Horant, lord of Daneland, then to his liegemen spake

Horant, lord of Daneland, then to his liegemen spake, And bade for the errand-bearers a safeguard now to make, And that the men of Hartmut should be by them well guided To the court of his lord, King Hettel; they grudged no toil, and well his bidding heeded.

When thro’ the Hegeling kingdom the heralds took their way, So lordly was their bearing, that often men did say: “These folk are rich and mighty, whatever they are seeking.” The news to the king was carried, and soon to him all men the tale were speaking.

To all the guests from Normandy were lodgings given there; The king now bade his liegemen to wait on them with care. He knew not yet their errand, and why to him they had ridden; But on the twelfth day, early, young Hartmut’s men before the king were bidden.

An earl there was among them; how well his breeding showed! Upon their clothing also were praises high bestowed; They rode the best of horses on which men e’er were seated, And before the king they gathered, in fairest guise, that well they might be greeted.

The king gave kindly welcome, as also did his men, Until their wooing errand was unto him made plain: Then were they ill-treated, and knew the king’s hard feeling. I ween the mighty Hettel to grant young Hartmut’s wish would ne’er be willing.

One who in that was skilful to the king the letters read; But he was greatly angered that they to court were led By the good and upright Horant, a knight so brave and noble; And, had they not his friendship, they had not left the king without more trouble.

Then spake to them King Hettel: “No good to you ’twill bring That you were sent a-wooing by Hartmut, your lord and king. To pay for this full dearly you may well be fearing; Your kingly master’s wishes both I and Lady Hilda are wroth at hearing.”

One among them answered: “Hartmut makes it known That much he loves the maiden; and if to wear the crown In Normandy she deigneth, before his friends there living, That he, a knight all spotless, will rightly earn the love she shall be giving.”

Then quoth the Lady Hilda: “How can she be his wife? A hundred and three of his castles his father held in fief, Within the land of Cardigan, from Hagen, my noble sire; It ill becomes my kinsmen to be King Ludwig’s vassals, or owe him hire.

“Ludwig dwelt in Scotland, and there it erst befell That a brother of King Otto did wrong to Ludwig deal: Both were Hagen’s vassals, and of him their lands had taken; And thus my father’s friendship for him was lost, and hate instead did waken.

“Say you now to Hartmut she ne’er his wife shall be. Your lord is not so worthy that he to boast is free, That he doth love my daughter, and she doth not disdain him; Bid him elsewhere be looking, if he be fain a queen for his land to gain him.”