made a stand;
They could not all the youth enthrall
   Till snapped the bed post in his hand.

They Hafbur took, and him they placed
   In shackles strong and newly made;
But them in twain he burst amain,
   As had they only been of lead.

Then raised the ancient maid her voice,
   And cursèd counsel came from her:
“Bind yonder Bear with Signe’s hair,
   And hand or foot he will not stir.

“Sirs, straightway bind ye Hafbur’s hands
   With one of Signe’s silken hairs;
That little hair he will not dare
   To break, such love for her he bears.”

And they took two of Signild’s hairs,
   And bound with them his mighty hands;
Such love possest the Hero’s breast,
   He would not burst the tiny bands.

Then out and spake proud Signelil,
   Adown her cheeks the tears ran fast:
“O Hafbur tear the paltry hair,
   Thy Signe’s free consent thou hast.”

And they placed Hafbur, son of the King,
   Fast bounden in the castle hall;
Both maid and dame to see him came,
   And his own maiden first of all.

They Hafbur took, the son of the King,
   And in strong irons him they laid;
In woeful mood before him stood
   Full speedily his loving maid.

To him with burning tears she spake:
   “If Hafbur thou consent will give,
My good aunts three on bended knee
   Shall intercede that thou shalt live.

“My father threatens steadfastly
   To hang thee on the oaken bough,
Upon the moor at early hour
   Before again the sun shall glow.”

Then answered young King Hafbur bold,
   And in high wrath the Hero spake:
“Too light I heed my life, to need
   That women prayer for me should make.

“Hear, Signild, hear, do thou show clear
   This day for me thy love is great;
When in the string thou see me swing
   Within thy bower burn thee straight.”

Then answered him proud Signelil,
   With streaming eyes and heaving breast:
“By the God above, my dearest love,
   I’ll grant to thee thy last request.”

From out the gate they Hafbur led,
   The King’s good son, at solemn pace;
For him sore cried all him that eyed,
   So hard and stern they thought his case.

And when they reached the verdant plain,
   Where he the gallant youth should die;
He begged he might have a short respite,
   He’d prove his Signe’s constancy.

“Do ye hang up my mantle red,
   That Sivard King the same may see;
He may repent, and yet prevent
   Young Hafbur’s hanging on a tree.”

When Signild proud the mantle saw,
   The sight it pierced her like a knife:
“He’s dead,” she thought, “it vails me nought
   To tarry longer here in life.”

She called together her maids with speed,
   Concealing well her bosom’s woe:
“To have some play we’ll wend our way
   Unto the lofty chamber now.”

Then out and spake proud Signelil,
   She spake in stern determined guise:
“This day I will my own self kill,
   And Hafbur join in Paradise.

“If any one in our band has helped
   To bring him to his death so foul,
Shall rue his wrong when we ere long
   Shall burn together all to coal.

“So many there are in this palace fair
   Whom now the death of Hafbur gladdens;
But venge will I their cruelty
   This moment on their plighted maidens.”

Then