s thee to this; for thou hast a cruel heart."
"Judge not so," said Gudrun. Brynhild continued: "Ask about that only
which is better for thee to know; that is more befitting women of high
degree. It is good, too, for thee to be content, as all goes according
to thy wishes." Gudrun said: "It is premature to glory in that: this
forebodes something; but what instigates thee against us?" Brynhild
answered: "Thou shalt be requited for having espoused Sigurd; for I
grudge thee the possession of him." Gudrun said: "We knew not of your
secret." Brynhild answered: "We have had no secret, though we have
sworn oaths of fidelity; and thou knowest that I have been deceived,
and I will avenge it." Gudrun said: "Thou art better married than thou
deservest to be, and thy violence must be cooled." "Content should I
be," said Brynhild, "didst thou not possess a more renowned husband
than I." Gudrun answered: "Thou hast as renowned a husband; for it is
doubtful which is the greater king." Brynhild said: "Sigurd overcame
Fafnir, and that is worth more than all Gunnar's kingdom, as it is
said:

"Sigurd the serpent slew, and that henceforth shall be by none
forgotten, while mankind lives: but thy brother neither dared through
the fire to ride, nor over it to leap."

Gudrun said: "Grani would not run through the fire under King Gunnar:
but he [Gunnar] dared to ride." Brynhild said: "Let us not contend: I
bear no good will to Grimhild." Gudrun said: "Blame her not; for she
is towards thee as to her own daughter." Brynhild said: "She is the
cause of all the evil which gnaws me. She presented to Sigurd the
pernicious drink, so that he no more remembered me." Gudrun said:
"Many an unjust word thou utterest, and this is a great falsehood."
Brynhild said: "So enjoy Sigurd as thou hast not deceived me, and may
it go with thee as I imagine." Gudrun said: "Better shall I enjoy him
than thou wilt wish; and no one has said he has had too much good with
me at any time." Brynhild said: "Thou sayest ill and wilt repent of
it. Let us cease from angry words, and not indulge in useless prattle.
Long have I borne in silence the grief that dwells in my breast: I
have also felt regard for thy brother. But let us talk of other
things." Gudrun said: "Your imagination looks far forward."

Brynhild then lay in bed, and King Gunnar came to talk with her, and
begged her to rise and give vent to her sorrow; but she would not
listen to him. They then brought Sigurd to