“I see another banner, on it a chevron red,
With sharpened spears within it; for this shall many bleed.
Ortwin it is who bears it, from Ortland hither faring:
Erewhile we slew his father; no kindly thought to us he now is
bearing.
[1372]
“There floats another banner, whiter than any swan;
Blazons bright and golden you well may see thereon.
It is our mother Hilda who sends it o’er the water;
The hatred of the Hegelings will soon be known by me who stole her
daughter.
[1373]
“There I see uplifted a flag outspreading wide;
Of sky-blue silk ’tis woven. The truth I will not hide;
Herwic bears this banner, he in the Sealands dwelling.
Sea-leaves are shown upon it; he soon on us his wrath will here be
telling.
[1374]
“There Irold, too, is coming,— this that I say is true,—
From Friesland leading many, as well indeed I know,
With fighting men from Holstein, warriors brave and daring.
A stormy fight is nearing; now in our castle all must arms be
wearing.”
[1375]
Then cried Hartmut loudly: “Up, my faithful men!
If to these guests so warlike, who ’neath our walls are seen,
It may not now be granted to ride so boldly near us,
Then, before the gateway, with sword-blows we must greet them, and
bravely bear us.”
[1376]
Then from their beds upsprang they all who yet did lie;
At once, to bring their war-gear, loudly did they cry.
The call to guard their master gladly they were hearing;
Forty hundred warriors showed themselves, their shining armor
wearing.
[1377]
Ludwig and Hartmut with him armed themselves for fight:
To the sad and homeless maidens this was a sorry sight;
These within the castle uneasy hearts were keeping;
They said to one another: “Let him who smiled before this day be
weeping!”
[1378]
Quickly came Queen Gerlind, old King Ludwig’s wife;
She said: “What will you, Hartmut? Would you lose your life,
With that of all your kinsmen who here our lot are sharing?
The foe will surely slay you, if to leave the castle-walls you now
be daring.”
[1379]
The well-born knight then answered: “Mother, stay within;
You may not give your teaching to me or to my men.
Spare your words for women; they mayhap will listen,
While they sit at sewing, making their silks with gold and gems to
glisten.
[1380]
“Now, mother, let us see you send Gu-drun to wash,
As you did before, with her maidens, where the billows dash.
You weened they all were friendless, and had no kindred living;
You yet may see, ere nightfall, what thanks to us our guests will
yet be giving.”
[1381]
Then spake his devilish mother: “I did it for your sake,
Thinking her will to bridle. My bidding kindly take;
Strongly built is the castle, let now the gates be fastened;
They then will gain but little who on their toilsome way have hither
hastened.
[1382]
“Full well you know it, Hartmut, you bear the maiden’s hate,
For you have slain her kinsmen: your watch you must not bate.
It is not friends or kinsfolk who at our gates are knocking;
The proud and warlike Hegelings, twenty to one of us, come hither
flocking.
[1383]
“Of this bethink you further, my well-belovéd son:
Bread we have in the castle and wine for every one;
Food will not be lacking if here for a year we are staying;
But if on the field you are taken, our foes will you from bondage
ne’er be freeing.”
[1384]
Then to him spake further old King Ludwig’s wife:
“Ever guard your honor, but do not lose your life.
Bid men to shoot with longbows at the loop-holes standing;
So shall wounds be given, for which their friends at home will tears
be spending.
[1385]
“Let slings with ropes be fitted; we then will meet the foe
By hurling rocks upon them: knights we have enow.
Before with these new-comers you your swords are crossing,
Stones will I and my maidens bring in aprons white, on them to be
tossing.”
[1386]
Angrily spake Hartmut: “Lady, get you gone!
Why do you seek to lead me? Is not my mind my own?
Before my foes shall find me within my castle hiding,
Outside I would die far sooner, in fight with Hilda’s men, against
me riding.”
[1387]
Then to him said, weeping, old King Ludwig’s wife:
“I gave to you this warning that you might spare your life,
And guard yourself the better. Whoe’er is seen this morning
Beneath your banner fighting, rich gifts from us shall he be fairly
earning.
[1388]
“Now arm ourselves,” cried Gerlind, “stand by my son in fight;
Strike from your foemen’s helmets a glowing, fiery light.
Be always near your master, to help him ever striving;
Fitly these guests to welcome, deep be the wounds that you to them
are giving.”
[1389]
Then to his men said Hartmut: “My mother’s words are true;
If you to me are faithful, and strive your best to do,
And this day, in the struggle, to give your help are ready,
When fathers shall have fallen, a friend I’ll be to sons bereft and
needy.”
[1390]
A thousand and a hundred within King Ludwig’s halls
Now were all well-weaponed. Before from out the walls
Went any thro’ the gateways, they left the stronghold guarded;
Still within it posted, five hundred warriors brave the castle
warded.
[1391]
On four gates of the castle the bolts were backward thrown:
Ne’er had they been opened to a single spur alone.
Then with the youthful Hartmut, outgoing at his bidding,
All with helmets fastened, went thirty hundred followers boldly
riding.
[1392]
The hour of strife drew nearer. He of the Sturmisch land,
Wâ-te, his horn was blowing; and loud across the sand,
For thirty miles or over, men the blast were hearing;
The fighters of the Hegelings, to flock to Hilda’s flag, their arms
were wearing.
[1393]
Once again he blew it: at this should all take heed,
That every knight among them then should mount his steed,
And each his men should gather to ride as they were bidden.
A knight so old as Wâ-te, and yet so brave, to the fight had never
ridden.
[1394]
The third time that he blew it, he such a blast did make
That all the land was shaken, and the sea a sound gave back;
Almost from Ludwig’s castle the corner-stones were falling:
To raise Queen Hilda’s banner Wâ-te to Horant then was loudly
calling.
[1395]
They feared old Wâ-te sorely, none dared to speak aloud;
A horse was e’en heard neighing. Upon the roof now stood
Herwic’s well-belovéd, and saw the warriors daring,
Onward proudly riding, to wage the fight with Hartmut, nothing
fearing.
[1396]
Hartmut rode to meet them; he and all his men,
Bearing well their weapons, to leave the gates were seen.
Those from the windows gazing saw the helmets glisten
Of friends as well as foemen. Hartmut not alone to the fight did
hasten.
[1397]
To all four sides of the castle the foes their banners bore;
Bright in hue like silver was the armor that they wore;
The bosses of their bucklers were seen to glitter brightly.
Much was Wâ-te dreaded; no lion grim and wild were feared more
rightly.
[1398]
The fighters from the Moorland were seen apart to ride,
And heavy shafts were hurling; splinters were scattered wide.
When with the Norman foemen soon the fight did thicken,
Sharply from their weapons and from their breastplates fiery sparks
were stricken.
[1399]
The warriors from Denmark near to the castle rode.
There the mighty Irold six thousand fighters good
Up to the walls was leading, an onslaught to be making:
Brave and daring were they; sore ill from them erelong was Ludwig
taking.
[1400]
Elsewhere, riding boldly, Ortwin his followers led,
No less than eighty hundred; sorrow and woe they made
For many of the Normans, and all the land they harried.
Gerlind and Ortrun weeping, watching the fight from the roof,
together tarried.
[1401]
Then came Herwic also, betrothed to fair Gu-drun;
Through him full many a woman must come to sorrow soon,
When, for his heart’s belovéd, he to the fight was springing.
Beneath the heavy weapons were heard the clattering helmets loudly
ringing.
[1402]
Now came the aged Wâ-te, with warriors not a few;
Grim was he and fearless, as soon they all well knew.
His spear not yet he lowered as he to the walls came riding:
Sad was the sight to Gerlind, but other were the thoughts Gu-drun
was hiding.
[1403]
Then came the Norman Hartmut, riding before his men.
E’en had he been Kaiser, never would he be seen
To bear himself more proudly. In the sun was seen to glisten
All his shining armor. His boldness on the field not yet did lessen.
[1404]
When he was seen by Ortwin, the lord of Ortland’s throne,
He said: “Will any tell us, to whom this knight is known,
Who is the daring fighter now against us turning?
He shows as bold a bearing as if to win a kingdom he were yearning.”
[1405]
Then said one among them: “’Tis Hartmut whom you see;
There indeed is a warrior! a daring knight is he.
The selfsame foeman is he who erstwhile slew your father.
Where’er the strife is raging, a bolder man than he there’s not
another.”
[1406]
Angrily spake Ortwin: “Me for his wrongs he owes,
And must atone full dearly before from here he goes.
The ills that he has done us must he be soon undoing;
Gerlind cannot help him that he from hence may e’er alive be going.”
[1407]
Down upon young Ortwin Hartmut riding bore.
Altho’ he did not know him, deep he plunged his spur;
His horse sprang forward widely, against brave Ortwin driven.
Both their spears were lowered; fire on their armor flashed from
spear-strokes given.
[1408]
No thrust against the other did either leave undone:
The war-horse then of Ortwin was on his haunches thrown;
Soon, too, the steed did stagger whereon was Hartmut seated;
They could not bear the onset of kings who rushed together, to
madness heated.
[1409]
High upreared the horses; a mighty clang arose
From clash of kingly sword-blades. Thanks were due to those
Who the fight thus opened, as knights beseemeth ever.
Brave were both and fearless; to shrink from one another thought
they never.
[1410]
On both sides came their followers, lowering their spears,
And bringing death to many; each his foeman nears,
And in the shock of the onset heavy wounds was giving.
All of them were faithful, and well for a worthy name they now were
striving.
[1411]
A thousand ’gainst a thousand, now the strife began
Of Hartmut’s men with Wâ-te’s, each man against his man.
Soon by the lord of Sturmland were they so badly treated
That whoso now came near him never a second time with him was mated.
[1412]
Now were thickly mingled of foes ten thousand men,
Among King Herwic’s warriors; they came in anger keen.
Their mood it was so stubborn that rather than be flying
Far from the field of fighting, they on the ground would first in
death be lying.
[1413]
A knight indeed was Herwic; what daring deeds he did!
Earnest was he in fighting, that so the lovely maid
Might be to him the kinder. But how could he be dreaming
The boon could e’er befall him, that the eyes of fair Gu-drun on him
were beaming?
[1414]
Ludwig, king of the Normans, and they of the Danish land,
Now had met together. Ludwig bore in hand
His strong and heavy weapon; lordly was his bearing,
Yet he with all his followers to come too far without the walls was
daring.
[1415]
There, with his men from Holstein, Fru-te, brave and bold,
Slew full many a foeman; of this could much be told.
Now, too, from the land of Waleis, Morunc, many slaying,
Before King Ludwig’s castle made rich the earth with the dead he low
was laying.
[1416]
Irold, the youthful champion, a knight both true and good,
Slashed thro’ foemen’s armor, shedding their hot life-blood.
Under Hilda’s banner was Wâ-te’s kinsman fighting;
Many in death grew paler as Horant thinned the crowd he fast was
smiting.
[1417]
Now the young King Hartmut and Ortwin met again.
Thicker then than snow-flakes blown by the wind are seen,
The sword-strokes of the warriors upon each other lighted:
Thus it was that Hartmut once more by Ortwin on the field was
greeted.
[1418]
Gu-drun’s young brother, Ortwin, was bold and brave enow,
But Hartmut through his helmet smote him a heavy blow;
Over his shining breastplate soon the blood was streaming:
The followers of Ortwin sadly saw the flow, its brightness dimming.
[1419]
Great was the crush and uproar; hand to hand they fought;
Many wounds were gaping thro’ rings of steel well-wrought;
Many a head had fallen beneath the sword-strokes given:
Death was like a robber, that from their kin the dearest friends had
riven.
[1420]
Now saw the Danish Horant that Ortwin from his foe
A bloody wound had taken; then Horant bade them show
Who ’twas that thus had wounded his master loved so dearly.
Hartmut at this was laughing, for both upon the field had met too
nearly.
[1421]
Ortwin himself then answered: “’Tis Hartmut this has done.”
Then Hilda’s banner was given by Horant to one of his own;
Thinking thus the foeman he could harm the better,
And gain himself much honor: now he sought his foe with boldness
greater.
[1422]
Hartmut heard around him a loud and stormy din.
On many of his warriors streams of blood were seen
Fast from wounds out-welling; down to their feet ’twas flowing.
Then cried Hartmut boldly: “For this shall you atone, and this be
ruing.”
[1423]
Now he turned him quickly where Horant met his sight;
Then might one be seeing, so brave were both in fight,
How from their ringed armor sparks of fire were flying;
Blunted were the sword-blades which they on each other’s helmets
fast were plying.
[1424]
Hartmut wounded Horant, even as he had done
Not long before to Ortwin; a ruddy stream full soon
Ran from out his armor, at Hartmut’s hand forth welling.
Strong indeed was his foeman; who now to win his lands could hope be
feeling?
[1425]
Then in bitter struggle many, on either side,
Saw their bucklers shattered, tho’ strong and often tried;
Beaten were they and broken by sword-strokes quickly given
By each upon the other. Well to guard himself had Hartmut striven.
[1426]
Now the friends of Ortwin, and those of Horant, too,
Away from the field did lead them; and care did they bestow
To bind their wounds wide-gaping; no time for this they wasted.
Then again to the war-field the knights both rode; once more to the
strife they hasted.
[1427]
We now must leave them fighting as bravely as they will.
Who the day was winning, or whom his foe did kill,
Before King Ludwig’s castle, none could yet be saying.
Grimly strove the Normans; their foes, not less, for fame were
strength outlaying.
[1428]
Of all that there befell them none may ever tell;
But ’tis not yet forgotten that many a knight there fell.
On every side were sword-blades heard together ringing;
Foemen all were mingled, the slow with those who quick in fight were
springing.
[1429]
Wâ-te stood not idle, that can I well believe.
He bade farewell to many, nor longer let them live;
Cut down by him in the struggle, were they before him lying.
Fain were Hartmut’s kinsmen to wreak their wrath for friends who
there were dying.
[1430]
Now came Herwic nearer, so the tale is told,
And led against King Ludwig many a champion bold.
He saw that aged warrior his weapons bravely bearing,
Where he with all his liegemen, a wondrous host of foes beat down,
unsparing.
[1431]
Herwic called out loudly: “Can any one now tell
Who is that fighting graybeard, who all his foes doth fell?
Deepest wounds for many there his hand is hewing,
With bravery so fearless: women in tears will this erelong be
ruing.”
[1432]
When this was heard by Ludwig, outspoke that Norman foe:
“Who in the midst of battle seeks my name to know?
I bear the name of Ludwig: for Normandy I’m fighting;
Could I but meet my foemen, them indeed would I be sorely smiting.”
[1433]
Then spake to him King Herwic: “This thou well dost earn:
Seeing thou art Ludwig, with hate for thee I burn.
For us, upon the sand-drifts, many knights thou wast slaying:
Thou slewest Hettel also; a warrior brave was he, beyond all saying.
[1434]
“Still further thou hast wronged us, before thy day was done:
For this we still are mourning. I for my loss have known
Heart-heaviness and sorrow: thou hast my lady stolen
From me upon the Wulpensand; and many knights for her in death have
fallen.
[1435]
“I bear the name of Herwic: thou hast taken my hoped-for wife,
And again to me must give her; else to give his life,
With that of many a liegeman, must one of us be willing.”
Then King Ludwig answered: “Too boldly thou in my land in threats
art dealing.
[1436]
“Thy name, and this thy warning, thou hast no need to tell;
There yet are many others from whom I took, as well,
Their goods and eke their kinsmen. To trust my word be ready,
In this I will not falter; thou nevermore may’st hope to kiss thy
lady.”
[1437]
When they thus had spoken, the kings no more did rest,
But sprang upon each other. If either got the best,
To hold it was not easy; youths were forward pushing
Under both the standards, and daring knights to help their lords
were rushing.
[1438]
A fearless king was Herwic, and long and bravely fought;
But quickly Hartmut’s father the youthful Herwic smote,
Till he began to stagger ’neath blows by Ludwig given,
Who gladly would have slain him, or would from out his lands his foe
have driven.
[1439]
If Herwic’s faithful followers so near him had not been,
And given help so quickly, never could he, I ween,
Have freed himself from Ludwig, or left the field yet living;
So well that aged warrior to make young Herwic dread him now was
striving.
[1440]
But help to him was granted, his life he did not lose;
And, neither stunned nor wounded, he from his fall arose.
Then to the roof quick turning, his eyes he now was raising,
To see if, ’mongst the ladies, his heart’s beloved had on his fall
been gazing.
Tale the Twenty-Eighth.
HOW HERWIC SLEW LUDWIG.
[1441]
Now said Herwic sadly: “Ah, welaway! Woe’s me!
If fair Gu-drun, my lady, my fall did lately see.
Should e’er the hour be coming when I shall clasp the maiden,
And as a wife shall own her, with blame and scorn shall I by her be
laden.
[1442]
“Sorely doth it shame me, that now the gray old man
Thus has overthrown me.” Forthwith he bade again
His men to raise his banner, and ’gainst King Ludwig bear it;
Then rushed they on the foemen, who might not flee the fight, but
all must share it.
[1443]
Ludwig heard behind him an uproar loud and din;
Then he turned him quickly, and Herwic sought again.
Soon he heard on helmets many sword-blows stricken.
Those who stood near Ludwig well might dread the wrath that both did
quicken.
[1444]
They sprang upon each other, and fast and well they smote;
Blows on blows loud sounded the stormy field throughout.
Who can tell how many now in death were lying?
The day was lost to Ludwig, who there his strength with Herwic would
be trying.
[1445]
Soon Gu-drun’s betrothéd reached over Ludwig’s shield,
And smote him ’neath his helmet; well his sword did he wield.
Him he sorely wounded, and strength no more did leave him;
Grim death he there awaited until King Herwic should of life bereave
him.
[1446]
Then Herwic with his broadsword smote the king anew;
At once the head of Ludwig from off his shoulders flew.
Well repaid was Herwic for his shameful overthrowing;
The king lay dead before him. For this fair eyes must soon be
overflowing.
[1447]
Ludwig’s faithful followers, after their king was slain,
His banner to the castle thought to bear again;
But all too far from the gateway they had now been straying:
From them the flag was taken, and death must them erelong with their
lord be laying.
[1448]
The watchman saw from the castle how Ludwig lost his life;
Then was heard the mourning of knights and many a wife:
Their king, so old and mighty, they knew in death was lying;
Gu-drun and all her maidens stood in the hall in fear, and loud were
crying.
[1449]
As yet the Norman Hartmut, knew nothing of the tale,
How that the king, his father, and kinsmen young as well,
With many bravest warriors, now in death were sleeping,
Then he heard from the castle the shrieks and wails of those who
there were weeping.
[1450]
Now the knightly Hartmut unto his followers said:
“’Tis best we hence withdraw us; how many here lie dead
Who in stormy fighting thought our men to be slaying!
Now will we seek the castle, and there until a better time be
staying.”
[1451]
To him they listened gladly, and followed where he rode.
Great was the work of slaughter the field around them showed,
Where with grimmest foemen they were closely warring;
Freely had blood been flowing beneath the hand of Hartmut and his
followers daring.
[1452]
“So well,” he said, “have you helped me, who my kinsmen are,
That all my lands and riches gladly with you I’ll share.
We now will ride to my castle, and there to rest betake us;
Men the gates will open, and wine for us will pour, and mead will
make us.”
[1453]
Fallen knights full many they left on the field behind:
Were these of the land the owners, still with no braver mind
They then had met the onset. Those for the gates now striving,
By Wâ-te and his thousand were not allowed to reach the castle
living.
[1454]
He with a host of fighters near the gates was seen,
When Hartmut with his followers sought to come within;
They in this were baffled, and their strength were wasting.
Those who the castle guarded heavy stones from off the wall were
casting.
[1455]
They hurled them down so wildly on Wâ-te and his men,
Like hailstones they were falling, with not a stop between.
Wâ-te recked but little how many were dead or living,
Might he the day be gaining; to this alone his thoughts he now was
giving.
[1456]
Hartmut saw old Wâ-te before the castle-gate.
He said: “Tho’ from our foemen our gains this day are great,
Before it shall be ended, for this their hate they’ll show us:
Let now the strong be heedful; dead must many lie on the field below
us.
[1457]
“Fear and care it gives me that many here are seen
Whom we must now be meeting. Wâ-te with all his men
I see before the gateway, there with sword-strokes hewing.
If he of the gate be keeper, I look for little kindness he’ll be
doing.
[1458]
“See for yourselves, my warriors, the gateways and the walls
By foes on all sides girded; knight to knight there calls.
The roadways all are crowded, whichever way we’re turning:
Gu-drun’s good friends and champions will spare no toil; to win the
day they’re burning.
[1459]
“That you may know too truly, as I see already well;
Friends we must lose full many. Howe’er it so befell,
Before the outer gateway already see I waving
The Moorland foeman’s banner; lest they get in, a care must you be
having.
[1460]
“Near to the second gateway I see yet other foes:
I saw Lord Ortwin’s banner, as on the breeze it rose.
Gu-drun’s young brother is he; fair women’s smiles he’s seeking:
Ere he shall cool his anger, beneath his blows will helmets yet be
breaking.
[1461]
“Now see I, too, brave Herwic, before the third gate there;
With him seven thousand followers upon the field are near.
He comes in guise most knightly, to win his own heart’s lady;
On him are gazing gladly the fair Gu-drun, and many maids already.
[1462]
“To hasten back to my castle, the thought too late has come.
I know not where, with my warriors, now to seek a home.
I see the stern old Wâ-te before the fourth gate fighting;
My many friends in the castle, I fear indeed must long for us be
waiting.
[1463]
“Fly from here I cannot; no wings for this have I;
Nor in the earth can hide me, whatever else I try.
Neither from the foeman to the waves can we be turning:
Now, in our lot so wretched, what best it is to do from me be
learning.
[1464]
“Good knights of mine, now hearken; there’s nothing left to do
But, to the ground alighting, their hot life’s-blood to hew
From out the ringed armor: fear not the word I’ve given.”
Then, from their saddles leaping, their horses back at once from
them were driven.
[1465]
“Now on, brave knights and warriors!” Hartmut called to all;
“To the castle-gates press nearer, whatever may befall.
I yet must meet old Wâ-te, whether I live or am dying;
To drive him from the gateway, and from the walls, I will at least
be trying.”
[1466]
Soon, with swords uplifted, rushing on were seen
The brave and youthful Hartmut, and with him all his men.
He fell upon grim Wâ-te, who met his coming gladly;
Now their sword-blades clattered, and many knights lay dead, or
wounded badly.
[1467]
When Wâ-te saw young Hartmut the onslaught on him make,
While Fru-te bore the banner, in wrath old Wâ-te spake:
“I hear the swords loud ringing of many pressing near us;
I beg, dear cousin Fru-te, let none come out from the gates; from
that now spare us.”
[1468]
Then Wâ-te, wild with anger, did on King Hartmut run;
But he, so brave and daring, the onset would not shun.
The sun with dust was darkened, now from the struggle rising:
Their strength was unabated; still for good name they fought, that
both were prizing.