Atlamál

Frétt hefir öld óvuþá er endr of gerðuseggir samkundusú var nýt fæstumæxtu einmæliyggr var þeim síðanok it sama sonum Gjúkaer váru sannráðnir.

People have heard of a grim affair,done long ago,when men held a council —it did almost no one good.They hatched a secret plot,and dread came of it after,the same for Gjuki's sons,who were truly betrayed.

Sköp æxtu skjöldunga- skyldu-at feigir, -illa réðsk Atlaátti hann þó hyggju;felldi stoð stórastríddi sér harðlaaf bragði boð sendiat kvæmi brátt mágar.

Fate grew against the princes —though they weren't doomed yet —Atli plotted badly,for all his cunning;he brought down his own great pillar,he strove hard against himself;in haste he sent wordthat his kinsmen should come at once.

Horsk var húsfreyjahugði at mannviti;lag heyrði hon orðahvat þeir á laun mæltu;þá var vant vitrivildi hon þeim hjalpaskyldi of sæ siglaen sjalf né komsk-at.

Wise was the lady of the house,she used her wits;she caught the pattern of their words,what they said in secret;it was hard then for the wise one —she wanted to help them —she should have sailed the sea,but she herself could not get away.

Rúnar nam at rístarengdi þær Vingi- fárs var hann flýtandi -áðr hann fram seldi;fóru þá síðansendimenn Atlaum fjörð Limaþar er fræknir bjuggu.

She began to carve runes,Vingi twisted them —he was quick to further treachery —before he passed them on;then afterward wentAtli's messengers,through Limfjord,to where the brave men lived.

Ölværir urðuok elda kynduhugðu vætr vélaer þeir váru komnir;tóku þeir fórnirer þeim fríðr sendihengðu á súluhugðu-t þat varða.

They were hospitable with aleand lit the fires,thought nothing of deceitonce the messengers had come;they took the giftsthe fair lord sent them,hung them on a pillar,thought no more of it.

Kom þá Kostberakvæn var hon Högnakona kapps gáligok kvaddi þá báða;glöð var ok Glaumvörer Gunnarr áttifellsk-at saðr sviðrisýsti of þörf gesta.

Then Kostbera came,she was Hogni's wife,a woman careful and quick,and greeted them both;glad too was Glaumvor,Gunnar's wife —the truthful, clear-sighted woman didn't falter,she saw to what the guests needed.

Buðu þeir heim Högnaef hann þá heldr færisýn var svipvísief þeir sín gæði;hét þá för Gunnarref Högni vildiHögni því nítti-ter hinn of réði.

They asked Hogni too,in case he'd rather come along —the treachery was plain to see,if they'd kept watch;then Gunnar pledged to go,if Hogni wished it;Hogni did not refuse,since the other had already decided.

Báru mjöð mærarmargs var alls beini;fór þar fjölð hornaunz þótti fulldrukkit.

The women brought mead,there was plenty of everything;horn after horn went round,until they seemed drunk enough.

Hjú gerðu hvílusem þeim hægst þótti;kennd var Kostberakunni hon skil rúnainnti orðstafiat eldi ljósum;gæta varð hon tunguí góma báðaváru svá villtarat var vant at ráða.

The household made their bedsas suited them best;Kostbera was skilled,she knew the meaning of runes,she read the lettersby the bright fire;she had to bite down hard,clench her teeth tight —they were so garbledthat it was hard to make sense of them.

Sæing fóru síðansína þau Högni;dreymði dróttlátadulði þess vætkisagði horsk hilmiþegars hon réð vakna:

Then they went to bed,she and Hogni;the noble woman dreamed,hid nothing of it —the wise woman told her lordthe moment she woke:

"Heiman gerisk þú, Högnihyggðu at ráðumfár er fullrýninnfar þú í sinn annat;réð ek þér rúnarer reist þín systirbjört hefir þér eigiboðit í sinn þetta.

"You're leaving home, Hogni —think hard about this;few are true masters of runes —go another time;I've read the runes for youthat your sister carved:the bright one hasn'ttruly invited you this time.

Eitt ek mest undrumkmák-at ek enn hyggjahvat þá varð vitrier skyldi villt rísta;því at svá var á vísatsem undir væribani ykkarr beggjaef it bráðla kvæmið;vant er stafs vífieða valda aðrir."Högni kvað:

One thing amazes me most —I still can't thinkwhat came over the wise woman,that she should carve so wildly;for it's signaledas if death lay hidden therefor both of you,if you come quickly;either her skill with the letters failed her,or someone else is to blame."

"Allar ro illúðgarákk-a ek þess kynnivilk-a ek þess leitanema launa eigim;okkr mun gramr gullireifa glóðrauðu;óumk ek aldregiþótt vér ógn fregnim."Kostbera kvað:

Hogni said:"Every woman sees ill will everywhere —I've never known her to be like that;I won't go looking for trouble,unless we've earned it;the king will heap uswith glowing red gold;I'm never afraid,even when we hear of danger."

"Stopalt munuð gangaef it stundið þangat;ykkr mun ástkynnieigi í sinn þetta;dreymdi mik, Högnidyljumk þat eigi;ganga mun ykkr andæriseða ella hræðumk.

Kostbera said:"It will go badlyif you two head there now —no loving welcomewaits for you this time;I dreamed, Hogni —I won't hide it from you —things will turn against you both,or I fear they will.

Blæju hugða ek þínabrenna í eldihryti hár logihús mín í gögnum."Högni kvað:

I dreamed your bedcoverwas burning in fire —a tall flame roaringright through my house."

"Liggja hér línklæðiþau er lítt rækiðþau munu brátt brennaþau er þú blæju sátt."Kostbera kvað:

Hogni said:"Here lie linen clothsyou rarely bother with —those are what will soon burn,the ones you saw as the bedcover."

"Björn hugða ek hér inn kominnbryti upp stokkahristi svá hrammaat vér hrædd yrðim;munn oss mörg hefðisvá at vér mættim ekki;þar var ok þrömmunþeygi svá lítil."Högni kvað:

Kostbera said:"I dreamed a bear had come in here,breaking the bed-timbers apart,shaking its pawsuntil we were terrified;it had so many of us in its mouthwe couldn't move;and there was a great trampling too,not small at all."

"Veðr mun þar vaxaverða ótt snemmahvítabjörn hugðirþar mun hregg austan."Kostbera kvað:

Hogni said:"A storm is brewing there,it'll turn fierce soon —you dreamed of a white bear,that means a gale out of the east."

"Örn hugða ek hér inn fljúgaat endlöngu húsiþat mun oss drjúgt deilaskdreifði hann oss öll blóðihugða ek af heitumat væri hamr Atla."Högni kvað:

Kostbera said:"I dreamed an eagle flew in here,straight down the length of the house;it means much for us to share out —it splattered us all with blood;from the menace of it, I thoughtit was Atli's own shape."

"Slátrum sýsligaséum þá roðruoft er þat fyr öxnumer örnu dreymir;heill er hugr Atlahvatki er þik dreymir."Lokit því létulíðr hver ræða.

Hogni said:"We're always quickto see slaughter and blood in things —a dream of eagles oftenjust means oxen ahead;Atli's heart is sound,whatever you dream." With that they let the matter rest —each conversation drifted apart.

Vöknuðu vel borinvar þar sams dæmigettisk þess Glaumvörat væri grand svefna-- -- -- við Gunnarrat fáa tvær leiðir.Glaumvör kvað:

The well-born woke too —the same story there;Glaumvor sensedthere was harm in her dreams —— concerning Gunnar —to find two roads apart.

"Görvan hugða ek þér galgagengir þú at hangaæti þik ormaryrða ek þik kvikvangerðisk rök ragna;ráð þú, hvat þat væri."Gunnarr kvað:

Glaumvor said:"I dreamed a gallows raised for you —you went to hang;snakes would eat youwhile I watched you still alive;it felt like the end of the world itself.Tell me what that means."

. . . . . . . . . . .Glaumvör kvað:

Gunnar said:—

"Blóðgan hugða ek mækiborinn ór serk þínum- illt er svefn slíkanat segja nauðmanni, -geir hugða ek standaí gögnum þik miðjanemjuðu ulfará endum báðum."Gunnarr kvað:

Glaumvor said:"I dreamed a bloody sworddrawn out of your shirt —it's a hard dreamto tell a man facing danger —I dreamed a spear standingclean through your middle,and wolves howlingat both ends of you."

"Rakkar þar rennaráðask mjök geyjaoft verðr glaumr hundafyr geira flaugun."Glaumvör kvað:

Gunnar said:"Dogs are running there,barking their heads off —the clamor of hounds oftencomes before spears fly."

"Á hugða ek hér inn rennaat endlöngu húsiþyti af þjóstiþeystisk of bekkibryti fætr ykrabræðra hér tveggjagerði-t vatn vægja;vera mun þat fyr nökkvi."Gunnarr kvað:

Glaumvor said:"I dreamed a river came rushing in here,straight down the length of the house,roaring with fury,surging over the benches,breaking the legsof you two brothers —the water wouldn't yield.That must mean something."

. . . . . . . . . . .Glaumvör kvað:

Gunnar said:—

"Konur hugðak dauðarkoma í nótt hingatværi-t vart búnarvildi þik kjósabyði þér bráðligatil bekkja sinna;ek kveð aflimaorðnar þér dísir."Gunnarr kvað:

Glaumvor said:"I dreamed dead womencame here in the night,barely dressed at all —they wanted you,called you swiftlyto sit with them;I say your guardian spiritshave turned away from you."

"Seinat er at segjasvá er nú ráðit;forumk-a för þóalls þó ar fara ætlat;margt er mjök glíkligtat mynim skammæir."

Gunnar said:"It's too late to say so now —it's decided.We won't turn back from the journey,since we've planned to go;it seems very likelyour lives will be short."

Litu er lýstilétusk þeir fúsirallir upp rísaönnur þau löttufóru fimm samanfleiri til váruhalfu húskarlarhugat var því illa.Snævarr ok Sólarrsynir váru þeir HögnaOrkning þann hétuer þeim enn fylgðiblíðr var börr skjaldarbróðir hans kvánar.

As soon as it grew light,they were eagerto rise, all of them;the women tried to hold them back.Five went together,though more were available —half again as many household men —it was foolish not to take them.Snaevar and Solarwere Hogni's sons;Orkning was the nameof one who went with them too —a gentle man,his wife's brother.

Fóru fagrbúnarunz þau fjörðr skilði;löttu ávallt ljósarlétu-at heldr segjask.

The finely dressed women went with them,until the fjord parted them;the fair women kept pleading— the men wouldn't be swayed.

Glaumvör kvað at orðier Gunnarr áttimælti hon við Vingasem henni vert þótti:"Veitk-at ek, hvárt verðlauniðat vilja ossum;glæpr er gests kvámaef í gerisk nakkvat."

Glaumvor, Gunnar's wife,spoke up —she said to Vingiwhat seemed fitting:"I don't know if you'll be repaidthe way we'd wish;it's a crime for a guest's visitto turn to harm, if anything goes wrong here."

Sór þá Vingisér réð hann lítt eira:"Eigi hann jötnaref hann at yðr lygigalgi görvallanef hann á grið hygði."

Then Vingi swore an oath,sparing himself nothing:"May the giants take himif he's lied to you —may the gallows take him whole,if he meant treachery when he promised you safe passage."

Bera kvað at orðiblíð í hug sínum:"Sigli þér sælirok sigr árnið;fari sem ek fyr mælikfæst eigi því níta."

Bera spoke up,gentle at heart:"Sail happily,and win the victory;let it go as I've already said —there's no denying it now."

Högni svaraðihugði gótt nánum:"Huggizk it, horskarhvégi er þat gervisk;mæla þat margirmissir þó stórummörgum ræðr litluhvé verðr leiddr heiman."

Hogni answered,his thoughts kind toward his kin:"Take comfort, wise women,whatever comes of this;many say such thingsand still lose greatly all the same;for most it matters littlehow one is led away from home."

Sásk til síðanáðr í sundr hyrfiþá hygg ek sköp skiptuskilðusk vegir þeira.

They looked at each other once morebefore they parted;fate stepped in then, I think —their roads split apart.

Róa námu ríkirifu kjöl halfanbeystu bakföllumbrugðusk heldr reiðirhömlur slitnuðuháir brotnuðugerðu-t far festaáðr þeir frá hyrfi.

The mighty men began to row,straining the keel half apart;they hauled hard on their strokes,growing angry;the oar-loops tore,the oars snapped —they didn't even moor the boatbefore they left it.

Litlu ok lengra- lok mun ek þess segja -bæ sá þeir standaer Buðli átti;hátt hriktu grindrer Högni kníði.

A little further on —I'll tell how it ends —they saw the homestead standing,the one that had been Budli's;the gate creaked loudlywhen Hogni struck it.

Orð kvað þá Vingiþats án væri:"Farið firr húsi- flátt er til sækjabrátt hefi ek ykkr brenndabragðs skuluð höggnirfagrt bað ek ykkr kvámuflátt var þó undir -ella heðan bíðiðmeðan ek hegg yðr galga."

Then Vingi spoke a wordthat had no truth in it at all:"Stay clear of the house —treachery waits inside —soon I'll have you burned,cut down for your trouble;I invited you fair enough,but there was deceit underneath —or else wait right here,while I carve you a gallows."

Orð kvað hitt Högnihugði lítt vægjavarr at véttugier varð at reyna:"Hirða þú oss hræðahafðu þat fram sjaldanef þú eykr orðiillt muntu þér lengja."

Hogni spoke back,unwilling to yield an inch,wary of nothingthough the test had come:"Don't bother trying to scare us —you'll rarely manage it;say one more word,and you'll only stretch out your own trouble."

Hrundu þeir Vingaok í hel drápuöxar at lögðumeðan í önd hixti.

They knocked Vingi downand struck him dead —axes laid into himwhile he gasped his last breath.

Flykkðusk þeir Atliok fóru í brynjurgengu svá görvirat var garðr milli;urpusk á orðumallir senn reiðir:"Fyrr várum fullráðaat firra yðr lífi."

Atli's men flocked togetherand pulled on their mail-shirts;armed like that they came,until only a fence stood between them;they all shouted at once,furious:"We'd already resolvedto take your lives."

"Á sér þat illaef höfðuð áðr ráðiten eruð óbúnirok höfum einn felldanlamðan til heljarliðs var sá yðvars."

"That looks bad,if you'd already decided that —and yet you're still not ready;we've already felled one man,beaten him to death —he was one of yours."

Óðir þá urðuer þat orð heyrðuforðuðu fingrumok fengu í snæriskutu skarpligaok skjöldum hlífðusk.

Hearing that,they went wild with rage;their fingers flewto the bowstrings;they shot fast and hard,and sheltered behind their shields.

Inn kom þá andspillihvat úti drýgðuhalir fyr hölluheyrðu þræl segja.

Word came into the hallof what the men outside were doing —fighting there before the hall —they heard a thrall tell it.

Ötul var þá Guðrúner hon ekka heyrðihlaðin halsmenjumhreytti hon þeim gervöllumslöngði svá silfriat í sundr hrutu baugar.

Gudrun turned terrible then,when she heard the uproar;hung with neck-rings,she tore them all off,flung the silver so hardthe rings burst apart.

Út gekk hon síðanyppði-t lítt hurðumfór-a fælt þeygiok fagnaði komnumhvarf til Niflungasú var hinzt kveðjafylgði saðr slíkusagði hon mun fleira:

Then she went outside —she didn't ease the doors open, she flung them —going out without a trace of fear,she greeted the newcomers;she went to the Niflungs —this was their last welcome —truth was in it,and she said much more:

"Leitaða ek í líknaat letja ykkr heimansköpum viðr manngiok skuluð þó hér komnir."Mælti af mannvitief mundu sættask;ekki at reðuskallir ní kváðu.

"I tried with everything I hadto keep you from coming —no one fights fate,and yet here you've come."She spoke sensibly,asking whether peace could still be made;they wouldn't hear of it —every one of them said no.

Sá þá sælborinat þeir sárt lékuhugði á harðræðiok hrauzk ór skikkju;nökðan tók hon mækiok niðja fjör varðihæg var-at hjaldrihvars hon hendr festi.

Then the high-born woman sawthey were fighting for their lives;she resolved to act boldlyand threw off her cloak;she took up a bare swordand fought to defend her kin —no gentle hand in battle,wherever she struck.

Dóttir lét Gjúkadrengi tvá hnígabróður hjó hon Atlabera varð þann síðanskapði hon svá skæruskelldi fót undan.

Gjuki's daughterbrought two men down;she struck Atli's brother —he had to be carried off afterward,so hard did she fight —she cut the leg clean out from under him.

Annan réð hon höggvasvá at sá upp reis-atí helju hon þann hafðiþeygi henni hendr skulfu.

She struck anotherso he never rose again —sent him straight to Hel;her hands never once shook.

Þjörku þar gerðuþeiri var við brugðitþat brá of allt annater unnu börn Gjúka;svá kváðu Niflungameðan sjalfir lifðuskapa sókn sverðumslítask af brynjurhöggva svá hjalmasem þeim hugr dygði.

The fight they made there —that fight became famous,outshining everything elseGjuki's children ever did;men said the Niflungs,while they still lived,drove their assault with swords,tore mail-shirts apart,hewed through helmetsas their courage carried them.

Morgin mest váguunz miðjan dag líddióttu allaok öndurðan dag;fyrr var fullvegitflóði völlr blóðiátján áðr felluefri þeir urðu.Beru tveir sveinarok bróðir hennar.

They fought hardest through the morning,until midday passed —through all the dawnand the early day;before the fight was fully done,the field ran with blood —eighteen had fallen,and they still had the upper hand:Bera's two sons,and her brother too.

Röskr tók at ræðaþótt hann reiðr væri:"Illt er um litaskyðr er þat kenna;várum þrír tigirþegnar vígligireftir lifum ellifuór er þar brunnit.

The bold one began to speak,furious as he was:"It's a grim sight to see —and that's down to you;we were thirty fighting men,ready for battle;eleven of us are left living —that's a gap burned right through us.

Bæðr várum fimmer Buðla misstum;hefir nú Hel halfaen höggnir tveir liggja.

We were five brotherswhen we lost Budli;now Hel has half of us,and two more lie cut down.

Mægð gat ek miklamák-a-k því leynakona váligaknák-a ek þess njóta;hljótt áttum sjaldansíz komt í hendr ossarfirrðan mik frændumféi oft svikinnsenduð systur heljuslíks ek mest kennumk."Guðrún kvað:

"I made a great match by marriage —I can't deny that;wretched woman,I've had no joy from it;we've rarely known peace,since you came into my hands —you've cut me off from my kin,cheated me of wealth again and again,sent my own sister to Hel —that, above all, is what I hold against you."

"Getr þú þess, Atligerðir svá fyrrimóður tókt mínaok myrðir til hnossasvinna systrungusveltir þú í hellihlægligt mér þat þykkirer þú þinn harm tínir;goðum ek þat þakkaer þér gengsk illa."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"You bring that up, Atli —you did as much yourself before:you took my motherand murdered her for her treasures;my clever cousinyou starved to death in a cave;I find it laughable,you counting up your griefs —I thank the godsthings are going badly for you."

"Eggja ek yðr, jarlarauka harm stóranvífs ins vegligavilja ek þat líta;kostið svá keppaat klökkvi Guðrúnséa ek þat mættaat hon sér né ynði-t.

Atli said:"I urge you, earls —heap more griefon this proud woman,I want to see it;push hard enoughthat Gudrun breaks down weeping —I'd like to seeher find no peace at all.

Takið ér Högnaok hyldið með knífiskerið ór hjartaskuluð þess görvirGunnar grimmúðganá galga festiðbellið því bragðibjóðið til ormum."Högni kvað:

Take Hogni,and carve him with a knife —cut out his heart,you're ready for it now;and bind fierce Gunnarto the gallows —dare that stroke,throw him to the snakes."

"Ger, sem til lystirglaðr munk þess bíðaröskr munk þér reynaskreynt hefi ek fyrr brattara;höfuð hnekkingmeðan heilir várumnú erum svá sárirat þá mátt sjalfr valda."

Hogni said:"Do what you like —I'll wait for it gladly;you'll find me brave enough,I've faced steeper things before;we held you in checkwhile we were still whole —now we're wounded enoughthat you can do as you please."

Beiti þat mæltibryti var hann Atla:"Tökum vér Hjallaen Högna forðumhögum vér halft yrkjumhann er skapdauðilifir-a svá lengilöskr mun hann æ heitinn."

Beiti spoke up —he was Atli's steward:"Let's take Hjalli,and spare Hogni for now —let's get it half done first;he's doomed to die anyway,he won't live long regardless —folk will always call him worthless."

Hræddr var hvergætirhelt-a in lengr rúmikunni klökkr verðakleif í rá hverja;vesall lézk vígs þeiraer skyldi váss gjaldaok sinn dag dapranat deyja frá svínumallri örkostuer hann áðr hafði.

The cook was terrified —he couldn't hold still any longer,grew tearful,scrambled into every corner;he called himself wretched,that he should pay for their quarrel,and called this his saddest day —to die away from his pigsand all the plentyhe'd once had.

Tóku þeir brás Buðlaok brugðu til knífiæpði illþræliáðr odds kennditóm lézk at eigateðja vel garðavinna it vergastaef hann við réttifeginn lézk þó Hjalliat hann fjör þægi.

They seized Budli's cookand drew a knife on him;the wretched thrall screamedbefore he even felt the point;he said he had all the time in the worldto muck out yards well,do the foulest work,if only he'd be spared —Hjalli said he'd be gladjust to keep his life.

Gættisk þess Högni- gerva svá færi -at árna ánauðgumat undan gengi:"Fyrir kveð ek mér minnaat fremja leik þenna.Hví mynim hér viljaheyra á þá skræktun?"

Hogni saw it —few would have done as much —and pleaded for the wretched slave,that he might be let go:"It matters less to meto see this game through.Why would we want to sit herelistening to that screeching?"

Þrifu þeir þjóðgóðanþá var kostr engirekkum rakklátumráð enn lengr dvelja;hló þá Högniheyrðu dagmegirkeppa hann svá kunnikvöl hann vel þolði.

So they seized the good man instead —there was no choice nowfor the bold warriorsbut to press on;Hogni laughed then —people heard it —he knew how to hold himself;he bore the torment well.

Harpu tók Gunnarrhrærði ilkvistumsláa hann svá kunniat snótir grétuklukku þeir karlarer kunnu görst heyra;ríkri ráð sagði;raftar sundr brustu.

Gunnar took up a harpand played it with his toes;he could strike it sothat women wept,and the men who heard it bestwept too;it spoke of something mightier still;the rafters cracked apart.

Dó þá dýrirdags var heldr snemmalétu þeir á lestilifa íþróttir.

Then the noble men died —it was still early in the day;what they left behind, at the last,was their skill living on.

Stórr þóttisk Atlisté hann of þá báðahorskri harm sagðiok réð heldr at bregða:"Morginn er nú, Guðrúnmisst hefir þú þér hollra;sums ertu sjalfskapaat hafi svá gengit."Guðrún kvað:

Atli thought himself great —he stepped over the two of them —he brought the wise woman news of grief,and set to taunting her:"It's morning now, Gudrun —you've lost those who were loyal to you;you're partly to blame yourself,that it turned out this way."

"Feginn ertu, Atliferr þú víg lýsaá munu þér iðraref þú allt reynir;sú mun erfð eftirek kann þér segja:Ills gengsk þér aldrinema ek ok deyja."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"You're glad of it, Atli,going around proclaiming this killing —you'll live to regret it,once you know it all;here's the legacy left to you,and I can tell you now:no evil will ever leave you,except through my own death too."

"Kann ek slíks synjasé ek til ráð annathalfu hógligra- höfnum oft góðu -mani mun ek þik huggamætum ágætumsilfri snæhvítusem þú sjalf vilir."Guðrún kvað:

Atli said:"I can refuse that;I see another way,far gentler —we too often turn down what's good —I'll comfort you with servants,with fine treasures,with silver white as snow,however you yourself wish."

"Ón er þess engiek vil því níta;sleit ek þá sáttirer váru sakar minni;afkár ek áðr þóttaá mun nú gæðahræfða ek um hotvetnameðan Högni lifði.

Gudrun said:"There's no hope in that at all —I refuse it;I broke off peaceeven when the wrongs were smaller;I seemed harsh enough before —that will only grow now;I raged at everythingwhile Hogni was alive.

Alin vit upp várumí einu húsilékum leik marganok í lundi óxumgæddi okkr Grímhildrgulli ok halsmenjum;bana muntu mér bræðrabæta aldriginé vinna þess ekkiat mér vel þykki.

We were raised togetherin one house,played many a game,grew up in the same grove;Grimhild gave usgold and neck-rings;you will never make amends to mefor my brothers' deaths,nor do a single thingI'd call good.

Kostum drepr kvennakarla ofríki;í kné gengr hnefief kvistir þverra;tré tekr at hnígaef höggr tág undan;nú máttu einn, Atliöllu hér ráða."

Men's brute forcecrushes what women choose;the fist bends the knee,once the branches thin;the tree begins to lean,once you've hewn the roots from under it;now you alone, Atli,can rule everything here."

Gnótt var grunnýðgier gramr því trúðisýn var sveipvísief hann sín gæði;kröpp var þá Guðrúnkunni of hug mælalétt hon sér gerðilék hon tveim skjöldum.

There was no shortage of foolishness in the king,that he believed it;the deception was plain to see,if he'd kept his guard up;Gudrun was cunning then —she knew how to speak against her own heart;she made it easy on herself —she played a double game.

Æxti hon öldrykkjurat erfa bræðr sínasamr lézk ok Atliat sína gerva.

She brewed the alefor a funeral feast, to honor her brothers;Atli said he toowould hold one for his own dead.

Lokit því létulagat var drykkjusú var samkundavið svörfun ofmikla;ströng var stórhuguðstríddi hon ætt Buðlavildi hon ver sínumvinna ofrhefndir.

They let that finish —the drink was prepared;it was a gatheringfull of great turmoil;the great-hearted woman was ruthless —she made war on Budli's kin;she meant to wreakmonstrous revenge on her own husband.

Lokkaði hon litlaok lagði við stokkiglúpnuðu grimmirok grétu þeygifóru í faðm móðurfréttu, hvat þá skyldi.Guðrún kvað:

She lured the little onesand laid them by the block;grim as they were, they paledbut did not cry —they went into their mother's armsand asked what was to happen.

"Spyrið lítt eftirspilla ætla ek báðumlyst várumk þess lengiat lyfja ykkr elli."Sveinarnir kváðu:"Blótt, sem vill, börnumbannar þat manngiskömm mun ró reiðief þú reynir görva."

Gudrun said:"Ask nothing more —I mean to destroy you both;I've long wantedto cure you of old age."The boys said:"Kill us, if you want to, children as we are —no one's stopping you;your anger's rest won't last long,once you've carried it through."

Brá þá barnæskubræðra in kappsvinnaskipti-t skapligaskar hon á hals báða.Enn frétti Atlihvert farnir værisveinar hans leikaer hann sá þá hvergi.Guðrún kvað:

Then the fierce one, sister of those brothers,cast off all childhood tenderness —nothing gentle in it —she cut both their throats.Later Atli askedwhere his boys had gone offto play,since he saw them nowhere.

"Yfir ráðumk gangaAtla til segja;dylja munk þik eigidóttir Grímhildar;glaða mun þik minnst, Atlief þú görva reynir;vakðir vá miklaer þú vátt bræðr mína.

Gudrun said:"I mean to goand tell Atli;I won't hide it from you,Grimhild's daughter that I am;you'll be glad of it least, Atli,once you learn it fully;you woke a great disaster,when you killed my brothers.

Svaf ek mjök sjaldansíðans þeir felluhét ek þér hörðuhefi ek þik nú minntan;morgin mér sagðirman ek enn þann görvanú er ok aftannátt þú slíkt at frétta.

I've barely slept,since they fell;I promised you something harsh —I've just reminded you of it;you told me it was morning —I remember that clearly still;now it's evening too —and you've earned this news."

Maga hefir þú þinnamisst, sem þú sízt skyldirhausa veizt þú þeirahafða at ölskálumdrýgða ek þér svá drykkjudreyra blett ek þeira.

"You've lost your sons,at the very time you least could bear it;their skulls, you should know,were made into ale-cups —that's how I brewed your drink;I stained it with their blood.

Tók ek þeira hjörtuok á teini steikðakselda ek þér síðansagðak, at kalfs væri:einn þú því ollirekki réttu leifatöggtu tíðligatrúðir vel jöxlum.

I took their hearts,roasted them on a spit;I served them to you afterand said it was veal;you brought this on yourself, alone —you left nothing on the plate;you chewed away eagerly,trusted your own teeth completely.

Barna veiztu þinnabiðr sér fár verra;hlut veld ek mínumhælumk þó ekki."Atli kvað:

Now you know about your children —few ask for worse than that;I've done my share —though I take no pride in it."

"Grimm vartu, Guðrúner þú gera svá máttirbarna þinna blóðiat blanda mér drykkju;snýtt hefir þú sifjungumsem þú sizt skyldirmér lætr þú ok sjalfummillum ills lítit."Guðrún kvað:

Atli said:"You were savage, Gudrun,that you could do such a thing —mix my drinkwith your own children's blood;you've stripped yourself of kin,at the very time you should least have —and you leave me too little spacebetween one horror and the next."

"Vili mér enn væriat vega þik sjalfanfátt er fullillafarit við gram slíkan;drýgt þú fyrr hafðirþat, er menn dæmi vissu-t tilheimsku, harðræðisí heimi þessum;nú hefir þú enn aukitþat er áðan frágum;greipt glæp stórangört hefir þú þitt erfi."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"I'd still gladly wantto kill you myself —nothing is too harsh,dealt to a king like you;you'd already done, before this,what no one had precedent for —such folly,such cruelty in this world;now you've topped evenwhat we'd already heard;you've seized holdof a monstrous crime — you've made this your own funeral feast."

"Brennd muntu á báliok barið grjóti áðrþá hefir þú árnatþatstu æ beiðisk."Guðrún kvað:"Seg þér slíkarsorgir ár morginfríðra vil ek dauðafara í ljós annat."

Atli said:"You'll be burned on a pyre,stoned first —then you'll finally have earned,what you've always asked for."Gudrun said:"Keep such threatsfor your own morning sorrows —I want a fairer death,to pass into another light."

Sátu samtýnissendusk fárhugihendusk heiftyrðihvártki sér unði;heift óx Hniflungihugði á stórræðigat fyr Guðrúnuat hann væri grimmr Atla.

They sat within the same walls,trading hostile looks,hurling bitter words —neither found any peace;hatred grew in Hniflung;he had a great deed in mind;he let Gudrun knowhe was ready to be Atli's death.

Kómu í hug henniHögna viðfarartalði happ hánumef hann hefnt ynni.Veginn var þá Atlivar þess skammt bíðasonr vá Högnaok sjalf Guðrún.

Hogni's fatecame back to her mind;she told him it would be his fortune,if he won revenge.Atli was killed then —it wasn't long in coming;Hogni's son struck him down,and Gudrun herself too.

Röskr tók at ræðarakðisk ór svefnikenndi brátt benjabands kvað hann þörf enga:"Segið it sannastahverr vá son Buðlaemk-a ek lítt leikinnlífs tel ek ván enga."Guðrún kvað:

The bold man began to speak,roused from sleep;he felt his wounds at once,said there was no need to bind them:"Tell me the truth of it —who struck down Budli's son?I've been dealt with roughly —I count no hope of living."

"Dylja mun þik eigidóttir Grímhildarlátumk því valdaer líðr þína æfien sumu sonr Högnaer þik sár mæða."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"I won't hide it from you,Grimhild's daughter that I am —I own I'm the causeyour life is ending;and partly Hogni's son too,that these wounds torment you."

"Vaðit hefir þú at vígiþótt væri-t skapliktillt er vin vélaþanns þér vel trúir;beiddr fór ek heimanat biðja þín, Guðrún.

Atli said:"You've waded into killing,though it wasn't fitting for you;it's a wretched thingto betray a friend who trusts you well;at others' urging I left home once,to ask for your hand, Gudrun.

Leyfð vartu ekkjalétu stórráðavarð-a ván lygier vér of reyndum;fórtu heim hingatfylgði oss herr mannaallt var ítarligtum órar ferðir.

You were spoken of as a fine widow,capable and strong-willed —and it proved no lie,once we'd seen for ourselves;you came home here with us,a great company followed;everything about our journeywas splendid.

Margs var alls sómimanna tíginnanaut váru ærinnutum af stórumþar var fjölð féarfengu til margir.

There was honor enough in everything,from men of high rank;we had cattle in plenty,drew from great herds;there was a wealth of money there —many got their share.

Mund galt ek mærrimeiðma fjölð þiggjaþræla þría tiguþýjar sjau góðarsæmð var at slíkusilfr var þó meira.

I paid bride-price to the famed woman,gave treasures without stint to win her —thirty thralls,seven good bondwomen;there was honor in that gift —yet the silver was more still.

Léztu þér allt þykkjasem ekki værimeðan lönd þau láguer mér leifði Buðligróftu svá undirgerði-t hlut þiggja;sværu léztu þínasitja oft grátnafann ek í hug heilumhjóna vætr síðan."Guðrún kvað:

You treated it allas if it were nothing —those lands that Budli left to melying there;you worked against me in secret,so I got no share of them;you left your mother-in-lawsitting there weeping, time and again;I never found, in all my heart,any real warmth from you as a wife, from that day on."

"Lýgr þú nú, Atliþótt ek þat lítt rekja;heldr var ek hæg sjaldanhóftu þó stórum;börðuzk ér bræðr ungirbáruzk róg milli;halft gekk til heljarór húsi þínu;hrolldi hotvetnaþat er til hags skyldi.

Gudrun said:"You're lying now, Atli,though I won't press the point much;I was rarely so mild —yet you've exaggerated wildly;you brothers fought each other young,carried grudges between you;half your householdwent to Hel;everything that should have gone rightfell to pieces.

Þrjú várum systkinþóttum óvæginfórum af landifylgðum Sigurðiskæva vér létumskipi hvert várt stýrðiörkuðum at auðnuunz vér austr kómum.

We were three siblings,thought hard to bend;we left our landand followed Sigurd;we let our ships glide,each of us steering our own,sailing on toward whatever fortune brought,until we came east.

Konung drápum fyrstankurum land þaðrahersar oss á hönd genguhræðslu þat vissi;vágum ór skógiþanns vildum syknansettum þann sælaner sér né átti-t.

We killed a king first,and chose land from what we won;local chiefs bowed to us —fear made them do it;we cleared away, from the forests,whoever we wished acquitted,and made a rich manof one who'd owned nothing of his own.

Dauðr varð inn húnskidrap þá brátt kostistrangt var angr ungriekkju nafn hljóta;kvöl þótti kvikriat koma í hús Atlaátti áðr kappiillr var sá missir.

The Hun-king died —good fortune vanished fast;it was a hard grieffor the young widow to bear;it felt like torment, alive as she was,to come to Atli's house —I'd had a hero for a husband before,and that loss was bitter.

Komt-a-ðu af því þingier vér þat frægimat þú sök sættirné slekðir aðra;vildir ávallt vægjaen vætki haldakyrrt of því láta-- -- -- -- -- --"Atli kvað:

"You never came homefrom a single meeting where we heardyou'd settled a grievance,or put out another one's fire;you always wanted to give ground,never held firm,always let things lie ——"

"Lýgr þú nú, Guðrúnlítt mun við bætaskhluti hvárigrahöfum öll skarðan.Gerðu nú, Guðrúnaf gæzku þinniokkr til ágætiser mik út hefja."Guðrún kvað:

Atli said:"You're lying now, Gudrun —little will mend it,for either of us;we've all come away with less.Do now, Gudrun,out of whatever goodness you have,something honorable for us both,when they carry me out."

"Knörr mun ek kaupaok kistu steindavexa vel blæjuat verja þitt líkihyggja á þörf hverjasem vit holl værim."

Gudrun said:"I'll buy a shipand a painted coffin,wax a fine shroud wellto wrap your body;I'll see to every need —as if the two of us had been true to each other."

Nár varð þá Atliniðjum stríð æxtiefndi ítrborinallt þats réð heita;fróð vildi Gudrúnfara sér at spillaurðu dvöl dægradó hon í sinn annat.

Atli became a corpse then,having brought ruin down on his own kin;the nobly born womankept every promise she had made;the wise Gudrun wantedto end her own life,but the days delayed it —she died at another time.

Sæll er hverr síðaner slíkt getr fæðajóð at afrekisems ól Gjúki;lifa mun þat eftirá landi hverjuþeira þrámælihvargi er þjóð heyrir.

Happy is anyone, ever after,who can father childrenof such great deeds,as Gjuki did;their enduring famewill live on afterward,in every land,wherever people hear of it.