The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

II

SIGNÝ

Rerir was the son of the son of Ódin. After him reigned Völsung, to whom Ódin gave a Valkyrie as wife. Sigmund and Signý were their eldest children and twins. They had nine sons beside. Sigmund was of all men the most valiant, unless his sons be named. Signý was fair and wise and foresighted. She was given unwilling and against her foreboding to Siggeir king of Gautland, for the strengthening of the power of King Völsung. Here is told how hate grew between Gauts and Völsungs, and of the slaying of Völsung. The ten brothers of Signý were set in fetters in the forest and all perished save Sigmund. Long time he dwelt in a cave in the guise of a dwarvish smith. By Signý was a fierce vengeance devised and fulfilled.

1

On the coasts of the North

was king renowned

Rerir sea-roving,

the raven’s lord.

Shield-hung his ships,

unsheathed his sword;

his sire of old

was son of Ódin.

2

Him Völsung followed

valiant-hearted,

child of longing,

chosen of Ódin.

Valkyrie fair

did Völsung wed,

Ódin’s maiden,

Ódin’s chosen.

3

Sigmund and Signý,

a son and daughter,

she bare at a birth

in his builded halls.

High rose their roofs,

huge their timbers,

and wide the walls

of wood carven.

4

A tree there towered

tall and branching,

that house upholding,

the hall’s wonder;

its leaves their hangings,

its limbs rafters,

its mighty bole

in the midst standing.

*

Völsung

5

‘What sails be these

in the seas shining?

What ships be those

with shields golden?’

Signý

‘Gautland’s banners

gilt and silver

Gautland’s greeting

grievous bearing.’

Völsung

6

‘Wherefore grievous?

Are guests hateful?

Gautland’s master

glorious reigneth.’

Signý

‘For Gautland’s master

glory endeth;

grief is fated

for Gautland’s queen.’

7

Birds sang blithely

o’er board and hearth,

bold men and brave

on benches sitting.

Mailclad, mighty,

his message spake there

a Gautish lord

gleaming-harnessed.

Gaut

8

‘Siggeir sent me

swiftly steering:

fame of Völsung

far is rumoured.

Signý’s beauty,

Signý’s wisdom,

to his bed he wooeth,

bride most lovely.’

Völsung

9

‘What saith Sigmund?

Shall his sister go

with lord so mighty

league to bind us?’

Sigmund

‘With lord so mighty

league and kinship

let us bind, and grant him

bride most lovely!’

10

Ere summer faded

sails came shining,

ships came shoreward

with shields gleaming.

Many and mighty

mailclad warriors

to the seats of Völsung

with Siggeir strode.

11

Birds sang blissful

over boards laden,

over Signý pale,

Siggeir eager.

Dark wine they drank,

doughty princes,

Gautland’s chieftains;

glad their voices.

12

Wan

night cometh;

wind ariseth;

doors are opened,

the din is silenced.

A man there enters,

mantled darkly,

hoary-bearded,

huge and ancient.

13

A sword he sweeps

from swathing cloak,

into standing stem

stabs it swiftly:

Grímnir

‘Who dares to draw,

doom unfearing,

the gift of Grímnir

gleaming deadly?’

14

Doors clanged backward;

din was wakened;

men leapt forward

mighty-handed.

Gaut and Völsung

glory seeking

strove they starkly,

straining vainly.

15

Sigmund latest

seized it lightly,

the blade from bole

brandished flaming.

Siggeir yearning

on that sword gazing

red gold offered,

ransom kingly.

Sigmund

16

‘Though seas of silver

and sands of gold

thou bade in barter,

thy boon were vain!

To my hand made,

for me destined,

I sell no sword

to Siggeir ever.’

*

Signý

17

‘My heart is heavy

my home leaving!

Signý’s wisdom

Signý burdens.

From this wedding waketh

woe and evil –

break, sire, the bonds

thou hast bound me in!’

Völsung

18

‘Woe and evil

are woman’s boding!

Fate none can flee.

Faith man can hold.

Ships await thee!

Shame to sunder

the bridal bed,

the bounden word.

Signý

19

‘Sigmund, farewell!

Siggeir calls me.

Weak might hath woman

for wisdom’s load.

Last night I lay

where loath me was;

with less liking

I may lay me yet.’

20

‘Hail! toft and Tree,

timbers carven!

Maid here was once

who is mournful queen.’

Wild blew the wind

waves white-crested.

On land of Völsung

she looked no more.

*

21

A ship came shining

to shores foaming,

gloomy Gautland’s

guarded havens.

Sigmund lordly,

sire and kindred,

to fair feasting

fearless journeyed.

Signý

22

‘Father Völsung,

fairest kinsman!

Back my brethren!

This beach tread not!

A bitter drinking,

baleful meeting,

swords hath Siggeir

set to greet you.’

23

With thousand thanes,

thronging spearmen,

his guests welcomed

Gautland’s master.

Ten times Völsung

towering wrathful

casque and corslet

clove asunder.

24

Through and through them

thrice went Sigmund;

as grass in Gautland

grimly mowed them.

His shield he shed:

with shining sword

smoking redly

slew two-handed.

*

25

Black the raven

by the body croaketh,

bare are Völsung’s

bones once mighty.

In bonds the brethren

are bound living;

Siggeir smileth,

Signý weeps not.

Signý

26

‘Sweet still is sight

while see one may!

A boon, my husband –

bid men linger!

Slay not swiftly

seed of Völsung!

For death is lasting,

though the doom tarry.’

Siggeir

27

‘Wild and witless

words of Signý,

that pain and torment

plead for kindred!

Glad will I grant it,

grimly bind them

in the forest fettered,

faint and hungry.’

28

In the forest fettered,

faint and naked,

her ten brethren

torment suffered.

There one by one

a wolf rent them;

by night after night

another sought she.

Signý

29

‘What found ye in the forest,

my fair servants?’

Servants

‘Nine brothers’ bones

under night gleaming;

yet were shackles broken,

she-wolf lying

torn and tongueless

by the tree riven.’

*

Signý

30

‘Who hath deeply delved

this dark cavern?

Dwarvish master,

thy doors open!’

Sigmund

‘Who knocks at night

at nameless doors?

In may enter

elvish maiden!’

31

Brother and sister

in a bed lying,

brief love, bitter,

blent with loathing!

Answer, earth-dweller –

in thy arms who lies,

chill, enchanted,

changed, elfshapen?

32

Back went Signý

to Siggeir’s hall,

nine months brooding

no word speaking.

Wolves were wailing,

her women shuddering,

Signý silent,

when a son she bore.

*

Sigmund

33

‘Who calls so clear

at cavern’s doorway,

fords so fearless

the foaming stream?

Fair one, thy father

thy face gave not!

What bringest bound

in bast folded?’

Sinfjötli

34

‘My face is Völsung’s,

father of Signý.

Signý sent me

a sword bearing.

Long years it lay

on the lap of Siggeir;

Sigmund drew it,

since hath no man.’

35

Thus son of Signý

came Sinfjötli,

to vengeance bred

of Völsung slain.

In the forest faring

far in warfare

long they laboured,

long they waited.

36

Wide they wandered

wolvish-coated,

men they murdered,

men they plundered.

Daylong slept they

in dark cavern

after dreadful deeds

of death in Gautland.

37

Moon was shining,

men were singing,

Siggeir sitting

in his sounding hall.

Völsung vanquished

voices chanted;

wolves came howling

wild and dreadful.

38

Doors were opened,

din fell silent.

Gautar

‘Eyes we see there

like eager fire!

wolves have entered,

watchmen slaying!

Flames are round us

fire-encircled.’

39

Sigmund stood there

his sword wielding,

and Signý’s son

at his side laughing.

Sigmund &Sinfjötli

‘Pass may no man,

prince nor servant!

In pain shall perish

pride of Siggeir.’

Sigmund

40

‘Come forth, Signý,

sister fairest!

Gautland’s glory

grimly endeth.

Glad the greeting,

grief is over;

avenged is Völsung

valiant-hearted!’

Signý

41

(Sigmund’s sister

Signý answered:)

‘Son Sinfjötli,

Sigmund father!

Signý comes not,

Siggeir calls her.

Where I lay unwilling

I now lay me glad;

I lived in loathing,

now lief I die.’

*