Atlakvia Gudrn, Giukis daughter, avenged her brothers, as is well known.

She first killed Atlis sons, and afterwards Atli himself, and burnt the palace with all the household. On these events was this la composed.

!. Atli sent riding a messenger to Gunnar, a craft man, "nefrud was his name. #o Giukis courts he came, and to Gunnars hall, to the seats of state, and the glad potation$ %. #here drank the courtiers wine in their &alhall ' but the guileful ones silence kept ' the (uns wrath the feared. #hen said "nefrud, with chilling voice$ ' the southern warrior on a high bench sat ' ). *Atli has sent me hither on his errand riding on a bit'griping steed, through the unknown + rkwood, to pra ou, Gunnar, that to his bench e come, with helms of state, Atlis home to visit. -. Shields e there can choose, and smooth'shaven spears, gold'red helms, and of (uns a multitude, silver'gilt saddle'cloths, sarks gor 'red, the darts obstruction, and bit'griping steeds. .. #he plain he will also give ou, the broad Gn/taheid, whistling 0avelins, and gilded prows, vast treasures, and 1anps towns, with that famed forest, which men the +urkwood call.2 3. Gunnar his head then turned, and to (4gni said$ *5hat counselest thou, bold warrior62 now suchlike we hear6 Of no gold 7 knew on Gn/tas heath, to which we possess not other e8ual. 9. Seven halls have we filled with swords,

of each of which the hilt is gold. + horse 7 know the best, and m sword the keenest: m bow adorns m seat, m corslets are of gold, m helm and shield the brightest, brought from the hall of "iar$ mine alone are better than all the (unnish ones. ;. 5hat thinkest thou the woman means, b sending us a ring in a wolfs clothing wrapt6 7 think that she caution en0oins. 5olfs hair 7 found twined in the red'gold ring$ wolfish is the wa we on our errand ride.2 <. =o sons persuaded Gunnar, nor other kinsman, interpreters nor counsellors, nor those who potent were. #hen spake Gunnar, as beseemed a king, great in his mead'hall, from his large soul$ !>. *?ise now up, @i4rnir, let along the benches pass the golden cups of heroes, from the attendants hands. !!. #he wolf shall rule the =iflungs heritage, o bearded sages, if Gunnar perish: black'coated bears earths fruit tear with their teeth, to the dogs delight, if Gunnar come not back.2 !%. (onoured men, weeping led the lands ruler from the (uns court. #hen said (4gnis outhful heir$ *Go now, prudent and prosperous, whither our wishes lead.2 !). #he warriors made their bit'griping steeds over the mountains fl , through the unknown +urkwood. #he whole (unnish forest trembled whereer the warriors rode: over the shrubless, all'green plains the sped. !-. Atlis land the saw, and the high watch'towers:

Aikkis people stood on that loft fortress: the south peoples hall was round with benches set, with well'bound bucklers, and white shields, the 0avelins obstruction. #here Atli drank wine in his &alhall$ his guards sat without, Gunnar and his men to watch, lest the there should come with elling dart, to eBcite their prince to conflict. !.. #heir sister forthwith saw, when the hall the had entered, her brothers both ' beer had she little drunken ' *Aetra ed art thou now Gunnar, though strong, how wilt thou contend with the (uns deadl wiles6 Go 8uickl from this hall, !3. Aetter hadst thou, Gunnar, in corslet come, than with helm of state, to see the home of Atli: thou in the saddle wouldst have sat whole sun'bright da s, and oer the pallid dead let the =orns weep, the (unnish shield'maids miser suffer: but Atli himself thou shouldst into the serpent'pen have cast: but now the serpent'pen is for ou two reserved.2 !9. *Sister, Ctis now too late the =iflungs to assemble, long Ctis to seek the aid of men, of valiant heroes, over the rugged fells of ?hine.2 !;. #hen the Aurgundians friends Gunnar seiDed, in fetters laid, and him fast bound. !<. (4gni hewed down seven, with the keen sword, but the eighth he thrust into the raging fire. So should a valiant man defend himself from foes. %> (4gni had Gunnars hands protected. #he bold chief the asked, if the Goths lord would with gold

his life redeem6 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE %!. *(4gnis heart in m hand shall lie, cut blood from the breast of the valiant chief, the kings son, with a dull'edged knife.2 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE #he the heart cut out from (iallis breast: on a dish bleeding laid it, and to Gunnar bare.