I resolved that thou, bold chief!
shouldst of a human dish eat at thy feasting, and to the place of
honour send it. Henceforth thou wilt not to thy knees call Erp and
Eitil, joyous with beer the two: thou wilt not henceforth, see them
from thy middle seat, gold-dispersing, javelins shafting, manes
clipping, or horses urging."
38. Uproar was on the benches, portentous the cry of men, noise
beneath the costly hangings. The children of the Huns wept, all wept
save Gudrun, who never wept, or for her bear-fierce brothers, or her
dear sons, young, simple, whom she had borne to Atli.
39. Gold scattered the swan-fair dame; with ruddy rings the
household gifted. Fate she let ripen, but the bright gold flow. The
woman spared not the treasure-houses.
40. Atli incautious had himself drunk weary; weapon he had none, nor
was 'gainst Gudrun guarded. Oft had their sport been better, when they
lovingly embraced each other before the nobles.
41. With the sword's point she gave the bed of blood to drink with
death-bent hand, and the dogs loosed, out at the hall-door drove them,
and the lady wakened the household with burning brand. That vengeance
she for her brothers took.
42. To fire she then gave all that were therein, and from her
brothers' murder were from the dark den[108] returned. The old
structures fell, the treasure-houses smoked, the Budlungs' dwelling.
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