Early on the morrow, after the mass was said

Early on the morrow, after the mass was said, To don their richest clothing strove each wife and maid: A throng of these King Hagen to the sandy shore was leading; And with them riding gayly a thousand stalwart Irish knights were speeding.

Within the town of Ballian the guests had heard the mass. Of all the woe and sorrow, that soon would come to pass, Hagen as yet knew nothing: little honor was left him By his guests’ withdrawal; this of his fair and well-born child bereft him.

When now they all had ridden to the ships upon the strand, Queen Hilda and her ladies were lifted down on the sand. The young and lovely maidens to see the ships were taken: The traders’ booths were open, and the goods did wonder great in the queen awaken.

Many fair-wrought jewels lay in sight in the shops, Such as men prize highly; King Hagen to see them stops, And many with him also: soon as the goods were shown them, The maidens, too, must see them, and rings and bands of gold were pressed upon them.

To see the sights King Hagen into a boat had gone: Not all the booths were open, nor all the goods were shown, When Wâ-te’s men heaved anchor up from the sea-sands deftly, And Hilda with her maidens was borne away from the land of her fathers swiftly.

For no one’s hate and anger Wâ-te greatly cares; Little he recks what happens to the shops of costly wares: Hilda, the queenly mother, was sundered from her daughter; The men, in the ship long hidden, up-sprang and sorrow made for Hagen on the water.