Introductory Note
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bellows, Henry Adams
“Such woes for thyself | shalt thou say in the morning,
From a finer death I | to another light fare.”
83. Together they sat | and full grim were their thoughts,
Unfriendly their words, | and no joy either found;
In Hniflung grew hatred, | great plans did he have,
To Guthrun his anger | against Atli was told.
[530]
84. To her heart came ever | the fate of Hogni,
She told him ’twere well | if he vengeance should win;
So was Atli slain,— | ’twas not slow to await,—
Hogni’s son slew him, | and Guthrun herself.
85. Then the warrior spake, | as from slumber he wakened,
Soon he knew for his wounds | would the bandage do nought:
“Now the truth shalt thou say: | who has slain Buthli’s son?
Full sore am I smitten, | nor hope can I see.”
Guthrun spake:
86. “Ne’er her deed from thee hides | the daughter of Grimhild, [531]
I own to the guilt | that is ending thy life,
And the son of Hogni; | ’tis so thy wounds bleed.”
Atli spake:
“To murder hast thou fared, | though foul it must seem;
Ill thy friend to betray | who trusted thee well.
87. “Not glad went I hence | thy hand to seek, Guthrun,
In thy widowhood famed, | but haughty men found thee;
My belief did not lie, | as now we have learned;
I brought thee home hither, | and a host of men with us.
88. “Most noble was all | when of old we journeyed,
Great honor did we have | of heroes full worthy;
Of cattle had we plenty, |and greatly we prospered,
Mighty was our wealth, | and many received it.
89. “To the famed one as bride-gift | I gave jewels fair, [532]
I gave thirty slaves, | and handmaidens seven;
There was honor in such gifts, | yet the silver was greater.
90. “But all to thee was | as if nought it were worth,
While the land lay before thee | that Buthli had left me;
Thou in secret didst work | so the treasure I won not;
My mother full oft | to sit weeping didst make,
No wedded joy found I | in fullness of heart.”
Guthrun spake:
91. “Thou liest now, Atli, | though little I heed it; [533]