The Wayland-Dietrich Saga
THE FORGING OF MIMUNG
His servant Wayland, "Well, my man," said he,
"Dost mean to lose thy wager, or when now
Wilt thou begin thy smith's work?......Forget not
I stand thy surety, Goldbrand." .......Wayland said,
"Lord, as thou dost advise it shall be done,
I will begin if thou wilt let me have
A man to build me first a fitting forge
Where I can work." The King agreed and set
Men to build him a smithy; soon 'twas made.
When all was ready Wayland went alone
Where he had buried secretly his gear,
His work-tools and his goods, but he found none.....
The empty cases lay there, all else gone!
Then Wayland thought it ill, dark grew his face....
With wrinkled brows he stood awhile aghast.....
It flashed across his mind how that some man
Had seen him hide his things, then stolen them.....
But who? He now recalled the Knight who came
To bring him to the King, but this man's name
He knew not, nor had seen him since that day,
As far as he remembered...... Yet thought he,
"That is the thief, none else." .......And deep he swore......
So went unto the King and told his tale,
Withholding naught.......The King looked hard at him,
Suspicious that he had thought fit to hide
His gear in this way, yet he sympathized,
And thought the theft ill done.......Said he at last,
" 'Tis passing strange thou hast not heard his name,
This knave must be unmasked.....Wouldst know the man
An thou shouldst see him, Goldbrand?" Who replied,
"Aye, Lord, I'd know his face, though not his name."
Then through his land the King made call a Thing,
Bidding each man within his realm to come
Without delay to answer his King's call.
To every court in Sweden and beyond
Came the behest, and all much wond'ring thought
The summons to this Thing was passing strange.....
Unprecedented was it, and none knew
What it might mean. When all assembled were,
And waiting stood in order, Wayland walked
Slowly and heedfully along thier lines
At the King's word, to look at every man.....
Right carefully he scanned each up and down,
To see if he might know in him that wight
Whom he suspected to have stol'n his gold,
His tools, his gear, and all his precious store;
But he found this man not, nor any like....
So somewhat shamefaced went he to the King
And told him bluntly, "Sire, I see him not."
King Nithad, much displeased, gave his wrath vent,
"By Odin's Head, man, I did credit thee
With far more wit than it appears thou hast......
Thou dost deserve that round thine ankles lay
Fetters of heavy iron......By Thor! Thou dost......
Hast made thy King a laughing-stock, thou knave.....
A bitter jest thou'lt find it......Why, see now!
Here have I summoned for thy sake a Thing,
To which comes every man throughout my Realm,
And here must be the man who stole your gear
If thy late tale be true......And yet, forsooth,
Thou canst not see him here, or know'st him not!
In truth thou art a fool, and mak'st me one
That I went bail for thee.......Go hence at once,
Nor come before me till I send for thee,
Or I will have thee chained and flogged to boot!"
He turned and left the Thing, and all the folk
As they departed mocked at Wade's son......
Whereat went Wayland very dismally
From the King's presence, with a heavy heart.....
His tools and treasure lost, and, worse than all,
The King's wrath on his head..... He sat him down
In his bare Smithy...... For a moment he
Gave way to black despair......Then with clenched teeth
He took such tools as he had there and worked......
For always he bare on him certain tools,
They were but few, but they were of the best.....
Moved by a sudden thought he went within
To the Queen's chambers, where the Princes dwelt;
For Otwin the King's son had favoured him,
And he found with the Prince his sister there,
The Lady Bathilde. Of these two he begged
The loan of certain things......Some brushes, oils,
And powdered pigments such as limners use......
For well he knew the Princess loved that art......
And wax he begged from out the household stores......
And they refused him not, but gave him all
That he desired, though Bathilde laughing said
Unto her brother "What then means the knave?
Will he now paint his face to hide his shame?
He has become an open jest at Court."......
Yet in her heart she pitied Wayland's plight,
And spake thus harshly to conceal her thoughts.....
But Wayland overhearing flushed anew,
And vowed he'd not forget her mocking words,
As in his lonely Smithy he toiled hard.
Sometime thereafter Wayland forged a thing,
A figure of a man, right marvellous,
For it was like a man in very truth
E'en to the hair on head, and fashioned was
As to the colour and the stature too
Of life itself......He clothed the figure then,
And came at dusk within the lofty Hall
Bearing the image, so set secretly
In a dark corner where the King must pass
As he went to his chamber. Then went he
Amongst the other knaves, and as his wont
Stood ready there to serve......For he was told
To stand in readiness, yet ne'er was he
Called by the King, but ever was ignored
And made to feel right keenly his disgrace.....
E'en as they waited, by his fellow-grooms
He was sore taunted, but he held his peace.
Now on this evening Wayland made so bold,
Though summoned not, to take in his right hand
A candlestick when came the King from Hall
And to the antechamber passed. Then he
Pushed on one side the knave whose turn it was
To light the King, who, grinning, let him go,
Thinking he'd gain a whipping for his pains.....
With candle held on high went Wayland then
Before the King to light him on his way.....
Nithad said naught, as though he saw him not,
But had it in his mind to have him set
That night in stocks for his rank impudence
In that he came unsummoned. So went they,
But as they turned the corner, Wayland held
The candle in such wise that the light fell
On a familiar face. The King cried out,
Looking on his right hand to where stood one
He knew and loved, "How now, why Cousin? Hail!
And welcome back, good Regin, to my Court....
Why stayest thou here so lonely, when cam'st thou?
How goes my business that thou didst for me
n Jutland, where I sent thee six months since?
Hast lost thy tongue, man? Speak unto thy King.".....
But the man stood there silent.....Wayland said,
Falling upon one knee, "Pardon, my Liege,
This man is but a semblance that I made
From memory of him who stole my goods,
My gear, my treasure, and my precious tools......
If thou dost know him from his likeness, Sire,
I pray thee do me justice, and forgive
If I presumptuous seem".....Loud laughed the King;
Said he appeased, "Cunning art thou indeed.....
And well I know the man whose image here
Proves thy great skill.....No wonder, lad, that thou
Found him not here, nor thought I it was he.
For he is Regin, Counsellor of mine
And close of kin, whom I to Jutland sent
The day thou camest here, to do my will
In sundry weighty matters of import.....
Though I can't think why he should steal thy gear.....
My cousin Regin's not the man for that".......
Yet in his heart thought "I'm not so sure"......
But openly he said with gracious smile,
"Now will I send for him to make all clear,
And if he took aught he shall give it back,
Fear not for that, for truly, Gudmund's son,
Thou art a clever and a skilful man
And a good fellow too......I do regret
The hasty words I used, the angry threats,
And I will make due reparation, friend,
In that I shamed thee thus before the folk."
Next day the King sent two swift messengers
To seek out Regin, bidding him repair
At once unto the Court. Soon came he there
And stood before the King, who asked him then,
"Didst thou take Goldbrand's goods, and wherefore, Sir?"
Then Regin guessed the thing was known, and said,
Though inwardly he cursed, with a forced smile,
"I did it for a jest.....In truth, my Liege,
I know not why this stranger buried them,
When by thy laws he should have shewn all things
He brought into thy land......I meant no harm,
I thought to keep them safe till my return,
Then give them back and tell the youth, my Lord,
That he was foolish thus to hide his things".......
He looked at Nithad, Nithad looked at him
For a short space, then shrugged, and said no more,
Taking his kinsman's word at its true worth.
So Wayland had his property restored;
His goods, his tools, his treasure, save such part
As he paid to the King for lawful dues,
Which Nithad took, nor thought he to refuse,
For he was careful to observe the laws.
Then Wayland stood each day as heretofore,
Serving the King again at bed and board,
Nor seemed concerned with aught that had occured.....
So passed the time till full four months went by.
When this time had elapsed once more the King
Called Wayland to his side and spake with him,
"Come, come, my man! Rememberest not thy bet?
What of this sword that thou art pledged to make?"
Quoth Wayland calmly, "An it pleaseth thee
And thou dost counsel it, I'm ready, Sire,
Now to begin this task"----"It seems to me,"
Said then the King, "too lightly on thee sits
This perilous thing that thou hast underta'en;
Thou hast to deal with a right skilful man,
And one who bears to thee an evil will......
Go to thy Smithy now and work thy best."
So to his Forge went Wayland cheerfully,
And set him to his smithcraft.....And behold!
In seven days he forged and made a sword.
Upon the seventh day the King's self came
To see how he got on, and saw a sword
All ready to his hand, such as in truth
He knew at once he ne'er had seen before
For beauty and for sharpness......Wayland went
And the King with him, they two, none else there,
Down to a stream, and Wayland bare the sword,
Which was a mighty one and wondrous large.......
Then Wayland took a flock of wool, one foot
In thickness was it, and this in the flood
He cast, so let it float down with the stream......
He set the sword-edge to the flock, held fast
Athwart the current, and against the sword
The flock was driven. Then the blade sheared through
So that the wool was severed into twain......
Now said King Nithad, "That's a right good sword,
And I will wear it for myself, my man.
Yet one fault has it, it is somewhat large,
And irksome in the scabbard were its weight."
Said Wayland gravely, "Sire, not all so good
This sword as it should be......Before I've done
Much better shall it prove".......Then went the King
Back to his Hall, and he was glad at heart;
But Wayland went into his Forge, and he
Took up a file and brake up the great sword
Till it was filed to shavings of fine steel;
These took he and with meal and milk mixed all,
So brought there geese and hens, and for three days
He starved them, then gave them this meal to eat,
Which eagerly they fed on. What they dropped
That set he in his furnace, smelting it,
And with the greatest care he tempered it,
Casting out all that was not hardened well,
So forged a sword therefrom that smaller was
Than the first one he made. Then came the King
When fourteen days had passed, and said, well pleased,
"I'll take this sword straightway, for never I,
Or any man, could hope to see its like,
Or find a costlier treasure than this blade."
Said Wayland, "Lord, in truth it's a good sword,
Yet still can it be better"......Then he took
The sword and tested 'gainst the flock.....this time
Two feet in thickness......which it sheared clean through;
But not as yet was Wayland satisfied,
He thought the blade too thick and cumbersome,
Though the King praised him, and went back to Hall,
Where he was very merry in his mood.
But Wayland did with this sword as before,
And when three weeks had passed another sword
Was ready, that was polished, gold inlaid,
With a worked hilt right beautiful to see.
Then came the King to Wayland, and he saw,
What he well knew he ne'er had seen before,
The best sword on this earth. Then loud he cried,
In joy and admiration, "Give it me!
For this is in good truth a comely blade,
Pliant and not too large, yet long withal......
Give me this sword".......Said Wayland, "Prove we it"......
So went they to the stream, and Wayland took
Of woollen flock three feet both long and broad,
And cast it in the flood and held therein
The gleaming sword quiescent in his hand.
The current bare the flock against its edge,
And lo! The blade passed through it e'en as though
The water's self poured through.....Cried then the King,
"If one searched the whole world he would not find
So good a sword as this; and this keen blade
Will I gird always on me when I go
To fight mine enemies......Give me the sword!"
But Wayland answered, "Lord, to all but thee
Truly I'd grudge this sword........if by some chance
There is some virtue in it.........First the sheath,
The baldric, and the buckle as is meet
With all the trappings let me now prepare......
Thus shalt thou have a sword that's fit for thee."
To this the King agreed, so hied him home,
And was ten times as joyful as before.
But Wayland went unto the forge and there
Worked hard, and made another sword that so
In looks did with the other blade compare,
That none might tell the one from other, yet
The first had virtue that the second lacked.
The good sword Wayland hid in a safe place
Beneath his bellows, and he whispering said,
"Lie thou there, Mimung, that shall be thy name
From Mimer, my first Master, great thy fame
Shall be in days to come......And now who knows
Whether I shall not soon have need of thee,
Ere all is ended that shall here befall."
Now Wayland brought his smith's work to full end,
So stood each day 'fore the King's board and served
E'en to the appointed day; which when 'twas come,
Right early on that morn Amilias
Rose from his bed and drew his hosen on,
The new mail-hose he buckled on with care,
But could not stay to don his other clothes.
He went forth in his pride to shew himself
In the King's Court and in the market-place,
And strutted up and down before the folk,
That all men said who saw him, "See ye now,
No better mail-hose sure were made than these;
Look, they are double woven, and brand new
In fashion are they........wonderfully forged".......
So talked the folk together, till drew near
The breakfast hour. Then went Amilias
To his own place and took the mail shirt up,
That byrnie long and wide, all double-woven,
Drawing it o'er his head in skilful wise.....
So went towards the table of the King,
And all who saw him pass thought ne'er had they
Seen stronger, better byrnie than was here,
Or finer worked......They raised a hearty cheer.
Then was the Royal Smith puffed up with pride,
And he was very merry and content......
"My friends, I thank ye, and in truth, though I
Say so myself, ne'er shall ye see the like
Of this good harness.......'Tis mine own design......
And verily the workmanship is good......
Soon shall that upstart prove its worth and find
His head low in the dust beneath my feet......
I'll use the fool's skull for my drinking cup,
So shall he pay for his absurd conceit.".........
Men laughed to hear the stout Smith bragging thus,
And all there thought he would make good his words.
Then, as he came before the Royal Board,
He set his helm upon his high-held head......
It was well polished, wondrous thick and strong,
And the whole headpiece finely worked throughout.
The King looked at him with discerning eye,
And praised his harness, every part of it.....
So the King brake his fast, as did his men;
Ended the meal, the boards were drawn away.
Then went Amilias forth into the Court
Where stood an oaken stool, on which he sat.
Now came King Nithad out with all his folk,
And with him Wayland in his serving garb.
Quoth then the King's Smith, "I am ready, Sire,
Here to abide the issue of my bet."
With the King's leave ran Wayland to his Forge
With flying steps, who speedily returned,
And in his right hand held Sword Mimung bared.
All then kept still to see what would ensue,
And there was a dead silence.....Wayland stepped
Behind the stool on which Amilias sat,
And laid the naked edge of the great sword
Lightly upon the helm of the King's Smith......
Said he, "Dost feel aught, Smith Amilias?"
Quoth then the Smith in bitter mockery,
"A flutt'ring leaf blown hither by the breeze.....
Hew hard and bravely, Sea-waif, and strike down
With all thy might, or if thou so wilt, thrust!
Thou wilt have need of all thy strength and luck......
Oh! I will warn thee thou hast urgent need
That the blade bite, aye! and that speedily.....
I wager thou wilt soon know the result
An it doth not......Strike then, thou outcast dog!"
Then Wayland pressed the sword down and it smote,
Though it seemed lightly driven, through the helm
Until it touched the top of the Smith's skull,
Quoth Wayland quickly, yet with quiet voice,
"Feelst aught, Amilias?" Who answered him,
With scoffing laugh, "Why, truly, stranger's son,
I feel as if some water trickled down,
Naught else but a slight trickling......What meanst thou
By thy fool's questions? Strike thou! Hew hard down
And test thy worthless blade"........Now he knew not
The sword had pierced his helm as loud he laughed......
Quoth Wayland grimly, raising up his sword,
"I pray thee shake thyself, and thou shalt see
What is this water that hath sprinkled thee,"
And as he spake he struck, and the man's laugh,
As half astonished, half amused, he shook,
Turned to a choking shriek as the blade clove
Through helm and head and byrnie, slicing breast
And shearing girdle clean through haunch and rump,
Till Mimung came to rest on the oak stool,
So that the bleeding corpse of the great Smith
Fell in two halves to earth. Thus was he sped......
His life days done.......And the folk gasping said
In awestruck whispers, "Surely it can be
When a man's mood is highest that there comes
His doomday on him and he shall taste death.....
This man was proud and vaunted much himself,
Swift was his downfall.......terrible his fate.....
Truly his pride hath brought him to the depths
E'en from the height of his mad vanity."
But Nithad said, "Now give me my good sword,
For I will wear it henceforth," nor looked he
At the dead body of the luckless Smith,
But bade them take it thence and bury it,
Or what they would, and clean the Court withal,
With sand and sawdust sprinkling o'er the place
Where stood the stool in a great sea of blood......
Wayland replied with prompt yet humble air,
Nor seemed to see King Nithad's grasping hand,
"First, Lord, allow me to go fetch the sheath
That I left in my Smithy. Then must I
Cleanse this good sword and dry it thoroughly.
So shalt thou take, Sire, from thy servant's hands
The sword in scabbard with the belt as meet."
Then ran he to his Forge and Mimung laid
Beneath the bellows, but the other sword
He took and set in sheath and brought it thus
Unto King Nithad, who knew not at all
That it was different from the former sword,
But thought it Mimung that won Wayland fame......
And now the King in girding on this sword
Deemed that he had a treasure unsurpassed
In this fine weapon, for in all the world
He knew there was none like it.......Truth to say,
The sword was well enough, but by no means
The marvel that was Mimung......Wayland thought
The blade he gave to Nithad good enough
For the King's merits.......So passed some long time.....
Notes:
1. Thidrek's Saga, ed. Bertelsen, 92 (65)—110 (68) [Back]
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