Atlamál in grœnlenzku

Old Norse

Normalized Old Norse · Guðni Jónsson edition · Source ↗

Stanza 1Frétt hefir öld óvu, þá er endr of gerðu seggir samkundu, sú var nýt fæstum, æxtu einmæli, yggr var þeim síðan ok it sama sonum Gjúka, er váru sannráðnir.

Stanza 2Sköp æxtu skjöldunga, - skyldu-at feigir, - illa réðsk Atla, átti hann þó hyggju; felldi stoð stóra, stríddi sér harðla, af bragði boð sendi, at kvæmi brátt mágar.

Stanza 3Horsk var húsfreyja, hugði at mannviti; lag heyrði hon orða, hvat þeir á laun mæltu; þá var vant vitri, vildi hon þeim hjalpa, skyldi of sæ sigla, en sjalf né komsk-at.

Stanza 4Rúnar nam at rísta, rengdi þær Vingi - fárs var hann flýtandi -, áðr hann fram seldi; fóru þá síðan sendimenn Atla um fjörð Lima, þar er fræknir bjuggu.

Stanza 5Ölværir urðu ok elda kyndu, hugðu vætr véla, er þeir váru komnir; tóku þeir fórnir, er þeim fríðr sendi, hengðu á súlu, hugðu-t þat varða.

Stanza 6Kom þá Kostbera, kvæn var hon Högna, kona kapps gálig, ok kvaddi þá báða; glöð var ok Glaumvör, er Gunnarr átti, fellsk-at saðr sviðri, sýsti of þörf gesta.

Stanza 7Buðu þeir heim Högna, ef hann þá heldr færi, sýn var svipvísi, ef þeir sín gæði; hét þá för Gunnarr, ef Högni vildi, Högni því nítti-t, er hinn of réði.

Stanza 8Báru mjöð mærar, margs var alls beini; fór þar fjölð horna, unz þótti fulldrukkit.

Stanza 9Hjú gerðu hvílu sem þeim hægst þótti; kennd var Kostbera, kunni hon skil rúna, innti orðstafi at eldi ljósum; gæta varð hon tungu í góma báða, váru svá villtar, at var vant at ráða.

Stanza 10Sæing fóru síðan sína þau Högni; dreymði dróttláta, dulði þess vætki, sagði horsk hilmi, þegars hon réð vakna:

Stanza 11"Heiman gerisk þú, Högni, hyggðu at ráðum, fár er fullrýninn, far þú í sinn annat; réð ek þér rúnar, er reist þín systir, björt hefir þér eigi boðit í sinn þetta.

Stanza 12Eitt ek mest undrumk, mák-at ek enn hyggja, hvat þá varð vitri, er skyldi villt rísta; því at svá var á vísat, sem undir væri bani ykkarr beggja, ef it bráðla kvæmið; vant er stafs vífi, eða valda aðrir."

Högni kvað:

Stanza 13"Allar ro illúðgar, ákk-a ek þess kynni vilk-a ek þess leita, nema launa eigim; okkr mun gramr gulli reifa glóðrauðu; óumk ek aldregi, þótt vér ógn fregnim."

Kostbera kvað:

Stanza 14"Stopalt munuð ganga, ef it stundið þangat; ykkr mun ástkynni eigi í sinn þetta; dreymdi mik, Högni, dyljumk þat eigi; ganga mun ykkr andæris, eða ella hræðumk.

Stanza 15Blæju hugða ek þína brenna í eldi, hryti hár logi hús mín í gögnum."

Högni kvað:

Stanza 16"Liggja hér línklæði, þau er lítt rækið, þau munu brátt brenna, þau er þú blæju sátt."

Kostbera kvað:

Stanza 17"Björn hugða ek hér inn kominn, bryti upp stokka, hristi svá hramma, at vér hrædd yrðim; munn oss mörg hefði, svá at vér mættim ekki; þar var ok þrömmun þeygi svá lítil."

Högni kvað:

Stanza 18"Veðr mun þar vaxa, verða ótt snemma, hvítabjörn hugðir, þar mun hregg austan."

Kostbera kvað:

Stanza 19"Örn hugða ek hér inn fljúga at endlöngu húsi, þat mun oss drjúgt deilask, dreifði hann oss öll blóði, hugða ek af heitum at væri hamr Atla."

Högni kvað:

Stanza 20"Slátrum sýsliga, séum þá roðru, oft er þat fyr öxnum, er örnu dreymir; heill er hugr Atla, hvatki er þik dreymir." Lokit því létu, líðr hver ræða.

Stanza 21Vöknuðu vel borin, var þar sams dæmi, gettisk þess Glaumvör, at væri grand svefna -- -- -- við Gunnarr at fáa tvær leiðir.

Glaumvör kvað:

Stanza 22"Görvan hugða ek þér galga, gengir þú at hanga, æti þik ormar, yrða ek þik kvikvan, gerðisk rök ragna; ráð þú, hvat þat væri."

Gunnarr kvað:

Stanza 23. . . . . . . . . . .

Glaumvör kvað:

Stanza 24"Blóðgan hugða ek mæki borinn ór serk þínum - illt er svefn slíkan at segja nauðmanni, - geir hugða ek standa í gögnum þik miðjan, emjuðu ulfar á endum báðum."

Gunnarr kvað:

Stanza 25"Rakkar þar renna, ráðask mjök geyja, oft verðr glaumr hunda fyr geira flaugun."

Glaumvör kvað:

Stanza 26"Á hugða ek hér inn renna at endlöngu húsi, þyti af þjósti, þeystisk of bekki, bryti fætr ykra bræðra hér tveggja, gerði-t vatn vægja; vera mun þat fyr nökkvi."

Gunnarr kvað:

Stanza 27. . . . . . . . . . .

Glaumvör kvað:

Stanza 28"Konur hugðak dauðar koma í nótt hingat, væri-t vart búnar, vildi þik kjósa, byði þér bráðliga til bekkja sinna; ek kveð aflima orðnar þér dísir."

Gunnarr kvað:

Stanza 29"Seinat er at segja, svá er nú ráðit; forumk-a för þó, alls þó ar fara ætlat; margt er mjök glíkligt, at mynim skammæir."

Stanza 30Litu er lýsti, létusk þeir fúsir, allir upp rísa, önnur þau löttu, fóru fimm saman, fleiri til váru halfu húskarlar, hugat var því illa. Snævarr ok Sólarr, synir váru þeir Högna, Orkning þann hétu, er þeim enn fylgði, blíðr var börr skjaldar bróðir hans kvánar.

Stanza 31Fóru fagrbúnar, unz þau fjörðr skilði; löttu ávallt ljósar, létu-at heldr segjask.

Stanza 32Glaumvör kvað at orði, er Gunnarr átti, mælti hon við Vinga, sem henni vert þótti: "Veitk-at ek, hvárt verðlaunið at vilja ossum; glæpr er gests kváma, ef í gerisk nakkvat."

Stanza 33Sór þá Vingi, sér réð hann lítt eira: "Eigi hann jötnar, ef hann at yðr lygi, galgi görvallan, ef hann á grið hygði."

Stanza 34Bera kvað at orði, blíð í hug sínum: "Sigli þér sælir ok sigr árnið; fari sem ek fyr mælik, fæst eigi því níta."

Stanza 35Högni svaraði, hugði gótt nánum: "Huggizk it, horskar, hvégi er þat gervisk; mæla þat margir, missir þó stórum, mörgum ræðr litlu, hvé verðr leiddr heiman."

Stanza 36Sásk til síðan, áðr í sundr hyrfi, þá hygg ek sköp skiptu, skilðusk vegir þeira.

Stanza 37Róa námu ríki, rifu kjöl halfan, beystu bakföllum, brugðusk heldr reiðir, hömlur slitnuðu, háir brotnuðu, gerðu-t far festa, áðr þeir frá hyrfi.

Stanza 38Litlu ok lengra, - lok mun ek þess segja -, bæ sá þeir standa, er Buðli átti; hátt hriktu grindr, er Högni kníði.

Stanza 39Orð kvað þá Vingi, þats án væri: "Farið firr húsi, - flátt er til sækja, brátt hefi ek ykkr brennda, bragðs skuluð höggnir, fagrt bað ek ykkr kvámu, flátt var þó undir - ella heðan bíðið, meðan ek hegg yðr galga."

Stanza 40Orð kvað hitt Högni, hugði lítt vægja, varr at véttugi, er varð at reyna: "Hirða þú oss hræða, hafðu þat fram sjaldan, ef þú eykr orði, illt muntu þér lengja."

Stanza 41Hrundu þeir Vinga ok í hel drápu, öxar at lögðu, meðan í önd hixti.

Stanza 42Flykkðusk þeir Atli ok fóru í brynjur, gengu svá görvir, at var garðr milli; urpusk á orðum allir senn reiðir: "Fyrr várum fullráða at firra yðr lífi."

Stanza 43"Á sér þat illa, ef höfðuð áðr ráðit, en eruð óbúnir, ok höfum einn felldan, lamðan til heljar, liðs var sá yðvars."

Stanza 44Óðir þá urðu, er þat orð heyrðu, forðuðu fingrum ok fengu í snæri, skutu skarpliga ok skjöldum hlífðusk.

Stanza 45Inn kom þá andspilli, hvat úti drýgðu, halir fyr höllu, heyrðu þræl segja.

Stanza 46Ötul var þá Guðrún, er hon ekka heyrði, hlaðin halsmenjum, hreytti hon þeim gervöllum, slöngði svá silfri, at í sundr hrutu baugar.

Stanza 47Út gekk hon síðan, yppði-t lítt hurðum, fór-a fælt þeygi ok fagnaði komnum, hvarf til Niflunga, sú var hinzt kveðja, fylgði saðr slíku, sagði hon mun fleira:

Stanza 48"Leitaða ek í líkna at letja ykkr heiman, sköpum viðr manngi, ok skuluð þó hér komnir." Mælti af mannviti, ef mundu sættask; ekki at reðusk, allir ní kváðu.

Stanza 49Sá þá sælborin, at þeir sárt léku, hugði á harðræði ok hrauzk ór skikkju; nökðan tók hon mæki ok niðja fjör varði, hæg var-at hjaldri, hvars hon hendr festi.

Stanza 50Dóttir lét Gjúka drengi tvá hníga, bróður hjó hon Atla, bera varð þann síðan, skapði hon svá skæru, skelldi fót undan.

Stanza 51Annan réð hon höggva, svá at sá upp reis-at, í helju hon þann hafði, þeygi henni hendr skulfu.

Stanza 52Þjörku þar gerðu, þeiri var við brugðit, þat brá of allt annat, er unnu börn Gjúka; svá kváðu Niflunga, meðan sjalfir lifðu, skapa sókn sverðum, slítask af brynjur, höggva svá hjalma sem þeim hugr dygði.

Stanza 53Morgin mest vágu, unz miðjan dag líddi, óttu alla ok öndurðan dag; fyrr var fullvegit, flóði völlr blóði, átján áðr fellu, efri þeir urðu. Beru tveir sveinar ok bróðir hennar.

Stanza 54Röskr tók at ræða, þótt hann reiðr væri: "Illt er um litask, yðr er þat kenna; várum þrír tigir, þegnar vígligir, eftir lifum ellifu, ór er þar brunnit.

Stanza 55Bæðr várum fimm, er Buðla misstum; hefir nú Hel halfa, en höggnir tveir liggja.

Stanza 56Mægð gat ek mikla, mák-a-k því leyna, kona váliga, knák-a ek þess njóta; hljótt áttum sjaldan, síz komt í hendr ossar, firrðan mik frændum, féi oft svikinn, senduð systur helju, slíks ek mest kennumk."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 57"Getr þú þess, Atli, gerðir svá fyrri, móður tókt mína ok myrðir til hnossa, svinna systrungu sveltir þú í helli, hlægligt mér þat þykkir, er þú þinn harm tínir; goðum ek þat þakka, er þér gengsk illa."

Atli kvað:

Stanza 58"Eggja ek yðr, jarlar, auka harm stóran vífs ins vegliga, vilja ek þat líta; kostið svá keppa, at klökkvi Guðrún, séa ek þat mætta, at hon sér né ynði-t.

Stanza 59Takið ér Högna ok hyldið með knífi, skerið ór hjarta, skuluð þess görvir, Gunnar grimmúðgan á galga festið, bellið því bragði, bjóðið til ormum."

Högni kvað:

Stanza 60"Ger, sem til lystir, glaðr munk þess bíða, röskr munk þér reynask, reynt hefi ek fyrr brattara; höfuð hnekking, meðan heilir várum, nú erum svá sárir, at þá mátt sjalfr valda."

Stanza 61Beiti þat mælti, bryti var hann Atla: "Tökum vér Hjalla, en Högna forðum, högum vér halft yrkjum, hann er skapdauði, lifir-a svá lengi, löskr mun hann æ heitinn."

Stanza 62Hræddr var hvergætir, helt-a in lengr rúmi, kunni klökkr verða, kleif í rá hverja; vesall lézk vígs þeira, er skyldi váss gjalda, ok sinn dag dapran at deyja frá svínum, allri örkostu, er hann áðr hafði.

Stanza 63Tóku þeir brás Buðla ok brugðu til knífi, æpði illþræli, áðr odds kenndi, tóm lézk at eiga teðja vel garða, vinna it vergasta, ef hann við rétti, feginn lézk þó Hjalli, at hann fjör þægi.

Stanza 64Gættisk þess Högni - gerva svá færi -, at árna ánauðgum, at undan gengi: "Fyrir kveð ek mér minna at fremja leik þenna. Hví mynim hér vilja heyra á þá skræktun?"

Stanza 65Þrifu þeir þjóðgóðan, þá var kostr engi rekkum rakklátum ráð enn lengr dvelja; hló þá Högni, heyrðu dagmegir, keppa hann svá kunni, kvöl hann vel þolði.

Stanza 66Harpu tók Gunnarr, hrærði ilkvistum, sláa hann svá kunni, at snótir grétu, klukku þeir karlar, er kunnu görst heyra; ríkri ráð sagði; raftar sundr brustu.

Stanza 67Dó þá dýrir, dags var heldr snemma, létu þeir á lesti lifa íþróttir.

Stanza 68Stórr þóttisk Atli, sté hann of þá báða,

horskri harm sagði

ok réð heldr at bregða:

"Morginn er nú, Guðrún, misst hefir þú þér hollra; sums ertu sjalfskapa, at hafi svá gengit."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 69"Feginn ertu, Atli, ferr þú víg lýsa, á munu þér iðrar, ef þú allt reynir; sú mun erfð eftir, ek kann þér segja: Ills gengsk þér aldri, nema ek ok deyja."

Atli kvað:

Stanza 70"Kann ek slíks synja, sé ek til ráð annat halfu hógligra, - höfnum oft góðu -, mani mun ek þik hugga, mætum ágætum, silfri snæhvítu, sem þú sjalf vilir."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 71"Ón er þess engi, ek vil því níta; sleit ek þá sáttir, er váru sakar minni; afkár ek áðr þótta, á mun nú gæða, hræfða ek um hotvetna, meðan Högni lifði.

Stanza 72Alin vit upp várum í einu húsi, lékum leik margan ok í lundi óxum, gæddi okkr Grímhildr gulli ok halsmenjum; bana muntu mér bræðra bæta aldrigi né vinna þess ekki, at mér vel þykki.

Stanza 73Kostum drepr kvenna karla ofríki; í kné gengr hnefi, ef kvistir þverra; tré tekr at hníga, ef höggr tág undan; nú máttu einn, Atli, öllu hér ráða."

Stanza 74Gnótt var grunnýðgi, er gramr því trúði, sýn var sveipvísi, ef hann sín gæði; kröpp var þá Guðrún, kunni of hug mæla, létt hon sér gerði, lék hon tveim skjöldum.

Stanza 75Æxti hon öldrykkjur at erfa bræðr sína, samr lézk ok Atli at sína gerva.

Stanza 76Lokit því létu, lagat var drykkju, sú var samkunda við svörfun ofmikla; ströng var stórhuguð, stríddi hon ætt Buðla, vildi hon ver sínum vinna ofrhefndir.

Stanza 77Lokkaði hon litla ok lagði við stokki, glúpnuðu grimmir ok grétu þeygi, fóru í faðm móður, fréttu, hvat þá skyldi.

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 78"Spyrið lítt eftir, spilla ætla ek báðum, lyst várumk þess lengi at lyfja ykkr elli." Sveinarnir kváðu: "Blótt, sem vill, börnum, bannar þat manngi, skömm mun ró reiði, ef þú reynir görva."

Stanza 79Brá þá barnæsku bræðra in kappsvinna, skipti-t skapliga, skar hon á hals báða. Enn frétti Atli, hvert farnir væri sveinar hans leika, er hann sá þá hvergi.

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 80"Yfir ráðumk ganga Atla til segja; dylja munk þik eigi, dóttir Grímhildar; glaða mun þik minnst, Atli, ef þú görva reynir; vakðir vá mikla, er þú vátt bræðr mína.

Stanza 81Svaf ek mjök sjaldan, síðans þeir fellu, hét ek þér hörðu, hefi ek þik nú minntan; morgin mér sagðir, man ek enn þann görva, nú er ok aftann, átt þú slíkt at frétta.

Stanza 82Maga hefir þú þinna misst, sem þú sízt skyldir, hausa veizt þú þeira hafða at ölskálum, drýgða ek þér svá drykkju, dreyra blett ek þeira.

Stanza 83Tók ek þeira hjörtu, ok á teini steikðak, selda ek þér síðan, sagðak, at kalfs væri: einn þú því ollir, ekki réttu leifa, töggtu tíðliga, trúðir vel jöxlum.

Stanza 84Barna veiztu þinna, biðr sér fár verra; hlut veld ek mínum, hælumk þó ekki."

Atli kvað:

Stanza 85"Grimm vartu, Guðrún, er þú gera svá máttir, barna þinna blóði at blanda mér drykkju; snýtt hefir þú sifjungum, sem þú sizt skyldir, mér lætr þú ok sjalfum millum ills lítit."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 86"Vili mér enn væri at vega þik sjalfan, fátt er fullilla farit við gram slíkan; drýgt þú fyrr hafðir þat, er menn dæmi vissu-t til, heimsku, harðræðis í heimi þessum; nú hefir þú enn aukit, þat er áðan frágum; greipt glæp stóran, gört hefir þú þitt erfi."

Atli kvað:

Stanza 87"Brennd muntu á báli ok barið grjóti áðr, þá hefir þú árnat þatstu æ beiðisk."

Guðrún kvað:

"Seg þér slíkar sorgir ár morgin, fríðra vil ek dauða fara í ljós annat."

Stanza 88Sátu samtýnis, sendusk fárhugi, hendusk heiftyrði, hvártki sér unði; heift óx Hniflungi, hugði á stórræði, gat fyr Guðrúnu, at hann væri grimmr Atla.

Stanza 89Kómu í hug henni Högna viðfarar, talði happ hánum, ef hann hefnt ynni. Veginn var þá Atli, var þess skammt bíða, sonr vá Högna ok sjalf Guðrún.

Stanza 90Röskr tók at ræða, rakðisk ór svefni, kenndi brátt benja, bands kvað hann þörf enga: "Segið it sannasta, hverr vá son Buðla, emk-a ek lítt leikinn, lífs tel ek ván enga."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 91"Dylja mun þik eigi dóttir Grímhildar, látumk því valda, er líðr þína æfi, en sumu sonr Högna, er þik sár mæða."

Atli kvað:

Stanza 92"Vaðit hefir þú at vígi, þótt væri-t skaplikt, illt er vin véla, þanns þér vel trúir; beiddr fór ek heiman at biðja þín, Guðrún.

Stanza 93Leyfð vartu ekkja, létu stórráða, varð-a ván lygi, er vér of reyndum; fórtu heim hingat, fylgði oss herr manna, allt var ítarligt um órar ferðir.

Stanza 94Margs var alls sómi manna tíginna, naut váru ærin, nutum af stórum, þar var fjölð féar, fengu til margir.

Stanza 95Mund galt ek mærri meiðma fjölð þiggja, þræla þría tigu, þýjar sjau góðar, sæmð var at slíku, silfr var þó meira.

Stanza 96Léztu þér allt þykkja, sem ekki væri, meðan lönd þau lágu, er mér leifði Buðli, gróftu svá undir, gerði-t hlut þiggja; sværu léztu þína sitja oft grátna, fann ek í hug heilum hjóna vætr síðan."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 97"Lýgr þú nú, Atli, þótt ek þat lítt rekja; heldr var ek hæg sjaldan, hóftu þó stórum; börðuzk ér bræðr ungir, báruzk róg milli; halft gekk til heljar ór húsi þínu; hrolldi hotvetna þat er til hags skyldi.

Stanza 98Þrjú várum systkin, þóttum óvægin, fórum af landi, fylgðum Sigurði, skæva vér létum, skipi hvert várt stýrði, örkuðum at auðnu, unz vér austr kómum.

Stanza 99Konung drápum fyrstan, kurum land þaðra, hersar oss á hönd gengu, hræðslu þat vissi; vágum ór skógi þanns vildum syknan, settum þann sælan, er sér né átti-t.

Stanza 100Dauðr varð inn húnski, drap þá brátt kosti, strangt var angr ungri ekkju nafn hljóta; kvöl þótti kvikri at koma í hús Atla, átti áðr kappi, illr var sá missir.

Stanza 101Komt-a-ðu af því þingi, er vér þat frægim, at þú sök sættir né slekðir aðra; vildir ávallt vægja en vætki halda, kyrrt of því láta, -- -- -- -- -- --"

Atli kvað:

Stanza 102"Lýgr þú nú, Guðrún, lítt mun við bætask hluti hvárigra, höfum öll skarðan. Gerðu nú, Guðrún, af gæzku þinni okkr til ágætis, er mik út hefja."

Guðrún kvað:

Stanza 103"Knörr mun ek kaupa ok kistu steinda, vexa vel blæju at verja þitt líki, hyggja á þörf hverja, sem vit holl værim."

Stanza 104Nár varð þá Atli, niðjum stríð æxti, efndi ítrborin allt þats réð heita; fróð vildi Gudrún fara sér at spilla, urðu dvöl dægra, dó hon í sinn annat.

Stanza 105Sæll er hverr síðan, er slíkt getr fæða jóð at afreki, sems ól Gjúki; lifa mun þat eftir á landi hverju þeira þrámæli, hvargi er þjóð heyrir.

English translation

Henry Adams Bellows · First published 1923 · Source & commentary ↗

Stanza 1There are many who know | how of old did men In counsel gather; | little good did they get; In secret they plotted, | it was sore for them later, And for Gjuki's sons, | whose trust they deceived.

Stanza 2Fate grew for the princes, | to death they were given; Ill counsel was Atli's, | though keenness he had; He felled his staunch bulwark, | his own sorrow fashioned, Soon a message he sent | that his kinsmen should seek him.

Stanza 3Wise was the woman, | she fain would use wisdom, She saw well what meant | all they said in secret; From her heart it was hid | how help she might render, The sea they should sail, | while herself she should go not.

Stanza 4Runes did she fashion, | but false Vingi made them, The speeder of hatred, | ere to give them he sought; Then soon fared the warriors | whom Atli had sent, And to Limafjord came, | to the home of the kings.

Stanza 5They were kindly with ale, | and fires they kindled, They thought not of craft | from the guests who had come; The gifts did they take | that the noble one gave them, On the pillars they hung them, | no fear did they harbor.

Stanza 6Forth did Kostbera, | wife of Hogni, then come, Full kindly she was, | and she welcomed them both; And glad too was Glaumvor, | the wife of Gunnar, She knew well to care | for the needs of the guests.

Stanza 7Then Hogni they asked | if more eager he were, Full clear was the guile, | if on guard they had been; Then Gunnar made promise, | if Hogni would go, And Hogni made answer | as the other counseled.

Stanza 8Then the famed ones brought mead, | and fair was the feast, Full many were the horns, | till the men had drunk deep; . . . . . . . . . . Then the mates made ready | their beds for resting.

Stanza 9Wise was Kostbera, | and cunning in rune-craft, The letters would she read | by the light of the fire; But full quickly her tongue | to her palate clave, So strange did they seem | that their meaning she saw not.

Stanza 10Full soon then his bed | came Hogni to seek, . . . . . . . . . . The clear-souled one dreamed, | and her dream she kept not, To the warrior the wise one | spake when she wakened:

Stanza 11"Thou wouldst go hence, | Hogni, but heed my counsel,-- Known to few are the runes,-- | and put off thy faring; I have read now the runes | that thy sister wrote, And this time the bright one | did not bid thee to come.

Stanza 12"Full much do I wonder, | nor well can I see, Why the woman wise | so wildly hath written; But to me it seems | that the meaning beneath Is that both shall be slain | if soon ye shall go. But one rune she missed, | or else others have marred it."

Hogni spake:

Stanza 13"All women are fearful; | not so do I feel, Ill I seek not to find | till I soon must avenge it; The king now will give us | the glow-ruddy gold; I never shall fear, | though of dangers I know."

Kostbera spake:

Stanza 14"In danger ye fare, | if forth ye go thither, No welcoming friendly | this time shall ye find; For I dreamed now, Hogni, | and nought will I hide, Full evil thy faring, | if rightly I fear.

Stanza 15"Thy bed-covering saw I | in the flames burning, And the fire burst high | through the walls of my home."

Hogni spake:

"Yon garment of linen | lies little of worth, It will soon be burned, | so thou sawest the bed-cover."

Kostbera spake:

Stanza 16"A bear saw I enter, | the pillars he broke, And he brandished his claws | so that craven we were; With his mouth seized he many, | and nought was our might, And loud was the tumult, | not little it was."

Hogni spake:

Stanza 17"Now a storm is brewing, | and wild it grows swiftly, A dream of an ice-bear | means a gale from the east."

Kostbera spake:

Stanza 18"An eagle I saw flying | from the end through the house, Our fate must be bad, | for with blood he sprinkled us; . . . . . . . . . . From the evil I fear | that 'twas Atli's spirit."

Hogni spake:

Stanza 19"They will slaughter soon, | and so blood do we see, Oft oxen it means | when of eagles one dreams; True is Atli's heart, | whatever thou dreamest." Then silent they were, | and nought further they said.

Stanza 20The high-born ones wakened, | and like speech they had, Then did Glaumvor tell | how in terror she dreamed, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gunnar | two roads they should go.

Glaumvor spake:

Stanza 21"A gallows saw I ready, | thou didst go to thy hanging, Thy flesh serpents ate, | and yet living I found thee; . . . . . . . . . . The gods' doom descended; | now say what it boded."

Stanza 22"A sword drawn bloody | from thy garments I saw,-- Such a dream is hard | o a husband to tell,-- A spear stood, methought, | through thy body thrust, And at head and feet | the wolves were howling."

Gunnar spake:

Stanza 23"The hounds are running, | loud their barking is heard, Oft hounds' clamor follows | the flying of spears."

Glaumvor spake:

Stanza 24"A river the length | of the hall saw I run, Full swiftly it roared, | o'er the benches it swept; O'er the feet did it break | of ye brothers twain, The water would yield not; | some meaning there was."

Stanza 25"I dreamed that by night | came dead women hither, Sad were their garments, | and thee were they seeking; They bade thee come swiftly | forth to their benches, And nothing, methinks, | could the Norns avail thee. "

Gunnar spake:

Stanza 26"Too late is thy speaking, | for so is it settled From the faring I turn not, | the going is fixed, Though likely it is | that our lives shall be short."

Stanza 27Then bright shone the morning, | the men all were ready, They said, and yet each | would the other hold back; Five were the warriors, | and their followers all But twice as many,-- | their minds knew not wisdom.

Stanza 28Snævar and Solar, | they were sons of Hogni, Orkning was he called | who came with the others, Blithe was the shield-tree, | the brother of Kostbera; The fair-decked ones followed, | till the fjord divided them, Full hard did they plead, | but the others would hear not.

Stanza 29Then did Glaumvor speak forth, | the wife of Gunnar, To Vingi she said | that which wise to her seemed: "I know not if well | thou requitest our welcome, Full ill was thy coming | if evil shall follow."

Stanza 30Then did Vingi swear, | and full glib was his speech, . . . . . . . . . . "May giants now take me | if lies I have told ye, And the gallows if hostile | thought did I have."

Stanza 31Then did Bera speak forth, | and fair was her thought, . . . . . . . . . . "May ye sail now happy, | and victory have, To fare as I bid ye, | may nought your way bar."

Stanza 32Then Hogni made answer,-- | dear held he his kin,- "Take courage, ye wise ones, | whatsoever may come; Though many may speak, | yet is evil oft mighty, And words avail little | to lead one homeward."

Stanza 33They tenderly looked | till each turned on his way, Then with changing fate | were their farings divided.

Stanza 34Full stoutly they rowed, | and the keel clove asunder, Their backs strained at the oars, | and their strength was fierce; The oar-loops were burst, | the thole-pins, were broken, Nor the ship made they fast | ere from her they fared.

Stanza 35Not long was it after-- | the end must I tell-- That the home they beheld | that Buthli once had; Loud the gates resounded | when Hogni smote them;

Vingi spake then a word | that were better unsaid:

Stanza 36"Go ye far from the house, | for false is its entrance, Soon shall I burn you, | ye are swiftly smitten; I bade ye come fairly, | but falseness was under, Now bide ye afar | while your gallows I fashion."

Stanza 37Then Hogni made answer, | his heart yielded little, And nought did he fear | that his fate held in store: "Seek not to affright us, | thou shalt seldom succeed; If thy words are more, | then the worse grows thy fate."

Stanza 38Then Vingi did they smite, | and they sent him to hell, With their axes they clove him | while the death rattle came.

Stanza 39Atli summoned his men, | in mail-coats they hastened, All ready they came, | and between was the courtyard.

Stanza 40Then came they to words, | and full wrathful they were: "Long since did we plan | how soon we might slay you."

Hogni spake:

Stanza 41"Little it matters | if long ye have planned it; For unarmed do ye wait, | and one have we felled, We smote him to hell, | of your host was he once."

Stanza 42Then wild was their anger | when all heard his words; Their fingers were swift | on their bowstrings to seize, Full sharply they shot, | by their shields were they guarded.

Stanza 43In the house came the word | how the heroes with out Fought in front of the hall; | they heard a thrall tell it; Grim then was Guthrun, | the grief when she heard, With necklaces fair, | and she flung them all from her, (The silver she hurled | so the rings burst asunder.)

Stanza 44Then out did she go, | she flung open the doors, All fearless she went, | and the guests did she welcome; To the Niflungs she went-- | her last greeting it was,-- In her speech truth was clear, | and much would she speak.

Stanza 45"For your safety I sought | that at home ye should stay; None escapes his fate, | so ye hither must fare." Full wisely she spake, | if yet peace they might win, But to nought would they hearken, | and "No" said they all.

Stanza 46Then the high-born one saw | that hard was their battle, In fierceness of heart | she flung off her mantle; Her naked sword grasped she | her kin's lives to guard, Not gentle her hands | in the hewing of battle.

Stanza 47Then the daughter of Gjuki | two warriors smote down, Atli's brother she slew, | and forth then they bore him; (So fiercely she fought | that his feet she clove off;) Another she smote | so that never he stood, To hell did she send him,-- | her hands trembled never.

Stanza 48Full wide was the fame | of the battle they fought, 'Twas the greatest of deeds | of the sons of Gjuki; Men say that the Niflungs, | while themselves they were living, With their swords fought mightily, | mail-coats they sundered, And helms did they hew, | as their hearts were fearless.

Stanza 49All the morning they fought | until midday shone, (All the dusk as well | and the dawning of day,) When the battle was ended, | the field flowed with blood; Ere they fell, eighteen | of their foemen were slain, By the two sons of Bera | and her brother as well.

Stanza 50Then the warrior spake, | and wild was his anger: "This is evil to see, | and thy doing is all; Once we were thirty, | we thanes, keen for battle, Now eleven are left, | and great is our lack.

Stanza 51"There were five of us brothers | when Buthli we lost, Now Hel has the half, | and two smitten lie here; A great kinship had I,-- | the truth may I hide not,-- From a wife bringing slaughter | small joy could I win.

Stanza 52We lay seldom together | since to me thou wast given, Now my kin all are gone, | of my gold am I robbed; Nay, and worst, thou didst send | my sister to hell."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 53"Hear me now, Atli! | the first evil was thine; My mother didst thou take, | and for gold didst murder her, My sister's daughter | thou didst starve in a prison. A jest does it seem | that thy sorrow thou tellest, And good do I find it | that grief to thee comes."

Atli spake:

Stanza 54"Go now, ye warriors, | and make greater the grief Of the woman so fair, | for fain would I see it; So fierce be thy warring | that Guthrun shall weep, I would gladly behold | her happiness lost.

Stanza 55"Seize ye now Hogni, | and with knives shall ye hew him, His heart shall ye cut out, | this haste ye to do; And grim-hearted Gunnar | shall ye bind on the gallows, Swift shall ye do it, | to serpents now cast him."

Hogni spake:

Stanza 56"Do now as thou wilt, | for glad I await it, Brave shalt thou find me, | I have faced worse before; We held thee at bay | while whole we were fighting, Now with wounds are we spent, | so thy will canst thou work."

Stanza 57Then did Beiti speak, | he was Atli's steward: "Let us seize now Hjalli, | and Hogni spare we! Let us fell the sluggard, | he is fit for death, He has lived too long, | and lazy men call him."

Stanza 58Afraid was the pot-watcher, | he fled here and yon, And crazed with his terror | he climbed in the corners: "Ill for me is this fighting, | if I pay for your fierceness, And sad is the day | to die leaving my swine And all the fair victuals | that of old did I have."

Stanza 59They seized Buthli's cook, | and they came with the knife, The frightened thrall howled | ere the edge did he feel; He was willing, he cried, | to dung well the court yard, Do the basest of work, | if spare him they would; Full happy were Hjalli | if his life he might have.

Stanza 60Then fain was Hogni-- | there are few would do thus-- To beg for the slave | that safe hence he should go; "I would find it far better | this knife-play to feel, Why must we all hark | to this howling longer?"

Stanza 61Then the brave one they seized; | to the warriors bold No chance was there left | to delay his fate longer; Loud did Hogni laugh, | all the sons of day heard him, So valiant he was | that well he could suffer.

Stanza 62A harp Gunnar seized, | with his toes he smote it So well did he strike | that the women all wept, And the men, when clear | they heard it, lamented; Full noble was his song, | the rafters burst asunder.

Stanza 63Then the heroes died | ere the day was yet come; Their fame did they leave | ever lofty to live. . . . . . . . . . .

Stanza 64Full mighty seemed Atli | as o'er them he stood, The wise one he blamed, | and his words reproached her: "It is morning, Guthrun; | now thy dear ones dost miss, But the blame is part thine | that thus it has chanced."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 65"Thou art joyous, Atli, | for of evil thou tellest, But sorrow is thine | if thou mightest all see; Thy heritage heavy | here can I tell thee, Sorrow never thou losest | unless I shall die."

Atli spake:

Stanza 66"Not free of guilt am I; | a way shall I find That is better by far,-- | oft the fairest we shunned;-- With slaves I console thee, | with gems fair to see, And with silver snow-white, | as thyself thou shalt choose."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 67"No hope shall this give thee, | thy gifts I shall take not, Requital I spurned | when my sorrows were smaller; Once grim did I seem, | but now greater my grimness, There was nought seemed too hard | while Hogni was living.

Stanza 68"Our childhood did we have | in a single house, We played many a game, | in the grove did we grow; Then did Grimhild give us | gold and necklaces, Thou shalt ne'er make amends | for my brother's murder, Nor ever shalt win me | to think it was well.

Stanza 69"But the fierceness of men | rules the fate of women, The tree-top bows low | if bereft of its leaves, The tree bends over | if the roots are cleft under it; Now mayest thou, Atli, | o'er all things here rule."

Stanza 70Full heedless the warrior | was that he trusted her, So clear was her guile | if on guard he had been; But crafty was Guthrun, | with cunning she spake, Her glance she made pleasant, | with two shields she played.

Stanza 71The beer then she brought | for her brothers' death feast, And a feast Atli made | for his followers dead No more did they speak, | the mead was made ready, Soon the men were gathered | with mighty uproar.

Stanza 72Thus bitterly planned she, | and Buthli's race threatened, And terrible vengeance | on her husband would take; The little ones called she, | on a block she laid them; Afraid were the proud ones, | but their tears did not fall; To their mother's arms went they, | and asked what she would.

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 73"Nay, ask me no more! | You both shall I murder, For long have I wished | your lives to steal from you.

The boys spake:

"Slay thy boys as thou wilt, | for no one may bar it, Short the angry one's peace | if all thou shalt do."

Stanza 74Then the grim one slew both | of the brothers young, Full hard was her deed | when their heads she smote off; Fain was Atli to know | whither now they were gone, The boys from their sport, | for nowhere he spied them.

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 75"My fate shall I seek, | all to Atli saying, The daughter of Grimhild | the deed from thee hides not; No joy thou hast, Atli, | if all thou shalt hear, Great sorrow didst wake | when my brothers thou slewest.

Stanza 76'1 have seldom slept | since the hour they were slain, Baleful were my threats, | now I bid thee recall them; Thou didst say it was morning,-- | too well I remember,-- Now is evening come, | and this question thou askest.

Stanza 77"Now both of thy sons | thou hast lost . . . . . . . . . | as thou never shouldst do; The skulls of thy boys | thou as beer-cups didst have, And the draught that I made thee | was mixed with their blood.

Stanza 78'I cut out their hearts, | on a spit I cooked them, I came to thee with them, | and calf's flesh I called them; Alone didst thou eat them, | nor any didst leave, Thou didst greedily bite, | and thy teeth were busy.

Stanza 79"Of thy sons now thou knowest; | few suffer more sorrow; My guilt have I told, | fame it never shall give me."

Atli spake:

Stanza 80"Grim wast thou, Guthrun, | in so grievous a deed, My draught with the blood | of thy boys to mingle; Thou hast slain thine own kin, | most ill it be seemed thee, And little for me | twixt my sorrows thou leavest."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 81"Still more would I seek | to slay thee thyself, Enough ill comes seldom | to such as thou art; Thou didst folly of old, | such that no one shall find In the whole world of men | a match for such madness. Now this that of late | we learned hast thou added, Great evil hast grasped, | and thine own death feast made."

Atli spake:

Stanza 82"With fire shall they burn thee, | and first shall they stone thee, So then hast thou earned | what thou ever hast sought for."

Guthrun spake:

"Such woes for thyself | shalt thou say in the morning, From a finer death I | to another light fare."

Stanza 83Together they sat | and full grim were their thoughts, Unfriendly their words, | and no joy either found; In Hniflung grew hatred, | great plans did he have, To Guthrun his anger | against Atli was told.

Stanza 84To her heart came ever | the fate of Hogni, She told him 'twere well | if he vengeance should win; So was Atli slain,-- | 'twas not slow to await,-- Hogni's son slew him, | and Guthrun herself.

Stanza 85Then the warrior spake, | as from slumber he wakened, Soon he knew for his wounds | would the bandage do nought: "Now the truth shalt thou say: | who has slain Buthli's son? Full sore am I smitten, | nor hope can I see."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 86"Ne'er her deed from thee hides | the daughter of Grimhild, I own to the guilt | that is ending thy life, And the son of Hogni; | 'tis so thy wounds bleed."

Atli spake:

"To murder hast thou fared, | though foul it must seem; Ill thy friend to betray | who trusted thee well.

Stanza 87"Not glad went I hence | thy hand to seek, Guthrun, In thy widowhood famed, | but haughty men found thee; My belief did not lie, | as now we have learned; I brought thee home hither, | and a host of men with us.

Stanza 88"Most noble was all | when of old we journeyed, Great honor did we have | of heroes full worthy; Of cattle had we plenty, | and greatly we prospered, Mighty was our wealth, | and many received it.

Stanza 89"To the famed one as bride-gift | I gave jewels fair, I gave thirty slaves, | and handmaidens seven; There was honor in such gifts, | yet the silver was greater.

Stanza 90"But all to thee was | as if nought it were worth, While the land lay before thee | that Buthli had left me; Thou in secret didst work | so the treasure I won not; My mother full oft | to sit weeping didst make, No wedded joy found I | in fullness of heart."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 91"Thou liest now, Atli, | though little I heed it; If I seldom was kindly, | full cruel wast thou; Ye brothers fought young, | quarrels brought you to battle, And half went to hell | of the sons of thy house, And all was destroyed | that should e'er have done good.

Stanza 92"My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East.

Stanza 93"First the king did we slay, | and the land we seized, The princes did us service, | for such was their fear; From the forest we called | them we fain would have guiltless, And rich made we many | who of all were bereft.

Stanza 94"Slain was the Hun-king, | soon happiness vanished, In her grief the widow | so young sat weeping; Yet worse seemed the sorrow | to seek Atli's house, A hero was my husband, | and hard was his loss.

Stanza 95"From the Thing thou camst never, | for thus have we heard, Having won in thy quarrels, | or warriors smitten; Full yielding thou wast, | never firm was thy will, In silence didst suffer, | . . . . .

Atli spake:

Stanza 96"Thou liest now, Guthrun, | but little of good Will it bring to either, | for all have we lost; But, Guthrun, yet once | be thou kindly of will, For the honor of both, | when forth I am home."

Guthrun spake:

Stanza 97"A ship will I buy, | and a bright-hued coffin, I will wax well the shroud | to wind round thy body, For all will I care | as if dear were we ever."

Stanza 98Then did Atli die, | and his heirs' grief doubled; The high-born one did | as to him she had promised; Then sought Guthrun the wise | to go to her death, But for days did she wait, | and 'twas long ere she died.

Stanza 99Full happy shall he be | who such offspring has, Or children so gallant, | as Gjuki begot; Forever shall live, | and in lands far and wide, Their valor heroic | wherever men hear it.