The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

VI

BRYNHILDR

Here is told of the awakening of Brynhild by Sigurd. Doomed by Ódin to go no longer to warfare but to wed, she has vowed to wed only the greatest of all warriors, the World’s chosen. Sigurd and Brynhild plight their troth, amid great joy, although of her wisdom she foresees that great perils beset Sigurd’s path. They depart together, but the pride of Brynhild causes her to bid Sigurd depart and come back to her only when he has won all men’s honour, and a kingdom.

1

Ever wide and wild

the wandering path;

long lay the shadow

of lone rider.

Ever high and high

stood Hindarfell,

mountain mighty

from mist rising.

2

A fire at crown,

fence of lightning,

high to heavenward

hissed and wavered.

Greyfell Grani,

glory seeking,

leaped the lightning

lightning-sinewed.

3

A wall saw Sigurd

of woven shields,

a standard streaming

striped with silver;

a man there war-clad,

mailclad, lying,

with sword beside him,

sleeping deadly.

4

The helm he lifted:

hair fell shining,

a woman lay there

wound in slumber;

fast her corslet

as on flesh growing –

the gleaming links,

Gram there clave them.

*

Brynhild awakening

5

‘Hail! O Daylight

and Day’s children!

Hail, Night and Noon

and Northern Star!

Hail, Kingly Gods,

Queens of Ásgard!

Hail, Earth’s bosom

all-abounding!

6

Hands of healing,

hear and grant us,

light in darkness,

life and wisdom;

to both give triumph,

truth unfailing,

to both in gladness

glorious meeting!’

*

Brynhild

7

‘Brynhild greets thee,

O brave and fair!

What prince hath pierced

my pale fetters?’

Sigurd

‘A man fatherless,

yet man-begotten,

here red from battle

raven-haunted.’

Brynhild

8

‘Ódin bound me,

Ódin’s chosen;

no more to battle,

to mate doomed me.

An oath I uttered

for ever lasting,

to wed but one,

the World’s chosen.’

Sigurd

9

‘In the halls of Ódin

it were hard to choose

man there mightiest,

most renownéd.’

Brynhild

‘Yet one they wait for,

in wide Valhöll,

the serpent-slayer,

seed of Ódin.’

Sigurd

10

‘Seed of Ódin

is Sigmund’s child,

and Sigurd’s sword

is serpent’s bane.’

Brynhild

‘Hail, son of Sigmund,

seed of Völsung!

Warriors wait for thee

in wide Valhöll.’

Sigurd

11

‘Hail, bright and splendid!

Hail, battle-maiden,

bride of Völsung

Brynhild chosen!’

Troth in triumph

twain there plighted

alone on mountain;

light was round them.

Brynhild

12

‘A beaker I bring thee,

O battle-wielder,

mighty-blended

mead of glory,

brimmed with bounty,

blessed with healing,

and rimmed with runes

of running laughter.’

Sigurd

13

‘I drink, all daring:

doom or glory;

drink of splendour

dear the bearer!’

Brynhild

‘Dear the drinker!

Doom and glory

both me bodeth,

thou bright and fair!’

Sigurd

14

‘I flee nor flinch,

though fey standing,

words of wisdom,

woe, or gladness.’

Brynhild

‘Words of wisdom

warning darkly

hear thou and hold,

hope of Ódin!

15

Be slow to vengeance,

seed of Völsung!

In swearing soothfast,

the sworn holding.

Grim grow the boughs

in guile rooted;

fair flowers the tree

in faith planted!

16

Where the witch-hearted

walks or houses

linger not, lodge not,

though lone the road!

Though beauty blindeth

bright as morning,

let no daughter of kings

thy dreams master!

17

Hail, Sigmund’s son!

Swift thy glory,

yet a cloud meseems

creepeth nigh thee.

Long life, I fear,

lies not before thee,

but strife and storm

stand there darkly.’

Sigurd

18

‘Hail, Brynhild wise!

Bright thy splendour

though fate be strong

to find its end.

Faith ever will I hold

firm, unyielding,

though strife and storm

stand about me.’

19

Faith then they vowed

fast, unyielding,

there each to each

in oaths binding.

Bliss there was born

when Brynhild woke;

yet fate is strong

to find its end.

*

20

Ever wild and wide

the wandering paths;

on roads shining

went riders two.

High towered the helm;

hair flowed in wind;

mail glinted bright

on mountain dark.

Brynhild

21

‘Here, Sigmund’s son,

swift and fearless,

is our way’s parting,

to woe or joy.

Here, lord, I leave thee,

to my land turning;

hence Grani bears thee

glory seeking.’

Sigurd

22

‘Why, Brynhild wise,

bride of Völsung,

when at one are the riders

do our ways sunder?’

Brynhild

‘I was queen of yore,

and a king shall wed.

Lands lie before thee –

thy lordship win!’

23

To her land she turned

lonely shining;

green ran the roads

that Grani strode.

To her land she came,

long the waiting;

in Gjúki’s house

glad the singing.

*