“the drink ferments!” Sigmund took the horn and drank up the contents.  It is said that Sigmund was so strong that no poison could hurt him, either outwardly or inwardly; but that all his sons could endure poison outwardly.  Borghild bore another horn to Sinfiotli, and prayed him to drink, when all took place as before.  Yet a third time she offered him the horn, using reproachful words on his refusing to drink.  He said as before to Sigmund, but the latter answered:  “Let it pass through thy lips, my son.”  Sinfiotli drank and instantly died.  Sigmund bore him a long way in his arms, and came to a long and narrow firth, where there was a little vessel and one man in it.  He offered Sigmund to convey him over the firth; but when Sigmund had borne the corpse into the vessel, the boat was full-laden.  The man then said that Sigmund should go before through the firth.  He then pushed off his boat and instantly departed.

King Sigmund sojourned long in Denmark, in Borghild’s kingdom, after having espoused her.  He then went south to Frankland, to the kingdom he there possessed.  There he married Hiordis, the daughter of Eylimi.  Sigurd was their son.  King Sigmund fell in a battle with the sons of Hunding.  Hiordis was afterwards married to Alf, son of King Hialprek, with whom Sigurd grew up in childhood.  Sigmund and his sons exceeded all other men in strength, and stature, and courage, and all accomplishments, though Sigurd was foremost of all; and in old traditions he is mentioned as excelling all men, and as the most renowned of warlike kings.

THE FIRST LAY OF SIGURD FAFNICIDE, OR GRIPIR’S PROPHECY.

Gripir was the name of the son of Eylimi, the brother of Hiordis.  He ruled over lands, and was of all men wisest and prescient of the future.  Sigurd rode alone, and came to Gripir’s dwelling.  Sigurd was of a distinguished figure.  He found a man to address outside the hall, whose name was Geitir.  Sigurd applied to him, and asked: 

1.  Who here inhabits, in these towers? what nation’s king do people name him?

Geitir.

Gripir is named the chief of men, he who rules a firm realm and people.

Sigurd.

2.  Is the wise king of the land at home?  Will the chief with me come and converse?  With him needs speech an unknown man:  I desire speedily Gripir to see.

Geitir.

3.  The glad king will of Geitir ask, who the man is that demands speech of Gripir.

Sigurd.

Sigurd I am named, born of Sigmund, and Hiordis is the chieftain’s mother.

4.  Then went Geitir, Gripir to inform:  “Here is a man without, a stranger, come; of aspect he is most distinguished.  He desires, king! with thee to speak.”

5.  Goes from the hall the lord of men, and the stranger prince kindly greets:  “Welcome, Sigurd! better had it been earlier:  but do thou, Geitir! take charge of Grani.”