The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun

Sigurd

12

‘The son of Sigmund,

Sigurd Volsung,

a king’s son cometh

to kingly house.

Fame of Niflungs

far is rumoured,

not yet hath faded

fame of Volsung.’

13

There swift for Sigurd

seat was ordered;

the feast grew fair,

folk were mirthful.

There Gunnar grasped

his golden harp;

while songs he sang

silence fell there.

     Of these

things sang

     Gunnar

14

By mighty Mirkwood

on the marches of the East

the great Goth-kings

in glory ruled.

By Danpar-banks

was dread warfare

with the hosts of Hunland,

horsemen countless.

15

Horsemen countless

hastened westward;

the Borgund lords

met Budli’s host.

In Budli’s brother

their blades reddened

the glad Gjukings,

gold despoiling.

     Of these

things sang

      Sigurd

16

Then Sigurd seized

the sounding harp;

hushed they hearkened

in the hall listening.

The waste lay withered

wide and empty;

forth came Fafnir,

fire around him.

17

Dark hung the doors

on deep timbers;

gold piled on gold

there glittered wanly.

The hoard was plundered,

helm was lifted,

and Grani greyfell

grievous burdened.

18

High Hindarfell,

hedged with lightning,

mountain mighty

from mists uprose.

Brynhild wakened,

bright her splendour –

song fell silent,

and Sigurd ended.

19

By Gjuki’s chair

Grimhild hearkened,

of Gudrun thinking

and the golden hoard.

Gunnar and Hogni

gladly bade him

in league and love

long to dwell there.

*

20

The Borgund lords

their battle furnished;

banners were broidered,

blades were sharpened.

White shone hauberks,

helms were burnished;

under horses’ hooves

Hunland trembled.

21

Grim was Gunnar