Now with the friendly Hegelings
none would tarry more.
Soon on the way to Alzabie
they Herwic’s sister bore,
Shouting all for gladness
that they the maid were bringing;
While, on their watery pathway,
with proud and happy hearts, the knights were singing.
Queen Hilda gave, at parting,
a kind farewell to them.
Though rich were Herwic’s followers
when first to her they came,
Yet gifts she gave full many
to them, when homeward faring.
When one is seen so lavish,
the name of a wonder-worker is he rightly bearing.
Gudrun then spake to her mother:
“May blessings on you be!
Mourn not for the fallen;
by both my lord and me
Shall love to you be given:
no more you need be feeling
Heaviness or sorrow;
your woes shall Herwic’s kindness now be healing.”
To her Queen Hilda answered:
“Dearest daughter mine,
If you would make me happy,
henceforth must friends of thine
Come to the land of the Hegeling
thrice to see me yearly;
Else must I greatly sorrow,
and never can bear the loss I feel so nearly.”
Then said Gudrun, the high-born:
“Mother, it shall be done.”
At once, with smiles and weeping,
and glances backward thrown,
She left the castle of Matelan,
with many a friendly maiden.
Her sorrows now were ended:
nought before did ever maids so gladden.
Hither men brought horses,
saddled and fitly bred,
To bear her hence with her maidens;
these their keepers led:
Light were all the breastplates,
and golden-red each bridle.
I ween the ladies wished not
longer far from home to linger idle.
Many, with hair down-flowing,
and decked with gold, rode there;
Methinks from tears and sorrow
none could then forbear,
Who must at last from Ortrun
and from her maids be parted.
Should Ortrun be unhappy,
Gudrun would then be sad and heavy-hearted.
Ortrun, betrothed to Ortwin,
then her thanks did give
To fair Gudrun, the queenly,
that she had granted leave
To hold the Norman kingdom
to Hartmut, her knightly brother:
“Gudrun, may God reward you!
my cares are gone, I ne’er shall know another.”
To her mother Hilda, also,
Ortrun her thanks did say,
That she in Ortland’s kingdom
the crown should wear one day,
Together with King Ortwin,
and there be called his lady.
Then said to her Queen Hilda
that she to grant her this was ever ready.
Ortwin then and Herwic
each to the other swore,
With strong and steady friendship,
that they forevermore
Would sway with right and honor
the lands to them belonging,
And ever would be earnest
to seize and slay whoe’er was either wronging.