Four rímur from AM 604h, copied also in Jón Gissursson's manuscript AM 610d. Damusti serves the Greek emperor Katalastus, whose daughter Gratiana is the most beautiful woman in the world. When Jon of Smaland wins her hand, Damusti's jealousy drives him to war and ruin — until the Virgin Mary intercedes and grants him what his sword could not.
Ríma I
Mansöngr
1.
That never brings thanes to gladness
which gives joy in grief alone;
from Viðrir's well I bear the stream
of the wisdom-horn's deep tone.
2.
The arts of stone-song ring
about the circle of praise;
so I shall offer to the bright ring-woman
the giant's drink — these days.
3.
Katalastus was called the mighty king,
fire-bright of the deep flood;
no other was born his equal
in all the realm of the Greeks.
4.
He was a king adorned by Christ,
he honored the churches with care;
he was robed in Viðrir's garments
when glory was his to bear.
5.
The prince was adorned with crown and honor,
upheld by the greatest of men;
so shone the lord's renown
far beyond most kings.
6.
The generous one sits in Miklagarðr,
the gold-man dwelt with steel;
the king always held the high stronghold
with the sharp fire of Ygg.
7.
The king has a noble daughter —
her name is Gratiana;
she shall receive a worthy poem from me
for the virtue she bestows on women.
8.
So pure is she as the sky-flower,
shadowless to look upon;
the light of the sea does not outshine
the sweetness of her white flesh.
9.
When the fire of the ring-woman's spirit
gleams in the land around her,
it is as blood against bright snow —
the bride's pure body.
10.
Her bearing is perfect and her youth fair,
her loveliness is clean;
she clasps the bright ring-bank of her form
far from all harm.
11.
Bright is this ring-treasure
on sea and land alike —
as the sun sent to us all
by the Holy Spirit himself.
12.
Her color, her height, her limb and flesh,
her nature with clean life —
so the bright woman bore her glory
far beyond every woman.
13.
The shield-king's maiden dwells in the bower,
bright are her ladies and gowns;
they serve the noble maiden —
eight times twice twenty.
14.
Warriors came to the royal dwelling
to ask for her hand;
sweetness she gave them none of that —
so mighty was her own will.
15.
The king has twelve men of high rank
who watch over the lords' honor;
they shall all together set down
the king's rightful judgment.
16.
Never will they stoop to evil —
none can corrupt them;
the prince calls this thorn-grove of wise men
his sages.
17.
These warriors come home every summer
to the king's seat;
all of them have bared their chests
against the swift edges.
18.
The tale is adorned by the king's thane
who is called Damusti;
terribly he stirred the rain of spears
and gladdened the prince's troops.
19.
The rider leaped on a swift horse,
proven in every skill;
from every contest he bore off best
among the king's wise champions.
20.
The warrior is tall and soldierly,
bright-faced to look upon;
victory was always in his hand
if strong men shattered armor.
21.
The warrior commands a hundred young men
at home in the king's court;
he always breaks bright spears
and guards the royal realm.
22.
Fortune visits very dearly
all who wish for good;
daily the ring-warrior remembered
his hours of the Virgin Mary.
23.
A fjord lay alone by the prince's hall,
long promontories stretching from it;
they were all walled one way
out toward the ring-lands.
24.
Into the inlet stand iron posts
guarded with strong iron;
gates are fastened on each side,
hard locks keep them shut.
25.
When people lock the gates
and bolt them fast with bars,
no ship pushes its prow
into this fjord.
26.
That day came when the wise troop
saw a very beautiful sight;
they looked out over the sea
and old ships came gliding.
27.
The dragon-ships sailed extremely well,
their sails and ropes served them;
yet more, three and two together —
the king's warriors saw.
28.
The prows were covered in Hrímnir's speech,
hidden with carved neck and chin;
all the stems of Ægir's fire
rested down at the rocks.
29.
The rocks were adorned with silver,
set with precious stones;
and in the sails, refined and changed,
were wands of pure furs.
30.
Every rope and the rudder too
was smeared with Fáfnir's load;
never before could one see on ships
such splendid prosperity.
31.
The boards were like fire
guarded with burned silver;
no men ever saw such ships
gliding over the herring-earth.
32.
One ship was greatest of all —
I remember it clearly;
it was best in craft and gold,
carved with precious stones.
33.
The yard bent and the sails swayed,
the rudders strained now and then;
the storm flung the flood-hawks forward
toward Stolpa Sound.
34.
The king bade them thrust the gates apart,
give them the finest room:
"Peaceful will be that spear-grove
who brings few of Ægir's horses."
35.
The ring-warrior holds to prayer,
far from all dispute;
the men made the sail-doors fast
and pitched their tents on land.
36.
The prince's tents were long —
like flames burning against the clouds;
it was like looking far
at lightning running through the sky.
37.
They lowered sails and made fast the ships;
the men did this proudly;
the strong anchor plunged deep
into the wave-floor.
38.
Then the prince called Damusti
to his side:
"You shall go now to see the men
and learn new tidings.
39.
If they bear you peace and goodwill,
invite them home to the hall;
otherwise we break the warriors' truce
and test the brave heroes."
40.
The dark night passed for the men,
the darkness began to flee the day;
Damusti was quickly bidden
to dress in shield and armor.
41.
The man went with a lordly troop
briskly to the pier steps;
cheerful he found the king's warriors
and greeted them with skilled words.
42.
"Who has rule over the realm of the fleet?
I ask this briskly of the people;
tell me clearly with swift account
the shield-king's name and glory."
43.
"Jon you may call the noble
who gives us silk and gold-thread;
his honors support most things —
he is renowned through all the world.
44.
I seek leave of the arrow-warrior
to find your king;
I have two errands, bright and clear,
to tell that king."
45.
The man went on the noble's ship
to the bright golden prow,
and clearly conveyed the message
to the shield-king there.
46.
"Let that warrior come hither
gladly with his men —
no more than twelve" —
so the lord laid it out.
47.
The prince's thane went up onto land,
looked sharply at the crowd,
then told the king's hard warrior
that permission was granted.
48.
When they came to the cold sea-gate,
they pulled the gangplank from the land;
"Show us peace," says the spear-warrior,
"keep us from danger."
49.
Damusti went up onto the ship
to find that noble;
he came before the king and greeted
the wise chief.
50.
"Who commands the roller-gate of this harbor?
Shall we offer the king
invitation or challenge —
which does he require?"
51.
The king answered, flushed with zeal:
"Tell your lord
that the king wishes to bring joy to the Greek people
and receive grace."
52.
"Where do you rule, mighty prince,
your proud people and land?
No man will be so fine in splendor,
clothed with helm and sword."
53.
"Smaland is called the free high-land;
I alone rule it;
therefore my war-host arms with helmets —
it never flees danger.
54.
You shall tell me of that warrior —
I ask this with honor:
what rank does the king grant you,
high above other people?"
55.
"Then the blood-hungry raven is fed —
the king bids me make war;
Rider is my title in the realm,
to protect the king's land.
56.
I bear the gentle words from the king's mouth
to the wise king;
he invites the prudent noble
home with all his warriors."
57.
"I need not delay my answer
for the wealth-grove;
I will come to the worthy king's meeting
with three hundred warriors."
58.
Damusti went from the noble
back to his own men.
Now I have seen Fundi's teaching
in this handsome tale.
Ríma II
Mansöngr
1.
Wealth-god bids me adorn
kings' deeds with bright words;
so I am ready at the poem-forge
to shed light on men of old.
2.
The ring-man entered the hall;
the prince welcomed the fine warrior:
"Whom have you sought, my king —
tell me clearly now."
3.
"I have found that prince
whose like was never seen;
his hair is as the coals of fire,
his speech adorns the king.
4.
His face is such to look at
as if blood had leapt into snow;
his hand is fair and very strong —
honor that king with worthy deeds.
5.
No war-cry drives him away —
the prince is keen for sword-clash;
he has turned the noble's anger to dust,
the whole people trembles before the king.
6.
Wisdom adorns him, wisdom enough —
he gives men the joy of things;
the lord's host is clad in armor,
every prince is adorned with helmet.
7.
I cannot in words describe
the noble's glory, that is too late for me;
he comes to you with true peace,
the king, and half his host."
8.
Jon rode up onto Greek ground,
glad to come to the king's meeting;
over all the earth before that prince fell
speech and the grip of men.
9.
The king's horns rang, the hall-drum roared,
the host followed the proud king;
the serpent's fire [gold] shone upon the men
like a blazing shaft of sun.
10.
The king spoke to his warriors:
"Keep yourselves and keep my peace;
behave gently toward the people —
reward is doubled if you suffer strife."
11.
The shield-king rode to the adorned hall;
the wise host followed the noble;
the noble met the mighty prince;
each gave the other a kind turn.
12.
The kings first went to the church —
the Christian people were summoned there;
they walked quickly to the bright windows;
the hall was adorned with gold and shining.
13.
A high and wide lordly seat
the brave kings set up as one;
the hall within was then arranged
with warriors as thick as might be.
14.
Jon asked and the Greek king answered,
now the king came forward in words:
"Tell me your name and your high free-land,
and your errand hither."
15.
The noble answered the king kindly:
"Jon you may call my name;
the host of Smaland honors me —
no less than the Greeks honor you.
16.
My errand is not slow —
men have told me, lord, clearly:
you have a daughter, precious and dear;
now I would ask her for myself.
17.
Kinship and alliance with you —
myself I offer in return;
the lord's rank and his strong people,
great land and the thunder of giants."
18.
The king spoke with ample honor:
"Fit is the kinship that Jon brings;
I have promised this ring-woman to herself —
she shall choose her own man.
19.
Come tomorrow, fair king —
we shall meet here," says the mild lord;
"then the burning-gold one
shall give you her own answer."
20.
The lord began to lift his sorrow;
the day drew toward evening;
the shield-king wished to go to the ships —
the kings parted kindly.
21.
Night passed and the morning came;
the kings dressed quickly;
the prince went to the lady's hall,
his daughter welcomed the lord.
22.
The noble sat down below the high seat,
bold, and spoke to the lady:
"A king has come to seek you, child —
honors follow that noble.
23.
Now inside, the wealth-god
will pour for men in our hall;
the king wants to take you as his bride —
he shall see you, bright maiden."
24.
The shield-king went from the bower;
the clear ring-woman sat behind;
the young bride then dressed herself
in burning gold and silk linen.
25.
When the sun gilded the fell
the king came to the hall by the ness;
clearly the king bade his men
pour wine for that shield-king.
26.
He went into the hall, the spear-man;
each king sat down by the other;
warriors filled the adorned hall —
the kings' talk was pleasant.
27.
A seat came before the king's table —
it was prepared with these words:
there the shield-king's saga-woman [princess]
shall sit with her ladies.
28.
Then the bright ring-ground [woman]
was dressed and led to the kings' meeting;
it seemed that light filled the prince's hall
from the gem-pine's [woman's] glow.
29.
She sat before the lords, the silk-Gná,
adorned with her own grace and maidens beside her;
she chose fitting food for the king's table
and words of honor for the king.
30.
The king now made his suit:
"I set my errand before you clearly:
will you, noble one, accept the bright woman —
I offer myself in return."
31.
"I have promised the thorn-riding woman:
my daughter shall choose her own man;
if my worthy daughter wills it so,
I will not turn you away."
32.
Gratiana answered sharply:
"You shall hear my answer quickly:
if I must be given to a foreign king,
this deal will not be made."
33.
The noble answered the sharp woman:
"Your answer is bright and quick —
wise sage, the beautiful woman
wants someone from the Greek people alone.
34.
It could happen, white woman,
that you take to another king at another time —
then you would have to stay at home,
never come among us again."
35.
The bride answered as best she could:
"I know plainly there is no man
whose grace I care for more than yours —
as many have thought to themselves."
36.
"Do not think, ring-flax,
that the king speaks ill of you;
the wise one must be careful above all —
he wants the best to come to him."
37.
The king spoke to the fallen beauty;
the lady agreed with the king;
the noble fastened the ring-woman's betrothal;
mead and wine gladdened the thanes.
38.
The warriors sat in entertainment nearby;
the shield-king was so dear to his lady;
the prince could barely look at anything
but the gracious one every hour.
39.
The woman loved the wise man so —
she could scarcely look at anything else
but gaze at the king every moment;
it was balm to the silk-ground [her heart].
40.
When summer passes for the warriors,
the happy king must come back then
for his bride and his bright woman;
the king rejoices at this.
41.
Jon sat there eight nights;
kings drank together as equals;
then the prince bade the men
set the fleet out to the harbor.
42.
There Jon parted from Greek ground,
from the noble king and lovely Hrund;
gladly he held ever out to sea;
the woman wept with long sorrow.
43.
Geimir [the sea] stroked the gilded prow,
it thundered in the sea-halls of the south;
every rope sang in the storm,
the strong waves broke against the keel.
44.
The raven [the ship] endured the hard course,
the sea poured over the smooth swell;
the wind softened and the sea calmed —
Smaland lay before the prow.
45.
The king came home to his realm;
the warriors welcomed the noble;
the king prepared his expedition,
arming the people with shield and sword.
46.
The king chose swift men for himself,
a fine ship and good weapons;
every one of the prince's ships was adorned,
the men rejoiced on the serpent's road.
47.
When summer came on,
the king's expedition was fitted with splendor;
the men loosed Ægir's doors;
the waves stroked the painted hull.
48.
The ship thundered on the glittering road,
the wind sang in every sail;
the sea and wave were harsh to the prows —
the waves half swallowed the ships.
49.
The prince's fleet was to look at
like blazing shafts going over the sea,
or standing in the sky —
never was such a fleet seen.
50.
Cold-waves ran over the southern course,
the ships shuddered in the sea-halls;
the storm then stilled the prince
past Stolpa Sound far away.
51.
The king arrived safely on land,
the knot of the war-band loosened at last;
all the eager host armed themselves,
moved ashore as the king bade.
52.
The host armed itself as hard as could be,
the king rode and his troop went forward;
the prince entered a dense forest —
there the men find work enough.
53.
The lord had a long road —
the light never guided the ring-man's journey
through the wind's path for that noble
until he found the ring-woman.
54.
There Jon slept one night;
early the king's troop woke;
the king calls his warriors on.
Here this verse shall stand.
Ríma III
Mansöngr
1.
I lost my woman and my mood
is stretched with many sorrows;
the dangerous pain on the thought-stone
here will never end.
2.
I shall set aside the search for Súptun's ring-woman
longer for now;
the bright ring-beauty shall hear
the clean memory of the Æsir.
3.
Damusti received a heavy blow —
the worthy lady was promised away;
the lovely maiden sat beside the king,
and that grieved him most.
4.
The heart is hot and stricken with sorrow —
the warrior suddenly spoke;
strife came upon the strong man,
a great thing lay against him.
5.
The warrior had, it is well told,
a hound named Albus;
to the fine man that noble beast
gave excellent service.
6.
His hawk was finer
than all other hawks;
such things went with this man —
he stood above all other men.
7.
The warrior had a bold horse —
Fulltrua you may call it;
that horse never fell in the clash of metal
with Damusti.
8.
The swift warrior sought the king,
rode to ask his leave:
"I will be absent a while from the king's meeting —
another calling has come to me."
9.
The king bade the ring-man
choose his own leave:
"Come back first, eager prince,
when the bright one's betrothal is sealed."
10.
The man rode away and sorrow burned hard
in the land of his breast;
great was his fame from hall and journey —
eager to fight with sword.
11.
The ring-man met wise men
in that same moment;
the strong warrior did his anger
grimly before that company.
12.
"I declare to you: I want
to win victory and grace —
to love the woman and possess the land
and rule Jon's life.
13.
You shall hold, thrower of shields,
a high station in the land;
serve me, and I swear to you:
I will destroy the king with sword."
14.
The wise sword-man answered the warrior
with true words:
"The warrior's mind is set
toward the worthy woman with all his might.
15.
You shall find swift men
and state your terms clearly;
I will never flee from the sword-clash
from my own companion."
16.
The grim man got what he was after —
he found enemies;
all of the noble's warriors
he bound to one counsel.
17.
Men offered to redden spears
with all their warriors;
they gathered on a plain like that which
men gave the sons of the mighty.
18.
Many warriors and very swift ones
the men gathered then;
they mustered in the forest for the arrow-war —
wolves will drink of blood there.
19.
The prince advanced and the eager host
went into that forest;
there the warriors will strain their strength
and learn the bite of heavy edges.
20.
Damusti went to find the dear king
in the dark forest;
he called loudly at once to the champion:
"Let us split the thick shields."
21.
The king shouted to his warrior-troop:
"Let us ride the bright blades;
let the thanes send the rain of spears
from the heart's fullness of fury."
22.
The horn rang out loud at the battle;
the host of Reiðr began to shoot;
the bowstring's cast is strong and keen,
the steel shields were broken.
23.
The warriors hardened the gilded swords
grimly in the flood of spears;
the wolf drank the wound-pay;
the field lay strewn with blood.
24.
The battle-valkyrie cut through hearts,
keen in the ground of fury;
the battle-flame smeared itself on chests;
armor flashed in that hour.
25.
The arrow-storm is harsh to the brave;
the sword hummed in wounds;
the host waited on the death-road
from the keen edge's fare.
26.
The king cut fiercely through bodies
with the broad wound-thorn;
the red blood ran through the people;
the horn rang high.
27.
The wound-magic that is hateful to men
burst through the realm of life;
every sword went up to the hilt
in the shape of Ullr's ship [the shield].
28.
Damusti saw the noble king then
and dared to ride forward;
two warriors with gleaming spears
will fight for the maiden.
29.
Both warriors fought long
for the bright woman;
the blade bit, the keen spear drove —
no trembling between them.
30.
Neither one felt the lure of retreating
from their flesh for love of the woman;
grim blows fell in the sword-dew —
the king drove him from the ring-grove.
31.
The king's armor was clean —
bitten through by the wound-knife;
no defense but the lordly woman
saves the king's life.
32.
The leaf-wound bit into the body fast,
bit his side and leg;
it struck hot and flesh was cleft —
wound-vapor covered the warriors.
33.
Strong blows in the sword-dew —
the prince barely endured;
down to the ground the king fell dead
with many wounds.
34.
The whole army and the great prince
ended life with honor;
Damusti received daily splendor
and the dear world's flower.
35.
The warriors came home from the sword-storm
and found the king [Katalastus];
they brought all their labors
before the fine lord.
36.
Good and fair the man rides homeward
ever pure in heart;
a long while the leaf-Þórr [man]
was struck with great illness.
37.
Damusti became bold and hard —
heavy sickness took him;
let us leave that worthy man
lying there in pain.
38.
The wise men with broken faith
do not spare the quiet prince;
they told at once of the sword-tale,
the king's defense and skill.
39.
The prince knew the brave troop
had felled Jon and his men;
all grieve the king's fall —
here with the king, long.
40.
Those who drew the spear
asked the king to make peace;
the wise prince of the strong people
stopped all the disaster.
41.
The bright woman heard the heavy sound —
the king's life was in danger;
then sorrow came to her citadel,
grief cut hard at the woman.
42.
Harsh pain took the ring-woman —
frightened by the king's fall;
nowhere could she find that prince
who was greater on any slope.
43.
The Bálverkr [burden] stretches the string —
the glory-ring of the kinsman's kin;
Damusti goes to the great prince
to seek precious peace.
44.
The whole sharp warrior gave himself
into God's power and the quiet;
grimness was atoned and a godly peace
was made between them.
45.
The people grieved; the king's youth
waited in a sick long while;
illness falls on the fair ring-woman —
the troop mourned that widely.
46.
The kinsmen dressed Friðr [the beauty]
in fine and lovely robes;
the warriors carried Gefn's [the woman's] tears
into the church's pride.
47.
They laid the woman down — and the journey was still —
beautifully in a green stone-tomb;
all the swift warriors strewed
the church garden with lovely growth.
48.
Many of the king's warriors
watered the flower-ground;
no mead came from the woman to the men —
no one seemed joyful there.
49.
Damusti's heart-thirst for the ring-Gná
grew longer with each passing;
the warrior received sorrow from the woman —
the bright one's grief burned in his breast.
50.
Now he thinks he has lost
the white woman and his honor;
the king [Jon] is dead, the Christian realm is split,
all the flower cast aside.
51.
The warrior was beaten down by sorrow
and went so to his rest;
he received from the woman long
firm sorrow.
52.
The hall-spirit came to the hard warrior;
the pain began to ease;
she who knows every counsel —
the queen of heaven can release him.
53.
The wise court-woman pauses the verse;
here I will end this stanza.
I expect to tell more of the midday-young knave's tale.
Ríma IV
Mansöngr
1.
Dearer and clearer, Draupnir's edge —
I bring the fine one to the linden-tree [woman];
I wanted to raise the golden nest —
to adorn Hár's work if I could find it.
2.
Look bright on this poem-tale,
the ring-woman with honor;
Óðinn's flood will come quickly in
to the word-tone before the people.
3.
The warrior lay long sick in bed,
and grieved hard for the woman;
a bright maiden came with art's wing —
she soothed the whole people.
4.
She shone from the clean cloud-ground
before the man in a beautiful vision;
she hurried to the spear-man's grove —
the mountain-hall's swan.
5.
Sweetly and finely spoke Sióf [the Virgin Mary] to the warrior,
guiding truth's star:
"The pain shall ease if the warrior no longer
stirs sorrow in himself.
6.
Remember, wise jewel-Gautr,
to keep my hours;
let the strife pass from the grove away —
I shall pay you praise for that.
7.
Reiðr [God] is angry in his true right
at the warrior for many misdeeds;
but I will now shelter the noble thane —
I will rescue you through my son.
8.
Quickly shall the arrow-tree [man]
stand up and be clothed;
prepare yourself now with the best honor,
both for foot and hand.
9.
The swift warrior, take your horse;
let the hawk attend you;
let the hound bound and leap at its best —
bravery shall be yours.
10.
Brave and bold, rouse yourself, warrior —
you have won your own help;
clear and pure, in victory gained
is the man in my keeping."
11.
Then the bold heaven-bride turned
her neck from sight;
the noble one fixed the fair woman's words
fast in memory.
12.
The armor-man dressed himself then
in ring and strong shield;
fitted around his shoulders the blue war-mail —
all as he willed.
13.
The fortunate man prepared himself
to ride to the church;
the thane stepped briskly from the thorn-bank —
there he will wait for honor.
14.
The nail-breaker [warrior] dared to stand
north by the church;
the peace-hour of the spear-man
he reads to the lady carefully.
15.
A roar rose over the spear-warrior's road,
a clamor made with fury;
the hard earth was level all the while
like a thread of water.
16.
The weapon-pine [warrior] knew from the troop
that roar of weapons came hard;
a mountain's thunder fell
suddenly by the church wall.
17.
The brave sound then was heard —
the movers of the red stream [warriors];
the troop feared with such wonder
they could not look at the church.
18.
"Wait, my warriors, stay;
I will return soon;
let all the men gather their joy to themselves —
make every man sit still."
19.
The pale-faced man then
ran the hound from the church;
no one launches an arrow to such
a mightier hound than this.
20.
The man's stiff hair
spread over the wide earth;
the warrior went into the church yard
and led his horse thus.
21.
Whoever this sword-rain man was —
he had great legs;
the grove marvels at the leaf-thane's
height above other men.
22.
The warrior is not ungodly
nor as princes ought to be;
the spear-man's bone was wondrous thick —
few things will break this warrior.
23.
I would liken the hoof to what
lay like a hammer on the ground;
I tell guest and horse apart
by growth and manner.
24.
Fiercely the man made the hawk
sit upon his thigh;
the eager warrior presses south
to visit the church.
25.
The tree [warrior] comes to lead the maiden —
the weapon-meeting man furiously;
the work was needed, this one great man —
the thane watered the earth from the woman.
26.
Damusti saw the dart-storm
and dared to go forward;
strongly the sword-thunder
did great work with his hands.
27.
He dared with words, the wealth-breaker [man],
to ask the elm-pine [man]:
"Tell me clearly, Hrímnir's ugly one,
lift your name from yourself."
28.
The swayer answered not quietly
to the ring-warrior's skill:
"I wonder at our meeting tonight —
you may call me Alheim.
29.
Why I am striving on this earth
I will tell you clearly;
the bold one seeks the fallen ground —
the wise pale tree [woman]."
30.
"Go home quickly
with your fast-flying troop;
the ring-Hrund [Gratiana] I shall now have anew —
I shall enjoy her in sorrow."
31.
"No man shall have the white woman
in his company;
before that, battle will arise from the blood of spears
driven by my kin."
32.
"No warrior can do me harm
though any might wish to";
each keenly cast away
everything but the strong shield.
33.
The strength came to the sword-man,
the thane with bright blade;
the red he offered the steel-reddener —
the stroke against the shield's harm.
34.
The hawks rose higher, the strife was bitter,
the horses gnashed their teeth;
the hounds rushed in the blade-storm —
hair intertwined in the clash.
35.
The keen sword-Ullr attacks hard
with fury and force;
the raven-full one [vulture] gains nothing at all
from the flood of wounds.
36.
He struck and drove and gave wound-truce —
the linden-man with wound's fare;
never Baldr in the dart-storm came
near that warrior's wound.
37.
Crazy counsel on the battle-field —
no one spared himself;
sweat and wound on the king's flesh,
turned about the church yard.
38.
The gentle woman of jewel-Gautr [God's jewel = the Virgin]
took hard hold inwardly;
she and the warrior stopped the sword-labor —
the thanes first.
39.
The horses refused the hard game;
the hawks came to part them;
the wound-reddened hounds paused —
they will not bite each other.
40.
The wise one rose up quickly
and would not rest long;
he stirs and moves the ring-fighter —
cut hard by the strong warrior.
41.
The white steel-Rán [net-woman of swords?] came well
to the attack to help;
the dart-man threw and thrust
there with fury and strength.
42.
They fought and struggled against the swelling wound —
the following of both of them;
blood flowed across the broad ground
quickly before eagle and wolf.
43.
The right asker of Fáfnir's plain [gold-man = the stranger]
asked the pale friend fiercely:
"I bid you heed the sword-game —
stop this work.
44.
Let loose the ring-beauty with laughter,
loosen her bonds;
let us end, send the serpent-field's man away,
our meeting and our strife."
45.
"Nothing will help the raven-man's
ring-edge now;
prepare yourself with sword's labor —
I will take the victory."
46.
The warrior called upon our lady
with all his heart's heat:
"May the bright king of heaven's woman
shelter me now."
47.
The hard shield-breaker
flung his shield aside;
the swift spear-man urged
the grim strife onward.
48.
At the ugly feet of the spear-man
the sword fell flat;
at the wrist the worn-down blade
took Ygg's fire [the sword].
49.
Both needed mercy — armor-man;
blood coiled around both arms;
the evil spear-man did not yield —
he felt his edges keenly.
50.
At the last, at long last,
to the fine swift warrior,
the sword-tongs burst and gnashed —
Herjan's hall-bode [Óðinn's messenger] offered.
51.
It flew away and whined high —
the hand from the mountain-man;
the ring-stumps bound themselves quickly,
the strong ones together on the sinew.
52.
Grimly the thane stood up there
in this game's spirit;
the hand was severed from the men,
very whole it was with blood.
53.
The man spoke to the steadfast one:
"It is time for us to part;
wound-harvest with the sword — the wish —
so went it for you.
54.
Most and greatest — the mighty people
gives you strength in keeping;
the arrow-flushed one [warrior] does not yield
to my nature.
55.
I am more powerful in wisdom than you
in all your works;
I bade you break faith
and so kill the wise king.
56.
The flood's knower of fire [man] could
blind the peoples to each other;
the battle-warrior wanted to force
a choice of women thus.
57.
The wealth-dead one is no ground —
I will tell you all I will receive;
you shall enjoy that woman
with her people's way.
58.
I have lost Hríst's fine edge —
I will go away from here;
the sword-holder, you have had much
to pay to the White-Christ.
59.
The horse is slow and the hawk is dead;
the hound is stripped of life;
the warrior goes from the yard, swift,
I win little good from the woman."
60.
The mountain-warrior turned away;
the roar of riders began to cease;
the gracious one prepared the worthy woman
back to her gold-house.
61.
Then a fairer bride he received
and Bálverkr's wife [woman of toil = Gratiana?] to rule;
the lord's people went
to their victory and grace.
62.
May the one who won the sea's battle —
the wealth-pine — with honor,
gladden and crown the gold-man [Damusti]'s
own people.
63.
Then the prince saw the worthy woman —
it seemed best to take grace;
the shield-king will part
from the people for his own deed.
64.
In clean stone the man and woman
hid themselves with flower;
they ended and turned a fine life
to the honor of the fine God.
65.
May Friðr [Peace/the woman] pass gently
on Fundi's warrior's journey;
the word — may it adorn the serpent's sound —
I have been long in the seeking.
Colophon
Translated from Old and Middle Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church. Source: Rímnasafn II, ed. Finnur Jónsson, Copenhagen 1905–1922, pp. 771–800. Manuscripts: AM 604h (primary); AM 610d (Jón Gissursson's copy, corrects some scribal errors).
The cycle belongs to a group of courtly romances in the chivalric rímur tradition, set in a Byzantine-Scandinavian world of Christian kings and knightly service. Katalastus (Konstantinos/Emperor of Byzantium) and his daughter Gratiana appear to derive from an otherwise lost saga. The name Damusti has no obvious etymology; it may be a garbled form of a romance name. The Virgin Mary plays an active role in Ríma IV, intervening in the supernatural duel — a pattern found also in several Middle English romances. The cycle is notable for its psychological complexity: Damusti kills the man who legitimately won Gratiana, falls into divine disfavor, and is redeemed only through Mary's intercession.
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Source Text
The complete Old/Middle Icelandic source text for all four rímur is preserved in the extracted file at Tulku/rimur-tools/vol2_source/09_damusrimur.txt, drawn from the digitized Rímnasafn Vol. 2 (Internet Archive, public domain). The manuscript AM 604h is housed in the Arnamagnæan Collection, Copenhagen.
Source Colophon
From Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Bind 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1905–1922), pp. 771–800. Primary manuscript: AM 604h, 4°; secondary: AM 610d (Jón Gissursson's copy). Published by Samfund til Udgivelse af gammel nordisk Litteratur, XXXV.
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