CHAPTER XXIX

Brynhild and Gudrun

Brynhild's Magic Sleep-Awakened by Sigurd-Lovers pledge their Troth-The Draught of Forgetfulness-Gudrun wins Sigurd — Gunnar's Wooing-How Brynhild was deceived-Quarrel with Gudrun-Sigurd is murdered-Gudrun's Sorrow-Brynhild dies on Sigurd's Pyre-Ride to Hela.

WHEN Sigurd came nigh to Hindarfell, in the land of the Franks, he beheld a blaze of light on the hill. Then he perceived that a stately castle was girt round with magic fire. Its roof was of shining gold. A banner on the highest tower floated in the wind.

He rode towards the castle. He went through the flames on the back of Grane. He dismounted and went within. There he beheld a beauteous battle maiden wrapped in magic sleep; golden was her hair, and she was clad in armour. He went towards her and took off her gleaming helm, and her locks fell free. Yet her eyes opened not, so strong was the sleep spell that was upon her. He drew his magic sword and cut through her armour so that it fell to pieces, whereat the maiden awoke. . Her wondrous eyes glowed upon him; her pale cheeks reddened and her lips opened. "How long hast thou lain asleep?" asked Sigurd. "Who art thou," the maiden sighed, "that hast shorn my armour asunder, and hath power to break the runes of sleep? . . . Art thou indeed Sigurd, the son of great Sigmund? Hast thou come at last with the helmet of darkness and the sword which slew Fafner?"

Sigurd answered: "I am even Sigurd, the son of Sigmund, and my sword hath shorn thine armour asunder."

"None but a Volsung could have done the deed," cried Brynhild, for indeed it was she-the beauteous valkyrie whom Odin had punished by laying her in a magic sleep because that she had caused to fall in battle those whom he favoured.

"A Volsung am I," Sigurd answered, "and I have come to thee because thou art so fair and full of wisdom. Fain would I learn of thee."

Then Brynhild smiled. She threw back her golden hair, and gazed forth upon the world once more. She saw the bright sun and the fresh green ways, and like a dawn-awakened bird she raised her voice in song.

Long was my sleep, long was my sleep,
Darkling 't was lone and dreamless and deep—
Long as the evils that mankind endure,
As long and as sure;

Helpless in sunshine and starshine I've lain,
Wrapped by the runes that bind like a chain-
Helpless ye found me:

Bound me in sleep where I lay.
Hail to the day!

Hail to the sons of the light!
All hail to the night!

Hail and O hear, beholding us twain,
And give what we hope now to gain.
Hail ye gods and ye goddesses dear,

And Earth, the mother of all!

Give us of wisdom and tenderness here,

Hands that shall heal and hearts without fear

Till death shall at length on us call.

...

Then Brynhild told Sigurd how Odin had touched

her with the sleep thorn, and said that never again would she be a chooser of the slain, but would lie in slumber until a lover came.

"But I vowed a vow," she said, "that I would never wed a man who knew what it was to be afraid."

Sigurd said: "Fain would I hear of thy wisdom, for which thou art famed."

"With gratitude can I speak to thee,” said Brynhild, "but let us first drink mead together. May thou profit by what I shall teach thee, and may thou in after time remember what I now speak unto thee."

She filled a golden goblet and gave to Sigurd to drink. "The mead," she said, "is mixed with renown and songs merry and sad, and with wise thoughts and tender heart thoughts and valorous speech. .. Thou shalt grave war runes on thy blade, and twice shall Tyr be named. Runes of ocean shalt thou carve on stern and rudder and oar; thou shalt have peaceful sea-ways. Runes thou shalt learn to ward off blood vengeance and doom. Runes thou shalt learn to call fairy help when a son cometh, and runes for wound healing which thou shalt carve on trees whose branches are bending towards the east. . . . I shall teach thee runes of highheartedness and valour-the runes of the gods, the runes of the elves, and the runes of the wise Vans. . . . I shall give thee runes that shall aid thee in all things until life ends. . . . Now thou shalt choose what thou dost desire to be and to have. .

Sigurd spake: "I was born to be without fear. I shall forget thee never, and in my heart shall I treasure what thou givest unto me."

Then Brynhild gave runes to Sigurd, and she counled him to give friendship for friendship, and to have earance so that he might win fame among men.

"Take close account of what is evil," she said; "from a maiden's love and a man's own wife wrong may come. Give little heed to those who speak more harshly of others than they deem they do; take not advice from men of poor judgment. Ever be watchful of danger wherever thou farest; let not a woman enchant thee in the feasting hall. Heed not the unwise speech of a man who hath drunken deep. Keep the oaths thou dost swear. Trust not him whose kin thou hast slain. . . . I can read not of thy future right well, nor perceive clearly what shall befall thee, but may evil come not from thy wife's kindred."

Sigurd said: "None other but thee shall I have for my bride."

Brynhild made answer: "If it were given me to make choice among all the sons of men, thee alone would I desire to be mine."

Sigurd gave to the gold-haired maiden the magic ring which was in Fafner's hoard.

Then did they swear binding oaths together, vowing that they would ever be faithful one to another until life's last loop was spun.

Thereafter went Sigurd on his way, for he must needs travel unto the hall of King Giuki. Loving Brynhild, he went, but it was doomed that he should break his binding vows, and spurn the golden-haired maiden whom he had rescued from magic sleep. It was indeed fated that he should drink the draught of forgetfulness, so that new love might enter his heart, for he must needs suffer because of the treachery of another.

A warrior of noble seeming was Sigurd, and wondering eyes beheld him as he drew nigh to the dwelling of Giuki. Great was his height, and he had the shoulderbreadth of two men. Young was he, and very fair.