Oft from his rocky shelter to the forest he would roam;
Many wild beasts saw he, strong and grim in their home.
One there was among them greedy to devour him;
But with his sword he slew him, and let him quickly feel the hate he bore him.
Unto a wild chameleon this dreadful thing was like;
Its skin the boy drew from it, (for that was he not too weak;)
Now for its blood he thirsted, and, when of this he had taken,
He felt great strength come o’er him; and many thoughts began in him to waken.
Then with the skin of the monster he wrapped himself around;
When soon to him it happened hard by a lion he found.
To shun him it were hopeless, for he quickly rushed upon him;
But the boy was yet unwounded; his foe from the daring child warm welcome won him.
When he the lion had smitten to death, with many blows,
He to the cave would take it, as homeward thence he goes.
At all times had the maidens been by his care upholden,
But now this food unwonted did raise their waning strength, and their hearts embolden.
Of fire they yet knew nothing, but wood they need not seek;
From out a stone he quickly many sparks did strike.
The food they long had wanted he soon was on them bestowing,
And, since there was none to do it, themselves the flesh must cook on the coals now glowing.
When they of food had eaten, at once they grew more strong;
Their boldness, too, grew greater, (to God their thanks belong.)
And now their bodies also as healthy were, and comely,
As if they still were living, each in her fatherland, on fare more homely.
The wild young Hagen also the strength of twelve did own;
And for this, thro’ all his lifetime, praise by him was won.
But both to him and the maidens ’twas pain and sorrow only,
To think that they forever must pass their lives in a waste so sad and lonely.
They begged of him to lead them down to the watery flood.
Shame they felt in going, for the clothes were none too good
The maidens now were wearing; they themselves had sewed them,
Ere yet the youthful Hagen them in their banishment found, and his kindness showed them.
For days full four and twenty they fared thro’ the piny wood;
At last, on a morning early, down they came to the flood,
And saw a laden galley, that came from Garadé.
Then did the lonely maidens sorrow and pain at the sailors’ plight betray.
Hagen shouted loudly; he was hindered none the more,
Altho’ the winds were boisterous, and wild the waves did roar.
Now the ship was groaning; and the sailors, landward steering,
Felt dread of water-nixes, on seeing the maids, as they the shore were nearing.
The ship it had a master, a lord from out Salmé;
Hagen, as well as his kindred, had he known on a former day.
They before were neighbors, but Ireland’s child, here roaming,
The youthful son of Sigeband, was to the pilgrims unknown, who now were coming.
The earl forbade his steersman nearer to sail to the shore;
But now the childish outcast but begged of them the more,
For love of God, to take them away from that shore forsaken.
The sailors felt emboldened, when by the boy the name of Christ was taken.
The earl, with eleven others, into a boat now sprung;
Ere he the truth was learning, the time to him seemed long.
Whether the maidens as goblins or mermaids must be treated
He knew not; such beings never, in all his life before, his eyes had greeted.
He first began to ask them, before he reached the strand:
“Boy, have you been baptized? What do you in this land?”
Dight with fresh green mosses he saw those lovely daughters,
Who earnestly begged the sailors that they would deign to take them o’er the waters.
Tale III
How Hagen Sailed to His Home
The master of the ship inquires of Hagen and the maidens concerning their country, and learns that Hagen is the son of an old enemy. He threatens to keep him as a hostage, but Hagen seizes thirty of the sailors, and flings them into the sea, and compels the others to steer towards his home. There, he sends messengers to announce his arrival to his father and mother, who come down to the shore to meet him.
Ere they went on shipboard, the pilgrims them besought
Kindly to take the clothing they with them had brought.
However shy were the maidens, to wear them they were ready;
They donned the clothes with blushes, and now their sorrow had an ending speedy.
Soon as the lovely maidens embarked upon the wave,
They heartily were greeted by knights both good and brave,
Who to the high-born daughters welcome to give were heedful;
Though they at first mistook them, and thought them wicked elves, or mermaids dreadful.
That night the maidens rested with friends upon the sea;
So wondrous was their dwelling, from fear they were not free:
Wiser it were in the children to think this home a blessing.
Soon as the earl had bidden, their food upon the maids they all were pressing.
After they had eaten, and while with them he sat,
The lord of the land of Garadie the maidens did entreat
To say by whom such fair ones were brought unto that shore.
The children, at his asking, only felt their sorrow grow the more.
First answered him the eldest of those who with him sat:
“I come from a far-off kingdom, (my lord, now hear my fate;)
I was born in the land of India, a land wherein my father
Was king while he was living, but I, alas! the crown must leave to another.”
Then spake the maid next younger: “I too have come from far;
Erewhile a strong old griffin did me from Portugal bear.
A king in the land was my father; none than he was prouder,
Nor for a mighty ruler, far or near, were ever praises louder.”
Then the youngest maiden, who by the earl sat near,
To him spoke low and modestly, and said: “I pray you hear;
From Iserland I was carried, my father there held power;
But from those who hoped to rear me, alas! afar was I borne in an evil hour.”
The high-born knight then answered: “By God ’tis ordered well,
Since you among your kinsfolk not long were left to dwell;
Now, at last, by his kindness you are freed from dangers,
For I within these borders have found you living here, such lovely strangers.”
However much he asked them, they yet to tell were loath,
How unto them it happened grim death had spared them both,
When erewhiles the griffin unto his nest had brought
