THE SCENE: After her brother is killed by her stepson Sinfjotli, Queen Borghild advances a ridiculously transparent plan to poison Sinfjotli at the funeral feast. Her plans are alternately foiled and facilitated by the interventions of the drunk King Sigmund.
THE TEXT: With the king’s consent Borghild now arranged her brother’s funeral feast, preparing for the banquet with the best of provisions. She invited many important men, and she herself served the drink. She came before Sinfjotli with a large drinking horn, saying: “Drink now, stepson.” He accepted the horn, looked inside, and said: “The drink is fouled.” Sigmund said: “Give it me, then.” He drank it down.
The queen said: “Why should other men drink ale for you?” She came again with the drinking horn. “Drink now.” And she taunted with many words. He took the horn and said: “The drink is mixed with treachery.” Sigmund said: “Then give it to me.”
She came a third time and bid him drain it, if he had the heart of a [champion]. Sinfjotli took the horn and said: “There is poison in this drink.” Sigmund answered: “Filter it through your mustache, son.” The king was quite drunk, and therefore he talked in this way. Sinfjotli drank and at once fell to the ground. Sigmund rose and his sorrow was almost his death.
– The Saga of the Volsungs, 13th Century AD
