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64 INTEODPCTION.
harmr—GuSriin's Sorrows). She opens her griefs
to King Theodoric (|»j66rek), who sympathises with
her. Then sh& is accused, by Atli's maid, of illicit
intercourse with
an ordeal.
Theodoric, but clears herself by
32. Oddrunar-gr4tr Oddr'iin^s Complamt. Od-
drun, Atli's sister, relates her history, and especially
her unhappy love to Gumar and his tragical death.
33. Gunnars-slagr Oumnar's Ha/rp-stroke, comes
here in order. Gunnar, cast into the den of ser-
pents by Atli's command, is supposed to attune his
harp and with it soothe all the vipers to sleep ex-
cept one—^Atli's mother. In this song Atli is ac-
cused of unjust enmity and cruelty, and his impend-
ing evil fate is foretold.
34. Atla-kviSa, and 35. Atla-mdl, the Songs of
AtU, are two 6f the most important poems of the
history, especially for the death of the Nifliingar.
They relate the murder of Gunnar and Hogni by
Atli, and GuSrun's terrible vengeance, which form
the second chief catastrophe of the great mythic
tragedy. GuSrun's history is continued through
two more poems, which conclude the series. .
are:
—
They
36. Hamdis-mal—the Zay of Samdir, in which
GuSritn incites her sons Hamdir and Sorli to take
revenge on King Jormunrek (Ermanaricus), who
had killed her daughter Svanhild, and they finding
him at a festival, take terrible vengeance upon
him and his followers ; and,
37. GuSriinar-hvaut, Oubrun's Summons, contain-
ing her call for vengeance upon the cruel murdei-er