Queen Hilda him awaited till on the shore he stood

Queen Hilda him awaited till on the shore he stood. Then to the lord of Karadie a greeting warm she showed: “Sir Siegfried, king of Moorland, welcome to you is given; It ne’er shall be forgotten how you to right my wrongs have ever striven.”

“Lady, if I have helped you, to do it I was glad. Now must I hasten thither to where my home I’ve had Since early days of boyhood, ere I thence had ridden To war against King Herwic; henceforth to strive with him it is forbidden.”

Then they their ships unloaded, and up they bore on the sand The many things brought with them into Queen Hilda’s land. The night was drawing nearer, the air was colder growing; The guests no longer waited: to seek a shelter they in haste were going.

Then with the guests Queen Hilda rode up on to the plain. Before great Matelan castle huts and tents were seen Bedecked with gold and shining; there the guests were seated Upon rich seats made ready: within the tents were all most kindly treated.

Such wealth, at Hilda’s bidding, was brought up to the land, That none need leave behind him his pledge or bond to stand. Never in giving freely could any host be vying With this most high-born widow: no guest need wine or other cheer be buying.

There the weary rested until five days were gone. The greatest care and kindness unto the guests were shown; But Hartmut greatly sorrowed— no happiness it gave him— Until the lovely maiden begged Queen Hilda would in freedom leave him.

Then Ortwin went with his sister where Hilda had her seat. She said: “My dearest mother, never this forget,— We must not reward with evil him who a wrong is doing. Of your worthy name bethink you; you should on Hartmut smile, forgiveness showing.”

She answered: “Dearest daughter, you do not ask aright: I at the hands of Hartmut the greatest ills have met; He must atone in bondage for all his wrongful dealing.” Then at the feet of Hilda Gu-drun fell down, with sixty maidens, kneeling.

Then spake the lady Ortrun: “In freedom let him live; To you will he be faithful, for this my word I give. Be to my brother friendly, nor of your love be sparing; ’Twill be to you an honor if he again the kingly crown be wearing.”

His friends all wept together that he in bondage sat, Wearing chains so heavy; their eyes with tears were wet: Much they pitied Hartmut, no more his kingdom swaying. On him and on his followers fetters fast and strongest now were weighing.

Then spake to them Queen Hilda: “Leave your weeping now; Their chains will I unloosen; they to my court may go: But not to seek their freedom they their word must give me, And with an oath must swear it,— not hence to ride unbidden, nor to leave me.”

Now the noble bondsmen were from chains set free. Gu-drun then bade these warriors to bathe them in the sea; Then, in finest clothing, men to court must lead them. Knights were they most worthy; and so the more, good luck did ever speed them.

There among the others Hartmut now was seen; Never a braver warrior or better knight had been: E’en now, amid his sorrows, such a mien was he wearing, It seemed as if a pencil had drawn him there, and a parchment him was bearing.

Now on him with kindness did all the ladies look, While he, their friendship trusting, greater boldness took. Ill-will, that erst was borne him, none were longer feeling; It was by all forgotten what wounds they erst had been to each other dealing.

Herwic now bethought him from the land of the Hegeling How he might be going. He bade his men to bring His clothing and his weapons, and on the horses load them: When this was known to Hilda, to let them go no ready will she showed them.

She said: “My good Lord Herwic, I beg you longer stay! All your love and kindness a weight on me doth lay. Not yet with my good wishes may you hence be riding; Before you yet shall leave me, there shall be high times for the guests with me abiding.”

To her Lord Herwic answered: “Lady, you know the way, How those who send their kinsmen to lands which others sway Again at home to see them are always greatly longing: With pain our friends are waiting until again they see us homeward thronging.”

Then spake again Queen Hilda: “Grudge not, I beg, to me One happiness and honor, for none can greater be; Herwic, king most worthy, the boon now deign to give me, That I, poor lonely woman, may see my daughter crowned, ere she shall leave me.”

For this was he unwilling; but still she begged and bade: Thereby those held in bondage were soon from sorrow freed. When now at last he told her that to do it he was willing, Then the Lady Hilda was glad in heart, and rest of mind was feeling.

Seats were made at her bidding, yet more and better still, Which many knights with honor, near Hilda, soon did fill, When came the high times merry, that now were widely bruited. To crown Gu-drun, the fair one, King Herwic bade, for him it now well suited.

Of those who him had followed there went away not one Before at Matelan castle the high times were begun. Then by Lady Hilda was clothing kindly given To sixty maids or over: for praise and honor she had ever striven.

To full a hundred women clothing good she gave: None of those were slighted, but all her care did have, Who from their homes were taken; these had clothes the rarest. The gifts indeed were wondrous that Hilda gave, of queens the best and fairest.

Irold must guard the treasure; to dwell in Hilda’s home That knight erelong was bidden, and quickly did he come: Wâ-te, he of Sturmland, must carve the meat at table; They also sent for Fru-te, to come to her as soon as he was able.