Page:The Elder Edda and the Younger Edda - tr. Thorpe - 1907.djvu/252

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THE ELDER EDDA OF SAEMUND

or me fifteen vills, and the load of Grani's sides, if he would accept them.

23. But Atli said he never would a marriage-gift receive from Giuki's son. Still we could not our loves withstand, but I my head must lay upon the ring-breaker.

24. Many things said my relations; declared they had surprised us both together; but Atli said, that I would not crime commit, nor scandal perpetrate. But such should no one for another ever deny, when love has part.

25. Atli sent his emissaries about the Murk-wood, that he might prove me; and they came to where they ought not to have come, to where we had one couch prepared.

26. To the men we offered red-gold rings, that they it might not to Atli tell; but they forthwith hastened home, and it quickly to Atli told.

27. But they from Gudrun carefully concealed it, yet rather by half she should have known it.[1]

28. A sound was heard of gold-shod hoofs, when into the court rode Giuki's heirs, * * * Of Hogni they the heart cut out, and into a serpent-pen the other cast.

29. I had gone yet once again to Geirmund, to prepare a banquet. * * * The brave king[2] began the harp to sound; for the prince of noble race hoped that I to his aid might come.

30. I it heard from; Hlesey, how of trouble there the harp-strings sang.

31. I my thralls bade all be ready: I the prince's life


  1. From here the narrative appears to be very fragmentary.
  2. Gunnar while in the serpent-pen.

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