Back then went the maiden to where Gudrun she found:
“Arouse, my queenly lady, wake from your slumber sound!
The land is held by foemen, who will these walls be storming;
We have not been forgotten by those at home; our friends come hither swarming.”
Gudrun, the high-born lady, quickly sprang from her bed,
And, hasting to the window, to the maid her thanks she said.
“For this good news you give me, wealth shall you be earning.”
After her heavy sorrow, now for her friends Gudrun was sorely yearning.
Rich sails were seen to flutter near by upon the sea;
Then said the high-born maiden: “Ah, wellaway! Woe’s me!
Would that I ne’er were living!” the wretched one was sighing:
“Many a doughty warrior this day for me shall here in death be lying.”
While thus she was bewailing, nearly all still slept;
But soon was one heard shouting, who guard for Ludwig kept:
“Be up, you careless warriors! your arms, your arms be taking!
And you, my king of Normandy! I fear that all too late you will be waking.”
This the wicked Gerlind heard, as the warder cried;
Then, while fast he slumbered, she left the old king’s side.
Up to the roof of the castle then at once she hastened;
She thence saw many foemen, and on her devilish heart great sorrow fastened.
Back again she speeded to where she found the king:
“Awake, my lord, make ready for guests who followers bring!
Now hem they in your castle, and well may they be dreaded:
That smile of young Gudrun will cost your knights a strife as yet unheeded.”
“Hush!” then answered Ludwig, “I will go myself to see;
We must all be bravely waiting for whatsoe’er may be.”
Then looked he from his castle, to see the foemen thronging;
His eyes by guests were greeted, on whom to look he never might be longing.
Before his palace waving, he saw their banners spread;
Then said the old King Ludwig: “Let some one go with speed
And bear this news to Hartmut. I for pilgrims take them,
To sell their wares come hither; before my hall a market would they make them.”
Then they wakened Hartmut, that he the tale might hear.
Outspoke that daring warrior: “Let none be sad or fear.
I see full twenty princes their blazoned banners bearing;
I ween these foes are coming to wreak the hate they long ’gainst us are wearing.”
Tale XXVII
How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings
Hartmut names to Ludwig the banners of the coming knights. On learning that the Hegeling army is approaching, Gerlind counsels her son, Hartmut, to await a siege; but he chooses to sally forth, with Ludwig and their followers, and a battle ensues, in which Ludwig overthrows Herwic.
Asleep still left he lying all his faithful men.
He and his father Ludwig, the twain, to go were seen,
And, gazing from the window, they saw the throngs below them.
Quickly then said Hartmut: “Too near our castle-walls methinks they show them.
“I ween they are not pilgrims, in truth, my father dear;
More like it is that Wâ-te and all his men draw near.
He from Sturmland cometh, the lord of Ortland bringing;
The men I see are like them, as I know from the flag that they to the breeze are flinging.
“I see a brown silk pennon, that comes from Karadé;
Before that flag is lowered, many will rue the day.
On it a head is blazoned— as red as gold it glitters:
Guests so bold and warlike we well can spare; their sight the day embitters.
“The Moorland king is bringing full twenty thousand men,
Knights as strong and daring as any I have seen;
To win from us great honor methinks they now are craving.
There comes another banner, that o’er yet other knights its folds is waving.
“It is the flag of Horant, the knight from the Danish land;
I see with him Lord Fru-te, I know both him and his band.
And hither, too, from Waleis, many foemen leading,
Morunc now comes riding; he, for the morning’s fight, o’er the sands is speeding.
“I see another banner, on it a chevron red,
With sharpened spears within it; for this shall many bleed.
Ortwin it is who bears it, from Ortland hither faring:
Erewhile we slew his father; no kindly thought to us he now is bearing.
“There floats another banner, whiter than any swan;
Blazons bright and golden you well may see thereon.
It is our mother Hilda who sends it o’er the water;
The hatred of the Hegelings will soon be known by me who stole her daughter.
“There I see uplifted a flag outspreading wide;
Of sky-blue silk ’tis woven. The truth I will not hide;
Herwic bears this banner, he in the Sealands dwelling.
Sea-leaves are shown upon it; he soon on us his wrath will here be telling.
“There Irold, too, is coming— this that I say is true—
From Friesland leading many, as well indeed I know,
With fighting men from Holstein, warriors brave and daring.
A stormy fight is nearing; now in our castle all must arms be wearing.”
Then cried Hartmut loudly: “Up, my faithful men!
If to these guests so warlike, who ’neath our walls are seen,
It may not now be granted to ride so boldly near us,
Then, before the gateway, with sword-blows we must greet them, and bravely bear us.”
Then from their beds upsprang they all who yet did lie;
At once, to bring their war-gear, loudly did they cry.
The call to guard their master gladly they were hearing;
Forty hundred warriors showed themselves, their shining armor wearing.
Ludwig and Hartmut with him armed themselves for fight:
To the sad and homeless maidens this was a sorry sight;
These within the castle uneasy hearts were keeping;
They said to one another: “Let him who smiled before this day be weeping!”
Quickly came Queen Gerlind, old King Ludwig’s wife;
She said: “What will you, Hartmut? Would you lose your life,
With that of all your kinsmen who here our lot are sharing?
The foe will surely slay you, if to leave the castle-walls you now be daring.”
The well-born knight then answered: “Mother, stay within;
You may not give your teaching to me or to my men.
Spare your words for women; they mayhap will listen,
While they sit at sewing, making their silks with gold and gems to glisten.
“Now, mother, let us see you send Gudrun to wash,
As you did before, with her maidens, where the billows dash.
You weened they all were friendless, and had no kindred living;
You yet may see, ere nightfall, what thanks to us our guests will yet be giving.”
Then spake his devilish mother: “I did it for your sake,
Thinking her will to bridle. My bidding kindly take;
Strongly built is the castle, let now the gates be fastened;
They then will gain but little who on their toilsome way have hither hastened.
“Full well you know it,
