3-35“The Lay of Hervor” Stanza 1–30

A Sword from the Grave

What sword did the father in the grave give his daughter?

As the sun sets, young Hervor meets a shepherd at Munarvag on the island. He warns her that the graves are opening and fires are burning. But she will not turn back. When the shepherd flees into the forest, Hervor moves like smoke through the flames and approaches the grave.

Hervor calls upon her father Angantyr to wake from his grave. She asks for Tyrfing, the sword made by dwarfs. Her father warns her that the sword will destroy her entire family.

Her father also foretells that she will bear a son. The boy will be called Heidrek and will wield Tyrfing. At last, saying he can refuse her no longer, her father hands over the sword. Hervor accepts it and thanks him.

Her father tells her to keep the sword covered. Both edges are poisoned, and she must not touch them. Hervor bids farewell to the dead in their graves. She says that, surrounded by flames, she felt as though she stood between worlds.

Illustration of A Sword from the Grave