gold despoiling,
his horsemen countless
hasten westward.
4
He, Budli’s son,
blades remembers
that of Budli’s brother
were the bane of old;
he, gold-greedy,
grimhearted king,
hath heard of the hoard
on the Heath that lay.
5
Of Fafnir’s treasure
fame was rumoured,
that Niflungs held
in Niflung-land;
of Gudrun’s beauty
gleaming-lovely;
of Gjuki aged
to his grave passing.
*
6
From mighty Mirkwood
came message darkly:
‘Atli ariseth
armies mustering.
Hate awakens,
hosts are arming;
under horses’ hooves
Hunland trembles!’
7
Gunnar spake then
gloomy-hearted:
‘Fierce will the feud be,
fell the onslaught!
With gold and silver
shall his greed be stayed,
with gold and silver
or gleaming swords?’
8
Then spake Hogni,
haughty chieftain:
‘The might of Sigurd
we mourn at last!
Victory rode ever
with the Volsung lord;
now alone will war
our land defend.’
9
Then spake Grimhild
grey with wisdom:
‘Gudrun is fair,
gleaming-lovely –
let us bind him in bonds
as brother wedded,
in Hunland’s queen
our help seeking!’
10
Gudrun they sought,
grieving found her
in woodland house
weaving lonely;
weaving wondrous
webs bright-figured
with woe tangled
and with works of old.
*
11
Odin she wrought
old, blue-mantled;
Loki lightfooted
with locks of flame;
the falls of Andvari
framed of silver,
the gold of Andvari
she gleaming wove.
12
The house of Volsung
huge was timbered,
the Tree there tossed
tangled branches.
There Grimnir’s gift
gleaming brandished
Sigmund standing
stern unbending.
13
The hall of Siggeir
high was burning
fire-encircled
flame-devoured.
Signy stood there
Sigmund greeting,
fire about her,
