17.  When Grimhild, the Gothic woman, heard how greatly I was afflicted, she cast aside her needle-work, and her sons called oft and earnestly, that she might know, who for her son would their sister compensate, or for her consort slain the blood-fine pay?

18.  Gunnar was ready gold to offer, for the injuries to atone, and Hogni also. * * * She then inquired who would go the steeds to saddle, the chariot to drive, on horseback ride, the hawk let fly, arrows shoot from the yew bow?

19.  Valdar and the Danes with Jarizleif, Eymod the third with Jarizkar, then entered, to princes like.  Red mantles had the Langbard’s men, corslets ornamented, towering helms; girded they were with falchions, brown were their locks.

20.  For me each one would choose precious gifts, precious gifts, and to my heart would speak, if for my many woes they might gain my confidence, and I would in them trust.

21.  Grimhild to me brought a potion to drink cold and bitter, that I my injuries might forget; it was mingled with Urd’s power, with cold sea-water, and with Son’s blood.

22.  In that horn were characters of every kind graven and red-hued; nor could I comprehend them:  the long lyng-fish[82] of the Haddings’ land, an uncut ear of corn:  the wild-beasts’ entrance.

23.  In that potion were many ills together, a herb from every wood, and the acorn, the fire-stead’s dew,[83] entrails of offerings, swine’s liver seethed; for that deadens strife.

24.  And then I forgot, when I had taken it, all the king’s words in the hall spoken.  There to my feet three kings came, before she herself sought to speak with me.

25.  “Gudrun!  I will give thee gold to possess, of all the riches much of thy dead father; rings of red gold, Hlodver’s halls, all the hangings left by the fallen king.

26.  Hunnish maids, those who weave tapestry, and in bright gold work, so that it may delight thee.  Over Budli’s wealth thou alone shalt rule, adorned with gold, and given to Atli.”

27.  “I will not have any man, nor Brynhild’s brother marry:  it beseems me not with Budli’s son to increase a race, or life enjoy.”

28.  “Take care not to pay the chiefs with hate; for ’tis we who have been the aggressors:  so shouldst thou act as if yet lived Sigurd and Sigmund, if sons thou bearest.”

29.  “Grimhild!  I cannot in mirth indulge, nor, for my hero’s sake, cherish a hope, since the bloodthirsty [wolf and] raven have together cruelly drunk my Sigurd’s heart’s blood.”

30.  “Him[84] of all I have found to be a king of noblest race, and in much most excellent:  him shalt thou have until age lays thee low, or mateless be, if him thou wilt not take.”

31.  “Cease to offer that cup of ills so pertinaciously, that race to me:  he will Gunnar’s destruction perpetrate, and will cut out Hogni’s heart.  I will not cease until the exulting strife-exciter’s life I shall have taken.”