The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

VIII

SVIKIN BRYNHILDR

(Brynhild Betrayed)

1

Brynhild abode

a blossomed summer,

homing harvest,

hoary winter.

A year followed year;

yearning seized her:

the king came not;

cold weighed her heart.

2

Of her wealth and splendour

wide spread the word;

kings came riding,

her courts thronging.

Her mood was troubled,

her mind darkened;

fell greeting found they,

and few returned.

3

One armed and mantled

as ancient king

wild steed there rode

than wind fleeter.

Spear upholding

spiked with lightning

her hall he entered,

hailed her darkly:

King

4

‘Bond unbroken

shall be bounden oath,

dreed and endured

be doom appointed.

Brynhild full soon

shall bridal drink;

choosing not the slain,

shall choose the living.

5

Brynhild must drink

the bridal feast,

ere winters two

o’er the world be passed.

A queen thou wert,

a king shalt wed:

Ódin dooms it;

Ódin hearken!’

6

Fire forth blossomed,

flames were kindled,

high up-leaping

hissed and wavered.

In hall standing

hedged with lightning,

‘one only’, thought she

‘can enter now!’

*

7

In Gjúki’s house

glad the singing.

A feast they fashioned,

far men sought it.

To blissful Gudrún

the bridal drank

there golden Sigurd

glorious shining.

8

Morning woke with mirth,

merry came evening;

harp-strings were plucked

by hands of cunning;

mead poured and ale,

men were joyful,

of peerless kings

praise uplifting.

9

Oaths swore Sigurd

for ever lasting,

a bond of brotherhood

in blood mingled,

help in venture,

in hate and battle,

in need and desire,

nowhere failing.

10

Gunnar and Högni

gladly swore it,

as Grímhild counselled

grey with wisdom.

Gunnar and Högni

good they deemed it;

glad was Gudrún

gleaming-lovely.

11

Gudrún walked in joy,

gladness round her;

mornings came with mirth,

mirth at sleeping.

Sigurd dwelt as king

sweet days and nights;

high hope he had,

yet in heart a shadow.

*

12

Wide went the word

of woman mighty,

of Brynhild queen

bright in splendour.

Grímhild hearkened,

grimly pondered,

of Gunnar thinking

and of Gjúki’s power.

Grímhild

13

‘Hail, Gjúki’s son!

Good go with thee!

Fair flowers thy state,

thy fame riseth.

Who could woo as he wills,

a wife yet lacketh,

though his might few match,

or might of friends.’

Gunnar

14

‘Lo! Gjúkings’ mother

grey in counsel,

what wife shall Gunnar

woo or look for?

Fairest must be woman,

of fame mightiest,

that Gunnar seeketh

his gold dealing.’

Grímhild

15

‘Of the one fairest

fame is rumoured:

Brynhild the queen

bright in splendour.

Wide walks the word

of her wealth and might;

though high nor humble

her halls enter.’

Gunnar

16

‘Proud and peerless

in peril woven,

a queen would she be,

our courts’ glory!

Gunnar Gjúki’s son

glory seeking

at thy rede shall ride

to her realm afar.’

Grímhild

17

‘The son of Sigmund

thy sister holds,

Sigurd the mighty

is thy sworn brother.

At right hand in aid

he shall ride with thee;

counsels potent

shall my cunning find you.’

*

18

Gunnar rode Goti,

on Grani Sigurd,

Högni Hölkvir,

horse night-swarthy.

Steeds were striding,

stonefire glinting,

high wind rushing

over helm and mane.

19

Over fell and lowland

and forest gloomy,

over rocks and rivers

their roads led them.

Golden gables

gleaming saw they;

a light was lifted

o’er the land afar.

20

Fire forth blossomed,

flames up-leaping,

trees of lightning

twisted branching.

Gunnar smote Goti:

the ground spurning

he reared him backward,

nor rowel heeded.

21

Sigurd unsmiling

silent waited,

in his shrouded heart

a shadow deepened:

Sigurd

‘For what waits Gunnar,

Gjúking fearless?

Here the queen dwelleth

that our quest seeketh!’

Gunnar

22

‘A boon grant me,

O blood-brother!

Goti will not bear me,

now Grani lend me!’

Gunnar smote Grani:

on the ground moveless

grey-hewn he stood

as of graven stone.

23

Gunnar rode not

the glittering flame.

Oaths swore Sigurd,

all fulfilled them.

In hope or hate

help unfailing,

he Grímhild’s counsel

grim refused not.

24

Counsels potent

had her cunning furnished

of chill enchantment

and changing spell.

In Gunnar’s likeness

on Grani leaped he;

gold spurs glinted,

Gram was brandished.

25

The earth shivered;

angry roaring

fire flaming-tongued

flashed heavenward.

With sword smitten

snorting leaped he,

Grani greyfell;

the ground trembled.

26

The fire flickered;

flame wavered,

sank to silence

slaked and fading.

Swart lay the shadow

of Sigurd riding

in helm of terror

high and looming.

27

Sigurd stood there

on sword leaning;

Brynhild waited

a blade holding.

There helméd maiden

of helméd king

name demanded:

night fell round them.

Sigurd

28

‘Gunnar Gjúki’s son

greets and hails thee.

As my queen shalt thou ride

my quest fulfilling.’

As on swaying seas

a swan glimmering

sat she sore troubled

seeking counsel:

Brynhild

29

‘What shall I answer

in hour o’ershadowed,

Gunnar, Gunnar,

with gleaming eyes?’

Sigurd

‘Redgolden rings,

Rhineland treasure,

mighty brideprice

shall be meted thee!’

Brynhild

30

‘Gunnar, speak not

of golden rings!

Swords were me dearer

to slay my loves.

Art thou all men’s master,

all surpassing? –

to only such

will I answer give.’

Sigurd

31

‘Yea, swords hast thou reddened,

swords yet shalt wield;

and oaths hast thou sworn,

and oaths shalt keep.

Thy wall is ridden,

thy wavering fire:

thou art doomed him to wed

who dared to pass.’

32

In a bed them laid

Brynhild, Sigurd;

a sword them sundered

set there naked.

Gram lay between

gleaming sheathless,

fate lay between

forged unyielding.

33

Dawn came on earth,

day grew round them.

From

sleeping finger

he slipped her

ring

,

and Andvari’s gold,

old, enchanted,

on Brynhild’s hand

bound in token.

Sigurd

34

‘Wake thou! wake thou!

Wide is daylight.

I ride to my realm

to array the feast.’

Brynhild

‘Gunnar, Gunnar,

with gleaming eyes,

on day appointed

I shall drink with thee.’

*