Then to her in answer spake the friendly swan

Then to her in answer spake the friendly swan, Although a God-sent angel, in speech most like a man: “Words from God I bring you; if you for this be seeking, Tidings I give of your kindred; of these, most high-born maid, would I be speaking.”

When the lovely maiden his speech so wondrous heard, Scarce could she believe it, that thus an untamed bird, Now, within her hearing, in tones like these had spoken. While to him she listened, it seemed that his words from the mouth of a man had broken.

Then said the bird-like angel: “Hopeful you now may be, Homeless, sorrowing maiden; gladness shall come to thee. If you would hear of your birth-land, listen while I tell you; From there I bring you tidings, for God hath sent me, of your woes to heal you.”

At this, Gu-drun, the fair one, upon the sands down fell; Crossing her arms, the maiden her lowly prayers did tell. Then she said to Hildeburg: “God hath us in his keeping, And help to us has granted; we now no more shall sorrow know, nor weeping.”

To the bird then said the maiden: “Christ has sent thee here To us, poor homeless maidens, our heavy hearts to cheer; Good and trusted harbinger, tidings tell yet other: Is now Queen Hilda living? Of poor Gu-drun is she the much-loved mother.”

The Heaven-sent bird thus answered: “This can I say to thee; Hilda, thy queenly mother, in health did I lately see. To search for thee already her warriors she has banded; Such throngs no kin or widow, seeking for friends, on foeman’s shore e’er landed.”

Then spake the high-born maiden: “Good tidings thou dost bear: Be thou with me not weary, still more I fain would hear. Lives yet my brother Ortwin, as king in Ortland dwelling, And Herwic, my betrothéd? ’Twould gladden me could’st thou this news be telling.”

The bird-like angel answered: “That can I gladly tell; Herwic and young King Ortwin are both alive and well. Upon the swelling billows, that rose and sank unending, I saw those knightly sailors; each with even stroke to his oar was bending.”

She said: “This tell me also, if ’tis known to thee, Whether Morunc and Irold are now upon the sea, And hither come to seek me; the truth I fain would gather. Gladly I would see them, for they are kin to Hettel, who was my father.”

To her the bird thus answered: “That can I tell you, too; Morunc, and with him Irold, I saw, in search of you. They to this land are coming; their help will soon be given To fight for you, fair lady, and many a helmet will by them be riven.”

Then spake the winged angel: “I bid you now farewell, And leave you in God’s keeping, for work awaits me still. I overstay my errand to linger here, yet speaking.” Then from their sight he faded, and left the maidens’ hearts well-nigh to breaking.

Then said Hilda’s daughter: “My sorrows none can know; Much that I wished to ask thee, now must I forego. For the sake of Christ, I beg thee, ere thou alone dost leave me, Poor and wretched maiden, that freedom from my woes thou yet wilt give me.”

Before her eyes he floated, and once again he spake: “Ere yet we two are parted, and hence my way I take, If I in aught can help you, of that I will not weary, And, since through Christ you ask it, to tell you of your kin will longer tarry.”