‘If any honour me
in these evil halls,
let them hold their hands
from this hell-labour!
82
Who would love requite,
who would lies disown,
who remember misery
by these masters wrought,
arm now! arm now!
aid the fearless
betrayed and trapped
by this troll-people!’
83
Atli sat there,
anger burned him;
yet murmurs mounted,
men were rising.
Goths were there many:
griefs they remembered,
wars in Mirkwood
and wars of old.
84
From the hall striding
high they shouted,
foes turned to friends
fiercely greeted:
‘Goths and Niflungs
our gods helping
will hew the Huns
to hell’s shadow!’
85
The few and fearless
fiercely answered
(their backs were driven
to the builded walls):
‘Friends, come welcome!
The feast is high.
Now songs let us sing
of our sires of yore.’
86
Of the Goths’ glory
Gunnar sang there;
of Iormunrek
earth-shadowing king;
of Angantyr
and old battles,
of Dylgja, Dunhei?,
and Danpar’s walls.
87
Forth went Hogni,
hate rekindled,
his son Sn?var
at his side leaping.
Hewn was Hogni
by a Hun chieftain;
his shield was shorn
in shards falling.
88
Sn?var they slew there,
their swords stabbed him;
he left his life
laughing grimly.
Hogni wept not;
from his hand the shield
stooping lifted;
strode then onward.
89
The stairs they strode
streaming redly;
at dark doorways
they dinned and hammered;
into halls of Atli
hewed a pathway;
rushed in roaring,
reeking-handed.
90
Gudrun they greeted,
Gunnar and Hogni:
This feast is fashioned
fair and seemly!
Fell-shapen fates
will force us ever
as wife to give thee,
and a widow make thee!’
91
‘If for wrongs ye wrought
ruth now moves you,
doom forestall not!
This deed forego!’
