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The last lines have been differently interpreted as a warning to Sigurd not to seek Brynhild and an attempt to incite him to do so by emphasising the difficulty of the deed; they may merely mean that her sleep cannot be broken except by one, namely, the one who knows no fear. Brynhild's supernatural origin is clearly shown here, and also in the prose in Sigrdrifumal.
Gripisspa is followed by a compilation from two or more poems in different metres, generally divided into three parts in the editions: Reginsmal gives the early history of the treasure and the dragon, and Sigurd's battle with Hunding's sons; Fafnismal, the slaying of the dragon and the advice of the talking birds; Sigrdrifumal, the awakening of the Valkyrie.
The fragment which follows Sigrdrifumal, on the other hand, places the scene in the open air: "Sigurd was slain south of the Rhine; a raven on a tree called aloud: 'On you will Atli redden the sword; your broken oaths shall destroy you. Gudrun Giuki's daughter stood without, and these were the first words she spoke: 'Where is now Sigurd, the lord of men, that my kinsmen ride first? Högni alone made answer: 'We have hewn Sigurd asunder with the sword; the grey horse still stoops over his dead lord."
As divided in most editions the poems connected with the Volsung cycle, including the two on Ermanric, are fifteen in number: Gripisspa. Reginsmal, Fafnismal, Sigrdrifumal, a continued narrative compiled from different sources. Sigurd Fragment, on the death of Sigurd. First Gudrun Lay, on Gudrun's mourning, late. Brynhild's Hellride, a continuation of the preceding.
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