the bliss thereof, whereas thou hast him, and the wealth and the might of him.”
But Gudrun answered, “Naught knew I of your words and vows together; and well might my father look to the mating of me without dealing with thee first.”
“No secret speech had we,” quoth Brynhild, “though we swore oath together; and full well didst thou know that thou wentest about to beguile me; verily thou shalt have thy reward!”
Says Gudrun, “Thou art mated better than thou art worthy of; but thy pride and rage shall be hard to slake belike, and therefor shall many a man pay.”
“Ah, I should be well content,” said Brynhild, “if thou hadst not the nobler man!”
Gudrun answers, “So noble a husband hast thou, that who knows of a greater king or a lord of more wealth and might?”
Says Brynhild, “Sigurd slew Fafnir, and that only deed is of more worth than all the might of King Gunnar.”
(Even as the song says):
Nor ere shall that deed
Be worsened by age
While the world is alive:
But thy brother the King
Never durst, never bore
The flame to ride down
Through the fire to fare.
Gudrun answers, “Grani would not abide the fire under Gunnar the King, but Sigurd durst the deed, and thy heart may well abide without mocking him.”
