ENDNOTES:
(1) Since ("sidh", after, and "dham", that.).

CHAPTER XXXIX. The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk.

Now thought Atli the King that he had gained a mighty victory, and spake
to Gudrun even as mocking her greatly, or as making himself great before
her. "Gudrun," saith he, "thus hast thou lost thy brethren, and thy very
self hast brought it about."

She answers, "In good liking livest thou, whereas thou thrustest these
slayings before me, but mayhappen thou wilt rue it, when thou hast tried
what is to come hereafter; and of all I have, the longest-lived matter
shall be the memory of thy cruel heart, nor shall it go well with thee
whiles I live."

He answered and said, "Let there be peace betwixt us; I will atone for
thy brethren with gold and dear-bought things, even as thy heart may
wish."

She answers, "Hard for a long while have I been in our dealings
together, and now I say, that while Hogni was yet alive thou mightest
have brought it to pass; but now mayest thou never atone for my brethren
in my heart; yet oft must we women be overborne by the might of you men;
and now are all my kindred dead and gone, and thou alone art left to
rule over me: wherefore now this is my counsel that we make a great
feast, wherein I will hold the funeral of my brother and of thy kindred
withal."

In such wise did she make herself soft and kind in words, though far
other things forsooth lay thereunder, but he hearkened to her gladly,
and trusted in her words, whereas she made herself sweet of speech.

So Gudrun held the funeral feast for her brethren, and King Atli for his
men, and exceeding proud and great was this feast.

But Gudrun forgat not her woe, but brooded over it, how she might work
some mighty shame against the king; and at nightfall she took to her the
sons of King Atli and her as they played about the floor; the younglings
waxed heavy of cheer, and asked what she would with them.

"Ask me not," she said; "ye shall die, the twain of you!"

Then they answered, "Thou mayest do with thy children even as thou wilt,
nor shall any hinder thee, but shame there is to thee in the doing of
this deed."

Yet for all that she cut the throats of them.

Then the king asked where his sons were, and Gudrun answered, "I will
tell thee, and gladden thine heart by the telling; lo now, thou didst
make a great woe spring up for me in the slaying of my brethren; now
hearken and hear my rede and my deed; thou hast l