The Wayland-Dietrich Saga
How Wayland came to King Nithad for the first time
To come to Seeland, country of his birth.
Three days he travelled swiftly as he might,
Then came to where flows mighty Wisara (2)
So swift and deep he found no way across,
Nor could he swim and bear in safety o'er
His heavy load of treasure.........To the brink
Of this wide stream stretched a great wood, wherein
Tall larches grew and many another tree.........
Beeches and oaks and birches here were seen.
There for a time stayed Wayland, thinking how
He best might cross that river. Soon he found
It was not far from the sea-coast, but all
That part lay uninhabited and waste.
One day he went down to the river bank,
Looking about him very heedfully,
Till he found what he wanted..........a tall oak.......
This felled he to the earth with his strong axe
That he himself had forged, so split the trunk
Into two pieces, one of which with care
He hollowed out inside, and in that part
Which thinner was, where once the twigs did sprout,
He placed his tools and treasure; but just where
The great bole thickest was he placed his food,
His drink and raiment. He himself sat there
Amidst his gear and made all tight and fast,
That in no wise might aught take any harm........
But first to close the crevice and holes,
Where'er the tree had any, he set glass..........
The secret of whose making he knew well.......
And he so cunningly adapted this
That in a frame it moved as he should will
To open or to close, but when 'twas shut
Then was the whole trunk watertight and safe.
Now lay this tree, that was in truth a boat,
Floating upon the stream, made fast as yet
Unto a stake; and Wayland set therein
His goods, his treasure and his smithy tools......
But for his horse, perforce, he let it loose,
Though with regret to leave the noble beast,
That would not pasture, but ran whinnying
On the stream's bank as though it called to him,
Its white skin gleaming in the morning sun.......
Then, getting in the tree, he pushed it off
Into midstream; so closing up the glass,
He let the strange craft float down with the tide.
The strong swift current whirled the trunk around,
And bare it quickly, first through a great mere
Of brackish water, then unto the sea,
Where it went floating more than half submerged,
Scarcely the top above the surface shewed;
And thus was it tossed roughly for eighteen days
And nights as many, then came to the land......
But not to Seeland (3)...........To the western coast
The tree bare Wayland far from his own home.........
Unto Niaraland (4) came Wade's son,
Where dwelt a King named Nithad, who by some
Was called Neidung from his grandsire's name.
Men said his sire was Mimer the famed Smith, (5)
Who carried off King Neidung's daughter once,
But sent her back when she had borne a son.......
But others say there is no truth in this.......
Howe'er it be, King Nithad Svithiod ruled
And part of Jutland that's Thiodi called,
And all Niaraland lay 'neath his sway.
Now it so chanced the day that Wayland's tree
Was driven against the shore of Nithad's realm,
Came the King's folk with great beach-nets to cast
Out on the water to catch fish therein
For the King's table. So they cast their nets
And drew them landwards many times and oft
Without success, for stormy was the sea.....
But one net seemed so heavy at the last
That scarcely might they draw it in with pain......
And lo! They saw a wondrous thing within,
As with great toil they drew it t'wards the beach.....
A mighty tree-trunk lay caught in the net.
They hauled it to the shore and up the beach,
Then stared indeed to see how strange this tree,
For it was fashioned all in marvellous wise,
Hewn well by hand; and some of them thought then
That it might hold rich treasure possibly,
Because it was so heavy, and contrived
With such great care, it being finely carved.
They sent a man quick running to the King,
To ask his Majesty if he would come
To see this curious thing, a carven tree.......
Perchance a treasure-chest, the rumour ran......
When the King came and saw the bole he bade
His men to seek well what therein might be,
Hewing it open, for he thought it strange.....
So 'gan his folk to strike hard hurriedly
With axes 'gainst the tree-trunk, splitting it......
When Wayland saw what these men did, he cried
In a loud voice, "Ha! Fellows, halt ye there.......
Strike not within.......A man lies in the tree!"
But when they heard a voice from out the trunk,
All thought for sure the devil's self was there
Concealed within the tree-stem......They were scared,
And each man scurried thence to his own place,
Shrieking, "The Fiend, the Fiend himself gets loose!"
They left the puzzled King, whose frightened guards
Had also bolted........so was he alone.......
Opening the hatch, Wayland stepped calmly out,
And stood before the King, to whom he said,
"I am a man, Sire, truly.......not a ghost......
And on my troth I'll swear I am no fiend........
Now very earnestly I pray of thee
That thou wilt grant thy peace to me, fair Lord,
Peace for my life and goods so please it thee,
For an thou wilt, I'm fain to serve thee, Sire."
The King saw for himself here was no ghost,
Nor spectre of the deep, but a young man
Of comely looks and presence, howsoe'er
Strange were the manner of his coming there.
With kindly words and friendly he agreed
To grant him peace and safety for his goods;
"For," said he graciously, "though thou com'st here
In an odd fashion and right wonderful,
Yet, Stranger, in my land I welcome thee;
Nor will I break our custom that grants peace
To harmless wayfarers. Thou shalt tell me
How thou camst here, and what this tree may mean
That is so fairly carved without, within.......
Thy name and ancestry shalt thou disclose.......
Come thou unto my Hall, I'll harbour thee."
Then Wayland thanked the King, but first craved leave
To set his gear in order.........Hastily,
When the King's back was turned, ere he had time
To summon to the shore his frightened folk........
For they were terrified and made excuse.......
The young Smith took from out the tree his goods,
His treasure, and his tools, then seized a pick
And buried them deep down near the sea-wall
Where grew a juniper........He marked the spot
Within his mind, then strolled up from the beach,
Bearing a bundle of such clothes and gear
As he would bring with him, a scanty store.......
He thought that none had seen him, but it chanced
That one of the King's men no coward was,
But rather wily. He knew smith-craft well,
And also much besides of lore of runes......
He made a shrewd guess whence young Wayland came,
But held his peace. Now this man, nigh a dwarf,
Was Regin, Mimer's brother, to the King
Uncle as some have thought, or close of kin,
Who not as yet to Hjalprek's Court had gone,
But dwelt with Nithad as his counsellor.
Right cunning was the fellow who had watched,
Safe hidden near the wall, while Wayland dug,
Then, smiling to himself, had marked the place.
Now he came forward boldly, greeting him
As if come thither newly; with fair words
He led him to the Palace of the King;
Yet, friendly as he seemed, told not his name.
Now Wayland with King Nithad dwelt awhile
And was esteemed. He service took with him
As Table-knave, and lived with Nithad's swains......
But naught said he to any of his craft,
Telling some tale of wonder to the King,
Saying his name was Goldbrand, Gudmund's son,
Who had by magic spell of wizard been
Imprisoned in the tree-trunk.......So he served
King Nithad in this wise (a humble task,
Yet cheerfully performed) that in his charge
Were the three knives that lay before the King
Upon the Royal Table when he dined.......
And of these iron knives none else had one,
Save the King only, for they were of price.
Wayland had been a twelvemonth there, and went
One day as usual to the sea's edge down
To wash and clean these knvies; and it befell
That the best knife of all slipped from his hand
Into the sea where it was deep, and so
No hope had he to find it, for the wind
Was rising fast, and the sea stormy grew.
Nor, though he dived a dozen times, might he
Find the lost knife......Then went he slowly home,
Dripping from head to foot, and thought in truth
He would pay dearly for his carelessness
In losing the King's knife: for well he knew
King Nithad for a hasty, querulous man,
Apt to act first, and after to repent.
Therefore thought Wayland sadly to himself,
"Alas! What fool's trick is this thing I've done!
Truly, I am unworthy of my race,
And little helps it me that I am sprung
From noble stock. Here had I got a place
With a good King in service, who did give
Me a slight post to hold, no doubt because
He first would test me, and was waiting but
That he might see that I in little things
Was trustworthy........Then would he soon have thought
That I was worthier greater trust, and so,
If I had won his confidence, then I,
From the lowest step, might very easily
Have climbed unto the highest place of all.......
But now when such a paltry charge was mine,
How have I bungled it, and every one
Will call me the poor fool that sure I am!
No doubt the King will slay me out o' hand,
Or drive me hence with blows and in disgrace.......
Yet that must never Viking's stock endure"......
So walked he gloomily towards the Burgh.
Now at this time King Nithad had for Smith
A Southerner who was Amilias called,
Who forged all things in iron for the King
That could be made. Wayland with sudden hope
Went to the smithy of this man, but found
He was not there, for he had gone to dine,
He and his fellows with him. Wayland sat
Within the forge and cunningly he made
A knife as he knew how, which was as like
The one he lost as thought it were the same,
Yet with a difference, as ye shall hear.
Before he left young Wayland made a nail
That had three carven edges to its head;
This left he lying on the anvil-stone,
Then made all tidy ere he left the place.
So quick was he that all his work was done
Ere came Amilias back, or the King went
To table as his wont at the ninth (6) hour.......
When came the Royal Smith back with his men,
He found the carven nail, and asked all there
Which of them made it, but none there could tell,
For never had they seen, nor were to see,
Such workmanship applied unto a nail.
So wondered much Amilias and was wrath,
Not liking unknown workers in his forge.
But Wayland came and stood behind the King
At the King's table as in duty bound,
And served in all things as he always did
As if naught were amiss.......Then presently
The King took up a knife that 'fore him lay
To cut a semel (7) loaf, using great force
As he was wont, for all the knives were blunt......
But now to his amazement he had cut
The bread in half, and therewith a great chunk
From the hard wooden board.......Then Nithad thought
It truly a great wonder that so sharp
The iron blade could be. Quoth he surprised,
"Now what may this mean, by my father's beard?
Who made this knife for me? Thor! It can cut!"
He turned to Wayland, who made answer, "Sire!
Who could have made this knife but thine own Smith
Amilias, who makes all such for thee,
Both knives, and all thy metal gear, my Lord?".......
Amilias had come in from the forge
As was his custom, to wait on the King;
He overheard this talk and quickly said,
Pushing himself towards the front, "Yea, Lord,
I made that knife.......No other Smith hast thou
Save I alone to forge all thou shalt want".......
But, said the King, and laughed in mocking wise,
For he had suffered much from his blunt knives,
"Never saw I so sharp an iron as this
Come from thy hands, Amilias........I vow
Whoever made this knife, it was not thou!"
Sharply the King at Wayland looked and said,
"Didst thou make this fine knife, my man, perchance?"
Quoth Wayland coolly, "It must be, my Lord,
As saith Amilias, that he made it, Sire."
Then was the King annoyed, and frowning, he
Said in quick rage, "Amilias made it not!
And if thou liest, Goldbrand, to thy Lord,
Nor doth admit the truth, thou'lt bring on thee
Mine anger, knave.......I love not mysteries......
And heavy is my hand when I am wrath"......
Quoth Wayland hastily, "Nay, nay, my Lord.....
Thine anger I would not.......Wilt hear me, Sire?
I'll make confession"........And he told him all.......
Of the lost knife, and of the new one made........
Said then the King, all smiles, "I thought as much.......
I knew Amilias never made that knife.......
He cannot work iron in such skilful wise,
And by the Gods! I ne'er before have seen
Such a good blade as this one thou hast made."
The unlucky Master-Smith boiled o'er with rage,
Nor could contain himself....... "My Liege," said he,
"Maybe this Goldbrand has made this same knife
That thou dost value so....... Aye! that may be......
But give me but the chance and I will shew
That I can work in iron as well as he,
Aye! And much better! That can also be
When I do set my mind to it. I'll ne'er allow
That I know less than he of smithcraft, Lord,
Nor that his best work is a patch on mine".......
He turned to Wayland, glowering at him,
"Man, let us prove it now......Each do his best......
First test our handiwork before I will
Acknowledge that I should be called, forsooth,
Less skilled than thou......Thou flotsam of the sea!
I'm ready, Sir, to wager on my skill......
Art thou prepared," he sneered, "to do the same?"
Then answered Wayland slowly, yet he smiled,
"What little I do know and such slight skill
In smithcraft that I've learnt, I am prepared
To put forth and not spare. An ye so will
That we should test our smith work to the full,
Forge thou one thing and I another one,
Then be it judged which of the two is best."
Amilias said, "By Jupiter! I will......
And I will bet thereon" .......Then Wayland said,
"Not many goods have I, yet we will set
Upon this wager what so pleaseth thee.......
Choose thou, Amilias, I am content."
Said then the King's Smith right maliciously,
"If thou hast no possessions, hast a head.......
And full of mischief, doubtless.......Set thou that,
And I will set mine own upon the bet.....
Who is acclaimed the most skilled shall have the right
To hew the head from off the other's neck."
Quoth Wayland, "Done! Set as much on it, friend,
As ye may like, and make the best thou canst.....
What canst thou forge though that we may prove this
That thou desirest?" Said Amilias,
"Thou shalt a sword make as thou thinkest best,
But I, my man, will make a suit of arms.....
And if it chance that thy sword cuts through those,
So that thou e'en so much as graze the skin,
Then shalt thou have my leave to lop my head......
But, by the Gods! If thy blade pierces not,
Through my strong harness, doubt no then, Sea-waif,
That surely I will take thy worthless life.....
A truce for twelve months ere we make the test".....
Said Wayland cheerfully, "Yes, yes, my friend......
'Twill be a pretty test, and see that thou
Take not thy word back, nor stay thy skilled hand
From what thou hast affirmed. Set on the bet
The greatest that thou canst, that is, our lives......
I'm blithe and ready, Smith Amilias."
Then answered the King's Smith and proudly spake,
"I will provide me sureties, Sir, that I
My given word break not".........Forward sprang two
Of Nithad's boldest riders and their hands
Raised high in token that they backed the Smith......
For they thought well of him despite his knives,
Finding his harness strong and durable;
Moreover they liked ill the Table-knave,
And thought him forward for so young a man.
Said then Amilias sneering, "Where then stand
Thy surities, O thou Outcast of the waves?"
He answered calmly, "Truth, friend, I know not
Who will stand surety for an unknown man......
For none here are acquainted with my worth
That they may give me bail......I stand alone
In a strange land"......Quoth then the King himself,
Remembering the wondrous carven tree
That he kept stored within his Treasury,
And all the skilful things that he had seen
This stranger do that he marked secretly.....
"This man doth things not ill, see here the proof".......
He waved the shining knife, then kindly said,
"Ere he shall lack for sureties We Ourself
Will go bail for him"........ Loud men cheered the King......
So was the wager settled and made fast.
The two shook hands on it with such fierce grip
That blood ran from their nails ere they had done.
Then that same day went Smith Amilias
Into his forge and called there all his knaves;
So they began to work with might and main,
And toiled and moiled thus for the next twelve months,
Nor missed a day, but forged all day and night.
But Wayland at the table of the King
Waited as usual, and indeed it seemed
That he had put from out his mind the whole
Of what had happened as it had not been......
So went things in this wise till six months passed.
Notes:
1. Thidrek's Saga, ed. Bertelsen, 91-98. [Back]
2. R. Weser, cf. Bertelsen Register: Thidr. Saga, p. 415, Raszmann pp. X. – XI. [Back]
3. In Blekingen, south-east coast of Sweden. [Back]
4. On the west coast of Sweden. [Back]
5. See Geneal. Table at end of Part I. [Back]
6. Ninth hour = 3 p.m. [Back]
7. Semel loaf = white bread, made of wheaten-flour. Cf. Schultz Höf. Leben, I. 394. [Back]
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