Thus she spake in anger: “What does this gadding mean?
Stripes upon your bodies you both have earned, I ween,
Thus upon the seashore, in the evening light, to wander;
For me it were unseemly into my room to take you, after loitering
yonder.”
[1276]
She said: “Now tell me quickly, think you this is meet?
You spurn the greatest princes, and show them nought but hate,
But linger yet, at nightfall, with low-born varlets flirting.
Would you be thought of highly, know you that this your own good
name is hurting.”
[1277]
The well-born maiden answered: “Why speak of me so ill?
Never have I, poor maiden, had the thought or will
With any man to tattle, however dear I held him,
Unless it were a kinsman; a talk with him I rightfully might yield
him.”
[1278]
“Say you I chide you wrongly? Hush, you idle jade!
For this, to-night, I tell you, a reckoning shall be made.
To be so bold and shameless you then will dare no longer;
Before with you I’ve ended, your back shall feel that I than you am
stronger.”
[1279]
“In that will I gainsay you,” said then the maiden proud;
“Again with rods to beat me you ne’er shall be allowed.
You and all your kindred in birth are far below me;
You may yet for this be sorry, if treatment so unseemly you shall
show me.”
[1280]
Then spake the wolfish Gerlind: “Where is my clothing left,
That, folded in your apron, you thus your hands have wrapt;
Bearing yourself so idly, now from toil thus turning?
If I live a little longer, another kind of work shall you be
learning.”
[1281]
King Hagen’s grandchild answered: “Down by the deep sea-flood
I left your clothing lying. It was too great a load;
I found the weight too heavy, alone to the house to carry.
If never again you see them, but little I care, the while with you I
tarry.”
[1282]
Then quoth the old she-devil: “All this shall help you not;
Before I sleep this evening, bitter shall be your lot!”
Then were tied, at her bidding, rods from hedges broken;
Gerlind would not give over the training hard ’gainst which the maid
had spoken.
[1283]
Then strongly to a bedstead she bade them bind the maid,
And alone in a room to leave her, where not a friend she had:
There should she be beaten, till skin from bone was falling.
When this was known to her women, they all began to weep, and loud
were wailing.
[1284]
Then spake Gu-drun, with cunning: “Now list to what I say:
If I with rods am beaten thus shamefully to-day,
Should e’er an eye behold me with kings and princes seated,
And I a crown be wearing, to you a fit reward shall then be meted.
[1285]
“Henceforth for me such teaching ’twere best you let alone;
Sooner the king I’ve slighted shall have me for his own:
Then as queen of Normandy here will I be dwelling;
And when I here am mighty, what I will do may no one now be
telling.”
[1286]
“Be this your will,” said Gerlind, “angry no more I’ll be:
E’en if a thousand garments you thus had lost for me,
I would, in truth, forgive it; well you will have thriven
If to my son, young Hartmut, the Norman prince, your love at last be
given.”
[1287]
Then said the lovely maiden: “I now would take some rest;
This care and heavy sorrow my strength doth sorely waste.
Send for the young King Hartmut, bid him be hither speeding,
And say, whate’er he wishes, that I henceforth will always do his
bidding.”
[1288]
Those who heard them talking, straightway to Hartmut ran,
And to the youthful warrior told the tale again.
Some of his father’s liegemen there with him were seated,
When word to him was given in haste to seek Gu-drun, who for him
waited.
[1289]
Then said the one who told him: “Give me now my fee;
Queen Hilda’s lovely daughter will grant her love to thee.
She bids you now to hasten at once to her in her bower;
No longer are you hated, for better thoughts she harbors than of
yore.”
[1290]
The high-born knight then answered: “To lie you have no need.
If true indeed were your tidings, well should you be feed;
By me would three great castles and a hide of land be given,
With sixty golden arm-bands; while bliss thenceforth my days should
long enliven.”
[1291]
Then said to him another: “This tale, I know, is true;
The fee should I be sharing. At court they wish for you;
Gu-drun, the maid, has said it. To love you she is ready;
And if in truth you wish it, she in your land will be your queen and
lady.”
[1292]
To those who told the tidings his thanks young Hartmut gave;
From off his seat, o’er-gladdened, upsprang the warrior brave.
He thought that, in His kindness, God this boon had done him,
And, with a heart now happy, he sought the maiden’s bower who love
had shown him.
[1293]
In garments wet there standing, was seen the high-born maid;
With eyes still dim with weeping, greeting to him she said.
Forward she came to meet him; and now so near was standing
That he, in fondness turning, her in his arms would clasp, towards
her bending.
[1294]
She said: “Not so, King Hartmut, this you may not do;
For men in truth would wonder if they should look on you.
Nought am I but a washer; in scorn would they be holding
You, a king so mighty, if in your arms Gu-drun you should be
folding.”
[1295]
“This will I, Sir Hartmut, freely to you allow,
When, by my crown, your kinsmen me as a queen shall know.
No longer shall I scorn you, when I that name am bearing:
For both will this be fitting; me in your arms to take you may then
be daring.”
[1296]
Then, with all good-breeding, he farther off withdrew,
And thus Gu-drun he answered: “Maiden fair and true,
Since now you deign to love me, richly will I reward you;
Myself and all my kinsmen, whate’er you bid, will kindness show
toward you.”
[1297]
Then said to him the maiden: “Such bliss I never knew.
If, after my weary toiling, I aught may ask of you,
This first of all I wish for, that I, poor wretched lady,
This night, before I slumber, may have for me a restful bath made
ready.
[1298]
“And list to me yet further: another boon I crave;
’Tis that my friendly maidens I now with me may have.
Among Queen Gerlind’s women you will find them, sad and weary;
But in their room no longer those toiling ones away from me must
tarry.”
[1299]
“Your wish I grant you freely,” the young King Hartmut said.
Then from the room of the women the many maids were led;
With hair unkempt and streaming, and scanty clothing wearing,
They to court betook them: for them the wicked Gerlind nought was
caring.
[1300]
Of these came three and sixty; on them did Hartmut look.
Then Gu-drun, the high-born, with lofty breeding spoke:
“Behold, my lord, these maidens! Is it your worth befitting
That they are thus uncared for?” He said: “No more shall they the
like be meeting.”
[1301]
Then spake the high-born lady: “Hartmut, for love of me,
I beg that these my maidens, whom here in shame you see,
May have a bath made ready. Let now my word be heeded;
You ought yourself to see them decked in the comely clothes they
long have needed.”
[1302]
To her then answered Hartmut, of knights a worthy one:
“Gu-drun, belovéd lady, if clothes the maids have none
Erst by them brought hither, when they their home were leaving,
To them yet other clothing, the best in all the world, will I be
giving.
[1303]
“Gladly would I see them, with you, more fitly clad.”
Then by those in waiting baths were ready made.
Among the kin of Hartmut chamberlains many were there;
To help Gu-drun they hastened, thinking that later she their hopes
would further.
[1304]
Gu-drun and all her maidens were by the bath made glad;
Then the best of clothing that any ever had
To all the homeless women alike was freely given.
The lowliest one among them might gain the love of a king, if she
had striven.
[1305]
When they their bath had taken, wine to them was brought;
In all the land of Normandy none better need be sought;
And soon the weary maidens the best of mead were drinking.
To Hartmut thanks were given; to gain such praises how could he e’er
be thinking!
[1306]
Soon the lovely maiden was seated in the hall.
Gerlind bade her daughter then, with her maidens all,
To don their clothing quickly, the finest and most fitting,
If they Queen Hilda’s daughter wished to see, among her maidens
sitting.
[1307]
At once the well-born Ortrun clothed her in her best;
To seek Gu-drun then straightway gladly did she haste.
The grandchild of wild Hagen quickly went to meet her;
When they saw each other, the happiness of both was never greater.
[1308]
Each one kissed the other, ’neath a band of gold on her head;
The hue of both was brighter for the golden light they shed.
Each in her way was happy; Ortrun’s eyes were beaming,
To see the high-born washer in finest clothes now clad, so comely
seeming.
[1309]
The poor Gu-drun was blithesome, as we have said before,
That soon her friendly kinsmen she would see once more.
The maidens sat together, with playful talk now gladdened;
Whoever looked upon them might gain a happy heart, however saddened.
[1310]
“’Tis well for me,” said Ortrun, “that I have lived till now,
When as the wife of Hartmut you here yourself will show.
To one who loves my brother gladly will I give her
The crown of my mother, Gerlind, that I of right should wear did I
outlive her.”
[1311]
“Ortrun, may God reward you,” thus the maiden spake;
“Whatever you shall bid me, that will I do for your sake.
You have bewept so often the sorrows I was bearing,
From you will I ne’er be sundered, and every day shall you my love
be sharing.”
[1312]
Then with maiden wiliness spake the fair Gu-drun:
“Now you ought, Sir Hartmut, to send out runners soon,
Through all the Norman kingdom, to give to friends your bidding,
As many as will hear it, to come to your palace now, to see our
wedding.
[1313]
“When peace is in your borders, this to you I say,
Before your host of warriors I will wear the crown one day.
How many he has who woos me thus shall I be knowing;
Then before your liegemen myself and all my kin will I be showing.”
[1314]
The maid in truth was crafty; from the castle on that day
A hundred men or over did Hartmut send away.
So, when the Hegeling fighters should for him be seeking,
Fewer foes should meet them: for this was Gu-drun their going thence
bespeaking.
[1315]
Then spake the old Queen Gerlind: “Now, fair daughter mine,
You two must leave each other; when another morn shall shine,
Then may you be together, with none your bliss forbidding.”
She left Gu-drun, low bowing, and begged that God would her in his
ways be leading.
[1316]
Then did Hartmut leave her. All hearkened to her word;
They gave to the maiden cup-bearers, and carvers at the board:
The high-born lady’s wishes they bade should well be heeded;
Nor food nor drink she wanted: busy were they to bring her all she
needed.
[1317]
Then spake one lovely maiden among the Hegeling band:
“When we on this are thinking, how from our fatherland
Our foes have brought us hither, to live unblest forever,
We still are bowed with sorrow; when in our homes, such woe we
thought of never.”
[1318]
She then began a-weeping, where sat her lady fair.
When this was seen by others who stood beside her there,
They felt yet greater sorrow their heavy hearts now filling.
All then wept together; but they saw their mistress, fair Gu-drun,
was smiling.
[1319]
They thought that now forever they far from home must stay:
But their lady ne’er was thinking to bide so long away;
They would, ere four days later, their freedom all be knowing.
The time had come already to whisper to Gerlind that they would soon
be going.
[1320]
Beyond her wont a little to laugh had the maid begun;
For fourteen years now bygone she never bliss had known.
Of her glee the bad she-devil quickly now was hearing;
She gave the hint to Ludwig, for care she felt, and anger past all
bearing.
[1321]
She went at once to Hartmut, and said: “Oh, son of mine,
List to the truth I tell you! throughout this land of thine,
All within it dwelling shall see both strife and toiling.
Why it is I know not, the fair young queen, Gu-drun, is now so
smiling.
[1322]
“I know not how it happened, or how the news she heard,
But men sent out by her kinsmen hither to come have dared.
Therefore, knightly Hartmut, some way must you be choosing,
Lest, thro’ the friends she looks for, your worthy name and life you
may be losing.”
[1323]
He said: “Be not so fearful. I grudge it not to the maid
That she, with all her women, should for a time be glad.
All her nearest kinsmen far from me are dwelling;
What harm can they be doing? I need not guard ’gainst ills they may
be dealing.”
[1324]
Gu-drun, now over-wearied, some of her maidens sent
To see if her bed were ready, for she on sleep was bent;
For a night at least her sorrow she could now be leaving.
Then went with them most kindly King Hartmut’s chamberlain, his
service giving.
[1325]
Youths of the Norman palace before her bore the light;
On her they ne’er had waited until that very night.
Thirty beds or over now were found made ready;
Nice were they and cleanly, meet for Gu-drun and many a well-born
lady.
[1326]
On them were pillows lying from far Arabia brought,
With green, like leaves of clover, and other hues, inwrought.
Bedspreads on them hanging were sewed in strips most fairly;
And red as fire was shining the gold mixed in with silken threads
not sparely.
[1327]
Beneath the silken bedspreads fishes’ skins were laid,
To make them thicker and warmer. The fair and lovely maid,
Thither come from the Hegelings, Hartmut would be wooing,
For he as yet knew nothing of the harm to him that her friends would
soon be doing.
[1328]
Then said the high-born maiden: “To sleep you now may go,
All you that wait on Hartmut; we, too, the same will do.
I, and my ladies with me, one night at least will rest us;
For, since our coming hither, freedom from hardest toil hath never
blest us.”
[1329]
All who there were gathered of Hartmut’s knights and men,
The wise as well as youthful, thence to go were seen;
They to rest then hasted, the ladies’ bower now leaving.
Wine and mead unstinted to the homeless maids were others freely
giving.
[1330]
Then said Hilda’s daughter: “Now shut for me the door.”
They barred the ladies’ bedroom with heavy bolts full four:
The room was shut so tightly that what therein was doing,
However much one listened, outside he nought could hear, nor might
be knowing.
[1331]
Awhile they all were seated, merrily drinking wine;
Then said Gu-drun, the queenly: “Dearest maidens mine,
You well may now be happy, after your heavy sorrow:
Your friends I soon will show you; on gladsome sights your eyes
shall feed to-morrow.
[1332]
“Herwic, my betrothéd, did I this morning kiss,
And Ortwin, too, my brother; you now may think on this.
She shall soon be richer, and care from her be taken,
Who shall well be mindful, when night is over, me in the morn to
waken.
[1333]
“You well shall be rewarded. To us glad days are nigh:
And freely will I give you castles strong and high,
And with them many acres; for these shall I be gaining,
If I the day shall witness when, as a queen, I o’er my lands am
reigning.”
[1334]
They now lay down to slumber, with hearts all free from care.
They knew to them were speeding knights full brave to dare,
Who erelong would help them, and their woes would lighten.
To see them they were hoping, soon as to-morrow’s sun the day should
brighten.
Tale the Twenty-Sixth.
HOW THE HEGELINGS LANDED NEAR LUDWIG’S CASTLE.
[1335]
We ask you now to listen to a tale as yet untold:
Ortwin still and Herwic their way did onward hold
Until they found their followers on the seashore standing.
Then ran these Hegeling liegemen to meet them on the sands where
they were landing.
[1336]
Them they gladly welcomed, and bade that they make known
The news that they were bringing, and freely all to own.
First they asked of Ortwin, if he could them be telling,
If still Gu-drun were living, and if in Ludwig’s land she now was
dwelling?
[1337]
The knightly Ortwin answered: “Of this I may not speak
To each and all that ask it; the truth I will not break
Till all are met together; then shall you be hearing
All that our eyes there greeted, when we to come near Hartmut’s
walls were daring.”
[1338]
The word was told to others, and soon a mighty band
Of warriors brave and knightly around the two did stand.
Then to them said Ortwin: “Sad is the news I give you,
And, were my wishes granted, gladly I’d spare the tale, for much
’twill grieve you.
[1339]
“List to what has happened, for wonders now begin;
Gu-drun, my long-lost sister, I, in truth, have seen,
And with her also Hildeburg, erst in Ireland living.”
When he the tidings gave them, they thought the tale he told not
worth believing.
[1340]
All then said together: “It is not well to jest;
For her we long have waited, and now our time you waste.
We hoped from Ludwig’s kingdom you would bring her sooner;
To Ortwin and his followers belong the shame and blame for wrongs
still done her.”
[1341]
“Ask you, then, King Herwic: he, too, has seen the maid;
And he can also tell you what wrongs on us are laid.
Could you, my friends, bethink you of any shame that’s greater?
We found Gu-drun and Hildeburg upon the seashore standing, washing
in the water.”
[1342]
Soon were his kindred weeping, all who there were seen.
At this the aged Wâ-te right scornful was, I ween:
“Truly for women only is such behavior fitting;
Why you weep you know not. This, in a knight, one never should be
meeting.
[1343]
“But if you are in earnest, to help Gu-drun in her need,
The clothes that she has whitened must you in war make red.
Erst white hands did wash them for men who must be bleeding;
So you now may help her, and soon the maid forlorn be homeward
leading.”
[1344]
Then said the Danish Fru-te: “How can this be done?
How can we reach their kingdom before our plan is known,
Before the men of Ludwig, and Hartmut’s knights, are learning
That Hilda’s friends are gathered, and toward the Norman land at
length are turning?”
[1345]
Then said the aged Wâ-te: “Hear what ’tis best to do;
I trust before his castle fitly to meet the foe,
If I may live to see him there before me standing.
Brave knights, your rest now leaving, soon on the Norman shore must
you be landing.
[1346]
“The air is fresh and gladsome, the sky is broad and bright,
And, well for us it happens, the moon will shine to-night.
From the sandy shore now hasten, my warriors bold and daring:
Before it dawns to-morrow, we King Ludwig’s stronghold must be
nearing.”
[1347]
Then they all were busy, when thus old Wâ-te spoke;
Soon their clothes and horses on board the ships they took.
All the night still sailing, towards the land they hasted;
And ere the morrow’s daylight, before the castle, on the sands they
rested.
[1348]
Hushed were all by Wâ-te, throughout the warlike band,
As soon as they to rest them lay down upon the sand.
To his water-weary followers leave for this was granted;
Their shields about them spreading, on them they laid their heads,
for sleep they wanted.
[1349]
“Whoe’er to-morrow morning hopes to gain the fight
Must not,” said the aged Wâ-te, “oversleep to-night.
For the struggle now before us we hardly can be waiting;
As soon as morning lightens, then, good knights, the foe must we be
meeting.”
[1350]
“Further I give you warning: whoe’er my horn shall hear
Along the seashore sounded, soon as it meets his ear,
Let him at once make ready the foeman to be meeting.
When I shall blow at daybreak, no longer then may any there be
waiting.
[1351]
“When I again shall blow it, let each to this give heed;
Quickly let his saddle be laid upon his steed.
Let him then be waiting, till I see ’tis daylight fully,
And the time has come for the onset; let none hang back, but meet
the struggle truly.”
[1352]
To do as Wâ-te bade them their word they gladly gave.
How many a lovely woman did he of bliss bereave!
For soon their dearest kindred unto death were wounded,
Who now were only waiting until the horn in the early morning
sounded.
[1353]
“When you, my friends and kinsmen, thrice my horn shall hear,
Then, seated on your horses, must you your weapons wear;
Thus must you, brave warriors, wait, your steeds bestriding,
Till me you see, well-weaponed, under the fair Queen Hilda’s banner
riding.”
[1354]
Now on the seashore weary lay they, one and all;
Very near were they resting to old King Ludwig’s hall.
Altho’ the night had fallen, its towers they saw while waking;
The brave and fearless warriors in stillness lay, no sound or outcry
making.
[1355]
The early star of morning now had risen high;
Then came a lovely maiden unto the window nigh.
She there was gazing skyward, to see when day was breaking,
That she might bring the tidings, and rich reward from fair Gu-drun
be seeking.
[1356]
Ere she long had waited, there dawned on the maiden’s sight,
With its wonted gleam on the waters, the early morning light;
Then the sheen of helmets and many shields there flittered:
Foes had besieged the castle, and all the sands below with weapons
glittered.
[1357]
Back then went the maiden to where Gu-drun she found:
“Arouse, my queenly lady, wake from your slumber sound!
The land is held by foemen, who will these walls be storming;
We have not been forgotten by those at home; our friends come hither
swarming.”
[1358]
Gu-drun, the high-born lady, quickly sprang from her bed,
And, hasting to the window, to the maid her thanks she said.
“For this good news you give me, wealth shall you be earning.”
After her heavy sorrow, now for her friends Gu-drun was sorely
yearning.
[1359]
Rich sails were seen to flutter near by upon the sea;
Then said the high-born maiden: “Ah, wellaway! Woe’s me!
Would that I ne’er were living!” the wretched one was sighing:
“Many a doughty warrior this day for me shall here in death be
lying.”
[1360]
While thus she was bewailing, nearly all still slept;
But soon was one heard shouting, who guard for Ludwig kept:
“Be up, you careless warriors! your arms, your arms be taking!
And you, my king of Normandy! I fear that all too late you will be
waking.”
[1361]
This the wicked Gerlind heard, as the warder cried;
Then, while fast he slumbered, she left the old king’s side.
Up to the roof of the castle then at once she hastened;
She thence saw many foemen, and on her devilish heart great sorrow
fastened.
[1362]
Back again she speeded to where she found the king:
“Awake, my lord, make ready for guests who followers bring!
Now hem they in your castle, and well may they be dreaded:
That smile of young Gu-drun will cost your knights a strife as yet
unheeded.”
[1363]
“Hush!” then answered Ludwig, “I will go myself to see;
We must all be bravely waiting for whatsoe’er may be.”
Then looked he from his castle, to see the foemen thronging;
His eyes by guests were greeted, on whom to look he never might be
longing.
[1364]
Before his palace waving, he saw their banners spread;
Then said the old King Ludwig: “Let some one go with speed
And bear this news to Hartmut. I for pilgrims take them,
To sell their wares come hither; before my hall a market would they
make them.”
[1365]
Then they wakened Hartmut, that he the tale might hear.
Outspoke that daring warrior: “Let none be sad or fear.
I see full twenty princes their blazoned banners bearing;
I ween these foes are coming to wreak the hate they long ’gainst us
are wearing.”
Tale the Twenty-Seventh.
HOW LUDWIG AND HARTMUT MET THE HEGELINGS.
[1366]
Asleep still left he lying all his faithful men.
He and his father Ludwig, the twain, to go were seen,
And, gazing from the window, they saw the throngs below them.
Quickly then said Hartmut: “Too near our castle-walls methinks they
show them.
[1367]
“I ween they are not pilgrims, in truth, my father dear;
More like it is that Wâ-te and all his men draw near.
He from Sturmland cometh, the lord of Ortland bringing;
The men I see are like them, as I know from the flag that they to
the breeze are flinging.
[1368]
“I see a brown silk pennon, that comes from Karadé;
Before that flag is lowered, many will rue the day.
On it a head is blazoned,— as red as gold it glitters:
Guests so bold and warlike we well can spare; their sight the day
embitters.
[1369]
“The Moorland king is bringing full twenty thousand men,
Knights as strong and daring as any I have seen;
To win from us great honor methinks they now are craving.
There comes another banner, that o’er yet other knights its folds is
waving.
[1370]
“It is the flag of Horant, the knight from the Danish land;
I see with him Lord Fru-te, I know both him and his band.
And hither, too, from Waleis, many foemen leading,
Morunc now comes riding; he, for the morning’s fight, o’er the sands
is speeding.