392 EELIGION.THE NOENIR AND VALKYBIAS. 



" Helgi then gathered a large fleet, and sailed to Frekastein 

 (Wolfs stone). At sea they met with a dangerous tempest, 

 and lightning flashed down on the ships. They saw nine 

 Valkyrias riding in the air, and recognised Sigrun ; then the 

 storm abated, and they came safely to the land. The sons of 

 Granmar sat on a rock when the ships sailed towards the shore. 



" Gudmund rode home with news of war ; then the sous of 

 Granmar gathered a host. Many kings came there. There 

 were Hogni, the father of Sigrun, and his sons Bragi and Dag. 

 There was a great battle, and the sons of Granmar fell, with 

 all their chiefs, except Dag, son of Hogni, whose life was spared, 

 and who promised on oath to follow the Volsungs. Sigrun 

 went among the slain, and found Hodbrod near death's door. 

 She sang : 



Sigrun of Sevafjoll 1 Gone is the life 



Will not, Of Granmar's sons ; 



King Hodbrod, The grey steeds 2 of jotun-women 



Fall into thy arms ; Many corpses tear. 



She met Helgi, who answered : 



All is not given to thee, This morning fell 



Mighty wight ; 3 At Frekastein 



For I say the Nornir Bragi and Hogni ; 



Wield some power. I was their slayer. 



" Helgi married Sigrun, and they had sons; but Helgi did not 

 live long. Hogni's son Dag sacrificed to Odin for revenge on 

 his father, and Odin lent him his spear. Dag met his brother- 

 in-law Helgi at Fjoturlund; he thrust the spear through him, 

 Helgi fell, and Dag rode to Sevafjoll and told Sigrun the 

 tidings : 



Loth am I, sister, And stood on 



To tell thee the sorrow, The neck of hildings. 5 



For unwilling have I 



Made my sister weep; Sigrun. 



This morning fell Thee shall all 



At Fjoturlund Oaths harm 6 



The Budlung 4 who was Which thou to Helgi 



The best in the world, Hast sworn 



1 Sigrun speaks to the dying Hod- 

 brod on the battle-field. 



2 Wolves. 



Meaning : " Everything is not in thy 

 power, as the Nornir have great power 

 also over the fates of men." The death 



3 



4 



Kincr. 



of Helgi was against Sigrun's will. done so. 



5 A custom found in the Old Testa- 

 ment (Joshua), of putting the foot on 

 the subdued king's neck. 



e Dag broke his oath, as we have seen 

 before ; and Sigrun cursed him for having 



