The Story of the Volsungs

CHAPTER XL. How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was...

Gu­drun had a daugh­ter by Sig­urd hight Swan­hild; she was the fairest of all wom­en, ea­ger-​eyed as her fa­ther, so that few durst look un­der the brows of her; and as far did she ex­cel oth­er wom­an-​kind as the sun ex­cels the oth­er lights of heav­en.

But on a day went Gu­drun down to the sea, and caught up stones in her arms, and went out in­to the sea, for she had will to end her life. But mighty bil­lows drave her forth along the sea, and by means of their up­hold­ing was she borne along till she came at the last to the burg of King Jon­akr, a mighty king, and lord of many folk. And he took Gu­drun to wife, and their chil­dren were Hamdir, and Sor­li, and Erp; and there was Swan­hild nour­ished with­al.