HELGAKVITHA HUNDINGSBANA I

[Contents]HELGAKVITHA HUNDINGSBANA IThe First Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane[Contents]Introductory NoteThe general subject of the Helgi lays is considered in the introduction toHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, and it is needless here to repeat the statements there made. The first lay of Helgi Hundingsbane is unquestionably one of the latest of the Eddic poems, and was composed probably not earlier than the second quarter of the eleventh century. It presents several unusual characteristics. For one thing, it is among the few essentially narrative poems in the whole collection, telling a consecutive story in verse, and, except for the abusive dialogue between Sinfjotli and Gothmund, which clearly was based on another and older poem, it does so with relatively little use of dialogue. It is, in fact, a ballad, and in the main an exceedingly vigorous one. The annotator, who added his prose narrative notes so freely in the other Helgi poems, here found nothing to do. The available evidence indicates that narrative verse was a relatively late development in Old Norse poetry, and it is significant that most of the poems which consist chiefly, not of dialogue, but of narrative stanzas, such as the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay and the two Atli lays, can safely be dated, on the basis of other evidence, after the year 1000.The first Helgi Hundingsbane lay is again differentiated from most of the Eddic poems by the character of its language. It is full of those verbal intricacies which were the delight of the Norse skalds, and which made Snorri’s dictionary of poetic phrases an absolute necessity. Many of these I have paraphrased in the translation; some I have simplified or wholly avoided. A single line will serve to indicate the character of this form of complex diction (stanza 56, line 4): “And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had.” This means simply that wolves (giantesses habitually rode on wolves) ate the bodies of the dead.Except for its intricacies of diction, and the possible loss of a stanza here and there, the poem is comparatively simple. The story belongs in all its essentials to the Helgi tradition, with the Volsung cycle brought in only to the extent of making Helgi the son of Sigmund, and in the introduction of Sinfjotli, son of Sigmund and his sister Signy, in a passage which has[291]little or nothing to do with the course of the narrative, and which looks like an expansion of a passage from some older poem, perhaps from the “old Volsung lay” to which the annotator of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay refers (prose after stanza 12). There are many proper names, some of which betray the confusion caused by the blending of the two sets of traditions; for example, Helgi appears indiscriminately as an Ylfing (which presumably he was before the Volsung story became involved) and as a Volsung. Granmar and his sons are called Hniflungs (Nibelungen) in stanza 50, though they seem to have had no connection with this race. The place names have aroused much debate as to the localization of the action, but while some of them probably reflect actual places, there is so much geographical confusion, and such a profusion of names which are almost certainly mythical, that it is hard to believe that the poet had any definite locations in mind.[Contents]1.In olden days, | when eagles screamed,And holy streams | from heaven’s crags fell,Was Helgi then, | the hero-hearted,Borghild’s son, | in Bralund born.2.’Twas night in the dwelling, | and Norns there came,Who shaped the life | of the lofty one;They bade him most famed | of fighters allAnd best of princes | ever to be.[292]3.Mightily wove they | the web of fate,While Bralund’s towns | were trembling all;And there the golden | threads they wove,And in the moon’s hall | fast they made them.4.East and west | the ends they hid,In the middle the hero | should have his land;And Neri’s kinswoman | northward castA chain, and bade it | firm ever to be.5.Once sorrow had | the Ylfings’ son,And grief the bride | who the loved one had borne.* * * * * *Quoth raven to raven, | on treetop resting,Seeking for food, | “There is something I know.[293]6.“In mail-coat stands | the son of Sigmund,A half-day old; | now day is here;His eyes flash sharp | as the heroes’ are,He is friend of the wolves; | full glad are we.”7.The warrior throng | a ruler thought him,Good times, they said, | mankind should see;The king himself | from battle-press came,To give the prince | a leek full proud.8.Helgi he named him, | and Hringstathir gave him,Solfjoll, Snæfjoll, | and Sigarsvoll,Hringstoth, Hotun, | and Himinvangar,And a blood-snake bedecked | to Sinfjotli’s brother.[294]9.Mighty he grew | in the midst of his friends,The fair-born elm, | in fortune’s glow;To his comrades gold | he gladly gave,The hero spared not | the blood-flecked hoard.10.Short time for war | the chieftain waited,When fifteen winters | old he was;Hunding he slew, | the hardy wightWho long had ruled | o’er lands and men.11.Of Sigmund’s son | then next they soughtHoard and rings, | the sons of Hunding;They bade the prince | requital payFor booty stolen | and father slain.12.The prince let not | their prayers avail,Nor gold for their dead | did the kinsmen get;Waiting, he said, | was a mighty stormOf lances gray | and Othin’s grimness.13.The warriors forth | to the battle went,The field they chose | at Logafjoll;[295]Frothi’s peace | midst foes they broke,Through the isle went hungrily | Vithrir’s hounds.14.The king then sat, | when he had slainEyjolf and Alf, | ’neath the eagle-stone;Hjorvarth and Hovarth, | Hunding’s sons,The kin of the spear-wielder, | all had he killed.15.Then glittered light | from Logafjoll,And from the light | the flashes leaped;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .16.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .High under helms | on heaven’s field;Their byrnies all | with blood were red,And from their spears | the sparks flew forth.[296]17.Early then | in wolf-wood askedThe mighty king | of the southern maid,If with the hero | home would sheCome that night; | the weapons clashed.18.Down from her horse | sprang Hogni’s daughter,—The shields were still,— | and spake to the hero:“Other tasks | are ours, methinks,Than drinking beer | with the breaker of rings.19.“My father has pledged | his daughter fairAs bride to Granmar’s | son so grim;But, Helgi, I | once Hothbrodd calledAs fine a king | as the son of a cat.[297]20.“Yet the hero will come | a few nights hence,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Unless thou dost bid him | the battle-ground seek,Or takest the maid | from the warrior mighty.”Helgi spake:21.“Fear him not, | though Isung he felled,First must our courage | keen be tried,Before unwilling | thou fare with the knave;Weapons will clash, | if to death I come not.”22.Messengers sent | the mighty one then,By land and by sea, | a host to seek,Store of wealth | of the water’s gleam,And men to summon, | and sons of men.23.“Bid them straightway | seek the ships,And off Brandey | ready to be!”There the chief waited | till thither were comeMen by hundreds | from Hethinsey.[298]24.Soon off Stafnsnes | stood the ships,Fair they glided | and gay with gold;Then Helgi spake | to Hjorleif asking:“Hast thou counted | the gallant host?”25.The young king answered | the other then:“Long were it to tell | from TronueyrThe long-stemmed ships | with warriors ladenThat come from without | into Orvasund.26.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“There are hundreds twelve | of trusty men,But in Hotun lies | the host of the king,Greater by half; | I have hope of battle.”27.The ship’s-tents soon | the chieftain struck,And waked the throng | of warriors all;[299](The heroes the red | of dawn beheld;)And on the masts | the gallant menMade fast the sails | in Varinsfjord.28.There was beat of oars | and clash of iron,Shield smote shield | as the ships’-folk rowed;Swiftly went | the warrior-ladenFleet of the ruler | forth from the land.29.So did it sound, | when together the sistersOf Kolga struck | with the keels full long,As if cliffs were broken | with beating surf,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .30.Helgi bade higher | hoist the sails,Nor did the ships’-folk | shun the waves,Though dreadfully | did Ægir’s daughtersSeek the steeds | of the sea to sink.31.But from above | did Sigrun braveAid the men | and all their faring;[300]Mightily came | from the claws of RonThe leader’s sea-beast | off Gnipalund.32.At evening there | in UnavagarFloated the fleet | bedecked full fair;But they who saw | from Svarin’s hill,Bitter at heart | the host beheld.33.Then Gothmund asked, | goodly of birth,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Who is the monarch | who guides the host,And to the land | the warriors leads?”34.Sinfjotli answered, | and up on an oarRaised a shield all red | with golden rim;[301]A sea-sentry was he, | skilled to speak,And in words with princes | well to strive.35.“Say tonight | when you feed the swine,And send your bitches | to seek their swill,That out of the East | have the Ylfings come,Greedy for battle, | to Gnipalund.36.“There will Hothbrodd | Helgi find,In the midst of the fleet, | and flight he scorns;Often has he | the eagles gorged,Whilst thou at the quern | wert slave-girls kissing.”Gothmund spake:37.“Hero, the ancient | sayings heed,And bring not lies | to the nobly born.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .38.“Thou hast eaten | the entrails of wolves,And of thy brothers | the slayer been;Oft wounds to suck | thy cold mouth sought,And loathed in rocky | dens didst lurk.”[302]Sinfjotli spake:39.“A witch in Varin’s | isle thou wast,A woman false, | and lies didst fashion;Of the mail-clad heroes | thou wouldst haveNo other, thou saidst, | save Sinfjotli only.40.“A Valkyrie wast thou, | loathly witch,Evil and base, | in Allfather’s home;The warriors all | must ever fight,Woman subtle, | for sake of thee.41.“. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Nine did we | in SogunesOf wolf-cubs have; | I their father was.”[303]Gothmund spake:42.“Thou didst not father | Fenrir’s-wolves,Though older thou art | than all I know;For they gelded thee | in Gnipalund,The giant-women | at Thorsnes once.43.“Under houses the stepson | of Siggeir lay,Fain of the wolf’s cry | out in the woods;Evil came then | all to thy hands,When thy brothers’ | breasts thou didst redden,Fame didst thou win | for foulest deeds.44.“In Bravoll wast thou | Grani’s bride,Golden-bitted | and ready to gallop;I rode thee many | a mile, and downDidst sink, thou giantess, | under the saddle.”Sinfjotli spake:45.“A brainless fellow | didst seem to be,When once for Gollnir | goats didst milk,[304]And another time | when as Imth’s daughterIn rags thou wentest; | wilt longer wrangle?”Gothmund spake:46.“Sooner would I | at FrekasteinFeed the ravens | with flesh of thineThan send your bitches | to seek their swill,Or feed the swine; | may the fiends take you!”Helgi spake:47.“Better, Sinfjotli, | thee ’twould beseemBattle to give | and eagles to gladden,Than vain and empty | words to utter,Though ring-breakers oft | in speech do wrangle.48.“Good I find not | the sons of Granmar,But for heroes ’tis seemly | the truth to speak;At Moinsheimar | proved the menThat hearts for the wielding | of swords they had.”49.Mightily then | they made to runSviputh and Sveggjuth | to Solheimar;[305](By dewy dales | and chasms dark,Mist’s horse shook | where the men went by;)The king they found | at his courtyard gate,And told him the foeman | fierce was come.50.Forth stood Hothbrodd, | helmed for battle,Watched the riding | of his warriors;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Why are the Hniflungs | white with fear?”Gothmund spake:51.“Swift keels lie | hard by the land,(Mast-ring harts | and mighty yards,Wealth of shields | and well-planed oars;)The king’s fair host, | the Ylfings haughty;Fifteen bands | to land have fared,But out in Sogn | are seven thousand.[306]52.“At anchor lying | off GnipalundAre fire-beasts black, | all fitted with gold;There wait most | of the foeman’s men,Nor will Helgi long | the battle delay.”Hothbrodd spake:53.“Bid the horses run | to the Reginthing,Melnir and Mylnir | to Myrkwood now,(And Sporvitnir | to Sparinsheith;)Let no man seek | henceforth to sitWho the flame of wounds | knows well to wield.54.“Summon Hogni, | the sons of Hring,Atli and Yngvi | and Alf the Old;Glad they are | of battle ever;Against the Volsungs | let us go.”[307]55.Swift as a storm | there smote togetherThe flashing blades | at Frekastein;Ever was Helgi, | Hunding’s slayer,First in the throng | where warriors fought;(Fierce in battle, | slow to fly,Hard the heart | of the hero was.)56.From heaven there came | the maidens helmed,—The weapon-clang grew,— | who watched o’er the king;Spake Sigrun fair,— | the wound-givers flew,And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had:—57.“Hail to thee, hero! | full happy with men,Offspring of Yngvi, | shalt ever live,For thou the fearless | foe hast slainWho to many the dread | of death had brought.[308]58.“Warrior, well | for thyself hast wonRed rings bright | and the noble bride;Both now, warrior, | thine shall be,Hogni’s daughter | and Hringstathir,Wealth and triumph; | the battle wanes.”[290][Contents]NOTES[291]1.The manuscript contains the superscription: “Here begins the lay of HelgiHundingsbaneand h. (Hothbrodd?) The lay of the Volsungs.”Eagles, etc.: the screaming of eagles and water pouring from heaven were portents of the birth of a hero.Borghild: Sigmund’s first wife;Bralundwas her home, not Sigmund’s.2.Norns: cf.Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who[292]preside over Helgi’s early destiny, and not a Valkyrie, as inHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar.3.Line 2 is largely guesswork, the manuscript being obscure.Moon’s hall: the sky.4.East, etc.: the Norns give Helgi fame in the East, West, and North; in the North his renown is particularly to endure. This suggests that the poet was aware of the spread of the Helgi story over many lands.Neri’s kinswoman: evidently one of the Norns, but nothing further is known of Neri, and the word may not be a proper name at all.5.The manuscript indicates no gap, but it looks as though something had been lost after line 2.Ylfings’ son: Sigmund is evidently meant, though calling him an Ylfing (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note) is a manifest error. Helgi, in the tradition as it came from Denmark, was undoubtedly an Ylfing, and the poet, in order to combine the two legends, has to treat the Ylfings and Volsungs as if they were the same family.[293]6.Sigmund: the chief link between the Helgi and Sigurth stories. He was the son of Volsung, great-grandson of Othin. His children by his first wife, Borghild, were Helgi and Hamund (belonging to the Helgi cycle); his son by his second wife, Hjordis, was Sigurth. An incestuous connection with his sister, Signy (cf. Wagner’s Siegmund and Sieglinde) resulted in the birth of Sinfjotli (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note).7.The king: Sigmund, who gives his son a symbol of the lands which he bestows on him. Regarding the leek, cf.Voluspo, 4;GuthrunarkvithaI, 17, andSigrdrifumol, 7.8.Hringstathir(“Ring-Stead”): quite possibly the historical Ringsted, long a possession of the Danish kings, and thus a relic of the old Helgi tradition.Hringstothmay be another form of the same name.Solfjoll(“Sun-Mountain”) andSnæfjoll(“Snow-Mountain”) are fictitious names. RegardingSigarsvollcf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, stanzas 8 and 35. Saxo mentions a Danish king named Sigar, and the frequency with which the name appears in the Helgi poems may be taken as a reminiscence of Denmark.Hotun(“High Place”): possibly the village of Tune in Seeland.Himinvangar(“Heaven’s Field”): an imaginary place.Blood-snake: a sword.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.[294]9.Elm: a not uncommon word for “man.”Blood-flecked: i.e., won in battle.10.Fifteen: until early in the eleventh century a Norwegian or Icelandic boy became “of age” at twelve, and Maurer cites this passage as added proof of the poem’s lateness.Hunding: the annotator (introductory prose toHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII) calls him king of Hundland, which shows no great originality. Saxo mentions a Hunding who was a Saxon king ruling in Jutland, probably the origin of Helgi’s traditional foe.12.Storm, etc.: war.13.Logafjoll(“Flame-Mountain”): a mythical name.Frothi:[295]a: traditional king of Denmark, whose peaceful reign was so famous that “Frothi’s peace” became a by-word for peace of any kind.Vithrir’s hounds: wolves; Vithrir is Othin, and his hounds are the wolves Freki and Geri.14.In this poem Helgi kills all the sons of Hunding, but in the poems of the Sigurth cycle, and the prose notes attached thereto, Sigmund and his father-in-law, Eylimi, are killed by Hunding’s sons, on whom Sigurth subsequently takes vengeance (cf.Fra Dautha SinfjotlaandRegïnsmol).15.No gap indicated in the manuscript, but almost certainly something has been lost mentioning more specifically the coming of the Valkyries. The lightning which accompanies them suggests again their identification with the clouds (cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 28).16.Some editions fill out the first line: “He saw there mighty maidens riding.” The manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza.[296]17.Wolf-wood: dark forest; the original word is not altogether clear.Southern: this variety of Valkyrie, like the swan-maidens of theVölundarkvitha, was clearly regarded as of southern (i.e., German) origin. Here again there is a confusion of traditions; the Valkyries of theVoluspowere as essentially Norse as any part of the older mythology. I doubt if a poet much earlier than the author of the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay would have made his Sigrun, daughter of Hogni, a Valkyrie. It is to be noted that the same complication appears in the Sigurth story, where the undoubted Valkyrie, Brynhild-Sigrdrifa (the latter name is really only an epithet) is hopelessly mixed up with the quite human Brynhild, daughter of Buthli.18.Breaker of rings: generous prince, because the breaking of rings was the customary form of distributing gold.19.Granmar: the annotator gives an account of him and his family in the prose following stanza 12 ofHelgakvitha Hundingsbana II.20.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the stanza with the fragmentary stanza 21, and others fill in with “And home will carry | Hogni’s daughter.”[297]21.The manuscript has only lines 1 and 4 with the word “first” of line 2, and does not indicate Helgi as the speaker. TheVolsungasaga, which follows this poem pretty closely, expands Helgi’s speech, and lines 2–3 are conjectural versifications of the saga’s prose.Isung: nothing is known of him beyond the fact, here indicated, that Hothbrodd killed him.22.Water’s gleam: gold.23.Brandey(“Brand-Isle”): not mentioned elsewhere.Hethinsey(“Hethin’s Isle”): possibly the island of Hiddensee, east of Rügen.[298]24.Stafnsnes(“Steersman’s Cape”): an unidentifiable promontory.Fair: a guess, as the adjective in the manuscript is obscure.Hjorleifdoes not appear elsewhere, and seems to be simply one of Helgi’s lieutenants.25.Tronueyr: “Crane-Strand.”Long-stemmed: literally “long-headed,” as the high, curving stem of a Norse ship was often carved to represent a head and neck.Orvasund: almost certainly the Danish Öresund, off Seeland. Such bits of geography as this followed Helgi persistently.26.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hotun: cf. stanza 8 and note.27.Line 3 seems to have been interpolated from line 4 ofHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII, 42.Ship’s-tents: the awnings spread over the deck to shelter the crews from sun and rain when the ships were at anchor.Varinsfjord: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22 and note.[299]28.The manuscript indicates line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza, and some editions follow this arrangement, making lines 1–2 a separate stanza.29.The manuscript indicates no gap, and some editions combine the stanza with lines 3–4 of stanza 28.Sisters of Kolga: the waves, Kolga (“The Gold”) being one of the daughters of the sea-god, Ægir. As theVolsungasagasays, “Now there was a great storm.”30.Helgi demonstrates his courage, whatever one may think of his seamanship.Ægir’s daughters: the waves; cf. stanza 29 and note.[300]31.Sigrun here appears again as a Valkyrie.Ron: Ægir’s wife; cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 18 and note.Sea-beast: ship.Gnipalund: “Crag-Wood.”32.Unavagar: “Friendly Waves.”Svarin’s hill: the hill where Granmar had his dwelling.33.Here begins the long dialogue betweenGothmund, one of Granmar’s sons, andSinfjotli, Helgi’s half-brother. Two lines (stanza 33, lines 3–4) are quoted by the annotator in the prose note following stanza 16 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay, and the dialogue, in much abbreviated form, together with Helgi’s admonition to Sinfjotli to cease talking, is closely paralleled in stanzas 22–27 of that poem. It has been suggested that this whole passage (stanzas 33–48) is an interpolation, perhaps from “the Old Volsung lay.” This may be, but it seems more probable that the poet used an older poem simply as the basis for this passage, borrowing a little but making up a great deal more. The manuscript indicates no gap in stanza 33.34.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.Red: raising a red shield was the signal for war.[301]35.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.36.Quern: turning the hand mill was, throughout antiquity, the task of slaves.37.The manuscript does not name the speakers in this dialogue. No gap indicated in the manuscript, and editors have attempted various combinations of stanzas 37 and 38.38.Wolves: theVolsungasagatells that Sigmund and Sinfjotli lived in the woods for a time as werewolves.Brothers:[302]Sinfjotli killed the two sons of his mother, Signy, and her husband, Siggeir, as part of the vengeance wreaked on Siggeir for the treacherous murder of Sigmund’s father, Volsung, and nine of his brothers (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note). The manuscript marks line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza.39.Varin’s isle: cf. stanza 27 and note, andHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22. Reproaching a man with having been a woman and borne children was not uncommon.40.This stanza may be an interpolation in the dialogue passage.Allfather: Othin. We have no information regarding Gothmund’s career, but it looks as though Sinfjotli were drawing solely on his imagination for his taunts, whereas Gothmund’s insults have a basis in Sinfjotli’s previous life.41.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the two lines with stanza 40, some regard them as the first instead of the last lines of a separate stanza, and some assume the lacuna here indicated.Sogunes(“Saga’s Cape”): of the goddess Saga little is known; cf.Grimnismol, 7.[303]42.Fenrir’s-wolves: wolves in general.Thorsnes: “Thor’s Cape.”43.The phrase “under houses,” which follows the manuscript, may be an error for “in wolf-caves.” Line 3 (or 4) may be an interpolation. The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza.Siggeir: cf. stanza 38, note.44.Several editions assign this stanza to Sinfjotli instead of to Gothmund.Bravoll(“Field of the Brow”): not elsewhere mentioned in the poems.Grani: Sigurth’s horse (cf.Völundarkvitha, 16 and note); Gothmund means that Sinfjotli had turned into a mare, after the fashion of Loki (cf.Grimnismol, 44, note). The meaning of line 4 in the original is uncertain.45.A few editions give this stanza to Gothmund.Gollnir:[304]possibly a giant.Imth: nothing is known of him or his daughter.46.A few editions give this stanza to Sinfjotli.Frekastein: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 39 and note. A stanza may have been lost after stanza 46, parallel to stanza 25 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay.47.Ring-breakers: cf. stanza 18 and note.48.Moinsheimar: a battlefield of which nothing is known, where, however, the sons of Granmar appear to have fought bravely.49.Here the scene shifts to the shore among Hothbrodd’s followers.[305]SviputhandSveggjuth(“Swift” and “Lithe”): horses’ names.Mist’s horse: the Valkyrie’s name is the same as the English word “mist,” and the “horse” on which the mist rides is the earth. The two lines in parenthesis may be interpolated, or line 5 may begin a new stanza, as the manuscript indicates.50.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hniflungs: cf. introductory note.51.Lines 2–3 may be interpolated, or a new stanza may begin, as the manuscript indicates, with line 5. Many editors combine lines 5–6 with all or part of stanza 52. Possibly Gothmund is not the speaker.Mast-ring harts: ships, so called from the ring attaching the yard to the mast.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.Sogn: this name, which actually belongs in western Norway, seems to have been used here with no particular significance.52.The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza; some editors combine lines 3–4 with all or part of stanza[306]53, while others assume the loss of two lines following line 4.Fire-beasts: dragons, i.e., ships. The Norse ships of war, as distinguished from merchant vessels, were often called dragons because of their shape and the carving of their stems.53.The manuscript does not indicate the speaker, and a few editors assume the loss of one or two lines embodying the phrase “Hothbrodd spake.” In the manuscript line 3, which many editors have suspected of being spurious, stands before line 2. Possibly lines 4–5 are the remains of a separate stanza.Reginthing(“The Great Council”): apparently the council-place for the whole country, as distinct from the local council, or “herathsthing.”Melnir(“Bit-Bearer”),Mylnir(“The Biter”) andSporvitnir(“Spur-Wolf”): horses’ names.Myrkwood: a not uncommon name for a dark forest; cf.Lokasenna, 42, andAtlakvitha, 3.Sparinsheith(“Sparin’s Heath”): nothing more is known of Sparin or his heath.Flame of wounds: sword.54.Hogni: the father of Sigrun; cf.Helgakvitha Hundingsbana[307]II, 18. OfHringand his sons nothing further is known.Volsungs: here for the first time the poet gives Helgi and Sinfjotli the family name to which, as sons of Sigmund Volsungsson, they are entitled.55.The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza, but many editors have rejected lines 5–6 as spurious, while others regard them as the first half of a stanza the last two lines of which have been lost.56.Wound-givers: probably this means “Valkyries,” but there is considerable doubt as to the original word.Horse, etc.: i.e., the wolf (because giantesses customarily had wolves for their steeds) ate corpses (the food of birds of prey).57.Yngvi: one of the sons of Halfdan the Old, and traditional ancestor of the Ynglings, with whom the Ylfings seem to have been confused (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note). The confusion between the Ylfings (or Ynglings) and Volsungs was carried far[308]enough so that Sigurth himself is once called a descendant of Yngvi (Reginsmol, 14). Gering identifies the name of Yngvi with the god Freyr, but the Volsungs certainly claimed descent from Othin, not Freyr, and there is nothing to indicate that Helgi in the Danish tradition was supposed to be descended from Freyr, whereas his descent from Yngvi Halfdansson fits well with the rest of his story. However, cf.Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, 24 and note.58.This entire stanza may be an interpolation; nearly every edition has a different way of dealing with it.Hringstathir: as this place had been given to Helgi by his father (cf. stanza 8 and note), the poet has apparently made a mistake in naming it here as a conquest from Granmar’s sons, unless, indeed, they had previously captured it from Helgi, which seems unlikely.[309]

HELGAKVITHA HUNDINGSBANA IThe First Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane

[Contents]Introductory NoteThe general subject of the Helgi lays is considered in the introduction toHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, and it is needless here to repeat the statements there made. The first lay of Helgi Hundingsbane is unquestionably one of the latest of the Eddic poems, and was composed probably not earlier than the second quarter of the eleventh century. It presents several unusual characteristics. For one thing, it is among the few essentially narrative poems in the whole collection, telling a consecutive story in verse, and, except for the abusive dialogue between Sinfjotli and Gothmund, which clearly was based on another and older poem, it does so with relatively little use of dialogue. It is, in fact, a ballad, and in the main an exceedingly vigorous one. The annotator, who added his prose narrative notes so freely in the other Helgi poems, here found nothing to do. The available evidence indicates that narrative verse was a relatively late development in Old Norse poetry, and it is significant that most of the poems which consist chiefly, not of dialogue, but of narrative stanzas, such as the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay and the two Atli lays, can safely be dated, on the basis of other evidence, after the year 1000.The first Helgi Hundingsbane lay is again differentiated from most of the Eddic poems by the character of its language. It is full of those verbal intricacies which were the delight of the Norse skalds, and which made Snorri’s dictionary of poetic phrases an absolute necessity. Many of these I have paraphrased in the translation; some I have simplified or wholly avoided. A single line will serve to indicate the character of this form of complex diction (stanza 56, line 4): “And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had.” This means simply that wolves (giantesses habitually rode on wolves) ate the bodies of the dead.Except for its intricacies of diction, and the possible loss of a stanza here and there, the poem is comparatively simple. The story belongs in all its essentials to the Helgi tradition, with the Volsung cycle brought in only to the extent of making Helgi the son of Sigmund, and in the introduction of Sinfjotli, son of Sigmund and his sister Signy, in a passage which has[291]little or nothing to do with the course of the narrative, and which looks like an expansion of a passage from some older poem, perhaps from the “old Volsung lay” to which the annotator of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay refers (prose after stanza 12). There are many proper names, some of which betray the confusion caused by the blending of the two sets of traditions; for example, Helgi appears indiscriminately as an Ylfing (which presumably he was before the Volsung story became involved) and as a Volsung. Granmar and his sons are called Hniflungs (Nibelungen) in stanza 50, though they seem to have had no connection with this race. The place names have aroused much debate as to the localization of the action, but while some of them probably reflect actual places, there is so much geographical confusion, and such a profusion of names which are almost certainly mythical, that it is hard to believe that the poet had any definite locations in mind.[Contents]1.In olden days, | when eagles screamed,And holy streams | from heaven’s crags fell,Was Helgi then, | the hero-hearted,Borghild’s son, | in Bralund born.2.’Twas night in the dwelling, | and Norns there came,Who shaped the life | of the lofty one;They bade him most famed | of fighters allAnd best of princes | ever to be.[292]3.Mightily wove they | the web of fate,While Bralund’s towns | were trembling all;And there the golden | threads they wove,And in the moon’s hall | fast they made them.4.East and west | the ends they hid,In the middle the hero | should have his land;And Neri’s kinswoman | northward castA chain, and bade it | firm ever to be.5.Once sorrow had | the Ylfings’ son,And grief the bride | who the loved one had borne.* * * * * *Quoth raven to raven, | on treetop resting,Seeking for food, | “There is something I know.[293]6.“In mail-coat stands | the son of Sigmund,A half-day old; | now day is here;His eyes flash sharp | as the heroes’ are,He is friend of the wolves; | full glad are we.”7.The warrior throng | a ruler thought him,Good times, they said, | mankind should see;The king himself | from battle-press came,To give the prince | a leek full proud.8.Helgi he named him, | and Hringstathir gave him,Solfjoll, Snæfjoll, | and Sigarsvoll,Hringstoth, Hotun, | and Himinvangar,And a blood-snake bedecked | to Sinfjotli’s brother.[294]9.Mighty he grew | in the midst of his friends,The fair-born elm, | in fortune’s glow;To his comrades gold | he gladly gave,The hero spared not | the blood-flecked hoard.10.Short time for war | the chieftain waited,When fifteen winters | old he was;Hunding he slew, | the hardy wightWho long had ruled | o’er lands and men.11.Of Sigmund’s son | then next they soughtHoard and rings, | the sons of Hunding;They bade the prince | requital payFor booty stolen | and father slain.12.The prince let not | their prayers avail,Nor gold for their dead | did the kinsmen get;Waiting, he said, | was a mighty stormOf lances gray | and Othin’s grimness.13.The warriors forth | to the battle went,The field they chose | at Logafjoll;[295]Frothi’s peace | midst foes they broke,Through the isle went hungrily | Vithrir’s hounds.14.The king then sat, | when he had slainEyjolf and Alf, | ’neath the eagle-stone;Hjorvarth and Hovarth, | Hunding’s sons,The kin of the spear-wielder, | all had he killed.15.Then glittered light | from Logafjoll,And from the light | the flashes leaped;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .16.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .High under helms | on heaven’s field;Their byrnies all | with blood were red,And from their spears | the sparks flew forth.[296]17.Early then | in wolf-wood askedThe mighty king | of the southern maid,If with the hero | home would sheCome that night; | the weapons clashed.18.Down from her horse | sprang Hogni’s daughter,—The shields were still,— | and spake to the hero:“Other tasks | are ours, methinks,Than drinking beer | with the breaker of rings.19.“My father has pledged | his daughter fairAs bride to Granmar’s | son so grim;But, Helgi, I | once Hothbrodd calledAs fine a king | as the son of a cat.[297]20.“Yet the hero will come | a few nights hence,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Unless thou dost bid him | the battle-ground seek,Or takest the maid | from the warrior mighty.”Helgi spake:21.“Fear him not, | though Isung he felled,First must our courage | keen be tried,Before unwilling | thou fare with the knave;Weapons will clash, | if to death I come not.”22.Messengers sent | the mighty one then,By land and by sea, | a host to seek,Store of wealth | of the water’s gleam,And men to summon, | and sons of men.23.“Bid them straightway | seek the ships,And off Brandey | ready to be!”There the chief waited | till thither were comeMen by hundreds | from Hethinsey.[298]24.Soon off Stafnsnes | stood the ships,Fair they glided | and gay with gold;Then Helgi spake | to Hjorleif asking:“Hast thou counted | the gallant host?”25.The young king answered | the other then:“Long were it to tell | from TronueyrThe long-stemmed ships | with warriors ladenThat come from without | into Orvasund.26.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“There are hundreds twelve | of trusty men,But in Hotun lies | the host of the king,Greater by half; | I have hope of battle.”27.The ship’s-tents soon | the chieftain struck,And waked the throng | of warriors all;[299](The heroes the red | of dawn beheld;)And on the masts | the gallant menMade fast the sails | in Varinsfjord.28.There was beat of oars | and clash of iron,Shield smote shield | as the ships’-folk rowed;Swiftly went | the warrior-ladenFleet of the ruler | forth from the land.29.So did it sound, | when together the sistersOf Kolga struck | with the keels full long,As if cliffs were broken | with beating surf,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .30.Helgi bade higher | hoist the sails,Nor did the ships’-folk | shun the waves,Though dreadfully | did Ægir’s daughtersSeek the steeds | of the sea to sink.31.But from above | did Sigrun braveAid the men | and all their faring;[300]Mightily came | from the claws of RonThe leader’s sea-beast | off Gnipalund.32.At evening there | in UnavagarFloated the fleet | bedecked full fair;But they who saw | from Svarin’s hill,Bitter at heart | the host beheld.33.Then Gothmund asked, | goodly of birth,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Who is the monarch | who guides the host,And to the land | the warriors leads?”34.Sinfjotli answered, | and up on an oarRaised a shield all red | with golden rim;[301]A sea-sentry was he, | skilled to speak,And in words with princes | well to strive.35.“Say tonight | when you feed the swine,And send your bitches | to seek their swill,That out of the East | have the Ylfings come,Greedy for battle, | to Gnipalund.36.“There will Hothbrodd | Helgi find,In the midst of the fleet, | and flight he scorns;Often has he | the eagles gorged,Whilst thou at the quern | wert slave-girls kissing.”Gothmund spake:37.“Hero, the ancient | sayings heed,And bring not lies | to the nobly born.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .38.“Thou hast eaten | the entrails of wolves,And of thy brothers | the slayer been;Oft wounds to suck | thy cold mouth sought,And loathed in rocky | dens didst lurk.”[302]Sinfjotli spake:39.“A witch in Varin’s | isle thou wast,A woman false, | and lies didst fashion;Of the mail-clad heroes | thou wouldst haveNo other, thou saidst, | save Sinfjotli only.40.“A Valkyrie wast thou, | loathly witch,Evil and base, | in Allfather’s home;The warriors all | must ever fight,Woman subtle, | for sake of thee.41.“. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Nine did we | in SogunesOf wolf-cubs have; | I their father was.”[303]Gothmund spake:42.“Thou didst not father | Fenrir’s-wolves,Though older thou art | than all I know;For they gelded thee | in Gnipalund,The giant-women | at Thorsnes once.43.“Under houses the stepson | of Siggeir lay,Fain of the wolf’s cry | out in the woods;Evil came then | all to thy hands,When thy brothers’ | breasts thou didst redden,Fame didst thou win | for foulest deeds.44.“In Bravoll wast thou | Grani’s bride,Golden-bitted | and ready to gallop;I rode thee many | a mile, and downDidst sink, thou giantess, | under the saddle.”Sinfjotli spake:45.“A brainless fellow | didst seem to be,When once for Gollnir | goats didst milk,[304]And another time | when as Imth’s daughterIn rags thou wentest; | wilt longer wrangle?”Gothmund spake:46.“Sooner would I | at FrekasteinFeed the ravens | with flesh of thineThan send your bitches | to seek their swill,Or feed the swine; | may the fiends take you!”Helgi spake:47.“Better, Sinfjotli, | thee ’twould beseemBattle to give | and eagles to gladden,Than vain and empty | words to utter,Though ring-breakers oft | in speech do wrangle.48.“Good I find not | the sons of Granmar,But for heroes ’tis seemly | the truth to speak;At Moinsheimar | proved the menThat hearts for the wielding | of swords they had.”49.Mightily then | they made to runSviputh and Sveggjuth | to Solheimar;[305](By dewy dales | and chasms dark,Mist’s horse shook | where the men went by;)The king they found | at his courtyard gate,And told him the foeman | fierce was come.50.Forth stood Hothbrodd, | helmed for battle,Watched the riding | of his warriors;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Why are the Hniflungs | white with fear?”Gothmund spake:51.“Swift keels lie | hard by the land,(Mast-ring harts | and mighty yards,Wealth of shields | and well-planed oars;)The king’s fair host, | the Ylfings haughty;Fifteen bands | to land have fared,But out in Sogn | are seven thousand.[306]52.“At anchor lying | off GnipalundAre fire-beasts black, | all fitted with gold;There wait most | of the foeman’s men,Nor will Helgi long | the battle delay.”Hothbrodd spake:53.“Bid the horses run | to the Reginthing,Melnir and Mylnir | to Myrkwood now,(And Sporvitnir | to Sparinsheith;)Let no man seek | henceforth to sitWho the flame of wounds | knows well to wield.54.“Summon Hogni, | the sons of Hring,Atli and Yngvi | and Alf the Old;Glad they are | of battle ever;Against the Volsungs | let us go.”[307]55.Swift as a storm | there smote togetherThe flashing blades | at Frekastein;Ever was Helgi, | Hunding’s slayer,First in the throng | where warriors fought;(Fierce in battle, | slow to fly,Hard the heart | of the hero was.)56.From heaven there came | the maidens helmed,—The weapon-clang grew,— | who watched o’er the king;Spake Sigrun fair,— | the wound-givers flew,And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had:—57.“Hail to thee, hero! | full happy with men,Offspring of Yngvi, | shalt ever live,For thou the fearless | foe hast slainWho to many the dread | of death had brought.[308]58.“Warrior, well | for thyself hast wonRed rings bright | and the noble bride;Both now, warrior, | thine shall be,Hogni’s daughter | and Hringstathir,Wealth and triumph; | the battle wanes.”[290][Contents]NOTES[291]1.The manuscript contains the superscription: “Here begins the lay of HelgiHundingsbaneand h. (Hothbrodd?) The lay of the Volsungs.”Eagles, etc.: the screaming of eagles and water pouring from heaven were portents of the birth of a hero.Borghild: Sigmund’s first wife;Bralundwas her home, not Sigmund’s.2.Norns: cf.Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who[292]preside over Helgi’s early destiny, and not a Valkyrie, as inHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar.3.Line 2 is largely guesswork, the manuscript being obscure.Moon’s hall: the sky.4.East, etc.: the Norns give Helgi fame in the East, West, and North; in the North his renown is particularly to endure. This suggests that the poet was aware of the spread of the Helgi story over many lands.Neri’s kinswoman: evidently one of the Norns, but nothing further is known of Neri, and the word may not be a proper name at all.5.The manuscript indicates no gap, but it looks as though something had been lost after line 2.Ylfings’ son: Sigmund is evidently meant, though calling him an Ylfing (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note) is a manifest error. Helgi, in the tradition as it came from Denmark, was undoubtedly an Ylfing, and the poet, in order to combine the two legends, has to treat the Ylfings and Volsungs as if they were the same family.[293]6.Sigmund: the chief link between the Helgi and Sigurth stories. He was the son of Volsung, great-grandson of Othin. His children by his first wife, Borghild, were Helgi and Hamund (belonging to the Helgi cycle); his son by his second wife, Hjordis, was Sigurth. An incestuous connection with his sister, Signy (cf. Wagner’s Siegmund and Sieglinde) resulted in the birth of Sinfjotli (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note).7.The king: Sigmund, who gives his son a symbol of the lands which he bestows on him. Regarding the leek, cf.Voluspo, 4;GuthrunarkvithaI, 17, andSigrdrifumol, 7.8.Hringstathir(“Ring-Stead”): quite possibly the historical Ringsted, long a possession of the Danish kings, and thus a relic of the old Helgi tradition.Hringstothmay be another form of the same name.Solfjoll(“Sun-Mountain”) andSnæfjoll(“Snow-Mountain”) are fictitious names. RegardingSigarsvollcf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, stanzas 8 and 35. Saxo mentions a Danish king named Sigar, and the frequency with which the name appears in the Helgi poems may be taken as a reminiscence of Denmark.Hotun(“High Place”): possibly the village of Tune in Seeland.Himinvangar(“Heaven’s Field”): an imaginary place.Blood-snake: a sword.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.[294]9.Elm: a not uncommon word for “man.”Blood-flecked: i.e., won in battle.10.Fifteen: until early in the eleventh century a Norwegian or Icelandic boy became “of age” at twelve, and Maurer cites this passage as added proof of the poem’s lateness.Hunding: the annotator (introductory prose toHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII) calls him king of Hundland, which shows no great originality. Saxo mentions a Hunding who was a Saxon king ruling in Jutland, probably the origin of Helgi’s traditional foe.12.Storm, etc.: war.13.Logafjoll(“Flame-Mountain”): a mythical name.Frothi:[295]a: traditional king of Denmark, whose peaceful reign was so famous that “Frothi’s peace” became a by-word for peace of any kind.Vithrir’s hounds: wolves; Vithrir is Othin, and his hounds are the wolves Freki and Geri.14.In this poem Helgi kills all the sons of Hunding, but in the poems of the Sigurth cycle, and the prose notes attached thereto, Sigmund and his father-in-law, Eylimi, are killed by Hunding’s sons, on whom Sigurth subsequently takes vengeance (cf.Fra Dautha SinfjotlaandRegïnsmol).15.No gap indicated in the manuscript, but almost certainly something has been lost mentioning more specifically the coming of the Valkyries. The lightning which accompanies them suggests again their identification with the clouds (cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 28).16.Some editions fill out the first line: “He saw there mighty maidens riding.” The manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza.[296]17.Wolf-wood: dark forest; the original word is not altogether clear.Southern: this variety of Valkyrie, like the swan-maidens of theVölundarkvitha, was clearly regarded as of southern (i.e., German) origin. Here again there is a confusion of traditions; the Valkyries of theVoluspowere as essentially Norse as any part of the older mythology. I doubt if a poet much earlier than the author of the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay would have made his Sigrun, daughter of Hogni, a Valkyrie. It is to be noted that the same complication appears in the Sigurth story, where the undoubted Valkyrie, Brynhild-Sigrdrifa (the latter name is really only an epithet) is hopelessly mixed up with the quite human Brynhild, daughter of Buthli.18.Breaker of rings: generous prince, because the breaking of rings was the customary form of distributing gold.19.Granmar: the annotator gives an account of him and his family in the prose following stanza 12 ofHelgakvitha Hundingsbana II.20.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the stanza with the fragmentary stanza 21, and others fill in with “And home will carry | Hogni’s daughter.”[297]21.The manuscript has only lines 1 and 4 with the word “first” of line 2, and does not indicate Helgi as the speaker. TheVolsungasaga, which follows this poem pretty closely, expands Helgi’s speech, and lines 2–3 are conjectural versifications of the saga’s prose.Isung: nothing is known of him beyond the fact, here indicated, that Hothbrodd killed him.22.Water’s gleam: gold.23.Brandey(“Brand-Isle”): not mentioned elsewhere.Hethinsey(“Hethin’s Isle”): possibly the island of Hiddensee, east of Rügen.[298]24.Stafnsnes(“Steersman’s Cape”): an unidentifiable promontory.Fair: a guess, as the adjective in the manuscript is obscure.Hjorleifdoes not appear elsewhere, and seems to be simply one of Helgi’s lieutenants.25.Tronueyr: “Crane-Strand.”Long-stemmed: literally “long-headed,” as the high, curving stem of a Norse ship was often carved to represent a head and neck.Orvasund: almost certainly the Danish Öresund, off Seeland. Such bits of geography as this followed Helgi persistently.26.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hotun: cf. stanza 8 and note.27.Line 3 seems to have been interpolated from line 4 ofHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII, 42.Ship’s-tents: the awnings spread over the deck to shelter the crews from sun and rain when the ships were at anchor.Varinsfjord: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22 and note.[299]28.The manuscript indicates line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza, and some editions follow this arrangement, making lines 1–2 a separate stanza.29.The manuscript indicates no gap, and some editions combine the stanza with lines 3–4 of stanza 28.Sisters of Kolga: the waves, Kolga (“The Gold”) being one of the daughters of the sea-god, Ægir. As theVolsungasagasays, “Now there was a great storm.”30.Helgi demonstrates his courage, whatever one may think of his seamanship.Ægir’s daughters: the waves; cf. stanza 29 and note.[300]31.Sigrun here appears again as a Valkyrie.Ron: Ægir’s wife; cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 18 and note.Sea-beast: ship.Gnipalund: “Crag-Wood.”32.Unavagar: “Friendly Waves.”Svarin’s hill: the hill where Granmar had his dwelling.33.Here begins the long dialogue betweenGothmund, one of Granmar’s sons, andSinfjotli, Helgi’s half-brother. Two lines (stanza 33, lines 3–4) are quoted by the annotator in the prose note following stanza 16 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay, and the dialogue, in much abbreviated form, together with Helgi’s admonition to Sinfjotli to cease talking, is closely paralleled in stanzas 22–27 of that poem. It has been suggested that this whole passage (stanzas 33–48) is an interpolation, perhaps from “the Old Volsung lay.” This may be, but it seems more probable that the poet used an older poem simply as the basis for this passage, borrowing a little but making up a great deal more. The manuscript indicates no gap in stanza 33.34.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.Red: raising a red shield was the signal for war.[301]35.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.36.Quern: turning the hand mill was, throughout antiquity, the task of slaves.37.The manuscript does not name the speakers in this dialogue. No gap indicated in the manuscript, and editors have attempted various combinations of stanzas 37 and 38.38.Wolves: theVolsungasagatells that Sigmund and Sinfjotli lived in the woods for a time as werewolves.Brothers:[302]Sinfjotli killed the two sons of his mother, Signy, and her husband, Siggeir, as part of the vengeance wreaked on Siggeir for the treacherous murder of Sigmund’s father, Volsung, and nine of his brothers (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note). The manuscript marks line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza.39.Varin’s isle: cf. stanza 27 and note, andHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22. Reproaching a man with having been a woman and borne children was not uncommon.40.This stanza may be an interpolation in the dialogue passage.Allfather: Othin. We have no information regarding Gothmund’s career, but it looks as though Sinfjotli were drawing solely on his imagination for his taunts, whereas Gothmund’s insults have a basis in Sinfjotli’s previous life.41.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the two lines with stanza 40, some regard them as the first instead of the last lines of a separate stanza, and some assume the lacuna here indicated.Sogunes(“Saga’s Cape”): of the goddess Saga little is known; cf.Grimnismol, 7.[303]42.Fenrir’s-wolves: wolves in general.Thorsnes: “Thor’s Cape.”43.The phrase “under houses,” which follows the manuscript, may be an error for “in wolf-caves.” Line 3 (or 4) may be an interpolation. The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza.Siggeir: cf. stanza 38, note.44.Several editions assign this stanza to Sinfjotli instead of to Gothmund.Bravoll(“Field of the Brow”): not elsewhere mentioned in the poems.Grani: Sigurth’s horse (cf.Völundarkvitha, 16 and note); Gothmund means that Sinfjotli had turned into a mare, after the fashion of Loki (cf.Grimnismol, 44, note). The meaning of line 4 in the original is uncertain.45.A few editions give this stanza to Gothmund.Gollnir:[304]possibly a giant.Imth: nothing is known of him or his daughter.46.A few editions give this stanza to Sinfjotli.Frekastein: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 39 and note. A stanza may have been lost after stanza 46, parallel to stanza 25 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay.47.Ring-breakers: cf. stanza 18 and note.48.Moinsheimar: a battlefield of which nothing is known, where, however, the sons of Granmar appear to have fought bravely.49.Here the scene shifts to the shore among Hothbrodd’s followers.[305]SviputhandSveggjuth(“Swift” and “Lithe”): horses’ names.Mist’s horse: the Valkyrie’s name is the same as the English word “mist,” and the “horse” on which the mist rides is the earth. The two lines in parenthesis may be interpolated, or line 5 may begin a new stanza, as the manuscript indicates.50.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hniflungs: cf. introductory note.51.Lines 2–3 may be interpolated, or a new stanza may begin, as the manuscript indicates, with line 5. Many editors combine lines 5–6 with all or part of stanza 52. Possibly Gothmund is not the speaker.Mast-ring harts: ships, so called from the ring attaching the yard to the mast.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.Sogn: this name, which actually belongs in western Norway, seems to have been used here with no particular significance.52.The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza; some editors combine lines 3–4 with all or part of stanza[306]53, while others assume the loss of two lines following line 4.Fire-beasts: dragons, i.e., ships. The Norse ships of war, as distinguished from merchant vessels, were often called dragons because of their shape and the carving of their stems.53.The manuscript does not indicate the speaker, and a few editors assume the loss of one or two lines embodying the phrase “Hothbrodd spake.” In the manuscript line 3, which many editors have suspected of being spurious, stands before line 2. Possibly lines 4–5 are the remains of a separate stanza.Reginthing(“The Great Council”): apparently the council-place for the whole country, as distinct from the local council, or “herathsthing.”Melnir(“Bit-Bearer”),Mylnir(“The Biter”) andSporvitnir(“Spur-Wolf”): horses’ names.Myrkwood: a not uncommon name for a dark forest; cf.Lokasenna, 42, andAtlakvitha, 3.Sparinsheith(“Sparin’s Heath”): nothing more is known of Sparin or his heath.Flame of wounds: sword.54.Hogni: the father of Sigrun; cf.Helgakvitha Hundingsbana[307]II, 18. OfHringand his sons nothing further is known.Volsungs: here for the first time the poet gives Helgi and Sinfjotli the family name to which, as sons of Sigmund Volsungsson, they are entitled.55.The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza, but many editors have rejected lines 5–6 as spurious, while others regard them as the first half of a stanza the last two lines of which have been lost.56.Wound-givers: probably this means “Valkyries,” but there is considerable doubt as to the original word.Horse, etc.: i.e., the wolf (because giantesses customarily had wolves for their steeds) ate corpses (the food of birds of prey).57.Yngvi: one of the sons of Halfdan the Old, and traditional ancestor of the Ynglings, with whom the Ylfings seem to have been confused (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note). The confusion between the Ylfings (or Ynglings) and Volsungs was carried far[308]enough so that Sigurth himself is once called a descendant of Yngvi (Reginsmol, 14). Gering identifies the name of Yngvi with the god Freyr, but the Volsungs certainly claimed descent from Othin, not Freyr, and there is nothing to indicate that Helgi in the Danish tradition was supposed to be descended from Freyr, whereas his descent from Yngvi Halfdansson fits well with the rest of his story. However, cf.Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, 24 and note.58.This entire stanza may be an interpolation; nearly every edition has a different way of dealing with it.Hringstathir: as this place had been given to Helgi by his father (cf. stanza 8 and note), the poet has apparently made a mistake in naming it here as a conquest from Granmar’s sons, unless, indeed, they had previously captured it from Helgi, which seems unlikely.[309]

Introductory Note

The general subject of the Helgi lays is considered in the introduction toHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, and it is needless here to repeat the statements there made. The first lay of Helgi Hundingsbane is unquestionably one of the latest of the Eddic poems, and was composed probably not earlier than the second quarter of the eleventh century. It presents several unusual characteristics. For one thing, it is among the few essentially narrative poems in the whole collection, telling a consecutive story in verse, and, except for the abusive dialogue between Sinfjotli and Gothmund, which clearly was based on another and older poem, it does so with relatively little use of dialogue. It is, in fact, a ballad, and in the main an exceedingly vigorous one. The annotator, who added his prose narrative notes so freely in the other Helgi poems, here found nothing to do. The available evidence indicates that narrative verse was a relatively late development in Old Norse poetry, and it is significant that most of the poems which consist chiefly, not of dialogue, but of narrative stanzas, such as the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay and the two Atli lays, can safely be dated, on the basis of other evidence, after the year 1000.The first Helgi Hundingsbane lay is again differentiated from most of the Eddic poems by the character of its language. It is full of those verbal intricacies which were the delight of the Norse skalds, and which made Snorri’s dictionary of poetic phrases an absolute necessity. Many of these I have paraphrased in the translation; some I have simplified or wholly avoided. A single line will serve to indicate the character of this form of complex diction (stanza 56, line 4): “And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had.” This means simply that wolves (giantesses habitually rode on wolves) ate the bodies of the dead.Except for its intricacies of diction, and the possible loss of a stanza here and there, the poem is comparatively simple. The story belongs in all its essentials to the Helgi tradition, with the Volsung cycle brought in only to the extent of making Helgi the son of Sigmund, and in the introduction of Sinfjotli, son of Sigmund and his sister Signy, in a passage which has[291]little or nothing to do with the course of the narrative, and which looks like an expansion of a passage from some older poem, perhaps from the “old Volsung lay” to which the annotator of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay refers (prose after stanza 12). There are many proper names, some of which betray the confusion caused by the blending of the two sets of traditions; for example, Helgi appears indiscriminately as an Ylfing (which presumably he was before the Volsung story became involved) and as a Volsung. Granmar and his sons are called Hniflungs (Nibelungen) in stanza 50, though they seem to have had no connection with this race. The place names have aroused much debate as to the localization of the action, but while some of them probably reflect actual places, there is so much geographical confusion, and such a profusion of names which are almost certainly mythical, that it is hard to believe that the poet had any definite locations in mind.

The first Helgi Hundingsbane lay is again differentiated from most of the Eddic poems by the character of its language. It is full of those verbal intricacies which were the delight of the Norse skalds, and which made Snorri’s dictionary of poetic phrases an absolute necessity. Many of these I have paraphrased in the translation; some I have simplified or wholly avoided. A single line will serve to indicate the character of this form of complex diction (stanza 56, line 4): “And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had.” This means simply that wolves (giantesses habitually rode on wolves) ate the bodies of the dead.

Except for its intricacies of diction, and the possible loss of a stanza here and there, the poem is comparatively simple. The story belongs in all its essentials to the Helgi tradition, with the Volsung cycle brought in only to the extent of making Helgi the son of Sigmund, and in the introduction of Sinfjotli, son of Sigmund and his sister Signy, in a passage which has[291]little or nothing to do with the course of the narrative, and which looks like an expansion of a passage from some older poem, perhaps from the “old Volsung lay” to which the annotator of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay refers (prose after stanza 12). There are many proper names, some of which betray the confusion caused by the blending of the two sets of traditions; for example, Helgi appears indiscriminately as an Ylfing (which presumably he was before the Volsung story became involved) and as a Volsung. Granmar and his sons are called Hniflungs (Nibelungen) in stanza 50, though they seem to have had no connection with this race. The place names have aroused much debate as to the localization of the action, but while some of them probably reflect actual places, there is so much geographical confusion, and such a profusion of names which are almost certainly mythical, that it is hard to believe that the poet had any definite locations in mind.

1.In olden days, | when eagles screamed,And holy streams | from heaven’s crags fell,Was Helgi then, | the hero-hearted,Borghild’s son, | in Bralund born.

1.In olden days, | when eagles screamed,

And holy streams | from heaven’s crags fell,

Was Helgi then, | the hero-hearted,

Borghild’s son, | in Bralund born.

2.’Twas night in the dwelling, | and Norns there came,Who shaped the life | of the lofty one;They bade him most famed | of fighters allAnd best of princes | ever to be.

2.’Twas night in the dwelling, | and Norns there came,

Who shaped the life | of the lofty one;

They bade him most famed | of fighters all

And best of princes | ever to be.

[292]

3.Mightily wove they | the web of fate,While Bralund’s towns | were trembling all;And there the golden | threads they wove,And in the moon’s hall | fast they made them.

3.Mightily wove they | the web of fate,

While Bralund’s towns | were trembling all;

And there the golden | threads they wove,

And in the moon’s hall | fast they made them.

4.East and west | the ends they hid,In the middle the hero | should have his land;And Neri’s kinswoman | northward castA chain, and bade it | firm ever to be.

4.East and west | the ends they hid,

In the middle the hero | should have his land;

And Neri’s kinswoman | northward cast

A chain, and bade it | firm ever to be.

5.Once sorrow had | the Ylfings’ son,And grief the bride | who the loved one had borne.* * * * * *Quoth raven to raven, | on treetop resting,Seeking for food, | “There is something I know.

5.Once sorrow had | the Ylfings’ son,

And grief the bride | who the loved one had borne.

* * * * * *

Quoth raven to raven, | on treetop resting,

Seeking for food, | “There is something I know.

[293]

6.“In mail-coat stands | the son of Sigmund,A half-day old; | now day is here;His eyes flash sharp | as the heroes’ are,He is friend of the wolves; | full glad are we.”

6.“In mail-coat stands | the son of Sigmund,

A half-day old; | now day is here;

His eyes flash sharp | as the heroes’ are,

He is friend of the wolves; | full glad are we.”

7.The warrior throng | a ruler thought him,Good times, they said, | mankind should see;The king himself | from battle-press came,To give the prince | a leek full proud.

7.The warrior throng | a ruler thought him,

Good times, they said, | mankind should see;

The king himself | from battle-press came,

To give the prince | a leek full proud.

8.Helgi he named him, | and Hringstathir gave him,Solfjoll, Snæfjoll, | and Sigarsvoll,Hringstoth, Hotun, | and Himinvangar,And a blood-snake bedecked | to Sinfjotli’s brother.

8.Helgi he named him, | and Hringstathir gave him,

Solfjoll, Snæfjoll, | and Sigarsvoll,

Hringstoth, Hotun, | and Himinvangar,

And a blood-snake bedecked | to Sinfjotli’s brother.

[294]

9.Mighty he grew | in the midst of his friends,The fair-born elm, | in fortune’s glow;To his comrades gold | he gladly gave,The hero spared not | the blood-flecked hoard.

9.Mighty he grew | in the midst of his friends,

The fair-born elm, | in fortune’s glow;

To his comrades gold | he gladly gave,

The hero spared not | the blood-flecked hoard.

10.Short time for war | the chieftain waited,When fifteen winters | old he was;Hunding he slew, | the hardy wightWho long had ruled | o’er lands and men.

10.Short time for war | the chieftain waited,

When fifteen winters | old he was;

Hunding he slew, | the hardy wight

Who long had ruled | o’er lands and men.

11.Of Sigmund’s son | then next they soughtHoard and rings, | the sons of Hunding;They bade the prince | requital payFor booty stolen | and father slain.

11.Of Sigmund’s son | then next they sought

Hoard and rings, | the sons of Hunding;

They bade the prince | requital pay

For booty stolen | and father slain.

12.The prince let not | their prayers avail,Nor gold for their dead | did the kinsmen get;Waiting, he said, | was a mighty stormOf lances gray | and Othin’s grimness.

12.The prince let not | their prayers avail,

Nor gold for their dead | did the kinsmen get;

Waiting, he said, | was a mighty storm

Of lances gray | and Othin’s grimness.

13.The warriors forth | to the battle went,The field they chose | at Logafjoll;[295]Frothi’s peace | midst foes they broke,Through the isle went hungrily | Vithrir’s hounds.

13.The warriors forth | to the battle went,

The field they chose | at Logafjoll;[295]

Frothi’s peace | midst foes they broke,

Through the isle went hungrily | Vithrir’s hounds.

14.The king then sat, | when he had slainEyjolf and Alf, | ’neath the eagle-stone;Hjorvarth and Hovarth, | Hunding’s sons,The kin of the spear-wielder, | all had he killed.

14.The king then sat, | when he had slain

Eyjolf and Alf, | ’neath the eagle-stone;

Hjorvarth and Hovarth, | Hunding’s sons,

The kin of the spear-wielder, | all had he killed.

15.Then glittered light | from Logafjoll,And from the light | the flashes leaped;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

15.Then glittered light | from Logafjoll,

And from the light | the flashes leaped;

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

16.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .High under helms | on heaven’s field;Their byrnies all | with blood were red,And from their spears | the sparks flew forth.

16.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

High under helms | on heaven’s field;

Their byrnies all | with blood were red,

And from their spears | the sparks flew forth.

[296]

17.Early then | in wolf-wood askedThe mighty king | of the southern maid,If with the hero | home would sheCome that night; | the weapons clashed.

17.Early then | in wolf-wood asked

The mighty king | of the southern maid,

If with the hero | home would she

Come that night; | the weapons clashed.

18.Down from her horse | sprang Hogni’s daughter,—The shields were still,— | and spake to the hero:“Other tasks | are ours, methinks,Than drinking beer | with the breaker of rings.

18.Down from her horse | sprang Hogni’s daughter,—

The shields were still,— | and spake to the hero:

“Other tasks | are ours, methinks,

Than drinking beer | with the breaker of rings.

19.“My father has pledged | his daughter fairAs bride to Granmar’s | son so grim;But, Helgi, I | once Hothbrodd calledAs fine a king | as the son of a cat.

19.“My father has pledged | his daughter fair

As bride to Granmar’s | son so grim;

But, Helgi, I | once Hothbrodd called

As fine a king | as the son of a cat.

[297]

20.“Yet the hero will come | a few nights hence,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Unless thou dost bid him | the battle-ground seek,Or takest the maid | from the warrior mighty.”

20.“Yet the hero will come | a few nights hence,

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

Unless thou dost bid him | the battle-ground seek,

Or takest the maid | from the warrior mighty.”

Helgi spake:

21.“Fear him not, | though Isung he felled,First must our courage | keen be tried,Before unwilling | thou fare with the knave;Weapons will clash, | if to death I come not.”

21.“Fear him not, | though Isung he felled,

First must our courage | keen be tried,

Before unwilling | thou fare with the knave;

Weapons will clash, | if to death I come not.”

22.Messengers sent | the mighty one then,By land and by sea, | a host to seek,Store of wealth | of the water’s gleam,And men to summon, | and sons of men.

22.Messengers sent | the mighty one then,

By land and by sea, | a host to seek,

Store of wealth | of the water’s gleam,

And men to summon, | and sons of men.

23.“Bid them straightway | seek the ships,And off Brandey | ready to be!”There the chief waited | till thither were comeMen by hundreds | from Hethinsey.

23.“Bid them straightway | seek the ships,

And off Brandey | ready to be!”

There the chief waited | till thither were come

Men by hundreds | from Hethinsey.

[298]

24.Soon off Stafnsnes | stood the ships,Fair they glided | and gay with gold;Then Helgi spake | to Hjorleif asking:“Hast thou counted | the gallant host?”

24.Soon off Stafnsnes | stood the ships,

Fair they glided | and gay with gold;

Then Helgi spake | to Hjorleif asking:

“Hast thou counted | the gallant host?”

25.The young king answered | the other then:“Long were it to tell | from TronueyrThe long-stemmed ships | with warriors ladenThat come from without | into Orvasund.

25.The young king answered | the other then:

“Long were it to tell | from Tronueyr

The long-stemmed ships | with warriors laden

That come from without | into Orvasund.

26.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“There are hundreds twelve | of trusty men,But in Hotun lies | the host of the king,Greater by half; | I have hope of battle.”

26.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

“There are hundreds twelve | of trusty men,

But in Hotun lies | the host of the king,

Greater by half; | I have hope of battle.”

27.The ship’s-tents soon | the chieftain struck,

And waked the throng | of warriors all;[299]

(The heroes the red | of dawn beheld;)

And on the masts | the gallant men

Made fast the sails | in Varinsfjord.

28.There was beat of oars | and clash of iron,Shield smote shield | as the ships’-folk rowed;Swiftly went | the warrior-ladenFleet of the ruler | forth from the land.

28.There was beat of oars | and clash of iron,

Shield smote shield | as the ships’-folk rowed;

Swiftly went | the warrior-laden

Fleet of the ruler | forth from the land.

29.So did it sound, | when together the sistersOf Kolga struck | with the keels full long,As if cliffs were broken | with beating surf,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

29.So did it sound, | when together the sisters

Of Kolga struck | with the keels full long,

As if cliffs were broken | with beating surf,

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

30.Helgi bade higher | hoist the sails,Nor did the ships’-folk | shun the waves,Though dreadfully | did Ægir’s daughtersSeek the steeds | of the sea to sink.

30.Helgi bade higher | hoist the sails,

Nor did the ships’-folk | shun the waves,

Though dreadfully | did Ægir’s daughters

Seek the steeds | of the sea to sink.

31.But from above | did Sigrun braveAid the men | and all their faring;[300]Mightily came | from the claws of RonThe leader’s sea-beast | off Gnipalund.

31.But from above | did Sigrun brave

Aid the men | and all their faring;[300]

Mightily came | from the claws of Ron

The leader’s sea-beast | off Gnipalund.

32.At evening there | in UnavagarFloated the fleet | bedecked full fair;But they who saw | from Svarin’s hill,Bitter at heart | the host beheld.

32.At evening there | in Unavagar

Floated the fleet | bedecked full fair;

But they who saw | from Svarin’s hill,

Bitter at heart | the host beheld.

33.Then Gothmund asked, | goodly of birth,. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Who is the monarch | who guides the host,And to the land | the warriors leads?”

33.Then Gothmund asked, | goodly of birth,

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

“Who is the monarch | who guides the host,

And to the land | the warriors leads?”

34.Sinfjotli answered, | and up on an oarRaised a shield all red | with golden rim;[301]A sea-sentry was he, | skilled to speak,And in words with princes | well to strive.

34.Sinfjotli answered, | and up on an oar

Raised a shield all red | with golden rim;[301]

A sea-sentry was he, | skilled to speak,

And in words with princes | well to strive.

35.“Say tonight | when you feed the swine,And send your bitches | to seek their swill,That out of the East | have the Ylfings come,Greedy for battle, | to Gnipalund.

35.“Say tonight | when you feed the swine,

And send your bitches | to seek their swill,

That out of the East | have the Ylfings come,

Greedy for battle, | to Gnipalund.

36.“There will Hothbrodd | Helgi find,In the midst of the fleet, | and flight he scorns;Often has he | the eagles gorged,Whilst thou at the quern | wert slave-girls kissing.”

36.“There will Hothbrodd | Helgi find,

In the midst of the fleet, | and flight he scorns;

Often has he | the eagles gorged,

Whilst thou at the quern | wert slave-girls kissing.”

Gothmund spake:

37.“Hero, the ancient | sayings heed,And bring not lies | to the nobly born.. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

37.“Hero, the ancient | sayings heed,

And bring not lies | to the nobly born.

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

38.“Thou hast eaten | the entrails of wolves,And of thy brothers | the slayer been;Oft wounds to suck | thy cold mouth sought,And loathed in rocky | dens didst lurk.”

38.“Thou hast eaten | the entrails of wolves,

And of thy brothers | the slayer been;

Oft wounds to suck | thy cold mouth sought,

And loathed in rocky | dens didst lurk.”

[302]

Sinfjotli spake:

39.“A witch in Varin’s | isle thou wast,A woman false, | and lies didst fashion;Of the mail-clad heroes | thou wouldst haveNo other, thou saidst, | save Sinfjotli only.

39.“A witch in Varin’s | isle thou wast,

A woman false, | and lies didst fashion;

Of the mail-clad heroes | thou wouldst have

No other, thou saidst, | save Sinfjotli only.

40.“A Valkyrie wast thou, | loathly witch,Evil and base, | in Allfather’s home;The warriors all | must ever fight,Woman subtle, | for sake of thee.

40.“A Valkyrie wast thou, | loathly witch,

Evil and base, | in Allfather’s home;

The warriors all | must ever fight,

Woman subtle, | for sake of thee.

41.“. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .Nine did we | in SogunesOf wolf-cubs have; | I their father was.”

41.“. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

Nine did we | in Sogunes

Of wolf-cubs have; | I their father was.”

[303]

Gothmund spake:

42.“Thou didst not father | Fenrir’s-wolves,Though older thou art | than all I know;For they gelded thee | in Gnipalund,The giant-women | at Thorsnes once.

42.“Thou didst not father | Fenrir’s-wolves,

Though older thou art | than all I know;

For they gelded thee | in Gnipalund,

The giant-women | at Thorsnes once.

43.“Under houses the stepson | of Siggeir lay,

Fain of the wolf’s cry | out in the woods;

Evil came then | all to thy hands,

When thy brothers’ | breasts thou didst redden,

Fame didst thou win | for foulest deeds.

44.“In Bravoll wast thou | Grani’s bride,Golden-bitted | and ready to gallop;I rode thee many | a mile, and downDidst sink, thou giantess, | under the saddle.”

44.“In Bravoll wast thou | Grani’s bride,

Golden-bitted | and ready to gallop;

I rode thee many | a mile, and down

Didst sink, thou giantess, | under the saddle.”

Sinfjotli spake:

45.“A brainless fellow | didst seem to be,When once for Gollnir | goats didst milk,[304]And another time | when as Imth’s daughterIn rags thou wentest; | wilt longer wrangle?”

45.“A brainless fellow | didst seem to be,

When once for Gollnir | goats didst milk,[304]

And another time | when as Imth’s daughter

In rags thou wentest; | wilt longer wrangle?”

Gothmund spake:

46.“Sooner would I | at FrekasteinFeed the ravens | with flesh of thineThan send your bitches | to seek their swill,Or feed the swine; | may the fiends take you!”

46.“Sooner would I | at Frekastein

Feed the ravens | with flesh of thine

Than send your bitches | to seek their swill,

Or feed the swine; | may the fiends take you!”

Helgi spake:

47.“Better, Sinfjotli, | thee ’twould beseemBattle to give | and eagles to gladden,Than vain and empty | words to utter,Though ring-breakers oft | in speech do wrangle.

47.“Better, Sinfjotli, | thee ’twould beseem

Battle to give | and eagles to gladden,

Than vain and empty | words to utter,

Though ring-breakers oft | in speech do wrangle.

48.“Good I find not | the sons of Granmar,But for heroes ’tis seemly | the truth to speak;At Moinsheimar | proved the menThat hearts for the wielding | of swords they had.”

48.“Good I find not | the sons of Granmar,

But for heroes ’tis seemly | the truth to speak;

At Moinsheimar | proved the men

That hearts for the wielding | of swords they had.”

49.Mightily then | they made to run

Sviputh and Sveggjuth | to Solheimar;[305]

(By dewy dales | and chasms dark,

Mist’s horse shook | where the men went by;)

The king they found | at his courtyard gate,

And told him the foeman | fierce was come.

50.Forth stood Hothbrodd, | helmed for battle,Watched the riding | of his warriors;. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .“Why are the Hniflungs | white with fear?”

50.Forth stood Hothbrodd, | helmed for battle,

Watched the riding | of his warriors;

. . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . .

“Why are the Hniflungs | white with fear?”

Gothmund spake:

51.“Swift keels lie | hard by the land,

(Mast-ring harts | and mighty yards,

Wealth of shields | and well-planed oars;)

The king’s fair host, | the Ylfings haughty;

Fifteen bands | to land have fared,

But out in Sogn | are seven thousand.

[306]

52.“At anchor lying | off GnipalundAre fire-beasts black, | all fitted with gold;There wait most | of the foeman’s men,Nor will Helgi long | the battle delay.”

52.“At anchor lying | off Gnipalund

Are fire-beasts black, | all fitted with gold;

There wait most | of the foeman’s men,

Nor will Helgi long | the battle delay.”

Hothbrodd spake:

53.“Bid the horses run | to the Reginthing,

Melnir and Mylnir | to Myrkwood now,

(And Sporvitnir | to Sparinsheith;)

Let no man seek | henceforth to sit

Who the flame of wounds | knows well to wield.

54.“Summon Hogni, | the sons of Hring,Atli and Yngvi | and Alf the Old;Glad they are | of battle ever;Against the Volsungs | let us go.”

54.“Summon Hogni, | the sons of Hring,

Atli and Yngvi | and Alf the Old;

Glad they are | of battle ever;

Against the Volsungs | let us go.”

[307]

55.Swift as a storm | there smote together

The flashing blades | at Frekastein;

Ever was Helgi, | Hunding’s slayer,

First in the throng | where warriors fought;

(Fierce in battle, | slow to fly,

Hard the heart | of the hero was.)

56.From heaven there came | the maidens helmed,—The weapon-clang grew,— | who watched o’er the king;Spake Sigrun fair,— | the wound-givers flew,And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had:—

56.From heaven there came | the maidens helmed,—

The weapon-clang grew,— | who watched o’er the king;

Spake Sigrun fair,— | the wound-givers flew,

And the horse of the giantess | raven’s-food had:—

57.“Hail to thee, hero! | full happy with men,Offspring of Yngvi, | shalt ever live,For thou the fearless | foe hast slainWho to many the dread | of death had brought.

57.“Hail to thee, hero! | full happy with men,

Offspring of Yngvi, | shalt ever live,

For thou the fearless | foe hast slain

Who to many the dread | of death had brought.

[308]

58.“Warrior, well | for thyself hast won

Red rings bright | and the noble bride;

Both now, warrior, | thine shall be,

Hogni’s daughter | and Hringstathir,

Wealth and triumph; | the battle wanes.”

[290]

[Contents]NOTES[291]1.The manuscript contains the superscription: “Here begins the lay of HelgiHundingsbaneand h. (Hothbrodd?) The lay of the Volsungs.”Eagles, etc.: the screaming of eagles and water pouring from heaven were portents of the birth of a hero.Borghild: Sigmund’s first wife;Bralundwas her home, not Sigmund’s.2.Norns: cf.Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who[292]preside over Helgi’s early destiny, and not a Valkyrie, as inHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar.3.Line 2 is largely guesswork, the manuscript being obscure.Moon’s hall: the sky.4.East, etc.: the Norns give Helgi fame in the East, West, and North; in the North his renown is particularly to endure. This suggests that the poet was aware of the spread of the Helgi story over many lands.Neri’s kinswoman: evidently one of the Norns, but nothing further is known of Neri, and the word may not be a proper name at all.5.The manuscript indicates no gap, but it looks as though something had been lost after line 2.Ylfings’ son: Sigmund is evidently meant, though calling him an Ylfing (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note) is a manifest error. Helgi, in the tradition as it came from Denmark, was undoubtedly an Ylfing, and the poet, in order to combine the two legends, has to treat the Ylfings and Volsungs as if they were the same family.[293]6.Sigmund: the chief link between the Helgi and Sigurth stories. He was the son of Volsung, great-grandson of Othin. His children by his first wife, Borghild, were Helgi and Hamund (belonging to the Helgi cycle); his son by his second wife, Hjordis, was Sigurth. An incestuous connection with his sister, Signy (cf. Wagner’s Siegmund and Sieglinde) resulted in the birth of Sinfjotli (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note).7.The king: Sigmund, who gives his son a symbol of the lands which he bestows on him. Regarding the leek, cf.Voluspo, 4;GuthrunarkvithaI, 17, andSigrdrifumol, 7.8.Hringstathir(“Ring-Stead”): quite possibly the historical Ringsted, long a possession of the Danish kings, and thus a relic of the old Helgi tradition.Hringstothmay be another form of the same name.Solfjoll(“Sun-Mountain”) andSnæfjoll(“Snow-Mountain”) are fictitious names. RegardingSigarsvollcf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, stanzas 8 and 35. Saxo mentions a Danish king named Sigar, and the frequency with which the name appears in the Helgi poems may be taken as a reminiscence of Denmark.Hotun(“High Place”): possibly the village of Tune in Seeland.Himinvangar(“Heaven’s Field”): an imaginary place.Blood-snake: a sword.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.[294]9.Elm: a not uncommon word for “man.”Blood-flecked: i.e., won in battle.10.Fifteen: until early in the eleventh century a Norwegian or Icelandic boy became “of age” at twelve, and Maurer cites this passage as added proof of the poem’s lateness.Hunding: the annotator (introductory prose toHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII) calls him king of Hundland, which shows no great originality. Saxo mentions a Hunding who was a Saxon king ruling in Jutland, probably the origin of Helgi’s traditional foe.12.Storm, etc.: war.13.Logafjoll(“Flame-Mountain”): a mythical name.Frothi:[295]a: traditional king of Denmark, whose peaceful reign was so famous that “Frothi’s peace” became a by-word for peace of any kind.Vithrir’s hounds: wolves; Vithrir is Othin, and his hounds are the wolves Freki and Geri.14.In this poem Helgi kills all the sons of Hunding, but in the poems of the Sigurth cycle, and the prose notes attached thereto, Sigmund and his father-in-law, Eylimi, are killed by Hunding’s sons, on whom Sigurth subsequently takes vengeance (cf.Fra Dautha SinfjotlaandRegïnsmol).15.No gap indicated in the manuscript, but almost certainly something has been lost mentioning more specifically the coming of the Valkyries. The lightning which accompanies them suggests again their identification with the clouds (cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 28).16.Some editions fill out the first line: “He saw there mighty maidens riding.” The manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza.[296]17.Wolf-wood: dark forest; the original word is not altogether clear.Southern: this variety of Valkyrie, like the swan-maidens of theVölundarkvitha, was clearly regarded as of southern (i.e., German) origin. Here again there is a confusion of traditions; the Valkyries of theVoluspowere as essentially Norse as any part of the older mythology. I doubt if a poet much earlier than the author of the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay would have made his Sigrun, daughter of Hogni, a Valkyrie. It is to be noted that the same complication appears in the Sigurth story, where the undoubted Valkyrie, Brynhild-Sigrdrifa (the latter name is really only an epithet) is hopelessly mixed up with the quite human Brynhild, daughter of Buthli.18.Breaker of rings: generous prince, because the breaking of rings was the customary form of distributing gold.19.Granmar: the annotator gives an account of him and his family in the prose following stanza 12 ofHelgakvitha Hundingsbana II.20.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the stanza with the fragmentary stanza 21, and others fill in with “And home will carry | Hogni’s daughter.”[297]21.The manuscript has only lines 1 and 4 with the word “first” of line 2, and does not indicate Helgi as the speaker. TheVolsungasaga, which follows this poem pretty closely, expands Helgi’s speech, and lines 2–3 are conjectural versifications of the saga’s prose.Isung: nothing is known of him beyond the fact, here indicated, that Hothbrodd killed him.22.Water’s gleam: gold.23.Brandey(“Brand-Isle”): not mentioned elsewhere.Hethinsey(“Hethin’s Isle”): possibly the island of Hiddensee, east of Rügen.[298]24.Stafnsnes(“Steersman’s Cape”): an unidentifiable promontory.Fair: a guess, as the adjective in the manuscript is obscure.Hjorleifdoes not appear elsewhere, and seems to be simply one of Helgi’s lieutenants.25.Tronueyr: “Crane-Strand.”Long-stemmed: literally “long-headed,” as the high, curving stem of a Norse ship was often carved to represent a head and neck.Orvasund: almost certainly the Danish Öresund, off Seeland. Such bits of geography as this followed Helgi persistently.26.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hotun: cf. stanza 8 and note.27.Line 3 seems to have been interpolated from line 4 ofHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII, 42.Ship’s-tents: the awnings spread over the deck to shelter the crews from sun and rain when the ships were at anchor.Varinsfjord: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22 and note.[299]28.The manuscript indicates line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza, and some editions follow this arrangement, making lines 1–2 a separate stanza.29.The manuscript indicates no gap, and some editions combine the stanza with lines 3–4 of stanza 28.Sisters of Kolga: the waves, Kolga (“The Gold”) being one of the daughters of the sea-god, Ægir. As theVolsungasagasays, “Now there was a great storm.”30.Helgi demonstrates his courage, whatever one may think of his seamanship.Ægir’s daughters: the waves; cf. stanza 29 and note.[300]31.Sigrun here appears again as a Valkyrie.Ron: Ægir’s wife; cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 18 and note.Sea-beast: ship.Gnipalund: “Crag-Wood.”32.Unavagar: “Friendly Waves.”Svarin’s hill: the hill where Granmar had his dwelling.33.Here begins the long dialogue betweenGothmund, one of Granmar’s sons, andSinfjotli, Helgi’s half-brother. Two lines (stanza 33, lines 3–4) are quoted by the annotator in the prose note following stanza 16 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay, and the dialogue, in much abbreviated form, together with Helgi’s admonition to Sinfjotli to cease talking, is closely paralleled in stanzas 22–27 of that poem. It has been suggested that this whole passage (stanzas 33–48) is an interpolation, perhaps from “the Old Volsung lay.” This may be, but it seems more probable that the poet used an older poem simply as the basis for this passage, borrowing a little but making up a great deal more. The manuscript indicates no gap in stanza 33.34.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.Red: raising a red shield was the signal for war.[301]35.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.36.Quern: turning the hand mill was, throughout antiquity, the task of slaves.37.The manuscript does not name the speakers in this dialogue. No gap indicated in the manuscript, and editors have attempted various combinations of stanzas 37 and 38.38.Wolves: theVolsungasagatells that Sigmund and Sinfjotli lived in the woods for a time as werewolves.Brothers:[302]Sinfjotli killed the two sons of his mother, Signy, and her husband, Siggeir, as part of the vengeance wreaked on Siggeir for the treacherous murder of Sigmund’s father, Volsung, and nine of his brothers (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note). The manuscript marks line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza.39.Varin’s isle: cf. stanza 27 and note, andHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22. Reproaching a man with having been a woman and borne children was not uncommon.40.This stanza may be an interpolation in the dialogue passage.Allfather: Othin. We have no information regarding Gothmund’s career, but it looks as though Sinfjotli were drawing solely on his imagination for his taunts, whereas Gothmund’s insults have a basis in Sinfjotli’s previous life.41.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the two lines with stanza 40, some regard them as the first instead of the last lines of a separate stanza, and some assume the lacuna here indicated.Sogunes(“Saga’s Cape”): of the goddess Saga little is known; cf.Grimnismol, 7.[303]42.Fenrir’s-wolves: wolves in general.Thorsnes: “Thor’s Cape.”43.The phrase “under houses,” which follows the manuscript, may be an error for “in wolf-caves.” Line 3 (or 4) may be an interpolation. The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza.Siggeir: cf. stanza 38, note.44.Several editions assign this stanza to Sinfjotli instead of to Gothmund.Bravoll(“Field of the Brow”): not elsewhere mentioned in the poems.Grani: Sigurth’s horse (cf.Völundarkvitha, 16 and note); Gothmund means that Sinfjotli had turned into a mare, after the fashion of Loki (cf.Grimnismol, 44, note). The meaning of line 4 in the original is uncertain.45.A few editions give this stanza to Gothmund.Gollnir:[304]possibly a giant.Imth: nothing is known of him or his daughter.46.A few editions give this stanza to Sinfjotli.Frekastein: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 39 and note. A stanza may have been lost after stanza 46, parallel to stanza 25 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay.47.Ring-breakers: cf. stanza 18 and note.48.Moinsheimar: a battlefield of which nothing is known, where, however, the sons of Granmar appear to have fought bravely.49.Here the scene shifts to the shore among Hothbrodd’s followers.[305]SviputhandSveggjuth(“Swift” and “Lithe”): horses’ names.Mist’s horse: the Valkyrie’s name is the same as the English word “mist,” and the “horse” on which the mist rides is the earth. The two lines in parenthesis may be interpolated, or line 5 may begin a new stanza, as the manuscript indicates.50.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hniflungs: cf. introductory note.51.Lines 2–3 may be interpolated, or a new stanza may begin, as the manuscript indicates, with line 5. Many editors combine lines 5–6 with all or part of stanza 52. Possibly Gothmund is not the speaker.Mast-ring harts: ships, so called from the ring attaching the yard to the mast.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.Sogn: this name, which actually belongs in western Norway, seems to have been used here with no particular significance.52.The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza; some editors combine lines 3–4 with all or part of stanza[306]53, while others assume the loss of two lines following line 4.Fire-beasts: dragons, i.e., ships. The Norse ships of war, as distinguished from merchant vessels, were often called dragons because of their shape and the carving of their stems.53.The manuscript does not indicate the speaker, and a few editors assume the loss of one or two lines embodying the phrase “Hothbrodd spake.” In the manuscript line 3, which many editors have suspected of being spurious, stands before line 2. Possibly lines 4–5 are the remains of a separate stanza.Reginthing(“The Great Council”): apparently the council-place for the whole country, as distinct from the local council, or “herathsthing.”Melnir(“Bit-Bearer”),Mylnir(“The Biter”) andSporvitnir(“Spur-Wolf”): horses’ names.Myrkwood: a not uncommon name for a dark forest; cf.Lokasenna, 42, andAtlakvitha, 3.Sparinsheith(“Sparin’s Heath”): nothing more is known of Sparin or his heath.Flame of wounds: sword.54.Hogni: the father of Sigrun; cf.Helgakvitha Hundingsbana[307]II, 18. OfHringand his sons nothing further is known.Volsungs: here for the first time the poet gives Helgi and Sinfjotli the family name to which, as sons of Sigmund Volsungsson, they are entitled.55.The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza, but many editors have rejected lines 5–6 as spurious, while others regard them as the first half of a stanza the last two lines of which have been lost.56.Wound-givers: probably this means “Valkyries,” but there is considerable doubt as to the original word.Horse, etc.: i.e., the wolf (because giantesses customarily had wolves for their steeds) ate corpses (the food of birds of prey).57.Yngvi: one of the sons of Halfdan the Old, and traditional ancestor of the Ynglings, with whom the Ylfings seem to have been confused (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note). The confusion between the Ylfings (or Ynglings) and Volsungs was carried far[308]enough so that Sigurth himself is once called a descendant of Yngvi (Reginsmol, 14). Gering identifies the name of Yngvi with the god Freyr, but the Volsungs certainly claimed descent from Othin, not Freyr, and there is nothing to indicate that Helgi in the Danish tradition was supposed to be descended from Freyr, whereas his descent from Yngvi Halfdansson fits well with the rest of his story. However, cf.Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, 24 and note.58.This entire stanza may be an interpolation; nearly every edition has a different way of dealing with it.Hringstathir: as this place had been given to Helgi by his father (cf. stanza 8 and note), the poet has apparently made a mistake in naming it here as a conquest from Granmar’s sons, unless, indeed, they had previously captured it from Helgi, which seems unlikely.[309]

NOTES[291]

[291]

1.The manuscript contains the superscription: “Here begins the lay of HelgiHundingsbaneand h. (Hothbrodd?) The lay of the Volsungs.”Eagles, etc.: the screaming of eagles and water pouring from heaven were portents of the birth of a hero.Borghild: Sigmund’s first wife;Bralundwas her home, not Sigmund’s.2.Norns: cf.Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who[292]preside over Helgi’s early destiny, and not a Valkyrie, as inHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar.3.Line 2 is largely guesswork, the manuscript being obscure.Moon’s hall: the sky.4.East, etc.: the Norns give Helgi fame in the East, West, and North; in the North his renown is particularly to endure. This suggests that the poet was aware of the spread of the Helgi story over many lands.Neri’s kinswoman: evidently one of the Norns, but nothing further is known of Neri, and the word may not be a proper name at all.5.The manuscript indicates no gap, but it looks as though something had been lost after line 2.Ylfings’ son: Sigmund is evidently meant, though calling him an Ylfing (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note) is a manifest error. Helgi, in the tradition as it came from Denmark, was undoubtedly an Ylfing, and the poet, in order to combine the two legends, has to treat the Ylfings and Volsungs as if they were the same family.[293]6.Sigmund: the chief link between the Helgi and Sigurth stories. He was the son of Volsung, great-grandson of Othin. His children by his first wife, Borghild, were Helgi and Hamund (belonging to the Helgi cycle); his son by his second wife, Hjordis, was Sigurth. An incestuous connection with his sister, Signy (cf. Wagner’s Siegmund and Sieglinde) resulted in the birth of Sinfjotli (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note).7.The king: Sigmund, who gives his son a symbol of the lands which he bestows on him. Regarding the leek, cf.Voluspo, 4;GuthrunarkvithaI, 17, andSigrdrifumol, 7.8.Hringstathir(“Ring-Stead”): quite possibly the historical Ringsted, long a possession of the Danish kings, and thus a relic of the old Helgi tradition.Hringstothmay be another form of the same name.Solfjoll(“Sun-Mountain”) andSnæfjoll(“Snow-Mountain”) are fictitious names. RegardingSigarsvollcf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, stanzas 8 and 35. Saxo mentions a Danish king named Sigar, and the frequency with which the name appears in the Helgi poems may be taken as a reminiscence of Denmark.Hotun(“High Place”): possibly the village of Tune in Seeland.Himinvangar(“Heaven’s Field”): an imaginary place.Blood-snake: a sword.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.[294]9.Elm: a not uncommon word for “man.”Blood-flecked: i.e., won in battle.10.Fifteen: until early in the eleventh century a Norwegian or Icelandic boy became “of age” at twelve, and Maurer cites this passage as added proof of the poem’s lateness.Hunding: the annotator (introductory prose toHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII) calls him king of Hundland, which shows no great originality. Saxo mentions a Hunding who was a Saxon king ruling in Jutland, probably the origin of Helgi’s traditional foe.12.Storm, etc.: war.13.Logafjoll(“Flame-Mountain”): a mythical name.Frothi:[295]a: traditional king of Denmark, whose peaceful reign was so famous that “Frothi’s peace” became a by-word for peace of any kind.Vithrir’s hounds: wolves; Vithrir is Othin, and his hounds are the wolves Freki and Geri.14.In this poem Helgi kills all the sons of Hunding, but in the poems of the Sigurth cycle, and the prose notes attached thereto, Sigmund and his father-in-law, Eylimi, are killed by Hunding’s sons, on whom Sigurth subsequently takes vengeance (cf.Fra Dautha SinfjotlaandRegïnsmol).15.No gap indicated in the manuscript, but almost certainly something has been lost mentioning more specifically the coming of the Valkyries. The lightning which accompanies them suggests again their identification with the clouds (cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 28).16.Some editions fill out the first line: “He saw there mighty maidens riding.” The manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza.[296]17.Wolf-wood: dark forest; the original word is not altogether clear.Southern: this variety of Valkyrie, like the swan-maidens of theVölundarkvitha, was clearly regarded as of southern (i.e., German) origin. Here again there is a confusion of traditions; the Valkyries of theVoluspowere as essentially Norse as any part of the older mythology. I doubt if a poet much earlier than the author of the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay would have made his Sigrun, daughter of Hogni, a Valkyrie. It is to be noted that the same complication appears in the Sigurth story, where the undoubted Valkyrie, Brynhild-Sigrdrifa (the latter name is really only an epithet) is hopelessly mixed up with the quite human Brynhild, daughter of Buthli.18.Breaker of rings: generous prince, because the breaking of rings was the customary form of distributing gold.19.Granmar: the annotator gives an account of him and his family in the prose following stanza 12 ofHelgakvitha Hundingsbana II.20.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the stanza with the fragmentary stanza 21, and others fill in with “And home will carry | Hogni’s daughter.”[297]21.The manuscript has only lines 1 and 4 with the word “first” of line 2, and does not indicate Helgi as the speaker. TheVolsungasaga, which follows this poem pretty closely, expands Helgi’s speech, and lines 2–3 are conjectural versifications of the saga’s prose.Isung: nothing is known of him beyond the fact, here indicated, that Hothbrodd killed him.22.Water’s gleam: gold.23.Brandey(“Brand-Isle”): not mentioned elsewhere.Hethinsey(“Hethin’s Isle”): possibly the island of Hiddensee, east of Rügen.[298]24.Stafnsnes(“Steersman’s Cape”): an unidentifiable promontory.Fair: a guess, as the adjective in the manuscript is obscure.Hjorleifdoes not appear elsewhere, and seems to be simply one of Helgi’s lieutenants.25.Tronueyr: “Crane-Strand.”Long-stemmed: literally “long-headed,” as the high, curving stem of a Norse ship was often carved to represent a head and neck.Orvasund: almost certainly the Danish Öresund, off Seeland. Such bits of geography as this followed Helgi persistently.26.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hotun: cf. stanza 8 and note.27.Line 3 seems to have been interpolated from line 4 ofHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII, 42.Ship’s-tents: the awnings spread over the deck to shelter the crews from sun and rain when the ships were at anchor.Varinsfjord: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22 and note.[299]28.The manuscript indicates line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza, and some editions follow this arrangement, making lines 1–2 a separate stanza.29.The manuscript indicates no gap, and some editions combine the stanza with lines 3–4 of stanza 28.Sisters of Kolga: the waves, Kolga (“The Gold”) being one of the daughters of the sea-god, Ægir. As theVolsungasagasays, “Now there was a great storm.”30.Helgi demonstrates his courage, whatever one may think of his seamanship.Ægir’s daughters: the waves; cf. stanza 29 and note.[300]31.Sigrun here appears again as a Valkyrie.Ron: Ægir’s wife; cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 18 and note.Sea-beast: ship.Gnipalund: “Crag-Wood.”32.Unavagar: “Friendly Waves.”Svarin’s hill: the hill where Granmar had his dwelling.33.Here begins the long dialogue betweenGothmund, one of Granmar’s sons, andSinfjotli, Helgi’s half-brother. Two lines (stanza 33, lines 3–4) are quoted by the annotator in the prose note following stanza 16 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay, and the dialogue, in much abbreviated form, together with Helgi’s admonition to Sinfjotli to cease talking, is closely paralleled in stanzas 22–27 of that poem. It has been suggested that this whole passage (stanzas 33–48) is an interpolation, perhaps from “the Old Volsung lay.” This may be, but it seems more probable that the poet used an older poem simply as the basis for this passage, borrowing a little but making up a great deal more. The manuscript indicates no gap in stanza 33.34.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.Red: raising a red shield was the signal for war.[301]35.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.36.Quern: turning the hand mill was, throughout antiquity, the task of slaves.37.The manuscript does not name the speakers in this dialogue. No gap indicated in the manuscript, and editors have attempted various combinations of stanzas 37 and 38.38.Wolves: theVolsungasagatells that Sigmund and Sinfjotli lived in the woods for a time as werewolves.Brothers:[302]Sinfjotli killed the two sons of his mother, Signy, and her husband, Siggeir, as part of the vengeance wreaked on Siggeir for the treacherous murder of Sigmund’s father, Volsung, and nine of his brothers (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note). The manuscript marks line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza.39.Varin’s isle: cf. stanza 27 and note, andHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22. Reproaching a man with having been a woman and borne children was not uncommon.40.This stanza may be an interpolation in the dialogue passage.Allfather: Othin. We have no information regarding Gothmund’s career, but it looks as though Sinfjotli were drawing solely on his imagination for his taunts, whereas Gothmund’s insults have a basis in Sinfjotli’s previous life.41.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the two lines with stanza 40, some regard them as the first instead of the last lines of a separate stanza, and some assume the lacuna here indicated.Sogunes(“Saga’s Cape”): of the goddess Saga little is known; cf.Grimnismol, 7.[303]42.Fenrir’s-wolves: wolves in general.Thorsnes: “Thor’s Cape.”43.The phrase “under houses,” which follows the manuscript, may be an error for “in wolf-caves.” Line 3 (or 4) may be an interpolation. The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza.Siggeir: cf. stanza 38, note.44.Several editions assign this stanza to Sinfjotli instead of to Gothmund.Bravoll(“Field of the Brow”): not elsewhere mentioned in the poems.Grani: Sigurth’s horse (cf.Völundarkvitha, 16 and note); Gothmund means that Sinfjotli had turned into a mare, after the fashion of Loki (cf.Grimnismol, 44, note). The meaning of line 4 in the original is uncertain.45.A few editions give this stanza to Gothmund.Gollnir:[304]possibly a giant.Imth: nothing is known of him or his daughter.46.A few editions give this stanza to Sinfjotli.Frekastein: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 39 and note. A stanza may have been lost after stanza 46, parallel to stanza 25 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay.47.Ring-breakers: cf. stanza 18 and note.48.Moinsheimar: a battlefield of which nothing is known, where, however, the sons of Granmar appear to have fought bravely.49.Here the scene shifts to the shore among Hothbrodd’s followers.[305]SviputhandSveggjuth(“Swift” and “Lithe”): horses’ names.Mist’s horse: the Valkyrie’s name is the same as the English word “mist,” and the “horse” on which the mist rides is the earth. The two lines in parenthesis may be interpolated, or line 5 may begin a new stanza, as the manuscript indicates.50.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hniflungs: cf. introductory note.51.Lines 2–3 may be interpolated, or a new stanza may begin, as the manuscript indicates, with line 5. Many editors combine lines 5–6 with all or part of stanza 52. Possibly Gothmund is not the speaker.Mast-ring harts: ships, so called from the ring attaching the yard to the mast.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.Sogn: this name, which actually belongs in western Norway, seems to have been used here with no particular significance.52.The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza; some editors combine lines 3–4 with all or part of stanza[306]53, while others assume the loss of two lines following line 4.Fire-beasts: dragons, i.e., ships. The Norse ships of war, as distinguished from merchant vessels, were often called dragons because of their shape and the carving of their stems.53.The manuscript does not indicate the speaker, and a few editors assume the loss of one or two lines embodying the phrase “Hothbrodd spake.” In the manuscript line 3, which many editors have suspected of being spurious, stands before line 2. Possibly lines 4–5 are the remains of a separate stanza.Reginthing(“The Great Council”): apparently the council-place for the whole country, as distinct from the local council, or “herathsthing.”Melnir(“Bit-Bearer”),Mylnir(“The Biter”) andSporvitnir(“Spur-Wolf”): horses’ names.Myrkwood: a not uncommon name for a dark forest; cf.Lokasenna, 42, andAtlakvitha, 3.Sparinsheith(“Sparin’s Heath”): nothing more is known of Sparin or his heath.Flame of wounds: sword.54.Hogni: the father of Sigrun; cf.Helgakvitha Hundingsbana[307]II, 18. OfHringand his sons nothing further is known.Volsungs: here for the first time the poet gives Helgi and Sinfjotli the family name to which, as sons of Sigmund Volsungsson, they are entitled.55.The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza, but many editors have rejected lines 5–6 as spurious, while others regard them as the first half of a stanza the last two lines of which have been lost.56.Wound-givers: probably this means “Valkyries,” but there is considerable doubt as to the original word.Horse, etc.: i.e., the wolf (because giantesses customarily had wolves for their steeds) ate corpses (the food of birds of prey).57.Yngvi: one of the sons of Halfdan the Old, and traditional ancestor of the Ynglings, with whom the Ylfings seem to have been confused (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note). The confusion between the Ylfings (or Ynglings) and Volsungs was carried far[308]enough so that Sigurth himself is once called a descendant of Yngvi (Reginsmol, 14). Gering identifies the name of Yngvi with the god Freyr, but the Volsungs certainly claimed descent from Othin, not Freyr, and there is nothing to indicate that Helgi in the Danish tradition was supposed to be descended from Freyr, whereas his descent from Yngvi Halfdansson fits well with the rest of his story. However, cf.Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, 24 and note.58.This entire stanza may be an interpolation; nearly every edition has a different way of dealing with it.Hringstathir: as this place had been given to Helgi by his father (cf. stanza 8 and note), the poet has apparently made a mistake in naming it here as a conquest from Granmar’s sons, unless, indeed, they had previously captured it from Helgi, which seems unlikely.[309]

2.Norns: cf.Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who[292]preside over Helgi’s early destiny, and not a Valkyrie, as inHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar.

3.Line 2 is largely guesswork, the manuscript being obscure.Moon’s hall: the sky.

4.East, etc.: the Norns give Helgi fame in the East, West, and North; in the North his renown is particularly to endure. This suggests that the poet was aware of the spread of the Helgi story over many lands.Neri’s kinswoman: evidently one of the Norns, but nothing further is known of Neri, and the word may not be a proper name at all.

5.The manuscript indicates no gap, but it looks as though something had been lost after line 2.Ylfings’ son: Sigmund is evidently meant, though calling him an Ylfing (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note) is a manifest error. Helgi, in the tradition as it came from Denmark, was undoubtedly an Ylfing, and the poet, in order to combine the two legends, has to treat the Ylfings and Volsungs as if they were the same family.[293]

6.Sigmund: the chief link between the Helgi and Sigurth stories. He was the son of Volsung, great-grandson of Othin. His children by his first wife, Borghild, were Helgi and Hamund (belonging to the Helgi cycle); his son by his second wife, Hjordis, was Sigurth. An incestuous connection with his sister, Signy (cf. Wagner’s Siegmund and Sieglinde) resulted in the birth of Sinfjotli (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note).

7.The king: Sigmund, who gives his son a symbol of the lands which he bestows on him. Regarding the leek, cf.Voluspo, 4;GuthrunarkvithaI, 17, andSigrdrifumol, 7.

8.Hringstathir(“Ring-Stead”): quite possibly the historical Ringsted, long a possession of the Danish kings, and thus a relic of the old Helgi tradition.Hringstothmay be another form of the same name.Solfjoll(“Sun-Mountain”) andSnæfjoll(“Snow-Mountain”) are fictitious names. RegardingSigarsvollcf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, stanzas 8 and 35. Saxo mentions a Danish king named Sigar, and the frequency with which the name appears in the Helgi poems may be taken as a reminiscence of Denmark.Hotun(“High Place”): possibly the village of Tune in Seeland.Himinvangar(“Heaven’s Field”): an imaginary place.Blood-snake: a sword.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.[294]

9.Elm: a not uncommon word for “man.”Blood-flecked: i.e., won in battle.

10.Fifteen: until early in the eleventh century a Norwegian or Icelandic boy became “of age” at twelve, and Maurer cites this passage as added proof of the poem’s lateness.Hunding: the annotator (introductory prose toHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII) calls him king of Hundland, which shows no great originality. Saxo mentions a Hunding who was a Saxon king ruling in Jutland, probably the origin of Helgi’s traditional foe.

12.Storm, etc.: war.

13.Logafjoll(“Flame-Mountain”): a mythical name.Frothi:[295]a: traditional king of Denmark, whose peaceful reign was so famous that “Frothi’s peace” became a by-word for peace of any kind.Vithrir’s hounds: wolves; Vithrir is Othin, and his hounds are the wolves Freki and Geri.

14.In this poem Helgi kills all the sons of Hunding, but in the poems of the Sigurth cycle, and the prose notes attached thereto, Sigmund and his father-in-law, Eylimi, are killed by Hunding’s sons, on whom Sigurth subsequently takes vengeance (cf.Fra Dautha SinfjotlaandRegïnsmol).

15.No gap indicated in the manuscript, but almost certainly something has been lost mentioning more specifically the coming of the Valkyries. The lightning which accompanies them suggests again their identification with the clouds (cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 28).

16.Some editions fill out the first line: “He saw there mighty maidens riding.” The manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza.[296]

17.Wolf-wood: dark forest; the original word is not altogether clear.Southern: this variety of Valkyrie, like the swan-maidens of theVölundarkvitha, was clearly regarded as of southern (i.e., German) origin. Here again there is a confusion of traditions; the Valkyries of theVoluspowere as essentially Norse as any part of the older mythology. I doubt if a poet much earlier than the author of the first Helgi Hundingsbane lay would have made his Sigrun, daughter of Hogni, a Valkyrie. It is to be noted that the same complication appears in the Sigurth story, where the undoubted Valkyrie, Brynhild-Sigrdrifa (the latter name is really only an epithet) is hopelessly mixed up with the quite human Brynhild, daughter of Buthli.

18.Breaker of rings: generous prince, because the breaking of rings was the customary form of distributing gold.

19.Granmar: the annotator gives an account of him and his family in the prose following stanza 12 ofHelgakvitha Hundingsbana II.

20.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the stanza with the fragmentary stanza 21, and others fill in with “And home will carry | Hogni’s daughter.”[297]

21.The manuscript has only lines 1 and 4 with the word “first” of line 2, and does not indicate Helgi as the speaker. TheVolsungasaga, which follows this poem pretty closely, expands Helgi’s speech, and lines 2–3 are conjectural versifications of the saga’s prose.Isung: nothing is known of him beyond the fact, here indicated, that Hothbrodd killed him.

22.Water’s gleam: gold.

23.Brandey(“Brand-Isle”): not mentioned elsewhere.Hethinsey(“Hethin’s Isle”): possibly the island of Hiddensee, east of Rügen.[298]

24.Stafnsnes(“Steersman’s Cape”): an unidentifiable promontory.Fair: a guess, as the adjective in the manuscript is obscure.Hjorleifdoes not appear elsewhere, and seems to be simply one of Helgi’s lieutenants.

25.Tronueyr: “Crane-Strand.”Long-stemmed: literally “long-headed,” as the high, curving stem of a Norse ship was often carved to represent a head and neck.Orvasund: almost certainly the Danish Öresund, off Seeland. Such bits of geography as this followed Helgi persistently.

26.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hotun: cf. stanza 8 and note.

27.Line 3 seems to have been interpolated from line 4 ofHelgakvitha HundingsbanaII, 42.Ship’s-tents: the awnings spread over the deck to shelter the crews from sun and rain when the ships were at anchor.Varinsfjord: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22 and note.[299]

28.The manuscript indicates line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza, and some editions follow this arrangement, making lines 1–2 a separate stanza.

29.The manuscript indicates no gap, and some editions combine the stanza with lines 3–4 of stanza 28.Sisters of Kolga: the waves, Kolga (“The Gold”) being one of the daughters of the sea-god, Ægir. As theVolsungasagasays, “Now there was a great storm.”

30.Helgi demonstrates his courage, whatever one may think of his seamanship.Ægir’s daughters: the waves; cf. stanza 29 and note.[300]

31.Sigrun here appears again as a Valkyrie.Ron: Ægir’s wife; cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 18 and note.Sea-beast: ship.Gnipalund: “Crag-Wood.”

32.Unavagar: “Friendly Waves.”Svarin’s hill: the hill where Granmar had his dwelling.

33.Here begins the long dialogue betweenGothmund, one of Granmar’s sons, andSinfjotli, Helgi’s half-brother. Two lines (stanza 33, lines 3–4) are quoted by the annotator in the prose note following stanza 16 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay, and the dialogue, in much abbreviated form, together with Helgi’s admonition to Sinfjotli to cease talking, is closely paralleled in stanzas 22–27 of that poem. It has been suggested that this whole passage (stanzas 33–48) is an interpolation, perhaps from “the Old Volsung lay.” This may be, but it seems more probable that the poet used an older poem simply as the basis for this passage, borrowing a little but making up a great deal more. The manuscript indicates no gap in stanza 33.

34.Sinfjotli: cf. note on stanza 6.Red: raising a red shield was the signal for war.[301]

35.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.

36.Quern: turning the hand mill was, throughout antiquity, the task of slaves.

37.The manuscript does not name the speakers in this dialogue. No gap indicated in the manuscript, and editors have attempted various combinations of stanzas 37 and 38.

38.Wolves: theVolsungasagatells that Sigmund and Sinfjotli lived in the woods for a time as werewolves.Brothers:[302]Sinfjotli killed the two sons of his mother, Signy, and her husband, Siggeir, as part of the vengeance wreaked on Siggeir for the treacherous murder of Sigmund’s father, Volsung, and nine of his brothers (cf.Fra Dautha Sinfjotlaand note). The manuscript marks line 3 as the beginning of a new stanza.

39.Varin’s isle: cf. stanza 27 and note, andHelgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 22. Reproaching a man with having been a woman and borne children was not uncommon.

40.This stanza may be an interpolation in the dialogue passage.Allfather: Othin. We have no information regarding Gothmund’s career, but it looks as though Sinfjotli were drawing solely on his imagination for his taunts, whereas Gothmund’s insults have a basis in Sinfjotli’s previous life.

41.No gap indicated in the manuscript; some editors combine the two lines with stanza 40, some regard them as the first instead of the last lines of a separate stanza, and some assume the lacuna here indicated.Sogunes(“Saga’s Cape”): of the goddess Saga little is known; cf.Grimnismol, 7.[303]

42.Fenrir’s-wolves: wolves in general.Thorsnes: “Thor’s Cape.”

43.The phrase “under houses,” which follows the manuscript, may be an error for “in wolf-caves.” Line 3 (or 4) may be an interpolation. The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza.Siggeir: cf. stanza 38, note.

44.Several editions assign this stanza to Sinfjotli instead of to Gothmund.Bravoll(“Field of the Brow”): not elsewhere mentioned in the poems.Grani: Sigurth’s horse (cf.Völundarkvitha, 16 and note); Gothmund means that Sinfjotli had turned into a mare, after the fashion of Loki (cf.Grimnismol, 44, note). The meaning of line 4 in the original is uncertain.

45.A few editions give this stanza to Gothmund.Gollnir:[304]possibly a giant.Imth: nothing is known of him or his daughter.

46.A few editions give this stanza to Sinfjotli.Frekastein: cf.Helgakvitha Hjorvarthssonar, 39 and note. A stanza may have been lost after stanza 46, parallel to stanza 25 of the second Helgi Hundingsbane lay.

47.Ring-breakers: cf. stanza 18 and note.

48.Moinsheimar: a battlefield of which nothing is known, where, however, the sons of Granmar appear to have fought bravely.

49.Here the scene shifts to the shore among Hothbrodd’s followers.[305]SviputhandSveggjuth(“Swift” and “Lithe”): horses’ names.Mist’s horse: the Valkyrie’s name is the same as the English word “mist,” and the “horse” on which the mist rides is the earth. The two lines in parenthesis may be interpolated, or line 5 may begin a new stanza, as the manuscript indicates.

50.No gap indicated in the manuscript.Hniflungs: cf. introductory note.

51.Lines 2–3 may be interpolated, or a new stanza may begin, as the manuscript indicates, with line 5. Many editors combine lines 5–6 with all or part of stanza 52. Possibly Gothmund is not the speaker.Mast-ring harts: ships, so called from the ring attaching the yard to the mast.Ylfings: cf. stanza 5 and note.Sogn: this name, which actually belongs in western Norway, seems to have been used here with no particular significance.

52.The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza; some editors combine lines 3–4 with all or part of stanza[306]53, while others assume the loss of two lines following line 4.Fire-beasts: dragons, i.e., ships. The Norse ships of war, as distinguished from merchant vessels, were often called dragons because of their shape and the carving of their stems.

53.The manuscript does not indicate the speaker, and a few editors assume the loss of one or two lines embodying the phrase “Hothbrodd spake.” In the manuscript line 3, which many editors have suspected of being spurious, stands before line 2. Possibly lines 4–5 are the remains of a separate stanza.Reginthing(“The Great Council”): apparently the council-place for the whole country, as distinct from the local council, or “herathsthing.”Melnir(“Bit-Bearer”),Mylnir(“The Biter”) andSporvitnir(“Spur-Wolf”): horses’ names.Myrkwood: a not uncommon name for a dark forest; cf.Lokasenna, 42, andAtlakvitha, 3.Sparinsheith(“Sparin’s Heath”): nothing more is known of Sparin or his heath.Flame of wounds: sword.

54.Hogni: the father of Sigrun; cf.Helgakvitha Hundingsbana[307]II, 18. OfHringand his sons nothing further is known.Volsungs: here for the first time the poet gives Helgi and Sinfjotli the family name to which, as sons of Sigmund Volsungsson, they are entitled.

55.The manuscript indicates line 5 as the beginning of a new stanza, but many editors have rejected lines 5–6 as spurious, while others regard them as the first half of a stanza the last two lines of which have been lost.

56.Wound-givers: probably this means “Valkyries,” but there is considerable doubt as to the original word.Horse, etc.: i.e., the wolf (because giantesses customarily had wolves for their steeds) ate corpses (the food of birds of prey).

57.Yngvi: one of the sons of Halfdan the Old, and traditional ancestor of the Ynglings, with whom the Ylfings seem to have been confused (cf.Hyndluljoth, 11 and note). The confusion between the Ylfings (or Ynglings) and Volsungs was carried far[308]enough so that Sigurth himself is once called a descendant of Yngvi (Reginsmol, 14). Gering identifies the name of Yngvi with the god Freyr, but the Volsungs certainly claimed descent from Othin, not Freyr, and there is nothing to indicate that Helgi in the Danish tradition was supposed to be descended from Freyr, whereas his descent from Yngvi Halfdansson fits well with the rest of his story. However, cf.Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, 24 and note.

58.This entire stanza may be an interpolation; nearly every edition has a different way of dealing with it.Hringstathir: as this place had been given to Helgi by his father (cf. stanza 8 and note), the poet has apparently made a mistake in naming it here as a conquest from Granmar’s sons, unless, indeed, they had previously captured it from Helgi, which seems unlikely.[309]

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