Tale the Tenth

Now in the land of Normandy the tale was widely told, That never fairer maiden did any man behold Than was King Hettel’s daughter, Gu-drun, the high-born lady. A king, whose name was Hartmut, to her then turned his love, to woo her ready.

Gerlind, Hartmut’s mother, her wish to him made known, That he should woo the maiden; her word he followed soon. First they sent for his father, when they of this had spoken; He bore the name of Ludwig, and in Norman lands he wore the kingly token.

Then the aged father rode to see his son. Of the end that he was seeking had Ludwig knowledge won; But when to him he hearkened, and learned his wishes wholly, Evil he foreboded, yet still the youth’s fond hopes upheld he fully.

“Who tells you,” said King Ludwig, “she is so very fair? Tho’ she all lands were owning, the home is not so near, Wherein the maid is dwelling, that we should go a-wooing; If we sent our men before us to ask her love, their task they would soon be ruing.”

Then did Hartmut answer: “For me ’tis not too far; Whene’er the lord of a kingdom no pain or toil doth spare To win a wife and riches, he gains a life-long blessing. My wish, I pray you, follow; let men be sent, that they my suit be pressing.”

Then spake his mother, Gerlind, of Normandy the queen: “Letters must now be written; let clothes, the best e’er seen, With gold, to those be given upon your errand speeding; They, too, must learn the roadways that towards the home of fair Gu-drun are leading.”

Then spake again King Ludwig: “Know you not full well That Hilda, the maiden’s mother, did erst in Ireland dwell? And know you not what happened to many a one who sought her? Her kin are proud and lofty, and now will scorn the love we shall have brought her.”

Then young Hartmut answered: “Tho’ with a warlike band I afar must seek her, over sea and land, That shall I do most willingly: my heart to her is given, And never will I rest me till I for Hilda’s daughter happily have striven.”

“Gladly will I help you,” King Ludwig then did say: “Let this now make you happy; erelong, upon the way I’ll send twelve sumpter-horses bearing silver treasure; That when they hear our errand, our wealth and worth they may more rightly measure.”

By Hartmut then were chosen sixty men, to send To woo the fair young maiden, and help to him to lend; With food and clothing also well were they outfitted, And on the road well guided: Ludwig was wise, and was in this foresighted.

When everything was ready that soon the men would need, Then were letters written, sealed, and given with speed, Both by brave young Hartmut and his queenly mother. Then from home they started; so proud a throng there never was another.

Fast they rode and steadily for many a day and night, Until the land they sought for came at last in sight, And they might tell the errand they were thither bringing. Long was Hartmut waiting, while love and care were in his heart upspringing.

Over land and rivers they took their toilsome way, As far as in days a hundred a pasturing herd may stray, Until the land of the Hegelings lay before them stretching. Their steeds were worn and weary ere they gave the letters they were fetching.

At last they far had ridden, and to the sea had come, Upon the shores of Denmark: sadly they long did roam, Before they reached the kingdom, and its lord did know them; Now they begged for guidance, and men were bid the nearest way to show them.