The fair and noble Hilda soon heard the wondrous tale

The fair and noble Hilda soon heard the wondrous tale, Whereat the kindly maiden did loudly thus bewail: “My father, if he comes hither, soon will make such slaughter, That none e’er knew the sorrow that will be felt by many a wife and daughter.”

“We ’gainst that can guard us,” answered the knight Irold: “However he may bluster, I would not take of gold A mountain’s weight in barter, that day when foes are mated, Could I see my uncle Wâ-te near wild Hagen come, with anger heated.”

Then the lovely maidens began to wail and mourn. The ship was tossed and rolling, now by the west wind borne, With warriors filled and crowded, near to Waal, the river. They there, in heavy fighting, soon found a blood-stained resting-place forever.

Wâ-te bade that Hilda on board a ship should stay. To guard the queenly maiden, while near the shore it lay, On every side all hastily men their shields were bearing: To keep a watch o’er the ladies, there were on board a hundred warriors daring.

Ready now for battle were all who to the strand Had brought the lovely Hilda from her Irish fatherland, Whence they the maid had stolen, to her father Hagen’s sorrow. Many, sound and healthy, must sorely fear for their lives before the morrow.

Hettel was soon heard shouting and calling aloud to his men: “Be on your guard, brave fighters! Who never gold did gain, To him it shall be measured, in handfuls, without weighing. Let this be not forgotten,— that now your Irish foes you may be slaying.”

Bearing then their weapons, down they rushed to the sand; Stirred with warlike bustle was all the Waalisch strand. Thither to King Hettel flocked his champions daring; Friends as well as foemen soon towards the self-same spot were faring.

Now had Hagen also reached the sandy shore, And men at him were hurling the spears they bravely bore: Those upon the seashore well their lives then guarded From the stormy Irish onset; but wounds yet all the more their bravery rewarded.

How seldom would a father have wished to send his child Where sparks of fire, all-glowing, were struck by foemen wild Forth from hardened helmets, in sight of many a maiden! To have sailed with these roving fighters did now at last the lovely Hilda sadden.