Now, throughout all Ireland, did Hagen his sway begin

Now, throughout all Ireland, did Hagen his sway begin. If ever among his lieges a deed of wrong was seen, At once for this the doer must pay with pain well dreaded; Of such, within a twelvemonth, eighty or more were for evil deeds beheaded.

An inroad made he later into the lands of his foes. He spared the poor, and brought not flames, to add to their woes; But if with pride and rudeness he was by any treated, He quick laid waste their strongholds, and deadly wounds in bitter wrath he meted.

When it came to fighting, he was a goodly knight. Of heroes high in breeding he soon brought low the might; To all he showed his bravery, whether far or near him. Of kings was he the Devil; in truth his many foes might greatly fear him.

The life he led was happy, nor of gladness asked he more. His wife, from far-off India, to her lord and master bore A fair and lovely daughter; she also, like her mother, Bore the name of Hilda; well known is her tale to us, and to many another.

Wild Hagen bade his maidens so to rear the child, That the sun ne’er shone upon her; nor were rough winds wild Oft allowed to touch her. She was by ladies guarded, And cared for by her kinsmen; most wisely was the trust to them awarded.

Before twelve years were ended the fair and well-born maid Was comely more than any, and her name was widely spread; Rich and high-born princes gladly would have sought her, And earnestly were thinking how they could win wild Hagen’s lovely daughter.

One of these same princes in Denmark had his home, Within the land of Waleis. When the tale to him had come About this lovely maiden, his longing ne’er would leave him; But he was scorned by Hagen, who swore of life and name he would bereave him.

Whene’er to seek the maiden men were by wooers sent, In his pride, wild Hagen upon their death was bent. He to none would give her who than himself was weaker; Of the tale of the mighty Hagen, far and near, was every man the speaker.

He bade that more than twenty of those sent there be hung; None might wreak his anger, though sore his heart was wrung. When all had done their errand, for Hagen’s daughter suing, “Enough,” soon went the saying: “’Twere best that none should go for her a-wooing.”

But still by high-born warriors the maid was not unsought. Let pride be ne’er so lofty, as we have long been taught, There always is another with just as high a bearing; While to win her kindness his yearning grows, and his toil he is never sparing.