Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
46. From the speaker gloomily | Gunnar turned,
For the jewel-bearer | her gems was dividing; [435]
On all her wealth | her eyes were gazing,
On the bond-women slain | and the slaughtered slaves.
47. Her byrnie of gold | she donned, and grim
Was her heart ere the point | of her sword had pierced it;
On the pillow at last | her head she laid,
And, wounded, her plan | she pondered o’er.
48. “Hither I will | that my women come
Who gold are fain | from me to get;
Necklaces fashioned | fair to each
Shall I give, and cloth, | and garments bright.”
49. Silent were all | as so she spake,
And all together | answer made:
“Slain are enough; | we seek to live,
Not thus thy women | shall honor win.”
[436]
50. Long the woman, | linen-decked, pondered,—
—Young she was,— | and weighed her words:
“For my sake now | shall none unwilling
Or loath to die | her life lay down.
51. “But little of gems | to gleam on your limbs
Ye then shall find | when forth ye fare
To follow me, | or of Menja’s wealth.
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
52. “Sit now, Gunnar! | for I shall speak
Of thy bride so fair | and so fain to die;
Thy ship in harbor | home thou hast not,
Although my life | I now have lost.
53. “Thou shalt Guthrun requite | more quick than thou thinkest,
. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .
Though sadly mourns | the maiden wise
Who dwells with the king, | o’er her husband dead.
[437]
54. “A maid shall then | the mother bear;
Brighter far | than the fairest day
Svanhild shall be, | or the beams of the sun.
55. “Guthrun a noble | husband thou givest,
Yet to many a warrior | woe will she bring,
Not happily wedded | she holds herself;