his wide kingdom –
ye are fallen afraid,
and fear shadows.’
53
Hogni him answered
hard and scornful:
‘Daring speeches,
and drink-begotten!
Nor hoar nor weary
is here the king,
though queens in Rhineland
be counted wise.
54
Yet Atli I heard not
too old for guile,
war to ponder,
or wealth to covet.
And fey saith my thought:
“Far lies the day
ere Erp or Eitill
after Atli rule!”’
55
But loud cried Gunnar
laughing scornful,
deep had he drunken
darkly musing:
‘Let wolves then wield
wealth of Niflungs!
Bears shall harbour
in barren courtyards.
56
Winds shall wander
where wine we drank,
but Gunnar will go
Gudrun seeking.
We fast shall follow
thy feet, Vingi!
Our horns shall be heard
Hunland rousing.’
57
(From heavy heart then
Hogni answered:)
‘I go with Gunnar,
though glad I am not.
Oft Grimhild’s redes
we have grimly heard.
We took them ever,
though they turned awry;
truth now she teacheth,
and we trust her not.’
58
Then vowed Vingi
the venom-tongued –
oaths he recked not,
the oft forsworn:
‘May hell have me
and the high gallows,
may ravens rend me,
if the runes should lie!’
*
59
Niflungs rode forth
from Niflung-land;
fast their journey,
few went with them.
Grimhild stood there
grey and aged,
dark eyes were dimmed
death foreseeing.
60
Their word was spoken,
wills were hardened;
fate drove them on,
fey they parted.
None might hinder
near them thronging,
lords nor wisemen;
with a laugh they rode.
61
Steeds went striding,
stonefire glinted,
rocks were ringing,
roads resounding.
In hoar forests
harts were startled,
over hill and valley
hooves were beating.
62
Over river rowed they
roaring onward;
oars were bending
urged to breaking.
Foam flew from prow,
flashed and sparkled;
