THE PROPHECY
OF GRIPIR
Gripisspa
 "The Prophecy
of Gripir" was chosen by the Collector to introduce
the Sigurth poems, no doubt because it contained a sort
of epitome of them all. This sufficiently evinces his
lack of critical discernment, for even a slight
acquaintance with the Heroic Lay teaches us that this one
is of a different class: given in the form of a gnomic
dialogue, it is but a sapless versified excerpt, utterly
lacking originality of treatment, and full of inepituteds
and contradictions, (1) at that! Poetically warthless, it
is of interest because its author---no doubt some
Icelander of the thirteenth century---still had before
him the poems of "The Great Lacuna."
1. In
particular, grievous confusion was wrought in the
poem (and in the account of
"Skaldskaparmal," Chap. 39, based on it),
as well as in some modern treatments, either by the
author's inability to discern that there were current
two incompatible versions of Sigurth's relations with
Brynhild and with Guthrun, or else by his trying to
reconcile them in true medieval fashion.
I.
According to "Fafnismal,"
"Sigurtharkvidha hin skamma," and
"Helreidh Brynhildar" (also the
Nibelungenlied), the hero first proceeds to Gjuki's
court and wins Guthrun. When there, he is prevailed
upon to win Brynhild for Gunnar by riding through the
wall of fire and assuming Gunnar's shape. He rouses
Brynhild from her sleep, lies three nights beside
her, his sword separating them, and then yields her
to Gunnar.
II. In
the Volsunga saga, the Nornagests Thattr (based, it
seems, on poems now lost), "Sigrdrifumal,"
and the Thidhreks saga, Sigurth first delivers and
pledges himself to Brynhild. He then proceeds to
Gjuki's court where a "drink of
forgetfulness," given him by Grimhild, makes him
oblivious of his former love and he marries Guthrun.
Curiously enough, the Nibelungenlied shows traces of
a similar confusion (Aventiure VI, VII); and the bird
prophecy in "Fafnismal" is
ambiguous.
In form,
the jejune stanzas (in fornyrdhislag) are flawless. It
may be noted that the alternation between the first and
the third person, as used by the speaker of himself,
occurs commonly enough in Old Norse poetry, but not to
the wearisome extent seen in this piece. The poem is
transmitted only in Codex Regius.
Gripir (2) was the name of
Eylimi's son, and he was the brother of Hjordis. He ruled
a kingdom and was the wisest of men and had foreknowledge
of the future. Sigurth rode alone and came to Gripir's
hall. Sigurth was easily known. Outside of the hall he
met a man whose name was Geitir. (3)
2. Both
person and name are probably the invention of the poet.
3.
"Goat-herd." Compare with the situation in
"Skirnismal" and "Fjolsvinnsmal."
Sigurth greeted him and
said:
1. "This
high-built castle what king houseth,
known by what name his
knights among?"
(Geitir said:)
"The
gold-ring-giver is Gripir hight
o'er land and lieges
who lordeth it here."
(Sigurth said:)
2. "Is the
highborn hero home in the land?
Would the noble king
hold converse with me?
A man unknown hath
need of it;
would he forthwith
find the folk-warder."
(Geitir said:)
3. "Will the
gladsome king (4) of Geitir ask
with whom he is to
hold converse."
(Sigurth said:)
"I am Sigurth
hight, to Sigmund born,
and Hjordis is the
hero's mother."
4. A
standard epithet. See "Fafnismal," St. 29.
4. Then went Geitir,
Gripir to tell:
"An unkown man
without doth stand;
of lofty mien this
lord seemeth:
would he, noble king,
hold converse with thee."
5. Out of hall hied
him the housecarls' lord
to greet as guest the
goodly warrior:
"Welcome,
Sigurth--- why no sooner here?
Thou, Geitir, stable
Grani, his steed." (5)
5. See the
Prose at the end of "Fafnismal.".
6. The thoughtful
thanes of things many
gan tidings tell,
trueheartedly.
(Sigurth said:)
"Make known to
me, my mother's brother,
what life will Sigurth
lead hereafter?"
(Gripir said:)
7. "Among sons of
men, the sun beneath,
wilt be held of heroes
the highest born,
free with thy gold, to
flee unready,
in thy words most
wise, and wondrous fair."
(Sigurth said:)
8. "Still
further, king---- far more I ask---
say to Sigurth, if
'tis seen by thee:
of my fate what first
befalls me now,
when from thy hall I
fare on the morrow?"
(Gripir said:)
9. "Wilt first,
folk-warder, thy father avenge,
and Eylimi eke, for
evil deed:
the hardy sons to
Hunding born
thou wilt lay low, the
lieges doughty." (6)
6. See
"Reginsmal," Sts. 15-26.
(Sigurth said:)
10. "Say clearly,
king, to thy kinsman here,
thy sister's child,
right cheerfully:
seest deeds of daring
done by Sigurth,
which soar highest the
heavens beneath?"
(Gripir said:)
11. "Thyself wilt
slay the serpent glitt'ring
which greedy lieth on
Gnita Heath; (7)
to both brothers wilt
bring quick death,
to Regin and Fafnir:
(8) aright saith Gripir."
7.
Supposed to be in Germany, by the Rhine. See
"Volundarkvidha," St. 14.
8. As told
in "Fafnismal."
(Sigurth said:)
12. "Great wealth
I win if I work it so,
as thou sayest
certain, and slay these twain.
Scan yet longer the
skein of fate:
what will further fall
to my lot?"
(Gripir said:)
13. "Then
Fafnir's lair wilt find anon,
and have from the
heath the hoarded wealth;
wilt load the gold on
Grani's saddle:
then ride to Gjuki (9)
the gladsome king."
9. The
Burgundian king, Grimhild's husband, and father of
Gunnar, Hogni, and Guthrun. His name corresponds to MHG,
Gibeche, "the Generous."
(Sigurth said:)
14. "Shalt, wise
folk-warder, my weird tell further
and, sage sea king,
say still onward:
when Gjuki's guest
goes on his way,
what will still
further fall to his lot?"
(Gripir said:)
15. "On the fell
sleepeth the folk-warder's daughter (10)
in weeds of war, since
wound-dead Helgi; (11)
with keen edge wilt
cut her byrnie,
slitting with sword
which slew Fafnir."
10.
Brynhild.
11. It has
been suggested that this Helgi is identical with the
Hjalmgunnar who is mentioned in the Prose following St. 4
of "Sigrdrifumal" and in "Helreidh
Brynhildar," St. 8.
(Sigurth said:)
16. "Her mail is
slitted, the maiden speaketh,
as from her sleep she
sitteth up then.
To thy sib Sigurth
what saith the lady,
which to the leader
good luck will bring?"
(Gripir said:)
17. "Will she
teach thee runes, doughty ruler----
which all men are
eager to learn----
teach thee to talk the
tongues of men,
and healing
leechcraft: (12) hail to thee, king!"
12. These
Runic instructions form the main contents of
"Sigrdrifumal."
(Sigurth said:)
18. "Learned is
the lore which lords should know;
ready am I to ride
from thence.
Scan yet longer the
skein of fate:
what will further fall
to my lot?"
(Gripir said:)
19. "To Heimir's
(13) halls wilt, hero come,
and gladly dwell as
guest with the king:
at an end is now all
my knowledge-----
ask no more of thy
mother's brother."
13.
Brynhild's foster father. Her father, in Norse tradition,
is Buthli; her brother , Atli. See St. 27 above.
(Sigurth said:)
20. "Sorrow see I
in what thou sayest
since, folk-warder,
farther dost see:
too great the grief
Gripir weeneth,
hence more wilt not to
me now say."
(Gripir said:)
21. "In light
most lieth thy life before me
which in youth thou,
nor beyond wilt lead;
nor in truth can I
foretell thy fate:
at an end is now all
my knowledge."
(Sigurth said:)
22. "No man is
known beneath heaven
who forward sees
farther than thou:
hide not from me,
unhappy though be
my life and lot, and
luckless my end."
(Gripir said:)
23. "Learn and
listen, lordly hero:
no fault nor flaw thy
fate doth blot:
know that most noble
thy name will be
the while, warrior,
the world lasteth."
(Sigurth said:)
24. "Little I
like it; now leave taketh
from thee Sigurth,
though thus it be;
the way now show----
his weird none fleeth----
my mother's brother,
to me if thou wilt."
(Gripir said:)
25. "To Sigurth
shall I now say fully
since, war-worker,
thou wilt it thus---
thou know'st full well
that naught I lie----
I see the day thy
death will bring."
(Sigurth said:)
26. "The wise
folk-warder's wrath I wish not,
but the good rede of
Gripir, rather:
to wit I wish, though
welcome nowise,
what fate lieth before
Sigurth."
(Gripir said:)
27. "Fosters
Heimir a fair maiden
who is Brynhild (14)
hight, his hall within-----
Buthli's daughter, the
brave folk-king's-----
of hardy mind is the
maiden fair."
14.
"Maiden in Byrnie."
(Sigurth said:)
28. "To me what
is't, a maid though be
fostered at Heimir's,
fair to behold?
Thou shalt, Gripir,
tell altogether:
before thee lieth my
fate clearly."
(Gripir said:)
29. "Of glee and
gladness will the girl rob thee
who is Brynhild hight,
Buthli's daughter:
no sleep thou sleepest
nor seekest Thing (15)
nor men's meetings,
but the maid thou seest."
15. The
popular assembly. See "Havamal," St. 114.
(Sigurth said:)
30. "Is aught for
easement to the atheling given?
Say thou, Gripir, if
'tis seen by thee:
will I the dear one by
dowry win,
the folk-warder's
daughter, so fair to see?"
(Gripir said:)
31. "Oaths ye
will pledge altogether,
will pledge fully, but
few ye will keep:
art with Gjuki a guest
one night,
from thy mind then
falls Heimir's foster child."
(Sigurth said:)
32. "How so,
Gripir? Nor hide from me:
is fickle found the
folk-warder's mind?
Will I faithlessly
fail the maiden
to whom my whole heart
I had given?"
(Gripir said:)
33. "A wicked
woman's wiles will snare thee:
will Queen Grimhild
(16) beguile thy mind
and offer to thee her
own daughter,
the lovely maiden, and
lure thee on."
16.
"Maiden in Helmet (Vizor)." She corresponds to
the Uote of the Nibelungenlied. Her daughter is Guthrun.
[MHG. Kudrun], "Knowing Battle Runes," whose
role is that of Kriemhilt in the Nibelungenlied. Much of
what follows is taken from the poems of "The Great Lacuna."
(Sigurth said:)
34. "Then
Gunnar's (17) kinsman the king (18) will be,
when that as wife he
weds Guthrun.
Full well wedded then
would I be,
if the ruler ruled not
the wrong that's done."
17.
"Leader in Battle." Both name and person
correspond to the Gunther of the Nibelungenlied.
18.
Sigurth.
(Gripir said:)
35. "Will
Grimhild beguile thee altogether,
and egg thee on to ask
Brynhild
for Gunnar's wife, the
Gothic (19) king's:
thy faith wilt thou
forthwith plight him."
19. Here,
as often, used as an hoorific epithet.
(Sigurth said:)
36. "Ill hap
draws nigh---- I behold it well;
foresight Sigurth, I
fear me, lacks
if I shall ask for
another man
her whom my whole
heart I had given."
(Gripir said:)
37. "Oaths will
pledge ye altogether,
Gunnar and
Hogni----(20) thou, hero, too;
each other's form,
when faring to her,
takest thou and
Gunnar: (21) Gripir lies not."
20. The
Hagene of the Nibelungenlied.
21. As is
told in "Brot af Sigurtharkvidhu."
(Sigurth said:)
38. "How may this
happen that he and I
shift face and form
when faring to her?
Still other falsehoods
will follow after,
all fraught with
sorrow; but say on, Gripir!"
(Gripir said:)
39. "Wilt borrow
Gunnar's bearing and form,
but keep thy speech
and spirit eke;
wilt pledge the troth
of the proudhearted
winsome woman: fate
wills it so."
(Sigurth said:)
40. "Little I
like it; a loathly deed
all thanes will think
it, if thus I do.
With wiles I would not
woo for Gunnar
as bride Brynhild,
best of maidens."
(Gripir said:)
41. "Wilt,
Sigurth, sleep at the side three nights
of the maiden, as
though thy mother she were; (22)
will hence be known
thy name, great king,
the while, warrior,
the world lasteth."
22. He
laid his sword between himself and Brynhild. "Brot af
Sigurtharkvidhu," St. 20, and "Sigurtharkvidha
hin skamma," Sts. 4 and 67.
(Sigurth said:)
42. "Will the
war-worker (23) win thereafter
the good woman-----
this, Gripir, tell me!------
three nights although
the thane's fair bride
with me did sleep? A
marvel were it."
23.
Gunnar.
(Gripir said:)
43. "Together
will both bridals be drunk, (24)
Sigurth's and
Gunnar's, in Gjuki's hall.
The sham shapes then
will ye shift at home,
though each within him
his own thoughts kept."
24. Such
is the case in the Nibelungenlied.
(Sigurth said:)
44. (25)"What hap
thereafter will have we twain, (26)
when wedded thus? I
wish to know.
Will Gunnar's lot be
good, thereafter,
and eke my own? I ask
thee, Gripir."
25.
Bugge's ordering of Stanzas 42-44 is followed.
26. Gunnar
and Sigurth.
(Gripir said:)
45. "The oaths
thou'lt remember, yet utter them not,
wilt grudge not
Guthrun thy goodly body;
but Brynhild will ween
her a bride mismated:
the woman will of the
wiles avenge her."
(Sigurth said:)
46. "What will I
give, the grief to allay
of the woman, since we
with wiles tricked her?
Hath the fair one from
me false oaths many,
lying pledges, but
little joy."
(Gripir said:)
47. "To Gunnar
goes she, will grimly tell
how that thy oaths
most ill didst keep,
when altogether
Gjuki's son had,
the lieges' lord,
believed in thee." (27)
27. For
this and the following events see "Brot af
Sigurtharkvidhu," "Sigurtharkvidha hin
skamma," and "Gudhrunarkvidha" II.
(Sigurth said:)
48. "How now,
Gripir, give me answer:
did in truth I betray
the king?
Or will lie on me the
highborn lady-----(28)
on me and herself? Say
now, Gripir!"
28.
Brynhild.
(Gripir said:)
49. "In anger
will deal ill with thee,
in moody mourning, the
mighty queen:
no whit has thou
harmed the lady,
though the king's wife
ye with wiles did trick."
(Sigurth said:)
50. "Will Gunnar
and Hogni, and Guthorm (29) eke,
be egged thereafter
against their oaths?
Will Gjuki's sons
their swords redden
in Sigurth's blood?
Say on, Gripir!"
29.
Gunnar's stepbrother, who had not sworn Sigurth oaths.
See "Brot af
Sigurtharkvidhu," St. 4, and
"Gudhrunarkvidha" II, St. 7.
(Gripir said:)
51. "With grim
grief will be Guthrun's heart filled,
the time her brothers
betray her foully;
nor love ever the lady
hath,
nor gladness,
thereafter: (30) 'tis Grimhild's fault."
30. The
contents of the Guthrun Lays.
(Sigurth said:)
52. (31)"Fare
thee well, then: over fate wins no one.
Thou'st done my
bidding as best thou could'st;
a fairer fate thou
fain had'st told me,
Gripir, ungrudging, if
granted it were."
31. The
ordering of Sts. 52 and 53 following Grundtvig.
(Gripir said:)
53. "May ay this
ease the atheling's heart:
is this lot, leader,
to thy life given:
will no better hero be
born in the world
'neath sun in heaven
than, Sigurth, thou!"
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