Gu-drun then spake to her mother: “May blessings on you be

Gu-drun then spake to her mother: “May blessings on you be! Mourn not for the fallen; by both my lord and me Shall love to you be given: no more you need be feeling Heaviness or sorrow; your woes shall Herwic’s kindness now be healing.”

To her Queen Hilda answered: “Dearest daughter mine, If you would make me happy, henceforth must friends of thine Come to the land of the Hegeling thrice to see me yearly; Else must I greatly sorrow, and never can bear the loss I feel so nearly.”

Then said Gu-drun, the high-born: “Mother, it shall be done.” At once, with smiles and weeping, and glances backward thrown, She left the castle of Matelan, with many a friendly maiden. Her sorrows now were ended: nought before did ever maids so gladden.

Hither men brought horses, saddled and fitly bred, To bear her hence with her maidens; these their keepers led: Light were all the breastplates, and golden-red each bridle. I ween the ladies wished not longer far from home to linger idle.

Many, with hair down-flowing, and decked with gold, rode there; Methinks from tears and sorrow none could then forbear, Who must at last from Ortrun and from her maids be parted. Should Ortrun be unhappy, Gu-drun would then be sad and heavy-hearted.

Ortrun, betrothed to Ortwin, then her thanks did give To fair Gu-drun, the queenly, that she had granted leave To hold the Norman kingdom to Hartmut, her knightly brother: “Gu-drun, may God reward you! my cares are gone, I ne’er shall know another.”

To her mother Hilda, also, Ortrun her thanks did say, That she in Ortland’s kingdom the crown should wear one day, Together with King Ortwin, and there be called his lady. Then said to her Queen Hilda that she to grant her this was ever ready.

Ortwin then and Herwic each to the other swore, With strong and steady friendship, that they forevermore Would sway with right and honor the lands to them belonging, And ever would be earnest to seize and slay whoe’er was either wronging.