The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun

from morn to eve.

32

A king sat Sigurd:

carven silver,

raiment gleaming,

rings and goblets,

dear things dealt he,

doughty-handed,

his friends enriching,

fame upraising.

33

(There spake Grimhild

to Gjuki’s ear:)

Grimhild

‘How long shall last

league unbounden?

Here is worthiest lord

of world’s renown!

Were a daughter offered,

he would dwell for ever,

our strength in strife,

standing bulwark.’

Gjuki

34

‘The gifts of kings

are gold and silver;

their daughters fair

are dearly wooed!’

Grimhild

‘Gifts oft are given

to greedy hand;

wives oft are wooed

by worthless men!’

35

Sigurd sat silent;

the singing heard not

but in heart Brynhild

bright with splendour:

‘A queen was I once,

and a king shall wed.’

Soon, thought he, soon

I will seek my own.

*

36

Grimhild went forth

to guarded bower;

deep horn she filled

that was darkly written.

She drink of power

dreadly blended;

it had strength of stone,

it was stained with blood.

Grimhild

37

‘Hail, guest and king!

Good go with thee!

Drink now deeply

dear love’s token!

A father hast thou found,

and fond mother,

brothers sit nigh thee.

O bravest, hail!’

38

Deep drank Sigurd,

drained it laughing,

then sat unsmiling,

the singing heard not.

In came Gudrun

golden-lovely,

as moon uprising

marvellous shining.

39

In came Gudrun

gleaming-robed,

as flower unfolded

fair at morning.

Sigurd wondered,

silent gazing;

his mind was glamoured,

mood confounded.

*

VIII

SVIKIN BRYNHILDR

(Brynhild Betrayed)

1

Brynhild abode