The First Lay of Gudrun (Gudrunarkvida I) Summary

Gudrun sits over Sigurd's body unable to grieve. Men and women try to comfort her and speculate that she desires to die from grief. One by one the warrior's wives try to console the widow with their own stories of sorrow.

Giaflaug, Giuki's sister, says that she is the most deprived of joy. She has lost five husbands, three daughters, three sisters, eight brothers, and she now lives alone. Herborg, queen of the Huns, says that she lost her seven sons and her husband in lands to the south. Her father, mother, and four brothers were drowned at sea. All this happened in the course of six months and then she was taken captive and made a slave to the enemy's wife who beat her every day. Then Gullrond, daughter of...