THE ELDER EDDA OF SAEMUND
47. "Now let come those who desire gold, and aught less precious, to receive from me. To every one I give a gilded necklace,[1] needle-work and coverlets, splendid weeds."
48. All were silent, thought on what to do, and all together answer gave: "Too many are there dead: we will yet live, still be hungry hall-servants, to do what fitting is."
49. At length after reflection, the lady linen-clad, young in years, words in answer uttered: "I desire that none, dead to entreaty, should by force, for our sake, lose their life.
50. Yet o'er your bones will burn fewer ornaments, Menia's good meal,[2] when ye go hence me to seek.
51. Gunnar! sit down, I will tell to thee, that of life now hopeless is thy bright consort. Thy vessel will not be always afloat, though I shall have my life resigned.
52. With Gudrun thou wilt be reconciled, sooner than thou thinkest: that wise woman has by the king sad memorials, after her consort's death.
53. There is born a maid, which her mother rears; brighter far than the clear day, than the sun's beam, will Svanhild be.
54. Gudrun thou wilt give to an illustrious one, a warrior, the bane of many men: not to her wish will she be married; Atli will come her to espouse, Budli's son, my brother.
- ↑ Necklaces usually consisted in gold and silver chains or laces with ornaments attached to them; if these resembled the sun or moon they were called Sigli, suns (such were those here spoken of); and such was the necklace worn by Freyia, the bright goddess of the Vanir.
- ↑ Menia's meal, or flour, is gold.
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