A Mother's Anger at Her Daughter's Death

What did the grieving mother demand?

Gudrun's daughter Svanhild is Sigurd's child. Of all her children, Gudrun loved this daughter especially dearly. She compares her presence in the hall to beautiful sunlight. Svanhild marries King Jormunrek, but at his command she is trampled to death by horses.

When Gudrun hears the news, she reproaches her sons Hamdir and Sorli. Why are they sleeping instead of doing something? If they were as brave as her brothers, she says, they would avenge their sister. When her sons ask for weapons and armour, she brings them helmets and armour with a laugh.

Mounted on his horse, Hamdir tells his mother that he will never return to her. She will have to mourn her sons as well as her daughter. Gudrun sits before the gate, weeping as she speaks of her sorrows. At last, she asks for a high pile of firewood, wishing the fire would burn away the grief that fills her heart.

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