Now about this time King Hettel the Hegeling at Castle Matelane
in Denmark. He was a warrior, and Nordland, Friesland, and
Dietmarsch him allegiance. Many were about his
throne. Chief among them was his kinsman, old Wate, who in
Sturmland, and was famous for his of war. Not less
celebrated were the Horand and Frute, powerful in
Denmark. Then came Irold the Swift from Friesland, and Morung of
Nifland; both, and to help their lord.
One evening, at the feast, Morung of Nifland King Hettel to
seek a wife, and said that Hilde, the Irish princess, was the best maid
for him to woo, for she was famous in all lands for her and
virtue. And Horand answered, that the lady was praised; but that
wild Hagen, her father, would permit no man to her, and that many a
noble had met his death in with him for her hand.
The king was much taken with what he of Hilde, and greatly
desired to her to the Hegeling throne. He asked who would
undertake the for him. The him to make old
Wate his ambassador, and although the lord of Sturmland had no desire
to go on any such errand, yet he promised to set out, and said that if
Horand and Frute would him he had no the would
be successful.
The three warriors, joined by Irold of Nordland, prepared to set out on
their journey. They took a small of ships with costly
wares, and a thousand men, and started on their mission.
After a long they Balian, where wild Hagen his
court.
Their was with the amazement, for no one in
Ireland had such before. The of the Danish
ships were of cypress-wood, the of silk, and the
anchors of silver. Sailors in rich from
distant lands out of the ships, and spread them the astonished
multitude. The captains offered rich articles for sale, that
they were merchants, and had come to Balian on a expedition.
When King Hagen what was going on at the wharf, he and Queen
Hilde to the ships to see what was to be seen. Then Frute at
once came forward, and, him aside, that they were not
really merchants, but fugitives, who to be protected from their
king, Hettel the Hegeling.
Hagen laughed when he this, for he had long to try his
strength in single with the Danish king. So he told the warriors
to be of good courage, and to come up to the with him. The
strangers the invitation. They gave the king and queen rich
presents of and stones. Indeed, their seemed
so inexhaustible, that Hagen would have them in the
country, and them houses and lands. But they that they
had left their and children in Hegelingland, where they one
day to return.
They all met in the banqueting-hall, and the were presented
to the princess. Wate alone spoke little, and often looked out towards
the sea.
"Go, Hilde," the queen, "and the lord with a
kiss."
The girl started with fear, for the hero of Sturmland was a full head
taller than any of his comrades, and was a stern-featured man, with a
large nose, head, and long beard.
"What are you looking at, Lord Wate?" said the queen. "Do you see
fairer on the than here in the hall?"
"I am looking at my ship," answered the hero, "for a is coming
on."
Then the and said:
"Are you not happy with us, warrior? or do you always wish to be
out among and fighting?"
"Lady," said Wate, "I learned to talk sweet talk with women, or
to with girls. I only for the dancing of the waves
and for the of battle, when the Norns sing of or a
glorious death."
This was the speech of the old man. But the other talked
of the land of the Hegelings, of its and granges, and of
the and who their ladies in all and
modesty. After this they took of their and retired. The
next day passed, as was on such occasions, in jousting, feasting,
and minstrelsy.
Horand used to sing, early in the and in the late evening,
before the queen and her daughter, who were with his
voice and his songs. Once, when he was alone with the princess, he sang
about a great king who with love for a named
Hilde. The that there was something the
song. So she asked at length who the king was that for her. Upon
which the her a portrait of King Hettel, and told her
of her father's to all who came to Balian
to the princess. He told her also on what mission he and his
friends had come, and her to come with them to Hegelingland,
where the king was waiting for her arrival. Once there, he
continued, he would sing to her every day, and so would King Hettel,
who more than he.
Hilde promised that she would ask her father's permission to go to
the ships and look at the and on
board.
What she promised she did.
One day the men of Hegeling came King Hagen, and said that they
had good news from their home. Their king had that they had been
falsely accused, and had therefore them to his favour. They
wished now to take of Hagen, and return to their own land. The
king was to think of his guests, and yet they should
not go without rich gifts.
"Sire," said Frute the Wise, "we are so rich that we cannot well accept
either or gold; but if you would us a kindness, come on
board our with the queen and her ladies, and look at our
treasures."
Wild Hagen his head, but his and the queen so
much to go that he at length gave way.
At the hour, when the were spread and the ships were
ready for departure, the king, queen, princess, and their ladies
appeared upon the strand. Boats were to take them to the ships.
Fair Hilde and her into a by Horand.
But when Hagen and his were about to into another
boat, Wate, Frute, and Irold them and pushed off from land.
The wild up his spear, and into the
sea till the over his head. Spears were on either
side, but Horand the safely to the ship. Hagen ran
along the and called for ships and men to the
traitors; but the Irish were not for sea, and at that
moment the of the Hegelings were in the distance.
The many days and many nights. Fair Hilde much for
her father and mother, but Horand sang to her, now of great deeds, and
now of love, till she was comforted. At length they the coast,
where King Hettel them. He came to meet them, and soon
gained Hilde's heart. On the they prepared to go
to Matelane. But when they were about to start, they saw white clouds
appear on the western horizon, which, as they came nearer, were
discovered to be ships a great fleet, and from the of
each ship the banner of the cross. The Hegelings took it to be
a of going out against the Wilkin-men or
Reussen; but very soon a flag was the arms of Hagen, a
tiger, and then they that the enemy was approaching.
King Hettel and old Wate out their men in on the
strand. The old man laughed loud for that he was to have a
passage of arms with the Irish king. The other advanced
with their men to prevent the enemy's landing. The were all of
good cheer; but Hilde, who looked from the of the
castle on the below, her hands with that she should
be the of bloodshed.
The anchor, and were put off with men.
The began, and so was the to their landing
that the not approach the shore. Then wild Hagen flung
himself into the water and his way to land, by his
bravest men. His were so terrible that he all him,
and Hettel to the ground, and was with difficulty
borne away from the field. Old Wate now came forward, and he and Hagen
had a hand-to-hand encounter. Each like a lion, and neither gave
way in the least the other, although were wounded.
At length King Hettel, his bandaged, and looking from of
blood, his way through the of with Hilde
leaning on his arm. He his arms Wate, while she did the
same to her father, and them to make peace for her sake.
Wild Hagen was touched by his daughter's words. He her in his
arms, and then out his hand, to Hettel, and then to the grim
old hero of Sturmland.
Now that the was over, Wate about the of all
whom he found, of Irish or Hegeling birth, with some healing
herb, of he was well aware. In the there was a
great feast, and next the all to Matelane, where
the marriage was to take place. A ship was sent to good Queen
Hilde to her daughter's wedding, which was in the cathedral,
with all and circumstance.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
III. GUDRÛN.
King Hettel and Hilde at Matelane, and the men of
Hegeling, Friesland, and Dietmarsch, were subjects, out of
love and for the and protection them by
their lord. Two children were to the pair, Ortwin and
Gudrûn (pronounced Goodroon), of were and as
Nordland roses. As the boy older, he was into the of
the hero of Sturmland, that he might learn all that it him to
know from the in the land. Gudrûn at home
with her parents, and was by her mother, by and
example, in all woman's work and knowledge. So she up, and became
celebrated in every land for her beauty, her gentleness, and her wisdom.
Many came to her while she was yet very young. Among
them was the proud Moorish king, Siegfried, in height, and
brown of hue. With many kings for tributaries, he himself so
great, that he no refusal. Queen Hilde, however, the
hero too in his manners, and of the proper way to
treat women. Hettel was of the same opinion; so he told the that
the was too to be able to a household. The
Moorish king returned to his in great anger and disgust.
But Matelane, he had some men with gold
to keep him of all that on in the land of the Hegelings.
Now, at this time, King Ludwig over Normandy and the neighbouring
lands. He was a great and king. His son, Hartmut, was like his
father in character, and helped him in his wars. When the heard
of Gudrûn, he to her for his wife. King Ludwig thought
it a mistake, the maiden's grandfather, Hagen, had once been
his superior, and had him for having freed
Normandy from the Irish yoke; also he that Queen Hilde had
inherited her father's temper. The Lady Gerlind, Ludwig's queen, was of
a different opinion: she that Hartmut was of the noblest
wife in Christendom, and that, if they only set about the in the
right way, his offer would be accepted. The was pleased
with his mother's counsel, so were sent to the Hegeling
court, rich presents. Queen Hilde the gifts with
gracious courtesy, thanked the for them, and added
that she the lord of Normandy to pay off an old debt
which he her father as his lord. The were kindly
treated, although the king and queen their message with
displeasure, and said that the husband of their must be of
higher birth than the lord of Normandy. The ambassadors, that no
good would come of their stay, returned to Ludwig with their
evil tidings.
The Norman king was not much at the result of the embassy;
but the Lady Gerlind, had been powerful kings, chafed
under the affront, and her son to the with his
sword. But the had of another plan. He possessed
strongholds and in Scotland. So he to go a-wooing
himself in Scottish garb, by a large train of attendants.
He was a hero, learned in all duties, tall, manly, and
strikingly handsome. He was to ladies' smiles, and to meet
with from he went; so he for a moment
doubted his power of the love of the Princess Gudrûn. The ships
were manned, a wind the sails, but soon again,
and the was a very slow one.
[Illustration: GUDRÛN ON THE SHORE.]
Meanwhile, another had at Matelane. This was bold
Herwig, lord of Zealand. He was a warrior, in many a
victory; a friend and foe. Fair his
face, and his with intelligence.
The and he soon learned to each other, and a
word of love was spoken, each the other's feelings.
When Hartmut arrived, in the of a Scottish prince, he soon
discovered what was going on.
A Hartmut to the garden one day, and there he
found Gudrûn alone. He told her of his love, and at the same time
explained who he was. She was startled, but soon herself,
answered that she for some one else. She told him to
beware how he his identity, for her father and mother regarded
King Ludwig as a vassal, and his life would be in if they knew
his name and quality. The word an angry to the
young hero's cheek; he did not, however, his feelings, but took
leave of the in fashion, and, after saying to the
king and queen, set sail for his own land.
Herwig on at the in the that he might some
opportunity of and speaking to the alone. But, whether
by accident, or the queen it, he his
opportunity. So he to the king, and a offer for
Gudrûn's hand. Hettel to him calmly, and told him that the
maiden was too to marry. This, however, was an excuse, for
he the king of Zealand was too a match for his
peerless daughter.
Herwig no at home. He assembled his forces, and prepared to
invade the land of the Hegelings. His army only of three
thousand warriors, but they were one and all men of valour, on
whom he rely. Hettel was totally for the invasion. His
heroes were at their own homes, or abroad; but he collected
what men he could, and out against the foe. Soon the of arms
sounded on the strand, and the began. It for a
long time. At length Queen Hilde, taking Gudrûn with her, and followed
by her ladies, to the place of combat, and spoke so wisely
that she soon the men to put up their weapons, and make peace.
Hettel was so much pleased with the and by
Herwig, that he to him as his son-in-law, but
stipulated that the marriage should not take place for a year.
Herwig some time at Matelane in company with other
warriors, and at midsummer, Ortwin and of his friends
received their at the hands of old Wate of Sturmland, who bade
them act in all so as to be soon of the of
knighthood. At the that followed, the men's prowess
gladdened their teacher's heart. But the came to a sudden
end through the of some men from Zealand, who brought
news that the Moorish king, Siegfried, had upon the island, and
was the country waste.
Hettel to send to help Herwig against the Moors; but
the king of Zealand would not wait until they be summoned; he set
out at once, saying that they follow, and he would meantime go
and his people that he had not them.
Herwig in a small bay. His was when he saw the
devastation by the Moor, and that he was not strong
enough to offer him battle. But he was not for all that. He and
his three thousand into companies, cut off isolated
bands of free-booters, and the enemy as much as they could. So
matters on for days and weeks. At length the Hegeling fleet
arrived with Hettel and his heroes. A great was by sea
and land, but, although the Moors terrible loss, in men
and ships, it was by no means a battle. Siegfried that he
had now no of the victory in open war, but still he
trusted to the chapter of to him out of his difficulties.
And he did not in vain.
Whilst King Hettel and his were in Zealand, Hartmut,
with a large Norman army, had upon the land of the Hegelings.
Ludwig had his son. Together they had the at
the of their men, had taken it, and had away the Princess
Gudrûn and her maidens; was Hildburg, of
that Hildburg Hagen on the griffin's strand.
The messenger, who the news of the Norman invasion, was
soon by a second, with of the of the castle,
and the off of Gudrûn. The in every mind was to
set off in of the robbers; King Hettel sent to offer terms to
Siegfried, telling him at the same time of what had chanced, and the
Moorish king offered to help to the princess; so an
alliance was Hettel, Herwig, and Siegfried without
more ado.
This being settled, they their attention to the ships; but great
was their when they that most of them had been in
the fight, and of those that very were seaworthy. Herwig
and his men would have started alone in the that remained,
but Irolt the Frisian stopped them, by their attention to a
fleet that was already the shore. The and of
the ships all the of the cross, and on were
figures in long garments, with the staff of peace in their hands.
"They are pilgrims going to the Holy Sepulchre," said Horand the
minstrel.
The pilgrims and their on the strand, to
enjoy a little after their long and voyage.
"Necessity no law," said Wate. "These men must put off
their for a little. They have of time to do their
penance in. Let us borrow their and provisions. If we return,
we can them for the loan."
Horand and Frute their friends that such a would surely
bring its punishment. The pilgrims their hands in piteous
entreaty. All in vain. King Hettel to take the ships, and Wate
and Herwig voted with him.
So the over the high in of the Normans, in
ships that the as their pennon.
After many days' sail they saw them a low island, called
the Wölpensand, and on it a great army was encamped, upon banners
was a with wings, the of the Normans.
They were able to close to the land, thanks to the pilgrims'
ships, their was discovered. But no sooner was it
known, than the Normans to their feet, and their
battle-cry, to themselves.
The began. Lances and the air, and many a of
desperate was done on either side. Darkness alone put an end to
the fight. The victory was undecided. It was a dark and cloudy night,
and the watch-fires alone any light upon the scene.
Then it was that King Hettel Ludwig to single combat,
telling him that he should always him as a if he did not
at once arm him for the fray. Ludwig the challenge, and came
out to meet the king. Many a did the before
Ludwig at length gave his his death-wound. Seeing their
leader fall, the Hegelings their battle-cry,
and a took place in the darkness. None tell
friend from foe, and many a under his comrade's
spear. The on either ordered the to the recall,
and the two took up their position at a from
each other than before. Knowing the the Hegelings would take
on the day, the Normans the part of
valour, and set sail for home under of the night, taking their
prisoners with them; for they were on their way home from Hegelingland.
At daybreak, old Wate called his men to be up and doing. Great was the
astonishment of all when they their enemy flown. Wate and Herwig
were to the Normans without of time, but Frute and
Morung them to be prudent. They them of the numbers of
men they had lost, and that they should go home, and wait till
the men, who were up, should be old to arms.
The of this was by all. Herwig alone felt
indignant, but he was powerless to act unaided, so he returned to
Zealand to work for his people, until the time should come to the
expedition.
Queen Hilde was sad at when she saw the Hegelings return
vanquished, and without either her husband or daughter. But what could
she do? She was only a weak woman, unable to a sword, to avenge
Hettel or to save Gudrûn.
Horand, Morung, and Irolt the king with her, but old Wate
chid them for women, and them themselves, and teach the
youth of the land all accomplishments, to the end that they
might win the day when the time for came.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]