SEQUENTIA the RHEINGOLD CURSE (Icelandic/English Video Script)

SEQUENTIA THE RHEINGOLD CURSE (Icelandic/English video script)

Sung text / stage action Video titles

Pre-set Sequentia The Rheingold Curse please turn off your cell phone

Houselights half [blank screen] Houselights out / dark Norbert on stage / flute intro.

Agnethe: high vocalise w/ flute Listen!

Hlióðs bið ec allar kindir, I ask for hearing from all. meiri oc minni, You wish me, Lord of the Slain, to tell what mögo Heimdalar; I remember from the oldest times. vildo, at ec, Valföðr, vel fyrtelia forn spioll fira, þau er fremst um man.

Ec man iotna, I remember the giants who reared me, the ár um borna, nine worlds and the ogresses, þá er forðom mic the glorious underground tree. foedda höfðo; nío man ec heima, nío íviði, miotvið moeran fyr mold neðan.

Ár var alda, At the beginning there was no sand, þat er Ymir bygði, no sea, no earth or heavens. vara sandr né sær A gaping void without grass. né svalar unnir; iorð fannz æva né upphiminn, gap var ginnunga, enn gras hvergi.

Áðr Burs synir Then the seashore appeared, made by bioðom um ypþo, those who formed Middle Earth. þeir er miðgarð, Then the ground was covered in green. moeran, scópo; sól scein sunnan á salar steina, þá var grund gróin groenom lauki.

1 Sól varp sunnan, The sun shone from the south around the sinni mána, rim of sky. hendi inni hoegri um himinioður; sól þat né vissi, The sun didn’t know the heavens yet, nor hvar hon sali átti, the stars their stations, nor the moon his stiornor þat né visso, power. hvar þær staði átto, máni þat né vissi, hvat hann megins átti.

Þá gengo regin öll Then the gods went to the thrones of fate á röcstóla, to think about this: ginnheilog goð, oc um þat gættuz:

nótt oc niðiom They gave names to night and her nöfn um gáfo, offspring: morning, midday, afternoon and morgin héto evening. oc miðian dag, undorn oc aptan, árom at telia.

Hittuz æsir Then the gods met and built shrines and á Iðavelli, temples. They forged many things both þeir er hörg oc hof simple and rare. há timbroðo; afla lögðo, auð smíðoðo, tangir scópo oc tól gorðo.

Tefldo í túni, Made tools. Drank. The gods played with teitir vóro, golden gaming pieces, were happy and var þeim vættergis never lacked for gold. vant ór gulli, unz þriár qvómo Until three ogresses came from the giants’ þursa meyiar, realm. ámátcar mioc, ór iotunheimom.

Unz þrír qvómo Then three gods came to the seashore. ór því liði, öþgir oc ástgir, æsir, at húsi; fundo á landi, There they found two beings as yet lítt megandi, unformed: Ash and Embla, without destiny. Asc oc Emblo, ørlöglausa.

Qnd þau né átto, Each was without breath, each lacking in óð þau né höfðo, spirit, Each void of the blush of life, voice, lá né læti character. né lito góða;

önd gaf Óðinn, Then the gods gave them life. óð gaf Hoenir, “Now you are man. Now you will be lá gaf Lóðurr woman.” oc lito góða.

Asc veit ec standa, I know an ash-tree called Yggdrasill, ever heitir Yggdrasill, green, it stands over the well of fate. hár baðmr, ausinn hvítaauri; þaðan koma döggvar, þærs í dala falla, stendr æ yfir, groenn, Urðar brunni.

Þaðan koma meyiar, Then the three maidens came to the land margs vitandi, from that lake, to mark destinies. þriár, ór þeim sæ, er und þolli stendr;

Urð héto eina, Their names: aðra Verðandi Urd -- ‘Had to be’ – scáro á scíði –, Verdandi -- ‘Coming to be’ Sculd ina þriðio; Skuld -- ‘Must become’.

þær lög lögðo, They set down laws, þær líf kuro they choose lives, alda bornom, the fates of men. ørlög seggia. end of Flute postlude [to blank at end]

Harp begins

[spoken]: One day three gods: Óðinn ok Hœnir ok Loki höfðu komit til Odin, Hoenir and Loki Andvarafors. Í þeim forsi var fjölði fiska. came to Andvari Falls. Einn dvergr hét Andvari.

Hann var löngum í forsinum í geddu líki ok There they saw one of the king Hreidmar's fekk sér þar matar. "Otr hét bróðir várr," sons; he had transformed himself into an kvað Reginn, "er oft fór í forsinn í otrs líki. otter and was eating a big salmon. Hann hafði tekit einn lax ok sat á árbakkanum ok át blundandi.

[spoken]: Loki crept up behind the otter, Loki laust hann með steini til bana. Þóttust struck it with a stone, and killed it instantly. æsir mjök hepnir verit hafa ok flógu belg af The gods then flayed the otter

3 otrinum. and kept its fine skin for a bag.

[spoken]: That night, staying as guests of King Þat sama kveld sóttu þeir gisting til Hreidmar, they showed him their prize. Hreiðmars ok sýndu veiði sína.

Þá tóku vér þá höndum ok lögðum þeim The horrified king demanded that the gods fjörlausn at fylla otrbelginn með gulli ok bring back enough gold to completely hylja útan með rauðu gulli. cover the otter skin, inside and out, or forfeit their lives.

[spoken]: Þá sendu þeir Loka at afla Loki was sent to Andvari Falls to bring gullsins. Hann kom til Ránar ok fekk net back gold guarded by an enchanted pike. hennar ok fór til Andvarafors ok kastaði He caught the fish. netinu fyrir gedduna, en hon hljóp í netit. Þá mælti Loki:

‘Hvat er þat fisca, Loki: What kind of fish are you that er renn þóði í? can’t swim away from danger? kannat sér við víti varaz; You’re headed to hell now, höfuð þitt unless you give me all your gold. leystu helio ór, finn mér lindar loga!’

‘Andvari ec heiti, Andvari: I am Andvari, the dwarf. Óinn hét minn faðir, I have lived in these icy waters for many margan hefi ec fors um farið; years. The fates turned me into a pike. aumlig norn scóp oss í árdaga, at ec scylda í vatni vaða.’

[spoken]: Loki sá allt gull þat er Andvari Andvari gave Loki all his gold, átti. En er hann hafði framreitt gullit, þá except for one dazzling gold ring. hafði hann eftir einn hring, ok tók Loki þann But Loki took the ring from him. af hánum. Dvergrinn gekk inn í steininn ok The dwarf entered a stone and spoke: mælti:

‘Þat scal gull, Andvari: Every being who touches this er Gustr átti, gold is cursed. Two brothers will die; broeðrom tveim strife will tear at families and generations. at bana verða, My hoard of gold brings doom. oc öðlingom átta at rógi; mun míns fiár mangi nióta.’

[spoken]: Æsir reiddu Hreiðmari féit ok So the gods gave the gold to King tráðu upp otrbelginn ok reistu á fœtr. Þá Hreidmar. And it was spread over the otter skyldu æsirnir hlaða upp gullinu ok hylja. skin until it completely covered it, inside and out.

En er þat var gört, gekk Hreiðmarr fram ok But a single whisker of the otter was visible

4 sá eitt granahár ok bað hylja. Þá dró Óðinn and Hreidmar demanded that this too be fram hringinn Andvaranaut ok hulði hárit. covered. And the dazzling ring was used to Loki kvað: cover the last hair.

‘Gull er þér nú reitt (qvað Loki), Loki: Our debt is paid. The gold is yours. enn þú giold hefir But no good will come of this cursed hoard. mikil míns höfuðs; Your house will collapse in bitter ruin. syni þínom verðra sæla scöpuð, þat verðr yccarr beggia bani

Hreidmarr sagoi: King Hreidmar: Gifts you gave, but not out ‘Giafar þú gaft, of love. I should have killed you when I had gaftattu ástgiafar, the chance. gaftattu af heilom hug; fiorvi yðro scyldot ér firðir vera, ef ec vissa þat fár fyrir.’

(Loki:) Loki: Worse still it will be for the princes not ‘Enn er verra yet born, for whom this hatefulness is – þat vita þicciomc – intended. niðia stríð um nept; iofra óborna hygg ec þá enn vera, er þat er til hatrs hugað.’

‘Rauðo gulli (qvað Hreiðmarr) King Hreidmar: This glorious gold is mine hugg ec mic ráða muno, forever. Now get out of my house! svá lengi sem ec lifir ; hót þín hroeðomc ecci lyf, oc haldit heim heðan !’

[spoken]: Fáfnir ok Reginn kröfðu The king's two remaining sons, Fafnir and Hreiðmarr niðgjalda eftir Otr bróður sinn. Regin, a dwarf, demanded their share of Hann kvað nei við. the treasure. The king refused.

En Fáfnir lagði sverði Hreiðmar föður sinn In the night, Fafnir butchered his father sofanda. Þá dó Hreiðmarr, en Fáfnir tók while he slept, and took all the gold. gullit allt.

Þá beiddisk Reginn at hafa föðurarf sinn, Regin demanded his share, but Fafnir en Fáfnir galt þar nei við. refused. Fafnir transformed himself into a dragon, nesting on his hoard of gold.

Þessa hluti sagði Reginn Sigurði. Einn dag Regin bided his time. He would take the er hann kom til húsa Regins, var hánum young prince, Sigurd, under his wing. He vel fagnat. Reginn kvað: would groom him and teach him many things.

5 ‘Kominn er hingat Regin: Sigurd has come. I will nurture this konr Sigmundar, warrior-prince. He has more courage than seggr inn snarráði, a grown man. til sala várra; móð hefir meira enn maðr gamall, oc er mér fangs vón at frecom úlfi .

Ec mun foeða I will make him the most famous hero of fólcdiarfan gram; the ages. His fame will spread throughout nú er Yngva konr the world. með oss kominn; Sigurd will rescue the gold for me! siá mun ræsir rícstr und sólo, þrymr um öll lönd ørlögsímo.’

[spoken]: Sigurðr var þá jafnan með Regin Sigurd stayed with Regin the dwarf, who ok sagði hann Sigurði, at Fáfnir lá á told him how Fafnir had become a dragon. Gnitaheiði ok var í orms líki.

Reginn gerði Sigurði sverð, er Gramr hét. Then Regin forged for Sigurd a sword called Gram.

Eftir þat eggjaði Reginn Sigurð at vega Then Regin urged Sigurd to kill his brother Fáfni. Fafnir, the dragon.

Harp ends [blank]

Fiddle prelude Sigurd dug a hole along the dragon's path and hid in it.

Fiddle prelude Then Fafnir, the dragon, slithered over the hole Sigurd dug. Then the dragon shook and trembled as Gram pierced his heart.

‘Sveinn oc sveinn, Fafnir: I've been killed by a boy! Fafnir the hveriom ertu sveini um borinn, dragon destroyed by a mere boy! hverra ertu manna mögr? er þú á Fáfni rautt Who are you that you should plunge a þinn inn frána mæki: sword into a stranger's heart? stöndomc til hiarta hiorr.’

‘Göfuct dýr ec heiti, Sigurd: I go about as a motherless boy; I enn ec gengit hefc have no father; I always go alone. inn móðurlausi mögr; föður ec ácca, sem fira synir, geng ec æ einn saman.’

6 (Fáfnir: Fafnir: If you have no father, of what ‘Veiztu, ef föður né áttað, wonder were you born? sem fira synir, af hverio vartu undri alinn?’

(Sigurðr:) I am Sigurd. The son of Sigmund has killed ‘Ætterni mitt you with his weapon. qveð ec þér ókunnict vera oc mic siálfan iþ sama; Sigurðr ec heiti, Sigmunðr hét minn faðir, er hefc þic vápnom vegit.’

(Fáfnir:) Fafnir: Who egged you on to attack my life, ‘Hverr þic hvatti, shining-eyed boy? hví hvetiaz lézt, míno fiörvi at fara? inn fráneygi sveinn, þú áttir föður bitran, áburno sciór á sceið.’

(Sigurðr:) Sigurd: My courage egged me on, my ‘Hugr mic hvatti, hands helped me, and my sword was hendr mér fulltýðo, sharp. oc minn inn hvassi hiorr; fár er hvatr, er hrøðaz tecr, ef í barnæsco er blauðr.’

(Fáfnir:) Fafnir: Listen, dragon-slayer Sigurd. ‘Ræð ec þér nú, Sigurðr, Listen and leave empty handed. enn þú ráð nemir The gold is cursed! These rings will be oc ríð heim heðan! your death! it gialla gull oc it glóðrauða fé, þér verða þeir baugar at bana.’

(Sigurðr:) Sigurd: Thanks for the advice, but what is ‘Ráð er þér ráðit, mine is mine. Die dragon! The gold is enn ec ríða mun til þess gullz, mine. May hell take you! er í lyngvi liggr; enn þú, Fáfnir, ligg í fiorbrotom, þar er þic Hel hafi !’

(Fáfnir:) Fafnir: Regin betrayed me and he will ‘Reginn mic réð, betray you too. We will meet again in hell. hann þic ráða mun, My life is fading fast… hann mun ocr verða báðom at bana; fior sitt láta hygg ec at Fáfnir myni, þitt varð nú meira megin.’

(Reginn:) Regin: Hail Sigurd, the great hero ‘Heill þú nú, Sigurðr! who has slain the dragon! Of all the men nú hefir þú sigr vegit who walk the earth, only you are utterly oc Fáfni um farið; without fear. manna þeira, er mold troða, þic qveð ec óblauðastan alinn.’

(Reginn:) Sit down, Sigurd, while I have a nap. Roast ‘Sittu nú, Sigurðr, Fafnir’s heart and later I’ll eat it with a drink enn ec mun sofa ganga, of his blood. oc halt Fáfnis hiarta við funa! eiscöld ec vil etinn láta eptir þenna dreyra drycc.'

Fiddle interlude As Regin slept, Sigurd roasted the dragon's heart. And when the juices squirted out, Sigurd poked the flesh and burnt himself. He stuck his burnt finger into his mouth.

Flute begins And when Fafnir's blood touched the hero’s tongue, Sigurd could understand the language of the birds.

‘Þar sitr Sigurðr, 1st bird: Look! There is Regin. sveita stoccinn, He will betray the boy to get the gold. Fáfnis hiarta Evil thoughts grind behind those eyes. við funa steikir; spacr þoetti mér spillir bauga, ef hann fiorsega fránan æti.’

‘Þar liggr Reginn, 2nd bird: The hero is not as clever as he ræðr um við sic, looks if he trusts the dragon's treacherous vill tæla mög, brother. þann er trúir hánom; berr af reiði röng orð saman, vill bölva smiðr bróður hefna.’

‘Höfði scemra Birds: Sigurd should kill the old dwarf, láti hann inn hára þul leave him shorter by a head. Then all fara til heliar heðan! Fafnir’s gold will be his! öllo gulli þá kná hann einn ráða, fiolð, því er und Fáfni lá.’

‘Mioc er ósviðr, 2nd bird: He’ll be a fool if he spares his ef hann enn sparir muderous enemy. Regin is plotting against fiánda inn fólcscá, him. þar er Reginn liggr, er hann ráðinn hefr; kannat hann við slíco at siá.’

‘Höfði scemra Birds: Sigurd should kill the old dwarf, láti hann þann inn hrímkalda iotun leave him shorter by a head. Then all oc af baugom búa; Fafnir’s gold will be his! þá mundu fiár, þess er Fáfnir réð, einvaldi vera.’

(Sigurðr:) Sigurd: Fate is not so powerful that Regin ‘Verðra svá ríc scöp, can kill me. Both brothers will go to hell! at Reginn scyli mitt banorð bera; þvíat þeir báðir broeðr scolo brálliga fara til Heliar heðan.’

Flute interlude Sigurd hacked off Regin’s head. He drank the blood of both brothers and ate the dragon's heart. Then the birds said to him:

‘Bitt þú, Sigurðr, 1st bird: Gather up what is rightfully bauga rauða, yours, Sigurd. Seize the gold. A hero fears era konunglict no curse. qvíða mörgo; mey veit ec eina, I know of the fairest of maidens. With your myclo fegrsta, gold, you may win her for your bride. gulli goedda, ef þú geta mættir.

Liggia til Giúca 2nd bird: I will lead you to a warrior groenar brautir, woman, a valkyrie, the daughter of Buðli. fram vísa scöp fólclíðondom; þar hefir dýrr konungr dóttur alna, þá mundu, Sigurðr, mundi kaupa.

Salr er á há 1st bird: She sleeps forever on a rock high Hindarfialli, in the mountains, surrounded by a ring of allr er hann útan fire that burns day and night.

9 eldi sveipinn; þann hafa horscir halir um gorvan ór ódøccom Ógnar lióma.

Veit ec á fialli 2nd bird: I know the mountain where the fólcvitr sofa, valkyrie sleeps. Odin pricked her with a oc leicr yfir thorn when she slew a warrior he did not lindar váði; want slain. Yggr stacc þorni: aðra feldi hör-Gefn hali, enn hafa vildi.

Knáttu, mögr, siá Birds: You will see the girl under the mey und hiálmi, helmet. Her sleep may not be broken þá er frá vígi except by the Norns’ decree. Vingscorni reið; máat Sigrdrífa svefni bregða, scioldunga niðr, fyr scöpom norna.'

Fiddle postlude (ca. 5 sec.) [blank screen]

Fiddle postlude Sigurd reached the mountain of the sleeping valkyrie. On his horse, Grani, he leapt through the ring of fire and saw a sleeping warrior in full armor.

Fiddle postlude He removed the warrior’s helmet and discovered a beautiful woman. He slit her armor open, awakening the warrior-maiden. Brynhild sat up and stared at Sigurd.

‘Hvat beit brynio, Brynhild: Who cut open my armor? hví brá ec svefni ? Who wakes me from Odin's curse? hverr feldi af mér fölvar nauðir?’

‘Sigmundar burr, Sigurd: The son of Sigmund, who with his sleit fyr scömmo sword gives carrion to the crows. hrafns hrælundir hiorr Sigurðar.’

‘Lengi ec svaf, Brynhild: I slept for so long. lengi ec sofnuð var, And long are the sorrows of men. löng ero lýða læ; Óðinn því veldr, er ec eigi máttac

10 bregða blunnstöfom.

‘Heill dagr, Hail to day! Hail to the night and her kin! heilir dags synir, Anoint us with blessings and give us heil nótt oc nipt! victory against our foes. óreiðom augom lítið ocr þinig, oc gefit sitiondom sigr!

Heilir æsir, Hail to the gods. Hail to the goddesses. heilar ásynior, Hail to the bounty of the earth. heil siá in fiolnýta folð! Grant us the power to heal, and ennoble mál oc manvit two who are already famous. gefit ocr mærom tveim oc læcnishendr, meðan lifom!’ short flute interlude Sigurd asked Brynhild to teach him wisdom and she obliged. But first, she gave him a memory drink to aid his learning.

‘Biór foeri oc þér, Brynhild: A brew I give you, mixed with brynþings apaldr, magical power, spells, good charms and magni blandinn joyful runes. oc megintýri; fullr er hann lióða oc lícnstafa, góðra galdra oc gamanrúna.

‘Þat ræð ec þér iþ fyrsta, First: Remain blameless toward your kin, at þú við froendr þína though they may do you harm. vammalauss verir; síðr þú hefnir, þótt þeir sacar gori, þat qveða dauðom duga.

Þat ræð ec þér annat, Be forgiving of them even if the there is at þú eið né sverir, cause for revenge. nema þann er saðr sé; grimmir símar ganga at trygðroÞ , armr er vára vargr.

Þat ræð ec þér it tíunda, Second: Do not swear an oath you cannot at þú trúir aldri keep, for the consequences will harrow várom vargdropa, and burn and the violator is doomed. hvárstu ert bróður bani, eða hafir þú feldan föður: úlfr er í ungom syni, þótt sé hann gulli gladdr.

Sacar oc heiptir Third: Trust no man, even a boy, hyggiat svefngar vera, if you have slaughtered his kin.

11 né harm in heldr; Because in a boy's skin, a wolf may hide. vitz oc vápna vant er iofri at fá, þeim er scal fremstr með firom.

Þat ræð ec þér it ellipta, Fourth: Discord follows discord. Envy at þú við illo sér follows envy. Therefore, a man of position hvern veg at vinom. should always be armed.

Langt líf Finally: Beware of your friends. Anger þicciomcac lofðungs vita, smolders. I fear you will not live long. römm ero róg of risin.’

INSTRUMENTAL PIECE (ca. 2’30”) Sigurd was charmed by Brynhild, and Brynhild was fated to love whichever hero (flute & fiddle) broke through the ring of fire to wake her from her sleep.

[instrumental piece] Sigurd gave Brynhild the dazzling ring he took from Fafnir, as a token of his intentions. But before they could wed, Sigurd had to follow his destiny to the court of King Giuki. possible fiddle tuning [blank]

Fiddle prelude

Ár var, þatz Sigurðr When Sigurd arrived at Giuki’s court, sótti Giúca, the queen, Grimhild, welcomed him. Völsungr ungi, She admired the great hero - and his gold. er vegit hafði; tóc við trygðom tveggia broeðra, selduz eiða eliunfroecnir.

Mey buðo hánom She plotted to marry Sigurd to her oc meiðma fiolð, daughter Gudrun. Grimhild gave Sigurd a Guðrúno ungo, potion of forgetfulness to drink. Giúca dóttur; drucco oc doemðo doegr mart saman, Sigurðr ungi oc synir Giúca.

Unz þeir Brynhildar And so Sigurd forgot his vows to Brynhild biðia fóro, and married the beautiful Gudrun. svá at þeim Sigurðr And Gudrun’s brothers, Gunnar and Högni, reið í sinni, swore an oath of brotherhood. Völsungr ungi oc vega kunni; hann um ætti,

12 ef hann eiga knætti.

Seggr inn suðroeni Then the three men were as one. lagði sverð necqvið, Then Grimhild plotted to marry her son mæki málfán, Gunnar to Brynhild, with Sigurd’s help. á meðal þeira; né hann kono kyssa gerði, né húnscr konungr hefi a sér at armi; mey frumunga fal hann megi Giúca.

Hon sér at lífi Brynhild, tricked into marrying Gunnar, löst né vissi then realized that Sigurd had already oc at aldrlagi married Gudrun. ecci grand, Her sorrow turned to vengeful rage. vamm þat er væri eða vera hygði. Gengo þess á milli grimmar urðir.

Ein sat hon úti Outside she sat alone and openly spoke: aptan dags, nam hon svá bert um at mælaz:

‘Hafa scal ec Sigurð Brynhild: I shall have Sigurd or I shall die. I – eða þó svelti! – want him in my arms. mög frumungan, mér á armi.

Orð mæltac nú, I’ll be sorry for my words later. Gudrun is iðromc eptir þess, his wife, and I am Gunnar’s. The hateful qván er hans Guðrún, Norns decreed this torment for us. enn ec Gunnars; liótar nornir scópo oss langa þrá.

Opt gengr hon innan, She went to the glacier in the evenings, illz um fyld, filled with anger, while Sigurd caressed his ísa oc iocla, Gudrun in bed. aptan hvern, er þau Guðrún ganga á beð oc hana Sigurðr sveipr í ripti, konungr inn húnsci, qván friá sína.

‘Vön geng cc vilia, Brynhild: I have neither happiness nor vers oc beggia, husband. I’ll find pleasure in my savage verð ec mic goela thoughts.

13 af grimmom hug.’

Nam af þeim heiptom Then in her malice, she goaded Gunnar to hvetiaz at vígi: murder:

‘Þú scalt, Gunnarr, Brynhild: you will lose both me and my gerst um láta lands. I’ll never be satisfied with you. míno landi oc mér siálfri; mun ec una aldri með öðlingi.

Mun ec aptr fara, I’ll go back to my kinfolk and sleep away þars ec áðan varc, my life, unless you manage to kill Sigurd. með nábornom niðiom mínom; þar mun ec sitia oc sofa lífi , nema þú Sigurð svelta látir oc iofur öðrom oeðri verðir.

Reiðr varð Gunnarr Then Gunnar was angry and confused, oc hnipnaði, thinking all day what would be the sveip sínom hug, honorable thing to do. sat um allan dag; But he also knew Sigurd had to go. hann vissi þat vilgi gorla, hvat hánom væri vinna soemst, eða hánom væri vinna bezt, allz sic Völsung vissi firðan oc at Sigurð söcnuð mikinn.

Ýmist hann hugði He weighed many plans. It wasn’t iafnlanga stund; customary in those days for women to þat var eigi abandon the royal state. árar títt, at frá, konungdóm qvánir gengi; nam hann sér Högna He sought wise counsel from his brother heita at rúnom, Högni. þar átti hann allz fulltrúa.

‘Ein er mér Brynhildr Gunnar: Brynhild is a prize among women. öllom betri, O my brother, I would rather lose my life

14 um borin Buðla, broðir minn, than lose Brynhild. hon er bragr qvenna; fyrr scal ec míno fiorvi láta, enn þeirar meyiar meiðmom týna.

Villdu ocr fylki Would you, for our sakes, betray the prince til fiár véla? for gold? It’s good to have gold and live Gott er at ráða comfortably. Rínar málmi oc unandi auði stýra oc sitiandi sælo nióta.’

Eino því Högni Högni: We have sworn an oath of annsvor veitti: brotherhood with Sigurd. We must not cut ‘Samir eigi ocr it with a sword. slíct at vinna, sverði rofna svarna eiða, eiða svarna, unnar trygðir.

‘Þic hefir Brynhildr Brynhild is stirring up disaster for you. She böl at gerva begrudges Gudrun a happy marriage, and heiptar hvattan, also that she must take her pleasure with harm at vinna; you. fyrman hon Guðrúno góðra ráða, enn síðan þér sín at nióta.’

Ec veit gorla, I know how things stand. Brynhild’s hvaðan vegir standa: passions are too intense. ero Brynhildar brec ofmikil.’

Sumir úlf sviðo, A potion laced with wolf flesh, snake meat, sumir orm sniðo, and ale was given to their youngest sumir Gothormi brother, Guthorm. af gera deildo, áðr þeir mætti, meins um lystir, á horscom hal hendr um leggia.

Dælt var at eggia The boy was away when the blood oath óbilgiarnan, with Sigurd was sworn. stóð til hiarta It was easy to egg him on: hiorr Sigurði. the sword stood in Sigurd’s heart.

15 Réð til hefnda hergiarn í sal oc eptir varp óbilgiornom; fló til Guthorms But even as the hero lay dying, he threw Grams ramliga his sword, Gram, kynbirt iárn ór konungs hendi.

Hné hans um dólgr which flew across the room and sliced the til hluta tveggia; boy in half. hendr oc haufuð His legs fell backwards; his torso and head hné á annan veg, flew into the air. enn fótahlutr fell aptr í stað.

Instrumental [blank]

Soltinn varð Sigurðr Dead was Sigurd, on the banks of the sunnan Rínar, Rhein. A raven calls from its treetop perch: hrafn at meiði hátt kallaði:

‘Ycr mun Atli Atli will redden his sword in your blood! eggiar rióða, Your broken oaths will destroy you! muno vígscá of viða eiðar.’

Úti stóð Guðrún, Gudrun stood outside and asked: Giúca dóttir, Where is my noble lord? oc hon þat orða Where is Sigurd, my beloved husband? allz fyrst um qvað: ‘Hvar er nú Sigurðr, seggia dróttinn, er froendr mínir fyrri ríða?

Einn því Högni Högni: Sigurd we’ve hacked to pieces with andsvor veitti: swords. His steed, Grani, stands guard ‘Sundr höfom Sigurð with bowed head beside the corpse. sverði högginn, gnapir æ grár iór yfir gram dauðom.’

Þá qvað þat Brynhildr, Brynhild spoke, the daughter of Budli: Buðla dóttir: Gunnar, now that you’ve had the hero killed, power and gold are yours! ‘Vel scolot nióta vápna oc landa; einn myndi Sigurðr öllo ráða,

16 ef hann lengr litlo lífi heldi.

Hló þá Brynhildr The hall resounded with Brynhild’s – boer allr dunði – laughter. eino sinni af öllom hug:

‘Lengi scoloð nióta Brynhild: Long may you enjoy your lands landa oc þegna, and your power, now that you’ve killed the er þér froecnan gram prince. falla léto’.’

Þá qvað þat Guðrún, Gudrun spoke, Giuki’s daughter: Giúca dóttir: Though you are my brother, I curse you, Gunnar. May fiends take you, ‘Mioc mælir þú murderer of Sigurd. miclar firnar, gramir hafi Gunnar, götvað Sigurðar! heiptgiarns hugar Hateful thoughts shall be avenged. hefnt scal verða.’

Fiddle finishes [blank screen] harps begin playing

Ár var, þaz Guðrún Gudrun sat sorrowful over Sigurd’s body. gorðiz at deyia, She did not cry or rage or lament like other er hon sat sorgfull women. She was like stone. yfir Sigurði; gerðit hon hiúfra né höndom slá, né qveina um sem konor aðrar.

Gengo iarlar Wise warriors tried to ease her grief. alsnotrir fram, Although she might have burst asunder, þeir er harðz hugar she could not weep. hána lötto; þeygi Guðrún gráta, mátti, svá var hon móðug, mundi hon springa.

Sáto ítrar Noble wives sat with her and recounted iarlar brúðir, their own sorrows to Gudrun, each story gulli búnar, more bitter than the last, hoping to diminish fyr Guðrúno; her pain. hver sagði þeira sinn oftrega,

17 þann er bitrastan um beðit hafði.

Þá qvað Giaþaug, Then spoke her aunt, Giaflaug: Giúca systir: No one is more wretched than I. ‘Mic veit ec á moldo I have buried husbands, daughters, sisters munar lausasta; and brothers, yet I live on alone. hefi ec fimm vera forspell beðit, tveggia doetra, þriggia systra, átta broeðra, þó ec ein lifi .’

Þeygi Guðrún Still Gudrun sat mute, fierce in mind by the gráta mátti; side of the corpse. svá var hon móðug at mög dauðan oc harðhuguð um hrer fylkis.

Þa qvað þat Herborg, Then spoke Herborg, queen of the Huns: I Húnalanz drótning: have suffered even more. ‘Hefi ec harðara My seven sons and my husband died in harm at segia: battle. mínir siau synir sunnan lanz, verr inn átti, í val fello; faðir oc móðir, My parents and four brothers died in a fiórir broeðr, shipwreck. þau á vági vindr of léc, barði bára við borðþili.

Siálf scylda ec göfga, I had to care for myself alone, for a long siálf scylda ec götva, time, joyless. siálf scylda ec höndla helfor þeira; þat ec alt um beið ein misseri, svá at mér maðr engi munar leitaði.

Þá varð ec hapta I was taken captive in battle and made the oc hernuma slave of the chieftain’s wife. sams misseris I had to dress her and tie on her shoes síðan verða; every morning. scylda ec screyta oc scúa binda hersis qván

18 hverian morgin.

Hon oegði mér In a jealous rage, she would strike my flesh af afbrýði, raw. oc hörðom mic Nowhere have I found a better husband, or höggom keyrði; a worse wife. fann ec húsguma hvergi in betra, enn húsfreyio hvergi verri.’

Þeygi Guðrún Still Gudrun sat mute, fierce in mind by the gráta mátti; side of the corpse. svá var hon móðug at mög dauðan oc harðhugð um hrer fylkis.

Þá qvað þat Gullrönd, Then her sister Gullrönd said: These tales Giúca dóttir: of woe will not comfort a young wife’s grief. ‘Fá kanntu, fóstra, She advised to uncover the corpse. þótt þú fróð sér, ungo vífi annspioll bera.’ Varaði hon at hylia um hrør fylkis.

Svipti hon blæio The blood-soaked covering was swept af Sigurði from Sigurd. oc vatt vengi fyr vífs kniám:

‘Líttu á liúfan, Güllrond: Look at your beloved, put your legðu munn við grön, face to his as you used to when he lived. sem þú hálsaðir heilan stilli.’

Á leit Guðrún Gudrun looked at him one time only, saw eino sinni; his hair red with blood, the eyes grown sá hon döglings scör dim, the stab wounds. dreyra runna, fránar siónir fylkis liðnar, hugborg iöfurs hiörvi scorna.

Þá hné Guðrún Then Gudrun knelt, loosened her hair, höll við bólstri; scratched her cheeks, and the drops like haddr losnaði, rain ran down to her knees. hlýr roðnaði, enn regns dropi rann niðr um kné.

19 Þá grét Guðrún, Then Gudrun wept, her hair filled with Giúca dóttir, tears. The geese in the meadow cackled in svá at tár þugo reply, her splendid birds. tresc í gognom, oc gullo við gæss í túni, moerir fuglar, er mær átti.

Þá qvað þat Gullrönd, Then her sister, Gullrönd said: Giúca dóttir: Yours was the greatest love known on the ‘Ycrar vissa ec earth. You were never happy, o my sister, ástir mestar except with Sigurd. manna allra fyr mold ofan; unðir þú hvárki úti né inni, systir mín, nema hiá Sigurði.’

‘Svá var minn Sigurðr Gudrun: Sigurd was like a towering tree hiá sonom Giúca, beside the frail grasses that are my sem væri geirlaucr brothers. He was like an gem on a string of ór grasi vaxinn, common beads in the hall of my father. eða væri biartr steinn á band dreginn, iarcnasteinn yfir öðlingom.

Ec þóttac oc I was pride itself in the midst of Sigurd’s þióðans reccom warriors, higher than all of Odin’s ladies. hverri hærri Now I am but a single leaf adrift on an Herians dísi; autumnal grave. nú em ec svá lítil, sem lauf sé opt í iolstrom, at iofur dauðan.

Sacna ec í sessi I miss him in the hall and in my bed. oc í sæingo I miss his friendship, our long talks. míns málvinar, My own brothers have caused this grief. valda megir Giúca; valda megir Giúca míno bölvi oc systr sinnar sárom gráti.

Svá ér um lýða Now our people and lands will be laid landi eyðit, waste by what Gunnar has caused. sem ér um unnoð The dazzling gold rings will bring you eiða svarða; death, Gunnar, since you broke the oath to mana þú, Gunnarr, Sigurd! gullz um nióta,

20 þeir muno þér baugar at bana verða, er þú Sigurði svarðir eiða.

[harps finish] [blank screen]

Kona varp öndo, The woman sighed. Then she clapped her enn konungr fiorvi; hands so loudly that the goblets rattled and svá sló hon svárar the geese in the meadow cackled in reply. sinni hendi, at qváðo við kálcar í vá, oc gullo við gæss í túni.

Hló þá Brynhildr, Then Brynhild, hearing it from her bed, Buðla dóttir, laughed once again at the terrible weeping eino sinni of Sigurd’s wife. af öllom hug, er hon til hvílo heyra knátti giallan grát Giúca dóttur.

Leit hon um alla She looked at all her property: dead were eigo sína, her slave-girls and her ladies. She put on soltnar þýiar golden chain-mail, and pierced herself with oc salkonor; the sword’s edge. gullbrynio smó – vara gott í hug – áðr sic miðlaði mækis eggiom.

Hné við bólstri Wounded, she leaned against the pillows hon á annan veg, and began to speak. oc hiorunduð hugði at ráðom:

Seztu niðr, Gunnarr! Brynhild: Sit next to me, Gunnar. Your mun ec segia þér radiant bride has no hope of life. lífs ørvæna liósa brúði; muna yðvart far alt í sundi, þótt ec hafa öndo látið.

Biðia mun ec þic I must ask you one thing, my last request boenar einnar, in this world: let a pyre be built on the sú mun í heimi meadow with enough space for all of us hinzt boen vera: who died with Sigurd. láttu svá breiða

21 borg á velli, at undir oss öllom iafnrúmt sé, þeim er sulto með Sigurði.

Tialdi þar um þá borg Let shields and tapestries and weavings tioldom oc scioldom, adorn the pyre. Let many foreign slaves be valarift vel fáð sacrificed. oc Vala mengi; Burn Sigurd beside me. brenni mér inn húnsca á hlið aðra.

Brenni inom húnsca On his other side, burn my maids adorned á hlið aðra with jewels, two by his head, and two mina þióna, hawks. Then it will be done correctly. meniom göfga, tveir at höfðom, oc tveir haucar; þá er öllo scipt til iafnaðar.

Liggi occar enn í milli Let Gram, Sigurd’s sword, rest málmr hringvariðr, between him and myself, as it once did egghvast iárn, when we had the name of man and wife. svá endr lagið, þá er við bæði beð einn stigom oc hétom þá hióna nafni.

Þvíat hánom fylgia Let five serving-girls accompany him, eight fimm ambóttir, servants of good family, and the slave who átta þiónar, grew up with me. eðlom góðir, fóstrman mitt oc faðerni, þat er Buðli gaf barni síno.

Mart sagða ec, Much I have said. I would say more if time mynda ec þeira, were granted to me. er mér meirr miotuðr málrúm gæfi ;

ómon þverr, But my voice fails, my wounds throb. I said undir svella, what was true. Now I must depart. satt eitt sagðac, svá mun ec láta.’

Fiddle begins [blank]

Mær var ec meyia, Gudrun: Radiant I was, the loveliest of

22 móðir mic foeddi, girls. I loved my brothers greatly, until Giuki biort, í búri, endowed me with gold and gave me to unna ec vel broeðom; Sigurd. unz mic Giúki gulli reifði, gulli reifði, gaf Sigurði.

Svá var Sigurðr So was Sigurd beside the sons of Giuki uf sonom Giúca, like a tree among the grasses, or red- sem væri groenn laucr glowing gold next to dull silver. ór grasi vaxinn, eða hiortr hábeinn um hvössom dýrom, eða gull glóðrautt af grá silfri.

Unz mér fyrmunðo But my brothers couldn’t stand such a mínir broeðr, prominent husband. They could not sleep at ec ætta ver until they had put Sigurd to death. öllom fremra; sofa þeir né máttoð né of sacar doema, áðr þeir Sigurð svelta létoð.

Gecc ec grátandi I went weeping to talk to Grani, asking the við Grana roeða, horse for news. He drooped his head in the úrughlýra, grass, knew his master was dead. ió frá ec spialla; hnipnaði Grani þá, drap í gras höfði; iór þat vissi: eigendr né lifðot.

Lengi hvarfaðac, A long time my thoughts ran on until I lengi hugir deilduz, asked the king about my prince. áðr ec of frægac fólcvorð at gram.

Hnipnaði Gunnarr, Gunnar looked away, but Högni told me sagði mér Högni about the bitter death: He lies beside the frá Sigurðar river, given to the wolves. sárom dauða: ‘Liggr of höggvinn fyr handan ver Gothorms bani, of gefinn úlfom.’

Hvarf ec ein þaðan, Away I went from that encounter, to gather annspilli frá, up the leavings of the wolves. á við, lesa I could not weep or strike my hands varga leifar; together, nor lament as other women do.

23 gerðiga ec hiúfra né höndom slá, né kveina um sem konor aðrar, þá er sat soltin um Sigurði.

Nótt þótti mér The night was dark as I sat grieving over niðmyrcr vera, Sigurd. It seemed best to me that the er ec sárla satc wolves would take me too, or if I could yfir Sigurði; burn up like birchwood. úlfar þóttomz öllo betri, ef þeir léti mic líÞ týna eða brendi mic sem birkinn við.

Þá frá Grímildr, Then Queen Grimhild learned about my gotnesc kona, state of mind, asked her sons to pay me hvat ec væra hyggiuð; compensation. hon brá borða oc buri heimti, þrágiarnliga, þess at spyria, hverr vildi son systor boeta, eða ver veginn vildi gialda.

Foerði mér Grímildr Then Grimhild brought me a cup to drink full at drecca, from, cool and bitter. I forgot the past, for svalt oc sárlict, that fateful power was sealed with né ec sacar munðac; sacrificial blood. þat var um aukit urðar magni, svalköldom sæ oc sonardreyra.

Vóro í horni Red runes were engraved on that drinking hvers kyns stafir horn. I could not understand them: a fish, ristnir oc roðnir an uncut ear of corn, entrails of beasts. – ráða ec né máttac – lyngfi scr langr, lanz Haddingia ax óscorit, innleið dýra.

Vóro þeim, bióri And evil things were mixed in that drink: böl mörg saman, herbs and burnt acorns, dew, sacrificial urt allz viðar innards, and boiled pig’s liver -- known to oc acarn brunninn, calm a quarrel. umdögg arins,

24 iðrar blótnar, svíns lifr soðin, þvíat hon sacar deyfði.

Enn þá gleymðo, Then everything was forgotten, the prince’s er getið höfðo, death. Three kings came to kneel before öll iofurs me before she herself spoke: iórbiúg í sal; qvómo konungar fyr kné þrennir, áðr hon siálfa mic sótti at máli.

(Grímildr:) Grimhild: Gold I will give you, Gudrun, and ‘Gef ec þér, Guðrún, a great deal of treasure from your dead gull at þiggia, father, all of this for the fallen prince. fiolð allz fiár, at þinn föður dauðan, hringa rauða, Hlöðvés sali, ársal allan, at iofur fallinn.

Húnscar meyiar, Hunnish slave-girls to do your weaving, to þær er hlaða spioldom work in gold for your pleasure. You shall oc gora gull fagrt, be endowed with gold and given to Atli, svá at þér gaman þicci; Brynhild’s brother. ein scaltu ráða auði Buðla, gulli göfguð oc gefin Atla.’

(Guðrún:) Gudrun: I don’t want another man, nor will I ‘Vilc eigi ec marry Brynhild’s brother. It is not fitting for með veri ganga me to bear his children. né Brynhildar bróður eiga; samir eigi mér, við son Buðla ætt at auca né una lífi .’

(Grímildr:) Grimhild: Don’t try to repay the men’s ‘Hirðaðu hölðom wickedness. You’ll feel Sigurd is still alive, heiptir gialda, if you have sons. þvíat vér höfom valdit fyrri; svá scaltu láta, sem þeir lifir báðir, Sigurðr oc Sigmundr, ef þú sono foeðir.’

25 (Guðrún:) Gudrun: I may not find happiness since the ‘Máca ec, Grímildr, raven and wolf tasted Sigurd’s blood. glaumi bella né vígrisins vánir telia, síz Sigurðar sárla drucco hrægífr, Huginn hiartblóð saman.’

(Grímildr:) Grimhild: I have found for you the most ‘Þann hefi ec allra highly-born prince of all. You’ll be married ættgöfgastan to him or else remain without a man the fylki fundit, rest of your life! oc framarst necqvi; hann scaltu eiga, unz þic aldr viðar, verlaus vera, nema þú vilir þenna.’

(Guðrún:) Gudrun: Stop offering me this unholy ‘Hirða þú bióða kinship! Atli will prepare a trap for Gunnar, bölvafullar, tear out the heart from Högni. All for the þrágiarnliga, gold they hide.Then I won’t rest until I have þær kindir mér! taken his life! Hann mun Gunnar grandi beita oc ór Högna hiarta slíta. Muncað ec letia, áðr lífshvatan eggleics hvötuð aldri næmic.’

Grátandi Grímildr Weeping, Grimhild heard these words greip við orði, which portended doom for her boys. er burom sínom bölva vætti oc mögom sínom meina stórra:

‘Læga ec síðan Gudrun: I lay down then, obstinate on the – né ec sofa vildac – bed of pain. That I remember well. þrágiarn í kör; þat man ec gorva.’

Fiddle ends [blank screen] Flute begins

Drum begins And so it came about that Atli married Gudrun. Hungry for the gold, he plotted to destroy Gunnar.

Atli sendi Atli sent a messenger to Gunnar; he came ár til Gunnars riding to the hall where Gunnar and his kunnan segg at ríða, men were drinking around the hearth. Knéfröðr var sá heitinn; at görðom kom hann Giúca oc at Gunnars höllo, becciom aringreypom oc at bióri svásom.

Drucco þar dróttmegir The men drank in silence, concealing their – enn dyliendr þögðo – thoughts, anticipating hostility. Then Atli’s vín í valhöllo, messenger called out in a cold voice: vreiði sáz þeir Húna; kallaði þá Knéfröðr kaldri röddo, seggr inn suðroeni – sat hann á becc hám:

‘Atli mic hingat sendi Messenger: Atli sent me here, riding hard ríða ørindi, through Mirkwood forest, to invite you and mar inom mélgreypa, Högni to his hearth, ringed with helmets. Myrcvið inn ókunna, at biðia yðr, Gunnarr, at iþ á becc koemit, með hiálmom aringreypom, at soekia heim Atla.

Höfði vatt þá Gunnarr Gunnar turned his head and said to Högni: oc Högna til sagði:

‘Hvat hyggr þú brúði bendo, Gunnar: What did our sister mean when þá er hon ocr bauc sendi, she sent this gold ring with a wolf’s hair varinn váðom heiðingia? tied around it? Our way will be wolf-beset if hygg ec, at hon vornuð byði; we accept. hár fann ec heiðingia riðit í hring rauðom: ylfscr er vegr occarr, at ríða ørindi.’

Úlfr mun ráða The wolves will control the Nibelung gold if arfi Niflunga, Gunnar is lost, the bear will bite and the gamlir granverðir, wolf-pack will rejoice if Gunnar does not ef Gunnars missir, return! birnir blacfiallir bíta þreftönnom, gamna greystóði, ef Gunnarr né kømrað.’

Fetom léto froecnir At full gallop they rode over the mountains um fioll at þyria and through Mirkwood; the Hunnish marina mélgreypo, borderlands shook as they drove their Myrcvið inn ókunna; horses over the green plains.

27 hristiz öll Húnmörc, þar er harðmóðgir fóro, ráco þeir vannstyggva völlo algroena.

Land sá þeir Atla They saw Atli’s domain, the thickly oc liðsciálfar diúpar, guarded walls and towers, shields, spears, Bicca greppa standa pennants. á borg inni há, sal um suðrþióðom, sleginn sessmeiðom, bundnom röndom, bleicom scioldom, dafar, darraða; enn þar dracc Atli Atli was drinking inside the hall, with vín í valhöllo; guards outside in case Gunnar should verðir sáto úti, come with spears and war. at varða þeim Gunnari, ef þeir hér vitia qvoemi með geiri giallanda at vekia gram hildi.

Systir fann þeira snemst, Their sister, stone-sober, saw them coming at þeir í sal qvómo, into the hall: broeðr hennar báðir, bióri var hon lítt druccin:

‘Ráðinn ertu nú, Gunnarr, Gudrun: You’ve been betrayed by the hvat muntu, rícr, vinna Huns, Gunnar. Leave quickly! við Húna harmbrögðom? höll gacc þú ór snemma!

Betr hefðir þú, bróðir, You should have come with a conquering at þú í brynio foerir, army. Then you could have tied up Atli in sem hiálmom aringreypom, the snake-pit; instead that snake-pit is now at siá heim Atla; made ready for you. sætir þú í söðlom sólheiða daga, nái nauðfölva létir nornir gráta, Húna scialdmeyiar hervi kanna, enn Atla siálfan létir þú í ormgarð koma; nú er sá ormgarðr ycr um fólginn.’

Fengo þeir Gunnar They seized Gunnar and tied him up, the oc í fiotur setto, Burgundian prince. vinir Borgunda, oc bundo fastla.

Siau hió Högni Hogni slashed through seven of Atli’s men sverði hvösso, and the eighth he shoved into the fire. enn inom átta hratt hann í eld heitan; svá scal froecn Thus a brave man should act, as Högni fiándom veriaz, defended himself and Gunnar. Högni varði hendr Gunnars.

Frágo froecnan, They asked Gunnar if he wanted to buy his ef fior vildi, life with gold. Gotna þióðann, gulli kaupa.

(Gunnarr:) Gunnar: first I must hold Högni’s heart in ‘Hiarta scal mér Högna my hand, cut from his breast with a sharp í hendi liggia, knife. blóðuct, ór briósti scorið baldriða, saxi slíðrbeito, syni þióðans.’

Scáro þeir hiarta Atli’s men secretly cut out the heart of the Hialla ór briósti, slave Hialli and gave it to Gunnar. blóðuct, oc á bióð lögðo oc báro þat fyr Gunnar.

Þá qvað þat Gunnarr, Gunnar the lord of men said: This is not gumna dróttinn: Högni’s heart, look how it quivers on the ‘Hér hefi ec hiarta platter. Högni’s heart would never tremble Hialla ins blauða, with fear. ólíct hiarta Högna ins froecna, er mioc bifaz, er á bióði liggr; bifðiz hálfo meirr, er í briósti lá.’

Hló þá Högni, Then Högni laughed loudly as the blade er til hiarta scáro cut to his heart. The bloody heart was qvicqvan kumblasmið, placed on a plate and brought before klecqva hann sízt hugði; Gunnar. blóðuct þat á bióð lögðo oc báro fyr Gunnar.

Mærr qvað þat Gunnarr, Gunnar spoke, the glorious lord of the geir-Niþungr: Nibelungs: This is the heart of brave ‘Hér hefi ec hiarta Högni. Unlike the heart of the terrified Högna ins froecna, slave Hialli, ólict hiarta Hialla ins blauða,

29 er lítt bifaz, Högni’s heart hardly quivers on the plate. It er á bióði liggr, quivered even less when it was in Högni’s bifðiz svági mioc, breast. þá er í briósti lá.

Svá scaltu, Atli, Now that Högni is dead, Atli, augom fiarri, only I know where Fafnir’s gold is hidden, sem munt meniom the Nibelung hoard. mínom verða; er und einom mér öll um fólgin hodd Niþunga: lifira nú Högni.

Ey var mér týia, There was a risk while we both lived, but meðan við tveir lifðom, now I am the only one who knows. nú er mér engi, The Rhine will rule the cursed Nibelung er ec einn lific; hoard, not you. Rín scal ráða rógmálmi scatna, sú in áskunna, arfi Niþunga,

í veltanda vatni In the waves the golden rings will glint, not lýsaz valbaugar, on the hands of the Huns. heldr enn á höndom gull scíni Húna bornom.’

‘Ýqvið ér hvélvögnom! Atli: Take the captive away! haptr er nú í böndom.’

Oc meirr þaðan Then Gunnar, chained in a cart, rode to the menvorð bituls, place of death. dólgrögni, dró til dauðs scócr.

Lifanda gram Then Gunnar was lowered into a pit made lagði í garð, by men, squirming with serpents. þann er scriðinn var, scatna mengi, innan ormom; enn einn Gunnarr, And alone in the pit Gunnar furiously heiptmóðr, hörpo played his harp, with hate in his heart, and hendi kníði. the strings resounded. Glumðo strengir; svá scal gulli So should a brave warrior guard his gold froecn hringdrifi from enemies! við fira halda.

30 Atli lét Atli and his men rode back to the fortress, lanz síns á vit murderers making noise in the courtyard, ió eyrscán the singing of warriors. aptr frá, morði; dynr var í garði, dröslom of þrungit, vápnsöngr virða, vóro af heiði komnir.

Út gecc þá Guðrún, Gudrun went out to greet him with a golden Atla í gogn, goblet. með gyltom kálki, at reifa giold rögnis:

‘Þiggia knáttu, þengill, Gudrun: Lord, here in your hall you will í þinni höllo receive Gudrun’s freshly-killed young glaðr at Guðrúno game to eat. gnadda niþfarna.’

Umðo ölscálir Atli’s cups were heavy with wine as all the Atla, vínhöfgar, Huns came together in the hall. þá er í höll saman Húnar tölðuz, gumar gransíðir, gengo inn hvárir.

Scævaði þá in scírleita, The woman brought more drink and veigar þeim at bera, arranged morsels of meat. Then, sickened, afkár dís, iofrom, the horror spewed from Gudrun’s lips. oc ölkrásir valði, nauðug, neffölom, enn níð sagði Atla:

‘Sona hefir þinna, Gudrun: Atli, you are chewing human flesh sverða deilir, as an appetizer; you are eating your own hiorto hrædreyrug sons’ hearts dressed with honey. við hunang of tuggin; melta knáttu, móðugr, manna valbráðir, eta at ölkrásom, oc í öndugi at senda.

Kallaraðu síðan Never again will you bounce our two boys til kniá þinna on your knees. Never again will you teach Erp né Eitil, them your warrior’s skills. ölreifa tvá; Never again will they ride their fine horses. séraðu síðan í seti miðio gullz miðlendr geira scepta, manar meita né mara keyra.’

31 Ymr varð á becciom, A terrible howling filled the splendid hall, afkárr söngr virða, the weeping and moaning of the Huns. gnýr und guðvefiom, gréto born Húna, nema ein Guðrún, All except for Gudrun, who never wept for er hon æva grét her brothers, fierce as bears, or for her broeðr sína berharða innocent sons. oc buri svása, unga, ófróða, þá er hon við Atla gat.

Óvarr Atli, Atli, drunk, exhausted and confused, had móðan hafði hann sic druccit, no weapon and was defenseless against vápn hafði hann ecci, Gudrun. varnaðit hann við Guðrúno;

Hon beð broddi With a sword-point she gave the bedding gaf blóð at drecca, blood to drink. She set free the servants hendi helfússi, and dogs, and tossed flaming firebrands oc hvelpa leysti; across the entrance doors. hratt fyr hallar dyrr, oc húskarla vacþi, brandi, brúðr, heitom;

þau lét hon giold broeðra. She made them pay for her brothers!

Eldi gaf hon þá alla, She gave to the fire to all within, the er inni vóro murderers of Gunnar. Then the ancient oc frá morði þeira Gunnars timbers came crashing down and smoke komnir vóro ór Myrcheimi; and fire consumed all within. forn timbr fello, fiarghús ruco, boer Buðlunga, brunno oc scialdmeyiar inni, aldrstamar, hnigo í eld heitan.

Fullroett er um þetta; Now this story is all told. Never since has a ferr engi svá síðan bride thus avenged her brothers. brúðr í brynio broeðra at hefna; hon hefr þriggia She brought death to three great kings, þióðkonunga that radiant woman, before she died. banorð borið, biort, áðr sylti.

Harp ends [blank] Fiddle begins

Þat man bon fólcvíg She remembers the first war in the world, fyrst í heimi, when they burned her in Odin’s hall. Three

32 er Gullveigo times burned, three times reborn, over and geirom studdo over, and she lives still. oc í höll Hárs hána brendo; þrysvar brendo, þrysvar borna, opt, ósialdan, þó hon enn lifr.

Heiði hana héto, The Bright One they called her, she hvars til húsa kom, charmed them with sorcery, always the völo velspá, favorite of an evil wife. vitti hon ganda; seið hon, kunni, seið hon leikinn, æ var hon angan illrar brúðar.

Þá gengo regin öll Then the gods went to the thrones of fate á röcstóla, and considered this: ginnheilog goð, Whether all the gods should partake in the oc um þat gættuz, sacrifices? hvárt scyldo æsir afráð gialda eða scyldo goðin öll gildi eiga.

Valði henni Herföðr Odin hurled a spear during that first war in hringa oc men, the world. Their enemies had a war-charm fecc spioll spaclig and marched across the plain. oc spáganda; sá hon vítt oc um vítt of verold hveria.

Sá hon valkyrior, She saw Valkyries ride from afar to the vítt um komnar, gods’ realm: Skuld with her shield, and gorvar at ríða Skogul, Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul and Spear- til Goðþióðar; Skögul. Sculd helt scildi, enn Scögul önnor, Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul oc Geirscögul; nú ero talðar Women of the War Lord, Valkyries, ready nönnor Herians, to ride out over the earth. gorvar at ríða grund, valkyrior

Geyr Garmr mioc Now the wolf bays loud before Looming fyr Gnipahelli, Cave; his fetters will break and he will run festr mun slitna, free. Much she knows of the past, and she enn freki renna; sees the future: the virulent fate of the fiölð veit hon froeða, gods.

33 fram sé ec lengra um ragna rög, römm, sigtýva.

Broeðr muno beriaz Brothers will fight and kill each other. oc at bönom verðaz, Kinship defiled, whoredom everywhere. muno systrungar It’s a harsh world, an axe age, sifiom spilla; a sword age, a wind age, a wolf age. hart er í heimi, No man will have mercy on another. hórdómr mikill, sceggöld, scálmöld, scildir ro klofnir, vindöld, vargöld, áðr verold steypiz; mun engi maðr öðrom þyrma.

Geyr nú Garmr mioc Now the wolf bays loud before Looming fyr Gnipahelli, Cave; his fetters will break and he will run festr mun slitna, free. enn freki renna; Much she knows of the past, and she sees fiolð veit hon froeða, the future: the virulent fate of the gods. fram sé ec longra um ragna röc, römm, sigtýva.

Hvat er með ásom, What troubles the gods and the elves? The hvat er með álfom? realm of giants is roaring while the gods gnýr allr iötunheimr, just debate. The dwarves howl before the æsir ro á þingi; granite doors. stynia dvergar fyr steindurom, veggbergs vísir – vitoð ér enn, eða hvat? Do you seek to know more? And what?

Sól tér sortna, The sun turns black, the land sinks into the sígr fold í mar, sea, the stars fall from the sky. Fumes and hverfa af himni fire rage against heaven itself. heiðar stiornor; geisar eimi við aldrnara, leicr hár hiti við himin siálfan.

Geyr nú Garmr mioc Now the wolf bays loud before Looming fyr Gnipahelli, Cave; his fetters will break and he will run festr mun slitna, free. enn freki renna; fiolð veit hon froeða, Much she knows of the past, and she sees fram sé ec lengra the future: the virulent fate of the gods. um ragna röc, römm, sigtýva.

[fiddle finishes ; flute] [blank]

Sér hon upp koma She sees come up a second time, earth öðro sinni from the ocean, once again green. iorð ór ægi, iðiagroena; falla forsar,

þýgr örn yfr, Above the waterfalls, eagles hunting fish. sá er á fialli fisca veiðir. finnaz æsir The gods meet again and remember the á Iðavelli judgements, the ancient runes of the oc um moldþinur, Mighty One. mátcan, doema, oc minnaz þar á megindóma oc á fimbultýs fornar rúnar.

Þar muno eptir The golden gaming pieces are found in the undrsamligar grass, those that they owned in the old gullnar töþor days. í grasi finnaz, þærs í árdaga áttar höfðo.

Þá kná Hoenir Then Hoenir picks out the twig of augury; hlaútvið kiósa, men set up homes in the wide, windy oc byrir byggia realm. broeðra tveggia vindheim víðan – vitoð ér enn, eða hvat? Do you seek to know more? And what?

Sal sér hon standa, A hall she sees standing, brighter than the sólo fegra, sun, roofed with gold. gulli þacþan, á Gimlé;

þar scolo dyggvar There shall the worthy warrior bands dwell dróttir byggia and all their days of life in pleasure. oc um aldrdaga ynðis nióta.

Þar kømr inn dimmi Then comes the shadowy dragon Nidhogg dreki fliúgandi, flying, glittering serpent, up from Dark-of- naðr fránn, neðan the-Moon Hills. frá Niðafiollom;

35 berr sér í Þoðrom As he flies over the fields he carries in his – þýgr völl yfr –, claws: corpses. Níðhöggr, nái – nú mun hon søcqvaz. Now I must depart.

Flute begins [blank screen]

Applause – 1st bow

After 2 nd bow onstage Video titles by Benjamin Bagby and Ping Chong based on translations by Ursula Dronke and Carolyne Larrington.

Titles operated by Jon Aaron as applause finishes www.sequentia.org

Icelandic font replacements used: ð = ð Þ = Þ (cap) þ = þ (l.c.) ö = ö

ý = ý Ý = Ý