Wâ-te, the very daring, with all his knights had come

Wâ-te, the very daring, with all his knights had come; Gu-drun, the lovely lady, had called him from his home To help her lover, Herwic, and a host had ridden hither: Whate’er might now befall them, later full happy rode they thence together.

Although their foes were heathen, from out the Moorish land, They might not back be driven: one well might understand That in any earthly kingdom they were the best and boldest. To all who came to meet them they gave a sorry welcome and a shelter coldest.

Herwic, king of Sealand, his loss would now make good Upon his foes from Alzabie. For this must flow the blood On either side of many; to friends and kin were given Wounds full fast and heavy: to bear his own was hard for Hettel even.

When they had come together of whom I spoke before, Bringing all their followers, gladness they knew no more; On them were ever resting heavy care and sorrow For what the night might bring them. They thought: “How shall we live to see the morrow?”