Hogni.

41.  “It looks but ill, if ye before have counselled:  e’en now ye are unprepared, and we one have felled, smitten to death:  one of your host was he.”

42.  Furious they became, when those words they heard; their fingers they stretched forth, and their bowstrings seized; sharply shot, and with shields themselves protected.

43.  In then came the tale of what without was passing; loud before the hall they a thrall heard speak.

44.  Then incensed was Gudrun, when the sad news she heard:  adorned with necklaces, she tore them all asunder; so hurled the silver, that the rings in shivers flew.

45.  Then she went out, not gently moved the doors; went forth, void of fear, and the comers hailed, turned to the Niflungs:  that was her last greeting, truth attended it; more words she said: 

46.  “I sought by symbols to prevent your leaving home,—­fate may no one resist—­and yet must you come hither.”  Wisely she asked:  might they not be appeased?  No one consented, all answered no.

47.  Saw then the high-born lady that a hard game they played; a deadly deed she meditated, and her robe dashed aside, a naked falchion seized, and her kinsmen’s lives defended:  skilful she was in warfare, where her hand she applied.

48.  Giuki’s daughter caused two warriors to fall; Atli’s brother she struck down,—­he must henceforth be borne—­so she the conflict managed, that she his foot struck off.  Another too she smote, so that he never rose, to Hel she sent him:  her hand trembled not.

49.  A conflict then ensued, which was widely famed, but that excelled all else which Giuki’s sons performed.  So ’tis said the Niflungs, while yet they lived, with swords maintained the fight, corslets rent, helmets hewed, as their hearts prompted.

50.  At morning most they fought, until mid-day had passed; all early morn, and the forenoon, ere the fight was ended, the field flowed with blood, until eighteen had fallen:  Bera’s two sons, and her brother, had them overcome.

51.  Then the fierce Atli spoke, wroth though he was:  “’Tis ill to look around; this is long of you.  We were thirty warlike thanes, eleven survive:  the chasm is too great.  We were five brothers, when Budli died; now has Hel the half, two lie slain.

52.  “A great affinity I obtained, that I cannot deny, pernicious woman! of which I have no benefit:  peace we have seldom had, since thou among us camest.  Of kinsmen ye have bereft me, of riches often wronged.  To Hel my sister ye have sent; that is to me most bitter.”

Gudrun.

53.  “This thou callest to mind, Atli! but thou so first didst act:  my mother thou didst take, and for her treasures murder; my gifted niece with hunger thou didst cause to perish.  Laughable to me it seems, when thou sorrows dost recount.  The gods are to be thanked, that it goes ill with thee.”

Atli.