Tale the Twenty-Ninth

Wâ-te loud was storming; then went he towards the hall That stood before the gateway. On every side did fall The din of sword-blades clashing, of groaning and of weeping. Hartmut was in bondage; ill luck alone his liegemen, too, were reaping.

With him were also taken eighty warriors brave; The others all were slaughtered. Hartmut his life did save, But to a ship was carried, and fast and long they kept him. Not yet was sorrow ended; greater ills must they know who now bewept him.

Though often from the stronghold Wâ-te’s men they drove, Both with slings and arrows, yet still he grimly strove, And won from them the castle. The heavy bolts were broken That once the gates had fastened; at this fair women wept, with fear outspoken.

Horant, the lord of Denmark, Queen Hilda’s flag now bore; Him followed many warriors, he might not wish for more. Up to a palace tower that high its walls was rearing, Far above all others, the Hegeling men the banner soon were bearing.

As I have told already, the castle now was won: To those they found within it grimmest deeds were done. Great was the crowd on-pressing, for booty to enrich them. Then cried the stern old Wâ-te: “Where are now the sacks, and youths to fetch them?”

Now was broken open many a well-filled room; Loud was the din and uproar that from within did come: But all were not like-minded who the halls were thronging; While wounds were dealt by many, others for plunder searched, for riches longing.

They bore so much from the castle, as we have heard it told, That such a heavy burden two ships could never hold: Richest silken clothing, silver and gold, were taken, To load the ships on the waters; tho’ much they took, yet much must be forsaken.

Now within the castle joy was all unknown. To all the folk there gathered the greatest wrongs were done; Men alike and women were slain who there were dwelling: To children in their cradles, even to them, the foemen death were dealing.

Irold then to Wâ-te thus his mind made known: “Of harm to you these children devil-a-bit have done. They indeed are blameless, nor hate to our kin were showing; For the love of God, I beg you, spare the poor babes, some pity now bestowing.”

The aged Wâ-te answered: “Thou hast the mind of a child; Tho’ now in the cradle wailing, say, wouldst thou have willed That I should leave them living? As soon as they are older, They never can be trusted; to trust a Saxon wild would be no bolder.”

Blood throughout the castle flowed on every side. Those who saw the slaughter, how bitterly they cried! Now the high-born Ortrun, filled with care and sorrow, Sought Gu-drun, kind maiden: she feared yet greater wrongs before the morrow.

Then, her head low bending before the lovely maid, She said: “Gu-drun, my lady, have pity on my need, And, in my sharpest sorrow, leave me not forsaken; I trust me to your kindness, or else my life will by your friends be taken.”

“Gladly will I shield you,” she answered, “if I can; Ever to do you kindness, and help you, I am fain. I will gain for you forgiveness; no more for life be fearing. Your maids and women also must stand near me, my care they, too, are sharing.”

“This doth make me happy,” the youthful Ortrun said. With three and thirty maidens, she was kindly kept and fed; Warriors two and sixty there the ladies guarded: If they should gain their freedom, their keepers would be slain, and thus rewarded.

The old and wicked Gerlind ran to Gu-drun in haste; As if she were her bondwoman, herself at her feet she cast, Saying: “Most high-born lady, thou alone canst save us From Wâ-te and his followers; else will his wrath, I ween, of life bereave us.”

To her said Hilda’s daughter: “I hear you asking now That I to you be friendly; how should I kindness show? Nought that e’er I wished for to grant me were you willing: To me you showed but hatred; and now my heart with hate for you is swelling.”

That Ortrun then was near him Wâ-te became aware: He his teeth was gnashing, and straight up-stood he there; Now his eyes were flashing; his yard-wide beard was flowing; And all were sorely frightened, and feared what the Sturmisch lord would next be doing.