1. King Thjothrek was with Atli, and had lost most of his men. Thjothrek and Guthrun lamented their griefs together. She spoke to him, saying:

2. A maid of maids my mother bore me, Bright in my bower, my brothers I loved, Till Gjuki dowered me with gold, Dowered with gold, and to Sigurth gave me.

3. So Sigurth rose o'er Gjuki's sons As the leek grows green above the grass, Or the stag o'er all the beasts doth stand, Or as glow-red gold above silver gray.

4. Till my brothers let me no longer have The best of heroes my husband to be; Sleep they could not, or quarrels settle, Till Sigurth they at last had slain.

5. From the Thing ran Grani with thundering feet, But thence did Sigurth himself come never; Covered with sweat was the saddle-bearer, Wont the warrior's weight to bear.

6. Weeping I sought with Grani to speak, With tear-wet cheeks for the tale I asked; The head of Grani was bowed to the grass, The steed knew well his master was slain.

7. Long I waited and pondered well Ere ever the king for tidings I asked.

8. His head bowed Gunnar, but Hogni told The news full sore of Sigurth slain: "Hewed to death at our hands he lies, Gotthorm's slayer, given to wolves.

9. "On the southern road thou shalt Sigurth see, Where hear thou canst the ravens cry; The eagles cry as food they crave, And about thy husband wolves are howling."

10. "Why dost thou, Hogni, such a horror Let me hear, all joyless left? Ravens yet thy heart shall rend In a land that never thou hast known."

11. Few the words of Hogni were, Bitter his heart from heavy sorrow: "Greater, Guthrun, thy grief shall be If the ravens so my heart shall rend."

12. From him who spake I turned me soon, In the woods to find what the wolves had left; Tears I had not, nor wrung my bands,

13. Nor wailing went, as other women, (When by Sigurth slain I sat).

14. Never so black had seemed the night As when in sorrow by Sigurth I sat; The wolves

15. Best of all methought 'twould be If I my life could only lose, Or like to birch-wood burned might be.

16. From the mountain forth five days I fared, Till Hoalf's hall so high I saw;

17. Seven half-years with Thora I stayed, Hokon's daughter, in Denmark then.

18. With gold she broidered, to bring me joy, Southern halls and Danish swans; On the tapestry wove we warrior's deeds, And the hero's thanes on our handiwork; (Flashing shields and fighters armed, Sword-throng, helm-throng, the host of the king).

19. Sigmund's ship by the land was sailing, Golden the figure-head, gay the beaks; On board we wove the warriors faring, Sigar and Siggeir, south to Fjon.

20. Then Grimhild asked, the Gothic queen, Whether willingly would I

21. Her needlework cast she aside, and called Her sons to ask, with stern resolve, Who amends to their sister would make for her son, Or the wife requite for her husband killed.

22. Ready was Gunnar gold to give, Amends for my hurt, and Hogni too; Then would she know who now would go, The horse to saddle, the wagon to harness, (The horse to ride, the hawk to fly, And shafts from bows of yew to shoot).

23. (Valdar, king of the Danes, was come, With Jarizleif, Eymoth, and Jarizskar).

24. In like princes came they all, The long-beard men, with mantles red, Short their mail-coats, mighty their helms, Swords at their belts, and brown their hair.

25. Each to give me gifts was fain, Gifts to give, and goodly speech, Comfort so for my sorrows great To bring they tried, but I trusted them not.

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