old a
compact made, which by pledges they confirmed, a secret consultation
held: terrible it was to them after, and to Giuki's sons likewise, who
were betrayed.

2. The warriors' fate ripened, they were death-doomed: ill advised
was Atli, though he possessed sagacity: he felled a mighty column,
strove hardly against himself; with speed he messengers despatched,
that his wife's brothers should come quickly.

3. Wise was the house-dame, prudently she thought; the words in
order she had heard, that in secret they had said: the sage lady was
at a loss: fain would she help them; they[109] o'er the sea must sail,
but she herself could not go.

4. Runes she graved, Vingi them falsified, before he gave them from
him; of ill he was the bearer. Then departed Atli's messengers,
through the branched firth, for where the bold warriors dwelt.

5. They with beer were cheered, and fires they kindled, naught
thought they of guile, when they were come; they the gifts accepted,
which the prince sent them, on a column hung them, and of no evil
thought.

6. Then came Kostbera, she was Hogni's wife, a woman greatly
cautious, and them both greeted. Glad was also Glaumvor, Gunnar's
consort, the prudent dame her duty forgot not, she to the guests' need
attended.

7. Hogni they home invited, if he would be pleased to go. Treachery
was manifest, had they but reflected! Gunnar then promised, if only
Hogni would, but Hogni refused what the other proposed.

8. The noble dames bore mead, of many things there was abundance,
many horns passed round, until it seemed they had full drunken.

9. The household prepared their couches, as to them seemed best.
Cunning was Kostbera, she could runes interpret; she the letters read
by the bright fire;--her tongue she had to guard between both her
gums--so perverted were they, it was difficult to understand them.

10. To their bed they went, she and Hogni. The gentle lady dreamed,
and concealed it not, to the prince wisely said it as soon as she
awoke.

11. "From home thou art going, Hogni! give ear to counsel; few are
fully prudent: go another time.

12. I have the runes interpreted, which thy sister graved: that fair
dame has not this time invited thee. At one thing I wonder most, I
cannot even conceive, why so wise a woman so confusedly should grave;
for it is so set down as if it intimated death to you both, if you
should straightway come. Either she has left out a letter, or others
are the cau