The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs by William Morris
page 52 of 442 (11%)
page 52 of 442 (11%)
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Then loud laughed out Sinfiotli, and he said: "I wot indeed That Signy is my mother, and her will I help at need: Is the fox of the King-folk my father, that adder of the brake, Who gave me never a blessing, and many a cursing spake? Yea, have I in sooth a father, save him that cherished my life, The Lord of the Helm of Terror, the King of the Flame of Strife? Lo now my hand is ready to strike what stroke thou wilt, For I am the sword of the Gods: and thine hand shall hold the hilt." Fierce glowed the eyes of King Sigmund, for he knew the time was come When the curse King Siggeir fashioned at last shall seek him home: And of what shall follow after, be it evil days, or bliss, Or praise, or the cursing of all men,--the Gods shall see to this. _Of the slaying of Siggeir the Goth-king._ So there are those kings abiding, and they think of nought but the day When the time at last shall serve them, to wend on the perilous way. And so in the first of winter, when nights grow long and mirk, They fare unto Siggeir's dwelling and seek wherein to lurk. And by hap 'twas the tide of twilight, ere the watch of the night was set And the watch of the day was departed, as Sinfiotli minded yet So now by a passage he wotted they gat them into the bower Where lay the biggest wine-tuns, and there they abode the hour: Anigh to the hall it was, but no man came thereto, But now and again the cup-lord when King Siggeir's wine he drew: Yea and so nigh to the feast-hall, that they saw the torches shine |
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