Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
From the evil I fear | that ’twas Atli’s spirit.”
Hogni spake:
19. “They will slaughter soon, | and so blood do we see,
Oft oxen it means | when of eagles one dreams; [507]
True is Atli’s heart, | whatever thou dreamest.”
Then silent they were, | and nought further they said.
20. The high-born ones wakened, | and like speech they had,
Then did Glaumvor tell | how in terror she dreamed,
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
. . . . . Gunnar | two roads they should go.
Glaumvor spake:
21. “A gallows saw I ready, | thou didst go to thy hanging,
Thy flesh serpents ate, | and yet living I found thee;
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
The gods’ doom descended; | now say what it boded.”
* * * * * *
22. “A sword drawn bloody | from thy garments I saw,— [508]
Such a dream is hard | to a husband to tell,—
A spear stood, methought, | through thy body thrust,
And at head and feet | the wolves were howling.”
Gunnar spake:
23. “The hounds are running, | loud their barking is heard,
Oft hounds’ clamor follows | the flying of spears.”
Glaumvor spake:
24. “A river the length | of the hall saw I run,
Full swiftly it roared, | o’er the benches it swept;
O’er the feet did it break | of ye brothers twain,
The water would yield not; | some meaning there was.”
* * * * * *
25. “I dreamed that by night | came dead women hither, [509]
Sad were their garments, | and thee were they seeking;
They bade thee come swiftly | forth to their benches,
And nothing, methinks, | could the Norns avail thee.”
Gunnar spake:
26. “Too late is thy speaking, | for so is it settled;
From the faring I turn not, | the going is fixed,
Though likely it is | that our lives shall be short.”
27. Then bright shone the morning, | the men all were ready,
They said, and yet each | would the other hold back;