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

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23. But their skulls beneath the hair he in silver set, and to Nidud
gave; and of their eyes precious stones he formed, which to Nidud's
wily wife he sent.

24. But of the teeth of the two breast-ornaments he made, and to
Bodvild sent. Then did Bodvild praise the ring: to Volund brought it,
when she had broken it: "I dare to no tell it, save alone to thee."

_Volund_.

25. "I will so repair the fractured gold, that to thy father it
shall fairer seem, and to thy mother much more beautiful, and to
thyself, in the same degree."

26. He then brought her beer, that he might succeed the better, as
on her seat she fell asleep. "Now have I my wrongs avenged, all save
one in the wood perpetrated."[47]

27. "I wish," said Volund, "that on my feet I were, of the use of
which Nidud's men have deprived me." Laughing Volund rose in air:
Bodvild weeping from the isle departed. She mourned her lover's
absence, and for her father's wrath.

28. Stood without Nidud's wily wife; then she went in through the
hall; but he on the enclosure sat down to rest. "Art thou awake
Niarars' lord!"

29. "Ever am I awake, joyless I lie to rest, when I call to mind my
children's death: my head is chilled, cold are to me thy counsels.
Now with Volund I desire to speak."

30. "Tell me, Volund, Alfars' chief! of my brave boys what is
become?"

31. "Oaths shalt thou first to me swear, by board of ship, by rim of
shield, by shoulder of steed, by edge of sword, that thou wilt not
slay the wife of Volund, nor of my bride cause the death; although a
wife I have whom ye know, or offspring within thy court.

32. To the smithy go, which thou hast made, there wilt thou the
bellows find with blood besprinkled. The heads I severed of thy boys,
and under the prison's mixen laid their bodies.

33. But their skulls beneath the hair I in silver set, and to Nidud
gave; and of their eyes precious stones I formed, which to Nidud's
wily wife I sent.

34. Of the teeth of the two, breast-ornaments I made, and to Bodvild
sent. Now Bodvild goes big with child, the only daughter of you both."

35. "Word didst thou never speak that more afflicted me, or for
which I would more severely punish thee. There is no man so tall that
he from thy horse can take thee, or so skilful that he can shoot thee
down, thence where thou floatest up in the sky."

36. Laughing Volund rose in air, but Nidud sad remained sitting.

37. "Rise up Thakrad, my best of thralls! bid Bodvild, my
fair-browed daughter, in bright attire come, with her sire to speak.

38. Is it, Bodvild! true what has been told to me, that thou and
Volund in the isle together sat?"

39. "True it is, Nidud! what has been told to thee, that Volund and
I in the isle together sat, in an unlucky hour: would it had never
been! I could not against him strive, I might not against him
prevail."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 45: On snow-shoes.]

[Footnote 46: The designation of Alfars' chief, or prince, applied to
Volund, who, as we learn from the prose introduction, was a son of a
king of the Finns, may perhaps be accounted for by the circumstance
that the poem itself hardly belongs to the Odinic Mythology, and was
probably composed when that system was in its decline and giving place
to the heroic or romantic.]

[Footnote 47: The translation of this line is founded solely on a
conjectural emendation of the text. The wrong alluded to may be the
hamstringing.]

THE LAY OF HELGI HIORVARD'S SON.

There was a king named Hiorvard, who had four wives, one of whom was
named Alfhild, their son was named Hedin; the second was named Saereid,
their son was Humlung; the third was named Sinriod, their son was
Hymling. King Hiorvard made a vow that he would have to wife the most
beautiful woman he knew of, and was told that King Svafnir had a
daughter of incomparable beauty, named Sigrlinn. He had a jarl named
Idmund, whose son Atli was sent to demand the hand of Sigrlinn for the
king. He stayed throughout the winter with King Svafnir. There was a
jarl there named Franmar, who was the foster-father of Sigrlinn, and
had a daughter named Alof. This jarl advised that the maiden should be
refused, and Atli returned home. One day when the jarl's son Atli was
standing in a grove, there was a bird sitting in the boughs above him,
which had heard that his men called the wives which King Hiorvard had
the most beautiful. The bird talked, and Atli listened to what it
said. The bird said:

1. Hast thou seen Sigrlinn, Svafnir's daughter, of maidens fairest,
in her pleasant home? though fair the wives of Hiorvard seem to men in
Glasis-lund.

_Atli._

2. With Atli, Idmund's son, sagacious bird! wilt thou further speak?

_Bird._

I will if the prince will offer to me, and I may choose what I will
from the king's court.

_Atli._

3. Choose not Hiorvard nor his sons, nor the fair daughters of that
prince, nor the wives which the king has. Let us together bargain;
that is the part of friends.

_Bird._

4. A fane I will chose, offer steads many, gold-horned cows from the
chief's land, if Sigrlinn sleep in his arms, and unconstrained with
that prince shall live.

This took place before Atli's journey; but after his return, when the
king asked his tidings, he said:

5. Labour we have had, but errand none performed; our horses failed
us in the vast fell; we had afterwards a swampy lake to ford; then was
denied us Svafnir's daughter with rings adorned, whom we would obtain.

The king commanded them to go a second time, and also went himself.
But when they had ascended a fell, and saw in Svavaland the country on
fire, and a great reek from the horses of cavalry, the king rode down
the fell into the country, and took up his night-quarters by a river.
Atli kept watch, and crossed the river, and came to a house, on which
sat a great bird to guard it, but was asleep. Atli shot the bird dead
with an arrow. In the house he found the king's daughter Sigrlinn, and
Alof daughter of Franmar, and brought them both away with him. The
jarl Franmar had taken the form of an eagle, and protected them from a
hostile army by sorcery. There was a king named Hrodmar, a wooer of
Sigrlinn: he had slain the king of Svavaland, and ravaged and burnt
the country. Hiorvard obtained Sigrlinn, and Atli Alof. Hiorvard and
Sigrlinn had a son tall and comely: he was taciturn and had no fixed
name. As he was sitting on a mound he saw nine Valkyriur, one of whom
was of most noble aspect. She said:

6. Late wilt thou, Helgi! rings possess, a potent warrior, or
Rodulsvellir,--so at morn the eagle sang--if thou art ever silent;
although thou, prince! a fierce mood mayest show.

_Helgi_.

7. What wilt thou let accompany the name of Helgi, maid of aspect
bright! since that thou art pleased to give me? Think well over what
thou art saying. I will not accept it, unless I have thee also.

_Valkyria_.

8. Swords I know lying in Sigarsholm, fewer by four than five times
ten: one of them is of all the best, of shields the bale, with gold
adorned.

9. A ring is on the hilt, courage in the midst, in the point terror
for his use who owns it: along the edge a blood-stained serpent lies,
and on the guard the serpent casts its tail.

There was a king named Eylimi; Svava was his daughter; she was a
Valkyria and rode through air and water. It was she who gave Helgi
that name, and afterwards often protected him in battle. Helgi said:

10. Hiorvard! thou art not a king of wholesome counsel, leader of
people! renowned though thou mayest be. Thou hast let fire devour the
homes of princes, though harm to thee they none have done.

11. But Hrodmar shall of the rings dispose, which our relations have
possessed. That chief recks little of his life; he thinks only to
obtain the heritage of the dead.

Hiorvard answers, that he will supply Helgi with an army, if he will
avenge his mother's father. Helgi thereupon seeks the sword that Svava
had indicated to him. Afterwards he and Atli went and slew Hrodmar,
and performed many deeds of valour. He killed the Jotun Hati, as he
sat on a crag. Helgi and Atli lay with their ships in Hatafiord. Atli
kept watch in the first part of the night. Hrimgerd, Hati's daughter,
said:

12. Who are the chieftains in Hatafiord? With shields are your ships
bedecked; boldly ye bear yourselves, few things ye fear, I ween: tell
me how your king is named.

_Atli_.

13. Helgi is his name; but thou nowhere canst to the chief do harm;
iron forts are around the prince's fleet; giantesses may not assail
us.

_Hrimgerd_.

14. How art thou named? most powerful champion! How do men call
thee? Thy king confides in thee, since in the ship's fair prow he
grants thee place.

_Atli_.

15. Atli I am named, fierce I shall prove to thee; towards
giantesses I am most hostile. The humid prow I have oft occupied, and
the night-riders slain.

16. How art thou called? corpse-greedy gigantess! hag! name thy
father. Nine rasts shouldst thou be underground, and a forest grow on
thy breast.

_Hrimgerd_.

17. Hrimgerd I am called, Hati was my father called, whom I knew the
mightiest Jotun. He many women had from their dwellings taken, until
him Helgi slew.

_Atli_.

18. Thou wast, hag! before the prince's ships, and layest before
them in the fiord's mouth. The chieftain's warriors thou wouldst to
Ran consign, had a bar not crossed thee.

_Hrimgerd_.

19. Now, Atli! thou art wrong, methinks thou art dreaming; thy brows
thou lettest over thy eyelids fall. My mother lay before the prince's
ships; I Hlodvard's sons drowned in the ocean.

20. Thou wouldst neigh, Atli! if thou wert not a gelding. See!
Hrimgerd cocks her tail. Thy heart, methinks, Atli! is in thy hinder
part, although thy voice is clear.

_Atli_.

21. I think I shall the stronger prove, if thou desirest to try;
and I can step from the port to land. Thou shalt be soundly cudgeled,
if I heartily begin, and let thy tail fall, Hrimgerd!

_Hrimgerd_.

22. Just come on shore, Atli! if in thy strength thou trustest, and
let us meet in Varinsvik. A rib-roasting thou shalt get, brave boy! if
in my claws thou comest.

_Atli_.

23. I will not come before the men awake, and o'er the king hold
watch. It would not surprise me, if from beneath our ship some hag
arose.

_Hrimgerd_.

24. Keep watch, Atli! and to Hrimgerd pay the blood-fine for Hati's
death. If one night she may sleep with the prince, she for the slain
will be indemnified.

_Helgi_.

25. Lodin is named he who shall thee possess, thou to mankind art
loathsome. In Tholley dwells that Thurs, that dog-wise Jotun, of all
rock-dwellers the worst: he is a fitting man for thee.

_Hrimgerd_.

26. Helgi would rather have her who last night guarded the port and
men, the gold-bright maiden. She methought had strength, she stept
from port to land, and so secured your fleet. She was alone the cause
that I could not the king's men slay.

_Helgi_.

27. Hear now, Hrimgerd! If I may indemnify thee, say fully to the
king: was it one being only, that saved the prince's ships, or went
many together?

_Hrimgerd_.

28. Three troops of maidens; though one maid foremost rode, bright,
with helmed head. Their horses shook themselves, and from their manes
there sprang dew into the deep dales, hail on the lofty trees, whence
comes fruitfulness to man. To me all that I saw was hateful.

_Atli_.

29. Look eastward now, Hrimgerd! whether Helgi has not stricken thee
with death-bearing words. By land and water the king's fleet is safe,
and the chief's men also.

30. It is now day, Hrimgerd! and Atli has thee detained to thy loss
of life. A ludicrous haven-mark 'twill, indeed, be, where thou a
stone-image standest.

King Helgi was a renowned warrior. He came to King Eylimi and demanded
his daughter Svava. Helgi and Svava were united, and loved each other
ardently. Svava remained at home with her father, but Helgi was
engaged in warfare. Svava was a Valkyria as before. Hedin was at home
with his father, King Hiorvard in Norway. Returning home alone from
the forest on a Yule-eve, Hedin met a troll-wife riding on a wolf,
with serpents for reins, who offered to attend him, but he declined
her offer; whereupon she said: "Thou shalt pay for this at the
Bragi-cup." In the evening solemn vows were made, and the son-hog was
led forth, on which the guests laid their hands, and then made solemn
vows at the Bragi-cup.[48] Hedin bound himself by a vow to possess
Svava, the beloved of his brother Helgi; but repented it so bitterly
that he left home and wandered through wild paths to the southern
lands, and there found his brother Helgi. Helgi said:

31. Welcome art thou, Hedin! What new tidings canst thou give from
Norway? Why art thou, prince! from the land driven, and alone art come
to find us?

_Hedin_.

32. Of a much greater crime I am guilty. I have chosen a royal
daughter, thy bride, at the Bragi-cup.

_Helgi_.

33. Accuse not thyself; true will prove words at drinking uttered by
us both. Me a chieftain has to the strand summoned; within three
nights I must be there. 'Tis to me doubtful whether I return; then may
well such befall, if it so must be.

_Hedin_.

34. Thou saidst, Helgi! that Hedin well deserved of thee, and great
gifts: It would beseem thee better thy sword to redden, than to grant
peace to thy foes.

Helgi so spoke, for he had a foreboding that his death was at hand,
and that his fylgiur (attendant spirit) had accosted Hedin, when he
saw the woman riding on a wolf. There was a king named Alf, a son of
Hrodmar, who had appointed a place of combat with Helgi in Sigar's
plain within three days. Then said Helgi:

35. On a wolf rode, at evening twilight, a woman who him offered to
attend. She well knew, that the son of Sigrlinn would be slain, on
Sigar's plain.

There' was a great conflict, in which Helgi got his death-wound.

36. Helgi sent Sigar riding, after Eylimi's only daughter: he bade
her quickly be in readiness, if she would find the king alive.

_Sigar_.

37. Helgi has me hither sent, with thee, Svava! thyself to speak.
Thee, said the king, he fain would see, ere the noble-born breathes
forth his last.

_Svava_.

38. What has befallen Helgi, Hiorvard's son? I am sorely by
afflictions stricken. Has the sea him deluded, or the sword wounded?
On that man I will harm inflict.

_Sigar_.

39. This morning fell, at Frekastein, the king who beneath the sun
was of all the best. Alf has complete victory, though this time it
should not have been!

_Helgi_.

40. Hail to thee, Svava! Thy love thou must divide: this in this
world, methinks, is our last meeting. They say the chieftain's wounds
are bleeding. The sword came too near my heart.

41. I pray thee, Svava!--weep not, my wife!--if thou wilt my voice
obey, that for Hedin thou a couch prepare, and the young prince in thy
arms clasp.

_Svava_.

42. I had said, in our pleasant home, when for me Helgi rings
selected, that I would not gladly, after my king's departure, an
unknown prince clasp in my arms.

_Hedin_.

43. Kiss me, Svava! I will not return, Rogheim to behold, nor
Rodulsfioll, before I have avenged Hiorvard's son, who was of kings
under the sun the best.

Helgi and Svava were, it is said, born again.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 48: At guilds the Bragi-cup (Bragafull) was drunk. It was
the custom at the funeral feast of kings and jarls, that the heir
should sit on a lower seat, until the Bragafull was brought in, that
he should then rise to receive it, make a vow, and drink the contents
of the cup (full). He was then led to his father's high seat. At an
offering guild, the chief signed with the figure of Thor's hammer both
the cup and the meat. First was drunk Odin's cup, for victory and
power to the king; then Niord's cup, and Frey's, for a good year and
peace; after which it was the custom with many to drink a Bragafull.
The peculiarity of this cup was, that it was a cup of vows, that on
drinking it a vow was made to perform some great and arduous deed,
that might be made a subject for the song of the skalld.]

THE FIRST LAY OF HELGI HUNDINGCIDE.

1. It was in times of yore, when the eagles screamed, holy waters
fell from the heavenly hills; then to Helgi, the great of soul,
Borghild gave birth in Bralund.

2. In the mansion it was night: the Norns came, who should the
prince's life determine. They him decreed a prince most famed to be,
and of leaders accounted best.

3. With all their might they span the fatal threads, when that [he]
burghs should overthrow[49] in Bralund. They stretched out the golden
cord, and beneath the middle of the moon's mansion fixed it.

4. East and west they hid the ends, where the prince had lands
between; towards the north Neri's sister cast a chain, which she bade
last for ever.

5. One thing disquieted the Ylfing's offspring, and the woman who
had the child brought forth. Sitting on a lofty tree, on prey intent,
a raven to a raven said: "I know something.

6. Stands cased in mail Sigmund's son, one day old: now is our day
come. His eyes are piercing as a warrior's; the wolf's friend is he:
we shall rejoice!"

7. He to the folk appeared a noble chief to be; among men 'twas said
that happy times were come; went the king himself from the din of war,
noble garlic to bring to the young prince;

8. Gave him the name of Helgi, and Hringstadir, Solfioll, Snaefioll,
and Sigarsvellir, Hringstad, Hatun, and Himinvangar, a sword ornate,
to Sinfiotli's brother.

9. Then grew up, in his friends' bosom, the high-born youth, in
joyous splendour. He paid and gave gold for deserts; nor spared the
chief the blood-stained sword.

10. A short time only the leader let warfare cease. When the prince
was fifteen winters old, he caused the fierce Hunding to fall, who
long had ruled over lands and people.

11. The sons of Hunding afterwards demanded from Sigmund's son
treasure and rings; because they had on the prince to avenge their
great loss of wealth, and their father's death.

12. The prince would neither the blood-fine pay, nor for the slain
indemnity would give. They might expect, he said, a terrific storm of
grey arrows, and Odin's ire.

13. The warriors went to the trysting place of swords, which they
had appointed at Logafioll. Broken was Frodi's peace between the foes:
Vidrir's hounds went about the isle slaughter-greedy.

14. The leader sat under the Arastein, after he had slain Alf and
Eyiolf, Hiorvard and Havard, sons of Hunding: he had destroyed all
Geirmimir's race.

15. Then gleamed a ray from Logafioll, and from that ray lightnings
issued; then appeared, in the field of air, a helmed band of
Valkyriur: their corslets were with blood besprinkled, and from their
spears shone beams of light.

16. Forthwith inquired the chieftain bold, from the wolf-congress of
the southern Disir, whether they would, with the warriors, that night
go home?--then was a clash of arms!

17. One from her horse, Hogni's daughter, stilled the crash of
shields, and to the leader said: "We have, I ween, other objects than
with princely warriors to drink beer.

18. My father has his daughter promised to the fierce son of
Granmar; but I have, Helgi! declared Hodbrodd, the proud prince, like
to a cat's son.

19. That chief will come in a few days, unless thou him call to a
hostile meeting; or the maiden take from the prince."

_Helgi_.

20. Fear thou not Isung's slayer; there shall be first a clash of
foes, unless I am dead.

21. Thence sent messengers the potent prince through air and over
water, succours to demand, and abundance of ocean's gleam to men to
offer, and to their sons.

22. "Bid them speedily to the ships to go, and those from Brandey to
hold them ready." There the king abode, until thither came warriors in
hundreds from Hedinsey.

23. From the strands also, and from Stafnsnes, a naval force went
out, with gold adorned. Helgi then of Hiorleif asked: "Hast thou
mustered the valiant people?"

24. But the young king the other answered: "Slowly" said he "are
counted from Tronuey the long-beaked ships, under the seafarers, which
sail without in the Oresund,--

25. Twelve hundred faithful men; though in Hatun there is more than
half of the king's host--We are to war inured."

26. Then the steersman threw the ship's tents aside, that the
princes' people might awake, and the noble chiefs the dawn might see;
and the warriors hauled the sails up to the mast in Varinsfiord.

27. There was a dash of oars, and clash of iron, shield against
shield resounded: the vikings rowed; roaring went, under the
chieftains the royal fleet far from the land.

28. So might be heard, when together came the tempest's sister[50]
and the long keels, as when rock and surge on each other break.

29. Higher still bade Helgi the deep sail be hauled. No port gave
shelter to the crews; when Oegir's terrific daughter the chieftains'
vessels would o'erwhelm,

30. But from above Sigrun intrepid, saved them and their fleet also;
from the hand of Ran powerfully was wrested the royal ship at
Gnipalund.

31. At eve they halted in Unavagar; the splendid ships might into
port have floated, but the crews, from Svarinshaug, in hostile mood,
espied the host.

32. Then demanded the god-born Gudmund: "Who is the chieftain that
commands the fleet, and that formidable force brings to our land?"

33. Sinfiotli said, slinging up on the yard a red-hued shield with
golden rim;--He at the strait kept watch, and able was to answer, and
with nobles words exchange--

34. "Tell it at eve, when you feed your pigs, and your dogs lead to
their food, that the Ylfings from the east are come, ready to fight at
Gnipalund.

35. Hodbrodd will Helgi find in the fleet's midst, a king hard to
make flee, who has oft the eagles sated, while thou wast at the mills,
kissing the thrall-wenches.

_Gudmund_.

36. Little dost thou remember of ancient saws, when of the noble
thou falsehoods utterest. Thou hast been eating wolves' dainties, and
of thy brother wast the slayer; wounds hast thou often sucked with
cold mouth; every where loathed, thou hast crawled in caverns.

_Sinfiotli_.

37. Thou wast a Valacrone in Varinsey, cunning as a fox, a spreader
of lies. Thou saidst thou no man wouldst ever marry, no corsleted
warrior, save Sinfiotli.

38. A mischievous crone wast thou, a giantess, a Valkyria, insolent,
monstrous, in Alfather's hall. All the Einheriar fought with each
other, deceitful woman! for thy sake. Nine wolves we begat in Sagunes;
I alone was father of them all.

_Gudmund_.

39. Father thou wast not of Fenriswolves, older than all, as far as
I remember; since by Gnipalund, the Thurs-maidens thee emasculated
upon Thorsnes.

40. Thou wast Siggeir's stepson, at home under the benches layest,
accustomed to the wolf's howl out in the forests: calamity of every
kind came over thee, when thou didst lacerate thy brother's breast.
Notorious thou mad'st thyself by thy atrocious works.

_Sinfiotli_.

41. Thou wast Grani's bride at Bravollr, hadst a golden bit, ready
for the course. Many a time have I ridden thee tired, hungry and
saddled, through the fells, thou hag!

_Gudmund_.

42. A graceless lad thou wast thought to be, when Gulnir's goats
thou didst milk. Another time thou wast a giantess's daughter, a
tattered wretch. Wilt thou a longer chat?

_Sinfiotli_.

43. I rather would at Frekastein the ravens cram with thy carcase,
than thy dogs lead to their meat, or thy hogs feed. May the fiend deal
with thee!

_Helgi_.

44. "Much more seemly, Sinfiotli! would it be for you both in battle
to engage, and the eagles gladden, than with useless words to contend,
however princes[51] may foster hate.

45. Not good to me appear Granmar's sons, yet 'tis right that
princes should speak the truth: they have shown, at Moinsheimar, that
they have courage to draw the sword."--

46. Rapidly they their horses made to run, Svipud and Svegiud, to
Solheimar, over dewy dales, dark mountain-sides; trembled the sea of
mist, where the men went.

47. The king they met at the burgh's gate, to the prince announced
the hostile advent. Without stood Hodbrodd with helmet decked: he the
speed noticed of his kinsmen. "Why have ye Hniflungs such wrathful
countenances?"

48. "Hither to the shore are come rapid keels, towering masts, and
long yards, shields many, and smooth-shaven oars, a king's noble host,
joyous Ylfings.

49. Fifteen bands are come to land; but there are out at sea, before
Gnipalund, seven thousand blue-black ocean-beasts with gold adorned;
there is by far their greatest multitude. Now will Helgi not delay the
conflict."

_Hodbrodd_.

50. "Let a bridled steed to the chief assembly run, but Sporvitnir
to Sparinsheid; Melnir and Mylnir to Myrkvid; let no man stay behind
of those who swords can brandish.

51. Summon to you Hogni, and the sons of Hring, Atli and Yngvi, Alf
the old; they will gladly engage in conflict. We will let the Volsungs
find resistance."

52. It was a whirlwind, when together came the fallow[52] blades at
Frekastein: ever was Helgi Hundingsbani foremost in the host, where
men together fought: ardent for battle, disdaining flight; the
chieftain had a valiant heart.

53. Then came a maid from heaven, helmed, from above--the clash of
arms increased--for the king's protection. Then said Sigrun--well
skilled to fly to the host of heroes from Hugin's grove--[53]

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