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

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

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

9. She to the bottom, plunged her snow-white hand, and up she drew
the precious stones.[91] "See now, ye men! I am proved guiltless in
holy wise, boil the vessel as it may."

10. Laughed then Atli's heart within his breast, when he unscathed
beheld the hand of Gudrun. "Now must Herkia to the cauldron go, she
who Gudrun had hoped to injure." No one has misery seen who saw not
that, how the hand there of Herkia was burnt. They then the woman led
to a foul slough.[92] So were Gudrun's wrongs avenged.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 90: Herkia, the Erka or Helche of the German tradition, who
here appears as a slave or servant, is, according to that tradition,
the queen of Etzel or Atli, who did not marry Kreimhilt (Gudrun) until
after her death. The falsification of the story, the pitiful
subordinate part acted by Thiodrek, the perfect silence of all the
other poems on this event, and the ordeal of the cauldron,
sufficiently show that the poem is a later composition. P.E. Muller
(II., p. 319) ascribes it to Saemund himself.]

[Footnote 91: The iarknastein of the original was a milk-white opal.]

[Footnote 92: This punishment was known to the old Germans.]

ODDRUN'S LAMENT.

There was a king named Heidrek, who had a daughter named Borgny. Her
lover was named Vilmund. She could not give birth to a child until
Oddrun, Atli's sister, came. She had been the beloved of Gunnar,
Giuki's son. Of this story it is here sung:

1. I have heard tell, in ancient stories how a damsel came to the
eastern land: no one was able, on the face of earth, help to afford to
Heidrek's daughter.

2. When Oddrun, Atli's sister, heard that the damsel had great
pains, from the stall she led her well-bridled steed, and on the swart
one the saddle laid.

3. She the horse made run on the smooth, dusty way, until she came
to where a high hall stood. She the saddle snatched from the hungry
steed, and in she went along the court, and these words first of all
uttered:

4. "What is most noteworthy in this country? or what most desirable
in the Hunnish land?"

_Borgny_.

5. Here lies Borgny with pains overwhelmed, thy friend, Oddrun! See
if thou canst help her.

_Oddrun_.

6. What chieftain has on thee brought this dishonour? Why so acute
are Borgny's pains?

_Borgny_.

7. Vilmund is named the falcon-bearer's friend: he the damsel wrapt
in a warm coverlet five whole winters, so that from her father she was
hidden.

8. They, I ween, spoke not more than this: kindly she went to sit at
the damsel's knee. Vehemently sang Oddrun, fervently sang Oddrun songs
of power over Borgny.

9. A girl and boy might then tread the mould-way, gentle babes, born
of Hogni's bane. Then began to speak the death-sick damsel, who before
had no word uttered.

10. "So may thee help the benignant genii, Frigg and Freyia, and
other gods besides, as thou hast from me peril removed!"

11. "I was not inclined to give thee help, because thou never wast
of succour worthy: I vowed, and have performed what I then said--when
the princes the heritage divided, that I would ever help afford."

_Borgny_.

12. Mad art thou, Oddrun! and hast lost thy wits, when in hostile
spirit most of thy words thou utterest; for I have been thy companion
upon the earth, as if from brothers we both were born.

_Oddrun_.

13. I remember yet what thou one evening saidst, when I for Gunnar,
a compotation made. Such a case, saidst thou, would not thenceforth
happen, to any maiden, save to me alone."

14. Then sat down the sorrowing lady to tell her woes, from her
great grief:

15. "I was nurtured in the kingly hall, I was the joy of many in the
council of men. Life I enjoyed, and my father's wealth, five winters
only, while my father lived.

16. These last words the noble-hearted king strove to utter, ere he
departed hence.

17. He bade me be endowed with ruddy gold, and in the south be given
to Grimhild's son. He said no maiden could more excellent in the world
be born, if fate willed it not otherwise.

18. Brynhild in her bower was occupied in broidery: she had people
and lands around her. Earth slumbered, and the heavens above, when
Fafnir's bane her burgh first saw.

19. Then was conflict waged with the Walish sword, and the burgh
taken which Brynhild owned. It was not long--which was not
surprising--ere she discovered all those frauds.

20. These she caused cruelly to be avenged, so that we all have
great afflictions. Known it will be through every land of men, that
she caused herself to die with Sigurd.

21. But I for Gunnar, rings' dispenser, love conceived, such as
Brynhild should. But he Brynhild bade a helmet take, said she a
Valkyria should become.

22. They forthwith offered[93] ruddy rings to my brother, and
indemnity not small. He[94] besides offered for me fifteen vills, and
the load of Grani's sides, if he would accept them.

23. But Atli said he never would a marriage-gift receive from
Giuki's son. Still we could not our loves withstand, but I my head
must lay upon the ring-breaker.

24. Many things said my relations; declared they had surprised us
both together; but Atli said, that I would not crime commit, nor
scandal perpetrate. But such should no one for another ever deny, when
love has part.

25. Atli sent his emissaries about the Murkwood, that he might prove
me; and they came to where they ought not to have come, to where we
had one couch prepared.

26. To the men we offered red-gold rings, that they it might not to
Atli tell; but they forthwith hastened home, and it quickly to Atli
told.

27. But they from Gudrun carefully concealed it, yet rather by half
she should have known it.[95]

28. A sound was heard of gold-shod hoofs, when into the court rode
Giuki's heirs. * * * Of Hogni they the heart cut out, and into a
serpent-pen the other cast.

29. I had gone yet once again to Geirmund, to prepare a banquet. * *
* The brave king[96] began the harp to sound; for the prince of noble
race hoped that I to his aid might come.

30. I it heard from Hlesey, how of trouble there the harp-strings
sang.

31. I my thralls bade all be ready: I the prince's life would save.
The vessel we let float past the forest,[97] until I saw all Atli's
courts.

32. Then came Atli's miserable mother crawling forth:--may she
perish!--she Gunnar pierced to the heart; so that the hero I could not
save.

33. Oftentimes I wonder, woman gold-adorned![98] how I after can
life retain; for I seemed the formidable sword-dispenser as myself to
love:

34. Thou sitst and listenest, while I recount to thee many an evil
fate, my own and theirs." Each one lives as he best may. Now is ended
_Oddrun's lament_.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 93: For Brynhild's death.]

[Footnote 94: Gunnar.]

[Footnote 95: From here the narrative appears to be very fragmentary.]

[Footnote 96: Gunnar while in the serpent-pen.]

[Footnote 97: For "lund" (_forest, wood_), which is the reading of the
MSS., the Copenhagen editor favors the correction to sund (a _sound_
or _strait, the Sound_)?]

[Footnote 98: Borgny.]

THE LAY OF ATLI.

Gudrun, Giuki's daughter, avenged her brothers, as is well known. She
first killed Atli's sons, and afterwards Atli himself, and burnt the
palace with all the household. On these events was this lay composed.

1. Atli sent riding a messenger to Gunnar, a crafty man, Knefrud was
his name. To Giuki's courts he came, and to Gunnar's hall, to the
seats of state,[99] and the glad potation:

2. There drank the courtiers wine in their Valhall--but the guileful
ones[100] silence kept--the Huns' wrath they[101] feared. Then said
Knefrud, with chilling voice:--the southern warrior on a high bench
sat--

3. "Atli has sent me hither on his errand riding on a bit-griping
steed, through the unknown Murkwood, to pray you, Gunnar! that to his
bench ye come, with helms of state, Atli's home to visit.

4. "Shields ye there can choose, and smooth-shaven spears, gold-red
helms, and of Huns a multitude, silver-gilt saddle-cloths, sarks
gory-red, the dart's obstruction, and bit-griping steeds.

5. "The plain he will also give you, the broad Gnitaheid, whistling
javelins, and gilded prows, vast treasures, and Danp's towns, with
that famed forest, which men the Murkwood call."

6. Gunnar his head then turned, and to Hogni said: "What counselest
thou, bold warrior? now suchlike we hear? Of no gold I knew on Gnita's
heath, to which we possess not other equal.

7. "Seven halls have we filled with swords, of each of which the
hilt is gold. My horse I know the best, and my sword the keenest; my
bow adorns my seat, my corslets are of gold, my helm and shield the
brightest, brought from the hall of Kiar: mine alone are better than
all the Hunnish ones.

8. "What thinkest thou the woman[102] means, by sending us a ring in
a wolf's clothing wrapt? I think that she caution enjoins. Wolf's hair
I found twined in the red-gold ring: wolfish is the way we on our
errand ride."

9. No sons pursuaded Gunnar, nor other kinsman, interpreters nor
counsellors, nor those who potent were. Then spake Gunnar, as beseemed
a king, great in his mead-hall, from his large soul:

10. "Rise now up, Fiornir! let along the benches pass the golden
cups of heroes, from the attendants' hands.

11. "The wolf shall rule the Niflungs' heritage, O bearded sages! if
Gunnar perish; black-coated bears earth's fruit tear with their teeth,
to the dogs' delight, if Gunnar come not back."

12. Honoured men, weeping led the land's ruler from the Huns'
court. Then said Hogni's youthful heir: "Go now, prudent and
prosperous, whither your wishes lead."

13. The warriors made their bit-griping steeds over the mountains
fly, through the unknown Murkwood. The whole Hunnish forest trembled
where'er the warriors rode; over the shrubless, all-green plains they
sped.

14. Atli's land they saw, and the high watch-towers; Bikki's people
stood on that lofty fortress; the south people's hall was round with
benches set, with well-bound bucklers, and white shields, the
javelin's obstruction. There Atli drank wine in his Valhall: his
guards sat without, Gunnar and his men to watch, lest they there
should come with yelling dart, to excite their prince to conflict.

15. Their sister forthwith saw, when the hall they had entered, her
brothers both--beer had she little drunken--"Betrayed art thou now,
Gunnar! though strong, how wilt thou contend with the Huns' deadly
wiles? Go quickly from this hall!

16. "Better hadst thou, Gunnar! in corslet come, than with helm of
state, to see the home of Atli; thou in the saddle wouldst have sat
whole sun-bright days, and o'er the pallid dead let the Norns weep,
the Hunnish shield-maids misery suffer; but Atli himself thou shouldst
into the serpent-pen have cast; but now the serpent-pen is for you two
reserved."

17. "Sister! 'tis now too late the Niflungs to assemble, long 'tis
to seek the aid of men, of valiant heroes, over the rugged fells of
Rhine."

18. Then the Burgundians' friends[103] Gunnar seized, in fetters
laid, and him fast bound.

19. Hogni hewed down seven, with the keen sword, but the eighth he
thrust into the raging fire. So should a valiant man defend himself
from foes.

20. Hogni had Gunnar's hands[104] protected. The bold chief they
asked, if the Goths' lord would with gold his life redeem?

21. "Hogni's heart in my hand shall lie, cut bloody from the breast
of the valiant chief, the king's son, with a dull-edged knife." * * *
They the heart cut out from Hialli's breast; on a dish bleeding laid
it, and it to Gunnar bare.

23. Then said Gunnar, lord of men: "Here have I the heart of the
timid Hialli, unlike the heart of the bold Hogni; for much it trembles
as in the dish it lies: it trembled more by half, while in his breast
it lay."

24. Hogni laughed, when to his heart they cut the living
crest-crasher; no lament uttered he. All bleeding on a dish they laid
it, and it to Gunnar bare.

25. Calmly said Gunnar, the warrior Niflung: "Here have I the heart
of the bold Hogni, unlike the heart of the timid Hialli; for it little
trembles, as in the dish it lies: it trembled less, while in his
breast it lay.

26. "So far shalt thou, Atli! be from the eyes of men as thou wilt
from the treasures be. In my power alone is all the hidden Niflungs'
gold, now that Hogni lives not.

27. "Ever was I wavering, while we both lived; now am I so no
longer, as I alone survive. Rhine shall possess men's baleful metal,
the mighty stream, the As-known Niflungs' heritage. In the rolling
water the choice rings shall glitter, rather than on the hands of the
Huns' children shine.

28. "Drive your wheel-chariots, the captive is now in bonds."

29. Atli the mighty, their sister's husband, rode with resounding
steeds, with strife-thorns[105] surrounded. Gudrun perceived the
heroes' peril, she from tears refrained, on entering the hall of
tumult.

30. "So be it with thee, Atli! as towards Gunnar thou hast held the
oft-sworn oaths, formerly taken--by the southward verging sun, and by
Sigty's hill, the secluded bed of rest, and by Ullr's ring." Yet
thence the more did the bit-shaker[106] the treasure's guardian, the
warrior chief, drag to death.

31. The living prince then did a host of men into a pen cast down,
which was within with serpents over-crawled. But Gunnar there alone a
harp in wrathful mood with his hand struck: the strings resounded. So
should a daring chief, a ring-dispenser, gold from men withhold.

32. Atli turned his brass-shod[107] steed, his home to revisit, back
from the murder. Din was in the court with horses thronged, men's
weapon-song, from the heath they were come.

33. Out then went Gudrun, Atli to meet, with a golden cup to do her
duty to the king. "Thou canst, O King! joyful in thy hall receive
from Gudrun the arms of the departed."

34. The drinking-cups of Atli groaned with wine heavy, when in the
hall together the Huns were counted. Long-bearded, bold, the warriors
entered.

35. Hastened the bright-faced dame to bear their potions to them,
the wondrous lady to the chiefs; and reluctantly to the pallid Atli
the festal dainties offered, and uttered words of hate.

36. "Thou, swords' dispenser! hast thy two sons' hearts,
slaughter-gory, with honey eaten. I resolved that thou, bold chief!
shouldst of a human dish eat at thy feasting, and to the place of
honour send it. Henceforth thou wilt not to thy knees call Erp and
Eitil, joyous with beer the two: thou wilt not henceforth, see them
from thy middle seat, gold-dispersing, javelins shafting, manes
clipping, or horses urging."

38. Uproar was on the benches, portentous the cry of men, noise
beneath the costly hangings. The children of the Huns wept, all wept
save Gudrun, who never wept, or for her bear-fierce brothers, or her
dear sons, young, simple, whom she had borne to Atli.

39. Gold scattered the swan-fair dame; with ruddy rings the
household gifted. Fate she let ripen, but the bright gold flow. The
woman spared not the treasure-houses.

40. Atli incautious had himself drunk weary; weapon he had none, nor
was 'gainst Gudrun guarded. Oft had their sport been better, when they
lovingly embraced each other before the nobles.

41. With the sword's point she gave the bed of blood to drink with
death-bent hand, and the dogs loosed, out at the hall-door drove them,
and the lady wakened the household with burning brand. That vengeance
she for her brothers took.

42. To fire she then gave all that were therein, and from her
brothers' murder were from the dark den[108] returned. The old
structures fell, the treasure-houses smoked, the Budlungs' dwelling.
Burnt too were the shield-maids within, their lives cut short; in the
raging fire they sank.

43. Of this enough is said. No such woman will henceforth arms again
bear, to avenge her brothers. That bright woman had to three kings of
men the death-doom borne, before she died.

Yet more clearly is this told in "Atlamalum inum Groenlenzkum" (the
Groenland lay of Atli).

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 99: The epithet aringreypr is applied both to benches and
helmets (see Strophes 3 and 16). Its meaning is doubtful: it has been
rendered _iron-bound_, _brass-bound_, _hearth-encircling_, _curved
like an eagle's beak_, etc. Benches and helmets of ceremony are
evidently intended, probably ornamented with brass-work or figures of
eagles. But to whichever substantive applied, I take its meaning to be
the same.]

[Footnote 100: The messengers of Atli.]

[Footnote 101: The Giukungs.]

[Footnote 102: Gudrun: she had sent, by Atli's messengers, a ring to
her brothers, as a warning, in which a wolf's hair was entwined,
together with a note in runes, which were falsified by Vingi.]

[Footnote 103: Atli's men.]

[Footnote 104: That is Gunnar himself.]

[Footnote 105: Spears.]

[Footnote 106: The horse.]

[Footnote 107: The original word is eyrskan, a word of doubtful
signification.]

[Footnote 108: The serpent-pen.]

THE GROENLAND LAY OF ATLI.

1. Of those misdeeds men have heard tell, when warriors of old a
compact made, which by pledges they confirmed, a secret consultation
held: terrible it was to them after, and to Giuki's sons likewise, who
were betrayed.

2. The warriors' fate ripened, they were death-doomed: ill advised
was Atli, though he possessed sagacity: he felled a mighty column,
strove hardly against himself; with speed he messengers despatched,
that his wife's brothers should come quickly.

3. Wise was the house-dame, prudently she thought; the words in
order she had heard, that in secret they had said: the sage lady was
at a loss: fain would she help them; they[109] o'er the sea must sail,
but she herself could not go.

4. Runes she graved, Vingi them falsified, before he gave them from
him; of ill he was the bearer. Then departed Atli's messengers,
through the branched firth, for where the bold warriors dwelt.

5. They with beer were cheered, and fires they kindled, naught
thought they of guile, when they were come; they the gifts accepted,
which the prince sent them, on a column hung them, and of no evil
thought.

6. Then came Kostbera, she was Hogni's wife, a woman greatly
cautious, and them both greeted. Glad was also Glaumvor, Gunnar's
consort, the prudent dame her duty forgot not, she to the guests' need
attended.

7. Hogni they home invited, if he would be pleased to go. Treachery
was manifest, had they but reflected! Gunnar then promised, if only
Hogni would, but Hogni refused what the other proposed.

8. The noble dames bore mead, of many things there was abundance,
many horns passed round, until it seemed they had full drunken.

9. The household prepared their couches, as to them seemed best.
Cunning was Kostbera, she could runes interpret; she the letters read
by the bright fire;--her tongue she had to guard between both her
gums--so perverted were they, it was difficult to understand them.

10. To their bed they went, she and Hogni. The gentle lady dreamed,
and concealed it not, to the prince wisely said it as soon as she
awoke.

11. "From home thou art going, Hogni! give ear to counsel; few are
fully prudent: go another time.

12. I have the runes interpreted, which thy sister graved: that fair
dame has not this time invited thee. At one thing I wonder most, I
cannot even conceive, why so wise a woman so confusedly should grave;
for it is so set down as if it intimated death to you both, if you
should straightway come. Either she has left out a letter, or others
are the cause."[110]

13. "They are," said Hogni, "all suspicious; I have no knowledge of
them, nor will I into it inquire, unless we have to make requital.
The king will gift us with gleed-red gold. I never fear, though we may
hear of terror."

14. "Tottering ye will go, if thitherward ye tend. No kind
entertainment there will ye at this time find. Hogni! I have dreamed,
I will not conceal it: in an evil hour ye will go, or so at least I
fear.

15. "Methought thy coverlet was with fire consumed; that the
towering flame rushed through my dwelling."

_Hogni_.

16. "Here lie linen cloths, which thou hadst little noticed: these
will quickly burn where thou the coverlet sawest."

_Kostbera_.

17. "Methought a bear came in, and broke down the columns; and so
his talons shook, that we were terror-stricken; by his mouth held many
of us, so that we were helpless: there, too, was a din far from
little."

_Hogni_.

18. "A tempest there will be furious and sudden: the white bear thou
sawest will be a storm from the east."

_Kostbera_.

19. "Methought an eagle flew herein, all through the house: that
will largely concern us. He sprinkled all with blood: from his threats
I thought it to be the 'ham'[111] of Atli."

_Hogni_.

20. "We often slaughter largely, and then red we see: often are oxen
meant, when we of eagles dream. Sound is the heart of Atli, dream thou
as thou mayest." With this they ended: all speeches have an end.

21. The high-born awoke, there the like befell: Glaumvor had
perceived that her dreams were ill-boding, adverse to Gunnar's going
to and fro.

22. "Methought a gallows was for thee erected,[112] thou wentest to
be hanged, that serpents ate thee, that I inter'd thee living, that
the Powers' dissolution came--Divine thou what that portends.

23. "Methought a bloody glave from thy sark was drawn--ill 'tis such
a dream to a consort to recount--methought a lance was thrust through
thy middle: wolves howled on every side."

_Gunnar_.

24. "Where dogs run they are wont to bark: oft bodes the bay of dogs
the flight of javelins."

_Glaumvor_.

25. "Methought a river ran herein, through the whole house, that it
roared violently, rushed o'er the benches, brake the feet of you
brothers twain; nothing the water spared: something will that portend!

26. "Methought dead women in the night came hither; not ill-clad
were they: they would choose thee, forthwith invited thee to their
seats. I ween thy Disir have forsaken thee."

_Gunnar_.

27. "Too late it is to speak, it is now so resolved; from the
journey we shall not shrink, as it is decreed to go: very probable it
seems that our lives will be short."

28. When colours were discernible, those on journey bent all rose
up: the others fain would stay them. The five journeyed together, of
"hus-carls" there were present twice that number--it was ill
devised--Snaevar and Solar, they were Hogni's sons; Orkning he was
named, who them accompanied, a gentle shield-bearer was he, the
brother of Hogni's wife.

29. They went fair-appointed, until the firth them parted: ever
would their wives have stayed them, they would not be stayed.

30. Glaumvor then spake, Gunnar's consort, Vingi she addressed, as
to her seemed fitting: "I know not whether ye will requite us as we
would: with treachery came the guest, if aught of ill betide."

31. Then Vingi swore, little spared he himself: "May him the Jotuns
have, if towards you he lies! the gallows hold him, if aught against
peace he meditates!"

32. Bera took up the word, she of gentle soul: "Sail ye prosperous,
and may success attend you: may it be as I pray, and if nothing
hinder!"

33. Hogni answered--he to his kin meant well--"Be of good cheer, ye
prudent! whatever may befall. Many say the same, though with great
difference; for many little care how they depart from home."

34. On each other then they looked before they parted: then, I ween,
their fates were severed, and their ways divided.

35. Vigorously they rowed, their bark was well nigh riven; backward
bending the waves they beat, ardently plied: their oar-bands were
broken, the rowlocks shattered. They made not the vessel fast before
they quitted it.[113]

36. A little after--I will the end relate--they saw the mansion
stand that Budli had possessed. Loud creaked the latticed gates, when
Hogni knocked.

37. Then said Vingi, what he had better not, "Go far from the house,
'tis perilous to enter; I quickly enticed you to perdition; ye shall
forthwith be slain. With fair words I prayed your coming, though guile
was under them. But just bide here, while a gallows I prepare."

38. Hogni answered--little thought he of yielding, or of aught
fearful that was to be proved:--"Think not to frighten us: try that
seldom. If one word thou addest, thou wilt thy harm prolong."

39. They rushed on Vingi, and struck him dead, laid on their axes,
while life within him throbbed.

40. Atli his men assembled, in their byrnies they issued forth, went
prepared so that a fence was between them. Words they bandied, all
with rage boiling: "Already had we resolved to take your lives away."

_Hogni_.

41. "It looks but ill, if ye before have counselled: e'en now ye are
unprepared, and we one have felled, smitten to death: one of your host
was he."

42. Furious they became, when those words they heard; their fingers
they stretched forth, and their bowstrings seized; sharply shot, and
with shields themselves protected.

43. In then came the tale of what without was passing; loud before
the hall they a thrall heard speak.

44. Then incensed was Gudrun, when the sad news she heard: adorned
with necklaces, she tore them all asunder; so hurled the silver, that
the rings in shivers flew.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20