ous prince, Helgi's hand she forthwith
grasped, kissed and addressed the helm-decked king.

13. Then was the chieftain's mind to the lady turned. She declared
that she had loved, with her whole heart, Sigmund's son, before she
had seen him.

14. "To Hodbrodd I was in th' assembly betrothed, but I another
prince would have: yet, chieftain! I foresee my kindred's wrath: I
have my father's promise broken."

15. Hogni's daughter spoke not at variance with her heart: she said
that Helgi's affection she must possess.

_Helgi_.

16. Care thou not for Hogni's wrath, nor for the evil mind of thy
kin. Thou shalt, young maiden! live with me: of a good race thou art,
as I perceive.

Helgi then collected a large fleet and proceeded to Frekastein, and at
sea experienced a perilous storm. Lightnings came over them, and the
flashes entered the ships. They saw that nine Valkyriur were riding in
the air, and recognized Sigrun among them. The storm then abated and
they reached land in safety. The sons of Granmar were sitting on a
hill as the ships were sailing towards the land. Gudmund leapt on a
horse, and rode to explore on the hill by the haven. The Volsungs then
lowered their sails, and Gudmund spoke as is before written in the
Helgakvida:--

"Who is the leader that commands the fleet, and an appalling host
leads to our land?"

This said Gudmund, Granmar's son:

17. Who is the warrior that commands the ships, and lets his golden
banner wave o'er his prow? No peace seems to me in that ship's front;
it casts a warlike glow around the vikings.

Sinfiotli, Sigmund's son, answered:

18. Here may Hodbrodd Helgi learn to know, the hard of flight, in
the fleet's midst: he the possession holds of thy race; he the fishes'
heritage has to him subjected.

_Gudmund_.

19. Therefore ought we first, at Frekastein, to settle together, and
decide our quarrels! Hodbrodd! 'tis time vengeance to take, if an
inferior lot we long have borne.

_Sinfiotli_.

20. Rather shalt thou, Gudmund! tend goats, and steep mountain-tops
shalt climb, have in thy hand a hazel staff, that will better please
thee than judgments of the sword.

Gudmund rode home with intelligence of the hostile armament; whereupon
the sons of Granmar collected a host, and many kings came thither.
Among them were Hogni, the father of Sigrun, with his sons, Bragi and
Dag. There was a great battle, and all the sons of Hogni, and all
their chiefs were slain, except Dag, wh