Now Herwic made him ready, and to the strife gave thought

Now Herwic made him ready, and to the strife gave thought, With many faithful liegemen who oft had bravely fought. Those who to go were willing he for war outfitted; Though wintry was the weather, they to take the field no longer waited.

Of help the widowed Hilda sorely felt the need: Soon to her friends in Denmark she sent her men with speed, To tell the knights and warriors no more at home to tarry; For they to the Norman kingdom must ride, to free Gu-drun from bondage dreary.

They bore to the youthful Horant this errand from the queen: That he and all his kinsmen were to her lord of kin, And the sorrows of her daughter should by them be heeded; For death to her were better than ever that her child to Hartmut should be wedded.

Then sent the knight this answer: “Unto Queen Hilda say,— Though yet ’twill cost to women many a bitter day, I still, with all my followers, will help be gladly giving; For this will be heard the weeping of many a mother’s child, in the land now living.

“I bid you now, moreover, to say unto the queen,— Ere many days are ended, in her land will I be seen; Tell her that my wishes all to war are bending, And soon ten thousand warriors from out the Danish land will I be sending.”

The men sent there by Hilda of Horant took their leave: They sped to the Waalisch marches, and found Morunc the brave With all his men about him, a margrave rich and daring. He gladly saw them coming, and of a loving welcome was not sparing.

Then spake the knightly Irold: “Since now by me ’tis known That into the Hegeling kingdom, before seven weeks are gone, I with all my followers am bidden to be riding, For this will I be ready, whatever luck be there for us betiding.”

The news was spread by Morunc, within the Holstein land, That Hilda now was sending for all her friends at hand; He said that all good warriors must the field be taking. To the Danish knight, brave Fru-te, they also gave the word, his help bespeaking.

The worthy knight, then answering, his ready will did show: “Back to her home will we bring her. Thirteen years ago, We swore the land of the Normans should with war be wasted; ’Twas then the friends of Hartmut stole the maid Gu-drun, and homeward hasted.”