Of these the very lowest had clothing of the best

Of these the very lowest had clothing of the best. If others than the Normans were bidden to the feast, Or why they called them thither, I have no way of telling: Full thirty thousand were they whom there they brought, in Norman lands once dwelling.

Clothes for all were wanted, but where could these be found? If e’en the wealth of Araby any there had owned, I ween he could no better or finer clothes have given Than now they shared so freely: that this should be, Gu-drun her best had striven.

Soon as this lovely maiden by the guests had now her seat, She sent for her brother Ortwin, and did his coming wait, That she the word might give him to be fair Ortrun’s lover; She, King Ludwig’s daughter, beside Gu-drun was seated then, as ever.

Ortwin, lord of Ortland, made haste to his sister’s bower: Him welcomed many a maiden who sat with her that hour. Then, from her seat arising, by the hand she kindly took him; And him aside then leading, at the further end of the hall she thus bespoke him,

Saying: “Dearest brother, hear what for you is best; All that I shall tell you comes from a faithful breast. If you for bliss are hoping, so long as you are living, Then for Hartmut’s sister you must, as best you may, henceforth be striving.”

To her young Ortwin answered: “Now think you this is well? I and her brother Hartmut never as friends can feel; We slew their father Ludwig, and, when to me she’s wedded, Of him will she be thinking; then with her sighs I oft shall be upbraided.”

“You such love must show her that for him she will not long. If now this word I give you, ’tis from a love as strong As I have had for any, or e’er in my life was feeling. Should she to you be wedded, your bliss with her will be beyond all telling.”

Then said her knightly brother: “If she to you is known, And now you think the Hegelings will her for a mistress own, Gladly will I love her,— a maid of such high-breeding.” Him Gu-drun then answered: “You’ll ne’er a sorry day with her be leading.”

Of this he spoke to others, but Hilda’s word was nay; He told it unto Herwic, to hear what he would say, Who held it right and worthy; then to Fru-te speaking, That friend would have him woo her, “for many knights will she your own be making.

“Soothed should be the hatred that we each other bore; Of how it may be ended, I now will tell you more; Then,” said the Danish Fru-te, whose word was ever heeded, “Hildeburg, the maiden, to young King Hartmut also must be wedded.”

The wise and upright Herwic with faithful words thus spake: “I deem it right and fitting the maiden him should take; When in the land of Hartmut she is queen and lady, A thousand lordly castles to own her sway will there be glad and ready.”