There wrought Regin
by the red embers
rune-written iron,
rare, enchanted;
of gold things gleaming,
of grey silver,
there Fafnir lay
by the fire dreaming.
6
‘Do fetters fret you,
folk of Asgard?
Regin hath wrought them
with runes binding.
Redgolden rings,
ransom costly,
this fell must fill,
this fur cover!’
7
Lightshod Loki
over land and waves
to Ran came running
in her realm of sea.
The queen of ?gir
his quest granted:
a net she knotted
noosed with evil.
8
‘What fish have I found
in the flood leaping,
rashly roaming?
Ransom pay me!’
‘I am Andvari.
Oin begot me
to grievous fate.
Gold I bid thee!’
9
‘What hides thy hand
thus hollow bending?’
‘The ring is little –
let it rest with me!’
‘All, Andvari,
all shalt render,
light rings and heavy,
or life itself!’
10
(The Dwarf spake darkly
from his delved stone:)
‘My ring I will curse
with ruth and woe!
Bane it bringeth
to brethren two;
seven princes slays;
swords it kindles –
end untimely
of Odin’s hope.’
11
In Hreidmar’s house
they heaped the gold.
‘A hair unhidden
I behold there yet!’
Out drew Odin
Andvari’s ring,
cursed he cast it
on accursed gold.
12
‘Ye gold have gained:
a god’s ransom,
for thyself and sons
seed of evil.’
‘Gods seldom give
gifts of healing;
gold oft begrudgeth
the greedy hand!’
13
Words spake Loki
worse thereafter:
‘Here deadly dwells
the doom of kings!
Here is fall of queens,
fire and weeping,
end untimely
of Odin’s hope!’
