The wicked Gerlind answered: “Now daily to the beach

The wicked Gerlind answered: “Now daily to the beach You my clothes must carry, there on the sands to bleach. You must for me and my maidens be washing and be drying; And that no one find you idle, your work with care you ever must be plying.”

Then spake the high-born maiden: “Wife of a mighty king, If they will only teach me the way to wash and wring, And how to cleanse your clothing, to do it I am willing. Bliss no more I look for; still greater woe my heart must yet be filling.

“Bid them now to teach me, and I will gladly learn; So high I do not hold me that I the task should spurn. Thus shall I be earning the food I here am eating; Nought I say against it.” The poor Gu-drun her lot was wisely meeting.

Then by a washerwoman clothes to the sands were brought, And how to wash and dry them the maiden now was taught. Much at first she sorrowed, and by the work was flurried, Yet was she spared by no one. So was the fair Gu-drun by Gerlind worried.

Before King Ludwig’s castle, she gained a skilful hand; For knights who there were dwelling within the Norman land, None could be more helpful, their clothing better washing. Loudly mourned her maidens to see her toiling where the waves were dashing.

One there was among them who was also a great king’s child; The wailing of the others was to hers a whisper mild. This work so mean and lowly went to their hearts too nearly, As they saw the high-born lady drudging on the shore, both late and early.

Then with love true-hearted Hildeburg made moan: “Well we all must rue it— to God may this be known— Who in this Norman kingdom erst with Gu-drun were landing; No rest ought we to hope for while on the sea-beach washing she is standing.”

This was heard by Gerlind, who in anger spoke: “If on the toils of your lady with such ill-will you look, The work shall you be doing, and her place be filling.” “That would I do right gladly,” said Hildeburg, “if only you were willing.

“For the love of God Almighty, Gerlind, my lady queen, Let not this great king’s daughter toiling alone be seen: A crown, too, wore my father, yet work would I be doing; Let me with her stand washing, whatever good or ill we may be knowing.

“It fills my heart with sorrow, I feel her woes my own. Once the greatest honor to her by God was shown: Her forefathers and kindred were kings, and none were higher; Though now her work is lowly, to toil with the maiden I shall never tire.”

Then said the wicked Gerlind: “This oft will bring you pain; However hard the winter, still in snow and rain My clothes must you be washing, altho’ cold winds are blowing; So will you be wishing that you the warmth of heated rooms were knowing.”

Unwillingly she waited until the night drew near; From this Gu-drun the high-born gained at last some cheer. Then into her bedroom went Hildeburg in sorrow; There they wept together for the work that they must do upon the morrow.

Then the Lady Hildeburg said to her in tears: “The woes that you are bearing my heart with you now shares; I begged the old she-devil no more alone to leave you Upon the sea-sands washing; with you I’ll bear the burden, and my help will give you.”

The homeless maiden answered: “May Christ your love reward, That you with so much sorrow of all my woes have heard. If we may wash together, the days will be the brighter, And time will seem far shorter, and on our hearts the shame will weigh the lighter.”

Soon as her wish was granted, down to the sandy shore The clothing then she carried, gladness to know no more. There must they wash in sorrow, whatever was the weather; Whate’er was done by others, yet still these two must wash and toil together.

When her throng of handmaidens had time from work to spare, Bitter was their weeping, to see her standing there Upon the sea-sands washing. Loud were their moans and many, Nor did their sorrow lessen; greater woe was never known by any.

Long the toiling lasted,— that is true enough; There must they be working full five years and a half. Clothes for Hartmut’s followers they must wash and whiten: Ne’er were maidens sadder; their toils before the castle nought could lighten.