BATTLE OF DUN HEIDI. \ \:\ 



rode with all their host out of the burgh against the Hunar. 

 Horns were blown, and thereupon a great battle began, and 

 soon more men fell on Hervor's side, for the Hunar had a far 

 larger host. Orrnar rode forward into the host of the Hunar, 

 and slew so many that it would take a long time to enumerate 

 them, and none whom he could reach with the sword had any 

 chance of living ; both his arms were bloody up to the 

 shoulders. When Hervor saw that her men fell she became 

 exceedingly angry, and slew men and horses to the right and 

 left ; she always slew six men at each blow, and all fled from 

 her. She was more like a lion than a man to look at. Were 

 a man ever so valiant, if he met her, he met his death ; she 

 could not, however, withstand the great odds she fought 

 against. When ten thousand of her men had fallen, she 

 shouted to Hlod and said : ' Come to single fight against me, 

 Hlod, if thou hast the bold heart of a man.' Hlodver answered : 

 ' I am not thirsty for thy blood, sister.' He entreated his men 

 to take her, ' for she must be first in our power.' When 

 Hervor heard this she spared no one, and slew all that met 

 her, and thus it went on for a long time ; then the host 

 attacked her, but she slew all who came near her, until she fell 

 dead from her horse. Large streams of blood gushed out of 

 her mouth, and every man thought she had died from ex- 

 haustion ; none had ever heard that a woman had fought so 

 valiantly. Hlodver had her laid in a mound with great 

 honour. W'hen Ormar saw that Hervor fell, he galloped much 

 wounded out of the battle, and did not stop until he came to 

 Arheimar ; the remnant of Hervor's men fled to the town. 

 When Orrnar found King Angantyr, he received him well 

 and asked for tidings. Orrnar sang : 



' From the south I have come Sank to the ground ; 



To tell this tale ; The Hunar have 



Burned is all Slain her, 



The heath of Myrkvid ; And many others 



The whole Goth-thjod Of your thegns ; 



Is besprinkled with blood of men. She was better at ease 



In the fight 



I know the maiden of Heidrek, 1 Than talking with a wooer 



Or going to the bench 



Thy sister, In a bride-walk.' - 



" When Angantyr heard this he curled his lips, and it was a 

 long time before he spoke ; at last he said : ' In an unbrotherly 



1 Part of the text of this stanza is I - Walking with her bridesmaid. 



