Atlakvida

The Atlakvida ( Atlakviða in Old norrois) or Chant of Atli is a heroic poem of the poetic Edda . It is composed of an introduction and a conclusion in prose and forty six stanzas.

Account

The invitation of Atli

Gunnar and Högni is invited to return visit to Atli. Great richnesses to them are promised if they accept. But Gunnar makes the point that they have already more richnesses that what Atli can offer to them. Moreover, Gudrún their forwarded a ring around whose a hair of wolf is rolled up to inform them of a danger. Their entourage thus disadvises to them accepting the invitation, but Gunnar refuses to be concealed.

The death of the Gjúkungar

When they arrive to Atli, Gudrún warns his/her brothers who they fell into a trap. They are made prisoners, not without Högni killing eight their enemies.

Atli asks Gunnar if it is laid out to repurchase its life. Gunnar requires before to see the heart of Högni. One brings to him the heart of a servant of Atli, but Gunnar does not recognize this body quivering like that of his/her brother. Then, the heart of Högni is torn off to him sharp and presented to Gunnar. This one, from now on assured that it is the only one to know the site of the treasure of Niflungar, refuses to reveal in which place of the the Rhine it rests. Gudrún curses Atli while Gunnar is led in a pit to snakes where he dies while playing of the toothing-stone.

The revenge on Gudrún

When Atli returns to its market, Gudrún is used to him to eat and drink. She announces then with her husband who the food which he has just swallowed was actually the hearts of their sons Erp and Eitil. Then, benefitting from its intoxication, it kills it before putting fire at the market, thus causing the death of all its inhabitants.

Source

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