One thing alone Hogni Had for an answer: "Such doings for us Are naught seemly to do; To rend with sword Oaths once sworn, Oaths once sworn, And troth once plighted. "Nor know we on mould, Men of happier days, The while we four Rule over the folk; While the bold in battle, The Hun King, bides living. "And no nobler kin Shall be known afield, If our five sons We long may foster; Yea, a goodly stem Shall surely wax. --But I clearly see In what wise it standeth, Brynhild's sore urging O'ermuch on thee beareth. "Guttorm shall we Get for the slaying, Our younger brother Bare of wisdom; For he was out of All the oaths sworn, All the oaths sworn, And the plighted troth." Easy to rouse him Who of naught recketh! --Deep stood the sword In the heart of Sigurd. There, in the hall, Gat the high-hearted vengeance; For he can his sword At the reckless slayer: Out at Guttorm Flew Gram the mighty, The gleaming steel From Sigurd's hand. Down fell the slayer Smitten asunder; The heavy head And the hands fell one way, But the feet and such like Aback where they stood. Gudrun was sleeping Soft in the bed, Empty of sorrow By the side of Sigurd: When she awoke With all pleasure gone, Swimming in blood Of Frey's beloved. So sore her hands She smote together, That the great-hearted Gat raised in bed; --"O Gudrun, weep not So woefully, Sweet lovely bride, For thy brethren live for thee! "A young child have I For heritor; Too young to win forth From the house of his foes.-- Black deeds and ill Have they been a-doing, Evil rede Have they wrought at last. "Late, late, rideth with them Unto the Thing, Such sister's son, Though seven thou bear,-- --But well I wot Which way all goeth; Alone wrought Brynhild This bale against us. "That maiden loved me Far before all men, Yet wrong to Gunnar I never wrought; Brotherhood I heeded And all bounden oaths, That none should deem me His queen's darling." Weary sighed Gudrun, As the king gat ending, And so sore her hands She smote together, That the cups arow Rang out therewith, And the geese cried on high That were in the homefield. Then laughed Brynhild Budli's daughter, Once, once only, From out her heart; When to her bed Was borne the sound Of the sore greeting Of Giuki's daughter.