The Rímur of Filipó
An eight-ríma knight-romance cycle, also known as Krítar Þáttr (The Tale of Crete). The story follows Filipó the Fair, son of King Reinald of Crete, from his knighting to his adventures abroad — jousting with the Emperor Gajus, riding alone into enchanted fog, and facing unknown riders in the forest. The cycle belongs to the Icelandic riddarasögur tradition, adapting Continental romance into alliterative rímur verse.
The text survives in four manuscripts (A = AM 604 a, B, C, D) and was first edited by Theodor Wisén in Riddara-Rímur (Copenhagen, 1881). No mansöngur opens this cycle — the poet plunges straight into narrative. This is the first of three cycles in the Riddara-Rímur collection, alongside Herburts Rímur and Konráðs Rímur.
First known English translation of this rímur cycle.
Ríma I
The knighting of Filipó. The joust with Emperor Gajus. The falcon hunt and the enchanted fog.
1.
An ancient tale, both old and wise,
is set forth now with art.
Hear, people, while I raise a song
of one man of great honour!
2.
The saga I mean to tell to men
(sit down and listen well!) —
how mighty love in all its forms
can conquer folk by force.
3.
Reinald was king who ruled o'er Crete,
a lord who kept fine warriors;
with his blade he drove the battle-line
and governed castles wide.
4.
Káricia was the courtly wife
whom the king had won;
to that renowned prince and his lady
most things had gone as wished.
5.
The sovereign got in that same hour
a son upon his noble wife;
Filipó I call this spear-grove —
the tale proceeds from here.
6.
None fairer could be found
than the gentle prince's son;
every woman who saw Filipó
was stricken to the heart.
7.
Much later stands within the saga,
told of that bold champion;
for this he is known as Filipó the Fair —
in beauty he surpassed them all.
8.
First he studied learned books
and the fine arts of masters;
Filipó then grew in noble deeds,
famed as the purest knights.
9.
The young man above all else
was loved by father and mother;
none wished to know his hurt —
not friends nor kindred good.
10.
The king willed, as proof shall show,
to honour his bold prince;
the lord now holds a splendid feast
that stands a whole month long.
11.
From the east there came a lord by sea
who is called Gajus the Mild;
he challenged valiant knights
to prove the lance upon the shield.
12.
The emperor had come from Rome
with his proud band of champions;
Filipó wished with glory's bloom
to win himself a knight's array.
13.
For these the people wise
arranged a noble seat;
then into the fair hall came
Filipó, the worthy prince.
14.
The heir, adorned with honours,
rides forth in a proud byrnie;
about his neck, fine and fair,
a collar with a handsome clasp.
15.
The breastplate lay nearest the plates —
none larger could be found;
and upon his head a gleaming helm
brighter than pure gold.
16.
Twelve gemstones crown the man;
I note it as a sign;
that dread had been owned before
by Aventróð the strong.
17.
Káricia, that courtly wife,
comes to her own heir;
she speaks then with a noble bearing:
"Take up your shield!"
18.
It bore bright rims
and was decked with rings of paint;
it was all clasped with bands
and was not marred by steel.
19.
The courtly sword the prince possesses
is called Míreut by name;
no fairer can be found,
though one search far and wide.
20.
When the blade parts from the sheath,
it scatters folk in sport;
it bites a byrnie no less
than bark from ancient oaks.
21.
The champion leapt on a courtly horse —
the king bade him so;
and with it he sang a battle-verse;
the saddle and gear shone bright.
22.
He bears himself forth onto the fair field,
this flinger of Rhine-fire;
the band of knights rode out there all
to prove their skill.
23.
Filipó rode against the warriors;
hard champions met;
he hurled straight forward on his way
four men at once to earth.
24.
King Gajus, who ruled over Gaul,
rides onto the field;
the people beheld this man —
none dared stand before him.
25.
After this display of dread,
the warriors gained a pause;
Filipó rides to meet the prince —
both were famed men.
26.
Gajus spoke cheerfully to him,
he who knows how to send a challenge:
"Where will you turn your horse,
you well-mannered man?"
27.
"I have come to the prince's assembly
— Filipó answers the lord —
one of us two for a while
must lie upon the ground."
28.
Gajus spoke in towering rage
and gripped the fair shaft:
"All a king's honour is shamed
if I must fight a stripling."
29.
"It avails you nothing — the lord replied —
to trust in your own strength;
I can strike you down on the spot
with a single finger of mine."
30.
"The court shall look on there,
and the mighty lord the king;
then I shall sink you yourself
down into the ditch."
31.
"Knight, you are bold and worthy"
— Reinald's heir said —
"we shall see who weeps first."
Filipó charged the king.
32.
Straightaway the leaf-grove charges back
with all his might;
both shafts shattered apart —
the shield served the warrior.
33.
Filipó trusts his force and valour —
greater fame is this;
he seizes the helmet-knob with both hands
and hurls him from the horse.
34.
Then was the king's fair flesh
bruised and muddy both;
long he was dragged through the dark earth —
dusty grew his clothes.
35.
Those champions nearest standing
dragged the king from the mire;
Filipó had more cause to rejoice
in a good deed of glory.
36.
Gone from him was honour and strength —
fortune turned that way;
he never looked back again
but ran down to his ship.
37.
Filipó rides to his father's hall
while warriors lock the gate;
the feast stood with full honour,
and wine was short for none.
38.
The king sent upon the cold sea
the wave-bears to roam;
word of Filipó goes abroad,
first throughout the land at home.
39.
Always out to the orchard-wood
the king's heir turned;
birds he could get in plenty
and sent the falcon after them.
40.
That day as the prince rode out
with thirty chosen men,
the falcon bears itself far ahead
and found there a single hawk.
41.
The hawk took flight at once,
and after it the falcon raced;
Filipó wished to reach the hawk
and hastened at a gallop.
42.
He rides forth with shield and sword,
that powerful lord;
none was so swift in travel
as to keep pace with his horse.
43.
Ten champions and four times five
sat forward on their horses;
then came a fog so thick
the warriors could see nothing.
44.
Night darkened and a bird cried out
(here the tale divides);
then into a fair clearing came
the handsome prince on horseback.
45.
Filipó sees fifteen men
riding out of the forest;
the knight shall prove himself again —
the ríma draws to its close.
Colophon
Source: Filipó-Rímur (eða Krítar Þáttr), Ríma I, from Riddara-Rímur, edited by Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen: Fr. Berling, 1881), pp. 1–9. Based on manuscripts AM 604 a (A), with variants from B, C, and D.
Translation: Good Works Translation by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Translated from Old/Middle Icelandic by a tulku of the rímur lineage. Gospel register. The critical apparatus of Wisén's edition was consulted for variant readings. This is believed to be the first complete English translation of this rímur cycle.
Scribe: Rímur Tulku (NTAC), March 2026.
🌲
Source Text
Filipó-Rímur, Ríma I
(from Riddara-Rímur, ed. Theodor Wisén, Copenhagen, 1881)
1.
Ævintýrin forn ok fróð
flytjazt út með greinum.
Hlýði þjóð, meðan hef ek upp óð
af heiðtírsmánni einum!
2.
Sǫguna ætla ek seggjum tjá
(setizt menn niðr ok hlýði!),
hversu at elskan margfǫld má
mektug sigra lýði.
3.
Reinald kóngur réð fyr Krít,
er rekka plagaði fríða;
með brandi skýfði hann búna rít
ok borgum stýrði víða.
4.
Káricia hét kurteis frú,
er kóngrinn hafði feingit;
frægum hefr þeim fylki nú
flest at óskum geingit.
5.
Siklíng ól í samri stund
son við vífi ríku;
Filipó nefni ek fleina lund;
frásǫgn geingr af slíku.
6.
Fegri ǫngvan finna má
en fylkis sonrinn blíði;
fljóðit hvert, er Filipó sá,
fángit var af stríði.
7.
Síðar mart í sǫgunni stendr,
er sagt af garpi snjǫllum;
því er hann Filipó fagri kendr,
at fríðleik bar hann af ǫllum.
8.
Fyrst hann lærði fróða bók
ok fagrar meistara greinir;
Filipó þá með fremdum jók
frægð sem riddarar hreinir.
9.
Úngum manni fyr alla grein
unni faðir ok móðir;
vildu eingin vita hans mein
vinir né frændur góðir.
10.
Hilmir vill, sem hér mun próf,
heiðra kóngsson snjallan;
stillir gjǫrir nú stoltar hóf,
þat stendur mánuð allan.
11.
Austan at kom herra um haf,
er heitir Gajus mildi;
sá bauð rǫskum riddurum af
at reyna stǫng í skildi.
12.
Keisarinn var þar kominn af Róm
ok kappa sveitin prúða;
Filipó vill með fremdar blóm
fá sér riddara skrúða.
13.
Þessum skipaði þjóðin snjǫll
þegnum veglig sæti;
kemr þá fram í fríða hǫll
Filipó kóngsson mæti.
14.
Fylkis arfinn fremdum skrýddr
ferr í brynju stolta;
kemr um hálsinn klénn ok prýddr
kragi með vænum holta.
15.
Pansari var þar plátu næstr,
plagazt ei annarr stærri;
enn at hǫfði hjálmur glæstr
hreinu gulli skærri.
16.
Tólf gimsteinar tígna hann,
tel ek at slíku merki;
áttan hafði ægi þann
Aventróð enn sterki.
17.
Káricia, kurteist víf,
kemr at arfa sínum;
talar hon þá með tígnar líf:
"tak við skildi þínum!"
18.
Bugnir hafði bjartar rendr,
bauga þaktur máli;
hann var allur speingum spentr
ok spiltizt ei fyr stáli.
19.
Kurteist sverð, er kóngsson á,
kallazt Míreut heita;
fegra eigi finnazt má,
þó farit sé vítt at leita.
20.
Þegar at skjóminn skilr við slíðr,
þat skýfir fólk í leikum;
bítur aldri á brynju síðr,
en barr af fornum eikum.
21.
Kappinn sprang á kurteist ess,
kóngrinn gjǫrir þess beiða;
þar með sǫng hann syrpu vess;
á sǫðulinn skein ok reiða.
22.
Hefr sik fram á fagran vǫll
fleygir elda Rínar;
riddara sveitin reið þar ǫll
at reyna listir sínar.
23.
Filipó móti fyrðum reið,
funduzt kempur harðar;
fleygði hann einart fram á leið
fjórum senn til jarðar.
24.
Gajus kóngr, er Galliam réð,
gjǫrir á vǫll at ríða;
þenna gátu þjóðir séð,
þorði hans eingi at bíða.
25.
Eptir þetta hræðslu hót
hǫldar feingu náðir;
Filipó ríður fylki í mót,
frægir vóru báðir.
26.
Gajus talaði glaðr með hann,
er gladiel kann at senda:
"hvert skaltu, enn hæverski mann,
hesti þínum venda?"
27.
"Því er ek kominn á fylkis fund
— Filipó anzar tiggja —
annarr hvórr um eina stund
eptir verðr at liggja."
28.
Gájus talaði geysireiðr
ok greip um skaptit fríða:
"skemmizt allur skjǫldúngs heiðr,
ef skal ek við ópbarn stríða."
29.
"Tjáir þér eigi — tiggi kvað —
at treysta mætti þínum;
ek má slá þik ofan í stað
með einum fíngri mínum."
30.
"Þar skal hirðin horfa á
ok herra kónginn ríki;
síðan skal ek þér sjálfum þá
sǫkkva niðr í díki."
31.
"Riddari ertu rǫskr ok mætr"
— Reinalds arfinn sagði —
"fær þú sét hvórr fyrri grætr."
Filipó kónginn lagði.
32.
Þegar í móti laufa lundr
leggr af ǫllu megni;
skǫptin bæði skýfðuzt sundr,
skjǫldrinn dugði þegni.
33.
Filipó treystir á forz ok kapp,
frægð er meiri þessi;
hǫndum þrífr hann hjálmsins knapp
ok hrekr hann burt af essi.
34.
Þá var kóngs hit kléna hold
kramit ok leirugt bæði;
drózt hann leingi um dǫkkva mold,
duptug urðu hans klæði.
35.
Kappar drógu úr keldu þeir
kóng er næstir stóðu;
Filipó átti at fagna meir
frægðar verki góðu.
36.
Horfinn var honum heiðr ok kraptr,
hamingjan þann veg vendi;
síðan leit hann aldri aptr,
ofan til skeiðar rendi.
37.
Filipó ríðr at fǫður síns hǫll,
en fyrðar læstu porti;
veizlan stóð með virðing ǫll,
en vínit ǫngvan skorti.
38.
Kóngrinn lét á kalda haf
kólgu bjǫrnu sveima;
frásǫgn geingur Filipó af
fyrst um landit heima.
39.
Jafnan út á aldinskóg
arfi kóngsins vendi;
fugla getr hann feingit nóg
ok fálkann eptir sendi.
40.
Þenna dag sem þeingill reið
með þrjá tigu valdra sveina,
fálkinn hefr sik fram á leið
ok fann þar igðu eina.
41.
Undan setti igðan þá,
en eptir haukrinn lagði;
Filipó vildi fálka ná
ok flýtir sér at bragði.
42.
Ríður fram með rǫnd ok sverð
ríkur herra þessi;
einginn var so fljótr í ferð,
at fylgja næði hans essi.
43.
Kappar tíu ok fernir fimm
framir á hestum sátu;
þar næst kom þá þoka so dimm,
at þegnar hvergi fátu.
44.
Myrkti af nótt en galaði gjóðr
(greinizt bragrinn þessi);
kemr þá fram í kurteist rjóðr
kóngsson vænn á essi.
45.
Filipó lítur fimtán menn
fram af skógi ríða;
riddarinn mun sik reyna enn;
ríman tekr at líða.
Ríma II
The ambush in the forest. Filipó fights fifteen men. The maiden Lilja finds him among the dead.
Ríma II
-
Hér mun verða at greina gaddr,
gripinn af mærðar tjóðri;
Filipó júngi er fárligt staddr
iram í skógar rjóðri. -
Koma þar fram er Filipó sat
-
"Skal ek þik ella skýfa í sundr
-
"Þú munt vilja vekja stríð
en vinna ei með galdri;
berjumzt vit með brandi um liríð,
en barn er ek at aldri." -
"Svella munu þín sárin bleik,
ef sundra ek þik nieð geiri;
nvt ek þess í laufa leik, -
Vópnazt þessir vóiidir menn
ok vilja gjaruan stríða; -
Buðlúng hQgguí" bauga Nj^rð,
búinn er dreingjum vóðinn; -
Stýfði sundr í stykkin tv^
stillis arfinn dreingi;
þanninn leikr hann þegna sJ9,
þrífazt mun sá eingi. -
Kóngsson berzt af kappi þá
ok klýfr skjpld með hrotta;
svikaralvðrinn sverðum brá
ok sækja at honum átta. -
Skatnar efla skjóma fár,
skýfðizt rpnd ok pláta;
Filipó júngí fékk þar sár,
frúrnar munu þat gráta. -
Mírent trú ek at mildíngs sverð
manni gngvum hlífi; -
Haraldur hyggzt með Herjans skin
hart at Filipó stefna; -
Hafði eingin Haraldur sár
ok hvergi kendi mæði;
fellur niðr í feljar bhir -
Einart rann úr imdum blóð,
úngan mæðir stilli; -
Haraldur ætlar hpggva óðr
hann með grimd ok pínum;
Filipó var svó furðu móðr,
hann fleygir brandi sínum. -
Seilazt ætlar sverði í mót
sveigir guUs með hendi;
hjgrrinn sneið af Haraldi fót,
hafi sá þ^kk er sendi. -
Féll hann þá með feikna sár
fótlauss niðr at grundu;
lífit misti kappinn knár
kominn at dauða stundu. -
Filipó þar hjá fyrðum lá,
fara nú at honum vargar;
hvergi getr hann hrært sik þá,
hvat mun vera til bjargar? -
Filipó liggur fram á dag,
flakti í sundr af skeinum;
síðan heyrði hann sQngva slag
sett með hljóða greinum. -
Hér næst geingu harparar tveir
hreinum guðvef klœddir; -
Þeingilsson leit þessu næst
þrettán kvinnur gánga;
mildíngs st^ðvazt meinit æst
ok mínkar verki stránga. -
Meyjan ein í miðju geingr
með mjallar bál á hendi; -
Þegar at úngti auðgrund sá
— ástin vinnur þetta —
hugrinn fagnar hrínga Ná,
hann hyggzt á fætr at spretta. -
Svó yar allur mektar manns
máttr úr ^llum beinum;
f^lt var orðit holdit hans
ok hulit með skildi hreinum. -
Listug frú var lundi nær;
leikarar tala við svanna:
"far þú eigi, en fagra mær,
fram til dauðra manna!" -
"Þessir hafa — at þorngrund kvað
þreytt í stórar nauðir; -
Gekk þar at sem gramsson lá
ok gefr sér eigi um þræla;
Qðlíng rendi augum þá, -
Talar við kvinnur ^kurteis mær:
"komi þér hingat fleiri! -
J'ljóðit tók með fremd ok magn
Filipó upp enn svinna, -
Meyjan gekk í miðjan val
málma skins frá sæki;
leit hjá einum iQngum hal
liggja stóran mæki. -
Bruðrin tók á brandi fast
búin með Fofnis teiga; -
"Frelsa vilda ek fleina meið
— ferskur talaði svanni — ,
sætu skulu þér sverja eið
at segja til Qngum manni." -
Leikarar svara ok listug víf:
"Ijúft er oss at þegja; *
fyrri skulu vær láta líf -
Flettir klæðum fagran búk,
fleina lundi hægir; -
Lét í vagni veiga norn
vænan kóngsson liggja;
drósin blandar ^rykk í horn
ok dreypti á varrir tiggja. -
Frygðar kvinnan fggr sem rós
fram með lækníng vendi; -
Mælti þegar, er meyiia sér,
við mildÍQgs dóttur kléna:
"hverr bað yðr at hjálpa mér?
ek hefr yðr aldri séna.^ -
Mærin talar við málma Gaut,
mun þat elsku kenna: -
"Gekk ek fram í græna rjóðr
gulls með æskinQnnum'; -
"Tók ek af þér Fj^lnis fald,
farit var mætti þínum; -
Þegar at fagra frúna sá
tíeygir grænna ríta, -
Hennar dygð er hæverskfuU,
sem hverr mun kjósa vilja;
hárit er sem hreina gull -
Klæðin 9II eru skorin í skart,
skil ek þat sómi henni;
afmors fyr þann elskupart
einnhverr trú ek at brenni. -
"Gullskorð, hefr þú gefit mér líf
-
"Hefr þú spurt at Spania ræðr
-
"Faðir minn er því fæstum jafn,
at fylgja landsmenn góðir;
Lilja er mitt listugt nafn -
"Hér kom frægr enn fyrra dag
fylkir Spenskra ríkja; -
"Faðir minn trú ek fylgi mér
með fyrða sína stærsta;
Ríma III
-
Flýgr af streingjum fræða Qr,
en fólkit þagni!
Filipó greinir fljóði svpr
í ferskum vagrii. -
"Lítt mun gott til lækna hér
at leysa grand; -
"Þat er mér, herra, hættu vant
at hjálpa þik; -
"Vil ek þér eigi veita blygð,
en væna frú! -
Drósin geymir darra raeið
með dygðar valdi;
fljóðit geingur fram á leið
at fgður síns tjaldi. -
Mildíng geymir meyjan hvít
með mekt ok prýði;
Blávus heldur burt af Krít
með búna lýði. * -
Jafnan þessi kurteiss kæri
kóngsson /gleðr; -
Mildíng sjálfr ok en mæta þjóð
ok múgrinn flestr, -
Meingit geingr á móti þeim
ok margir bragnar; -
Silkitjaldit svanninn á
enn sæmdar mildi; -
T^frar fylgja tjaldi því,
sem talaðir minna;
fríðan geymir Filipó í
en fræga kvinna. -
"Friggja heitir fóstra mín
— kvað fríður svanni — -
Reinald kóngr ok refla gátt
með rausnar starf -
Angrar þetta auðgan nú
ok einn veg snauðan;
herrann sjálfr ok hæversk frú
þau hugðu hann dauðan. -
Hálfan mánuð leita lætr
lýðrinn svinni; -
Vestr í Spania varð hann græddr
ok vel til reika; -
Bannar þetta bauga skúr
-
Spania heldur sjóli sá
-
QðHng sjálfr um eina stund
ok ýtar frægir -
Sigldi af hafinu, ok sá til hátt
sex tigi skeiða, -
Eóngrinn &r þar kominn við land,
er Kastor hét; -
Aldri varð með sverði sárr
sá sjóli enn ríki; -
Blóði lætr hann blanda þrátt
byrlat vín; -
Eóngrinn Blávus kappa sendi
Kastor fínna; -
Felix hét sá frægðar dreingr,
at fyr þeim var; -
Bauga Týr fyr borðit sté
ok bragna gladdi;
studdi niðr stoltar kné
ok stilli kvaddi. -
Vísir spurði vaskan mann
at veldi ok nafni; -
"Herra sá, er heiðrinn styðr
í heimi pllum, -
"Seg þat heim í samri stund
með seggi þína: -
"Lofðúngs dóttir Ijós ok rjóð,
-
"Þegar á morgun þreyti ek stríð
ok þegnar ^Uir; -
Sendimaðrinn síðan rann
fyr sjóla heim; -
"Kastor þessi, at kominn er hér,
kóngr at veldi, -
"nema þér giptið doglíng dýrum.
dóttur þína; -
Blávus talaði brggnúm hjá
ok bendi vigr: -
"En svó hans er hold sem lík
með hverju beini, -
"Gramr er digr ok geysihár
— at garprinn kvað — -
Vaskur svaraði vella grér
ok vildi ei þegja: -
"Makligra væri hann misti líf
-
Boð eru send en blásinn lúðr
af brpgnum hátt; -
Nú var tíminn nógu stuttr
í nauðum slíkum; -
Blávus út af borginni ríðr
ok bragna sveitir; -
Virðar tóku at vópnazt brátt
á vQllum þar; -
Gekk at Filipó gullhlaðs grund,
sú græddan vann; -
"LífgJQf áttu at launa mér
-
"Faðir minn ætlar brodda blik
við blámann heyja;
hQrmuliga þat hryggir mik, -
"Gleðjazt mun þá garpr ok snót
— kvað gpfgust frú — -
Stillis arfinn st^kk á bak
með stoltar lífi; -
Veik at Filipó gullhlaðs grund
ok gaf honum drekka; -
Aldri bar hann þá eina sorg
fyr júngfrúr líf ; -
Filipó ríður fram á grund,
þar fylkt var seggjum;
hér mun vaxa heiptar lund
með hvórum tveggjum. -
Leit hann upp á lofðúngs makt
um litla hríð; -
Vaskur talaði virðum hjá,
svó vel má skilja:
"kóngiun ætla ek Kastor sjá,
ef kappar vilja." -
Riddara sveitin rúmit gaf
at ríða um vqIIu;
Ríma IV
-
Hef ek þar óð, at ferðin fróð
fór í Hamðis serki; -
Kallar þá, er Kastor sá,
• . kóngr af hreysti sinni: -
Svaraði ótt með sannan þrótt
siklíngs burr enn teiti:
"rekka drótt í ríki skjótt
riddara gaf mér heiti." -
"Ek er sá, er auðar Ná
ætla ek mér at njóta; -
Fleina grér, at Filipó tér,
fló til hjartans þúngi;
"bernska er þér at bjóða mér
burtreið, sveinn enn úngi!" -
"Lyndi mitt er lí^ngum strítt,
-
"Júngfrú kær er sk^puð svó skær,
skipar hon með mér hpllum; -
"Þín skal hlíf í hjprva dríf
heil at mínum ráðum; -
"Hyggur þú, at fríðust frú
í faðmi vili þik spenna?
meyjan sú á mína trú, -
"Lofar hón fyrr at logandi hyrr
líkam hennar meiði; -
"Þoli ek mart, en þat er svó hart,
ef þú skalt eigiiazt svanna;
hennar skart við holdit svart —
hamíngjan mun þat banna." -
"Berjumzt við ok brjótum grið,
byrjum stríðit kalda! -
"Meyjan hvít, á leikinn lít!
laufa stríðit magnar; -
Dofnar stríð, en dróttin fríð
dvaldi odda messu; -
FJQldi hers í fleina vers
flýði VQllinn þenna; -
Grimdin bjó í geystum jó,
gladiel koma til handa; -
Sæmdar gJQrð við seima NJQrð
svinnan herrann náðar;
stQngin hQrð er stýfð á JQrð,
stukku í sundur báðar. -
Hans er lyst ok iQngum byst
lund með reiði æsta; -
SkQfnúngs reit er skjóminn sleit, >
skJQld ok alla hríngu, -
Sjá mun und við fleina fund
fylki nærra stefna; -
Spng í hátt er siklíng brátt
sverðit Mírenf reiddi; -
Síma klpkk í sundur stpkk,
sízt varð gaman at henni;
gríman hrgikk, en sverðit spkk,
sár fékk kóngr í enni. -
Hitt var skamm, er hér gekk fram,
hóf upp rómu stránga; -
Bítur segg í brodda hregg,
brandrinn klýfur þessi, -
Ðauði er skjótr, d^glíngs fljótr
dreyrinn rann um vpllu; -
Hlaupa á fætr, en hjarta rætr
hafa nú stríðit kannat; -
Hpggit ríðr, eu hilmir fríðr
h^ldum vó til iiáða; -
Kastor laut í kránkri þraut,
kappar sáu þat snjallir, -
Síðan ferr enn heiðni herr
hvatliga ofan til skeiða; -
Fram at h^ll á'fagran vqU
Filipó kóngsson leiða;
hrínga þ^ll ok.hirðin q\
hendr á móti breiða. -
Hverr sem gat, komzt hQllu at
heiðr af kóngi þiggja; -
Tekr þá brátt með tígnar sátt
tigginn Filipó kveðja: -
"Kennið vín en kastið pín,
kóngsson, yðr úr hjarta!
eignin mín skal 9II sem þín,
ok jafnvel mærin bjarta." -
Veiga þ(^ll skal vitr ok snj(^ll
veizlu prýði magna; -
Skreyttan stól með sk^fnúngs ból
skipaði VQldug kæra; -
Horfir mær á kó'ngsson kær,
en kappinn leit til brúðar;
sátu þær um stólinn nær
sextán kvinnur prúðar. -
"Sér þú þann, er sjóla vann
sorgir allar þverra; -
Seiraa skorð yfir siklíngs borð
svarar, en fólkit hlýði: -
Ei var sein, at silkireiii
svarar hann snJQllu hjarta:
"þú ert sú ein fyr alla grein,
ek ann þér, sprundit bjarta." -
Málit sitt hóf mildíng blítt,
er mpnnum vakti dreyra:
"heiti þitt viU fljóðit frítt,
enn fagri riddari, heyra." -
Hlýðir á, en mildíng má
mikla hættu kalla; -
"Heiðarlig með hJQrva stig
hon hjálpaðí mínu lífi;
græddi mig en sæmdi sig, -
Hrygð' er bætt, en herrans ætt
hirðin trú ek at kenni; -
Farit er grand en frelsat land,
fylkir stígr úr sæti; -
Semr þat flest, er seint var lest
sætu ástar bandi; -
Meyjan sú ok mildíng nú
mánuð sat hjá stilli;
heldur trú við Filipó frú,
fals kom aldrí í millí. -
Gígju sláttr ok gleðinnar máttr
gekk um borgar inni;
1.
Here must a goad of verse be shaped,
drawn from the cord of praise;
young Filipó is dangerously placed
out in the forest clearing.
2.
There came forth where Filipó sat
fifteen mighty warriors;
proud men pressed toward him —
they looked like great trolls.
3.
The prince's heir asked then
their leader for his name;
"Harald," said the one who spoke —
he was the giants' equal.
4.
"I have cast a spell on you
and lured you from your men;
you shall have to serve me now,
vassal in all things."
5.
"Else I shall cleave you asunder
with Skilfing's broad fire."
The warrior answers the spear-grove
to that loathsome man:
6.
"You would stir up war
but cannot win by sorcery;
let us fight with swords a while —
though I am young in years."
7.
"Your wounds will swell up pale
if I split you with my spear;
I have this advantage in the leaf-play:
I have more men than you."
8.
These bold men arm themselves
and gladly wish to fight;
one by one they ride at him
with swords and polished helms.
9.
The prince hews the ring-god,
and warriors are felled;
the heads spoke as they rolled on earth:
"Where is old Odin now?"
10.
The prince's heir cut men apart
in pieces two by two;
so he plays with warriors thus —
none of them shall thrive.
11.
The prince fights hard with courage then
and cleaves shields with his blade;
the treacherous band drew swords
and eight attacked him at once.
12.
Men raise a storm of blows,
shields and plates are shattered;
young Filipó took wounds there —
the ladies shall weep for that.
13.
I trust that Mírent, the prince's sword,
spared few men;
all of Harald's host fell down —
he alone remained alive.
14.
Harald thinks with Odin's fire
to strike Filipó hard;
"Gajus was my good friend —
gladly would I avenge him."
15.
Harald bore no wound at all
and nowhere felt fatigue;
flesh and clothing fell away
from Filipó's body.
16.
Blood ran steadily from his wounds,
wearying the young prince;
though on his knees the prince still stood
when the wicked giant came.
17.
Harald meant to hack him hard
with cruelty and pain;
Filipó was so spent with rage
he hurled away his blade.
18.
He reaches for the sword in return —
the gold-bender with his hand;
the blade cut off Harald's foot —
thanks to whoever sent it.
19.
He fell then with a fearsome wound,
footless, down to the ground;
the fierce warrior lost his life,
come to his dying hour.
20.
Filipó lay there among the dead,
and now wolves come toward him;
he could not move himself at all —
what shall be his rescue?
21.
Filipó lies there through the day,
torn apart by wounds;
then he heard a singing sound
set in tuneful measures.
22.
Next came two harpers walking
clad in pure fine cloth;
they turned back, those men,
frightened by the corpses.
23.
The prince's son saw next
thirteen women walking;
the prince's grievous pain grew still
and his fierce wounds lessened.
24.
One maiden walked among them
with a fire of gold upon her hand;
the lady's fair joy-string
burned in Filipó's heart.
25.
When the young man saw the bright one
— love does this —
his spirit leaped for the ring-goddess,
he thought to spring to his feet.
26.
So was all the strong man's strength
drained from every bone;
his flesh had gone pale
and was covered with a clean shield.
27.
The graceful lady was near the grove;
the minstrels spoke to the maiden:
"Do not go, fair maid,
toward the place of dead men!"
28.
"These men have," the thorn-ground said,
"suffered through great peril;
yet here, I think, not all
the warriors are dead."
29.
She went to where the prince's son lay
and cared nothing for the thralls;
the prince opened his eyes then —
he could not speak a word.
30.
The courteous maid spoke to the women:
"Come here, more of you!
Let us help this good lord!
What need is greater now?"
31.
The lady took with grace and power
Filipó up, the wise one,
and laid him down in a fine wagon;
reward comes often for less.
32.
The maiden walked among the slain
— the gold-bright one — from battle;
she saw beside a tall warrior
a great sword lying.
33.
The bride took hold of the blade —
set with Fafnir's fields;
"This sword is heavy and sharp —
the prince shall have it."
34.
"I would free this spear-tree,"
spoke the fresh-voiced maiden.
"You must all swear an oath
to tell it to no man."
35.
The minstrels answered, and the wise wife:
"Sweet it is for us to keep silence;
sooner shall we lose our lives
than tell this to the people."
36.
She strips the clothes from his fair body
and eases the warrior of his wounds;
then she wraps him in a silken cloth
and washes every wound clean.
37.
In the wagon the valkyrie
laid the handsome prince to rest;
the lady mixed a drink in a horn
and dripped it on the prince's lips.
38.
The joyful woman, fair as a rose,
tended him with healing;
it was as though a light of life
flashed in the prince's eyes.
39.
He spoke, when he saw the maiden near,
to the mild prince's fair daughter:
"Who bade you come to help me?
I have never seen you."
40.
The maid spoke to the metal-god,
and love must explain it:
"I had gone down the broad road
out into this forest."
41.
"I walked forth into the green clearing
with my young companions;
you lay wounded and wearied by struggle
there among the dead men."
42.
"I took from you the war-helm,
your strength was nearly spent;
now you have come into the care of women
by my own counsel."
43.
When the fair lady saw
the weeper of green tears,
he could think of nothing else
but gazing up at her.
44.
Her virtue is most gracious,
as any man would choose;
her hair is like pure gold
and her skin fair as a lily.
45.
Her garments all are cut with art —
I know that they become her;
for that lovely one
some heart, I trust, must burn.
46.
"Gold-pillar, have you given me life?"
The warrior speaks to the maiden.
"What is your name, lady?
I would hear the truth."
47.
"Have you heard that Spain is ruled,"
the bright woman said,
"by King Blávus, fierce to warriors
and gifted with a cunning heart?"
48.
"My father is thus few men's equal
in the loyalty of his people;
Lilja is my graceful name,
and Queen Leta is my mother."
49.
"A famous king came here just yesterday,
the ruler of Spanish realms;
he gave us leave with courtly manner
to journey up into this land."
50.
"My father, I believe, follows me
with his greatest warriors;
what shall I do with you, prince?
You need healing most of all."
51.
The prince speaks to the courteous lady,
glad in one wagon together;
here I shall set down this small song —
for the power of words is spent.
Ríma III
Filipó in Lilja's care. The voyage to Spain. King Kastor arrives with sixty ships. Lilja asks Filipó to fight.
1.
An arrow of learning flies from the strings —
let the people be silent!
Filipó tells the lady his story
in the fresh wagon.
2.
"There is little hope of healing here
to mend my harm;
therefore, lady, I will follow you
into your father's land."
3.
"It is, lord, a dangerous thing for me
to help you;
my true honour I pledge as surety —
and myself with it."
4.
"I would not bring you shame,
fair lady!
I lay myself upon your virtue
with honour and trust."
5.
The lady keeps the spear-rider
in her virtuous care;
she goes forth on her way
to her father's tent.
6.
The white maiden guards the prince
with power and splendour;
Blávus departs from Crete
with his readied people.
7.
Always this courteous, dear
prince rejoiced;
no one knew that Filipó travelled
with the lady.
8.
The prince himself and the noble host
and the greater throng —
I have heard — they spread sail
westward to Spain.
9.
A crowd goes out to meet them
and many warriors;
they come home thus to the hall
and the court rejoices.
10.
A silken tent the maiden had,
that gracious one;
no one could see it with their eyes
unless she willed it.
11.
Enchantments attend that tent,
as I spoke of before;
the famous woman guards
Filipó the fair within.
12.
"Friggja is the name of my foster-mother,"
spoke the fair maiden,
"she shall, prince, keep you safe
in a good hall."
13.
King Reinald and the treasure-keeper
with their generous labour
felt sorrow in every way
that Filipó was gone.
14.
This grieves the wealthy now
and the poor alike;
the lord himself and his gracious wife
believed him dead.
15.
For half a month the wise people
had their men search;
no warrior was found, that noble one,
who could find the prince.
16.
In Spain westward he was healed
and made well to move again;
at once the prince, unafraid,
wished to go outside.
17.
The ring-shower forbids him this
with craft and cunning;
he never got out of the house
unless she willed it.
18.
Spain is ruled by that lord
with honour and splendour;
but what must be told in this song
is what saddens the people.
19.
The prince himself one hour
and famous warriors
gazed out upon the sea-ground
when the storm died down.
20.
From the sea, they saw sailing high
sixty ships;
that one means to soon
burn and wound the prince.
21.
A king had come to land there
whose name was Kastor;
the enchanted lord stepped on the sand
and had tents raised.
22.
Never had a sword wounded
that mighty lord;
he was eight ells tall
and a giant in his body.
23.
He had blood mixed often
into the wine he drank;
he always ate raw, like ravens,
with his warriors.
24.
King Blávus sent warriors
to meet Kastor;
he offered them peace from the king's hand,
lord to lord.
25.
Felix was the name of that brave man
who went before them;
into the prince's tent he walked
and bore the message.
26.
The ring-god stepped before the table
and gladdened the warriors;
he bent his proud knee
and greeted the ruler.
27.
The chief asked the bold man
his name and dominion;
"Kastor," said the one who spoke,
"a king's equal."
28.
"The lord who upholds honour
in all the world
invites you, ruler, to a feast
with his brave men."
29.
"Bring this word home at once
with your warriors:
I shall come to the king's assembly
with my champions."
30.
"The prince's daughter, bright and rosy,
whose name is Lilja —
her I intend to embrace,
if fortune grants it."
31.
"If he will not with a bond of joy
give the maiden,
then both his life and his land
I shall strip from the prince."
32.
"Tomorrow I shall wage war
with all my warriors;
I will take the ring-slope by force
and burn his halls."
33.
The messenger then ran
home to his lord;
he delivered the king's message
before them all.
34.
"This Kastor, who has come here,
a king in power,
wishes to offer you battle
and burning with fire;"
35.
"unless you give the worthy lord
your daughter;
then hatred and torment
will end for noble men."
36.
Blávus spoke to his warriors
battle-ready:
"How fair is this lord,
or how kingly?"
37.
"His flesh is like a corpse
in every bone,
as though it had been smeared with pitch
and brimstone."
38.
"The king is broad and monstrous tall,"
the warrior said,
"he is black and half blue —
I looked hard."
39.
The brave one answered the gold-weeper
and would not be silent:
"He is in every way worse
than I can say."
40.
"More fitting that he lost his life,"
the prince declared,
"before the fair woman
lies in his embrace."
41.
Messages are sent, the war-horn blown
by the warriors loudly;
the host rushed to the splendid king
in great haste.
42.
Now the time was short enough
in such need;
the host could not be gathered
for the mighty king.
43.
Blávus rides out from the fortress
with his warrior bands;
against them comes the fierce king
whose name is Kastor.
44.
Men began to arm at once
upon the fields;
but first I must speak of the gold-keeper
who bore her sorrows.
45.
The gold-bright woman went to Filipó,
she who had healed him;
with tears the noble maiden weeps
and speaks to him.
46.
"A life-gift you owe to repay me,"
Lilja said,
"now I would claim it from you
and have it in return."
47.
"My father means to wage a storm of spears
against the dark man;
it grieves me most bitterly
if he shall die."
48.
"Then both warrior and maiden will rejoice,"
the noblest lady said.
"Ride out to meet this giant
and prove yourself now!"
49.
Filipó was now eager for this —
to rescue the king;
a fine horse was led to him,
the sword-destroyer.
50.
The king's heir sprang on its back
with his proud life;
he took Odin's battle-helm
from the wise woman.
51.
The gold-bright woman came to Filipó
and gave him drink;
he remembered then the mighty maiden
and lost his sorrow.
52.
He bore not a single care
for the maiden's life;
the prince rides glad from the fortress —
and the women weep.
53.
Filipó rides forth upon the ground
where ranks were drawn;
here the mood of enmity shall grow
between both sides.
54.
He looked up at the prince's host
for a little while;
the warriors had not yet begun
war with weapons.
55.
The brave one spoke before the warriors,
and well they understood:
"I intend to face Kastor,
if the champions are willing."
56.
The rider-band made room for him
to ride across the field;
here the verse shall fly into silence
with all its learning.
Ríma IV
The single combat with Kastor. Filipó cuts off the giant's nose, his feet, and his head. The feast and the betrothal.
1.
I take up the song where the wise host
rode forth in Hamdir's shirts;
the horse stood with purple red
right by the king's banner.
2.
Kastor called out when he saw him,
the king in his bold strength:
"Who is this one in the blue helm
here in my battle-line?"
3.
The king's son answered quick
with honest courage, that merry one:
"The host of warriors swiftly
gave me the name of knight."
4.
"I am the one who the gold-goddess
I mean to enjoy;
you shall then with the blue blade
receive a swift death."
5.
The spear-weeper, when Filipó speaks,
feels heaviness strike his heart;
"It is childish of you to challenge me
to ride away, young lad!"
6.
"My temper has long been hard —
behold such misery!
Your skin is very white;
nowhere have I seen your like."
7.
"The dear maiden is shaped so fair —
she keeps the hall with me;
she is the maid whom we honour
above all women in the world."
8.
"Your shield shall in the sword-storm
remain whole by my counsel;
accept life for a worthy wife
and serve us both!"
9.
"Do you think the fairest lady
will clasp you in her arms?
That maiden is pledged to me —
she who surpasses all women."
10.
"She would sooner let a burning fire
destroy her body;
therefore war through death's door
shall drag you, hateful king!"
11.
"I endure much, but this is too hard —
that you should have the maiden;
her beauty against your black flesh —
fortune itself shall forbid it."
12.
"Let us fight and break the peace,
begin the cold battle!
Whichever host may hold its own
shall keep its life in full."
13.
"Whichever one can, in the sword-clash,
win the warriors' victory —
he shall rule by right
the realms of both kings!"
14.
"White maiden, watch this game!"
The leaf-battle swells;
"I learned in Crete to cleave a shield."
The king falls silent.
15.
Battle falters, and the fair lord
delayed the spear-mass;
the war-craft shall be broken soon;
Blávus agrees to this.
16.
A host of men in the spear-verse
fled from that field;
hear now this: the splendid horses
were set to charge together.
17.
Fury drove the raging steeds,
lances came to hand;
they are slender and not dull,
when they stand in shields.
18.
The honour-girdle strikes the gold-god,
the bold lord parries;
the hard lance shatters on the earth —
both of them splintered.
19.
The king drew from his courage then
— Kastor — his sharp sword;
Filipó saw that Mírent could
wound the spear-assailant.
20.
He is roused and long provoked,
his spirit burning with rage;
he strikes first at the warrior's chest —
fated was the garment then.
21.
The notched blade tore through the man,
shield and every ring;
the court saw how the sword bit
flesh down to the chest.
22.
This wound with the spear-meeting
drives the king closer still;
the dark one with a fresh rage
now means to take revenge.
23.
It sang aloud when the prince soon
swung the sword Mírent;
he spared nothing of his great might
and dealt the prince a blow.
24.
The chain-links cracked and burst apart —
there was no joy in it;
the helm shattered, and the sword sank in —
the king took a wound to the brow.
25.
What was worse came forward then —
a fierce battle rose;
the sword took the giant's nose
clean off, all of it.
26.
A warrior hews in the storm of blades,
the blade cleaves through —
chin and beard, the sharp edge
cut the head from the king's horse.
27.
Death is swift; the prince's stream —
blood — ran across the field;
hideous is the slayer of need;
the nose is off, and all.
28.
Warriors leap to their feet, but hearts' roots
know the battle now;
Filipó, brave and worthy,
lets him have the second blow.
29.
The blow falls, and the fair prince
struck the warriors to their knees;
the wound burns, and the edge cuts
both feet from him.
30.
Kastor fell in wretched agony;
the brave warriors saw it;
glory and renown fell to Filipó —
all the men bowed down to him.
31.
Then the heathen host
went swiftly down to their ships;
Filipó swore, as the trial ended,
that none should be harmed.
32.
Forth to the hall on the fair field
they lead Filipó the prince;
the ring-tree and all the court
stretch their hands to greet him.
33.
Each man who could came to the hall
to receive honour from the king;
they learn that Filipó sat
foremost beside the lord himself.
34.
Then at once with worthy concord
the king welcomes Filipó:
"May you be glad and lack for nothing —
all shall bring you joy."
35.
"Know the wine and cast off sorrow,
prince, from your heart!
All that is mine shall be as yours —
and the bright maiden too."
36.
The arrow-tree, not angry,
loves the shining maiden;
this honour is most generous;
"The white lady — I would choose her."
37.
The cup-tree, wise and brave,
shall magnify the feast's splendour;
she comes to the hall, and all the court
makes haste to welcome her.
38.
An adorned seat with a sword-rest
the mighty dear one ordered;
like the sun upon life's wheel
blazed the shining gold.
39.
The maiden gazes at the dear prince,
and the warrior looks upon the bride;
around her, near the chair,
sat sixteen splendid women.
40.
"Do you see the one who conquered the lord?
All sorrows fade;
would you have that handsome man
to choose as your husband?"
41.
The gold-pillar over the king's table
answers — let the people listen:
"His words," the ring-post said,
"I would hear first, with grace."
42.
Not slow was the silk-rider
to answer with a brave heart:
"You are the only one above all others —
I love you, shining maiden."
43.
The gentle prince began his speech,
which roused men's blood:
"Your name," the fair lady said,
"the handsome knight, I would hear."
44.
She listens, and the prince may
call upon great danger;
he tells the gold-goddess
this whole story then.
45.
"Nobly, with the clash of swords,
she saved my life;
she healed me and honoured herself —
since then I have loved the woman."
46.
Sorrow is mended, and the lord's kin
— I trust — the court now knows;
the mighty lady healed Filipó,
and most give her their thanks.
47.
Harm is done and the land is freed;
the king rises from his seat;
in the lady's hand with a bond of joy
noble Filipó took her.
48.
Most things that were long desired
the sweet bond of love has brought;
what was greatest — the lady was wed —
was a time of joy in the land.
49.
That maiden and the prince now
sat a month beside the king;
the lady keeps faith with Filipó —
falsehood never came between them.
50.
The fiddle's song and the power of gladness
rang through the fortress halls;
here the manner and this tale
are spent for the fourth time.
Ríma V
Filipó departs Spain for Crete. The storm. King Laimon's city. The giant Brandeval. The sorcerer's love-potion. The false wedding. The enchanted shirt and belt. Filipó's seeming death.
1.
Before, the song was other;
in Spain to the west
the worthy one had a betrothed wife —
young Filipó, Reinald's son.
2.
All praised the prince richly;
King Reinald hears the news;
the lord himself, and the ring-goddess,
cast away all sorrow then.
3.
One day, with joy's gathering,
Filipó the prince speaks with his lady:
"Give me leave, noble wife —
I will ride now to war."
4.
"Home to Crete I would return
and comfort all the land's folk;
too long has weight and pain
pressed them since my departure."
5.
"I will send to your father
brave men and ships besides;
the warrior band will come to you —
prince, heed my words!"
6.
Weeping, the gold-glad goddess answered:
"I give no leave for that
unless the fair lady follows you —
let us both go home to Crete!"
7.
"I myself shall go to my father's meeting
— Filipó the prince speaks with his lady —
many nobles will honour you;
the same way they will treat me."
8.
Then the fairest lady answers:
"You prove an old saying true:
most things grow tiresome if they last long;
little care you have for me."
9.
The lord makes ready, but Lilja weeps;
the company goes down to the shore;
from Spain the king means to sail —
fate would rule from then on.
10.
The ship is ready, the gangplank stands;
the prince's son went, wish-bent,
into the maiden's noble hall;
the lady Lilja bade him farewell.
11.
The lady speaks to mighty Filipó:
"Your life is strangely threatened;
most women love you well —
it will go with others as with me."
12.
"This is our bond of love
— the lady Lilja speaks to him —
if you never come to Crete's isle,
you mean to buy another maid."
13.
The prince answers those words:
"None was ever born in this world —
bright maiden, I have loved before."
All the people hear this.
14.
Lilja takes the finely wrought coffer
the sorcerer had made so fair;
honour itself had given it to her;
there was kept inside one garment.
15.
She gives the shield-willow a shirt
shining with red gold;
it was tough as any hide —
exceedingly soft yet wonderfully stiff.
16.
It was sewn with green silk
and edged about the sleeves with fair gold,
down the body bright and blue;
the lord put on the shirt then.
17.
No fire may burn the princely son,
nor steel cleave him,
nor shall any man on water be wearied
— the worthy man — who wears it.
18.
"A fourth virtue follows it
— the fairest spoke, the leek-goddess —
of that I shall not tell the lord."
The gold-pillar smiled then.
19.
Filipó and the freshest maid
see two ships floating on the sea;
there the king will step aboard;
the people stand beside the gangway.
20.
The lord sees where Lilja stands
and puts both arms around her neck;
Filipó remembered the lady well;
tears fell from her face.
21.
His cold heart, that manly breast,
breaks then from bitter anguish;
sorrow marked the heart's face;
the lord stepped with that onto the ship.
22.
The men held out from land;
the warriors had sorrow then;
a wind came upon them from the west,
ferociously sharp, so it drove the ships.
23.
Rough weather and white breakers
drove them far from Crete's isle;
neither land nor shore could they see;
nowhere could they find shelter.
24.
This went on for thirteen days —
the prince's heir sails renowned;
east into the world as the ship drove on,
none could tell the way.
25.
The sea-horse bore them to a land
where a cunning sea-fortress stood before them;
there would sailors find shelter;
King Laimon ruled that place.
26.
The king lets the painted prow
glide into the fine harbour;
Filipó walked along the peaceful shore;
on the fair towers the sun shone.
27.
The watchman at the gate saw
how splendidly he came, so swift,
into Laimon's cunning hall;
the lord asks him for news.
28.
The guard answers the dear king:
"Two ships have come here;
every sail-band was of silver —
I saw the people walk ashore."
29.
"Courtly was the warrior band;
a certain prince walked in their midst;
his garments were bright and blue;
he outshone all the others that I saw."
30.
"His eyes were clear, his face was bright;
all his form is shaped with beauty;
none like him is near in all the world —
I gazed at him two hours long."
31.
"His body bears a heavenly grace;
forest and field bow toward him.
Men will think it a tall tale —
you shall find even more to marvel at."
32.
His words were heard by a noble lady —
Andromenia she is called,
the king's daughter, who rules among women;
Karia is her mother's name.
33.
The princess heard the warrior's report;
she climbs up into the high tower,
wanting to see the man of skill;
her life burned at once with sorrow.
34.
Many of the land's people came there;
King Laimon invites Filipó
home with him, with a splendid host;
he says he is willing to accept.
35.
Filipó rides a bold horse
into the fortress where the king was;
Andromenia's eyes beheld
the hero — and sorrow tore at her.
36.
Both come into the market of joy:
burning love and grievous sorrow;
the moment the lady saw Filipó,
a strange swoon took her then.
37.
Let us leave the lady to recover —
let us speak instead of how the king's company
drank spiced wine in the splendid hall;
it was draped with fine cloths, all.
38.
The lord rejoiced, well-mannered;
every man was merry with the next;
but as the company drank their fill,
the warriors heard a mighty crash.
39.
A giant came into the hall with fury;
the warrior band was frightened, all;
he spoke not a word of honour —
he thrust his blade into the king's table.
40.
His beard was both long and black;
of hair upon his head, little to see;
his eyes did not go well;
his face was blue as Hel.
41.
"King, give me the courtly maiden!
Or else I cleave you, in this very hour,
lord, in your high hall;
my name is Brandeval."
42.
Filipó answers before the king,
glory-eager and generous:
"Do not threaten the wretch here —
it is nearer for you to challenge me."
43.
"He shall have hard payment
if I strike your red shield;
I will not leave this hall —
have you not heard of me?"
44.
The noble man sprang from the bench;
the king's company went pale;
the giant shall have his reckoning for this —
he swung the sword Mírent then.
45.
The blade cuts through the chain-shirt's rings;
the mail was cleft apart;
the whole belly split before the point;
the entrails hung down to the floor.
46.
Fierce hounds rushed in;
the giant paid them no mind;
he strikes so at the man of power
that the blade stood fast in his shirt.
47.
The bright gold was scored from
the shirt that Lilja gave;
strangely the blade was met —
it shattered and broke into a notch.
48.
Filipó swung the sword handsomely;
for that he lost his neck-bone —
the fool received such bitter grief;
dead, he was thrown outside.
49.
The king speaks to the young man:
"All my kingdom," he said,
"I offer you, with a fair maiden,
and our daughter — a worthy lady."
50.
"This I cannot accept, king!
— thus answers the prince boldly —
I do not know how to deal with riches;
you shall think me a fool."
51.
"I care little for maidens;
of love I know the smallest part;
I will not deceive you, lord —
the norns have laid this on me."
52.
Always heavy-hearted, Filipó was;
a full month he sat there;
such a wind came that the storm held on —
it never gave the men a way to leave.
53.
The ring-goddess heard the lord's word
(she had gone to worship the gods)
and also how he spoke against
the prince's honour and the young bride.
54.
The maiden told her mother:
"A terrible pain has gripped me;
a wise Odin's kinsman causes it;
I think my heart will burst in two."
55.
A burning fire through breast and bone;
the bed is made for her alone;
the harp is played over her constantly —
she sleeps neither day nor night.
56.
A sorcerer, one called Kaimon,
came where the maiden wept:
"Rise from your bed, noble lady!
I will find a remedy for this."
57.
"You shall, mighty jewel-goddess,
tomorrow go into your father's hall;
pour drink for this shield-god —
I shall then gladly free the maiden."
58.
Early in the day, as the king sits,
the maiden went wisely to the hall;
she bears in hand blood-red gold
and offers the prince a treacherous cup.
59.
Filipó drank the lady's cup —
cursed be her craft!
When it comes into the prince's body,
he courteously took the woman in his arms.
60.
He forgot his wits for the enchantment;
the king rejoiced, and the highborn maid;
the prince kissed the young lady —
he thinks no more of Lilja now.
61.
So are all the prince's men
wearied still by sorcery;
they remember not the Spanish bride;
the prince's mind is ruined by it.
62.
"I would have this lady now
— Filipó tells the king —
now I want all that I refused before."
The wretch burns in blazing fire.
63.
The feast was held there, great and fine;
the proud people came;
the lady's spirit rejoices sweetly;
Filipó drinks his own wedding.
64.
The prince has garments
more courtly than all others';
they were all made of cloth-of-gold;
bright gold-bands shone about his neck.
65.
His body was girdled with a broad belt,
far better than any gold;
a jasper stone set in one place —
the lady Lilja had given him that.
66.
The prince, when evening comes,
would lie in bed beside his bride;
Filipó went into the bridal chamber;
four kings led him there.
67.
The chamber was adorned with red gold;
the bed stood there, full of majesty,
lordly as was the custom here;
lord Filipó lay down.
68.
Kaimon spread the coverlet;
the prince turns toward the jewel-goddess;
much is cunning that skill teaches —
he does not take the shirt from his body.
69.
When the noble gold-goddess
wraps her arms around the prince's body,
the lord lost all his strength —
I fear he shall play little.
70.
Now she grieves who was glad before;
the prince lies still in his bed;
sorrow would not leave his heart;
to her, the prince seemed dead.
71.
In the morning, with joyful meeting,
father and mother visited the maiden;
no one found life in Filipó;
most of the land's people mourned him.
72.
The king's daughter, fresh and mighty,
would embrace the prince's body;
they held the ring-goddess back.
Now you have the fifth part.
Ríma VI
The funeral pyre. The griffin. Filipó's resurrection. The enchanted shirt's power. King Laimon's city recalled. King Letus. Milia's night. Filipó captured and freed.
1.
I turned from where the lord's son,
that mighty prince, lay dead;
the king's daughter, I heard, wept,
sorrowful beside the prince's body.
2.
The shirt was not stripped from him;
all came running there;
such are the laws set in that land:
all bodies must be burned.
3.
Then was the body of that man of skill
laid upon the blazing fire;
it harmed not his shirt at all —
the virtue would protect it.
4.
Gladly would the gold-goddess
burn together with the lord's body;
the lady meant to throw herself
forward into the fire.
5.
The blaze played red against the sky;
sorrow speaks through the woman:
"How shall I, if he is dead,
keep hold of my own life?"
6.
The warriors forbid her,
forbid with harsh punishments;
they set her in a locked hall;
she lay down upon the ground.
7.
Her life finds no peace;
sorrow drives her on;
the bride means to thrust through her breast
a bright sword's blade.
8.
The maiden seizes that blade;
great is the grief to endure;
the lady laid the noble man
into a fair bed.
9.
"I would lose all my sorrow in truth
— the lady speaks to the people —
if you would lend me his belt
to lay beside me in honour."
10.
The belt came to the leek-goddess;
she lays it against her breast;
then was the maiden's hall of memory
wearied with bitter anguish.
11.
The sharpest sorrow struck her heart,
the harm of the ring-goddess;
the lady did not resist it —
she burst at last from grief.
12.
The bride still lay upon the pyre;
the good warriors saw it;
Filipó's glory-hungry men
departed, stricken with sorrow.
13.
Wood was borne onto the pyre;
the blaze began to kindle;
the warriors saw a griffin fly there
that all of them most feared.
14.
The company meant to flee
when the bird beat its wings;
with its talons the prince's body
it snatched away from the fire.
15.
The dear one has such a cunning way —
it comes here into the story;
the mighty lord stirs to life
just as if woken from sleep.
16.
He sees no silk-goddess,
no bed, no chamber at all;
the prince comes into the tent
clad in the shirt alone.
17.
He recognises, by old-known skill,
his own garments and his belt;
there stood a bowl and a courtly horn;
the prince drank from it.
18.
When the warm drink split apart
and the fair draught was known,
the mighty jewel-grove
will burn with sorrow.
19.
He remembered the jewel-gate —
that he had been betrayed;
Lilja owned that tent;
his colour began to pale.
20.
The lord stands near the sea
and the storm begins to fall;
the prince saw two ships
and all his men.
21.
The warriors marvel at this meeting —
the sorcery had worked it —
for they had thought the prince's son
had burned in the fire.
22.
"You shall not wonder at me
— Filipó told the men —
few may trust themselves;
I was deceived by cunning."
23.
Then the wise company means
to turn their voyage:
"Let us not spare to spread our sails —
we shall land in Spain!"
24.
The prince spoke to the warriors beside him;
sorrows tear his breast:
"Sooner shall I burst, pressed by longing,
than let the lady look on me that way."
25.
"I have cheated the silk-oak,
the proud one, of true faithfulness;
am I therefore equal, in either game,
to other men of honour?"
26.
"The noble lady healed me
and gave herself into my keeping,
yet I set sorrow against her
and deceived the fair maiden."
27.
"Far greater honour it would be
if the prince had burned;
now I am hateful to her every day —
for that I have striven."
28.
The prince held course with his warriors
across the sea-horse's field;
there the lord came to harbour
in the land called Asia Minor.
29.
Letus ruled those lands;
the people honour the prince;
he invites famous Filipó home
at once, if he would accept.
30.
The lord himself, honour-bent,
asks his name by custom.
"Nótus I am called by name,"
the prince's heir said.
31.
All rites with honour he let
be given to the brave men;
the lord's daughter, Milia by name,
pours drink for all.
32.
Constantly the noble lady
gazed upon Filipó;
the men drank as ever;
I heard the feast did not end.
33.
When play is done, the beds are made,
fair couches spread;
courteously, as night has come,
the prince's servants attend him.
34.
The prince's scarlet-clad goddess
put him to bed to lie;
and all his men went out —
none saw grief with the lord.
35.
Every man lay sleeping in his place;
the warriors were deep in drink;
Milia walks to her maid,
wearied with great anguish.
36.
The noble maiden spoke then
to her trusted woman:
"Do not betray me, gold-goddess —
I tell you my intention."
37.
"There has come here a mighty prince
who calls himself Nótus;
none like him was born upon the earth —
his beauty proves it."
38.
"He is the highest peace of my heart;
he can mend all sorrow;
I shall lie down beside the lord —
keep it well, my sweet one!"
39.
"Lady, you should look with joy
to your intention!"
The man of skill sleeps, allowed,
and lies in his shirt.
40.
In the dead of night Milia goes,
she reaches the prince's bed;
the hero does not wake —
the harp has put all to sleep.
41.
The woman who led the naked maiden
kept watch over the garments;
she crept down beside the prince
and drew the clothes over herself.
42.
It is a wondrous thing to hear
that the ring-goddess gets nothing;
she wraps herself around the lord's body
and raises both her hands.
43.
He wakes in the lady's arms;
Filipó thought it strange;
ready for all tenderness now,
the bride pressed closer.
44.
The prince speaks to the garment-bridge:
lovingly he remembered joy:
"You have gone astray, fair lady —
I would not bring you shame."
45.
"There is surely no fault in me
— the woman speaks likewise —
I would sleep in bed beside you;
see to this yourself alone!"
46.
"The norns have laid this on me
(ill fate it must be called):
I could never give any strength
or manhood to a maid."
47.
"That is the way with many men —
I know that well enough;
this is nothing but an excuse from you,
because you want to embrace another."
48.
"If you will not give the golden gate
the greatest tenderness,
I shall cry out and call aloud
to most of my warriors."
49.
Filipó made this resolution:
the lady he shall not ruin;
the prince sprang up from the maiden —
that will displease her.
50.
"Come here now, my warriors
— the woman speaks in anger —
he has dragged me into his bed,
this loathsome deceiver."
51.
He who has never feared in battle —
sorrow forbids it —
scarcely can the prince get dressed
before a hundred men arrive.
52.
He got his helm and his shield;
he had no mail-coat;
he gets hold of a naked sword —
now they will press upon him.
53.
Filipó leaps forth onto the floor,
swift from his resting place;
there next he strikes down twelve men
right there in the hall.
54.
Thirty warriors got their grief;
they were hardly fortunate;
the prince escaped into the dark;
his men were slain.
55.
The prince finds in the dark
a horse on a single mount;
nowhere was Filipó safe then.
Let this song now fall!
Ríma VII
Filipó's flight on horseback. Artus and Astorval. The midnight battle. Milia's sorcerer. Filipó captured and bound. The mysterious woman who frees him. The return to Spain.
1.
I shall sing again of that warrior
whom sorcery robbed of love's delight;
the ríma begins where Filipó found
a bold horse and a great man.
2.
Filipó is chased by a host;
swiftly he drives the snake-rock's steeds;
the prince sprang onto the courtly horse —
he shall escape by its courage.
3.
The saddle shone with the fork-tree's gleam;
the warriors raise a storm of blades;
the horse leaps out over the wall;
the forest shelters the prince, true.
4.
The ring-goddess speaks to the warriors,
bids them still to redden the spear;
two knights follow the king —
they both come into this saga.
5.
The lady says the company shall
pursue the handsome man;
Artus they were called, and Astorval;
the maiden went and spoke with them.
6.
The maiden speaks to Artus thus:
"The false man has escaped;
Nótus the prince he names himself;
he knows nearly every trick."
7.
"The warrior — I tell you, this is known —
the sorcery he played here:
he laid me in bed beside him,
then he meant to ruin me."
8.
"My men were present
— the woman chose to tell this now —
warrior, I give you a courtly yes
if I might see the prince in bonds."
9.
Artus answered the young bride:
"I can find a remedy for this;
I will bind him for his tricks and threats,
if your kindness comes to meet me."
10.
Out of the hall Artus rides;
the fair maiden urges him on;
Filipó the prince awaits the warriors —
that meeting shall be fierce.
11.
Artus speaks with great anger:
"You did the proud lady shame;
this is neither falsehood nor a lie from me —
I shall repay your dishonour."
12.
The prince swings the blue brand;
swiftly he comes upon the grove;
Filipó gave him a blow then
that his father cannot heal.
13.
The sword took where the lord bade it;
the hilt drove somewhat low;
the head parted from the neck;
lord Artus fell there.
14.
He felled the spear-goddess's champion;
Filipó waited there by the wood;
then next upon this road came
a thousand men riding against him.
15.
This host is furiously enraged;
they bear the fair Rhine's embers;
for the young Artus's brothers —
Astorval leads the army.
16.
The prince swung Mírent swiftly;
great is the chance that peace shall fade;
the shield there was cut to pieces;
warriors fought on into the night.
17.
Late in the evening, the wise prince
calls out loud, and was then weary:
"Ride here, good knight —
then your honour and glory shall be tested."
18.
Astorval with a noble spirit
rushes forward across the wide ground;
he wants to find the spear-god;
Filipó gave him a second wound.
19.
The blade cuts through the fresh shield-rim;
Filipó does not yield;
he cut the sword apart in the middle;
all his company sees this.
20.
Filipó hews the exhausted host;
nearly all became a broken court;
they cannot reach the prince;
it is now come to midnight.
21.
Milia sees the clash of blades;
the maiden stood beside a lone oak;
the lady — she who deceived Filipó —
came forward into the clearing toward them.
22.
The sweet one, I heard, asks the boy:
"Have you seen anyone like this before?
The prince never stands still;
fire kindles in my breast."
23.
"The fair spears are ruined by it;
he springs faster than any strife;
I shall live then but a short while —
free me!" said the gentle bride.
24.
"I see that death is prophesied for me
if the spear-play goes on this way;
sorcerer, are you feathered with cunning?
Seize this prince first!"
25.
The trickster blew so fiercely;
bodies lay dead across the field;
Filipó lost his sword;
the worthy man is poorly placed.
26.
The prince's heir runs nowhere;
with his fists he strikes down eight men;
fifteen leap upon Filipó at once —
he was put into bonds again.
27.
All wanted to strike him down;
the king's daughter loves Filipó;
she takes the man of skill, allowed,
and lays him down in some chamber.
28.
The strife has wounded many;
the maiden speaks to the young man:
"Let the warriors keep their grief and moans —
I shall sit now beside him alone."
29.
"Everyone must help themselves
— the ring-goddess speaks with power —
will you, prince's son, gladden me?
Then gladly I shall free you."
30.
"Will you not give me
the world's joy, as life teaches?
I shall burst from grief here —
whom can I blame but you?"
31.
"No other should have
your love," said the jewel-goddess.
She kissed the warrior constantly;
the prince lay there in his bonds.
32.
"I would rather endure this heavy pain
— my mind is worn from strife —"
he answers then upon his honour:
"I shall never sleep upon your arm."
33.
It goes hard with one who loves without return;
a swoon fell upon the maiden;
the prince knew nothing more
until the ground shook and the room opened.
34.
Into the room comes a single woman,
courtly in every way;
the lord greets the ring-goddess;
she was not slow in cunning.
35.
The woman took the strong cord;
she cut it like a leather thong;
the other maiden nearly burst;
she gazes up at the hero.
36.
The woman speaks with bold courage:
"Here now is your good sword;
I shall prepare our journey.
Milia is ill-served by me."
37.
The lord answers with a gentle spirit:
"I will not strike the maiden hard;
I have done little enough to her —
from such things my power arose."
38.
"This withered girl should be
given unwilling to some peasant,
stripped of all rank and honour —
that would be fitting punishment for her."
39.
Filipó went, and the headband-rider,
a short way down to the sea;
the proud lady with the metal-tree
steps out onto a ship.
40.
The vessel ran as if it were fire;
the king burned with sorrow instead;
what is cunning, that which controls this —
he did not recognise the lady at all.
41.
The prince sees, after a time,
no man at all save a worthy woman;
the prince's spirit was most glad,
for now he has come to Spanish ground.
42.
Filipó recognises out upon the field
a fair fortress and a splendid hall
and a lovely goddess of leeks;
all the streets seem to play for him.
43.
The warrior speaks to the garment-bridge:
"The woman has fooled me now;
all true faith is broken;
the mighty lady I cannot find."
44.
"I care nothing for the grief's pain
— thus answers the bright maiden —
the warrior has the breast of a woman:
to whine with harm and anguish."
45.
Filipó the prince steps ashore,
angered at her words;
he sees the young gold-pillar
on the other side of the ship's rail.
46.
The mighty prince recognises
the courtly people and the customs of the land;
he sees the maidens, a splendid company —
Lilja stood there alone in their midst.
47.
Then the lord's heart-root received
the remedy for all his sorrows;
Filipó saw the fair bride;
she opened her arms to him.
48.
No unknowing man could
fully reckon all that joy;
the prince found his beloved;
the woman clasped her arms around him.
49.
He tells her all of his fate,
the silk-pillar, night as day —
how maidens of beauty's pattern
had deceived him with their loving ways.
50.
The honoured man and the splendid lady
rested then upon the wide ground;
they sat down with a joyful meeting.
Filipó delights the silk-maiden.
51.
"I saw that you were deceived by wine;
that pain came into my heart;
you could not remember me —
the maiden thought to enjoy you."
52.
"When you embraced the woman,
you began at once to lose
your strength," the maiden said;
"that was sorrowful to me."
53.
"The second time you came to strife;
the bright shield was cleft;
for that I sent a joyful woman,
my foster-mother, to give you life."
54.
The prince, as evening falls,
would courteously go to the hall.
Warriors thronged as close as they could;
all wanted to see Filipó.
55.
Filipó led the lady straightaway;
the king hears it, and all the people;
at once was done as Blávus asked;
the highborn courtiers enquired.
56.
Filipó the prince gave the warriors
the dragon's treasure from east of the sea;
he tells his company his tale.
The mead-ship sinks, loaded to the depths.
Ríma VIII
Filipó's wedding feast in Spain. Milia's submission. The sorcerer Kaimon's death. The reunion of all kingdoms.
1.
The song of tales from battle's bench
sank to the deep with everything;
the ship of verse has come upon its way;
warriors sat in the hall.
2.
Freed from cares, Filipó was;
I heard he gladden his men;
the gentle, gracious prince bids
them drink his wedding feast.
3.
The bright lady asks the lord;
Lilja speaks, the rosy one;
the lord bears now more than before
the task of inviting people here.
4.
Lilja parts from the prince's kin;
sweet is this to both of them;
now he is bound for his father's meeting
with the lady's loving counsel.
5.
In that land the lord once found
Letus honouring the prince;
that mighty lord, Milia mourns —
the king's daughter.
6.
The people bid to burn
the fair maiden then;
he forbids that the ring-goddess
should be harmed by the warriors.
7.
Filipó went home, in any case,
to visit the lady and the king;
he invites the people, and both of them,
to attend his wedding feast.
8.
The lord accepts (more shall be told)
such a noble favour;
Milia walks upon the street,
splendid, to meet mighty Filipó.
9.
Still the anguish tore at her,
all from the heart's roots;
when the dear one saw the prince near,
she fell at the lord's feet.
10.
"I thought by cunning to win
your will, Filipó;"
the woman tells the whole story then,
so all could understand.
11.
"It is likely that a woman should expect
a lord slow to show mercy;
life and wife, like land and wealth,
lie in your power."
12.
The lady answered the lord wisely;
sorrow bit her hard:
"You shall now," says the rosy maiden,
"decide my wedding."
13.
His young one answers:
"I can blame you for nothing;
here you shall, wise woman,
love another lord."
14.
The guardian let the sweet one be wed
with gold, as all could hear;
the glory-laden Felix was his name;
the lady Milia was his.
15.
The bride's gold-goddess does not
love the warrior overmuch;
her heart burns all the more
if she must lose Filipó.
16.
Letus bid his folk to come,
to fulfil the lord's request;
the warriors from home prepare themselves swiftly;
they are summoned to the feast.
17.
The dark sea-bed and the white wave
harden the course of the sail;
the lord sails and comes to Crete
to find King Reinald.
18.
The prow was thrust into the harbour;
the storm does no harm;
the warriors welcome Filipó there;
his father walked to the shore.
19.
Women and warriors pour
from the prince's halls to see his face;
the lord invites
all men home to Spain.
20.
Reinald and his queen resolved
to send the warriors their bidding;
they wish to follow Filipó now
and land in Spain.
21.
The fair ships drove across the land;
the people stood upon the fields;
the lord's bright company bears
them far from all the ships.
22.
The storm rages, and wonder grows;
none could stop it;
thus another king's host
had the white calm.
23.
The sturdy vessel at full speed
Filipó manages to recognise;
a wide ship, for cunning is at hand,
chases after this one.
24.
"Fair warriors, wait here!"
Filipó finds his voice.
Boldly, in good measure, he throws himself,
the prince, overboard.
25.
He was in no way slow;
hard he swam toward the ship;
he recognises a certain sorcerer —
Kaimon, he said his name was.
26.
The bold one, the sharp one tricked him before
and gave him a drink with sorcery;
he shall now know the doors of death —
and held a single buckler.
27.
The fire-god's steel flashes
against the sea of fists;
the sorcerer throws the buckler down,
for doom has come into his eyes.
28.
No shield, however fine,
could save the warrior from the broad blade;
then he cuts through the traitor's life
and swims back to the ships.
29.
Noble and generous, he walked ashore,
the king, and his brave people;
joy was with them, hand in hand;
the warriors came to the hall.
30.
The string long sang from the fiddle;
the wide ground shook;
the bride was adorned in a fresh gown;
four kings led her in.
31.
The rites proved honourable;
the nobles took their seats;
Filipó's power adorns
the ladies with precious gifts.
32.
The bright lady is praised, virtue-full;
the jewel dearer than any maiden —
pure and wrought like blazing gold,
yet her colour far more radiant.
33.
The whole hall was decked with honour,
as each man would live and die;
the nobles counted there
thirteen hundred maidens.
34.
The gracious, gentle people there
played for the splendid maidens;
the company saw that Lilja outshone
all of them by far.
35.
Noble and generous, the lady's father
rewards his warriors;
within, with the wise prince,
eighteen kings drink.
36.
The lord honours the golden gate
and that proud gentleman;
the gracious people long into the night
taste the fine claret.
37.
The path is straightaway spread with fabrics,
the pure cloth, fine;
now the lady and Filipó are led
together into one bed.
38.
Filipó embraces Lilja now;
he received all tenderness;
that remembering, innermost power
from the maiden's fair body.
39.
Virtues of joy were practised there
by the lady and the brave prince;
strife passes, and the feast was
held out a whole month.
40.
The lord and lady give their hosts
honours of every kind;
each lord goes now, bold of heart,
home to his own lands.
41.
Then Blávus, adorned with splendour,
received his death as the tale told;
the rosy lady fell to Filipó,
the famous one, and he ruled Spain.
42.
He and his lady, laden with power,
each took to loving the other;
a life of sweet temper and all wisdom
they shall honourably know.
43.
Bright as a rose, the precious Lilja
loved the worthy lord.
This tale of wonders is now ended,
unravelled with its threads.
44.
Glory is given to the golden gate;
the ladies own this poem!
Let all warriors call the Tale of Crete
this saga's lore!
Source Colophon
Source text: Filipó-Rímur (eða Krítar Þáttr), Rímur I–VIII. From Riddara-Rímur, edited by Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen: Fr. Berling, 1881). Base manuscript: AM 604 a (A). Digitised from Google Books via Internet Archive.
Scribal note: Rímur I–IV translated by the Rímur Tulku lineage (NTAC + Claude), March 2026. Rímur V–VIII translated by Brynhildr (NTAC + Claude), March 2026. Gospel register. Kennings rendered by meaning. Stanza structure preserved. This is the first known complete English translation of this rímur cycle.
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Source Text
The Old Icelandic source text for Rímur V–VIII is from Riddara-Rímur, edited by Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen: Fr. Berling, 1881), pp. 31–61. Base manuscript AM 604 a (A), with variants from B (AM 604 b) and D. The full source text for Rímur I–IV appears above. The source for Rímur V–VIII is available in the digital edition on Internet Archive.
Source Colophon: Filipó-Rímur (eða Krítar Þáttr). Edited from AM 604 a, 4° (A), with variants from MSS B, C, D. In Riddara-Rímur, ed. Theodor Wisén, pp. 1–61. Copenhagen: Fr. Berling, 1881. Public domain.
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