Then she told her wooer the pain to her it gave

Then she told her wooer the pain to her it gave; And tho’ she wished he ever a happy life might have, Yet from her father’s kingdom she begged him now to hasten, For in the land of Hettel was his life at risk, and this would never lessen.

She looked on him so kindly that now her heart was warned That he should stay no longer, for here his suit was spurned. Friendly was she to Hartmut, who her love so wanted, But his hopes she little heeded, and while he wooed, not much to him she granted.

At last her well-bred lover from Hettel’s land must go; He bore upon his shoulders a heavy load of woe: To wreak his wrath on Hettel would he now be choosing, Yet feared he, if he harmed him, that he the maiden’s love would then be losing.

’Twas thus the daring Hartmut the Hegeling kingdom left; Much he felt of sadness, though not of hope bereft. He knew not yet the ending of his wooing of the maiden; For the sake of her, thereafter, were helmets cleft, and many sorrow-laden.

When he had reached his kingdom, and home again did turn, Where dwelt his father and mother, Hartmut, grim and stern, For war with Hettel longing, began to make him ready. Gerlind, the old she-devil, at all times spurred him on with hatred steady.