"Frétt 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."

"There 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."

"Sköp 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."

"Fate 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."

"Horsk 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."

"Wise 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."

"Rúnar 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."

"Runes 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."

"Ölværir 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."

"They 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."

"Kom 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."

"Forth 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."

"Buðu 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."

"Then 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."

"Báru mjöð mærar,

margs var alls beini;

fór þar fjölð horna,

unz þótti fulldrukkit."

"Then 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."

"Hjú 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."

"Wise 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."

"Sæing fóru síðan

sína þau Högni;

dreymði dróttláta,

dulði þess vætki,

sagði horsk hilmi,

þegars hon réð vakna:"

"Full 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:"

"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."

"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."

"Eitt 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."

"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."

Högni kvað:

"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."

Hogni spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Kostbera spake:

"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."

"Blæju hugða ek þína

brenna í eldi,

hryti hár logi

hús mín í gögnum."

"Thy bed-covering saw I

in the flames burning,

And the fire burst high

through the walls of my home."

Högni kvað:

"Liggja hér línklæði,

þau er lítt rækið,

þau munu brátt brenna,

þau er þú blæju sátt."

Hogni spake:

"Yon garment of linen

lies little of worth,

It will soon be burned,

so thou sawest the bed-cover."

Kostbera kvað:

"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."

Kostbera spake:

"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."

Högni kvað:

"Veðr mun þar vaxa,

verða ótt snemma,

hvítabjörn hugðir,

þar mun hregg austan."

Hogni spake:

"Now a storm is brewing,

and wild it grows swiftly,

A dream of an ice-bear

means a gale from the east."

Kostbera kvað:

"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."

Kostbera spake:

"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."

Högni kvað:

"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."

Hogni spake:

"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."

"Vöknuðu vel borin,

var þar sams dæmi,

gettisk þess Glaumvör,

at væri grand svefna

********* við Gunnarr

at fáa tvær leiðir."

"The high-born ones wakened,

and like speech they had,

Then did Glaumvor tell

how in terror she dreamed,

*********

********* Gunnar

two roads they should go."

Glaumvör kvað:

"Görvan hugða ek þér galga,

gengir þú at hanga,

æti þik ormar,

yrða ek þik kvikvan,

gerðisk rök ragna;

ráð þú, hvat þat væri."

Glaumvor spake:

"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."

Gunnarr kvað:

"*********"

*********

Glaumvör kvað:

"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."

"A sword drawn bloody

from thy garments I saw,

Such a dream is hard

to a husband to tell,

A spear stood, methought,

through thy body thrust,

And at head and feet

the wolves were howling."

Gunnarr kvað:

"Rakkar þar renna,

ráðask mjök geyja,

oft verðr glaumr hunda

fyr geira flaugun."

Gunnar spake:

"The hounds are running,

loud their barking is heard,

Oft hounds' clamor follows

the flying of spears."

Glaumvör kvað:

"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."

Glaumvor spake:

"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."

Gunnarr kvað:

"*********"

Gunnar spake:

*********

Glaumvör kvað:

"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."

Glaumvor spake:

"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."

Gunnarr kvað:

"Seinat er at segja,

svá er nú ráðit;

forumk-a för þó,

alls þó ar fara ætlat;

margt er mjök glíkligt,

at mynim skammæir."

Gunnar spake:

"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."

"Litu 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."

"Then 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.

Snævar 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."

"Fóru fagrbúnar,

unz þau fjörðr skilði;

löttu ávallt ljósar,

létu-at heldr segjask."

"The fair-decked ones followed,

till the fjord divided them,

Full hard did they plead,

but the others would hear not."

"Glaumvör 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."

"Then 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."

"Sór þá Vingi,

sér réð hann lítt eira:

Eigi hann jötnar,

ef hann at yðr lygi,

galgi görvallan,

ef hann á grið hygði."

"Then 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."

"Bera kvað at orði,

blíð í hug sínum:

Sigli þér sælir

ok sigr árnið;

fari sem ek fyr mælik,

fæst eigi því níta."

"Then 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."

"Högni svaraði,

hugði gótt nánum:

Huggizk it, horskar,

hvégi er þat gervisk;

mæla þat margir,

missir þó stórum,

mörgum ræðr litlu,

hvé verðr leiddr heiman."

"Then 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."

"Sásk til síðan,

áðr í sundr hyrfi,

þá hygg ek sköp skiptu,

skilðusk vegir þeira."

"They tenderly looked

till each turned on his way,

Then with changing fate

were their farings divided."

"Róa námu ríki,

rifu kjöl halfan,

beystu bakföllum,

brugðusk heldr reiðir,

hömlur slitnuðu,

háir brotnuðu,

gerðu-t far festa,

áðr þeir frá hyrfi."

"Full 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."

"Litlu ok lengra,

— lok mun ek þess segja —,

bæ sá þeir standa,

er Buðli átti;

hátt hriktu grindr,

er Högni kníði."

"Not 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;"

"Orð 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."

Vingi spake then a word

that were better unsaid:

"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."

"Orð 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."

Then 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."

"Hrundu þeir Vinga

ok í hel drápu,

öxar at lögðu,

meðan í önd hixti."

"Then Vingi did they smite,

and they sent him to hell,

With their axes they clove him

while the death rattle came."

"Flykkðusk 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."

"Atli summoned his men,

in mail-coats they hastened,

All ready they came,

and between was the courtyard.

Then came they to words,

and full wrathful they were:

Long since did we plan

how soon we might slay you."

"Á sér þat illa,

ef höfðuð áðr ráðit,

en eruð óbúnir,

ok höfum einn felldan,

lamðan til heljar,

liðs var sá yðvars."

Hogni spake:

"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."

"Óðir þá urðu,

er þat orð heyrðu,

forðuðu fingrum

ok fengu í snæri,

skutu skarpliga

ok skjöldum hlífðusk."

"Then 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."

"Inn kom þá andspilli,

hvat úti drýgðu,

halir fyr höllu,

heyrðu þræl segja."

"In the house came the word

how the heroes without

Fought in front of the hall;

they heard a thrall tell it."

"Ötul var þá Guðrún,

er hon ekka heyrði,

hlaðin halsmenjum,

hreytti hon þeim gervöllum,

slöngði svá silfri,

at í sundr hrutu baugar."

"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.)"

"Út 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:"

"Then 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."

"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."

"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."

"Sá 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."

"Then 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."

"Dóttir lét Gjúka

drengi tvá hníga,

bróður hjó hon Atla,

bera varð þann síðan,

skapði hon svá skæru,

skelldi fót undan."

"Then 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;)"

"Annan réð hon höggva,

svá at sá upp reis-at,

í helju hon þann hafði,

þeygi henni hendr skulfu."

"Another she smote

so that never he stood,

To hell did she send him,

her hands trembled never."

"Þjörku 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."

"Full 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."

"Morgin 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."

"All 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."

"Röskr 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."

"Then 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."

"Bæðr várum fimm,

er Buðla misstum;

hefir nú Hel halfa,

en höggnir tveir liggja."

"There were five of us brothers

when Buthli we lost,

Now Hel has the half,

and two smitten lie here;"

"Mægð 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."

Hogni spake:

"A great kinship had I,

the truth may I hide not,

From a wife bringing slaughter

small joy could I win.

We 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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"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."

"Takið ér Högna

ok hyldið með knífi,

skerið ór hjarta,

skuluð þess görvir,

Gunnar grimmúðgan

á galga festið,

bellið því bragði,

bjóðið til ormum."

"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."

Högni kvað:

"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."

Hogni spake:

"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."

"Beiti 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."

Then 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."

"Hræddr 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."

Afraid 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."

"Tóku 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."

"They 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."

"Gættisk 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?"

Then 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?"

"Þrifu 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."

"Then 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."

"Harpu tók Gunnarr,

hrærði ilkvistum,

sláa hann svá kunni,

at snótir grétu,

klukku þeir karlar,

er kunnu görst heyra;

ríkri ráð sagði;

raftar sundr brustu."

"A 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."

"Dó þá dýrir,

dags var heldr snemma,

létu þeir á lesti

lifa íþróttir."

"Then the heroes died

ere the day was yet come;

Their fame did they leave

ever lofty to live.

*********"

"Stórr 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."

Full 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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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."

"Alin 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."

"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."

"Kostum 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."

"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."

"Gnótt 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."

"Full 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."

"Æxti hon öldrykkjur

at erfa bræðr sína,

samr lézk ok Atli

at sína gerva."

"The beer then she brought

for her brothers' death feast,

And a feast Atli made

for his followers dead"

"Lokit því létu,

lagat var drykkju,

sú var samkunda

við svörfun ofmikla;

ströng var stórhuguð,

stríddi hon ætt Buðla,

vildi hon ver sínum

vinna ofrhefndir."

"No more did they speak,

the mead was made ready,

Soon the men were gathered

with mighty uproar.

Thus bitterly planned she,

and Buthli's race threatened,

And terrible vengeance

on her husband would take;"

"Lokkaði hon litla

ok lagði við stokki,

glúpnuðu grimmir

ok grétu þeygi,

fóru í faðm móður,

fréttu, hvat þá skyldi."

"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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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."

"Brá 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."

"Then 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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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."

"Svaf 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."

"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."

"Maga hefir þú þinna

misst, sem þú sízt skyldir,

hausa veizt þú þeira

hafða at ölskálum,

drýgða ek þér svá drykkju,

dreyra blett ek þeira."

"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."

"Tók 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."

"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."

"Barna veiztu þinna,

biðr sér fár verra;

hlut veld ek mínum,

hælumk þó ekki."

"Of thy sons now thou knowest;

few suffer more sorrow;

My guilt have I told,

fame it never shall give me."

Atli kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"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."

"Sátu samtýnis,

sendusk fárhugi,

hendusk heiftyrði,

hvártki sér unði;

heift óx Hniflungi,

hugði á stórræði,

gat fyr Guðrúnu,

at hann væri grimmr Atla."

"Together 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."

"Kómu 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."

"To 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."

"Röskr 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."

Then 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."

Guðrún kvað:

"Dylja mun þik eigi

dóttir Grímhildar,

látumk því valda,

er líðr þína æfi,

en sumu sonr Högna,

er þik sár mæða."

Guthrun spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"To murder hast thou fared,

though foul it must seem;

I'll thy friend to betray

who trusted thee well.

Not glad went I hence

thy hand to seek, Guthrun."

"Leyfð 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."

"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.

Most noble was all

when of old we journeyed."

"Margs var alls sómi

manna tíginna,

naut váru ærin,

nutum af stórum,

þar var fjölð féar,

fengu til margir."

"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."

"Mund galt ek mærri

meiðma fjölð þiggja,

þræla þría tigu,

þýjar sjau góðar,

sæmð var at slíku,

silfr var þó meira."

"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."

"Léztu 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."

Atli spake:

"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."

Guðrún kvað:

"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."

Guthrun spake:

"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."

"Þrjú várum systkin,

þóttum óvægin,

fórum af landi,

fylgðum Sigurði,

skæva vér létum,

skipi hvert várt stýrði,

örkuðum at auðnu,

unz vér austr kómum."

"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."

"Konung 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."

"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."

"Dauðr 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."

"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."

"Komt-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,

*********"

Guthrun spake:

"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 kvað:

"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."

Atli spake:

"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."

Guðrún kvað:

"Knörr mun ek kaupa

ok kistu steinda,

vexa vel blæju

at verja þitt líki,

hyggja á þörf hverja,

sem vit holl værim."

Guthrun spake:

"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."

"Nár 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."

"Then 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."

"Sæll 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."

"Full 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."