1.  Atli sent riding a messenger to Gunnar, a crafty man, Knefrud was his name.  To Giuki’s courts he came, and to Gunnar’s hall, to the seats of state,[99] and the glad potation: 

2.  There drank the courtiers wine in their Valhall—­but the guileful ones[100] silence kept—­the Huns’ wrath they[101] feared.  Then said Knefrud, with chilling voice:—­the southern warrior on a high bench sat—­

3.  “Atli has sent me hither on his errand riding on a bit-griping steed, through the unknown Murkwood, to pray you, Gunnar! that to his bench ye come, with helms of state, Atli’s home to visit.

4.  “Shields ye there can choose, and smooth-shaven spears, gold-red helms, and of Huns a multitude, silver-gilt saddle-cloths, sarks gory-red, the dart’s obstruction, and bit-griping steeds.

5.  “The plain he will also give you, the broad Gnitaheid, whistling javelins, and gilded prows, vast treasures, and Danp’s towns, with that famed forest, which men the Murkwood call.”

6.  Gunnar his head then turned, and to Hogni said:  “What counselest thou, bold warrior? now suchlike we hear?  Of no gold I knew on Gnita’s heath, to which we possess not other equal.

7.  “Seven halls have we filled with swords, of each of which the hilt is gold.  My horse I know the best, and my sword the keenest; my bow adorns my seat, my corslets are of gold, my helm and shield the brightest, brought from the hall of Kiar:  mine alone are better than all the Hunnish ones.

8.  “What thinkest thou the woman[102] means, by sending us a ring in a wolf’s clothing wrapt?  I think that she caution enjoins.  Wolf’s hair I found twined in the red-gold ring:  wolfish is the way we on our errand ride.”

9.  No sons pursuaded Gunnar, nor other kinsman, interpreters nor counsellors, nor those who potent were.  Then spake Gunnar, as beseemed a king, great in his mead-hall, from his large soul: 

10.  “Rise now up, Fiornir! let along the benches pass the golden cups of heroes, from the attendants’ hands.

11.  “The wolf shall rule the Niflungs’ heritage, O bearded sages! if Gunnar perish; black-coated bears earth’s fruit tear with their teeth, to the dogs’ delight, if Gunnar come not back.”

12.  Honoured men, weeping led the land’s ruler from the Huns’ court.  Then said Hogni’s youthful heir:  “Go now, prudent and prosperous, whither your wishes lead.”

13.  The warriors made their bit-griping steeds over the mountains fly, through the unknown Murkwood.  The whole Hunnish forest trembled where’er the warriors rode; over the shrubless, all-green plains they sped.

14.  Atli’s land they saw, and the high watch-towers; Bikki’s people stood on that lofty fortress; the south people’s hall was round with benches set, with well-bound bucklers, and white shields, the javelin’s obstruction.  There Atli drank wine in his Valhall:  his guards sat without, Gunnar and his men to watch, lest they there should come with yelling dart, to excite their prince to conflict.