Ludwig then and Hartmut, lords of the Norman land

Ludwig then and Hartmut, lords of the Norman land, Talked aside together. Then to his faithful band Spake the elder warrior: “Why be longer staying So near the brave old Wâ-te, who all of us is madly bent on slaying?”

The wily king then bade them: “Lie low, and be not seen, With your heads upon your bucklers: you then must make a din; And so the men of the Hegelings my plan will not be knowing,— That, if I now can do it, I with you all may hence unseen be going.”

Ludwig’s men and kinsmen did as he had said: They upon their sackbuts and trumpets loudly played, As if they, by their prowess, the land had gained them wholly. Ludwig now to his followers showed his crafty plot and cunning fully.

Then were heard, on all sides, mingled shouts and cries; But wailing from the maidens was not allowed to rise: All who would not stop it were threatened death by drowning,— To be sunk beneath the waters,— if they were sobbing heard, or loudly moaning.