Of Sigurd's Meeting with Brynhild on the Mountain.

By long roads rides Sigurd, till he comes at the last up on to
Hindfell, and wends his way south to the land of the Franks; and
he sees before him on the fell a great light, as of fire burning,
and flaming up even unto the heavens; and when he came thereto,
lo, a shield hung castle before him, and a banner on the topmost
thereof: into the castle went Sigurd, and saw one lying there
asleep, and all-armed. Therewith he takes the helm from off the
head of him, and sees that it is no man, but a woman; and she was
clad in a byrny as closely set on her as though it had gown to
her flesh; so he rent it from the collar downwards; and then the
sleeves thereof, and ever the sword bit on it as if it were
cloth. Then said Sigurd that over-long had she lain asleep; but
she asked --

"What thing of great might is it that has prevailed to rend my
byrny, and draw me from my sleep?"

Even as sings the song (1)

"What bit on the byrny,
Why breaks my sleep away,
Who has turned from me
My wan tormenting?"

"Ah, is it so, that here is come Sigurd Sigmundson, bearing
Fafnir's helm on his head and Fafnir's bane in his hand?"

Then answered Sigurd --