above all women, that before thy eyes,
we should lay Atli low, that thou shouldst see thy brother's
blood-streaming sore, his gory wounds shouldst have to bind."

33. Then said Brynhild, Budli's daughter: "No one provokes thee,
Gunnar! complete is thy work of death. Little does Atli thy hatred
fear; his life will outlast thine, and his might be ever greater.

34. Gunnar! will tell thee, though thou well knowest it, how early
we resolved on crimes. I was o'er-young and unrestrained, with wealth
endowed, in my brother's house.

35. Nor did I desire to marry any man, before ye Giukungs rode to
our dwelling, three on horseback, powerful kings: would that journey
had never been!

36. Then myself I promised to the great king, who with gold sat on
Grani's back. In eyes he did not you resemble, nor was at all in
aspect like: yet ye thought yourselves mighty kings.

37. And to me apart Atli said, that he would not have our heritage
divided, nor gold nor lands, unless I let myself be married, nor grant
me any part of the acquired gold, which he to me a girl had given to
possess, and to me a child in moneys counted.

38. Then distracted was my mind thereon, whether I should engage in
conflict, and death dispense, valiant in arms, for my brother's
quarrel. That would then be world-widely known, and to many a one
bring heartfelt anguish.

39. Our reconciliation we let follow: to me it had been more
pleasing the treasures to accept, the red-gold rings of Sigmund's
son: nor did I another's gold desire; him alone I loved, none other.
Menskogul[75] had not a changing mind.

40. All this will Atli hereafter find, when he shall hear of my
funeral rites completed; for never shall the heavy-hearted woman with
another's husband pass her life. Then will my wrongs be all avenged."

41. Up rose Gunnar, prince of warriors, and round his consort's neck
laid his hands; all drew nigh, yet each one singly, through honest
feeling, to dissuade her.

42. She from her neck those about her cast; she let no one stay her
from her long journey.

43. He then called Hogni to consultation. "I will that all our folk
to the hall be summoned, thine with, mine--now 'tis most needful--to
see if we can hinder my consort's fatal course, till from our speech a
hindrance may come: then let us leave necessity to rule."

44. To him Hogni answer gave: "Let no one hinder her from the long
journey, whence may she never born again return. Unblest she came on