Reginsmál

Sigurðr gekk til stóðs Hjálpreks ok kaus sér af hest einn, er Grani var kallaðr síðan. Þá var kominn Reginn til Hjálpreks, sonr Hreiðmars. Hann var hverjum manni hagari ok dvergr of vöxt. Hann var vitr, grimmr ok fjölkunnigr. Reginn veitti Sigurði fóstr ok kennslu ok elskaði hann mjök. Hann sagði Sigurði frá forellri sínu ok þeim atburðum, at Óðinn ok Hænir ok Loki höfðu komit til Andvarafors. Í þeim forsi var fjölði fiska. Einn dvergr hét Andvari. Hann var löngum í forsinum í geddu líki ok fekk sér þar matar. "Otr hét bróðir várr," kvað Reginn, "er oft fór í forsinn í otrs líki. Hann hafði tekit einn lax ok sat á árbakkanum ok át blundandi. Loki laust hann með steini til bana. Þóttust æsir mjök heppnir verit hafa ok flógu belg af otrinum. Þat sama kveld sóttu þeir gisting til Hreiðmars ok sýndu veiði sína. Þá tókum vér þá höndum ok lögðum þeim fjörlausn at fylla otrbelginn með gulli ok hylja útan með rauðu gulli. Þá sendu þeir Loka at afla gullsins. Hann kom til Ránar ok fekk net hennar ok fór þá til Andvarafors ok kastaði netinu fyrir gedduna, en hon hljóp í netit. Þá mælti Loki:"Hvat er þat fiskaer renn flóði íkann-at sér við víti varask?Höfuð þittleystu helju órfinn mér lindar loga."Geddan kvað:

Sigurd went to Hjalprek's stud and picked out a horse for himself, one that would later be called Grani. At that time Regin, son of Hreidmar, had come to Hjalprek's court. He was more skilled with his hands than any man alive, and dwarfish in build. He was wise, fierce, and versed in magic. Regin fostered and taught Sigurd, and loved him deeply. He told Sigurd about his own ancestry, and about the time Odin, Hoenir, and Loki came to Andvari's Falls. In that waterfall there were countless fish. A dwarf named Andvari had long lived there in the shape of a pike, getting his food. "Otr was the name of our brother," Regin said, "who often went into the falls in the shape of an otter. He had caught a salmon and sat on the riverbank eating it with his eyes shut. Loki killed him with a thrown stone. The gods thought themselves very lucky, and skinned the otter. That same evening they came to Hreidmar's house looking for lodging, and showed off their catch. Then we seized them, and set as ransom for their lives that they fill the otter-skin with gold and cover it outside with red gold as well. So they sent Loki to fetch the gold. He went to Ran and got her net, then went to Andvari's Falls and cast the net in front of the pike, and it leapt straight into it." Then Loki said:"What kind of fish is this,that runs in the floodand can't save itself from harm?Your head —ransom it out of hell —bring me the water's own fire."

"Andvari ek heitiÓinn hét minn faðirmargan hef ek fors of farit;aumlig nornskóp oss í árdagaat ek skylda í vatni vaða."Loki kvað:

The pike said:"Andvari is my name,Oin was my father,I've passed through many a fall;a wretched nornshaped our fate in ancient days —that I should wade in water."

"Segðu þat, Andvarief þú eiga villlíf í lýða sölumhver gjöld fáagumna syniref þeir höggvask orðum á?"Andvari kvað:

Loki said:"Tell me this, Andvari,if you want to keepyour life in the halls of men:what price dothe sons of men pay,when they wound each other with words?"

"Ofrgjöld fáagumna synirþeir er Vaðgelmi vaða;ósaðra orðahverr er á annan lýgroflengi leiða limar."Loki sá allt gull þat, er Andvari átti. En er hann hafði framreitt gullit, þá hafði hann eftir einn hring, ok tók Loki þann af hánum. Dvergrinn gekk inn í steininn ok mælti:

Andvari said:"A heavy price the sons of men pay,those who wade in Vadgelmir;for lying words,whoever slanders anotherdrags the consequences of it too long behind him." Loki saw all the gold that Andvari owned. And once Andvari had handed it all over, he still had one ring left, and Loki took that from him too. The dwarf went into the rock.

"Þat skal guller Gustr áttibræðrum tveimat bana verðaok öðlingumátta at rógi;mun míns féarmanngi njóta."Æsir reiddu Hreiðmari féit ok tráðu upp otrbelginn ok reistu á fætr. Þá skyldu æsirnir hlaða upp gullinu ok hylja. En er þat var gört, gekk Hreiðmarr fram ok sá eitt granahár ok bað hylja. Þá dró Óðinn fram hringinn Andvaranaut ok hulði hárit. Loki kvað:

Andvari said:"That gold, which Gust once owned,will be the death of two brothers,and stir up strifefor eight princes;no manwill ever enjoy my wealth." The gods paid Hreidmar the treasure and stuffed the otter-skin and stood it up on its feet. Then they had to pile up the gold and cover it completely. When that was done, Hreidmar stepped forward, saw one whisker left bare, and demanded it be covered too. Then Odin brought out the ring Andvaranaut and covered the hair with it.

"Gull er þér nú reitten þú gjöld hefirmikil míns höfuðs;syni þínumverðr-a sæla sköpuð;þat verðr ykkarr beggja bani."Hreiðmarr sagði:

Loki said:"The gold is paid you now,and you've collecteda great price for my head;but no happinesswill be shaped for your son —it will be the death of you both."

"Gjafar þú gaftgaft-at-tu ástgjafargaft-at-tu af heilum hug;fjörvi yðruskylduð ér firrðir veraef ek vissa ek þat fár fyrir."Loki kvað:

Hreidmar said:"Gifts you gave,but you gave no gifts of love,you gave with no whole heart;you'd have lostyour lives, all of you,had I seen this danger coming."

"Enn er verra- þat vita þykkjumk -niðja stríð of neppt;jöfra óbornahygg ek þá enn veraer þat er til hatrs hugat."Hreiðmarr kvað:

Loki said:"Worse is still to come,or so I believe —a feud between kinsmen, held off for now;princes not yet born,I think,are the ones this hatred is meant for."

"Rauðu gullihygg ek mik ráða munusvá lengi sem ek lifi;hót þínhræðumk ekki lyfof haldið heim heðan."Fáfnir ok Reginn kröfðu Hreiðmarr niðgjalda eftir Otr bróður sinn. Hann kvað nei við. En Fáfnir lagði sverði Hreiðmar, föður sinn, sofanda. Hreiðmarr kallaði á dætr sínar:

Hreidmar said:"The red gold,I mean to rule,for as long as I live;your threatsfrighten me not at all —now take yourselves home." Fafnir and Regin demanded from Hreidmar their share of the payment for their brother Otr. He refused them. So Fafnir ran his father Hreidmar through with a sword as he slept.

"Lyngheiðr ok Lofnheiðrvitið mínu lífi faritmart er þat, er þörf þéar."Lyngheiðr sagði:"Fá mun systirþótt föður missihefna hlýra harms."Hreiðmarr kvað:

Hreidmar called out to his daughters:"Lyngheid and Lofnheid,know that my life is over —much now depends on you." Lyngheid said:"Few sisters,though they lose a father,will avenge a brother's wrong."

"Al þú þó dótturdís ulfhuguðef þú getr-at sonvið siklingi;fá mey manní meginþarfar;þá mun þeirar sonrþíns harms reka."Þá dó Hreiðmarr, en Fáfnir tók gullit allt. Þá beiddist Reginn at hafa föðurarf sinn, en Fáfnir galt þar nei við. Þá leitaði Reginn ráða við Lyngheiði, systur sína, hvernig hann skyldi heimta föðurarf sinn. Hon kvað:

Hreidmar said:"Bear a daughter, then,a wolf-hearted woman,if you get no sonby a prince;marry the girl offin this great need —then her sonwill avenge your sorrow." Then Hreidmar died, and Fafnir took all the gold. Then Regin demanded his share of the inheritance, but Fafnir refused him. So Regin went to his sister Lyngheid for advice, on how he might claim his inheritance.

"Bróður kveðjaskaltu blíðligaarfs ok æðra hugar;er-a þat hæftat þú hjörvi skylirkveðju Fáfni féar."Þessa hluti sagði Reginn Sigurði. Einn dag, er hann kom til húsa Regins, var hánum vel fagnat. Reginn kvað:

She said:"Greet your brotherkindly,and ask for the inheritance, and a gentler mind;it isn't likelythat you'll winFafnir's gold with a sword." Regin told all of this to Sigurd. One day, when Sigurd came to Regin's house, he was warmly welcomed.

"Kominn er hingatkonr Sigmundarseggr inn snarráðitil sala várramóð hefir meiraen maðr gamallok er mér fangs vánat frekum ulfi.

Regin said:"Here has comethe kin of Sigmund,the quick-witted man,into our hall;he has more couragethan an old man does,and I expect a killfrom the ravenous wolf.

Ek mun fæðafolkdjarfan gram;nú er Yngva konrmeð oss kominn;sjá mun ræsirríkstr und sólu;þrymr um öll löndörlögsímu."Sigurðr var þá jafnan með Regin, ok sagði hann Sigurði, at Fáfnir lá á Gnitaheiði ok var í orms líki. Hann átti ægishjalm, er öll kvikendi hræddust við. Reginn gerði Sigurði sverð, er Gramr hét. Þat var svá hvasst, at hann brá því ofan í Rín ok lét reka ullarlagð fyrir straumi ok tók í sundr lagðinn sem vatnit. Því sverði klauf Sigurðr í sundr steðja Regins. Eftir þat eggjaði Reginn Sigurð at vega Fáfni. Hann sagði:

I will raisethis bold prince of the people;now Yngvi's kinsmanhas come to live among us;he will becomethe mightiest ruler under the sun;his fate's threadwill reach across every land." Sigurd stayed constantly with Regin after that, and Regin told him that Fafnir lay on Gnita Heath in the shape of a serpent, and that he owned a helm of terror that every living thing feared. Regin forged Sigurd a sword called Gram. It was so sharp that when he lowered it into the Rhine and let a tuft of wool drift down on the current, it cut the tuft clean through like water. With that sword Sigurd split Regin's own anvil in two. After that, Regin urged Sigurd to kill Fafnir.

"Hátt munu hlæjaHundings synirþeir er Eylimaaldrs synjuðuef meir tyggjamunar at sækjahringa rauðaen hefnd föður."Hjálprekr konungr fekk Sigurði skipalið til föðurhefnda. Þeir fengu storm mikinn ok beittu fyrir bergsnös nökkura. Maðr einn stóð á berginu ok kvað:

He said:"Loud will the sons of Hunding laugh —the ones who deniedEylimi his life —if the prince cares moreabout chasingred ringsthan his father's revenge." King Hjalprek gave Sigurd a fleet to avenge his father. They ran into a great storm and were sailing past a rocky headland. A man stood on the cliff.

"Hverir ríða þarRæfils hestumhávar unnirhaf glymjanda?Seglvigg erusveita stokkinmun-at vágmararvind of standask."Reginn svaraði:

The man said:"Who's riding out thereon Raefil's steeds,over towering waves,the roaring sea?The sail-horsesare drenched with spray —the wave-steeds won'thold up against this wind."

"Hér ro vér Sigurðrá sætréum;er oss byrr gefinnvið bana sjalfan;fellr brattr brekibröndum hærihlunnvigg hrapa.Hverr spyrr at því?"Maðr kvað:

Regin answered:"Here are Sigurd and Ion our sea-trees;we've been given a windbound straight for death itself;the steep surf crasheshigher than our bows,the roller-steed plunges.Who's asking?"

"Hnikar hétu mikþá er hugin gladdakVölsungr ungiok vegit hafðak;nú máttu kallakarl af bergiFengi eða Fjölni;far vil ek þiggja."Þeir viku at landi, ok gekk karl á skip, ok lægði þá veðrit. Sigurðr kvað:

The man said:"They called me Hnikarwhen I gladdened the raven,young Volsung,and I'd already made my kill;now you can callthe old man from the cliffFeng or Fjolnir —I'd like passage." They turned toward land, and the old man climbed aboard, and the storm settled.

"Segðu mér þat, Hnikarralls þá hvárttveggja veiztgoða heill ok guma:hver bözt eruef berjask skalheill at sverða svipun."Hnikarr kvað:

Sigurd said:"Tell me this, Hnikar,since you knowthe fortunes of both gods and men:what are the best signs,if there's to be a fight —luck for the swing of swords?"

"Mörg eru góðef gumar vissiheill at sverða svipun;dyggva fylgjuhygg ek ins dökkva verahrottameiði hrafns.

Hnikar said:"Many signs are good,if only men knew them,for the swing of swords;a trustworthy guide, I'd say,is the dark ravenfor the warrior who reads him.

Þat er annatef þú ert út of kominnok ert á braut búinntvá þú lítrá tái standahróðrfúsa hali.

Here's another:if you've stepped outsideand stand ready to set out,and you see twowarriors at the gate,eager for glory —

Þat er it þriðjaef þú þjóta heyrirulf und asklimum;heilla auðitverðr þér af hjalmstöfumef þú sér þá fyrri fara.

and a third:if you hear a wolfhowling under the ash branches;luck is granted youby the men in helmets,if you see them go first.

Engr skal gumnaí gögn vegasíð skínandisystur Mána;þeir sigr hafaer séa kunnuhjörleiks hvatireða hamalt fylkja.

No man shouldfight facingthe moon's sister,shining late in the sky;victory belongsto those who know howto read the signs for battle,or form the wedge.

Þat er fár mikitef þú fæti dreprþars þú at vígi veðr;tálar dísirstanda þér á tvær hliðarok vilja þik sáran sjá.

It's a grave signif you stumble on your footas you wade toward the fight;treacherous spiritsstand at your side,wanting to see you wounded.

Kembður ok þveginnskal kænna hverrok at morgni mettrþví at ósýnt erhvar at aftni kemr;illt er fyr heill at hrapa."Sigurðr átti orrostu mikla við Lyngva Hundingsson ok bræðr hans. Þar fell Lyngvi ok þeir þrír bræðr. Eftir orrostu kvað Reginn:

Combed and washed,every wise man should go,and fed before he leaves —for there's no tellingwhere evening will find him;it's bad luck to outrun your fortune." Sigurd fought a great battle against Lyngvi Hundingsson and his brothers. Lyngvi fell there, and the three brothers with him. After the battle, Regin said:

"Nú er blóðugr örnbitrum hjörvibana Sigmundará baki ristinn;engr var fremrisá er fold ryðihilmis arfiok hugin gladdi."Heim fór Sigurðr til Hjálpreks. Þá eggjaði Reginn Sigurð til at vega Fáfni.

"Now a blood-eagle,with a bitter blade,is carved on the backof Sigmund's killer;no one was braver,no one reddened the earthlike that king's heir,and fed the raven so well." Sigurd went home to Hjalprek. Then Regin urged Sigurd to kill Fafnir.