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Preface

        In the preface to the first or mythological part of this translation of Sæmund´s Edda, I announced my intention of publishing the second or heroic portion, should that first part be not unfavourably received. That condition has been fulfilled, for not only has its reception here been favourable, but in the United States of America it has been noticed in terms highly gratifying to the translator. I now therefore do not hesitate to publish the second part.

        The limits within which I deem it necessary to confine myself, from my desire to produce a small work at a moderate cost, admit only of a very brief notice of the poems contained in this portion of the Edda:

        The Lay of Völund (Völundarkvida) celebrates the story of Völund´s doing and sufferings during his sojourn in the territory of the Swedish kin Nidud. (Ger. Wieland, Fr. Veland and Galans) is the Scandinavian and Germanic Vulcan (Hephaistos) and Dædalus. In England his story, as a skillful smith, is traceable to a very early period. In the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf we find that hero desiring, in the event of his falling in conflict with Grendel, that his corslet may be sent to Hygelac, being, as he says, the work of Weland: and king Ælfred, in his translation of Boethius de Consolatione, renders the words fidelis ossa Fabricii, etc. by Hwæt (hwær) sint nu Þæs foremæran and Þæs wisan goldsmiðes ban Welondes? (Where are now the bones of the famous and wise goldsmith Weland?), evidently taking the proper name of Fabricius for an appellative equivalent to faber. In the Exeter Book, too, there is a poem in substance closely resembling the Eddaic lay. In his novel of Kenilworth, Walter Scott has been guilty of a woful perversion of the old tradition, travestied from the Berkshire legend of Wayland Smith. As a land-boundary we find Weland' s smithy in a charter of king Eadred a.d. 955. Ampler details concerning Weland are to be found in Mr. Price' s preface to Warton' s History of English poetry 8vo., edit.; Müller, Sagabibliothek, II. pp. 157 sqq.; Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, pp. 349 sqq. edit. 1844; Müller, Aldeutsche Religion, p. 311. Much interesting matter will also be found in Weber and Jamieson´s Illustrations of Northern Antiquities. Bishop Müller, derives the name from O. Nor. Vél, thinking that it is only according to the Norse pronunciation that it has a signification, viz. art, wile, guile, and lundr, mind, disposition, and is thence inclined to assign a Northern origin to the story. But may not the form Völundr be merely a Northern adaptation of the German Wieland or Anglo-Saxon Weland?

        On the Lay of Helgi Hiörvard´s Son there is nothing to remark beyond what appears in the poem itself.

        The Lays of Helgi Hundingcide form the first of the series of stories relating to the Völsung race, and the Giukungs, or Niflungs.

        The connection of the several personages celebrated in these poems will appear plain from the following tables.
Sigi, king of Hunaland, said to be a son of Odin
   |
Rerir
   |
Völsung = a daughter of the giant Hrimnir
   |
Sigmund = Signi      =     Borghild = Hiördis
   |            |               |                    |
Hamund Sinflötli Helgi = Sigrun Sigurd = Gudrun
Sigmund, Svanhild
m Jörmunrek


                     Giuki = Grimhild
                                |
Gunnar = Gaumvör       Högni=Kostbera Guthorm Gudrun, = 1. Sigurd
                                                                                              2. Atli
                                                                                              3. Jonakr

                   Budli
                         |
Atli = Gudrun:         Brynhild = Gunnar Oddrun Beckhild = Heimr
                                                                       |
                                                                 Alsvid


                Jonakr = Gudrun
                    |                |
                 Erp        Hamdir Sörli





        The Eddaic series of the Völsung and Niflung lays terminates with the Lay of Hamdir; the one entitled Gunnar' s Melody is no doubt a comparatively late composition; yet being written in the true ancient spirit of the North is well deserving of a place among the Eddaic poems. Nor, indeed, is the claim of the Lay of Grotti to rank among the poems collected by Sæmund, by any means clear, we know it only from its existence in the Skalda; yet on account of its antiquity, its intrinsic worth, and its reception in other editions of the Edda, both in original and translation, the present work would seem, and justly so, incomplete without it.

        Had the limits, within which I am desirous to confine my humble attempt at a version of the Poetic Edda, permitted, I would have assigned a portion of this preface to some notice of the relation between the Northern poems relating to the Völsungs and Giukungs, or Niflungs, and the same subject as it appears in the Nibelunge Not; but as the latter is familiar to many readers and accessible to all, in the original old German, in modern German, and in more than one excellent English version, I omit all further mention of the subject.

        In compliance with the expressed wish of the Publishers, I subscribe my name as the translator of Sæmund´s Edda.

                                                                Benjamin Thorpe

Völundarkviða

The Lay of Völund.

        There was a king in Sweden named Nidud: he had two sons and a daughter, whose name was Bödvild. There were three brothers, sons of a king of the Finns, one was called Slagfid, the second Egil, the third Völund. They went on snow-shoes and hunted wild-beasts. They came to Ulfdal, and there made themselves a house, where there is a water called Ulfsíar. Early one morning they found on the border of the lake three females sitting and spinning flax. Near them lay their swan-plumages: they were Valkyriur. Two of them, Hladgud-Svanhvit and Hervör-Alvit, were daughters of King Hlödver; the third was Ölrún, a daughter of Kiár of Valland. They took them home with them to their dwelling. Egil had Ölrún, Slagfid Svanhvít, and Völund Alvit. They lived there seven years, when they few away seeking conflicts, and did not return. Egil then went on snow-shoes in search of Ölrún, and Slagfid in search of Svanhvit, but Völund remained in Ulfdal. He was a most skilful man, as we learn from old traditions. King Nidud ordered him to be seized, so as it is here related.


1. Maids flew from the south,
through the murky wood,
Alvit the young,
fate to fulfil.

2. One of them,
of maidens fairest,
to his comely breast
Egil clasped.
Svanhvit was the second,
she a swan´s plumage bore;
but the third,
their sister,
the white neck clasped
of Völund.

3. There they stayed
seven winters through;
but all the eighth
were with longing seized;
and in the ninth
fate parted them.
The maidens yearned
for the murky wood,
the young Alvit,
fate to fulfil.

4. From the chase came
the ardent hunters,
Slagfid and Egil,
found their house deserted,
went out and in,
and looked around.
Egil went east
after Ölrún,
and Slagfid west
after Svanhvit;

5. But Völund alone
remained in Ulfdal.
He the red gold set
with the hard gem,
well fastened all the rings
on linden bast,
and so awaited
his bright consort,
if to him
she would return.

6. It was told to Nidud,
the Niarars´ lord,
that Völund alone
remained in Ulfdal.
In the night went men,
in studded corslets,
their shields glistened
in the waning moon.

7. From their saddles they alighted
at the house´s gable,
thence went in
through the house.
On the bast they saw
the rings all drawn,
seven hundred,
which the warrior owned.
8. And they took them off,
and they put them on,
all save one,
which they bore away.
Came then from the chase
the ardent hunter,
Völund, gliding
on the long way.

9. To the fire he went,
bear´s flesh to roast.
Soon blazed the brushwood,
and the arid fir,
the wind-dried wood,
before Völund.

10. On the bearskin sat,
his rings counted,
the Alfar´s companion:
one was missing.
He thought that Hlödver´s
daughter had it,
the young Alvit,
and that she was returned.

11. So long he sat
until he slept;
and he awoke
of joy bereft:
on his hands he felt
heavy constraints,
and round his feet
fetters clasped.

12. "Who are the men
that on the rings' possessor
have laid bonds?
and me have bound?"

13. Then cried Nidud,
the Niarars' lord:
"Whence gottest thou, Völund!
Alfars´chief!
our gold,
in Ulfdal?"

14. "No gold was here
in Grani' s path,
far I thought our land
from the hills of Rhine.
I mind me that we more
treasures possessed,
when, a whole family,
we were at home.

15. Hladgud and Hervör
were of Hlödver born;
know was Ölrún,
Kiar´s daughter,
she entered
into the house,
stood on the floor,
her voice moderated:
"Now is he not mirthful,
who from the forest comes."

        King Nidud gave to his daughter Bödvild the ring which had been taken from the bast in Völund´s house; but he himself bore the sword that had belonged to Völund. The queen said:

16. His teeth he shows,
when the sword he sees,
and Bödvild´s ring
he recognizes:
threatening are his eyes
as a glistening serpent' s:
let be severed
his sinews' strength;
and set him then
in Sævarstad.

        This was done; he was hamstrung and then set on a certain small island near the shore, called Sævarstad. He there forged for the king all kinds of jewellery work. No one was allowed to go to him, except the king. Völund said:

17. "The sword shines
in Nidud' s belt,
which I whetted
as I could most skilfully,
and tempered,
as seemed to me most cunningly.
That bright blade for ever is
taken from me:
never shall I see it
borne into Völund' s smithy.

18. Now Bödvild wears
my consort´s
red-gold rings:
for this I have no indemnity."
He sat and never slept,
and his hammer plied;
but much more speedy vengeance
devised on Nidud.

19. The two young sons
of Nidud ran
in at the door to look,
in Sævarstad.
To the chest they came,
for the keys asked;
manifest was their grudge,
when therein they looked.

20. Many necklaces were there,
which to those youths appeared
of the red gold to be,
and treasures.
"Come ye two alone,
to-morrow come;
that gold shall
be given to you.

21. Tell it not to the maidens,
nor to the household folk,
nor to any one,
that ye have been with me."
Early called
one the other,
brother, brother:
"Let us go see the rings."

22. To the chest they came,
for the keys asked;
manifest was their grudge,
when therein they looked.
Of those children he
the heads cut off,
and under the prison' s mixen
laid their bodies.

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 Bödvild sent.
Then did Bödvild
praise the ring:
to Völund brought it,
when she had broken it:
"I dare to no one tell it,
save alone to thee."

Völund
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."

27. "I wish," said Völund,
"that on my feet I were,
of the use of which
Nidud' s men have deprived me."
Laughing Völund
rose in the air:
Bödvild 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 Völund
I desire to speak."

30. "Tell me, Völund,
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 Völund,
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 has 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 Bödvild sent.
Now Bödvild 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 Völund
rose in air,
but Nidud sad
remained sitting.

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

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

39. "True it is, Nidud!
what has been told to thee,
that Völund 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."

HelgakviÞa Hiörvarðs Sonar

The Lay of Helgi Hiörvard´s son.

        There was a kind named Hiörvard, who had four wives, one of whom was named Alfhild, their son was named Hedin; the second was named Særeid, their son was Humlung; the third was named Sinriód, their son was Hymling. King Hiörvard 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 Alöf. 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 Hiörvard 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 Hiörvard
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 Hiörvard
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 Alöf 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. Hiörvard obtained Sigrlinn, and Atli Alöf. Hiörvard 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 Rödulsvellir,
- 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 please 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. Hiörvard! thou art not
a king of wholesome counsel,
leader of people!
renowned though thou mayest be.
Thou has let fire devour
the homes of princes,
though harm to thee
they none have done.

11. But Hródmar 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.

        Hiörvard 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 Hródmar, and performed many deeds of valour. He killed the Jötun Hati, as he sat on a crag. Helgi and Atli lay with their ships in Hatafiörd. Atli kept watch in the first part of the night. Hrimgerd, Hati´s daughter, said:

12. Who are the chieftains
in Hatafiörd?
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.

Hrímgerd
17. Hrímgerd I am called,
Hati was my father called,
whom I knew the mightiest Jötun.
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 fiörd´s mouth.
The chieftain´s warriors
thou wouldst to Rán 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 Hlödvard' s sons drowned in the ocean.

20. Thou wouldst neigh, Atli!
if thou wert not a gelding.
See! Hrímgerd 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, Hrímgerd!

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 Hrímgerd 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 Jötun,
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, Hrímgerd!
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, Hrímgerd!
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, Hrímgerd!
and Atli has the 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 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 Hiörvard 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 són-hog was led forth, on which the guests laid their hands, and then made solemn vows at the Bragi-cup. 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,
is 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 Hródmar, 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,
Hiörvard´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,
Rógheim to behold,
nor Rödulsfiöll,
before I have avenged
Hiörvard´s son,
who was of kings
under the sun the best.


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

Helgakviða Hundingsbana Fyrri

The First Lay of Helgi Hundingcide.

1. It was in the 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 Brálund.

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
in Brálund.
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 this 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,
on day old:
now is our day come.
His eyes are piercing
as a warrior' s;
a 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,
Sólfiöll, Snæfiöll,
and Sigarsvellir,
Hringstäd, Hátún,
and Himinvangar,
a sword ornate,
to Sinfiölti´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 Logafiöll.
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 Eyiólf,
Hiörvard and Hávard,
sons of Hunding:
he had destroyed all
Geirmimir' s race.

15. Then gleamed a ray
from Logafiöll,
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 Dísir,
whether they would,
with the warriors,
that night go home? -
then was a clash of arms!

17. One from her horse,
Högni´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 Hödbrodd,
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 Hiörleif asked:
"Hast thou mustered
the valiant people?"

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

25. Twelve hundred
faithful men;
though in Hátún
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 Varinsfiörd.

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
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 Ægir´s
terrific daughter
the chieftains' vessels
would o' erwhelm.

30. But from above
Sigrún intrepid,
saved them
and their fleet also;
from the hand of Rán
powerfully was wrested
the royal ship
at Gnípalund.

31. At eve they halted
in Unavágar;
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. Sinfiötli 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 exchanged -

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 Gnípalund.

35. Hödbrodd 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.

Sinfiötli
37. Thou was a Vala-crone
in Varinsey,
cunning as a fox,
a spreader of lies.
Thou saidst thou no man
wouldst ever marry,
no corsleted warrior,
save Sinfiötli.

38. A mischievous crone was thou,
a giantess, a Valkyria,
insolent, onstrous,
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 Gnípalund,
the Thurs-maidens
thee emasculated
upon Thorsnes.

40. Thou was 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.

Sinfiötli
41. Thou was Grani´s bride
at Brávöllr,
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?

Sinfiölti
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, Sinfiölti!
would it be for you both
in battle to engage,
and the eagles gladden,
than with useless
words to contend,
however princes
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 Móinsheimar,
that they have courage
to draw the sword." -

46. Rapidly they their horses
made to run,
Svipud and Svegiud,
to Sólheimar,
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 Hödbrodd
with helmet decked:
he the speed noticed
of his kinsmen.
"Why have ye Hníflúngs
such wrathful countenance?"

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 Gnípulund,
seven thousand
blue-black ocean-beasts
with gold adorned;
there is by far
their greatest multitude.
Now will Helgi not
delay the conflict."

Hödbrodd
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 Högni,
and the sons of Hring,
Atli and Yngvi,
Alf the old;
they will gladly
engage in conflict.
We will let the Völsungs
find resistance."

52. It was a whirlwind,
when together came
the fallow 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 Sigrún -
well skilled to fly
to the host of heroes
from Hugin' s grove -

54. "Unscathed shalt thou, prince!
possess thy people,
pillar of Yngvi' s race!
and life enjoy;
thou hast laid low
the slow of flight,
the chief who caused
the dread warrior' s death.
And thee, o king!
well beseem both
red-gold rings
and a powerful maid:
unscathed shalt thou, prince!
both enjoy,
Högni' s daughter,
and Hringstadir,
victory and lands:
then is conflict ended."

Helgakviða Hundingsbana Önnur

The Second Lay of Helgi Hundingcide.

       King Sigmund, son of Völsung, had to wife Broghild of Brálund. They named their son Helgi, after Helgi Hiörvard´s son. Helgi was fostered by Hagal. There was a powerful king named Hunding, after whom the land was called Hundland. He was a great warrior, and had many sons, who were engaged in warfare. There was enmity, both open and concealed, between Kin Hunding and King Sigmund, and they slew each others kinsmen. King Sigmund and his kindred were called Völsungs, and Ylfings. Helgi went forth and secretly explored the court of King Hunding. Heming, Hunding´s son, was at home. On departing Helgi met a herdsman, and said:


1. "Say thou to Heming,
that Helgi bears in mind
who the mailed warrior was,
whom the men laid low,
when the grey wolf
ye had within,
and King Hunding
that it was Hamal."

        Hamal was the son of Hagal. King Hunding sent men to Hagal in search of Helgi, and Helgi had no other way to save himself than by taking the clothes of a female slave and going to grind. They sought but did not find him. Then said Blind the Baleful:

2. Sharp are the eyes of Hagal' s thrall-wench;
of no churlish race is she
who at the mill stands.
The mill-stones are split,
the receiver flies asunder.
Now a hard fate has
befallen the warrior,
when a prince must
barley grind:
much more fitting
to that hand
is the falchion' s hilt
than a mill-handle.

Hagal answered and said: -
3. No wonder 'tis
that the receiver rattles,
when a royal damsel
the handle turns.
She hovered
hither than the clouds,
and, like the vikings,
dared to fight,
until Helgi
made her captive.
She is a sister of
Sigar and Högni;
therefore has fierce eyes
the Ylfing maid.

**********************

        Helgi escaped and went on board a ship of war. He slew King Hunding, and was afterwards named Helgi Hundingsbani. He lay with his force in Brunavágar, and carried on 'strand-högg' and ate raw flesh. There was a king named Högni, whose daughter was Sigrún: she was a Valkyria, and rode through air and over the sea. She was Svava regenerated. Sigrún rode to Helgi, and said: -

4. What men cause a ship
along the coasts to float?
where do ye warriors a home possess?
what await ye
in Brunavágar?
whither desire ye
to explore a way?

Helgi
5. Hamal causes a ship
along the coasts to float;
we have home
in Hlésey;
a fair wind we await
in Brunavágar;
eastward we desire
to explore a way.

Sigrún
6. Were, o prince!
hast thou wakened war,
or fed the birds
on conflict' s sisters?
Why is thy corslet
sprinkled with blood?
Why beneath the helm
eat ye raw flesh?

Helgi
7. It was the Ylfings' son' s
last achievement, -
if thou desirest to know -
west of the ocean,
that I took bears
in Bragalund,
and the eagles' race
with our weapons sated.
Now, maiden! I have said
what the reasons were,
why at sea
we little cooked meat ate.

Sigrún
8. To a battle thou alludest.
Before Helgi has
King Hunding
been doomed to fall.
In conflict ye have engaged,
when your kindred ye avenged,
and stained with blood
the falchion' s edge.

Helgi
9. Why dost thou suppose,
sagacious maiden!
that it was they,
who their kin avenged?
Many a warrior' s
bold sons there are,
and hostile
to our kindred.

Sigrún
10. I was not far,
leader of people!
eager, at many
a chieftain' s end:
yet crafty I account
Sigmund' s son,
when in val-runes
the slaughter he announces.
11. A while ago I saw thee
commanding war-ships,
when thou hadst station
on the bloody prow,
and the cold sea
waves were playing.
Now, prince! thou wilt
from me conceal it,
but Högni' s daughter
recognizes thee.

****************************

        Granmar was the name of a powerful prince who dwelt at Svarinshaug. He had many sons: one was called Hödbrodd, the second Gudmund, the third Starkadr. Hödbrodd was at the assembly of kings, and there betrothed himself to Sigrún, the daughter of Högni. But when she was informed of it, she rode with the Valkyriur through the air and over the sea in quest of Helgi. Helgi was at Logafiöll, warring against the sons of Hunding, where he slew Alf and Eyiólf, Hiörvard and Hervard. Being over-fatigued with the conflict, he was sitting under the Arastein, where Sigrún found him, and running to him, threw her arms round his neck, and, kissing him, told him her errand so as it is related in the first Völsungakviða.

12. Sigrún sought
the joyous prince,
Helgi´s hand
she forthwith grasped,
kissed and addressed
the helm-decked king.

13. Then was the chieftain' s mind
to the lady turned.
She declared that she had loved,
with her whole heart,
Sigmund' s son,
before she had seen him.

14. "To Hödbrodd I was
in th' assembly betrothed,
but I another
prince would have:
yet, chieftain! I foresee
my kindred' s wrath:
I have my father' s
promise broken."

15. Högni' s daughter spoke not
at variance with her heart:
she said that Helgi' s
affection she must possess.

Helgi
16. Care thou not
for Högni´s wrath,
nor for the evil
mind of thy kin.
Thou shalt, young maiden!
live with me:
of a good race thou art,
as I perceive.

        Helgi then collected a large fleet and proceeded to Frekastein, and at sea experienced a perilous storm. Lightnings came over them, and the flashes entered the ships. They saw that nine Valkyriur were riding in the air, and recognized Sigrún among them. The storm then abated and they reached land in safety. The sons of Granmar were sitting on a hill as the sips were sailing towards the land. Gudmund leapt on a horse, and rode to explore on the hill by the haven. The Völsungs then lowered their sails, and Gudmund spoke as it is before written in the Helgakvida: -

"Who is the leader
that commands the fleet,
and an appalling host
leads to our land?"

        This said Gudmund, Granmar' s son.

17. Who is the warrior
that commands the ships,
and lets his golden banner
wave o' er his prow?
No peace seems to me
in that ship' s front;
it casts a warlike glow
around the vikings.

Sinfiölti, Sigmund´s son, answered:

18. Here may Hödbrodd
Helgi learn to know,
the hard of fight,
in the fleet´s midst:
he the possession
hold of thy race;
he the fishes' heritage
has to him subjected.

Gudmund
19. Therefore ought we first,
at Frekastein,
to settle together,
and decide our quarrels!
Hödbrod! 'tis time
vengeance to take,
if an inferior lot
we long have borne.

Sinfiötli
20. Rather shalt thou, Gudmund!
tend goats,
and steep mountain-tops
shalt climb,
have in thy hand
a hazel staff,
that will better please thee
than judgments of the sword.

        Gudmund rode home with intelligence of the hostile arrangement; whereupon the sons of Granmar collected a host, and many kings came thither. Among them were Högni, the father of Sigrún, with his sons Bragi and Dag. There was a great battle, and all the sons of Högni, and all their chiefs were slain, except Dag, who obtained peace, and swore oaths to the Völsungs. Sigrún, going among the slain, found Hödbrodd at the point of death. She said:

23. Not will Sigrún
of Sefafiöll,
King Hödbrodd!
sink in thy arms:
thy life is departed.
Oft the axe' s blade
the head approaches
of Granmar' s sons.

        She then met Helgi, and was overjoyed. He said:

24. Not to thee, all-wise maiden!
are all things granted,
though, I say, in somewhat
are the Norns to blame.
This morn have fallen
at Frekastein
Bragi and Högni:
I was their slayer.

25. But at Styrkleifar
King Starkadr,
and at Hlebiörg
the son of Hrollaug.
That prince I saw
of all most fierce,
whose trunk yet fought
when the head was far.

26. On the earth lie
the greater number
of thy kinsmen,
to corpses turned.
Thou hast not fought the battle,
yet ´twas decreed,
that thou, potent maiden!
shouldst cause the strife.

        Sigrún then wept. Helgi said:

27. Sigrún! console thyself;
a Hild thou hast been to us.
Kings cannot conquer fate:
gladly would I have them living
who are departed,
if I might clasp thee to my breast.

        Helgi obtained Sigrún, and they had sons. Helgi lived not to be old. Dag, the son of Högni, sacrificed to Odin, for vengeance for his father. Odin lent Dag his spear. Dag met with his relation Helgi in a place called Fiöturlund, and pierced him through with his spear. Helgi fell there, but Dag rode to the mountains and told Sigrún what had taken place.

28. Loath am I, sister!
sad news to tell thee;
for unwillingly I have
my sister caused to weep.
This morning fell,
in Fiöturlund,
the prince who was
on earth the best,
and on the necks
of warriors stood.

Sigrún
29. Thee shall the oaths
all gnaw,
which to Helgi
thou didst swear,
the limped
Leiptr' s water,
and at the cold dank
wave-washed rock.

30. May the ship not move forward,
which under thee should move,
although the wished-for wind
behind thee blow.
May the horse not run,
which under thee should run,
although from enemies
thou hast to flee!

31. May the sword not bite
which thou drawest,
unless it sing
round thy own head.
Then would Helgi' s death
be on thee avenged,
if a wolf thou wert,
out in the woods,
of all good bereft,
and every joy,
have no sustenance,
unless on corpses thou shouldst spring.

Dag
32. Sister! thou ravest,
and hast lost thy wits,
when on thy brother thou
callest down such miseries.
Odin alone is cause
of all the evil;
for between relatives
he brought the runes of strife.

33. Thy brother offers thee
rings of red gold,
all Vadilsvé
and Vigdalir:
have half the land,
thy grief to compensate,
woman ring-adorned!
thou and thy sons.

Sigrún
34. So happy I shall not sit
at Sefafiöll,
neither at morn nor night,
as to feel joy in life,
if o' er the people plays not
the prince' s beam of light;
if his war-steed runs not
under the chieftain hither,
to the gold bit accustomed;
if in the king I cannot rejoice.

35. So had Helgi
struck with fear
all his foes
and their kindred,
as before the wolf
the goats run frantic
from the fell,
of terror full.

36. So himself Helgi
among warriors bore,
as the towering ash
is among thorns,
or as the fawn,
moistened with dew,
that more proudly stalks
than all the other beasts,
and its horns glisten
against the sky.

        A mound was raised for Helgi; but when he came to Valhall, Odin offered him rule over all jointly with himself. Helgi said:

37. Thou, Hundung! shalt
for every man
a foot-bath get,
and fire kindle;
shalt bind the dogs,
to the horses look,
to the swine give wash,
ere to sleep thou goest.

        A female slave passing at evening by Helgi' s mound, saw him riding towards it with many men:

38. Is it a delusion
which methinks I see,
or the powers' dissolution,
that ye, dead men, ride,
and your horses
with spurs urge on,
or to warriors is
a home journey granted?

Helgi
39. 'Tis no delusion
which thou thinkst to see,
nor of mankind the end,
although thou seest us,
although our horses we
with spurs urge on,
nor to warriors is
a home-journey granted.

        The slave went home and said to Sigrún:

40. Sigrún! go forth
from Sefafiöll,
if the people´s chief
thou desirest to meet.
The mound is opened,
Helgi is come,
his wounds still bleed;
the prince prayed thee
that thou wouldst still
the trickling blood.

        Sigrún entered the mound to Helgi and said:

41. Now am I as glad,
at our meeting,
as the voracious
hawks of Odin,
when they of slaughter know;
of warm prey,
or, dewy-feathered, see
the peep of day.

42. I will kiss
my lifeless king,
ere thou thy bloody corslet
layest aside.
Thy hair is, Helgi!
tumid with sweat of death;
my prince is all
bathed in slaughter-dew;
cold, clammy are the hands
of Högni' s son.
How shall I, prince! for this
make thee amends?

Helgi
43. Thou art alone the cause,
Sigrún of Sefafiöll!
that Helgi is
with sorrow' s dew suffused.
Thou weepest, gold-adorned!
cruel tears,
sun-bright daughter of the south!
ere to sleep thou goest;
each one falls bloody
on the prince' s breast,
wet, cold, and piercing,
with sorrow big.

44. We shall surely drink
delicious draughts,
thou we have lost
life and lands.
No one shall
a song of mourning sing,
though on my breast
he wounds behold.
Now are women
in the mound enclosed,
daughters of kings,
with us the dead.

        Sigrún prepares a bed in the mound.

35. Here, Helgi! have I for thee
a peaceful
couch prepared,
for the Ylfings' son.
On thy breast I will,
chieftain! repose,
as in my hero' s lifetime
I was wont.

Helgi
36. Nothing I now declare
unlooked for,
at Sefafiöll
late or early,
since in a corpse' s
arms thou sleepest,
Högni' s fair daughter!
in a mound,
and thou art living,
daughter of kings!

37. Time 'tis for me to ride
on the reddening ways:
let the pale horse
tread the aërial path.
I towards the west must go
over Vindhiálm´s bridge,
ere Salgofnir
awakens heroes.

        Helgi and his attendants rode their way, but Sigrún and hers proceeded to their habitation. The following evening Sigrún ordered her serving-maid to hold watch at the mound; but at nightfall, when Sigrún came thither, she said:

48. Now would be come,
if he to come intended,
Sigmund' s son,
from Odin' s halls.
I think the hope lessens
of the king' s coming,
since on the ash' s boughs
the eagles sit,
and all the folk
to the dreams' tryst are hastening.

Serving-maid
49. Be not so rash
alone to go,
daughter of heroes!
to the house of draugs:
more powerful are,
in the night-season,
all dead warriors,
then in the light of day.

        Sigrún' s life was shortened by grief and mourning. It was a belief in ancient times that men were regenerated, but that is now regarded as an old crone' s fancy. Helgi and Sigrún are said to have been regenerated. He was then called Helgi Haddingiaskadi, and she Kara Hálfdan' s daughter, as it is said in the songs of Kara; and she also was a Valkyria.

Sinfiötlalok

Sinfiötli' s End.

        Sigmund Völsung´s son was a king in Frankland. Sinfiötli was the eldest of his sons, the second was Helgi, the third Hámund. Borghild, Sigmund´s wife, had a brother named Gunnar; but Sinfiötli her step-son and Gunnar both courted one woman, on which account Sinfiötli slew Gunnar. When he came home, Borghild bade him go away, but Sigmund offered the blood-fine, which it was incumbent on her to accept. At the funeral feast Borghild presented the beer: she took a large horn full of poison, and offered it to Sinfiötli; who, when he looked into the horn, and saw that there was poison in it, said to Sigmund: "the drink ferments!" Sigmund took the horn and drank up the contents. It is said that Sigmund was so strong that no poison could hurt him, either outwardly or inwardly; but that all his sons could endure poison outwardly. Borghild bore another horn to Sinfiötli, and prayed him to drink, when all took place as before. Yet a third time she offered him the horn, using reproachful words on his refusing to drink. He said as before to Sigmund, but the latter answered: "Let is pass through thy lips, my son." Sinfiötli drank and instantly died. Sigmund bore him a long way in his arms, and came to a long and narrow firth, where there was a little vessel and one man in it. He offered Sigmund to convey him over the firth; but when Sigmund had borne the corpse to the vessel, the boat was full-laden. The man then said that Sigmund should go before through the firth. He then pushed off his boat and instantly departed.

        King Sigmund sojourned long in Denmark, in Borghild' s kingdom, after having espoused her. He then went south to Frankland, to the kingdom he there possessed. There he married Hiördís, the daughter of Eylimi. Sigurd was their son. King Sigmund fell in a battle with the sons of Hunding. Hiördís was afterwards married to Alf, son of King Hiálprek, with whom Sigurd grew up in childhood. Sigmund and his sons exceeded all other men in strength, and stature, and courage, and all accomplishments, though Sigurd was foremost of all; and in old traditions he is mentioned as excelling all men, and as the most renowned of warlike kings.

SigurÞarkviða Fafnisbana Fyrsta
eða
Gripisspa


The First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide,
or
Gripir' s Prophecy.

        Gripir was the name of the son of Eylimi, the brother of Hiördis. He ruled over lands, and was of all men wisest and prescient of the future. Sigurd rode alone, and came to Gripir' s dwelling. Sigurd was of a distinguished figure. He found a man to address outside the hall, whose name was Geitir. Sigurd applied to him, and asked:


1. Who here inhabits,
in these towers?
what nation' s king
do people name him?

Geitir
Gripir is named
the chief of men,
he who rules
a firm realm and people.

Sigurd
2. Is the wise king
of the land at home?
Will the chief with me
come and converse?
With him needs speech
an unknown man:
I desire speedily
Gripir to see.

Geitir
3. The glad king will
of Geitir ask,
who the man is
that demands speech of Gripir.

Sigurd
Sigurd I am named,
born of Sigmund,
and Hiördis is
the chieftain' s mother.

4. Then went Geitir,
Gripir to inform:
"Here is a man without,
a stranger, come;
of aspect he
is most distinguished.
He desires, king!
with thee to speak."

5. Goes from the hall
the lord of men,
and the stranger prince
kindly greets:
"Welcome, Sigurd!
better had it been earlier;
but do thou, Geitir!
take charge of Grani."

6. They began to talk,
and much to tell,
when the sagacious men
together met.
"Tell me, if thou knowest,
my mother' s brother!
how will Sigurd' s
life fall out?"

Gripir
7. Thou wilt foremost be
of men beneath the sun,
exalted high above
every king;
liberal of gold,
but of flight sparing,
of aspect comely,
and wise of words.

Sigurd
8. Say thou, sage king!
more than I ask,
thou wise one, to Sigurd,
if thou thinkst to see it:
what will first happen
for my advancement,
when from thy dwelling
I shall have departed?

Gripir
9. First wilt thou, prince!
avenge thy father,
and for the wrongs of Eylimi
wilt retaliate;
thou wilt the cruel
sons of Hunding
boldly lay low;
thou wilt have victory.

Sigurd
10. Say, noble king!
kinsman mine!
with all forethought,
as we hold friendly converse;
seest thou of Sigurd
those bold achievements,
that will highest soar
under heaven' s regions?

Gripir
11. Thou alone wilt slay
that glistening serpent,
which greedy lies
on Gnítaheid;
thou shalt of both
the slayer be,
Regin and Fafnir.
Gripir tells truly.

Sigurd
12. Riches will abound,
if I so bring
conflict among men,
as thou for certain sayest.
Apply thy mind,
and at length say
what will yet
my life befall.

Gripir
13. Thou wilt find
Fafnir' s lair,
and thence wilt take
splendid riches,
with gold wilt load
Grani' s back.
Thou wilt to Giuki ride,
the war-famed prince.

Sigurd
14. Yet must thou, prince!
in friendly speech,
foresighted king!
more relate.
I shall be Giuki' s guest,
and I shall thence depart:
what will next
my life befall?

Gripir
15. A king' s daughter
will on a mountain sleep,
fair, in corslet cased,
after Helgi' s death.
Thou wilt strike
with a keen sword,
wilt the corslet sever
with Fafnir' s bane.

Sigurd
16. The corslet is ript open,
the maid begins to speak.
When awakened
from her sleep,
on what will she chiefly
with Sigurd converse hold,
which to the prince' s
benefit may tend?

Gripir
17. She to thee, powerful one!
runes will teach,
all those which men
ought to know;
and in every man' s
tongue to speak,
and medicines for healing.
May good await thee, king!
Sigurd
18. Now that is past,
the knowledge is acquired,
and I am ready thence
away to ride.
Apply thy mind,
and at length say
what more will
my life befall.

Gripir
19. Thou wilt find
Heimir' s dwellings,
and the glad guest wilt be
of that great king.
Vanished is, Sigurd!
that which I foresaw;
no further mayest thou
Gripir question.

Sigurd
20. Now bring me grief
the words thou speakest;
for thou foreseest, king!
much further;
thou knowest of too great
calamity to Sigurd;
therefore thou, Gripir!
wilt not utter it.

Gripir
21. Of thy life
the early portion
lay before me
clearest to contemplate.
I am not truly
accounted sage,
nor of the future prescient:
that which I knew is gone.

Sigurd
22. No man I know
on the earth' s surface,
who greater prescience has
than thou, Gripir!
Thou mayest not conceal it,
unhappy though it be,
or if ill betide
my life.

Gripir
23. Not with vices will
thy life be sullied;
let that, noble prince!
in thy mind be borne;
for while mankind exists,
thy name,
director of spear-storm!
will be supreme.

Sigurd
24. The worst seems to me,
that Sigurd is compelled
from the king to part
in such uncertainty.
Show me the way -
all is decreed before -
great chieftain! if thou wilt,
my mother' s brother!

Gripir
25. To Sigurd I will now
openly tell,
since the chieftain me
thereto compels:
thou wilt surely find
that I lie not.
A certain day is
for thy death decreed.

Sigurd
26. I would not importune
the mighty prince,
but rather Gripir' s
good counsel have.
Now I fain would know,
though grateful it may not be,
what prospect Sigurd has
lying before him.

Gripir
27. There is with Heimir
a maiden fair of form,
she is by men
Brynhild named,
daughter of Budli;
but the dear king
Heimir nurtures
the hard-souled damsel.

Sigurd
28. What is it to me,
although the maiden be
of aspect fair?
nurtured with Heimir?
That thou, Gripir! must
fully declare;
for thou forseest
my whole destiny.

Gripir
29. She will thee bereave
of almost every joy,
the fair-faced
foster-child of Heimir.
Thou wilt not sleep
nor of affairs discourse,
nor men regard;
only this maiden thou wilt see.

Sigurd
30. What remedy for Sigurd
will be applied;
tell me that, Gripir!
if it seem good to thee.
Shall I obtain the damsel?
with dowry purchase
the lovely
royal daughter?

Gripir
31. Ye will each swear
unnumbered oaths,
solemnly binding,
but few will keep.
Hast thou been Guiki' s
guest one night,
thou wilt have forgotten
the fair ward of Heimir.

Sigurd
32. How is that, Gripir!
explain it to me:
seest thou such fickleness
in the king' s mind,
that with that maiden I
shall my engagement break,
whom with my whole heart
I thought to love?

Gripir
33. Prince! thou wilt be snared
in another' s wiles,
thou wilt pay the penalty
of Grimhild' s craft;
the bright-haired maiden,
her daughter,
she to thee will offer.
This snare for the king she lays.

Sigurd
34. Shall I then with Gunnar
form relationship,
and with Gudrún
join in wedlock?
Well wived then
the king would be,
if the pangs of perjury
caused me no pain.

Gripir
35. Thee will Grimhild
wholly beguile;
she will implore thee
Brynhild to demand
for the hand of Gunnar,
king of Goths:
the journey thou wilt forthwith promise
to the king' s mother.

Sigurd
36. Evils are at hand,
I can that perceive;
Sigurd' s wits
will have wholly perished,
if I shall demand,
for another' s hand,
a noble maiden
whom I well love.

Gripir
37. All of you will
swear mutual oaths,
Gunnar, and Högni,
and thou the third;
and ye will forms exchange,
when on the way ye are,
Gunnar and thou:
Gripir lies not.

Sigurd
38. To what end is that?
why shall we exchange
forms and manner,
when on the way we are?
Another fraud
will surely follow this,
altogether horrible.
But say on, Gripir!

Gripir
39. Thou wilt have Gunnar' s semblance,
and his manners,
thy own eloquence,
and great sagacity;
there thou wilt betroth
the high-minded
ward of Heimir:
no one can that prevent.

Sigurd
40. To me that seems worse,
that among men I shall
be a false traitor called,
if such take place.
I would not
deception practise
on a royal maid
the most excellent I know.

Gripir
41. Thou wilt repose,
leader of hosts!
pure as the maiden,
as she thy mother were;
therefore exalted,
lord of men!
while the world endures
thy name will be.

42. The nuptials will
of both be solemnized,
of Sigurd and of Gunnar,
in Giuki' s halls;
then will ye forms exchange,
when ye home return;
yet to himself will have
each his own senses.

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

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

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

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

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

Sigurd
48. What will then follow?
let me know that.

1. that tale

appear as true,
or that the noble woman
falsely accuses me,
and herself also.
Tell me that, Gripir!

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

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

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

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

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

SigurÞarkviða Fafnisbana Önnur

The Second Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. The second is
if, when thou art gone out,
and about to depart,
thou seest two
renown-seeking men
standing in the fore-court.
22. The third omen is,
if wolves thou hearest
howl under the ash-boughs,
it will victory to the announce
over helmed warriors,
if thou seest them go before thee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sigrdrifumal

The Lay of Sigrdrifa

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


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

Sigurd
Sigmund' s son
hast just now ript
the raven' s perch,
with Sigurd' s sword.

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

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

She
3. Hail to Day!
Hail to the sons of Day!
To Night and her daughter hail!
With placid eyes
behold us here,
and here sitting give us victory.
4. Hail to the Æsir!
Hail to the Asyniur!
Hail to the bounteous earth!
Words and wisdom
give to us noble twain,
and healing hands while we live.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24. This I thee counsel thirdly:
that in the assembly thou
contend not with a fool;
for an unwise man
oft utters words
worse than he knows of.

25. All is vain,
if thou holdest silence;
then wilt thou seem a craven born,
or else truly accursed.
Doubtful is a servant' s testimony,
unless a good one thou gettest.
On the next day
let his life go forth,
and so men' s lies reward.

26. This I counsel thee fourthly:
if a wicked sorceress
dwells by the way,
to go on is better
than there to lodge,
though night may overtake thee.

27. Of searching eyes
the sons of men have need,
when fiercely they have to fight:
oft pernicious women
by the way-side sit,
who swords and valour deaden.

28. This I thee counsel fifthly:
although thou see fair women
on the benches sitting,
let not their kindred' s silver
over thy sleep have power.
To kiss thee entice no woman.

29. This I thee counsel sixthy:
although among men pass
offensive tipsy talk,
never while drunken quarrel
with men of war:
wine steals the wits of many.

30. Brawls and drink
to many men have been
a heart-felt sorrow;
to some their death,
to some calamity:
many are the griefs of men!

31. This I thee counsel seventhly:
if thou hast disputes
with a daring man,
better it is for men
to fight than to be burnt
within their dwelling.

32. This I thee counsel eighthly:
that thou guard thee against evil,
and eschew deceit.
Entice no maiden,
nor wife of man,
nor to wantoness incite.

33. This is thee counsel ninthly:
that thou corpses bury,
wherever on the earth thou findest them,
whether from sickness they have died,
or from the sea,
or are from weapons dead.

34. Let a mound be raised
for those departed;
let their hands and head be washed,
combed, and wiped dry,
ere in the coffin they are laid:
and pray for their happy sleep.

35. This I thee counsel tenthly:
that thou never trust
a foe' s kinsman' s promises,
whose brother thou hast slain,
or sire laid low:
there is a wolf
in a young son,
though he with gold be gladdened.

36. Strifes and fierce enmities
think not to be lulled,
no more than deadly injury.
Wisdom and fame in arms
a prince not easily acquires,
who shall of men be foremost.

37. This I counsel thee eleventhly:
that thou at evil look,
what course it may take.
A long life, it seems to me
the prince may (not) enjoy; -
fierce disputes will arise.

        Sigurd said: "A wiser mortal exists not, and I swear that I will possess thee, for thou art after my heart." She answered: "Thee I will have before all others, though I have to choose among all men." And this they confirmed with oaths to each other.

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