thee; whereas he gave unto thee to be the mightiest
of men; and well was it proven how fast he held to his oath sworn, when
he came to me and laid betwixt us the sharp-edged sword that in venom
had been made hard. All too soon did ye fall to working wrong against
him and against me, whenas I abode at home with my father, and had all
that I would, and had no will that any one of you should be any of mine,
as ye rode into our garth, ye three kings together; but then Atli led me
apart privily, and asked me if I would not have him who rode Grani; yea,
a man nowise like unto you; but in those days I plighted myself to the
son of King Sigmund and no other; and lo, now, no better shall ye fare
for the death of me."

Then rose up Gunnar, and laid his arms about her neck, and besought her
to live and have wealth from him; and all others in likewise letted her
from dying; but she thrust them all from her, and said that it was not
the part of any to let her in that which was her will.

Then Gunnar called to Hogni, and prayed him for counsel, and bade him go
to her, and see if he might perchance soften her dreadful heart, saying
withal, that now they had need enough on their hands in the slaking of
her grief, till time might get over.

But Hogni answered, "Nay, let no man hinder her from dying; for no gain
will she be to us, nor has she been gainsome since she came hither!

Now she bade bring forth much gold, and bade all those come thither who
would have wealth: then she caught up a sword, and thrust it under her
armpit, and sank aside upon the pillows, and said, "Come, take gold
whoso will!"

But all held their peace, and she said, "Take the gold, and be glad
thereof!"

And therewith she spake unto Gunnar, "Now for a little while will I tell
of that which shall come to pass hereafter; for speedily shall ye be
at one again with Gudrun by the rede of Grimhild the Wise-wife; and the
daughter of Gudrun and Sigurd shall be called Swanhild, the fairest of
all women born. Gudrun shall be given to Atli, yet not with her good
will. Thou shalt be fain to get Oddrun, but that shall Atli forbid thee;
but privily shall ye meet, and much shall she love thee. Atli shall
bewray thee, and cast thee into a worm-close, and thereafter shall Atli
and his sons be slain, and Gudrun shall be their slayer; and afterwards
shall the great waves bear her to the burg of King Jonakr, to whom she
shall bear sons of great fame: Swanhild shall be sent from