Then spake Gu-drun, with cunning: “Now list to what I say

Then spake Gu-drun, with cunning: “Now list to what I say: If I with rods am beaten thus shamefully to-day, Should e’er an eye behold me with kings and princes seated, And I a crown be wearing, to you a fit reward shall then be meted.

“Henceforth for me such teaching ’twere best you let alone; Sooner the king I’ve slighted shall have me for his own: Then as queen of Normandy here will I be dwelling; And when I here am mighty, what I will do may no one now be telling.”

“Be this your will,” said Gerlind, “angry no more I’ll be: E’en if a thousand garments you thus had lost for me, I would, in truth, forgive it; well you will have thriven If to my son, young Hartmut, the Norman prince, your love at last be given.”

Then said the lovely maiden: “I now would take some rest; This care and heavy sorrow my strength doth sorely waste. Send for the young King Hartmut, bid him be hither speeding, And say, whate’er he wishes, that I henceforth will always do his bidding.”

Those who heard them talking, straightway to Hartmut ran, And to the youthful warrior told the tale again. Some of his father’s liegemen there with him were seated, When word to him was given in haste to seek Gu-drun, who for him waited.

Then said the one who told him: “Give me now my fee; Queen Hilda’s lovely daughter will grant her love to thee. She bids you now to hasten at once to her in her bower; No longer are you hated, for better thoughts she harbors than of yore.”