¹⁷ “Sons of the Mist”; compare with Niflhel (“Vafþrúðnismál,” St. 13) [MHG. Nibelungen], a demonic race, the original possessors of the treasure. In the Edda the name is applied to the kinsmen of Gjúki.

¹⁸ The ceremony of swearing foster brothership is here referred to. This was accomplished by standing underneath a strip of upraised sod and letting one’s blood flow on the same spot in the ground with that of the brother-to-be. The act is probably symbolic of common issue from the same womb.

¹⁹ The Vǫlsunga saga dwells on the increase in wealth and power of the Gjúkungs through their alliance with Sigurth.

²⁰ Kenning for “sword.” The hilt was gilded (or wound with gold wire).

²¹ In his bed: “Sigurðarkviða hin skamma,” St. 22 ff; “Guðrúnarhvçt,” St. 4; “Hamðismál,” Sts. 6-7. In the forest: as instanced in the Nibelungenlied and ƿiðreks saga (whose account is based on German stories).

²² “Guðrúnarkviða” II, St. 7; a misunderstanding.