44< ) Xl'rEliXTITIOXS. WITCHCRAFT. 



body was buried. When they were seen at night at their 

 mounds they were surrounded by fire, and it was said that 

 the gate of Hel, where the dead were supposed to be, was open. 

 These ghosts of the dead were harmless. 



The bondmaid of Sigrun, when walking one evening past the 

 mound of Helgi, saw that he rode to it with many men ; she 



sang 



Is it an illusion You prick yqnr horses 



Which I think I see, With spur points, 



Or the doom of the gods? l Or -have the Hildings 2 



Dead men ride ; Got leave to go home ? 3 



Helgi sang : 



It is not an illusion Though we our horses 



Which thou thinkest thou seest, Prick with spurs, 



Nor the doom of the world, But the Hildings have got 



Though thou seest us, Leave to go home. 



The bondmaid went home and told Sigrun. 



Go out, thou Sigrun Helgi has come ; 



From Sefafjoll, The prints of the sword bleed 



If thou wan test to The Dogling 5 asked thee 



Meet with the leader of men. 4 That thou the wound-dripping 



The mound has opened ; Shouldst stop. [(blood) 



Sigrun went into the mound to Helgi, and sang : 



Now I am as glad The bloody brynja ; 



Of our meeting Thy hair, Helgi, 



As the greedy Is covered with hoar-frost ; 



Hawks of Odin 6 The king is all wet 



When they know of slain men With the dew of the slain. 



A warm prey, The hands of Hogni's son-in-law 



Or dew-besprinkled, Are cold from wet, 



See the dawn of day. How shall I, king, 



I will kiss Better this for thee ? 



The dead king * * * * 



Ere thou throwest off 



Helgi and his men rode their way, and the maidens went 



home to their house. The next evening Sigrun let a bond- 



