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Poetic Edda
For long have I wished your lives to steal from you."
The boys spake:
"Slay thy boys as thou wilt, for no one may bar it,
Short the angry one's peace if all thou shalt do."
"Slay thy boys as thou wilt, for no one may bar it,
Short the angry one's peace if all thou shalt do."
74.[1] Then the grim one slew both of the brothers young,
Full hard was her deed when their heads she smote off;
Fain was Atli to know whither now they were gone,
The boys from their sport, for nowhere he spied them.
Full hard was her deed when their heads she smote off;
Fain was Atli to know whither now they were gone,
The boys from their sport, for nowhere he spied them.
Guthrun spake:
75.[2] "My fate shall I seek, all to Atli saying,
The daughter of Grimhild the deed from thee hides not;
No joy thou hast, Atli, if all thou shalt hear,
Great sorrow didst wake when my brothers thou slewest.
75.[2] "My fate shall I seek, all to Atli saying,
The daughter of Grimhild the deed from thee hides not;
No joy thou hast, Atli, if all thou shalt hear,
Great sorrow didst wake when my brothers thou slewest.
- ↑ The manuscript indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza.
- ↑ The manuscript does not name the speaker.
The manuscript does not name the speakers. It indicates line 3 as beginning a new stanza, in which it is followed by many editions. The Volsungasaga paraphrases line 4 thus: "But it is shameful for thee to do this." Either the text of the line has been changed or the Volsungasaga compilers misunderstood it. The angry one: Atli.
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