Legends of the Middle Ages | Page 8

safety to his father's court. [Footnote 1: See Guerber's
Myths of Northern Lands, p. 29.]
[Sidenote: Hagen made king.] As Sigeband had died without leaving
any other heir, Hagen was warmly welcomed home, and ascending the
vacant throne, he took to wife Hilde, the fair maiden with whom he had
shared his game and berries for so many years. The royal couple were
very happy, and Hagen ruled so wisely that he became a terror to his
enemies and a blessing to his own subjects. Even when engaged in
warfare he proved himself an upright and generous man, never
attacking the poor and weak.
"On warlike enterprises into his enemies' land He spared the poor from
ravage of fire with powerful hand; Whenever he encountered a warrior
overbearing, He broke his burgs and slew him with dire revenge
unsparing." Gudrun (Dippold's tr.).
[Sidenote: Hilde's suitors.] Hagen and Hilde eventually became the
parents of an only daughter, who was called by her mother's name, and

grew up so beautiful that many suitors soon came to Ireland to ask for
her hand. Hagen, who loved his daughter dearly and was in no haste to
part from her, first replied that she was far too young to think of
marriage; but when this plea was disputed he declared that Hilde
should only marry a man who would defeat her father in single fight.
As Hagen was unusually tall and strong, as well as uncommonly brave,
he was considered well-nigh invincible. The suitors, dismayed at this
declaration, reluctantly withdrew, even though they were all valiant
men. In those days Hettel (who corresponds to Hedin in the Edda story)
was king of northern Germany and of the Hegelings. He too heard
marvelous accounts of Hilde's beauty, and, as he was still unmarried,
longed to secure her as wife. But knowing that Hagen, in his anger, was
likely to slay any ambassador who came to his court with a proposal of
marriage, Hettel vowed that he would rather forego the alliance than
run the risk of losing any of his tried friends and faithful servants.
"Then said the royal Hetel: 'The people all relate That whosoe'er will
woo her incurs her father's hate, And for the maid has perished full
many a noble knight; My friends shall never suffer for me such woeful
plight.'" Gudrun (Dippold's tr.).
[Sidenote: Strategy of Hettel's followers.] His faithful followers, Wat,
Horant, and Frute, perceiving that his heart was set upon the maiden,
finally volunteered to go and get her, saying that they could easily bear
her away by stratagem, although they did not dare to ask for her openly.
So they loaded their vessel with merchandise, hid their weapons, so
that they should be taken for the traders they professed to be, and sailed
boldly into Hagen's port, where, spreading out their wares, they invited
all the people to buy.
Attracted by the extraordinary bargains they offered, the people came
in crowds, and soon all the inhabitants of Balian were busy talking
about the strange peddlers and praising their wares. These stories soon
came to the ears of both queen and princess, who, summoning the
merchants into their presence, asked who they were and whence they
came.
All three replied that they were warriors, and that, being banished from
Hettel's court, they had been forced to take up their present occupation
to make a living. To prove the truth of their assertions, Wat exhibited
his skill in athletic sports, while Horant delighted all the ladies by his

proficiency in the art of minstrelsy.
"When now the night was ended and there drew near the dawn, Horant
began his singing, so that in grove and lawn The birds became all silent,
because he sang so sweetly; The people who were sleeping sprang from
their couches fleetly.
"The cattle in the forests forsook their pasture ground; The creeping
creatures playing among the grass around, The fishes in the water,--all
in their sports were ceasing. The minstrel might most truly rejoice in art
so pleasing.
"Whate'er he might be singing, to no one seemed it long; Forgotten in
the minster were priest and choral song, Church bells no longer
sounded so sweetly as before, And every one who heard him longed for
the minstrel sore." Gudrun (Dippold's tr.).
These soft strains so pleased the younger Hilde that she soon sent for
the minstrel again, and Horant, finding her alone, made use of this
opportunity to tell her of Hettel's love and longing. She was so touched
by this declaration of love that he easily won from her a promise to flee
with him and his companions as soon as a suitable opportunity
occurred.
The pretended merchants, having now achieved the real object of their
journey, disposed of their remaining wares. They then invited the king