[464]
Soon as they left the castle, shouts the land did fill,
As they their way were making thro’ lowland and o’er hill;
Men saw upon the pathways crowds still thronging nearer:
Hettel hastened forward, to see the maid, than every other dearer.
[465]
At last the aged Wâ-te, the knight from the Sturmisch land,
Had reached the Waalisch marches and stepped upon the sand.
There on the shore were gathered the sailors, water-weary;
Shelter they sought for Hilda, and in a friendly land were glad to tarry.