The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson Part 37

2. Gofugt-dyr I am called, but I have wandered a motherless child; nor have I a father like the sons of men: alone I wander.

_Fafnir_.

3. If thou hast no father like the sons of men, by what wonder art thou begotten?

_Sigurd_.

4. My race, I tell thee, is to thee unknown, and myself also.

Sigmund was my father named, my name is Sigurd, who with weapon have a.s.sailed thee.

_Fafnir_.

5. Who has incited thee? why hast thou suffered thyself to be incited to take my life? youth of the sparkling eyes! Thou hadst a cruel father-- * * * *

_Sigurd_.

6. My heart incited me, my hands gave me aid, and my keen sword.

Rarely a man is bold, when of mature age, if in childhood he was faint-hearted.

_Fafnir_.

7. I know if thou hadst chanced to grow in the lap of friends, they would have seen thee fierce in fight. Now thou art a captive, taken in war, and, 'tis said, slaves ever tremble.

_Sigurd_.

8. Why Fafnir! dost thou upbraid me that I am far from my paternal home? I am not a captive, although in war I was taken: thou hast found that I am free.

_Fafnir_.

9. Thou wilt account only as angry words all I to thee shall say, but I will say the truth. The jingling gold, and the gleed-red treasure, those rings, shall be thy bane.

_Sigurd_.

10. Treasure at command every one desires, ever till that one day; for at some time each mortal shall hence to Hel depart.

_Fafnir_.

11. The Norns' decree thou wilt hold in contempt as from a witless wight: In water thou shalt be drowned, if in wind thou rowest. All things bring peril to the fated.

_Sigurd_.

12. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to know: who those Norns are, who help in need, and from babes loose the mothers.

_Fafnir_.

13. Very diversely born I take those Norns to be: they have no common race. Some are of aesir-race, some of Alfar-race, some are Dvalin's daughters.

_Sigurd_.

14. Tell me, Fafnir! as thou art wise declared, and many things to know, how that holm is called, where Surt and the aesir will sword-liquor together mingle?

_Fafnir_.

15. Oskopnir it is called; there shall the G.o.ds with lances play; Bifrost shall be broken, when they go forth, and their steeds in the river swim.

16. An Oegis-helm I bore among the sons of men, while I o'er the treasures lay; stronger than all I thought myself to be; stronger I found not many!

_Sigurd_.

17. An Oegis-helm is no protection, where men impelled by anger fight: soon he finds, who among many comes, that no one is alone the boldest.

_Fafnir_.

18. Venom I blew forth, when on my father's great heritage I lay.

_Sigurd_.

19. Thou, glistening serpent! didst a great belching make, and wast so hard of heart. Fierceness so much the greater have the sons of men, when they possess that helm.

_Fafnir_.

20. Sigurd! I now counsel thee, do thou take my counsel; and hence ride home. The jingling gold, and the gleed-red treasure, those rings, shall be thy bane.

_Sigurd_.

21. Counsel regarding thee is taken, and I to the gold will ride, on the heath that lies. But lie thou, Fafnir! in the pangs of death, until Hel have thee!

_Fafnir_.

22. Regin betrayed me, he will thee betray, he of us both will be the bane. Fafnir must, I trow, let forth his life: thine was the greater might!

Regin had gone away while Sigurd slew Fafnir, but came back as Sigurd was wiping the blood from his sword. He said:

23. Hail to thee now, Sigurd! Now hast thou victory won and Fafnir slain: of all the men who tread the earth, thou art, I say, the bravest born.

_Sigurd_.

24. Uncertain 'tis to know, when we all come together, sons of victorious heroes, which is the bravest born. Many a one is bold, who sword has never broken in another's breast.

_Regin_.

25. Glad are thou now, Sigurd! and in thy gain rejoicing, while Gram, in the gra.s.s thou driest. My brother thou to death hast wounded, yet in some degree was I the cause.

_Sigurd_.

26. Thou didst me counsel, that I should ride o'er high fells. .h.i.ther. Treasure and life had still possess'd that glistening serpent, hadst thou my anger not excited.

Regin then approached Fafnir and cut out his heart with a sword named Ridill, and afterwards drank blood from his wound. He said: