witchwife
weary-hearted!
Of the seed of Volsung
in Signy’s child
the fairest flower
fades untimely!’
11
There sorrowladen
Sigmund raised him,
in arms caught him;
out he wandered.
Over wood and wild
to the waves foaming
witless strayed he
to the waves roaring.
12
‘Whither bringest thou
thy burden heavy?
My boat is ready
to bear it hence.’
A man there steered,
mantled darkly,
hooded and hoary,
huge and awful.
13
Alone was Sigmund
by the land’s margin;
in Valhollu
Volsung feasted:
‘Son’s son welcome,
and son of daughter!
But one yet await we,
the World’s chosen.’
*
IV
F?DDR SIGUR?R
(Sigurd Born)
1
Alone dwelt Sigmund
his land ruling;
cold was his bower,
queenless, childless.
In songs he heard
of sweetest maiden,
of Sigrlinn’s beauty,
Svafnir’s daughter.
2
Old was Sigmund,
as an oak gnarled;
his beard was grey
as bark of ash.
Young was Sigrlinn
and yellow-gleaming
her locks hung long
on lissom shoulder.
3
Seven sons of kings
sued the maiden:
Sigmund took her;
sails were hoisted.
The Volsung land
they viewed afar,
the windy cliffs,
the waves foaming.
4
‘Say me, Sigrlinn,
sweeter were it
young king to wed
and yellow-bearded,
or wife of a Volsung,
the World’s chosen
in my bed to bear,
bride of Odin?’
*
5
‘What sails be these
in the seas shining? –
the shields are scarlet,
ships uncounted.’
‘Seven sons
