『ヴォルンドの歌』の原典

Meyjar flugu sunnan
myrkvið í gögnum,
Alvitr unga,
örlög drýgja;
þær á sævarströnd
settusk at hvílask
drósir suðrænar,
dýrt lín spunnu.

Ein nam þeira
Egil at verja,
fögr mær fira,
faðmi ljósum;
önnur var Svanhvít,
svanfjaðrar dró,
en in þriðja
þeira systir
varði hvítan
hals Völundar.

Sátu síðan
sjau vetr at þat,
en inn átta
allan þráðu,
en inn níunda
nauðr of skilði;
meyjar fýstusk
á myrkvan við,
Alvitr unga,
örlög drýgja.

Kom þar af veiði
veðreygr skyti,
[Völundr, líðandi
um langan veg],
Slagfiðr ok Egill,
sali fundu auða,
gengu út ok inn
ok um sáusk;
austur skreið Egill
at Ölrúnu,
en suðr Slagfiðr
at Svanhvítu.

En einn Völundr
sat í Ulfdölum,
hann sló gull rautt
við gim fastan,
lukði hann alla
lind baugum vel;
svá beið hann
sinnar ljóssar
kvánar, ef hánum
koma gerði.

Þat spyrr Níðuðr,
Níára dróttinn,
at einn Völundr
sat í Ulfdölum;
nóttum fóru seggir,
neglðar váru brynjur,
skildir bliku þeira
við inn skarða mána.

Stigu ór söðlum
at salar gafli,
gengu inn þaðan
endlangan sal;
sáu þeir á bast
bauga dregna,
sjau hundruð allra,
er sá seggr átti.

Og þeir af tóku
ok þeir á létu,
fyr einn útan,
er þeir af létu.
Kom þar af veiði
veðreygr skyti,
Völundr, líðandi
um langan veg.

Gekk hann brúnni
beru hold steikja,
ár brann hrísi
allþurr fura,
viðr inn vindþurri,
fyr Völundi.

Sat á berfjalli,
bauga talði,
alfa ljóði,
eins saknaði;
hugði hann, at hefði
Hlöðvés dóttir,
Alvitr unga,
væri hon aftr komin.

Sat hann svá lengi,
at hann sofnaði,
ok hann vaknaði
viljalauss;
vissi sér á höndum
höfgar nauðir,
en á fótum
fjötur of spenntan.
Völundr kvað:

"Hverir ro jöfrar,
þeir er á lögðu
besti bör síma
ok mik bundu?"

Kallaði nú Níðuðr
Níara dróttinn:
"Hvar gaztu, Völundr,
vísi alfa,
vára aura
í Ulfdölum?"
Völundr Kvað:

"Gull var þar eigi
á Grana leiðu,
fjarri hugða ek várt land
fjöllum Rínar;
man ek, at vér meiri
mæti áttum,
er vér heil hjú
heima várum.

Hlaðguðr ok Hervör
borin var Hlöðvé
kunn var Ölrún
Kíárs dóttir."

[Úti stóð kunnig
kván Níðaðar],
hon inn of gekk
endlangan sal,
stóð á golfi,
stillti röddu:
"Er-a sá nú hýrr,
er ór holti ferr."
Níðuðr konungr gaf dóttur sinni, Böðvildi gullhring þann, er hann tók af bastinu at Völundar, en hann sjálfr bar sverðit, er Völundr átti. En dróttning kvað:

"Ámun eru augu
ormi þeim inum frána,
tenn hánum teygjask,
er hánum er tét sverð
ok hann Böðvildar
baug of þekkir;
sníðið ér hann
sina magni
ok setið hann síðan
í Sævarstöð."
Svá var gert, at skornar váru sinar í knésfótum, ok settr í hólm einn, er þar var fyrir landi, er hét Sævarstaðr. Þar smíðaði hann konungi alls kyns görsimar. Engi maðr þorði at fara til hans nema konungr einn.

"Skínn Níðaði
sverð á linda,
þat er ek hvessta,
sem ek hagast kunna
ok ek herðak,
sem mér hægst þótti;
sá er mér fránn mækir
æ fjarri borinn,
sékk-a ek þann Völundi
til smiðju borinn.

Nú berr Böðvildr
brúðar minnar
- bíðk-a ek þess bót, -
bauga rauða."

Sat hann, né hann svaf, ávallt
ok hann sló hamri;
vél gerði hann heldr
hvatt Níðaði.
Drifu ungir tveir
á dýr séa
synir Níðaðar,
í Sævarstöð.

Kómu þeir til kistu,
kröfðu lukla,
opin var illúð
er þeir í sáu;
fjölð var þar menja,
er þeim mögum sýndisk
at væri gull rautt
ok görsimar.
Völundr kvað:

"Komið einir tveir,
komið annars dags;
ykkr læt ek þat gull
of gefit verða;
segið-a meyjum
né salþjóðum,
manni engum,
at it mik fyndið."

Snemma kallaði
seggr annan,
bróðir á bróður:
"Göngum baug séa!"
Kómu til kistu,
kröfðu lukla,
opin var illúð,
er þeir í litu.

Sneið af höfuð
húna þeira
ok und fen fjöturs
fætr of lagði;
en þær skálar,
er und skörum váru,
sveip hann útan silfri,
seldi Níðaði.

En ór augum
jarknasteina
sendi hann kunnigri
konu Níðaðar,
en ór tönnum
tveggja þeira
sló hann brjóstkringlur
sendi Böðvildi.

Þá nam Böðvildr
baugi at hrósa
-- -- --
[bar hann Völundi],
er brotit hafði:
"Þorig-a ek at segja
nema þér einum."
Völundr kvað:

"Ek bæti svá
brest á gulli
at feðr þínum
fegri þykkir
ok mæðr þinni
miklu betri
ok sjalfri þér
at sama hófi."

Bar hann hana bjóri,
því at hann betr kunni
svá at hon í sessi
of sofnaði.
"Nú hef ek hefnt
harma minna
allra nema einna
íviðgjarna."

"Vel ek," kvað Völundr,
"verða ek á fitjum
þeim er mik Níðaðar
námu rekkar."
Hlæjandi Völundr
hófsk at lofti,
grátandi Böðvildr
gekk ór eyju,
tregði för friðils
ok föður reiði.

Úti stendr kunnig
kván Níðaðar,
ok hon inn of gekk
endlangan sal,
- en hann á salgarð
settisk at hvílask -:
"Vakir þú, Níðuðr
Níara dróttinn?"
Níðuðr kvað:

"Vaki ek ávallt
viljalauss,
sofna ek minnst
síz mína sonu dauða;
kell mik í höfuð,
köld eru mér ráð þín,
vilnumk ek þess nú,
at ek við Völund dæma.

Seg þú mér þat, Völundr,
vísi alfa,
af heilum hvat varð
húnum mínum."
Völundr kvað:

"Eiða skaltu mér áðr
alla vinna,
at skips borði
ok at skjaldar rönd,
at mars bægi
ok at mækis egg,
at þú kvelj-at
kván Völundar
né brúði minni
at bana verðir,
þótt vér kván eigim,
þá er ér kunnið,
eða jóð eigim
innan hallar.

Gakk þú til smiðju,
þeirar er þú gerðir,
þar fiðr þú belgi
blóði stokkna;
sneið ek af höfuð
húna þinna,
ok und fen fjöturs
fætr of lagðak.

En þær skálar,
er und skörum váru,
sveip ek útan silfri,
selda ek Níðaði;
en ór augum
jarknasteina
senda ek kunnigri
kván Níðaðar.

En úr tönnum
tveggja þeira
sló ek brjóstkringlur,
senda ek Böðvildi;
nú gengr Böðvildr
barni aukin,
eingadóttir
ykkur beggja."
Níðuðr kvað:

"Mæltir-a þú þat mál,
er mik meir tregi,
né ek þik vilja, Völundr,
verr of níta;
er-at svá maðr hár,
at þik af hesti taki,
né svá öflugr,
at þik neðan skjóti,
þar er þú skollir
við ský uppi."

Hlæjandi Völundr
hófsk at lofti,
en ókátr Níðuðr
sat þá eftir.
Níðuðr kvað:

"Upp rístu, Þakkráðr,
þræll minn inn bezti,
bið þú Böðvildi,
meyna bráhvítu,
ganga fagrvarið
við föður ræða.

Er þat satt, Böðvildr,
er sögðu mér:
Sátuð it Völundr
saman í holmi?"
Böðvildr kvað:

"Satt er þat, Níðuðr,
er sagði þér:
Sátum vit Völundr
saman í holmi
eina ögurstund,
æva skyldi;
ek vætr hánum
vinna kunnak,
ek vætr hánum
vinna máttak."

Maids from the south through Myrkwood flew,
Fair and young, their fate to follow;
On the shore of the sea to rest them they sat,
The maids of the south, and flax they spun.

..............
Hlathguth and Hervor, Hlothver's children,
And Olrun the Wise Kjar's daughter was.

..............
One in her arms took Egil then
To her bosom white, the woman fair.

Swan-White second,— swan-feathers she wore,
..............
And her arms the third of the sisters threw
Next round Völund's neck so white.

There did they sit for seven winters,
In the eighth at last came their longing again,
(And in the ninth did need divide them).
The maidens yearned for the murky wood,
The fair young maids, their fate to follow.

Völund home from his hunting came,
From a weary way, the weather-wise bowman,
Slagfith and Egil the hall found empty,
Out and in went they, everywhere seeking.

East fared Egil after Olrun,
And Slagfith south to seek for Swan-White;
Völund alone in Ulfdalir lay,
..............

Red gold he fashioned with fairest gems,
And rings he strung on ropes of bast;
So for his wife he waited long,
If the fair one home might come to him.

This Nithuth learned, the lord of the Njars,
That Völund alone in Ulfdalir lay; By night went his men, their mail-coats were studded,
Their shields in the waning moonlight shone.

From their saddles the gable wall they sought,
And in they went at the end of the hall;
Rings they saw there on ropes of bast,
Seven hundred the hero had.

Off they took them, but all they left
Save one alone which they bore away.
..............
..............

Völund home from his hunting came,
From a weary way, the weather-wise bowman;
A brown bear's flesh would he roast with fire;
Soon the wood so dry was burning well,
(The wind-dried wood that Völund's was).

On the bearskin he rested, and counted the rings,
The master of elves, but one he missed;
That Hlothver's daughter had it he thought,
And the all-wise maid had come once more.

So long he sat that he fell asleep,
His waking empty of gladness was;
Heavy chains he saw on his hands,
And fetters bound his feet together.

Völund spake: 15.
"What men are they who thus have laid
Ropes of bast to bind me now?"

Then Nithuth called, the lord of the Njars:
"How gottest thou, Völund, greatest of elves,
These treasures of ours in Ulfdalir?"

Völund spake: 16.
"The gold was not on Grani's way, Far, methinks, is our realm from the hills of the Rhine;
I mind me that treasures more we had
When happy together at home we were."

Without stood the wife of Nithuth wise,
And in she came from the end of the hall;
On the floor she stood, and softly spoke:
"Not kind does he look who comes from the wood."

"The glow of his eyes is like gleaming snakes,
His teeth he gnashes if now is shown
The sword, or Bothvild's ring he sees;
Let them straightway cut his sinews of strength,
And set him then in Sævarstath."

"At Nithuth's girdle gleams the sword
That I sharpened keen with cunningest craft,
(And hardened the steel with highest skill;)
The bright blade far forever is borne,
(Nor back shall I see it borne to my smithy;)
Now Bothvild gets the golden ring
(That was once my bride's,— ne'er well shall it be.)"

He sat, nor slept, and smote with his hammer,
Fast for Nithuth wonders he fashioned;
Two boys did go in his door to gaze,
Nithuth's sons, into Sævarstath.

They came to the chest, and they craved the keys,
The evil was open when in they looked;
To the boys it seemed that gems they saw,
Gold in plenty and precious stones.

Völund spake: 22.
"Come ye alone, the next day come,
Gold to you both shall then be given;
Tell not the maids or the men of the hall,
To no one say that me you have sought."

..............
Early did brother to brother call:
"Swift let us go the rings to see."

They came to the chest, and they craved the keys,
The evil was open when in they looked;
He smote off their heads, and their feet he hid
Under the sooty straps of the bellows.

Their skulls, once hid by their hair, he took,
Set them in silver and sent them to Nithuth;
Gems full fair from their eyes he fashioned,
To Nithuth's wife so wise he gave them.

And from the teeth of the twain he wrought
A brooch for the breast, to Bothvild he sent it;
..............

Bothvild then of her ring did boast,
.............. ....... "The ring I have broken,
I dare not say it save to thee."

Völund spake: 28.
"I shall weld the break in the gold so well
That fairer than ever thy father shall find it,
And better much thy mother shall think it,
And thou no worse than ever it was."

Beer he brought, he was better in cunning,
Until in her seat full soon she slept.

Völund spake:
"Now vengeance I have for all my hurts,
Save one alone, on the evil woman."

..............
..............
Quoth Völund: "Would that well were the sinews
Maimed in my feet by Nithuth's men."

Laughing Völund rose aloft,
Weeping Bothvild went from the isle,
For her lover's flight and her father's wrath.

Without stood the wife of Nithuth wise,
And in she came from the end of the hall;
But he by the wall in weariness sat:
"Wakest thou, Nithuth, lord of the Njars?"

Nithuth spake: 33.
"Always I wake, and ever joyless,
Little I sleep since my sons were slain;
Cold is my head, cold was thy counsel,
One thing, with Völund to speak, I wish.

.............. "Answer me, Völund, greatest of elves,
What happed with my boys that hale once were?"

Völund spake: 35.
"First shalt thou all the oaths now swear,
By the rail of ship, and the rim of shield,
By the shoulder of steed, and the edge of sword,
That to Völund's wife thou wilt work no ill,
Nor yet my bride to her death wilt bring,
Though a wife I should have that well thou knowest,
And a child I should have within thy hall.

"Seek the smithy that thou didst set,
Thou shalt find the bellows sprinkled with blood;
I smote off the heads of both thy sons,
And their feet 'neath the sooty straps I hid.

"Their skulls, once hid by their hair, I took,
Set them in silver and sent them to Nithuth; Gems full fair from their eyes I fashioned,
To Nithuth's wife so wise I gave them.

"And from the teeth of the twain I wrought
A brooch for the breast, to Bothvild I gave it;
Now big with child does Bothvild go,
The only daughter ye two had ever."

Nithuth spake: 39.
"Never spakest thou word that worse could hurt me,
Nor that made me, Völund, more bitter for vengeance;
There is no man so high from thy horse to take thee,
Or so doughty an archer as down to shoot thee,
While high in the clouds thy course thou takest."

Laughing Völund rose aloft,
But left in sadness Nithuth sat.
..............

Then spake Nithuth, lord of the Njars:
"Rise up, Thakkrath, best of my thralls,
Bid Bothvild come, the bright-browed maid,
Bedecked so fair, with her father to speak."

..............
..............
"Is it true, Bothvild, that which was told me;
Once in the isle with Völund wert thou?"

Bothvild spake: 43.
"True is it, Nithuth, that which was told thee,
Once in the isle with Völund was I,
An hour of lust, alas it should be!
Nought was my might with such a man,
Nor from his strength could I save myself."

乙女たちは南から飛んできた
暗い森を通り抜け
若いアルヴィトも
運命を果たすために。
彼女たちは水辺に
腰を下ろして休んだ
南国の乙女たちは
上等な亜麻糸を紡いだ。

そのうちの一人は
エギルを抱いた
世にも美しい乙女が
白く輝く腕で。
もう一人はスヴァンフヴィート
白鳥の羽衣をまとっていた。
そして三人目の
その姉妹は
ヴォルンドの白い
首を抱いた。

それから彼女たちは
七年の冬をそこで暮らした。
だが八年目には
一年じゅう憧れにかられ
九年目には
逃れられぬ定めが二人を引き離した。
乙女たちは焦がれた
暗い森へ行くことを
若いアルヴィトも
運命を果たすことを。

狩りから戻ってきた
風を読む目をした射手が
［ヴォルンドが
長い道を進んできた］。
スラグフィズとエギルは
館に誰もいないのを見て
外へ内へと歩き回り
あたりを見渡した。
東へエギルは滑り行った
エルルーンを追って。
南へスラグフィズは向かった
スヴァンフヴィートを追って。

だがヴォルンドだけは
ウールヴダリルにとどまった。
赤金を打って
硬い宝石をはめこみ
靭皮の紐いっぱいに
見事に輪を連ねた。
そうして彼は待っていた
輝くばかりの
妻が、自分のもとへ
帰ってきてくれはしないかと。

ニーズズはそれを聞いた
ニーアルの民の君主は
ヴォルンドだけが
ウールヴダリルにいることを。
夜、戦士たちが向かった
鎧には鋲が打たれ
彼らの盾はきらめいた
欠けた月の光を受けて。

彼らは鞍から下りた
館の妻壁のそばで。
そこから中へ入り
館を奥まで進んだ。
彼らは靭皮の紐に
輪が通してあるのを見た。
全部で七百
その男の持ち物だった。

彼らはそれを外しては
また紐へ戻したが
ただ一つだけは
戻さずにおいた。
狩りから戻ってきた
風を読む目をした射手が
ヴォルンドが
長い道を進んできた。

彼は焼こうとした
褐色の雌熊の肉を。
たちまち柴に火が燃えあがった
すっかり乾いた松が
風に乾いた薪が
ヴォルンドの前で。

熊の毛皮に座り
輪を数えた
妖精の君主は
一つ足りぬと気づいた。
持っていったのは
フレズヴェールの娘
若いアルヴィトだろうと思った
彼女が帰ってきたのだろうと。

彼は長いこと座りこみ
とうとう眠りに落ちた。
そして目を覚ますと
喜びは消えていた。
両手には
重い枷を感じ
両足には
足枷が締めつけられていた。
ヴォルンドは言った。

「何者だ、あの者たちは
この身にかけたのは
靭皮の紐を
このおれを縛ったのは」

そこでニーズズが呼ばわった
ニーアルの民の君主が。
「どこで手に入れた、ヴォルンドよ
妖精の君主よ
われらの黄金を
ウールヴダリルで」
ヴォルンドは言った。

「黄金はなかった
グラニの通った道には。
われらの国は遠いはずだ
ラインの山々から。
覚えている、われらにはもっと
多くの宝があった
家族がみな無事に
故郷で暮らしていたころには。

フラズグズとヘルヴォルは
フレズヴェールの娘として生まれた。
名高いエルルーンは
キャールの娘だった」

［外には立っていた、知恵に長けた
ニーズズの妃が］。
彼女は中へ入り
館を奥まで歩いた。
床に立ち
声を抑えて言った。
「いまは愛想のよい顔をしていないね
森から来たあの男は」
ニーズズ王は娘のボズヴィルドに、ヴォルンドの家で靭皮の紐から取った金の指輪を与え、自分はヴォルンドの持っていた剣を帯びた。そして妃は言った。

「あの目つきはそっくりだ
ぎらつく蛇の目に。
歯をむき出しにする
あの剣を見せられると
そしてボズヴィルドの
指輪に気づくと。
あの男を切りつけよ
力を生む腱を。
それからあの男を置くがよい
セーヴァルストズに」
そのとおりにされ、膝の裏の腱が切られて、沖合にあるセーヴァルスタズという小島に置かれた。そこで彼は王のために、ありとあらゆる宝物を作った。王ただ一人を除いて、誰も彼のもとへ行こうとはしなかった。

「ニーズズのもとで輝いている
帯に差された剣が。
おれが研ぎあげた剣だ
持てる技のかぎりを尽くして。
おれが焼きを入れた剣だ
最もよいと思うやり方で。
あの輝く刃は
いつもおれから遠ざけられ
ヴォルンドの鍛冶場へ
運ばれてくるのを見ることもない。

いまはボズヴィルドがはめている
おれの妻の
――この償いを待つつもりはない――
赤金の輪を」

彼はいつも座り続け、眠らず
ハンマーを振るった。
ニーズズを陥れる企てにこそ
せっせと手を尽くしていた。
二人の幼い者が駆けてきた
宝物を見るために
ニーズズの息子たちが
セーヴァルストズへ。

二人は箱のそばへ来て
鍵をねだった。
禍が口を開けていた
二人が中をのぞいたとき。
首飾りがたくさんあった
少年たちの目には
赤金や
宝物と映る品々が。
ヴォルンドは言った。

「二人きりで来るがよい
明日また来るがよい。
おまえたちにこの黄金を
与えてやろう。
娘たちには言うな
館の者たちにも
誰にも言ってはならぬ
おまえたちがおれに会ったことを」

朝早く呼びかけた
一人がもう一人に
兄弟が兄弟に。
「輪を見に行こう」
二人は箱のそばへ来て
鍵をねだった。
禍が口を開けていた
二人が中をのぞいたとき。

彼は首を切り落とした
あの幼い二人の。
そしてふいごの煤の下へ
二人の足を横たえた。
髪の下にあった
二つの椀には
外側に銀をかぶせ
ニーズズへ贈った。

そして目から
宝石を作り
知恵に長けた
ニーズズの妃へ贈った。
そしてあの二人の
歯から
胸飾りを打ち出し
ボズヴィルドへ贈った。

そのころボズヴィルドは
指輪を自慢していた
――――――
［それをヴォルンドに持ってきた］
壊してしまったので。
「誰にも言えない
あなただけにしか」
ヴォルンドは言った。

「おれが直してやろう
黄金のこの割れ目を。
おまえの父親が
前より美しいと思うように
母親も
ずっとよくなったと思うように
おまえ自身も
同じように思うように」

彼はビールで彼女を酔わせた
彼のほうがよく術を心得ていたので。
こうして彼女は座ったまま
眠りに落ちた。
「いま、おれは仕返しをした
受けた苦しみの
すべてに、ただ一つ
執念深く残るものを除いて」

「よし」とヴォルンドは言った
「おれは足で立とう
ニーズズの手下どもに
奪われたこの足で」
笑いながらヴォルンドは
空へ舞いあがった。
泣きながらボズヴィルドは
島を去った。
恋人が去ったことを嘆き
父の怒りを嘆いて。

外に立っている、知恵に長けた
ニーズズの妃が。
そして彼女は中へ入り
館を奥まで歩いた。
――一方、彼は館の囲い壁に
腰を下ろして休んだ――。
「起きているか、ニーズズ
ニーアルの民の君主よ」
ニーズズは言った。

「いつも目覚めている
喜びもなく。
ほとんど眠れぬ
息子たちが死んでから。
頭が冷えきっている
おまえの助言は冷酷だった。
いま願うのは
ヴォルンドと話すことだ。

話してくれ、ヴォルンド
妖精の君主よ。
健やかだったわが子らは
どうなったのだ」
ヴォルンドは言った。

「その前におれに誓え
あらゆる誓いを。
船の舷にかけて
盾の縁にかけて
馬の肩にかけて
剣の刃にかけて。
苦しめぬと
ヴォルンドの妻を。
おれの花嫁を
死に追いやらぬと。
たとえおれの妻が
おまえたちの知る女でも
おれの子が
おまえの館にいても。

鍛冶場へ行くがよい
おまえが作ったあの場所へ。
そこにはふいごがある
血を浴びたふいごが。
おれは首を切り落とした
おまえの幼い息子たちの。
そしてふいごの煤の下へ
二人の足を横たえた。

髪の下にあった
二つの椀には
おれが外側に銀をかぶせ
ニーズズに贈った。
そして目から
宝石を作り
知恵に長けた
ニーズズの妃へ贈った。

そしてあの二人の
歯から
おれが胸飾りを打ち出し
ボズヴィルドへ贈った。
いまボズヴィルドは
子を宿している
おまえたち二人の
一人娘は」
ニーズズは言った。

「いまの言葉ほど
わしを苦しめる言葉はなかった。
ヴォルンド、おまえにこれほど
ひどく報いたいと思ったことも。
だが、これほど背の高い者はいない
おまえを馬から引きずり下ろせるほどの。
これほど力のある者もいない
下からおまえを射落とせるほどの。
おまえは漂っている
雲に届く高みを」

笑いながらヴォルンドは
空へ舞いあがった。
だが悲しむニーズズは
その場に座ったまま残された。
ニーズズは言った。

「立て、サックラーズ
わしの最もよき奴隷よ。
ボズヴィルドに命じよ
眉のあたりの白い乙女に。
美しく装って来て
父と話すように。

本当か、ボズヴィルド
わしの聞いたことは。
おまえはヴォルンドと
島で二人きりだったのか」
ボズヴィルドは言った。

「本当だ、ニーズズ
あなたが聞いたことは。
わたしはヴォルンドと
島で二人きりだった
恐ろしいひとときを
決してあってはならなかった。
わたしには彼に
抗うすべがなかった。
わたしには彼に
抗う力がなかった」