Hrings rímur ok Tryggva. Thirteen rímur on the trials of Hringr and Tryggvi in Garðaríki — love, war, treachery, and endurance. From Rímnasafn Vol. 2, pp. 170–284. The saga on which the cycle is based survives in a later and inferior redaction; these rímur preserve an older form of the story.

Ríma I

1.
Forth from the mind's deep inlet now
the ship of Fjölnir's mead must go;
few think her fit for men, that prow
which once was the dwarves' drink long ago.

2.
A small poem-craft will not repay me
save with death, I fear,
while the ruddy trickster dwells so free
in the bright earth here.

3.
My hand grows eager on the friend,
keen to pour out Fríð's wine;
I never went to the goat's-house end
to beg for wool at the line.

4.
It avails not to blame this life
though old age wearies the bone —
let us rather gladden the noble wife
with joy in a verse new-sown.

5.
Therefore I will not strike a love-song's note
from the necklace's costly shore;
let us rime rather of those warriors of note
who scored their shields of yore.

6.
I can scarcely entertain
all men so each is pleased;
Hertryggr I name that prince — his reign
held Garðaríki seized.

7.
He steered the land a long while through,
praised by most people and lords;
the king was not eager for strife, 'tis true,
blessed by all folk in their hordes.

8.
Great feasts, weapons, and gold he gave
to wealthy men of the court;
scarce have men in this world's broad wave
heard of a king of that sort.

9.
Yet the swift age passed for the breaker of shields;
fame was once reckoned free
for the flinger of the serpent's golden yields —
now hear what came to be.

10.
Before, the Baldr of arrows had advanced
far across the lands,
but now into old age the king had chanced;
he had a fair queen at hand.

11.
The prince begot with Lady Fríðr
one fair daughter alone;
for her sake warriors bore their strife
and broke green shields to the bone.

12.
From that bride strong men got sorrow and longing;
her fame spread over land and sea,
for the golden linden among them thronging
adorned all splendidly.

13.
Gracious she was to men, that clever
Lofn of rings so bright;
she gave so freely from the golden treasure
that warriors scarce could keep in sight.

14.
The prince's daughter, bright of face,
was named Brynhildr at her birth;
in lineage and every grace
none was found her match on earth.

15.
No finer swan had any seen,
and she grew ever greater;
she outshone the fair brides' company clean
as gold shines over copper.

16.
Raised in the king's court, a fair heir —
Hringr's nature was far from fear;
so was the bold man named who there
grew up without a peer.

17.
The king's heir, swift and fair of face,
tested swords on shields in play;
his father was King Dagr, keen to embrace
the battle's wild array.

18.
The shield-rim was shoved aside;
warriors went to their deaths.
He rode north to Norway's tide
to wage the storm of spear-heads.

19.
Warriors cleaved the hard steel through;
shield-rims were cut short.
The age rode fast — King Ólafr knew
that he was driven from his court.

20.
The prince drove with a strong hand
twenty battles, stiff and grim,
then set about to win the Grecian land
and conquer all of it for him.

21.
He held the rich realm after that
and shunned the mass of spears;
so I trust it true — and where I sat
I close these earlier years.

22.
I turn back now all at once —
this tale shall not lie low.
The praise shall rise again. For months
Hringr walked where princes go.

23.
He was famous far across the lands,
gladdening men with spirit keen;
no gentle prince with sceptre in his hands
could match what Hringr had been.

24.
The lord's son and the skillful maid
played together in their youth;
she was dear as the heart, and never swayed
from Hringr, the ring-fair, in truth.

25.
The Greek king's kinsman, nobly born,
was gifted with many a deed —
fair and strong, that grove of weapons worn,
and wise in every need.

26.
It came to pass in gentle wise
that the prince's daughter loved him dear;
the fair goddess of the headdress, bright of eyes,
had all that men could revere.

27.
The prop of Menja spoke — she, mighty
at only eight winters old:
"Hringr, go now to war! What's flighty
grows no better when grown cold."

28.
"Let it be known who is the greater —
if I go to drive the battle-board:
the Týr of shields, or I, the scarlet's waiter."
Swiftly he took to word.

29.
"Now there shall be no delay for you,
clasp-goddess, in this thing;
there is no hope you'd love me true
if I dared not ride the spear-ring."

30.
Hringr went swiftly to the hall
to find King Hertryggr there:
"King, give me a war-host — heed my call!
Glory I mean to bear."

31.
"Prince, let your daughter build a bower,
precious and richly made;
let her not be troubled by my hour
while I go forth to the blade."

32.
The lord said all should be done
that Hringr had asked that day;
he went out through the hall and won
the warrior to the bay.

33.
Valiant men and a noble fleet
the chief prepared for the road —
fine weapons, ample stores of meat,
and all good things bestowed.

34.
The prince spoke to the king's fair daughter:
"Soon we two must part;
lay your gentle bridle on this slaughter,
bride, upon my heart."

35.
"That shall be fairest, O shield-prop bright,
which I bestow on you" —
"Your clear words kindle swift delight
within my heart anew."

36.
"Fare you well," the noble woman said,
"grief shall come fast from parting's pain;
I shall love you till this life is fled,
in the depths of my heart's domain."

37.
Men wound the sail aloft; the prow
swung from the shore away.
Brynhildr thought often on fate's tricks now;
the wind bore them south that day.

38.
Swiftly he woke the spear-point's court
and bore the victory from the fight;
scarce was it heard in any port
where braver men had come to light.

39.
He pacified lands and freed the folk;
he let the treacherous fall.
He guarded honour, and women spoke
his name with gladness, one and all.

40.
He granted honour and guarded the land;
the road bent to the prince.
He walked exposed with bloody brand
among the blue blades' rinse.

41.
The king did not let a larger host
follow him into the fray;
nothing stood against that lord's great boast —
all went as he wished that day.

42.
The prince held them from raiding then
when winter seized the shore;
the bold one came to Garðar again,
and the peace grew ever more.

43.
The king of Garðar and all his folk
made welcome for the man;
one way the noble woman spoke
and came to grace the span.

44.
With love the king's child set the bold
champion Hringr to asking there:
"Has everything gone as it was foretold,
noble woman, everywhere?"

45.
Then merriment arose within the hall;
the prince gladdened every one —
the company of warriors, great and tall,
and golden women with Fyrisvellir's sun.

46.
"Have you, wise maiden, heard report
of all my journeys' fame?
Is there anything, O golden court,
to match your skill and name?"

47.
She said she'd heard the famous word
of how the warriors fared:
"It would be beyond a maiden's third
of strength to match what you have dared."

48.
She had a splendid tapestry
like burnished gold agleam;
she gave it to the warrior free
as soon as Hringr's fleet made stream.

49.
The noble prince gave noble gifts in turn —
fine cloth and garments fair;
the bold man thought the woman, wise and stern,
worthy of pleasure's share.

50.
He gladdened all from end to end —
the young silk-gowned women bright,
those who attended on his friend;
love's meetings blessed the night.

51.
He cared not for gold or land,
clearly, beside the fair bride;
daily he went, that proud war-band's
friend, to his lady's side.

52.
So were the man and the noble wife
in harmony a long time through,
as if they shared a single life.
Thus ends this ríma. The tale is true.

Ríma III

Mansöngr

1.
Up has come that longed-for thing,
the wish-ship of the fair;
the necklace-goddess bade me bring
soft verses smithed with care.

2.
Were I obliged, if the gold-woman
wished to bid me so,
then hand and mouth in service can
attend her where they go.

3.
I shall not deck the bridge of verse
with words overlong;
may you thrive, O noble lady — yours
is a likeness matched by none.

4.
He knows best of grief's amber-tree
who bears that hardness sore;
I shall not shoot that quarrel free —
first east to Garðar's shore.

Harekr's Demand

5.
They saw warships reach the harbour's mouth,
a mighty number moored;
Hertryggr bade them find at once
those strangers none had heard.

6.
Hardly could they get that viking
to seek out words for men,
until at last he answered them
and said his name was Harekr.

7.
"My name is known to many folk,"
spoke Harekr grimly,
"and I am eager to feed the raven
and to master the old ruler.

8.
Know this: the king and you shall find
war at morning's break,
unless he sends to me himself
his fair daughter's sake."

9.
There is no other choice in this —
so tell the king plain:
"I will suffer no longer delay,"
and let his sentence rain.

10.
The thanes came to the prince's hall,
those who had been sent,
and told before the warriors all
Harekr's great intent.

11.
The king answered with furious speed:
"Sooner shall I lose my life
and show these wretched vikings
our valour's cutting knife."

12.
When Harekr heard it plainly told,
the words the king had said,
his wrath was quickly stung to bold —
he laid a curse ahead.

13.
"If you, O lord, dare trust yourself
to hold the field of war,
then it is as good as placed within my palm —
your land, your shields, your shore.

The Battle

14.
Prince, your death is shown to you;
your boldness men may wonder.
Hard shall the spear-point be driven through
to sunder shield and body asunder."

15.
The warriors came home to the king
and bore what he had spoken;
they told the wise one: sword-din
would come in short time, unbroken.

16.
The king declares that sooner he
shall fall dead in the fray
than let an evil man like he
enjoy his prize that day.

17.
His daughter the prince summoned
to counsel once again:
"Now it has come to grief," the bride wept,
"our plans are ruined and vain.

18.
Far better is death than life
as a berserker's wife to dwell;
we shall, O noble woman,
seek some other way as well.

19.
If you do not return, my king,
brave from this battle-tide,
then our strength will waste away —
hard it is to decide."

20.
"Sit now well," said the mighty lord,
"and cast away your grief and ache."
The prince turned from the bower toward
his warriors for battle's sake.

21.
Harekr marched with his hardened host;
the men pressed close to meet him.
No one stood at the edges then —
wrath's sweetness rose to greet them.

22.
The steel-storm grew heavy and grim,
grinding the strong hosts down;
the king struck as though he were young,
brave with both his hands, renowned.

23.
The ruler clove so strong a helm
the steel flew across the field;
the sword sang Hildr's psalm aloud —
fierce was the battle unconcealed.

24.
The king was so furious in the fray,
as hard as he could manage;
sorely was the fair mail-coat there
cut to ribbons in the ravage.

25.
Hertryggr against his old age
sundered the clothes of Áli,
but against the famous battle-spell
the king fell down from weariness, wholly.

26.
The prince urged on his men and spoke —
he was bold in heart:
"He shall be called a coward who runs.
Let us test our bright helms' art.

27.
Defend both your wives and land;
we shall endure a heavy blow.
Never yield to Harekr's hand —
fall rather at the well below."

Tryggvi Arrives

28.
His warriors in the spear-slaughter
fought gladly with bold courage,
but the king's host fell like timber —
few alone stood after the carnage.

29.
The people saw great longships there
come sailing into harbour;
that was a dragon-ship at the fore —
fair shone the sun upon her timbers.

30.
They let the clash of swords go still,
the keen-hearted warriors,
and Harekr spoke, looking at the sky:
"Whence come these fighters?"

31.
It seemed that light shone from aloft,
far from those vessels gleaming.
"That must be a famous king," he thought,
"who commands such gallant seamen."

32.
"I have heard tell of a prince so known,"
— thus Harekr recounted —
"he bears both strength and every art
above all warriors, undaunted.

33.
Tryggvi's power is with honour great;
I count him matched by few.
Scarcely was there shaped on earth
a prince who might undo him true.

34.
The Saxons' ruler is a man of worth,
swift, and lord of many lands.
What does the glad lord intend
with his fleet of dragon-strands?"

35.
They moored their ships and met at once;
the warriors came ashore.
Then Harekr asked aloud and clear
what tidings they bore.

36.
Tryggvi tells him little news
and speaks with cunning tongue:
"You have fought a hard battle here;
the field is dressed with steel among."

37.
Harekr spoke, free of fear,
his men scarce able to match:
"The king of Garðar, old and stiff,
comes hard against us, scratch for scratch."

38.
"What charge do you lay against the king,
lord Tryggvi wished to know —
though he took a hard stand in it,
he would not yield his right below."

39.
Angrily the shield-prince answered:
"The strife shall not diminish.
The king refused to give me
his noble daughter — I will finish.

40.
Flatly the prince denied it
and readied himself for war;
most of his fine champions now
have fallen to the floor.

41.
I intend the woman's father dead,
and then to honour you with fame.
I take the wife and the kingdom with me
and all the world's fair name."

Tryggvi's Answer

42.
"My power is not great, father,"
said the Saxon lord.
"Yet if this thorn-goddess of battle
should lie upon your arm — absurd.

43.
Just as unlikely will that be,
the gold-tree's men would say.
Therefore I shall act at once,
though you frighten all away."

44.
"I had intended, young lord,
to strengthen you," said Harekr then,
"but if you choose to anger me,
I think your bliss will end.

45.
You set yourself before so bold a boast
and scatter the sword's edges.
If you mean to lay this poet low,
then come at once to death's pledges.

46.
I think rightly that you lack the wit,
O giver of Fáfnir's bridge;
you have a fair face, O prince,
but far more than sense or knowledge.

47.
Harekr spoke, clad in shields,
louder than his companions:
"I think you seem far too afraid,
young and of little standing."

48.
"You have no strength against me;
I destroy a stubborn folk.
There is no glory in fighting you —
I would fling you like a woman's cloak."

49.
The king answered, gold-clad,
keen with the warrior's staff:
"You are gallant in the weapon-swim
and win everything with words — by half.

50.
Prince, let us go to our booths first
and sheathe our blades tonight.
Great is our longing for the maiden —
I will not deny this right.

51.
Let us take to arms at morning;
then one or the other shall prevail.
The prince's child I mean to win.
Let us go to sleep and rest without fail."

52.
Harekr went into the war-tent
and quickly fell to sleeping.
Here shall Yggr's stream of verse
in the tongue's cask cease its steeping.

Ríma IV

1.
Now the ale of verse flows against the castle wall,
the ring-friend of song seldom fails;
it swells upon both lands — the waterfall
of poetry by glory's shores prevails.

2.
It is said that very weary
Hertryggr fell, wounded and spent;
the way home seemed to warriors dreary —
he was borne to the castle, broken and bent.

3.
None had taken a mortal wound,
yet Harekr seemed grim of mind;
he heard the champion's bold demand resound
and now grew vexed amid the din of battle's grind.

4.
He heard of Tryggvi's steadfast word;
to two men of the warrior host he swore:
"Carry my message to that lord —
I will meet him on the morning's shore."

5.
Two trusty men came to Tryggvi's ground
in that selfsame hour;
the warriors stepped aboard the deck and found
their way, and spoke the king's full power.

6.
They hailed the king both loud and well,
and all the people gave their ear:
"The lord of the land would speak with you and tell
his will before the day grows clear."

7.
The prince told the warriors this:
"I am ready to go with you at once;
the ruler's honour shall not go amiss —
it is easy for me, though he is stiff in response."

8.
The two lords met with honour soon,
two kings upon that very night;
kind were the words beneath the moon,
the king thought healing near and right:

9.
"How is it, Tryggvi, that you trust yourself?
You will wish to prove that to me —
come forth before the king and test your worth,
and choose yourselves the fitting fee."

10.
The Saxon king answered loud:
"I see you have few men in your band;
none knows my strength or spirit proud —
enough to hold you where you stand.

11.
Harekr is so hard and strong,
no Fróði's mail-shirt will avail him;
his flesh is like horn or stone along —
it is a grievous thing to assail him."

12.
The king, I tell, said this word:
"If you come to be my heir instead,
your growth will not be slow, my lord —
you shall rule everything in my stead."

13.
"There is one thing," said Tryggvi, "still
that I would have, noble one, from thee:
if you, great lord, your daughter will
give into my keeping, bright and free."

14.
The mighty king promised him:
"Never have I seen a finer man,
yet there are great difficulties grim —
would you hear them if you can?

15.
A foster-son have I reared and kept,
the boy was given silken nurture;
when he learns of this, I have not slept —
I know that strife will follow in the future."

16.
"It will not come to that just yet,"
answered Tryggvi, and said with force,
"never shall I hold your realm in debt —
the woman, unless you give her free of course.

17.
Think it better, prince," he said,
"that the berserker crawl to her instead —
I need no wealth and no man's land;
I have enough of Fáfnir's strand.

18.
Your duty is to preserve your life
and not hang back in the spear-storm's fray;
Harekr will spare you little strife
if he must go through your realm this day."

19.
"Press forward into the spear-yard now,"
the king of Garðar spoke aloud,
"I will witness your great deeds, I vow —
then win my daughter, brave and proud."

20.
The kings parted gladly soon,
bright day conquered the night;
Tryggvi told the trusty troop his boon:
"The noble lady was promised to me outright."

21.
More eager to march into the fray
than to drink fine mead, the people cried:
"We must repay the prince his pay —
he gives us gold with both hands wide."

22.
Early in the morning the fair maid
asked her father, bright and clear:
"Lord, tell your daughter, gold-arrayed —
who was the man who came to you last night here?"

23.
"Here came himself," the king then said,
"the Saxon lord with another man;
I promised him both maid and wed
if the warrior would lend me aid and plan."

24.
"Do not set your mind too far on this,
dear father," said the splendid maid,
"I was promised to another — mark what's amiss,
and he will be swift in vengeance unpaid."

25.
"This breeds strife among the people,
though the cause may well be plain enough,"
the lord spoke from beneath the steeple
and fell silent: "Thus I bought us peace, though rough.

26.
I offered him land and realm to hold,
fine garments and the serpent's strand;
he valued nothing — neither wealth nor gold —
nothing but yourself he would demand."

27.
"Then do not blame this," said the oak of thorns,
and turned pale at the word;
"it will come to pass, as you have heard the horns —
the heart has told me what will be incurred.

28.
I think there is little," said the ring-goddess then,
"to trust upon the leaf of laurel;
I fear that into Harekr's hand, O men,
both wife and land will fall in quarrel."

29.
The king agreed the golden ground should stand —
she might go into the tower that same hour:
"There the lady of rings may see from the strand
the battle-field and the men of power."

30.
Tryggvi, when the light was barely shown,
arrayed himself artfully for the fray;
he filled the host and the folk was one,
before Harekr should come their way.

31.
Warriors beheld Harekr's advance,
the king drew from his sheath the sword;
then spoke to the viking at the lance:
"You were slow to test my host's accord."

32.
The berserker spoke, fierce and wroth:
"Your honour and your glory both shall break;
war will end our meeting, nothing loath —
never shall you hold woman or land at stake."

33.
"Your boldness exceeds all example known,
your time of death draws nigh;
if you think, unless you are restrained alone,
to trade blows with me before you die."

34.
"Do not taunt me," said the gentle king,
"before the battle has been tried;
nowhere does my heart shrink from anything —
I hear your shout and war-cry wide.

35.
Then, I tell, the other replied:
"Prince, I wonder at your garb;
you are not like others here," he cried,
"do you mean to go bare against the barb?"

36.
The Saxon king said the prince's wife
was his shield and helm in lieu of plate:
"The mail-coat gives no doomed man life —
let us try to redden the blade of fate."

37.
Then it was not quiet among the host,
Harekr began to marshal fast;
then fell the dark hail along the coast —
the storm of Svölnir's fire was cast.

38.
It is told that many a warrior fell,
the greedy eagle screamed above the slain;
firm stood the ranks against the hell —
Tryggvi drove straight through the battle-plain.

39.
"What shall shield the prince from me?"
Harekr speaks before his face:
"You walk beneath the blue edge free —
never take you wound nor scratch in any place.

40.
No man offers me the warrior's gold;
therefore I thirst for the blood of men;
many hearts shrink from Tryggvi bold —
I trust he will not overcome me then."

41.
He hews at the prince with all his force,
both hands swinging as strength allows;
the king's son swerved aside in course —
their game is not yet done with blows.

42.
The son of kings began to rage,
the grim champion grew more fierce;
terrible was the spear-play on that stage —
all of Högni's people cheered each pierce.

43.
With both hands Tryggvi struck the blow,
boldly he sailed the wound-sea's tide;
there stood Harekr's skull below —
whole and entirely unscathed beside.

44.
"I have," said Tryggvi, "taken counsel well;
now let the warriors rest and draw their breath.
I will challenge the berserker to a wrestling-spell —
that may halt the spear-storm's path of death."

45.
The host was given rest and stay,
Harekr answered with a grin:
"Let the noble people hear me say —
such boldness is without equal or kin.

46.
I have wrestled with both men and trolls,
tested many and mastered all;
I can change my shape and strengthen my holds —
I have the full berserker's thrall.

47.
How old are you, young prince, then?
To the warriors you must declare!"
"I have full fifteen winters, men."
Harekr sets a very dark stare.

48.
"With a single finger I can fell you flat;
often enough I have bested such;
you are an eager little lordling, that —
I play with you as a doll to clutch.

49.
I will tear the flesh from you, O king,
just as I claw the common earth;
my fists I clench to do this thing —
you shall come into the nail-bath's berth.

50.
You shall know it, princeling — mark it well:
swiftly I will dash you to the ground;
I will break every bone in you and quell —
you will lie there beaten on the mound.

51.
The prince's son, I trust, will lose his life,
the gold and the proud women too;
the king's daughter shall kiss me after strife —
she says she will not have you."

52.
"It will come to pass that rain shall fall,"
the prince rises on the field;
"with doomed lips you babble to appall —
come here now, coward, and see me wield.

53.
Your pain shall cure the boaster's wrong;
I will break the backbone in your frame;
this shall be a prophecy proved strong —
the wolves shall clamp upon you all the same."

54.
Little could any man restrain
that glory-eager, skilful lord;
then Harekr's flesh was clenched with strain
darker by half than the black earth's sward.

55.
I tell that Tryggvi's folk stood still,
silent now, all watching from the side;
they thought it sin, the prince to kill —
his fame would then be wholly denied.

56.
Harekr's flesh appeared all black,
the people feared at what they saw;
knotted all and tied to every bone-track,
hard as stone beneath each claw.

57.
Tryggvi's flesh was bright and soft,
it bruised and reddened through;
wherever the grim one's grip bore hard aloft
the mark of every finger grew.

58.
No one thought they had ever seen,
not the king himself who watched from high,
a heavier wrestling-bout so keen,
where men and monsters came to try.

59.
Harekr began to wheeze and strain;
the prince offered him little peace;
now the advantage shifts again —
he could wrestle no longer without release.

60.
Tryggvi lifted with his strength the foe,
the wicked brute upon his chest;
he saw an oak-trunk standing below —
the ring-goddess's heart shall know its rest.

61.
Harekr's back was broken there,
the host thought it the greatest wonder;
the lord praised Tryggvi's deed with care —
he should hardly come near earth asunder.

62.
Once the enemy was dead and done,
the warriors began to rest at last;
great was the ruler's grace, hard-won —
to many it seemed honour's mast.

63.
One man from the warrior host remained
who still would fight on through the night;
deep he sailed the river of blood, unstained —
a warrior stood at his side in the fight.

64.
This one tested Þundr's ember-glow;
not one warrior could stand against his hand;
he may for that be called near-mad, I trow —
that man was of Harekr's kinsman-band.

65.
Nephew of the berserker was he,
who turned living men to corpses cold;
Eirekr I name him, Örvar-Þórr's kin, free —
he dealt the warriors blows untold.

66.
The youth attacked the sword-god's court,
grief and anguish lodged about his heart;
from his wounds the blood streamed forth, unsort —
thus was the brave champion torn apart.

67.
The prince's son had him healed and tended
and made him afterward a noble man;
never was he gentle when wars descended —
nor did folk think him fortune's clan.

68.
They led the king home to the hall,
Hertryggr spared no rings of gold;
a feast was made with honour for all —
joy was great in the king's stronghold.

69.
Untrue would it be, were it told amiss —
for you know the way full well:
revealing the horn-share's joy and bliss —
here must Rögni's verse-stream cease to swell.

Translation in progress. Rímur V–XIII to follow.

Colophon

Title: Geðraunir — The Trials of Spirit (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva)
Source: Old Icelandic, from Rímnasafn Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1913–22), pp. 170–284
Manuscripts: AM 604 d, AM 605, Wolfenbüttel codex (via AM copy), Sth. 23
Translation: Good Works Translation from Old/Middle Icelandic (NTAC + Claude, 2026)
Scribe: Rímur Tulku, New Tianmu Anglican Church
Notes: Rímur I–V translated (269 of ~700+ stanzas). Thirteen-ríma cycle based on an older, now-lost version of the saga of Hringr and Tryggvi. The poet opens with a conventional mansöngr disclaiming love-poetry, introduces King Hertryggr of Garðaríki, his daughter Brynhildr, and the young warrior Hringr (son of King Dagr). Brynhildr and Hringr grow up together and fall in love; she urges him to prove himself in war at age eight. He campaigns south, fights bravely, returns victorious, and they are reunited in joy. In Ríma V, Tryggvi claims Brynhildr as his promised bride; she protests her love for Hringr but is wed; they sail to Saxland; Brynhildr is troubled and barren; Tryggvi offers his sister Brynveig to Hringr as reconciliation. The critical apparatus (Finnur Jónsson's variant readings from MSS 604, 605, W, and Sth. 23) was consulted for ambiguous readings. First known English translation.

🌲

Source Text — Ríma I

Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma I. From Rímnasafn Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson, pp. 172–186. Base text: AM 604 d.

1.
Par skal geds ur grunna uik
ganga Fiolnes sneckia,
fæstum þiker hun fyrdum lik,
er fyr var duerga dreckia.

2.
Ei mun litla lioda giord
launa mier en daudi,
ę sa byr i blidu jord
bragda karll en raudi.

3.
Werdr hond a ueniu fus
uin at færa Pridia,
geng ec alldri j geitar hus
ok giora þar vllar bidia.

4.
Eigi tiair at lasta lif
long pott ellin mædi,
gledium helldr enu gaufgu uif
gamans i nyu kuædi.

5.
Mun ec þvi ecki mansaung sla
mens af dyrum skordum,
rimum helldr um recka þa,
er randir skarv fordum.

6.
Varlla ec skemta uirdum kann
uel so ollvm like;
Hertrygg nefne ek hilmir þann,
hann red Garda Rike.

7.
Styrdi hann lande langa hrid,
leyfdr af flestum fliodum,
gramr var ecki giarn vid strid,
gæddr af flestum þiodum.

8.
Veizlur storar, uopnn ok seim
veitte hann gumnum rikvm,
traut hafa fyrdar fram i heim
frett af konge slikvm.

9.
Po hefr lifad hid letta skeid
lestir biartra randa,
þeim var fordum frægden greid
fleygi draufnes sanda.

10.
Fyrri hafdi fleina Balldr
framiz a londum uida,
en nv uar hnigen a efra alldr,
hann atti drottning frida.

11.
Dogling ol uid dvka Frid
dottur eina uæna,
firi þa baru bragnar strid
ok briota skiolldu græna.

12.
Af brudi feingu bolit ok þra
bragna sterkir lydir,
geck pad lofit um grund ok sia
er gullaz linde prydir.

13.
Hugpeck uar uid holda su
hringa Lofninn snialla,
gaf suo noga grettis bru
at gunnar mattv uarlla.

14.
Budlungs dottir blidu spentt
Brynhilldr het at nafne,
upp a slekt ok alla mentt
eigi fanzt hennar iafne.

15.
Ædra suanna eingi leit,
er hon þvi huerre meiri,
bar hon af skærri brvda sueit
beintt sem gull af eire.

16.
Fæddiz upp i fylkis hird
fridr hilmes arfe,
Hrings uar lund fra hræzlu fird,
het suo madrinn diarfi.

17.
Siklings arfen suinnr ok fagr
suerden reyndi i skilldi,
kappans fadir var kongrinn Dagr,
kæn at uekia hilldi.

18.
Skyfdr uar þar skialdar spordr,
skatnar foru at deyia,
pesse for i Noreg nordr
nadda iel at heyia.

19.
Bragnar klufu þa stalen stinn,
styfdr uar þa rande,
ollden reid pa eigi suinn
Olaf kong fra landi.

20.
Tigge iok med travstri hand
tiorgu ielid stinna,
giorde sidan Grickialand
goruallt þegar at uinna.

21.
Heillt hann sidan haudrit rikt
ok hafnadi geira messu,
so uil ec heill at satt er slikt,
so skal luka þessu.

22.
Aptur uik ec allt i senn,
eigi skal nidre liggia,
hefiazt skal þar hrodrinn enn.
Hringr var med tiggia.

23.
War hann um londen uida frægr,
uirda gladdi kata,
matti ecki millding hægr
moti Hringi lata.

24.
Lofdungs sonr ok listug mær
leku ung at alldri,
þvi uar hon sem hiartad kær
hringa vænum Balldri.

25.
Grickia kongs uar gofugr kundr
gæddur morgum dadum,
uænn ok sterkr er uopna lundr
ok uitr j ollum radum.

26.
Bar þad so med blidu til
budlungs dottir unni,
fagrlig hafdi fallda Bil
flest þat bæta kunni.

27.
Menia skordenn mælti pat,
mectug atta uetra:
„Hringr far þu at heria j stad,
huad mun sidar betra."

28.
Fregnnazt mvn huortt frægra uerdr,
ef fer ec at rekia borda,
skialda Tyr eda skarllaz Gerdr.
Skiott tok hann til orda.

29.
„Nu skal ecki nam firi pier
nistels glepia troda,
eingi er uon þu uner mer,
ef ec pori eigi flein at rioda."

30.
Hringr geck j holl so skiott
Hertrygg kong at finna —
„hilmir fa mier herlid fliott,
hreysti ætle eg uinna."

31.
„Dogling lattu dottr þin
dyra skemu smida,
uerdi hon ecki at mentum min
aa medan ec fer at strida."

32.
Audling segir at allt skal giortt
en þat Hringr beiddi,
geck hann ut af glugga hiortt
ok gram til strandar leiddi.

33.
Vaska menn ok uegligt flaustr
visir bio til ferdar,
agæt uopn ok yfrit traust
ok allz kyns uænar gerdar.

34.
Bragning talar uid budlungs mey:
„bratt mun skilia uerda,
blidan legg þu Beislu þey
brvdr til uorra ferda."

35.
„Þad mun uænuzt ueiga skord
ueita ydr en biarta,"
„þin giorir skemtan skyrlig ord
skiott i miny hiarta."

36.
„Far þu vel, kvad fremdar uif,
fazt mvn harmr af stundu,
ec skal pic medan endiz lif
elska i hiartans grvndu."

37.
Segger undu segll a lopt,
sueif af skeidar brandi,
Brynhilldr hugdi at brognum opt,
bar þa sudr med landi.

38.
Bradla uakti hann brodda þing,
bar po sigr vr romu,
frettiz uarlla um heimsens hring
hraustari menn huar komu.

39.
Fridadi lond en frelsti piod,
falsara let hann hniga,
geymdi heidr en gladdi fliod,
giarnn til stora uiga.

40.
Veitti heidr en uardi land,
uegrinn laut at stilli,
hann geck ber med bloduga rand
blara eggia a mille.

41.
Eigi let fylkir fleira lid
fylgia sier at hilldi,
ecki stod pa audling uit,
allt for sem hann uillde.

42.
Hilmir let ur hernad þeim
halldit aptr at uetre,
garprinn kemr i Garda heim,
gioriz pa fridrenn betri.

43.
Garda kongr ok giorvoll piod
giorde honum at fagna,
einn ueg kemr ok agæt fliod
odlings ueizlu at magna.

44.
Red med kærleik kongsens iod
kappinn Hringr at fretta:
„hefir þier gioruallt godligt fliod
gengit allt til letta?"

45.
Giordiz sidan glaumr i holl,
gladdi ræsir alla
gunna sueit ok gullhrings poll
grodri Fyris ualla.

46.
„Hefr pu nockut spakligt sprvnd
spurtt af ferdum minum?
þad er til iafns se, audar grvnd,
ollum listum þinum?"

47.
Hon kuad af þvi fræga fregnn
fara hue bragnar breyta,
„þad mun uerda meyiu um megnn
mentt uid ydr at preyta."

48.
Lyptingar uar listugt tialld
likaz gulle brendu,
pat gaf hun i hilmes ualld
Hrings þegar gunnar lendu.

49.
Vegligr gaf þar uisir mot
ueglig pell ok klædi,
garprin hugdi gilldr ok snot
gofug til yndis bæde.

50.
Allar gladdi hann ut i fra
ungar silke grvndir,
þær sem worv uife hia,
veittuzt elsku fundir.

51.
Gullz ne landa gade eigi hann
glogt firi uænne brvde,
dagliga geck i drosar rann
dreingia uinren prvde.

52.
So uar halr ok sialigt uif
samþyck langan tima,
sem þau ætti eins mannz lif.
Endiz þannen rima.

Ríma II

Mansöngr

1.
The road is not smooth for us
to deal out Odin's treasure;
fifty-one have come to me
hard-pressed in the encounter.

2.
Old age cheats above all else
the blending of Odin's wine;
I know that most troubles follow her —
the holy wit she ruins.

The News from Greece

3.
Hringr sits in the high tower
with the prince's fair maiden;
there comes up a grievous report
to the king's gentle daughter.

4.
The gracious one asked the woman of thorns:
"You must be able to explain —
do you, ring-adorned one,
love another more?"

5.
"I do not know what may come to pass,"
the clever woman speaks,
"I would scarcely choose a wilder man,
though I might rule over nearly all.

6.
We shall wait for the prince in this place,
though we must endure sorrow,
yet I fear, my lord,
how often we may enjoy our bliss."

7.
The prince's son bade the gold-adorned woman
not to murmur so:
"I have intended at all times
to love you with devotion."

8.
He bade the gold-ground put away
her ill forebodings entirely:
"We shall guard wealth and plenty of riches
in every way.

9.
Garðaríki and Greece besides —
we shall rule over all of it;
the renown that gladdens men
shall surely reach us both."

10.
The treasure-goddess said that a man's intentions
can often be reversed:
"The thorn-bush of Fenris's mouth
has proven that to be true."

11.
"What sign is there," said the ring-god,
"that this may not come to be?
I have intended all my life
to love you with devotion."

12.
"Whenever I think," said the ring-goddess,
"of speaking gently with you,
something always comes between us —
and that thing brings us grief.

13.
I know rightly in some way
that it will come to pass;
a sweet thing, they say, will soon be seen —
such long sorrow I carry."

14.
The warrior did not let the gold-brooch's
true prophecy stand for this;
they took up other words instead,
with merriment and cheer.

Brynhildr's Grief

15.
That winter the prince's maiden was
gentle beside the wolf-tamer,
not much given to words —
sorrow was always upon her.

16.
Men came with tidings,
brave ones from the realm of Greece,
and said the prince's father was dead,
his body growing still.

17.
"You will want, gracious prince,
to hasten your journey thither;
then all the people of the land
will look to you as lord."

18.
Hringr went before Hertryggr swiftly
and told him with gentle words:
"I will leave the land at once,
friend of lords, by my resolve.

19.
Now I would have, my prince, an oath
for your daughter's hand;
I count it my duty to offer you
all the honour that is mine."

20.
The prince answered — and the household was divided —
gently to his foster-son:
"It pleases me to pledge the jewel-goddess
to your great valour.

21.
Of the gentle bride I grant you
the best enjoyment of all;
long will it repay me —
the virtues of the hand that casts stones."

22.
The king's son sat down beside the gold-ribbon
upon the cushion;
the lord then spoke aloud,
steadfast, and at greater length.

23.
"Now I would visit the lovely woman
and hear your fair promises;
all shall be given you in return —
the fullness of my honour."

The Parting

24.
"I have no eagerness," said the gold-ground,
"to be wed to any man,
though I have intended at all times
to ward off fate above all."

25.
The king says that precious love
would count for little to them
if she must now by no means
"deny all honours."

26.
"This may well, worthy hero,
be done at greater leisure;
then," said the jewel-Hildr, "dignity
and decorum will grow in me."

27.
"You need no evasion,
gold-ground, in this matter,
unless so glorious a necklace-goddess
dares to deceive us.

28.
I go on deeply, noble lady,
hidden from your intent;
if you pledge your faith to another,
grief will torment us."

29.
The fairest answered, the wealth-ground:
"I do not wish to anger you,
though I foresee a perilous struggle
to trouble my life."

30.
She said she intended to hold
all words and oaths with Hringr:
"Anguish dwells in me for joy's course —
something will always prevail."

31.
The prince bids his daughter,
downcast from sorrow's sting,
let the lady's opposition fall away;
she was then betrothed to Hringr.

32.
Hringr bade her thrust the hard mood
out of her breast:
"Sit in gladness, noble lady,
and forget all torment.

33.
No brighter was the prince's maiden,
no lighter about the heart;
when they let the ships from their moorings,
the bright lady paled.

34.
So she bore away from herself anguish and strife,
the clever gold-adorned one;
she was always gentle toward warriors,
upright, and gladdened all.

35.
The departure of Hringr from the wave-hall
brings sorrow from Garðaríki;
he was eager for the clash of spears,
worthy and with few equals.

Hringr Takes Greece

36.
Hringr came with a fine war-host
home to the realm of Greece;
there the king took his kingdom
with the red fire of the flood.

37.
All did according to the prince's will,
sitting and standing;
yet grief dwelt with the worthy hero —
he scarcely cared for lands.

38.
The Greeks held their king aloft,
glad in such fashion;
fortune's guardian often turned
about in this tale.

39.
He woke the strong ale-cup
and tipped hard goblets,
yet his heart was on the prince's maiden,
the noble one eastward in Garðar.

40.
The wise one's fame shall stand
gloriously there,
but tell we shall of what in Garðar befell —
strife brought to men's hands.

41.
Truly the tale falls away
at last in this land.
Westward the keel dives into the deep —
well may it serve though it stands.

Source Colophon

Text: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Rímur I–II
Source: Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: Samfund til Udgivelse af gammel nordisk Litteratur, 1913–22), pp. 172–186
Manuscripts: AM 604 d (base text), AM 605, Wolfenbüttel codex (W), Sth. 23

Ríma II

1.
VERdr oss ecki uegrin beinn
at ueita Yggiar feingit,
fimtigu hafa mier fyst ok ein
fast i mote gengit.

2.
Ellin glepr firi ollum mest
Yggiar uin at blanda,
henne veit ec fylgia flest
frone uitz at granda.

3.
Hringr sitr i hafum turn
ok hilmes mær en frida,
kemr þar upp ein katlig spurn
vid kongsens dottr blida.

4.
Pyda spurdi þorna grvnd:
„þu myntt skyra kunna,
mynttu nockud menia lvnd
meira odrum unna?"

5.
„Veit ec eigi huad uerda kann,
uifit talar hit snialla,
uarlla kiore ec uilldare mann
pott uelda ec nær um alla.

6.
Vit munum bragning bida i stad,
bol pott reyna hliotum,
en mic uggir þeingil pat
pratt huort yndis niotum."

7.
Audlings son bad audar grvnd
eigi þetta nunna:
„ec hefe ættlad alla stund
ydr med dygd at unna."

8.
Han bad audgrvnd illar spar
onguar frami lata:
„vit munum goz ok gnottir fiar
geyma i allan mata.

9.
Garda riki ok Grickland medr
giorum vit ollu at rada,
frægden su sem fyrda gledr
fazt mun ockr til nada."

10.
Audar Bil kuad ætlunn manz
optliga bregdazt kunna:
„pat hefr ristil reynt til sanz
Riodr Fenris munna."

11.
„Huad er til marks, kuad menia Balldr,
meigi so uerda kunna,
ec hefe ætllad allan alldr
ydr med dygd at unna."

12.
„Þegar ec hygg, kuad bauga Bil,
blitt med ydr at ræda,
pa ber iafnan eitt huad til
enn þat oss kann mæda.

13.
Ek ueitt rett a einn huern hatt,
eptir mun þat ganga,
sætan kuedr þat synazt bratt,
sorg ber ec so langa."

14.
Ei let seggrin seima skord
san spa mundi um þetta;
tocu sidan aunr ord
upp med skrafe ok letta.

15.
Þenna uetr uar peingils mær
þyd uit ulfa spenni,
ecki martt til orda fær,
æ uar fæd a henne.

16.
Fyrdar komu frettum medr
framir ur Grickia rike,
sogdu daudan doglings fedr
driugum fara like.

17.
„Pu mvntt uilia peingil pydr
pangad ferdvm skunda,
pa giorer allr landsens lydr
lofdung til þin stunda."

18.
Hringr geck firi Hertrygg fliott,
honum med blidu sagdi:
„munec ur landi leita skiott
lofda uinr at bragdi.

19.
Nu uil ec hilmir heit ord fa
hyrar dottr þinar,
tel ec pat vpp haf ydr at tia
allrar sęmdar minnar."

20.
Peingill suaradi, en þiod uar tuist,
þydum fostra sinum:
„mier list hæfa menia Rist
mætum garpskap pinum.

21.
Blidrar ann ec brvdar pier
best af ollvm niota,
pat mun leingi launa mier
lestir handar griota."

22.
Settizt nidr hia seima gatt
siklings maugr a dynu,
tiggi sidan talade hatt
traustr ok leingra synu.

23.
„Nu uil ec uitia vegglig snot
uænra heita þina,
ydr skal ueitaz oll i mot
efling sæmda minna."

24.
„Mier er eigi, kuad audar grvnd,
antt at giptazt manne,
po hefe ec ætlad alla stund
aurlog mest at banne."

25.
Kongrinn segir at kærlig ast
kome þeim þa firi litit,
ef hun skal nv med öngu fazt
„ok ollum sæmdum nitit."

26.
„Vel ma þetta garprin gilldr
gioraz i meira tome,
mer uex þa, kuad menia Hilldr,
meckt ok þar med some."

27.
„Onguan þarftu undandratt
audar grvnd um þetta,
utan so dyrlig dreglla gatt
dirfizt oss at pretta.

28.
Driugum fer ec en dyra frv
duldr um ætllan þina,
ef þu iatar odrum trv
oss mun harmar pina."

29.
Vænuzt suarade uella grvnd:
„uil ec eigi reide pina,
po get ec hætligt strid um stund
sturlla æfi mina."

30.
Hon kuedzt ætla ord ok heit
oll uit Hring at hallda:
„mer byr angr um yndis reit,
æ mun nockut uallda."

31.
Dogling sina dottr bidr,
dopr af sorgar stinge,
frvinnar mot kast falle nidr,
fostnud var hon pa Hringi.

32.
Hringr bad hana hordum mod
hrinda sier ur briosti:
„sittu i gledi hit gaufga fliod
ok gleymit ollum piosti.

33.
Eigi uar liosre lofdungs mey
lett at helldr um hiarta;
pa þeir letu ur festum fley,
folnar snoten biarta.

34.
So bar af ser angr ok strid
audar skorden snialla,
hon uar æ uit bragna blid
beintt ok gladdi alla.

35.
Brognum aflar burtt ferd Hrings
bols ur Garda rike,
hann uar giarnn til geira þings,
gilldr ok færa like.

36.
Hringr kom med herlid fritt
heim i Grickia uelldi,
þar toc ræsir rikit sitt
med raudum flædar ellde.

37.
Giordu eptir odlings uilld
allir sitia oc standa,
po bio hrygd med garpe gilld,
gade hann uarlla landa.

38.
Grickir hielldu gram a lopt
gladir med slikum hætti,
hamingian verndir hiole opt
huerft i þessum þætti.

39.
Sterkan uakte hann stala pey
ok steypti koppum hordum,
po er hans hugr a milldings mey
mætri austr i Gordum.

40.
Vises frægd mun ueglig par
uerda fyst at standa,
geta skal hins i Gordum bar
gumnum strid til handa.

41.
Sanliga gengr sutin af
sist i þessu lanndi.
Uestrar skeidin uast i kaf,
uel mun duga po stanndi.

🌲

Source Text — Ríma III

Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma III. From Rímnasafn Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson, pp. 199–207. Base text: AM 604 d.

1. Upp er komin su adan sock
   Oska ferian frijda,
   mig hefr beiddan menia hlock
   miukliga saman at smida.
2. Væri ec skylldr, ef uella Gunn
   so uil eg heill ad hendr ok munn
   henni skal til Reijda.
   prifust ec so priflig fru
   þinn er likinn eingie.
3. Hinn veit giorst umm hrygdar raf
   hefr þann modinn harda,
   ec skiala þar ecki skotnum af,
   skal fyrst austr i Garda.
4. Herskip sau þeir hofnum at
   harlla morg huar lendu,
   Hertrygg bad pa hitta i stad
5. Varlla giorir uit uiking þann
6. „Mitt er kunigt morgum nafn ,
   mælte Harekr ille,
   so er ec fus at sedia hrafnn
   4
   seggium W; ok ul. 605.
   3
   suaradi : sagdizt W.
   3
7. Greine ec hitt at gramr ok pier
   gioret a morgunn strida,
   sina dottr frida .
8. Ei er a audrv uol,
   læt ec ecki leingri duol, "
9. Þegnar komu a peingils fund
   þeir er sendir woru,
   herma nu firi hiorfa lund
   Harecks ord hinu storu .
   „fyr skal life tyna
   uora hreysti syna. "
10. Þegar at Harekr heyrdi greintt
    hitt pat kongrinn sagdi,
    honum uar bratt af bolinu meintt,
    bann i mote lagdi.
11. „Ef þu tigge treystir pier
    þa er sem lagt se i lofa mier
    lond ok skorda spiallda.
    2
    4
    suarar med: talar af 605.
    rædur : radit 604.
    2
    3
    duol : dul 604 .
    skal : eg tf. W, 605.
    3
    2
    4
12. Dogling er þier daudi syndr,
    dirfd ma pina undra,
    ramliga skal broddrin bryndr
    buk ok hlifar sundra. "
13. Fyrdar komu firi fylkir heim,
    fluttu þat er hann sagdi,
    sogdu uisan suerda hreim
    syntt at skommu bragdi.
14. Fylkir segir at fyr skal hann
    falla daudr i stridi,
    sokta enn at radum,
    „nv er til bols, kuad brvdr ok gret,
    brvgdit uorvm radum.
15. Betra er myklu bane en lif
    berserks kuon at heita,
    uit munum allz, kuad agæt vif,
16. Komir þu ecki kongrin aptr
    kæn ur þessum uoda,
    þa tekr vor at ueslazt kraptr,
    uantt er ur at rada."

„ Sit nu heil, kuad herra rikr,
skiolldung nu fra skemmu uikr
skiott med sina recka.
1
4
skal : þinn tf. W; minn tf. 605.
Mgl. S.
skommu : odrv W, 605.
bols:
nadum skr. 605.
odlings W. —
buk: briost 605.
15
bregda minum nadum ;
4
21. Hareckr geck med hardfeingt lid
holdum fast a mote,
ecki stod pa ytum uit.
sterkum þiodum granda,
uisir hio sem uæri ungr
uænn til beggia handa.
stalit hrautt um uollu,
hioren saung uit Hilldar salmm,
hord uar sokn med ollu.
24. Ręser uar so i romu stridr
Saurla uar par serkrinn fridr
25. Hertrygg let uit elli alldr
Alla sundrat klædi ,
Ræsir fell af mæde.
sa uar sniallr i hiarta :
„sa skal heita ragr sem renn,
Reynum hialma biarta .
27. Verie pier bædi uif ok lond,
uær faum þunga elle,
gangit alldri a Harecks hond,
hnigit fyr at uelle."
hrautt : huertt 604.
Mgl. S.
W, 605.
4
honum stod einginn yta
23
so : ul. 605.
serkrinn : serkr
W.
g. 605.
2
1
3
3 en firi romu ramman
ragr
gongum W.
28. Garpar hans i geira mord
gladir med hreysti odv ,
fylkirs lid pat fell sem stord ,
29. Lydir litu par lang skip stor
leggia þar til hafnna,
fagrt skein sol a stafna .
30. Letu huilld a hiorfa gny
holda kindr snarpar,
Hareckr mælti ok horfdi i sky :
„huadan mvnv þesser garpar ? "
31. Potti a lopten lioma bera
langt af þessum flaustrum ,
sa mun frægr fylkir uera
32. „Fregn hefe ec af fylkir kentt,
fra ec suo Hareck inna,
hann ber orku ok alla mentt
ut yfir garpa suinna .
33. Tryggua er so med tiri kraptr,
tel ec hann fæztum likan ,
hinn mun uarlla i heimen skaptr
4
einir : so W.
W: Seggir lita langskip tolf; d. s. 605 undt. stor.
3
29, lyder i
ssa : pat
321 lyder
huadan : huorier 605.
med art. 605.
lopten : loptit W, 605.
lioma:
W.
frægr f.: omv. 605.
mun:
fylki k
33,
heimen : heimi 605.
uinr : uinni W.
4
3
hilmi W;
suinr ok morgum londum,
huertt mun ætlla herran gladr
35. Festu skeidr ok funduz bratt,
fyrdar at landi logdu;
sidan spurdi Hareckr hatt,
huad þeir fretta sogdu .
36. Tidinda segir Tryggue fatt,
talar med sniollu male :
„per hafit harda hillde att,
her er pryddr stale."
37. Hareckr taladi hræzlu firdr,
hans fæzt uarlla note :
„Garda kongren gamal ok stirdr
gengr oss fast a mote."
38.
„Hueria gefr þu hilmir sok,
herra Tryggui fretti,
hann mun eigi po harnne tok
„rog skal ecki duina,
gofuga dottr sina.
med st.
4
: i W.
følg. v.:
Nu uil ec bragning bidia pic
eigi mun kall sa kena sig
ef keppir uid ockr bada.
skal: ma W, 605.
n. gramr: beidda ec gram 605.
2
3
40. Bralla neitte budlung þvi
hans eru fallnar fylking i
flestar kempur gilldar.
41. Daudan ætla ec drosar fedr
ec tek uif ok uelldit medr
42. „Min er ecki mecktug faur,
mælte Saxa tigge,
ef sia pyduz porna Uaur
43. Iafnn ræde mun ecki pat
pottu hrædir alla. "
44.
„Hafda ec ætlad efling pier,
get ec pin endzt sæla.
45. Berzt þu firi so diarfa dul,
ef þu ætllar þenna þul
þegar at uelli leggia .
so 604.
uelldi W;
priflig 605.
mun 605.
4 endztendizt.
2
der ul. ok .
giorez : giorir W, 605.
46. Ætlle ec rett pier uante uit
ueitir Fofnis brygiu,
fylkir hefir þu fagran lit
framar en noga hyggiu. "
47. Hareck taladi hlifum klæddr,
huoptum sinum prattar :
„ætla ec pu siertt yfrit hræddr
ungr ok litels mattar .
48. Ecki hefr pu afll uit mic
eydi ec folki stinnu,
fremd er eingi at fazt uid pic,
fleingi ek þic sem kuinnu. "
49. Kongrinn suarade klæddr seim,
kæn med uigra sporde :
„þu mvntt uakr i uopna sueim
50. Bragning forum til buda fyst,
branda skulum uit hylia,
micil er oss a meyiu lyst,
mun ec þess ecki dylia.
51. Tokum a morgun mala til,
mun þa eitt huertt rada,
fylkis iod ec fanga uil,
forum til suefns ok nada. "
W.
odlingW, 605. - 48,fl. ek: ok flengia 604 .
3
myntt : munttv 604.
uakr: uaskr 605.
4
uit: uer W, 605.
micil : micit 604 .
3
far 605.
2
ma 605.
ec tf. 605.
fylkier sprund 605.
fanga: frelsa 605.
52. Hareck inn i herbud gengr,
hann red fast at sofna.
Her mun idiar Yggiar feingr
ods i tunnum dofna.

Source Text — Ríma IV

Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma IV. From Rímnasafn Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson, pp. 207–218. Base text: AM 604 d.

1.
Nu kemr biors i borgar mur
Bauga uin en sialdan ur,
bolnar upp a bædi lond
braga foss uid mærdar strond.

2.
Hitt er sagt at harlla frodr
Hertrygg fielle sar ok modr,
uegrinn potte uirdum stuttr,
var hann þa heim til borgar fluttr.

3.
Hafdi eingin hættlig sar,
Hareck potte lyndis grar,
kappans heyrde hann kosta bod,
kreinkizt nu uid fleina rod .

4.
Tryggua heyrdi hann traustlig suor,
tueggia byr hann garpa for :
„flytit min ord uid fylkir þann,
fina uil ec at mali hann ."
605.
605.

5.
Kuomu tueir a Tryggua fund
traustir menn i samri stund,
skatnar stigu a skeidar bord
skiott ok sogdu kongsens ord.

6.
Heilsa kongin hatt ok sniallt,
hliod gaf til þess folkit allt :
„fylkir lands uill finna ydr
fyr en dagrin grimu rydr. "

7.
Wisir greindi uirdum pat :
„verd ec buen med ydr i stad,
eigi mun millding minna uirdr,
mier er þat let en hann er stirdr."

8.
Hittaz þeir med heidri bratt
herrar ij a þessare natt,
kærligar woru kuediur þær,
kongrinn potti is heill nær:
9.
„Huersu er Trygui at treysta pier,
tia muntu þat uilia mier,
kom þu fram firi kong i raun
ok kiosit ydr pa sialfir laun. "

9.
„Huersu er Trygui at treysta pier,
tia muntu þat uilia mier,
kom þu fram firi kong i raun
ok kiosit ydr pa sialfir laun. "

10.
Saxa kongrin suaradi hatt :
„se ec pu hefr manna fatt,
eingen ueit mitt afl ne hug
ydr at ueita nockurnn dvg.
W.
en: at W.
W, 605.
W.
2 þessare :
þessi W;
blidu allt.
minna: tf.
let: leit
þeir : nu
605.
ydr: til ydr W.
dauckri S.
s voru: pottu

11.
Hareck er so hardr ok sterkr,
honum dugir einginn Froda serkr,
horundit rett sem horn eda griot,
harlla illt er at ganga i mot. "

12.
Kongren fra ec at kallsar pat :
„kemr þv mier i arfa stad ,
þinn verdr eigi þroskenn seinn,
pu skalt rada ollv einn. "
13.
„Hlutr er einn, kuad Tryggui, til
tigen sa er ec piggia uil,
ef pu dogling dottr þin
dyra gefr i eigu min. "

13.
„Hlutr er einn, kuad Tryggui, til
tigen sa er ec piggia uil,
ef pu dogling dottr þin
dyra gefr i eigu min. "

14.
Rikr lofadi ræsir hann :
„ rett sa ec alldri uænne mann,
meinbugir eru þar margir a,
myntu uilia heyra þa.

15.
Fostr son hefe ec frægan att,
fostnnud uar honum silke gatt,
þegar hann uerdr þessa uis,
pa er mer uist at styriolld ris. "
16.
„Farit mun ecki en at þvi ,
annsar Tryggui, ok kuad uid ni,
ver ec nu alldri uelldit þitt,
uifit nema þu giptir fritt.
Froda:
frodar 605.
605.
12, lyder i S : Hertrygg kongr knytti
vm þat.
kallsar:
W, 605.
uist :
Ecki hirdi ec enn um þad.

16.
„Farit mun ecki en at þvi ,
annsar Tryggui, ok kuad uid ni,
ver ec nu alldri uelldit þitt,
uifit nema þu giptir fritt.

17.
Picke pier betra, at budlung kuad,
berserk þessum kriupi hun at,
ecki þarf ec aud ne lond,
ec hefe noga Fofnis strond.

18.
Pier er skyllt at leinga lif,
en latazt ecki i fleina drif,
Hareck mun pier hlifa litt,
ef hann skal ganga um ricit pitt."
19.
„Sækit fram i geira ga,
Garda kongrin mælte pa,
ec uil lita afrek pin,
eig þa sidan dottr min. "

19.
„Sækit fram i geira ga,
Garda kongrin mælte pa,
ec uil lita afrek pin,
eig þa sidan dottr min. "

20.
Kongar skilduzt blidir bratt,
biartr dagren sigrar natt ;
Tryggui sagdi traustri þiod :
„tigit uar mer heitit fliod. "

21.
Fusare sagdiz fram i strid
fylkis piod en drecka blid :
„eigum launa iofri seim ,
auden gefr hann hondum tueim."

22.
Aarlla fretti friduz mær
fodr sinn at þvi biort ok skær :
„hilmir seg þad hringa Lin ,
huer kom madr i natt til þin. "
23.
„Hier kom sialfr, at sagdi hann ,
Saxa gramr uid annan mann,
i mote het ec mægd ok pier,
ef milding ueitte fylgit mier. "

23.
„Hier kom sialfr, at sagdi hann ,
Saxa gramr uid annan mann,
i mote het ec mægd ok pier,
ef milding ueitte fylgit mier. "

24.
„ Lite pier ecki langt a slikt,
liufe fadir, kuad sprundit rikt,
ec uar heiten odrum adr,
ærit mun hann i hefndum bradr . "

25.
Þetta uekr med pegnum rog,
po ma kallazt sok til nog ; “
pengill talar ok þagnar uid :
„pannen keypte ec oss i frid .

26.
Ek baud honum lad ok lond,
listug klædi ok Fofnis strond ,
einskis uirte hann aud ne mic,
ecki goz nema sialfa pic. "

27.
„Þa tier eigi, kuad porna eik,
þetta at lasta, ok uard uid bleik,
fram mun koma, sem fretti pier,
at fyrre sagdi hugrinn mier.

28.
Leyfa mvntu ec lite a
laufa iel, kuad bauga Na,
uggir mic at a Harecks hond
huerfi bædi vif ok lond .

29.
Iatade kongrin gullaz grvnd
at ganga i turn a samre stund :
„þar ma ristell romu sia
rikuligt ok mannfolk a."
24, hefndum: heitum W.

9
25, po: par W.
talar:
26 og 27 byttede
4
suarar 605.
4 þannen: þann ueg W.
от 605.
26, lad : lydi S.
605.
Na: gna W.
3 uggir-at :
uggi eg mest W;
mic
4 vif: folld W;
lif 604.
uggir mest 605.
2

30.
Tryggui þegar at litt uar lyst
listiliga til romu byzt,
fylte lide ok folkit semr
fyr en Hareck pangat kemr.

31.
Holdar lita Harecks ferd,
hilmir dregr ur slidrum suerd,
mælte sidan uiking uid :
„uarttu seinn at profa lid. “

32.
Berserkr mælte bystr ok reidr:
„bresta mun pier sæmd ok heidr,
aurlog skilia ockarnu fund,
alldri uer þu fliod ne grvnd. "

33.
Pin er dirfd fra dæmum mest,
daudans attu liten frest,
ef þu hygzt, nema heptir þic,
hoggum skipta nu uid mic.“
34.
„Fry mier eigi, kuad fylkir milldr,
fyrre hugar enn reynd er hilldr,
huergi drepr mitt hiartad stall,
heyri ec nv þitt op ok kall.

34.
„Fry mier eigi, kuad fylkir milldr,
fyrre hugar enn reynd er hilldr,
huergi drepr mitt hiartad stall,
heyri ec nv þitt op ok kall.

35.
pier-ganga: ganga i
romu W.
W.

36.
Saxa kongrin siklings uif
sier kuad uera firi hialm ok hlif,
„brynian gefr eigi feigum fior,
freisti menn at rioda hior. "
listi- : listu- W.
s fylte:
folkit allt oc
H. pangat :
sidan:
30, Tryggui : Tiggi W.
fylkir W.
W; litla 605.

37.
Pa var sizt um holda hliott,
Harek tok at fylkia skiott,
sidan fell a suarta hrid
Suolnes bals med kynium strid .

38.
Lydå er sagt at fiolde fellr,
fiken ornn yfir bradum gellr,
traust stod fylking torsott uid,
Tryggui geck i gegnum lid.
39.
„Huad mun hilmir hlifa pier?
Hareck talar firi munni sier,
þu gengr undir eggiar blar,
alldri fær þu hogg ne sar.

39.
„Huad mun hilmir hlifa pier?
Hareck talar firi munni sier,
þu gengr undir eggiar blar,
alldri fær þu hogg ne sar.

40.
Eingi bidr mier yta gods,
er ec þvi fus til fyrda blods,
margra hugrin Tryggua tier ,
trv ec hann bere ecki af mier. "

41.
Hoggr nu til hilmis pa
hondum tueim sem orka ma,
odlings son sier undan veik,
eigi er lycktad þeira leik.

42.
Gramsson teck at gremiazt nv,
grimmliga reiddizt kempan su ,
geyseligr uar geira styr,
gladdiz allr Hogna hyr.

43.
Tueimr hondum Tryggui hio,
traustliga od hann benia sio,
þar stod undir Harecks haus,
heill med ollu skeinulaus .
4
Tr.: tryggui W; treystizt (sier) S.
bere:
Badum W.

44.
„Hefe ec, kuad Tryggui, temprat rad ,
taki nu ytar huilld ok nad ,
berserknum uil ek bioda fang,
brodda mun þat hepta gang. “

45.
Huilaz nadi her i stad ,
Hareck svarar ok glotti at :
„pat skal heyra þioden rik,
þesse dirfd er ongri lik.

46.
Ek hefe matt uid menn ok troll,
marga reyntt en sigrad oll,
ec kann hamazt ok herda fang,
hefe ec pa nogan berserks gang.

47.
Huersu gamal er gramson þu ,
gorpum mynttu skyra nv; “
„fulla hefe ec xv uetr; "
furdu dockuan Hareck setr.

48.
„Med fingri einum fæ ec pier uellt,
full opt hefe eg slikum bellt,
lofdung erttu listar giarn,
leik ec pic sem tyttu barnn.

49.
Rif ec af pier ræsir holld
rett sem klori ec adra molld,
krumma minar kreppe ec at,
kemr þu helldr i naglla bad .

W.
605.
3

50.
Skilia mvnttu skiolldung pat,
skiotliga ber ec pic folldu at,
bryt ec i pier beinen oll,
beliar i þu kemr a uoll.

51.
Milldingsson trv ec misse lif,
meingit uænt ok stolltar uif,
kongsens dottir kyssir mic,
kuedz hun ecki uilia pic."

52.
„Þat mun uerda at regni er rockr,
Ræsir upp a uelli stockr,
feigum munne fleiprar þu,
far þu hingad skræfan nu.

53.
Bætazt skal pier byckian mein,
bryt ec i pier hryggiar bein,
pat mun uerda at spakre spa,
spenna skulu pic uargar þа. "

54.
Lited tiair at letia pann
listar giarnan frægdar mann ;
spentte sidan Harecks holld
halfu dockra en suarta molld .

55.
Tigit fra ec at Tryggua lid
tok nu allt at pagna uid,
potti feigden fylkir synd,
frægden uar pa gioruoll tynd.
2

4 þu :
51 , Millding :
s kyssir 605;

56.
Harecks syndiz holldit suart,
hrædiz af þui folkit martt,
knyklat allt ok knytt uit bein,
kynia hartt sem tæki i stein.

57.
Tryggua holld uar biart ok blaut,
blanar allt ok giordizt rautt,
þar sem gromrenn gneypte at,
gioruallra sa fingra stad.

58.
Eingi pottiz seggia sia,
sialfr kongrinn horde a,
þyngra fang edr þvilik brogd,
þar sem reyndi menn ok flogd .

59.
Hareck toc at huæsa uid,
hilmir baud honum litenn frid,
a ymsum fra ec at endum gengur,
ecki matti hann glima leingr.

60.
Tryggui upp med afle tok
allt a briostit uondan hrok,
einn sa hann standa eikar stofn,
audar mun þat gledia Lofnn.

61.
Harecks geck þar hryggr i sundr,
hernum potte næsta undr,
tiggi lofade Tryggua giord,
traudliga skyldi hann koma uid iord.
56, hrædiz = hræddiz .
folkit: fliodit W.

62.
Pegar at dolgrin daudr uar
dreingir tocu at huilazt par,
meingit geck a milldings nad,
morgum uar þat sæmdar rad .

63.
Einn uar sa af yta drott
allt uill beriaz fram a nott ,
divpar od hann dreyra ar,
dreingr stod honum til lika far.

64.
Pesse Reynde Pundar glod,
þegna eingin uid honum stod,
ma hann þvi heita ad mestu trylldr,
madrin sa uar Hareck skylldr.

65.
Brodrson uar berserks sa,
bragna giordi kuika at na,
Eirek nefni ec aurfa Por,
yttum veitti hoggin stor.

66.
Mæden sokti malma Tуг,
modr ok angr um hiartat byr,
af sarum flackti sundr allr,
so uar fangen kappen sniallr.

67.
Gramsson lætr græda hann
ok giordi sidan tigen mann,
alldri uard hann ytum dæll,
ecki potti hann þocka sæll.
62-67 mgl. S.

68.
Leiddu gram til hallar heim ,
Hertrygg spardi varlla seim,
ueizla er buen med vegsemd oll,
uar pa glatt i kongsens holl.

69.
Osatt mun þad ella greintt,
er pier kunnit miog uel beintt,
reyfa ma þat reckum sut,
Rognnis færa horna lut.

Source Colophon — Ríma IV

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma IV, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 207–218.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma V

Mansöngr (st. 1–3)

1.
I nail together the northern keel,
now shall the journey be made in steel;
Fjölnir's brew I mean to bear —
the fifth — out from the land of verse.

2.
That is a whetstone sharpens the blade:
the horn-god grants a mighty trade;
of Suttungr's thralls, both six and three,
he won the victory readily.

3.
Tryggvi stands in troth's sure ring,
the noble maid, the king's own pledge;
he did not wait for words much more
before he left the drinking-floor.

The Bride-Claim (st. 4–12)

4.
"Hertryggr, keep your oath to me —
have I not done some part to free you?
The people's joy, the noble wine —
now lead the maiden to my hall."

5.
The Skjöldung went to the bower out,
and swiftly that gave the woman grief:
"Now the prince would hear your word,
a fitting answer, daughter mine."

6.
The noble woman answered then:
"I will not see that prince again;
another have I sought with love —
I love him while my life has heat.

7.
"I give this counsel," said the maiden, "test
the king's own wisdom and his wit;
Ingibjörg shall into the hall —
that noble woman, jewel-bright."

8.
"That will scarcely do," the prince replied,
"he stood for me in kinsman's stead —
to try some trick or stratagem on him,
one scarcely finds so straight a man.

9.
"The prince grows fierce in his alarm
if the good king learns the truth;
ready is the sword-blow for me then —
I will never beg a lesser day."

10.
"Grant me, lord, this single prayer,"
then the fair woman spoke her mind,
"the dearest thing for men to do
is loose the knot that lies most near."

11.
She led along the lovely maiden,
the people's friend, to Tryggvi's presence:
"Here is my only child, my own —
unlike in speech to common folk."

12.
The Saxon king answered back:
"Seemly is this maiden, sure,
a linen-goddess born of good men —
yet I think her not your daughter."

The Wedding and Departure (st. 13–37)

13.
No one gave the lord an answer,
the helm-bearer famed for honour's deeds;
he went to the bower and grew heartsick —
the true maiden saw it plainly.

14.
The bold one answered, eager for the deed:
"This counsel turned out badly —
it went nearly as we feared —
I cannot trick him any further."

15.
The maiden was as if she bled,
red and pale from a wounded heart;
she went into the hall, the goddess-ground,
and gladly greeted the Saxon lord.

16.
He spread both arms to meet her,
the ring-tree burning with his love,
set her down beside him on the bed,
the honour-lady, and ruled with grace.

17.
Then he asked, eager for the deed:
"Maiden, was this your counsel?
The king would test me with a ruse —
my bride, did I not know you?"

18.
The maiden spoke with the lord in mildness:
"Be not wroth with my father —
I wished to test your wit and wisdom;
reckon this my fault alone."

19.
Both arms the bride now lays
bright about his neck, and the warrior smiled:
"I shall be gentle if you make it right —
grow kind with me, dear lady.

20.
"Better than gold is your gentleness,
bright one, I speak with silken ground;
gladly will I give in return
my goods and life, O lovely woman.

21.
"Make yourself happy and hold off harm;
hither have I come into your land —
no man shall come between us now,"
the prince spoke, and was glad.

22.
"Long have I laid my eyes on you,
a burning love that torments me;
maiden of the prince, for all your fame,
I heard it told through all the world."

23.
"To you, O prince," she said,
"honour shall be given without grudge;
but let me, lord, await Hringr —
do not hasten to the shield-assembly.

24.
"The prince's love, both old and new,
is fixed within my heart's dwelling;
unwilling shall I never break
my word to that noble man."

25.
The prince answered wondrous well:
"For your sake I have endured both heat and cold —
yet it is unlikely that this prayer
the fair bride will grant to me."

26.
"That grief cuts nearest to the heart,"
the wise one spoke, the prince's maid,
"if I must be born to that sorrow —
both kings, far south in the world."

27.
"You need not fear for that,"
said Tryggvi, "noble bride;
let our fate go as it may —
I shall betroth you, jewelled one.

28.
"I have," said Tryggvi, "tempered a plan;
then peace shall hold between the lords.
My sister is wise in most things —
she shall be given to Hringr.

29.
"That maiden — she is kin to me —
let us reckon her your equal:
in breeding and in all accomplishment,
the clever woman adorns the talk.

30.
"Her walk and bearing, good and fair,
seem gracious to most folk;
the goddess of gold is shaped in beauty —
she bears a light exceeding bright."

31.
The mighty woman answered, jewel-ground:
"That is a precious maiden, far too dear;
few men can hide their wisdom long —
one knows it is, what oft is proved.

32.
"I would fling off sorrow fast
if this held true between you both;
otherwise my fate is ill —
it always goes as it must go."

33.
Each gave the other gracious words,
the ring-god and the jewel-ground;
so was Tryggvi's following repaid —
the people prepared the wedding-feast.

34.
In the Garðar-king's hall was merriment;
the jewel-maiden was then wed;
neither mead nor wine could make
the woman know her bridegroom's mind.

35.
A full month stood the noble feast,
the prince's fame and the banquet good;
then they sailed toward the sea,
the Saxon lord and the jewelled one.

36.
Almost all the women wept
at the terrible parting in Garðar-land;
she was led aboard the sea-horse then,
and all praised her name.

37.
Of his realm the strong one sailed away,
the shield-breaker and the silken thread;
the wind rushed hard in the rigging then,
and a fairer land rose from the deep.

In Saxland (st. 38–55)

38.
Both younger men and older there
were ever glad throughout the land
when they knew the king's return;
a noble company attended the ring-goddess.

39.
The people and the land seemed to come alive;
the prince moored his ships on the sand;
up was led the radiant maiden;
the people came to welcome Tryggvi.

40.
The king's sister — Brynveig was her name —
gave the fair bride a joyful greeting;
she was a maiden generous and kind,
and stretched out her hands to greet the wife.

41.
Twelve winters old, you'd hardly find
a nobler maid than that gem of gold,
in breeding and in every craft —
the woman lacked no wisdom.

42.
Bright-eyed Brynhildr saw the towers;
gently the king's promise was fulfilled;
a bower stood, adorned throughout,
a short way from the king's own hall.

43.
Nowhere in the world's wide dwelling
was found a worthier king in every virtue;
oft the ring-god gave far more
than many a lord in all his days.

44.
So much was felt for the lord's fair bride
by the noble court and all the folk;
no man cared to drink his fill
when the table-goddess entered the hall.

45.
Each one said so to the other:
the women — they saw nowhere two
other such in a single hall;
oft was this the warriors' talk.

46.
Always the younger woman gladdened
the noble bride and the skilful folk;
Tryggvi himself and the honoured host
received the lady with full ceremony.

47.
Tryggvi gladdened the noble woman
and took from her his joy in turn;
they tried at chess and at the boards —
warriors rose from the gaming-tables.

48.
Brynhildr spoke, bright and keen:
"Tell me this, my lord and husband —
why are you withdrawn from the company of men?
I follow now this thing I've marked."

49.
The prince answered, worthy and mild:
"Something has burdened me these past days —
this sorrow that I find in you —
and therefore no one gets joy from me.

50.
"Your heart's joy has been lost, my dear,
my ring-goddess, since you came to me;
long has it been without a child between us —
you should seek, my spear-tree, another oak."

51.
Then the sweet one answered thus:
"Truly have I bound my troth
to so wise a warrior, horn-wielder —
he shall never leave my mind.

52.
"Never have I seen your better, lord;
though I have loved another first,
it will grow clear before the winter ends —
long remembers what the young conceive.

53.
"Your quarrel with him I fear the most,
though there may yet be some delay;
be careful, husband, watch yourself —
wise is Hringr, and proven in himself.

54.
"Gladly will I," said the goodly wife,
"give both lands and life
that you two might be reconciled,
as though I saw you both as brothers."

55.
The king spoke to the courtly maiden:
"Breathe no word of our meeting here;
hold honour and all praise."
Here shall the poem's court be closed.

Source Text — Ríma V

Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma V. From Rímnasafn Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson, pp. 218–226. Base text: AM 604 d.

1.
NEGlle ec saman Nordra skeid,
nu mvn ferden uerda greid,
færa ætla ec Fiolnis bland
fimta ut af odar land.

2.
Þess er hein red huetia lia
horna giorer nu storan sia,
Suptungs præla sex ok pria
sigrad feck i uinnu þa.

3.
Tryggua star i trygdar reit,
tigen mær ok kongsens heit;
ecki bazt hann orda leingr
adr en hann fra dryckiu gengr.

4.
„Hertrygg efnn þu heit uid mic,
hefe ec nokud frelsat pic,
lofda gledr nu listugt uin,
leid pu snot i holl til min."

5.
Skiolldung geck til skemmu ut,
skiotliga feck pat uife sut,
„nu uill hilmir heyra þin
hæfersk ansuor dottir min."

6.
Agæt suarade audar Na:
„eigi uil ec pann fylkir sia,
anan hefe ec astum leit,
ann eg honum medan lif er heitt.

7.
Raden gef ec, kuad ristill, til,
reynit kongsens uisku skil,
Ingebiorg skal inn i holl
agæt ganga menia poll."

8.
„Hæfir uarlla, at hilmir kuad,
hann geck mier i arfa stad
at beita nockut brogdum hann,
beintt fær uarlla slikan mann.

9.
Odling uerdr ognar styggr,
ef þat finnr kongrin dyggr,
buit er mer pa branda slag,
bid ec alldri hnepra dag."

10.
Peingill ueit mer þessa bæn,
þa nam ansa snoten uæn,
uist er at leysa uirdum kærst
vandan þann sem hende er næst."

11.
Leidde med sier listugt sprvnd
lofda uinr a Tryggua fund:
„þesse er mitt einka iod,
olik orden flestri piod."

12.
Saxa kongrin suarar a mot:
„sæmilig mun þesse snot,
godra manna er guduefs Lin,
get ec hana ecki dottr þin."

13.
Eingi ueitti sikling suor
sæmdar giornum hialma bor,
geck til skemmu ok giordizt hryggr,
giorlla sa pad suannenn dyggr.

14.
Garprinn suaradi giarn a dad:
„gafuz illa þesse rad,
geck þvi nær sem gatum uær,
ginne eg ecki hann at nær."

15.
Ristill uar sem rynne blod
riod ok bleik af sarum mod;
geck i hollina guduefs iord,
gladliga kuaddi hun Saxa vord.

16.
Breiddi a mote badar hendr
bauga hlynr af astum brendr,
setti nidr hia ser a bed,
sæmdar kuediv ualdi med.

17.
Spurdi sidan spenttr af dad:
„sprvndit uar þat yduart rad,
bragning uilldi bleckia mic,
brvdrin huortt ec kendi pic."

18.
Ristill taladi ræsir medr:
„reistu ecki minum fedr,
reyna uil ec pin rad ok speckt,
reiknna þetta mina sekt."

19.
Bada arma brvdren leggR
biort um hals, en gladdiz seggr:
„ec skal beintt ef bætir þu
blidkazt uid pic kæri frv.

20.
Betri en gull er blida pin,
bragning talar uit silke Lin,
giarna uil ec par gefa i mot
goz ok lif, en uæna snot.

21.
Gior pier at happi ok heptit grand,
hingad kom ek i yduart land
þar kemzt eingi a mille madr,
millding talar ok uar pa gladr.

22.
Ek hefe leingi lagt a pic
logandi ast ad pinir mic,
fylkirs mær af frægdum þeim
fra ec pic ganga um allan heim."

23.
„Ydr skal sikling, sagdi hun,
sæmdir ueita af öngum grvn,
lat mic bragning bida Hrings,
buizt pid eigi til skiallda þings.

24.
Fylkirs elskan forn ok ny
festizt mier i hiarta by,
onaudig skal ec ord uid hann
alldri riufa sæmdar mann."

25.
Fylkir suaradi furdu sniallt:
„fyrir þic Reynda ec heitt ok kallt,
þeygi er uon at þessa bæn
þiggir af mer brvdrinn uæn."

26.
„Sa gengr harmr hiarta nær,
hyggen taladi ræses mær,
ef ek skal borin at bolvi þeim
badum kongum sudr i heim."

27.
„Þurfit ecki at ugga þat,
agæt brvdur, er Tryggui kuad,
forlaug ockur fara sem ma,
festa skal ec pic menia Na.

28.
Hefe ec, kuad Tryggui, temprat Rad,
tacazt mun þa med ytum nad,
systir min er suinn um flest,
su skal uerda Hringi fest.

29.
Skikiu grvnd su skylld er mier
skulu vit reikna iafna þier,
upp a mentt ok manuit allt,
malit prydir uifit sniallt.

30.
Hennar gangr ok hegdan god
hæfersk synizt flestri piod,
audar folld er skoput i skart,
skinit ber hun einkar biartt."

31.
Mektug suarade menia grvnd:
„miclu er þat dyra sprvnd,
uisku fa menn uarlla leyntt,
ueit pat giortz at opt er reyntt.

32.
Hrinda mynda ec harme bratt
ef helldizt pesse yckr satt,
elligar eru min orlog ill,
iafnan fer sem uerda uill."

33.
Huortt gaf odrv hæfersk ord
hringa Balldr ok menia skord,
so var Tryggua launad lid,
lydir bygguz ueizlu uit.

34.
Garda kongs uar glaumr i holl,
gipt uar sidan menia poll,
ecki matti miod ne uin
merin kenna a uorum sin.

35.
Allan manud agæt stod
odlings frægd ok ueizlan god,
sidan fluttuz siouar til
Saxa uordr ok menia Bil.

36.
Flest allt skildiz frvna uit
furdu hrygt i Gordum lid,
uar hun pa leidd a lægis hrafnn,
lofudu allir hennar nafn.

37.
Rikis sins for roskr a uit
randa briotr ok silke fit,
uindrin fast i uodum þaut,
uęnni folld ur geima skaut.

38.
Yngri madr ok elldri þar
æuar gladr i landi uar,
pa þeir kendu kongsins for,
kurteis fylgdi hringa Uor.

39.
Folkit pottiz lifna ok land,
lofdung festi skeidr uit sand,
up uar leidd hid liosa sprvnd,
lydir komu a Tryggua fund.

40.
Bragnings systir Brynveig het,
brvdi uæne fagnad let,
sa uar Ristell rausnum uendr,
retti a moti uifi hendr.

41.
Tolf uetra fanzt traulla slik
tigin mer sem audar brik
upp a mentt ok alla slegt,
ecki skortir uifit spect.

42.
Biarta turna Brynhilldr leit,
blidliga efndizt kongsens heit,
skemma ein stod skrautlig oll,
skamtt i burtt fra kongsens holl.

43.
Huergi fanzt um heimseins bygd
hæfri kongr at allri dygd,
opt gaf meira menia Balldr
en margr tigge um allan alldr.

44.
So fanzt micit um milldings fliod
mætri hird ok allri þiod,
einge gair at drecka dreingr,
er duka skord i hollina gengr.

45.
Hver til anars sagdi so,
suanna litu þeir huergi tuo
adra slika i einum sal;
opt uar þetta dreinga tal.

46.
Iafnan gladde ed yngra fliod
itra brvdi ok gioruoll þiod,
Tryggui sialfr ok tigit lid
tok med sæmdum frvnne vid.

47.
Tryggui gladdi tignna snot
ok tok af henne gledi a mot,
Reyndu tofl ok kunir þa,
Reckar gengu bordum fra.

48.
Brynhilldr mælte biort og suinn:
„birttu mier pat herra minn,
þvi erttv far uit fyrda sueit,
fer ec nu sliks i eptir leit."

49.
Millding ansar mætr ok hægr:
„mic hefr þvingat nockur dægr
þesse fæd er ec fin a pier,
fæz þvi eingen gledi af mier.

50.
Hiartans gledi er horfin þin
hringpoll sidan pu komtt til min,
leingi byr um barna kyn,
brodda preyr þu annan hlyn."

51.
Sidan ansar sætan nu:
„sanliga hefe ec bundit trv
uid so hoskan hiorfa Pund,
huerfr hann alldri ur minne lund.

52.
Ydr sa ec alldri ædri mann,
elskat hefe ec po fyrri hann,
lysazt mvn adr en lidr uetr,
leingi man þad ungr getr.

53.
Yckrar deilur uggi ec mest,
po a þvi uerdi nockr frest,
uerttu herra uar um þic,
uitr er Hringr ok gilldr af sic.

54.
Giarnna uil ec, kuad godligt uif,
gefa til badi lond ok lif
at pid yrdit sattir so,
sem þar lite ec brædr tuo."

55.
Kongrin talar uid kurteist sprvnd:
„kuid pu ecki ockrum fund,
pu haf aud ok allra lof."
Odar skal hier byrgiaz hof.

Source Colophon — Ríma V

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma V, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 218–226.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma VI

1.
Up shall the gate of songs be opened
and let there be no lack of words;
forth upon the Son's sea shall be set
the sixth keel, northward, there.

2.
I told before of Grímnir's brew —
that the king's son had come to land;
with so fair a woman of the headband,
scarce was such a lady found.

3.
The king gladdened his champions,
courtly women and precious wine;
his deeds of valour are widely known,
yet he keeps strong guard upon himself.

4.
Tryggvi sits on Saxon ground
endowed with honours and a worthy wife;
all the land's dwelling was as with new life —
both harm and grief were eased.

5.
There were two men with Tryggvi,
both seemed trustworthy;
Sveinn was one, a famous earl's son,
a noble's friend and mild of temper.

6.
That knight was kin to the queen,
bold of heart and full of valour;
he knew all the queen's counsel —
for that was he famed in virtue and deed.

7.
Loyalty he gave Tryggvi most;
the king's son was skilled in many things,
mighty was that warrior of gold,
many a mail-coat did he cleave asunder.

8.
Eirekr was with the prince a while;
he did not seem loyal in heart,
yet he was counted among champions —
very cunning, but not to be trusted.

9.
He was one of Harekr's company,
very bold with shield and sword;
often he wrought harm upon men —
Eirekr the Ill I name him.

10.
Tryggvi made him a noble man
and trusted often in that champion;
the precious one was yet hateful to the queen,
greatly so — like a sorcery of fate.

11.
To all he was thus, outwardly:
men he wished to harm and slay;
his following was wondrous great,
to most men he did evil.

12.
That proverb the thanes remembered well —
their fame rides and runs afar;
news often reaches him who sits far away:
the wise king shall discover it.

13.
This is told: that Hringr prepares
his war-band and ships of the flood,
eager to seek his betrothed maid —
he had heard nothing of the spear-storm.

14.
When the lord loosed his longships
the people thought honour in hand;
warriors came to the king's meeting
in Garðar east, at that same hour.

15.
Men told of Harekr's fall;
Hringr is glad at this tale.
The prince says one might count him a troll
rather than a human man.

16.
"Have thanks, that thriving hand
that freed the warriors and guarded the land!
What was the cause of Harekr's death?
Have you any account of that?"

17.
"Hertryggr's champions fell,"
all the men answered at once,
"he wished to force the maiden
and carry her away upon a ship."

18.
"What happened," the king said,
"that the bride did not go at once?
Is there any man here
who can tell us the truth of that?"

19.
"A steadfast king named Tryggvi
had the noble woman freed."
The prince spoke then so plainly:
"That was worthy of great reward."

20.
Men told of that peril
that the valiant champion had overcome:
"There was then no other
who should have the jewel-maiden."

21.
As soon as Hringr heard that,
he bids his men sail at once:
"Though it cost lands and life,
let us never cease to seek a wife."

22.
"Every man who wields weapons
shall be pressed into this campaign!"
Warriors wound the sail to the yard,
showing the ship what speed it could make.

23.
Waves rise up with towering crests;
the wind began to sharpen with force;
the gale has so stirred the sea
that to men it seemed nowhere passable.

24.
The king called out aloud:
"Do your best, men, and prove your strength!
He who rejoices when the sail sinks down
shall prove himself ill in battle."

25.
Land shot up from the fish-road;
the journey shall be smooth for them.
The noble lord fastened to the yard
a red shield, so it could be seen.

26.
Warriors grip all their swords;
they behold the prince's fair hall.
Armoured folk stood on the ship's sides;
the blade at once waded from its sheath.

27.
Heroes made sail toward that sight;
the Saxon king was under attack.
"A red shield bids battle!"
the prince's people spoke thus.

28.
Tryggvi goes to meet his lady
with tidings at that same hour;
he greeted the gold-goddess:
"Hringr has come to seek you."

29.
The bride turned pale as a corpse;
into her breast ran the bitter grief.
At times she was red as a rose —
tears ran down the fair lady's face.

30.
"Go to the sea, silk-lady,
and behold that fair prince of wealth;
a flock of maidens shall follow you —
win us a peace between our hands."

31.
"I had foreboding before
about meeting Hringr," the jewel-goddess said.
"Now shall the cruelty
be repaid to the wise woman against her joy."

32.
Tryggvi asked his sister,
after they had drunk wine:
"Would you, maiden, take Hringr
if the battle could be ended?"

33.
The noble gold-Gná answered:
"I do not think this will avail,
yet I am eager that peace be found
and that your quarrel fall away."

34.
The fair lord went to the shore
without anger, mild in speech;
he greeted the king loud and bold —
all the folk gave silence for that.

35.
"Come into the hall,
King Hringr, and your bold company;
a feast is prepared with honours for you —
be glad and drink beside me.

36.
You shall have a settlement and honour from me;
my sister I give to you.
It shall increase your days of glory
and therewith a brothers' bond."

37.
Hringr says this shall come first:
"Here shall be greater strife.
Gather your forces — let us set a truce
of battle while there is a wait."

38.
"Your sister I will not accept;
to that I give a full no —
rather than she be a slave's thrall."
These words went through the town.

39.
Tryggvi answered the prince angrily:
"You wish to diminish my honour!
Hardly shall your troublesome words
please the fair silk-goddess to hear."

40.
"Now may people hear:
you refuse everything I offer.
Think not that I am afraid —
never shielded nor clad in mail!

41.
Nowhere am I short of men.
Have a good night, lord —
but at noon tomorrow
men shall receive the blow of arrows."

42.
Hringr bade valiant Tryggvi
go to the hall then:
"You will be eager to embrace your lady —
let us meet here in the morning."

43.
"Other cruelty I intend for you
than what my spirit knows — the victory is mine!"
"Sooner shall wolves gnaw the lord's flesh
gently than the jewel-land be taken."

44.
"Fate rules that meeting.
I go now first to my wife's home;
the jewel-hollow is meant for me —
you, lord, may keep to the road."

45.
Brynveig asked her brother:
"Tell me that, my lord —
how did the generous one take your words?
Will you explain, gold-Lín?"

46.
"I do not lose a word,
noble, before you, gold-goddess," said Tryggvi,
"yet our peace shall be broken
no later than the night passes."

47.
"You have, generous one, few men,"
the mighty gold-goddess answered.
"Hringr is both valiant and mild,
very strong and a worthy champion."

48.
"You need not fear that,
noble bride," Tryggvi said.
"My hand shall not seek retreat
from the prince now in the spear-clash.

49.
Now shall all the noble company
drink wine in our hall;
when the shield-reddener shines at dawn,
then shall my folk go to battle."

50.
The king went to his seat himself;
the jewel-elf gladdened the warriors.
That goodly woman saw it clearly —
the king was yet of angry temper.

51.
"The old prophecy shall come to pass,"
the fair gold-Gná spoke.
"Yet show yourself mild before the warriors —
the bitter grief wearies the breast."

52.
Then the king went to his bed;
sorrowful was the jewel-woman.
Neither word nor turning
did the silk-goddess give the prince.

53.
The lord had a long night,
little play he had with the woman.
Had he not had her before,
the king would have grown impatient.

54.
The fair wheel reddens on the mountains;
the king commands his men:
"Grip weapons and forget peace!
Let us go down to the shore."

55.
Tryggvi's troop of warriors press forward;
the prince goes down to the shore.
Hringr came with his stalwart men —
he was eager to test his strength.

56.
Both kings cast off their mail;
then the two kings fought.
So fierce was the host of warriors
that none came near with missiles.

57.
Then the heroes fight;
both armies saw this.
The blood fell upon the prince's lady —
the woman would weep if she saw it now.

58.
For the cowardly it was nowhere then
worth being amid the commotion of swords;
each was resolved to die,
the king's son reaching as best he could.

59.
The eagle rejoiced and the wolf drank
men's blood until nearly bursting;
one could hardly see the sun,
so thick stood ravens over the fallen dead.

60.
The vulture began to scream aloud,
eager to break up nothing small;
most birds came then
to bite upon their food.

61.
No wounded bird was found
that flew thither — only the gull;
the loon began to steal there —
that may well seem likely to you.

62.
Serpents began to quicken their crawl;
wolves found themselves well placed;
the bear began to bite there
where the warriors' kin had fallen.

63.
The lion destroyed the people most;
then the leopard did not delay;
wolves began to rage forth —
terrible was the clash of fangs.

64.
No need to add to this:
all have come to this place,
the beasts that the Lord created —
many a dragon leapt to the battle.

65.
They gorge themselves on blood now;
wondrous great is that surfeit.
Hardly can they wade away,
rolling over every hollow.

66.
Little is told of warriors' blows,
of mighty men in the arrow-dew.
I give no account of that;
I cannot tell of it further.

67.
This is counted the third greatest
battle-storm fastened with weapons
in northern lands — so the game is named.
Now that matter is done.

68.
Battle-Tooth owned that one;
well did he sharpen weapons.
Brian won the best victory —
that king bore himself battle-brave.

69.
On Ilion's fields was the battle;
it received no greater wound of arrows.
Bróðir played a cowardly trick there —
he bore the shield-ogress upon the king.

70.
The king fell yet had the victory;
he has become glorious.
Holy is the king now;
he had the best of ladies.

71.
I count no more of battles;
let us tell how the two fought —
famous men with the gleaming blade,
stout-hearted ones dealt shields harm.

72.
Hringr received so dangerous a wound —
neither had hurts that were small.
The king began to bleed inward;
his flesh and skin grow pale.

73.
The retainers stood very firm;
the sword sang and the plate-armour burst.
The kings surpassed all others —
never did they rest from battle.

74.
Both kings fought well;
many warriors they slew.
All day long the combat stood;
often they waded through the ranks.

75.
All began to wonder more
that they had not yet fallen.
Each dealt the other blows —
the men could find no opening.

76.
That was the end of the arrow-thing
of the mighty men Tryggvi and Hringr.
Men tell the tales of that:
fallen, each lay upon the other.

77.
All mourned the mighty men
when they both fell at once;
hardly could the warriors then
hold back tears who saw this.

78.
There was Sveinn with the prince then;
truly he clove the blue ring of mail.
He cast down the king's heroes —
the greatest clash of swords arose.

79.
Trusty noble men carried Tryggvi home
from that battle.
The Greeks mourn their lord.
Glory has come to my end.

Source Text — Ríma VI

1.
Up skal luka lioda portt
ok lata ecki a ordum skortt,
fram skal settr a Sonar mar
hinn sette kuggrin Nordra þar.

2.
Greinda ec fyrri Grimnes bland,
at gramsson uæri komin i land;
med so frida fallda grvnd,
funduz uarlla þvilik sprvnd.

3.
Kongren gladdi kappa sin,
kurteist fliod ok dyrlig uin,
hans eru kunnig hreysti verk,
ok hefr po a sier uardhold sterk.

4.
Tryggui sitr a Saxa grvnd
sæmdum gæddr ok ueglegt sprvnd,
oll sem lifni landsens bygd,
lietti bædi harm ok hrygd.

5.
Woru menn hia Tryggua tueir,
traustir pottu badir þeir,
Sueinn uar annar iarllsson frægr,
odlings uinr ok lyndis hægr.

6.
Sa uar dreingrin drottning skylldr,
dirfdar giarn ok hreysti fylldr,
uisse hann oll med uife Rad,
var hann þui frægr a dygd ok dad.

7.
Truskap ueitti hann Tryggua mest,
tiggia syne uar slyngt um flest,
mattugr uar sa malma Pundr,
marga sneid hann bryniu i sundr.

8.
Eireck uar med iofri um stund,
eigi potte dyggr i lund,
hann uar po med hetium taldr,
harlla slægr en ecki ualldr.

9.
Han uar ein af Harecks ferd
harlla ken med skiolld ok suerd,
opliga skada a ytum uann,
Eireck illa nefni ec hann.

10.
Tryggui giorde hann tigen mann
ok treysti opt a kappa þann,
dyre uar hann po drottning leidr
driugum rett sem vrdar seidr.

11.
Ollum uar hann so ut i fra,
yta uillde hann meida ok sla,
fylgi hans uar furdu gillt,
flestum monnum giorde hann illt.

12.
Ordsatt geymdu þegnar þann,
þeira frægden ridr ok rann,
frettir opt sa fiarri sitr,
finna mun þad kongrin vitr.

13.
Hitt er sagt, at Hringr byr
herlid sitt ok flędar dyr,
fus at sækia festar mey,
frette hann ecki af geira þey.

14.
Þegar sem lofdung leysti skeidr
lydum potti i hendi heidr,
garpar kuomu grams a fund
i Garda austr i samri stund.

15.
Holdar sogdu Harecks fall,
Hringr gledz uid þetta spiall,
tigge segir at troll ma hann
telia helldr en menskan mann.

16.
„Hafi su pock en þrifnna hand
þegnna frelsti ok uardi land,
huer uar Hareks heiliar sok,
hafe pier til þess nockur rok?"

17.
„Hertryggs fellu hreysti menn,
holdar suorudv allir senn,
naudga uillde hann niflungs mey
næsta færa ut a fley."

18.
„Huad bar uit, at budlung kuad,
at brvdren for eigi þegar i stad,
er hier nockr yta sa
at oss kan seigia par satt i fra."

19.
„Traustr kongr Tryggui het,
tigit sprvndit frelsat let;"
peingill taladi pa so bertt,
„þad uar storra launa vertt."

20.
Wirdar sogdu uandan þan
uaskliga hetian leystan uann,
„eingin uar pa annar til
en eiga skyldi hann menia Bil."

21.
Þegar sem Hringr heyrdi þat,
holda bidr hann sigla i stad
„enn pott kosti lond ok lif,
letumz alldri at sækia uif.

22.
Huer sa madr er uopnum uelldr
uerdr i þenna hernad selldr;"
seggir undu segl uid ra,
synir skeid huad ganga ma.

23.
Hranner ganga hufum medur,
huessa tok af magne uedr,
gluggred hefr so gialfrit hrærtt
gunum syndizt huergi færtt.

24.
Kongrin red at kalla hatt:
„koste menn ok Reynit matt,
huer sem gledzt pa segllit sigr,
sa mvn reynazt illa uigr.

25.
Foldu skaut ur fiska leid,
ferden mun þeim uerda greid,
odling festi rikr uid ra
raudan skiold suo lita ma.

26.
Seggir gripa suerden oll,
siklings lita fagra holl,
bryniat folk a bordum stod,
brandrin þegar ur slidrum od.

27.
Bragnar giordu sigling sia,
Saxa gramr uar leike a,
„Raudr skiolldr Romu bydr,"
Ræses mælte pannen lydr.

28.
Tryggui gengr fliods a fund
frettum medr i samre stund,
kuaddi sidan hodda Hlin:
„Hringr er komin at uitia pin.

29.
Brudrin uard so bleik sem narr,
i briostit rann so harmrin sar,
stundum uar hun so raud sem ros,
runnu tar um frida dros.

30.
„Gack til siafar silke grvnd
ok sia pan uæna audar lvnd,
meyia skal þier fylgia flockr,
fa þu satt til handa ockur."

31.
„Mier uar fyrre forkuidr a
fundi Hrings, kuad menia Na,
nu mun grimden gledi a mot
gollden verda suinre snot."

32.
Tryggui spurdi systr sin,
sidan er þau drvcku uin:
„uilie pier iungfrv eiga Hring,
ef eydaz mætti skialda þing?"

33.
Agæt suaradi audar Gna:
„ecki hyg ec petta tia,
po er ec fus at feingiz fridr
ok fielle yckrar deilr nidr."

34.
Stillir geck til strandar fridr
stygdarlaus i male blidr,
kuadde hilmir hatt ok sniallt,
hliod gaf til þess folkit allt.

35.
„Gangit inn i hafa holl
Hringr kongr ok fylgd þin snioll,
ueizla er buen med virtum þier,
uerttu gladr ok dreck hia mer.

36.
Sęttir fær þu ok sæmd af mier,
systr mina gef ec pier,
þinn skal auka ærvdag
en ok þar med brędra lag."

37.
Hringr segir at hitt skal fyr:
„hier mvn uerda meire styr,
safna lide ok setium grid
soknar medan at uerdr bid.

38.
Pina systr þigg ec ei,
þar firi gef ec med ollu nei,
helldr en hun se præsligt py;"
þessi foru ord um by.

39.
Trygge suaradi ræsir Reidr:
„Raska uilltu minum heidr,
uarlla munv pin uondslig ord
uæne heyra silke skord.

40.
Nu ma heyra nockr lydr,
pu neitar ollu þvi er ec bydr,
ætlla pu at eigi ec se hræddr
alldri hlif ne bryniu klæddr.

41.
Hvergi er mier holda fatt,
hafi pier stillir goda natt,
en a morgen midian dag
monnum ueitiz fleina slag."

42.
Hringr bad til hallar ga
hreysti fullan Tryggua þa:
„ydr mvn ant at fadma frv,
finnuzt her at morne nv.

43.
Adra grimv ætlla ec pier
andar kan en sigrin mier;"
„fyr skulu uargar uises holld
uegligt spenna en menia folld.

44.
Forlog rada fvnde þeim,
fer ec nv fyst til uifsens heim,
mier mvn ætlud menia laut,
megi pier stillir hallda a braut."

45.
Brynueig spurdi brodr sinn:
„birttu mer þat herra minn,
hue tok millding mali pin,
mvnttu skyra audar Lin."

46.
„Tine ec eigi, kuad Tryggui, ord
tigen firi þier gullaz skord,
po mun eydazt ockr satt
ecki seina en lidr natt."

47.
„Pu hefr millding manna fatt,
mectug suaradi audar gatt,
Hringr er bædi hraustr ok milldr,
harlla sterkr ok kappe gilldr."

48.
„Eigi þarftu at ottaz pat
agęt brvdr, at Tryggui kuad,
min skal litt at leita a bak
lofdungs nu uid fleina skak.

49.
Nu skal dyrlig drottenn oll
drecka uin i uorre holl,
þegar sem skin a skiolldu rydr
skal þa min til romu lydr."

50.
Hilmir geck til sætis sialfr,
seggi gladdi menia alfr,
giorlla sa pat godligt sprvnd
gramr uar po med Reidri lund.

51.
„Fram mun koma hinn forna spa,
fagrlig mælte audar Gna,
po lati pier vid bragna blitt,
briostid mædir angrit stritt."

52.
Pa geck hilmir huilu til,
hryggilig var menia Bil,
huorki ord ne at uik nein
iofre ueitte silke rein.

53.
Lofdung atti langa natt,
leik hann sier uid uifit fatt;
hefdi hann ecki haft hana adr,
hilmir mundi orden bradr.

54.
Fagra huæl a fiollum rydr,
fylkir sinum monnum bydr:
„gripum uopnn en gleymiz fridr,
gongum suo til strandar nidr.

55.
Drifr at Tryggua dreinga her,
dogling ofan til strandar fer,
Hringr kom med holdum gegnn,
hann var fus at reyna megnn.

56.
Badir kasta brynivm þeir,
borduz sidan kongar tueir,
so uar akaft yta lid,
ongvir komv skeytum vit.

57.
Beriazt sidan bragnnar þa,
beggia herinn þetta sa,
dreyren fell a derlings frv,
drosenn greite ef sæe hun nv.

58.
Huglausum uar huergi þa
holdum uærtt i branda ga,
huer var raden fiorve fra,
fylkesson sem matte na.

59.
Gladiz ornn en gylfrin drack
gumna blod so næsta sprack,
uarlla matti solina sia,
suo stod hrafnn um fallen na.

60.
Gemlir tok at gialla hatt,
giarnn at brytia ecki smatt,
flestir komu fuglar þa
fædu sine at bita upp a.

61.
Fanzt suo eingen fiadra sar
flygr pangat einnueg mar,
lomrin tok at lædaz par at,
likligt ma ydr synazt pat.

62.
Ormar tocu at auka skrid,
all vel koma ser uargar uid,
bessi tok at bita par,
bragna kind ad fallen uar.

63.
Lionin eyddi lydum mest,
let pa pardo eigi a frest,
ulfar tocu at auka fram,
ogrligt uar tanna glamm.

64.
Ecki þarf at auka þat,
oll eru komin i þenna stad,
dyren þau sem drottinn skop,
dreken margr at uige hliop.

65.
Belgia sic a blodi nv,
bysna micil er fyllen su,
uarlla fa þeir uagad a braut,
uellta ser yfir hueria laut.

66.
Innizt fatt um yta hogg
afreks manna i fleina dogg,
gior ec par ecki grein upp a,
get ec par ecki sagt i fra.

67.
Þetta er talit hit pridia mest
Pundar iel med uopnum fest,
nordr i lond suo nefnir spil,
nu eru gior a þessu skil.

68.
Hillde tonn hefr att pat eitt,
allvel gat hann uopnum beitt,
Briam hefr unnit bestan sigr,
bar sa kongr at hilldi uigr.

69.
A Iliv uollum orustan uar,
eigi feck meira fleina skar,
Brodir lek par bleydi bragd,
bar hann a hilmi hlifar flagd.

70.
Hilmir fiell ok hafdi sigr,
hann er orden dyrdarligr,
heilagr er hilmir nu,
hann hefr att ser uesta frv.

71.
Reiknni ec ecki romr meir,
rædum hitt at borduzt tueir,
frægir menn med franan brand,
full hugar ueittu skiolldum grand.

72.
Hringr feck suo hættligt sar,
huorgi hefr po beniar smar,
budlung toc at blæda inn,
bliknar af þvi holld ok skinn.

73.
Hirdmen stodu harlla fast,
hioren song en platan brast,
kongar baru ollum af,
alldri huild a romu gaf.

74.
Kongar borduzt badir uel,
bragnna marga slogu i hel,
allan dagen at iman stod,
opt i gegnum fylking od.

75.
Allir tocu at undrazt meir
at ecki uoru sprvngnir þeir,
huor gat odrum hoggenn ueitt,
holdar gatu eigi uopnum beitt.

76.
Sa uar endir orua þings
afrecks manna Tryggua ok Hrings,
þær giora sagnir fyrdar fra,
fallen huer um annan la.

77.
Allir syttu afreksmenn,
er þeir fellu badir senn,
uarlla mattu uirdar þa
vatnne hallda er þetta sa.

78.
Par uar Suein med sikling pa,
sanliga klauf hann hringen bla,
brognvm steypir budlungs nidr,
branda uard en meste klidr.

79.
Traustir fluttu Tryggua heim
tignar men ur hialldri þeim,
Grickir harma herra sinn.
Hrodr er komin a enda minn.

Source Colophon — Ríma VI

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma VI, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 226–238.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma VII

Mansöngr

1.
The pure keel with the branch of Song
I mean now to launch — the seventh.
The vessel of verse shall be drawn upon the sea;
women shall teach its course.

The Aftermath

2.
The praise that girded the ring-Njörðr
can here scarcely stand;
two warriors are fallen
who most famously guarded lands.

3.
They bore home from that meeting
the renowned Saxon king,
laid in a wagon with little strength —
the precious prince.

4.
Sveinn went eagerly to find
a woman when they returned;
he learned swiftly, with heavy heart,
the lady's news at the closed bower.

5.
The man resolved, since honour demanded,
to tell the fair lady every detail,
though sorrow swelled
from their encounter.

6.
"I wish to hear," said the ring-goddess,
"which of those lords you deemed the more renowned —
which war-tree, which steel-god,
proved mightier in his strength."

7.
"None could say," said Sveinn,
"who had the better between them
while fortune wavered
between the Greek lord and the Saxon king.

8.
They swung their swords as though they had
the life-force of ten or twelve;
in prowess, I cannot say
either man surpassed the other.

9.
Hringr's fame, enriched with honour,
is very great, as I know well —
he who split the ranks
clove ten warriors at a stroke.

10.
Tryggvi waded into the blood-dark flood
through the steadfast ranks;
twelve times he drove his bolt
swiftly against the warriors.

11.
They met and struck each other,
brave men, in fury;
grim wounds the dark spear gave
to either golden tree.

12.
Backwards under the spear-clash
I think Hringr fell;
Tryggvi caught that noble man
in his arms upon the field.

13.
He bound the wound from the blade's edge
and tended the fallen Hringr;
then sank with honour to his knees —
so ended the meeting of arms."

Brynhildr Seeks Healing

14.
She said she wished to give life
to the lord of Greece:
"I did not let that young man
lie still in his wounds.

15.
They are in the fortress, and grief fades;
both princes have been brought home.
Soon rest and grace may come
to the warriors, if things are mended so."

16.
He said the warrior's strength was bound:
Hringr lay amid his battle-wounds;
Tryggvi received with honour
a healer's sure tending.

17.
"Were I obliged," said the wise one,
"to seek throughout the host
for the prince who may be called
the most renowned —

18.
I think it wise, if time permits,
to save them both;
for that prince, if he can be found,
has escaped the wolves' hatred."

19.
The lady resolved
to seek Eirekr most swiftly;
she bade him, by the ring-god's name,
to show gentle service.

20.
The man answered in this manner:
"Your strife will end late
and may never
be forgotten.

21.
I tell you, he truly stripped you
of great assurance;
he was felled who ruled in honour —
the bold Saxon king."

22.
"It grieved me," she said,
"to see both kings in such state;
I shall be gracious to each
of them, if I may.

23.
Much brings us," said the jewel-goddess,
"great sorrow in these hours;
tender love-meetings
swiftly dwindle in many ways."

24.
"I wish now," said the bright one,
"to serve the king's body clearly
before the noble flesh is laid
in earth — the grief-wound pierces."

25.
Eirekr bade her, full of anger,
not to grant this:
"Thorn-bride, as you honour yourself —
this I must plainly refuse.

26.
You need not, gracious lady,
give your service to Hringr,
even though your life, bright woman,
hangs in love's sting."

27.
"Another answer," said the treasure-goddess,
"I think I would give to Tryggvi —
that prince who was sought
in former life, the gentle one.

28.
These words of yours," said the thorn-lady,
"shall be remembered long
when I go and bear them
swiftly before the company."

29.
Sveinn answered the wise woman
with hatred and wrath:
"Eirekr's words cause only trouble —
no one can untangle them.

30.
Eirekr shall with his bitter tongue
never rule this matter.
Let us go swiftly with honour and strength
and find both kings."

The Healing

31.
The noble lady went
from the bright hall;
they found that fair man —
much was amiss.

32.
She laid her hand upon
Hringr's breast and his soft palm —
she thought she could feel the life-breath
still stir in the warrior's chest.

33.
The prince's maiden washed the wounds
and set to binding them all;
she bore home with fame and treasure
the feeder of wolf-kin.

34.
The lady laid the luminous body
down to rest;
he lies there, as was to be,
a long time and more.

35.
The lady of adorned sleeves
resolved to visit Tryggvi next;
the treasure-goddess cannot
sit still any longer.

36.
Glad was the lady when she found
the warrior still strong with life;
the king received greeting
with gladness and wisdom from his wife.

Brynveig and Brynhildr

37.
Brynveig asks, now the battle is done,
the bride in eloquent words:
"Tell me — did the wound grow worse
for you, or for all the Saxons?"

38.
"Since I am alone," said the silk-goddess,
"steeped in my own grief —
there is little hope of life
for your brother, amid this slaughter.

39.
Hringr's wounds take a dangerous course
and lean much toward death;
yet it is fitting, thorn-tree,
that you see me hold my silence."

40.
The grief of brother and the anguish of bride
welled together; Brynveig answered:
"Comfort against grief is found
even should wolves encircle Hringr."

41.
"Take heart, lady," said Hertryggr's daughter,
"in what you shall yet rejoice;
soon things will go better
for you both, come morning."

42.
"You need not," said the younger lady,
"speak to us of Hringr —
the gold-tree is hateful to me;
it is best to hold your peace."

43.
"Ring-lady, for your childish words
you will soon pay dearer
with grief beyond the heart's root —
if we receive none worse."

44.
The maidens' talk in the great hall
I hear availed but little;
the gold-lady at that same hour
herself resolved to find Hringr.

45.
The gentle hand won Hringr whole
with good ointments —
and with a love that never failed,
from the bold woman of treasure.

46.
Tryggvi's wounds, I hear, were tended
early and late by the bold bride;
both warriors, under the ring-Eir's care,
both were made whole.

47.
Brynhildr turned, and care's shadow
faded from every face;
the bold prince knows it well.
There shall be the end of this ríma.

Source Colophon — Ríma VII

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma VII, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 238–245.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

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Ríma VIII

Mansöngr

1.
Before Gunnlaðr's keeper lay the land of branches
with a great roar, the fame-sand she —
may it become Fjölnir's blending.

2.
The warriors' companies rise from the bench-beam,
men must bow their heads;
Heimdallr's drink has caused this.

3.
Here I have won the praise-tree from hard rock;
I stood alone at the open meeting —
most of all, against the hand of Fate.

Hringr Recovers

4.
Now Hringr's strength and might grew until speech returned;
the prince asked that evening:
"Who is now king over the Saxon realm?"

5.
"Truly, none has claimed the throne," said the wise woman;
"Tryggvi shall we call king —
that gladdens all his warriors."

6.
"You did ill to heal me," said the king to the spirited one;
"that causes the greatest quarrel between us;
yet for the gift of life I must give thanks.

7.
You must know how to calm your bright brother;
ancient hatred will spoil the peace —
it ill becomes the warriors to quarrel now."

Brynhildr Goes to Tryggvi

8.
That night the woman went eagerly to find Tryggvi;
the prince scarcely saw her grieving;
she greeted the loyal warrior nobly.

9.
"What do you do each night in such hard labour?
We do not both know, though we are wise —
will you tell me, feeder of wolves?"

10.
"I place everything in your power, all my cares;
the bold woman trusts in your virtues,
prince, for the sake of your deeds.

11.
I have healed," said the gold-lady, "the Greek king,
though Eirekr the Ill forbade it;
I bear true peace between you."

12.
"Gladly I welcome Hringr's life and gentle spirit;
your good fortune shall end the strife,"
the prince answered now with kindness.

Reconciliation

13.
The prince goes to meet Hringr with gentle words:
"Let us lay aside the hatred we set between us long ago;
sit with us at the drinking-board."

14.
The king was so stiff and wrathful from the long strife;
he sat up but answered nothing —
after that he walked with Tryggvi.

15.
He came into the hall, but the warriors let their verses fall;
none wished to speak with him;
most called it a fearful thing.

16.
The king was fierce in grim temper among the noble men;
for a long time he would drink but little —
the clever jewel-lady saw this.

17.
The bride spoke gently to him:
"The prince shall find no fault with you;
wealth is prepared, and every happiness.

18.
Will you, warrior, look kindly on the king's sister?
The prince will regret it otherwise —
often you have slighted her."

19.
"I believe that," said the dark-river's god, "Tryggvi would forbid;
I care nothing for men's jesting —
gladly will I look upon the maiden.

20.
Neither pain nor hardship troubles me in the prince's hall;
I have no choice now" —
and the prince was glad and smiling.

The Courtship of Brynveig

21.
Brynhildr spoke to the prince and quickly moved to act:
"Let your sister
sit in the hall at my request."

22.
The prince said her temperament was not easy to guide:
"I think her quick in her words;
that will avail us nothing."

23.
The Saxon king spoke thus to his sister:
"Go to the hall and gladden all,
keeper of Fáfnir's fields."

24.
"This is Brynhildr's counsel, mixed with reproach;
neither the hall nor its warriors are graced
by Hringr, if I must drink within."

25.
"You will get neither hatred nor scorn from her words;
you will be fairest among the warrior-women —
willing to me, as ever before."

26.
"I would not dishonour your lord;
the prince's plea causes this —
yet I will gladden no man."

27.
"You will earn my great anger," said the prince,
"unless you carry out my bidding with grace" —
and the maiden fell silent.

28.
The prince went swiftly home to his seat;
soon there came over hall and street
the sound of harps and piping.

29.
Brynveig took her finest garments, the best she wished;
with red gold the adorned battle-goddess
the gentle prince had arrayed.

30.
Four led the lady in, and eight attended;
then came the sound of harps and strings;
the ring-lady stood in the midst of the paths.

31.
She entered and stood a while upon the floor,
bright guardian of the treasure-lands,
adorned with gold to foot and hand.

32.
I suspect that anger and wrath checked her gladness;
the retinue stood at the hall-benches —
Hringr sat and did not stir.

33.
All greeted the bright maiden with one voice;
she would not move a limb —
she turned only to her dear brother.

34.
The prince stretched out both hands, smiling, to greet her;
she paid no heed whatever —
only the queen was her companion.

35.
Hringr looked at her often with a gentle face;
the bright flame-lady said nothing;
she folded both hands in her lap.

36.
He neither drank from the horn nor flung his knife;
so played the prince's heart upon the woman
that it pressed upon his very life.

Hringr Declares His Love

37.
Brynhildr went now swiftly to the prince's meeting:
"Are you, lord, a grove of grief?
What waits for its hour?"

38.
"I have beheld the king's noble sister —
I think her bright and loyal,
bold in spirit and somewhat proud.

39.
Therefore I wish," said the warriors' friend, "to know her before the people;
I have seen none like her —
from anguish I am most torn."

40.
"This maiden is meant for you," said the linen-lady;
"we may have the greatest say in this;
then the cold hatred shall thaw."

41.
Hringr was glad, and the lady went to speak with the Saxon woman:
"You shall be enriched with honour
and grow from this.

42.
Will you, lord, accept the fair lady with friendship?
Then the prince will let go his anger" —
so spoke the bold bride.

43.
"I would not grant this, though the prince said it," she replied;
"Hringr stirs my heart to pain —
here with all honours I refuse.

44.
Let this be the end of our words, unto all mercies;
you alone shall decide everything —
you wish to honour us both."

45.
The king's sister sat in the fairest bower;
seldom did she go to see the ships —
she kept the pale cloth of the north.

46.
Eirekr asked the young bride on one occasion:
"Have Hringr's words
all fallen from your memory, if he would deceive you?

47.
A slave's name has sorely hurt your honour;
he will always wound you with his words —
he should not have his way with you."

48.
"I pay no heed to your words, Eirekr;
rather I trust my own lord —
Hringr is renowned for his deeds."

The Betrothal

49.
Tryggvi spoke — and I can tell this clearly — to the Greek king:
"Nothing shall stand between us;
I have tested your mettle.

50.
With this I give you honour, wealth, and my sister;
that glory shall not fade —
then may hatred and pain find their end."

51.
Hringr said then that none could offer such honour:
"Gladly I accept the red-cheeked maiden;
she surpasses most peoples."

52.
Both princes went together to the bower;
the noble maiden greeted Tryggvi;
he spoke then with skill and courtesy:

53.
"I have brought you a suitor, famed and changeless —
a man of craft and gentle temper,
praised widely and not deceitful."

54.
Hringr offered the white wine to her hand;
she spoke then with anger and vexation:
"I want nothing to do with such a man.

55.
You have slighted my honour, prince, with ugly words;
that I have never forgotten —
I was scorned beside the ring-lady."

56.
Hringr answered her: "Hear me, sweet one;
I shall mend it all with gentleness —
for anger I am least given to quarreling."

57.
Tryggvi added with skill: "Trust this answer;
though you seem now far from accepting,
you shall never find a nobler husband."

58.
"Though I understand why you press my heart —
Hringr has been my sorrow;
I shall never twine my arms about him."

59.
"The sun rises for you," said the prince;
"rarely is true sight refused —
you shall have the warrior of shields."

60.
The lady said the king must have his way:
"I shall not long enjoy the prince's favour
if I must break my own will."

61.
Hringr betrothed the treasure-oak whose hatred was relenting;
her brother held the wedding-feast —
the ring-lady refused at every turn.

62.
The feast stood with all honour and every grace;
then it was love between both kings —
this came about by Brynhildr's counsel.

63.
Warriors received fine garments and gleaming treasure,
along with wealth and every kind of honour.
Here men may end the verse.

Source Colophon — Ríma VIII

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma VIII, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 245–253.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

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Source Text — Ríma VII

1.
Sunda hrein med Sonar grein
siðunda ætla ec færa,
Durnes far mun dreigit a mar,
drosir skulu hann læra.

2.
Hrodrar giord um hringa Niord
hier ma valla standa,
fyrdar þeir eru falnir tueir
er frægztir geymdu landa.

3.
Fluttu heim af fvnde peim
frægan Saxa styre,
lagdr i uagn med litit magnn
lofdungssonuren dyre.

4.
Fus geck Sueinn at finna einn
fliod er aptr kuomu,
fregnar bratt med frygdar matt
frvenn at luktri romu.

5.
Seggrinn red er sæmd uar led
at segia uænu sprvnde
alla grein, po efldozt mein
en af þeira funde.

6.
„Heyra ec uil, kuad hringa Bil,
huor pier frægri potte
stala Pundr styriar lundr
sterkr af magni sogte."

7.
Eigi kuad Suein at seggia neinn
sæi þar upp a mille
Grickia landz medan giptan uanzt
grams edr Saxa stilli.

8.
„Reiddu hior sem hefdi fior
holda tiv ok tueggia,
afle fra eigi auka ma
afreks manna beggia.

9.
Hrings er frægd med heidre nægd
harlla morg, sem ec inne,
fylking rauf sa fiorne klauf
fyrda x at sinni.

10.
Tryggui od i tiorgu flod
trausta fylking gegnum,
sinnum XII hann sendi kolf
snartt a mote þegnum.

11.
Hittuzt a ok hiugguzt pa
hreysti menn af reidi,
grimlig sar uann geiren blar,
gulls a huorvm meidi.

12.
Aptr a bak uid odda skak
ætlla ec Hringr felli,
Tryggui þann en tignna mann
tok i fang a uelli.

13.
Snere a sar uid snegdu far
snyrte madrinn Hringi,
sidan hne med sæmd a kne,
so lauk orfa þingi."

14.
Sagdi uif at uilldi lif
veita Grickia tiggia,
„ek let pann en unga mann
eigi kyran liggia.

15.
Eru i borg, en eydiz sorg,
iofrar fluttir badir,
bratt fæzt pa ef breytt er suo
brognvm huild ok nadir."

16.
Hann kuad þegn þvi heptizt megn
Hring i ualnym liggia,
Tryggui hlaut med tign ok skraut
trausta lækning þiggia.

17.
„Wæri ec skylld, kuad uisku fylld
uella iord, at leita
fylkirs þess i fiolda hers,
er frægaztr ma heita.

18.
Hygg ec uest ef uerdi a frest
uise þeim at biarga,
fylkir sa ef finna ma
fordizt hatred varga."

19.
Eireks fund red audar grvnd
einkar fliot at sækia,
bidr hann skiott uid bauga Prott
blidan manndom rækia.

20.
Suaradi til uit seima Bil
seggr med þessum hætte:
„ydvart strid þad endiz sid
ok alldri fyrnnaz mætti.

21.
Segi ec af mic hann suipte pic
sannliga miclu trauste,
sa uar felldr er semdvm uelldr
Saxa gramren hrausti."

22.
„Hermt uar mier, at hun kuad, ser
heila konga bada,
skal ec þvi holl vit hiorfa poll
huornn ef ek ma rada.

23.
Martt ber oss, kuad menia Hnoss,
micit til harms um stunder,
minkaz bratt a margan hatt
miukir elsku fundir."

24.
„Skiolldungs lik, kuad skarllaz brik,
skyr uill þionan uinna,
adr i molld hit mæta holld
meingit leggr ed suinna."

25.
Eireck bad med angr i stad
eigi þetta ueita:
„pornna brv sem heidir þu
berliga skal ec þvi neita.

26.
Eigi þarftu en þrifnna frv
pionan ueita Hringi,
po at pitt lif ed liosa uif
leike i elsku stingi."

27.
„Onnr suor, kuad audar Uor,
ætla ec Tryggui gæfe,
budlung þann er beiddan uann
blidan fyrre i æfe.

28.
Þessi ord, kuad porna skord,
þin mwnv uppe leingi,
pa at ec fer ok þetta ber
pratt firi rosku mengi."

29.
Suaradi i mot suinre snot
Sueinn med heipt ok reidi:
„Eirecks mal giorir iafnan tal,
eingen er þad greidi.

30.
Eirek skal med ilsku tal
alldri þessu rada,
forum uit bratt med fremd ok matt
ok finnum konga bada."

31.
Geck i ual fra glæstum sal
godligt sprvndit hreina,
fundu þann en frida mann,
fiold uar pa til meina.

32.
Hvn lagdi hond a hyggiu strond
Hrings ok miukan lofa,
pottiz ond a prifnad uond
þegns firi brioste profa.

33.
Audlings mær so undir þuær
aull red sar at binda,
flutti heim med fregd ok seim
fædi ylgis kinda.

34.
Lauka folld ed liosa holld
lagdi nidr i huilu,
liggr hann þar sem likligt uar
langa stund ok milu.

35.
Refla gatt uid Rausnar matt
Red nu Tryggua at uitia,
audar Gna þvi eigi ma
en i kyrdum sitia.

36.
Feigen uard sprvnd at fleina lund
fann med sterku life,
gręding feck med gledi ok spect
gramr af sinu uife.

37.
Brynueig spyr en burtt er styr
brvdi ordum sniollum:
„birttu mer huortt bratt uex pier
bolid edr Soxum ollum."

38.
„Sizt er ec ein, kuad silkirein,
sodd af harme minum,
lifs er uon firi lyda tion
litel brodr þinum.

39.
Hrings eru sar uid hætligt far
ok horfa miog til uoda,
þeyi er kyn firi porna hlyn
po pier siait mic hlioda."

40.
Brodr fall med brvdi suall,
Brynueig suaradi henne:
„harma bot er hitt i mot
Hring pott uargar spenne."

41.
„Hygg at fliod, kuad Hertrygs iod,
hueriv þu skalt fagna,
ydr mun bratt a betra hatt
brvdr a morgu hagna."

42.
„Eigi þarftu, kuad yngri frv,
oss fra Hringi at segia,
mier er leidr malma meidr,
mun pui best at pegia."

43.
„Bauga skord firi bernsku ord
bratt munu giallda fleire
harma betr um hiarta Rætr,
ef hliotum onguar meire."

44.
Meyiar tal i mætum sal
miog fra ec lited uinna,
seima grvnd i samri stund
sialf red Hring at finna.

45.
Honden miuk uann heilan buk
Hrings ok smyslen godu
þar med ast su alldri brast
auds af kænri trodu.

46.
Trygua sar fra ec sid ok ar
suinnar brvdir smurdu,
bragnar tueir firi bauga Eir
badir heilir urdu.

47.
Brynhilldr huarf en birtizt starf
burt a huerre grimu,
peingill suinnr þetta finnr.
Þar skal endir rimu.

Source Text — Ríma VIII

1.
FYR Gunladar geymi la af greina landi
miclum eys hun mærdar sandi,
ma þad uerda at Fiolnes blandi.

2.
Recka sueitir reyazt upp af reckiu tolli,
holdar uerda at hnippa kolli,
Heimdælz þessu dryckrinn olli.

3.
Hier hefe ec feingit hrodrar uirtr af hordu griote,
ec stod einatt open a mote
einna mest firi handa Rote.

4.
Hringe ogx nv mattr ok megnn so mali belldi,
hilmir spurde hins at kuelldi:
„hver er nu kongr yfir Saxa uelldi?"

5.
„Wist er eingen uorden slog, kuad uifit snialla,
Tryggua skulu uær konginn kalla,
kappa giorer þat fegnna alla."

6.
„Giordir þu illa er græddir mic, kuad gramr uid spracka,
mestan giorer þat mala skacka,
millding a ec po lif giof packa.

7.
Þu myntt kunna brodren biortt um brogd at stilla,
fornlig heipt mun fridinum spilla,
fyrdum somir nu deilk illa."

8.
Þessa nott geck fliodit fyst at finna Tryggua,
uarlla sa hana uisir hrygua,
uegliga kuaddi hun garpin dyggua.

9.
„Huad giore pier a huerri nott med harda mædi,
eigi mun uer po uitum uit bædi,
uilie pier segia ylgiar fædi."

10.
„Legg ec allt a ydart ualld um idiur minar,
treystir dros a dygdir þinar,
doglingsson, firi giordir sinar.

11.
Græddan hefe ec, kuad gullaz skorden, Grickia stille,
po at pat banni Eirekr ille,
yckar ber ec po satt a mille."

12.
„Lystr fagna ec life Hrings ok lynde fridu,
yduart happ mun eyda stridu,"
odling suaradi nu med blidu.

13.
Hilmir gengr Hrings a fvnd med hægum ordum:
„sefum nu heipt pa settum fordum,
ok sit med oss at dryckiu bordum."

14.
Stillir uar suo stirdr ok reidr af stridi longu,
settizt upp ok suaradi ongu,
sidan uar hann med Tryggua i gongu.

15.
Kom hann i holl en kappar letu kuediur falla,
uilldi eingin uidr hann spialla,
uogest redu flestir kalla.

16.
Miog uar gramr med grimre lund uid gofga recka,
longum uilldi hann litit drecka,
listug sa þad menia brecka.

17.
Brudrinn giordi bratt uit hann med blidu at mæla:
„ydr skal gramr i ongu tæla,
audr er buen ok hverskyns sæla.

18.
Wilie pier kappen kongsens systr klena lita,
þess mun odling idran bita,
opt pier giordut henne at nita."

19.
„Tru ec pad, kuad tiorgu Riodr, Tryggua banna,
gef ec mer ecki um glensit manna,
giarna uil ec po lita suanna.

20.
Mædir huorki i milldings ranne mein ne posti,
ecki mun ec nv eiga kosti,"
odling uar pa hyr ok brosti.

21.
Budlung mælti Brynhildr vid ok bratt red tina:
„lattu sikling systr þina
sitia i holl firi bedne mina."

22.
Eigi kuad hilmir hennar lyndi hægt at rada:
„ætla ec hana i ordum brada,
ecki uerdr oss pat til nada."

23.
Saxa kongrin systr vid suo red spialla:
„gack i holl ok gled nu alla
geymiselia Fofnis ualla."

24.
„Þetta er brodir Brynhilldar rad med blanden ecka.
huorki pryder holl ne recka
Hringr ef ec skal inne drecka."

25.
„Huorki fær þu hatr ne stygd af hennar ordum,
þu munt uænst af ueiga skordum,
uilug mer sem iafnan fordum."

26.
„Huergi uilldi ec hlyri þinum heidre skedia,
þessu uelldr peingils bedia,
po mun ec ongua yta gledia."

27.
„Mykla fær þu mina reidi, er milding sagdi,
utan þu giorer med blidv bragdi
bodskap minn," en snoten pagdi.

28.
Budlung geck nu bradla heim ok beint ad sæti,
hier kom bratt yfir holl ok stræte
horpu slattr ok pipnna læti.

29.
Brynueig tok nu buning sinn sem bestan uilldi,
raudu gulli refla Hilldi
ræsir hafdi prytt en milldi.

30.
Fiorir leiddu fruna inn ok fylgdu atta,
þa var hliomr ok horpu slatta,
hringa skordin stod medal gatta.

31.
Geck hun inn ok giordi um stund a golfe standa,
glæsi þellan grettis landa,
gulli buen til fota ok handa.

32.
Grunar mic hitt at grimd ok reidi gledine hnecki,
hirden stod vid hallar becki,
Hringr sitr ok ueik ser ecki.

33.
Allir kuoddu einni roddu iungfrv skæra,
uillde hun ecki uarer hræra,
ueik at sinum brodr kæra.

34.
Budlung retti badar hendr brosandi a moti,
õngu giordi hun ansa hoti,
ein uar drottning hennar noti.

35.
Hringr leit til hennar opt med hyru bragdi,
baru ellda bricken þagdi,
badar hendr i kne ser lagdi.

36.
Huorki drack hann hornn ne ros en kastar knifi,
so lek hilmir hugr a uifi
hiartanliga at preynngdi at lifi.

37.
Brynhilldr geck nu brigda skiott til budlungs fundar:
„eru þer herra hrygdar lundar,
huad mun bida sinnar stundar."

38.
„Dyra hefe ek siklings sena systr Tryggua,
skyra ætlla ec dros ok dyggua,
diarfa i lund ok nockut styggua.

39.
Þvi uil ec, kuad þegna uinr, firi þiodum uitnna,
eina pic hefe ec adra litnna,
af angri kann ec mest at slitnna."

40.
„Þier mun ætlud pesse mær, kuad pilian spiallda,
megu uær um þat mestu uallda,
mun þa renna heipten kallda."

41.
Gladdiz Hringr, en geck pa sprvnd at geymi Saxa:
„pier munut greini gygiar faxa
gæda sæmd ok af þvi uaxа.

42.
Vilie pier herra uænu frv med uingan iata,
þa mun ræsir reidi lata,"
radliga talade brvdren kata.

43.
„Hirdi ec petta, er þeingil sagdi, þeygi at ueita,
Hringr red mitt hiartad reita,
hier med ollum sæmdum neita.

44.
Pat skal endir ockars mals til allra nada,
einu skaltu ollu rada,
ockur uilltu sæma bada.

45.
Siklings red i skemmu uænni systr sitia
sialldan red hun siola uitia
suipti pelan nodrv fitia.

46.
Eireck spurdi unga brvdi einu sinni:
„eru pier fallen oll ur minni
orden Hrings, ef hann þic ginne.

47.
Pyiar nafn hefr pinum heidri prvgad illa,
einatt mun hann i ordum spilla,
ecki skylldi hann vm þic stilla."

48.
„Ecki helld ec Eireck mark aordum þinum,
helldr treyste ec hlyra minum,
Hringr er frægr af uerkum sinum."

49.
Tryggui mælte, ok get ec pat greint, vid Grickia stille:
„ockar uerdr ecki a mille,
ec hefe reynda þina snille.

50.
Hier med gef ec pier sæmd ok aud ok systr mina,
æra su mun ecki duina,
endaz ma pa heipt ok pina."

51.
Segir þa Hringr at suo mune eingin seęmdir bioda,
„ec pigg giarna iungfrv rioda,
afburd hefr hun flestra pioda."

52.
Iafnframtt gengu ut i skemu iofrar badir,
tigen mær baud Tryggua nadir,
talar hann þa med list ok dadir:

53.
„Brvdr hefe ec pier bidel at færa brigda frægan
listar mann ok lyndis hægan,
leyfdan uida en ecki slægan."

54.
Hringr red hid huita uin til hennar drecka,
mælte hun pa af mod ok ecka:
„mier er ecki um slika recka.

55.
Pu hefr lofdung lytt minn heidr med liotum ordum,
pat hefr mier alldri fyrnst at fordum
forsmad uar ec hia bauga skordum."

56.
Hringr suaradi henni a mot, „pu heyr min sæta,
pat skal ec allt med blidu bæta,
firi brædi kann ec sizt at præta."

57.
Tryggui lagdi til med list „ok trv pui suare,
pottu takir nu furdu fiarre,
fær þin alldri ædri hare."

58.
„Þeyi skil ec pui þetta flytr minn þydi barmi,
mier hefr ordit Hringr at harmi,
hann skal ec alldri vefia armmi."

59.
„Rennr pier upp, er sikling sagdi, sol i heide,
sialldan uerdr rett syn reide,
Randa skaltu eiga meide."

60.
Ristell segir at Ræsir mundi rada hliota:
„mun ec eigi lofdungs leingi niota,
lyndi mitt ef ec skal briota."

61.
Hringr festi hodda eik er hatrid reitte,
brodr hennar brvdhlaup ueitti,
bauga skord i hueriu neitte.

62.
Hofit stod med heidri allt ok huerskyns nadum,
pa uar kært med kongum badum,
kom þat fram af Brynhilldar radum.

63.
Kappar þagu klæden dyr ok kolgu lioma,
par med aud ok allskyns soma.
Ytar mega þar uisu roma.

Source Colophon — Rímur VII–VIII (Source Text)

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Rímur VII–VIII, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 238–253.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma IX

Mansöngr

1.
Strength stirs in the barren trunk
of verse-craft;
I gladdened the fair goddess of linen
with Fjölnir's brew.

2.
The trial of spirit has now reached its mark
with truthful tidings;
hereafter follows another game
of men of prowess.

Narrative

3.
Hringr prepares as soon as the feast ends
to go home to his lands;
the swan-woman barely sleeps
and sorrowed at the hardship.

4.
The ruler had summoned all his strong men
to an assembly;
thither he let Eirekr too
be called like the others.

5.
The swift woman of Sófnir's fields
spoke to Tryggvi:
"You shall not keep all
your trusty warriors.

6.
Eirekr — I have decided there
especially to name him;
against him I hold deceit, and for the linen-goddess
I must have revenge.

7.
The fortress was locked, yet the woman readied herself
to save the man;
harsh vengeance will come in answer
unless the prince forbids it."

8.
Eirekr said he would hold his word and honour
to the prince:
"I care nothing for slander or lies
against the linen-woman."

9.
"I remember it clearly," said the necklace-tree,
"what you spoke in former days;
you shall not cast to the wind
your wicked words.

10.
I declare therewith, with all my might,
my displeasure:
he shall receive grim payment
for his deeds."

11.
The jewel-oak was very little calmed
and spoke to the swan-woman:
"We shall long endure evil
from that treacherous man."

12.
Tryggvi drove the ring-breaker
out of the land;
ugly words and foul deeds —
they become a bane.

13.
Eirekr said he meant to uphold
the prince's judgement:
"All of it, if chance allows,
shall be repaid twofold."

14.
The people were glad in the land
and thus the assembly closed;
every man was eager for the sailing fleet
to follow Hringr.

15.
Tryggvi gladdened the goddess of divine weaving
with red gold:
"I shall burst," said the jewel-tree,
"if I hear of your death.

16.
Guard yourself well against the treacherous people,"
said the white woman;
"I shall never look upon
the chariot of men again."

17.
The prince says, as grief tightens,
"May it calm you —
I know no enemy of mine
save Eirekr the Wicked."

18.
The kings made men and women
name as witnesses:
each shall, as long as life endures,
avenge the other.

19.
The ring-pillar was borne to the ship
with bitter sorrow;
the longships counted out a long course
before the healer's dog.

20.
Hringr and the noble lady come
home to the kingdom.
Now we must turn our tale
back to Eirekr.

21.
He has got five warships
and bold warriors,
though his intent was ugly and grim
toward all the people.

22.
He bade farewell to neither king nor queen
but got himself away;
afterward he broke his faith,
as men have told.

23.
The warrior contrived, as was told to me,
to scheme with cunning;
he carried away with him
all the fortress keys.

24.
Eirekr met a prince
who is called Ólafr;
men said he was noble
among troops of champions.

25.
He gives neither tail-stump to the fox
nor flesh to the raven;
sitting at home was dear to the prince
and comforts of every kind.

26.
This lord was exceedingly mild
and generous to Tryggvi;
the famed ruler wished
to offend no man.

27.
The prince holds the southern part
of Saxon land;
much was brought to him by way of deception,
which evil men had done.

28.
This one Eirekr took into his power,
the champion of princes;
that shall be more a gift of fortune
than a stroke of luck.

29.
Eirekr goes under his command
as the prince wished;
he guards thereafter the ruler's land
with weapons and shield.

30.
Ólafr often spoke with him
in shrewd words:
"I have tested you, valiant man,
in all counsels.

31.
I have planned to send a company
northward to Norway;
there is a famed guardian of men
who is called Haldanr.

32.
Ása is the name of the prince's daughter,
the bright-armed one;
she is so fair, as we have heard,
that most men would choose her.

33.
Go and woo the jewel-goddess
for my hand.
Surely from this journey
honour shall stand with you."

34.
The spear-god eagerly consented
to such a mission:
"I have come into favour before
with powerful kings."

35.
Both ships and throngs set out
from the prince's court;
the lord spared for this
neither treasure nor warriors.

36.
Champions drove the wave-stag forth
and hauled up the gangway;
Ólafr could then do nothing
about the wound in his heart.

37.
Men gave the prince's name
to those ugly travellers;
he readied himself then at the tarred prow
to await answers.

38.
"Let the ruler's riches speak
for him before the warriors —
he has sent men of honour,
and nowhere thralls."

39.
He then shared out the prince's treasure
to both hands;
everyone, as the warrior bade,
sat or stood willing.

40.
He said: "For the jewel-goddess
and for able men,
I will speak on our behalf
when we find the maiden."

41.
Haldanr bids the troop welcome
home to his hall;
there was both ale and wine
when the warriors arrived.

42.
He begins with cunning speech
to ask for the woman;
the prince took long over it
and drew toward hope.

43.
The Saxon folk learn of this
through sly whispers;
they can never speak of Ólafr
before the famed prince.

44.
He claimed for himself Saxon land
and bold warriors;
there came the veiled goddess
and the betrothal procession.

45.
The linen-pillar greets her father
with gracious words;
the ruler lets his decision be known
before the company of women.

46.
"You need not explain to us
Eirekr's babble —
he has lived a long age
in nothing but treachery.

47.
Your boldness is beyond judgement,"
said the Draupnir-goddess;
"if you intend to court me,
or something equally childish.

48.
You were faithful neither to Hringr
nor to Tryggvi —
that shall live in eastern lands
as long as men dwell there.

49.
Your liar is of little use
and loathsome to all;
get yourself gone when the feast ends
from our hall."

50.
He pays no heed in return
to any of her words;
the noble woman judged him
with terms of wisdom.

51.
He gained neither wealth nor honour
from father and daughter both;
the treachery was condemned to him
by the counsel of the woman.

52.
Warriors came home to Saxland
to find the prince;
they said the prince's treasure was spent
and less accomplished.

53.
Men told of his ugly strength
and little power;
he comes back swiftly into favour
with king and thanes.

54.
The wretch spoke ugly words
and resembled a fox:
"I intend to beguile the linen-pillar
who was Sebbi's foster-child.

55.
I wager thereon my life and soul,"
said the ring-destroyer;
"I have interpreted your suit
for a love-assembly."

56.
"It went about as we guessed,"
said the ruler of men;
"thither shall I go," says the thane and laughs,
"as soon as spring comes."

57.
Sorely has he then slandered
the bold warriors;
men therefore called him Eirekr
the Wicked.

58.
Yet Ólafr has won Ása,
the young bride;
she has donned many a garment,
and the prince trusted her.

59.
Warriors waged a grim battle,
as the verses recount.
Thereafter Suttunga's folk fades
into Sónar's flood.

Source Text — Ríma IX

1.
ORKA uerdr a audan stofn
um odar smide,
frida gladdi ec fallda Lofn
med Fiolnes smide.

2.
Gedraun er nu gengin til
med greinum sonnum,
hier fer eftir anad spil
af afreks monnum.

3.
Hringr byzt þegar hofit prytr
heim til landa,
suannen uarlla suefnsens nytr
ok syrde at uanda.

4.
Stillir hafdi sterka menn
a stefnu alla,
pangat let hann Eireck enn
sem adra kalla.

5.
Suipte runr sofnis teiga
sagdi Tryggua:
„Pier mvnut eigi alla eiga
dreingi dyggua.

6.
Eireck hefe ec par ætlat til
einkum nefna,
honum a ec flærd ok fallda Bil
firi at hefna.

7.
Borg uar læst en biozt pa snot
at biarga manne,
hardlig kemr þar hefnd a mot,
nema hilmir banne."

8.
Eireck sagdizt ord ok dygd
uid odling hallda:
„gefr ek ecki um last ne lygd
uid lindi spiallda."

9.
„Man ec pad glockt, kuad menia lind,
þu mæltir fordum,
pu muntt ecki uerpa i uind
pinum uondum ordum.

10.
Segir ec par med alla aa
opyckt mina,
hann skal grimmum giolldum na
firi giorder sinar."

11.
Motra eik uar miog litt stillt
ok mælte suane:
„oss mun leida leingi illt
af lymsku mane."

12.
Trygui giordi bauga briot
burtt ur landi;
uonslig ord ok uerken liot
þau uerda at grandi.

13.
Eirek sagdiz odlings dom
ætla at hallda:
„pat skal allt ef til gefzt tom
tuennu giallda."

14.
Lydren uard i landi gladr
ok lauk so þingi,
fus uar huer til flaustra madr
at fylgia Hringe.

15.
Tryggui gladdi guduefs Rind
med gullit rauda;
„springa mun ec, kuad spiallda lind,
ef spyr ec þinn dauda.

16.
Geym pin uel firi uendis piod,
kuad uifit huita,
ec mun alldri allma riod
optar lita."

17.
Odling segir at angren stinn
„megi um þic stilla,
ec ueit onguan ouin minn
nema Eireck illa."

18.
Kongar giordu uirda ok uif
til uotta at nefna,
huor skal ę medan endizt lif
anars hefna.

19.
Bauga skord uar borin a skeid
med beiskum harmi,
sneckiur toldu langa leid
firi lægis garmi.

20.
Hringr kemr ok herlig frv
heim til Rikia,
aptr skulum odi nu
til Eirecks uikia.

21.
Hann hefr feingit herskip v
ok holda sniala,
po uar lvnden liot ok grimm
vit lydi alla.

22.
Kuaddi hann hvorki kongi ne frv
en komzt i burttu,
sidan bregdr af sinne trv,
sem seggir fluttu.

23.
Segrin red sem sagt uar mer
til slægdar at puckla,
alla ber hann burttu med sier
borgar luckla.

24.
Eirek hitti odling þann
er Olaf heitir,
gumnar sogdu gofgan hann
uid garpa sueitir.

25.
Huorki gefr hann halu stuf
ne hrafnni brader,
heima setan uar hilmi livf
ok hverskyns nadir.

26.
Gramr uar þesse geysi hægr
ok giafuin Tryggua,
uilldi onguan uisir frægr
uirda styggia.

27.
Sikling helldr sunnan partt
af Saxa iordu,
honum uar færtt til heimsku martt,
pad hads menn giordu.

28.
Sia tok Eireck a sitt ualld
iofra kappi,
meira mun þad giptu gialld
en gegna happi.

29.
Eireck gengr honum a hond
sem hilmir uillde,
uer hann sidan uises lond
med uopnn ok skilldi.

30.
Olaf taladi opt uid hann
med ordum sniollum:
„pic hefe ec reyndan roskuan man
i radum ollum.

31.
Ætlad hefe ec i Noreg nordr
at senda sueitir,
þar er sa frægr holda uordr
er Haldan heitir.

32.
Asa heitir odlings mær
en armma liosa,
hun er svo fogr sem frettum uær
ok flestir kiosa.

33.
Fair þu męta menia Uor
mier til handa.
pier skal uist af þessare for
proski standa."

34.
Fusliga iatti fleina Tyr
ferdum slikum:
„ec hefe komiz i kærleik fyr
med kongum Rikum."

35.
Skilr ser bædi af skioldungs garde
skeidr ok mengi,
odling til þess ecki spardi
aud ne dreingi.

36.
Kappar ytu kolgu hiort
en kiptu brygiv,
Olafr gat þa ecki giortt
uid undir higiu.

37.
Lydir gafu lofdungs nafnn
þeim liotum fara;
byzt hann þa uid bræddan stafn
at bidia suara.

38.
„Latum ræses rikdom en
firi reckum mæla,
hann hefr senda heidrs menn
en huergi þræla."

39.
Bytte hann sidan bragnings aud
til beggia handa,
so uill huer sem segrin baud
sitia ok standa.

40.
Mælti hann: „firi menia Hnoss
ok monnum suinnum
ec vil hafa ord firi oss,
er iungfrv finnvm."

41.
Haldan bydr heim til sin
herde romu,
þar uar bædi bior ok uin
er bragnar kuomu.

42.
Byriar hann uid brogden klok
at bidia kuonar,
dogling a pui driugum tok
ok dro til uonar.

43.
Sanar þetta Saxa lid
med siola slægvm,
alldri geta þeir Olafs uid
firi iofri frægum.

44.
Sier eignadi hann Saxa grvnd
ok suinna dreingi,
firi kom þar fallda Hrund
en festar genge.

45.
Fodr sin heilsar fallda skord
med fridum ordum,
ræsir innir rada giord
firi refla skordum.

46.
„Ecki þarftu Eirecks skualldr
oss at greina,
hann hefr lifad langan alldr
vid lymsku eina.

47.
Dæma laus er dirfden þin,
kuad Draupnes pella,
ef þu byzt at bidia min
eda bernslig ella.

48.
Huorki uarttu heill ne traustr
Hring ne Tryggua,
pad mun lifa i londum austr
medan lydir byggia.

49.
Lygari þinn er litllu nytr
ok leidr med ollu,
uerttu i burtt þegar ueizlan prytr
af uore hollu."

50.
Eigi giorer hann ansa a mot
ordum neinum,
ualdi honum ueglig snot
med uisku greinum.

51.
Feck hann huorki fe ne sæmd
af fedginum badum,
þeim uar fylki flærdin dæmd
af frvinnar radum.

52.
Seggir kuomu i Saxland heim
ok sikling finna,
sogdu eyddan odlings seim
en orkad minna.

53.
Lydir sogdu hans liotan matt
ok litit megna,
kemr ser aptr i kærleik bratt
uid kong ok þegna.

54.
Lyddan taladi liotlig ord
ok liktiz rebba:
„fiflaz ætla ek fallda skord
at fostra Sebba.

55.
Legg ec par uid lif ok sal,
kuad lestir hringa,
ec hefi tulkad ydart mal
til elsku þinga."

56.
„Geck pui nær sem gatum uær,
kuad gumna stiore,
þangat skal ec, segir þegn ok hlær,
þegar at uori."

57.
Raun miog hefr hann rægda þa
Recka snialla,
ytar giordu hann Eireck pa
en illa at kalla.

58.
Po hefr Olafr Asu keypt
unga brvde,
ymsu hefr hun yfir sic steypt,
en odling trvde.

59.
Gumnar helldu grimligt strid
sem greinir kuædi.
Sidan huerfr Suptungs lid
i Sonar flædi.

Source Colophon — Ríma IX

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma IX, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 253–262.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma X

Mansöngr

1.
Again I have launched the great ship of verse
to steer among men of worth;
she rises where the twofold fury
of the warrior's breast runs forth.

Narrative

2.
Eirekr was judged by Ása
dishonoured and nowhere esteemed;
he was then driven far from the land,
stripped of luck and ill-famed.

3.
The chieftain speaks to his war-band:
"My standing crumbles on every side;
I hear a hard verdict in this —
nowhere shall we find peace."

4.
Tryggvi sits in his seat of honour,
graced with every fame;
he gives no thought to Eirekr's cunning,
trusting now in his good kin.

5.
Brynhildr began to speak with Tryggvi:
"Tell me now what course to take —
you have chosen your men with care,
yet it may be wise to test their worth.

6.
"I have heard this told of Eirekr:
that Ása stripped him of all rank;
his brother dealt with him more than justly —
plainly and in every matter.

7.
"Now he raids as a viking far and wide,
hated by men, as the lady told;
he will come unless you guard yourself —
to betray the king and break his trust."

8.
Nobly spoke the lady of the linen-fold:
"Fate weighs heavy on many;
soon the oar-steed will drive against the king
if you heed not words like these."

9.
The king spoke cheerfully in reply:
"Never do I fear Eirekr's strength;
when the spear-rain falls,
the first I strike shall be that vile man.

10.
"He shall never gain victory over me;
I have tested your wisdom well.
Let Eirekr be alone in his schemes —
never shall I be afraid for myself."

11.
That speech fell away to nothing then;
there was good peace in the land.
The princes braced for nothing —
though he needed now to be more wary.

12.
Eirekr held to the eastern sea
all through the early summer;
many felt the chill of that,
a fateful plan was behind it.

13.
They put in at a hidden fjord
and crept ashore on Saxon ground;
his war-band was swiftly mustered —
I heard that the sea-god paid for it.

14.
Swiftly he spoke, no longer idle:
"I have a grudge to settle with warriors;
to that end we shall lay our plan:
that Tryggvi lose both life and land."

15.
Long did they discuss it, I am told —
the gold-woman's men stood proud,
they said a fine lord of hosts
was as grim as the forest-beast.

16.
The man did not calm himself at all;
he answered curtly, sharp as before:
"Many pay the price for this —
he often causes what another must suffer."

17.
He found no rest from fury;
it was dark as deepest night.
Warriors speak with bitter resolve:
"We shall never take the fortress thus."

18.
"Go at once," said the hall-warrior;
he himself strides to the gate.
A hard guard held the doors —
iron-bound, with bolts and chains.

19.
He took the keys from their hiding place
and bore the locks away;
men did as Eirekr bade —
through the gate they went and did their work.

20.
Grim was the crash of weapons;
javelins flew high toward the sky.
The people woke to that uproar —
there was no peace about the town.

21.
Flames struck in the prince's hall —
how swiftly the king perceived it;
he armed in haste while the house burned,
and many feared that sudden war.

22.
Tryggvi lost his splendid hall;
his household was gathered close.
They made their way to the open field —
then the shield-wall was arrayed.

23.
The prince asks who rules the fire;
Eirekr speaks, foul in spirit.
The blaze grows — then flares bright —
and the warriors suffer a flood of wounds.

24.
"Now the one who had to flee
the spear-assembly before shield-Gautr is eager;
I shall repay the arm-goddess for her portion —
she drove us from the kingdom."

25.
"Hear this: we shall have our vengeance;
Hringr is nowhere near."
The battle raged for two full hours;
the king listens, faces them, and laughs.

26.
"Long have you deserved this ill,"
the prince's son declared;
"Greater now is the sight for men —
I judge Harekr's servant treacherous."

27.
The trumpet sounded, the tabor sang,
in tower and wall the pipes rang out;
the arrow struck the armour thin —
blood hissed and wounds swelled.

28.
Dire was the weapon-clamour;
the prince bids his men:
"Warriors of honour, brace yourselves —
truly we are hard beset.

29.
"Let no one's courage fail,
let none shrink from death's torment;
warriors, feed the wound-stream —
soon enough we shall have use of weapons."

30.
Tryggvi grew fierce and wild;
the prince fought with seasoned strength.
In battle his fame stands sure —
he was both wounded and weary.

31.
Bodies fell on either hand;
from him terror gripped the host.
Shields were shattered where blows were dealt —
he was quickly known by all.

32.
Many of the king's men fell there;
the darkness made it black.
Then the bonfire blazed bright —
the clash of blades grew swift.

33.
The prince struck hard at Eirekr —
the iron did not bite;
the blow was heavy so the blade shattered,
the shield cracked but would not cleave.

34.
Eirekr fell at the prince's blow
and from his mouth poured the dew of wounds;
so swift was the king's charge —
he tore asunder Óðinn's cloak.

35.
No quarter was given to the warriors then;
the ruler fought among the host,
broke their necks or beat them down —
one might call that a berserker's way.

36.
The prince seized Eirekr's men;
five at a time he slew;
teeth flew from skulls to earth —
he himself still bore the banner.

37.
No man saw a nobler defence;
all seemed like children beside him.
The king gorged the starving eagle —
glory was exceedingly dear to him.

38.
Eirekr got back to his feet;
no one heeds this now.
He seldom holds back in the onslaught —
the roots of his vengeance swell.

39.
The prince began to breathe hard;
his slaughter has not been small.
The host behind him grew desperately thin —
he has spent his strength at a fearful rate.

40.
Eirekr eggs his warriors on,
bids them strike and slay without cease.
The blue mail-coat was carved apart —
the warriors all gave ground.

41.
The king is struck then in the thigh,
as eager for the fray as we have heard;
the ruler strikes so with his fists
that men lay dead at his feet.

42.
The king had many more wounds;
rivers of wound-streams thundered.
No man stands against him —
weary then was the stout king.

43.
His heart burst from that bitter struggle;
the chieftain fell dead in the field.
Eirekr ground on with the spear-points —
never offered peace or truce.

44.
Grief seized the prince's wife;
men sought her out;
they told her the lord of spears had fallen —
the lady lay as if dead a while.

45.
When the bright Ragna stirred again
she spoke thus to the war-band:
"If we can reach inside the castle gate,
I have no fear of Eirekr's mercy."

46.
That fortress was the tallest of halls,
exceedingly strong and well locked.
Thither went the gleaming swan-woman;
Sveinn walked ever nearest the queen.

47.
The tower was hard to take;
the stout wall ensured it.
Not even fierce fire could harm it;
by no force could it be brought down.

48.
After the spear-storm fell,
warriors pressed against the castle wall;
they came with point and edge
and killed many of the lady's men.

49.
Eirekr calls out exceedingly loud:
"I have now won glory's measure;
we shall offer the warriors terms —
I wish to have the lady of the linen-fold."

50.
"The wall gives us great shelter,"
spoke the prince's wife thus;
"let the king's folk and the thorn-women—
it shall cost but one man's life."

51.
Eirekr's host was desperately few;
he did not trust his own strength.
To gain terms proved a distant hope —
he fled away in the middle of the night.

52.
After that he was on Saxon ground,
outlawed for a long time.
He roused a mighty gathering of blades
and so struck north into Eyrar Sound.

53.
Brynhildr in her bitter grief
sends men swiftly out to Greece;
she was most intent on vengeance —
the knot of sorrow tightened.

54.
The warriors went their way;
truly she was swift and ready.
The bright ring-goddess sat behind.
Here shall Fjölnir's vessel run aground.

Source Text — Ríma X

1.
Storan hefe ec stofnad enn
stefia knor um roskua menn,
ris hann þar sem reiden tuenn-
rostu þegns i briosti renn.

2.
Eireck uar af Asu dæmdr
ærvlaus en huergi sæmdr,
uar hann þa langt ur landi flæmdr
lucky snaudr ok illa ræmdr.

3.
Hetian talar uid herlid sitt:
"hofit rataz nu huergi mitt,
heyri ec a pui hardan kuitt,
huergi mun oss uerda fritt."

4.
Tryggui sitr i soma negd
sæmdum gæddr af allre frægd,
hann actar ecki um Eirecks slægd,
er nv traustr at godri mægd.

5.
Brynhilldr hof vid Tryggua tal:
"tia mier nu hue breyta skal,
pier hafit all fatt yta ual,
en mun kostur at reyna fal.

6.
Ek hefe pad til Eirecks frett,
at Asa firde hann allri stett,
brvdren giordi betr en rett
beintt uid hann i ollu slett.

7.
Wida Rekr hann uiking nu,
uirdum leidr, er sagdi frv,
hann mun fara nema fordizt þu
fylki at suika ok bregda trv.

8.
Fromlig mælti fallda brik,
forlog uerda morgum rik,
bratt myn roenn a ræsi uik
ef ræktit ecki orden slik."

9.
Kongrinn mælti katr i gegn:
"kuidi ec alldri Eirecks megn,
þegar at festiz fleina regn,
fystan drep ec pan illan þegn.

10.
Alldri uinr hann a mier suig,
ec hefe reynda at uisku þic,
uerdi Eireck einn um sic
alldri skal ec pa hræddr um mic."

11.
Þetta tal feill pannen nidr,
þa uar godr i landi fridr,
ecki biozt þa uisir uidr,
uaraz hann nu po þyrfte midr.

12.
Eireck hellt i Austrasallt
onduertt uar ok sumarit allt,
margr af þui kendi kallt,
kyndugt rad uar peyi uallt.

13.
Logdu inn i leyni fiord
ok leynduzt upp a Saxa iord,
fletia hans uar full skiott giord,
fra ec þess giallda uiga Niord.

14.
Skiotliga talar hann skildr uid dad:
"skotnum a ec at giallda had,
til þess skulum uær tempra rad
at Tryggui misse lif ok lad."

15.
Leingi fra ec peir lottu þess
lypti Runnar orma skers,
sogdu gilldan geymi hers
griman uera sem markar fres.

16.
Sefadizt ecki seggr at helldr,
suarar hann stutt ok uar pa snelldr:
"margr þessa madrin gelldr,
hann meinar opt pui anar uelldr."

17.
Honum uar huergi af reidi rott,
raun miog uar pa myrkt af nott,
bragnar tala uid beiskan prott:
"borgina faum uær alldri sott."

18.
"Fari pier hliot," kuad fletiu dreingr,
fliotliga hann at stadnum gengr,
hlidana geymdi en hardi streingr,
hurd med iarn ok nockur keingr.

19.
Lykla tok ur leyndum stad,
lasum bar hann þa sidan at,
ytar snua sem Eireck bad
inn um portt ok giordu pad.

20.
Grimir hadu geira ny,
gaflok flugu þar hatt uid sky,
uaknar þiod uid þenna gny,
þa uar eigi kyrtt um by.

21.
Elldi slogu i odlings ran
einkar skiott, so kongrin fan,
klæddiz hartt medan husit bran,
hræddiz margr ofrid pan.

22.
Tryggui misti hafa holl,
hirden uar þar nalæg oll,
kuomuz ut a uidan uoll,
uar þa buit uid randa goll.

23.
Odling spyr huer elldi redr,
Eireck talar i lyndi skædr,
balit ogx pa birtiz glædr,
brognum ueittiz unda flædr.

24.
"Nu er sa fus er flyia hlaut
fleina þings firi skiallda Gaut,
skal ec pad giallda skikiv laut
hun skyfdi oss fra rike i braut.

25.
Hitt skal mælt at hefnuzt uær,
Hringr er nu ecki nær";
stridit ogx um stundir tuær,
stillir ansar i moti ok hlær.

26.
"Illz uar longu at pier uon,"
odlings taladi pannen son,
"rikari er nu seggium sion,
suikulan ætla ec Harecks þion."

27.
Trumban paut en tabor gall,
i turnn ok murum organ skall,
pilan framan i platu small,
pipte blod en unden suall.

28.
Vodaligr uar uopna klidr,
uisir sina þegna bidr:
"sæmdar dreingir siae pier uidr,
sanliga erum nu staddir midr.

29.
Felmtri eingi fyrda min
ok fordizt eingi daudans pin,
bragnar auki benia uin,
bratt ma neyta uopna sinn."

30.
Tryggui giordiz æfr ok odr,
odling berst af magni frodr,
uist er honum i uigi hrodr,
uard hann bædi sar ok modr.

31.
Bukar fellu a badar hendr,
brognum af honum otti stendr,
hlifen lemzt þar hivgguz rendr,
hann uar bratt af ollum kendr.

32.
Kongsens fiell par manna martt,
myrkrit olli þessu suartt,
þuí uar næst af blossa biartt,
brodda ielit giordiz snartt.

33.
Odling hio til Eirecks fast,
ecki beit pa iarnit huast,
hogg uar þungt so hioren brast,
hlifen stock en ecki skarst.

34.
Eireck fell uid odlings hogg
ok ut af munni benia dogg,
svo uar ræses roman snog
hann reif i sundr Odins plogg.

35.
Huergi gafz pa holdum fridr,
hilmir liek svo gumna uidr,
braut a hals edr bardi nidr,
berserks ma pad heita sidr.

36.
Audling preif upp Eirecks menn,
einatt drap hann þa fimm i senn,
hraut a iord ur hausum tenn,
hann bar sialfr merkit enn.

37.
Eingi madr sa ædri uorn,
allir potti hia sem born,
saddi ræsir solten ornn,
sæmden uar honum furdu giorn.

38.
Eireck komzt nu upp a fetr,
eingi gefr at þessu gætr,
sialdan biden a soknum lætr,
suella munu honum heiptar rætr.

39.
Budlung tok at blasa hatt,
brytiad hefr hann ecki smatt,
lid uar eptir furdu fatt,
farliga hefr hann mæde att.

40.
Eireck eggiar yta þa,
einatt bidr hann hoggua ok sla,
skarzt i sundr brynian bla,
bragnar rymdu allir fra.

41.
Kongrin er þa lagen i lær
listar giarnn sem frettum uær,
hilmir svo med hnefunum slær,
holdar lagu daudir nær.

42.
Fylkir hafdi fleiri sar,
fossum dundu benia ar,
uirda eingi uid honum star,
uar pa modr kongrin knar.

43.
Hiartad sprack af hardri naud,
hetian fiell at uelli daud,
Eireck pa uid odda gnaud,
alldri frid ne trygdir baud.

44.
Skemu bygde skiolldungs sprvnd,
skatnar soktu a hennar fund,
sogdu fallen fleina lund,
frvin la sem davd um stund.

45.
Þegar sem ristel Raknar uid
Ræddi hun svo uid gumna lid:
"ef komuzt uær inn um kastala hlid,
kuid ec ecki um Eirecks grid."

46.
Kastali sa uar husa hæstr
harlla sterkr ok miog uel læstr,
sotti pangat suannen glæstr,
Sueinn geck iafnan uife næstr.

47.
Toruelligr uar turnen helldr,
traustr murinn þessu uelldr,
hann skedr ecki enn heiti elldr,
huergi uerdr af neinv felldr.

48.
Eptir fallit fleina hregg
fyrdar soktu at kastala uegg,
gengiu at med oddi ok egg
ok eyddu morgum frvinnar segg.

49.
Eireck kallar einkar hatt:
"ec hefe syndan frægdar matt,
uær munum bioda uirdum satt,
uil ec nu eiga fallda gatt."

50.
"Muren giorer oss micla hlif,"
mælte panueg ræses uif,
"peingils folk ok þorna drif,
þad skal kosta eins manz lif."

51.
Eirecks lid uar einkar fatt,
ecki treysti hann sinvm matt,
fiari stod at feingiz satt,
flydi hann burtt um midia natt.

52.
Sidan uar hann a Saxa grvnd
sektum boren um langa stund,
sterkan uakti hann stala fund
ok stock so nordr i Eyrar sund.

53.
Brynhilldr giorer uid beiska sut
bradla menn til Gricklandz ut,
hun uar mest a hefndir lut,
herda mundi sorgar klvt.

54.
Seggir foru sina leid,
sanliga uard hun fliot ok greid,
huit sat eptir hringa reid.
Hier skal falla Fiolnis skeid.

Source Colophon — Ríma X

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma X, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 262–270.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma XI

Mansöngr

1.
The wise man's mind I mean to set
this vessel forth anew;
though the lord's favour makes me glad,
I will not leave off this telling.

Narrative

2.
Grievous it was — the ship of verse
was torn apart;
before the meeting of men is told
who went forth in fame.

3.
Those warriors came to Greece
whom the gold-goddess had sent;
swiftly Hringr and the lady of the fold
recognised the men.

4.
Hringr and the linen-goddess learned
of Tryggvi's fate;
they sent men who told the bitter news
and set the household grieving.

5.
The prince spoke: "Truly you
are slow in your answers;
you shall tell me alone
every detail."

6.
The men did as the king commanded,
with plain speech;
they told him then with grief and anguish
of the prince's fall.

7.
"The noble woman trusted you
for your old friendship;
above all she wished to place before herself
a highborn champion."

8.
The king declared himself filled with valour,
eager to act:
"I shall be both bound and obliged
to avenge the prince."

9.
Then he ordered the black cloth
to be draped in mourning;
the king went to find the lady —
and she was given sorrow.

10.
Quickly the ring-goddess asked,
as the heart perceives:
"What says the prince — what means
this attire of yours?"

11.
"We must tell the lady
of Tryggvi's death."
The bride turned pale and then flushed red,
and her breast ached.

12.
"It shall not be easy to hide from you,"
said the young prince.
The noble woman could not speak then
in any other fashion.

13.
The worthy bride neither ate nor drank
ever again;
it is said that the ring-goddess's heart burst
from that fierce grief.

14.
So strong was the prince's love
for the treasure-goddess —
never parted in word or deed,
the lord and his bride.

15.
At this the whole nation falls silent
and the king with them;
I heard then that the court in the hall
lay down in sorrow.

16.
When the grief had run its course from the king,
he declared his mind thus:
"Long enough have the prince's men
stayed here to woeful ends."

17.
The treasure-goddess was given a splendid departure
with all ceremony;
he gives the warriors rings
with fitting honour.

18.
The king bade his strong men then
to walk to the shore;
they hoisted sail and caught the wind
for that long voyage.

19.
Now the prince's might shall be revealed
to the loyal warriors;
so he comes back to Saxland
and the men rejoice.

20.
The prince goes to Brynhildr's presence
and the swan is glad:
"Would the gold-goddess be willing
to wed a man?"

21.
The jewel-goddess spoke thus
though her treasures dwindled:
"Whoever desires it may have that —
my good lord."

22.
"My time of gladness has passed
and it grieves me,
unless you promise, famed prince,
to avenge Tryggvi.

23.
"Slay Eirekr, you spear-god,
and most of his warriors;
then may the jewel-grove
wed me well."

24.
"I shall stand," said the blade-god,
"by my strong words;
I remember clearly what I and the jewel-grove
pledged long ago."

25.
The woman told him ships and crews
stood ready;
wealth and honour and all glory
that words can bid.

26.
The prince ponders many choices
among his clever plans;
he wants no delay at all —
to find Eirekr.

27.
The men prepare thirteen ships
and a splendid host;
exceedingly wrathful was the prince then,
and no one calmed him.

28.
Eirekr had heard nothing
of the prince's voyage;
he raided the moment he had fled,
as shall be told.

29.
Eirekr's host lies offshore
in Eyrar Sound;
tell swiftly if the chance for sound arises
from the weapon-clash.

30.
Eirekr sees the prince's host
with savage fury;
the king's horn sounded its call
as it came from the drinking.

31.
The warrior greeted the ruler of men
with good words:
"Emperor, you are the most precious champion
first among men of old.

32.
"No prince alive in this world
shall be your equal;
moreover you are a mighty king
of red gold.

33.
"Prince, you will be grim and wrathful toward us
from the weapon-clash;
I offer the greatest honour, king,
you treasure-god.

34.
"I have fifteen ships full
of serpent's sweat;
prince, act for the sake of your own honour —
and do not refuse a truce.

35.
"King, you must not bring upon yourself
great perils;
I wish to offer you brotherhood
and the red flower of gold."

36.
"You have dealt in treachery against men,"
said the sword-keeper;
"your troth-breaking has deceived me,
as shall be shown.

37.
"You betrayed and slew the prince
who trusted you;
Eirekr, you have tormented
the prince's bride many times.

38.
"I have bound a brotherhood fast
with that prince;
therefore the blade must run
through warriors' skulls.

39.
The prince declares he will not reveal
all that lies between them:
"Have you heard that the lady's heart burst
before a mighty king?

40.
"Even if there were no other cause
against vile Eirekr,
a grim clashing of spears should
shatter the peace."

41.
"Choose your war then, prince,"
said the weapon-bender;
"the host that follows me
sends forth spears.

42.
"From Kurland I have twelve champions
who know how to wound;
these warriors send their shafts
and seldom whimper.

43.
"My men redden the shield
and wage battle;
their war-cry is such to hear
as the howling of dogs.

44.
"Strong men — they stand fast
in the blade-storm
and never don armour,
those warriors of mine.

45.
"Prince, I say their fury grows
at my commands;
here I have, lord, six brothers
from the dark-skinned hosts.

46.
"My men grant no peace
to my enemies;
they tear apart the king's war-band
with their very teeth.

47.
"They bellow into the crash of brands
like starving bears —
howling as loud as wolves
or wild boars.

48.
"My warriors drink blood
and never boil it;
these men annihilate the lord's host
with black sorcery.

49.
"Know, prince: few can withstand
such strong men;
they use their nails without cease
and bite with their teeth.

50.
"My champions spend their strength,
breaking clubs to pieces;
they slay so many of the prince's men —
and the hosts flee.

51.
"Prince, I tell you: win enough
of the bright woman
if you desire the spear-battle
against this dark host.

52.
"If the prince provokes a trial of blades
with his warriors,
Hringr shall not escape whole
from my hands."

53.
The king was silent for a time
and his fine host with him;
all heard Eirekr speak
in one fashion.

54.
"We give no heed
to your words;
my warriors redden spears
with their own strength.

55.
"Well enough you boast of deed and valour
in your champions;
you shall not frighten the craven spirit
from my warriors.

56.
"I count all this as an empty bean
that you pluck from the woods;
they will never give good harvest
in the spear-battle."

57.
The warriors mean to break the peace
on the wide sea;
Eirekr's champions howl
so it thunders in the deep.

58.
Warriors deal blows to the fleet
with broad swords;
the berserkers lash out —
the ship-timbers crack.

59.
If the lady will buy from the giant's son
a poem-craft,
all of Týr's tooth-liquid
must leap from the cask.

Source Text — Ríma XI

1.
FRODAN ætli ec Fundings bat
fram at setia,
þeyiu giorer mic pioden kat
þessa at letia.

2.
Haurmuligt uar hann hriste i sundr
hrodrar baru,
adr en greiniz fyrda fundr
er frægir worv.

3.
Garpar kuomu i Grickland þeir,
er gullskord sendi,
fliotlega Hringr ok fallda Eir
fyrda kendi.

4.
Fretti Hringr ok fallda gatt
at ferdum Trygua,
sendi men þeir sogdu fatt
ok setti hryggua.

5.
Visir mælte: "uist eru pier
i suorunum seinir,
per skulud inna einum mier
allar greinir."

6.
Skatnar giora sem skiolldung baud
med skyrv spialle,
sogdu pa med sut ok naud
af siklings falle.

7.
"Vegligt treysti uifit pier
fyrir uingan forna,
til þess mest at tia firi ser
en tigen borna."

8.
Ræsir sagdiz fremdar fylldr
fus at efna:
"ek skal bædi boden ok skylldr
bragnings hefna."

9.
Sidan red hann suartre uod
at sueipa klædi,
ræsir geck at finna fliod
ok feck hun mædi.

10.
Bradliga spurdi bauga Lin
sem briost ma kenna:
"huad segir budlung breynne pin
um buning þenna?"

11.
"Tigens mvnu uær Tryggua dauda
tia firi sprvndi;"
brvdi setti bleika ok rauda,
en briostit stundi.

12.
"Ydr mun eigi dylia dællt",
er doggling sagdi,
audgrvnd gat þa ecki mælt
at odrv bragdi.

13.
Agęt brvdren ath ne drack
alldri sidan,
hitt er sagt at hringpoll sprack
firi harmen stridan.

14.
So uar odlings asten sterk
uid audar Prvdi,
alldri skildi a ord ne verk
iofr ok brvdi.

15.
Hier firi þagnar þioden oll
ok þar med tiggi,
sidan fra ec at hird i holl
med harme liggi.

16.
Þegar at harmr af ræsi renn,
hann red so greina:
"leingi uita hier lofdungs menn
til liotra meina."

17.
Audar Nar uar utferd gior
med allan bloma,
ytum gefr hann orma sker
uid æren soma.

18.
Stillir bad pa sterka menn
til strandar ganga,
færdu up segl ok fell i uind
uid for so langa.

19.
Nu mun lysaz lofdungs kraptr
vid leyfda bragna,
so kemr hann i Saxland aptr,
at seggir fagna.

20.
Bragnning gengr a Brynhilldar fund
en blidr er suane,
"uilie pier nockut gullaz grvnden
giptaz mane?"

21.
Mælti þetta menia Gna
en menen þuerra:
"getr þad huer er girnezt a,
minn gode herra.

22.
Gledennar er mier genginn dægr
ok giorer mic hrygga,
nema þu heitir, hilmir frægr,
at hefna Tryggva.

23.
Dreptu Eirek dara Pundr
ok dreingi flesta,
ma þa sidan menia lundr
mic vel festa."

24.
"Standa skal ec, kuad stala Pundr,
a sterkum ordum,
man ec pad glogt uit menia lundr
mæltum fordum."

25.
Vifit sagdi uirda ok skeidr
uera til reida,
aud ok sæmd ok allan heidr,
er ord kann beida.

26.
Millding hefr a morgu vol
um mengit suinna,
uill hann ongua eiga duol
Eireck finna.

27.
Þegnar bua til prettan skeidr
ok prifligt mengi,
sierliga uar þa sikling reidr
ok sefadi eingi.

28.
Eireck hafdi ecki spurtt
til odlings ferda,
heriadi þegar hann hliop i burtt,
sem hermt mun uerda.

29.
Vte liggr Eirecks piod
i Eyrar sundi,
greinum bratt ef gefz til hliod
af geira fundi.

30.
Eireck litr odlings piod
med olmre pyckiu;
kongsens gall vid klucku hliod,
er kom fra driuckiv.

31.
Garprin kuaddi gumna styri
godum ordum:
"keisare uarttu kappin dyri
fremstr fordum.

32.
Pier mun eingen lofdung likr
lifande i heime,
hier med erttu Ræsi rikr
at raudum seime.

33.
Gramson mvntv oss grimr ok reidr
af geira hialdri,
millding byd ec mestan heidr
malma Baldri.

34.
Fullar hefr ec xv skeidr
Fofnis sueita,
sikling gior firi sialfs pins heidr
ok satt eigi neita.

35.
Stillir skaltu eigi stofna pier
til stora nauda,
brædralag uil ec bioda pier
ok bloman rauda."

36.
"Pu hefr giort uid gumna suik,
kuad geymir suerda,
trygrofi pin hefr tældan mic
sem tiad mun uerda.

37.
Sikling hefr þu suikit ok fellt
sem þier trvde,
Eireck hefr þu optliga hrellt
odlings brvde.

38.
Brædralag hefe ec bundit fast
uit budlung þenna,
pui skal hior i heila past
a holdum renna."

39.
Budlung kuedz eigi birta allt
huad bæri a milli:
"hefr pu spurtt at sprvndit sprack
firi rikan stilli.

40.
Po eingi uæri õnnr sok
vid Eireck illa,
grimlig skyldi geira skok
gridunum spilla."

41.
"Werra kys pu uisir pier,
kuad uigra bendir,
flockr sa sem fylgir mer
fleina sendir.

42.
Af Kurlandi hefe ec kappa xu
er kunna at skeina,
seggir þessir senda kolf
en sialldan kueina.

43.
Reckar minir rioda fal
ok romu heyia,
so er at heyra holda tal
sem hundar geyia.

44.
Sterker menn þeir standa fast
í stala hialldri,
bragnar æsa brodda kast
en bryniazt alldri.

45.
Millding segi eg at modrinn uex
af minum heitum,
hier hefe eg budlung brædr sex
af Blalandz sueitum.

46.
Ytar ueita onguan frid
ouinum minum,
traustir rifa tiggia lid
med tonum sinvm.

47.
Þeir belia upp i branda patt
sem birnir suelltir,
Rett sem veine vargar hatt
edr uilligelltir.

48.
Seggir uorer supa blod
en sioda alldri,
dreingir eyda doglings þiod
med dockum galdri.

49.
Stillir segig at stande fatt
uid sterkum monnum,
nagla sinna neyta pratt
ok nista tonum.

50.
Kappar minir kosta megn
en klumbur hnyia,
drepa so margan doglings þegn
en drottir flyia.

51.
Visir segec at uinid nog
til uifsens biarta,
ef pic fysir fleina rog
vid flockin suarta.

52.
Ef budlung æsir branda praut
med brognum sinum,
Hringr kemzt eigi heill a bravt
ur hondum minum."

53.
Þengill hafdi pagad um stund
ok pioden snialla,
allir heyrdu a eina lund
Eireck spialla.

54.
"Ecki gefum vær anza a mot
ordum þinum,
Rekar minir rioda spiot
med ramleik sinvm.

55.
Noga segir þv dad ok dug
i dreingium pinum,
skrafar þu ecki skræfan hug
ur skotnum minum.

56.
Tel ec pad Rett sem toma baun
þu tekr ur skogi,
gefa þeir alldri goda ravn
i geira rogi."

57.
Reckar ætla at ryfa grid
a rumu lægi,
garpar Eirecks grenia uid
so glymr i ægi.

58.
Seggir ueita siola lid
med suerdum breidvm,
berserkirnir bregda uid
so brakar i skeidum.

59.
Ef brvdren uill af bestings mogr
bragsmid kaupa,
Tyrs skal allr tanna logr
vr tunnv hlaupa.

Source Colophon — Ríma XI

Source: Geðraunir (Hrings rímur ok Tryggva), Ríma XI, from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–22), pp. 257–265.
Base manuscript: AM 604 d, 4° (Royal Library, Copenhagen)
Variant manuscripts: AM 605, 4°; Wolfenbüttel codex (W, via AM copy); Sth. 23

🌲

Ríma XII

Mansöngr

1.
Ever is grief's dam upon the sorrowful;
I bear sorrow enough and long.
Reluctantly the Norðri's beam
must go forth from its shelter.

2.
I had to seek the warriors' help;
I bore the rope about the prow.
The old man could not get the craft
to the middle of the water from its shed.

3.
Wearily I grew faint from the labour;
I suffered grievous torment.
I sat down mute with sorrow —
I saw no way to go on.

4.
Then came a company of women to me,
who knew well how to boast.
With masterful words she offered her help
and spoke at once of a bargain.

5.
"Skilled man, let the vessel go;
we are eager for the task."
Then was drawn onto the deep sea
the broad craft of Durnir's ness.

6.
It seemed to me I had given passage
to the proud goddess of vessels;
the boat leapt so swiftly on the sea
that it creaked in every seam.

7.
Women can accomplish most things
when they stand close to men;
the jewel-goddess's soft entreaty
wins many a gift.

8.
The moment we lay the linen-clasp
of burning love upon the heart —
if the lady cannot be spoken with,
the bright woman's heart will burst.

9.
Both fates have befallen men:
if brides depart from them,
truly then the grief has burned
sorely through a long life.

Narrative

10.
I knew one such valiant man
who was denied a maiden;
sorely he burned up with sorrow
and chose himself to die.

11.
Whoever receives the anguish
of young and proud women —
it will strike close to the spirit,
I doubt that fades from memory.

12.
Two lots are set before men —
what more shall divide them?
One is wounded deeper by grief,
the other wills another ill.

13.
The warrior who gladdens well
in the gold-goddess's beauty —
another is wounded by grief to death,
sorely, with mortal strife.

14.
Whoever loses the jewel-goddess,
that man is stripped of wealth;
swiftly all pleasure vanishes —
far more bitter than death.

15.
Sorrows begin to sear
men's breasts with anguish;
grief digs into the pit of desire
and has killed many a man.

16.
It runs through the field of joy
like a venomous serpent;
it breaks apart every bone
as each shatters against the next.

17.
No longer will I draw out the love-song
lest it offend someone;
let me tell instead of warriors —
how the prince avenges Tryggvi.

18.
The king's host stands proud and splendid
with wide-beamed ships;
warriors blow the sounding horn —
the fierce battle begins.

19.
Eirekr's men with shout and cry
howl loud as wolves;
the battering-ram crashes on the gunwales
and breaks many a ship.

20.
Strong men in the steel-wind
hurl great boulders;
terribly did the false breed
fall dead in heaps.

21.
The berserkers started then
when the prince drew his sword;
warriors could hear and see
havoc and enough of screaming.

22.
The prince did not wait long
to wield the leafy blade;
the sword drove straightway into helmets,
hard against Eirekr's warriors.

23.
He knew how to use steel in battle
and wield strong weapons;
scarcely could so valiant a man be found
who would not seek to flee.

24.
The prince made the gunwales red;
blood fell from wounds.
The host lost life and wealth —
corpses floated on the waves.

25.
Warriors let the spear drive fast
into the mail-rings;
the sword drove through the skull —
the head was made to burst.

26.
The lance stood out through the mail-coat
and clean through the breast;
the point passed out through the shoulders,
hard upon Eirekr's men.

27.
The host loosed their arrows then
and let the javelins sting;
warriors must receive wounds —
so went that gentle meeting.

28.
The stout shaft broke in two;
steel met the shield;
here all was hand-to-hand,
whatever could harm a shield.

29.
Dire was that spear-storm;
the vessels slipped away;
the host sold their lives for death —
Eirekr's warriors fell.

30.
Warriors fed the ravens their prophecy,
hard with broad swords;
blood began to run in the body's place
and clot on the decks.

31.
Warriors swell the crash of spears;
bodies lie upon the benches;
ceaselessly there fly back and forth
sundry parts of men.

32.
Men cleave the blue shields,
shear the fair helmets;
the host may see against the sky
hands and feet scattered wide.

33.
Warriors gorged the starving wolf;
the slaughter fed the eagles;
men let the heavy dead fall into the sea —
great corpses, and many.

34.
The host of wrath falls lightly
in the fierce spear-fire;
the men could, as I have heard,
walk on bare feet upon the dead.

35.
Loudly cracked the clash of blades;
warriors deal their blows.
Thus the host lies dead —
it may be called a slaughter-pack.

36.
Eirekr sees in the weapon-clamour
that sheltering is no use;
he curses the berserkers
and bids them never prosper.

37.
"The prince does us great shame;
he fells my warriors;
he gives the men death —
we are near to breaking.

38.
"Prince, I recall the boast
I heard from you before;
prince, you said those words —
greatest you are in speech.

39.
"You, Tanni, whom I trusted true in battle —
rely upon your stiff blade,
press forward to the slaughter-feast
and see what you can win.

40.
"The reason I am slow against the king:
I have no wish to die;
I need not fight alone
the prince in the blade-clash.

41.
"Let my body be cut in two —
we shall terrify the prince.
It is a shame we part thus —
shall he not bleed at all?"

42.
The warriors took to the battlefield;
the champions swarmed —
dark men leapt at the prince,
brothers all.

43.
The prince's first blow struck —
with the gleaming hilt-wand he swung;
he carved off Tanni's whole face —
I believe he felt it.

44.
The second was the prince's blow —
it stripped the champion's life.
Trunk and shield the brand devoured;
the dark man was cleft in two.

45.
Warriors see the giant's fall;
blood fell from the wounds.
Fury swelled then among the men —
they meant to fight in earnest.

46.
Against the prince those warriors let
hard brands ride;
two men pressed long at the sea-lord —
they had to endure their wounds.

47.
Terrible was the prince in wrath;
the wounds poured blood.
The king's sword, hard and broad,
took the heads off both brothers.

48.
The prince felled three brothers;
I tell of a fierce battle.
The young lord mounts the drinking-cask
while warriors follow after.

49.
The prince eggs on his host so boldly;
the sword-play surged on skulls.
The prince fought hard and often —
it was a joy to follow him.

50.
The prince's army stood upon the benches
and dealt out wound-sweat;
the king strode across the ships —
he knew how to wield the blade.

51.
The prince proved himself famous in deeds,
a fighter to both hands;
the lord plied the biting steel —
it stood in the warriors' flesh.

52.
The host must fall dead;
fair mail-coats crumpled.
Eirekr's men in the spear-clash
shrink back around the mast.