The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs   By: William Morris (1834-1896)

BY WILLIAM MORRIS

EIGHTH IMPRESSION

LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK AND BOMBAY 1904

All rights reserved

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

SIGMUND.

PAGE

Of the dwelling of King Volsung, and the wedding of Signy his daughter 1

How the Volsungs fared to the Land of the Goths, and of the fall of King Volsung 12

Of the ending of all Volsung's Sons save Sigmund only and of how he abideth in the wild wood 19

Of the birth and fostering of Sinfiotli, Signy's Son 26

Of the slaying of Siggeir the Goth king 39

How Sigmund cometh to the Land of the Volsungs again, and of the death of Sinfiotli his Son 47

Of the last battle of King Sigmund, and the death of him 55

How King Sigmund the Volsung was laid in mound on the sea side of the Isle realm 63

How Queen Hiordis is known; and how she abideth in the house of Elf the Son of the Helper 66

BOOK II.

REGIN.

Of the birth of Sigurd the Son of Sigmund 69

Sigurd getteth to him the horse that is called Greyfell 75

Regin telleth Sigurd of his kindred, and of the Gold that was accursed from ancient days 81

Of the forging of the Sword that is called The Wrath of Sigurd 101

Of Gripir's Foretelling 108

Sigurd rideth to the Glittering Heath 115

Sigurd slayeth Fafnir the Serpent 121

Sigurd slayeth Regin the Master of Masters on the Glittering Heath 127

How Sigurd took to him the Treasure of the Elf Andvari 132

How Sigurd awoke Brynhild upon Hindfell 134

BOOK III.

BRYNHILD.

Of the Dream of Gudrun the Daughter of Giuki 148

How the folk of Lymdale met Sigurd the Volsung in the woodland 158

How Sigurd met Brynhild in Lymdale 162

Of Sigurd's riding to the Niblungs 168

Of Sigurd's warfaring in the company of the Niblungs, and of his great fame and glory 177

Of the Cup of evil drink that Grimhild the Wise wife gave to Sigurd 184

Of the Wedding of Sigurd the Volsung 195

Sigurd rideth with the Niblungs, and wooeth Brynhild for King Gunnar 204

How Brynhild was wedded to Gunnar the Niblung 221

Of the Contention betwixt the Queens 228

Gunnar talketh with Brynhild 240

Of the exceeding great grief and mourning of Brynhild 245

Of the slaying of Sigurd the Volsung 252

Of the mighty Grief of Gudrun over Sigurd dead 262

Of the passing away of Brynhild 268

BOOK IV.

GUDRUN.

King Atli wooeth and weddeth Gudrun 276

Atli biddeth the Niblungs to him 287

How the Niblungs fare to the Land of King Atli 297

Atli speaketh with the Niblungs 309

Of the Battle in Atli's Hall 316

Of the Slaying of the Niblung Kings 323

The Ending of Gudrun 338