The Wayland-Dietrich Saga
How Fafnir died and Regin met his end. *
And with him Regin, up to Glittering Heath,
By that same track-way where was wont to crawl
Fafnir the Dragon faring to the Pool.
Men said that thirty fathoms high the cliff
Reared its great moss-grown boulders unto Heaven,
Down which unto the water he lay stretched
When he was drinking........Sigurd mused spake,
"Saidst thou not, Regin, that this Dragon was
Not greater than a lindworm? But methinks
His spoor seems wondrous large." Then Regin said,
"Dig thou a pit and set thyself therein,
And when the Worm as wont t'wards eventide
Crawls to the water, stab him to the heart;
So give him o'er to death and win great fame.
See, for this cause a mattock I have brought."
But Sigurd asked, "How shall I save myself
When the Worm's blood doth smothering pour down?"
Quoth Regin sulkily, "Where is the use
To counsel thee if everything I say
Doth make thee frightened, Sigurd? Oh, in truth
Unlike in courage art thou to thy kin!"
Then Sigurd forward rode across the Heath,
But Regin backwards now betook himself
And crouching hid, for he was sore afraid.
Sigurd dismounted soon and set to work
To dig a hole, and as he toiled thereat,
Using the mattock Regin gave to him,
There drew near to him an old bearded man,
Like unto him who once helped choose his steed,
Who asked him what he wrought there, which when told,
Said the old carle, ´My son, a fool's rede that.....
Make rather many pits to drain the blood,
But set thyself in one.......then to the heart
Stab thou the Drake".......When Sigurd looked again
The man had vanished; but as he had bid
E'en so made Sigurd pits. Now when the Worm
Crawled from the golden Hoard towards the Pool.......
Upheaving his huge flanks as o'er the rocks,
Slowly coiling, his huge bulk he dragged.......
The ground was shaken all about the beast
As though there were an earthquake. All the way
He snorted venom forth upon the path
Before him as he went........Some part thereof
Fell down on Sigurd's helm; he shook it off.
Yet at the fearful roaring overhead
He trembled not nor feared, but bode his time.
Then when the monster dragged his mighty length
Over the hole wherein crouched Sigurd hid,
The Volsung 'neath left shoulder drave his sword
So that it sank therein up to the hilts.
When the great Dragon felt that mortal wound
He shook himself, and lashed with head and tail,
So that he brake to pieces all that lay
Around him in his reach. But Sigurd sprang
Lightly from out the pit. Swiftly he drew
The sword back to him, whereby all his arm
E'en to the shoulder was deep stained with blood......
Now the twain saw each other.....Fafnir growled,
"A boy! O boy, whose child then art thou? Say!
What is thy kin, thy father who is he?
Art thou of mortal race who thus hast dared
In Fafnir's side to redden thy bright steel?
Thy blade stood in my heart........How hast thou dared?"
But Sigurd thought he would conceal his name......
For in those days it was held likely thing
That if a dying man should learn the name
Of him who slew him, then his last gasped words
To wish him ill might well do deadly harm......
So the lad said, "Oh, Noble-Beast I'm named,
Unknown to men my kin, nor father I
Have as most mothers' sons.......I fare alone
And here have wandered lost and motherless".......
Said Fafnir groaning, writhing in his pain,
"If thou no father hast nor mother, then
Unlike art thou to sons of mortal men......
From what monstrosity canst thou be come?......
Yet though thou wilt not tell thy name to me
On this my death-day, thou dost know right well
Thou liest now." Said Sigurd at these words,
"I tell thee that my kin's unkown to thee,
As I am also........Sigurd am I called,
Sigmund my father's name, and I in arms
Have wounded thee to death." Then Fafnir groaned,
"Who egged thee on? And why wouldst thou be led
To seek my life?........O clear-eyed boy, in truth
A vigorous Sire was thine, whose unknown son
Doth miss not the short way to Fame." Said he,
"Urged by my heart was I, and I was helped
By my strong hands alone and my sharp sword.
He who in childhood sheweth a faint heart
Is seldom brave when he comes to grow old."
Said Fafnir musing, "I could understand
If thou hadst grown up 'mongst thy friends and kin
That men would see thee fight as a brave man;
But how comes it that thou who art in thrall
E'en from thy birth, a captive ta'en in war,
Dost fight like a free man, for all men know
That bondsmen timid are and quake with fear?"
Said Sigurd moved to wrath, with flashing eyes,
"Why dost thou, Fafnir, thus cast up at me
That I am far from mine own home and kin?
I am no thrall in bonds, and if I were
A pris'ner ta'en in war, methinks thou'st felt
I strike like a free man." Then Fafnir said,
"Thou thinkst that I in anger speak to thee......
Yet this one thing mayst thou take to be truth.....
The jingling gold that red as fire doth glow,
This glittering treasure bringeth naught but woe,
As I well feel who now draw my last breath;
For in these golden rings lurks bitter death.
The Hoard shall be thy bane, and that of all
Who seek to hold it."........Sigurd boldly said,
To keep their wealth unto their dying day
Are all men fain, yet that must come at last,
And every man must one day take his leave
Of Earth and fare to Hela"........Fafnir said,
"Thou wilt not heed my words, that see I well;
Nor wilt thou do save as all other fools,
Despise the counsel of the Norns.......Take heed
Lest thou sink and be drowned.......Who dares the storm
Without a sail or rudder sure is doomed"......
Said Sigurd wondering, "Fafnir, ere thou die
Tell me, for I see well thou knowest much
And art full wise, Which of the Norns be they,
Helpers in need, who come to mother's aid
In childbirth? Sure such kindly ones did watch
When I came in the world......Are there then others?"
Grim Fafnir said, "Nay, what know I or Norns?
Save that I think of divers race are they,
Who having naught in common are distinct.......
Some are of Æsir's stem, some Elfin stock,
Others are Dvalin's daughters".......Sigurd said,
"Tell me now, Fafnir, who call'st thyself wise
Of that holm where the last dread fight shall be,
When fiery Surtur's sons and Æsir mix
The dew of swords together?" Fafnir said,
"Oskopnir is it called, that place of doom
Where shall be seen the sword-play of the Gods
When cometh Ragnarok, that twilight hour
Of darkest winter, when day fades to dusk.
Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, beneath the tread
Of Surtur's hosts shall break.......In the swift stream
Horses go swimming".......Then the dying snake,
Writhing himself, did shew contorted face
Like to a man in pain.......Wandering, he moaned,
"I wore great Ægir's helm 'mongst sons of men
When I lay on my treasure guarding it.......
Aye! To all folk I shewed the Helm of Dread......
I thought that I was stronger than them all.......
Yea! I alone.........However many came."
Quoth Sigurd sternly, Ægir's helm shields not
Then on whom doom doth fall.......The Helm of Dread
Avails not against fierceness in the fight;
Whoso 'mongst many comes must one day find
That one alone may not the mightiest prove."
But Fafnir, muttering, spake unheeding him,
"Poison I spouted forth as I lay there
Guarding the goodly Hoard that was my sire's"........
Sigurd spake angrily, "O glittering Worm!
How dost thou vainly hiss........Hard is thy heart......
Grim heroes grow who wear the Helm of Might".......
Said Fafnir sullenly, "Thou has prevailed......
Be thou advised by me......Sigurd, ride hence.......
I warn thee.........Get thee home. Else the bright gold,
The jingling treasure of the flame-red rings,
Shall bring about thy death." But Sigurd said,
"Thy redes I heed not whatsoe'er they be,
For I will ride now to thy hidden lair
On this wild gloomy heath, and take the gold"......
Fafnir spake feebly, yet with a fell glare
In his fast glazing eyes uprolled to him,
"Go then......Ride hence.......Thou shalt find gold enow
To last thee all thy days, yet shall that gold
Be in the end thy bane, and bane of all
Who shall possess the Hoard for evermore.......
Now see I plainly all that late has chanced......
'Twas Regin that betrayed me to my death......
So will he do to thee.......and glad am I
That thou, as I, shalt perish at his hands.......
My death is on me......Fafnir here must lay
His life down at the feet of Sigmund's son......
Thy might is greater."............Gasping spake he now,
And lashed out with his tail in agony........
Sigurd stood upright, looking down on him,
And said undaughted, "Now would I ride home,
Leaving this wondrous wealth, if I should deem
That in the losing I should win my life
And 'scape the stroke of death......That may not be,
And every gallant and stout-hearted man
Is fain to keep his wealth till the last day......
For thee, O Fafnir, needs must thou lie there
In death pangs wallowing till Hell has thee"........
Then in that place died Fafnir grudgingly.
Thereafter Regin came slow creeping back
As Sigurd cleansed the bloodstains from his sword,
"Hail, my Lord Sigurd!" said he, "Now hast thou
Won a great victory, bringing Fafnir low,
When none aforetime dared stand thwart his path.
Bravest of all men born who roam this earth
Do I now name thee, and thy deed of fame
Shall be renowned while yet the world stands fast."
Said Sigurd smiling, "Nay, 'twere hard to tell
If all the sons of Victory thronging met,
Which were the bravest born, for many a man
Is noble-hearted though he ne'er has thrust
His sword through other's breast." But Regin stood
As though he heard him not, his eyes bent low,
And stared down at the ground for a long time.
Presently spake he in dull heavy mood,
As though from grieving heart........ "Aye, glad art thou,
Rejoicing in thy victory, Sigurd......Ah!
Gaily thou driest Gram in the long grass,
Wet with my brother's blood......Yet thou hast slain
My father's son.......Though scarcely I myself
May be called guiltless who did will the deed"......
Then Sigurd answered, "Truly, 'twas thy rede
That I should ride here o'er the Heavenly Hills......
Hadst thou not kindled me and urged me on
E'en yet the glittering Dragon had his Hoard
And life alike possessed." Then Regin went
To where dead Fafnir lay and with his sword
That was called Refil pierced him to the heart,
And drank of the red blood from out the wound.
Then said he drowsily, "I'd sleep awhile,
Do me yet one more favour, Sigurd.......Here
Kindle a fire, so sit thou while I rest,
Roasting the heart of Fafnir.......When I wake
After the blood drink I would eat the heart......
Wilt grant my boon, 'tis but a little thing?
It shall be weregeld for my brother's blood."
Said Sigurd, "When I reddened my sharp sword
In Fafnir's blood far wert thou, Regin, then......
I had to cope with the great Dragon's might
With such strength as I had, whilst thou laidst low
Out yonder in the heather, and knew not
If it were Earth or Heaven in thy fright".......
Then Regin said, "Long had the monster lain
Safe in his lair if thou hadst not the sword
Of sharpest steel that I and Mimer forged;
For without that, nor thou nor any man
To conquer Fafnir and to win the Hoard
Had e'er prevailed." But Sigurd laughing said,
"Better stout heart than even sharp sword's might
When in fierce strife a man must meet his foes.
For a brave man may well make shift to fight
And win the day however blunt his blade.
Better in sword-play gallant mood displayed
Than wretched cowardice, and better go
To meet our fate with merry cheerful heart
Than with a gloomy face to play our part."
Then Sigurd kindled soon a roaring fire
And broached the heart of Fafnir on a rod
To serve as spit, so sat and roasted it,
While Regin went apart and seemed to sleep.......
When from the heart the bubbling juice oozed forth
Sigurd thought surely that it now was cooked,
So set his finger on it thus to prove
If it were roasted well.....He burnt himself,
And to relieve the smart his finger he
Raised quickly to his lips. As his tongue touched
The Dragon's heart-blood of a sudden he
Found that his ears were opened. He could hear
And understand the voices of the birds.......
Near to him chattering in a brake he heard
The woodpeckers who seemed to speak of him......
The first one called, "See, Sigurd sitteth there
With Fafnir's blood besprinkled, and doth roast
The Dragon's heart.........Yet cleverer methinks
Were the Ring-winner an he ate the heart,
Nor gave it to another, for that meat
Should make him wisest of all sons of men"......
Another spake, "There lieth Regin, who
Is minded in his heart to now betray
The hero who doth trust him. The false Smith
Thinks to revenge his brother, in his wrath
He weaves a spell and forges evil thoughts".......
Sang the third woodpecker, "Let Sigurd crop
The grey head of the base deceiver short;
Let him fare hence to Helheim, thus shall he
Possess alone the whole of the great Hoard
That lies piled up in Fafnir's secret lair."
Then sang the fourth, "Wise would he seem to me
If he would try to understand your rede
And your true friendship for him, sisters mine;
Would he but ride now to dead Fafnir's cave
And take the wondrous treasure that lies there;
Then over Hindfell fare to seek and find
The sleeping Valkyrie......Thus would he gain
Wisdom indeed.......O wise were he in truth
If after your rede did he, of his weal
Bethinking him; for then would he foresee,
And Hugin (1) would he glut with traitor's blood."
"When wolf's ears appear, then wolf's teeth are near,
Not all so wise this warrior seems to me,"
Sang the fifth bird, "as war-leaders should be,
Who lets one brother go when he has slain
The father's son of that man".......Sang the sixth,
"Yea, unwise were he truly now to spare
One who is enemy to all mankind.
There lies base Regin who would him betray,
Yet knows he not to guard against his wiles."
The seventh sang right over Sigurd's head,
"Good rede and handy is it that we give......
If thou wouldst shorten Regin by the head,
So shouldst thou have old Jotun (2) Hreidmar's Hoard,
And be of all this treasure the sole Lord."
Then Sigurd looked at Regin where he lay,
And saw he slept not, but did mutter much
And incantations chanted 'neath his breath,
Cursing the Volsung privily and low.
Quoth Sigurd to himself, "Ne'er come that day,
But perish rather in the womb of time,
That Regin wins the credit of my death.
Rather than that this dwarf shall be my bane,
Let the two brethren both fare hence to Hell
Together journeying".......so Sigurd came
Drawing sword Gram, and swiftly smote the head
Off Hreidmar's cunning son, e'en as he planned
How he might slay the Volsung unawares.
Then Sigurd ate some part of Fafnir's heart
And some reserved, and as he ate he heard
The woodpeckers still singing......The eighth sang,
"Blind thou, O sigurd, the red rings together,
Unlike to King art thou if fear thee tether......
I know the fairest of maids, and behold!
Rich decked is she, all glorious with gold......
If thou wouldst win her she's thine for the taking"......
Then sang the ninth bird fluttering o'erhead,
"Green are the pathways to Gibich's Halls leading,
That the Norns shew unto those that ride thither.
There the great King doth rear a fair daughter,
Gold hast thou, Sigurd, to give for thy darling"......
But sang the tenth bird close to Sigurd's ear,
"First shalt thou come to the Hall reared on Hindfell;
Without it, all round it, the red flames go sweeping
Aloft to High Heaven.......Oh, wise men have wrought it......
That thrice wondrous Hall that gleameth unhidden
With glory of gold"......Then sang the eleventh:
"I know on the mountain, soft on the high fell,
Sleepeth a shield-maid, Odin's Valkyrie,
Playing around her the foe of the lindens,
Ravening fire, that destroyeth the woodlands.
Odin the sleep-thorn set in that maiden,
For 'gainst his will she chose in the conflict
One that he would not should come to Valhalla."
Then sang the twelfth bird loud and merrily:
"Now, Hero, shalt thou the maid 'neath her helm see,
Whom from the battle the wind's wings bore thither.....
Vinskornir, fairest and fleetest of horses.....
Not till the Norns decree from her deep slumber
May the Valkyrie awaken......Then hasten......
Go thou to wake her........in strong arms soft take her".......
Then sang the birds in chorus loud and clear,
That joyously rang in the hero's ear,
"Sigurd, be wise! Take thou the Dragon's horn
And melt it in the fire........Mix then with blood
And bathe therein........So fear thou no man born
When thou art washed in that most potent flood."
Sigurd in wonder heard them and obeyed;
From the fast-melting horn a stream gushed out (3)
Like to a rivulet. Therewith the blood
From Fafnir's heart he mingled carefully. (4)
Fling his harness off, swift stripping, he
Bathed in that stream and his strong limbs well smeared,
So that thereafter his skin grew so hard
That it became as horn, though naught appeared
Upon the surface unlike other men's.
Henceforth he need not dread a foeman's steel,
Invulnerable was he. Yet it chanced
That one small spot escaped the magic flood
From Fafnir's horn. 'Neath the right shoulder-blade
A fluttering lime-leaf (5) settled as he bathed,
So that this spot was touched not by the blood;
Which later proved his bane, as ye shall hear.
He dressed himself and armed.......The birds had flown.....
And to his mind all seemed as though a dream.
Then Sigurd, mounting, rode along the trail
Of the great Dragon, that wound o'er the heath,
Till he came unto Fafnir's house and found
Open the iron doors thereof..........The posts
And all the gear of these were wrought in iron,
As also all the roof-beams of the house.
Deep hidden in the earth's heart lay the Hoard.
There Sigurd found great treasure and much gold,
Wherewith he filled two mighty chests, and took
Old Ægir's Helm of Awe, and that great sword
That is called Hroth, the golden Byrnie too,
And many precious gems and things of price.
So much in truth he found that he thought then
Scarcely two horses or e'en three belike
Might bear it thence.......Yet, taking the great chests,
He loaded them on his steed Grani's back
And took the reins of him. The horse stirred not,
Nor yet would he abide his master's stroke,
But plunging reared, yet for all that budged not.
Then Sigurd knew his mind, and leaping up
Bestrode his back.........No need had he to spur,
For at his heel's sharp touch like whirlwind sped
Grani, swift galloping and tossed his head,
As though in wrath; as though unladen he
Bare Sigurd and the Hoard full easily.
Yet in those wild and barren marches he (6)
Knew not the road, and Sigurd even less;
So that the twain that night were fain to rest
Cold 'neath the scanty shelter of a bush.......
When weary Sigurd waked 'twas early dawn,
And the sun's rays just reddened the far hills......
My young Lord singing fared o'er Gnita Heath
Up o'er the mountains, down into the plain,
And so across the moor until he met
His friends, King Hjalprek's guests, the Rhenish Lords
Gunther and Hagen, who brought him with joy
Back to the Court.......I have told ye the rest......
How Grani blundered in the miry fen,
And how I helped to wash the slime off him,
And gained a golden buckle for my pains.
Henceforth I served the Volsung as his squire.
But what to Sigurd further chanced, not here
Nor yet I'll tell.......Save that soon after this
He rode forth from King Hjalprek's royal Court
And over Hindfell took his lonely way......
A long road and a weary proved that path.......
He thought to turn his steed's head to the South
And visit Gibich, Lord of the Rhine-Franks;
But ere he came there a strange thing befell
That changed the current of his after life.
Now of the Hoard know ye, that from this time
As "Grani's Burden" it was known, though some
Would call it "Golden Dust of Glittering Plain,"
And others styled it "Fafnir's Bed" or "Lair".......
But many named it by its rightful name,
The Nibelungen Hoard of evil fame.
Here ends Book I. of "The Song of Wayland."
*. Völs. Saga XVIII.-XIX. Sn. Edda (Skáldskap. XL). Elder Edda (Fafnismol) Nornagest Th. VI. Thidreks Saga (Bertelsen) c. 271-272. Raszmann I., pp. 119-143 (No. 13), II, c. 166-167.
Notes:
1. Odin's raven. [Back]
2. Jotun = Giant. [Back]
3. Lay of the Horned Siegfried. [Back]
4. Nibelungen Lied, ed. Piper, Av. XV. 903. [Back]
5. Nibelungen Lied, ed Piper, Av. XV. 903 [Back]
6. Faroe Islands Ballad. [Back]
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