Gudrun quotes

great strength had the bird, I weet. The guests, in pastime busy, no thought to this had given, And the maid, with the child she was leading, was standing now alone, unheeded even.

Beneath the weight of the griffin forest trees broke down;

And now the trusty maiden looked where the bird had flown; Then she herself sought shelter, and left the child forsaken. Hearing a tale so startling, one truly might the whole for a wonder reckon.

The men, as the earl had bidden, to seize the boy now dared, But boldly did he meet them, and for their lives they feared.

He by the hair caught thirty, and into the water flung them;

Soon the strength of his body was known to all, and dreaded much among them.

When it came to fighting, he was a goodly knight. Of heroes high in breeding he soon brought low the might; To all he showed his bravery, whether far or near him.

Of kings was he the Devil; in truth his many foes might greatly fear him.

The life he led was happy, nor of gladness asked he more. His wife, from far-off India, to her lord and master bore A fair and lovely daughter; she also, like her mother, Bore the name of Hilda;

But still by high-born warriors the maid was not unsought. Let pride be ne’er so lofty, as we have long been taught,

There always is another with just as high a bearing;

While to win her kindness his yearning grows, and his toil he is never sparing.

However willing were they to sail on the tossing sea, Yet sometimes it befell them in great unrest to be. Ease they took but seldom, as the waves would spare it;

But he who ploughs the waters pain must often feel, and yet must bear it.

After the waves had borne them full a thousand miles, They came to Hagen’s castle, where, as was said erewhiles, He, the master of Ballian, shamefully had lorded: This was a wicked falsehood, the deeds were never done as the tale was worded.

Then strove again young Horant, and never on any day, Had his knightly song been better. Sick and well together All lost their wits in hearing, and none could leave who to listen once came hither.

The wild beasts in the forest let their pasture grow;

The little worms that creeping through grass are wont to go, The fishes, too, that ever amidst the waves were swimming, All now stopped to listen; the singer’s heart with pride was overbrimming.

Whatever he might sing to them, to no one seemed it long; Ill vied with his song the choral which by priests is sung.

Even the bells no longer rang as of yore so sweetly;

Every one who heard him was moved by Horant’s song, and saddened greatly.

Near her he was dwelling, and there he held his land. A thousand times though daily he should send to ask her hand,

Ever would his wooing be met with scorn and flouting;

But though he now was thwarted, later on her, as his wife, he was fondly doting.

Gudrun, the lovely maiden, looked on, and heard the din.

Luck is round and rolling, like a ball, I ween;

And since to end the fighting to her it was not given, She hoped that, when ’twas over, her father and his foe would find their strength was even.

Now within the castle were all in saddest mood; So men to-day might sorrow. Whate’er the foemen would, There did they lay hands on, and took from out the dwelling.

Rich grew Hartmut’s followers⁠— you well may trust that I the truth am telling.

Then came the bold young Hartmut where he Gudrun could see, And said: “Most worthy lady, you erst looked down on me;

Now the downcast maidens for sleep had sought their bed; But this was not the softest, and each one, in her need, A dirty shirt was wearing. Thus was Gerlind showing Her care and kindness for them, on benches hard a pillow ne’er bestowing.

Never Gudrun, poor maiden, on a harder bed had lain;

All were tired with watching till day should dawn again. They had but broken slumber; I ween, they oft bethought them How soon the knights were coming, of whom the angel-bird the news had brought them.

“But if you are in earnest, to help Gudrun 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.”

Great was the crush and uproar; hand to hand they fought; Many wounds were gaping thro’ rings of steel well-wrought; Many a head had fallen beneath the sword-strokes given:

Death was like a robber, that from their kin the dearest friends had riven.

Now saw the Danish Horant that Ortwin from his foe A bloody wound had taken; then Horant bade them show Who ’twas that thus had wounded his master loved so dearly. Hartmut at this was laughing, for both upon the field had met too nearly.

“

Fly from here I cannot; no wings for this have I;

Nor in the earth can hide me, whatever else I try. Neither from the foeman to the waves can we be turning: Now, in our lot so wretched, what best it is to do from me be learning.

The while the wicked Gerlind sank down in sore dismay. Said Wâ-te, wild to madness: “Most lofty queen, I warn you, Never again, at your bidding, shall my ladies wash for you; they now can scorn you.”

I ween that when he brought her without the palace gate,

All looked on to witness what he would do in his hate. Then by the hair he grasped her, no one a whit he dreaded, His wrath indeed was bitter, and at once the evil queen he there beheaded.