THE SCENE: When Attila the Hun (Atli) decided to treacherously attack the Burgundian kings (and brothers) Gunnar and Hogni, he discovered they were made of far sterner stuff than he expected.
THE TEXT: Gunnar and Hogni were the only two left standing. Before that, many a man was sent to Hel by their weapons. King Gunnar was now attacked and by dint of their superior strength, Atli’s men seized and fettered him. Then Hogni fought on gallantly and courageously, killing twenty of King Atli’s greatest champions. He flung many into the fire that had been built there in the hall. All were agreed that such a man had hardly ever been seen before. Nevertheless, at the end Hogni was overpowered and made prisoner. King Atli said: “It is astonishing how many men have fallen before him. Now, cut out his heart and may that be his death.”
Hogni said: “Do as you like. I will gladly await whatever you choose to do. You will see that my heart is not timid and that I have encountered severe ordeals before. When I was not wounded, I willingly endured trials of adversity. But now, I am sorely wounded, and you along will decide our dispute.”
Both Gunnar and Hogni were put into fetters. King Atli said to King Gunnar that he must tell him the location of the gold if he wanted to keep his life. Gunnar replied: “I would sooner see the bloody heart of my brother, Hogni.”
Now, at the urging of King Atli, they seized Hogni and cut out his heart. Hogni’s strength was so immense that he laughed while he suffered this torture. Everyone wondered at his courage and it has been remembered ever since. They showed Gunnar the heart of Hogni. Gunnar answered: “Here now can be seen the heart of Hogni the valiant; it stirs little. Yet it stirred still less when it lay in his breast. So, Atli, you will lose your life as we now lose ours. I alone now know where the gold is, and Hogni cannot tell you. My mind wavered while we both lived, but now I along have the decision. Rather shall the Rhine rule over the gold than the Huns wear it on their arms.” King Atli said: “Take the prisoner away.” And it was done.
Gudrun [who is Gunnar’s sister and Atli’s wife] now summoned men to her, met with Atli, and said: “May misfortune go with you now, in the same measure as you kept your word to Gunnar and me.” King Gunnar was then placed in a snake pit with many serpents, and his hands bound fast. Gudrun sent him a harp and he showed his skill by artfully plucking the strings with his toes. He played so exceedingly well that few thought they had heard such strumming even with the hands. And he continued playing skillfully until all the serpents had fallen asleep, except for one large and hideous adder which crawled up to him and burrowed with its head until it struck his heart. And there, with much valor, Gunnar lost his life.
– Saga of the Volsungs, 13th Century AD
