We ask you now to listen to a tale as yet untold

We ask you now to listen to a tale as yet untold: Ortwin still and Herwic their way did onward hold Until they found their followers on the seashore standing. Then ran these Hegeling liegemen to meet them on the sands where they were landing.

Them they gladly welcomed, and bade that they make known The news that they were bringing, and freely all to own. First they asked of Ortwin, if he could them be telling, If still Gu-drun were living, and if in Ludwig’s land she now was dwelling?

The knightly Ortwin answered: “Of this I may not speak To each and all that ask it; the truth I will not break Till all are met together; then shall you be hearing All that our eyes there greeted, when we to come near Hartmut’s walls were daring.”

The word was told to others, and soon a mighty band Of warriors brave and knightly around the two did stand. Then to them said Ortwin: “Sad is the news I give you, And, were my wishes granted, gladly I’d spare the tale, for much ’twill grieve you.

“List to what has happened, for wonders now begin; Gu-drun, my long-lost sister, I, in truth, have seen, And with her also Hildeburg, erst in Ireland living.” When he the tidings gave them, they thought the tale he told not worth believing.

All then said together: “It is not well to jest; For her we long have waited, and now our time you waste. We hoped from Ludwig’s kingdom you would bring her sooner; To Ortwin and his followers belong the shame and blame for wrongs still done her.”

“Ask you, then, King Herwic: he, too, has seen the maid; And he can also tell you what wrongs on us are laid. Could you, my friends, bethink you of any shame that’s greater? We found Gu-drun and Hildeburg upon the seashore standing, washing in the water.”

Soon were his kindred weeping, all who there were seen. At this the aged Wâ-te right scornful was, I ween: “Truly for women only is such behavior fitting; Why you weep you know not. This, in a knight, one never should be meeting.

“But if you are in earnest, to help Gu-drun in her need, The clothes that she has whitened must you in war make red. Erst white hands did wash them for men who must be bleeding; So you now may help her, and soon the maid forlorn be homeward leading.”

Then said the Danish Fru-te: “How can this be done? How can we reach their kingdom before our plan is known, Before the men of Ludwig, and Hartmut’s knights, are learning That Hilda’s friends are gathered, and toward the Norman land at length are turning?”

Then said the aged Wâ-te: “Hear what ’tis best to do; I trust before his castle fitly to meet the foe, If I may live to see him there before me standing. Brave knights, your rest now leaving, soon on the Norman shore must you be landing.