Quoth Ludwig, Hartmut’s father: “We from our Norman land

Quoth Ludwig, Hartmut’s father: “We from our Norman land Forthwith must make an inroad: soon will I have at hand Twenty thousand fighters whom I for war will gather; With these it will be easy to seize Gu-drun, and bear her from her father.”

Then spake the youthful Hartmut: “Might ever this betide, That Hilda’s lovely daughter I here should see my bride, I would not take in barter for that a princedom fairest; Then might we here together pass our lives, each one to the other dearest.”

Busily his followers, hour by hour, gave thought How they could do his wishes. A host King Ludwig brought To lead against the Hegelings; well were they outfitted. How should Hilda know it, that soon thereby her welfare would be blighted?

The wife of Ludwig also helped them as she could. For this she plotted ever, that fair Gu-drun be wooed, And, as the bride of Hartmut, to Normandy be carried; She did her best most busily that the maid one day should to her son be married.

Ludwig said to Hartmut, his well belovéd son: “Think well, O knight most worthy, no toil we now must shun, Until our foes are mastered and from their lands are driven. Reward the guests who help us; to our men at home by me shall gifts be given.”

These they soon were sharing, all and every one. Never yet in Suabia gifts so rich were known, Of steeds for war or burden, saddles, and shields fair shining; I ween they were gladly given: Ludwig ne’er before such thanks was winning.

Quickly all made ready to start upon their way. Sailors were found by Ludwig; skilful men were they, Who the deep sea-pathways knew, and well could follow; Hard must they be toiling to win their wages high upon the billow.

Now, in seemly measure, fit were they to go. Throughout the lands and highways soon the news did grow That Ludwig and young Hartmut home and land were leaving. They yet would see much sorrow, when they erelong their Hegeling foe were braving.

When to the shore they had ridden, ships were floating there, That workmen well had builded, the knights away to bear; Gerlind’s gold and riches had made them strong and steady. Nor Wâ-te the old nor Fru-te of this knew aught, nor were for their coming ready.

With three and twenty thousand they sailed the waters o’er. Now for Gu-drun young Hartmut a weight of sorrow bore: This, before his followers, to hide he was not earnest; He hoped to meet King Hettel, and him to overcome in strife the sternest.

As yet they knew not fully how they his land could reach. To the sons of many a mother the raid did sorrow teach. Near to the shores of Ortland the rolling billows bore them, Before ’twas known to Hettel: now Hilda’s castle rose in sight before them.

The warriors led by Hartmut were still twelve miles away; Yet had they come already over the wide, deep sea, Unto the land of the Hegelings, and to its shores so nearly That castles, towers, and palaces in Hilda’s town they all could see most clearly.

Ludwig, king of Normandy, bade that on the sand They now should drop the anchors; he then gave word to land To all his men together, and bade them do it quickly: They now had come so near them, they feared the Hegeling bands would gather thickly.