While yet the men were sleeping within King Hettel’s halls,
The watchman from the castle down to them loudly calls:
“Up from your rest now, quickly! Arm yourselves and listen!
Foes from abroad are coming! E’en now, on their way, I see the helmets glisten.”
[640]
From off their beds upsprang they, no longer dared they lie;
Whoe’er there was among them, in rank or low or high,
Must bear a heavy burden, for life and honor caring.
Thus the young King Herwic strove for a wife, the storm of warfare daring.
[641]