His wolfish mother answered: “How could I better teach

His wolfish mother answered: “How could I better teach King Hettel’s ill-bred daughter? ’Twas bootless to beseech, Nor could I ever bend her, to make her leave her jeering: She scorned both you and your father and kindred, too: to this should you give hearing.”

Then again spake Hartmut: “Much wrong we’ve done the maid. Slain by us, her kindred and many knights lie dead; While from the lovely maiden her father we have taken, Slain by my father, Ludwig, and now with thoughtless words her woes we waken.”

Then answered him his mother: “My son, ’tis truth I say; If we Gu-drun, proud maiden, for thirty years should pray, If she with brooms were stricken, or with rods were beaten, Your wife we ne’er could make her; hopeless it is the wayward maid to threaten.”

She farther said to Hartmut: “However, since you bid, I’ll gladly treat her better.” But still her mind she hid, And Hartmut never knew it; erelong Gu-drun would find her Harsher yet than ever; and now the maiden’s wrongs could no one hinder.

Then went again old Gerlind to where Gu-drun then sat, And said to the Hegeling maiden, in her wrath and hate: “’Twere best you now bethink you, or else, my fair young maiden, You with your flowing tresses must wipe the stools and seats, with dust thick laden.

“Then the room I sleep in, mark what now I say, You, to do my bidding, must sweep three times a day; You carefully must warm it, and keep the fire well burning.” Said she: “That do I gladly, rather than take a lover I am spurning.”

Whatever she was bidden the willing maiden did; No work of hers she slighted, nor should for aught be chid. For seven years, full-numbered, in a land far over the water, The maid was toiling wearily, and none did hold her as a kingly daughter.

The years had long been running, and the ninth was coming on, When Hartmut to bethink him wisely had begun, That indeed ’twas shameful that he no crown was wearing; And for himself and his kinsmen ’twas right the name of king he now were bearing.

After heavy fighting, Hartmut, with his men, Bearing the prize of bravery, riding home was seen. He hoped the love of the maiden would now to him be granted; For, more than any other, he the fair Gu-drun for his true love wanted.

When he reached his homestead, he bade them bring the maid. His evil mother, Gerlind, allowed her to be clad In meanest clothing only: Gu-drun but little heeded The youthful Hartmut’s wooing; steadfast and true, no love from him she needed.

To him his friends then whispered, that, whether glad or no For this might be his mother, he never should forego To bend the maid to his wishes; and must his care be giving That so he might with the lady for many a happy day in love be living.

To the ladies’ room he hastened, when thus his kinsmen spoke, And there he found the maiden; her by the hand he took, And said to her: “Fair lady, love me now, I pray you, And sit as queen beside me; my knights and men shall worship ever pay you.”

Then said the lovely maiden: “For this I have no mind; For while the fiendish Gerlind to me is so unkind, The love of knights, tho’ worthy, I can long for never. To her and all her kindred henceforth am I a bitter foe forever.”

“Sorry am I,” said Hartmut; “to you will I make good The hate my mother Gerlind to you so harshly showed; As for both of us is worthy, your wrongs shall now be righted.” The high-born maiden answered: “I trust you not; your word need ne’er be plighted.”