The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

IV

FŒDDR SIGURÐR

(Sigurd Born)

1

Alone dwelt Sigmund

his land ruling;

cold was his bower,

queenless, childless.

In songs he heard

of sweetest maiden,

of Sigrlinn’s beauty,

Sváfnir’s daughter.

2

Old was Sigmund,

as an oak gnarléd;

his beard was grey

as bark of ash.

Young was Sigrlinn

and yellow-gleaming

her locks hung long

on lissom shoulder.

3

Seven sons of kings

sued the maiden:

Sigmund took her;

sails were hoisted.

The Völsung land

they viewed afar,

the windy cliffs,

the waves foaming.

Sigmund

4

‘Say me, Sigrlinn,

sweeter were it

young king to wed

and yellow-bearded,

or wife of a Völsung,

the World’s chosen

in my bed to bear,

bride of Ódin?’

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Sigrlinn

5

‘What sails be these

in the seas shining? –

the shields are scarlet,

ships uncounted.’

Sigmund

‘Seven sons of kings

seeking welcome!

Grímnir’s gift shall

gladly meet them!’

6

High sang the horns,

helms were gleaming,

shafts were shaken,

shields them answered.

Vikings’ standards,

Völsung’s banner

on strand were streaming;

stern the onslaught.

7

Old was Sigmund

as the oak gnarléd;

his sword swung he

smoking redly.

Fate him fended

fearless striding

with dew of battle

dyed to shoulder.

8

A warrior strange,

one-eyed, awful,

strode and stayed him

standing silent,

huge and hoary

and hooded darkly.

The sword of Sigmund

sang before him.

9

His spear he raised:

sprang asunder

the sword of Grímnir,

singing splintered.

The king is fallen

cloven-breasted;

lords lie round him;

the land darkens.

10

Men were moaning,

the moon sinking.

Sigrlinn sought him,

sadly raised him:

Sigrlinn

‘Hope of healing

for thy hurts I bring,

my lord beloved,

last of Völsungs.’

Sigmund

11

‘From wanhope many

have been won to life,

yet healing I ask not.

Hope is needless.

Ódin calls me

at the end of days.

Here lies not lost

the last Völsung!

12

Thy womb shall wax

with the World’s chosen,

serpent-slayer,

seed of Ódin.

Till ages end

all shall name him

chief of chieftains,

changeless glory.

13

Of Grímnir’s gift

guard the fragments;

of the shards shall be shaped

a shining blade.

Too soon shall I see

Sigurd bear it

to glad Valhöll

greeting Ódin.’

14

Cold came morning

o’er the king lifeless

and woeful Sigrlinn

her watch keeping.

Ships came sailing

to the shore crowding,

rovers northern

to the red beaches

15

The bride of Sigmund

as a bondwoman

over sounding seas

sadly journeyed.

Wild blew the winds,

waves them lifted;

she viewed afar

the Völsung land.

16

Wind was wailing,

waves were crying,

Sigrlinn sorrowful,

when a son she bore.

Sigurd golden

as a sun shining,

forth came he fair

in a far country.

Woman

17

‘O woman woeful

in war taken,

who was thy husband

while his house lasted?

What father begot

such fair offspring? –

grey steel glitters

in his gleaming eyes.’

Sigrlinn

18

‘The sire of Sigurd

Sigmund Völsung;

Seed of Ódin

songs shall call him.’

Woman

‘Fair shall be fostered

that father’s child;

his mother be mated

to a mighty king.’

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