mornings came with mirth,
mirth at sleeping.
Sigurd dwelt as king
sweet days and nights;
high hope he had,
yet in heart a shadow.
*
12
Wide went the word
of woman mighty,
of Brynhild queen
bright in splendour.
Grimhild hearkened,
grimly pondered,
of Gunnar thinking
and of Gjuki’s power.
13
‘Hail, Gjuki’s son!
Good go with thee!
Fair flowers thy state,
thy fame riseth.
Who could woo as he wills,
a wife yet lacketh,
though his might few match,
or might of friends.’
14
‘Lo! Gjukings’ mother
grey in counsel,
what wife shall Gunnar
woo or look for?
Fairest must be woman,
of fame mightiest,
that Gunnar seeketh
his gold dealing.’
15
‘Of the one fairest
fame is rumoured:
Brynhild the queen
bright in splendour.
Wide walks the word
of her wealth and might;
though high nor humble
her halls enter.’
16
‘Proud and peerless
in peril woven,
a queen would she be,
our courts’ glory!
Gunnar Gjuki’s son
glory seeking
at thy rede shall ride
to her realm afar.’
17
‘The son of Sigmund
thy sister holds,
Sigurd the mighty
is thy sworn brother.
At right hand in aid
he shall ride with thee;
counsels potent
shall my cunning find you.’
*
18
Gunnar rode Goti,
on Grani Sigurd,
Hogni Holkvir,
horse night-swarthy.
Steeds were striding,
stonefire glinting,
high wind rushing
over helm and mane.
19
Over fell and lowland
and forest gloomy,
over rocks and rivers
their roads led them.
Golden gables
gleaming saw they;
a light was lifted
o’er the land afar.
20
