36 HOGNI INTERPRETS HIS WIFE’S DREAM
“In my dream it seemed as if a turbulent river had rushed in here and broken up the beams in the hall.” Hogni replied: “You often have premonitions of evil, but it is not my nature to show hostility toward men unless it is deserved. Atli will receive us well.”
She said: “You may put it to the test, yet friendship is not behind this invitation. I dreamt again that another river rushed through here with a terrible uproar. It demolished all the benches in the hall, and broke the legs of you and your brother both. That must signify something.” “Crop fields must stretch out there where you thought there was a river,” he replied. “When we walk through a field the large husks often cover our legs.”
“I dreamt,” she said, “that your bedcovers were ablaze, and that the fire leapt up from the hall.” He answered: “I know quite clearly what that is. Our clothes are lying about neglected, and they are what will burn when your thoughts turn to bedcovers.”
“I thought a bear entered here,” she said. “He destroyed the king’s throne and waved his paws so much about that we all grew afraid. He had us all in his mouth together, so that we could do nothing and great terror arose.” He answered: “A strong tempest will come, where you thought it a white bear.”
“I thought an eagle entered here and flew through the hall,” she said, “splashing me, and all of us, with blood. That must bode ill, for it seemed to me that the eagle was the apparition of King Atli.” He answered: “We often slaughter generously and kill large oxen for our pleasure. It signifies cattle when one dreams of an eagle. Atli means well by us.” Thus they ended their talk.
37 THE BROTHERS’ JOURNEY FROM HOME
It is told of Gunnar that the same thing happened when he and his wife awoke. Glaumvor, Gunnar’s wife, spoke of her many dreams which seemed to her to portend betrayal, but Gunnar gave them all a different meaning.
“This was one of my dreams,” she said, “I thought a bloody sword was carried here into the hall. You were pierced through with this sword, and wolves were howling at both ends of the sword.” The king answered: “Little dogs will want to bite me there. The barking of dogs is often indicated by bloodied weapons.”
She said: “Again I thought that somber-looking women entered here and chose you as husband. It could be that they were your disir.”105 He answered: “Things are becoming difficult to interpret, but no one can avoid death. It is not unlikely that I will be short-lived.”
In the morning the men leapt up and wanted to leave, but others tried to dissuade them. Then Gunnar spoke to a man named Fjornir: “Get up and give us good wine to drink from large goblets, for it may be that this will be our last banquet. The old wolf will now get to the gold if we die, and the bear will not hesitate to bite with his battle-teeth.” Then the weeping household led them out. Hogni’s son said: “Farewell and enjoy good fortune.”
Most of their warriors remained behind. Solar and Snaevar, the sons of Hogni, went with them, as well as a famous champion called Orkning, the brother of Bera.106 The people followed them to the ships and everyone tried to persuade them not to go, but it was to no avail. Then Glaumvor spoke. “Vingi,” she said, “it is very likely that serious misfortune will arise from your coming here and that significant events will arise from your journey.” He replied: “I swear I am not lying. May the high gallows and all the demons take me if I lie with any word.” He did not spare himself in such speeches. Then Bera said: “Farewell, and may good fortune be with you.” “Be of good cheer, whatever happens to us,” replied Hogni. They parted there, each with his own destiny.
They rowed so hard and with so much strength that almost half the keel came loose from the ship. They hauled hard on the oars with long pulls, so that the handles and oar pins broke. And when they made land they did not secure their ships. Then for a time they rode their excellent mounts through a dark forest. Finally they saw the king’s dwelling. From there they heard a harsh clamor and the clash of arms. They saw a host of men and the many preparations they were making. At all the gates of the fortress there were crowds of men. The travelers rode up to the fortress but found it closed. Hogni broke open the gate and they rode into the stronghold. Then Vingi said: “You would better have left that undone. Now wait here while I look for a gallows tree for you. I asked you courteously to come here, but deceit lurked underneath. Now it will be only a short wait before you will be swinging aloft.” Hogni answered: “We will not give way to you, and I doubt we will shrink back if this comes to a battle. It is of no use for you to try to frighten us—it will prove ill for you.” Then they threw Vingi down and beat him to death with the blunt ends of their axes.
38 THE BATTLE IN THE FORTRESS AND THE VICTORY
They now rode to the king’s hall. King Atli arranged his forces for battle; the formations were deployed so that a courtyard lay between them. “Be welcome here with us,” he said, “and give me the store of gold that belongs to me, the treasure that Sigurd possessed and Gudrun now owns.” Gunnar said: “You will never get that treasure and, if you offer us hostility, you will come up against resolute men before we give up our lives. It may be that you will provide, with magnificence and with little stinginess, a feast for the eagle and the wolf.” “For a long time,” replied Atli, “I have intended to take your lives, to control the gold, and to repay you for your villainy when you betrayed your finest brother-in-law. And I shall avenge him.” Hogni answered: “It is of no help to you to have plotted this deed for a long time, for you are not ready.”
A fierce battle then broke out, beginning with a shower of missiles. The news of the fighting came to Gudrun. When she heard it, she grew heavy with anger and sorrow. She threw off her cloak and then went out. She greeted those who had come, kissing her brothers and showing them affection. This was their last greeting. She said: “I thought I had contrived a way to prevent your coming here. But no one can withstand his fate.” And she added: “Is there any use in seeking a settlement?” But they all flatly refused.
Gudrun, seeing that the game was going against her brothers, set a bold course. She put on a mail coat, took up a sword, and fought beside her brothers, advancing like the most valiant of men. Everybody agreed that a stronger defense could hardly have been seen. A large number of men fell, yet the brothers” courage still surpassed that of others. The battle raged for a long time, right up to the middle of the day. Gunnar and Hogni went through King Atli’s ranks, and it is said that the whole field was awash with blood. Hogni’s sons pressed strongly forward. King Atli said: “I had a large splendid army and proud champions, yet now many of us have fallen and we have ill to repay you. Nineteen of my champions have been killed, and only eleven remain.”
There was a pause in the fighting. Then King Atli said: “We were four brothers and now I am the only one left. I attached myself to a powerful family through a good marriage, thinking to further myself. I had a wise and beautiful wife, magnanimous and determined, but I could not benefit from her wisdom, for we seldom agreed. Now you have killed many of my relatives, cheated me of treasure and kingdom, and contrived my sister’s death, which grieves me the most.” Hogni replied: “Why do you say such things? You broke the peace first. You took my kinswoman, starved her to death, murdered her, and took the treasure. Such conduct was not kingly, and I think it laughable that you are recounting your woes. I thank the gods that things are going badly for you.”
39 HOGNI IS CAPTURED
Now King Atli urged his troops to make a fierce assault. They fought valiantly, but the Gjukungs pressed forward so resolutely that King Atli was driven back into the hall. Now they fought inside and the battle raged savagely. There was heavy loss of life and the battle ended with the brothers” whole army fallen. Gunnar and Hogni were the only two left standing. Before that many a man was sent to Hel by their weapons. King Gunnar was now attacked and by dint of their superior strength, Atli’s men seized and fettered him. Then Hogni fought on gallantly and courageously, killing t
wenty of King Atli’s greatest champions. He flung many into the fire that had been built there in the hall. All were agreed that such a man had hardly ever been seen before. Nevertheless, at the end Hogni was overpowered and made prisoner. King Atli said: “It is astonishing how many men have fallen before him. Now, cut out his heart and may that be his death.”
Hogni said: “Do as you like. I will gladly await whatever you choose to do. You will see that my heart is not timid and that I have encountered severe ordeals before. When I was not wounded, I willingly endured trials of adversity. But now I am sorely wounded, and you alone will decide our dispute.” A counselor of King Atli’s then spoke: “I have a better idea. Let us take instead the thrall Hjalli and spare Hogni. The thrall is destined for death; as long as he lives he will be trouble.”
The thrall, hearing what was said, cried loudly and ran away to wherever he saw hope of shelter. He said he had drawn a bad lot from their enmity and he was the one to pay. He declared it would be an evil day when he would die and leave his soft life and his pig keeping. The men grabbed him and drew their knives out. He cried out loudly even before he felt the point. Then Hogni spoke, in a way that is customary for the strong when in deadly peril: he interceded for the thrall’s life, saying he did not want to hear the shrieking, that this game was easier for himself to play. The thrall was then set free and granted his life.
Both Gunnar and Hogni were put in fetters. King Atli said to King Gunnar that he must tell him the location of the gold if he wanted to keep his life. Gunnar replied: “I would sooner see the bloody heart of my brother Hogni.” They seized the thrall a second time, cut out his heart, and carried it to King Gunnar. He said: “Here can be seen the heart of Hjalli the cowardly; it is unlike the heart of Hogni the valiant, for it quakes tremulously. Yet it quaked even more when it lay in his breast.”
Now, at the urging of King Atli, they seized Hogni and cut out his heart. Hogni’s strength was so immense that he laughed while he suffered this torture. Everyone wondered at his courage and it has been remembered ever since. They showed Gunnar the heart of Hogni. Gunnar answered: “Here now can be seen the heart of Hogni the valiant; it is unlike the heart of Hjalli the cowardly, because it stirs little. Yet it stirred still less when it lay in his breast. So, Atli, you will lose your life as we now lose ours. I alone now know where the gold is, and Hogni cannot tell you. My mind wavered while we both lived, but now I alone have the decision. Rather shall the Rhine rule over the gold than the Huns wear it on their arms.” King Atli said: “Take the prisoner away.” And it was done.
Gudrun now summoned men to her, met with Atli, and said: “May misfortune go with you now, in the same measure as you kept your word to Gunnar and me.” King Gunnar was then placed in a snake pit with many serpents, and his hands were bound fast. Gudrun sent him a harp and he showed his skill by artfully plucking the strings with his toes. He played so exceedingly well that few thought they had heard such strumming even with the hands. And he continued playing skillfully until all the serpents had fallen asleep, except for one large and hideous adder which crawled up to him and burrowed with its head until it struck his heart. And there, with much valor, Gunnar lost his life.
40 THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN ATLI AND GUDRUN
King Atli now thought that he had won a great victory. He told Gudrun about it in a mocking tone, or as if he were bragging: “Gudrun,” he said, “now you have lost your brothers, and you yourself brought it about.” She answered: “You delight in announcing these killings to me, but you may regret what happened when you experience what follows. The legacy that will endure the longest is undying cruelty. Things will never go well for you while I live.”
Atli replied: “We two should now make our peace. I will recompense you for the death of your brothers with gold and precious gifts, according to your desire.” “For a long time I have not been easy to deal with,” she said, “but I could tolerate matters while Hogni lived. You will never pay for my brothers to my satisfaction. Yet we women are often forced to bow to your strength. My kinsmen are now all dead and you alone have control over me. I shall accept my lot. Let us prepare a great feast—I will thus honor my brothers and your kin.” She spoke now with gentle words, although underneath she was no less afflicted. When she made herself speak so mildly, he was swayed and believed her words to be sincere.
Gudrun prepared a funeral feast for her brothers and King Atli did the same for his men. And it was a turbulent feast. Gudrun thought about her sorrows and waited for a chance to bestow some profound dishonor upon the king. In the evening she seized the sons she had by King Atli as they played beside their bedposts. The boys became downcast and asked what they were supposed to do. “Do not ask,” she replied. “Both of you will be killed.” “You may do with your children as you like,” said the boys. “No one will hinder you, but there will be shame for you in this act.” Then she slit their throats.
The king asked where his sons were. Gudrun replied: “I will tell you and gladden your heart. You caused me heavy sorrow when you killed my brothers. Now you shall hear what I have to tell you. You have lost your sons—on the table both their skulls are serving as cups—and you yourself drank their blood mixed with wine. Then I took their hearts and roasted them on a spit, and you ate them.”
King Atli answered: “Cruel you are to murder your sons and give me their flesh to eat. Little time is lost between your wicked deeds.” Gudrun said: “It is my desire to bring grievous shame upon you. No punishment can ever be cruel enough for such a king.” The king spoke: “Your monstrous deed is unparalleled in the memories of men. There is much lack of wisdom in such brutality. It is fitting for you to be stoned to death and burned on a pyre. Thus you would get what you deserve from choosing this path.” She replied: “You prophesy this for yourself, but I will be allotted a different death.” They exchanged many malicious words.
Hogni had left behind a son named Niflung.107 He bore a profound hatred toward King Atli and told Gudrun that he wanted to avenge his father. She welcomed this idea, and together they conceived their plans. Gudrun said it would be a lucky deed if vengeance could be done. In the evening, when the king had drunk, he went to bed. When he was asleep Gudrun and the son of Hogni came. Gudrun took a sword and thrust it into King Atli’s chest. Both Gudrun and Hogni’s son worked the deed together.
King Atli awoke at the wound and said: “There is no need for bandages or for cures. But who inflicted this wound on me?” Gudrun said: “I had a part in it, as did the son of Hogni.” King Atli said: “It was not honorable for you to do this, although there was some cause for it. You were married to me at your relatives” counsel and I paid a marriage settlement for you of thirty good knights and comely maidens and many other men. Yet you would not comport yourself with moderation unless you controlled the lands that King Budli had possessed, and you often caused your mother-in-law to shed tears.”
Gudrun said: “You have spoken much that is untrue, but I do not care about that. I was frequently harsh-tempered, yet you made my temper much worse. There has often been much contention here in your court. Your relatives and your friends often fought and each baited the other. Life was better when I was with Sigurd. We slew kings and ruled over their territories, and we gave quarter to those who desired it. Leaders yielded to us and we granted riches to each one who so desired. Then I lost Sigurd. It was a small matter to be called a widow, but what distresses me most is that I came to you, whereas before I was married to the most noble of kings. You have never left a battle without being bested.”
King Atli replied: “That is not true, but such discussions will better neither your lot nor mine, for I have been defeated. Now behave properly toward me and have my body prepared with splendor.” She said: “That I will do. I will have a magnificent burial prepared and a fine stone sarcophagus built for you. I will have you wrapped in fair cloths and consider your every need.” After this Atli died and Gudrun did as she had promised. Then she had the hall set afire. When the k
ing’s retainers awoke in fear, they could not stand the flames. Instead they hewed at one another and thus they died. There ended the lives of King Atli and all his retainers.
Gudrun did not want to live after these deeds, but her final day had not yet come. People say the Volsungs and the Gjukungs were the mightiest and the most fearlessly resolute of men, as it is told in all the ancient lays. Thus the conflict was brought to an end with these events.
41 CONCERNING GUDRUN
Gudrun and Sigurd had a daughter called Svanhild. She was the fairest of all women and had keen eyes like her father’s, so that few dared to face her glance. She transcended other women in her beauty as the sun does the other heavenly bodies.
Once Gudrun went to the sea, picked up stones in her arms, and walked out into the water, meaning to kill herself. Then towering waves carried her out over the sea. Crossing the water with their help, she came at last to the fortress of King Jonakr, a powerful ruler with many followers. He married Gudrun. Their children were Hamdir, Sorli, and Erp. Svanhild was raised there.
The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer (Penguin Classics) Page 12
