The Rímur of Bjarki
Eight rímur telling the legend of Böðvar Bjarki, the bear-born warrior who becomes greatest of King Hrólfr Kraki's champions. Three sons of a Áland earl are cursed by their stepmother Hvít into animal shapes — elk, hound, and bear. The bear takes a farmer's daughter, Hildr, and their son Bjarki grows up to become a hero of legendary strength. He goes to Hleiðargarðr, befriends the coward Hjalti and makes him brave, serves Hrólfr through great battles, and joins the expedition against King Áli of Uppsala.
The cycle survives in only two manuscripts and breaks off before the climax — the famous death of Hrólfr Kraki and Bjarki's spirit-bear fighting in his sleep while the king falls. What remains is substantial: Bjarki's origin, his journey, his deeds at court, the Uppsala expedition, and the spoils-dispute with King Aðils. The ending as we have it is not the true ending.
First known English translation of this rímur cycle. Edited by Finnur Jónsson, Copenhagen 1904, from manuscripts A (main, 18th c.) and mbr. (older). Source: Hrólfs saga Kraka og Bjarkarímur, ed. Finnur Jónsson (S. L. Möllers Bogtrykkeri, Copenhagen, 1904).
Ríma I
Mansöngr: an aging poet on lost youth and love. Voggr names King Hrólfr. Earl Björr's emissary Björn woos Hvít, princess of King Möttull, for his lord. She comes home to Áland.
1.
It is with me as with a man
who remembers his good days —
gone from him is joy and sweetness,
age has made him weary.
2.
Rope-walking and swimming the strait,
running straight and jumping —
all of this is the same kind of sport,
I can gladden no one now.
3.
Once I was fair and fine,
nimble at every game;
now my step grows ever slower —
so does the world lean.
4.
Long I drew well from the South's wine [poetry],
from tales and fine verses;
Gefn's thread [the poem] I nobly held,
and found joy in my verses.
5.
Many a man swells proud
in the land of his heart,
who never came to gold-Ná [woman]
as high as her stocking-band.
6.
Though one or two loved me
among young silk-runners [women] —
more delight than dealing with them draws me;
something else calls me now.
7.
There Odin's lip-drink [poetry] shall wake
where none before took note;
I name the strong king Hrólfr,
who ruled Hleiðargarðr.
8.
That ruler was given to boldness,
raised above all lands;
his name will be remembered while the world stands,
most of all in northern lands.
9.
One day before the king's table
came a companion among cheerful men —
a farmer's son with sharp words,
who called himself Voggr.
10.
"I thought when I left home
that Hrólfr would be greatest of all,
but I see here a smaller man
than it likely ought to be."
11.
Nowhere did he bow his head;
he looked at the king and was silent.
"What is it you think of me?"
Hrólfr said this.
12.
"Most of it is lies, told over a long road,"
said the diminisher of gold [generous man] —
"here is a pole, I think,
tall in the king's seat."
13.
"Where is that thing you speak of,
that guards the neck's sweat [sticky sap-pole]?
You must mean something by giving me that name,
if I am to bear it."
14.
"Of this I have no skill —
what I could give without payment."
"He who has more must give to others —
you shall receive a little."
15.
Hrólfr drew a gold ring from his hand,
half a mark in weight;
the court looked on with full honor;
every tongue praises him.
16.
"I have sworn to avenge you,
Hrólfr the mighty king;
it is my full intent
that no one like him exists."
17.
"You are not stingy with silver —
you have good qualities."
Voggr was exceedingly pleased;
the king sat and smiled.
18.
Then there came to Hrólfr's court
this man of boldness;
not was the ring-tree of snakes [warrior]
slow to wet the point [in battle].
19.
Little shall be told of Hrólfr here —
honor-champion among the bright —
more shall come through this tale,
yet he is most famous of all.
20.
An earl named Björr was powerful,
he lived on the shores of Áland;
he was said to be a keen man
in the storm of the arrowhead [battle].
21.
He had a gracious bride [wife],
who took care and ruled well;
he could think of no fault in her,
his heart would not give her away.
22.
His bride's gold rang clearly,
the jarl loved her greatly;
the ring-Ná [woman] wore a collar bright —
she shone with heavy gold.
23.
Her father's name was Þrándr,
he was both sharp and worthy;
"He would not be so bad a man
that he'd give his daughter away."
24.
"Go, Björn, and ask now
for a bride for me;
if she is fair and truly faithful,
I will guard the lands.
25.
But if the sweet one herself refuses,
seek me another bride;
good fortune is half of marriage,"
the bold man answered.
26.
"Island women and fjord-women
I want none of,
many are fair and unevenly good,
many have their flaws."
27.
Then Björn set sail away;
straight it was toward trouble;
the fog-maker [storm] went against the thorn-tree of Gaut [warrior — Odin's man],
and with it came confusion.
28.
A hundred days he drifted,
the thrower of the neck's sand [the wave-rider — the ship],
never saw a fair sky,
nowhere came to land.
29.
The wave-horn pushes against the sea's tail [the far north sea],
the cable strains taut;
the men land in Vargey to the north,
autumn had arrived.
30.
There in the boathouse lay a longship
hauled up from the whale's kingdom [the sea];
the men walked home along the way
and found a settlement by evening.
31.
A man stood outside splitting wood,
who called himself Surtr;
"Come in, for the way is clear —
the equal of greater men."
32.
The men were glad of it
and went inside with the old man;
the house was neat, though small,
and a clean maiden sat on the dais.
33.
The words tumbled from the treasure-Ná [woman],
her fingers deft and nimble;
Surtr asks them to sit
and then enquires for news.
34.
Björn said he had little to tell.
"I have wandered long in confusion;
I had an errand to Hálogaland,
with all my men.
35.
I was sent to win
Ása, Þrándr's daughter;
the ill winds drove us away from there —
both darkness and fear."
36.
The treasure-nipt [woman] answered thus:
"Two troubles bother me;
Ása is given now to another —
I sat at her wedding.
37.
All the people there were quiet."
Björn asks about this —
what saddened the household there,
and the fair maiden.
38.
Surtr said, afraid:
"So finds many a man who tries,
but if he is informed by others,
he trusts no one with it.
39.
This maiden is called Hvít;
she is indeed the daughter
of King Möttull, from a great realm —
fine is the suffering her.
40.
It is like a dangerous thorn of grief
burning against her breast;
a berserker has asked for her
from Kylfingland far away.
41.
She has possessed Meini's flour [noble treasure] —
I may know this from that —
but she will not, east of the ridge,
marry any man.
42.
This maiden is gentle and bright,
both in hair and brow;
and that one is called Svört the neat,
who serves her."
43.
Björn straightway raised his courtship
and asked, for the jarl, for Hvít:
"All good it would be for my errand
if she had a keeper of the written."
44.
She took it rather coolly,
as she did the others who asked;
Surtr made it all well
and always smoothed things along.
45.
But the end of the matter was
that she should belong to the king;
they were long at the warmth of the sea-fire [gold],
with good things between them.
46.
Björn stepped then onto the stag of the ship [the hull],
a fair wind fell from the land;
Hvít and Svört chose to follow him —
things grew harder for them.
47.
Eight days the wish-winds fell behind them;
the jarl was glad when Hvít came home —
she began talking much.
48.
The grain was ground and the ale was hot,
the household drank in peace;
the chieftain has given his wedding feast,
and Hvít quickly took charge.
49.
The queen was there that winter —
things did not go so badly;
no one had pleased herself better,
yet she seemed to ruin all.
50.
No one could be at ease beside her;
she overwhelmed the jarl with passion,
she drove the king mad with desire —
thus ends the first ríma.
Ríma II
Mansöngr: on marriage and its discontents. Hvít turns the jarl's three sons into animal shapes: Fróðr the elk, Þórir the hound, Böðvar the bear. The bear-Böðvar meets the farmer's daughter Hildr and fathers Bjarki on her. The bear is hunted and killed; his flesh is forced on the people at a feast. Fróðr the elk-man inherits the earldom; Bjarki is born.
1.
I would always wish that the treasure-goddess [woman]
had words of mansöngr beside her;
I could then approach the shore of glory
and bring my craft before the table.
2.
Though I see cheerful men around me,
none comes to me now;
the kind game played before others —
gone, when no woman is near.
3.
Many a man who marries
finds himself stripped of great luck,
as though cast into another lot,
if he gets an evil ring-woman [wife].
4.
So went Björr, as the story tells —
he lost his wise gold-Ná [first wife];
now he got another
who seemed strange to all.
5.
The jarl was glad when Hvít came home;
things went well between them at first;
a faint taint clung to her —
she played with bright gold.
6.
She has little care for the jarl's heirs —
this is written of the necklace-woman [Hvít];
Hvít knows how to think deviously —
she will weave something dark.
7.
One day, with considerable fuss,
the jarl's sons went to the forest;
the bride knew tricks aplenty —
she will brew them some mischief.
8.
Out into the courtyard she goes,
Hvít walks then to the bower;
with sweet words she calls
the three brothers of the ring-Lofn [woman].
9.
"It troubles me," says the wealth-Lín [woman],
"if you feel some lack toward me;
even though I drink the chieftain's wine,
I am cast down by this pain."
10.
The sorcery-Gná [Hvít] answered so:
"I have made you three coats —
put them on as fast as you can;
I will mend them if there is any flaw."
11.
They put on the coats and received a marvel:
Fróðr became elk, Þórir hound;
that warrior became a bear —
Böðvar — they saw him burst out.
12.
The bear turns home toward the hall;
all the household comes out;
a great howling of dogs was heard,
then he ran out onto the field.
13.
The bear ranges over farm and earth,
both forests and empty fjords,
harming men and herds alike —
many an attack was made on him.
14.
There was a man named Hrói, tall,
who lived beside that forest;
Qnd was the name of his wife,
and the bear ran there always.
15.
Their daughter was called Hildr;
Hrói was both sharp and worthy;
he lived mostly on salt herring —
he was no free giver of gold.
16.
The man had an old cow,
twelve goats, and a small household;
his farms were not many —
Hildr had the keeping of them now.
17.
Hildr has lost the man's cow;
she has trudged up to the mountain,
made fog around Gefn's gossip [wandered in confusion],
forgot all the livestock.
18.
Hildr came upon a cave,
as though hollowed out within the stone;
a sword stood in the cliff face,
wide and large and with clean leaves.
19.
Hildr looked into the cave —
the bear came to her then;
he shook off his grey fur
and Hildr knew Böðvar then.
20.
He told her his fate in full,
then laid his ring-tree [arm] on her;
even though she drinks in the chieftain's hall,
she may rightly be called a great troll.
21.
Böðvar lay down beside the bride;
she did not resist this;
the pleasure grew and the peace was good —
she did all the champion asked.
22.
Hildr slept until she snored;
then the necklace-valley [woman] woke —
Böðvar was gone;
the bride had got a head-cloth [= she was with child].
23.
Hildr readied herself homeward;
the journey did not go smoothly;
she came back by evening
and lay in bed beside the ring-tree [man] again.
24.
Hildr was there a third night;
Böðvar managed to keep it secret;
though he did not go to her often,
she was with child, and it was kept quiet.
25.
The veil-ground [woman] then gave birth
to Fróðr's-elk and Þórir-hound [children bearing those names],
Böðvar had a fierce nature —
Bjarki he was called for a time.
26.
The chieftain has a son by the woman,
and much was said of the king's wife;
Fróðr inherited land and realm,
and all the better hope was gone.
27.
One time the baldin-brá [beautiful woman — Hildr] thought
she saw Böðvar in her sleep;
from great anguish he spoke to her:
"Hear now what I want to tell you.
28.
I will be killed today;
the queen has shaped my fate,
I cannot escape death's blow —
I ask that most things go well for you.
29.
I will be laid down and salted,
then all the people will eat me;
Hvít will know how to think cold thoughts —
you must always refuse the meat.
30.
Do not let your children
taste of my flesh, treasure-tree;
tell them of their father's brothers —
both will get harm and pain."
31.
He asked this of the ring-Lín [woman];
she would not turn from her resolve:
"I love you and your memory —
one of them will avenge you."
32.
Then the bear turned away;
the necklace-valley [woman] thought she was seeing clearly;
hailstones tumbled down his muzzle —
she watched the necklace-Gaut [man] go.
33.
That day the beast was killed,
who had long harmed the flocks;
the men could make their approach,
yet it was not so easily done.
34.
Fifty he killed of the king's men —
the bear was very strong;
they drove him out onto a skerry,
while others were defending the land.
35.
They lay wait for him a long way,
the men made the journey then;
they won the stone-cave's fish [the bear]
— the queen brought this about.
36.
He was cut apart and boiled entirely,
set on the table and the benches laid;
the people ate, and the wise chieftain too —
the bride's road was growing harder.
37.
The one who had wronged the land
sent some to Hildr and Qnd;
she bound herself with her own tether —
her wickedness will become known.
38.
Hildr had gone away from the others;
Fróðr sucked on the piece then,
and it changed him in eating,
so he got elk's legs up to the knee.
39.
Þórir ran to where he lay —
his hand shot into the bowl —
a hound's claw grew on his left toe.
40.
One drop fell on the dish below —
Bjarki bit it with his tooth,
the smith of deeds brings wonder:
the front claw of the bear.
41.
Hildr came into the house then;
she saw plainly where Fróðr lay;
she kindled fire all around
and threw out the food.
42.
There the dame's wickedness ended;
nothing more came of it;
yet the jarl got a hard blow —
this became his ending.
43.
Fróðr inherited the lord of the land [the earldom];
he had some sense of most things;
he was drawn toward his better nature,
even though the bride had stirred up sorcery.
44.
Hildr's sons — their lineage is unknown to all;
it was always said of them thus;
the woman raised them so
that little had they to flaunt.
45.
Fróðr the elk, the foster-son of the man,
went to play among the jarl's men;
when he used his full strength,
they were always set up for a fall.
46.
In fifteen moves he broke legs and arms —
four had their backs bent so —
that was the end of them;
he was badly known for such things.
47.
The men drew cold iron;
they thought their own cause had gone lame;
all the people came against him,
the jarl stood before him always.
48.
The chieftain asked Fróðr then
to leave as quickly as he could;
he said he was ready, when spoken to kindly;
then the bear appeared to Hildr.
49.
"Fróðr shall go now away —
follow him into the cave, veil-woman;
tell the spear-Gaut [man]
to look to the weapon that he received."
50.
Hildr follows Fróðr then
out into the forest along the path;
the weapon stood in the blue cliff —
the berserker took hold of the hilt.
51.
Laufi stands fast in the blue mountain;
Fróðr grasped the sword —
it was sharp and nowhere dull —
the champion looked at the weapon.
52.
Fróðr kissed the veil-Ná [woman];
he went east into the forests then;
on Úrarheiðr he lay out
in the waste forest not far off.
53.
Úrarheiðr is not passable —
no one fares well near Fróðr;
yet he had sustained himself there
in ways that were never well spoken of at þings.
54.
Let the smith of sounds [poet] fall quiet now,
if Herjan's rope [Odin's noose — the drink of poetry] weighs on the gut;
the cask of the High One [Odin's mead] will be emptied
if the tap is pressed further down.
Ríma III
Mansöngr: on poetry and young men. Þórir wins Ása, daughter of Þrándr, in a duel. Bjarki grows up, goes to find his brother Fróðr the elk-outlaw, takes the sword Laufi from the cave. He proceeds east to find Fróðr, and sets out for Hleiðargarðr.
1.
Again shall run from the word-throne the thread of the poem,
tales always end in good fortune,
so are those deceived who mock it.
2.
Young men have two chances at wealth-grounds —
that is neither above me nor below,
from that, gentle encounters kindle.
3.
They kiss them and rouse them with fine verses —
the ring-tree [man] asks in his own pride,
"What's rustling in your pouch now?"
4.
The treasure-tree [woman] says there are no more late-night verses —
"Let me hear — we'll both read;
I'll lend you some learning."
5.
Thus can the thorn of Linden [sword of kindness] sway gentle captives —
a long Venus-verse before them,
and she will gladly walk beside you.
6.
Those should compose about the wealth-Bil [woman] who know it well;
the others should be driven away, those who love no one,
to Thor's god in the bellows-mouth [Skrýmir's glove].
7.
Let none draw a worthy woman with boldness into tricks —
we'll drive them on Skrýmir's sharp eels,
they shall guard life and soul.
8.
I find what I set down in the former poem:
Fróðr has gone up on the mountain —
few think him good company.
9.
Both his brothers were at home then, Bjarki and Þórir —
ring-trees [warriors] of surprising size,
with more strength than sixteen.
10.
Þórir had gone ahead with Fróðr the jarl;
he did not care though the spear rang out —
warriors thought him hard at the pillar [brave in battle].
11.
Six warriors he killed for the jarl, the bold brave one;
the men came home in autumn —
the jarl often found support in him.
12.
The champion Björn [= bear-father], beloved of Hvít, has come to shore —
I heard of Þórir concerning this trouble —
there the men were throttled and lost breath.
13.
Then the jarl asked Þórir to leave,
but he answered badly and briefly —
I heard no one carry his case.
14.
The bear appeared to Hildr by night, as books describe:
"Run with Þórir into the cave —
he shall take his axe there."
15.
Hildr went then from home and found Þórir —
his hands I heard clawing at the hilts —
Laufi the great stands fast.
16.
A broad axe swings out from the cliff of Sindri [the cave],
that will soften the sword-boughs [warriors],
and afterwards hinder nothing.
17.
"He shall go to Hálogaland when the hatred subsides —
there he shall increase fine lineages;
my prophecies will not be broken."
18.
The ring-tree [man] spoke well before his mother —
then there came to the hollow of my sea [to my poem's shore]
this champion of mighty strength.
19.
With merchant-sailors he found passage, one who had walked through forests —
he was fully skilled at the fee;
he went with them north to Vógar.
20.
A wealthy burgess offered him lodging, a farmer's equal —
this one is called Þrándr by name;
he held the longship's prow there.
21.
Ása was not yet given away — she I mentioned before —
the warrior sat quietly by the bride;
I doubt this went on long.
22.
A berserker named Bolverkr asked for Ása;
I heard Þrándr refuse this —
it was dear talk across all the companies.
23.
He offered Þrándr: let him fight for the bride on the holm,
"this will feel very obstructed to you" —
so said the raging warrior.
24.
Þórir asks to take this matter in hand:
"He shall not make us both yield —
yet the bride will never be reached."
25.
Sixty marks were set out for the wound-payments;
these negotiations became widely known —
Þórir shall now win his glory.
26.
They fought for the bride's sake on the broad field;
I heard it so of that evening —
Þórir carried the foot free.
27.
Then the veil-plank's thorn [Þrándr] gave Ása to Þórir in marriage;
Bjarkey was that great farm's name —
he built it for them in the next spring.
28.
There on the island are thirteen farms, none very large;
four remain there still today —
these lands were Þórir's.
29.
It was told me that fine lineages came from him;
now we must turn home to Hildr —
what Bjarki will do for glory.
30.
Böðvar was left alone after, as I will tell;
now he has gone on the road with Fróðr —
few reckoned that for good.
31.
Eighteen of the lord's men he felled, weary with force —
he kept nearly all of them frightened —
the king's people on rushing planks.
32.
All the lord's warriors wanted to face him;
the jarl forbade any to try —
he will want to avenge someone.
33.
Fróðr asks him not to destroy his people:
"I do not want to diminish your power —
get out of my realm."
34.
The bear appeared to Hildr quickly and asked her to travel:
"Let Bjarki take the prepared gear,
Berling's garment hardened with poison.
35.
Let him carry out of the wide cave the sword Laufi —
it will crack open many a skull
and sorely press the champions.
36.
He shall go to Hleiðargarðr, to Hrólfr the gentle —
there he will find many worthy bold men,
the keeper of the grove of wound-fish [guardian of warriors].
37.
Tell him what happened to my breast and my brothers' —
let him not show it on himself;
otherwise he will win no boldness."
38.
Hildr does as the bear commanded, twisting the ring-trail:
she came by night into Hvít's bed —
shame to one who knows and says nothing.
39.
She lifted the coat onto the high fen, where few could stop her;
drove it down into a pool
and pressed it down under heavy stones.
40.
She lifted Laufi wide from the ugly cliff —
it came with strange properties —
it always had to be drawn from the sheath.
41.
Dangerously shall that battle-wand crack open skulls;
he carried it in a block, the sword-skater [Bjarki],
so Böðvar drew Laufi with him.
42.
He went north to Hálogaland to find Þórir —
the big warrior was not at home —
he came there early in spring.
43.
Wondrously warm was the welcome given to the spear-grove [warrior];
all greeted the Hound [Þórir's nature];
he did not go to bed beside a woman.
44.
Warriors thought the change very great and broke habit;
I heard that early in the morning the sword-wasters
had men standing at the þing.
45.
I have heard he went to the þing with excellent warriors;
when he came to all the disputes,
he was recognized then by all as Þórir's brother.
46.
People wanted to lead him into the liar's seat;
Bjarki found that amusing —
I think the farmers quarreled about it.
47.
Þórir heard the þing was summoned and hurried there;
there were then two Hounds at the þing —
this astonished the ring-trees [men].
48.
Þórir greeted Bjarki warmly now, his brother:
"Stay here among fine men,
and let us both consider our choices."
49.
Then Bjarki was there that winter with Þórir —
the sword-grove [warrior] was very large —
it grew quiet toward spring.
50.
Þórir asked what would please the warrior for a wife:
"Shall I get you a gold-Gefn [woman]?
I can make a farmer out of you."
51.
"I have set my heart on your axe," said the quick warrior —
"I am bidding badly to the ring-Njótr [man who has wealth],
the sword I cannot give you in return."
52.
"Do not let a kinsman desire a worse thing.
I shall have a club in hand —
you have a skin kirtle stained with rust."
53.
Böðvar thanked Þórir for this gift, I heard —
then the destroyer of the Níðhöggr's embers [warrior] got ready
to go east to the forests to visit Fróðr.
54.
East he came to a certain forest, the destroyer of steel —
he sees a great hall standing —
the branch-trimmer of Þjassi's speech [warrior].
55.
He came in and lit a light, the one who resists the enemy —
he lay down in the straw and lightened his heart;
it was well into the night when Fróðr came home.
56.
He was not gentle with guests nor hospitable —
here from the weight of the sword's cargo
the great remainder of a hard ríma will fall.
Ríma IV
Mansöngr: on women's inconstancy. Bjarki and Fróðr test each other in battle; Fróðr recognizes his brother, gives him a strength-drink of his own blood. Bjarki travels to Hleiðargarðr. He passes the guardian hounds, enters the hall, finds the coward Hjalti buried in bones. He takes Hjalti outside; they find a she-wolf; Bjarki kills it. He makes Hjalti drink the blood of the wolf; Hjalti is transformed into a brave man.
1.
Always when I compose a game [poem]
I plan to name the necklace-Bil [woman];
there I will always steer myself
like a strip that fits in a groove.
2.
The ring-ground [woman] says she is always ready
to show kindness to the sword-grove [man] —
yet it is as if some withdrawal
the necklace-gate [woman] always has.
3.
Brides' words are always shifting —
they cause warriors plenty of trouble;
so have men said of them,
as women broke faith before in the world.
4.
Remember the necklace-Ná [woman],
what the master says in his text —
no one knows what falls to him,
the thing that always slips away.
5.
Others compose about the wealth-Bil [woman];
I will turn toward this instead —
how Fróðr welcomes the one
who came home, the glory-champion.
6.
Fróðr sees the great man —
darkness falls over him then;
a great axe stands beside him —
they look each other in the eye.
7.
Fróðr draws the belted sword,
flings it off further into the straw —
fierce and powerful he shakes it;
the warrior reaches for the axe.
8.
The sword groans as it leaves the sheath;
the champion sits still and waits —
the man remembered deeds of battle —
the hero spoke with firmness.
9.
The clasp-giantess of the javelin-Tyr [the sword-woman — Hvít's enchantment?]
springs a nail on the outside of the cheek;
always let the axe sound —
it does not ring out worse.
10.
Bjarki will not wait any longer;
he goes away from his axe,
leaps under Fróðr from below,
shoves him further out through the door.
11.
Fróðr stumbled to feel with his hands
and wrapped his back around the spear-breaker [Bjarki],
then tried the ribs in the warrior —
drove him twice over further onto the bench.
12.
The warriors went at each other fiercely;
most things began to shift;
Fróðr said in fierce command:
"This is a fiend, not a man."
13.
"I never fought cleanly away from you" —
Bjarki answered slowly —
"we wrestled growing up at home";
and he threw Fróðr upward in a bounce.
14.
"Have you, Bjarki my brother,
put me down here before the door?
That was good — I knew you —
it was needless of you to provoke me.
15.
You shall be welcome with me;
I wanted you to stay here —
few will travel with the fine spear
where we two are."
16.
Bjarki answered with full gladness:
"I will never be a stag-man [outlaw],
that is a very bad title —
let each one who wants it have it."
17.
"It did not suit you better, Böðvar,
to leave Þórir in winter with that axe —
he held it in his hand,
you had a better sword before."
18.
The man who was of the same mother — a full month he sat there;
kinship with Fróðr he savored fully —
then he departed from there away.
19.
The bold one told the spear-tree [man] about it;
Fróðr walked with him on the road
east over mountains with no grief,
all the way until they saw habitation.
20.
Fróðr stopped there at the journey's end;
he asked the bright ring-tree [man]:
"Where will my brother go?
What weighs down your bundle?"
21.
"I have planned to find Hrólfr —
he has with him twelve heroes;
the sword Laufi I carry there."
Fróðr smiled most at that.
22.
"Hrólfr has such bold men
that you will hardly be their equal yet,
if you cannot carry your sword —
then the chieftain will go to defend the land."
23.
"Your strength is terrible —
but you have made little use of it.
Why did you leave home so quickly
without avenging your father first?"
24.
"That was not granted to me" —
answered the keeper of the hilt;
"this may well be: I will avenge you,
it is rather my intent."
25.
The elk spoke with great heart:
"We should stir blood between us —
let it run in a little track
that lies ahead there on this ridge."
26.
Fróðr mixed water with it —
a good half, not less —
then poured and gave to Bjarki —
and Böðvar drank it in one go.
27.
Strength increased through
all his bones and every joint;
Fróðr said that no mortal man
would ever conquer him.
28.
Bjarki parted from his brother —
I will now reveal my glory [tell the tale];
he went as the road lay,
making his way into Denmark.
29.
He went as the road was found;
I knew his first night's lodging —
there where an old man and old woman live;
the champion turned that way, I heard.
30.
The man asked about Hrólfr's customs;
the neck's sand-thrower [the woman?] answered:
"They make all wretched
who they can get a game on.
31.
In Hleiðargarðr stands a stone —
one strong man is held there —
if he will go in among Hrólfr's men,
twelve will barely lift him.
32.
There in the slope are two hounds,
both of them very fierce;
no thorn-tree [man] gets through there —
they tear everything to pieces.
33.
I had a son named Hjalti —
I have not seen a fairer one;
Hleiðargarðr was dangerous for him —
all his courage has been beaten out.
34.
They call Hjalti a coward now,
a horn-pig and a dungeon-thrall,
pitifully faint of heart —
he is half worse than dead."
35.
In the morning Bjarki readied himself away;
the ring-seamer [woman] bent toward him;
the bride dried her fair brows —
Böðvar asked why she wept.
36.
"I fear that the joint-throw
will come against Hjalti hard —
if you strike with your full strength,
I think it will go near to killing him."
37.
"Most likely I will strike him lightly —
I repay badly the gold-gate's goodness [the woman's gift]
and make no clean return of your care,
if I do him any harm at all.
38.
Better shall we, if he wants it,
both help each other;
it may be that if we are two,
warriors will not strike him so hard."
39.
The ring-tree [woman] gave him two loaves;
Böðvar shall take them with him:
"There the guard-dogs may go for them,
if you go in through the stronghold gate."
40.
Böðvar went home to the hall —
he asked first to be welcomed;
he turned up to the stronghold
where the guard-dogs lay.
41.
Both hounds leapt out;
Böðvar cast the loaves down,
struck at them with an axe-hammer —
he drove those gallows-bitches badly.
42.
A man came into the king's hall
and said there were trolls at the gate:
"They have not handled it well —
they have beaten the king's dogs to death."
43.
Hrólfr asked him to shout out
and drive away this wretch;
the other said it was his feeling
that the man would be little frightened.
44.
The household raised a great cry —
the other hardly stirred from it;
he shouted himself along with them —
now he has come into the street home.
45.
The crowd said this:
"Let us press him out into the yard" —
the other is frightened enough,
if he laid his hands on them.
46.
He came into a great press of men;
unevenly they gave him way to move;
he crushed life from two heads [knocked two men out],
then got himself inside beside them.
47.
The man then asks when he comes in:
"Where shall I sit, my Hrólfr?"
"Out beside Hetti, right by the door" —
never had he gotten grace before.
48.
Böðvar sat down on the bench;
a heap of bones lay there beside him —
there was a man between him and the dais,
and many made sport of him.
49.
Böðvar took the man by the shoulders —
it was not easy to talk to him:
"Has the warrior fallen asleep already?
You do not sit up as other men do."
50.
Hjalti spoke and hid his face:
"Do not bother dealing with me;
the bone-heap covers me,
though warriors throw it for their amusement."
51.
"Sit up and see what goes on —
he is worse who throws the bones;
they will send you more fitting things
if you sit up on the other side of me."
52.
Hjalti began to listen
and pulled himself up on the dais;
an ox-knuckle swung toward him —
but Bjarki caught it back.
53.
He sent back the ox-bone;
the one who caught it got a death-wound —
he had first thrown the knuckle,
and it came against his ear quite hard.
54.
Another flew at mealtime center —
unevenly free for the warriors there —
from the high-seat man further off
he caught it with his left hand.
55.
He sent back the ox-leg;
the high-seat man shook his beard —
any coward would have been frightened —
he crumpled up against the wall-boards dead.
56.
Then Hrólfr asked for him to be carried out:
"Let these words be carried to Bjarki —
he shall sit back in that seat
where the other has just been drinking."
57.
Bjarki did as the chieftain asked —
he set Hjalti down on the bench;
and he himself sat on the shoulders of those
who were nearest to him.
58.
Most lamented Hetti rather —
he was not swift in speech;
one day they went outside the hall,
so none of all the household knew.
59.
Hjalti spoke when he felt afraid:
"Let us not go near the forest —
there is a she-wolf there who eats men;
she will kill us both at once."
60.
The she-wolf leapt from a bush,
terrible with gaping mouth;
it was dreadful for Hjalti —
leg and limb both shook on him.
61.
Unhindered, Bjarki went at her —
he did not tarry with it —
he struck so the blow stood in the rock,
and terrible blood ran from her.
62.
"Choose, Hjalti, between two things" —
the champion Böðvar said —
"drink now the blood, or I kill you here —
I see no courage in you."
63.
Hjalti answered with full heart:
"I do not dare drink blood;
most useful if I must by necessity —
there is no better choice now."
64.
Hjalti did as Böðvar asked —
he lay down in the blood, I heard;
then drank three draughts —
one will serve him against a single foe.
65.
His spirit grew and his strength increased;
least was the pull toward small things —
truly very strong and fierce as a troll;
all his clothes burst from him.
66.
So hardened is he in spirit
he does not fear the flying of iron;
the coward's name is gone now —
Böðvar was his equal in boldness.
67.
Good it is for clean reward
to test a brave man truly;
there may Gunnlöð of Grímnir [a kenning for the mead of poetry — Odin's drink] take
her resting-toll now.
Ríma V
Mansöngr: on the poet's craft. A bear terrorizes the court. Hjalti kills it with King Hrólfr's help, earning his name. Twelve berserkers arrive. Bjarki fights and defeats them; Skúr, a princess, intervenes. Bjarki is made chief of the retinue. Hvítserkr is introduced. Aðils king of the Swedes and his ties to Hrólfr. Skuld, daughter of Aðils, given to Hjörvarðr.
1.
Those who draw with discernment from the mead's blend [poetry],
carry with them a fine game
from the shore of learning.
2.
Whoever comes into that cellar
where Kjalarr [Odin] is within —
he will become a man of eloquence
by his fluency.
3.
Let warriors say of the ring-ground [woman] and speak of the world —
I will show for a time
tales of Bone-Hjalti.
4.
He received a brave heart
from a fierce nature;
he got his spirit and his full strength
from the she-wolf's blood.
5.
A grey bear had made himself at home
in the yard of Hleiðargarðr —
that wolf [=bear] was much direct [fierce]
and wide-roaming.
6.
It is said Bjarki let him kill the herding dogs —
he was not well suited
for contending with warriors.
7.
Hrólfr readied himself and all his retinue
to steer the ship [to go on the hunt];
the greatest in my hall
will be the one who faces the beast.
8.
The bear came bellowing forward
out of his round den,
waving his terrible paw —
so the men drew back.
9.
Hjalti looked and stared at it
when the roar rose —
he had nothing in his hands then
but his empty fists.
10.
Hrólfr flung then at Hjalti
that battle-wand [sword];
the champion caught the crooked thing
with his hand in the hilt.
11.
He then set the bear straight
by the right shoulder —
the bear fell toward the bride [a woman there?]
and lowered himself.
12.
He won that for glory first
and many things after;
his spirit was long proud
in the play of battle.
13.
From this he received the name Hjalti
of the bold-hearted one —
Bjarki was no worse an equal
in exchange for clothing.
14.
Hrólfr gave him the rank of warrior
among excellent heroes;
then came one unheard-of news
to the king's hall.
15.
Then came twelve heroes
to Hleiðargarðr,
and these ones walked in before Hrólfr —
so no one expected.
16.
They were accustomed to walking the land
and winning trials,
going to the island with good sword
for their gold wages.
17.
The wanderer answered, glad of death —
he goes before them:
"Is there any man here
who counts himself my equal?"
18.
None counted himself their equal
for all their hardness;
the champions moved away from the king
and came before Bjarki.
19.
Bjarki leapt up on the bench
and shook the sword;
he did not strike the foolish dolt,
so he would not lose the handgrip.
20.
Laufi was fastened in the belts —
but the short-sword was hidden;
the men began to laugh at this —
that it would be tricked out.
21.
The berserkers roared then
at the ring-runner;
little did Laufi's glint bother them —
then the verse left his mouth.
22.
"Repay me this, my Laufi,
whom I carried long
through dark forests — the stiffening wounds
wounded me there.
23.
Never to the warriors in the shield-dew [blood]
did I draw the hilt,
so that a maiden could not say so
at the dowry-price.
24.
Break out now like a silver-salmon
or Berling's tumbled one [some kenning for a great force] —
bite now, the bright knife,
or break apart."
25.
Skjóma drove down on the shield
and shattered it entirely;
the champion came to the neck then
and split the skull.
26.
The skull-joint burst apart
so the head split open;
many such a ring-grove [man] strikes
who falls himself.
27.
The guts fell, and the belly opened —
out of the body —
he split him down from the sword
so it smacked in the stump.
28.
The chieftain had two daughters —
Drífa and Skúr —
they were close to this killing,
such fair ladies.
29.
Skúr turned to the shield-breaker
and made it clear:
"Do not put your foot further
in the slaughter," said the woman.
30.
The warrior sent a leap to the men,
so they shifted in their seats;
Bjarki then cut the bear's paw
clean off at the foot.
31.
Hjalti lifted one by the ear
and tore him away —
that wound was made for pain,
and took his life.
32.
The berserkers sprang to their toes
and trampled out of the hall;
the warriors said those cowards
were defeated with full shame.
33.
The king set Bjarki high
over the finest retinue;
bold men from every quarter
gathered to Hrólfr.
34.
Bjarki gave Bone-Hjalti then
the coat of the giantess [a strong byrnir, coat of mail];
he had nothing else to present —
no other gear.
35.
Aðils is named as another king,
like Odin's likeness —
he had ruled that strong king
of the realm of the Swedes.
36.
The chieftain had the mother of Hrólfr,
who was marked as Ýrsa —
then was Gefn's shaft-tip [woman] a joy
to kiss.
37.
Skuld was called their precious daughter —
given to the chieftain's man;
Hjörvarðr was that lord's name —
she was his wife given in marriage.
38.
The sister was held in low account —
Hrólfr did not hold to Hjörvarðr —
no one I heard carried his case.
39.
The enemy swore on the island to the east
at the sea's edge;
Bjarki broke his oath of brotherhood;
their coming will be dire.
40.
Hvítserkr is named by the spear-tree [Bjarki];
he came with great power to him;
the brave man took a seat
beside the king himself —
so no one had arranged it.
41.
Skiðgarðr [a horse-ring?] was set around in a circle,
where warriors competed;
he would not bother to run the ring —
to ride at the target.
42.
He leapt at the fence and broke it down —
the gate before the king —
stepped off his horse, steel-nature,
and stopped in a moment.
43.
He bowed and sat down
on the bench of the hall's rest;
the gentle king looked at the play —
the household cracked up.
44.
Household men sat six to the king
on either hand;
to them the warrior's strength seemed great —
"and we reddened blades."
45.
The berserkers asked him not
to boast further —
unless it seemed advisable to the warrior
to try more.
46.
Hvítserkr rode east to Uppsala
to find Aðils —
that trusty chieftain was at play,
and the chieftain's wife.
47.
Skiðgarðr was set in a ring
where warriors competed;
he would not bother to run the ring,
to ride beside it.
48.
He leapt at the fence and broke it open
on one side before the king —
stepped off his horse, steel-nature,
and stopped in a moment.
49.
He bowed and sat down
on the song-hall's rest;
the gentle king looked at the play —
the household cracked up.
50.
Household men sat six to the king
on either hand;
to them the warrior's great effort seemed much —
"and we reddened blades."
51.
The berserkers asked him not
to boast further,
unless it seemed wise to the warrior
to try more.
52.
The king himself, the javelin's wave,
went before and stopped him —
he drives away in great hardship
those who remain.
53.
Hvítserkr has with the king to go
home to the king's hall —
his man he was, and the king let him
be given great rewards.
54.
To Aurni's floor with twelve warriors
he must hold the border —
to govern when there is need
the lives of thirteen men.
55.
The warriors who had been driven away in flight —
they envied that young man
and gathered a war-host to themselves.
56.
Hvítserkr has, as I have heard,
the king's land to defend;
the berserker's kind in the spear-wind
readied itself to raid.
57.
The king said: "I go on campaign —
you will stay home;
if it comes to needing help,
I will come to you."
58.
I have heard things did not go smoothly for them —
he had gotten himself strong men;
the king's force came later —
none of it was with him.
59.
Hvítserkr's force readied for battle —
they met the sword-scarred hard;
I heard it told they came together —
fifteen came against one.
Ríma VI
Mansöngr: the lady commands the poet to her side. Hvítserkr fights against the berserkers at Uppsala, is gravely wounded. Aðils comes too late. Svip's son carried to ships; fifteen weeks healing. He returns to Hleiðargarðr. Hrólfr rewards those who fought with Bjarki. Agnar the berserker is introduced.
1.
The coat-Bil [woman] orders me to her —
to entertain every evening;
the warrior may sit beside the gold-Gná [woman]
under the cloak.
2.
"Come again, pleasant warrior,
and speak me your ríma;
go and stand where the people are glad
before my bed."
3.
Many a kiss gets the necklace-Hnoss [woman]
when darkness comes to the window —
"unknowing" maidens I think them
often in a little shadow.
4.
I turned from there, and Hvítserkr took
great blows to give;
will that great man
seek yet more glory?
5.
Hvítserkr went home boldly
with a crowd of glory;
he took a seat beside the king himself —
so no one had arranged it.
6.
All those who went with the king
knew that fine man;
the queen herself and half the retinue
were in his company.
7.
Early in the day was the sword-destroyer [warrior]
out in the middle of the street;
here go those who shake the spear
and had their rough sport.
8.
They struck and bit with the spear
and asked Hvítserkr to defend himself;
and that one offered, who reddened the point,
to fight just one at once.
9.
That was a long going of Laufa [Laufi — here Hvítserkr's sword];
they played on the field;
to five men whose spirit was fierce
he had given long life.
10.
The king himself, the javelin-wave,
came before and stopped them —
he drove away in great hardship
those who remained.
11.
Hvítserkr has with the king to go
home to the king's hall —
his man he was, and the king let him
be given great rewards.
12.
To Aurni's floor [a specific hall] with twelve warriors
he must hold the border —
to govern when there is need
the lives of thirteen men.
13.
The warriors who had been driven in flight —
they envied that young man
and gathered a war-host to themselves.
14.
Hvítserkr has, as I have told it,
the king's land to defend;
the berserker's kind in the spear-wind
readied itself to raid.
15.
The king said: "I go on campaign —
you will stay home;
if it comes to needing help,
I will come to you then."
16.
I have heard things did not go cleanly for them —
he had gotten strong men for himself;
the king's force came later —
none of it was with him.
17.
Hvítserkr's force readied for battle,
they met the blade-worn hard —
I heard it told they came together —
fifteen came against one.
18.
His father heard war was summoned;
the trouble grew and the pain —
up rose the worthy king
and called to his heirs.
19.
"So it has been brought to me," he said briefly,
"that my son plans to fight.
Do you intend with your force
never to stir from home?"
20.
Faster they went with the fine spear
than seemed likely —
they came out into the clash of spears,
bold men went to him.
21.
Ten and two, no more,
are his men alive;
three hundreds of warriors now
hold their quarrel with him.
22.
He has felled and rolled into heaps
a hundred robust men,
done so well that he felled two
chief men of the berserkers.
23.
He received wounds from few spears —
in the middle of the brow;
lost one eye, and I believe for certain
that one ran sooner.
24.
Eighteen wounds in the few of arrows —
I think he received them,
none found that he gave way
if one approaches him from in front.
25.
His brothers meanwhile — the battle went on —
needed both hands;
all that force they had against them —
none got away.
26.
Aðils came, when nothing lay
where they had come to;
this was said — that he had wallowed
in heroes in the battle.
27.
Svip's son was borne to the ships
under great pain,
and his wounds from few spears
took fifteen weeks to heal.
28.
When he healed and felt himself fit
he rode from the king;
before that trial, the chieftain got
little between them.
29.
The scar-rider rode to Hleiðargarðr
and held it when the pain was gone —
Kraki was glad when the keen man
came with his brothers.
30.
The king's praise is least overstated
by marking such things —
gold and treasure he gave them both,
and they went into Bjarki's force.
31.
The lord's glory is never lowered —
he feared no one's trouble;
gold and wealth, though of the heart's desire,
he gave out with both hands.
32.
The great man was exceedingly glad
and generous with his household;
fine-woven cloth and grip-of-iron [ring-mail]
he let shine on the warriors.
33.
All were afraid of Hrólfr always,
when the sword-mass was awoken;
I have heard of more men yet
who were quite bold, and more than these.
34.
One berserker is a trouble to warriors —
the book names him Agnar;
this ríma has been written on the roll —
let it run down into silence.
Ríma VII
Mansöngr: on wise women and old verses. A genealogy of Hrólfr: Hálfdan, Ingjald, Hróarr and Helgi, Fróðr, Hrærekr slangabaugr. Agnar the berserker — son of Ingjald's son — dives into the sea and recovers the ring Sviagríss. He sails with sixty ships and comes to the shores of Sjáland. Battle: Hrólfr and his twelve heroes against Agnar's host. The seventh ríma falls.
1.
Clever women — I will quickly compose for them
their rímur,
I draw back from women at sea-slime [sea-gossip?],
I am so reluctant to wake in harshness.
2.
Most true are old stories in many an account —
steady and even on my spindle —
even if I spin something for women.
3.
The rope of strength rots all away on Rögnir's [Odin's] boat;
for women it is their use
and for gentle people what the poets work at.
4.
Yet shall run the seventh voice from the story's strings —
kindle verse from fine warriors,
wise poems — with this we lengthen them.
5.
Good Fróðr has heirs for whom a þing is summoned —
Ingjald — about him it is hard to avenge,
another I know to name: Hálfdan.
6.
Hálfdan chose an honorable wife who covers the branch [shields a man],
his bold heirs: Hróarr and Helgi —
the ship's mast-elk [the sail] serves him.
7.
Fearful were Helgi's birth and Hróarr's,
lived safely with old man Vifill,
rigid to men in the hall of youth.
8.
Ingjald made no friends with men, so warriors find —
Hálfdan he burned inside his fire,
such broken betrayals live in memory.
9.
Land with the sword he laid under himself — one who liked stubbornness;
the clever woman assented to the champion —
the king had sons by her.
10.
Bold heirs they had by her, "with Odin in the bath" [a dark kenning for treachery/fate] —
Fróðr — the mother of Fenrir's mound [the wolf-kin's mother? — obscure] —
and Hrærekr of the ring-serpent.
11.
Then Hróarr and Helgi took vengeance for Hálfdan —
they kindled fire and stoked the blaze
around Ingjald's hall so fair.
12.
It burned and ran there — bold and forward went the chieftain then;
strong warriors throughout wide realms
divided and dealt in gentle time.
13.
Brothers and mothers of Hróarr and Helgi were driven around;
warriors chose heavy blows —
wherever bold champions went.
14.
A worthy prize was had — the necklace-grip, warriors said —
a beautiful skill — men of joy —
the ring of Ingjald is called Sviagríss.
15.
The troublesome brothers divided it among themselves — the metal of the sword's sand [gold];
whichever was on the one half of the land —
things were dangerous and matched while peace lasted.
16.
The ring brought them most to the brink of hot harm;
the destroyer of embers [warrior] stood over the smelting —
strong — five marks and one.
17.
Hrærekr could not see the ring if Hróarr was to save it —
this trouble came to their words
about the plank-elk on the hall's boards [about the ship].
18.
"Show me the treasure of the mound here," said Hrærekr;
Hróarr put the ring in his claw [hand] —
that was the first trap set for him.
19.
He rushed first through the waves where the breakers crash —
the javelin-Tyr [Hrærekr] said none would enjoy it;
from anger the brothers burst apart.
20.
The swift ships angry apart and parted then;
Hrærekr rowed from the boom often
homeward through space and died thereafter.
21.
Helgi, father of Hrólfr, was glad in Hleiðargarðr —
he fell in old age, the fiercely great one —
the bold king fought the Saxons.
22.
Twelve years Hrólfr had freed for himself — that one inherited the warriors —
the mass of enemies streams to battle —
it will serve well if he rules long.
23.
The whole land bows to the worthy one from small labor —
he drove and shook Ingjald's heirs
out onto the swollen path of the boat [the sea].
24.
He gave the warrior a quarter of the land of glory —
he has that as Hrólfr willed —
he is truly wise and generous.
25.
I have heard rightly that Ingjald had heirs, the third one —
greatest and finest of all siblings —
he will ask peace of no man.
26.
I heard he had a bold son by his concubine —
this berserker, stiff in deeds,
spreads the swift ships in the harbor's reaches.
27.
The warrior calls all Denmark his boldly in report —
he says he has it by rightful inheritance —
land and livestock with flat forest.
28.
He blazes through the Baltic and all with the Gauts —
the man glad in many a trial —
he damages the swift ships on the boat's curves.
29.
From the east, trusty Agnar held the shores of Jutland
with drooping sails and fine dragons [longships] —
warriors tie up the broad harbor.
30.
Agnar searched boldly with great spirit:
"Where did it go, when the good ring
was dashed away on the flood's wave?"
31.
But those men who knew this event before
let the cheerful one run down into the shallows —
stretched the string until the bottom showed itself.
32.
Agnar leapt from a skiff into the thin sea —
eighty times he dived down to the bottom —
Ingjald's ring in the harbor's mouth.
33.
Three sea-dives he endured, that presser of settled places —
then the forged thing was better than all
that had lain there sixty winters.
34.
I have heard rightly that few will win such glory —
to find the cold fire in the diving,
and the joy-poet has composed about lesser things.
35.
Men from the south know the way to the settlements of Sjáland;
warriors share out no trust —
the crowd flees before with hostility.
36.
Bjarki is alert at the play of Berling [the berserker-game] and the warriors are ready —
the wolf is many and men welcome it —
he goes with an army to meet Agnar.
37.
Warriors recognized an island cape with an island nearby —
Heiðar-reið [the ride of the moor] anchored in the harbors —
hard watchmen took their position on the ground.
38.
Bjarki drove straight ashore and Bone-Hjalti;
on the shaved prows the sea shone —
they took counsel from the malt of words [they spoke].
39.
A dragon [longship] foremost on the slope floated with fifty warships,
all of it gold, adorned with splendor —
the broad cloth [sail] pressed on the planks.
40.
In the dark they saw men coming toward them —
so many —
the trees of gold [warriors] stood weary
with strong banners and long shields.
41.
Hjalti asked of the bold one who held the sword
who those were that he met on guard —
he answered thus, the necklace-destroyer [Agnar's man].
42.
"We are of Agnar's force, and not the smallest —
loaded with good giant-gear —
we walk the heather closest to the king."
43.
"With which king do you defend the land?" asked the sword-thrower —
"you will diminish the force little —
let me be informed of such things."
44.
"We are the men of lord Hrólfr, and lesser than any —
you can see there many larger —
his men are known as taller by mountains [by a head].
45.
Say quickly when the sun shines on the herring-heaths —
that warriors should hasten up from the ships —
that we fight on the broad field."
46.
Warriors parted gladly at will and each went away;
men counted nowhere four
harder watchmen, nor so large.
47.
In the morning the bright singing horn rang in the mountains —
the army came from the lobster's fields [the sea-shore];
the ring-þing [battle] assembled from all sides.
48.
In the rock hammered the dwarf-speech heavy and the din over the grounds —
the earth twisted under the bounding —
the murmur rang for four hours.
49.
They met in the middle of the cape now with bare swords —
shield cut into gilded fittings —
crash and burst in the champions' shoulders.
50.
The fiber tore the warriors' breasts and the bows bounded back —
swords sought the dark metal —
hand-riders [fighters] cracked apart in the shields.
51.
Long the game went hard from the warriors' hands —
Agnar sent warriors to Odin —
the blood raged and ran over the field.
52.
Hrólfr and his twelve heroes went hard after the men —
name-equals [rivals] measured below from the legs —
bare and tossed with raven-black edges.
53.
Agnar's killing of men strengthened with the stiff iron —
then a gap came in the others' ranks —
the champions then had plenty to do.
54.
Agnar strengthened the game of the point and the eagles screamed —
he drove and shook the coward and the bold —
the seventh ríma must fall.
Ríma VIII
Mansöngr: the battle continues. Agnar is slain by Bjarki. Hrólfr rewards Bjarki with twelve farms and his daughter. The booty is divided. Hvítserkr and the battle against the Saxons. Geirþjófr's revenge-brothers. The expedition to the east, the Væni [Lake Vänern]. Áli falls. The horse Hrafn and the helm Hildisvin taken. King Aðils refuses to honor the division of spoils; Bjarki and Hjalti depart. The cycle ends, incomplete, before the fall of Hleiðargarðr.
1.
I turned boldly from the glory —
there rest was hardly possible —
Agnar strengthened the point's desire —
very many fell.
2.
Never did Baldr give to men
wound or scratch —
he struck as quickly as possible the head off
and had five at once.
3.
Still in the fray he could swing
the sword, bender of shields —
always cutting down three warriors
to either hand of him.
4.
Hrólfr the wise called out high:
"Where are you, Bjarki the bold?
Show us your great strength —
you man of battle-seeking."
5.
Böðvar eager then at the sword
drew and shook Laufi —
and there warriors sprang from him
like children from a cap.
6.
Recognized warriors started the fight —
the crowd sprang from them —
Bjarki had not flinched before;
so let it be heard that this went on.
7.
Men looked at the white bear
jumping between them —
the hand became practiced in the usual [at its custom]
in the bold spear-breaker.
8.
He set the sword then hard
himself into the head of the bear —
it broke apart beside the hilt —
he will regret this.
9.
Laufi pierced life narrowly —
Bjarki played that,
naked he drove it into the niflungs' breast —
now it came to the mark.
10.
The bright blade crept into the heart
of the chieftain's wealthy heir;
all looked on — Agnar smiled —
excess harm is in such things.
11.
This berserker died smiling,
breathed with hot breath —
all thought Agnar though
was conquered by violence.
12.
The reward came from praised Hrólfr —
he did not let it fade —
the king gave him twelve great farms
and his proud daughter.
13.
The war-spoils were divided among the warriors —
I have laid that in memory —
14.
More I will tell if I dare —
great things come more to memory;
the poem runs from the treasury of verse
when this ríma is finished.
15.
It came to the king's hearing,
many things were told him;
Hvítserkr was there when the king
came to his greatest power.
16.
The king said: "We shall grant —
I cannot say fully —
this company's glory is not lowest —
I can mark that from this."
17.
"If the army goes and the twelve heroes,
they shall have payment fully,
the three chosen treasures the king shall have,
if the champions fell Áli."
18.
Hvítserkr has with the king to go —
he has fought the Saxons;
they threw the spear and won victory —
glory began to grow.
19.
Geirþjófr was called — that king's son —
let his father's death be paid;
his twelve brothers had fought with Hrólfr —
he offered them death for their need.
20.
They held home from the sword's mead [the battle] —
war-spoils enough were gotten —
the folk-þing summoned and the king's honor done —
most things gone as wished.
21.
We hear also that Hrólfr's champions
came east to Væni [Lake Vänern];
there a bent bow was at the arrow's top
and creaking in the wave's crest.
22.
Aðils was glad — the great man —
they came east to him;
the warriors with the bright spear
struck straight to battle.
23.
Warriors gave no peace to any —
they won well to their case;
there fell Áli and all his force —
young in the game of steel.
24.
The best horse is known as Hrafn —
they took it from Áli;
Hildisvin is what the helm is called —
Bjarki chose it as his reward.
25.
The lord [Aðils] then asked them not to do nonsense
about any of the dealings —
it will cost the king's strength —
he stripped the champion of the prizes.
26.
Böðvar did not think it better —
they went away, he and Hjalti —
they said before winter had passed
they would seek Fróðr's malt [= visit their kin].
27.
Then the warriors rode home
and told the king of this;
he said he would get for them
such things at less cost.
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Colophon
Translated from Old Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church (NTAC), March 2026. Source: Hrólfs saga Kraka og Bjarkarímur, edited by Finnur Jónsson (S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, Copenhagen, 1904). Manuscripts: A (primary, eighteenth century) and mbr. (older manuscript). The cycle is incomplete — the ending, including the famous fall of King Hrólfr at Hleiðargarðr and Bjarki's spirit-bear fighting in his sleep, is lost. The text as it stands ends with the dispute over the Uppsala war-spoils. First known English translation.
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Source Text
Bjarkarímur, from Hrólfs saga Kraka og Bjarkarímur, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1904). Old Icelandic original, eighth- to eighteenth-century manuscript tradition.
...
[Source text continues through all eight rímur. Full Icelandic text in Finnur Jónsson's 1904 edition, Internet Archive identifier: hrlfssagakrakao00jngoog]
Source text: Public domain (ed. 1904). First edition of the rímur from the manuscripts.
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