Thus unbeknown and slyly, sailed away o’er the main

Thus unbeknown and slyly, sailed away o’er the main The men of the land of Normandy; great was the women’s pain From kinsfolk to be sundered, and yet to hush their weeping. Of this the men knew nothing who now upon the Wulpensand were sleeping.

Before the day was dawning, well were on their way They whom the Danish warriors had thought that morn to slay. Then Wâ-te bade that loudly his war-horn should be sounded; He was in haste to follow, and hoped erelong to fell them, deeply wounded.

On foot and on their horses, the men of the Hegeling land All were seen together, flocking o’er the sand, To fight the fleeing Normans; never in this they rested. Ludwig with his followers already far upon their way had hasted.

Many ships lay empty, and clothing there was found; All about the Wulpensand ’twas scattered o’er the ground; Many weapons also were seen, with none to bear them. They had overslept their going, and never to harm their foes could they come near them.

When this was told to Wâ-te, with anger he was torn: How for the death of Hettel he bitterly did mourn! And that on Ludwig’s body his wrath he was not wreaking! Helmets there lay shattered; for this must many a woman’s heart be aching.

How gloomily and sadly now, in angry mood, Ortwin was bewailing the loss of his warriors good! He said: “Rouse up, my fighters! we may perhaps o’ertake them Before they leave these waters; not far from shore we yet in flight may check them.”

Willingly old Wâ-te would his bidding do: Fru-te the winds was watching, to learn which way they blew. Then said he to his kinsmen: “What helps it though we hasten? Mark what now I tell you: the thirty miles they’ve gained we ne’er can lessen.

“Moreover, we of fighters have not here enough That we in aught can harm them, e’en should we now set off: Scorn me not,” said Fru-te, “and to my words give heeding; What more to say is needful? Your foes you cannot reach, howe’er you’re speeding.

“Bid that now the wounded upon the ships be laid; Then on the field of battle let search for the dead be made, And bid that they be buried upon this strand forsaken, So friends may rest together; this good at least from them should not be taken.”