Svava

Svava in Norse mythology, was a beautiful daughter of king Eylimi, who became famous through Helgi Haddinga, the son of Horward, king of Norway. The last had made a vow to call his own the fairest woman of the earth; and thus he already had three wives — Alfhilid, the mother of Hedin; Sireid, the mother of Humlung; and Siniriod, the mother of Hilming — when he heard that Sigurlin was the handsomest of women. He immediately wooed her through the jarl Atli, but was rejected through fear of other suitors. Thereupon he made war upon her father, and at length Seized Sigurlin. She was, howsever, already the mother of a son, the famous Helgi, who remained quiet until the kindhearted Svava aroused him, gave him the name of Helgi, and allied herself to him as a godmother. Defended by the bad and charming Walkur, and armed with a never-failing sword, Helgi signalized himself by deeds of the greatest heroism; but he was, nevertheless, slain by Atli, the son of Hrodmar. No sooner, however, was Helgi reborn as the son of king Sigmund and the beautiful Borghili than Svava also reappeared in a second incarnation as the Shill virgin Sigrun. Helgi was but one dayold when he stood in armor and longed for the battle and victory. He crept, in female attire, into the house of the powerful but wicked king Huindingur, explored it as a waiting-maid, and then attacked and slew him in a dreadful contest. Helgi next wooed the beautiful and formerly loved Svava, now Sigrun; but had yet to undergo many a severe- contest, since she was already betrothed to Hodbrod, a son of king Gramnar of Sweden, but not loved by her. Helgi attacked him also, overcame and slew him in a battle at Frekastein, and was approaching the goal of his wishes when a new obstacle arose in the person of his own brother Hedin. The latter was returning home to Julaabend when he met an ugly old witch, out of the forest, riding on a wolf, which she drove with reins of twisted snakes, and she offered herself as a Walkur to the beautiful youth as a protectress; but when he disdained her, she angrily cried, "Thou shalt pay for this with Braga's cup." When Hedin reached his home; he wildly swore that he would possess himself of Sigrun, his brother's bride, and he accordingly went immediately to seek his brother for that purpose. The latter not only treated him kindly, but, having been already mortally wounded in battle, surrendered her to his brother. When Helgi arrived in Walhalla, all the joys of heaven could not supply the place of the beautiful Sigrun; he therefore returned to his tomb, and rested there all night by the side of the lovely Sigrun till the morning light announced the end of his delight; and, mounting his steed, he returnedto the halls of Walhalla. Helgi was a third time born as the second Haddinga, while Svava, likewise, a third time appeared as Kara, daughter of Hal'dan, who was king of Denmark, and, with the spouse of his daughter, ruled over land and sea.