Asleep still left he lying all his faithful men

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

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.”

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.

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!”

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.”

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.