40. Atli his men assembled, in their byrnies they issued forth, went
prepared so that a fence was between them. Words they bandied, all
with rage boiling: "Already had we resolved to take your lives away."

_Hogni_.

41. "It looks but ill, if ye before have counselled: e'en now ye are
unprepared, and we one have felled, smitten to death: one of your host
was he."

42. Furious they became, when those words they heard; their fingers
they stretched forth, and their bowstrings seized; sharply shot, and
with shields themselves protected.

43. In then came the tale of what without was passing; loud before
the hall they a thrall heard speak.

44. Then incensed was Gudrun, when the sad news she heard: adorned
with necklaces, she tore them all asunder; so hurled the silver, that
the rings in shivers flew.

45. Then she went out, not gently moved the doors; went forth, void
of fear, and the comers hailed, turned to the Niflungs: that was her
last greeting, truth attended it; more words she said:

46. "I sought by symbols to prevent your leaving home,--fate may no
one resist--and yet must you come hither." Wisely she asked: might
they not be appeased? No one consented, all answered no.

47. Saw then the high-born lady that a hard game they played; a
deadly deed she meditated, and her robe dashed aside, a naked falchion
seized, and her kinsmen's lives defended: skilful she was in warfare,
where her hand she applied.

48. Giuki's daughter caused two warriors to fall; Atli's brother she
struck down,--he must henceforth be borne--so she the conflict
managed, that she his foot struck off. Another too she smote, so that
he never rose, to Hel she sent him: her hand trembled not.

49. A conflict then ensued, which was widely famed, but that
excelled all else which Giuki's sons performed. So 'tis said the
Niflungs, while yet they lived, with swords maintained the fight,
corslets rent, helmets hewed, as their hearts prompted.

50. At morning most they fought, until mid-day had passed; all early
morn, and the forenoon, ere the fight was ended, the field flowed with
blood, until eighteen had fallen: Bera's two sons, and her brother,
had them overcome.

51. Then the fierce Atli spoke, wroth though he was: "'Tis ill to
look around; this is long of you. We were thirty warlike thanes,
eleven survive: the chasm is too great. We were five brothers, when
Budli died; now has Hel the half, two lie slain.

52. "A great affinity I obt