Old Norse facing a living language
Sigmundr konungr Völsungsson átti Borghildi af Brálundi. Þau hétu son sinn Helga ok eftir Helga Hjörvarðssyni. Helga fóstraði Hagall. Hundingr hét ríkr konungr. Við hann er Hundland kennt. Hann var hermaðr mikill ok átti marga sonu, þá er í hernaði váru. Ófriðr ok dylgjur váru á milli þeira Hundings konungs ok Sigmundar konungs. Drápu hvárir annarra frændr. Sigmundr konungr ok hans ættmenn hétu Völsungar ok Ylfingar. Helgi fór ok njósnaði til hirðar Hundings konungs á laun. Hemingr, son Hundings konungs, var heima. En er Helgi fór í brott, þá hitti hann hjarðarsvein ok kvað:"Segðu Hemingiat Helgi manhvern i brynjubragnar felldu;ér ulf gráaninni höfðuðþar er Hamal hugðiHundingr konungr."Hamall hét son Hagals. Hundingr konungr sendi menn til Hagals at leita Helga, en Helgi mátti eigi forðast annan veg en tók klæði ambáttar ok gekk at mala. Þeir leituðu ok fundu eigi Helga. Þá kvað Blindr inn bölvísi:
King Sigmund Volsungsson was married to Borghild of Bralund. They named their son Helgi, after Helgi Hjorvardsson. Hagal fostered Helgi. Hunding was the name of a powerful king — Hundland is named for him. He was a great warrior, and had many sons who rode to war with him. There was hostility and blood-feud between King Hunding and King Sigmund; each side killed the other's kinsmen. King Sigmund and his family were called Volsungs and Ylfings. Helgi went in secret to spy on King Hunding's court. Heming, King Hunding's son, was at home. As Helgi left, he met a herd-boy and said:"Tell Hemingthat Helgi rememberswho it was they struck downin his mail-coat;you kept a grey wolfinside your halland thought him, King Hunding,only Hamal."Hamal was the name of Hagal's son. King Hunding sent men to Hagal's to search for Helgi, but Helgi had no way to escape except to put on a servant-woman's clothes and go to grind at the mill. They searched and did not find Helgi.
"Hvöss eru auguí Hagals þýju;er-a þat karls ætter á kvernum stendr;steinar rifnastökk lúðr fyrir.
Blind the Malicious said:"Sharp are the eyesof Hagal's bondwoman;that's no churl's daughterstanding at the quern;the millstones are splitting,the hopper cracks before her.
Nú hefir hörð dæmihildingr þegiter vísi skalvalbygg mala;heldr er sæmrihendi þeirimeðalkaflien möndultré."Hagall svaraði ok kvað:
Now this lord has been givena harsh trial —a great prince forcedto grind foreign grain;that hand would suita sword's hiltfar betterthan a mill-handle."
"Þat er lítil váþótt lúðr þrumier mær konungsmöndul hrærir;hon skævaðiskýjum efriok vega þorðisem víkingaráðr hana Helgihöftu gerði;systir er hon þeiraSigars ok Högna;því hefir ötul auguYlfinga man."Undan komst Helgi ok fór á herskip. Hann felldi Hunding konung ok var síðan kallaðr Helgi Hundingsbani. Hann lá með her sinn í Brunavágum ok hafði þar strandhögg ok átu þar hrátt. Högni hét konungr. Hans dóttir var Sigrún. Hon var valkyrja ok reið loft ok lög. Hon var Sváfa endrborin. Sigrún reið at skipum Helga ok kvað:
Hagal answered:"It's little wonderif the hopper groanswhen a king's daughterturns the handle;she once rodeabove the cloudsand dared to fightlike any raider —before Helgimade her his captive;she is the sisterof Sigar and Hogni;that's why the Ylfings' womanhas such fierce eyes." Helgi got away and put to sea in his warship. He killed King Hunding and was afterward called Helgi Hunding's-Bane. He lay with his army in Brunavagar, raiding the coast for supplies, and there they ate their meat raw. Hogni was the name of a king. His daughter was Sigrun. She was a valkyrie and rode through air and sea. She was Svafa reborn. Sigrun rode out to Helgi's ships.
"Hverir láta fljótafley við bakka?Hvar, hermegirheima eiguð?Hvers bíðið érí Brunavágum?Hvert lystir yðrleið at kanna?"Helgi kvað:
Sigrun said:"Who floats these shipsby the shore?Where, warriors,do you call home?What are you waiting forin Brunavagar?Which waydo you mean to try?"
"Hagall lætr fljótafley við bakkaeigum heimaí Hléseyjubíðum byrjarí Brunavágumaustr lystir ossleið at kanna."Sigrún kvað:
Helgi said:"Hagal floats these shipsby the shore;our homeis on Hlesey;we're waiting for a fair windin Brunavagar;east is the waywe mean to try."
"Hvar hefir þú, hilmirhildi vakðaeða gögl alinGunnar systra?Hví er brynja þínblóði stokkin?Hví skal und hjalmumhrátt kjöt eta?"Helgi kvað:
Sigrun said:"Where have you, lord,woken battle,or fed the geeseof Gunn's sisters?Why is your mail-coatspattered with blood?Why must you eatraw meat under your helmets?"
"Þat vann næst nýsniðr Ylfingafyr vestan veref þik vita lystirer ek björnu tókí Bragalundiok ætt araoddum saddak.
Helgi said:"That was my latest deed,kinsman of the Ylfings —west across the sea,if you want to know —when I caught bearsin Bragalundand fed the eagles' broodwith the point of my sword.
Nú er sagt, mærhvaðan sakar gerðuskþví var á legi mérlítt steikt etit."Sigrún kvað:
Now you know, maiden,how the fighting began;that's why so littleof my meal was cooked."
"Víg lýsir þúvarð fyr HelgaHundingr konungrhníga at velli;bar sókn samaner sefa hefnduðok busti blóðá brimis eggjar."Helgi kvað:
Sigrun said:"You describe a fightin which, before Helgi,King Hundingsank to the ground;the attack came togetherwhen you avenged your kin,and blood sprayedon the sword's edge."
"Hvat vissir þúat þeir séimsnót svinnhuguðer sefa hefndum?Margir ro hvassirhildings synirok ámunirossum niðjum."Sigrún kvað:
Helgi said:"How did you knowthat we were the ones,wise-minded maiden,who avenged our kin?Many are keen-edged,the sons of great men,and much likeour own kinsmen."
"Vark-a ek fjarrifolks oddvitigær á morgungrams aldrlokumþó tel ek slægjanSigmundar burer í valrúnumvígspjöll segir.
Sigrun said:"I was not far away,from the war-leader,yesterday morning,at the prince's death —yet I count him cunning,Sigmund's son,who tells his news of battlein riddling runes.
Leit ek þik um sinnfyrr á langskipumþá er þú byggðirblóðga stafnaok úrsvalarunnir léku;nú vill dyljaskdöglingr fyr méren Högna mærHelga kennir."Granmarr hét ríkr konungr, er bjó at Svarinshaugi. Hann átti marga sonu: Höðbroddr, annarr Guðmundr, þriði Starkaðr. Höðbroddr var í konungastefnu. Hann fastnaði sér Sigrúnu Högnadóttur. En er hon spyrr þat, þá reið hon með valkyrjur um loft ok um lög at leita Helga. Helgi var þá at Logafjöllum ok hafði barizt við Hundings sonu. Þar felldi hann þá Álf ok Eyjólf, Hjörvarð ok Hervarð, ok var hann allvígmóðr ok sat undir Arasteini. Þar hitti Sigrún hann ok rann á háls honum ok kyssti hann ok sagði honum erindi sitt, svá sem segir í Völsungakviðu inni fornu:
I saw you once before,on the longships,when you mannedthe blood-stained prowsand ice-cold wavesbroke over them;now the prince wantsto hide from me —but Hogni's daughterknows Helgi." King Granmar was a powerful king who lived at Svarinshaug. He had many sons: Hodbrodd, and second Gudmund, and third Starkad. Hodbrodd was at a meeting of kings, where he pledged himself to marry Sigrun Hognadottir. When she learned of it, she rode out over air and sea with her valkyries to find Helgi. Helgi was then at Logafjoll, having fought Hunding's sons. There he had killed Alf and Eyjolf, Hjorvard and Hervard, and, worn out from battle, he sat down under the eagle-stone. There Sigrun found him; she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, and told him her errand, as it is told in the old Volsungakvida:
Sótti Sigrúnsikling glaðanheim nam hon Helgahönd at sækjakyssti ok kvaddikonung und hjalmi;þá varð hilmihugr á vífi.
Sigrun sought outthe joyful prince;at once she tookHelgi's hand,kissed and greetedthe king beneath his helm;then the lord's heartturned to the woman.
Fyrr lézk hon unnaaf öllum hugsyni Sigmundaren hon sét hafði.Sigrún kvað:
She said she had loved,with all her heart,Sigmund's sonbefore she had ever seen him.
"Var ek Höðbroddií her föstnuðen jöfur annaneiga vildak;þó sjámk, fylkirfrænda reiðihefi ek míns föðurmunráð brotit."
Sigrun said:"I was pledged to Hodbrodd,while his army gathered,but I wantedanother lord entirely;yet I fear, my king,my kinsmen's fury —I have brokenmy father's wishes."
Nam-a Högna mærof hug mælahafa kvaðsk hon Helgahylli skyldu.Helgi kvað:
Hogni's daughterspoke no false word:she said she would haveHelgi's favor, and no one else's.
"Hirð eigi þúHögna reiðiné illan hugættar þinnar.Þú skalt, mær ungat mér lifa;ætt áttu, in góðaer ek eigi sjámk."Helgi samnaði þá miklum skipaher ok fór til Frekasteins, ok fengu í hafi ofviðri mannhætt. Þá kómu leiftr yfir þá, ok stóðu geislar í skipin. Þeir sá í loftinu, at valkyrjur níu riðu, ok kenndu þeir Sigrúnu. Þá lægði storminn, ok kómu þeir heilir til lands. Granmarssynir sátu á bjargi nokkuru, er skipin sigldu at landi. Guðmundr hljóp á hest ok reið á njósn á bergit við höfnina. Þá hlóðu Völsungar seglum. Þá kvað Guðmundr:
Helgi said:"Don't fearHogni's anger,or the ill willof your kinsmen.Young woman,you shall live with me;you come of good stock —I have no fear of them." Helgi then gathered a great fleet and sailed for Frekastein. Out at sea they ran into a storm dangerous to any crew. Lightning flashed over them, and light stood on the ships. They saw nine valkyries riding through the sky, and knew Sigrun among them. Then the storm calmed, and they came safe to land. Granmar's sons were sitting on a cliff when the ships sailed toward shore. Gudmund leapt on a horse and rode out to scout the cliff by the harbor. The Volsungs were furling their sails.
"Hver er skjöldungrsá er skipum stýrirlætr gunnfanagullinn fyr stafni?Þykkja mér fríðí fararbroddi;verpr vígroðaum víkinga.Sinfjötli kvað:
Gudmund said:"Who is the lordwho commands these ships,flying a goldenbanner at the bow?They look splendid,there at the head of the fleet;a red battle-glowhangs over these raiders."
"Hér má HöðbroddrHelga kennaflótta trauðaní flota miðjumhann hefir eðliættar þinnararf Fjörsungaund sik þrungit."Guðmundr kvað:
Sinfjotli said:"Here Hodbrodd canrecognize Helgi,a man loath to flee,right in the fleet's center —he has forced beneath himyour family's birthright,the inheritanceof the Fjorsungar."
"Því fyrr skuluat Frekasteinisáttir samanum sakar dæma;mál er, Höðbroddrhefnd at vinnaef vér lægra hlutlengi bárum."Sinfjötli kvað:
Gudmund said:"All the sooner, then,at Frekastein,let's settle this properlybetween us;it's time, Hodbrodd,to win your revenge —if we've bornethe worse of it too long."
"Fyrr mundu, Guðmundrgeitr of haldaok bergskorarbrattar klífahafa þér í hendiheslikylfuþat er þér blíðaraen brimis dómar.Helgi kvað:
Sinfjotli said:"You'd sooner, Gudmund,be herding goatsand climbingsteep crags,with a hazel switchin your hand —that would suit you betterthan the sword's verdict."
"Þér er, Sinfjötlisæmra miklugunni at heyjaok glaða örnuen ónýtumorðum at bregðaþótt hildingarheiftir deili.
Helgi said:"It would suit you far better, Sinfjotli,to wage warand gladden eagles,than to tradeworthless words back and forth,even when great mencarry grudges.
Þykkja-t mér góðirGranmars synirþó dugir siklingumsatt at mæla;þeir merkt hafaá Móinsheimumat hug hafahjörum at bregða;eru hildingarhölzti snjallir.Guðmundr reið heim með hersögu. Þá sömnuðu Granmarssynir her. Kómu þar margir konungar. Þar var Högni, faðir Sigrúnar, ok synir hans, Bragi ok Dagr. Þar var orrusta mikil, ok fellu allir Granmarssynir ok allir þeira höfðingjar nema Dagr Högnason fekk grið ok vann eiða Völsungum. Sigrún gekk í valinn ok hitti Höðbrodd at kominn dauða. Hon kvað:
I don't think Granmar's sonsare good men —yet it suits a lordto speak the truth:they've shown, at Moinsheimar,that they have the heartto swing a sword;these lordsare altogether too bold." Gudmund rode home with news of war. Then Granmar's sons gathered an army. Many kings came there. Hogni, Sigrun's father, was there, with his sons Bragi and Dag. There was a great battle, and all Granmar's sons fell, and all their chieftains too — except that Dag Hognason was given quarter and swore oaths to the Volsungs. Sigrun walked among the slain and found Hodbrodd at the point of death.
"Mun-a þér, Sigrúnfrá SefafjöllumHöðbroddr konungrhníga at armi;liðin er ævi- oft náir hrævigránstóð gríðar, -Granmars sona."Þá hitti hon Helga ok varð allfegin. Hann kvað:
She said:"Never will you, Sigrunof Sefafjoll,sink into King Hodbrodd'sarms now;his life is spent —often the corpse fallsto the troll-wife's grey steed —so it is now with Granmar's sons." Then she found Helgi and was overjoyed.
"Er-at þér at öllualvitr, gefit- þó kveð ek nökkvinornir valda -:fellu í morgunat FrekasteiniBragi ok Högnivarð ek bani þeira.
He said:"You haven't been giventhe gift of foresight —though I'd saythe Norns played some part in it —:this morning, at Frekastein,Bragi and Hogni fell;I was their killer.
En at StyrkleifumStarkaðr konungren at HlébjörgumHrollaugs synir;þann sá ek gylfagrimmúðgastaner barðisk bolrvar á brott höfuð.
And at Styrkleifar,King Starkad;and at Hlebjorg,Hrollaug's sons;that lord I sawwas the most savage of all —his trunk kept fighting on,though his head was gone.
Liggja at jörðuallra flestirniðjar þínirat náum orðnir;vannt-at-tu vígivar þér þat skapatat þú at rógiríkmenni vart."Þá grét Sigrún. Hann kvað:
Nearly all your kinsmennow lie on the ground,turned into corpses;you gained nothing from this fight —it was fated for youthat strife would cost yousuch powerful kin." Then Sigrun wept.
"Huggastu, Sigrún!Hildr hefr þú oss verið;vinna-t skjöldungar sköpum."Sigrún kvað:"Lifna mynda ek nú kjósaer liðnir eruok knætta ek þér þó í faðmi felask."Helgi fekk Sigrúnar, ok áttu þau sonu. Var Helgi eigi gamall. Dagr Högnason blótaði Óðin til föðurhefnda. Óðinn léði Dag geirs síns. Dagr fann Helga, mág sinn, þar sem heitir at Fjöturlundi. Hann lagði í gögnum Helga með geirnum. Þar fell Helgi, en Dagr reið til Sefafjalla ok sagði Sigrúnu tíðindi.
He said:"Be comforted, Sigrun!You've been battle itself to us;no one escapes what's fated." Sigrun said: "I would choose, now, to bring the dead back to life, if only I could still fall into your arms." Helgi married Sigrun, and they had sons. Helgi did not live to grow old. Dag Hognason made sacrifice to Odin for vengeance for his father. Odin lent Dag his own spear. Dag found Helgi, his brother-in-law, at the place called Fjoturlund, and ran him through with the spear. There Helgi fell, and Dag rode to Sefafjoll and brought Sigrun the news.
"Trauðr em ek, systirtrega þér at segjaþví at ek hefi nauðigrnifti grætta;fell í morgunund Fjöturlundibuðlungr, sá er varbeztr í heimiok hildingumá halsi stóð."Sigrún kvað
"I am loath, sister,to bring you this grief —for I've been forced,against my will,to make my kinswoman weep;this morning, at Fjoturlund,there fell the great lordwho was the best in the world,and stood aboveevery other king."
"Þik skyli allireiðar bítaþeir er Helgahafðir unnaat inu ljósaLeiftrar vatniok at úrsvölumUnnarsteini.
Sigrun said:"May every oathyou ever sworebite you now —the oaths you swore to Helgi —by the bright waterof Leiftr,and by the ice-coldstone of Unnr.
Skríði-at þat skiper und þér skríðiþótt óskabyrreftir leggisk;renni-a sá marrer und þér renniþóttú fjándr þínaforðask eigir.
May the ship you sailnever glide,even with the fairest windbehind it;may the horse you ridenever run,even when you fleefrom your enemies.
Bíti-a þér þat sverðer þú bregðirnema sjalfum þérsyngvi of höfði.Þá væri þér hefntHelga dauðaef þú værir vargrá viðum útiauðs andvaniok alls gamanshefðir eigi matnema á hræjum spryngir."Dagur kvað:
May the sword you drawnever bite —unless it singsover your own head.Then Helgi's death would be avenged,if you became a wolfout in the wilds,stripped of wealthand every joy,with nothing to eatbut corpses to gorge on."
"Ær ertu, systirok örvitaer þú bræðr þínumbiðr forskapa;einn veldr Óðinnöllu bölviþví at með sifjungumsakrúnar bar.
Dag said:"You're mad, sister,out of your mind,to curse your own brotherwith such a fate;Odin aloneis the cause of all this evil —he carved runes of strifebetween kinsmen.
Þér býðr bróðirbauga rauðaöll Vandilsvéok Vígdali;hafðu halfan heimharms at gjöldumbrúðr baugvariðok burir þínir."Sigrún kvað:
Your brother offers youred-gold rings,all of Vandilsveand Vigdalir;take half the realmas payment for your grief —ring-decked bride —for yourself and your sons."
"Sitk-a ek svá sælat Sefafjöllumár né of nætrat ek una lífinema at liði lofðungsljóma bregðirenni und vísaVígblær þiniggullbitli vanrknega ek grami fagna.
Sigrun said:"I will never sit so contentat Sefafjoll,by day or by night,that I take joy in life —not unless light flashesover my lord's men,unless Vigblaer comes runninghere beneath my prince,that gold-bitted horse,and I can welcome my lord home.
Svá hafði Helgihrædda görvafjándr sína allaok frændr þeirasem fyr ulfióðar rynnigeitr af fjalligeiskafullar.
Helgi had madeall his enemies,and their kinsmen too,so afraidthat they fled from himas goats run,mad with terror,down the mountainside from a wolf.
Svá bar Helgiaf hildingumsem ítrskapaðraskr af þyrnieða sá dýrkalfrdöggu slunginner efri ferröllum dýrumok horn glóavið himin sjalfan."Haugr var gjörr eftir Helga. En er hann kom til Valhallar, þá bauð Óðinn honum öllu at ráða með sér. Helgi kvað:
Helgi stood outamong lordsas the noble ashstands out from thorns,or as the young stag,drenched in dew,rises aboveevery other beast,its horns glowingagainst the sky itself." A mound was raised for Helgi. And when he came to Valhalla, Odin offered to let him rule everything jointly with him.
"Þú skalt, Hundingrhverjum mannifótlaug getaok funa kyndahunda bindahesta gætagefa svínum soðáðr sofa gangir."Ambótt Sigrúnar gekk um aftan hjá haugi Helga ok sá, at Helgi reið til haugsins með marga menn. Ambótt kvað:
Helgi said:"You, Hunding, shall fetchevery man's footbath,and kindle the fire,tie up the dogs,see to the horses,feed the pigs their swill,before you go to sleep." One evening Sigrun's servant-woman was walking near Helgi's mound and saw Helgi riding to the mound with a great many men.
"Hvárt eru þat svik einer ek sjá þykkjumkeða ragnarök- ríða menn dauðirer jóa yðraoddum keyrið -eða er hildingumheimför gefin?"Helgi kvað:
The servant-woman said:"Is this only illusion,what I think I see,or is it Ragnarok —dead men are riding,spurring your horseson with your spurs —or has homecomingbeen granted to lords?"
"Er-a þat svik einer þú sjá þykkiskné aldar rofþóttú oss lítirþótt vér jóa óraoddum keyrimné er hildingumheimför gefin."Heim gekk ambátt ok sagði Sigrúnu:
Helgi said:"It's no illusion,what you think you see,nor is the world ending,though you look on us —though we do spurour horses onwith our spurs —and no, homecominghas not been granted to lords." The servant-woman went home.
"Út gakk þú, Sigrúnfrá Sefafjöllumef þik folks jaðarfinna lystir;upp er haugr lokinnkominn er Helgidolgspor dreyradöglingr bað þikat þú sárdropasvefja skyldir."Sigrún gekk í hauginn til Helga ok kvað:
She told Sigrun:"Go out, Sigrun,from Sefafjoll,if you want to findthe leader of the host;the mound has opened,Helgi has come —his wounds still bleed —the prince has asked youto come and easehis wound-drops." Sigrun went into the mound to Helgi.
"Nú em ek svá feginfundi okkrumsem átfrekirÓðins haukarer val vituvarmar bráðireða dögglitirdagsbrún sjá.
She said:"Now I am as gladof our meetingas Odin's ravenous hawksare, when they knowof warm prey among the slain,or as dew-flecked birdsare, seeing the break of day.
Fyrr vil ek kyssakonung ólifðanen þú blóðugribrynju kastir;hár er þitt, Helgihélu þrungitallr er vísivaldögg sleginnhendr úrsvalarHögna mági;hvé skal ek þér, buðlungrþess bót of vinna?"Helgi kvað:
I want to kiss my lifeless kingbefore you cast offyour bloody mail-coat;your hair, Helgi,is thick with frost,the whole of you, my lord,is drenched with the dew of death;Hogni's kinsman's handsare ice-cold;how can I, my prince,ever bring you relief from this?"
"Ein veldr þú, Sigrúnfrá Sefafjöllumer Helgi erharmdögg sleginn;grætr þú, gullvariðgrimmum tárumsólbjört, suðrænáðr þú sofa gangir;hvert fellr blóðugtá brjóst gramiúrsvalt, innfjalgtekka þrungit.
Helgi said:"You alone are the cause, Sigrunof Sefafjoll,that Helgi is drenchedin the dew of grief;you weep, gold-decked one,bitter tears,bright as the sun, southern-born,before you go to sleep;every tear falls, bloody,on your lord's chest,ice-cold, burning deep,heavy with sorrow.
Vel skulum drekkadýrar veigarþótt misst hafimmunar ok landa;skal engi maðrangrljóð kveðaþótt mér á brjóstibenjar líti;nú eru brúðirbyrgðar í haugilofða dísirhjá oss liðnum."Sigrún bjó sæing í hauginum.
We shall drink well,a noble draught,though we've lostboth joy and lands;let no onesing a song of grief,even seeingthe wounds on my chest;now our bridesare shut in the mound with us —high-born womenbeside us, the dead." Sigrun made a bed in the mound.
"Hér hefi ek þér, Helgihvílu görvaangrlausa mjökYlfinga niðrvil ek þér í faðmifylkir, sofnasem ek lofðungilifnum myndak."Helgi kvað:
"Here I have made you, Helgi,a bed free from all sorrow,kinsman of the Ylfings;I want to sleepin your arms, my lord,just as I wouldif you still lived."
"Nú kveð ek enskisörvænt verasíð né snimmaat Sefafjöllumer þú á armiólifðum sefrhvít, í haugiHögna dóttirok ertu kvikin konungborna.
Helgi said:"Now I'd saynothing is impossible any longer,early or late,at Sefafjoll —when you, white-skinned,sleep in the armsof a dead man,here in this mound,Hogni's daughter,and you are still alive,a woman born of kings.
Mál er mér at ríðaroðnar brautirláta fölvan jóflugstíg troða;skal ek fyr vestanvindhjalms brúaráðr Salgófnirsigrþjóð veki."Þeir Helgi riðu leið sína, en þær fóru heim til bæjar. Annan aftan lét Sigrún ambótt halda vörð á hauginum. En at dagsetri, er Sigrún kom til haugsins, hon kvað:
It's time for me to ridethe reddening roads,let my pale horsetread the sky-path;I must go west,over the wind-helm's bridges,before Salgofnirwakes the host of the victorious." Helgi and his men rode off, and the women went home. The next evening Sigrun had her servant-woman keep watch at the mound. But at sunset, when Sigrun came to the mound.
"Kominn væri núef koma hygðiSigmundar burrfrá sölum Óðins;kveð ek grams þiniggrænask vánirer á asklimumernir sitjaok drífr drótt ölldraumþinga til."Ambótt kvað:
She said:"He would be here by now,if he meant to come,Sigmund's son,from Odin's halls;I fear my hopefor my lord's returnis growing thin —eagles now sitin the ash-tree's branches,and the whole householdstreams toward sleep."
"Verðu eigi svá ærat ein farirdís skjöldungadraughúsa til;verða öflgariallir á nóttumdauðir dolgar, mæren um daga ljósa."Sigrún varð skammlíf af harmi ok trega. Þat var trúa í forneskju, at menn væri endrbornir, en þat er nú kölluð kerlingavilla. Helgi ok Sigrún, er kallat, at væri endrborin. Hét hann þá Helgi Haddingjaskati, en hon Kára Hálfdanardóttir, svá sem kveðit er í Káruljóðum, ok var hon valkyrja.
The servant-woman said:"Don't be so recklessas to go alone,princess of kings,to the house of the dead;all the dead —restless spirits —grow stronger at nightthan in the bright light of day." Sigrun died young, from grief and sorrow. It was believed, in ancient times, that people could be reborn — what is now called an old wives' tale. Helgi and Sigrun are said to have been reborn. He was then called Helgi Haddingjaskati, and she Kara Halfdanardottir, as it is told in Karuljod, and she was a valkyrie.