Gu-drun, the high-born lady, thus to the warrior spake

Gu-drun, the high-born lady, thus to the warrior spake: “This very morning early, ere yet they were awake, I left them in their castle; in their beds they slumbered. I know not if thence they have ridden: their men, I think, full forty hundred numbered.”

Again King Herwic asked her: “To us yet further tell, Why is it such brave princes in fear like this should dwell, That they so many warriors always should be needing? Had I that band of fighters, to gain a kingdom I would them be leading.”

To him Gu-drun thus answered: “Of that we nothing know; And where their lands are lying, that neither can we show: But from the Hegeling kingdom, although it is not near them, They fear that harm awaits them from foes who soon may come, who hatred bear them.”

Trembling, cold, and shivering, the maids before them stood; Then the knightly Herwic spake, in kindly mood: “I would, most lovely ladies, if we might be so daring, And if no shame it gave you, that on the shore our cloaks you would be wearing.”

Hilda’s daughter answered: “May God your kindness bless; We cannot take your mantles, but we thank you none the less. No eye shall ever see me manly clothing wearing.” If only the maidens knew it, much greater ills would they yet be often bearing.

Oft the eyes of Herwic did on the maiden rest; To him she seemed most comely, and her bearing was the best. For all her heavy sorrows sighs in his heart were wakened; And to one erst thought of kindly, from him long taken, he the maiden likened.

Then spake again young Ortwin, who was of Ortland king: “Can either of you ladies tidings whatever bring Of a band of homeless maidens who to this land were carried? Gu-drun was one among them, and gladly would we learn where she has tarried.”

To him the maiden answered: “To me is that well known; A maiden throng came hither in days now long bygone: They to this far-off kingdom by fighters bold were taken; And full of heavy sorrow came these maids forlorn, of hope forsaken.

“The maid whom you are seeking I know,” she said, “full well; I here have seen her toiling, this for a truth I tell.” She was herself the maiden who was by Hartmut stolen, Gu-drun, Queen Hilda’s daughter, and all she told had erst herself befallen.

Then spake the knightly Herwic: “Ortwin, list to me: If fair Gu-drun, your sister, yet alive may be, In any land whatever, for us on earth still watching, This must be that lady; ne’er have I seen two maids so nearly matching.”

To him then said young Ortwin: “The maid in truth is fair, But to my long-lost sister no likeness doth she bear. The days are not forgotten when we were young together; Should I rove the whole world over, so fair as she I ne’er could find another.”

When now Gu-drun, who listened, heard the name of the man, That his friend did call him Ortwin, she looked at him again: For she indeed were happy if she were thus befriended, And found in him a brother, for then her cares were o’er and her sorrows ended.

“However they may call you, a worthy knight are you: A man in all things like you in days of yore I knew; The name of Herwic bore he, in Sealand was his dwelling. If that brave knight were living, to loose us from our bonds he were not failing.

“I am one of the maidens whom Hartmut’s warriors stole, And bore across the waters, in thraldom sorrowful. Gu-drun you here are seeking, but need not thus have hasted; The queenly Hegeling maiden at last is dead, with toil and hardship wasted.”

The eyes of Ortwin glistened, filling fast with tears; Nor was it without weeping that now King Herwic hears The tidings to them given,— that fair Gu-drun, their lady, From them by death was taken; at this their heavy hearts to break were ready.