To him, the king of Sealand, great ill erelong was wrought

To him, the king of Sealand, great ill erelong was wrought. A stalwart foeman was he: Aha, how well he fought! He made the land the richer with the dead there lying: The old in fight grew youthful: the strong were slain, who recked not yet of dying.

Long the fighting lasted, till thickly lay the dead: Then to the brave King Herwic came at last the need To flee into his marches, for life he there was turning; All his lands lay smoking: of this to Gu-drun, his lady, sent he warning.

Now to the land of Hettel men at his bidding went: Many tears and bitter they shed when they were sent To find the great King Hettel, and the tale to him to carry. They were not long in showing unto the king their plight so hard and dreary.

Tho’ sad in mood he found them, a welcome kind he gave, Such as far-off wanderers and homeless friends should have. He asked if from their homesteads they were hither driven, When foes their lands had wasted, and all their marches had to flames been given.

Then to him they answered: “In sorrow did we leave: The faithful men of Herwic, from early morn till eve, Sell their lives full dearly, and well his gifts are earning; They fight for name and honor: for this at home are many women mourning.”

Then to them said Hettel: “To my daughter make it known; Whatever she shall wish for at once shall that be done. If she for vengeance calleth for the wrongs he wrought you, We then will help you gladly, and pay him back the ill that he has brought you.”

Before they yet had spoken unto the fair young maid, Already of her sorrow her friends had taken heed. The lady had been longing to see the heralds hourly; Them in haste she sent for, the loss of land and honor, mourning sorely.

When they came before her, they found the queenly maid Sitting sad, and weeping,— faithful love she had; She asked them of her lover, and how they leave had taken, And if he still was living when they of late had land and home forsaken.

Then answered one among them: “We left him sound and well; But since the day we saw him we know not what befell, Or how the men of Moorland may his home have wasted: Mischief they had done him, neither from fire and plunder had they rested.

“Listen, high-born maiden! my master’s bidding heed: He and all his warriors are now in sorest need. To lose both life and honor they are fearing daily; And now my lord, King Herwic, sends to beg your men to his help to rally.”

Gu-drun, the lovely maiden, then from her seat upstood; The wrongs that had been done her she to her father showed: She said her men were slaughtered, and her castles wasted, And told her father, Hettel, that to ride to Herwic’s help she would he had hasted.

Then in her arms she pressed him, her eyes with weeping wet: “Help, O dearest father! My woes are all too great, Unless your many liegemen, with ready hand, are willing To help my good friend Herwic: none else can end the strife, my sorrow healing.”

“That will I leave to no one,” the king did freely say; “I will haste to help King Herwic, and wait not many a day. As well as I am able, I will end your sorrow: I will call for the aged Wâ-te and many other friends, before the morrow.

“He will bring from Sturmland all the men of his lands; And when ’tis known by Morunc how ill with us it stands, Fighters full a thousand to bring will he be speedy. Our foes shall find out quickly, that under helmets we to march are ready.

“Horant, too, from Denmark shall bring upon the way Of men full thrice a thousand: nor will Irold stay; But he will raise his banner, and hasten to the slaughter. Then, too, thy brother Ortwin will come, and all will earn the blessing of my daughter.”

The heralds soon went riding whom the maid did send. Her friends far off were living, but all who help would lend To heal the maiden’s sorrow would honor great be earning; Knights would she warmly welcome: for this erelong the more to her were turning.

Hilda, the maiden’s mother, unto her daughter spake: “Whoe’er is quick to help you, and now his shield shall take To follow with your warriors when they to war are faring, Whate’er we gain by fighting he shall, in truth, henceforth with us be sharing.”

Then the chests were opened; men to court soon bore Whate’er therein was lying, of fighting-gear a store, Fast with steel well studded; then the knights were laden With armor white as silver: this made glad the heart of the queenly maiden.

To full a thousand warriors were given clothes and steeds; Out of stalls men brought them, as oft the horse one leads, When, along the highways, men to the fight go riding. Of all the king’s good horses they left but very few at rest abiding.

When from his queenly lady the king his leave did take, Both Hilda and her daughter began to weep for his sake; But on the knights forth riding gladly they were gazing, And said: “May God in heaven so help the fight that men may you be praising.”