THE ELDER EDDA OF SAEMUND
76. Atli oft inquired whither his boys were gone to play, as he nowhere saw them?
Gudrun.
77. Over I am resolved to go, and to Atli tell it. Grimhild's daughter will not conceal it from thee. Little glad, Atli! wilt thou be, when all thou learnest; great woe didst thou raise up, when thou my brother slewest.
78. Very seldom have I slept since they fell. Bitterly I threatened thee: now I have reminded thee. "It is now morning," saidst thou: I yet it well remember; and it now is eve, when thou the like shalt learn.
79. Thou thy sons hast lost, as thou least shouldest; know that their skulls thou hast had for beer-cups; thy drink I prepared, I their red blood have shed.
S0. I their hearts took, and on a spit staked them, then to thee gave them. I" said they were of calves,—it was long of thee alone—thou didst leave none, voraciously didst devour, well didst ply thy teeth.
S1. Thy children's fate thou knowest, few a worse awaits. I have my part performed, though in it glory not.
Atli.
S2. Cruel wast thou, Gudrun! who couldst so-act, with thy children's blood my drink to mingle. Thou hast destroyed thy offspring, as thou least shouldest; and to myself thou leavest a short interval from ill.
Gudrun.
S3. I could still desire thyself to slay; rarely too ill it fares with such a prince. Thou hast already perpe-
244
