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

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56. Thou wilt desire Oddrun to possess, but Atli will permit it not;
in secret ye will each other meet. She will love thee, as I had done,
if us a better fate had been allotted.

57. Thee will Atli barbarously treat; in the narrow serpent-den wilt
thou be cast.

58. It will too come to pass, not long after, that Atli will his
soul resign, his prosperity, and cease to live; for Gudrun in her
vengeance him in his bed will slay, through bitterness of spirit, with
the sword's sharp edge.

59. More seemly would appear our sister Gudrun, had she in death her
first consort followed, had but good counsel been to her given, or she
a soul possessed resembling mine--

60. Faintly I now speak--but for our sake she will not lose her
life. She will be borne on towering billows to King Jonakr's paternal
soil. Doubts will be in the resolves of Jonakr's sons.

61. She will Svanhild send from the land, her daughter, and
Sigurd's. Her will destroy Bikki's counsel; for Jormunrek for evil
lives. Then will have passed away all Sigurd's race, and Gudrun's
tears will be the more.

62. One prayer I have to thee yet to make, in this world 'twill be
my last request: Let in the plain be raised a pile so spacious, that
for us all like room may be, for those who shall have died with
Sigurd.

63. Bedeck the pile about with shields and hangings, a variegated
corpse-cloth, and multitude of slain. Let them burn the Hun[78] on the
one side of me;

64. Let them with the Hun burn on the other side, my household
slaves, with collars splendid, two at our heads, and two hawks; then
will all be equally distributed.

65. Let also lie between us both the sword with rings adorned, the
keen-edged iron, so again be placed, as when we both one couch
ascended, and were then called by the name of consorts.

66. Then will not clang against his heel the hall's bright gates,
with splendid ring, if my train him hence shall follow. Then will our
procession appear not mean.

67. For him will follow five female thralls, eight male slaves of
gentle birth, fostered with me, and with my patrimony, which to his,
daughter Budli gave.

68. Much I have said, and more would say, if the sword would grant
me power of speech. My voice fails, my wounds swell: truth only I have
uttered; so I will cease."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 75: That is, Skogul with the necklace; Brynhild applies this
name to herself, which is a compound of men, _necklace, monile_, and
Skogul, the name of a Valkyria.]

[Footnote 76: Necklaces usually consisted in gold and silver chains or
laces with ornaments attached to them; if these resembled the sun or
moon they were called Sigli, _suns_ (such were those here spoken of);
and such was the necklace worn by Freyia, the bright goddess of the
Vanir.]

[Footnote 77: Menia's meal, or flour, is gold.]

[Footnote 78: Sigurd.]

FRAGMENTS OF THE LAY OF BRYNHILD.

_Gunnar_.

1. "Why art thou, Brynhild! Budli's daughter! absorbed in evil and
murderous thoughts? What injury has Sigurd done thee, that thou the
hero wilt of life bereave?"

_Brynhild_.

2. "Sigurd to me oaths has sworn, oaths sworn, all falsehoods. He at
a time deceived me when he should have been of all oaths most
observant."

_Hogni_.

3. "Thee Brynhild has in anger instigated evil to perpetrate, harm
to execute. She grudges Gudrun her happy marriage, and thee,
possession of herself." * * *

4. Some a wolf roasted, some a snake cut up, some to Guthorm served
the wolf, before they might, eager for crime, on the mighty man lay
their hands.

5. Without stood Gudrun, Giuki's daughter, and these words first of
all uttered: "Where is now Sigurd, lord of warriors, seeing that my
kinsmen foremost ride?"

6. Hogni alone to her answer gave: "Asunder have we Sigurd hewed
with our swords; his grey steed bends o'er the dead chief."

7. Then said Brynhild, Budli's daughter: "Well shall ye now enjoy
arms and lands. Sigurd would alone over all have ruled, had he a
little longer life retained.

8. Unseemly it had been that he should so have ruled over Giuki's
heritage and the Goths' people, when he five sons, for the fall of
hosts, eager for warfare, had begotten."

9. Then laughed Brynhild--the whole burgh resounded--once only from
her whole heart: "Well shall ye enjoy lands and subjects, now the
daring king ye have caused to fall."

10. Then said Gudrun, Giuki's daughter: "Much thou speakest, things
most atrocious: may fiends have Gunnar, Sigurd's murderer! Souls
malevolent vengeance awaits."

11. Sigurd had fallen south of Rhine: loud from a tree a raven
screamed: "With your blood will Atli his sword's edges redden; the
oaths ye have sworn your slaughter shall dissolve."

12. Evening was advanced, much was drunken, then did pleasant talk
of all kinds pass: all sank in sleep, when to rest they went. Gunnar
alone was wakeful longer than all:

13. He began his foot to move, and much with himself to speak; the
warlike chief in his mind pondered, what during the conflict the raven
and the eagle were ever saying, as they rode home.

14. Brynhild awoke, Budli's daughter, daughter of Skioldungs, a
little ere day: "Urge me or stay me--the mischief is perpetrated--my
sorrow to pour forth, or to suppress it."

15. All were silent at these words; few understood the lady's
conduct, that weeping she should begin to speak of what she laughing
had desired.

16. "In my dream, Gunnar! all seemed so horrid, in the chamber all
was dead; my bed was cold; and thou, king! wast riding of joy bereft,
with fetters loaded, to a hostile host. So will ye all, race of
Niflungs! be of power deprived, perjurers as ye are!

17. Ill Gunnar! didst thou remember, when blood ye in your footsteps
both let flow; now hast thou him ill for all that requited, because he
would prove himself foremost.

18. Then was it proved, when the hero had ridden to see me, to woo
me, how the warlike chief whilom held sacred his oath towards the
youthful prince.

19. Laid his sword, with gold adorned, the illustrious king between
us both: outward its edges were with fire wrought, but with venom
drops tempered within."

From this lay, in which the death of Sigurd is related, it appears
that he was slain without doors, while some relate that he was slain
sleeping in his bed: but the Germans say he was slain out in the
forest; and it is told in the "Gudrunarkvida hin Forna," that Sigurd
and the sons of Giuki had ridden to the public assembly (thing) when
he was slain. But it is said by all, without exception, that they
broke faith with him, and attacked him while lying down and
unprepared.

THE FIRST LAY OF GUDRUN.

Gudrun sat over Sigurd dead; she wept not as other women, although
ready to burst with sorrow. Both men and women, came to console her,
but that was not easy. It is said by some that Gudrun had eaten of
Fafnir's heart, and therefore understood the talk of birds. This is
also sung of Gudrun:

1. Of old it was that Gudrun prepared to die, when she sorrowing
over Sigurd sat. No sigh she uttered, nor with her hands beat, nor
wailed, as other women.

2. Jarls came forward of great sagacity, from her sad state of mind
to divert her. Gudrun could not shed a tear, such was her affliction;
ready she was to burst.

3. Sat there noble wives of jarls, adorned with gold, before Gudrun;
each of them told her sorrows, the bitterest she had known.

4. Then said Giaflaug, Giuki's sister: "I know myself to be on earth
most joyless: of five consorts I the loss have suffered; of two
daughters, sisters three, and brothers eight; I alone live."

5. Gudrun could not shed a tear, such was her affliction for her
dead consort, and her soul's anguish for the king's fall.

6. Then said Herborg, Hunaland's queen: "I a more cruel grief have
to recount: my seven sons, in the south land, my spouse the eighth, in
conflict fell.

7. My father and my mother, my brothers four, on the sea the wind
deluded; the waves struck on the ship's timbers.

8. Their last honours 'twas mine to pay, 'twas mine to see them
tombed, their funeral rites to prepare was mine. All this I underwent
in one half-year, and to me no one consolation offered.

9. Then I became a captive, taken in war, at the close of the same
half-year. Then had I to adorn, and tie the shoes, of the hersir's
wife, each morn.

10. From jealousy she threatened me, and with hard blows drove me:
nowhere master found I a better, but mistress no where a worse."

11. Gudrun could not shed a tear, such was her affliction for her
dead consort, and her soul's anguish for the king's fall.

12. Then said Gullrond, Giuki's daughter: "Little canst thou, my
fosterer, wise as thou art, with a young wife fittingly talk." The
king's body she forbade to be longer hidden.

13. She snatched the sheet from Sigurd's corpse, and turned his cheek
towards his wife's knees: "Behold thy loved one, lay thy mouth to his
lip, as if thou wouldst embrace the living prince."

14. Gudrun upon him cast one look: she saw the prince's locks
dripping with blood, the chief's sparkling eyes closed in death, his
kingly breast cleft by the sword.

15. Then sank down Gudrun back on her pillow, her head-gear was
loosed, her cheeks grew red, and a flood of tears fell to her knees.

16. Then wept Gudrun, Giuki's daughter, so that the tears
spontaneously flowed, and at the same time screamed the geese in the
court, the noble birds, which the lady owned.

17. Then spake Gullrond, Giuki's daughter: "Your loves I know were
the most ardent among living beings upon earth: thou hadst delight
nowhere, sister mine! save with Sigurd."

18. Then said Gudrun, Giuki's daughter: "Such was my Sigurd among
Giuki's sons, as is the garlick out from the grass which grows, or a
bright stone on a thread drawn, a precious gem on kings.

19. I also seemed to the prince's warriors higher than any of
Herian's Disir; now I am as little as the leaf oft is in the
storm-winds, after the chieftain's death.

20. Sitting I miss, and in my bed, my dearest friend. Giuki's sons
have caused, Giuki's sons have caused my affliction, and their
sister's tears of anguish.

21. So ye desolate the people's land, as ye have kept your sworn
oaths. Gunnar! thou wilt not the gold enjoy; those rings will be thy
bane, for the oaths thou to Sigurd gavest.

22. Oft in the mansion was the greater mirth, when my Sigurd Grani
saddled, and Brynhild they went to woo, that which accursed, in an
evil hour!"

23. Then said Brynhild, Budli's daughter: "May the hag lack spouse
and children, who thee, Gudrun! has caused to weep, and this morning
given thee runes of speech!"[79]

24. Then said Gullrond, Giuki's daughter: "Cease, thou loathed of
all! from those words. The evil destiny of princes thou hast ever
been; thee every billow drives of an evil nature; thou sore affliction
of seven kings, the greatest bane of friendship among women!"

25. Then said Brynhild, Budli's daughter: "Atli my brother, Budli's
offspring, is the sole cause of all the evil;

26. When in the hall of the Hunnish folk, with the king we beheld
the fire of the serpent's bed.[80] Of that journey, I have paid the
penalty, that sight I have ever rued."

27. She by a column stood, the wood violently clasped. From the eyes
of Brynhild, Budli's daughter, fire gleamed forth; venom she snorted,
when she beheld the wounds of Sigurd.

Gudrun then went away to the forest and deserts, and travelled to
Denmark, where she stayed seven half-years with Thora, Hakon's
daughter. Brynhild would not outlive Sigurd. She caused her eight
thralls and five female slaves to be killed, and then slew herself
with a sword, as it is related in the "Sigurdarkvida in Skemma" (the
Short Lay of Sigurd).

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 79: Power of speech.]

[Footnote 80: A periphrasis for golg.]

BRYNHILD'S HEL-RIDE.

After Brynhild's death two piles were made, one for Sigurd, which was
the first burnt; but Brynhild was burnt afterwards, and she was in a
chariot, which was hung with precious tapestry; so that it was said
that Brynhild drove in a chariot on the way to Hel, and passed through
a place in which a giantess dwelt. The giantess said:

1. "Thou shalt not pass through my stone-supported dwelling place.
Better had it beseemed thee to work broidery, than to seek after
another's husband.

2. Why dost thou, vagrant woman! from Valland, my dwelling visit?
Thou hast, golden dame! if thou desirest to know, gentle one! from thy
hands washed human blood."

_Brynhild_.

3. "Upbraid me not, woman of the rock! although I have in warfare
been. Of us, I trow, I shall the better seem, wherever men our
conditions know."

_Giantess_.

4. "Thou, Brynhild! Budli's daughter! wast in evil hour born in the
world; thou hast been the bane of Giuki's children, and their happy
house subverted."

_Brynhild_.

5. "From my chariot I will truly tell thee, thou witless crone! if
thou desirest to know, how Giuki's heirs made me both lovelorn and
perjured.

6. The bold-hearted king[81] caused the garbs of us eight sisters
under an oak to be borne. Twelve years old was I, if thou desirest to
know, when to the youthful king oaths I gave.

7. By all in Hlymdalir I was called Hild with the helm, by all who
knew me.

8. Then caused I next, in the Gothic realm, the old Hialmgunnar to
Hel to journey: I gave victory to the youthful brother of Oda, whereat
Odin became hostile to me.

9. He with shields encompassed me, red and white, in Skatalund;
their surfaces enclosed me; him he ordained my sleep to break, who in
no place could be made to fear.

10. He made around my hall, towards the south, towering burn the
destroyer of all wood: then bade that man only over it to ride, who me
the gold should bring, that under Fafnir lay.

11. On Grani rode the chief, the gold-disperser, to where my
foster-father ruled o'er the dwellings. He alone seemed there to all
superior, the Danish warrior, of the court.

12. We slept and were content in the same bed, as if he had my born
brother been; neither of us might on the other, for eight nights, lay
a hand.

13. Reproached me Gudrun, Giuki's daughter, that I had slept in
Sigurd's arms; then was I made aware of what I fain would not,--that
they had deceived me, when a mate I took.

14. To calamities all too lasting men and women, ever will be while
living born. We two shall now, Sigurd and I pass our life together.
Sink thou of giant-kind!"

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 81: By depriving them of the swan-plumage, for they were
Valkyriur like the wives of Volund and his brothers, Agnar reduced
them under his subjection.]

THE SLAUGHTER OF THE NIFLUNGS.

Gunnar and Hogni then took all the gold, Fafnir's heritage. Dissension
prevailed afterwards between the Giukungs and Atli. He charged them
with being the cause of Brynhild's death. By way of reconciliation, it
was agreed that they should give him Gudrun in marriage, to whom they
administered an oblivious potion, before she would consent to espouse
Atli. Atli had two sons, Erp and Eitil, but Svanhild was the daughter
of Sigurd and Gudrun. King Atli invited Gunnar and Hogni to his
residence, and sent to them Vingi, or Knefrod. Gudrun was aware of
treachery, and sent them word in runes not to come; and to Hogni, as a
token, she sent the ring Andvaranaut, in which she had tied some
wolf's hair. Gunnar had sought the hand of Oddrun, Atli's sister, but
did not obtain it. He then married Glaumvor, and Hogni took Kostbera
to wife. Their sons were Solar, Snaevar, and Giuki. When the Giukungs
came to Atli, Gudrun besought his sons to intercede for their lives,
but they would not. The heart of Hogni was cut out, and Gunnar was
cast into a pen of serpents. He struck his harp and lulled the
serpents, but an adder stung him to the liver.

THE SECOND LAY OF GUDRUN.

King Theodric was with Atli, and had there lost the greater number of
his men. Theodric and Gudrun mutually bewailed their afflictions. She
related to him and said:

1. A maid above all maids I was; my mother reared me bright in her
bower; my brothers I much loved, until me Giuki, with gold adorned,
with gold adorned, to Sigurd gave.

2. Such was Sigurd above Giuki's sons, as the green leek is,
springing from the grass, or the high-limbed hart above the savage
beasts, or gleed-red gold above grey silver.

3. Until my brothers the possession grudged me of a consort to all
superior. They could not sleep, nor on affairs deliberate, before they
Sigurd had caused to die.

4. Grani to the assembly ran, his tramp was to be heard; but Sigurd
then himself came not. All the saddle-beasts were splashed with blood,
and with sweating faint, from the murderers.

5. Weeping I went to talk to Grani, with humid cheeks, I prayed the
steed to tell: then Grani shuddered, in the grass bowed down his
head. The steed knew that his master was no more.

6. Long I wandered, long was my mind distracted, ere of the people's
guardian I inquired for my king.

7. Gunnar hung his head, but Hogni told me of Sigurd's cruel death.
"Beyond the river slaughtered lies Guthorm's murderer, and to the
wolves given.

8. Yonder behold Sigurd, towards the south, there thou wilt hear the
ravens croak, the eagles scream, in their feast exulting; the wolves
howling round thy consort."

9. "Why wilt thou, Hogni! to a joyless being such miseries recount?
May thy heart by ravens be torn and scattered over the wide world,
rather than thou shouldst walk with men."

10. Hogni answered, for once cast down, from his cheerful mood by
intense trouble: "Gudrun! thou wouldst have greater cause to weep, if
the ravens should tear my heart."

11. Alone I turned from that interview to the wolves' scattered
leavings. No sigh I uttered, nor with my hands beat, nor wailed, as
other women, when I heartbroken sat by Sigurd.

12. Night seemed to me of blackest darkness, when I sorrowing sat by
Sigurd. Better by far it seemed to me had the wolves taken my life, or
I had been burnt as a birchen tree.

13. From the fell I journeyed five long days and nights, until the
lofty hall of Half I recognized. Seven half-years I with Thora
stayed, Hakon's daughter, in Denmark.

14. She for my solace wrought in gold southern halls, and Danish
swans.

15. We had in pictures the game of warriors, and in handiworks a
prince's nobles; red shields, Hunnish heroes, a sworded host, a helmed
host, a prince's following.

16. Sigmund's ships from the land sailing, with gilded heads, and
carved prows. We on our canvas wrought how Sigar and Siggeir both
contended southward in Fyen.

17. When Grimhild, the Gothic woman, heard how greatly I was
afflicted, she cast aside her needle-work, and her sons called oft and
earnestly, that she might know, who for her son would their sister
compensate, or for her consort slain the blood-fine pay?

18. Gunnar was ready gold to offer, for the injuries to atone, and
Hogni also. * * * She then inquired who would go the steeds to saddle,
the chariot to drive, on horseback ride, the hawk let fly, arrows
shoot from the yew bow?

19. Valdar and the Danes with Jarizleif, Eymod the third with
Jarizkar, then entered, to princes like. Red mantles had the
Langbard's men, corslets ornamented, towering helms; girded they were
with falchions, brown were their locks.

20. For me each one would choose precious gifts, precious gifts, and
to my heart would speak, if for my many woes they might gain my
confidence, and I would in them trust.

21. Grimhild to me brought a potion to drink cold and bitter, that I
my injuries might forget; it was mingled with Urd's power, with cold
sea-water, and with Son's blood.

22. In that horn were characters of every kind graven and red-hued;
nor could I comprehend them: the long lyng-fish[82] of the Haddings'
land, an uncut ear of corn: the wild-beasts' entrance.

23. In that potion were many ills together, a herb from every wood,
and the acorn, the fire-stead's dew,[83] entrails of offerings,
swine's liver seethed; for that deadens strife.

24. And then I forgot, when I had taken it, all the king's words in
the hall spoken. There to my feet three kings came, before she herself
sought to speak with me.

25. "Gudrun! I will give thee gold to possess, of all the riches
much of thy dead father; rings of red gold, Hlodver's halls, all the
hangings left by the fallen king.

26. Hunnish maids, those who weave tapestry, and in bright gold
work, so that it may delight thee. Over Budli's wealth thou alone
shalt rule, adorned with gold, and given to Atli."

27. "I will not have any man, nor Brynhild's brother marry: it
beseems me not with Budli's son to increase a race, or life enjoy."

28. "Take care not to pay the chiefs with hate; for 'tis we who have
been the aggressors: so shouldst thou act as if yet lived Sigurd and
Sigmund, if sons thou bearest."

29. "Grimhild! I cannot in mirth indulge, nor, for my hero's sake,
cherish a hope, since the bloodthirsty [wolf and] raven have together
cruelly drunk my Sigurd's heart's blood."

30. "Him[84] of all I have found to be a king of noblest race, and
in much most excellent: him shalt thou have until age lays thee low,
or mateless be, if him thou wilt not take."

31. "Cease to offer that cup of ills so pertinaciously, that race to
me: he will Gunnar's destruction perpetrate, and will cut out Hogni's
heart. I will not cease until the exulting strife-exciter's life I
shall have taken."

32. Weeping Grimhild caught the words, by which to her sons Gudrun
foreboded evil, and to her kindred dire misfortunes. "Lands I will
also give thee, people and followers, Vinbiorg and Valbiorg, if thou
wilt accept them; for life possess them, and be happy, daughter!"

33. "Him then I will choose among the kings, and from my relatives
reluctantly receive him. Never will he be to me a welcome consort, nor
my brothers' bale a protection to our sons."

34. Forthwith on horseback was each warrior to be seen; but the
Walish women were in chariots placed. For seven days o'er a cold land
we rode; but the second seven, we beat the waves; and the third seven,
we reached dry land.

35. There the gate-wards of the lofty burgh the latticed entrance
opened, ere the court we entered.

36. Atli waked me, but I seemed to be full of evil thoughts, for my
kinsmen's death.

37. "So me just now[85] have the Norns waked,--a grateful
interpretation I fain would have. Methought that thou, Gudrun! Giuki's
daughter! with a treacherous sword didst pierce me through."

38. "Fire it forebodes,[86] when one of iron dreams, arrogance and
pleasure, a woman's anger. Against evil I will go burn thee, cure and
medicate thee, although to me thou art hateful."

39. "Seemed to me here in the garden[87] that young shoots had
fallen, which I wished to let grow: torn up with their roots, reddened
with blood, to table they were brought, and offered me to eat.

40. "Seemed to me that hawks flew from my hand, lacking their
quarry, to the house of woes; seemed to me I ate their hearts with
honey swollen with blood, with sorrowing mind.

41. "Seemed to me from my hand whelps I let slip; lacking cause of
joy, both of them howled: seemed to me their bodies became dead
carcases: of the carrion I was compelled to eat."

42. "There will warriors[88] round thy couch converse, and of the
white-locked ones take off the head; death-doomed they are within a
few nights, a little ere day: thy court will eat of them."

43. "Lie down I would not,[89] nor sleep after, obstinate in my
fate--That I will execute!"

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 82: That is the long fish of the heath, or Ung, a snake or
serpent.]

[Footnote 83: Soot.]

[Footnote 84: Atli: Grimhild speaks.]

[Footnote 85: Atli speaks.]

[Footnote 86: Gudrun answers.]

[Footnote 87: Atli speaks.]

[Footnote 88: Gudrun answers.]

[Footnote 89: Atll speaks.]

THE THIRD LAY OF GUDRUN.

Atli had a serving-woman named Herkia,[90] who had been his concubine.
She informed Atli that she had seen Thiodrek and Gudrun together;
whereat Atli was much afflicted. Then Gudrun said:

1. What ails thee ever, Atli! Budli's son! Hast thou sorrow in thy
heart? Why never laughest thou? To thy jarls it would seem more
desirable, that thou with men wouldst talk, and on me wouldst look.

_Atli_.

2. It grieves me, Gudrun! Giuki's daughter! that in my palace here,
Herkia has said, that thou and Thiodrek have under one covering slept,
and wantonly been in the linen wrapt.

_Gudrun_.

3. For all this charge I will give my oaths by the white sacred
stone, that with me and Thiodrek nothing has passed, which to man and
wife only belongs;

4. Save that I embraced the prince of armies, the honoured king, a
single time. Other were our cogitations, when sorrowful we two sat to
converse.

5. Hither came Thiodrek, with thirty warriors; now there lives not
one of those thirty men. Surround me with thy brothers, and with
mailed warriors; surround me with all thy noblest kinsmen.

6. Send to Saxi the Southmen's prince; he can hallow the boiling
cauldron."

7. Seven hundred men entered the hall, ere in the cauldron the queen
dipt her hand.

8. "Now Gunnar comes not, nor call I Hogni: I shall not see again my
loved brothers: with his sword would Hogni such wrong avenge: now I
must myself purify from crime."

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