22.  Oft in the mansion was the greater mirth, when my Sigurd Grani saddled, and Brynhild they went to woo, that which accursed, in an evil hour!”

23.  Then said Brynhild, Budli’s daughter:  “May the hag lack spouse and children, who thee, Gudrun! has caused to weep, and this morning given thee runes of speech!"[79]

24.  Then said Gullrond, Giuki’s daughter:  “Cease, thou loathed of all! from those words.  The evil destiny of princes thou hast ever been; thee every billow drives of an evil nature; thou sore affliction of seven kings, the greatest bane of friendship among women!”

25.  Then said Brynhild, Budli’s daughter:  “Atli my brother, Budli’s offspring, is the sole cause of all the evil;

26.  When in the hall of the Hunnish folk, with the king we beheld the fire of the serpent’s bed.[80] Of that journey, I have paid the penalty, that sight I have ever rued.”

27.  She by a column stood, the wood violently clasped.  From the eyes of Brynhild, Budli’s daughter, fire gleamed forth; venom she snorted, when she beheld the wounds of Sigurd.

Gudrun then went away to the forest and deserts, and travelled to Denmark, where she stayed seven half-years with Thora, Hakon’s daughter.  Brynhild would not outlive Sigurd.  She caused her eight thralls and five female slaves to be killed, and then slew herself with a sword, as it is related in the “Sigurdarkvida in Skemma” (the Short Lay of Sigurd).

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 79:  Power of speech.]

[Footnote 80:  A periphrasis for golg.]

BRYNHILD’S HEL-RIDE.

After Brynhild’s death two piles were made, one for Sigurd, which was the first burnt; but Brynhild was burnt afterwards, and she was in a chariot, which was hung with precious tapestry; so that it was said that Brynhild drove in a chariot on the way to Hel, and passed through a place in which a giantess dwelt.  The giantess said: 

1.  “Thou shalt not pass through my stone-supported dwelling place.  Better had it beseemed thee to work broidery, than to seek after another’s husband.

2.  Why dost thou, vagrant woman! from Valland, my dwelling visit?  Thou hast, golden dame! if thou desirest to know, gentle one! from thy hands washed human blood.”

Brynhild.

3.  “Upbraid me not, woman of the rock! although I have in warfare been.  Of us, I trow, I shall the better seem, wherever men our conditions know.”

Giantess.

4.  “Thou, Brynhild!  Budli’s daughter! wast in evil hour born in the world; thou hast been the bane of Giuki’s children, and their happy house subverted.”

Brynhild.

5.  “From my chariot I will truly tell thee, thou witless crone! if thou desirest to know, how Giuki’s heirs made me both lovelorn and perjured.