then the others, one after other; but none who came thereto might
avail to pull it out, for in nowise would it come away howsoever
they tugged at it; but now up comes Sigmund, King Volsung's son,
and sets hand to the sword, and pulls it from the stock, even as
if it lay loose before him; so good that weapon seemed to all,
that none thought he had seen such a sword before, and Siggeir
would fain buy it of him at thrice its weight of gold, but
Sigmund said --

"Thou mightest have taken the sword no less than I from there
whereas it stood, if it had been thy lot to bear it; but now,
since it has first of all fallen into my hand, never shalt thou
have it, though thou biddest therefor all the gold thou hast."

King Siggeir grew wroth at these words, and deemed Sigmund had
answered him scornfully, but whereas was a wary man and a double-
dealing, he made as if he heeded this matter in nowise, yet that
same evening he thought how he might reward it, as was well seen
afterwards.


ENDNOTES:
(1) Rede (A.S. raed), counsel, advice, a tale or prophecy.
(2) The man is Odin, who is always so represented, because he
gave his eye as a pledge for a draught from the fountain of
Mimir, the source of all wisdom.



CHAPTER IV.