastful fighters were by the foeman’s hand
Fast held within the stronghold; nor was their knightly band
Now able to give battle, although for this yet longing.
Their castle well they guarded, as best they might, wherein they now
were thronging.
Tale the Fourteenth.
HOW HETTEL SENT TIDINGS FROM HERWIC’S LAND.
[725]
Hettel then sent tidings, to still their fears at home.
To the fair and high-born ladies men with news did come,
That unto the old and youthful, throughout the stormy fighting,
Good luck had aye befallen; and now, with hope must they for them be
waiting.
[726]
He bade his men to tell them how Siegfried was besieged,
While he with all his followers war against him waged,
To help the lord of Sealand, loved by Gu-drun, his daughter;
That all, as they were able, daily fought for her, and for him who
sought her.
[727]
Hettel’s queen, fair Hilda, the hope began to have
That luck would follow Herwic and all his warriors brave;
And, as their worth befitted, all might well be speeding.
Then said Gu-drun: “God grant it, that they our friends may back in
health be leading.”
[728]
By Wâ-te’s men from Sturmland, the foes from Alzabie
And all who came from Moorland were kept away from the sea;
Sadly must they tarry within the sheltering castle:
In Wâ-te and in Fru-te foes they had with whom they ill could
wrestle.
[729]
Loudly swore King Hettel the castle ne’er to leave;
That he and all his followers still to the end would strive,
Till those to him had yielded who now the Moor befriended.
Unwise had been their inroad, and this for them one day in sorrow
ended.
[730]
Meanwhile the spies of Hartmut, whom he had thither sent,
Tho’ little good they looked for, from the Norman border went;
Ever to learn what happened they a watch were keeping,
And from the stormy warfare they hoped that Hettel might no gain be
reaping.
[731]
Now they saw that Siegfried, the Moorland king high-born,
Was kept within the castle, besieged both eve and morn;
Thence could he sally never, and this he knew with sorrow;
His lands so far were lying, he little help from them could hope to
borrow.
[732]
The Norman errand-bearers, sent forth their watch to make
By Ludwig and young Hartmut, to them now hastened back:
The happy news they carried, and soon at home were giving,
That Hettel, the king, and Herwic were busy now, in warfare ever
striving.
[733]
To them the lord of Normandy thanks for the tidings gave,
And asked them: “Can you tell us how long those foemen brave,
The men from the land of Karadie, will in Sealand tarry,
Fighting ’gainst its warriors, till they, their wrongs avenged, of
war are weary?”
[734]
One of them made answer: “The truth you now may hear:
There they yet must linger more than another year.
Never from their stronghold will the Hegelings free them;
They there so well are guarded, that on their homeward way none e’er
shall see them.”
[735]
Then the knight of Normandy, the daring Hartmut, spake:
“This frees my heart from sorrow, and hope in me doth wake!
If they are now beleaguered, then are we well befriended;
We must to Hegeling hasten, ere Hettel’s fight with Siegfried shall
be ended.”
[736]
Ludwig and young Hartmut had both the selfsame mind,—
Had they ten thousand fighters whom they at once could find,
Gu-drun they might lay hold on, and to their home might carry,
Before her father, Hettel, came back again from the land where he
did tarry.
[737]
Hartmut’s mother, Gerlind, earnestly gave thought
To wreak her wrath on Hettel, that he to harm be brought,
Because her dear son Hartmut he shamefully had slighted.
She wished the aged Wâ-te and Fru-te might be hanged, for the help
they plighted.
[738]
Then spake the old she-devil: “Good knights, your hire behold!
If you will now ride thither, my silver and my gold,
That will I give you freely,— but women shall not share it.
I care not if Hettel and Hilda shall rue their wrong, and ne’er
again will dare it.”
[739]
Quoth Ludwig, Hartmut’s father: “We from our Norman land
Forthwith must make an inroad: soon will I have at hand
Twenty thousand fighters whom I for war will gather;
With these it will be easy to seize Gu-drun, and bear her from her
father.”
[740]
Then spake the youthful Hartmut: “Might ever this betide,
That Hilda’s lovely daughter I here should see my bride,
I would not take in barter for that a princedom fairest;
Then might we here together pass our lives, each one to the other
dearest.”
[741]
Busily his followers, hour by hour, gave thought
How they could do his wishes. A host King Ludwig brought
To lead against the Hegelings; well were they outfitted.
How should Hilda know it, that soon thereby her welfare would be
blighted?
[742]
The wife of Ludwig also helped them as she could.
For this she plotted ever, that fair Gu-drun be wooed,
And, as the bride of Hartmut, to Normandy be carried;
She did her best most busily that the maid one day should to her son
be married.
[743]
Ludwig said to Hartmut, his well belovéd son:
“Think well, O knight most worthy, no toil we now must shun,
Until our foes are mastered and from their lands are driven.
Reward the guests who help us; to our men at home by me shall gifts
be given.”
[744]
These they soon were sharing, all and every one.
Never yet in Suabia gifts so rich were known,
Of steeds for war or burden, saddles, and shields fair shining;
I ween they were gladly given: Ludwig ne’er before such thanks was
winning.
[745]
Quickly all made ready to start upon their way.
Sailors were found by Ludwig; skilful men were they,
Who the deep sea-pathways knew, and well could follow;
Hard must they be toiling to win their wages high upon the billow.
[746]
Now, in seemly measure, fit were they to go.
Throughout the lands and highways soon the news did grow
That Ludwig and young Hartmut home and land were leaving.
They yet would see much sorrow, when they erelong their Hegeling foe
were braving.
[747]
When to the shore they had ridden, ships were floating there,
That workmen well had builded, the knights away to bear;
Gerlind’s gold and riches had made them strong and steady.
Nor Wâ-te the old nor Fru-te of this knew aught, nor were for their
coming ready.
[748]
With three and twenty thousand they sailed the waters o’er.
Now for Gu-drun young Hartmut a weight of sorrow bore:
This, before his followers, to hide he was not earnest;
He hoped to meet King Hettel, and him to overcome in strife the
sternest.
[749]
As yet they knew not fully how they his land could reach.
To the sons of many a mother the raid did sorrow teach.
Near to the shores of Ortland the rolling billows bore them,
Before ’twas known to Hettel: now Hilda’s castle rose in sight
before them.
[750]
The warriors led by Hartmut were still twelve miles away;
Yet had they come already over the wide, deep sea,
Unto the land of the Hegelings, and to its shores so nearly
That castles, towers, and palaces in Hilda’s town they all could see
most clearly.
[751]
Ludwig, king of Normandy, bade that on the sand
They now should drop the anchors; he then gave word to land
To all his men together, and bade them do it quickly:
They now had come so near them, they feared the Hegeling bands would
gather thickly.
[752]
Then bore they up the weapons, with shields and helmets good,
That they had with them carried over the heaving flood:
They to fight made ready; yet they at first bethought them
To send through the land their runners, to learn if friendly helpers
might be brought them.
Tale the Fifteenth.
HOW HARTMUT CARRIED AWAY GUDRUN.
[753]
Now at Hartmut’s bidding heralds quickly rode
To where the queenly Hilda and her daughter dear abode.
To them his word they carried, that if to wed the maiden
They should think him worthy, her and her mother both it well might
gladden.
[754]
If she her love would give him, as he had asked before,—
Ofttimes his heart was heavy for the love to her he bore,—
That he would ever serve her so long as he was living,
And many lands wide-reaching, held of his father, would to her be
giving.
[755]
But if she would not love him, she then would earn his hate;
He asked of her that kindly she his love would meet,
So that he to his fatherland his lovely bride might carry
Without a fight or struggle. To hope for this brave Hartmut ne’er
was weary.
[756]
Did she gainsay his wooing, Hartmut sent this word:
“I will not be bought with silver, albeit a heavy hoard,
To leave in peace her kingdom; she yet shall give me heeding.
I will show Gu-drun, fair maiden, brave knights enough, to be for
her eyes fine feeding!
[757]
“Further, good errand-bearers, this say to her from me:
I ne’er will leave her borders to sail on the wide, deep sea;
Better will I think it to be hewn in pieces even,
Unless the Hegeling maiden will follow me hence, to me in wedlock
given.
[758]
“But, should she scorn me wholly, and never my bride will be,
Then me, with my daring fighters, riding here she will see.
Before the Hegeling castle I will then leave lying
Twenty thousand warriors, on both sides of the roadway, dead or
dying.
[759]
“Since by the craft of Wigaleis King Hettel has been led,
And by the aged Wâ-te, hither our way we’ve made
Into the Hegeling kingdom, time and toil thus spending;
For this shall many be fatherless, and glad shall I be of the whole
to make an ending.”
[760]
Those sent forth by Hartmut fast on their way did ride,
For he bade them wait no longer. They came to a castle wide,
By name ycleped Matelan; therein was Hilda dwelling,
And with her was her daughter, the maid about whose charms all men
were telling.
[761]
With them sent Hartmut also two earls of wealth and name,
Who with him out of Normandy over the waters came.
He bade them see Queen Hilda, and kindly to bespeak her;
To pledge to her his friendship, and say that his goodwill would
ne’er forsake her.
[762]
Of her they must ask her daughter, for him who in his mind
So high had ever set her, above all womankind:
In worthy love he wooed her, and she would rank be taking
That for aye would make her happy; to do her will she ne’er would
find him lacking.
[763]
To the maiden’s waiting-women the news was quickly told,
That from out the land of Normandy a band of wooers bold
Hither rode to Matelan, and for Gu-drun were suing:
Hilda hushed the tidings, for now Gu-drun in fright the tale was
ruing.
[764]
Queen Hilda’s faithful warders opened soon the gate;
Those who had ridden thither need no longer wait;
They to come in were bidden. The gate was thrown wide open,
And the men sent there by Hartmut into Matelan rode: no ill to them
did happen.
[765]
They quickly told their wishes, to see King Hettel’s wife.
It was not yet allowed them; they who should guard her life,
And to the king must answer, at first had this forbidden:
They never left uncared for Hilda the queen, and eke Gu-drun the
maiden.
[766]
At last the men of Hartmut into the hall were led.
To them the queenly Hilda kindly greeting made,
As did Gu-drun the lady, with fair and lofty bearing;
But she, the high-born maiden, love for Herwic in her heart was
wearing.
[767]
Altho’ they felt unfriendly, yet drink they gave to the men
Ere yet they told their errand; freely then the queen
Bade them to be seated before herself and her daughter.
She begged them then to tell her: “What boon to seek had brought
them o’er the water?”
[768]
All the men of Hartmut before their seats yet stood,
As well-bred men beseemeth, and errand-bearers should.
Then they told the ladies what they would there be doing,—
That for their master, Hartmut, they for the fair Gu-drun had come
a-wooing.
[769]
The high-born maiden answered: “Of this I nought will hear,—
That with the young King Hartmut I the crown should share,
Before our friendly kinsmen, and troth to him be plighted:
The name of the knight is Herwic whose love shall never by myself be
slighted.
[770]
“To him I am betrothed; me he chose for a wife,
And him for myself I have taken. Ever, throughout his life,
All of good I wish him that can henceforth befall him:
Ne’er, till my days are ended, will I ask the love of another, or my
lord will call him.”
[771]
One of them then answered: “This warning Hartmut gives:
If nay shall be your answer, before three days, if he lives,
Against great Matelan castle you shall see him leading
All his knightly followers.” Smiles at this were the maiden’s face
o’erspreading.
[772]
Their leave they would be taking, and hasten on their way,
Those two great earls so haughty; but Hilda bade them stay.
Altho’ she ne’er had known them, of gifts she was not chary;
But yet they would not take them, for crafty men were they, and in
truth were wary.
[773]
At those sent there by Hartmut Hettel’s followers sneered,
And said, their scorn and anger they very little feared:
If to drink the wine of Hettel they were, in truth, unwilling,
Then this warning gave they: that they their cup with blood would
soon be filling.
[774]
When they had heard this answer, back to the shore they went
Whence they had been by Hartmut upon their errand sent.
He then ran forth to meet them, to ask how they were treated,
And what had them befallen, and how his courtship by Gu-drun was
greeted.
[775]
Then one of them thus answered: “This to us they said:
The high and queenly maiden a lover long has had,
For whom, beyond all others, love in her heart she is feeling:
If you will not taste their wine-cup, they soon will fill to you,
your life-blood spilling.”
[776]
“Ah, woe is me!” said Hartmut, when he this answer heard;
“My heart is full of anger, with shame I hear your word!
Never men more friendly shall I need, till I am dying,
Than those who now will help me.” Straightway his men upsprang, on
the shore then lying.
[777]
Ludwig now and Hartmut, with their men, set out for war;
Their banners high uplifted in pride and wrath they bore.
These from Matelan castle were seen afar to shimmer:
“Cheer up!” then said the maiden; “Herwic and Hettel come! their
weapons glimmer!”
[778]
But Hilda saw the standard bore not King Hettel’s mark:
“Ah, woe shall now betide us before this day grows dark!
To seek Gu-drun are coming foemen grim and daring;
Many a well-made helmet their blows shall hew before the night is
nearing.”
[779]
Then her friendly Hegelings thus to Hilda spake:
“If those led on by Hartmut to-day an onslaught make,
Wounds we then must deal them, and show we are the stronger.”
Queen Hilda then gave bidding to shut the castle gates, and wait no
longer.
[780]
But the men of brave King Hettel followed not her hest;
They who the castle guarded thought to fight their best.
They bade that now their banners to the shafts be fastened;
King Hettel’s daring followers, to slay his foes, from out the
castle hastened.
[781]
The bars that should be lowered, to keep the foemen out,
Were left, in over-boldness, and the gates not fully shut,
Since from Hartmut’s foreguard they little harm foreboded.
But when they pressed in boldly, then came the rest, who ever on
them crowded.
[782]
A thousand men or over stood before the gate;
These, their swords upbearing, the fight did there await.
A thousand more with Hartmut now came thronging thickly;
They then from their steeds alighted, and back to the rear they sent
their horses quickly.
[783]
Spears in hand they carried, with points full keen to cut.
Who could shun their onset? With heavy wounds they smote
Those who the castle guarded, in their pride o’erweening.
Just at the hour came Ludwig, with his Norman knights, as the fight
was now beginning.
[784]
Much the women sorrowed as Ludwig nearer rode:
The banners o’er them floating well and proudly showed
The fearless foe oncoming; beneath each standard flocking,
Three thousand now came boldly, tho’ sad on their homeward way they
might yet be looking.
[785]
Before the walls beleaguered the guards were a busy band:
Never hardier fighters were seen in any land
Than were the faithful warders in Hettel’s castle dwelling;
Their blows they were thickly dealing, and Hartmut’s men their
strength were quickly feeling.
[786]
Ludwig, Hartmut’s father, the Norman king, was seen
From hardened rims of bucklers to strike a fiery sheen:
Truly, great was the bravery that now his heart was swelling;
His friends and followers also, in the bloody game, were bold beyond
all telling.
[787]
When they who the castle guarded hoped for rest and peace,
Then their daring foemen did nearer to them press,
Led by him of Normandy: the youthful Hartmut’s father
Grudged no toil to help him; and this from that day’s fight one well
might gather.
[788]
Now the trustful warders began in truth to mourn,
That they, ’gainst Hilda’s bidding, had their care forborne,—
The hest of the wife of Hettel, the high and worthy lady.
For this their shields were shattered, and many a life was lost, in
fight too ready.
[789]
Ludwig now and Hartmut on the field had met,
And, holding speech together, learned that, striving yet,
Queen Hilda’s men were seeking the castle gates to fasten;
Then, with shields before them, to bear their flags within they all
did hasten.
[790]
Rocks were hurled from the castle, and many spears were thrown,
But the foe it hurt but little, and his daring lessened none.
Little thought was given to the dead around them lying:
With heavy stones down beaten, many bold besiegers there fell dying.
[791]
When Hartmut and King Ludwig came within the gate,
Many, badly wounded, from them their death-stroke met.
For this the lovely maiden began to sorrow sorely;
Now in Hettel’s castle the woe they wrought was growing greater
hourly.
[792]
Then the king of Normandy was glad enough, I ween,
When to the halls of Hettel he could lead his men,
Bearing well their weapons: soon his banner fluttered
Over the roof of the castle. Hilda at this her sorrow loudly
uttered.
[793]
Greatly do I wonder what might these guests befall,
Had now the grim old Wâ-te been there, and seen it all,
The while the men of Hartmut, with Ludwig, brave and daring,
Thro’ the halls were rushing, and from her home the fair Gu-drun
were tearing.
[794]
Both Wâ-te and King Hettel, if to them that day
A warning had been given, would stoutly have barred the way;
They their foemen’s helmets with swords would so have riven
That back to their homes in Normandy, without Gu-drun, would they
have soon been driven.