 CHAPTER XX. By long roads rides Sigurd till he comes at the last up unto Hindfeld and wins his way south to the land of the Franks. And he sees before him on the fell a great light as a fire burning and flaming up even unto the heavens. And when he came there too, low, a shield-hung castle before him, and a banner on the topmost thereof, into the castle went Sigurd, and saw one lying there asleep and all armed. Therewith he takes the helm from off the head of him and sees that it is no man but a woman. And she was clad in a bernie, as closely set on her as though it had grown to her flesh. So he rent it, from the collar downwards, and then the sleeves thereof, and ever the sword bit on it as if it were cloth. Then said Sigurd that over long she had lain asleep. But she asked, What thing of great might is it that has prevailed to rend my bernie and draw me from my sleep? Even as sings the song, What bit on the bernie? Why breaks my sleep away? Who has turned from me my wand tormenting? Ah, is it so, that here is come Sigurd Sigmundsen bearing Falfner's helm on his head and Falfner's bane in his hand? Then answered Sigurd. Sigund's son, with Sigurd's sword, in now, rent down the raven's wall. Of the Volzungs kin is he who has done the deed, but now I have heard that thou art daughter of a mighty king, and folk have told us that thou art lovely and full of lore, and now I will try the same. Then Brynhild sang, Long have I slept and slumbered long. Many and long are the woes of mankind. By the might of Othen must I bide helpless, to shake from off me the spells of slumber. Hail to the day come back! Hail, sons of the daylight! Hail to thee, dark knight and thy daughter! Look with kind eyes down on us sitting here lonely, and given to us the gain that we long for. Hail to the Ice-ear and the sweet Osenior! Hail to the fair earth fulfilled of plenty! Fair words, wise hearts, would we win from you, and healing hands while life we hold? Then Brynhild speaks again and says, Two kings fought, one height Helm-Gunnar, an old man and the greatest of warriors, and Othen had promised the victory unto him. But his foe was Agnar, or Audi's brother, and so I smoked down Helm-Gunnar in the fight, and Othen, in vengeance for that deed, stuck the sleep-thorn into me, and said that I should never again have the victory, but should be given away in marriage. But there against, I vowed a vow that never would I wed one who knew the name of fear. Then said Sigurd, Teach us the lore of mighty matters. She said, Be like thou cannest more skill in all than I, yet will I teach thee, yea, and with thanks, if there be ought of my cunning that will in any wise pleasure thee, either of runes or of other matters that are the root of things. But now, let us drink together, and may the gods give to us Twain a good day, that thou mayest win good help and fame from my wisdom, and that thou mayest hereafter mind thee of that which we Twain speak together. Then Brynhild filled a beaker and bore it to Sigurd, and gave him the drink of love, and spake, Beer bring I to thee, fair fruit at the birney's clash, mixed as it mightly, mingled with fame, brimming with bright lays and pitiful runes, wise words, sweet words, speech of great game. Runes of war know thou, if great thou wilt be, cut them on hilt of hardened sword, some on the brand's back, some on its shining side, twice named tear therein. Sea runes good at need, learnt for ships saving, for the good health of the swimming horse. On the stern cut them, cut them on the rudder blade, and set flame to shave an oar. How so big be the sea-hills, how so blue beneath, hail from the main, then comest thou home. Word runes learn well, if thou wilt that no man pay back grief for the grief thou gave us, wind thou these, weave thou these, cast thou these all about thee, at the thing where folk throng unto the full doom fairing. Of ale runes know the wisdom, if thou wilt that another's wife should not berate thine heart that trusteth, cut them on the mead-horn, on the back of each hand, and nick an in upon thy nail. Well have thou heed to sign from all harm, leak lay thou in the liquor. Then I know for sure, never cometh to thee mead with hurtful matters mingled. Help runes shalt thou gather, if skilt thou wouldst gain to loosen child from low-laid mother. Cut be they in hands hollow, wrapped the joints round about. Call for the good folks, gain some helping. On the bow runes wisdom, if leech lore thou lovest, and wilt what about wounds searching? On the bark be they scored, on the buds of trees, whose bows look eastward ever. Thought runes shalt thou deal with, if thou wilt be of all men farest sold white and wisest. These ereded, these first cut, these first took to heart, high-cropped. On the shield where they scored, that stands before the shining God. On early waking's ear, on all-knowing's hoof. On the wheel which runeth under Rognir's chariot. On Slapnir's jaw-teeth. On the sleigh's traces. On the rough bear's paws, and on Broggy's tongue. On the wolf's claws, and on Eagle's bill. On bloody wings, and bridge's end. On loosing palms, and pity's path. On glass, and on gold, and on goodly silver. In wine, and in wart, and the seat of the witch-wife. On Gugmir's point, and Ghrani's bosom. On the Norn's nail, and the neb of the night-owl. All these so cut, were shaven and sheared, and mingled in with holy mead and sent upon wide ways and now. Some abide with the elves, some abide with the ice-ear. Or with the wise Vanir. Some still hold the sons of mankind. These be the book-ruins, and the runes of good help, and all the ale-ruins, and the runes of much might. To whom so they may avail, unbewildered, unspoilt, they are wholesome to have. Thrive thou with these, then, when thou hast learnt their lore, till the gods end thy life-days. Now shalt thou choose thee. Cleanest choices didn't, sharp steels, root, and stem. Choose song or silence. See to each in thy heart. All hurt has been heeded. Then answered Sigurdh, Near shall I flee, though thou wattest me fey. Never was I born for blenching. Thy love at read will I hold a right in my heart, even as long as I may live. CHAPTER XXI SHOE NO wiser woman than thou art one, may be found in the wide world. Ye, ye, teach me more yet of thy wisdom. She answers, Seemly is it that I do according to thy will, and show thee forth more reeds of great avail for thy prayer's sake and thy wisdom. And she spake with all. Be kindly to friend and kin, and reward not their trespasses against thee. Bear and forbear, and win for thee thereby long-enduring praise of men. Take good heed of evil things, amaze love and a man's wife, full off therav doth ill befall. Let not thy mind be over much crossed by unwise men at thronged meetings of folk, for oft these speak worse than they wot of, lest thou be called dastard, and art-minded to think that thou art even as is said. Play such a one on another day, and so reward his ugly talk. If thou fairest by the way whereas bide evil things, be wellware of thyself. Take not harbour near the highway, though thou be benighted, for oft to bide there ill whites for men's bewilderment. Let not fair women beguile thee, such as thou mayest meet at the feast, so that the thought thereof stand thee instead of sleep and a quiet mind, yea, draw them not to thee with kisses or other sweet things of love. If thou hearest the fool's word of a drunken man, strive not with him being drunk with drink and witless. Many a grief, yea, and the very death, groweth from out such things. Fight thy foes in the field, nor be burnt in thine house. Never swear thou wrongsome oath. Heat and grim is the reward for the breaking of plighted truth. Give kind heed to dead men, sick dead, sea dead, or sword dead. Deal heedfully with their dead corpses. Trow never in him for whom thou hast slain father, brother, or what so near kin, yea, though young he be, for oft waxes wolf in youngling. Look thou with good heed to the wiles of thy friends. That little skill is given to me that I should foresee the ways of thy life, yet good it were that hate fell not on thee from those of thy wife's house. Sigurdh spake. None among the sons of men can be found wiser than thou, and thereby swear I that thee will I have as my own, for near to my heart thou liest. She answers, Thee would I feignest choose, though I had all men's sons to choose from, and there too they plighted truth, both of them. CHAPTER XXII Now Sigurdh rides away. Many folded is his shield, and blazing with red gold, and the image of a dragon is drawn thereon, and this same was dark brown above and bright red below, and with even such like image was adorned helm, and saddle, and coat armor. And he was clad in the golden bernie, and all his weapons were gold wrought. Now for this cause was the drake drawn on all his weapons, that when he was seen of men all folk might know who went there, yea all those who had heard of his slayings of that great dragon that the virings call Faufnir. And for that cause are his weapons gold wrought and brown of hue, and that he was by far above other men in courtesy and goodly manners, and well-nigh in all things else. And when as folk tell of all the mightiest champions and the noblest chiefs, then ever is he named the foremost. And his name goes wide about on all tongues north of the sea of the Greek lands, and even so shall it be, while the world endures. Now the hair of this cigaret was golden red of hue, fair of fashion, and falling down in great locks. Thick and short was his beard, and of no other color. High-nosed he was, broad and high-boned of face. So keen were his eyes that few durst gaze up under the brows of him. His shoulders were as broad to look on as the shoulders of two. Most duly was his body fashion betwixt height and breadth, and in such wise as was seamliest. And this is the sign told of his height. That when he was girt with his sword grom, which same was seven spans long, as he went through the full-grown rye fields the dew-shoe of the said sword smote the ears of the standing corn. And for all that, greater was his strength than his growth. Well could he wield sword, and cast forth spear, shoot shaft, and hold shield, bend bow, back horse, and do all the goodly deeds that he learned in his youth's days. Wise he was to know things yet undone, and the voice of all fowls he knew, wherefore few things fell on him unawares. Of many words he was, and so fair of speech with all that when so ever he made it his business to speak he never left speaking before that to all man it seemed full-sure that no otherwise must the matter be than as he said. His sport and pleasure it was to give aid to his own folk, and to prove himself in mighty matters, to take wealth from his unfriends, and give the same to his friends. Never did he lose heart, and if not was he a dread. CHAPTER XXIII HEALTH SIGGARD RIDES Till he comes to a great and goodly dwelling the Lord whereof was a mighty chief called Hamier. He had to wife a sister of Brinhild who was height Beckhild, because she had bitten at home and learned handicraft, whereas Brinhild feared with helm and bernie unto the wars, wherefore was she called Brinhild. Hamier and Beckhild had a son called Alsvither, the most courteous of men. Now, at this stead were men desporting them abroad. But when they see the man riding thereto they leave their play to wonder at him, for none such had they ever seen hei'rst. So they went to meet him, and gave him good welcome. Alsvither bade him abide and have such things at his hands as he would, and he takes his bidding blithesomely. New service withal was established for him. Four men bore the treasure of gold from off the horse, and the fifth took it to him to guard the same. Therein were many things to behold, things of great price and seldom seen, and great game and joy men had to look on bernies and helms and mighty rings and wondrous great golden stoops and all kinds of war weapons. So there dwelt Sigurds long in great honour holden, and tidings of that deed of fame spread wide through all lands of how he had slain that hideous and fearful dragon. So good joyants they had there together, and each was leal to other, and their sport was in the arraying of their weapons, and the shafting of their arrows, and the flying of their falcons. CHAPTER XXIV In those days came home to Hamier Brunhild, his foster-daughter, and she sat in her bower with her maidens, and could more skill in handicraft than other women. She sat, overlaying cloth with gold, and sowing therein the great deeds which Sigurd had wrought, the slaying of the worm, and the taking of the wealth of him, and the death of Regan with all. Now tells the tale that on a day Sigurd rode into the wood with hawk and hound and men thronging. And when as he came home his hawk flew up to a high tower and sat him down on a certain window. Then feared Sigurd after his hawk, and he saw where sat a fair woman, and knew that it was Brunhild, and he deems all things he sees there to be worthy together, both her fairness and the fair things she wrought, and therewith he goes into the hall, but has no more joyance in the games of the menfolk. Then spake all, Svither. Why art thou so bare of bliss? This manner of thine grieveth us thy friends. Why then wilt thou not hold to thy gleesome ways? Lo, thy hawk's pine now, and thy horse gronny droops, and long will it be ere we are booted thereof? Sigurd answered. Good friend, harken to what lies on my mind. When my hawk flew up into a certain tower, and when I came there to and took him, lo, there I saw a fair woman, and she sat by a needlework of gold, and did thereon my deeds that are past, and my deeds that are to come. Then said Alsvither, Thou hast seen Brunhild, Boothly's daughter, the greatest of great women. Ye, verily, said Sigurd, but how came she hither? Alsvither answered. Short space there was, betwixt the coming hither of the twain of you. Says Sigurd. Ye, but a few days ago I knew her for the best of the world's women. Alsvither said. Give not all thine heed to one woman, being such a man as thou art, ill life to sit lamenting for what we may not have. I shall go meet her, says Sigurd, and get from her love like my love, and give her a gold ring in token thereof. Alsvither answered. None has ever yet been known whom she would let sit beside her, or to whom she would give drink, for ever will she hold to warfare and to the winning of all kinds of fame. Sigurd said. We know not for sure whether she will give us answer or not, or grant us a seat beside her. So the next day after, Sigurd went to the Bower. But Alsvither stood outside the Bower door, fitting shafts to his arrows. Now, Sigurd spake. Abide, fair and hail, lady. How fairest thou? She answered. Well it fares. My kin and my friends live yet. But who shall say what good-happ folk may bear to their life's end? He sat him down by her. And there came in four damsels with great golden beakers and the best of wine therein, and these stood before the twain. Then said Brindhild. This seat is for few, but and if my father come. He answered. Yet it is granted to one that likes me well. Now that chamber was hung with the best and fairest of hanging, and the floor thereof was all covered with cloth. Sigurd spake. Now has it come to pass, even as thou didst promise. O be thou welcome here, said she, and arose therewith, and the four damsels with her, and bore the golden beaker to him, and bade him drink. He stretched out his hand to the beaker, and took it, and her hand with all, and drew her down beside him, and cast his arms round about her neck and kissed her, and said, Thou art the fairest that was ever born. But Brindhild said. Ah, wiser is it not to cast faith and truth into a woman's power, for ever shall they break that they have promised. He said. That day would dawn the best of days over our heads, whereon each of each should be made happy. Brindhild answered. It is not fated that we should abide together. I am a shield, may, and wear helm on head even as the kings of war, and them full off thy help. Neither is the battle become loathsome to me. Sigurd answered. What fruit shall be of our life if we live not together? Harder to bear this pain that lies here under than the stroke of sharp sword. Brindhild answers. I shall gaze on the hosts of the war-kings, but thou, Heldwed Gudrun, the daughter of Gyuki. Sigurd answers. What king's daughter lives to beguile me? Neither am I double-hearted herein, and now I swear by the gods that thee shall I have for mine own or no woman else. And even such likewise spake she. Sigurd thanked her for her speech, and gave her a gold ring. And now they swore oath anew, and so he went his ways to his men, and is with them a while in great bliss. CHAPTER XXV There was a king height Gyuki, who ruled a realm south of the Rhine. Three sons he had, thus named, Gunnar, Hogni, and Guttorm. And Gudrun was the name of his daughter, the fairest of maidens. And all these children were far before all other king's children, in all prowess and in goodliness and growth with all. Gurd were his sons at the wars, and wrought many a deed of fame. But Gyuki had wedded Grimhild, the wise wife. Now, Boothly was the name of a king mightier than Gyuki, might he though they both were. And Ottly was the brother of Brunhild. Ottly was a fierce man, and a grim, great and black to look on, yet noble of mean with all, and the greatest of warriors. Grimhild was a fierce-hearted woman. Now the days of the Gyukings bloomed fair, and chiefly because of those children, so far before the sons of men. On a day Guttrun says to her maize that she may have no joy of heart. Then a certain woman asked her wherefore her joy was departed. She answered, Grief came to me in my dreams. Where is there sorrow in my heart, since thou must needs ask thereof? Tell it me then thy dream, said the woman. For dreams oft forecast but the weather. Guttrun answers. Nay, nay, no weather is this. I dreamed that I had a fair hawk on my wrist, feathered with feathers of gold, says the woman. Many have heard tell of thy beauty, thy wisdom, and thy courtesy. Some king's son abides thee then. Guttrun answers. I dreamed that Nott was so dear to me as this hawk, and all my wealth had I cast aside rather than him. The woman said, Well then, the man thou shalt have will be of the goodliest, and well shalt thou love him. Guttrun answered. He grieves me, that I know not who he shall be. Let us go seek Brunhild, for she be like will what thereof. So they arrayed them in gold and many a fair thing, and she went with her damsels till they came to the hall of Brunhild, and that hall was tight with gold and stood on a high hill. And when as their goings were seen it was told Brunhild that a company of women drove toward the burg in gilded wagons. She'll be Guttrun Gjuki's daughter, says she. I dreamed of her last night. Let us go meet her. No fairer woman may come to our house. So they went abroad to meet them, and gave them good greeting, and they went into the Goodly Hall together. Fairly painted it was within, and well adorned with silver vessel. Cloths were spared under the feet of them, and all folks served them. And in many whys they sported. But Guttrun was somewhat silent. Then said Brunhild, ill to a bash folk of their mirth, prithee, do not so. Let us talk together for our despot of mighty kings and their great deeds. Good talk, says Guttrun. Let us do even so. What kings deemest thou to have been the first of all men? Brunhild says. The sons of Haki and Hagbarth withal. They brought to pass many a deed of fame in their warfare. Guttrun answers. Great men, sirties, and of noble fame. Yet Sigar took their one sister, and burned the other house and all, and they may be called slow to revenge the deed. Why dits thou not name my brethren, who are held to be the first of men as at this time? Brunhild says. And if good hope are they, surely, though but little proven hitherto. But one I know, far before them. Sigarth, the son of Sigmund the King. A youngling was he in the days when he slew the sons of Hunding, and revenged his father and alamy his mother's father. Sitt Guttrun. By what token tellest thou that? Brunhild answered. His mother went amid the dead, and found Sigmund the King's sore, wounded, and would bind up his hurts. But he said he grew overold for war, and bade her lay this comfort to her heart, that she should bear the most famed of sons, and wise was the wise man's word therein. For after the death of King Sigmund she went to King Alf. And there was Sigarth nourished in great honour. And day by day he wrought some deed of fame, and is the man most renowned of all the wide world. Guttrun says, From love hast thou gained these tidings of him. But for this cause came I here, to tell thee dreams of mine which have brought me great grief. Says Brunhild. Let not such matters sadden thee. Abide with thy friends, who wish thee blithesome, all of them. Thus I dreamed, said Guttrun, that we went, a many of us in company, from the Bower. And we saw an exceeding great heart that far excelled all other deer ever seen, and the hair of him was golden. And this deer we were all feigned to take. But I alone got him. And he seemed to me better than all things else. But Sithuns, thou, Brunhild, did shoot and slay my deer, even at my very knees. And such grief was that to me that scarce might I bear it. And then afterwards thou gaveest me a wolf-cub, which besprinkled me with the blood of my brethren. Brunhild answers, I will a-read thy dream, even as things shall come to pass hereafter. For Sigurd shall come to thee, even he whom I have chosen for my well-beloved. And Grimhild shall give him mead, mingled with hurtful things, which shall cast us all into mighty strife. Him shall thou have, and him shall thou quickly miss. And Othly the king shall thou wed. And thy brethren shall thou lose, and slay Othly with all. In the end, Guthrun answers, grief and woe, to know that such things shall be. And therewith she and hers get them gone home to King Gyuki. CHAPTER XXVI Now Sigurd goes his ways with all that great treasure. And unfriendly wise he departs from them. And on Grani he rides, with all his war-gear and the burden with all. And thus he rides until he comes to the hall of King Gyuki. There he rides into the burg. And that sees one of the king's men, and he spake with all. Sure it may be deemed that here has come one of the gods. For his array is all done with gold. And his horses far might hear than other horses. And the manner of his weapons is most exceeding goodly. And most of all, the man himself far excels all other men ever seen. So the king goes out with his court, and greets the man, and asks, Who art thou, who thus riotest into my burg, as none has durst hitherto without the leave of my sons? He answered, I am called Sigurd, son of King Sigmund. Then said King Gyuki. Be thou welcome here, then, and take at our hands what so thou willest. So he went into the king's hall, and all men seemed little beside him. And all men served him. And there he abode in great joyance. Now oft they all ride abroad together, Sigurd and Gunnar and Hergni, and ever is Sigurd far the foremost of them, mighty men of their hands though they were. But Grimhild finds how heartily Sigurd loved Brunhild, and how oft he talks of her. And she falls to thinking how well it were, if he might abide there, and wed the daughter of King Gyuki. For she saw that none might come an eye to his goodliness, and what faith and good help there was in him, and how that he had more wealth with all than folk might tell of any man. And the king did to him even as unto his own sons. And they for their parts held him of more worth than themselves. So on a night, as they sat at the drink, the queen arose and went before Sigurd, and said, Great joy we have in thine abiding here. And all good things will we put before thee to take of us. Lo now, take this horn and drink thereof. So he took it and drank, and therewith all she said, Thy father shall be Gyuki the king, and I shall be thy mother, and Gunnar and Hogni shall be thy brethren, and all this shall be sworn with oaths each to each, and then surely shall the like of you never be found on earth. Sigurd took her speech well. For with the drinking of that drink all memory of Brunhild departed from him. So there he abode awhile. And on a day went Grimhild to Gyuki the king, and cast her arms about his neck and spake. Behold, there has now come to us the greatest of great hearts that the world holds, and needs must he be trusty and of great avail. Give him thy daughter then with plentious wealth and as much of rule as he will. Perchance thereby he will be well content to abide here ever. The king answered. Seldom does it befall that kings offer their daughters to any, yet in higher wise will it be done to offer her to this man than to take lowly prayers for her from others. On a night Guthrun pours out the drink, and Sigurd beholds her, how fair she is, and how full of all courtesy. Five seasons Sigurd abode there, and ever they pass their days together in good honor and friendship. And so it befell that the kings held talk together. And Gyuki said, Great good thou givest us Sigurd, and with exceeding strength thou strengthenest our realm. Then Gunnar said, All things that may be we will do for thee, so thou abidest here long. Both dominion shalt thou have, and our sister, freely and unprayed for, whom another man would not get for all his prayers. Sigurd says, Thanks have ye for this, wherewith ye honor me, and gladly will I take the same. Therewith they swore brotherhood together, and to be even as if they were children of one father and one mother. And a noble feast was holden, and endured many days, and Sigurd drank at the wedding of him and Gudrun. And there might men behold all manner of game and glee, and each day the feast better and better. Now fare these folk wide over the world, and do many great deeds, and slay many king's sons, and no man has ever done such works of prowess as did they. Then home they come again with much wealth one in war. Sigurd gave of the serpents heart to Gudrun, and she ate thereof, and became greater-hearted and wiser than ere before. And the son of these twain was called Sigmund. Now on a time went Grimhild to Gunnar her son, and Spake. There blooms the life and fortune of thee, but for one thing only, and namely, whereas thou art unwetted. Go, woe, Brunhild! Good read is this, and Sigurd will ride with thee. Gunnar answered. Fare is she, sirtees, and I am feigning now to win her. And therewith he tells his father and his brethren and Sigurd, and they all prick him on to that wooing. CHAPTER XXVII Now they array them joyously for their journey, and ride over Hillendale to the house of King Boothly, and woo his daughter of him. In good wise he took their speech. If so be that she herself would not deny them. But he said with all that so high-minded was she, that that man only might wet her whom she would. Then they ride to Hillendale, and there Hamir gave them good welcome. So Gunnar tells his errand. Hamir says that she must need wed but him whom she herself chose freely, and tells them how her abode was but a little way vents, and that he deemed that him only would she have, who should ride through the flaming fire that was drawn around about her hall. So they depart, and come to the hall and the fire, and see there a castle with a golden roof-ridge, and all around about a fire roaring up. Now Gunnar rode on Gati, but Hugni on Hulkvir. And Gunnar smote his horse to face the fire, but he shrank aback. Then said Sigurd, Why give us thou back, Gunnar? He answered, The horse will not tread this fire. But lend me thy horse, Grani. Ye, with all my good will, says Sigurd, then Gunnar rides him at the fire, and yet no wise will Grani stir, nor may Gunnar any the more ride through that fire. So now they change semblance, Gunnar and Sigurd, even as Greenhilt had taught them. Then Sigurd, in the likeness of Gunnar, mounts and rides, grom in his hand and golden spurs on his heels. Then leapt Grani into the fire when he felt the spurs. And a mighty roar arose as the fire burned ever matter and the earth trembled, and the flames went up even unto the heavens. Nor had any dared to ride as he rode, even as it were through the deep murk. But now the fire sank with all, and he leapt from his horse and went into the hall. Even as the song says, Elder namat aisast, in yurth at skjolfa, ochar logi, vith hymni gniva, far trestestar fylkis reka, elda ritha, ney ufer stiga. Sigurd grani sferdi kerdi, elder sloknadi, fyr ödlingi, logi aldera laigdist fyr lof gjernom, blikur reidi, erregen auti. The flame flared at its maddest, earth's fields fell equaking, as the red flame aloft licked the lowest of heaven. You had been fain of the rulers of folk to ride through that flame worth-warted to tread. Then Sigurd smote grani with sword, and the flame was slaked before the king. Low lay the flames before the fain of fame. Bright gleamed the array that Regan erst owned. Now when Sigurd had passed through the fire he came into a certain fair dwelling, and therein sat Brynhild. She asked, What man is it? Then he named himself Gunnar, son of Gjuki, and said, Thou art awarded to me as my wife, by the goodwill and word of thy father and thy foster father, and I have ridden to the flames of thy fire, according to thy word that thou hast set forth. I what not clearly, said she, how I shall answer thee. Now Sigurd stood upright on the hall floor and leaned on the hilt of his sword, and he spake to Brynhild. In reward thereof shall I pay thee a great dour in gold and goodly things? She answered in heavy mood from her seat, whereas she sat like into swan on billow, having a sword in her hand and a helm on her head and being clad in a bernie. O Gunnar, she says, speak not to me of such things, unless thou be the first and best of all men, for then shall thou slay those my woors, if thou hast heart thereto. I have been in battles with the king of the Greeks, and our weapons were stained with red blood, and for such things still I yearn. He answered, Ye certes, many great deeds hast thou done, but yet call thou to mind thine oath concerning the riding-through of this fire, wherein thou didst swear that thou wouldst go with a man who should do this deed. So she found that he spoke but the sooth, and she paid heed to his words, and arose and greeted him meatly. And he abode there three nights, and they lay in one bed together, but he took the sword, grom, and laid it betwixt them. Then she asked him why he laid it there. And he answered, that in that wise must he needs wed his wife, or else get his bane. Then she took from off her the ring on Vari's loom, which he had given her a foretime, and gave it to him. And he gave her another ring out of Faafnir's hoard. Thereafter he rode away through the same fire unto his fellows. And he and Gunnar changed semblances again, and rode unto Klimdalir, and told how it had gone with them. That same day went Brindhilt home to her foster-father, and tells him, as one whom she trusted, how that there had come a king to her. And he rode through my flaming fire, and said he was come to Wumi, and named himself Gunnar. But I said that such a deed might Sigurth alone have done, with whom I plighted truth on the mountain. And he is my first truth-plight, and my well-beloved. Hamir said that things must needs abide even as now they had now come to pass. Brindhilt said, Auslag, the daughter of Mian Sigurth, shall be nourished here with thee. Now the king's fair home, but Brindhilt goes to her father. Grimhilt welcomes the king's meadly, and thanks Sigurth for his fellowship, and with all is a great feast made, and many with the guests there at. And thither came Boothly the king with his daughter Brindhilt, and his son, Ottley. And for many days did the feast endure. And at that feast was Gunnar wedded to Brindhilt. But when it was brought to an end, once more has Sigurth memory of all the oaths that he swear unto Brindhilt. Yet with all he let all things abide in rest and peace. Brindhild and Gunnar sat together in great game and goodly, and drank, goodly wine. End of Section 7 Section 8 of Vilsunga Saga This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Vilsunga Saga, by Anonymous. Translated by Erika Magneson and William Morris. Section 8 CHAPTER XXVIII On a day as the queens went to the river to bathe them, Brindhilt waded the farthest out into the river. Then asked Guthrun what that deed might signify. Brindhild said, Yay! And why then should I be equal to thee in this matter, more than in others? I am minded to think that my father is mightier than thine, and my true love has wrought many wondrous works of fame, and hath ridden the flaming fire with all, while thy husband but the thrall of King Helpreck. Guthrun answered, full of wrath, Thou wou'dst be wise if thou shaltst hold thy peace rather than revile my husband. Lo now! The talk of all men it is that none has ever abode in this world like unto him in all matters so ever, and little it besiems thee of all folk to mock him who is thy first beloved, and fafnir he slew, yay, and he rode thy flaming fire, as thou didst deem that he was Gunnar the King, and by thy side he lay, and took from thine hand the ring on Vari's loom. Here made thou well behold it. Then Brindhild saw the ring, and knew it, and waxed as Wan as a dead woman. And she went home, and spake no word the evening long. So when Sigurdth came to bed to Guthrun, she asked him why Guthrun's joy was so departed. He answered, I know not, but soar I misdoubt me that soon we shall know thereof over well. Guthrun said, Why may she not love her life, having wealth and bliss and the praise of all men, and the man with all that she would have? Ah, yay, said Sigurdth, and where in all the world was she then, when she said that she deemed she had the noblest of all men, and the dearest to her heart of all? Guthrun answers, To mourn will I ask her concerning this. Who is the lefas to her of all men for a husband? Sigurdth said, Needs must I forbid thee this, and full surely wilt thou rue the deed if thou doest it. Now the next morning they sat in the bower, and Brindhild was silent. Then spake Guthrun, Be merry, Brindhild, grievous thou because of that speech of ours together, or what other things slayeth thy bliss? Brindhild answers, With not but evil intent thou sayest this, for a cruel heart thou hast. Say not so, Said Guthrun, But rather tell me all the tale. Brindhild answers, Ask such things only as are good for thee to know. Matters meet for mighty dames. Good to love good things, when all goes according to thy heart's desire. Guthrun says, Early days for me to glory in that. But this word of thine looketh towards some foreseeing. What ill dost thou thrusted us? I did not to grieve thee. Brindhild answers, For this shalt thou pay, in that thou hast got Sigurdth to thee. No wise can I see thee living in the bliss thereof, whereas thou hast him, and the wealth and the might of him. Guthrun answered, Not knew I of your words and vows together, and well might my father look to the meeting of me without dealing with thee first. No secret speech had we, Quoth Brindhild, Though we swore oaths together, and full willed it's thou know that thou wentest about to beguile me. Verily thou shalt have thy reward, Says Guthrun. Thou art mated better than thou art worthy of, but thy pride and rage shall be hard to slake be like, and therefore shall many a man pay. Ah, I should be well content, said Brindhild. If thou hath not the nobler man. Guthrun answers, So noble a husband hast thou that who knows of a greater king or a lord of more wealth and might? Says Brindhild. Sigurdth slew Fafnir, and that only deed is of more worth than all the might of King Gunnar. Even as the song says, The worm Sigurdth slew, nor air shall that deed be worsened by age while the world is alive, but thy brother, the king, never durced, never bore the flame to ride down, through the fire to fair. Guthrun answers, Grani would not abide the fire under Gunnar the king, but Sigurd durced the deed, and thy heart may well abide without mocking him. Brindhild answers, No wise will I hide from thee, that I deem no good of Greenhild. Says Guthrun. Nay, lay no ill words on her, for in all things she is to thee as to her own daughter. Ah, says Brindhild. She is the beginning of all this bail that bite hath so, an evil drink she bear to Sigurdth, so that he had no more memory of my very name. All wrong thou talkest, a lie without measure is this, quotes Guthrun. Brindhild answered, Have thou joy of Sigurdth? According to the measure of the wiles wherewith ye have beguiled me, unworthily have ye conspired against me. May all things go with you as my heart hopes. Guthrun says, For joy shall I have of him than thy wish would give unto me. But to no man's mind it came that he had a foretime his pleasure of me. Nay, not once. Evil speech thou speakest, says Brindhild. When thy wrath runs off, thou wilt rue it. But come now, let us no more cast angry words one at the other. Says Guthrun. Thou wert the first to cast such words at me. And now thou makeest as if thou wouldst amend it. But a cruel and hard heart abides behind. Let us lay aside vain babble, says Brindhild. Long did I hold my peace concerning my sorrow of heart. And lo now, thy brother alone do I love. Let us fall to other talk. Guthrun said, Far beyond all this doth thine heart lock. And so ugly ill befell from that going to the river, and that knowing of the ring, wherefrom did all their talk arise. CHAPTER XXIX After this talk Brindhild lay a bed. And tidings were brought to King Gunnar that Brindhild was sick. He goes to see her thereon, and asks what ails her. But she answered him not, but lay there as one did. And when he was hard on her for an answer, she said, What didst thou with that ring that I gave thee? Even the one which King Boothly gave me at our last parting. When thou and King Gyuki came to him and threatened fire and the sword unless he had me to wife, yea, at that time he led me apart, and asked me which I had chosen of those who were come. But I prayed him that I might abide toward the land and be chief over the third part of his men. Then were there two choices for me to deal betwixt, either that I should be wedded to him whom he would, or lose all my wheel and friendship at his hands. And he said with all that his friendship would be better to me than his wrath. Then I betthought me whether I should yield to his will or slay many a man. And therewithal I deemed that it would avail little to strive with him. And so it fell out that I promised to wed whomsoever should ride the horse Grani, with Faafnir's horde, and ride through my flaming fire, and slay those men whom I called on him to slay. And now so it was, that none durst ride saves Sigurdh only, as he lacked no heart there too. Yea, and the worm he slew, and Reagan, and five kings beside. But thou, Gunnar, durst do not, as pale as a dead man dits thou wax, and no king thou art, and no champion. So whereas I made a vow unto my father, that him alone would I love, who is the noblest man alive, and that this is none save Sigurdh, lo, now I have broken my vow, and brought it to not since he is none of mine. And for this cause shall I compass thy death, and a great reward of evil things have I wear with to reward Grimhild. Never I want, as woman lived, eviler, or of lesser heart than she. Gunnar answered in such wise that few might hear him. Any of vile word has thou spoken, and an evil hearted woman art thou, whereas thou revile us to woman far better than thou. Never would she curse her life, as thou dost, nay, nor has she tormented dead folk, or murdered any, but lives her life well praised of all. Brynhild answered, Never have I dwelt with evil things privily, or done loath some deeds, yet most fain I am to slay thee! And therewith would she slay King Gunnar. But Hugni laid her in fetters. But then Gunnar spake with all. Nay, I will not that she abide in fetters. Then said she, Heed it not! For never again seeest thou me glad in thine hall, never drinking, never at the chess-play, never speaking the words of kindness, never overlaying the fair cloths with gold, never giving thee good counsel, Ah, my sorrow of heart that I might not get sigth to me! Then she sat up, and smote her needle-work, and rented a sunder. And Bade set open her bower doors that far away might the whalings of her sorrow be heard. Then great mourning and lamentation there was, so that folk heard it far and wide through that abode. Now Gudrun asked her bower-maidens why they sat so joyless and downcast. What has come to you, that ye fair ye as witless women, or what unheard of wonders have befallen you? Then answered a waiting lady, Heitzfafelöð, an untimely, an evil day it is, and our hall is fulfilled of lamentation. Then spake Gudrun to one of her handmaids. Arise, for we have slept long. Go, wake Brinhild, and let us fall to our needle-work and be merry. Nay, nay, she says. No wise may I wake her, or talk with her. For many days she has drunk neither mead nor wine. Surely the wrath of the gods has fallen upon her. Then spake Gudrun to Gunnar. Go and see her, she says. And bid her know that I am grieved with her grief. Nay, says Gunnar, I am forbid to go see her, or to share her wheel. Nevertheless he went under her, and strives in many wise to have speech of her, but gets no answer whatsoever. Therefore he gets him gone, and finds Hrgni, and bids him go see her. He said he was loath there too, but went, and get no more of her. Then they go and find Sigrith, and pray him to visit her. He answered not there too. So matters abode for that night. But the next day, when he came home from hunting, Sigrith went to Gudrun, and spake. In such wise matters show to me, as though great and evil things will betide from this trouble and upheaving, and that Brinhild will surely die. Gudrun answers. Oh, my lord! By great wonders is she encompassed. Seven days and seven nights has she slept, and none has dared wake her. Nay, she sleeps not, said Sigrith. Her heart is dealing rather with dreadful intent against me. Then said Gudrun, weeping. Woe worth the while for thy death! Go and see her, and water for fury may not be abated. Go for gold, and smother up her grief and anger therewith! Then Sigrith went out and found the door of Brinhild's chamber open. He deemed she slept, and drew the clothes from off her, and said, Awake, Brinhild! The sun shineth now over all the house, and thou hast slept enough. Cast off grief from thee, and take up gladness. She said, And how then hast thou dared to come to me? And this treason none was worse to me than thou! Said Sigrith. Why wilt thou not speak to folk? For what cause sorrowest thou? Brinhild answers. Ah, to thee will I tell of my wrath! Sigrith said. As when under a spell art thou, if thou demest that there is ought cruel in my heart against thee? But thou hast him for husband whom thou didst choose. Ah, nay, she said. Never did Gunnar ride through the fire to me, nor did he give me to dour the host of the slain. I wondered at the man who came into my hall, for I deemed indeed that I knew thine eyes, but I might not see clearly, or divide the good from the evil, because of the veil that lay heavy on my fortune. Says Sigrith. No nobler men are there than the sons of Guky. They slew the king of the Danes, and that great chief, the brother of King Boothly. Brinhild answered. Surely, for many an ill deed must I reward them. Mind me not of my griefs against them. But thou, Sigrith, slewest the worm, and rodest the fire through. Yay, and for my sake, and not one of the sons of King Guky! Sigrith answers. I am not thy husband, and thou art not my wife, yet did a far-famed king pay dour to thee. Says Brinhild. Never looked I at Gunnar in such a wise that my heart smiled on him, and hard and fell am I to him, though I hide it from others. A marvellous thing, says Sigrith, not to love such a king. What anger's thee most? For surely his love should be better to thee than gold. This is the sorest sorrow to me, she said. That the bitter sword is not reddened in thy blood! Have no fear thereof, says he. No long while to wait, or the bitter sword stand deep in my heart. And no worse needest thou to pray for thyself, for thou wilt not live when I am dead. The days of our two lives shall be few enough from henceforth. Enough and to spare of bail is in thy speech, since thou bereist me, and it's twin me of all bliss, not do I heed my life or death. Sigrith answers. Ah, live and love King Gunnar, and me with all, and all my wealth will I give thee, if thou die not. Brinhild answers. Thou knowest me not, nor the heart that is in me, for thou art the first and best of all men, and I am become the most loathsome of all women to thee. This is truer, says Sigrith, that I love thee better than myself, though I fell into the wiles from whence our lives may not escape. For whence so my own heart and mind availed me, then I sorrowed sore that thou art not my wife. But as I might, I put my trouble from me. For in a king's dwelling was I, and with all, and in spite of all, I was well content that we were all together. Well may it be, that that shall come to pass, which is foretold. Neither shall I fear the fulfilment thereof. Brinhild answered and said, Too late thou tellest me, that my grief grieved thee. Little pity shall I find, now! Sigrith said. Thus my heart would, that thou and I should go into one bed together, even so wouldst thou be my wife. Said Brinhild, Such words may no eyes be spoken, nor will I have two kings in one hall. I will lay my life down, rather than beguile Gunnar the king. And therewith she called to mind how they met, they too, on the mountain, and swore oaths each to each. But now all is changed, and I will not live. I might not call to mind thy name, said Sigrith, or know thee again, before the time of thy wedding. The greatest of all griefs is that. Then said Brinhild, I swore an oath to wed the man who should ride my flaming fire, and that oath will I hold to, or die. Rather than thou die, I will wed thee, and put away Gudrun, said Sigrith. But therewith all so swelled the heart betwixt the sides of him, that the rings of his bernie burst asunder. I will not have thee, says Brinhild. Nay, nor any other! Then Sigrith got him gone. So saith the song of Sigrith. Out then went Sigrith the great king's well-loved, from the speech in the sorrow, sore drooping, so grieving that the shirt round about him of iron rings woven from the sides break asunder of the brave in the battle. So when Sigrith came into the hall, Gunnar asked if he had come to a knowledge of what great grief lay heavy on her, or if she had power of speech. And Sigrith said that she lacked it not. So now Gunnar goes to her again, and asked her what wrought her woe, or if there were anything that might amend it. I will not live, says Brunhild. For Sigrith has berayed me, yea, and thee no less, whereas thou didst suffer him to come into my bed. Lo thou, two men in one dwelling I will not have, and this shall be Sigrith's death, or thy death, or my death. For now he has told Gudrun all, and she is mocking me even now!" CHAPTER XXX Thereafter Brunhild went out and sat under her bower wall, and had many words of wailing to say. And still she cried that all things were loathsome to her, both land and lordship alike, so she might not have Sigrith. But therewith came Gunnar to her, yet again, and Brunhild spake. THOU SHALL LOSE BOTH RELM AND WEALTH AND THY LIFE AND ME, for I shall fare home to my kin, and abide there in sorrow. Thus thou slayest Sigrith and his son never nourish thou a wolf-cub. Gunnar grew sick at heart there at, and might know wise see what fearful thing lay beneath it all. He was bound to Sigrith by oath, and this way and that way swung the heart within him. But at the last he bethought him of the measureless shame if his wife went from him, and he said within himself, Brunhild is better to me than all things else, and the fairest woman of all women, and I will lay down my life rather than lose the love of her. And herewith he called to him his brother, and spake. Trouble is heavy on me. And he tells him that he must need slay Sigrith, for that he has failed him wherein he trusted him. So let us be lords of the gold and the realm with all. Hergney Answers Ye let behooves us to break our oaths with wrack and wrong, and with all great aid we have in him. No kings shall be as great as we, if so be the king of the Hunfolk may live. Such another brother-in-law never may we get again. Be think thee, how good it is to have such a brother-in-law, and such sons to our sister. But well I see how things stand, for this has Brunhild stirred the up to, and surely shall her council drag us into huge shame and scathe. Gunnar says, Yet shall it be brought about, and lo, a reed there too. Let us egg on our brother Guttorm to the deed. He is young, and of little knowledge, and is clean out of all the oaths moreover. Ah, set about in ill-wise, says Hergney, and though indeed it may well be compassed, a due reward shall we gain for the berail of such a man as his Sigurd. Gunnar says, Sigurd shall die, or I shall die, and therewith he bids Brunhild arise and be glad at heart. So she rose, and still, ever she said, that Gunnar should come no more into her bed till the deed was done. So the brothers fall to talk, and Gunnar says that it is a deed well worthy of death, that taking of Brunhild's maiden head. So come now, let us prick on Guttorm to do the deed. Therewith they call him to them, and offer him gold and great dominion, as they well have might to do. They, and they took a certain worm, and somewhat of Wolf's flesh, and let seeth of them together, and gave him to eat of the same, even as the singer sings. Fish of the wild wood, worm-smooth crawling, with wolf-meat mingled, they minced for Guttorm. Then in the beaker, in the wine his mouth knew they set it, still doing more deeds of wizards. Wherefore, with the eating of this meat, he grew so wild and eager, and with all things about him, and with the heavy words of Gremild, that he gave his word to do the deed, and mighty honour they promised him in reward thereof. But of these evil wiles not at all knew Sigurd, for he might not deal with his shape and fate, nor the measure of his life days. Neither deemed he that he was worthy of such things at their hands. So Guttorm went in to Sigurd the next morning as he lay upon his bed. Yet durst he not do ought against him, but shrank back out again. Yay! for even so he fared a second time. For so bright and eager were the eyes of Sigurd that few durst look upon him. But the third time he went in, and there lay Sigurd asleep. Then Guttorm drew his sword and thrust Sigurd through, in such wise that the sword-point smote into the bed beneath him. Then Sigurd awoke with that wound. And Guttorm got him unto the door. But therewith Sigurd caught up the sword-grom and cast it after him, and it smote him on the back, and struck him asunder in the midst, so that the feet of him fell one way and the head and hands back into the chamber. Now Guttorm lay asleep on Sigurd's bosom. But she woke up unto woe that may not be told of, all swimming in the blood of him, and in such wise did she bewail her with weeping and words of sorrow that Sigurd rose up on the bolster and spake. Weep not, said he, for thy brothers live for thy delight. But a young son have I, too young to beware of his foes, and an ill turn have these played against their own fortune, for never will they get a mightier brother-in-law to ride abroad with them, nay, nor a better son to their sister than this one, if he may grow to man's estate. Lo! Now is that come to pass which was foretold me long ago. But from mine eyes has it been hidden, for none may fight against his fate and prevail. Behold, this has Brunhild brought to pass, even she who loves me before all men. But this may I swear, that never have I wrought ill to Gunnar, but rather have ever held fast to my oath with him, nor was I ever too much a friend to his wife. And now, if I had been forewarned and had been afoot with my weapons, then should many a man have lost his life or ever I had fallen. And all those brethren should have been slain, and a harder work with the slaying of me have been than the slaying of the mightiest bull or the mightiest boar of the wild wood. And even there with all life left the king. But Gudrun moaned, and drew a weary breath, and Brunhild heard it, and laughed when she heard her moaning. Then said Gunnar, Thou laughest not because thy heart-roots are gladdened, or else why doth thy visage wax so wan? Sure, an evil creature thou art, most like thou art nigh to thy death. Lo now, how meet would it be for thee to behold thy brother utterly slain before thine eyes, and that thou shalt stand over him dead. Whereas we must now stand over our brother-in-law in such a case. Our brother-in-law and our brother's bane. She answered, None need mock at the measure of slaughter being unfulfilled. Yet he doth not oddly your wrath or your threats. Yea, he shall live longer than ye, and be a mightier man. He heard me spake, and said, Now hath come to pass the soothsaying of Brunhild, an ill work not to be atoned for. And Gudrun said, My kinsmen have slain my husband. But ye, when ye next ride to the war, and are come into the battle, then shall ye look about and see that Sigurd is neither on the right hand nor the left, and ye shall know that he was your good-happ'n, your strength. And if he had lived, and had sons, then should ye have been strengthened by his offspring and his kin. CHAPTER 31 Our varthas Gudrun gerdesk adeya, er hon sat sorgful yufr Sigurdi. Gudrun of old days drew near to dying, as she sat in sorrow over Sigurdh. Yet she sighed not, nor smote hand on hand, nor wail she ought, as other women. Then went earls to her full of all wisdom. Thane helped to deal to her dreadful heart. Hust was Gudrun of wail or greeting, but with a heavy woe was her heart a-breaking. Bright and fair sat the great earls' brides, gold-rayed before Gudrun. Each told the tale of her great trouble, the bitterest bale she e'erced abode. Then spake Gjaflaug, Gjuki's sister, lo, upon earth I live most loveless, who of five mates must see the ending, of daughters twain and three sisters, of brethren ate, and abide behind lonely. Not got Gudrun of wail and greeting, so heavy was she for her dead husband, so dreadful hearted, for the king laid dead there. Then spake Herborg, queen of Hunland. Crueler tale have I to tell of, of my seven sons down in the southlands, and the eighth man my mate felled in the death-meade. Father and mother and four brothers, on the wide sea the winds and death played with, the billows beat on the bulwark boards. Alone must I sing o'er them, alone must I array them, alone must my hands deal with their departing. And all this was in one season's wearing, and none was left for love or solace. Then was I bound a prey of the battle, when that same season wore to its ending. As a tiring may must I bind the shewn of the Duke's High Dame every day at dawning. From her jealous hate get I heavy mocking, cruel lashes she laid upon me. Never met I, better master, or mistress-worser in all the wide world. Not get Gudrun of wail or greeting, so heavy was she for her dead husband, so dreadful hearted for the king laid dead there. Then spake Gulrun, Duke's daughter. O foster mother, wise as thou mayst be, not canst thou better the young wife's bail, and she bade uncover the dead king's corpse. She swept the sheet away from Sigurd, and turned his cheek towards his wife's knees. Look on thy loved one! Lay lips to his lips! E'en is thou worth clinging to thy king alive yet! Once looked Gudrun, one look only, and saw her lord's locks lying all bloody, the great man's eyes glazed and deadly, and his heart's bulwark broken by sword-edge. Back then, St. Gudrun, back on the bolster, loosed was her head array, red did her cheeks grow, and the raindrops ran down over her knees. Then wept Gudrun, Gyuki's daughter, so that the tears flowed through the pillow. As the geese withal that were in the home field, the fair fowls the may-owned fell as screaming. Then spake Gudrun, Gyuki's daughter. Surely knew I no love like your love among all men on the mold abiding. Not wits thou joy in, without or within doors, O my sister, save beside Sigurd. Then spake Gudrun, Gyuki's daughter. Such was my Sigurd among the sons of Gyuki, as is the king bleak, or the low grass waxing, or a bright stone strung on band, or a pearl of price on a prince's brow. Once was I counted by the king's warriors higher than any of Herion's maize. Now am I as little as the leaf may be, amid windswept wood, now when dead he lieth. I miss from my seat. I miss from my bed my darling of sweet speech. Rot the sons of Gyuki. Rot the sons of Gyuki this sore sorrow. Yay for their sister. Most sore sorrow. So may your lands lie waste on all sides, as ye have broken your bounden oaths. N'ere shall thou, Gunnar, the gold have joy of. The dear-bought rings shall drag thee to death, whereon thou swarest oath unto Sigurd. Ah, in the days bygone, great mirth in the home field, when my Sigurd set saddle on Granny, and they went their ways for the wooing of Brunhild, an ill day, an ill woman, and most ill hap. Then spake Brunhild, Boothly's daughter. May the woman lack both love and children, who gained greeting for thee, oh Guthrun, who gave thee this morning many words. Then spake Gulrun, Gyuki's daughter. Most peace of such words thou hated of all folk. The bane of brave men hast thou been ever. All waves of ill wash over thy mind. To seven great kings hast thou been a sore sorrow, and the death of good will to wives and women. Then spake Brunhild, Boothly's daughter. Brun but Othly brought bail upon us, my very brother, born of Boothly, when we saw in the hall of the hunnish people the gold gleaning on the kingly dukings. I have paid for that faring, oft and full, and for the sight that then I saw. By a pillar she stood, and strained its wood to her. From the eyes of Brunhild, Boothly's daughter, flashed out fire, and she snorted forth venom as the sore wounds she gazed on of the dead slain Sigurd. CHAPTER 32 And now none might know for what cause Brunhild must bewail with weeping for what she had prayed for with laughter. But she spake. Such a dream had I, Gunnar, as that my bed was a cold, and that thou didst ride into the hands of thy foes. Lo now! Ill shall it go with thee, and all thy kin, O ye breakers of oaths. For on the day thou slayets him, dimly didst thou remember how thou didst blend thy blood with a blood of Sigurd, and with an ill reward hast thou rewarded him for all that he did well to thee. As he gave unto thee to be the mightiest of men. And well was it proven how fast he held to his oaths sworn, when he came to me, and laid betwixt us the sharp edged sword that in venom had been made hard. All too soon did ye fall to working wrong against him, and against me, when as I aboded home with my father, and had all that I would, and had no will that any one of you should be any of mine, as ye rode into our garth ye three kings together. But then Otley led me apart trivially, and asked me if I would not have him who rode Grani. Yea, a man no wise like unto you. But in those days I plighted myself to the son of King Sigmund, and no other. And lo now! no better shall ye fare for the death of me! Then up rose Gunnar, and laid his arms around her neck, and besought her to live, and have wealth from him. And all others in likewise letted her from dying. But she thrust them all from her. And said that it was not the part of any to let her, in that which was her will. Then Gunnar called to her Grani, and prayed him for counsel, and bade him go to her, and see if he might perchance soften her dreadful heart, saying with all that now they had need enough on their hands in the slaking of her grief till time might get over. But her Grani answered, Nay, let no man hinder her from dying, for no gain will she be to us, nor has she been gainsome since she came hither. Now she bade bring forth much gold, and bade all those come hither who would have wealth. Then she caught up a sword, and thrust it under her armpit, and sank aside upon the pillows. And said, Come, take gold who so will. But all held their peace. And she said, Take the gold, and be glad thereof. And therewith she spake unto Gunnar. Now, for a little while, will I tell of that which shall come to pass hereafter? For speedily shall ye be at one again with Gudrun, by the reed of Gremhild, the wise wife. And the daughter of Gudrun in Sigurdth shall be called Svanhild, the fairest of all women born. Gudrun shall be given to Otli, yet not with her good will. Thou shalt be feigned to get Odrun, but that shall Otli forbid thee. But privilege shall ye meet, and much shall she love thee. Otli shall berate thee, and cast thee into a worm-close. And thereafter shall Otli and his sons be slain, and Gudrun shall be their slayer. And afterwards shall the great waves bear her to the burg of King Yannacher, of whom she shall bear sons of great fame. Svanhild shall be sent from the land, and given to King Yermenrech. And her shall bite the reed of Bicky. And therewith all is the kin of you clean, gone, and more sorrow therewith, for Gudrun. And now I pray thee, Gunnar, one last boon. Let make a great bail on the plain-meads for all of us, for me and for Sigurdth, and for those who were slain with him. And let that be covered over with cloth dyed red by the folk of the Gauls. And burn me thereon. On one side of the King of the Huns, and on the other those men of mine, two at the head, and two at the feet, and two hawks with all. And even so is all shared equally. And lay there betwixt us a drawn sword, as in the other days when we twain stepped into one bed together, and then may we have the name of man and wife. Nor shall the doors swing to it the heel of him, as I go behind him. Nor shall that be a niggered company, if there follow him those five bond women and eight bond men whom my father gave me, and those burned therewith all who were slain with Sigurdth. Now, more yet would I say, but for my wounds, but my life breath flits. The wounds open. Yet have I said sooth. Now is the dead corpse of Sigurdth arrayed in olden wise. And a mighty bale is raised. And when it was somewhat kindled, there was laid thereon the dead corpse of Sigurdth Fafnir's bane, and his son of three winters whom Brinhild had let slay, and Guttorm with all. And when the bale was all ablaze, thereon too was Brinhild born out, when she had spoken with her Bower-maidens, and bid them take the gold that she would give. And then died Brinhild, and was burned, there by the side of Sigurdth, and thus their life-days ended. CHAPTER XXIII Now so it is, that whoso hearth these tidings sayeth that no such in one as was Sigurdth was left behind him in the world. Nor ever was such a man brought forth because of all the worth of him. Nor may his name ever diminish by eld in the Dutch tongue, nor in all the northern lands, while the world standeth fast. The story tells that on a day as Gudrun sat in her Bower, she fell to saying, better was life in those days, when I had Sigurdth. He who was far above other men as gold is above iron, were the leak over other grass of the field, were the heart over other wild things. Until my brethren begrudged me such a man, the first and best of all men. And so they might not sleep or they had slain him. Huge clamor made Granny when he saw his master and lord Soar wounded. And then I spoke to him, even as with a man, but he fell drooping down to the earth, for he knew that Sigurdth was slain. Thereafter Gudrun got her gone into the wild woods, and heard on all ways round about her the howling of wolves, and deemed death a merrier thing than life. Then she went till she came to the Hall of King Ulth, and sat there in Denmark with Thora, the daughter of Haukan, for seven seasons, and abode with good welcome. And she set forth her needlework before her, and did therein too many deeds and great, and fair plays after the fashion of those days, swords and burnies, and all the gear of kings and the ship of King Sigmund sailing along the land. Ye, and they wrought there how they fought, Sigurd and Sigurdth, south in Fjann. Such was their despot. And now Gudrun was somewhat solst of her grief. So Greenhild comes to here where Gudrun has take up her abode. And she calls her sons to talk with her, and asks whether they will make atonement to Gudrun for her son and her husband, and said that it was but meat and right to do so. Then Gunnar spoke, and said that he would atone for her sorrows with gold. So they sent for their friends, and arrayed their horses, their helms and their shields and their burnies and all their war-gear. And their journey was furnished forth in the noblest wise. And no champion who was of the great men might abide at home. And their horses were clad in male coats. And every night of them had his helm done over with gold or with silver. Greenhild was of their company, for she said that their errand would never be brought fairly to pass if she sat at home. There were well five hundred men, and noble men rode with them. There was Voldemort of Denmark, and A. Mother, and Yarislaver with all. So they went into the hall of King Ulf. And there abode them the long beards in Franks and Saxons. They feared with all their war-gear, and had over them red fur coats, even as the song says. These short-cut, strong helms hammered, girt with good swords, red hair gleaming. They were feigned to choose good gifts for their sister, and spake softly to her, but in none of them would she trow. Then Gunnar brought under her a drink mingled with hurtful things, and this she must need's drink, and with the drinking thereof she had no more memory of their guilt against her. But in that drink was blended the might of the earth and the sea with the blood of her son, and in that horn were all letters cut and reddened with blood, as is said hereunder. On the horn's face were there all the kin of letters, cut her right and reddened. How should I read them rightly? The ling fish long of the land of Hodding, wheat-ears unshorn, and wild things inwards. In that beer were mingled many ills together, blood of all the wood and brown-burnt acorns, the black dew of the hearth, the god-doomed dead beasts inwards, and the swine's liver sodden, because all wrongs that deadens. And so now, when their hearts are brought in eye to each other, great cheer they made. Then came Grimhill to Gudrun and spake. All hail to thee, daughter! I give thee gold and all kinds of good things to take to thee after thy father. Dear-bought rings and bedgear of the maids of the Huns, the most courteous and well-dite of all women, and thus is thy husband atoned for. And thereafter shalt thou be given to Otley, the mighty king, and be mistress of all his might. That's not all thy friends aside for one man's sake, but do according to our bidding. Gudrun answers. Never will I wed Otley the king. Unseemly it is for us to get offspring betwixt us. Grimhill says. Nourish not thy wrath. It shall be to thee as if Sigurd and Sigmund were alive when thou hast borne sons. Gudrun says, I cannot take my heart from thoughts of him, for he was the first of all men. Grimhill says. So it is shapen that thou must have this king and none else. Says Gudrun, give not this man to me, for an evil thing shall come upon thy kin from him, and to his own sons shall he deal evil and be rewarded with a grim revenge thereafter. Then waxed Grimhill fell at those words and spake. Do even as we bid thee, and take therefore great honour and our friendship, and the steds withal called Veenbjörg and Valbjörg. And such might was in the words of her that even so must it come to pass. Then Gudrun spake. Thus then must it needs befall, howsoever against the will of me, and for little joy shall it be, and for great grief. Then men leaped on their horses, and their women were set in wanes. So they fared, four days a riding, and other for a shipboard, and yet four more again by land and road. Till at the last they came to a certain high-built hall. Then came to meet Gudrun many folk thronging, and an exceedingly goodly feast was there made, even as the word had gone between either kin, and it passed forth in most proud and stately wise. And at that feast drinks Atle his bridle with Gudrun. But never did her heart laugh on him, and little sweet and kind was their life together. CHAPTER 34 Now tells the tale that on a night King Atle woke from sleep, and spake to Gudrun. Me dreamed, said he, that thou didst thrust me through with a sword. Then Gudrun arreaded the dream, and said that it betokened fire when as folk dreamed of iron. It befalls of thy pride, be like, in that thou demest thyself the first of men. Atle said, moreover, I dreamed that here waxed two sorbetree saplings, and feign I was that they should have no scathe of me. Then these were riven up by the roots, and reddened with blood, and borne to the bench, and I was bidden eat thereof. Yay! Yet again I dreamed that two hawks flew from my hand hungry and unfed, and fared to hell. And me seemed their hearts were mingled with honey, and that I ate thereof. And then again I dreamed that two fair welps lay before me yelling aloud, and that the flesh of them I ate, though my will went not with the eating. Gudrun says, No wise good are these dreams, yet shall they come to pass. Surely thy sons are nigh to death, and many heavy things shall fall upon us. Yet again I dreamed, said he, and me thought I lay in a bath, and folk took counsel to slay me. Now these things wear away with time, but in no wise was their life together fawned. Now falls Otley to thinking of where may be gotten that plenteous gold which Sigurd had owned, but King Gunnar and his brethren were lords thereof now. Otley was a great king and mighty, wise and a lord of many men, and now he falls to counsel with his folk as to the ways of them. He wanted well that Gunnar and his brethren had more wealth than any others might have. And so he falls to the reed of sending men to them, and bidding them to a great feast, and honoring them in diverse wise. And the chief of those messengers was Hite Vingy. Now the queen wots of their conspiring, and misdoubts her that this would mean some beguiling of her brethren. So she cut runes, and took a gold ring and knit therein a wolf's hair, and gave it into the hands of the king's messengers. Thereafter they go their ways according to the king's bidding. And wherever they came aland Vingy beheld the runes, and turned them about, in such wise as if Guthrin prayed her brethren in her runes to go meet King Otley. Thereafter they came to the hall of King Gunnar, and had good welcome at his hands, and great fires were made for them, and in great joyance they drank of the best of drink. Then spake Vingy. King Otley sends me hither, and is feigned that ye go to his house and home in all glory, and take of him exceeding honors, helms and shields, swords and burnies, gold and goodly raiment, horses, hosts of war, and great and wide lands, for, sayeth he, he is feignest of all things to bestow his realm and lordship upon you. King Gunnar turned his head aside, and spoke to Hrgni. In what wise shall we take this bidding? Might and wealth he bids us take, but no kings know I who have so much gold as we have, whereas we have all the horde which lay once on Gnita Heath, and great are our chambers, and full of gold, and weapons for smiting, and all kinds of raiment of war, and well I what that amidst all men my horse is the best, and my sword the sharpest, and my gold the most glorious. Hrgni answers, A marvel is it to me of his bidding, for seldom hath he done in such a wise, and ill-counseled will it be to wend to him. Lo now! When I saw those dear-bought things the king sends us, I wondered, to behold a wolf's hair knit to a certain gold ring. But like Gudrun deems him to be minded as a wolf towards us, and will have not of our faring. But with all Vingy shows him the runes which he said Gudrun had sent. Now the most of folk go to bed, but these drank on still with certain others. And Kostbera, the wife of Hrgni, the fairest of women, came to them and looked on the runes. But the wife of Gunnar was Glamver, a great-hearted wife. So these twain poured out, and the kings drank, and were exceeding drunken. And Vingy notes it, and says, Not may I hide that King Otley is heavy afoot, and over-old for the warding of his realm. But his sons are young and of no account. Now will he give you rule over his realms, while they are yet thus young, and most feign will he be that ye have the joy thereof before all others. Now so it befell both that Gunnar was drunk, and that great dominion was held out to him. Nor might he work against the fate shaven for him. So he gave his word to go, and tells Hrgni his brother thereof. But he answered, Thy word given must even stand now, nor will I fail to follow thee, but most loathe am I to this journey. So when men had drunk their fill they feared to sleep, then false cost-bara to beholding the runes and spelling over the letters, and sees that beneath were other things cut, and that the runes are guileful. Yet because of her wisdom she had skill to read them a right. So then she goes to bed by her husband, but when they awoke she spake unto Hrgni. Thou art minded to wend away from home. Ill-counseled is that. Abide till another time. Scarce-a-keen reader of runes art thou, if thou deemest thou hast beheld in them the bidding of thy sister to this journey. Lo, I read the runes, and had marvel of so wise a woman as Gudrun is, that she should have miscut them. But that which lieeth underneath beareth your bane with it. Ye, either she lacked a letter or others have dealt guilefully with the runes. And now hearken to my dream. For therein me thought there fell in upon us here a river exceeding strong and break up the timbers of the hall. He answered, Full after ye evil of mind ye women. But for me I was not made in such wisest to meet men with evil who deserve no evil. But like he will give us good welcome. She answered, Well, the thing must ye yourselves prove. But no friendship follows this bidding. But yet again I dreamed that another river fell in here with a great and grimly rush and tore up the dais of the hall and break the legs of both you brethren. Surely that betokeneth somewhat. He answers. He goes along our way, whereas thou didst dream of the river. For when we go through the meadows plentifully doth the seeds of the hay hang about our legs. Again I dreamed, she says, that thy cloak was a fire and that the flame blazed up above the hall. Says he. Well I want what that shall betoken. Here lieth my fear-dyed raiment and it shall burn in blaze when as thou dreamest of the cloak. Me thought a bear came in, she says, and break up the king's high seat and shook his paws in such a wise that we were all a drab there at, and he got us all together into the mouth of him so that we might avail us not, and thereof fell great horror on us. He answered, Some great storm will befall, whereas thou hathst a white bear in thy mind. An urn, me thought, came in, she says, and swept it down the hall and drenched me in all of us with blood, and ill shall that betoken, for me thought it was the double of King Ottley. He answered, Full off do we slaughter beasts freely, and smite down great neat for our cheer, and the dream of the urn has but to do with oxen. Yea, Ottley is heart-hold toward us. And therewith all they cease this talk.