t by Sigurd.

12. Night seemed to me of blackest darkness, when I sorrowing sat by
Sigurd. Better by far it seemed to me had the wolves taken my life, or
I had been burnt as a birchen tree.

13. From the fell I journeyed five long days and nights, until the
lofty hall of Half I recognized. Seven half-years I with Thora
stayed, Hakon's daughter, in Denmark.

14. She for my solace wrought in gold southern halls, and Danish
swans.

15. We had in pictures the game of warriors, and in handiworks a
prince's nobles; red shields, Hunnish heroes, a sworded host, a helmed
host, a prince's following.

16. Sigmund's ships from the land sailing, with gilded heads, and
carved prows. We on our canvas wrought how Sigar and Siggeir both
contended southward in Fyen.

17. When Grimhild, the Gothic woman, heard how greatly I was
afflicted, she cast aside her needle-work, and her sons called oft and
earnestly, that she might know, who for her son would their sister
compensate, or for her consort slain the blood-fine pay?

18. Gunnar was ready gold to offer, for the injuries to atone, and
Hogni also. * * * She then inquired who would go the steeds to saddle,
the chariot to drive, on horseback ride, the hawk let fly, arrows
shoot from the yew bow?

19. Valdar and the Danes with Jarizleif, Eymod the third with
Jarizkar, then entered, to princes like. Red mantles had the
Langbard's men, corslets ornamented, towering helms; girded they were
with falchions, brown were their locks.

20. For me each one would choose precious gifts, precious gifts, and
to my heart would speak, if for my many woes they might gain my
confidence, and I would in them trust.

21. Grimhild to me brought a potion to drink cold and bitter, that I
my injuries might forget; it was mingled with Urd's power, with cold
sea-water, and with Son's blood.

22. In that horn were characters of every kind graven and red-hued;
nor could I comprehend them: the long lyng-fish[82] of the Haddings'
land, an uncut ear of corn: the wild-beasts' entrance.

23. In that potion were many ills together, a herb from every wood,
and the acorn, the fire-stead's dew,[83] entrails of offerings,
swine's liver seethed; for that deadens strife.

24. And then I forgot, when I had taken it, all the king's words in
the hall spoken. There to my feet three kings came, before she herself
sought to speak with me.

25. "Gudrun! I will give thee gold to possess, of all the riches
much of thy de