Hartmut left his wooing to wait for many a year

Hartmut left his wooing to wait for many a year. Soon a tale was bruited (’twas true what men did hear) Of one whose name was Herwic, a king as yet but youthful; Often his worth was spoken, and men yet speak of him with praises truthful.

He began his wooing, trusting the lovely maid Would take him for her lover; long his hopes he fed, And much he toiled to win her, both with love and riches: But tho’ the maid was willing, her father, Hettel, he in vain beseeches.

Though Herwic long was striving, and men to seek her rode, Yet was his wooing slighted; for this his wrath he showed. The heart of proud young Herwic by heavy care was fettered; Freely his love he gave her, and thought a life with her could not be bettered.

There came at length a morning when it to them befell That in the Hegeling kingdom both knights and maids as well, With many lovely ladies, his coming never fearing, Before them saw bold Hartmut; Hettel could not believe he’d be so daring.

From this did endless evil soon come upon the land: These guests high-born and worthy were yet an unknown band; Hartmut and his kinsmen their host’s goodwill were sharing, And he the hope still harbored that the maid would yet the crown with him be wearing.

Now before Queen Hilda by ladies he was seen To stand with lofty breeding, and with a stately mien. There the proud young Hartmut wore a look so knightly, That he the love of ladies well might ask, and ’twould be granted rightly.

Well-grown was he in body, fair he was and bold, Kind as well as lordly. Why I ne’er was told Had Hettel and Queen Hilda from him withheld their daughter, When he had thought to woo her; wroth was he to be scorned when now he sought her.