Now Hjordis went amidst the slain that night of the battle, and
came whereas lay King Sigmund, and asked if he might be healed;
but he answered --

"Many a man lives after hope has grown little; but my good-hap
has departed from me, nor will I suffer myself to be healed, nor
wills Odin that I should ever draw sword again, since this my
sword and his is broken; lo now, I have waged war while it was
his will."

"Naught ill would I deem matters," said she, "if thou mightest be
healed and avenge my father."

The king said, "That is fated for another man; behold now, thou
art great with a man-child; nourish him well; and with good heed,
and the child shall be the noblest and most famed of all our kin:
and keep well withal the shards of the sword: thereof shall a
goodly sword be made, and it shall be called Gram, and our son
shall bear it, and shall work many a great work therewith, even
such as eld shall never minish; for his name shall abide and
flourish as long as the world shall endure: and let this be enow
for thee. But now I grow weary with my wounds, and I will go see
our kin that have gone before me."

So Hjordis sat over him till he died at the day-dawning; and then
she looked, and behold, there came many ships sailing to the
land: then she spake to the handmaid --

"Let us now change raiment, and be thou called by my name, and