he other;
better days had I whenas I abode with Sigurd, when we slew kings, and
took their wealth to us, but gave peace to whomso would, and the great
men laid themselves under our hands, and might we gave to him of them
who would have it; then I lost him, and a little thing was it that I
should bear a widow's name, but the greatest of griefs that I should
come to thee--I who had aforetime the noblest of all kings, while for
thee, thou never barest out of the battle aught but the worser lot."

King Atli answered, "Naught true are thy words, nor will this our speech
better the lot of either of us, for all is fallen now to naught; but now
do to me in seemly wise, and array my dead corpse in noble fashion."

"Yea, that will I," she says, "and let make for thee a goodly grave, and
build for thee a worthy abiding place of stone, and wrap thee in fair
linen, and care for all that needful is."

So therewithal he died, and she did according to her word: and then they
cast fire into the hall.

And when the folk and men of estate awoke amid that dread and trouble,
naught would they abide the fire, but smote each the other down, and
died in such wise; so there Atli the king, and all his folk, ended their
life-days. But Gudrun had no will to live longer after this deed so
wrought, but nevertheless her ending day was not yet come upon her.

Now the Volsungs and the Giukings, as folk tell in tale, have been the
greatest-hearted and the mightiest of all men, as ye may well behold
written in the songs of old time.

But now with the tidings just told were these troubles stayed.

CHAPTER XL. How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was brought ashore
again.

Gudrun had a daughter by Sigurd hight Swanhild; she was the fairest of
all women, eager-eyed as her father, so that few durst look under the
brows of her; and as far did she excel other woman-kind as the sun
excels the other lights of heaven.

But on a day went Gudrun down to the sea, and caught up stones in her
arms, and went out into the sea, for she had will to end her life. But
mighty billows drave her forth along the sea, and by means of their
upholding was she borne along till she came at the last to the burg of
King Jonakr, a mighty king, and lord of many folk. And he took Gudrun to
wife, and their children were Hamdir, and Sorli, and Erp; and there was
Swanhild nourished withal.

CHAPTER XLI. Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild.

Jormunrek was the nam