16
‘Though seas of silver
and sands of gold
thou bade in barter,
thy boon were vain!
To my hand made,
for me destined,
I sell no sword
to Siggeir ever.’
*
17
‘My heart is heavy
my home leaving!
Signy’s wisdom
Signy burdens.
From this wedding waketh
woe and evil –
break, sire, the bonds
thou hast bound me in!’
18
‘Woe and evil
are woman’s boding!
Fate none can flee.
Faith man can hold.
Ships await thee!
Shame to sunder
the bridal bed,
the bounden word.
19
‘Sigmund, farewell!
Siggeir calls me.
Weak might hath woman
for wisdom’s load.
Last night I lay
where loath me was;
with less liking
I may lay me yet.’
20
‘Hail! toft and Tree,
timbers carven!
Maid here was once
who is mournful queen.’
Wild blew the wind
waves white-crested.
On land of Volsung
she looked no more.
*
21
A ship came shining
to shores foaming,
gloomy Gautland’s
guarded havens.
Sigmund lordly,
sire and kindred,
to fair feasting
fearless journeyed.
22
‘Father Volsung,
fairest kinsman!
Back my brethren!
This beach tread not!
A bitter drinking,
baleful meeting,
swords hath Siggeir
set to greet you.’
23
With thousand thanes,
thronging spearmen,
his guests welcomed
Gautland’s master.
Ten times Volsung
towering wrathful
casque and corslet
clove asunder.
24
Through and through them
thrice went Sigmund;
as grass in Gautland
grimly mowed them.
His shield he shed:
