Guðrúnarkviða II

Þjóðrekr konungr var með Atla ok hafði þar látit flesta alla menn sína. Þjóðrekr ok Guðrún kærðu harma sín á milli. Hon sagði hánum ok kvað:Mær var ek meyja- móðir mik fæddi, -björt í búriunna ek vel bræðrum, -unz mik Gjúkigulli reifðigulli reifðigaf Sigurði.

King Thjodrek was with Atli, and had lost nearly all his men there. Thjodrek and Gudrun poured out their griefs to each other. She spoke to him, and said:I was a girl among girls— my mother raised me —bright in her bower;I loved my brothers well —until Gjuki wrapped me in gold,wrapped me in gold,and gave me to Sigurd.

Svá var Sigurðrof sonum Gjúkasem væri grænn laukrór grasi vaxinneða hjörtr hábeinnof hvössum dýrumeða gull glóðrauttaf gráu silfri.

So Sigurd roseabove the sons of Gjuki —as a green leekgrows above the grass,or a long-legged stagabove fierce beasts,or glowing-red goldabove gray silver.

Unz mér fyrmunðumínir bræðrat ek ætta veröllum fremra;sofa þeir né máttu-tné of sakar dæmaáðr þeir Sigurðsvelta létu.

Until my brothers begrudged mehaving a husbandwho outshone all others;they could not sleep,or settle the matter,until they had let Sigurdbe put to death.

Grani rann at þingi- gnýr var at heyra, -en þá Sigurðrsjalfr eigi kom;öll váru söðuldýrsveita stokkinok of vanið vásiund vegöndum.

Grani ran to the assembly —a roar could be heard —but Sigurd himselfdid not come;the saddle-beast stood there,drenched all over in sweat,worn from the ordeal,among the killers.

Gekk ek grátandivið Grana ræðaúrughlýrajó frá ek spjalla;hnipnaði Grani þádrap í gras höfðijór þat vissieigendr né lifðu-t.

Weeping, I wentto speak with Grani,with tear-wet cheeksI asked the horse for news;Grani hung his head then,dropped it into the grass —the horse knew wellhis master was no longer alive.

Lengi hvarfaðaklengi hugir deilduskáðr ek of frægakfolkvörð at gram.

Long I wavered,long my mind was torn,before I brought myselfto ask the people's guardian about my lord.

Hnipnaði Gunnarrsagði mér Högnifrá Sigurðarsárum dauða:"Liggr of höggvinnfyr handan verGothorms baniof gefinn ulfum.

Gunnar hung his head;Hogni told meof Sigurd'sgrievous death:"He lies cut downbeyond the water —Guttorm's killer,given to the wolves.

Líttu þar Sigurðá suðrvega;þá heyrir þúhrafna gjallaörnu gjallaæzli fegnavarga þjótaof veri þínum."

Look for Sigurd thereon the road south;then you'll hearthe ravens shrieking,the eagles crying,glad of carrion,wolves howlingover your husband."

"Hví þú mér, Högniharma slíkaviljalaussivill of segja?Þitt skyli hjartahrafnar slítavið lönd yfiren þú vitir manna!"

"Why do you, Hogni,unwilling as you are,want to tell mesuch grief?May ravens tearyour heart outacross every land —may all men know it!"

Svaraði Högnisinni einutrauðr góðs hugaraf trega stórum:"Þess áttu, Guðrúngræti at fleiriat hjarta mitthrafnar slíti."

Hogni answered —this once, reluctant,heavy with sorrow:"You'd have more, Gudrun,to weep for,if ravens toremy heart as well."

Hvarf ek ein þaðanannspilli fráá við lesavarga leifar;gerðig-a ek hjúfrané höndum sláné kveina umsem konur aðrarþá er sat soltinof Sigurði.

I turned away alone from there,done with talk,to gather in the woodswhat the wolves had left;I did not weep,or wring my hands,or wail as other women do,when, famished, I sat over Sigurd.

Nótt þótti mérniðmyrkr veraer ek sárla satkyfir Sigurði;ulfar þóttumköllu betrief þeir léti miklífi týnaeða brenndi miksem birkinn við.

The night seemed black as pitch to meas I sat there in pain over Sigurd;the wolves seemed kinder to me by farthan to let me live on —or if I were burnedlike birch-wood.

Fór ek af fjallifimm dægr taliðunz ek höll Halfsháva þekkðak.

I journeyed from the mountains,five days counted,until I recognizedHalf's high hall.

Sat ek með Þórusjau misseridætr Hákonarí Danmörku;hon mér at gamnigullbókaðisali suðrænaok svani danska.

I stayed with Thora,Hakon's daughter,seven half-years,in Denmark;to cheer meshe embroidered in goldsouthern hallsand Danish swans.

Hafðu vit á skriftumþat er skatar lékuok á hannyrðumhilmis þegnarandir rauðarrekka Húnahjördrótt, hjalmdrótthilmis fylgju.

On our tapestry we hadwhat warriors did in battle,and in our needlework,the king's thanes:red shields,Hunnish warriors,a throng of swords, a throng of helmets,the king's own guard.

Skip Sigmundarskriðu frá landigylltar grímurgrafnir stafnar;byrðu vit á borðaþat er þeir börðuskSigarr ok Siggeirrsuðr á Fjóni.

Sigmund's shipsglided from the shore,gilded figureheads,carved prows;on our tapestry we wovehow they fought —Sigar and Siggeir —south on Fyn.

Þá frá Grimildrgotnesk konahvat ek værahyggjuð -- --;hon brá borðaok buri heimtiþrágjarnligaþess at spyrjahverr vildi sonsystur bætaeða ver veginnvildi gjalda.

Then Grimhild asked,the Gothic woman,what I hadin mind — —;she set aside her weavingand summoned her sons,insistentlydemanding to knowwho would make amends to their sisterfor the son,or who would payfor the husband slain.

Görr lézk Gunnarrgull at bjóðasakar at bætaok it sama Högni.Hon frétti at þvíhverr fara vildivigg at söðlavagn at beitahesti ríðahauki fleygjaöðrum at skjótaaf ýboga.

Gunnar declared he was readyto offer gold,to pay for the wrong —and Hogni the same.She asked furtherwho would go:to saddle a horse,to harness a wagon,to ride,to fly a hawk,another to shootwith a yew bow.

Valdarr Dönummeð JarizleifiEymóðr þriðimeð Jarizskáriinn gengu þájöfrum líkirLangbarðs liðarhöfðu loða rauðastuttar brynjursteypða hjalmaskalmum gyrðirhöfðu skarar jarpar.

Valdar of the Danes,with Jarizleif;Eymod, third,with Jarizskar;they walked in,looking like princes —the Lombard retinuewore red cloaks,short mail-coats,peaked helmets,short-swords at their belts,and their hair was brown.

Hverr vildi mérhnossir veljahnossir veljaok hugat mælaef þeir mætti mérmargra sútatryggðir vinna, -né ek trúa gerða.

Each of them wishedto choose gifts for me,choose gifts for me,and speak kindly,hoping to win my trustdespite my many sorrows —but I did not trust them.

Færði mér Grímhildrfull at drekkasvalt ok sárligtné ek sakar munðak;þat var of aukitjarðar magnisvalköldum sæok sónum dreyra.

Grimhild brought mea cup to drink,cold and bitter —so I'd forget my grief;it was laced withthe earth's power,ice-cold sea,and the blood of swine.

Váru í hornihvers kyns stafirristnir ok roðnir- ráða ek né máttak, -lyngfiskr langrlands Haddingjaax óskoritinnleið dyra.

In the horn were runesof every kind,carved and reddened —I could not read them —a long heather-fishfrom the land of the Haddings,an uncut ear of grain,and the innards of beasts.

Váru þeim bjóriböl mörg samanurt alls viðarok akarn brunninumdögg arinsiðrar blótnarsvíns lifr soðinþví at hon sakar deyfði.

In that beer weremany banes together:herbs from every wood,and burnt acorns,hearth-soot,sacrificed entrails,boiled pig's liver —to dull my grief.

En þá gleymðuer getit höfðuöll jöfursjórbjúg í sal;kómu konungarfyr kné þrenniráðr hon sjalfa miksótti at máli.Grímhildr kvað:

Then I forgot — once I had drunk —all of the prince's death,there in the hall;three kings cameand knelt before me,before she herselfcame to speak with me.

"Gef ek þér, Guðrúngull at þiggjafjölð alls féarat þinn föður dauðanhringa rauðaHlöðvés saliársal allanat jöfur fallinn.

Grimhild said:"I give you, Gudrun,gold to take —an abundance of wealththat was your dead father's:red rings,Hlodver's halls,the whole hall of plenty —for the fallen prince.

Húnskar meyjarþær er hlaða spjöldumok gera gull fagrtsvá at þér gaman þykki;ein skaltu ráðaauði Buðlagulli göfguðok gefin Atla."Guðrún kvað:

Hunnish maidenswho weave with tabletsand shape fair gold,so you'll find joy in it;you alone shall ruleBudli's wealth,honored with gold,and given to Atli."

"Vilk eigi ekmeð veri gangané Brynhildarbróður eiga;samir eigi mérvið son Buðlaætt at aukané una lífi."Grímhildr kvað:

Gudrun said:"I won't gowith a husband,or take Brynhild'sbrother;it isn't fitting for me,with Budli's son,to raise a family,or find any peace in life."

"Hirð-a-ðu hölðumheiftir gjaldaþví at vér höfumvaldit fyrri;svá skaltu látasem þeir lifi báðirSigurðr ok Sigmundref þú sonu fæðir."Guðrún kvað:

Grimhild said:"Don't trouble yourselfwith paying backgrudges to these men —it was we who caused it first;you'll live as thoughboth still lived —Sigurd and Sigmund —if you bear sons."

"Mák-a ek, Grímhildrglaumi bellané vígrisinsvánir teljasiz Sigurðarsárla drukkuhrægífr, huginnhjartblóð saman."Grímhildr kvað:

Gudrun said:"I cannot, Grimhild,share in joy,or hold out hope for battle,since the corpse-witch and the ravendrank together,painfully,Sigurd'sheart's blood."

"Þann hefi ek allraættgöfgastanfylki funditok framast nökkvi;hann skaltu eigaunz þik aldr viðrverlaus veranema þú vilir þenna."Guðrún kvað:

Grimhild said:"I've found the noblest-bornof all princes,and the finest by far;you shall have him,or old age will find youhusbandless,unless you want this one."

"Hirð-a-ðu bjóðabölvafullarþrágjarnligaþær kindir mér;hann mun Gunnargrandi beitaok ór Högnahjarta slíta;munk-at ek léttaáðr lífshvataneggleiks hvötuðaldri næmik."

Gudrun said:"Don't bother offering methat bane-ridden broodso insistently —he'll turn on Gunnar with harm,and tear the heartout of Hogni;I will not restuntil I have taken the lifeof that inciter of battle."

Grátandi Grímhildrgreip við orðier burum sínumbölva vættiok mögum sínummeina stórra.Grímhildr kvað:

Weeping, Grimhildtook in the words,as her sons' sisterforetold disaster,and great harmfor her offspring.

"Lönd gef ek enn þérlýða sinniVinbjörg, Valbjörgef þú vill þiggja;eigðu um aldr þatok uni, dóttir."Guðrún kvað:

Grimhild said:"I'll give you still more land,with its people —Vinbjorg, Valbjorg —if you will take them;hold them forever,and be at peace, daughter."

"Þann mun ek kjósaaf konungumok þó af niðjumnauðig hafa;verðr eigi mérverr at ynðiné böl bræðraat bura skjóli."

Gudrun said:"I will choose him, then,from among kings —though against my willI take him from among kinsmen;this husband will bring meno joy,nor will my sonsshelter my brothers from harm."

Senn var á hestihverr drengr litinnen víf valneskhafið í vagna;vér sjau dagasvalt land riðumen aðra sjauunnir kníðumen ina þriðju sjauþurrt land stigum.

Soon every manwas seen on horseback,and the foreign womenlifted into wagons;seven days we rodethrough a cold land,another sevenwe forced through the waves,and a third sevenwe set foot again on dry land.

Þar hliðverðirhárar borgargrind upp lukuáðr í garð riðum.

There the gatekeepersof the high strongholdopened the gate,before we rode into the yard.

Vakði mik Atlien ek vera þóttumkfull ills hugarat frændr dauða.Atli kvað:

Atli woke me,and I felt myselffull of dark forebodingsabout my kinsmen's death.

"Svá mik nýliganornir vekja," -vílsinnis spávildi, at ek réða, -"hugða ek þik, GuðrúnGjúka dóttirlæblöndnum hjörleggja mik í gögnum."Guðrún kvað:

Atli said:"The Norns have just nowwoken me —an omen of miserywants me to read it —I dreamed that you, Gudrun,Gjuki's daughter,drove a poisoned bladestraight through me."

"Þat er fyr eldier éarn dreymafyr dul ok vildrósar reiði;mun ek þik við bölvibrenna gangalíkna ok læknaþótt mér leiðir séir."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"That means fire,when one dreams of iron —a woman's anger in a dreamis only pride and longing;I'll go to burn awayyour affliction,to comfort you and heal you,though you're hateful to me."

"Hugða ek hér í túniteina fallnaþá er ek vildakvaxna látarifnir með rótumroðnir í blóðibornir á bekkibeðit mik at tyggva.

Atli said:"I dreamed of saplingshere in the yard,fallen,that I had wantedto let grow;torn up by the roots,red with blood,brought to the table,and I was told to eat them.

Hugða ek mér af hendihauka fljúgabráðalausabölranna til;hjörtu hugða ek þeiravið hunang tugginsorgmóðs sefasollin blóði.

I dreamed hawks flyingfrom my hand,without prey,toward houses of doom;I dreamed I chewed their heartswith honey —swollen with blood,heavy with sorrow.

Hugða ek mér af hendihvelpa losnaglaums andvanagylli báðir;hold hugða ek þeiraat hræum orðitnauðigr náinýta ek skyldak."Guðrún kvað:

I dreamed puppiesslipping from my hand,joyless,both of them howling;I dreamed their fleshhad turned to carrion,and against my willI had to feed on the dead."

"Þar munu seggirof sæing dæmaok hvítingahöfði næma;þeir munu feigirfára náttafyrir dag litludrótt of bergja."Atli kvað:

Gudrun said:"There, men will speakof sacrifice,and cut the headsfrom the white beasts;doomed,within a few nights,just before dawn,the household will taste it."

"Lægja ek síðanné ek sofa vildakþrágjarn í kör;þat man ek görva."

Atli said:"I lay down after that,but did not want to sleep,restless in my bed;that I remember clearly."