The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer (Penguin Classics)

by Jesse L. Byock

  Sigurd said: “No one is wiser than you. And I swear that I shall marry you, for you are to my liking.” She replied: “I would most prefer to marry you, even should I choose from among all men.” And this they pledged with vows between them.

  23 CONCERNING SIGURD’S APPEARANCE

  Now Sigurd rode away. His ornamented shield was plated with red gold and emblazoned with a dragon. Its top half was dark brown and its bottom half light red, and his helmet, saddle, and buffcoat were all marked in this way. He wore a mail coat of gold and all his weapons were ornamented with gold. In this way the dragon was illustrated on all his arms, so that when he was seen, all who had heard the story would recognize him as the one who had killed the great dragon called Fafnir by the Vaerings.80 All Sigurd’s weapons were ornamented with gold and were brown in color since he far surpassed other men in courtesy,81 in noble bearing, and in most other things. When all the mightiest champions and the most famous chieftains are reckoned, he will always be counted the foremost. His name is known in all tongues north of the Greek Ocean, and so it must remain while the world endures.

  Sigurd’s hair was brown and splendid to see. It fell in long locks. His beard, of the same color, was thick and short. His nose was high and he had a broad, chiseled face. His eyes flashed so piercingly that few dared look beneath his brow. His shoulders were as broad as if one were looking at two men. His body was well proportioned in height and size and in all respects most becoming. It is a mark of his great height that when he girded himself with the sword Gram, which was seven spans long, and waded through a field of full-grown rye, the tip of the sword’s sheath grazed the top of the standing grain. And his strength exceeded his stature.

  He well knew how to handle a sword, hurl a spear, cast a javelin, hold a shield, bend a bow, and ride a horse. Sigurd had also learned many courtesies in his youth. He was a wise man, knowing events before they happened, and he understood the language of birds. Because of these abilities, little took him by surprise. He could speak at length, and with such eloquence, that when he took it upon himself to press a matter, everybody agreed even before he was finished speaking that no course other than the one he advocated was possible. It was his pleasure to support his men, to test himself in great deeds, and to take booty from his enemies and give it to his friends. He did not lack in courage and he never knew fear.

  24 SIGURD COMES TO HEIMIR

  Sigurd now rode until he came to a large estate. A great chieftain named Heimir ruled over it. He was married to the sister of Brynhild, called Bekkhild,82 because she had stayed at home and learned needlework and other feminine skills. But Brynhild took up helmet and mail coat and went to battle. Thus she was called Brynhild.83 Heimir and Bekkhild had a son named Alsvid, the most courteous of men.

  Outside, men were playing at their sports. But when they saw the man riding up to the dwellings, they called a halt to their game and marveled at him, for they had never seen his like. They went to meet him and received him well. Alsvid asked Sigurd to stay and receive from him whatever he wished. Sigurd accepted this offer. Preparations were made to serve him nobly. Four men lifted the gold from his horse and a fifth took care of him. There were many rare and precious treasures to be seen. The men thought it great entertainment to look at the mail coats, helmets, huge rings, marvelously large gold cups, and all kinds of weapons.

  Sigurd remained there a long time in great honor. The news of his magnificent deed, that he had killed the terrible dragon, had now spread throughout all lands. The men enjoyed themselves well and each was loyal to the other. And to amuse themselves they prepared their weapons, making arrow shafts and hunting with their hawks.

  25 THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN SIGURD AND BRYNHILD

  Now Brynhild, Heimir’s foster daughter, had come home. She stayed in a bower with her maidens. More skilled in handicraft than other women, she embroidered her tapestry with gold and on it stitched stories of the noble deeds that Sigurd had wrought: the slaying of the serpent, the seizing of the gold, and the death of Regin. It is said that one day Sigurd rode into the woods with his hounds and hawks and many followers. When he returned home, his hawk flew to a high tower and settled by a window. Sigurd went after the hawk. Then he saw a fair woman and realized that it was Brynhild. Both her beauty and her work affected him deeply. He went to the hall but did not want to join in the sport of the men. Then Alsvid said: “Why are you so quiet? This change in you concerns us, your friends. Why can you not be merry? Your hawks are moping, as is your horse Grani, and it will be a long time before this is amended.”

  Sigurd answered: “Good friend, listen to what is on my mind. My hawk flew to a tower and when I captured him, I saw a beautiful woman. She sat at a golden tapestry and embroidered there my past deeds.” Alsvid replied: “You have seen Brynhild, the daughter of Budli, a woman of most noble bearing.” Sigurd answered: “That must certainly be so. When did she get here?” Alsvid said: “There was only a short time between your arrivals.” Sigurd said: “This I learned just a few days ago. This woman seemed to me the best in the world.”

  Alsvid spoke: “Such a man as you should not pay attention to a woman. It is bad to pine for what cannot be obtained.” “I shall meet her,” said Sigurd. “I shall give her gold and gain mutual affection and love.” Alsvid answered: “There has yet to be a man that she allows to sit by her or to whom she gives ale to drink. She wants to go warring and win all kinds of fame.” Sigurd said: “I do not know whether she will answer me or not or whether she will let me sit by her.”

  The next day Sigurd went to her chamber. Alsvid stood outside by the room, making arrow shafts. Sigurd said: “Be greeted, lady. And how do you fare?” She replied: “I am faring well. My kin and friends are alive, but it is unknown what fortune men will have to their dying day.”

  He sat down next to her. Then four women entered bearing large gold goblets and the best of wine and stood before them. Brynhild said: “That seat is granted to few, except when my father comes.” Sigurd replied: “Now it is granted to whoever pleases me.” The room was hung with the most precious tapestries and cloth covered the whole floor. Sigurd said: “Now it has happened as you promised me.” She answered: “You will be welcomed here.”

  Then she rose up and the four maidens with her. She brought him a gold cup, and invited him to drink. He reached toward the cup but took her hand, drawing her down beside him. He put his arms around her neck and kissed her, saying: “No fairer woman than you has ever been born.” Brynhild said: “It is wiser counsel not to put your trust in a woman, because women always break their promises.”

  Sigurd said: “The best day for us would be when we can enjoy each other.” Brynhild said: “It is not fated that we should live together. I am a shield-maiden. I wear a helmet and ride with the warrior kings. I must support them, and I am not averse to fighting.” Sigurd answered: “Our lives will be most fruitful if spent together. If we do not live together, the grief will be harder to endure than a sharp weapon.”

  Brynhild replied: “I must review the troops of warriors, and you will marry Gudrun, the daughter of Gjuki.” Sigurd answered: “No king’s daughter shall entice me. I am not of two minds in this, and I swear by the gods that I will marry you or no other woman.” She spoke likewise. Sigurd thanked her for her words and gave her a gold ring. They swore their oaths anew. He went away to his men and was with them for a time, prospering greatly.

  26 CONCERNING KING GJUKI AND HIS SONS

  There was a king named Gjuki whose kingdom was south of the Rhine. He had three sons whose names were Gunnar, Hogni, and Guttorm.84 Gudrun, his daughter, was the most famous of maidens. They surpassed the children of other kings both in looks and in stature, and in all their accomplishments. They were always harrying and performed many great feats. Gjuki was married to Grimhild, a woman well versed in magic.

  There was a king named Budli. He was more powerful than Gjuki, although both of them were powerful. Atli85 was the name of Brynhild’s brother. He was a gri
m man, large and dark, yet he had a princely bearing and was an exceptional warrior. Grimhild was a grim-minded woman. The realm of the Gjukungs flourished, chiefly because of Gjuki’s children, who surpassed most others in every way.

  One time Gudrun told her maidens that she could not be happy. One woman asked her what was troubling her. She answered: “I do not prosper in my dreams, and my heart grieves because of this. Explain my dream since you inquire about it.” “Tell me and do not be distressed,” the woman replied, “because always one dreams before storms.” Gudrun answered: “This dream has nothing to do with weather. I dreamt that I saw a handsome hawk on my hand. His feathers were of a golden hue.” The woman replied: “Many have heard of your beauty, wisdom, and courtesy. Some king’s son will ask for you in marriage.” Gudrun continued. “I cared for nothing more than for this hawk, and I would rather have lost all my wealth than him.” “The man you marry will be well bred, and you will love him deeply,” replied the woman. Gudrun said: “It vexes me not to know who he is. I will visit Brynhild; she will know.”

  They adorned themselves with gold and with beautiful raiments and traveled with their maidens until they came to Brynhild’s hall. This hall was ornamented with gold and stood on a precipice. And when their train was seen, Brynhild was told that many women were driving toward the fortress in gilded wagons. “That must be Gudrun, the daughter of Gjuki,” she said. “I dreamt about her last night. Let us go to meet her. No women more beautiful come to visit us.”

  They went out to greet Gudrun and her women and received them well. They entered the splendid hall. The interior of the hall was decorated with paintings and tapestries and much adorned with silver. Cloths were spread beneath their feet and all waited upon them. They had all sorts of games. Gudrun was very quiet. Brynhild said: “Why can’t you be merry? Don’t be this way. Let us all amuse ourselves together by talking of powerful kings and their splendid deeds.” “Let us do that,” said Gudrun. “And who do you consider to have been the foremost of kings?” Brynhild replied: “Haki and Hagbard, the sons of Hamund.86 They performed many famous feats in warfare.”

  Gudrun answered: “They were great and renowned. Yet Sigar took their sister and burned another in her house, and they are slow at revenge. But why have you not mentioned my brothers, who are now considered the foremost of men?” Brynhild said: “That is all very well, but they have not yet been sufficiently tried. And I know of one who far exceeds them, and that is Sigurd, the son of King Sigmund. He was still a boy when he killed the sons of King Hunding and avenged his father and Eylimi, his mother’s father.” Gudrun said: “What is the proof of that? Are you saying that he was already born when his father fell?”

  Brynhild answered: “His mother went to the battlefield and found the wounded King Sigmund. She offered to bind his wounds, but he declared himself too old to fight anymore. He told her to take comfort, that she would bear an extraordinary son. And this prophecy was the insight of a wise man. After the death of King Sigmund, she went with King Alf, and Sigurd was raised there with great honor. Every day he performed many valiant deeds, and he is the most excellent man in the world.”

  Gudrun said: “You have learned about him because of love. But I have come here to tell you my dreams, for they have brought me grave concern.” Brynhild replied: “Do not let such things vex you. Stay with your kinsmen, all of whom wish to make you happy.”

  27 BRYNHILD INTERPRETS GUDRUN’S DREAM

  “I dreamt,” said Gudrun, “that many of us left my bower together and saw a huge stag. He far surpassed other deer. His hair was of gold. We all wanted to catch the stag, but I alone was able to do so. The stag seemed finer to me than anything else. But then you shot down the stag right in front of me. That was such a deep sorrow to me that I could hardly stand it. Then you gave me a wolf’s cub. It spattered me with the blood of my brothers.”

  Brynhild replied: “I will tell you just what will happen. To you will come Sigurd, the man I have chosen for my husband. Grimhild will give him bewitched mead, which will bring us all to grief. You will marry him and quickly lose him. Then you will wed King Atli. You will lose your brothers, and then you will kill Atli.” Gudrun answered: “The grief of knowing such things overwhelms me.” And now she and her attendants departed and traveled home to King Gjuki.

  28 THE ALE OF FORGETFULNESS Is BLENDED FOR SIGURD

  Sigurd now rode away with that mass of gold, leaving his companions in friendship. With all his armor and burden he rode Grani, traveling until he came to the hall of King Gjuki. He rode into the fortress. One of the king’s men saw him and said: “I think that one of the gods is coming here. This man is all equipped in gold. His horse is far larger than others and his weaponry is exceptionally fine. He is far above other men, and he himself surpasses other men.”

  The king went out with his retainers and greeted the man, asking: “Who are you, who rides into the castle? No one dares do this without the permission of my sons.” He responded: “I am called Sigurd and I am the son of King Sigmund.” King Gjuki said: “Be welcome here with us and receive everything you desire.”

  Sigurd entered the hall. Everyone was short compared with him. They all served him, and he remained there in great favor. Sigurd, Gunnar, and Hogni all rode together, but Sigurd surpassed them in all accomplishments, although they were all mighty men.

  Grimhild perceived how much Sigurd loved Brynhild and how often he mentioned her. She thought it would be more fortunate if he settled there and married the daughter of King Gjuki. She also saw that no one could equal Sigurd and realized the importance of his support. Besides, he had exceptional wealth, far exceeding what men had known before. The king treated him as he did his sons, and they esteemed him more than themselves.

  One evening when they sat together drinking, the queen rose, went to Sigurd, and said to him: “It is a great joy for us that you are here and we wish to set all good things before you. Take the horn and drink.” He accepted it and drank from it. She said: “King Gjuki shall be your father, and I your mother, while Gunnar and Hogni and all who swear the oath shall be your brothers. Then your equal will not be found.” Sigurd received this well and because of that drink he could not remember Brynhild. He stayed there for a while.

  And one time Grimhild went to King Gjuki, put her arms around his neck, and said: “The most valiant hero that can be found in the world has come here. There would be much support in him. Give him your daughter in marriage along with many riches and such power as he wants, and he might be able to find pleasure here.” The king replied: “It is a rare thing to offer one’s daughter, but there is more honor in offering her to him than in having others propose marriage.”

  One evening Gudrun served the drink. Sigurd noticed that she was a beautiful woman and most courtly in all things. Sigurd stayed there for five seasons87 and they lived in friendship and fame. Then the kings now spoke among themselves. King Gjuki said: “You have done us much good, Sigurd, and you have greatly strengthened our state.”

  Gunnar spoke: “We want to do everything to encourage you to stay here a long time. We will offer a position of authority and our sister’s hand, and no one else would receive those things even if he were to ask for them.” Sigurd answered: “Be thanked for this honor. I shall accept.”

  They now swore a pact of brotherhood, as if they were brothers born of the same parents. A magnificent feast was prepared, lasting many days. Sigurd now wed Gudrun. There were all sorts of festivities and entertainments to be seen and each day’s feasting proved better than the one before.

  They now traveled widely throughout the lands, performing many splendid deeds and killing many kings” sons. No men worked such bold deeds as they did. They returned home with a huge store of booty. Sigurd gave Gudrun some of Fafnir’s heart to eat and after this she was much grimmer and wiser than before. Their son was called Sigmund.

  One day Grimhild went to her son Gunnar and said: “You are prospering in all matters except one, that you are unmar
ried. Ask for Brynhild in marriage. That would be the noblest match you could make. And Sigurd will ride with you.” Gunnar answered: “Certainly she is beautiful and I am not unwilling.” He told his father and brothers and Sigurd and they all encouraged him.

  29 SIGURD RIDES THROUGH THE WAVERING FLAMES OF BRYNHILD, THE DAUGHTER OF BUDLI

  Now they magnificently prepared for their journey. They rode over mountains and through valleys to King Budli. They presented their request of marriage. He was well disposed to the match, provided Brynhild did not refuse. He said she was so proud that she would marry only the man she wanted.

  They rode now to Hlymdale. Heimir received them well. Gunnar told of his errand. Heimir said that the choice of a husband was Brynhild’s. He said that her hall was a short distance away and that he believed she would want to marry only that man who rode through the blazing fire surrounding it.

  They found the hall and the fire, and there they saw a golden roofed fortress with fire burning around the outside. Gunnar rode Goti, and Hogni rode Holkvir. Gunnar spurred his horse toward the fire, but he shied away. Sigurd said: “Why are you drawing back, Gunnar?” He answered: “The horse does not want to leap this fire,” and he asked Sigurd to lend him Grani.

  “He is at your disposal,” said Sigurd. Gunnar now rode at the fire, but Grani did not want to go. Thus Gunnar could not ride through the fire. Sigurd and Gunnar exchanged shapes, as Grimhild had taught them. Then Sigurd rode with Gram in his hand and on his feet he bound golden spurs. When he felt the spurs, Grani leapt forward toward the fire. There was a deafening roar as the fire swelled and the earth began to tremble. The flames rose to the heavens. No one had dared do this before. It was as if he rode into pitch-darkness. Then the fire subsided. Sigurd dismounted and went into the hall.