Signe
Signe [1]
in Norse mythology, was a daughter of queen Bera of Zealand. Hagbart of Drontheimn, the bold son, of Hake and a celebrated viking, came to Zealand with the intention of challenging the, queen's sons, Alf and Alger, to single combat in order to measure strength with them. He saw and loved Signe, but her cruel mother hated him and prevented their union. Alf fell in the duel, and Hagbart recklessly suffered himself to be made a prisoner, because he trusted in his strength, but a lock of Sigfie's hair bound him fast. He was doomed to death, and the archers were prepared to execute the queen's decree, when the victim took his own life. Signe was rescued from her blazing dwelling by her brother Alger, but only in order to die beside the corpse of her lover, for she had taken poison. Comp. (Ehlenschliiger's touching tragedy, in which he has elaborated this material, entitled Hagbart Biog Signe.
