Ludwig, king of the Normans, and Hartmut, too, his son

Ludwig, king of the Normans, and Hartmut, too, his son, Now, with all their followers, far away had gone, And on a lone, wild seashore, after their toil, were resting. Though many there were gathered, yet little happiness they then were tasting.

’Twas on a broad, low island, hight the Wulpensand, That now the brave King Ludwig, and they of the Norman land, Shelter for men and horses had found unto their liking; But a doom to them most woful erelong must come, instead of the rest they were seeking.

The very high-born maidens, torn from the Hegeling land, Had been led out, and wandered along the barren sand; So far as ’twas allowed them to show their feelings freely, They who had been stolen in sadness wept before the foeman daily.

Fires upon the seashore were seen on every side; The men from far-off Normandy were thinking there to abide. Gladly with the maidens would they seven days have rested, And there have made them lodgings; but every hope of this erelong was blasted.

While on this isle forsaken Hartmut now must stay, Loth were he and his followers the hope to put away, Which till now they fostered, that they for rest might tarry Throughout a week in the shelter whither they the maidens fair did carry.

It was from far-off Matelan that Ludwig and his band The fair Gu-drun had taken unto this lonely strand; Nor felt they now uneasy lest to their hidden dwelling Wâ-te them should follow, and never harm from him were they foretelling.