The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson by Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson

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_Sigurd._

43. Will then Gunnar, chief among men, the noble woman wed? Tell me
that, Gripir! although three nights by me the chieftain's bride glad
of heart has slept? The like has no example.

44. How for happiness shall hereafter be this affinity? Tell me
that, Gripir! Will the alliance for Gunnar's solace henceforth prove,
or even for mine?

_Gripir._

45. Thou wilt the oaths remember, and must silence keep, and let
Gudrun enjoy a happy union. Brynhild nathless will herself think an
ill-married woman. She will wiles devise to avenge herself.

_Sigurd._

46. What atonement will that woman take, for the frauds we shall
have practised on her? From me the maiden has oaths sworn, but never
kept, and but little joy.

_Gripir._

47. She to Gunnar will plainly declare, that thou didst not well the
oaths observe, when the noble king, Giuki's heir, with his whole soul,
in thee confided.

_Sigurd._

48. What will then follow? let me know that. Will that tale appear
as true, or that the noble woman falsely accuses me, and herself also.
Tell me that, Gripir!

_Gripir_.

49. From spite towards thee, and from o'erwhelmmg grief, the
powerful dame will not most wisely act. To the noble woman do thou no
further harm, though thou the royal bride with guiles hast
circumvented.

_Sigurd_.

50. Will the prudent Gunnar, Guthorm, and Hogni, at her instigation,
then proceed? Will Giuki's sons on their relative redden their swords?
Tell me further, Gripir!

_Gripir_.

51. Then will Gudrun be furious at heart, when her brothers shall on
thy death resolve. In nothing then will that wise woman take delight.
Such is Grimhild's work.

52. In this thou shalt find comfort, leader of hosts! This fortune
is allotted to the hero's life: a more renowned man on earth shall
never be, under the sun's abode, than thou wilt be accounted.

_Sigurd_.

53. Now part we, now farewell! Fate may not be withstood. Now hast
thou, Gripir! done as I prayed thee: thou wouldst have fain a happier
end foretold me of my life's days, hadst thou been able.

THE SECOND LAY OF SIGURD FAFNICIDE.

Sigurd went to Hialprek's stud and chose himself a horse, which was
afterwards named Grani. Regin, Hreidmar's son, was then come to
Hialprek; he was the most skilful of men, and a dwarf in stature; he
was wise, cruel, and versed in magic. Regin undertook the rearing and
instruction of Sigurd, and bore him great affection. He informed
Sigurd of his parentage, and how it befell that Odin, and Hoenir, and
Loki came to Andvarafors (the waterfall of Andvari). In the fall there
was an abundance of fish. There was a dwarf named Andvari, who had
long lived in the fall in the likeness of a pike, and in which he
supplied himself with food. "Our brother," continued Regin, "was named
Otr, who often went into the fall in the likeness of an otter. He had
caught a salmon, and was sitting on the bank of the river with his
eyes shut eating it, when Loki killed him with a stone. The AEsir
thought themselves very lucky, and stripped off the otter's skin. That
same evening they sought entertainment with Hreidmar, and showed their
prize. Thereupon we laid hands on them, and imposed on them, as the
redemption of their lives, that they should fill the otter's skin with
gold, and cover it over with red gold. They thereupon sent Loki to
procure gold. He went to Ran, and obtained her net, and thence
proceeded to Andvarafors, and cast the net before a pike, which leapt
into the net. Whereupon Loki said:

1. What fish is this, that in the river swims, and cannot from harm
itself protect? Redeem thy life from Hel, and find me the water's
flame.[59] _The Pike_.

2. Andvari I am named, Oin was my father named; many a cataract have
I passed. A luckless Norn in times of old decreed, that in the water I
should wade.

_Loki_.

3. Tell me, Andvari! if thou wilt enjoy life in the halls of men,
what retribution get the sons of mortals, if with foul words they
assail each other.

_Andvari_.

4. Cruel retribution get the sons of mortals, who in Vadgelmir wade:
for the false words they have against others uttered, the punishments
too long endure.

Loki viewed all the gold that Andvari owned; but when he had produced
the gold, he retained a single ring, which Loki also took from him.
The dwarf went into his stone and said:

5. That gold which the dwarf possessed, shall to two brothers be
cause of death, and to eight princes, of dissension. From my wealth no
one shall good derive.

The AEsir produced the gold to Hreidmar, and with it crammed the
otter's skin full, and set it up on the feet. They then had to heap up
the gold and cover it; but when that was done, Hreidmar, stepping
forward, observed a whisker, and required it to be covered; whereupon
Odin drew forth the ring "Andvaranaut," and covered the hair. Loki
said:

6. There is gold for thee, and thou hast a great redemption for my
life. For thy son no blessing is decreed; of both it shall prove the
bane.

_Hreidmar_.

7. Gifts thou hast given, friendly gifts thou hast given not; with a
kind heart thou hast not given. Of your lives ye should have been
deprived, had I foreknown that peril.

8. But that is worse, what I seem to know,--a strife of kinsmen for
a woman. Princes yet unborn I think them to be, for whose hate that
gold is destined.

9. The red gold, I trust, I shall possess while I am living: of thy
threats I entertain no fear; so take yourselves hence home.

Fafnir and Regin demanded of Hreidmar their share of the blood-fine
for their slain brother Otr, which he refused, and Fafnir stabbed his
father with a sword while sleeping. Hreidmar called out to his
daughters:

10. Lyngheid and Lofnheid! Know my life is departing. To many things
need compels.[60] _Lyngheid_.

Few sisters will, although they lose a father, avenge a brother's
crime.

_Hreidmar_.

11. Then bring forth a daughter, wolf-hearted fury! If by a chief
thou have not a son. Get for the maid a spouse, in thy great need;
then will her son thy wrong avenge.

Hreidmar then died, and Fafnir took all the gold. Regin then requested
to have his share of the patrimony, but met with a refusal from
Fafnir. Regin thereupon sought counsel of his sister Lyngheid, how he
might obtain his patrimony. She said:

12. Thou of thy brother shalt mildly demand thy patrimony and a
better spirit. It is not seemly, that with the sword thou shouldst
demand thy property of Fafnir.

The foregoing is what Regin related to Sigurd. One day, when he came
to Regin's dwelling, he was kindly received, and Regin said:

13. Hither is come the son of Sigmund to our Hall, that man of
energy: courage he has greater than I aged man: now of a conflict have
I hope from the fierce wolf.[61]

14. I will nurture the bold-hearted prince: now Yngvi's kinsman is
to us come; he will be a king under the sun most powerful; over all
lands will his destinies resound.

Sigurd was thence forward constantly with Regin, who related to him
how Fafnir lay on Gnitaheid in the likeness of a serpent. He had an
"Oegis-helm,"[62] at which all living beings were terror-stricken.
Regin forged a sword for Sigurd, that was named Gram, and was so sharp
that immersing it in the Rhine, he let a piece of wool down the
stream, when it clove the fleece asunder as water. With that sword
Sigurd clove in two Regin's anvil. After that Regin instigated Sigurd
to slay Fafnir. He said:

15. Loud will laugh Hunding's sons, they who Eylimi of life
deprived, if the prince is more desirous to seek red rings, than to
avenge his father.

King Hialprek collected a fleet to enable Sigurd to avenge his father.
They encountered a great storm, and were driven past a certain
promontory. A man was standing on the cliff who said:

16. Who ride yonder, on Raevils horses, the towering billows, the
roaring main: the sail-steeds are with sweat bedewed, the
wave-coursers will not the wind withstand.

_Regin_.

17. Here am I and Sigurd in sea-trees; a fair wind is given us for
death itself: higher than our prows the steep waves dash, the rolling
horses plunge. Who is it that inquires?

_Hnikar_.

18. They called me Hnikar, when I Hugin gladdened, young Volsung!
and battles fought. Now they mayest call me the ancient of the rock,
Feng, or Fiolnir.--I desire a passage.

They turn to the land, the old man goes on board, and the storm
abates. Sigurd said:

19. Tell me, Hnikar! since thou knowest the omens both of gods and
men, which omens are the best--if to fight 'tis needful--at the swing
of glaves?

_Hnikar_.

20. Good omens there are many, if men but knew them, at the swing of
glaves, a faithful fellowship, I think, is the dark raven's, with the
sworded warrior.

21. The second is, if, when thou art gone out, and about to depart,
thou seest two renown-seeking men standing in the fore-court.

22. The third omen is, if wolves thou hearest howl under the
ash-boughs, it will victory to thee announce over helmed warriors, if
thou seest them go before thee.

23. No man should fight against the moon's late-shining sister. They
have victory, who can see keenly at the play of swords, or to form the
wedge-array.

24. Most perilous it is, if with thy foot thou strikest, when thou
to battle goest. Wily Disir stand on either side of thee, and wish to
see thee wounded.

25. Combed and washed let every brave man be, and at morning fed;
for 'tis uncertain whither he at eve may come. 'Tis bad to succumb to
fate.

Sigurd fought a great battle with Lyngvi, Hunding's son, and his
brothers, in which Lyngvi and his three brothers fell. After the
battle Regin said:

26. Now is the bloody eagle, with the trenchant blade, graven on the
back of Sigmund's slayer. No son of king, who the earth reddens, and
the raven gladdens, is more excellent.

Sigurd returned home to Hialprek, when Regin instigated him to slay
Fafnir.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 59: One of many periphrases for gold.]

[Footnote 60: To wit, _to avenge my death on your brothers_.]

[Footnote 61: Sigurd.]

[Footnote 62: A terrific helm or headpiece.]

THE LAY OF FAFNIR.

Sigurd and Regin went up to Gnitaheid, and there found Fafnir's slot,
or track, along which he crawled to the water. There on the way Sigurd
made a large pit, and went down into it. When Fafnir crawled from the
gold he blew forth venom, but it flew over Sigurd's head. When Fafnir
crept over the pit, Sigurd with his sword pierced him to the heart.
Fafnir shook himself, and beat with his head and tail. Sigurd leapt
from the pit, and each looked at the other. Fafnir said:

1. Young fellow! young fellow! by what fellow art thou begot? of
what people are thou the son? that thou in Fafnir reddenst thy
glittering falchion? Thy sword has pierced my heart.

Sigurd concealed his name, because it was the belief in those times,
that the words of dying persons were of great power, if they cursed an
enemy by his name.

_Sigurd_.

2. Gofugt-dyr I am called, but I have wandered a motherless child;
nor have I a father like the sons of men: alone I wander.

_Fafnir_.

3. If thou hast no father like the sons of men, by what wonder art
thou begotten?

_Sigurd_.

4. My race, I tell thee, is to thee unknown, and myself also.
Sigmund was my father named, my name is Sigurd, who with weapon have
assailed thee.

_Fafnir_.

5. Who has incited thee? why hast thou suffered thyself to be
incited to take my life? youth of the sparkling eyes! Thou hadst a
cruel father-- * * * *

_Sigurd_.

6. My heart incited me, my hands gave me aid, and my keen sword.
Rarely a man is bold, when of mature age, if in childhood he was
faint-hearted.

_Fafnir_.

7. I know if thou hadst chanced to grow in the lap of friends, they
would have seen thee fierce in fight. Now thou art a captive, taken in
war, and, 'tis said, slaves ever tremble.

_Sigurd_.

8. Why Fafnir! dost thou upbraid me that I am far from my paternal
home? I am not a captive, although in war I was taken: thou hast found
that I am free.

_Fafnir_.

9. Thou wilt account only as angry words all I to thee shall say,
but I will say the truth. The jingling gold, and the gleed-red
treasure, those rings, shall be thy bane.

_Sigurd_.

10. Treasure at command every one desires, ever till that one day;
for at some time each mortal shall hence to Hel depart.

_Fafnir_.

11. The Norns' decree thou wilt hold in contempt as from a witless
wight: In water thou shalt be drowned, if in wind thou rowest. All
things bring peril to the fated.

_Sigurd_.

12. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to
know: who those Norns are, who help in need, and from babes loose the
mothers.

_Fafnir_.

13. Very diversely born I take those Norns to be: they have no
common race. Some are of AEsir-race, some of Alfar-race, some are
Dvalin's daughters.

_Sigurd_.

14. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to
know, how that holm is called, where Surt and the AEsir will
sword-liquor together mingle?

_Fafnir_.

15. Oskopnir it is called; there shall the gods with lances play;
Bifrost shall be broken, when they go forth, and their steeds in the
river swim.

16. An Oegis-helm I bore among the sons of men, while I o'er the
treasures lay; stronger than all I thought myself to be; stronger I
found not many!

_Sigurd_.

17. An Oegis-helm is no protection, where men impelled by anger
fight: soon he finds, who among many comes, that no one is alone the
boldest.

_Fafnir_.

18. Venom I blew forth, when on my father's great heritage I lay.

_Sigurd_.

19. Thou, glistening serpent! didst a great belching make, and wast
so hard of heart. Fierceness so much the greater have the sons of men,
when they possess that helm.

_Fafnir_.

20. Sigurd! I now counsel thee, do thou take my counsel; and hence
ride home. The jingling gold, and the gleed-red treasure, those rings,
shall be thy bane.

_Sigurd_.

21. Counsel regarding thee is taken, and I to the gold will ride, on
the heath that lies. But lie thou, Fafnir! in the pangs of death,
until Hel have thee!

_Fafnir_.

22. Regin betrayed me, he will thee betray, he of us both will be
the bane. Fafnir must, I trow, let forth his life: thine was the
greater might!

Regin had gone away while Sigurd slew Fafnir, but came back as Sigurd
was wiping the blood from his sword. He said:

23. Hail to thee now, Sigurd! Now hast thou victory won and Fafnir
slain: of all the men who tread the earth, thou art, I say, the
bravest born.

_Sigurd_.

24. Uncertain 'tis to know, when we all come together, sons of
victorious heroes, which is the bravest born. Many a one is bold, who
sword has never broken in another's breast.

_Regin_.

25. Glad are thou now, Sigurd! and in thy gain rejoicing, while
Gram, in the grass thou driest. My brother thou to death hast wounded,
yet in some degree was I the cause.

_Sigurd_.

26. Thou didst me counsel, that I should ride o'er high fells
hither. Treasure and life had still possess'd that glistening serpent,
hadst thou my anger not excited.

Regin then approached Fafnir and cut out his heart with a sword named
Ridill, and afterwards drank blood from his wound. He said:

27. Sit now, Sigurd!--but I must go to sleep--and Fafnir's heart
hold to the fire. Of this refection I would fain partake, after that
drink of blood.

_Sigurd_.

28. Thou wentst far off, while I in Fafnir my keen sword reddened.
With my strength I strove against the serpent's might, while in the
ling thou layest.

_Regin_.

29. Long hadst thou allowed in the ling to lie that Jotun old, hadst
thou the sword not used that I forged for thee, thy keen-edged glave.

_Sigurd_.

30. Valour is better than might of sword, when foes embittered
fight; for a brave man I have ever seen gain victory with a dull
sword.

31. For the brave 'tis better than for the timid to join in the game
of war; for the joyous it is better than for the sad, let come
whatever may.

Sigurd took Fafnir's heart and roasted it on a stick. When he thought
it roasted enough, and the blood frothed from it, he touched it with
his finger, to try whether it were quite done. He burnt his finger and
put it in his mouth; and when Fafnir's heart's blood touched his
tongue he understood the language of birds. He heard the eagles
chattering among the branches. One eagle said:

38. There sits Sigurd sprinkled with blood; Fafnir's heart at the
fire he roasts. Wise methinks were the ring-dispenser, if he the
glistening life-pulp ate.

_Second eagle_.

33. There lies Regin communing with himself; he will beguile the
youth, who in him trusts: in rage he brings malicious words together,
the framer of evil will avenge his brother.

_Third eagle_.

34. By the head shorter, let him the hoary babbler send hence to
Hel; then can he all the gold possess alone, the mass that under
Fafnir lay.

_Fourth eagle_.

35. He would, methinks, be prudent, if he could have your friendly
counsel, my sisters! If he would bethink himself, and Hugin gladden.
There I expect the wolf, where his ears I see.

_Fifth eagle_.

36. Not so prudent is that tree of battle, as I that martial leader
had supposed, if he one brother lets depart, now he the other has of
life bereft.

_Sixth eagle_.

37. He is most simple, if he longer spares that people's pest. There
lies Regin, who has betrayed him.--He cannot guard against it.

_Seventh eagle_.

38. By the head shorter let him make the ice-cold Jotun, and of his
rings deprive him; then of that treasure thou,[63] which Fafnir owned,
sole lord wilt be!

_Sigurd_.

39. Fate shall not so resistless be, that Regin shall my death-word
bear; for the brothers both shall speedily go hence to Hel.

Sigurd cut off the head of Regin, and then ate Fafnir's heart, and
drank the blood of both Regin and Fafnir. He then heard the eagles
saying:

40. Bind thou, Sigurd! the red-gold rings. It is not kingly many
things to fear. I a maid know by far the fairest, with gold adorned.
Couldst thou but her obtain!

_Second eagle_.

41. To Giuki lead all-verdant ways; the fates point out to
wayfarers where the good king a born daughter has; her wilt thou,
Sigurd! purchase with bridal gifts.

_Third eagle_.

42. There stands a hall on the high Hindarfiall, without 'tis all
with fire surrounded; sagacious men have it constructed of the
resplendent radiance of the flood.[64] _Fourth eagle_.

43. On the fell I know a warrior maid to sleep, over her waves the
linden's bane.[65] Ygg whilom stuck a sleep-thorn in the robe of the
maid who would heroes choose.

44. Thou, youth! mayest see the helmed maiden, her whom Vingskornir
from battle bore. May not Sigrdrifa's slumber break the son of
warriors,[66] against the Norns' decrees.

Sigurd rode along Fafnir's track to his lair, which he found open. The
doors and door-posts were of iron; of iron also were all the beams in
the house; but the treasure was buried in the earth. Sigurd found
there a great quantity of gold, and filled two chests with it. He took
thence the Oegis-helm, a golden corslet, the sword named Hrotti, and
many precious things, all which he laid on Grani; but the horse would
not proceed until Sigurd had mounted on his back.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 63: I.e., Sigurd; a transition from the 3d person to the
2nd.]

[Footnote 64: Another periphrasis for gold.]

[Footnote 65: A periphrasis for fire.]

[Footnote 66: Of Skioldungs.]

THE LAY OF SIGRDRIFA.

Sigurd rode up the Hindarfiall, and directed his course southwards
towards Frankland. In the fell he saw a great light, as if a fire were
burning, which blazed up to the sky. On approaching it, there stood a
"skialdborg," and over it a banner. Sigurd went into the skialdborg,
and saw a warrior lying within it asleep, completely armed. He first
took the helmet off the warrior's head, and saw that it was a woman.
Her corslet was as fast as if it had grown to her body. With his sword
Gram he ripped the corslet from the upper opening downwards, and then
through both sleeves. He then took the corslet off from her, when she
awoke, sat up and, on seeing Sigurd, said:

1. What has my corslet cut? why from sleep have I started? who has
cast from me the fallow bands?

_Sigurd_.

Sigmund's son has just now ript the raven's perch,[67] with Sigurd's
sword.

_She_.

2. Long have I slept, long been with sleep oppressed, long are
mortals' sufferings! Odin is the cause that I have been unable to cast
off torpor.

Sigurd sat down and asked her name. She then took a horn filled with
mead, and gave him the _minnis-cup_.

_She_.

3. Hail to Day! Hail to the sons of Day! To Night and her daughter
hail! With placid eyes behold us here, and here sitting give us
victory.

4. Hail to the AEsir! Hail to the Asyniur! Hail to the bounteous
earth! Words and wisdom give to us noble twain, and healing hands[68]
while we live.

She was named Sigrdrifa, and was a Valkyria. She said that two kings
had made war on each other, one of whom was named Hialmgunnar; he was
old and a great warrior, and Odin had promised him victory. The other
was Agnar, a brother of Hoda, whom no divinity would patronize.
Sigrdrifa overcame Hialmgunnar in battle; in revenge for which Odin
pricked her with a sleep-thorn, and declared that henceforth she
should never have victory in battle, and should be given in marriage.
"But I said to him, that I had bound myself by a vow not to espouse
any man who could be made to fear." Sigurd answers, and implores her
to teach him wisdom, as she had intelligence from all regions:

_Sigrdrifa_.

5. Beer I bear to thee, column[69] of battle! with might mingled,
and with bright glory: 'tis full of song, and salutary saws, of potent
incantations, and joyous discourses.

6. Sig-runes thou must know, if victory (sigr) thou wilt have, and
on thy sword's hilt grave them; some on the chapes, some on the guard,
and twice name the name of Ty.

7. Ol-(beer-) runes thou must know, if thou wilt not that another's
wife thy trust betray, if thou in her confide. On the horn must they
be graven, and on the hand's back, and Naud[70] on the nail be scored.

8. A cup must be blessed, and against peril guarded, and garlick in
the liquor cast: then I know thou wilt never have mead with treachery
mingled.

9. Biarg- (help-) runes thou must know, if thou wilt help, and loose
the child from women. In the palm they must be graven, and round the
joints be clasped, and the Disir prayed for aid.

10. Brim- (sea-) runes thou must know, if thou wilt have secure
afloat thy sailing steeds. On the prow they must be graven, and on the
helm-blade, and with fire to the oar applied. No surge shall be so
towering, nor waves so dark, but from the ocean thou safe shalt come.

11. Lim- (branch-) runes thou must know, if thou a leech wouldst be,
and wounds know how to heal. On the bark they must be graven, and on
the leaves of trees, of those whose boughs bent eastward.

12. Mal- (speech-) runes thou must know, if thou wilt that no one
for injury with hate requite thee. Those thou must wind, those thou
must wrap round, those thou must altogether place in the assembly,
where people have into full court to go.

13. Hug- (thought-) runes thou must know, if thou a wiser man wilt
be than every other. Those interpreted, those graved, those devised
Hropt, from the fluid, which had leaked from Heiddraupnir's head, and
from Hoddropnir's horn.

14. On a rock he stood, with edged sword, a helm on his head he
bore. Then spake Mim's head its first wise word, and true sayings
uttered.

15. They are, it said, on the shield graven, which stands before the
shining god, on Arvakr's ear, and on Alsvid's hoof, on the wheel which
rolls under Rognir's car, on Sleipnir's teeth, and on the sledge's
bands.

16. On the bear's paw, and on Bragi's tongue, on the wolf's claws,
and the eagle's beak, on bloody wings, and on the bridge's end, on the
releasing hand, and on healing's track.

17. On glass and on gold, on amulets of men, in wine and in wort,
and in the welcome seat, on Gungnir's point, and on Grani's breast, on
the Norn's nail, and the owl's neb.

18. All were erased that were inscribed, and mingled with the sacred
mead, and sent on distant ways: they are with the AEsir, they are with
the Alfar, some with the wise Vanir, some human beings have.

19. Those are bok-runes,[71] those are biarg-runes, and all
ol-(beer-) runes, and precious megin- (power-) runes, for those who
can, without confusion or corruption, turn them to his welfare. Use,
if thou hast understood them, until the powers perish.

20. Now thou shalt choose, since a choice is offered thee, keen
armed warrior! my speech, or silence: think over it in thy mind. All
evils[72] have their measure.

_Sigurd_.

21. I will not flee, though thou shouldst know me doomed. I am not
born a craven. Thy friendly counsels all I will receive, as long as
life is in me.

_Sigrdrifa_.

22. This I thee counsel first: that towards thy kin thou bear thee
blameless. Take not hasty vengeance, although they raise up strife:
that, it is said, benefits the dead.

23. This I thee counsel secondly: that no oath thou swear, if it be
not true. Cruel bonds follow broken faith: accursed is the
faith-breaker.

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