THE GROENLAND LAY OF ATLI
the "hersar" yielded to us; that manifested fear. We from the forest freed him whom we wished harmless, raised him to prosperity who nothing had possessed.
99. The Hun king[1] died, then suddenly my fortune changed: great was the young wife's grief, the widow's lot was hers. A torment to me it seemed to come living to the house of Atli. A hero had possessed me: sad was that loss!
100. Thou didst never from a contest come, as we had heard, where thou didst gain thy cause, or others overcome; ever wouldst thou give way, and never stand, lettest all pass off quietly, as ill beseemed a king.
Atli.
101. Gudrun! now thou liest. Little will be bettered the lot of either: we have all suffered. Now act thou, Gudrun! of thy goodness, and for our honour, when I forth am borne.
Gudrun.
102. I a ship will buy and a painted cist;[2] will the winding-sheet well wax, to enwrap thy corse: will think of every requisite, as if we had each other loved.
103. Atli was now a corpse, lament from his kin arose: the illustrious woman did all she had promised. The wise woman would go to destroy herself: her days were lengthened: she died another time.
101. Happy is even-one hereafter who shall give birth to such a daughter famed for deeds, as Giuki begat:
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