Here one of the knights3 interrupted him, saying: “Make no mock of us, Sir Prince! How could that have been? Gudrun, if indeed she yet doth live, would surely be kept safe within the castle.”
“Ill would it become me to make sport of gallant4 knights,” replied Ortwin. “If you doubt my words, ask Herwig then, for he did also see her; yet, alas5! ’twas in such a plight6 that deeply must we sorrow for her fate. We found her with Hildburg, who doth share her lot, as a washer-maiden on the shore!”
103
At this the heroes shed tears of grief and rage, but old Wate shouted: “Now, by the mass, this is no time for tears. Rather let us go forthwith and dye those garments crimson8 that Gudrun hath washed white for Hartmut and his knights!”
A council was now held to determine the best plan for attacking the castle both by land and sea. “Let me but have them once within my reach,” said Wate, “and I will thank them well for what they have done to Gudrun! Hearken now to my counsel. One part of our forces must approach the castle walls by land before the dawn; this I myself will lead. The moon shines bright, and ere ’tis day we shall have the castle surrounded on every side, while in the early morning ye shall bring the rest of our warriors with the fleet to aid us from the sea.”
104
This plan was at once agreed upon and all busied themselves with preparations for departure. Long before daybreak Wate with his force had completely surrounded the castle on the landward side. A wood concealed9 the horsemen, who stretched themselves out with their heads upon their shields to enjoy a brief repose10. Wate had enjoined11 them, however, to be early astir, and linger not after the first sign of dawn. At the first sound of his hunting horn all were to seize their arms, at the second seek their steeds, and at the third they were to swing themselves into their saddles and follow the banner of the Queen, which was to be borne before them.
Herwig, Ortwin, and the other heroes meanwhile had embarked12 with their followers13 and were waiting for the dawn. Quickly the night hours passed, and the morning sun rose in splendor14 from the sea.
From helm and harness, spear and shield
A sea of fire which seemed to spring
From wood and plain and bay,
And rolling in swift circling course
About the castle lay.
Gay banners in the morning glow,
Soon waved on every height;
Upon the waters bright,
In truth a noble sight.
One of the damsels approached Gudrun’s bed, and cried, “Awaken, lady, for our knights are near!”
105
Quickly she sprang up and hastened to the window; but when she saw the banners fluttering in the morning breeze and looked down on the thousands who were joyously17 pressing on to battle, she burst into tears at the thought of how many gallant heroes must fall in death that day.
Suddenly the tower warden19 raised his mighty20 voice. “Up—up! bold knights,” he shouted, “up and to arms! Already have the Norman heroes slept too long!”
Gerlinda heard his cry and, springing from her bed, mounted to the battlements of the castle and gazed down tremblingly on the host. Then she hurried down to arouse King Ludwig who as yet had heard nothing of the alarm.
“Awake! awake! O King,” she cried in shrill21 tones. “Our castle is surrounded by a mighty army, and dearly shall we have to pay this day for Gudrun’s laughter!”
Ludwig bade her be silent, declaring he must see this army with his own eyes. “Yet, come what will,” he said, “I am ready to meet it!” Then going to the window and looking down at the advancing host, he added: “Perchance they are but pilgrims coming hither bent22 on sale and barter23. Call our son Hartmut, he will know.”
106
Hartmut was already awake. He allowed his men to sleep on, however, and mounted to the battlements with Ludwig. Meanwhile the sun had lit the depths below, and when Hartmut beheld24 the serried25 ranks, he said: “These are no pilgrims, surely; they press upon us far too closely.”
“Look at the banners, my son,” said Ludwig, “mine eyes cannot distinguish the devices.”
After a moment, Hartmut spoke26: “I see one yonder that hath the look of an enemy’s; aye, ’tis the banner of Karade—on a brown field waves a head of ruddy gold. These are no welcome guests, for ere that standard sinks full many a stalwart hero will have suffered death. Siegfried, who leads them, once did also woo Gudrun. The white one with the golden bars that flies beside it Wate hath unfurled. Queen Hilda gave it to him. The aged27 hero to the right is Frute, brother-in-arms to Wate. Yonder is Horant, who doth sing such beauteous lays. Now shall he chant for us a slumber28 song when we have slain29 the foe30 and would gain rest from warfare31. That one with the red bars and silver swordpoints is borne by Ortwin, whose father thou didst slay32 upon the Wulpensand; and seest thou yon banneret of sky blue silk whereon green seaweeds are emblazoned? That is the device of Herwig, King of Zealand. He thinks to win back his bride, poor fool! ’Tis not his love but death he shall embrace ere-long, forsooth! Many are there yet that I do see, but now they make ready to attack the castle. Let us also arm for the fray33.”
107
So saying Hartmut descended34 to the hall where his knights still slept, and shouted: “Awake, ye heroes! for the foe is at our gates! Up and arm yourselves. We surely would not show them such discourtesy as to make them wait for us before the walls!”
Quickly the news spread through the castle, and arms were donned with joyous18 speed. No sooner did Gerlinda learn that her son was preparing to go out and meet the foe than she hastened to him and cried reprovingly: “Surely thou wilt35 not open the gates and put thyself in peril36 without reason? Have we not food for a year within the castle, so that we may endure a siege? Let the enemy dash their heads to pieces against the walls, if they will!”
108
Hartmut was displeased37 at this, and said: “It is not meet, my mother, for thee to counsel warriors in such matters. Go teach thy women to embroider38 silk with gold and precious stones, which more befitteth thee. Or send Gudrun to the shore again to wash thy garments. Thou seest now she still hath friends to avenge39 her wrongs!”
But Gerlinda only redoubled her entreaties40. “Nay—if thou wilt but be guided by my words, my son, then shall the foe be brought to naught41 before the castle and never win back her we hold captive here.”
Seeing that Hartmut remained unmoved, she turned to his knights and cried: “Throw not away your lives so foolishly, but stay within and fling down stones and beams upon the enemy, or slay them with bolts from your arblasts.”
Hartmut sprang up angrily: “Peace, I say! nor longer seek to counsel those who know better than thou what were best to do. Shame enough was it to me that I once did flee before them on the Wulpensand, and this stain will I to-day wipe out that my honor may once more shine as bright as gold. Aye, on the field of battle will I meet them, come what may, for rather would I there be slain than live pent up within these walls.”
109
Gerlinda dared not gainsay42 him further, but turned weeping to the knights: “I beseech43 you, sirs, to guard my gallant son with all your power. If you but equal him in valor44 then surely will a splendid victory be ours!”
“Now thou hast spoken well, my mother,” said Hartmut, “and all who loyally stand by me to-day against the foe, shall share, I promise on my honor, in the spoils.”
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1
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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2
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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3
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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4
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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5
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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6
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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7
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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9
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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10
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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11
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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13
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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14
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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15
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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16
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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17
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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18
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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19
warden
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| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
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20
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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21
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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22
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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23
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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24
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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25
serried
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| adj.拥挤的；密集的 | |
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26
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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27
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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28
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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29
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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30
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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31
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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32
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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33
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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34
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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35
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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36
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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37
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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38
embroider
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| v.刺绣于(布)上；给…添枝加叶，润饰 | |
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39
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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40
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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41
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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42
gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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43
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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44
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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