Then said the maiden only: “Alas! O father mine

Then said the maiden only: “Alas! O father mine, Had you of this been knowing, that I, a child of thine, One day from out your kingdom would thus by foes be stolen, Never to me, poor maiden, such woe and sorry shame had here befallen.”

Then was the gold and clothing borne out by the robber band: Forth they took Queen Hilda, led by her snow-white hand. Matelan’s goodly castle they would have burned up gladly; For what became of the dwellers the Normans never cared, nor thought of sadly.

But Hartmut now had bidden that it should not be burned, To leave the land he hastened, and home again he turned, Before ’twas known to Hettel, who with his men was lying Within the Waalisch marches, and there against his foe his strength was trying.

“Leave your stolen booty!” to his men young Hartmut said; “At home my father’s riches will I give to you instead: Thus o’er the watery pathway our sail will be the lighter.” To Gu-drun the hand of Ludwig brought a heavy wrong, and woe full bitter.

They overthrew the castle, the town with fire they burned; From it the best was taken; with wealth they homeward turned: Two and sixty women thence with them they carried, And many lovely maidens. With heartfelt woe was queenly Hilda wearied.

How were they filled with sadness to leave the wine behind! Now did the queenly mother a seat in the window find, And looked upon her daughter, from home in sorrow turning. Many a stately lady the Normans left in tears, and bitterly mourning.

Weeping now and wailing was heard on either hand; No one there was happy, when from the father-land The foe with Hilda’s daughter and with her maidens hasted. Many, now but children, for this, when men, to work them woe ne’er rested.

Those who were seized by Hartmut down to the shore he took; All their lands were wasted; their homes went up in smoke. Now his hopes and wishes happily were granted: Both Gu-drun and Hildeburg he with him carried off,—the prize he wanted.

Well he knew that Hettel was many a league away, And war was grimly waging; no more would Hartmut stay. Yet from the Hegeling kingdom no whit too fast he speeded, For word was sent by Hilda to Hettel and his friends, that much their help was needed.

How mournful were the tidings before the king she laid!— That in his home and castle his knights were lying dead, Or else were left by Hartmut now with death-wounds bleeding; That foes had seized his daughter, and with her many maids were homeward speeding.

She said: “Now tell King Hettel that I am here alone; Evil hath me o’ertaken, and now, with pride o’ergrown, Our mighty foeman, Ludwig, back to his land is faring; A thousand men or better lie at our gates, and the pains of death are bearing.”

Quickly then went Hartmut, and, ere three days were o’er, On board his keels was ready; these the plunder bore, As much as they could carry, whate’er his men had stolen. The men of brave King Hettel were dazed and stunned by all that had befallen.