1. Of those misdeeds men have heard tell, when warriors of old a
compact made, which by pledges they confirmed, a secret consultation
held: terrible it was to them after, and to Giuki's sons likewise, who
were betrayed.
2. The warriors' fate ripened, they were death-doomed: ill advised
was Atli, though he possessed sagacity: he felled a mighty column,
strove hardly against himself; with speed he messengers despatched,
that his wife's brothers should come quickly.
3. Wise was the house-dame, prudently she thought; the words in
order she had heard, that in secret they had said: the sage lady was
at a loss: fain would she help them; they[109] o'er the sea must sail,
but she herself could not go.
4. Runes she graved, Vingi them falsified, before he gave them from
him; of ill he was the bearer. Then departed Atli's messengers,
through the branched firth, for where the bold warriors dwelt.
5. They with beer were cheered, and fires they kindled, naught
thought they of guile, when they were come; they the gifts accepted,
which the prince sent them, on a column hung them, and of no evil
thought.
6. Then came Kostbera, she was Hogni's wife, a woman greatly
cautious, and them both greeted. Glad was also Glaumvor, Gunnar's
consort, the prudent dame her duty forgot not, she to the guests' need
attended.
7. Hogni they home invited, if he would be pleased to go. Treachery
was manifest, had they but reflected! Gunnar then promised, if only
Hogni would, but Hogni refused what the other proposed.
8. The noble dames bore mead, of many things there was abundance,
many horns passed round, until it seemed they had full drunken.
9. The household prepared their couches, as to them seemed best.
Cunning was Kostbera, she could runes interpret; she the letters read
by the bright fire;--her tongue she had to guard between both her
gums--so perverted were they, it was difficult to understand them.
10. To their bed they went, she and Hogni. The gentle lady dreamed,
and concealed it not, to the prince wisely said it as soon as she
awoke.
11. "From home thou art going, Hogni! give ear to counsel; few are
fully prudent: go another time.
12. I have the runes interpreted, which thy sister graved: that fair
dame has not this time invited thee. At one thing I wonder most, I
cannot even conceive, why so wise a woman so confusedly should grave;
for it is so set down as if it intimated death to you both, if you
should straightway come. Either she has left out a letter, or others
are the cause."[110]
13. "They are," said Hogni, "all suspicious; I have no knowledge of
them, nor will I into it inquire, unless we have to make requital.
The king will gift us with gleed-red gold. I never fear, though we may
hear of terror."
14. "Tottering ye will go, if thitherward ye tend. No kind
entertainment there will ye at this time find. Hogni! I have dreamed,
I will not conceal it: in an evil hour ye will go, or so at least I
fear.
15. "Methought thy coverlet was with fire consumed; that the
towering flame rushed through my dwelling."
_Hogni_.
16. "Here lie linen cloths, which thou hadst little noticed: these
will quickly burn where thou the coverlet sawest."
_Kostbera_.
17. "Methought a bear came in, and broke down the columns; and so
his talons shook, that we were terror-stricken; by his mouth held many
of us, so that we were helpless: there, too, was a din far from
little."
_Hogni_.
18. "A tempest there will be furious and sudden: the white bear thou
sawest will be a storm from the east."
_Kostbera_.
19. "Methought an eagle flew herein, all through the house: that
will largely concern us. He sprinkled all with blood: from his threats
I thought it to be the 'ham'[111] of Atli."
_Hogni_.
20. "We often slaughter largely, and then red we see: often are oxen
meant, when we of eagles dream. Sound is the heart of Atli, dream thou
as thou mayest." With this they ended: all speeches have an end.
21. The high-born awoke, there the like befell: Glaumvor had
perceived that her dreams were ill-boding, adverse to Gunnar's going
to and fro.
22. "Methought a gallows was for thee erected,[112] thou wentest to
be hanged, that serpents ate thee, that I inter'd thee living, that
the Powers' dissolution came--Divine thou what that portends.
23. "Methought a bloody glave from thy sark was drawn--ill 'tis such
a dream to a consort to recount--methought a lance was thrust through
thy middle: wolves howled on every side."
_Gunnar_.
24. "Where dogs run they are wont to bark: oft bodes the bay of dogs
the flight of javelins."
_Glaumvor_.
25. "Methought a river ran herein, through the whole house, that it
roared violently, rushed o'er the benches, brake the feet of you
brothers twain; nothing the water spared: something will that portend!
26. "Methought dead women in the night came hither; not ill-clad
were they: they would choose thee, forthwith invited thee to their
seats. I ween thy Disir have forsaken thee."
_Gunnar_.
27. "Too late it is to speak, it is now so resolved; from the
journey we shall not shrink, as it is decreed to go: very probable it
seems that our lives will be short."
28. When colours were discernible, those on journey bent all rose
up: the others fain would stay them. The five journeyed together, of
"hus-carls" there were present twice that number--it was ill
devised--Snævar and Solar, they were Hogni's sons; Orkning he was
named, who them accompanied, a gentle shield-bearer was he, the
brother of Hogni's wife.
29. They went fair-appointed, until the firth them parted: ever
would their wives have stayed them, they would not be stayed.
30. Glaumvor then spake, Gunnar's consort, Vingi she addressed, as
to her seemed fitting: "I know not whether ye will requite us as we
would: with treachery came the guest, if aught of ill betide."
31. Then Vingi swore, little spared he himself: "May him the Jotuns
have, if towards you he lies! the gallows hold him, if aught against
peace he meditates!"
32. Bera took up the word, she of gentle soul: "Sail ye prosperous,
and may success attend you: may it be as I pray, and if nothing
hinder!"
33. Hogni answered--he to his kin meant well--"Be of good cheer, ye
prudent! whatever may befall. Many say the same, though with great
difference; for many little care how they depart from home."
34. On each other then they looked before they parted: then, I ween,
their fates were severed, and their ways divided.
35. Vigorously they rowed, their bark was well nigh riven; backward
bending the waves they beat, ardently plied: their oar-bands were
broken, the rowlocks shattered. They made not the vessel fast before
they quitted it.[113]
36. A little after--I will the end relate--they saw the mansion
stand that Budli had possessed. Loud creaked the latticed gates, when
Hogni knocked.
37. Then said Vingi, what he had better not, "Go far from the house,
'tis perilous to enter; I quickly enticed you to perdition; ye shall
forthwith be slain. With fair words I prayed your coming, though guile
was under them. But just bide here, while a gallows I prepare."
38. Hogni answered--little thought he of yielding, or of aught
fearful that was to be proved:--"Think not to frighten us: try that
seldom. If one word thou addest, thou wilt thy harm prolong."
39. They rushed on Vingi, and struck him dead, laid on their axes,
while life within him throbbed.
40. Atli his men assembled, in their byrnies they issued forth, went
prepared so that a fence was between them. Words they bandied, all
with rage boiling: "Already had we resolved to take your lives away."
_Hogni_.
41. "It looks but ill, if ye before have counselled: e'en now ye are
unprepared, and we one have felled, smitten to death: one of your host
was he."
42. Furious they became, when those words they heard; their fingers
they stretched forth, and their bowstrings seized; sharply shot, and
with shields themselves protected.
43. In then came the tale of what without was passing; loud before
the hall they a thrall heard speak.
44. Then incensed was Gudrun, when the sad news she heard: adorned
with necklaces, she tore them all asunder; so hurled the silver, that
the rings in shivers flew.
45. Then she went out, not gently moved the doors; went forth, void
of fear, and the comers hailed, turned to the Niflungs: that was her
last greeting, truth attended it; more words she said:
46. "I sought by symbols to prevent your leaving home,--fate may no
one resist--and yet must you come hither." Wisely she asked: might
they not be appeased? No one consented, all answered no.
47. Saw then the high-born lady that a hard game they played; a
deadly deed she meditated, and her robe dashed aside, a naked falchion
seized, and her kinsmen's lives defended: skilful she was in warfare,
where her hand she applied.
48. Giuki's daughter caused two warriors to fall; Atli's brother she
struck down,--he must henceforth be borne--so she the conflict
managed, that she his foot struck off. Another too she smote, so that
he never rose, to Hel she sent him: her hand trembled not.
49. A conflict then ensued, which was widely famed, but that
excelled all else which Giuki's sons performed. So 'tis said the
Niflungs, while yet they lived, with swords maintained the fight,
corslets rent, helmets hewed, as their hearts prompted.
50. At morning most they fought, until mid-day had passed; all early
morn, and the forenoon, ere the fight was ended, the field flowed with
blood, until eighteen had fallen: Bera's two sons, and her brother,
had them overcome.
51. Then the fierce Atli spoke, wroth though he was: "'Tis ill to
look around; this is long of you. We were thirty warlike thanes,
eleven survive: the chasm is too great. We were five brothers, when
Budli died; now has Hel the half, two lie slain.
52. "A great affinity I obtained, that I cannot deny, pernicious
woman! of which I have no benefit: peace we have seldom had, since
thou among us camest. Of kinsmen ye have bereft me, of riches often
wronged. To Hel my sister ye have sent; that is to me most bitter."
_Gudrun_.
53. "This thou callest to mind, Atli! but thou so first didst act:
my mother thou didst take, and for her treasures murder; my gifted
niece with hunger thou didst cause to perish. Laughable to me it
seems, when thou sorrows dost recount. The gods are to be thanked,
that it goes ill with thee."
_Atli_.
54. Jarls! I exhort you the sorrow to augment of that presumptuous
woman: I would fain see it. Strive so to do, that Gudrun may lament.
Might I but see that in her lot she joys not!
55. Take ye Hogni, and with a knife hack him: cut out his heart:
this ye shall do. Gunnar the fierce of soul to a gallows fasten; do
the work thoroughly, lure up the serpents.
_Hogni_.
56. Do as thou listest, glad I will await it; stout I shall prove
myself: I have ere now things much harder proved. Ye had a hindrance
while unscathed we were: now are we so wounded that our fate thou
mayest command.
57. Beiti spake,--he was Atli's steward--Take we Hialli, but Hogni
let us save. Let us do half the work; he is death-worthy. As long as
he lives a slug he will ever be.
58. Terrified was the kettle-watcher, the place no longer held him:
he could be a whiner, he clomb into every nook: their conflict was his
bane, as he the penalty must pay; and the day sad, when he must from
the swine die, from all good things, which he had enjoyed.
59. Budli's cook they took, and the knife brought towards him.
Howled the wretched thrall, ere the point he felt; declared that he
had time the gardens to manure, the vilest offices to do, if from
death he might escape. Joyful indeed was Hialli, could he but save his
life.
60. Hogni all this observed--few so act, as for a slave to
intercede, that he may escape!--"Less 'tis, I say, for me to play this
game myself. Why shall we here desire to listen to that screaming?"
61. Hands on the good prince they laid. Then was no option for the
bold warriors, the sentence longer to delay. Then laughed Hogni;
heard the sons of day how he could hold out: torment he well endured!
62. A harp Gunnar took, with his foot-branches touched it. He could
so strike it, that women wept, and the men sobbed, who best could hear
it. He the noble queen counselled: the rafters burst asunder.
63. There died the noble, as the dawn of day; at the last they
caused their deeds to live.
64. Atli thought himself great: over them both he strode, to the
sagacious woman told the evil, and bitterly reproached her. "It is now
morning, Gudrun! thy loved ones thou hast lost; partly thou art the
cause that it has so befallen."
_Gudrun_.
65. Joyful art thou, Atli! slaughter to announce: repentance shall
await thee, when thou hast all proved. That heritage shall be left
thee--that I can tell thee--that ill shall never from thee go, unless
I also die.
_Atli_.
66. That I can prevent; another course I see, easier by half: the
good we oft reject. With slaves I will console thee, with things most
precious, with snow-white silver, as thou thyself mayest desire.
_Gudrun_.
67. Of that there is _no_ hope; I will all reject; atonement I have
spurned for smaller injuries. Hard I was ever thought, now will that
be aggravated. I every grudge concealed, while Hogni lived.
68. We were both nurtured in one house; many a play we played, and
in the wood grew up; Grimhild us adorned with gold and necklaces; for
my brothers' death never wilt thou indemnify me, nor ever do what
shall to me seem good.
69. Men's too great power women's lot oppresses; on the knee the
hand sinks, if the arms wither; the tree inclines, if its root-fibres
are severed. Now, Atli! thou mayest alone over all here command.
70. Most unwise it was, when to this the prince gave credit: the
guile was manifest, had he been on his guard. Dissembling then was
Gudrun, against her heart she could speak, made herself gay appear,
with two shields she played.[114]
71. A banquet she would prepare, her brothers' funeral feast; the
same would Atli also for his own do.
72. With this they ended; the banquet was prepared; the feasting was
too luxurious. The woman great of heart was stern, she warred on
Budli's race; on her spouse she would cruel vengeance wreak.
73. The young ones she enticed, and on a block laid them, the fierce
babes were terrified, and wept not, to their mother's bosom crept,
asked what she was going to do.
74. "Ask no questions, both I intend to kill; long have I desired to
cut short your days."
75. "Slay as thou wilt thy children, no one hinders it; thy rage
will have short peace, if thou destroyest us in our blooming years,
thou desperate woman!" It fell out accordingly: she cut the throats of
both.
76. Atli oft inquired whither his boys were gone to play, as he
nowhere saw them?
_Gudrun._
77. Over I am resolved to go, and to Atli tell it. Grimhild's
daughter will not conceal it from thee. Little glad, Atli! wilt thou
be, when all thou learnest; great woe didst thou raise up, when thou
my brother slewest.
78. Very seldom have I slept since they fell. Bitterly I threatened
thee: now I have reminded thee. "It is now morning," saidst thou: I
yet it well remember; and it now is eve, when thou the like shalt
learn.
79. Thou thy sons hast lost, as thou least shouldest; know that
their skulls thou hast had for beer-cups; thy drink I prepared, I
their red blood have shed.
80. I their hearts took, and on a spit staked them, then to thee
gave them. I said they were of calves,--it was long of thee
alone--thou didst leave none, voraciously didst devour, well didst ply
thy teeth.
81. Thy children's fate thou knowest, few a worse awaits. I have my
part performed, though in it glory not.
_Atli._
82. Cruel wast thou, Gudrun! who couldst so act, with thy children's
blood my drink to mingle. Thou hast destroyed thy offspring, as thou
least shouldest; and to myself thou leavest a short interval from ill.
_Gudrun._
83. I could still desire thyself to slay; rarely too ill it fares
with such a prince. Thou hast already perpetrated crimes unexampled
among men of frantic cruelty, in this world: now thou hast added what
we have just witnessed. A great misdeed hast thou committed, thy
death-feast thou hast prepared.
_Atli._
84. On the pile thou shalt be burnt, but first be stoned; then wilt
thou have earned what thou hast ever sought.
_Gudrun._
85. Tell to thyself such griefs early to-morrow: by a fairer death I
will pass to another light.
86. In the same hall they sat, exchanged hostile thoughts, bandied
words of hate: each was ill at ease.
87. Hate waxed in a Hniflung, a great deed he meditated; to Gudrun
he declared that he was Atli's deadly foe.
88. Into her mind came Hogni's treatment; happy she him accounted,
if he vengeance wreaked. Then was Atli slain, within a little space;
Hogni's son him slew, and Gudrun herself.
89. The bold king spake, roused up from sleep; quickly he felt the
wounds, said he no binding needed. "Tell me most truly who has slain
Budli's son. I am hardly treated: of life I have no hope."
_Gudrun._
90. I, Grimhild's daughter, will not from thee hide, that I am the
cause that thy life passes away; but partly Hogni's son, that thy
wounds make thee faint.
_Atli._
91. To the slaughter thou hast rushed, although it ill beseemed
thee; 'tis bad to circumvent a friend, who well confided in thee.
Besought I went from home, to woo thee, Gudrun!
92. A widow thou was left, fierce thou wast accounted, which was no
falsehood, as we have proved. Hither home thou earnest, us a host of
men attended; all was splendid on our journey.
93. Pomp of all kinds was there, of illustrious men, beeves in
abundance: largely we enjoyed them. Of all things there was plenty
partaken of by many.
94. A marriage gift to my bride I gave, treasures for her
acceptance, thralls thrice ten, seven fair female slaves: in such
things was honour; silver there was yet more.
95. All seemed to thee as it were naught, while the lands untouched
lay, which Budli had left me. So didst thou undermine, dist allow me
nothing to receive. Thou didst my mother let often sit weeping: with
heart content I found not one of my household after.
_Gudrun._
96. Now, Atli! thou liest, though of that I little reck. Gentle I
seldom was, yet didst thou greatly aggravate it. Young brothers ye
fought together, among yourselves contended; to Hel went the half from
thy house: all went to ruin that should be for benefit.
97. Brothers and sisters we were three, we thought ourselves
invincible: from the land we departed, we followed Sigurd. We roved
about, each steered a ship; seeking luck we went, till to the east we
came.
98. The chief king we slew, there a land obtained, the "hersar"
yielded to us; that manifested fear. We from the forest freed him whom
we wished harmless, raised him to prosperity who nothing had
possessed.
99. The Hun king[115] died, then suddenly my fortune changed: great
was the young wife's grief, the widow's lot was hers. A torment to me
it seemed to come living to the house of Atli. A hero had possessed
me: sad was that loss!
100. Thou didst never from a contest come, as we had heard, where
thou didst gain thy cause, or others overcome; ever wouldst thou give
way, and never stand, lettest all pass off quietly, as ill beseemed a
king.
_Atli._
101. Gudrun! now thou liest. Little will be bettered the lot of
either: we have all suffered. Now act thou, Gudrun! of thy goodness,
and for our honour, when I forth am borne.
_Gudrun._
102. I a ship will buy, and a painted cist;[116] will the
winding-sheet well wax, to enwrap thy corpse; will think of every
requisite, as if we had each other loved.
103. Atli was now a corpse, lament from his kin arose: the
illustrious woman did all she had promised. The wise woman would go to
destroy herself; her days were lengthened: she died another time.
104. Happy is every one hereafter who shall give birth to such a
daughter famed for deeds, as Giuki begat: ever will live, in every
land, their oft-told tale, wherever people shall give ear.