Sigurðarkviða in skamma

Ár var, þats Sigurðrsótti GjúkaVölsungr ungier vegit hafði;tók við tryggðumtveggja bræðraseldusk eiðaeljunfræknir.

Long ago, Sigurdsought out Gjuki —the young Volsung,who had killed in battle.He took the two brothers'pledge of friendship;bold and eager,they swore oaths to each other.

Mey buðu hánumok meiðma fjölðGuðrúnu unguGjúka dóttur;drukku ok dæmðudægr margt samanSigurðr ungiok synir Gjúka.

They offered him a brideand a wealth of treasure —young Gudrun,Gjuki's daughter;they drank and talked togetherfor many a day,young Sigurdand the sons of Gjuki.

Unz þeir Brynhildarbiðja fórusvá at þeim Sigurðrreið í sinniVölsungr ungiok vega kunni;hann of ættief hann eiga knætti.

Then they rode outto court Brynhild,and Sigurd rodealong with them —the young Volsung,skilled in battle;he could have had her,if he'd been free to have her.

Sigurðr inn suðrænilagði sverð nökkvitmæki málfáná meðal þeirra;né hann konukyssa gerðiné húnskr konungrhefja sér at armimey frumungafal hann megi Gjúka.

Sigurd the southernerlaid a naked sword —a blade patterned with runes —between them;he never kissed her,the Hunnish kingnever took her in his arms;he gave that young girlto Gjuki's son.

Hon sér at lífilöst né vissiok at aldrlagiekki grandvamm þat er værieða vera hygði;gengu þess á milligrimmar urðir.

She knew no faultin her own life,and no harmin how it would end —no blame that was realor that she imagined;but cruel fatecame between them.

Ein sat hon útiaftan dagsnam hon svá margtum at mælask:"Hafa skal ek Sigurð- eða þó svelta, -mög frumunganmér á armi.

She sat aloneat the end of dayand spoke these words,and many more:"I will have Sigurd— or else I'll die —that young manin my arms.

Orð mæltak núiðrumk eftir þess:kván er hans Guðrúnen ek Gunnars;ljótar nornirskópu oss langa þrá."

The words I've said,I'll come to regret:Gudrun is his wife,and I am Gunnar's;cruel Nornsshaped this long torment for us."

Opt gengr hon innanills of fylldísa ok jöklaaftan hverner þau Guðrúnganga á beðok hana Sigurðrsveipr í riftikonungr inn húnskikván frjá sína.

Often, filled with grief,she walked amongthe ice and glaciersevery evening,when Gudrun and Sigurdwent to bedand he wrapped herin the bedclothes —the Hunnish kingloving his wife.

"Vön geng ek viljavers ok beggjaverð ek mik gælaaf grimmum hug."

"I go deprived of desire —of a husband, of them both —I must comfort myselfwith a bitter heart."

Nam af þeim heiftumhvetjask at vígi:"Þú skalt, Gunnarrgerst of látamínu landiok mér sjalfri;mun ek una aldrimeð öðlingi.

Driven by that hatred,she roused herself to war:"Gunnar, you will loseeverything now —my land,and me myself;I will neverfind peace with a prince.

Mun ek aftr faraþars ek áðan varkmeð nábornumniðjum mínum;þar mun ek sitjaok sofa lífinema þú Sigurðsvelta látirok jöfurr öðrumæðri verðir.

I will go backto where I lived before,with my close-bornkinsmen;there I'll sitand sleep my life away —unless you let Sigurdbe killed,and becomethe greatest of princes.

Látum son farafeðr í sinniskal-at ulf alaungan lengi.Hveim verðr hölðahefnd léttarisíðan til sáttaat sonr lifi?"

Let the son gowith his father —don't raise a young wolfany longer.For what mandoes vengeance grow lighter,once peace is made,if the son lives on?"

Hryggr varð Gunnarrok hnipnaðisveip sínum hugsat of allan dag;hann vissi þatvilgi görlahvat hánum værivinna sæmsteða hánum værivinna beztalls sik Völsungvissi firrðanok at Sigurðsöknuð mikinn.

Gunnar grew sorrowfuland bowed his head,turning it over in his mindthe whole day long;he did not know for certainwhat would bemost fitting for him to do,or what would bebest for him to do —knowing he'd be robbedof the Volsung,and that losing Sigurdwould be a great grief.

Ýmist hann hugðijafnlanga stund:þat var eigiafartíttat frá konungdómkvánir gengi.Nam hann sér Högnaheita at rúnumþar átti hannalls fulltrúa:

He weighed it back and forthfor just as long:it was no small thingfor a queento walk awayfrom a kingdom.So he called on Hognifor counsel —the one manhe trusted completely:

"Ein er mér Brynhildröllum betriof borin Buðlahon er bragr kvenna;fyrr skal ek mínufjörvi látaen þeirar meyjarmeiðmum týna.

"Brynhild aloneis worth more to me than all —Budli's daughter,the finest of women;I would soonergive up my lifethan losethat woman's love.

Vildu okkr fylkitil fjár véla?Gótt er at ráðaRínar malmiok unandiauði stýraok sitjandisælu njóta."

Would you betray our kingfor wealth?It's good to commandthe gold of the Rhine,to rule its richescontent,and sitenjoying good fortune."

Einu því Högniandsvör veitti:"Samir eigi okkrslíkt at vinnasverði rofnasvarna eiðaeiða svarnaunnar tryggðir.

Hogni gave himonly this answer:"It isn't fitting for usto do such a thing —to cut with a swordthe oaths we swore,the oaths we sworeand the pledges we gave.

Vitum-a vit á moldumenn in sællimeðan fjórir vérfolki ráðumok sá inn húnskiher-Baldr lifirné in mætrimægð á folduef vér fimm sonufæðum lengiáttumgóðaæxla knættim.

We know no happier menon earththan while the four of usrule this people,and while that Hunnishbattle-lord lives —nor any finer kinshipon earth,if we could raisefive sons of good stock,and see themgrow to manhood.

Ek veit görlahvaðan vegir standa:eru Brynhildarbrek ofmikil."Gunnarr kvað:

I see clearlywhere this road leads:Brynhild's scheminghas gone too far."

"Vit skulum Guthormgerva at vígiyngra bróðurofróðara;hann var fyr útaneiða svarnaeiða svarnaunnar tryggðir."

Gunnar said:"We'll turn Guthormtoward the killing —our younger brother,the rasher one;he stood outsidethe oaths we swore,the oaths we sworeand the pledges we gave."

Dælt var at eggjaóbilgjarnanstóð til hjartahjörr Sigurði.

It was easyto goad the reckless one.The swordfound Sigurd's heart.

Réð til hefndahergjarn í salok eftir varpóbilgjörnum;fló til GuthormsGrams ramligakynbirt járnór konungs hendi.

Battle-eager,he turned to vengeance in the halland hurled itafter the reckless one;Gram, the bladefamed through his line,flew hard at Guthormfrom the king's own hand.

Hné hans of dolgrtil hluta tveggjahendr ok höfuðhné á annan vegen fóta hlutrféll aftr í stað.

His enemyfell in two —hands and headsank one way,and the legsdropped back where they stood.

Sofnuð var Guðrúní sæingusorgalaushjá Sigurðien hon vaknaðivilja firrðer hon Freys vinarflaut í dreyra.

Gudrun was sleepingin her bed,untroubled,beside Sigurd;she wokestripped of all joy,lying in the bloodof Freyr's friend.

Svá sló hon svárarsínar hendrat rammhugaðrreis upp við beð:"Grát-a-ðu, Guðrúnsvá grimmligabrúðr frumungaþér bræðr lifa.

She struck her handstogether so hardthat he, still strong of will,raised himself up in bed:"Don't weep, Gudrun,so bitterly —young bride,your brothers still live.

Á ek til unganerfinytjakann-at hann firraskór fjándgarði;þeir sér hafasvárt ok dáttenn nær numitnýlig ráð.

I have an heir,but he's too young —he can't yetescape his enemies' hall;they've woven togethera dark, bold plan,a fresh schemehatched close to home.

Ríðr-a þeim síðanþótt sjau alirsystursonrslíkr at þingi.Ek veit görlahví gegnir nú:ein veldr Brynhildröllu bölvi.

No sister's sonof that kindwill ever ride with themto the assembly,though you bear seven.I see clearly nowwhat this is:Brynhild alonecaused it all.

Mér unni mærfyr mann hvernen við Gunnargrand ekki vannk;þyrmða ek sifjumsvörnum eiðumsíðr værak heitinnhans kvánar vinr."

That woman loved meabove every man,yet I did Gunnarno wrong;I honored our bondand the oaths we swore,so no one could call mehis wife's lover."

Kona varp önduen konungr fjörvisvá sló hon svárarsínar hendrat kváðu viðkálkar í váok gullu viðgæss í túni.

The woman gasped for breath,the king breathed his last;she struck her handstogether so hardthat the cups rang outon the wall,and the geesecried out in the yard.

Hló þá BrynhildrBuðla dóttireinu sinniaf öllum huger hon til hvíluheyra knáttigjallan grátGjúka dóttur.

Then Brynhild,Budli's daughter,laughed — once,with all her heart —as she lay thereand heardGjuki's daughter'spiercing cry.

Hitt kvað þá Gunnarrgramr haukstalda:"Hlær-a þú af þvíheiftgjörn konaglöð á gólfiat þér góðs viti.Hví hafnar þúinum hvíta litfeikna fæðir?Hygg ek, at feig séir.

Then Gunnar,lord of warriors, said:"You don't laugh at this,hate-driven woman,glad on the floor,because good comes of it.Why has your facelost its color,breeder of horrors?I think you're marked for death.

Þú værir þessverðust kvennaat fyr augum þérAtla hjöggimsæir bræðr þínumblóðugt sárundir dreyrgarknættir yfir binda."Brynhildr kvað:

You'd deserve it morethan any woman,if we cut Atli downbefore your eyes —if you saw your brother'sbloody wound,and had to bind uphis bleeding gash."

"Frýr-a maðr þér engihefir þú fullvegit;lítt sésk Atliófu þína;hann mun ykkarönd síðariok æ beraafl it meira.

Brynhild said:"No one taunts you —you've killed well enough;Atli cares littlefor your hatred;he'll be the lastof the two of you to die,and he'll always holdthe greater strength.

Segja mun ek þér, Gunnarr- sjalfr veiztu görla, -hvé er yðr snemmatil saka réðuð;varð ek til ungné ofþrunginfullgædd féiá fleti bróður.

I'll tell you, Gunnar— though you know it well yourself —how early you allbrought this ruin on:I was still young,not yet forced into it,rich enoughin my brother's hall.

Né ek vilda þatat mik verr ættiáðr þér Gjúkungarriðuð at garðiþrír á hestumþjóðkonungaren þeira förþörfgi væri.

I never wanteda husband at all,until you Gjukungsrode up to the hall —three mighty kingson horseback —though that journeynever needed to happen.

Þeim hétumk þáþjóðkonungier með gulli satá Grana bógum;var-at hann í auguyðr um líkrné á engi hlutat álitumþó þykkizk érþjóðkonungar.

I gave my word insteadto the great kingwho sat, gold-clad,on Grani's back;his eyes were nothinglike yours,and in no waydid he look like you —though you all thought yourselvesmighty kings.

Ok mér Atli þateinni sagðiat hvárki lézkhöfn of deilagull né jarðirnema ek gefask létakok engi hlutauðins féarþá er mér jóðungrieigu seldiok mér jóðungriaura talði.

And Atli told methis, alone:he'd share with meneither gold nor landunless I let myselfbe given away —and I'd get nothingof the wealthhe handed to mewhen I was still a child,the fortunehe counted out to mewhen I was still young.

Þá var á hvörfunhugr minn um þathvárt ek skylda vegaeða val fellaböll í brynjuum bróður sök;þat myndi þáþjóðkunnt veramörgum manniat munar stríði.

My mind waveredback and forth on this —whether I should fight,cut down the slain,bold in my mail-coat,over my brother's demand;that would have becomewidely known,a bitter griefto many people.

Létum sígasáttmál okkurlék mér meir í munmeiðmar þiggjabauga rauðaburar Sigmundar;né ek annars mannsaura vildak.

In the endI let the bargain stand —but it pleased me moreto take the treasures,the red ringsof Sigmund's son;I wantedno other man's wealth.

Unnak einumné ýmissumbjó-at of hverfanhug men-Skögul;allt mun þat Atlieftir finnaer hann mína spyrrmorðför görva

I loved one man,and no other —my ring-decked heartnever wavered;Atli will learnall of itwhen he hearsthat I have mademy death-journey.

at þeygi skalþunngeð konaannarrar veraldri leiða;þá mun á hefndumharma minna."

No shallow-hearted womanshould evertake another's husbandas I did;then, in the reckoning to come,my griefs will lessen."

Upp reis Gunnarrgramr verðungarok um hals konuhendr of lagði;gengu allirok þó ýmissiraf heilum hughana at letja.

Gunnar,lord of his men,rose and puthis arms around her neck;everyone came,each in their own way,trying with all their heartsto hold her back.

Hratt af halsihveim þar sérlét-a mann sik letjalangrar göngu.

She threw offevery hand at her neck,and let no onestop herfrom that long journey.

Nam hann sér Högnahvetja at rúnum:"Seggi vil ek allaí sal gangaþína með mínum- nú er þörf mikil, -vita, ef meinimorðför konuunz af mélienn mein komi;þá látum þvíþarfar ráða."

He turned to Hognifor counsel:"I want every man,yours and mine,to come into the hall —the need is great now —to see if we can stopthe woman's death-journey,until harm comesfrom somewhere else;then let necessitydecide."

Einu því Högniandsvör veitti:"Leti-a maðr hanalangrar gönguþars hon aftrborinaldri verði;hon kröng of komskfyr kné móðurhon æ borinóvilja tilmörgum manniat móðtrega."

Hogni gave himonly this answer:"Let no one hold her backfrom that long journey —may she neverbe reborn;she came twistedfrom her mother's knee,born to bringgrief and miseryto many people,against their will."

Hvarf sér óhróðugrandspilli fráþar er mörk menjameiðmum deildi.

Grim and silent,he turned awayto where she,decked in rings,was giving awayher treasures.

Leit hon of allaeigu sínasoltnar þýjarok salkonur;gullbrynju smó- var-a gott í hug, -áðr sik miðlaðimækis eggjum.

She looked overeverything she owned —the slain bondwomen,the women of the hall —then put onher golden mail-coat(her heart was farfrom glad)before she drovethe sword's edge into herself.

Hné við bollstrihon á annan vegok hjörunduðhugði at ráðum:

She sank backagainst the pillow,and, wounded by the blade,thought throughwhat remained to be done:

"Nú skulu gangaþeir er gull viliok minni þvíat mér þiggja;ek gef hverriof hróðit siglibók ok blæjubjartar váðir."

"Now let them come forward,those who want goldand a keepsakefrom me;I'll give each onea fine necklace,a woven band,and shining linen."

Þögðu allirvið því orðiok allir sennandsvör veittu:"Ærnar soltnarmunum enn lifa.Verða salkonursæmð at vinna."

Everyonefell silent at that,and then togetherthey answered:"Enough of us have died.We mean to go on living.Let the hall-womenearn their honor another way."

Unz af hyggjandihörskrýdd konaung at aldriorð viðr of kvað:"Vilk-at ek mann trauðanné torbænanum óra sökaldri týna.

Then, thoughtfully,the linen-clad woman,young in years,spoke these words:"I won't have an unwilling man,one hard to persuade,lose his lifefor my sake.

Þó mun á beinumbrenna yðrumfæri eyrirþá er ér fram komiðneitt Menju góðmín at vitja.

But when you come at lastto your own end,less gold of minewill burn on your bones —none of my treasureleft for you to draw on.

Sezktu niðr, Gunnarrmun ek segja þérlífs örvænaljósa brúði;mun-a yðvart farallt í sundiþótt ek hafaöndu látit.

Sit down, Gunnar —I will tell you,a bright bridewith no hope of living:your fortuneswon't be entirely wrecked,even thoughI've breathed my last.

Sátt munuð it Guðrúnsnemr, en þú hyggir;hefir kunn konavið konungidaprar minjarat dauðan ver.

You and Gudrunwill make peace soonerthan you think;that wise womanwill carry,beside her king,the sorrowful memoryof a dead husband.

Þar er mær borin- móðir fæðir, -sú mun hvítarien inn heiði dagrSvanhildr verasólar geisla.

A girl will be born there— the mother will bear her —brighterthan the clear day;Svanhild will bebrighter than the sun's own light.

Gefa muntu Guðrúnugóðra nökkurumskeyti skæðaskatna mengi;mun-at at viljaversæl gefin;hana mun Atlieiga gangaof borinn Buðlabróðir minn.

You'll give Gudrun away —she'll becomea harmful weaponamong the throng of warriors;she won't be married gladly,whatever luck the match seems to hold;Atli will have her —Budli's son,my own brother.

Margs á ek minnaskhvé við mik fóruþá er mik sárasvikna höfðuðvaðin at viljavark, meðan ek lifðak.

Much I must remember,how you treated me,how bitterlyyou betrayed me —I was drivenagainst my will,for as longas I lived.

Muntu Oddrúnueiga viljaen þik Atli muneigi láta;it munuð lútaá laun samanhon mun þér unnasem ek skyldakef okkr góð of sköpgerði verða.

You'll want Oddrunfor your own,but Atliwon't let you have her;the two of youwill meet in secret —she'll love youas I should have,if a kinder fatehad come to us.

Þik mun Atliillu beitamuntu í önganormgarð lagiðr.

Atli will treat youwith evil —he'll throw youinto a narrow pit of snakes.

Þat mun ok verðaþvígit lengraat Atli munöndu týnasælu sinniok sona lífiþví at hánum Guðrúngrýmir á beðsnörpum eggjumaf sárum hug.

Not long after,this too will happen:Atli will losehis life,his fortune,and his sons' lives —for Gudrun,her heart wounded,will strike him in his bedwith a sharp blade.

Sæmri væri Guðrúnsystir ykkurfrumver sínumat fylgja dauðumef henni gæfigóðra ráðaeða ætti hon hugossum líkan.

It would suit Gudrun,your sister,better to followher first husbandinto death,if she were givengood counsel —or if she hada heart like mine.

Ört mæli ek núen hon eigi munof óra sökaldri týna;hana munu hefjahávar bárurtil Jónakrsóðaltorfu.

I speak too fast —she won't lose her lifefor our sake,not ever;high waveswill carry herto Jonak'sown lands.

[Ala mun hún sér jóðerfivörðu ]erfivörðuJónakrs sonum;mun hon Svanhildisenda af landisína meyok Sigurðar.

She will bear children —heirs —sons for Jonak;and she'll send Svanhildaway from that land —her own daughter,and Sigurd's.

Hana munu bítaBikka ráðþví at Jörmunrekkróþarft lifir;þá er öll farinætt Sigurðar;eru Guðrúnargræti at fleiri.

Bikki's counselwill destroy her,for Jormunreklives to no good end;then Sigurd's whole linewill be gone,and Gudrunwill have more to weep for.

Biðja mun ek þikbænar einnar- sú mun í heimihinzt bæn vera -:Láttu svá breiðaborg á velliat undir oss öllumjafnrúmt séiþeim er sultumeð Sigurði.

I'll ask youone favor —it will be my lastin this world:build the pyrewide on the plain,with room enoughfor all of us,everyone who diedalongside Sigurd.

Tjaldi þar um þá borgtjöldum ok skjöldumvalarift vel fáðok Vala mengi;brenni mér inn húnskaá hlið aðra.

Hang around that pyretents and shields,fine dyed clothand a host of the slain;burn the Hunnish oneat my side.

Brenni inum húnskaá hlið aðramína þjónamenjum göfga:tveir at höfðumok tveir haukar;þá er öllu skipttil jafnaðar.

Burn my own servantsbeside him,decked out in treasure —two at my head,and two hawks;then everythingwill be shared evenly.

Liggi okkar enn í millimalmr hringvariðregghvast járnsem endr lagitþá er vit bæðibeð einn stigumok hétum þáhjóna nafni.

Let the ring-wound steel,the sharp-edged blade,lie between usonce again,as it lay before,when we twostepped into one bedand were calledman and wife.

Hrynja hánum þáá hæl þeygihlunnblik hallarhringi litkuðef hánum fylgirferð mín heðan;þeygi mun ór föraumlig vera.

Then the ring-bright gatewon't strike his heelas he passes through,if my companyfollows him from here;that journeywon't be a poor one.

Því at hánum fylgjafimm ambáttirátta þjónareðlum góðirfóstrman mittok faðerniþat er Buðli gafbarni sínu.

Five bondwomenwill go with him,eight servantsof good birth —my foster-kin,the householdthat Budli gavehis own child.

Margt sagða ekmunda ek fleiraer mér meir mjötuðrmálrúm gæfi;ómum þverrundir svellasatt eitt sagðaksvá mun ek láta."

Much I have said,and I'd say more,if fate gave memore room to speak;my voice is failing,my wounds swell;I've spokennothing but the truth —and now I will let go."