The Poetic Edda on Sigurth
The > Poetic Edda > General Introduction
- attestation: The hero poems preserve the oldest extant form of the story of Sigurth, Brynhild, and Atli
"The hero poems give us, in its oldest and most vivid extant form, the story of Sigurth, Brynhild, and Atli"
The > Volume I > Introductory Note
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"25. "The sons of Jormunrek | all of yore To the gods in death | were as offerings given; He was kinsman of Sigurth,— | hear well what I say,— The foe of hosts, | and Fafnir's slayer."
attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth, Jormunrek.
"25. "The sons of Jormunrek | all of yore To the gods in death | were as offerings given; He was kinsman of Sigurth,— | hear well what I say,— The foe of hosts, | and Fafnir's slayer."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"25. "The sons of Jormunrek | all of yore To the gods in death | were as offerings given; He was kinsman of Sigurth,— | hear well what I say,— The foe of hosts, | and Fafnir's slayer."
relationship: The stanza implies enmity between Sigurth and Jormunrek.
"25. "The sons of Jormunrek | all of yore To the gods in death | were as offerings given; He was kinsman of Sigurth,— | hear well what I say,— The foe of hosts, | and Fafnir's slayer."
The > Volume Ii > Notes
- attestation: Birds counsel heroes in Norse literature, as in the case of Sigurth after slaying Fafnir
"A bird: compare the counsel given by the birds to Sigurth after the slaying of Fafnir (Fafnismol, stanzas 32–38)"
The > Volume Ii > Introductory Note
- attestation: The passage describes violence or death involving Sigurth.
"The dramatic story of Attila's death in the year 453 was likewise added to the tradition, and during the sixth century the chain was completed by linking together the stories of Sigurth and those of the Burgundian slaughter."
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems.
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"3. "The ruler glad | of Geitir will ask Who seeks with Gripir | speech to have."
Sigurth spake:
"Sigurth am I, | and Sigmund's son,
And Hjordis the name | of the hero's mother.""
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by wisdom in the verse.
"6. Then of many | things they talked, When thus the men | so wise had met.
Sigurth spake:
"To me, if thou knowest, | my mother's brother,
Say what life | will Sigurth's be."
Gripir spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"7. "Of men thou shalt be | on earth the mightiest, And higher famed | than all the heroes; Free of gold-giving, | slow to flee, Noble to see, | and sage in speech."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by nobility in the verse.
"7. "Of men thou shalt be | on earth the mightiest, And higher famed | than all the heroes; Free of gold-giving, | slow to flee, Noble to see, | and sage in speech."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"7. "Of men thou shalt be | on earth the mightiest, And higher famed | than all the heroes; Free of gold-giving, | slow to flee, Noble to see, | and sage in speech."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by wisdom in the verse.
"8. "Monarch wise, | now more I ask; To Sigurth say, | if thou thinkest to see, What first will chance | of my fortune fair, When hence I go | from out thy home?"
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by beauty in the verse.
"8. "Monarch wise, | now more I ask; To Sigurth say, | if thou thinkest to see, What first will chance | of my fortune fair, When hence I go | from out thy home?"
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by power in the verse.
"10. "Noble king, | my kinsman, say Thy meaning true, | for our minds we speak: For Sigurth mighty | deeds dost see, The highest beneath | the heavens all?"
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Sigurth.
"10. "Noble king, | my kinsman, say Thy meaning true, | for our minds we speak: For Sigurth mighty | deeds dost see, The highest beneath | the heavens all?"
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"17. "Runes to the warrior | will she tell, All that men | may ever seek, And teach thee to speak | in all men's tongues, And life with health; | thou'rt happy, king!"
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth, Gripir.
"20. "Sorrow brings me | the word thou sayest, For, monarch, forward | further thou seest; Sad the grief | for Sigurth thou knowest, Yet nought to me, Gripir, | known wilt make."
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by power in the verse.
"24. "Nought could seem worse, | but now must part The prince and Sigurth, | since so it is; My road I ask,— | the future lies open,— Mighty one, speak, | my mother's brother."
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Sigurth.
"24. "Nought could seem worse, | but now must part The prince and Sigurth, | since so it is; My road I ask,— | the future lies open,— Mighty one, speak, | my mother's brother."
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"25. "Now to Sigurth | all shall I say, For to this the warrior | bends my will; Thou knowest well | that I will not lie,— A day there is | when thy death is doomed."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"25. "Now to Sigurth | all shall I say, For to this the warrior | bends my will; Thou knowest well | that I will not lie,— A day there is | when thy death is doomed."
Sigurth spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"25. "Now to Sigurth | all shall I say, For to this the warrior | bends my will; Thou knowest well | that I will not lie,— A day there is | when thy death is doomed."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by beauty in the verse.
"36. "Evil waits me, | well I see it, And gone is Sigurth's | wisdom good, If I shall woo | for another to win The maiden fair | that so fondly I loved."
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"40. "Most evil it seems, | and men will say Base is Sigurth | that so he did; Not of my will | shall I cheat with wiles The heroes' maiden | whom noblest I hold."
Gripir spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by nobility in the verse.
"40. "Most evil it seems, | and men will say Base is Sigurth | that so he did; Not of my will | shall I cheat with wiles The heroes' maiden | whom noblest I hold."
Gripir spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"41. "Thou dwellest, leader | lofty of men, With the maid as if | thy mother she were; Lofty as long | as the world shall live, Ruler of men, | thy name shall remain."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Sigurth.
"41. "Thou dwellest, leader | lofty of men, With the maid as if | thy mother she were; Lofty as long | as the world shall live, Ruler of men, | thy name shall remain."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"49. "In wrath and grief | full little good The noble bride | shall work thee now; No shame thou gavest | the goodly one, Though the monarch's wife | with wiles didst cheat."
Sigurth spake:"
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Notes
attestation: The Old High German 'Sigifrid' (Peace-Bringer through Victory) became Norse 'Sigvorth' (Victory-Guarder) and then 'Sigurth'
"The Old High German "Sigifrid" ("Peace-Bringer through Victory") became the Norse "Sigvorth" ("Victory-Guarder"), this, in turn, becoming "Sigurth.""
attestation: Sigurth and Gunnar changed forms as Grimhild had taught them, allowing Sigurth to ride through the ring of fire surrounding Brynhild's hall
"In the northern version Sigurth and Gunnar change forms, "as Grimhild had taught them how to do.""
attestation: The blood-brotherhood oath between Sigurth, Gunnar, and Hogni prevents the brothers from killing Sigurth directly, so they induce their half-brother Gotthorm to do it
"Oaths: the blood-brotherhood sworn by Sigurth, Gunnar, and Hogni makes it impossible for the brothers to kill him themselves, but they finally get around the difficulty by inducing their half-brother, Gotthorm"
comparison: In the Nibelungenlied, Siegfried and Gunther have simultaneous weddings, but in the Volsungasaga Sigurth marries Guthrun before setting off with Gunnar to win Brynhild
"The simultaneous weddings of Sigurth and Gunnar form a memorable feature of the German tradition as it appears in the Nibelungenlied, but in the Volsungasaga Sigurth marries Guthrun before he sets off with Gunnar to win Brynhild."
attestation: In the version where Sigurth finds Brynhild before meeting the Gjukungs, their union produced a daughter named Aslaug
"according to the version in which Sigurth finds Brynhild before he meets Gjuki's sons, their union was not only completed, but she had by him a daughter, Aslaug, whom she leaves in Heimir's charge"
attestation: Sigurth remembers his oaths to Brynhild almost immediately after returning to Gunnar's house, according to the Volsungasaga
"According to the Volsungasaga, Sigurth remembers his oaths to Brynhild almost immediately after his return to Gunnar's house."
attestation: The treasure curse will kill eight heroes: presumably Sigurth, Gotthorm, Gunnar, Hogni, Atli, Erp, Sorli, and Hamther
"the "eight" in question are presumably Sigurth, Gotthorm, Gunnar, Hogni, Atli, Erp, Sorli and Hamther, all of whom are slain in the course of the story."
attestation: Sigurth kills Hjorvarth, one of Lyngvi's brothers, despite Hjorvarth having already been killed by Helgi in an earlier tradition
"The Volsungasaga names one brother who was with Lyngvi in the battle, Hjorvarth, and Sigurth kills him as readily as if he had not already been killed long before by Helgi."
comparison: In the Volsungasaga, Sigurth's danger came from blood rather than venom pouring into his trench while slaying Fafnir
"Venom: in the Volsungasaga it was the blood, and not the venom, that poured down on Sigurth's head."
comparison: Stanzas 40-41 apply solely to Guthrun and suggest Sigurth will go straight to Gunnar's hall, while stanzas 42-44 apply to Brynhild and indicate he finds her first
"Stanzas 40–41 apply solely to Guthrun, and suggest that Sigurth will go straight to Gunnar's hall. Stanzas 42–44, on the other hand, apply solely to Brynhild, and indicate that Sigurth will find her before he visits the Gjukungs."
attestation: Sigurth had a kingdom in the land of the Franks, so his presence near Hindarfjoll does not necessarily mean he was traveling to the Gjukungs
"Franks: this does not necessarily mean that Sigurth was on his way to the Gjukungs' home, for Sigmund had a kingdom in the land of the Franks"
attestation: Sigurth had only one son named Sigmund according to the Volsungasaga, who was killed at Brynhild's command
"according to the Volsungasaga Sigurth had only one son, named Sigmund, who was killed at Brynhild's behest."
comparison: Two conflicting versions of Sigurth's death exist: one where he is slain in the forest (supported by German sources) and one where he is killed in bed
"The annotator, troubled by the two versions of the story of Sigurth's death, feels it incumbent on him not only to point the fact out, but to cite the authority of "German men" for the form which appears in this poem."
attestation: The version where Sigurth is slain in bed appears in Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, Guthrunarhvot, Hamthesmol, and the Volsungasaga
"The alternative version, wherein Sigurth is slain in bed, appears in Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, Guthrunarhvot, and Hamthesmol, and also in the Volsungasaga"
comparison: The forest-slaying version is confirmed by both the Nibelungenlied and the Thithrekssaga as the German tradition
"That the annotator was correct in citing German authority for the slaying of Sigurth in the forest is shown by the Nibelungenlied and the Thithrekssaga."
attribution: Sigurth gave Guthrun some of Fafnir's heart to eat, making her 'much grimmer than before, and wiser' according to the Volsungasaga
"In the Volsungasaga it is stated that Sigurth gave Guthrun some of Fafnir's heart to eat, "and thereafter she was much grimmer than before, and wiser.""
attestation: Desire for Sigurth's treasure (the gold cursed by Andvari and Loki) was one motive for his murder, present in both Norse and German traditions
"That desire for Sigurth's treasure (the gold cursed by Andvari and Loki) was one of the motives for his murder is indicated in Sigurtharkvitha en skamma (stanza 16), and was clearly a part of the German tradition, as it appears in the Nibelungenlied."
attestation: In one version, Sigurth goes directly to the Gjukungs after slaying Fafnir without meeting Brynhild first
"In this version of the story Sigurth goes straight to the home of the Gjukungs after his victory over the dragon Fafnir, without meeting Brynhild on the way"
attestation: Sigurth is called 'Hunnish king' in later poems due to the Norse poets' lack of ethnological distinction, though he was not actually connected to the Huns
"Hunnish king: Sigurth, who was, of course, not a king of the Huns, but was occasionally so called in the later poems owing to the lack of ethnological distinction made by the Norse poets"
attestation: Sigurth is called the 'Hunnish hero' in stanza 4 despite having no actual connection to the Huns
"Hunnish hero: Sigurth; cf. stanza 4 and note."
attestation: Sigurth dies in his bed in this poem's version, not in the forest
"it seems likely that not only two lines, but one or more stanzas in addition, have been lost; cf. Brot, 4, and also the detailed account of the slaying of Sigurth in the Volsungasaga, wherein, as here, Sigurth is killed in his bed (cf. stanza 24) and not in the forest."
attestation: Sigurth means that none of Guthrun's seven future sons will equal Sigmund, 'son of their sister'
"Sigurth means that although Guthrun may have seven sons by a later marriage, none of them will equal Sigmund, "son of their (i.e., Gunnar's and Hogni's) sister.""
comparison: Sigurth's protestation of innocence fits the version used in this poem but not the alternative where he meets Brynhild before wooing her for Gunnar
"Sigurth's protestation of guiltlessness fits perfectly with the story of his relations with Brynhild used in this poem, but not, of course, with the alternative version"
attestation: In the alternative version, Sigurth and Brynhild had a daughter Aslaug before Brynhild married Gunnar
"wherein Sigurth meets Brynhild before he woos her for Gunnar, and they have a daughter, Aslaug."
attestation: Five female slaves and eight serfs were killed to be burned on Sigurth's funeral pyre, following him in death
"Bond-women, etc.: in stanza 69 we learn that five female slaves and eight serfs were killed to be burned on the funeral pyre, and thus to follow Sigurth in death."
comparison: The concluding stanzas of Sigurtharkvitha en skamma state Sigurth and Brynhild were burned on the same pyre, contradicting the prose claim of two separate bale-fires
"Two bale-fires: this contradicts the statement made in the concluding stanzas of Sigurtharkvitha en skamma, that Sigurth and Brynhild were burned on the same pyre"
attestation: The idea that Sigurth and Brynhild will be together in a future life indicates Christian influence, as rebirth is alien to Norse pagan traditions
"The idea apparently conveyed in the concluding lines, that Sigurth and Brynhild will be together in some future life, is utterly out of keeping with the Norse pagan traditions, and the whole stanza indicates the influence of Christianity."
attestation: Nowhere else does Sigurth appear as a leader of Danes, which may be a relic of the Helgi tradition
"Danes: nowhere else does Sigurth appear in this capacity. Perhaps this is a curious relic of the Helgi tradition."
attestation: In both versions of Sigurth's death, the mortally wounded Sigurth killed his murderer Gotthorm
"Gotthorm: from this it appears that in both versions of the death of Sigurth the mortally wounded hero killed his murderer, the younger brother of Gunnar and Hogni."
comparison: The tradition of Sigurth winning Brynhild by riding through a ring of flames is utterly at variance with the siege tradition
"This version is, of course, utterly at variance with the one in which Sigurth wins Brynhild for Gunnar by riding through the ring of flames"
attestation: Sigurth is identified as Fafnir's slayer
"Fafnir's slayer: Sigurth."
attestation: Sigurth's hoard was claimed by Atli as brother of Brynhild and husband of Guthrun, but Gunnar and Hogni kept it with Guthrun's connivance
"The treasure: Sigurth's hoard, which Atli claimed as the brother of Brynhild and husband of Guthrun, Sigurth's widow, but which Gunnar and Hogni kept for themselves, with, as Atli here charges, Guthrun's connivance."
attribution: Sigurth is illogically called the 'Hun-king'
"Hun-king: Sigurth, though most illogically so called"
attestation: Stanzas 19-21 may come from a different poem, probably a lament closely following Sigurth's death
"some of them contend that the original ending of the poem is lost, stanzas 19–21 coming from a different poem, probably a lament closely following Sigurth's death."
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Introductory Note
attestation: The passage describes violence or death involving Sigurth.
"The "poem" ends with a single stanza, in Fornyrthislag, simply stating that the bloody fight is over and that Sigurth fought well—a statement equally applicable to any part of the hero's career."
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Man.
"17. "On the sea-trees here | are Sigurth and I, The storm wind drives us | on to our death; The waves crash down | on the forward deck, And the roller-steeds sink; | who seeks our names?"
The Man spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Man, Sigurth.
"17. "On the sea-trees here | are Sigurth and I, The storm wind drives us | on to our death; The waves crash down | on the forward deck, And the roller-steeds sink; | who seeks our names?"
The Man spake:"
- attribution: Man delivers a speech in the verse.
"17. "On the sea-trees here | are Sigurth and I, The storm wind drives us | on to our death; The waves crash down | on the forward deck, And the roller-steeds sink; | who seeks our names?"
The Man spake:"
attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"18. "Hnikar I was | when Volsung once Gladdened the ravens | and battle gave; Call me the Man | from the Mountain now, Feng or Fjolnir; | with you will I fare." "
relationship: Sigurth is identified as the offspring of Hunding.
"25. "Combed and washed | shall the wise man go, And a meal at morn shall take; For unknown it is | where at eve he may be; It is ill thy luck to lose."
Sigurth had a great battle with Lyngvi, the son of Hunding, and his"
comparison: The note cross-references Gripisspo for information about Sigurth.
"Regarding the general relations of the various sets of traditions in shaping the story of Sigurth, see the introductory note to Gripisspo."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"1. "Youth, oh, youth! | of whom then, youth, art thou born? Say whose son thou art, Who in Fafnir's blood | thy bright blade reddened, And struck thy sword to my heart."
"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by greatness in the verse.
"1. "Youth, oh, youth! | of whom then, youth, art thou born? Say whose son thou art, Who in Fafnir's blood | thy bright blade reddened, And struck thy sword to my heart."
"
- attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"3. "If father thou hadst not, | as others have, By what wonder wast thou born? (Though thy name on the day | of my death thou hidest, Thou knowest now thou dost lie.)"
Sigurth spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"3. "If father thou hadst not, | as others have, By what wonder wast thou born? (Though thy name on the day | of my death thou hidest, Thou knowest now thou dost lie.)"
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by courage in the verse.
"5. "Who drove thee on? | why wert thou driven My life to make me lose? A father brave | had the bright-eyed youth, For bold in boyhood thou art."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by boldness in the verse.
"5. "Who drove thee on? | why wert thou driven My life to make me lose? A father brave | had the bright-eyed youth, For bold in boyhood thou art."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"7. "If thou mightest grow | thy friends among, One might see thee fiercely fight; But bound thou art, | and in battle taken, And to fear are prisoners prone."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes binding or imprisonment involving Sigurth.
"7. "If thou mightest grow | thy friends among, One might see thee fiercely fight; But bound thou art, | and in battle taken, And to fear are prisoners prone."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"9. "In all I say | dost thou hatred see, Yet truth alone do I tell; The sounding gold, | the glow-red wealth, And the rings thy bane shall be."
Sigurth spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"16. "The fear-helm I wore | to afright mankind, While guarding my gold I lay; Mightier seemed I | than any man, For a fiercer never I found."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by ferocity in the verse.
"16. "The fear-helm I wore | to afright mankind, While guarding my gold I lay; Mightier seemed I | than any man, For a fiercer never I found."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"16. "The fear-helm I wore | to afright mankind, While guarding my gold I lay; Mightier seemed I | than any man, For a fiercer never I found."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"18. "Venom I breathed | when bright I lay By the hoard my father had; (There was none so mighty | as dared to meet me, And weapons nor wiles I feared.)"
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by power in the verse.
"18. "Venom I breathed | when bright I lay By the hoard my father had; (There was none so mighty | as dared to meet me, And weapons nor wiles I feared.)"
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"20. "I counsel thee, Sigurth, | heed my speech, And ride thou homeward hence; The sounding gold, | the glow-red wealth, And the rings thy bane shall be."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"22. "Regin betrayed me, | and thee will betray, Us both to death will he bring; His life, methinks, | must Fafnir lose, For the mightier man wast thou."
Regin had gone to a distance while Sigurth fought Fafnir, and came back"
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth, Regin.
"22. "Regin betrayed me, | and thee will betray, Us both to death will he bring; His life, methinks, | must Fafnir lose, For the mightier man wast thou."
Regin had gone to a distance while Sigurth fought Fafnir, and came back"
- attestation: Sigurth is associated with the object Gram.
"25. "Glad art thou, Sigurth, | of battle gained, As Gram with grass thou cleansest; My brother fierce | in fight hast slain, And somewhat I did myself."
Sigurth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza describes an act of creation involving Sigurth.
"27. "Longer wouldst thou | in the heather have let Yon hoary giant hide, Had the weapon availed not | that once I forged, The keen-edged blade thou didst bear."
Sigurth spake:"
- attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"38. "Let the head from the frost-cold | giant be hewed, And let him of rings be robbed; Then all the wealth | which Fafnir's was Shall belong to thee alone."
Sigurth spake:"
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by beauty in the verse.
"40. "Bind, Sigurth, the golden | rings together, Not kingly is it | aught to fear; I know a maid, | there is none so fair, Rich in gold, | if thou mightest get her."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"40. "Bind, Sigurth, the golden | rings together, Not kingly is it | aught to fear; I know a maid, | there is none so fair, Rich in gold, | if thou mightest get her."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"40. "Bind, Sigurth, the golden | rings together, Not kingly is it | aught to fear; I know a maid, | there is none so fair, Rich in gold, | if thou mightest get her."
attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Sigurth.
"40. "Bind, Sigurth, the golden | rings together, Not kingly is it | aught to fear; I know a maid, | there is none so fair, Rich in gold, | if thou mightest get her."
comparison: The note cross-references Sigrdrifumol for information about Sigurth.
"Yet stanzas 2–4 are as fine as anything in Old Norse poetry, and it is out of the scanty material of these three stanzas that Wagner constructed much of the third act of "Siegfried."
The Sigrdrifumol represents almost exclusively the contributions of the North to the Sigurth tradition (cf."
attestation: The passage describes violence or death involving Sigurth.
"Sigurth rode up on Hindarfjoll and turned southward toward the land of the Franks."
attribution: Sigurth delivers a speech in the verse.
"20. "Now shalt thou choose, | for the choice is given, Thou tree of the biting blade; Speech or silence, | 'tis thine to say, Our evil is destined all."
Sigurth spake:"
relationship: The stanza references a wife of Sigurth.
"The First Lay of Guthrun, entitled in the Codex Regius simply Guthrunarkvitha, immediately follows the remaining fragment of the "long" Sigurth lay in that manuscript. Unlike the poems dealing with"
attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth, Gunnar.
"20. "So shall your land | its people lose As ye have kept | your oaths of yore; Gunnar, no joy | the gold shall give thee, (The rings shall soon | thy slayers be,) Who swarest oaths | with Sigurth once."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"20. "So shall your land | its people lose As ye have kept | your oaths of yore; Gunnar, no joy | the gold shall give thee, (The rings shall soon | thy slayers be,) Who swarest oaths | with Sigurth once."
relationship: The stanza references alliance or oath between Sigurth and Gunnar.
"20. "So shall your land | its people lose As ye have kept | your oaths of yore; Gunnar, no joy | the gold shall give thee, (The rings shall soon | thy slayers be,) Who swarest oaths | with Sigurth once."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by youth in the verse.
"6. By herself at the end | of day she sat, And in open words | her heart she uttered: "I shall Sigurth have, | the hero young, E'en though within | my arms he die."
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"11. "Back shall I fare | where first I dwelt, Among the kin | that come of my race, To wait there, sleeping | my life away, If Sigurth's death | thou shalt not dare, (And best of heroes | thou shalt not be.)"
attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"21. It was easy to rouse | the reckless one. . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . . The sword in the heart | of Sigurth stood."
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"29. In a swoon she sank | when Sigurth died; So hard she smote | her hands together That all the cups | in the cupboard rang, And loud in the courtyard | cried the geese."
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"64. "Yet one boon | I beg of thee, The last of boons | in my life it is: Let the pyre be built | so broad in the field That room for us all | will ample be, (For us who slain | with Sigurth are.)"
attestation: The stanza describes an act of creation involving Sigurth.
"64. "Yet one boon | I beg of thee, The last of boons | in my life it is: Let the pyre be built | so broad in the field That room for us all | will ample be, (For us who slain | with Sigurth are.)"
attestation: The stanza contains a reference to fate or prophecy concerning Sigurth.
"14. "Ever with grief | and all too long Are men and women | born in the world; But yet we shall live | our lives together, Sigurth and I. | Sink down, Giantess!""
attestation: The passage explains the etymology or meaning of a name related to Sigurth.
"It has been already pointed out (introductory note to Reginsmol) that the compiler of the Eddic collection had clearly undertaken to formulate a coherent narrative of the entire Sigurth cycle, piecing together the various poems by means of prose narrative links."
relationship: was is the offspring of Sigurth.
"The sons of Atli were Erp and Eitil, and Svanhild was the daughter of Sigurth and Guthrun."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"1. A maid of maids | my mother bore me, Bright in my bower, | my brothers I loved, Till Gjuki dowered | me with gold, Dowered with gold, | and to Sigurth gave me."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"1. A maid of maids | my mother bore me, Bright in my bower, | my brothers I loved, Till Gjuki dowered | me with gold, Dowered with gold, | and to Sigurth gave me."
attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Sigurth.
"4. From the Thing ran Grani | with thundering feet, But thence did Sigurth | himself come never; Covered with sweat | was the saddle-bearer, Wont the warrior's | weight to bear."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"4. From the Thing ran Grani | with thundering feet, But thence did Sigurth | himself come never; Covered with sweat | was the saddle-bearer, Wont the warrior's | weight to bear."
attestation: The stanza describes emotional response involving Sigurth.
"12. Never so black | had seemed the night As when in sorrow | by Sigurth I sat; The wolves . . . . | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . ."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by greatness in the verse.
"The short Guthrunarkvitha III, entitled in the manuscript simply Guthrunarkvitha, but so numbered in most editions to distinguish it from the first and second Guthrun lays, appears only in the Codex"
attestation: The stanza references wisdom or knowledge involving she.
"18. "Woeful for this | her vengeance was, As so we learned | to our sorrow all; In every land | shall all men hear How herself at Sigurth's | side she slew."
attestation: The stanza describes travel or movement involving Sigurth.
"92. "My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by age in the verse.
"92. "My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by boldness in the verse.
"92. "My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by swiftness in the verse.
"92. "My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East."
attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Sigurth.
"92. "My two brothers and I | were bold in our thoughts, From the land we went forth, | with Sigurth we fared; Full swiftly we sailed, | each one steering his ship, So our fate sought we e'er | till we came to the East."
relationship: her is the offspring of Sigurth.
"Sunilda easily became the wife as well as the victim of the tyrant, and, by the process of legend-blending so frequently observed, the story was connected with the more famous one of the Nibelungs by making her the daughter of Sigurth and Guthrun."
relationship: The stanza references a daughter of Sigurth.
"The title "Guthrunarhvot," which appears in the Codex Regius, really applies only to stanzas 1–8, all presumably borrowed from the "old" ballad of Hamther. The rest of the poem is simply another Guthrun"
attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Sigurth.
"10. "Three home-fires knew I, | three hearths I knew, Home was I brought | by husbands three; But Sigurth only | of all was dear, He whom my brothers | brought to his death."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by grimness in the verse.
"17. "The sorest it was | when Sigurth mine On his couch, of victory | robbed, they killed; And grimmest of all | when to Gunnar's heart There crept the bright-hued | crawling snakes."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by swiftness in the verse.
"19. "Bridle, Sigurth, | thy steed so black, Hither let run | thy swift-faring horse; Here there sits not | son or daughter Who yet to Guthrun | gifts shall give."
attestation: Sigurth is characterized by gladness in the verse.
"7. "Thy bed-covers white | with blood were red From his wounds, and with gore | of thy husband were wet; So Sigurth was slain, | by his corpse didst thou sit, And of gladness didst think not: | 'twas Gunnar's doing."
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > "T."
- attestation: Sigurth is associated with the object Gungnir.
"17. Charms: the wearing of amulets was very common. Gungnir: Othin's spear, made by the dwarfs, which he occasionally lent to heroes to whom he granted victory. Grani: Sigurth's horse; the Volsungasaga has "giantesses'.""
The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Pronouncing Index
- relationship: Sigurth is the central hero of the Volsung cycle, son of Sigmund
"Sig′-urth, son of Sigmund"