Annie Klingensmith

“ When King Sigebancl grew old and died, Hagen was king.
Hagen had one daughter called Hilde. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. Every knight who saw her wished her for his wife.
But Hagen did not think any one good enough. Every one who came had to fight with Hagen. He was the strongest man in the land and he overcame them all.
Hetel, who was king of the Hegelings, heard of Hilde's beauty and wished her for his queen. ”

“ All the maidens who were taken with her were set to spinning flax and weaving cloth.
Gudrun swept the floors and made the fires. For thirteen years she did this work, but she would not be Hartmut's wife.
By that time the boys in Hetel's kingdom had grown to be men. Wat of Sturmland led another army against King Hartmut.
Gudrun was down at the sea-shore washing clothes. As she worked, a beautiful bird swam to her. The bird sang of the great army that was coming to take her home.
When Gudrun went to the castle that night, the queen scolded her because the work was not all done. ”

“ A long time ago, in a land near the ocean, there lived a king called Sigeband. He was a very rich and powerful king and had many knights in his army.
Often he held tournaments, so that his knights might show their skill in the use of sword and spear and battle-ax.
Once he held a tournament that lasted a week. Hagen, the king's little son, who was some day to be king of the land, ran about among the horses and knights.
He looked at the sharp swords and shining armor. He heard the jingling of the golden spurs. He saw the gay plumes on the helmets and wished that he too were a man. ”