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Sigurd the Volsung

Variants to Book I

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX

All variants in punctuation and wording from the Kelmscott edition have been recorded, with a few exceptions from the two manuscripts. Because the first draft is almost entirely lacking in punctuation, the addition of punctuation marks in the fair copy has not been recorded as a variant. If there is no note stating otherwise, the reader may assume that punctuation originated in the fair copy. Changes in punctuation between the fair copy and all other editions have, of course, been noted. All changes in hyphenation between the first draft and the fair copy have been recorded, as have changes in capitalization, with three exceptions. Morris wrote the letter K and E identically in the upper and lower case, making it impossible to tell, for instance, King from king and Earl from earl. The other exception arises from the fact that when Morris began his first draft, he wrote the poem in trimeter instead of hexameter, so the first word in the fourth foot of each hexameter line is capitalized until line 82.  These capitalized words have not been recorded as variants.

Often in the first draft and fair copy it is difficult to tell if Morris intends a space in the middle of words such as Gothfolk and highseat; Morris often joins two words together which the printer would know to separate, or leaves a space in the middle of a word which the printer would know to print as one word.  Perhaps it was to end any confusion over these spaces that Morris hyphenated an increasing number of words, such as Goth-folk and high-seat, in the fair copy and first edition.  All such words have been recorded as variants if, in the first draft or fair copy, they appear to be written in a variant form.

Manuscripts and Editions Collated

MSa   the first draft (British Museum Additional MSS. 45310-45316)

MSb   the printer's fair copy (British Museum Egerton MS. 2866)

1876  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs.  London: Ellis and White.  (The date on the title page is 1877, but the edition was actually published in 1876).

1877  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs.  Second Edition. London: Ellis and White.

1880  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs. Third Edition.  London: Ellis and White.

1887  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs. Fourth Edition. London: Reeves and Turner.

1896  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs.  Fifth Edition.  London: Longmans, Green, and Co.

1897  A fragmentary Kelmscott edition, only two pages of which had been set in type at the time of Morris's death. Thirty-two copies of these two pages were struck off on January 11, 1897, and given to friends.

1898  The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs. London: Kelmscott Press.

Principles for Recording Variants

1. The following signs are used in the variant notes:

# . . . #   editor's note

< >        words omitted

/           line break

///         line break plus one or more lines without internal variants

2. All variants are placed at the bottom of the page of text to which they refer.

3. A variant is generally preceded and followed by a pick-up and a drop word:
4/ MSa:strewed the floors  MSb:strewed its floors

4. No note terminates with a punctuation mark unless the punctuation mark comes at the end of a line. If a variant drops, adds, or changes a punctuation mark, the next word is added:

9/ MSb:unforgotten; yea  1876:unforgotten, yea

5. If the normal pick-up word has appeared previously in the same line, the note begins with the word preceding it.  If the normal drop word appears subsequently in the line, the next word is added.

6. If a single capitalized pick-up word occurs within the line, it is accompanied by the preceding word:

337/ MSb:answered Signy weeping  1876:answered Signy, weeping

7. No pick-up word is used for any variant consisting of an internal change, such as a hyphen in a compound word, an apostrophe, a tense change, or a spelling change:

445/ MSa:highseat  MSb:high-seat

407/ MSb:oer 1876:o'er

253/ MSa:me thinks  MSb:methinketh

602/ MSa:counsel  1876:council

8. No drop word is used when the variant comes at the end of a line:

96/ MSb:there  1876:there,

9. Each recorded variant can be assumed to be incorporated in the next edition if there is no indication otherwise.

10. If a word is added, altered, or crossed out in one of the manuscripts, an editorial note will follow this word.  If more than one word is added, altered, or crossed out, an editorial note indicating the number of words changed will follow these words:

181/ MSa:Upstood the # written over by # those

403/ MSa:sons sat by the rudders # last four words replaced above by five words # dealt with the sail sheets

Variants, Book I

Book Heading/ # not in MSa #   MSb:IN < > VOLSUNGS, AND THE DEEDS # last two words inserted above line and crossed out # OF SIGMUND < > DEEDS, AND OF # inserted above line # < > WOMB.  1898:WOMB 

- BACK TO TOP -

I

Section Heading/ # not in MSa MSb:Of < > daughter # printed in red #  1876:daughter. 
2/ MSa:doorwards  MSb:door-wards
3/ MSa:wights MSb:wrights 1897:wights 1898:wrights
4/ MSa:strewed the floors  MSb:strewed its floors,
5/ MSa:men of all  MSb:men that cast     
6/ MSa:Who sailed to the east and the westward and ruled the wave-washed wall  MSb:The sails of the storm of battle adown the bickering blast:  1876:blast.     
7/ MSa:merry hearted and in  MSb:merry hearted, and with # crossed, out and replaced by # in  1876:merry-hearted     
8/ MSa:evil adown the road of  1876:evil as they went the way of     
9/ MSb:unforgotten; yea < > men;  1876:unforgotten, yea < > men,
10/ MSa:Though while # crossed out and replaced by # still in  MSb:Though e'en in     
12/ MSa:The < > of terror  MSb:And the  1876:of the terror
13/ MSa:of the midward mark.  MSb:of the Midworld's Mark,
15/ MSa:all things else 'twas  MSb:all other matters 'twas
16/ MSa:wall hung < > battle world's  MSb:wall-hung < > battle-world's     
17/ MSa:So herein was  MSb:So therein withal was < > see   1876:see,     
18/ MSa:That midst of its middle hall there sprang a  MSb:For amidst of its midmost hall-floor sprang up a     
19/ MSa:its blessings upward # crossed out and replaced by # aloft—and < > roof tree  MSb:its dwellings # crossed out and replaced by # blessings roofward, and < > roof-tree
20/ MSa:summer the  MSb:summer and the     
22/ MSa:But the morning of his promise and the noontide of his strife  MSb:But his dawning of fair promise, and his noontide of the strife,
23/ MSa:And his red # crossed out and replaced by three words # eve of the  MSb:His < > fame  1887:fame,
24/ MSa:us the deed and the story  MSb:us many a story
25/ MSa:and when man talk of Volsung that battle leaders tree  MSb:So # crossed out and replaced by # And when men tell of Volsung, that battle leaders # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # they call that war-duke's     
26/ MSa:They call it the Branstock still and < > it told to # last two words replaced above by two words # named unto  MSb:That crownèd stem, the Branstock; and < > it told unto 1898:crowned     
27/ MSa:There < > of the King beneath  MSb:So there < > of Volsung beneath
28/ MSa:roof crest red the # crossed out and replaced by # it  MSb:roof-crest     
29/ MSa:therein the wild hawks dwelt abiding  MSb:therein were the wild hawks dwelling, abiding     
30/ MSa:And wailed  MSb:And they wailed
31/ MSa:when lo # crossed out # on an even of # last two words crossed out and replaced by # latter May  MSb:them when lo on a even of May  1876:them, when lo on an even of May     
32/ MSa:There comes # last two words added above line and crossed out # Here is come # last three words added above line # Siggeir the King is come in exceeding fair array # last six words crossed out # is a man with a word to  MSb:Comes a man from Siggeir the King with a word for his mouth to     
33/ MSa:Hail  MSb:"All hail
34/ MSa:sword in battle of # last three words crossed out and replaced by # victorious and the glory of thine home  MSb:and thine abundant home;     
35/ MSa:He hath heard # last three words inserted above line # And # crossed out and replaced by # Of thy sons the stay of # last three words replaced above by two words # in the battle
36/ MSa:But into his hearts furrow a fruitful word did fall  MSb:And a word hath the west-wind blown him (full fruitful be its fall!)  1876:him, (full  1898:him (full < > fall!),     
37/ MSa:That told of thy  MSb:A word of thy     
38/ MSa:He  MSb:Now he
39/ MSa:And therefore # crossed out and replaced by two words # for these will give < > battle stay again  MSb:will he give < > battle-aid again:     
40/ MSa:But shouldst thou give all his  MSb:But if thou wouldst grant his < > fain 1887:fain,     
41/ MSa:give him # inserted above line # a thing saith  MSb:a matter, saith < > price  1876:price,     
42/ MSa:Signy thy daughter to wit # last four words crossed out and replaced by four words # the fairer than fair  MSb:—Signy  1898:Signy
43/ MSa:So in < > of kin # crossed out and replaced by # the Volsungs < > Goth  1876:Such words in  1887:Goth,
44/ MSa:Bearing the # crossed out and replaced by # true tokens with him ready for oath and for troth # entire line replaced on back of preceding page by new line # Bearing the gifts and the gold the ring and the tokens of troth  MSb:gold the ring the 1876:gold, the ring, the
45/ MSa:And the  MSb:But the     
46/ MSa:And they < > with Goths  MSb:For they < > with the Goths
48/ MSa:said Signy the White as  MSb:said the snow-white Signy as     
49/ MSa:the Goth kings  MSb:the Goth-king's
51/ MSa:weird and woe  MSb:wierd and of woe  1876:weird
52/ MSa:thou go to the # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # lie in a great king's bed  MSb:kings bed"  1876:king's bed,     
53/ MSa:bear the # crossed out # earths  MSb:earths  1876:earth's
54/ MSb:een  1876:e'en     
55/ MSa:will lie in  MSb:will sleep in     
56/ MSa:wrack the < > youth days  MSb:wrack and the < > youth-days
57/ MSa:Then would # last two words added above line # He speak to # last two words replaced above by # question her soft # replaced above by # kindly as  MSb:kindly as  1876:kindly, as     
58/ MSa:smiled and the # crossed out and replaced by # her < > more  MSb:more:  1896:more  1898:more:     
59/ MSa:Would it  MSb:"Would God it < > be; but  1876:be! but     
60/ MSa:Then should  MSb:Yet should     
61/ MSa:she spake it  MSb:she spake # crossed out and replaced by # said it     
62/ MSb:cheer, King Volsung; for  1876:cheer. King Volsung! for
63/ MSa:well councilled  MSb:That when # written over by # what thou art # crossed out and replaced by # dost well-counselled     
64/ MSa:dost unwilling the < > bid  MSb: dost unwitting, the < > bidden     
66/ MSa:a hallowed  MSb:a hallowed sign,
68/ MSa:on and the song and the speech and  MSb:on, and the speech and and the song and  1876:speech and the
70/ MSa:skerries < > shipman's pain  MSb:shipman's bane. 1876: skerry     
71/ MSa:wendeth away on the morrow the Earl  MSb:wendeth his way on the morrow that Earl < > King  1887:King,     
72/ MSa:And gifts and gold he beareth and many a dear bought thing # last five words crossed out and replaced by two words # Volsung's tokening  MSb:Bearing the gifts and the gold, and King Volsung's tokening,
73/ MSa:of welcome and  MSb:of blessing and
74/ MSa:bidding that he and his house shall # crossed out and replaced by # to < > June tide  MSb:bidding to King Siggeir to < > June-tide     
75/ MSa:to Signy the White and  MSb: to white-skin # crossed out and replaced by # white-hand Signy and     
76/ MSa:While the field of the fishes slept amidst Midsummer tide  MSb:While sleepeth the field of the fishes amidst Mid # crossed out and replaced by # the summer-tide.
77/ MSa:on Midsummer even  1876:on Mid-Summer Even
78/ MSa:the Gothfolk  MSb:the Goth-folk     
79/ MSa:an earl  1876:an Earl     
80/ MSa:And through < > thicket the hauberks # crossed out and replaced by two words # linked mail  MSb:And # crossed out and replaced by # There through < > thicket, the linkèd 1876:thicket the  1898:linked
8l/ MSa:woodway  MSb:woodways     
82/ MSa:There were # last two words added above line # gold rings < > dwarf wrought  MSb:gold-rings < > Dwarf-wrought     
83/ MSa:a queen wrought  MSb:a Queen-wrought     
84/ MSa:But now when the threshold was # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # acres were gained and they drew < > anear  MSb:So came they to the acres, and drew < > near,     
85/ MSa:There in the midst of the blossoms there upon the fruit-grown land  MSb:And there amidst of the blossoms, there on the fruit-grown land  1876:And amidst of the garden blossoms, on the grassy, fruit-grown land  1887:land,     
86/ MSa:Was Volsung # inserted above line # the King astanding with < > hand  MSb:hand  1876:the King of the Wood-world with < > hand;
87/ MSa:There down alighted  MSb:Therewith down lighted
89/ MSa:Nor yet did helm crest reach to the shoulders of his sons # entire line replaced on back of preceding page by new line # Nor reached his helm to the shoulder of the least of Volsungs sons     
90/ MSa:So < > Kings with their  1876:And so < > Kings and their     
91/ MSa:And they drank the day adown # last four words crossed out and replaced by five words # dight a glorious feast and they drank  MSb:And # added above line # There # altered to # they dight they # altered to # the feast full glorious and drank  1876:glorious, and     
92/ MSa:moon arose and wended  MSb:moon rose upward, till it wended white away,  1876:away;    
93/ MSa:gold hung beds and so for  1876:gold-hung beds, and at last for
94/ MSa:All was silent and still save  MSb:Were all things still and silent, save    
96/ MSb:there  1876: there,
98/ MSa:All white and ruddy coloured # last five words replaced on back of preceding page by six words # Ruddy and white was she wrought as the fair stained sea beast's  MSb:fair-stained sea-beast's     
99/ MSb:cold  1876:cold,
100/ MSa:wandering # inserted above line # side long # crossed out # long looks at whiles # crossed out # her lord would  MSb:side-long looks her lord did # crossed out and replaced by # would     
101/ MSa:eldest Volsung  MSb:eldest Volsung's  1876:eldest Volsung     
102/ MSa:And long he  MSb:And oft he     
103/ MSb:the Goth  1876:the Goth,     
104/ MSa:And he wished the wedding undone if it were not for oath and for troth  MSb:And there had he broken the wedding, but for plighted promise and troth  1876:troth.     
105/ MSa:And the twain  MSb:But those twain     
106/ MSa:might of # crossed out # and their malice small glory # crossed out and replaced by # getting should he win  MSb:small honour should he win:  1887:win;
107/ MSa:Yet   MSb:But # crossed out and replaced by # Yet
108/ MSa:And smiled as any other amid that weddings glee  MSb:And laughed out with the loudest, amid the hope and the glee.      
109/ MSb:saw Volsung as < > glory  1876:saw Volsung, as < > glory,    
111/ MSa:the Branstock abundant feast they hold # last four words replaced on back of preceding page by eight words # they feast in the gleam of the gold     
112/ MSa:manfolk  1876:man-folk
113/ MSa:song craft < > blossoming  MSb:songcraft < > blossomed     
114/ MSa:Tales of begining # crossed out and replaced by two words # the framing     
115/ MSa:so nigh they  MSb:so near they     
116/ MSa:So now uprose a seaking a dealer of the # last four words replaced on back of preceding page by seven words # and his hands that knew the oar  MSb:Wherefore uprose a sea-king < > that loved the oar
117/ MSa:harp strings and  MSb:harp-strings, and  1876:harp-gold, and     
119/ MSa:of that first summer on  MSb:of the first of summers on     
120/ MSa:as they # crossed out and replaced by two words # men hearts were hearking they # crossed out and replaced by # some  MSb:een as men's < > hearkening  1876:e'en     
121/ MSb:Oer  1876:O'er     
122/ MSa:door way  MSb:doorway
123/ MSa:And into the dwelling of Volsung a  MSb:Then into the Volsung dwelling a     
124/ MSa:Oneyed and seeming ancient  MSb:One-eyed and seeming-ancient 1876:seeming ancient     
125/ MSa:Cloud blue < > gleaming grey  MSb:Cloud-blue < > gleaming-grey     
126/ MSa:on its way  MSb:on the way:     
127/ MSa:He bore a bill on  MSb:A bill he bore on     
128-156/ MSa:gleam / For  MSb: # adds 131-155 #  1876: # adds 129-130 #
131/ MSb:lord  1876:lord,     
132/ MSb:sword  1876:sword,
134/ MSb:neath  1876:'neath     
135/ MSb:earth  1876:earth,     
138/ MSb:heaven the high # last two words crossed out # uprose for manfolks' 1876:man-folk's
141/ MSb:ne'er but < > falter its  1876:ne'er, but < > falter, its
143/ MSb:the Gothfolk  1876:the Goth-folk
145/ MSb:wildwood < > side  1876:wild wood  1887:side,  1898:wild-wood     
147/ MSb:the early-comers  1876:the Early-comers     
148/ MSb:ones and  1876:ones, and
149/ MSb:from the # crossed out and replaced by # its < > vile:--  1898:vile:     
150/ MSb:while."  1876:while!"
151/ MSb:seem  1887:seem,     
152/ MSb:That still # crossed out and replaced by # moveless all people # crossed out and replaced by # men sat there; as  1876: there, as     
153/ MSb:end  1887:end,
154/ MSb:hall-floor and  1876:hall-floor, and
155/ MSb:ways. 1876:ways,     
156/ MSa:knew the gift  MSb:knew that the gift
157/ MSa:Then spake  MSb:But now spake
158/ MSa:the battle-father's  MSb:the Battle-Father's
159/ MSa:Rise up sons of the Volsung earls  MSb:Arise O Volsung children; earls 1876:Children, Earls
160/ MSa:And lay # crossed out and replaced by # set < > as wary # crossed out and replaced by # mighty
162/ MSa:the Branstock for # inserted above line # MSb:the Branstock, for  1876:the Branstock for    
163/ MSa:And therewithal spake Siggeir < > me grace  MSb:Now therewith spake King Siggeir: "King Volsung give me a grace  1898:Volsung, give     
164/ MSa:place  1898:place,
165/ MSa:mere hap made bind # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # should steal  MSb:mere chance hap steal  1876:chance-hap     
166/ MSa:guest  MSb:said: "O Guest  1887:said: O     
167/ MSa:Though here is  MSb:Though herein is
169/ MSa:the Gothfolks mighty lord  1876:the Goth-folk's mighty lord,     
172/ MSa:As # crossed out and replaced by # So he < > high seat < > blood red  MSb:As he < > high-seat < > blood-red     
173/ MSa:him down beside  MSb:him adown beside     
175/ MSa:back # inserted above line # empty handed  MSb:empty-handed
176/ MSa:venture, but each  MSb:venture? yet each
177/ MSa:today < > seed outspring  MSb:seed upspring  1898:to-day
178/ MSa:To outlast all us great ones both earl and duke and king  MSb:To o'erpass many a great one that hath the name of King:     
179/ MSa:forth earl and bond man stand forth both # inserted above line #   MSb:forth free and unfree; stand < > least,  1887:least:     
180/ MSa:When the earls of the Goths have tried it the lovely   MSb:But first ye earls of the Gothfolk, ye lovely  1876:Goth-folk  1887:Earls     
181/ MSa:Upstood the # written over by # those earls  MSb:Upstood the earls  1876:Earls
183/ MSa:battle wood  MSb:battle-wood  1876:battle-wood,
184/ MSa:the branstock the gifts of  MSb:the Branstock that gift of     
185/ MSa:Then upstood Volsungs homemen and the sea # crossed out and replaced by # fell abiding  MSb:Then uprose Volsung's < > fell-abiding     
186/ MSa:yellow headed < > oak  MSb:yellow-headed < > oak  1876:Oak,
187/ MSa:And and the serchers < > and the tuggers at the  MSb:And the searchers < > and the dealers with the
188/ MSa:And even the worst  MSb:And the least and the worst     
190/ MSa:hands the  MSb:hands of # crossed out # the < > vain. 1876:hands, the < > vain;     
191/ MSa:But still  MSb:And still      
192/ MSa:rooftree  MSb:oer roof tree and rafter. 1876:o'er roof-tree and rafter,
193/ MSa:Silent and moody sat  MSb:Moody and still sat < > said; "They  1876:said: "They     
194/ MSa:a sport for  MSb:a mock for < > dear.  1876:dear."
195/ MSa:Then the  MSb:Now the < > King,  1876:King
196/ MSb:sons the < > battle to  1876: sons, the < > battle, to
197/ MSa:But Volsung  MSb:So Volsung < > answered: I  1876:answered: "I     
198/ MSa:the Gothfolk  MSb:the Goth-folk     
199/ MSa:nought ill-sworded am I and  MSb:nought am I ill-sworded, and     
200/ MSa:to my mounded rest  MSb:this my < > fellow will < > to the grave-mound's rest,  1876:this, my < > fellow, will
202/ MSa:hosts of Odin in the day of doom  MSb:host of Odin in Day of Doom  1876:in the Day     
203/ MSa:And therewith from his girdle he  MSb:Therewith from his belt of battle he     
206/ MSa:goodheart  MSb:good-heart
207/ MSa:thus O green one when  MSb:thus, green bower when  1876:bower, when     
208/ MSa:won."  1876:won!"
209/ MSa:Then the # crossed out and replaced by two words #as a     
210/ MSa:battle breaker  MSb:hand the battle-breaker took  1876:hand, the battle-breaker, took
211/ MSb:tale  1875:tale,     
212/ MSa:heart fail  MSb:heart did fail;     
213/ MSa:high seat and therefrom fell to  MSb:high-seat and thence bagan to
215/ MSa:in God home that he wandered from the way # last six words replaced on back of preceding page by six words # how from the way he strayed  MSb:in God-home
216/ MSa:And unto the man he would not gave a glorious gift today # last five words replaced on back of preceding page by five words # hath given away his blade  MSb:And how to the < > not he gave away     
218/ MSb:and then Hunthiof they < > vain  1876:vain.  1887:and then Hunthiof, they < > vain;     
219/ MSa:of Olaf and # crossed out # nought Helgi might avail  MSb:of Agnar; nought Helgi could avail;
220/ MSa:And # crossed out # Sigi the tall and # last three words inserted above line # Thorir Eric # crossed out # no  MSb: and Thorir # crossed out and replaced by # Solar no < > tale  1876:tale,     
221/ MSa:Nor Thorstein the priest # last two words inserted above line # < > nor Gunnar of  MSb:Nor Thorstein # crossed out and replaced by # Geirmund the priest < > nor Gunnar # crossed out and replaced by # Gylfi of the wood  1876:wood.     
222/ MSa:last beside # altered to # by the # written above line # side of # inserted above line #    
223/ MSa:And he set his hand to the swordhilt and dight him for the strain  MSb:And with right hand wise in battle the precious swordhilt caught,  1876:sword-hilt     
224/ MSa:But yet in careless fashion as though he deemed it vain  MSb:Yet in a careless fashion, as he deemed it all for nought.  1876:nought:
225/ MSa:rafter there went a  MSb:lo from < > rafter there # crossed out # went up a  1876:lo, from     
226/ MSa:And high oer the hand of Vols # crossed out # Sigmund  MSb:For aloft in the hand     
228/ MSa:the gripping # altered to #grip
233/ MSb:him: Belike  1887:him; Belike  1898:him: Belike
235/ MSa:His # crossed out and replaced by # Its glory and its its vengeance its  MSb:glory and sole avenger, its
236/ MSa:And I < > Odin his season of labor to  MSb:Yea, I < > Odin his workday will to 1876:Odin, his
237/ MSa:the harvest shall be heavy I would it were # last four words replaced on back of preceding page by four words # what then were it come  MSb:the harvest-tide shall be heavy.—What < > it over # crossed out and replaced by #come  1898:heavy. What     
238/ MSa:That # crossed out and replaced by # And I stood # crossed out and replaced by # lay < > at last  MSb:laid < > at the last?
239/ MSa:eyes therewith for  MSb:eyes as he thought it, for < > place  1887:place,
240/ MSa:and by Siggeir  MSb:and met Siggeir
243/ MSa:glory thou  MSb:glory that thou
245/ MSa:overgild the gold  MSb:overgild fine gold
246/ MSa:the rose blood red So  MSb:the red rose redder? So
247/ MSa: came to thy hand  MSb:comes to thine hand
248/ MSa:store house < > mountain gold  MSb:store-house < > mountain-gold therein  1898:therein,     
249/ MSa:of a war kings  MSb:of a # crossed out and replaced by # the # crossed out and replaced by # ten war-kings'  1876:of a war-king's     
250/ MSa:and lumps # inserted above line # amber  MSb:and huge-wrought amber
252/ MSb:thee  1876:thee:     
253/ MSa:methinks  MSb:methinketh     
254-273/ MSa:fight / To  MSb: # adds 255-272 #     
254/ MSb:council, and  1876:council and     
258/ MSb:longed for  1876:longed-for
263/ MSb:wedding, Goth-king, yet came it not # last four words crossed out # to < > came  1876:came,
265/ MSb:then grew # crossed out and replaced by # was the face # crossed out and replaced by # heart
267/ MSb:kinsman, when < > oermuch  1876:kinsman! when < > o'ermuch     
268/ MSb:ill speaking  1898:ill-speaking
271/ MSb:now King Volsung and  1876:now King Volsung, and
272/ MSb:With all # last two words crossed out and replaced by # And thine < > ones  1887:ones,
273/ MSa:the Goth King as cherished guests  MSb:the Goth-kings as honoured guests
274/ MSb:over that  1876:over; that     
275/ MSa:presence till all people praise  MSb:presence, that all people # crossed out and replaced by two words # folk may praise 
276/ MSSa:friends my < > new wed  MSb:friends that my < > new-wed     
277/ MSa:Thy speech may < > till my # crossed out # she  MSb:Thine eyes may
280/ MSa:When two months are well # last five words crossed out and replaced by seven words # To look upon thy glory and the     
282/ MSa:the woodland  MSb:the Woodland
283/ MSa:And do # last two words crossed out # Thou meanwhile abiding < > goods art free,  MSb:And thou meanwhile here abiding < > goods shall be free,
284/ MSa:So shall < > roof o'er the glimmering sea  MSb:And then shall < > roof over the glass-green sea
285/ MSa: of thy # crossed out and replaced by # our golden < > war hosts  MSb:warhosts 1876:war-hosts'
286/ MSa:sea abiders  MSb:sea-abiders     
287/ MSa:Then answered the smooth speeched  MSb:Answered the smooth-speeched     
288/ MSa:And most kingly is thy bidding yet  MSb:And thy bidding is most kingly; yet
289/ MSa:we Goth folk  MSb:We Gothfolk  1876:we Goth-folk
290/ MSa:the main is  MSb:the sea is     
293/ MSa:sea queen's  MSb:sea-queen's     
294/ MSa:realms  MSb:realm
297/ MSa:but in joyance  MSb:but joyance     
298/ MSa:men the  MSb:men of the     
299/ MSa:And # crossed out # So for all the words of # last four words inserted above line #  MSb:And for     
300/ MSa:morn was # crossed out and replaced by # must sail  MSb:morn shall sail
301/ MSa:And the fairer sped on the feast and  MSb:But the feast sped on the fairer, and < > disport,  1876:disport
302/ MSa:as the hours were swift and short  MSb:as they knew that the hours were short.     
303/ MSa:amid all the # last two words crossed out and replaced by # his
304/ MSa:somewhat Signy knew # crossed out and replaced by # wotted of the days that  MSb:the deeds that
306/ MSa:And would hearken amid # crossed out # the voice of the # last three words inserted above line # night # altered to # midnight  MSb:She would     
307/ MSa:her ways were oft < > her coming  MSb:her feet fared oft < > her communing     
308/ MSa:woodland the groves where no bird # last five words crossed out and replaced by five words # where never a fowl may  MSb:a bird # crossed out and replaced by # fowl     
309/ MSa:feasting and amid < > of gold  MSb:feasting amid < > of the gold,
310/ MSa:joyance many a tale was told # last five words crossed out #  MSb:joyance; and many a tale was told
311/ MSa:harp strings < > wedding whereto the world # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # whereof the latter days  MSb:harp-strings
313/ MSa:faint the # inserted above line #
314/ MSa:And there on # last two words replaced above by three words # they went to the beds blue woven and the slumbering hour they  MSb:And there on the beds blue-woven a # crossed out and replaced by # the slumber-tide they
315/ MSa:And # crossed out and replaced by # While lone upon # altered to # on the dusky # inserted above line, crossed out and replaced by # brightening < > herd boy  MSb:Yea while on < > herdboy  1876:herd-boy
316/ MSa:And there on the breast of Signy the Goth King sank to sleep # line added on back of preceding page #  MSb:Yet soft on < > Signy King Siggeir lay asleep.

- BACK TO TOP -

II

Section Heading/ # not in MSa #  MSb:How < > Volsung # written in red # 1876:Volsung.  1898:II. How # printed in red #     
317/ MSa:But oer eveve # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # or ever the sun was # crossed out and replaced by # looked earthward there came to # last three words crossed out and replaced by # unto  MSb:Now or < > sun shone houseward, unto     
318/ MSa:spake a word  MSb:spake the word     
319/ MSa:wedding now be  MSb:Awake < > father; for < > wedding be 1876:"Awake < > father, for
320/ MSa:of the Goth King  MSb: of the Goth-king
321/ MSa:Now # inserted above line # this is as < > night, and a  MSb:Now is this # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # So I come as < > night, yet # crossed out and replaced by # with a     
322/ MSa:Think of this on # replaced above by # in the daylight and let Siggeir wend his  MSb:And think thou thereof in the day-tide, and let Siggeir go on his     
323/ MSa:do thou abide  MSb:do ye abide     
324/ MSa:Nor # crossed out and replaced by # Nor < > murder loving  MSb:murder-loving
327/ MSa:in his bed  MSb:in the bed     
328/ MSa:And he < > given is < > spring tide  MSb:But he < > given, it is < > spring-tide     
329/ MSa:I go # written over by # get me when  MSb:I journey when
330/ MSa:Yet if # crossed out # my sons my words # last two words inserted above line # will # crossed out and replaced by # shall     
331/ MSb:swiftly; Nay have  1876:swiftly: "Nay  1887:Nay, have     
333/ MSa:with battle  MSb:with the # crossed out # battle     
334/ MSb:said: Nay  1876:said: "Nay my  1887:said: "Nay, my
335/ MSa:go a < > whom should I  MSb:go as # crossed out # a < > whom shall I     
336/ MSa:an outworn elders ending shall all the # last two words replaced above by two words # a mighty  MSb:an outworn elder's ending shall no mighty     
337/ MSb:answered Signy weeping  1876:answered Signy, weeping     
338/ MSa:the Gothfolk's  MSb:the Gothfolks  1876:the Goth-folk's  1887:the Goth-folks’
339/ MSa:the Norns and each  MSb:the Norns: but each
341/ MSa:the Goth King's golden bed  MSb:the Gothking's golden bed # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # bolster blue, 1876:the Goth-king's
342/ MSa:slumber bowed his head  MSb:slumber bowed his head # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # over him drew;     
343/ MSa:And when  MSb:But when
345/ MSa:And there amid the hall floor stood Siggeir # crossed out and replaced by three words # the Goth King in gear  MSb:And grand amid the hall-floor was the Goth King in his gear,  1876:Goth-king  1887:Goth king  1898:Goth-king     
346/ MSa:And Signy dight for  1876:And Signy clad for     
348/ MSa:that Volsung scarce might  MSb:that Volsung well might
350/ MSa:of parting and they brought  MSb:of parting, and brought 1876:of departing, and
351/ MSa:And therewithal # crossed out and replaced by two words # forth abroad the Gothfolk and < > children rode  MSb:the Gothfolk, and < > children rode  1876:the Goth-folk, and < > Children rode  1887:the Goth-folk and < > rode,
352/ MSa:to her abode  MSb:to that abode  1876:abode.
353/ MSa:So over heath and acre they rode down to the sea  MSb:So down over acre and heath they rode to the side of the sea  1887:sea,
354/ MSa:long ships bridges was the ship # replaced above by # sea hosts  MSb:long-ships' < > the ship-host's
355/ MSa:ruddy lips and warm MSb:ruddy mouth and warm  1887:warm,
356/ MSa:there a man of the Gothfolks < > her well from harm  MSb: there one of the Gothfolk < > her from all harm;  1876: the Goth-folk
358/ MSa:she gave him # last two words inserted above line # whisper as # crossed out and replaced by # ere she passed unto the deck  MSb:she whispered him somewhat ere she passed forth toward the deck  1876:deck,
359/ MSa:then Siggeir gave them hail  MSb:then Siggeir hailed them fair,     
360/ MSa:And cried out many < > his bale  MSb:And called forth many < > his snare.
361/ MSa:and blown was # last two words inserted above line # the parting # inserted above line # horn of parting blown # last three words crossed out #  MSb:horn  1887:horn,     
362/ MSa:drew light to the < > born  MSb:drew to # crossed out and replaced by # with the  1876:borne     
363/ MSa:long ship  MSb:long-ship < > gold  1876:gold;     
364/ MSa:Nor ever again # crossed out and replaced by # once < > turn the  MSb:Nor once < > turn her about the     
366/ MSa:And of merry  MSb:And merry < > fate  1876:fate;     
367/ MSa:But when # inserted above line # the the months aforesaed were worn both short and thin  MSb:But when the months aforesaid were worn but short and thin # last five words crossed out and replaced by four words # well nigh worn away  1876:well-nigh  1898:away,
368/ MSa:He called his sons to his chamber and spake to them therein  MSb:He spake # last two words crossed out # to his sons and his folk of counsel and the sons of his body born # last seven words crossed out and replaced by six words # he fell these words to say:  1876:To his
369/ MSa:my spoken troth  MSb:my plighted troth
370/ MSa:How that # replaced above by # when two months wearing # replaced above by two words # were over I would go see Siggeir  MSb:To go in two months wearing to the house of Siggeir  1876:months'     
371/ MSa:Now I may not hide it from you that she gave a  MSb:Nor will I hide how Signy then spake a     
373/ MSa:us on to our murder for  MSb:us to our undoing for     
374-383/ MSa:might / Let  MSb: # adds 375-382 #     
378/ MSb:of Siggeir, will  1887:of Siggeir will
379/ MSb:all together doubt it since  1876:altogether doubt it, since     
383/ MSb:less  1876:less.
384/ MSa:And unto his bidding I go whether Gods shall ban or shall bless  MSb:In peace will I go to his bidding let the spae-wrights ban or bless;     
385/ MSa:Nor shall any in all # inserted above line # the wide world of Volsung's blenching tell  MSb:And no man now or hereafter of Volsung's blenching shall tell.     
386/ MSa:But ye my sons shall abide and ward the realm full well  MSb:Yet ye  1876:But ye, sons, in the land shall tarry, and heed the realm right well,     
387/ MSa:children  1876:Children     
388/ MSa:with once voice cried they out they  MSb:with one voice cried they # crossed out # all men, that they
389/ MSa:And abide the death and the pain with one fate over all  MSb:To gather the Goth-king's honour; or let one fate go over all  1876:honour, or     
390/ MSa:And if it were battle and murder then each on each shall fall  MSb:If he bade them to battle and murder till each by each should fall.  1876:murder, till     
391/ MSa:And so spake the earls of Volsung and every duke of war  MSb:So spake the sons of his body, and the wise in wisdom and war.
392/ MSa:though Volsung strove # crossed out and replaced by # urged full  MSb:though Volsung bade full
393/ MSa:To go < > merchants alone with his life in  MSb:That he go < > merchants with his life alone in
394/ MSa:For he loved his kindred well and  MSb:With such love he loved his kindred, and     
395/ MSa:So # crossed out and replaced by # And at  MSb:But at < > said; "So  1876:said: "So
397/ MSa:whateer  MSb:go a  1876:go, a < > whatever
398/ MSa:And Thor and Frey and Odin shall take council of my home  MSb:And the Gods, mine own forefathers, shall take council of our home."  1876:counsel     
399/ MSb:now when < > autumn tide  1887:now, when  1898:autumn-tide
400/ MSa:swan bath < > children ride  MSb:swan-bath < > ride,  1876:Children ride;     
402/ MSa:Although forsooth their ship host was nought but longships three  MSb:Though the tale thereof be scanty and their ships no more than three:     
403/ MSa:kings sons sat by the rudders # last four words replaced above by five words # dealt with the sail sheets  MSb:king's < > sail-sheets  1876:kings'     
404/ MSa:Were the # replaced above by two words # those that halers # altered to # haled of # crossed out and replaced by # on the sheets # last seven words replaced on back of preceding page by six words # Were the halers of the hawsers and the dealers with the oar  1876:and the tuggers at the oar.     
405/ MSa:left the Volsung # crossed out # land behind  MSb: behind  1887:behind,
406/ MSa:And fair # crossed out # astern of those lords longships sprang up the following  MSb:And fair astern of the longships, sprang up a following  1876:longships sprang  1898:long-ships     
407/ MSb:oer  1876:o'er
408/ MSa:other drave down  MSb:other ploughed down.
409/ MSa:So they < > Gothfolks at even  MSb:And they < > Goth-folk on the even < > day  1876:day;     
410/ MSa:And thence by < > skerry was a skiff with sails of grey  MSb:And lo by < > skerry a skiff with a sail of grey  1898:grey,     
411/ MSa: ran Volsungs keel aboard  MSb:ran Volsungs ship aboard,  1876:ran Volsung’s
412/ MSa:come white Signy with love and a warning word  MSb:come white-hand Signy with her latest warning word  1876:word.     
414-417/ MSa:And the # inserted above line # well loved < > cherished / The word that I said aforetime  MSb:cherished me. / But short is the time that is left me for the work I have to win / Though nought it be but the speaking of a word ere the worst begin. / Nor that which I spake aforetime  1876:well-loved < > me. /  /  /  For  1887:me. / < > win, /  /  For
418-421/ MSa:sprung and hath < > spear / But blessed be < > over soon  MSb:sprung, it hath < > spear: / Siggeir hath dight the death-snare; he hath spread the shielded net, / But ye come ere the hour appointed, and he looks not to meet you yet. / Now blest be the sails # crossed out and replaced by # wind < > over-soon,  1876:spear: / < > net. / / Now  1887:spear; / / / Now
423/ MSa:And I pray you for the worlds < > from this murderous  MSb:To pray you for all the world's < > from the murderous     
424/ MSa:And take  MSb:—Ah take me hence my father to  1876:hence, my father, to  1898:Ah
425/ MSa:But sweetly # inserted above line # Volsung said as he # last three words crossed out # kissed  MSb:Then sweetly     
426/ MSa:But the world hath heard the word that  MSb:hath hearkened the word, that  1876:But Earth the word hath hearkened, that  1887:earth     
427/ MSa:That I < > backward for the sword  MSb:How I < > backward from the sword < > bale:  1876:bale;     
428/ MSa:and now shall I change the  MSb:—I < > today, and today shall I change in the  1876:change the  1898:I < > to-day, and to-day 
429/ MSa:goodly and # inserted above line # great are they  MSb:they!  1876:they,  1898:they;     
430/ MSa:passed  MSb:Would'st < > them when < > past away,  1876:Wouldst < > them, when < > past away  1898:passed     
432/ MSa:do the days work manly for  MSb:do our day's work deftly for
433/ MSa:the Volsung folk shall  MSb:the Volsung kin shall
434/ MSb: avail."  1887:avail"  1896:avail.”
435/ MSa:Then she < > sick hearted  MSb:But she < > sick-hearted: "Woes  1876:Woe's     
438/ MSa:The hope < > death in battle  MSb:That hope < > death of the battle, and  1876:death of battle and     
439/ MSa:backward for this will the days work have  MSb:"Nay nay," he said go backward; this too will the days work # last four words crossed out and replaced by three words # thy fate will have  1876:said, "go < > have;  1887:backward: this  1898:Nay, nay     
440/ MSa:Thou < > many a thing mayst thou save  MSb:many a matter may'st save.  1876:For thou < > mayst  1887:may'st     
442/ MSa:hearts seem hardened  MSb:hearts were hardened
443/ MSa:loved mid  MSb:loved thee mid
445/ MSa:highseat  MSb:high-seat     
446/ MSa:deed that she  MSb:deed she     
448/ MSb:unblenching, and  1876:unblenching and     
449/ MSa:So when  MSb:But when
450/ MSa:children  MSb:Children     
451/ MSa:oer  1876:o'er     
453/ MSa:with sword and  MSb:with shield and
454/ MSa:acre in the harvest  MSb:mans wealthiest acre in the harvest  1876:man's wealthiest acre with the harvest
455/ MSa:So there bade Volsung abide and < > wedge array MSb:There bade King Volsung < > wedge-array;  1876:bade King Volsung tarry and  1898:wedge-array:
456/ MSa:he saith doth  MSb:he said "doeth < > way."  1876:he said, "doeth  1887:way.     
457/ MSa:So they set their shields together nor  MSb:So they serried the shield by the shield, nor  1876:So shield by shield they serried, nor     
458/ MSb:gold:  1876:gold;
459/ MSa:high-king  MSb:high King     
460/ MSa:And lovely # altered to # lovelier     
461/ MSa:peace strings  MSb:peace-strings     
462/ MSa:And shook the bright blade heavenward and  MSb:And the bright blade gleamed to the heavens, as # altered to # and     
463/ MSa:So up < > Gothfolk < > spear wood  MSb:Goth-folk < > spear-wood drew anigh  1876:Then up < > anigh,
465/ MSa:silent though now and then at  MSb:silent, although forsooth at     
466/ MSa:Oer < > earth weary  MSb:Oer < > earth-weary  1876:O'er
467/ MSa:And the swords would clash and  MSb:And swords would clink and < > bide;  1876:bide,
468/ MSa:of battle flowed < > hillock side  MSb:of murder flowed < > hillock side;  1876:hillock-side;
468-499/ MSa:hillock side / And the wave of the sea of onset dashed on the Volsung rock / And slowly eddied backward all broken with the shock / Then twice again they tried it and the fourth time and the last / Woes me how that flood of ocean oer the valorous skerry passed / And but little space thereafter the sound of battle rose / From that hillside of the murder that spearhedged deadly close / Yea even # last two words inserted above line # so long was the plotting so short the  MSb:hillock side; / < > rock; / < > shock. / # here MSb adds 469-498 # / < > it; but the < > the last, / Woes me! How the battle ocean o'er < > passed: / < > of fight arose / < > murder, that spear-hedged deadly close. / —Yea een so long was # last five words crossed out and replaced by three words # Lo, now as the plotting was long, so short was # crossed out and replaced by # is  1876:hillock-side; / Then at last # here continue lines 469-498 added in MSb # / Lo
469/ MSB:forebore to cry # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # the shout,     
470/ MSb:the wail # crossed out and replaced by # din of the steel and the iron < > about:  1876:of steel and iron < > about;
471/ MSb:And # crossed out and replaced by # But
473/ MSb:dwindled, and rent # crossed out and replaced by # reft  1876:dwindled and     
474/ MSb:the drift of the # last three words inserted above line # war-blasts # altered to # war-blast piping # crossed out # for
475/ MSb:Then were # last two words crossed out and replaced by # But men's shields were # added above line # < > bore 1887:bore,     
476/ MSb:cast down his # last two words crossed out and replaced by # earthward
477/ MSb:on  1887:on.     
478/ MSb:the Gothfolk  1876:the Goth-folk     
479/ MSb:it, and now and twice # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # oft and o'er
481/ MSb:the driven # inserted above line # throng before them # last two words crossed out and replaced by # still thickened, till they # crossed out and replaced by # it     
482/ MSb:And still # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # But fast
483/ MSb:In the place # last three words inserted above line # < > was his # crossed out and replaced by # the front # altered to # forefront of battle: # last two words crossed out # for < > my  1876:My     
485/ MSb:drew the foes  1876:drew his foes     
486/ MSb:lay  1887:lay.
488/ MSb:spear throng come on # crossed out and replaced by # up  1876:spear-throng     
490/ MSb:now, Slain's-father, is  1876:now, Allfather, is
491/ MSb:the wage # altered to # wages at last." # last two words crossed out and replaced by # due."  1876:due?"
492/ MSb:blunted blade # crossed out and replaced by # sword he cast # crossed out and replaced by # threw  1887:threw,     
493/ MSb:longship the level spears # crossed out and replaced by # war shafts  1876:war-shafts  1898:long-ship, the     
494/ MSb:‘On  1876:On
495/ MSb:fell up # crossed out and replaced by # face foremost # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # thrust backward < > mens  1876:fell, thrust < > men's     
497/ MSb:'twas e'en # inserted above line # as if they had slain # last four words crossed out # a great # inserted above line # God's slaying # inserted above line # and  1876:slaying, and
500/ MSa:Of # crossed out # How all of # crossed out # a # replaced above by # the peoples  MSb:How a mighty people's     
500-503/ MSa:fell / For now down sank the tumult and mid the Gothfolks ring  MSb:fell. / For but feebly burned the battle when Volsung fell to field / And all who yet were living are # altered to # were borne down before the shield: / And now # last two words crossed out and replaced by # Then # crossed out and replaced by # For now sank all # crossed out # the din and the # last three words inserted above line # tumult; and amid the Gothfolks ring # last four words crossed out and replaced by eight words # the earls of the Goths ring round   1876:fell. / < > field, / / So sinketh the din     
504/ MSa:Lo there the face of Volsung and the dead face of a king  MSb:Lo there the body of Volsung. Lo how the face of a king # entire line crossed out and replaced by new line # That crown of the Kings of battle laid low upon the ground,
505/ MSa:to the sky of the noontide from  MSb:Looketh # crossed out and replaced by # Looking up to < > noon-tide  1876:to the noon-tide heavens from     
506/ MSa:And they # replaced above by two words # the Gothfolks praised his valour and # crossed out and replaced by # sweet-speeched sang # altered to # sing above him, and they tell how his end is as  1876:the songful sing above him and
507/ MSa:Was as # last two words crossed out and replaced by # As the best < > life tide  MSb:life-tide
508/ MSa:Of his friends before his life changed so now were his  MSb:By his friends ere the time of his changing, so now were # crossed out and replaced by # are his
509/ MSa:that cannot be worsened for now the  MSb:that may never be worsened, since now the < > oer.  1876:since all the < > o'er,     
509-511/ MSa:oer / But  MSb:oer. / And the warders look for his coming from the height of Odin's # last five words crossed out and replaced by three words # by Odins open door / But  1876:o'er, / < > Odin's open door. / But     
511/ MSa:alive but wounded sore  MSb:sons the < > battle alive but wounded sore, # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # with many a wound,  1876:sons, the < > battle, alive     
512/ MSa:Born to < > shield rush lay bound by the dead king's side  MSb:Borne down # inserted above line # to < > shield-rush lay bound by the dead king's side; # last seven words crossed out and replaced by five words # amid the dead lie bound  1876: bound,     
513/ MSa:wearier pass # crossed out and replaced by # journey those shield lords must abide  MSb:journey must those lords of battle bide
513-523/ MSa:abide / So  MSb: # adds 514-522 #
515/ MSb:Woes < > fight  1876:Woe's < > fight!
516/ MSb:Woes < > hearthstones, and  1876:Woe's < > hearthstones and     
517/ MSb:on, lest  1876:on lest
518/ MSb:Woes  1876:Woe's
519/ MSb:locks of the silver barred door handles # last six words crossed out and replaced by four words # or the silver door-rings  1876:locks, or

- BACK TO TOP -

III

Section Heading/ # not in MSa #  MSb:Of < > wild-wood # written in red #  1876:wild wood. 1898:III. Of < > wild-wood # printed in red #
523/ MSa:the lords of the Gothfolk laid Volsung in his mound  MSb:the earls of the Gothfolk laid # crossed out and replaced by # lay Volsung in his mound # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # 'neath the grass  1876:the Goth-folk  1898:the Goth-folk laid Volsung
524/ MSa:children straitly bound  MSb:children straitly bound # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # bound must pass,     
525/ MSa:When their host again was gathered amidst  MSb:When the host was # crossed out and replaced by # is gathered together, amidst
526/ MSa:They led to the dwelling  MSb:They led # last two words crossed out # to the high-built # last word inserted above line # dwelling  1876:To     
527/ MSa:into battle  MSb:into the battle     
528/ MSa:sat on his high-seat come in his  MSb:sat in his high-seat there came his
529/ MSa:the fall of the best  MSb:the death of the best
530/ MSa:And thy  MSb:For thy     
531/ MSa:be sure enough  MSb:be surely enough.     
532/ MSa:that our way was  MSb:that the road was     
533/ MSa:ever more  1876:evermore     
534/ MSa:for the earthly  MSb:for all earthly     
536/ MSa:Without < > fettered and wouded those battle glorious  MSb:And he said: "Without < > fettered, those battle-glorious     
537/ MSa:thee  1887:thee,
538/ MSa:To send them # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # serve them well and heal # crossed out # send # last six words replaced on back of preceding page by six words # To break their bonds and heal them < > oer  1876:o'er
539/ MSa:wrath and their feud for this matter slaying  MSb:wrath and the bloodfeud for this matter of Volsung's slaying." 1898:blood-feud     
540/ MSa:said Siggeir hast thou heard # last three words replaced above by two words # nor heedest the < > saying  MSb:saying;  1898:saying:
541/ MSa:Slay the wolf cub by the house dor lest he slay he by the  MSb:'Slay thou the wolf by the house door lest he slay thee in the  1876:house-door     
542/ MSa:But since < > henceforth # inserted above line #  MSb:Yet since
543/ MSa: death pains yet # altered to # let  MSb:death-pains: let  1876:death-pains; let
544/ MSa:Lest once more I see their faces when < > angrier  MSb:But let me not once behold them when < > angrier grown."  1876:not behold     
546/ MSa:she got him up to the high seats floor  MSb:she gat her apace to the high-seat floor,     
547/ MSa:dawning hour  1876:dawning-hour
548/ cried; "I  1876:cried: "I
549/ MSa:kinsman  MSb:kinsmen < > prayer  1876:prayer,
550/ MSa:other to let them breathe earths air  MSb:other; let them breathe the earthly air  1898:other: let
551/ MSa:day or a  MSb:day, for a     
552/ MSb:For, 'sweet < > seen," the  1876:seen' the  1887:For 'sweet  1898:For Sweet     
553/ MSb:he; "Thou 1876:he: "Thou
554/ MSa:For even now had I bid unpained from the world to go  MSb:When e'en I e'en now had bid them unpained  1876:When swift and untormented e'en I would let them go:
555/ MSa:Yet forsooth # crossed out # thou shall # last two words altered to # shalt thou have thin asking  MSb:Yet now shalt thou have thine asking, if it verily is thy  1898:verily be thy
557/ MSb:said; "I will it, I will it—O  1876:said: "I  1898:it, I will it: O     
558/ MSa:to his earl spake # last four words inserted above line # Siggeir there < > woodlawn  MSb:Siggeir: "There < > wood-lawn  1876:Siggeir: 'There   1887:Siggeir: "There
560/ MSa:wild wood till Signy  MSb:wild-wood, till Queen Signy come again, 1876:again     
561/ MSa:me free her brethren from their latter end of life  MSb:me a boon for her brethren, the end of their latter life."
562/ MSa:So they led unto the wood land  MSb:So the Gothfolk led to the woodland  1876:Goth-folk
563/ MSa:And # crossed out # Smote down a great oak tree  MSb:And smote down a great-boled oak-tree the  1876:oak-tree, the     
564/ MSa:Whereto with many fetters the  MSb:And thereto with bonds of iron the
565/ MSa:And they left < > woodlawn mid the black trees compassing  MSb:And left < > the yewtree's compassing,  1876:wood-lawn, mid the yew-trees' compassing,
566/ MSa:And so amid # last two words crossed out # went backward through the moonlight # last four words replaced on back of preceding page by seven words # back by the light of the moon     
567/ MSa:the morning of < > to wot how his foes his  MSb:the morn of < > to see how his foemen fared,     
568/ MSa:But # written over by # For < > thereover he deemed it oermuch dared  MSb:thereover, o'ermuch he deemed it dared     
569/ MSa:last Volsung laid  MSb:last of the Volsungs laid     
570/ MSa:man at the noontide and tidings deemed full sweet  MSb:men ere the noontide, and he deemed their tidings sweet;
571/ MSa:For he said I tell < > that Thorstein and Geirmund are  MSb:For they said: "I tell < > that Thorstein and Gunnar # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # Geirmund and Gylfi are  1876:said: "We tell
572/ MSa:wild wood  MSb:wildwood  1876:wild-wood
574/ MSa:we deemed # last two words inserted above line # the eight that abide there sore  1876:eight abiding sore     
576/ MSa:And Signy watched and spied on must abide in  1876:And watchful eyes held Signy at home in     
577/ MSa:Then came < > spake two more are dead # last four words crossed out and replaced by three words # the hopples hold  MSb:And again came
578/ MSa:There lie the # last three words crossed out and replaced by two words # The bare white bones of Helgi and the bones # last two words crossed out # of Olaf the # last two words crossed out and replaced by # Thorir battle bold  MSb:and the bones of Thorir # crossed out and replaced by # Agnar # crossed out and replaced by # Solar the bold:
579/ MSa:abide look feebler < > a while  MSb:abide seem feebler  1887:awhile
580/ MSa:night # altered to # nighttide must Signy bide in woe  MSb:night-tide must Signy sit in # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # nurse her woe
581/ MSa:of Siggeir nor any man might send  MSb:of King Siggeir, nor any might she send:     
583/ MSa:and Gunthiof they lie there side by side  MSb:and Gunthiof, their bones lie side by side,     
584/ MSb:seemeth no  1876:seemeth, no    
585/ MSa:well watched  MSb:well-watched     
587/ MSa:But silent  MSb:Yet silent     
588/ MSa: morning the selfsame message came  MSb:morning the tale was still the same:     
589/ MSa:that the tale will  MSb:now, King Siggeir that all will  1876:Siggeir, that
591/ MSa:but Sigmund somewhat sings  MSb:but somewhat Sigmund sings;     
592/ MSa:a smiter down  MSb:warrior and a beater down of the kings.  1876:of kings.  1887:warrior, and     
593/ MSa:And for Rerir and for Olaf the  MSb:But for Rerir and for Olaf # crossed out and replaced by # Solar # crossed out and replaced by # Agnar, the     
594/ MSa:For their bones < > but their live and their # last three words inserted above line # souls # altered to # soul therefrom are # last two words crossed out and replaced by # is sped  MSb:but their souls and lives are sped."  1876:Their bones     
595/ MSa:Day long sat Signy outworn nor once would she strive to depart # entire line replaced on back of preceding page by new line # That day from the eyes of the watchers might # replaced above by # nought Signy nep # crossed out # never # replaced above by two words # strove to depart
596/ MSa:high seat and to no one she # last five words crossed out # and nursed < > her # inserted above line #  MSb:high-seat     
597/ MSa:The # crossed out # In
598/ MSa:But she gave no word to any nor  MSb:An to no man gave she a word, nor  1876:And to     
599/ MSb:over; but  1876:over, but
601/ MSa:he set him  1887:he sit him
602/ MSa:counsel  1876:council     
604/ MSa:tree beam  MSb:tree-beam     
605/ MSa:left there but < > and the the bounds # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # the bonds  MSb:and the bonds  1898:left theee but
606/ MSa:the lords of the Gothfolk < > rang with a the sound  MSb:the earls of the Gothfolk < > rang out with a sound,  1876:Goth-folk     
607/ MSa:she leapt at once # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # stood up on her to feet and # crossed out #  MSb:stood upright on her feet,
610/ MSa:and her word—no  MSb:and her eyes: no  1876:and her eyen: no     
612/ MSa:watched or  MSb:watched her or     
613/ MSa:went oer the yellow  MSb:went 'twixt the yellow   
614/ MSa:And oer ever < > wild wood  MSb:And or ever < > wild-wood < > deep.  1896:deep  1898:deep.     
615/ MSa:She had no man to  MSb:No man she had to     
616/ MSa:By the coming and going of such men that had the  MSb:By those messengers of murder, the men with the     
617/ MSa:And the high moon overhead # inserted above line # gave  MSb:And the beams of the high white moon gave     
618/ MSa:came to # crossed out # where
619/ MSa:And she  MSb:Then she     
620/ MSa:green sward  MSb:greensward  1876:green-sward     
621/ MSa:behold it was < > Volsung and she  MSb:behold, it it was < > Volsung: but she  1876:behold, it was     
622/ MSa:thou are # altered to # art living Volsung what days work # inserted above line #  MSb:living, Sigmund, what     
623/ MSa:but art thou a bodiless ghost  MSb:but if thou art nought but a ghost,     
624/ MSa:where art # altered to # are thine other # last two words crossed out and replaced by # the Volsung  MSb:are those Volsung     
625/ MSa:So he < > was rent and  MSb:Then he < > was fouled and     
626/ MSa:his eyes were < > as of famished men  MSb:his eyen were < > as a famished man forlorn;  1898:forlorn.
627/ MSa:But he cried hail # last four words crossed out # Sister  MSb:But he cried: "Hail, Sister
628/ MSa:woman fashion she  MSb:woman compass, she
630/ MSa:Yea < > and the labour of my hand  MSb:O yea < > and this labour of my hand     
631/ MSa:and now # crossed out and replaced by # lo it is well nigh 1876:well-nigh
632/ MSa:draw nigh # inserted above line # Volsungs sister and help that we pile the # replaced above by three words # we many a stone  MSb:draw near, Volsung's daughter, and pile we     
633/ MSa:On the earth clad grey  MSb:On the earth of # crossed out and replaced by # oer these grey  1876:Where lie the grey     
634/ MSb:toiled they < > wood,  1876:toiled, they  1896:wood  1898:wood,
635/ MSa:when their work was over the night had begun to  MSb:when the work was over the # crossed out and replaced by # dead night began # crossed out and replaced by two words # was beginning to  1876:over, dead
636/ MSa:And then < > white hand  MSb:Then < > white-hand
637/ MSa:ere amidst of the the wood thou hide  MSb:ere midst # crossed out and replaced by two words # the wood thy wrath shall hide,     
638/ MSa:And I < > back sore hearted in  MSb:Ere I < > back sick-hearted in
639/ MSa:the tree beam and  MSb:the tree, and
640/ MSa:we made no sound of lamenting for all our bitter  MSb: we had some hope from thy good-will amidst that bitter
641/ MSa:sword edge  MSb:scaped the sword-edge  1876:’scaped     
642/ MSa:were Gunnar and Helgi that they both were like die  MSb:were Gunnar # crossed out and replaced by # Gylfi # crossed out and replaced by # Agnar and Helgi, that, unhelped, they were like to die;
643/ MSa:And for  MSb:Though for     
644/ MSb:twas < > night  1876:'twas < > night,
645/ MSa:From yonder thicket, lo you, two mighty wolves are # crossed out and replaced by # were come  MSb:Lo forth from yonder thicket were two mighty wood-wolves come  1876:Lo, forth < > come,     
646/ MSa:And mightier fair # altered to # far they # altered to # we deemed them than the greatest of our home.  MSb:And mightier # last two words crossed out # far huger wrought # last two words inserted above line # I deemed them than the beasts I knew at home:  1876:Far huger wrought to my deeming than     
646-647/ MSa:home. / There in the flood of moonlight in sooth we saw them come # entire line crossed out # / Now straight on Gunnar and Thorstein these beasts of the wild wood fell  MSb:home: / Forthright on Gunnar and Thorstein # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # Gylfi and Geirmund those dogs of the forest fell,
648/ MSa: hoppled must be  MSb:hoppled should be < > tell  1876:tell?     
649/ MSa:midst their irons  MSb:midst the irons     
650/ MSb:oer  1876:o'er     
651/ MSa:So each midnight O  MSb:Night after night, O     
652/ MSa:from yonder thicket the wildwood werewolves  MSb:from the dark and the thicket  1876:wild-wood were-wolves
653/ MSa:sword might nowise end  MSb: sword edge might not end,  1876:end.  1898:sword-edge     
654/ MSa:woodman  MSb:dawning did # inserted above line # < > woodmen came # crossed out and replaced by # wend
655/ MSa:craftsmans  MSb:craftsmen's < > heart  1876:heart.
656-665/ MSa:part / And so from  MSb: # adds 657-664 #
660/ MSb:nought;  1896:nought  1898:nought;
661/ MSb:said in < > miss  1876:said: in < > miss;  1898:said: In
664/ MSb:That Volsung lies dead in the dust, while  1876:That dead in the dust lies Volsung, while
665/ MSa:And so from  MSb:Therewith from
666/ MSa:hewolf < > Sigi and gave  MSb:he-wolf < > Sigi, but he gave     
667/ MSa:And his lips moved not nor # crossed out # and his eyen nought faltered een for  MSb:And I saw his lips that they smiled, and his steady eyes for     
668/ MSa:Short was my time for heeding for lo anigh my face  MSb:And therewith was the shewolf's muzzle thrust into my very face:  1876:she-wolf's < > face.
669/ MSa:The shewolfs very muzzle—and I too # inserted above line #  MSb:The Gods helped not, but I helped; and < > then:  1887:then;     
670/ MSa:And I < > sword hilt  MSb:—Yea I < > sword-hilt  1876:Yea     
671/ MSa:golden armour the flame of the glittering heath  MSb:golden harness, the flame of the Glittering Heath,
672/ MSa:she wolf's  MSb:she-wolf's < > teeth  1887: teeth,
673/ MSa:As my < > handbonds struggled—and my  MSb:While my < > hand-bonds struggled: my < > first  1887:struggled; my   1898:first,     
675/ MSa:For the Norns belike were beside me and so with  MSb:As with Fenrir's Wolf it shall be: then the beast with     
677/ MSa:And I  MSb:But I < > dead  1876:dead,      
678/ MSa:And again # crossed out and replaced by # once the night of the thicket the  MSb:And again # crossed out and replaced by two words # once more to the night of the forest had # crossed out # the < > fled  1876:fled.     
679/ MSa:And so that same thicket I gat me # last eight words crossed out and replaced by eight words # In the thicket I hid till the dawning and thence I saw the men  MSb:thence saw I # last two words altered to # I saw Siggeir's # crossed out and replaced by # the men,     
680/ MSa:heart rejoicers  MSb:Een Siggeir's heart-rejoicers come  1876:E'en Siggeir's heart-rejoicers, come 
681/ MSa:well loved story and then I knew forsooth  MSb:well-loved tidings: I looked and I knew forsooth  1876:for sooth
682/ MSa:bosom in # crossed out and replaced by # and the death of the # crossed out and replaced by # my     
683/ MSa:Yet I let them depart unslain lest  MSb:But unslain they departed from me, lest  1876:Though unslain    -
683-684/ MSa:doubt / That all the Volsung kindred is utterly perished out # entire line crossed out # / But  MSb:doubt. / But     
684/ MSb:yea hereafter they  1876:yea hereafter, they
685/ MSa:raised hell's abode oer Godhome < > menfolk's  MSb:raised Hell's < > men-folk's worth—  1876:o'er God-home   1898:worth;     
687/ MSa:Because I was once # last two words altered to # once was < > knees  MSb:knees?  1887:knees;  1898:knees?     
688/ MSa:Yet long methinks may Siggeir  MSb:But long methinks shall Siggeir     
689/ MSa:high built  MSb:high-built
690/ MSa:night tide  MSb:night-tide < > ground  1876:ground,     
691/ MSa:When his  MSb:While his
692/ MSa:wolf the < > menfolk  MSb:wolf of the < > men-folk
693/ MSa:thou deem O sister  MSb:—And didst thou think, my sister  1876:And     
694/ MSa:the branstock  MSb:the Branstock     
694-697/ MSa:this / I  MSb:this?" / As the moon and the twilight mingled, she stood with kindling eyes, / As # crossed out and replaced by # But she # last two words crossed out and replaced by # And answered and said: "My brother, thou art strong, and thou shalt be wise: / I     
697/ MSa:art at the  MSb:art with the
699/ MSa:And in < > may be # crossed out and replaced by # linger  MSb:In     
700/ MSa:And # crossed out and replaced by # While thy work be # last word crossed out and replaced by # is a weight # crossed out # for < > for thine hand  MSb:a weight for < > for thy hand to drive.  1876:drive;
701/ MSa:And I < > King < > Gothfolk  MSb:But I  1876:Goth-folk  1898:king     
702/ MSa:it # inserted above line #
703/ MSb:king  1887:king,
707/ MSa:of all days  MSb:of the days
708/ MSa:ever all who were ever afraid  MSb:ever of all who were once afraid.     
709/ MSa:sword shalt thou think  MSb:sword, thou shalth think < > were  1887:were,
710/ MSa:And still shall the foul seem foul and still shall the fair seem fair  MSb:And the foul shall still seem foul, And the fair shall still seem fair;
712/ MSa:Why thy spear snapt in the battle # last six words replaced above by six words # the brave man's shaft is broken and thy # replaced above by # his war shield failed # altered to # fails  MSb:man's spear is < > war-shield     
713/ MSa:unbeloved  MSb: unbelovèd  1898: unbeloved
715/ MSa:Yea # inserted above line # and thine # altered to # thy  MSb:Yea and  1876:Yea, and
716/ MSa:life days  MSb:life-days     
717/ MSa:that # inserted above line # thou too # inserted above line # wert but a  MSb:wert a     
718/ MSa:rain swept  MSb:rain-swept     
720/ MSa:And thy hope shall arise oer the end # last three words inserted above line # and blossom # crossed out # thy love shall quicken again  MSb:And thine hope shall arise and blossom, and thy love shall be quickened again:     
721/ MSa:thee the face  MSb:thee face  1876:thee the face
722/ MSa:drink the  MSb:drink of the     
723/ MSa:And there # last two words crossed out # by the side of the sons of # last three words inserted above line # Odin mayst # crossed out and replaced by # shalt  MSb:By
724/ MSa:happy Balder the world that shall never be old # last seven words crossed out and replaced by four words # nor yet shall the # last four words crossed out and replaced by four words # nor there shall the tale grow # replaced above by # wax old  MSb:tale grow old  1876:Baldur     
725/ MSa:changing the days that we fashion anew # last six words crossed out and replaced by six words # een those that over us pass  MSb:changing, the # crossed out and replaced by # e'en     
726/ MSa:harden thy heart  MSb:harden thine heart < > brass;  1876:brass!
727/ MSa:deed MSb:deeds < > done,  1876:done  1887:done, 1896:done  1898:done,     
729/ MSa:ever more < > waiting and belike  MSb: ever-more < > waiting; for belike  1898: evermore     
730/ MSa:The long # crossed out # days < > help thee in the  MSb:The long days < > help thee ere the
731/ MSa:And now < > wild wood  MSb:But now < > wildwood  1876:wild-wood     
732/ MSa:thy foes and  MSb:thy foemen, and     
733/ MSa:yet me thou  MSb:desireth: yet be thou  1876:desireth; yet      
734/ MSa:wood abider  MSb:wood-abider     
735/ MSa:And his guileful heart be awakened # entire line crossed out and replaced by new line # And ere many days are departed again shall I see thy face  MSb:Ere     
736/ MSa:abiding place  MSb:abiding-place     
738/ MSa:How shall I say it by br # entire line crossed out and replaced by new line # It were good O last of the Volsungs that see thy face more  MSb:good, o < > that I see thy face no more,  1876:good, O
739/ MSa:fashion  MSb:fashion all,     
740/ MSa:fated ere # crossed out # the night tide shall befall  MSb:fated on the hour of noon shall fall."
741/ MSa:She < > the day # altered to # dawn was drawing nigh # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # nigh at hand  MSb:Then she < > the day was
742/ MSa:And when she left the woodland # altered to # woodways green < > horse fed  MSb:And by then she had left < > horse-fed  1975:woodways, green # comma added to clarify meaning of line #     
743/ MSa:new born < > as he brushed  MSb:new-born < > as she brushed
744/ MSa:acres the heavens oerhead  MSb:acres, the heavens oerhead were blue  1876:acres, all heaven o'erhead was blue  1887:blue.      

- BACK TO TOP -

IV

745/ MSa:And at # inserted above line # < > of Kings # last two words inserted above line #
Section Heading/ # not in MSa # MSb:Of the < > Sinfiotli Signy's Son; and of the fall of Siggeir the Goth King. # written in red; last nine words crossed out #  1876: Of the < > Son.  1887:fostering of Sinfiotii, Signy's  1898:IV Of the < > Son # printed in red #
747/ MSb:sword,  1896/ sword  1898:sword,
749/ MSa:sendeth his Earls oer the sea flood to take the # crossed out and replaced by # King Volsung's  MSb:sendeth earls oer the sea flood  1876:o'er the sea-flood     
750/ MSa:scattered and sheepherdless # last three words inserted above line #  MSb:shepherdless
751/ MSa:milk # inserted above line # white hand # crossed out # Signy  MSb:milk-white     
753/ MSa:And his  MSb:So his     
754/ MSa:lords of the # inserted above line # cunning that learneth how  MSb:that teacheth how
755/ MSa:halfmonth's  1876:half-month's     
756/ MSa:her ways # altered to # way < > Volsung  MSb:Volsungs  1876:Volsung's      
757/ MSa:dwarfs  1876:Dwarfs
758-761/ MSa:wave / His  MSb:wave. / His wor # word and fragment crossed out # There Signy found him watching how the wild # crossed out and replaced by two words # white head waters ran, / And she said in her heart as she saw him that once more she had seen a man. / His  1876:wave. / < > white-head < > / / His     
763/ MSa:nevermore  MSb:never more     
764/ MSa:of Siggeir and her face # last two words crossed out # ruddy and white as of yore  MSb:of Siggeir, and as lovely as before     
765/ MSa:nor ever it # last two words inserted above line # changed for fear nor # last three words crossed out and replaced by # for  MSb:nor aught it     
766/ MSa:Or for fear nor any < > man saith forsooth  MSb:fear or any < > man said, forsooth  1876:Nor for fear nor any < > man said for sooth
767/ MSa:till her day of death  MSb:till the day of her death
769/ MSa:And he gat him war gear enough  MSb:And wargear he gat him enough  1898:war-gear     
770/ MSa:though seldom now  MSb:though indeed but now     
771/ MSa:He spread his net for the prey lest  MSb:He spread his coils for the # last five words crossed out and replaced by six words # fell on the men of the merchants, lest
772/ MSa:woodabider  MSb:wood-abider < > told  1876:told.
773-782/ MSa:And ever held him alone save that as the years wore by / He would get him adown to the sea and the Viking company / Then would he wend oer the sea # crossed out and replaced by # main as a man with hidden head / Few men would ever answer and stark were the words he said / And he slept beneath no rooftree and no # last two words crossed out # and into no market came / Nor any hallowed meeting and no man knew of his name / Yet well # inserted above line # loved was he of the # last six words crossed out and replaced by three words # fain were the Vikings to see him for they knew him first in the broil # last eleven words crossed out and replaced by seven words # and their best men and their most / Were fain of his heart for their working and the leader of their host / But never would he take that naming though his hand was first in the broil / No eer would he be a partaker when they shared the prey and the spoil  MSb: # replaces these ten lines with ten new lines #     
774/ MSb:the hunters see,  1876:the hunter see,
777/ MSb:But # crossed out and replaced by # Then dim < > and out over # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # the word mid the woodfolk rose # replaces unintelligibly crossed-out word #  1876:wood-folk     
778/ MSb:the giants < > stone hedged close  1876:the Giants < > stone-hedged close  1887:close,
780/ MSb:the dwarfs  1876: the Dwarfs     
781/ MSb:To wander wide in that woodland, or come his house anear # entire line crossed out and replaced by new line # To come anigh to his housedoor, or wander wide in his woods,  1876:house-door     
782/ MSb:and of gear # crossed out and replaced by # goods.     
783/ MSa:So the long years win over  MSb:So win the long years over     
784/ MSa:of the Gothfolk  1876:of the Goth-folk
785/ MSa:And earls # replaced above by # man and queans # replaced above by # maid she hath gotten MSb:And men and maids hath she gotten
787/ MSa:springtide  1898:spring-tide     
788/ MSa:By the side # crossed out # ancient < > dwarf-kind  MSb:By that ancient  1876:Dwarf-kind     
790/ MSa:manchild of six summers < > by the hand  MSb:of ten summers < > by her hand.  1898: man-child     
791/ MSa:And she < > forest dweller < > child or me  MSb:Then # crossed out and replaced by # And she < > Forest-dweller harm < > child nor me  1876:Forest-dweller! harm < > me,     
793/ MSa:a babe to  MSb:I < > a man to  1876:'I     
794/ MSa:Belike he may be thy solace # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # learn thy cunning and thy days work somewhat speed # last nine words crossed out and replaced by nine words # help thy workday but hearken thy # replaced above by # my word and heed  MSb:Then may he help thy work-day < > word, and  1876:workday < > words and  1898:work-day
795/ MSa:thou deemest his < > over great  MSb:thou deem that his  1887:over-great     
796/ MSa:thy self with such like  MSb:thy heart with such-like
798/ MSa:river she left the child alone  MSb:river the child stood all alone:  1876:child abode alone:
799/ MSa:But Sigmund arose # replaced above by two words #  stood up on  MSb:stood up # crossed out # on < > went  1887: went,     
800/ MSa:of all # crossed out # Signys dread intent  MSb:of Signy's fell intent.
801/ MSa:hold the sword  1876:hold his sword  1887:sword,
802/ MSa:And back to his dwelling he wended across the rattling # crossed out and replaced by # rushing # crossed out and replaced by two words # waist deep ford  MSb:And waded back to his dwelling across the rushing ford:
803/ MSa:Then the < > a prattling  MSb:But the < > that 1876:that,  1898:a-prattling
804/ MSa:Which he noted # last three words crossed out # As along the < > on the Volsungs shoulder he sat  MSb:As above the < > on Sigmund's shoulder he sat,  1876:sat;  1887:sat!     
805/ MSa:So # crossed out and replaced by # And Sigmund thought in  MSb:And Sigmund deemed in < > enough  1876:enough,  1887:enough.      
806/ MSa:And he < > and round  MSb:So he < > and rough     
808/ MSa:his eyes # crossed out and replaced by # sight were # altered to # was < > wrong  MSb:wrong  1876:wrong.
809/MSa:to this son < > Sigmund # inserted above line #  MSb:to the son     
810/ MSa:thou and knead # crossed out and replaced by two words # make ready the bread  MSb:thou and bake our bread      
811/ MSa:venison then forth  MSb:venison." So forth
813/ MSa: the morns work done—then the < > a # inserted above line # space  MSb:the day # crossed out and replaced by # morn's work done/" But the < > space  1887:space,
814/ MSa:looked in # crossed out and replaced by # upon Sigmunds  MSb:looked on Sigmund's     
815/ MSa:son < > Gothking, quoth Sigmund, how thou hast fared # last four words replaced on back of preceding page by six words # why lookest thou white and scared  MSb:Son < > Goth-king," quoth Sigmund, "how thou hast fared?
816/ MSb:Forsooth is < > dared.  1876:Forsooth, is < > dared?"     
817/ MSa:meal sack < > was somewhat quick  MSb:mealsack < > was something quick,  1876:meal-sack
818/ MSa:And I feared for # last three words replaced above by three words # it moved as the grey scaled serpent like # crossed out # a  MSb:moved and I feared for the serpent, like a     
819/ MSa:I < > even and I feared # crossed out and replaced by two words # might not to deal  MSb:That I < > even: so I durst not deal
820/ MSa:Loud Volsung laughed < > have of  MSb:Loud Sigmund laughed < > have heard of     
821/ MSa:all adders # crossed out and replaced by two words # the worms in # written over by # of     
822/ MSa:therewith into the # last two words crossed out and replaced by four words # he went to the mealsack  1876:meal-sack
825/ MSa:son quivered and quaked # last three words altered to # quaked and quivered < > forth the sword  MSb:forth the # crossed out and replaced by # his sword
826/ MSa:And he # inserted above line # said Now feareth thou # inserted above line #  MSb:And said: "Now fearest thou    
827/ MSb:of King Siggeir; I < > war  1876:of King Siggeir: I < > war,     
828/ MSa:Yet such-like blade  MSb:Yet een such a blade  1876: e'en
829/ MSa:Then he went out into the  MSb:Then Sigmund stood # last two words crossed out and replaced by four words # abroad went the King in the    
830/ MSa:many a hour  MSb:many an hour     
831/ MSa:At  MSb:But at < > begun  1887:begun,     
832/ MSa:He set his sword in his # last five words crossed out and replaced by five words # sheathed the sword and cried Come forth King  MSb:forth King  1876:forth, King     
833/ MSa:the wood and  1876:the wild-wood and     
834/ MSa:and he quaked his face his  MSb:and quaked his face to see,
835/ MSa:bade with  MSb:bade him wend with
836/ MSa:And they < > a woodway # replaced above by # thicket dim  MSb:So they < > a wood-way dim,
837/ MSa:Till there came < > woodlawn  MSb:Till they came < > wood-lawn
838/ MSa:as if unto the heavens the June flowers grow full fair  MSb:as his feet brushed o'er it: "The June flowers blossom fair."     
840/ MSa:of the dawning  MSb:of dawning < > sweet. 1876:sweet:
841/ MSa:and he said Kings # altered to # King Siggeirs # inserted above line # son abide thou here # last three words crossed out #  MSb:and said     
843/ MSa:the house of the # last three words inserted above line # Gothkings house and  MSb:the house of the Goth-king, and
844/ MSa:But tell unto unto no < > thou heard  MSb:And tell unto no < > thou hast heard     
845/ MSa:her thou shalt tell < > and this word thou shalt say withal  MSb:her shalt thou tell < > and say this word withal:
846/ MSa:wildwood and he # inserted above line # saith whateer shall befall  MSb:what ever befal  1876: wild-wood  1898:befall
847/ MSa:nor hold such  MSb:nor have such
848/ MSa:of the Kings  MSb:of Kings.'     
849/ MSb:Go then < > mouth—or  1876:Go, then  1898:mouth, or
850/ MSb:me!—and  1898:me! and     
851/ MSa:turned his # altered to # him back # crossed out and replaced by # away from the acres and back to  MSb:turned his back on the acres  1876:acres, and away to     
853/ MSa:the Gothkings and he spake < > queen  MSb:the Goth-kings and spake < > Queen, 1876:the Goth-kings, and     
854/ MSb:seen.  1876:seen,     
855/ MSa:but when the message # last three words crossed out and replaced by two words # Signy hearkened the heard # crossed out and replaced by # word  MSb:hearkened his word;
856/ MSa:And she pondered long and muttered what  MSb:And long she pondered and said; What  1876:said: What  1898:pondered, and     
858/ MSa:And all unavenged King Volsung in < > sea strand  MSb:And King Volsung unavenged in < > sea-strand     
858-863/ MSa:lie / And long  MSb: # adds 859-862 #     
859/ MSb:give  1876:give,
860/ MSb:body that  1876:body, that     
861/ MSb:last,—  1898:last,     
862/ MSb:—If < > gift to give before  1876:gift for the giving before  1898:If
863/ MSa:And long < > pondered for many and many a day  MSb:Long < > pondered till # crossed out # while day was thrust on day  1876:day,     
864/ MSa:of the Gothfolk they seemed to her vanished away  MSb:of the Gothfolk seemed shades of the dreamtide grey,  1876:of the strangers seemed  1887:grey  1898:dream-tide grey,
865/ MSa:Yea gone seemed all folk of the earth save that woman amidst of the  MSb:And gone seemed all earth's people, save that woman mid the     
866/ MSa:the # inserted above line # deeps of the forest < > dwarfs  MSb:the depths of the forest < > Dwarfs
866-871/ MSa:old / Now  MSb: # adds 867-870 #
869/ MSb:sake, whence  1898:sake? whence
871/ MSa:amidst of the days she pondered there # crossed out # came < > witchfolk folk  MSb:amidst those days that she < > witch-folk there,     
872/ MSa:And the woman was young  MSb:A woman young     
873/ MSa:with Signy the queen # last two words inserted above line # < > her the deeds  MSb:with Signy the Queen < > her of deeds
875/ MSa:And take < > another and take # crossed out and replaced by # give  MSb:And to take     
876/ MSb:burn  1876:burn,     
877/ MSa:whom the burning earth  MSb:whom the burning earth # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # worlds ending fire # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # world's last fire
878/ MSa:in a passing moment and # crossed out and replaced by # betwixt his < > his birth  MSb:in one passing moment 'twixt his < > desire.     
879/ MSa:thought I will bear the burden # last five words replaced above by five words # alone I will bear it     
880/ MSa:And # added above line # On me alone shall # crossed out # be  MSb:on
880-883/ MSa:time / Then  MSb:time. / Yea, and he for the life is fated and the help of many a folk, / And I for the death and the rest, and delivrance from the yoke." / Then  1876:time. / / < > deliverance < > / Then
883/ MSa:Then white as the very death is she  MSb:Then white # crossed out and replaced by # wan as the midnight moon she     
884/ MSa:the house of a queen wilt  MSb:the Goth-Queens dwelling, wilt  1876:the Goth-queen's
885/ MSa:And many < > and rings  MSb:And for many < > and for rings     
886/ MSa:to change thy fashion with me ere the night was # crossed out and replaced by # is  MSb:to change # inserted above line # thy fashion # crossed out and replaced by # body for mine ere
887/ MSa:gainsayed  MSb:gainsaid < > aloft,  1876:aloft
888/ MSa:And there they abode alone and sung the spell song  MSb:And hand in hand and alone they sung  1876:spell-song     
889/ MSa:Till Signy # inserted above line # < > and lo  MSb:and lo  1876:and, lo  1887:and lo
890/ MSa:eyes and calm that  MSb:eyes of grey, that
891/ MSa:Then the  MSb:But the    
892/ MSa: lips and eyes and hair  MSb:lips and the eyes, and the hair
893/ MSa:But for all her shuddering horror the  MSb:But though she shuddered and sickened, the
894/ MSa:From its springtide red and white # last six words replaced above by six words # But ruddy and white it  blossomed and     
895/ MSb:eyes. 1876:eyes,
896-903/ MSa:lies / Men  MSb: # adds 897-902 #
897/ MSb:highseat < > Queen  1876:high-seat  1887:Queen,
898/ MSb:witch wife < > green:  1876:witch-wife < > green,
899/ Msb:gold,  1876: gold;     
900/ MSb:swift foot  1876: swift-foot     
902/ MSb:dead and  1876:dead, and
903/ MSa:midnight the Volsung wakened  MSb:mignight King Sigmund wakened  1876:midnight     
904/ MSa:soft speeched woman as sweet as the dawning  MSb:soft-speeched woman, shrill-sweet as a dawning     
905/ MSa:And he stood # crossed out and replaced by # rose on his feet and beheld and lo # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # a woman by the door of  MSb:So he rose and a woman indeed he saw by the mouth # crossed out and replaced by # door of  1887:rose, and     
906/ MSa:river wave  MSb:river-wave:     
908-911/ MSa:way— / But she said I have strayed benighted  MSb:way!" / She said: "I am nought but a woman, a maid of the earl-folk's kin: / And I went by the skirts of the woodland to the house of my sister to win, / And have strayed from the way benighted
911/ MSb:wild: 1896:wild 1898:wild:
912/ MSa:By thy glimmering  MSb:By the glimmering
913/ MSa:Now slay  MSb:Ah, slay     
914/ MSa:crossed with fear and  MSb:crossed in terror and
914-917/ MSa:pain / For the wolves of the wood to devour he saw  MSb:pain; / Drive me not to the night and the darkness for the wolves of the wood to devour # page frayed after last word # / For the fear of the woods to madden # last eight words crossed out and replaced by seven words # I am weak and thou art mighty: I will go at the dawning hour." / So Sigmund looked in her face and saw  1876:pain; / < > darkness, for < > devour. / / So
918/ MSa:said nowhit will < > and my threshold shalt thou pass  MSb:said: "Nay nought will < > and thou mayst harbour here,  1887:said:"Nay, nought  1898:here;
918-923/ MSa:pass / Meseems  MSb: # adds 919-922 #
920/ MSb:of men, thou  1876:of men-folk, thou
921/ MSb:though thy brother I were; and < > tell # crossed out and replaced by # show # crossed out # if  1876:though I were nought but thy brother; and < > tell, if     
922/ MSb:woodland the < > guilt  1876:woodland, the < > guilt,     
923/ MSa:Meseems for a fair wrought woman it all  MSb:Though meseems for so goodly a woman it were all     
924/ MSa:For # crossed out and replaced by two words # To pay # written over by # the reward for the # last three words inserted above line # the wood abiders # crossed out and replaced by # wights guesting with # crossed out and replaced by # to betraying # altered to # betray him at # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # him in  MSb:In reward for the wood-wight's     
925/ MSa:and straightly led  MSb:and straightway led     
926/ MSa:Where belike of old the dwarfkind did their < > smything  MSb:To the house belike of old # last six words crossed out and replaced by three words # Where days agone the dwarf-kind did # crossed out and replaced by # would their < > smithying  1876:the Dwarf-kind     
927/ MSa:half slaked  MSb:half-slaked
928/ MSa:fight won  MSb:fight-won     
929/ MSa:And sweet was < > sung < > of the yore  MSb:And soft was < > of yore  1898:sang     
931/ MSa:And many < > him and they  MSb:And in many < > him; so they < > night  1876:night,
932/ MSa:And they slept on the morrow morning till # crossed out and replaced by # when  MSb:Nor slept till the morrow     
933/ MSa:And # crossed out and replaced by # Yea high  MSb:And high
934/ MSa:water ouzels < > coming on of noon  MSb:coming of the noon  1876:water-ouzels     
935/ MSa:of Vols # crossed out and replaced by # Sigmund # replaced above by three words # the wood wight and went upon her way  MSb:of Sigmund, and left the dwarf's abode;  1876:Dwarf's
935-939/ MSa:way / Not long  MSb: # adds 936-938 #
937/ MSb:And # crossed out and replaced by # But
939/ MSa:Not long with the wood abider would the thought of such things stay  MSb:But no long while with Sigmund dwelt remembrance of that night;     
939-941/ MSa:stay / It flew like the dove from # crossed out and replaced by # through the branches or  MSb:night; / Amid his kingly longings and his many deeds of might / It fled like the dove from # crossed out and replaced by # in the forest or
942/ MSa:But heavy  MSb:Yet heavy     
943/ MSa:aforetime ten years had # crossed out and replaced by # was that night worn  MSb:aforetime. Thence were ten years worn
944/ MSa:man child  MSb:man-child
946/ MSa:the rock and the cave of stone where the dwarf kind wrought  MSb:the crag and the stony cave where the dwarf-kin wrought  1876:stony dwelling where the Dwarf-kin     
947/ MSa:the lad cried # inserted above line # thou are # altered to # art the woodwight of my mother spake  MSb:the boy cried < > wood-wight of whom my mother told # crossed out and replaced by # spake;
948/ MSa:dwelling then the water # crossed out and replaced by # river did  MSb:dwelling." So the rough stream did he take    1887:take,     
950/ MSa:But so mightily he struggled that he won to # inserted above line # the  MSb:he struggled # crossed out and replaced by # waded that he won the  1876:But so stark and strong he     
951/ MSa:And came < > but Sigmund laughed  MSb:And he came < > but the Volsung laughed     
953/ MSa:Run oer and the land and the water # inserted above line #  MSb:Run over the land
954/ MSa:Still stared the lad # last four words replaced above by five words # But the lad gazed smiling on  MSb:lad still gazed on     
956/ MSa:me that no man might see thy face  MSb:me none might behold his # crossed out and replaced by # that face,      
958/ MSa:her sending come  MSb:her errand come     
959/ MSa:foster-father were # crossed out and replaced by two words # should be
960/ MSa:my house as now  MSb:my dwelling now;
961/ MSa:thou mayst wot # last three words inserted above line # < > mother's message is  MSb:mother’s will is
962/ MSb:looked’st  1876:lookedst     
963/ MSa:face but # crossed out # tell me now of thy # last three words crossed out # thy name  MSb:smiled'st < > face; but tell < > years;  1876:smiledst  1887:face: but < > years:
964/ MSa:And what # crossed out and replaced by two words # which are of the < > that # inserted above line # < > Goth King # inserted above line #  MSb:And what are the  1876:Goth-king     
967/ MSa:That again # replaced above by two words # once more a man she sendeth # replaced above by two words # send thee and thyself shall know ere the end # last seven words crossed out and replaced by seven words # the work of thine hands to speed  MSb:she sendeth the     
968/ MSa:shall  MSb:shalt     
970/ MSb:thought; shall  1876:thought; "Shall  1887:thought: "Shall
971/ MSa:cherish King Siggeir's son  MSb:cherish Siggeir's
son,  1876:son;
973/ MSa:So there < > awhile  MSb:But there < > a while 1876:awhile     
974/ MSa:lad did Sigmund lay many  MSb:lad laid Sigmund full many < > load  1887:load,      
975/ MSa:And midst all dangers thrust him # last five words altered to # thrust him midst all dangers and the lad did passing  MSb:him mid all dangers, and he bore all passing     
976/ MSa:might stead him  MSb:might help him     
978/ MSa:the malice and guile of Siggeir and Signy's  MSb:the guile and malice of Siggeir and in Signy's  1876:Siggeir, and     
979/ MSa:Why < > him since the end must # crossed out and replaced by # shall be at  MSb:But why < > him since the end must come at  1876:him, since
980/ MSa:Now a # inserted above line # < > oer that # written over by # those folks of < > passed  MSb:oer those men of < > passd  1876:o'er < > pass'd,  1898:passed
981/ MSa:when Volsung  1876:when the Volsung
982/ MSa:wood deers # last two words inserted above line # hunting but thou in our dwelling shalt  MSb:wood-deer's hunting but thou at home shalt  1876:hunting, but
983/ MSa:And set thine hand to # last four words crossed out and replaced by two words # deal with
984/ MSa:went his ways to the thicket and brought the quarry home  MSb:went and came on the hunting and brought the venison home,     
986/ MSa:said he thou  MSb:said: "Thou     
987/ MSa:the Volsung thou hast keaded  1876:the Volsung, "thou hast kneaded  1876:the Volsung, "hast thou kneaded     
989/ MSa:When I set my hand to the meal # altered to # mealsack  MSb:For when I would handle the meal-sack
990/ MSa:if # inserted above line # the heart of a wrigg # crossed out and replaced by # writhing eel were  MSb:the life of an eel were  1876:an eel-grig were
991/ MSa:But all # replaced above by two words # the meal
992/ MSa:that # inserted above line # is well # crossed out # kneaded together and now is # last two words crossed out # the quick thing # last two words crossed out and replaced by four words # wonder is baked and dead
993/ MSa:O Kings son # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # Then Sigmund laughed and answered Vol # crossed out # Sigmund # crossed out # thou
994/ MSa:the venomed kin  MSb:the creeping kin:
995/ MSa:So cast thou the bread away lest thence # crossed out # thy bane thou get # last two words crossed out and replaced by four words # should come of it  MSb:So tonight from the bread refrain thee, lest  1898:to-night
996/ MSa:And # crossed out and replaced by # For
997/ MSa:among all other # last two words crossed out and replaced by # earthly  MSb:among all earthly
998/ MSa:That his bare hand dealt with # last five words crossed out and replaced by three words # unhurt he handled
999/ MSa:And might eat and # last two words crossed out # drink unharmed # inserted above line # of venom untouched by its burning might # last five words crossed out and replaced by five words # and so was Sinfiotli wrought # last five words crossed out #  MSb:drink unscathed of venom: but Sinfiotli so was wrought,     
1000/ MSa:That thou # crossed out and replaced by # he no sting of the creeping creatures might harm  MSb:That no sting of creeping creatures would harm.      
1002/ MSa:the great limbed son  MSb:the huge-limbed son     
1004/ MSa:from oceans  MSb:from the ocean's     
1005/ MSa:highway wends to  MSb:highway leads to     
1006/ MSa:spear hedged wains of merchants < > Gothfolks  MSb:spear-hedged wains of the merchants < > Gothfolk's  1876:Goth-folk's
1007/ MSa:And much rejoiced Sinfiotli # last three words replaced above by four words # sweet S. deemed it < > balefires   MSb:Sweet then Sinfiotii < > bale-fires'
1008/ MSa:blood reeds' clash and  MSb:blood-reeds' tangle, and     
1009/ MSa:And his deeds in three years space were more  MSb:And in three years space were his war-deeds far more  1876:years'     
1010/ MSa:battle play  MSb:battle-play     
1012/MSa:and many a joy they drank # last five words crossed out and replaced by seven words # the joy of the woods they drank     
1013/ MSa:And gold and gear they gathered and wealth exceeding great # last four words crossed out and replaced by eight words # thought that kings of the kings of war # last eight words crossed out and replaced by four words # and plenteous outland goods  MSb:And they gathered gold and silver, and
1014/ MSa:And # inserted above line # now on a day as it happed they came to a house in the house # crossed out # woods # entire line replaced on back of preceding page by new line # On a day they came to a house in the uttermost end of the woods   MSb:But they came to a house on a day in the uttermost parts of the woods  1876:part
1015/ MSa:But when # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # So they smote < > entered but when the threshold was passed # last six words crossed out and replaced by six words # when a long no man bade  MSb:And smote < > long while no     
1015-16/ MSa:bade / Lo the war storm rose against them and the swords fell thick and fast # entire line crossed out # / And MSb:bade; / And     
1016/ MSa:gold hung < > the blue beds # last two words crossed out and replaced by # benches  MSb:gold-hung     
1017/ MSa:Asleep as though they were dead with # crossed out and replaced by # and gold rings  MSb:In slumber as deep as the death; and gold-rings  1887:gold rings     
1018/ MSa:On the arms of either one and # last seven words crossed out and replaced by seven words # The sleepers bore on their bodies and  MSb:Those sleepers < > bodies and  1876:bodies, and
1019/ MSa:wolfskin  MSb:wolf-skin     
1020/ MSa:Then # crossed out and replaced by # But the the drift < > rapt Sigmunds heart away  MSb:Then the drift < > rapt Sigmund's soul away,  1887:wrapt
1021/ MSa:And long he gazed # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # his eyes were set < > wolf skin  MSb:wolf-skin     
1022/ MSa:And he minded the words he spake when  MSb:And remembered the words he uttered when
1023/ MSa:utmost day of doom  MSb:utmost Day of Doom,
1024/ MSa:stead and again to his  MSb:stead; and unto his
1025/ MSa:wolf skin MSb:wolf-skin     
1027/ MSa:like wise < > his fosterer MSb:likewise < > his fosterling # crossed out and replaced by # fosterer     
1028/ MSa:And lo  MSb:Then lo     
1030/ MSa:As the # altered to # those grey < > forest though somewhat the hearts of kings # last six words crossed out and replaced by ten words # for those grey men with the go were the sons # last ten words crossed out # Msb:like the grey < > forest; though somewhat the hearts of kings     
1031/ MSb:tell  1887:tell,
1032/ MSa:That those men in the fair wrought # last two words inserted above line # raiment fair # crossed out # were   MSb:That the men in the fair-wrought
1033/ MSa:the wood for  MSb:the wood, for  1876:the wild-wood, for     
1034/ MSa:And all forewearied they were when first turned into men  MSb:first they turned 1876:And to lie all spent for a season when they gat their shapes of men.     
1035/ MSa:rush # inserted above line # from the golden house # crossed out and replaced by # place  MSb:rush forth from     
1037/ MSa:their dwarf wrought  MSb:their dwarf-wrought  1876:their Dwarf-wrought
1038/ MSa:habit driveth wide  MSb:habit drave them wide
1040/ MSa:A lo < > of the hunters  MSb:And lo < > of hunters     
1042/ MSa:any but woodland wolves they  MSb:any other but woodland beasts they     
1045/ MSa:And onward fare those werewolves and they seaward # last two words crossed out and replaced by five words # turn somewhat toward the sea # last five words crossed out and replaced by five words # unto the sea they turn  MSb:Then onwards fare those were-wolves     
1046/ MSa:And sore were their ravening hearts and they longed # last three words crossed out and replaced by # for the prey to see # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # they yearn  MSb:sore are their < > and sore for  1876:And their ravening hearts are heavy, and     
1047/ MSa:thicket a score of the sea # crossed out # chaffering men # crossed out #  MSb:thicket the last # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # a score of the chaffering men  1887:men,     
1048/ MSa:weary as then  MSb:wearying then
1049/ MSa:his dwarf house  1876:his Dwarf-house
1050/ MSa:But wroth burned the eyes in Sinfiotli  MSb:But wroth burnt the eyes of Sinfiotli and < > broke.  1876:But wrath burned in the eyes of Sinfiotli, and < > broke;
1051/ MSb:sun  1876:sun,     
1052/ MSa:needed that # crossed out and replaced by # and the the race  MSb:needed that the race     
1053/ MSb:the Gods < > war  1876:the Gods' < > war,     
1054/ MSa:seafolk  MSb:seafolk < > oar  1876:sea-folk < > oar.
1055/ MSa:But Sinfiotli lay weary and faint and Sigmund  MSb:Now Sinfiotli < > faint, but Sigmund  1887:Now Sinfiotli lay weary  1898:Now Sinfiotli lay weary 
1056/ MSa:Dim # crossed out and replaced by # And wrath < > head   MSb:head,  1887:head     
1057/ MSa:tangled wit of a wolf that so might never un # last four words and fragment crossed out # derstand   MSb:tangled wolfish wit, that might never understand;
1058/ MSa:As though # inserted above line # the # crossed out and replaced by # some Gods # altered to # God in the dreamtide had  MSb:dream-tide  1876:in his dreaming had
1059/ MSa:craft of making # last two words crossed out and replaced by two words # of creation then his wolfish wrath waxed high # last four words crossed out and replaced by four words # wrath swelled up amain
1060/ MSa:turned upon Sinfiotli  MSb:turned upon Sinfiotli < > bane  1876:turned and fell on Sinfiotii < > bane,  1887:bane 1898:bane,     
1061/ MSa:And he # inserted above line and crossed out # tore him across the throat as  1876:And across the throat he tore him as
1062/ MSa:And there # last two words crossed out and replaced by three words # Till seeming dead in # altered to # on the # crossed out # grass his  MSb:And # crossed out and replaced by # Till a still, dead thing by the sea-strand his  1876:a cold dead corpse by
1064/ MSa:From out of his heart grown cold when  MSb:cold: when  1876:From his heart grown cold and feeble: when  1887:feeble; when
1065/ MSa:He saw two weazles playing # crossed out and replaced by # bicker and one took his < > the throat # crossed out and replaced by # head  MSb:There came two bickering weazels # last two words altered to # weazels bickering, and one took his < > head  1876:weazles < > one bit his < > head,  1898:weasels     
1066/ MSa:And bit her that she died but he  MSb:died: then he < > her dead;  1876:Till she lay there dead before him: then he  1887:her dead:  1898:her dead,     
1067/ MSa:Yet no < > abode < > thicket went  MSb:Yet # written over by # But no < > abode # replaced above by # abided < > thicket he went,
1067-69/ MSa:went / And came  MSb: went, / And the wolfish heart of Sigmund knew somewhat his intent: / So he came
1069/ MSa:And came back with a three leafed herb and  MSb:So he came again in a while # last three words crossed out # with a three-leaf # crossed out # herb and  1876:a herb-leaf and     
1070/ MSa:up quick and sprightly and no worser was her estate  MSb:up quick and whole and no worser of her # crossed out # estate  1876:up whole and living and     
1071/ MSa:and twain  MSb:and the twain
1072/ MSb:lay  1887:lay,     
1073/ MSa:till the three leafed  MSb:till that three leaved  1876:three-leaved
1074/ MSa:laid on Sinfiotli and he rose  MSb:laid it on Sinfiotli, who rose     
1075/ MSa:life days—then wearily went the twain  MSb:life-days. But now indeed they loathed # last three words crossed out and replaced by four words # in hate they had     
1075-78/ MSa:twain / Till  MSb:had / That hapless work of the witch-folk, and the skins that their bodies clothed # crossed out and replaced by # clad. / So they turn their faces homeward and a weary way they go, / Till     
1078/ MSa:Till they came to the house of the dwarfs and their hearts thereof were fain  MSb:Till they come to the hidden river and the glimmering house they know.  1876:river, and     
1079/ MSa:And there they abode in peace and went abroad  MSb:There now they abide in peace, and wend abroad     
1080/ MSa:Till the tenth day was come and < > for awhile was  MSb:Till the last of the nine days perished, and < > for a space was
1081-1103/ MSa:their wolfskins. So when therefrom they came / They # inserted above line # built a mighty balefire and cast them in the flame / That they harm no man hereafter and so for a little space / They dwell in peace and quiet about the hidden place / Now Sigmund saw Sin. that his body was waxen great / And a man # last two words inserted above line # he seemeth indeed # inserted above line # to withstand the very fate / In the gap of the broken battle, and that now is the hour come / For the wrongs of the Volsung Children to seek King Siggeir's home / But yet # replaced above by two words # So now shall he bid the son to compass the father's death / So he telleth him all the story and when it is over he saith / Well # crossed out and replaced by # Oft I have noted of thee that thou lovest not Siggeir well / And oft hast thou spoken thereover unkinsome words and fell / And the Gods belike have done it and my heart and Signy's heart / And have # inserted above line # fashioned a # inserted above line # help for my need and set thee # altered to # thy clean # crossed out and replaced by # life apart / Yet shall my hand do the slaying and therefore will I atone / Unto thee with a mighty weregild, unto thee of the world alone / Then  MSb:wolf-shapes: So when therefrom they came # last five words crossed out # / < > bale-fire < > / < > man thenceforward: so there for < > /They abide in < > place. / But Sigmund saw Sinfiotli, that his body is waxen < > / And he knew that his heart was shapen to < > / < > battle: and he deems the hour come nigh / When the wrongs < > children shall seek Siggeir home. / Yet now < > death? / < > story, and < > is told he saith: / "Oft have I noted < > well, / < > fell: / Now the < > it, and < > heart, / < > need, and < >/ That not all unavenged might the Gods' own kinfolk lie, / Or the best of the kings of earth, nor the name of Volsung die. / Yet my hand shall do the slaying, and < > / < > alone." # last seventeen lines crossed out # So they stood on their feet upright # here MSb adds 1082-1102 #     
1082/ MSb:And were men again # last four words crossed out and replaced by three words # Great men again as foretime and  1876:as aforetime, and
1083/ MSb:others  1876:other's
1084/ MSb:lair  1876:lair,  1898:lair;
1085/ MSb:wondered and < > yearn:  1876:wondered, and < > yearn.     
1086/ MSb:But Sinfiotli spake the first one: "Sure  1876:First then spake out Sinfiotli: "Sure
1088/ MSb:wood wolves' dwelling: now have I not learned enough # last six words crossed out and replaced by six words # thou hast taught me many things  1876:wood-wolves’ 
1092/ MSb:Come. Master  1876:Come, Master
1093/ MSb:visage and # crossed out and replaced by # but < > glow  1876:glow,  1898: glow:
1094/ MSb:mastery;—thou shall help me # last four words crossed out and replaced by three words # we twain shall < > foe—  1898:mastery; we < > foe:     
1095/ MSb:if it were thy father?"—And # crossed out and replaced by # Then < > him all the tale:  1876:if the foe were < > him Siggeir's tale:  1898:father? Then     
1096/ MSb:saith;"Now  1876:saith: "Now     
1097/ MSb:long—  1898:long,
1098/ MSb:father and and amended wrong with wrong.  1876:father and amended wrong with wrong?
1100/ MSb:palest) can < > then  1876:then,  1887: palest), can     
1102/ MSb:lie."  1876:lie?"
1104-07/ MSa:need / But have  MSb:need: / Is the fox of the King-folk my father, that adder of the brake, / Who gave me never a blessing, and many a cursing spake? / Yea, have
1107/ MSa:But have I a father in sooth save him that hath cherished  MSb:Yea, have I in sooth a father, save him that cherished     
1108/ MSa:The lord of the helm of terror and the the king # replaced above by # Edge of the flame of strife  MSb:The Lord of the Helm of Terror, the King of the Flame of Strife?     
1109/ MSa:to smite the stroke  MSb:to strike what stroke
1109-17/ MSa:wilt / Shall the kinless sword # inserted above line # of the battle stoop down for the gold of guilt / Now they waited awhile till the winter  MSb: # adds 1110-1116 #     
1110/ MSb:Shall the timeless # last three words crossed out and replaced by three words # I am the < > Gods: thine   1876:For I < > Gods: and thine
1110-11/ MSb:hilt." / Then Sigmund looked and marvelled; he that was once a child, / Then an eager lad of the forest, and a weaver of the wild, / And but late a man full waxen # last three lines crossed out # / Fierce
1114/ MSb:praise or < > men—the < > this  1876:praise, or < > men,—the < > this.  1898:men, the

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V

Section Heading/ # not in MSa #  MSb: Of < > Goth-king. # written in red #  1898:V Of < > Goth-king # printed in red #     
1115/ MSb:Then the king rejoiced in his word, and no more there is to say # entire line crossed out and replaced by new line # So there are those kings abiding and they think of nought but the day  1876:abiding, and
1116/ MSb:But # crossed out and replaced by # And when the time at last # last two words inserted above line # < > them, # inserted above line # They shall # last two words crossed out and replaced by # to wend upon # altered to # on the perilous # inserted above line #  1876:When
1117/ MSa:Now they waited awhile till the winter when the nights are long  MSb:And so they bided # last two words crossed out and replaced by # in the first of the winter when the nights grow long  1876:of winter when nights
1118/ MSa:And they went to house of Siggeir and sought a place to  MSb:And # crossed out and replaced by # Now # crossed out # they went # crossed out and replaced by # fared to # altered to # unto Siggeir's dwelling, and sought # crossed out and replaced by # seek wherein to  1876:They fare < > dwelling and    
1119/ MSa:By  MSb:And by < > twilight ere  1876:twilight, ere
1120/ MSa:Though the  MSb:And the
1121/ MSa:a privy passage the