The Story of the Volsungs — Chronicle
Ordered by chapter. No event in this book could be dated from the text, so it is not dated — no anchor, no chronology; a date is never inferred. Time expressions are copied from the text as written. Every event links back to one sentence of the original.
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282 events · no event could be dated from the text
Undated
Chapter I · Of Sigi, the Son of Odin · 📍 [[the land of the Huns]]
till he brought it about that he won by his wars land and lordship at the last; and thereupon he took to him a noble wife, and became a great and mighty king, and ruled over the land of the Huns
Chapter II · Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi · at last
and there fell Sigi and all his folk with him.
Chapter II · Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi
he had slain all his father's banesmen,
Chapter II · Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi
and wedded a wife withal, such as he deemed meet for him, and long they lived together, but had no child to take the heritage after them;
Chapter II · Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi
that Rerir fell sick and got his death,
Chapter II · Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi · 📍 [[Hunland]]
a man-child was it, and great of growth from his birth, as might well be; and they say that the youngling kissed his mother or ever she died; but to him is a name given, and he is called Volsung; and he was king over Hunland in the room of his father.
Chapter III · Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung's son, drew from the Branstock · in the evening
[[the old man]]
a certain man came into the hall unknown of aspect to all men; and suchlike array he had, that over him was a spotted cloak, and he was bare-foot, and had linen-breeches knit tight even unto the bone, and he had a sword in his hand as he went up to the Branstock, and a slouched hat upon his head: huge he was, and seeming-ancient, and one-eyed. So he drew his sword and smote it into the tree-trunk so that it sank in up to the hilts
Chapter III · Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung's son, drew from the Branstock
but now up comes Sigmund, King Volsung's son, and sets hand to the sword, and pulls it from the stock, even as if it lay loose before him;
Chapter III · Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung's son, drew from the Branstock
Siggeir would fain buy it of him at thrice its weight of gold, but Sigmund said-- "Thou mightest have taken the sword no less than I from there whereas it stood, if it had been thy lot to bear it; but now, since it has first of all fallen into my hand, never shalt thou have it, though thou biddest therefor all the gold thou hast."
Chapter III · Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung's son, drew from the Branstock · that same evening
King Siggeir grew wroth at these words, and deemed Sigmund had answered him scornfully, but whereas was a wary man and a double-dealing, he made as if he heeded this matter in nowise, yet that same evening he thought how he might reward it, as was well seen afterwards.
Chapter IV · How King Siggeir wedded Signy, and bade King Volsung and his son to Gothland · on the day named
So King Volsung gave word to come on the day named
Chapter V · Of the Slaying of King Volsung · nine nights together
Soon is the tale told thereof: nine nights together came the she-wolf at midnight, and each night slew and ate up one of the brethren, until all were dead, save Sigmund only;
Chapter V · Of the Slaying of King Volsung · the next night
No fear he had thereof, but caught the she-wolf's tongue betwixt his teeth, and so hard she started back thereat, and pulled herself away so mightily, setting her feet against the stocks, that all was riven asunder; but he ever held so fast that the tongue came away by the roots, and thereof she had her bane.
Chapter VI · Of how Signy sent the Children of her and Siggeir to Sigmund · 📍 [[the wild-wood]]
but she goes and finds her brother, and they take counsel in such wise as to make a house underground in the wild-wood; and so things go on a while, Signy hiding him there, and sending him such things as he needed;
Chapter VI · Of how Signy sent the Children of her and Siggeir to Sigmund · the next winter
So this winter wears, and the next winter Signy sent her next son to Sigmund; and there is no need to make a long tale thereof, for in like wise went all things, and he slew the child by the counsel of Signy.
Chapter VII · Of the Birth of Sinfjotli the Son of Sigmund · that night
and now the witch-wife sits in Signy's place according to her rede, and goes to bed by the king that night, and he knows not that he has other than Signy beside him.
Chapter VII · Of the Birth of Sinfjotli the Son of Sigmund · Thereafter
Thereafter she fared home, and found the witch-wife and bade her change semblances again, and she did so.
Chapter VIII · The Death of King Siggeir and of Signy · Part 2
Signy Sigmund Sinfjotli Siggeir
and now behold, Sinfjotli is the son of thee and of me both! and therefore has he this so great hardihood and fierceness, in that he is the son both of Volsung's son and Volsung's daughter; and for this, and for naught else, have I so wrought, that Siggeir might get his bane at last
Chapter VIII · The Death of King Siggeir and of Signy · Part 2
Sigmund went back to his father's land, and drave away thence the king, who had set himself down there in the room of king Volsung.
Chapter IX · How Helgi, the son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and wedded Sigrun · Part 1
Hogni (father of Sigrun) Sigrun Hodbrod
King Hogni has promised me to Hodbrod, the son of King Granmar, but I have vowed a vow that I will have him to my husband no more than if he were a crow's son and not a king's
Chapter IX · How Helgi, the son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and wedded Sigrun · Part 2 · 📍 [[Sunfells]]
So Granmar rode away to meet King Hodbrod, at a stead called Sunfells, and the horses of the twain were named Sveipud and Sveggjud. The brothers met in the castle-porch, and Granmar told Hodbrod of the war-news.
Chapter IX · How Helgi, the son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and wedded Sigrun · Part 2 · 📍 [[Sunfells]]
Then said the king, "Let us send a message through all our realm, and go against them, neither let any who is fain of fight sit idle at home; let us send word to the sons of Ring, and to King Hogni, and to Alf the Old, for they are mighty warriors."
Chapter IX · How Helgi, the son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and wedded Sigrun · Part 2 · 📍 [[Wolfstone]]
So the hosts met at Wolfstone, and fierce fight befell there; Helgi rushed forth through the host of his foes, and many a man fell there; at last folk saw a great company of shield-maidens, like burning flames to look on, and there was come Sigrun, the king's daughter. Then King Helgi fell on King Hodbrod, and smote him, and slew him even under his very banner; and Sigrun cried out-- "Have thou thanks for thy so manly deed! now shall we share the land between us, and a day of great good hap this is to me, and for this deed shalt thou get honour and renown, in that thou hast felled to earth so mighty a king."
Chapter X · The ending of Sinfjotli, Sigmund's Son
and this matter they fought out betwixt them, and Sinfjotli slew that king;
Chapter XI · Of King Sigmund's last Battle, and of how he must yield up his Sword again
But King Lyngi and his brethren gather an army together to fall on Sigmund
Chapter XI · Of King Sigmund's last Battle, and of how he must yield up his Sword again
and as Sigmund smote fiercely with the sword it fell upon the bill and burst asunder in the midst:
Chapter XII · Of the Shards of the Sword Gram, and how Hjordis went to King Alf · that night of the battle
"Let us now change raiment, and be thou called by my name, and say that thou art the king's daughter."
Chapter XII · Of the Shards of the Sword Gram, and how Hjordis went to King Alf
She spake therewith and told out the whole truth about herself: so there was she held in great honour, and deemed the worthiest of women.
Chapter XIII · Of the Birth and Waxing of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane · 📍 [[Gnita-heath]]
Regin answered, "Fafnir is his name, and but a little way hence he lies, on the waste of Gnita-heath; and when thou comest there thou mayst well say that thou hast never seen more gold heaped together in one place, and that none might desire more treasure, though he were the most ancient and famed of all kings."
Chapter XIV · Regin's tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari's Hoard · 📍 [[Hreidmar's house]] · in the evening
and in the evening they came to Hreidmar's house, and showed him what they had taken: thereon he laid hands on them, and doomed them to such ransom, as that they should fill the otter skin with gold, and cover it over without with red gold;
Chapter XIV · Regin's tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari's Hoard
then the dwarf went into a hollow of the rocks, and cried out, that that gold-ring, yea and all the gold withal, should be the bane of every man who should own it thereafter.
Chapter XIV · Regin's tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari's Hoard
so evil he grew, that he fell to lying abroad, and begrudged any share in the wealth to any man, and so became the worst of all worms, and ever now lies brooding upon that treasure:
Chapter XIV · Regin's tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari's Hoard
but for me, I went to the king and became his master-smith;
Chapter XV · Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram
Then Regin forged another sword, and brought it to Sigurd, who looked thereon. Then said Regin, "Belike thou art well content therewith, hard master though thou be in smithying." So Sigurd proved the sword, and brake it even as the first
Chapter XV · Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram
So Sigurd said, "Deliver them into my hands, for I would have them." She said he looked like to win great fame, and gave him the sword.
Chapter XV · Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram
So he made a sword, and as he bore it forth from the forge, it seemed to the smiths as though fire burned along the edges thereof. Now he bade Sigurd take the sword, and said he knew not how to make a sword if this one failed. Then Sigurd smote it into the anvil, and cleft it down to the stock thereof, and neither burst the sword nor brake it.
Chapter XV · Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram · thereafter
Then he praised the sword much, and thereafter went to the river with a lock of wool, and threw it up against the stream, and it fell asunder when it met the sword.
Chapter XV · Of the Welding together of the Shards of the Sword Gram
"Surely will I hold thereto," said Sigurd, "yet first must I avenge my father."
Chapter XVII · Of Sigurd's Avenging of Sigmund his Father · now
but now will I away from the land and go meet the sons of Hunding, and do them to wit that the Volsungs are not all dead
Chapter XVII · Of Sigurd's Avenging of Sigmund his Father · 📍 [[realm of Hunding's sons]]
Then they let loose fire and sword, and slew men and burnt their abodes, and did waste all before them
Chapter XVII · Of Sigurd's Avenging of Sigmund his Father · when the fight has long dured
Sigurd smote therewith at Lyngi the king, and clave him down, both helm and head, and mail-clad body, and thereafter he smote Hjorward his brother atwain, and then slew all the other sons of Hunding who were yet alive
Chapter XVII · Of Sigurd's Avenging of Sigmund his Father · when Sigurd had been at home but a little
Now home goes Sigurd with fair victory won, and plenteous wealth and great honour, which he had gotten to him in this journey
Chapter XIX · Of the Slaying of Regin, Son of Hreidmar
when the heart-blood of the worm touched his tongue, straightway he knew the voice of all fowls
Chapter XIX · Of the Slaying of Regin, Son of Hreidmar
So he took all the gold and laid it in two great chests, and set them on the horse Grani
Chapter XX · Of Sigurd's Meeting with Brynhild on the Mountain
Brynhild Helm Gunnar Agnar Audi Odin
Then Brynhild speaks again and says, "Two kings fought, one hight Helm Gunnar, an old man, and the greatest of warriors, and Odin had promised the victory unto him; but his foe was Agnar, or Audi's brother: and so I smote down Helm Gunnar in the fight; and Odin, in vengeance for that deed, stuck the sleep-thorn into me, and said that I should never again have the victory, but should be given away in marriage; but thereagainst I vowed a vow, that never would I wed one who knew the name of fear."
Chapter XXV · Of the Dream of Gudrun, Giuki's daughter · On a day
I dreamed that I had a fair hawk on my wrist, feathered with feathers of gold.
Chapter XXV · Of the Dream of Gudrun, Giuki's daughter · hereafter
Brynhild Gudrun Sigurd Grimhild Atli Gunnar Hogni Guttorm
for Sigurd shall come to thee, even he whom I have chosen for my well-beloved; and Grimhild shall give him mead mingled with hurtful things, which shall cast us all into mighty strife. Him shalt thou have, and him shalt thou quickly miss; and Atli the king shalt thou wed; and thy brethren shalt thou lose, and slay Atli withal in the end.
Chapter XXVI · Sigurd comes to the Giukings and is wedded to Gudrun · 📍 [[the hall of King Giuki]]
So the king goes out with his court and greets the man, and asks-- "Who art thou who thus ridest into my burg, as none has durst hitherto without the leave of my sons?" He answered, "I am called Sigurd, son of King Sigmund." Then said King Giuki, "Be thou welcome here then, and take at our hands whatso thou willest."
Chapter XXVI · Sigurd comes to the Giukings and is wedded to Gudrun
Sigurd says, "Thanks have ye for this wherewith ye honour me, and gladly will I take the same." Therewith they swore brotherhood together, and to be even as if they were children of one father and one mother; and a noble feast was holden, and endured many days, and Sigurd drank at the wedding of him and Gudrun;
Chapter XXVI · Sigurd comes to the Giukings and is wedded to Gudrun
Sigurd Gudrun Sigmund (son of Sigurd)
and the son of these twain was called Sigmund.
Chapter XXVIII · How the Queens held angry converse together at the Bathing · 📍 [[the river]] · the evening long
and Fafnir he slew, yea, and he rode thy flaming fire, whereas thou didst deem that he was Gunnar the King, and by thy side he lay, and took from thine hand the ring Andvari's-loom;--here mayst thou well behold it! Then Brynhild saw the ring and knew it
Chapter XXIX · Of Brynhild's great Grief and Mourning · Part 1
tidings were brought to King Gunnar that Brynhild was sick; he goes to see her thereon, and asks what ails her; but she answered him naught, but lay there as one dead
Chapter XXIX · Of Brynhild's great Grief and Mourning · Part 2
Rather than thou die, I will wed thee, and put away Gudrun," said Sigurd. But therewithal so swelled the heart betwixt the sides of him, that the rings of his byrny burst asunder. "I will not have thee," says Brynhild, "nay, nor any other!"
Chapter XXX · Of the Slaying of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane
Wherefore with the eating of this meat he grew so wild and eager, and with all things about him, and with the heavy words of Grimhild, that he gave his word to do the deed; and mighty honour they promised him in reward thereof.
Chapter XXX · Of the Slaying of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane · the next morning
But the third time he went in, and there lay Sigurd asleep; then Guttorm drew his sword and thrust Sigurd through in such wise that the sword point smote into the bed beneath him; then Sigurd awoke with that wound, and Guttorm gat him unto the door; but therewith Sigurd caught up the sword Gram, and cast it after him, and it smote him on the back, and struck him asunder in the midst, so that the feet of him fell one way, and the head and hands back into the chamber.
Chapter XXX · Of the Slaying of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane
And Gudrun said, "My kinsmen have slain my husband; but ye, when ye next ride to the war and are come into the battle, then shall ye look about and see that Sigurd is neither on the right hand nor the left, and ye shall know that he was your good-hap and your strength;
Chapter XXXI · Of the Lamentation of Gudrun over Sigurd dead, as it is told told in ancient Songs
So may your lands Lie waste on all sides, As ye have broken Your bounden oaths! Ne'er shalt thou, Gunnar, The gold have joy of; The dear-bought rings Shall drag thee to death, Whereon thou swarest Oath unto Sigurd.
Chapter XXXII · Of the Ending of Brynhild
lo now, ill shall it go with thee and all thy kin, O ye breakers of oaths; for on the day thou slayedst him, dimly didst thou remember how thou didst blend thy blood with the blood of Sigurd, and with an ill reward hast thou rewarded him for all that he did well to thee
Chapter XXXII · Of the Ending of Brynhild
then she caught up a sword, and thrust it under her armpit, and sank aside upon the pillows
Chapter XXXIII · Gudrun wedded to Atli · 📍 [[Denmark]] · for seven seasons
Then she went till she came to the hall of King Alf, and sat there in Denmark with Thora, the daughter of Hakon, for seven seasons, and abode with good welcome.
Chapter XXXIV · Atli bids the Giukings to him · on a night
Now tells the tale that on a night King Atli woke from sleep and spake to Gudrun-- "Medreamed," said he, "that thou didst thrust me through with a sword." Then Gudrun areded the dream, and said that it betokened fire, whenas folk dreamed of iron. "It befalls of thy pride belike, in that thou deemest thyself the first of men."
Chapter XXXIV · Atli bids the Giukings to him
Now the queen wots of their conspiring, and misdoubts her that this would mean some beguiling of her brethren: so she cut runes, and took a gold ring, and knit therein a wolf's hair, and gave it into the hands of the king's messengers. Thereafter they go their ways according to the king's bidding; and or ever they came aland Vingi beheld the runes, and turned them about in such wise as if Gudrun prayed her brethren in her runes to go meet King Atli.
Chapter XXXV · The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings · when they awoke
Thou art minded to wend away from home--ill-counselled is that; abide till another time! Scarce a keen reader of runes art thou, if thou deemest thou hast beheld in them the bidding of thy sister to this journey: lo, I read the runes, and had marvel of so wise a woman as Gudrun is, that she should have miscut them; but that which lieth underneath beareth your bane with it,--yea, either she lacked a letter, or others have dealt guilefully with the runes.
Chapter XXXV · The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings · And now
And now hearken to my dream; for therein methought there fell in upon us here a river exceeding strong, and brake up the timbers of the hall.
Chapter XXXV · The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings · again
Well, the thing must ye yourselves prove, but no friendship follows this bidding:--but yet again I dreamed that another river fell in here with a great and grimly rush, and tore up the dais of the hall, and brake the legs of both you brethren; surely that betokeneth somewhat.
Chapter XXXV · The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings · Again
Again I dreamed," she says, "that thy cloak was afire, and that the flame blazed up above the hall.
Chapter XXXV · The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings · An erne methought
An erne methought came in," she says, "and swept adown the hall, and drenched me and all of us with blood, and ill shall that betoken, for methought it was the double of King Atli.
Chapter XXXVI · Of the Journey of the Giukings to King Atli
then Hogni brake open the gates, and therewith they ride into the burg.
Chapter XXXVIII · Of the slaying of the Giukings
But he answered, "Nay, first will I behold the bloody heart of Hogni, my brother."
Chapter XXXVIII · Of the slaying of the Giukings · 📍 [[the Rhine river]]
But now, O Atli, even as we die so shalt thou die; and lo, I alone wot where the gold is, nor shall Hogni be to tell thereof now; to and fro played the matter in my mind whiles we both lived, but now have I myself determined for myself, and the Rhine river shall rule over the gold, rather than that the Huns shall bear it on the hands of them.
Chapter XXXVIII · Of the slaying of the Giukings · 📍 [[a worm-close]]
So Gunnar was cast into a worm-close, and many worms abode him there, and his hands were fast bound;
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · So Gudrun held the funeral feast
So Gudrun held the funeral feast for her brethren, and King Atli for his men, and exceeding proud and great was this feast.
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · Now
Now Hogni had a son left alive, hight Niblung, and great wrath of heart he bare against King Atli; and he did Gudrun to wit that he would avenge his father. And she took his words well, and they fell to counsel together thereover, and she said it would be great goodhap if it might be brought about.
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · So therewithal
So therewithal he died, and she did according to her word: and then they cast fire into the hall.
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · then
"Yea, that will I," she says, "and let make for thee a goodly grave, and build for thee a worthy abiding place of stone, and wrap thee in fair linen, and care for all that needful is." So therewithal he died, and she did according to her word:
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · then
and then they cast fire into the hall.
Chapter XXXIX · The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk · And when the folk and men of estate awoke
And when the folk and men of estate awoke amid that dread and trouble, naught would they abide the fire, but smote each the other down, and died in such wise; so there Atli the king, and all his folk, ended their life-days.
Chapter XL · How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was brought ashore again · 📍 [[the sea]] · on a day
But on a day went Gudrun down to the sea, and caught up stones in her arms, and went out into the sea, for she had will to end her life.
Chapter XL · How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was brought ashore again · 📍 [[the burg of King Jonakr]] · on a day
But mighty billows drave her forth along the sea, and by means of their upholding was she borne along till she came at the last to the burg of King Jonakr, a mighty king, and lord of many folk.
Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild
Jormunrek Randver Swanhild Bikki
So they came aland and go unto the king, and Bikki said unto him, "Meet and right it is, lord, that thou shouldst know what is befallen, though hard it be to tell of, for the tale must be concerning thy beguiling, whereas thy son has gotten to him the full love of Swanhild, nor is she other than his harlot; but thou, let not the deed be unavenged."
Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild
So she was bound in the gate of the burg, and horses were driven at her to tread her down; but when she opened her eyes wide, then the horses durst not trample her; so when Bikki beheld that, he bade draw a bag over the head of her; and they did so, and therewith she lost her life.
Chapter XLII · Gudrun sends her Sons to avenge Swanhild
Gudrun went about laughing now, and gave them to drink from mighty beakers, and thereafter she got for them great byrnies and good, and all other weed of war. Then spake Hamdir, "Lo now, this is our last parting, for thou shalt hear tidings of us, and drink one grave-ale over us and over Swanhild." So therewith they went their ways.
Chapter XLII · Gudrun sends her Sons to avenge Swanhild · 📍 [[Worm-close]]
but the grimmest and ugliest of woes was the casting of Gunnar into the Worm-close
Chapter XLII · Gudrun sends her Sons to avenge Swanhild
and the hardest was the cutting of Hogni's heart from him.
Chapter XLIII · The Latter End of all the Kin of the Giukings
a certain man, old of aspect and one-eyed Hamdir Sorli
He said, "Smite them to the death with stones." In such wise was it done, for the stones flew thick and fast from every side, and that was the end of their life-days.
Edda · Part of the Second Lay of Helgi Hundings-bane
But a little while lived Sigrun, because of her sorrow and trouble.
Edda · The Short Lay of Sigurd · Part 3
Ere she thrust the sword point Through the midst of her body: On the boister's far side Sank she adown, And, smitten with sword, Still bethought her of redes.
Edda · The Hell-Ride of Brynhild · 📍 [[Hell]] · After the death of Brynhild
And so folk say that Brynhild drave in her chariot down along the way to Hell
Edda · The Second or Ancient Lay of Gudrun · Part 1 · 📍 [[Atli's house]]
Thiodrek the King was in Atli's house, and had lost there the more part of his men:
Edda · The Second or Ancient Lay of Gudrun · Part 2 · seven days long
Then seven days long O'er a cold land we rode, And for seven other Clove we the sea-waves. But with the third seven O'er dry land we wended. There the gate-wardens Of the burg, high and wide, Unlooked the barriers Ere the burg-garth we rode to--
Edda · The Second or Ancient Lay of Gudrun · Part 2
In the fair garth methought Had saplings fallen E'en such as I would Should have waxen ever; Uprooted were these, And reddened with blood, And borne to the bench, And folk bade me eat of them. "Methought from my hand then Went hawks a-flying Lacking their meat To the land of all ill; Methought that their hearts Mingled with honey, Swollen with blood I ate amid sorrow. "Lo, next two whelps From my hands I loosened, Joyless were both, And both a-howling; And now their flesh Became naught but corpses, Whereof must I eat But sore against my will."
Edda · The Song of Atli · Part 1 · 📍 [[the garth of his home]]
Then good men never shamed, Greeting aloud, Led the great king of men From the garth of his home;
Edda · The Song of Atli · Part 2
Then laughed Hogni When they cut the heart from him, From the crest-smith yet quick, Little thought he to quail.
Edda · The Song of Atli · Part 2
And straightly thence The bit-shaking steeds Drew the hoard-warden, The war-god to his death.
Edda · The Song of Atli · Part 2
Wrathful-hearted he smote The harp with his hand, Gunnar laid there alone; And loud rang the strings.--
Edda · The Song of Atli · Part 2
Atli Gudrun Erp (son of Atli) Eiril
The hearts of thy sons Hast thou eaten, sword-dealer, All bloody with death And drenched with honey:
Edda · The Whetting of Gudrun
she cast herself therein, for she was fain to end her life: but nowise might she drown. She drave over the firths to the land of King Jonakr
Edda · The Lament of Oddrun
A grave gat her sting In the heart of Gunnar, So that no helping Was left for my hero.