[35]. The manuscript does not name the speaker; Vigfusson again makes two full stanzas with the line, “Then did Völund speak, | sagest of elves.” Some editors begin a new stanza with line 4, while others reject as interpolations lines 2–3 or 5–7. Völund’s wife: the reference is to Bothvild, as Völund wishes to have his vengeance fall more heavily on her father than on her.
[36]. Lines 3–4 are nearly identical with lines 3–4 of stanza 24.
[37]. Identical, except for the pronouns, with stanza 25. [[267]]
[38]. Lines 1–2: cf. stanza 26.
[39]. The manuscript does not name the speaker. Either line 4 or line 5 may be an interpolation; two editions reject lines 3–5, combining lines 1–2 with stanza 40. In the Thithrekssaga Nithuth actually compels Egil, Völund’s brother, to shoot at Völund. The latter has concealed a bladder full of blood under his left arm, and when his brother’s arrow pierces this, Nithuth assumes that his enemy has been killed. This episode likewise appears among the scenes from Völund’s career rudely carved on an ancient casket of ivory, bearing an Anglo-Saxon inscription in runic letters, which has been preserved.
[40]. Line 1: cf. stanza 31. The manuscript indicates no lacuna. [[268]]
[41]. The first line is a conjectural addition. Thakkrath is probably the northern form of the Middle High German name Dancrat.
[42]. The manuscript indicates no gap, but indicates line 3 as the beginning of a stanza; Vigfusson’s added “Then Nithuth spake, | lord of the Njars” seems plausible enough.
[43]. The manuscript does not name the speaker. Different editors have rejected one or another of the last three lines, and as the manuscript indicates line 4 as the beginning of a new stanza, the loss of two or three lines has likewise been suggested. According to the Thithrekssaga, the son of Völund and Bothvild was Vithga, or Witege, one of the heroes of Dietrich of Bern. [[269]]