The Wayland-Dietrich Saga
The slaying of Hunding's Sons, and how Sigurd
revenged his father. (1)
With Hjalprek and Alf in seemly wise,
"Long have I been here, Lords, and much I owe
Unto ye both for the unstinted love
And honour ye have shewn me. Now would I
Leave for a time your realm to seek out those
Who slew my sire, who are called Hunding's sons,
For I would well they knew, as is full time,
That all the Volsung stock are not yet dead......
Hereunto am I fain of your good help"........
Now must I tell you, I, who tell this tale,
Was present at that time and served these Lords
Of whom I speak.......Then was I Sigurd's man,
But old King Hjalprek knew me as a lad
What time he was in Denmark with the Prince,
Sigmund, the son of Volsung......At that time
Sigmund had wicked Borghild for his wife.....
'Twas later that he took as second bride
Eylimi's daughter, Hjordis. I was then
Invited as a lad to Hjalprek's Court......
But to my tale.......The two Kings graciously
Heard Sigurd's speech, "All thou desirest, lad,
Shall now be granted thee".......Then many men
And some good warships were appointed him,
With arms and gear most carefully prepared,
That naught be lacking for King Sigmund's son.
On this adventure Hamund also went,
Sigurd's half-brother, a right goodly man.
Regin the dwarf went too; and ye shall know
I was not left behind, but served my Lord
As I was bound, but most by love constrained......
Though I was but his horse-boy at that time......
Regin, though small in stature, was well known
As a wise counsellor......A mighty man
Was he in all the councils of the Host.
His sword that he had forged for his own use
Was Refil called. Now Sigurd said to him,
"Thou dost not care to lead the host in arms,
I pray thee, Foster-father, for my sake,
Lend now thy sword to Nornaguest, my lad"........
Which Regin did, though somewhat grudgingly......
"Forget not thou thy promise, Sigmund's son,
Slay thou the Dragon when we homeward come,
Long is the hour thereto"........But Sigurd laughed,
"I'll not forget.....Scant chance thou givest me.....
What's sworn I'll do".......He gave the sword to me,
Bidding me use it well and manfully.
The Kings had built for Sigurd many ships,
And one in special larger than the rest, (2)
The keel thereof measured twelve dozen feet,
And many men worked on it ere 'twas done;
Some felling trees, some shaping the sawn wood,
Which others carried, while some hammers plied
And drove the nails, and iron rivets clinched.
The work was done with care; Alf chose a man
To make the stem and stern who was well skilled,
For stern-wright's work doth need experience......
His name was Arnor, out of Norway come....
This tale is told of how he got the post.
He was employed first on some lesser work,
But went thence to this farm for some long time,
The while we raised the bulwarks of the ship......
When he came back the bulwarks were complete.
Now that same evening Alf and Sigurd came,
And with them Arnor, to inspect the ship......
The other wrights were there, but idly stood,
Doing no work......arms folded, sullen looks
On all their faces......Alf asked angrily,
"What's wrong, my men? Why dawdle ye.....To work!"
Quoth one named Thorstein, "Where is now the good?
The ship is spoiled.......Some knave behind our backs,
While we were resting, hath walked from the stem
E'en to the stern and cut the gunwhale through
From prow to lypting." (3) Alf leapt up and looked,
"By Thor's head! It is sooth! If I but knew
Who hath thus spoiled this ship in evil mood,
Stirred by black envy may be, then in truth
That man should die though he were of my kin!"
He swore a mighty oath.....Said he, "My men,
If any here can tell who did this deed
He shall have great reward........Does no one know?"
Arnor made answer, "I can tell thee, King."
Said Alf, "Thou art the likeliest man to know,
For thou art lucky in discerning things......
But in this case what canst thou know, my friend,
Who art but just returned?" Quoth he and smiled,
"Yet none but I may tell thee, King, who did
This mischief, for 'twas I, myself!" Said Alf,
And angrily he spake...... "Art thou gone mad?
Repair the damage, making all as good
As it was once, or thou shalt lose thy life.....
Didst thou not hear me swear the knave should die
Who worked this ruin?" Arnor answered naught,
But set to work and shaped one gunwhale so
That all the cuts were quickly planed away.
Then all there said that now, without a doubt,
The ship was better shaped upon that side
Than it had been before. The King agreed,
And thanking Arnor, bade him do the same
Upon the other side. Thereafter he
Was made chief wright in charge of Sigurd's ship.
When it was finished it shone bright with gold,
From stem to stern o'erlaid with thin gilt plates;
'Twas long and broad, large timbers, gunwhales high.,
And fifty rooms (3A) had it, in each half-room
Were six good warriors, and of rowers two,
Each with his leathern bag wherein he slept.......
When the day dawned on which we should set sail,
All sought the shore.....The fleet at anchor lay,
Save for a few ships berthed close to the quay,
With gangways fore and aft stretched to the shore;
And Sigurd's vessel, which was not yet launched.
But in her shed still on the rollers lay,
With tents and all outfittings ready made,
Though not yet put aboard........Then singing all
The crew hauled Sigurd's ship adown the beach......
O'er the greased rollers ran she to the sea
And took the water. Then the gear they brought,
And laid the decks......So put in oars and tents
With full equipment and all fitting stores......
We went aboard, each man to his own post,
With merry songs and cheering we cast off.......
As the strong rowers tore their bending oars
Through the smooth water churning it to waves,
The women standing on the beach were seized
With a great wonder at their marvellous strokes.......
As the sea-horses' hooves fared on their way,
Like eagles' wings of iron appeared the oars.
Then passing through the fjord's narrow mouth
We crossed the bar, so met the open sea,
Where the foam-crested waves dashed glistening spume
Against our golden bows. We shipped the oars
And set our sail. Sigurd the great ship steered
That was called Dragon, the most glorious one
Of all our fleet and larger than the rest.
A noble vessel truly she appeared
As 'fore a side-wind she was driven on,
With sail, set lengthways, that was made of pell, (3B)
Not cloth, but velvet canvas twofold woven,
Striped purple, red, and gold: a lovely sight......
The weather vanes gleamed golden in the sun,
The dragon-heads at prow and stern upraised
Were carved in gold.......Above the water-line
The painted bulwarks red and white appeared,
Fringing the sheets of gold that cased her in,
And o'er her swelling sides were hung the shields......
Somewhat ahead of the first oar began
Their shining row, that overlapping lay
In dazzling lines like gold and silver scales.
Our fleet sailed on in pride........Sigurd had bid
That all the ships kept line in close array.
Thus all the vessels shewed their full spread sails,
As though one shining wall of varied hues.......
Red, purple, white, and green and gold and blue,
With here and there jet black.......The shield-wall glowed
Hung o'er the bulwarks, and the heads of men
In countless numbers o'er the gunwales shewed.
With a fair wind abeam we southwards sailed
Along the coast of Holstein for some days.
But then arose a mighty wind and storm,
And the whole sea surged up in mountainous waves
Around us, 'gainst us beating. With dismay
We saw the waves ran red as though with blood.
Sigurd bade no man reef the sails, although
They were to ribbands tearing.......He cried out,
"Set them yet higher; hold we steadily
Upon our course".........But three ships' lengths apart
He bade us keep the vessels.......We obeyed......
Men said, I think with reason, this fierce storm
Was raised by witchcraft, and that Hunding's sons,
Who were well skilled in magic, had stirred up
By evil means this most tempestuous sea.
Sigurd sang gaily as he steered his ship
Through the white rushing foam.....Her sharp curved beak
Drave through the boiling waters, carving out
A path through Ran's domain.......The howling wind
And roaring waves made music as he sang........
"Now the clouds lower, the white foam is flying,
The sea riseth against us, the storm birds are crying.......
Our foes raise a spell to drive us to Hell,
By witchcraft they fight us......Old Ægir doth spite us,
He wills us not well..........In teeth of this gale
I'll not brave the Sea-god........Yet reef not the sail,
But lay the ship under the lee of the shore,
There find we shelter from the waves' welter;
Carry on, my lads! Smartly, lads! Or reach land no more!"
Now must we hug the shore more closely yet,
Nor could do aught but run before that gale.
Thunder we heard, and a dense snowstorm fell,
That those in the ship's stern saw not the men
Who stood up in her bows.........Nor might we see
Our comrades' vessels for the driving foam,
The mist and snow, but fared as blinded men,
Hast'ning we knew not where......The ship gan fill
With water as the great waves washed aboard......
All hands must swiftly bale.......Quoth Hamund then,
"The man who fain would travel far doth meet
Both good and evil.......Now it seems to me
Our ill fate's top dog and will swamp us soon!"
Quoth Sigurd, shouting in the wind's teeth, "Why!
Test is it of good men!........Though, brother mine,
I grant thee surely we were more at ease
Sitting on Hjalprek's High Seat.......Yet my ship
Is the best longship that sails Northern seas,
And we have here a crew of valiant men"........
Then sang he gaily as the ship rushed on:
"Southwards we sail and the great waves upheaving (4)
Carry us onward.........The Norns sure are weaving
The threads of our fates........Look how the sea blazes!
As though one saw embers it gloweth, and dazes
Our eyes with its gleaming........The breakers roll tumbling,
Roaring and rumbling.......Their swan-crests are streaming
With foam.......The high billows now veil
Our Dragon's sharp snout.......All hands, up and bale!
'Mongst the maidens at home will be weeping and wailing
If our sea-steed now sink, if our strong arms are failing......
Yet riseth fiercer the storm thwart our path."
Said Hamund, laughing, "Thinkst thou, Sigurd, now
The maidens of the Court will weep for thee
When thou art in Ran's net dragged down and drowned,
Thy fair hair floating wide, thy ruddy lips
The prize of mermaids"? Sigurd lightly said,
"Surely that think I, brother......As for thee,
Maybe thou'lt not be missed........Look now ahead.....
Dost thou see aught? We drift too near the land.....
'Tis a right treacherous coast".......Said Hamund, "Nay,
Naught but the driving scud and drift I see".......
Then sang he in his strong and merry voice,
"Not like is this weather to fair summer pastime (5)
When pretty girls offer to thirsty men wine;
When a bright-eyed, gold-girdled, ring-wearing maiden
With loving heart proffers her sweet lips to mine......
In mine eyes the wind scurries, mine eyelids are smarting,
Throbbing and darting,
Encrusted my cheeks and my lips with salt brine;
My strong arms are failing,
I'm wearied of baling,
Would that we saw the lights of home shine!
Fain were I hailing
The maid of my heart.......No more then we'd part......
No more I'd go sailing,
In rough winter weather,
But safe hold her ever
In fond arms of mine."
Quoth Regin grumbling, "Save thy breath, my friend,
For this same baling.......Bend thy back again
Unto the oar, or verily I think
That thou and I and all this company
Will drown.....Great Ægir! In thy mercy, spare!"
He muttered, paling, as yet harder blew
The boisterous wind, and the white sea-drifts seemed
As they burst o'er the ship, like mountain peaks,
Snow-covered, falling in an avalanche
Upon the crouching crew.....Quoth Sigurd then,
"Art thou adread now, Foster-father, that
Fear sheweth in thy face, in thy faint words?
For a well-proven man that were great shame."
Quoth Regin surlily, "Nor fear nor fright
Doth move me, Foster-son........Yet it doth seem
There is small need for jesting......Most men would
Think death drew nearer to them now than life,
For we drift on at mercy of the waves".......
Quoth Hamund, "We must take our fate, good Smith,
Whate'er it be, then why not merrily?"
Then dashed a monstrous wave against the ship,
With such o'erwhelming force that it stove in
The gunwale and some portion of the bows,
Whereby four men were swept away, and flung,
Despite their clutching fingers, overboard,
So dragged below by Ran, who them devoured.
Sigurd, though mourning his dear comrades' loss,
Dauntless held on his course, and steered the ship
Yet closer to the shore, that we might gain
Precarious shelter from the storm-swept main.
Then, as we drave before the rushing blast,
And the sea howled about us, there appeared
The figure of a man on a high cliff,
A rocky ness that jutted from the land. (6)
Clad in green cloak and dark blue hose he stood,
With great boots laced up high upon his thighs,
A spear in hand. He hailed us lustily,
Calling above the clamour of the sea
And yelling of the wind, "Who now are ye,
Who Raevil's (7) horses ride o'er the high waves
And tossing ocean? Foam-decked your sea steeds,
Nor may your wave-leapers withstand this wind."
Then Regin answered, in high voice and shrill,
As Sigurd bade him......."Here fares Sigmund's son,
Sigurd the Volsung, leader of this host......
Most famed of all young heroes.......With him goes
His brother Hamund, and not least am I,
Regin, the son of Hreidmar, Master-Smith.
Now speakest thou sooth, old man......Like swaying trees
Before the tempest bow our oaken masts.......
It is a blast that bloweth straight from Hell,
And our way through these breakers leads to death
An it increaseth, for the blustering waves,
Each rushing on, do overtop our prow......
Hidden our cutwater 'neath clouds of spray,
As on the crashing, tearing rollers spring,
Foaming, unbridled, roaring, menacing;
Fierce white sea-horses dashing on their prey.....
Here 'neath the cliff's lee is a lull meseems......
Who art thou that dost ask us of our way?"
He answered, "Thy young steersman's looks agree
With all I've heard of Sigurd the King's son;
I would that ye'd let fall awhile your sail
And take me now aboard........I'd speak with him".....
Called Sigurd, putting the ship's helm down hard,
So that the ship swung round, her nose to wind,
"First let us know thy name and business, friend."
"Neckar I call myself," said he, "when I have fought
And fed the ravens, giving Hugin (8) joy.......
But know, young Volsung, thou canst name me too
The Old Man of the Mountains, Fiolnir,
Or Feng, some men do call me.......Now I ask
To fare awhile with thee, by thy goodwill."
We drew near land at Sigurd's word, and lo!
That moment the wind fell. We lowered sail,
And Sigurd bade the old man jump aboard......
As though a nimble youth he swift obeyed......
The weather bettered; a fair breeze arose,
And hoisting sail we ran before the wind.
The old man sat him down at Sigurd's feet,
And shewed himself right friendly to my Lord;
"From lips of wayfarer wouldst hear a rede?"
Said Sigurd, "Aye, that would I".......Said he low
Within mine ear, "Well think I, Nornaguest,
That this old man might give folk useful help
If he so chose.......He has a cunning look,
As though he knew some secret hid to men."
Then said he to the cloaked man at his feet,
"Tell me then, Neckar, since thou doubtless knowst
The fates of Gods and men, what in a fight
Are the best omens when the bright swords swing?"
Then Neckar sang mid roar of wind and waves:
"O many a sign is fair, if men these know (9)
When swords are swinging......
I trow a warrior may do worse than go
Where flies swart raven.
Fair too the sign if, when thou goest forth
For journey ready,
Thou seest two warriors keen on fame, allied,
Stand in thy pathway.
Or if a wolf thou hear'st howl 'neath ash tree,
Mark, fares he forward?
O'er the helmed heroes who next meet with thee,
Victory thy portion.
Let no man battling face late evening light
Of the moon's sister;
Victory is theirs who clearly see to fight
Their troop well ordering.
Greatest of dangers is it if foot slide
To battle faring,
For then stand evil trolls close at thy side
To watch thy wounding.
A wise man, washed and combed, doth break his fast
Right early in the morning,
For he knows naught where night finds him at last......
Chance makes ill lodging."
After this, fared we southwards till we came
Beyond the coast of Holstein, and so east
Unto the land ruled by King Hunding's sons,
That lies in Friesland t'wards the setting sun.
Sigurd had sire and grandsire to avenge,
But Helgi, Sigurd's brother, had first slain
King Hunding's self, and with him his three sons,
Eyjolf, Herrud and Hjörvard. Still were left
Their brethren Lyngvi, Alf and Heming, who
Of all men were most famous for their might.....
Above all Lyngvi, who his kin surpassed
In wisdom and in strength and hardiness......
They were moreover very highly skilled
In magic arts......Now many lesser Kings
Had they o'ercome, and many warriors slain;
Full many burghs had burnt, and had set war
Throughout the realms of Frankland and of Spain.....
For at the time I speak of not yet stretched
The Roman Empire northward o'er the hills;
But Hunding's sons had overrun that realm,
Jarlungaland, once by King Sigmund owned,
That lies t'wards Frankland.......So in truth were they
Right rich in land and booty. In their realm,
On the east coast of Friesland, landed we;
By Sigurd's orders leaving our good ships
Afloat in a deep creek safe under guard......
Guess how they grumbled who were left behind......
But we in our light skiffs rowed to shore,
Beaching our boats.....Then passed we through that land,
Raging with fire and sword in Northmen's way;
Nor shewed we mercy, but slew many folk,
Burning the buildings wherein they had flocked.
Some of them fled unto their King, and told
How a great army, come from Northern seas,
Had fallen on his land, and with great rage
Did furiously fare on, that ne'er before
Such ruin and destruction as they wrought
Had been heard tell of since the world began.......
Said one beneath his breath, right bitterly,
"Not all so far-seeing were Hunding's sons,
Who flattered them they had no more to fear
From Volsung kin for ever......For now comes
Young Sigurd, Sigmund's son, Lord of this host."
Then sent King Lyngvi throughout all his realm
The war-word speeding. He'd no mind to flee,
But summoned all men to him who had will
To give him aid. He gathered a great host,
So that ere long it far outnumbered ours.
Then drew King Lyngvi on against my Lord,
His brethren with him. When the two hosts met
There was a fight indeed, exceeding fierce.
O many a spear and many an arrow then
Men saw fly whizzing, hurtling through the air;
And many a battle-axe was strongly swung.....
Shields cloven, byrnies slit, hard helms shorn through.
Aye, and the brain-pans shattered......Plunging fell
Many strong men to earth........Of Hunding's sons
The bravest there was Lyngvi........Though they all
Fought gallantly that day.........But fiercer still
Was Sigurd's sharp attack........So raged the fight......
Now when it had for some long time endured,
Before the banner pressed young Sigurd on,
Gram flashing in his hand........He hewed all down
Who crossed his path, both men and steeds alike,
Fighting on foot he charged through his foes' ranks.
Grim was his mood and fierce, and thus fared he.......
Both arms to shoulders dripping red with blood......
Then men shrank back before him when they saw
Him and his thirsty blade.........Where e'er he came
They fled in fear........No helm or byrnie stood
The might of his attack. None there but deemed
That ne'er his like was seen in any war.
No lack of courage shewed my brave young Lord,
Nor had men need to call him niddering.
So for a long while lasted this hard fight,
And many fell and died. O fierce the fray
As both sides came to grips! Yet it appeared,
What seldom chances, that it naught availed
However fiercely the land force attacked,
The seafarers had much the best of it;
And none may tell how lengthy was the tale
Of those who fighting fell for Hunding's sons.
As Sigurd stood the foremost of us all,
Charging against him came his father's foes......
Sigurd struck hard 'gainst Lyngvi, who returned
His blow with a swift thrust......Long time they fought,
Exchanging many strokes in valiant wise.
Men stayed their hands awhile to watch the sight;
The battle lulled, and all there held their breath
To see that strife of heroes.......Long that fight
Endured without a wound to either man,
So skilled in arms were they.........King Lyngvi's kin
Boldly and gallantly rushed onwards then,
Slaying our folk, and some of our men fled......
Then ran to meet them Hamund, Sigmund's son,
And I too with him.......So our foes we met
In sharp encounter, but young Hjörvard turned
To aid his brother Lyngvi, hard beset.
Sigurd had pressed him close, then smiting hard,
Dashed him to earth a sorely wounded man......
His helm was shattered, and his mail-clad breast
Felt through the gold-ringed byrnie Sigurd's steel,
Who twice had smitten him; then Sigurd wheeled
To meet his brother Hjörvard. Him he shore
Clean through the waist that he fell cloven atwain.
Thus ended Sigurd's duel........Swooping down,
He knelt on Lyngvi's chest, made his arms fast
With his own shield-strap, and the wounded man
Had set in irons under a close guard......
Then Sigurd rushed to where we fought, hard pressed,
Yet holding still our own.......Now all was changed;
His strong right arm brought to us victory.
King Lyngvi's brothers Alf and Heming fell,
And many of their men.......The rest soon fled......
More would have died there, but the shades of night
Came down and hid the fugitives from sight.......
I saw old Neckar chase them with his spear,
Till in the gathering darkness he was lost.......
When morning dawned our green-cloaked guest had gone,
Nor was he seen again.......We thought in truth
He could have been none but great Odin's self......
As the sun's rays began to gild the sward,
Men gathered to discuss what death were best
And fitting for King Lyngvi to endure.
Sigurd spake not........I think 'twas in his mind
To set his captive free, hand not his sire,
And grandsire also, fallen by his hand......
Men counselled many things, all hard and dire......
Hamund had mind to test his mood with fire,
But Regin said the death he ought to die
Was that oft used for those who had slain Kings........
"Cut we the Rista-örn on his bare back.......
The Blood-eagle let Sigurd carve thereon
In memory of his father".........All there said
It was a fitting doom.......Then Lyngvi stared
Hard into Sigurd's hesitating face;
His bold eyes gleamed undaunted, firm his lips,
Nor did he quail at thought of that to come,
Though for his heavy wounds scarce might he stand,
But leant his weight on my supporting arm,
As I and Arnor held his fettered limbs,
Not roughly, but to keep him lest he fell.
He knew right well he had no chance of life,
Nor hoped for mercy, nor indeed desired......
Said he, "I'm ready, Sigurd.......Make an end.
Odin is calling me, and I am tired........
Shamed am I to be worsted by a boy".......
But Sigurd shook his head......."Not at my hand
Shalt thou now die.......I have no mind to slay
By torture him whom my blade failed to kill......
Gram was not forged to deal out shameful death.......
Wer't not I must my father's death avenge,
And pay to Odin the due sacrifice,
Thou shouldst go free, King Lyngvi, for thou art
A gallant fighter after mine own heart.
I do refuse to spill a prisoner's blood........
I am naught but a youth.......I have no skill,
Nor yet experience in slaying men
In sacrifice......In fight 'tis other thing.....
Let Regin do this deed an he so choose,
For I will not"......He flushed and turned away.....
Quoth Lyngvi hardily and laughed, "Had I
Thee, Sigmund's son, in chains as thou hast me,
I had not spared thee aught.......Do now thy worst,
And speedily, for I'm sore weary, lad.....
But bungle not too much, I beg of thee........
Yea, rather would I die at Sigurd's hands,
Though he be prentice, unused to the game,
Than by that fellow's skilful butchery,
Who is a loathsome dwarf, more ape than man,
And did, methinks, lurk in the rear today,
For I ne'er saw his ugly face till now."
Hunding's son smiled as he met Sigurd's gaze......
"Slay me then, Sigmund's son, for thine my life."
But Sigurd shook his head. "It cannot be"......
Quoth Lyngvi, laughing still, "Come! Regin, then,
And give me quittance in thy master's stead,
Who hath, it seems, beneath his coat of mail
A child's heart still..........Come! Wreak thy will on me,
Nor keep me waiting longer.......I'd be gone."
We loosed him from the fetters and drew off
His royal scarlet cloak, his golden mail,
And crimson kirtle; his white silken shirt,
Stained with the blood of a right gallant man,
We stripped from his broad shoulders, baring them;
Then bade him lie prone on the smooth green turf.
He made him ready with a manly heart,
Nor said he aught, save that he Sigurd asked
That he might die unbound.......... "No thrall am I,
Nor yet a frightened ox that must be dragged
Resisting to the shambles........Let me die
Free and unbound, that I may shew your men
How Hunding's son meets death"........The Volsung said,
"It is thy right, King Lyngvi......Be it so."
Thereat he laid him down in quiet wise
As though he fain would sleep. At Regin's nod,
I handed him his sword that I had loaned.
With it he grimly carved on Lyngvi's back,
Till he had severed from each side the spine
The ribs away, down to the loins, and thence
Drew out the lungs, that they indeed appeared
Like to a blood-red eagle's widespread wings.
Yet from the sufferer's lips no murmur came,
No man of us heard curse or cry or moan,
Naught save a long drawn sigh with his last breath.
Thus died King Lyngvi with great hardihood,
And won our praise, who were his bitter foes.
Then Regin sang with savage glee this song.......
"Now is the blood-erne with sharp biting sword
Upon the back of Sigmund's slayer scored.
Ne'er did a mightier King's son braver die,
Redd'ning the earth, to ravens satisfy."
Thus singing he took of the dead man's blood,
And sprinkling some upon the earth, he said
The mystic runes to Odin as is meet......
Thereafter on the dragon high upreared,
Carved on the prow of Sigurd's ship, he smeared
the life-blood of King Lyngvi, Hunding's son........
But Sigurd bade us take the warrior up,
Closing his eyes and nostrils.........With much care
Did we pay these last rites, and from behind
Drew near the body of that famous man,
Who in his lifetime bare an evil name
For wizardry and great unruliness;
Since we feared much his spirit should have power
To work us ill if we looked in his face.
Then we bathed his torn body with such rites
As customary are for high-born men,
And honourably laid him near the shore,
Clad as a King should be and fully armed.
Beneath his head we set his shattered sword,
And by his side his brothers' bodies laid,
So covered them with boughs of firs and pines,
And over these laid turf and also sand.
Then Sigurd bade us cast thereon great stones
To form a cairn, and honour thus the King......
He was the first to throw a covering stone........
And as he threw it these the words he sang:
"Cast we the howe for Lyngvi and his kin,
And with the dead man discord cover in.
Scat (10) unto Lyngvi, Hunding's son, I throw,
Scat to his brethren who in death lie low.
I scatter stones to honour the brave dead,
Whom when alive I counted my worst foe.
Now for my father's death is his life sped,
His body to the earth, his sword to rust......
His soul to Odin in whom was his trust!"
Great spoil we took that day, which Sigurd's men
Shared all between themselves. My Lord would not
Take any for himself, though the good gear,
Fine clothes, and weapons were worth much red gold.
On the next day my young Lord sailed for home,
Rejoicing in his splendid victory.
Rich were his men, in honour great fared he,
That he upon this fair adventure won.
When he was come within King Hjalpreks realm
Men everywhere made feasts for his return.
Not long had he been back at Hjalprek's Court
Ere Regin came to speak with him, and said,
"Maybe thou now wilt have a mind to do
According to thy plighted word, my son.
For now hast thou avenged thy father's death,
And that of other kin and friends of thine.
Now therefore keep thy promise, and cleave through
The mighty helm of Fafnir. Bow his crest
Low in the dust of death." Then Sigurd said,
"It has not failed from out my memory,
And I shall surely do as I have sworn."
Notes:
1. Völs. Saga, c. 17, Sigurthark. II. 16-26. Nornagest's Thattr, ch. 4-6.
[Back]
2. Cf. Olaf Tryg. Saga, c. 95. [Back]
3. Poop-deck. 3A. Room (rum) = sleeping-place, a division between the rowing
benches, sub-divided into half-rooms. Cf. Du Chaillu: Viking Age II. p. 147,
156, 173.3B. Flateyjarbok, II., III. Sigurd Jorsalafari, XI. Du Chaillu, II.
c. 9. [Back]
4. For Sigurd's Song; cf. Frithiof Saga. [Back]
5. Hamund's Song; cf. Frithiof Saga. [Back]
6. Völsunga Saga and Nornagest's Thattr. VI., Vols. Saga XVII., Sigurthark.
II. 16-26 (Reginsmol). [Back]
7. Raevil, a Viking. [Back]
8. Odin's Raven. [Back]
9. Sigurth. II. [Back]
10. Cf. Orkneyinga Saga, ch. 8 (scat = a land-tax). [Back]
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