Jump to content

Völsunga Saga

From Wikisource
Völsunga Saga (1888)
translated by William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson, edited by H. Halliday Sparling

The Camelot Series.

Edited by Ernest Rhys.



THE STORY OF THE VOLSUNGS.

VÖLSUNGA SAGA: THE STORY OF THE VOLSUNGS AND NIBLUNGS, WITH CERTAIN SONGS FROM THE ELDER EDDA. EDITED, WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES, BY H. HALLIDAY SPARLING.


TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC BY EIRÍKR MAGNÚSSON (TRANSLATOR OF “LEGENDS OF ICELAND”); AND WILLIAM MORRIS (AUTHOR OF “THE EARTHLY PARADISE”).



WALTER SCOTT
LONDON: 24 WARWICK LANE
PATERNOSTER ROW
1888

CONTENTS.



    PAGE
Introduction ix
Translators’ Preface xxxix
Names, &c. xlix
A Prologue in Verse li
STORY OF THE VOLSUNGS AND NIBLUNGS.
CHAP  
I. Of Sigi, the Son of Odin 1
II. Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi 3
III. Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung’s Son, drew from the Branstock 6
IV. How King Siggeir wedded Signy, and bade King Volsung and his Son to Gothland 9
V. Of the Slaying of King Volsung 11
VI. Of how Signy sent the Children of her and Siggeir to Sigmund 15
VII. Of the Birth of Sinfjotli, the Son of Sigmund 17
VIII. The Death of King Siggeir and of Signy 20
IX. How Helgi, the Son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and Wedded Sigrun 27
X. The Ending of Sinfjotli, Sigmund’s Son 32
XI. Of King Sigmund’s last Battle, and of how he must yield up his Sword again 35
XII. Of the Shards of the Sword Gram, and how Hjordis went to King Alf 38
XIII. Of the Birth and Waxing of Sigurd Fafnir’s-bane 42
XIV. Regin’s tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari’s Hoard 46
XV. Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram 50
XVI. The Prophecy of Grifir 52
XVII. Of Sigurd’s Avenging of Sigmund his Father 53
XVIII. Of the Slaying of the Worm Fafnir 58
XIX. Of the Slaying of Regin, Son of Hreidmar 63
XX. Of Sigurd’s Meeting with Brynhild on the Mountain 68
XXI. More Wise Words of Brynhild 76
XXII. Of the Semblance and Array of Sigurd Fafnir’s-bane 78
XXIII. Sigurd comes to Hlymdale 80
XXIV. Sigurd sees Brynhild at Hlymdale 82
XXV. Of the Dream of Gudrun, Giuki’s Daughter 86
XXVI. Sigurd comes to the Giukings and is wedded to Gudrun 90
XXVII. The Wooing of Brynhild 94
XXVIII. How the Queens held angry converse together at the Bathing 98
XXIX. Of Brynhild’s Grief and Mourning 102
XXX. Of the Slaying of Sigurd Fafnir’s-bane 109
XXXI. Of the Lamentation of Gudrun over Sigurd dead, as it is told in the ancient Songs 114
XXXII. Of the Ending of Brynhild 122
XXXIII. Gudrun wedded to Atli 125
XXXIV. Atti bids the Giukings to him 130
XXXV. The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings 134
XXXVI. Of the Journey of the Giukings to King Atli 136
XXXVII. The Battle in the Burg of King Atli 139
XXXVIII. Of the Slaying of the Giukings 142
XXXIX. The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk 146
XL. How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was brought ashore again 151
XLI. Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild 152
XLII. Gudrun sends her Sons to avenge Swanhild 155
XLIII. The Latter End of all the Kin of the Giukings 157
SONGS FROM THE ELDER EDDA.
Part of the Second Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane 163
Part of the Lay of Sigrdrifa 172
The Lay called the Short Lay of Sigurd 176
The Hell-Ride of Brynhild 197
Fragments of the Lay of Brynhild 202
The Second or Ancient Lay of Gudrun 209
The Song of Atli 223
The Whetting of Gudrun 237
The Lay of Hamdir 244
The Lament of Oddrun 253
Index 263
Book-list 267

The Canterbury Poets.

Edited by William Sharp.
with introductory notices by various contributors.

In SHILLING Monthly Volumes, Square 8vo. Well printed on fine toned paper, with Red-line Border, and strongly bound in Cloth. Each Volume contains from 300 to 350 pages.

Cloth, Red Edges 1s. Red Roan, Gilt Edges 2s. 6d.
Cloth, Uncut Edges 1s. Pad. Morocco, Gilt Edges 5s.

THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES ARE NOW READY.

CHRISTIAN YEAR. By Rev. John Keble.

COLERIDGE. Edited by Joseph Skipsey.

LONGFELLOW. Edited by Eva Hope.

CAMPBELL. Edited by J. Hogben.

SHELLEY. Edited by J. Skipsey.

WORDSWORTH. Edited by A. J. Symington.

BLAKE. Edited by Joseph Skipsey.

WHITTIER. Edited by Eva Hope.

POE. Edited by Joseph Skipsey.

CHATTERTON. Edited by John Richmond.

BURNS. Poems.

BURNS. Songs. Edited by Joseph Skipsey

MARLOWE. Edited by P. E. Pinkerton.

KEATS. Edited by John Hogben.

HERBERT. Edited by Ernest Rhys.

VICTOR HUGO. Translated by Dean Carrington.

COWPER. Edited by Eva Hope.

SHAKESPEARE: Songs, Poems, and Sonnets. Edited by William Sharp.

EMERSON. Edited by W. Lewin.

SONNETS of this CENTURY. Edited by William Sharp.

WHITMAN. Edited by E. Rhys.

SCOTT. Marmion, etc.

SCOTT. Lady of the Lake, etc. Edited by William Sharp.

PRAED. Edited by Fred. Cooper.

HOGG. By his Daughter, Mrs Garden.

GOLDSMITH. Edited by William Tirebuck.

LOVE LETTERS OF A VIOLINIST. By Eric Mackay.

SPENSER. Edited by Hon. Roden Noel.

CHILDREN OF THE POETS. Edited by Eric S. Robertson.

BEN JONSON. Edited by J. A. Symonds.

BYRON (2 Vols.) Edited ay Mathilde Blind.

THE SONNETS OF EUROPE. Edited by S. Waddington.

ALLAN RAMSAY. Edited by J. Logie Robertson.

SYDNEY DOBELL. Edited by Mrs. Dobell.

DAYS OF THE YEAR. With Introduction by Wm. Sharp.

POPE. Edited by John Hogben.

HEINE. Edited by Mrs. Kroeker.

BEAUMONT & FLETCHER. Edited by J. S. Fletcher.

BOWLES, LAMB, AND HARTLEY COLERIDGE. Edited by William Tirebuck.

EARLY ENGLISH POETRY. Edited by H. Macaulay Fitzgibbon.

SEA MUSIC. Edited by Mrs Sharp.

HERRICK. Edited by Ernest Rhys.

BALLADES AND RONDEAUS Edited by J. Gleeson White.

IRISH MINSTRELSY. Edited by H. Halliday Sparling.

MILTON’S PARADISE LOST. Edited by J. Bradshaw, M.A., LL.D.

JACOBITE SONGS AND BALLADS. Edited by G. S. Macquoid.

AUSTRALIAN BALLADS AND RHYMES. Edited by D. B. W. Sladen., B.A.



London: WALTER SCOTT, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

Monthly Shilling Volumes. Cloth, cut or uncut edges.

THE CAMELOT SERIES

Edited by Ernest Rhys.

THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES ARE NOW READY.

ROMANCE OF KING ARTHUR. Edited by E. Rhys.

THOREHAU’S WALDEN. Edited by W. H. Dircks.

CONFESSIONS OF AN ENGLISH OPIUM-EATER. Edited by William Sharp.

LANDOR’S CONVERSATIONS. Edited by H. Ellis.

PLUTARCH’S LIVES. Edited by B. J. Snell, M.A.

SIR THOMAS BROWNE’S RELIGIO MEDICI, etc. Edited by J. Addington Symonds.

SHELLEY’S ESSAYS AND LETTERS. Edited by Ernest Rhys.

PROSE WRITINGS OF SWIFT. Edited by W. Lewin.

MY STUDY WINDOWS. Edited by R. Garnett, LL.D.

GREAT ENGLISH PAINTERS. Edited by W. Sharp.

LORD BYRON’S LETTERS. Edited by M. Blind

ESSAYS BY LEIGH HUNT. Edited by A. Symons.

LONGFELLOW’S PROSE. Edited by W. Tirebuck.

GREAT MUSICAL COMPOSERS. Edited, with Introduction, by Mrs. Sharp.

MARCUS AURELIUS. Edited by Alice Zimmern.

SPECIMEN DAYS IN AMERICA. By Walt Whitman.

WHITE’S NATURAL HISTORY of SHELBORNE. Edited, with Introduction, by Richard Jefferies.

DEFOE’S CAPTAIN SINGLETON. Edited, with Introduction, by H. Halliday Sparling.

ESSAYS: Literary and Political. By Joseph Mazzini. Edited, with Introduction, by William Clarke.

THE PROSE WRITINGS OF HEINRICH HEINE. Edited, with Introduction, by Havelock Ellis.

SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS’ DISCOURSES. Edited, with Introduction, by Helen Zimmern.

THE LOVER, and other Papers of Steele and Addison. Edited, with Introduction, by Walter Lewin.

ROBERT BURNS’S LETTERS. Edited, with Introduction, by J. Logie Robertson, M.A.

VOLSUNGA SAGA. Edited by H. H. Sparling.



London: WALTER SCOTT, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

Monthly Shilling Volumes. Cloth, cut or uncut edges.

GREAT WRITERS.

EDITED BY PROFESSOR E. S. ROBERTSON.


THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES ARE NOW READY.

LIFE OF LONGFELLOW. By Professor Eric S. Robertson.
“A most readable little work, brightened by fancy, and enriched by poetic feeling.”—Liverpool Mercury.

LIFE OF COLERIDGE. By Hall Caine.
Brief and vigorous, written throughout with spirit and great literary skill, often rising into eloquence.”—Scotsman.

LIFE OF DICKENS. By Frank T. Marzials.
“We should, until we came across this volume, have been at a loss to recommend any popular life of England’s most popular novelist as being slag satisfactory. The difficulty is Yemoved by Mr. Mayrzials’ little book.”—Athenæum.

LIFE OF DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI. By Joseph Knight.
“Mr. Knight’s picture of the great poet and painter is the fullest and best yet presented to the public.”—The Graphic.

LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON. By Colonel F. Grant.
“Colonel Grant has performed his task with diligence, sound judgment, good taste, and accuracy.”—Illustrated London News.

LIFE OF DARWIN. By G. T. Bettany.
“Mr. G. T. Bettany’s Life of Darwin is a sound and conscientious work.”—Saturday Review.

CHARLOTTE BRONTE. By Augustine Birrell.
“Those who know much of Charlotte Brontë will learn more, and those who know nothing about her will find all that is best worth learning in Mr. Birrell’s pleasant book.”—St. James’ Gazette.

LIFE OF THOMAS CARLYLE. By Richard Garnett, LL.D.
“This is an admirable book. Nothing could be more felicitous and fairer than the way in which he takes us through Carlyle’s life and works.”—Pall Mall Gazette.

LIFE OF ADAM SMITH. By R. B. Haldane, M.P.
“Written throughout with a perspicuity seldom exemplified when dealing with economic science.”—Scotsman.

LIFE OF KEATS. By W. M. Rossetti.
“Valuable for the ample information which it contains and the sympathetic and authoritative criticism which it furnishes.”—Cambridge Independent.

LIFE OF SHELLEY. By William Sharp.
“Another fit memorial of a beautiful soul. . . . it is a worthy addition, to be cherished for its own sake to our already rich collection of Shelley Literature.”—The Academy.

LIFE OF SMOLLETT. By David Hannay.
“An exceptionally manly and capable record of a writer who, with all reservations, still remains one of the great masters of the English novel.”—Saturday Review.

LIFE OF GOLDSMITH. By Austin Dobson.

LIFE OF SCOTT. By Professor Yonge. [Ready Jan. 25th.

LIFE OF BURNS. By Professor Blackie. [Ready Feb. 25th.

A complete Bibliography to each volume, compiled by J. P. Anderson of the British Museum.


Volumes in preparation by Canon Venables, James Sime, Edmund Gosse, etc.


LIBRARY EDITION OF “GREAT WRITERS.”

An Issue of all the Volumes in this Series will be published, printed on large paper of extra quality, in handsome binding, Demy 8vo, price 2s. 6d. per volume.


London: WALTER SCOTT, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

Now Ready, Part VI., Price 6d.; by Post, 7d.

THE NATURALISTS’ MONTHLY:

A Journal for Nature-Lovers and Nature-Thinkers

Edited by Dr. J. W. WILLIAMS, M.A.
Sub-Editor—B. MIDDLETON BATCHELOR.


CONTENTS.

Volcanoes and their Relations to Comets.—Dr. J. W. Williams, M.A.

The Foraminifera of the London Clay.—F. Chapman.

Lantern Slide-Making.—Rev. Hilderic Friend, F.L.S.

Notes on Stinging Nettles.—Rev. F. H. Arnold, M.A., LL.B.

Carolus Linnæus: A Biography. Part IV.—B. Middleton Batchelor.

A Synopsis of the British Odonata.—W. Harcourt Bath.

In the Valley of the Teme, Worcestershire. No. 111.—The Nuthatch at Home. No. IV.—Bird Life in a Hayfield.—C. Parkinson, F.G.S.

The Naturalist at the Farm.—Richard Henderson.

What Books to Read, and the Order in which they should be Read.

Reviews. General Notes and Gleanings. Reports of the Learned Societies. Inquiry Column. Sale and Exchange Column.


“There is a little for every taste.”—Newcastle Daily Journal.

“The writers of the different articles are all able and competent authorities, and the subjects cover a wide range, so that no lover of Natural History can fail to find matter of interest, dip where he will. We are convinced that it will take a foremost place among the periodicals of its class.”—Kidderminster Shuttle.

“No naturalist who once sees this magazine will feel quite happy unless he continues to do so. This magazine is invaluable.”—Literary World.

“We can imagine no more useful or interesting periodical reading than is given in this work. To the student of Natural History in all its branches it is invaluable, and takes the first rank among publications of a kindred nature. When a volume is bound the possessor will have a work of great and surpassing interest, and at a merely nominal cost.”—Devizes and Wilts Advertiser.

“A sound journal, the monthly advent of which will be awaited with feelings of satisfaction and pleasure.”—Bath Chronicle.


Parts I.—V. may still be had.
Annual Subscription—Seven Shillings. Post Free.


London: WALTER SCOTT, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

JANUARY, 1888.
VOLS. I. TO III. NOW READY.


RE-ISSUE IN MONTHLY VOLUMES, PRICE ONE SHILLING EACH,
STRONGLY BOUND IN CLOTH,
Uniform in size and style with the Camelot Series,

WILSON’S
TALES OF THE BORDERS
AND OF SCOTLAND:
HISTORICAL, TRADITIONARY, AND IMAGINATIVE.
REVISED BY ALEXANDER LEIGHTON.

No collection of tales published in a serial form ever enjoyed so great a popularity as “The Tales of the Borders;” and the secret of their success lies in the fact that they are stories in the truest sense of the word, illustrating in a graphic and natural style the manners and customs, trials and sorrows, sins and backslidings, of the men and women of whom they treat. The heroes and heroines of these admirable stories belong to every rank of life, from the king and noble to the humble easant.

The Tales of the Borders” have always been immensely popular with the young, and whether we view them in their moral aspect, or as vehicles for instruction and amusement, the collected series forms a repertory of healthy and interesting literature unrivalled in the language.


The Scotsman says:—“Those who have read the tales in the unwieldy tomes in which they are to be found in the libraries will welcome the publication of this neat, handy, and well-printed edition.”

The Dundee Advertiser says:—“Considering how attractive are these tales, whether regarded as illustrating Scottish life, or as entertaining items of romance, there can be no doubt of their continued popularity. We last read them in volumes the size of a family Bible, and we are glad to have an opportunity to renew our acquaintance with them in a form so much more handy and elegant.”


EACH VOLUME WILL BE COMPLETE IN ITSELF.


London: Walter Scott, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

Handsome New Presentation Volumes.


Each bound in Padded Morocco and Boxed, Price 7s. 6d.


A PRESENT FOR A LADY.

WOMEN’S VOICES.

A Selection of Poems by Women, from 1685 to 1885.

Edited by Elizabeth Sharp.


A PRESENT FOR A GENTLEMAN.

SONNETS of this CENTURY.

With an Exhaustive and Critical Essay on the Sonnet

By William Sharp.


A PRESENT FOR EVERYBODY.

The CHILDREN of the POETS.

An Anthology from English and American Writers of Three Centuries.

Edited by Eric S. Robertson.


The above may also be had bound in Cloth, Price 3s. 6d.


London: Walter Scott, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.

Crown 8vo, Price 4s. 6d.

AND OTHER STORIES.


BY


THE LATE PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON.

WITH A MEMOIR BY WILLIAM SHARP.


The Globe says:—“The volume should be acquired, if only for the sake of the memoir by Mr. William Sharp, by which it is prefaced. . . The fullest and most authoritative account that has yet appeared. Its statements may be relied upon, it is excellent in feeling, and it affords altogether a successful portrayal of the poet.”

The Scotsman says:—“A brief memoir by Mr. William Sharp, ably and sympathetically written, introduces the stories, and makes the volume one which the author’s many admirers will be eager to possess. . . . Powerful studies, romantic in sentiment.”


London: Walter Scott, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row.


Printed by Walter Scott, Felling, Newcastle-on-Tyne.


This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1888, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.


The longest-living author of this work died in 1924, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 99 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse