"
Gunnar answered in such wise that few might hear him, "Many a
vile word hast thou spoken, and an evil-hearted woman art thou,
whereas thou revilest a woman far better than thou; never would
she curse her life as thou dost; nay, nor has she tormented dead
folk, or murdered any; but lives her life well praised of all."
Brynhild answered, "Never have I dwelt with evil things privily,
or done loathsome deeds; -- yet most fain I am to slay thee."
And therewith would she slay King Gunnar, but Hogni laid her in
fetters; but then Gunnar spake withal --
"Nay, I will not that she abide in fetters."
Then said she, "Heed it not! For never again seest thou me glad
in thine hall, never drinking, never at the chess-play, never
speaking the words of kindness, never over-laying the fair cloths
with gold, never giving thee good counsel; -- ah, my sorrow of
heart that I might not get Sigurd to me!"
Then she sat up and smote her needlework, and rent it asunder,
and bade set open her bower doors, that far away might the
wailings of her sorrow be heard; then great mourning and
lamentation there was, so that folk heard far and wide through
that abode.
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