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 mind availed me, then I sorrowed sore that thou wert not my wife; but as I might I put my trouble from me, for in a king’s dwelling was I; and withal and in spite of all I was well content that we were all together. Well may it be, that that shall come to pass which is foretold; neither shall I fear the fulfilment thereof.”

Brynhild answered, and said, “Too late thou tellest me that my grief grieved thee: little pity shall I find now.”

Sigurd said, “This my heart would, that thou and I should go into one bed together; even so wouldst thou be my wife,”

Said Brynhild, “Such words may nowise be spoken, nor will I have two kings in one hall; I will lay my life down rather than beguile Gunnar the King.”

And therewith she call to mind how they met, they two, on the mountain, and swore oath each to each.

“But now is all changed, and I will not live.”

“I might not call to mind thy name,” said Sigurd, “or know thee again, before the time of thy wedding: the greatest of all griefs is that.”

Then said Brynhild, “I swore an oath to wed the man who should ride my flaming fire, and that oath will I hold to, or die.”

“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!”

Then Sigurd got him gone.

So saith the song of Sigurd—