Had not the kindly maidens sought to end the fight

Had not the kindly maidens sought to end the fight, Soon the earl of Garadie he would have killed outright. ’Gainst neither low nor mighty did his anger falter; These warriors and sailors now to Ireland’s shores their way must alter.

They began at once to hasten, lest he their lives might take; For now the wrath of Hagen made them with fear to quake. For seventeen days the sailors from toiling never rested, And sorely were they frightened; whene’er he seemed unkind they ills forecasted.

When he now drew nearer unto his father’s shore, He saw the roomy castles he well had known before; Soon a lofty palace he spied at the edge of the river; Three hundred towers fully he there beheld, as strong and good as ever.

In it dwelt King Sigeband, with his proud and queenly wife. Again each pilgrim sailor thought to lose his life; For should the lord of Ireland aught of them be learning, They feared that he would slay them; but Hagen stood between, his anger turning.

Then spake unto the pilgrims that brave and warlike man: “Your peace will I make gladly, altho’ I do not reign; I hold no sway in the kingdom, but thither will I be sending, And ’twixt yourself and my father of the hatred old I soon will make an ending.

“Would any now be doing what wealth to him will bring, Let him my errand carry. Whoever to the king Shall say what I shall bid him, gold will I give him truly; And also, very gladly, my father and my mother will reward him duly.”

Twelve of the stranded pilgrims he bade to ride away: “Now ask of the king, my father,” thus the youth did say, “Whether to see young Hagen, his son, he still is yearning,— Him who erst by the griffin was stolen far away, heart-sorrow learning.

“I know that what you tell him the king will not believe; Then ask you of my mother if she her faith will give, And if for her child to own me she will at last be willing, If I upon my bosom will show a golden cross, the proof fulfilling.”

When those he sent had ridden farther into the land, They found, in the palace seated, Queen U-te and Sigeband. Then knew the king that the riders from Garadie came thither, And that they to him were foemen; at this both he and his men were wroth together.

He asked of them how dared they to come within his land? Then one among them answered: “We are sent here at the hand Of your son, the youthful Hagen. If any fain would meet him, He now is here, so near you, that you ere many hours, in truth, may greet him.”

Then spake the kingly Sigeband: “To cheat there is no need; The loss of my dear little one, who hath so long been dead, Still my heart’s deep sorrow doth too oft awaken.” “Ask, then, the queen, your lady, if for a falsehood should our word be taken?

“The little boy so often in her fond care has been, She knows if on his bosom a golden cross was seen. And if upon this wanderer be found the self-same token, You as your child can own him; you then will grant that truth by us is spoken.”

Then to the Lady U-te the tale was quickly told; Glad was she of the tidings, yet mourned she as of old. She said: “Now let us hasten, that the truth no more be hidden.” Her lord then bade to saddle; and steeds for himself and his bravest knights were bidden.

Straightway one of the pilgrims to the fair Queen U-te said: “I will tell you, if you listen, what now to do you need. You first must carry clothing for each young lovely maiden Whose coming does you honor; as followers of your son were they hither bidden.”

Soon brought they richest clothing, and tiring-women, too; The queen was also followed by men both brave and true. They found the youthful Hagen, who on the shore was standing; And many men from Garadie, who with the wandering boy on the beach were landing.