But Gudrun, filled with pride that she was
the wife of so great a man as Sigurd, deemed it a little matter that
all others should give her honour, and knowing how Sigurd had ridden
the fire, she cherished great scorn of Gunnar and Brynhild in her
heart, and her pride waxed daily greater.
Of the heart-wise Hogni men tell how he grew wiser day by day and more
learned in the craft of his mother Grimhild.
As for Gunnar, he lived with Brynhild in great honour and praise from
all men, but the thought of how Sigurd had ridden the fire in his
semblance lay heavy upon him. He brooded thereon in bitterness and
envy, and the lie shadowed his life-days so that he had but small joy
in his wife.
And Grimhild, marking his heavy mood, wrought upon him with cunning
words and he gave ear to her. For ever she spake of kings' supplanters
who bear away the praise from their lords after great deeds are done,
and often her talk was of the mighty power that he holdeth who knoweth
the shame of a king. So Gunnar hearkened and ill thoughts grew within
him.
But fair-faced, calm as a God who hath none to call his foes,
Betwixt the Kings and the people the golden Sigurd goes;
No knowledge of man he lacketh, and the lore he gained of old
From the ancient heart of the Serpent and the Wallower on the Gold
Springs fresh in the soul of Sigurd; the heart of Hogni he sees,
And the heart of his brother Gunnar, and he grieveth sore for these.
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