BURIAL OF tIGUIil) AXD BRYMllI.n. 



325 



not how to tie Hel-shoes if these are unfastened'' (G-is 

 Siirsson's Saga). 



In the weird description of the burial of Sigurd and JJryn- 

 hild 1 we see that the mound was reddened with blood, and 

 that human beings were burned with them on the pyre. 



When we both 



Stepped into one bed 

 And were called 

 Husband and wife. 



I will ask of thee 



( )nly one boon ; 



It will in the world 



My last one be ; 



Let so wide a burgh 



Be raised on the plain 



That under us all 



It be equally roomy, 



Beneath us all who shall die 



With Sigurd. 



Surround that burgh 



With tents and shields, 



With welsh linen, finely painted, 



And Welsh people (thralls) ; 



Burn the Hunuish one 2 



At my one side. 



Burn at the other side 

 Of the Hunuish one 

 My servants, 

 With good necklaces, 

 Two at his head 

 And two hawks ; 

 Then all is 

 Equally shared. 



Let there yet lie between us 

 A ring-wound weapon, 3 

 A sharp-edged iron 

 As it before was laid, 



1 In Brynhild's ride to Hel we have a 

 different account: 



" After the death of Brynhild two 

 pyres were made, one for Sigurd, which 

 was first set on fire, but Brynhild was 

 burned on the other and was in a car- 

 riage tented with god-weh (a kind of 

 fine cloth). It is told that Brynhild 

 drove in the carriage on the road of Hel, 

 and went through the tun where the 

 jo'tuu-woman dwelt." (Ht-1-reid Bryn- 

 hildar). 



- Sigurd. 



The shining hall-d-or, 

 The ring-ornamented * 

 Will not then 

 Strike him on the heel 5 

 If my retinue 

 Follows him hence ; 

 Then our journey 

 Will not be poor. 



For there follow him 

 Five bond-maids, 

 Eight servants, 

 Of good kin, 

 My bond -nurse, 

 And the inheritance 6 

 Which Budli gave 

 To his child. 



Much have I told, 



More would I tell, 



If fate 



Gave more time for speaking ; 



My voice decreases, 



My wounds swell, 



I told only truth. 7 



Now I will cease. 



(Third Sung of Sigurd.) 



3 Sec- Volsuuga, ch. 20 and 31. 



4 Probably on account of the ring on 

 the door, as fine doors were ornamented 

 with them. 



5 We will follow on his heels, so that 

 the door will not be shut after he enters. 

 but be open while we enter. 



6 The inheritance wealth, treasure, 

 dowry, &i:., ^:c. 



' In the preceding stanzas she has 

 foretold the fate of Gudrun, Gunnar and 

 Hogni, as is told in Volsunga. 



