3-30“The Lay of Hamdir” Stanza 1–31

The Brothers' Last Battle

What help did the brothers lack in their revenge?

Urged by their mother to avenge their sister, Hamdir and Sorli meet their brother Erp on the road. They ask what help he can give. Erp says he can help as one foot helps the other. But the two reject his answer, draw their swords and kill him.

In Jormunrek's hall, people are drinking. The noise is so great that they do not even hear the horses' hooves. Soon the hall becomes a battlefield. The brothers cut off the king's hands and feet and throw them into the fire. The king shouts that swords and spears cannot hurt these brothers, and orders his men to throw stones at them.

Hamdir laments that if Erp were alive, he could have cut off the king's head. In the midst of battle, he remembers the brother they killed on the road. Even so, he says that they have fought well and won fame. At last, Sorli falls at the end of the hall. Hamdir meets his death at the back of the hall.

Illustration of The Brothers' Last Battle