The Boasting Rímur
Four rímur retelling the legend of Charlemagne's pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Constantinople — the Icelandic version of the Old French Pèlerinage de Charlemagne (Le Voyage de Charlemagne à Jérusalem et à Constantinople). The emperor's queen says King Hugo of Greece is greater than he; Charlemagne, stung, leads his twelve peers first to Jerusalem — where he sits in the seat of Christ and receives holy relics — then to Constantinople, where Hugo's spinning palace and golden wonders dwarf all they have seen.
By night the peers boast wildly in their bedchamber, each claiming an impossible feat: Roland will shatter the city with his horn, Oliver will bed the princess a hundred times in one night, Ogier will crush the pillar that holds the palace, Archbishop Turpin will flood the city, and so on. A spy hidden in a hollow pillar reports every word. Hugo, enraged, demands they fulfil their boasts or die. An angel appears: God grants them the power. One by one the boasts are proved — the princess confirms Oliver, Villifer lifts the golden ball, Turpin floods the city — until Hugo surrenders, and Charlemagne sails home with Hugo's daughter as Oliver's bride.
First known English translation of this rímur cycle. From Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, Copenhagen, 1913–22), pp. 357–390. Three manuscripts: A (AM 604, 4°), B (Cod. Wolfenbüttel), C (Sth. perg. 23, 4°).
Ríma I
Mansöngr: Venus and the craft of poetry. Charlemagne and his twelve peers — Roland, Oliver, Ogier the Dane, Archbishop Turpin, Nemus, Namlun, Otuel, Villifer, Bernard, Bæring, Reinald, Geirard, Bertrans, Angelas, Berard — and the traitor Ganelon. The queen says Hugo of Greece is greater; Charlemagne swears to find him. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem — they sit in the thirteen seats of Christ and the apostles, a Jew sees them shining, the Patriarch names Charlemagne greatest king on earth. They receive holy relics and depart for Greece. Hugo ploughs with a golden plough. A thousand maidens greet them.
1.
Venus holds that withered strain
that can make men grieve for joy —
she strikes up with sorrow's beat
and the sweetness of love's virtue.
2.
Whoever would enter that contest,
crafting verse for women —
it may become a heady brew;
I will not mix that drink.
3.
Venus-play in verses wrought
I would tell to brides,
if they would grant me any fame —
the mother of wolf and serpent.
4.
I know no craft upon
Odin's precious ship [poetry] —
for the women treat me kindly:
a wind in full draught.
5.
Let the verse, locked with devices,
offer men amusement.
Charlemagne, the noblest emperor,
ruled his champions with power.
6.
The king upheld the Christian law
and churches he had built;
heathens got blows and beatings
who dared to face the prince.
7.
The emperor has such a host of champions
who dress in shining armour;
nowhere in the world is told
such a court with any king.
8.
Roland was the king's most dear,
proved in noble deeds;
next to him is Earl Oliver
and Ogier the Dane, the strong.
9.
Bishop Turpin, he held dear,
the faith against heathen souls,
and so skilled in battle too —
he fights with both his hands.
10.
Nemus was named, and Namlun too,
men of noble bearing;
their lineage was not small,
and Otuel, the king's mighty son.
11.
With the king was Villifer,
who woke sharp clamour,
Ivorius and Ingelier —
all bold champions.
12.
Bernard and they, Earl Bæring,
who struck the bright shields;
Reinald guarded the king's dais
and the knight Geirard the proud.
13.
Bertrans cleaves with the keen blade,
clad in mail-shirts;
the champion Angelas
and another, Berard the strong.
14.
There was one upon the prince's dais
who seemed to ruin many —
the god-traitor, Earl Ganelon,
who did the worst of all.
15.
I would rather name but few
of the Nibelung's cunning champions;
yet I shall tell one clever tale
of all these warriors.
16.
This I shall tell: out in France,
once upon a time,
the lord sits with his queen,
the precious one, beside a grove.
17.
The king asked his lady
in playful conversation:
"Is there any prince now
my equal or my better?"
18.
"I know one," said the radiant woman,
"who may be of higher rank."
Such passion rushed into the king's breast
that wisdom barely held.
19.
The noble lady blushed,
the gentle king grew wrathful;
she fell now at his feet
quickly, wanting to make peace.
20.
"I trust," said the gold-goddess,
"that the lord will bend his anger —
I am your dearest wife;
do not blame me for this."
21.
"You have spoken such great shame —
it is my right to avenge it.
You shall have no mercy
unless you name the king."
22.
"Hugo the mighty is his name,
the lord of Grecian thanes;
I have heard that king
can do almost anything.
23.
No ruler is so rich
in red gold and in gems,
yet he is not a prince like
you in every way."
24.
"I shall seek out that lord —
my craft compels it —
not return to France
until I have seen and known him.
25.
If he does not outmatch me
in many feats of courage,
your honour shall be lost here —
you forfeit my love."
26.
The king ponders his firm plans
and calls at once
first Roland, his kinsman,
and all their companions.
27.
The king's court listens;
the prince speaks to his people:
"Out to Jerusalem we shall go,
all of us together in splendour.
28.
I would find the holy cross
and leave this land;
the Holy Spirit itself
has shown this to us in a dream."
29.
The brilliant warriors
laid down their shining weapons;
men took up scrip and staff —
they shall all go to the cross.
30.
The emperor rides with those champions,
keen and quick in battle,
out and south to Jerusalem,
and came unto the city.
31.
They make their way into the great minster
that is called Pater Noster;
this will seem wondrous to the warriors —
what the king's retinue dares.
32.
The worthy lord's company
finishes its gentle prayer;
the men see there, so fair,
thirteen splendid seats.
33.
Never in the south had they seen
such seats in any hall —
God himself had sat in them
with all his apostles.
34.
The lord took the seat;
kingly fortune sustained him,
and the peers spread out
among the other seats.
35.
A certain Jew walked near
and stared at all of them;
the man grew terribly bewildered —
he began to tear his clothes.
36.
The Patriarch was the first he found;
he fell down to the ground:
"The very wonders," said he,
"I have just now seen.
37.
Six and seven men I saw
sitting in the shining church;
they have taken those very seats —
I have seen none higher.
38.
One so far above all shone,
all his garments gleaming —
I believe that Christ has come
with his beloved apostles."
39.
The Patriarch summons
a throng of priests into the street,
comes to his own church —
the king rises from his seat.
40.
Each greeted the other first —
what is that but equals?
The lord of the church asks the emperor,
keen, for his sovereign name.
41.
"France is the name of that fair realm
which we won with honour;
I am called Emperor Karl,
king over all of Rome."
42.
"You have held that same seat
which the Lord himself adorned;
you shall nearly enjoy its grace."
The Nibelung sat and listened.
43.
"For this you shall bear the name,
adorned with honour and treasure —
no other king in the world
shall be called your equal."
44.
The lord gave Draupnir's tithe [gold]
and lingered there with his men;
the prince built in that mighty city
a church of Mary.
45.
He held then, as here is told,
a feast of glory;
the lord received there great power
and many holy relics.
46.
A golden shrine was made for them
with good fastenings between;
Bishop Turpin took them to himself,
he who was true to God and king.
47.
The lord would be on his way
and the bishop speaks to the wise one;
now the prince would go
to find King Hugo.
48.
The fair lord escorted them
forward to Erico's city;
then he would turn home —
they know nothing of sorrow.
49.
[. . .]
"I declare my counsel —
strike always the heathen men
and avenge their heresy."
50.
The prince went on warring
hard against the Spanish warriors;
Marsilius, the mighty king,
had long ruled those men.
51.
The champions came to the land of the Greeks,
noble they may be called;
half a mile the men then had
homeward to the city.
52.
A courtly garden the king owns,
and they had come so near it —
planted with plum-trees it was,
and the fairest beauty of the world.
53.
They had come into that garden,
the lord of all the Greeks —
nowhere was a gap in the hedge to be seen;
such things may bring delight.
54.
A thousand maidens, three and one,
entertain the men —
each one in silk
leading her beloved.
55.
They gaze a long while
at the arts of such men.
Now let the wave-god take the bowl [the poem ends] —
the scarlet-wishing Nanna.
Ríma II
Mansöngr: the poet's sorrow — his skill fades, his memory fails, the women hate him. Charlemagne enters Hugo's realm: a knight leads them to Hugo, who ploughs a field with a golden plough. Hugo invites them to Constantinople (here called Bidenciana). Hugo's palace stands on a single pillar and spins in the wind like a mill — golden children on the columns blow horns, the whole hall revolves. By night they are lodged in a chamber with thirteen beds. A spy stands in a hollow glass pillar. Hugo bids each man declare his art. The peers begin their boasts.
1.
Eloquence fails and memory breaks —
I cannot manage verses;
the sorrow is much the worse
to think on mansöngr's teachings.
2.
Men sing for their own delight
and gladden young maidens;
yet there is grief in my heart
when I hear such sport.
3.
The world wills that I should have
such hatred from young women —
it turns out nothing like good;
I cannot help my words.
4.
Whenever the mind turns
to recite anything of women,
I am seldom a saddle-steed [a lover] —
sorrow forbids it.
5.
Warriors and women alike,
the tale must be told:
Charlemagne the emperor saw
the king's splendid garden.
6.
The emperor asks if anyone could
compare that king to himself;
there came one of the king's knights
and spoke to him.
7.
"My lord is so near from here
upon a high seat;
he will be praised for his arts
and wears shining silk."
8.
The prince went with his hard troop
forward over level fields;
there a plough was made of gold
and oxen drew beneath it.
9.
The king's garments shine bright;
the emperor turned that way —
it was all wrought of silk
and a splendid staff in his hand.
10.
The lord drove the oxen along
that drew the fair plough;
lord Magnus greets the prince,
and all his court thereafter.
11.
"It was seven years ago,"
said the fair lord,
"I heard those deeds of courage
that you wrought in battle.
12.
Prince, come home to us
with your dear company —
take your rest the next year,
for the clear wine is enough."
13.
The prince rode with famous might
forward, and all his warriors;
soon the men see the king's
castle and great halls.
14.
Bidenciana was that city
once called by the peoples —
yet it is known by champions now
as Constantinople.
15.
Then they took saddled steeds,
the king's bold warriors —
seven thousand of the lord's host,
all clad in silk.
16.
Now into the king's hall comes
the emperor's fair company;
no man was unaware
that elegant craft had built it.
17.
Upon a single pillar stands
the lord's bright hall;
it blazes all along the water's edge
and is inlaid with serpent's heart [amber].
18.
This pillar holds and bears
all the hall's weight,
so skilfully wrought with the world's art
that every tongue praised it.
19.
Splendidly the vault was painted;
many pillars stand
from rafters down to floor,
out to either side.
20.
The wall both broad and high,
set with fair round shields,
green and dark, red and grey,
made by master hands.
21.
There stand with ornament
other pillars, smaller —
no fewer than a hundred
inside the king's hall.
22.
A master, one who knew his craft,
has carved upon them
little children, small and cunning,
as though they hold horns to their mouths.
23.
Whenever the pillar, stone-like,
catches a great wind,
each one turns against the other —
it laughs and stretches out a finger.
24.
Each pillar is hollow and empty
and covered far with treasure;
it is the greatest mastery
to have wrought all this.
25.
Then wind came and struck the hall
near the fair pillars;
the children began to blow, all of them,
just as if they were alive.
26.
The lord's hall spins like a mill,
powerful on the serpent's skerries [gold foundations] —
no man expects this —
and it thunders in every pillar.
27.
The men all at once
began to say:
"Now the queen has told us true —
I see there is cause for boasting."
28.
Then the worthy lord would go
out with his bold company;
none of the Frankish men
could keep his feet in the hall.
29.
They saw no one like this
who had lived many ages;
this astonished the emperor's men
and they called it power-sorcery.
30.
Then Hugo came with a mighty host
to meet the emperor;
he bade him not to fear such things,
the lord's wise champions.
31.
They set in the highest seat
the lord of all the Greeks;
Charlemagne the emperor next —
dear was the bond between them.
32.
Mighty Roland could be seen
next to the king in his seat;
beside him was Earl Oliver,
the glorious champion.
33.
Each man sits beside the other;
feasting will not dwindle —
the archbishop, most wise,
and Ogier the Dane.
34.
On the other side, beside the Greek king,
they set a seat
for his queen, who loved noble deeds —
the lady would honour the prince.
35.
The skilful leek-isle [woman] could
heal the warriors' ills;
next to her sits a fine maiden —
that was the king's daughter.
36.
Now when mighty Earl Oliver
saw that young woman,
anguish came into his breast of love
and burned through all his body.
37.
The handsome knight in tender longing
spoke from his gentle heart:
"I would woo the king's daughter
and choose her for my bed.
38.
Would God that you were
in our own land —
I should take you, fair lady,
with the bond of love."
39.
The lord's son drank to the maiden;
gentle is their tenderness —
she gives the earl good thanks;
evening draws on.
40.
The court ceased then
to drink the white wine;
the lord would go to rest —
night has come upon the men.
41.
Each man, clad in scarlet,
dressed in pure silk —
the king himself led the emperor
and they came to a chamber.
42.
All this chamber was locked,
laid with burnished gold;
the prince's bed stood gleaming there —
the lord shall turn to it.
43.
There one may see in that place
thirteen beds of bronze;
the emperor's warriors go to them,
and no more may enter.
44.
All this has the finest form,
the fairest earthly bliss.
The men shall in this bedchamber
speak of needful things.
45.
The warriors climbed into bed at once;
Hugo waited for this;
he bade the people a gentle night
and locked the fair chamber.
46.
A pillar stood, made with glass,
in the middle of that floor;
it was hollow inside, like a vessel,
wrought in a master's smithy.
47.
There the lord of the Greek halls
had placed a man inside the pillar —
he can mock the wise men;
he spies upon them all.
48.
Wine causes men
peacefulness when wisdom fades;
the king now bids the noble men
declare their arts.
49.
The warriors are wonderfully eager
to perform splendid sport;
the men ask the lord first
to declare his own art.
50.
The prince begins a marvellous speech,
famed at this time.
Thus with verses shall I end —
the second ríma is finished.
Ríma III
Mansöngr: the poet has always failed with women. Charlemagne's boast: he will cleave a mounted knight through both mail-coats, horse and all, a spear-shaft's depth into the ground. The spy in the pillar reacts. Roland: one blast of his horn Olivant will blow open every gate and knock the king flat. Oliver: he will bed the princess a hundred times in one night. Ogier the Dane: he will crush the pillar and bring down the whole palace. Turpin: he will divert the river and flood the city. Nemus: he will vault the highest tower in full armour and shake the mail-coat to straw. Villifer: he will lift a golden ball that thirty men cannot move and hurl it through the city wall. Bæring: he will leap from the palace wall onto upturned swords uncut. Bernard: he will jump over two horses and land on a third while juggling four apples. Bertrans: he will fly out the window and call every animal and bird. Berard the Brave: he will sit in four loads of boiling lead and emerge unburnt. Reinald: he will turn invisible, slap the king off his throne, and make everyone tear each other's beards. Geirard the Proud: he will throw a spear half a mile and hit a coin atop the highest tower. The spy reports everything. Hugo is enraged.
1.
Long have I composed a game of verses,
vain, about the jewel-goddess;
yet I get from the young lady
nothing in return but sorrow.
2.
Masters who recite the mansöngr —
they should sit beside their maidens;
I shall shorten their hours
and care so little for this world.
3.
Love's men, for love's life,
would compose for a courtly woman;
he need not grieve at all
whom the world has given so little.
4.
I said last that the emperor's men
had come into their beds;
the lord should declare his art —
no one could see the spy.
5.
"Let the lord take tomorrow,"
said the mighty prince,
"that knight who is bravest —
he shall ride in two mail-coats.
6.
He shall be given two helmets,
a horse and gear, all strong —
armour, everything prepared for war;
I raise my good sword aloft.
7.
Man asunder and horse clean through
I shall hew in one stroke;
skill and peace will both be spoiled —
a spear-shaft's length into the ground.
8.
If my strong blow does not stop
at the lord's man and all his gear,
fortune mocks this prince —
he shall have power over me."
9.
Answered he who stands in the pillar:
"Your hands must be strong indeed;
the prince did a foolish thing
to house you in this place."
10.
Mighty Roland then said:
"The king shall give to me
— then the old wonders will increase —
Olivant, his good horn.
11.
The warriors' host will pale
when I blow it so that every gate
swings open and shut;
overwhelming is this power.
12.
Let the mighty king go out
upon the wide field with all his court —
beard and hair will shake from him;"
the spy called that a power-boast.
13.
"The game is not done yet —
the king may do as he likes with my life."
Oliver raised his gentle voice,
for the maiden stirred his anguish.
14.
"The lord's daughter, sweet and fair,
seems to me both bold and fine;
let the king be pleased
to lay her in bed beside me.
15.
Let the lord trust in my manhood —
I shall exercise my will
with the hawk-land's [woman's] fire-gate [embrace]
a hundred times in a single night."
16.
The spy answers again:
"Never have I seen such men.
The lady's arm is wonderfully good —
you will be exhausted first."
17.
Ogier the Dane, that champion,
was always thought wise and bold;
he declares his art at once —
they can hardly speak fast enough.
18.
"This may be called wondrous and strange —
I shall squeeze asunder in the middle
that pillar which holds the hall;
it shall crash to the ground entire.
19.
The whole fine building falls
when I break that pillar apart;
the vault will then cave in —
my head lies beneath it."
20.
"Things do not improve," answers
the one who made the mockery;
"this is truly madman's talk —
I shall say so, and welcome."
21.
Bishop Turpin speaks with art;
he has never lost his honour:
"A great river falls here into the sea;
many cities stand beside it.
22.
I shall turn it from its course —
for most that would be a trial —
so the torrent shall pour into the city,
flooding both houses and squares.
23.
When the king learns of the torrent,
he will flee to his highest tower;
the king shall from terror here
dare not stir at all."
24.
Said the spy, the one who mocked:
"Do not spare your scorn of the king;
God forbid what you demand —
cursed be all of you."
25.
Then spoke with honour the worthy
Duke Nemus, old and stiff:
"Let the lord take two mail-coats —
I shall wear them in the morning.
26.
Famous men may see this:
I leap one and three arm-spans
over that tower which here is highest —
the prince shall sit beside me.
27.
I shake myself," said the ring-tree [warrior],
"and then it all shall fall asunder —
the mail-coat, like burnt straw;
slay me, king, if I lie."
28.
"You must be rather tough in the sinews,"
answered the one who owns the mockery;
"your boasting is astonishing —
never have I heard greater nonsense."
29.
Bold Villifer said:
"I see here a fine golden ball;
thirty men cannot
move it from its place.
30.
I shall lift it on my palm —
it will seem sport here —
and with my hand I shall hurl that fair load
up onto the city wall.
31.
The wall shall, with great wonder,
break apart for many fathoms;
if I fail this feat,
then let my life be ended."
32.
The spy called that bravado:
"You have foolishness enough;
it was the lord's ill luck
to invite you to this feast."
33.
Quickly said, adorned with finery,
Earl Bæring, who won honours:
"Let the lord now take all the swords
and set them hilt-down in the field.
34.
I leap down from the palace wall
onto the upturned keen edges —
then every one of them, clean across,
the king's swords shall break.
35.
If I come whole from the blade-meeting,
I shall beg no wound;
else let me be injured by the lord
and led to death come morning."
36.
The pillar-man stands and laughs:
"Great wonders we have heard —
are you made as much of iron
that no sword can bite you?"
37.
Sturdy Bernard declared:
"Let him take three horses in the morning;
I shall race them against each other
and let each run as it can.
38.
I leap up over two horses" —
so spoke the bold man —
"that may be called a cunning trick —
and land gladly on the third.
39.
Four apples, wonderfully high,
I fling up and catch at once;
if a single apple falls,
then both life and peace are done."
40.
"Great is your gift of art,"
said the one who dealt the shame;
"your boasting is a weary wonder —
yet the king is not harmed by this."
41.
Bertrans said, the lord's man:
"Let the king," said he,
"give me four linden-rods —
I shall fly out through the gates.
42.
I travel over forests, mountains, and plains;
in a single moment gather
stags, birds, wild beasts,
and every creature that lives in water.
43.
All of these at once
press toward our feet,
and by the power of my breath
each returns to its own home."
44.
Softly answered the worn-out spy:
"Juggler you may well be called;
this is nonsense, my foster-friend,
that birds should do your will."
45.
Berard the Brave asked this:
"The lord shall give me
— then new glory shall be done —
four loads of lead.
46.
It shall be molten in a cauldron;
I come in naked" —
there the sling-god of sleep's land [warrior]
would sit until noon.
47.
"I shake off every trace;
neither harm nor hurt do I take;
I shall endure these torments here —
if a single coin-mark is found on me."
48.
"This is not beyond wonder,"
answers the other in a low voice;
"I never heard anyone claim such things —
your flesh is like iron."
49.
Reinald spoke a valiant word:
"I shall wander before the king's table,
eating and drinking the lord's wine,
and no one shall see me.
50.
Fortune has given me these arts:
I strike the king one blow;
he shall fly forward onto the floor —
that spy may gossip to twelve others.
51.
The lord's men here will want
to save him and seize me —
they cannot lay hands on the man,
and each shall tear the other's beard."
52.
The fellow gave no delay in his answer:
"That one has spoken worst of all;
that was drivel and fool's play,
that the lord invited you to feast."
53.
Thus spoke, mightily glad,
Geirard the Proud, a Frankish man;
he spoke last and declared
the honour-vow that was laid on him:
54.
"My feat is wonderfully fast —
give me, king, any spear;
it shall bear the weight of the greatest man
the lord has in his land.
55.
He shall take a fine coin
and press it up on the high tower;
I shall hit it, I think,
though I stand half a mile away.
56.
The gold shall fall from the sea-fire [gold on the tower],
the other half stay still;
my run is glory-fast —
I run back and catch the spear."
57.
Said the one who gave the answers:
"Never have I heard such nonsense.
Weak must be your wisdom-vessel —
I do not know who is most foolish."
58.
The lord's company falls asleep richly;
then from the pillar slips
the spy, to the Nibelung's presence —
he who has learned much in that hour.
59.
The prince asked of the hall at once:
"What have these men said tonight?
Did any of them declare
that the warriors wished to stay here?"
60.
The man says it was far from that —
these men spoke nothing of staying;
"Rather has the foolish host
threatened you all night long.
61.
The lord raised ugly prattle;
long indeed was their boasting."
Two servants were in the house;
he told all that they had said.
62.
"I swear," said the prince,
"an army shall be gathered at once."
Then Hugo grew grim at heart.
The dusk passed and the shadows dimmed.
63.
The king's men were dressed in finery;
the emperor had heard mass.
He found Hugo the mighty
and greeted that lord.
64.
The king's breast is cold and grieved;
the emperor answers most sternly:
"Lord, you had better think on yourself —
why did you mock us?"
65.
The lord answers, barely hard:
"Our men have drunk too fast."
"I did not come here with cups of ale
so that kings might spy on us.
66.
I have fixed it in my heart
— whomever it suits worst —
you shall perform those arts,
so that not a single one remains.
67.
Else you shall suffer lifelong ruin;
never shall you come home to your land
unless you fulfil it all so well
that none may find a fault."
68.
The emperor himself and the men of France
stood in a ring.
First the mead-god [poetry] shall fall low
and the voice grow quiet.
Ríma IV
Mansöngr: flame and shadow and the silken lady. Charlemagne confesses to his men: they have spoken too boldly, and Hugo demands proof. Roland urges war; Charlemagne refuses to strike Christian folk. He weeps over the holy relics and prays. An angel appears: Christ grants that every boast shall succeed, but bids them never mock a man so again. The boasts are fulfilled — Oliver with the princess, Villifer with the golden ball, Turpin floods the city, Hugo flees to his tower. Hugo surrenders his kingdom; Turpin prays the flood away. The bishop proclaims Charlemagne greatest king on earth. A great feast. Hugo gives a hundred bisunds of gold. Charlemagne departs; Oliver takes Hugo's daughter as his bride.
1.
Men bore in the land of flame —
it sank down into Hulda's wind;
thus am I both hart and hind,
hushing verses for the silken lady.
2.
Gladly would I craft the fame-work,
softly shaped at every turn,
if the wealth-slope [woman] would lay
her words against me gently.
3.
Next came in the song's turn:
the emperor speaks to his bold people:
"We have said far too much;
the lord takes this hard.
4.
The king demands, full of wrath,
that we prove those arts;
I think it is nearly certain
that none of us is able."
5.
Roland answers in an angry voice:
"I would offer the king little.
Let us crush him with courage and might
and cut his people to pieces."
6.
"I will never strike," said the emperor,
"Christian folk in this place;
the multitude presses near —
we cannot manage that.
7.
The living God, full of mercy,
may release my warriors' pain."
The holy relics and high-wrought shrines
the prince has brought before him.
8.
The king himself weeps;
the greatest peace of honour grew.
The emperor then with love prays
that the king's fury be laid down.
9.
Straightway there comes to the king
Christ's angel in that very hour;
he bids the prince's brave kin
not to fear the lord's temper.
10.
"This Christ the lord has granted you:
it shall be as you have asked.
No art shall fail,
though you attempt each one.
11.
Your fame and triple virtue
run above all champions.
The Lord commands you, prince:
never mock so many men again."
12.
All praised the might of Jesus;
the angel vanished at once.
The warriors were exceedingly glad
and do now rather little grieving.
13.
All shall be as the lord asked;
the peers hear this,
ready now to prove themselves —
fail not to try at once.
14.
The emperor, after hearing the glad news,
tells the king, and then was light:
"Now we are ready indeed
to prove all our arts."
15.
The king answered, tame in battle —
his tongue was keen and quick —
the maiden will not like this —
"I bid Oliver try first.
16.
He said he would ring the girl
a hundred times, the dark pool
of the world's bliss;
now we shall see what he is worth.
17.
Let the silk-goddess confirm this;
the man keeps his life then.
But if even one time is lacking,
all of you shall die."
18.
A worthy host of men, I tell,
the lord has a feast prepared;
the drink is poured, precious and sweet;
long thus it went until night.
19.
The sweet one shall go to bed,
graciously, as evening falls;
now must valour do what virtue can —
the king's daughter lay in her bed.
20.
All the courtfolk walk with the lords;
the harp's sweet string sounds;
the courtly man removes his clothes —
he delays himself no longer.
21.
There is the greatest honour's custom;
kings themselves stood witness.
He asks leave no longer —
he lies down beside the maiden.
22.
Then the bright wine was poured
for shield-breaker and silk-goddess;
the maiden wept with pain and anguish;
Oliver thought well of himself.
23.
Locks guarded that chamber;
the people withdrew at once.
He creeps toward the king's daughter —
it has come to what the earl asked.
24.
"Have you ever left home before now,"
the maiden asked that lord,
the gold-braided bride most grieved,
"to trick so many ladies?"
25.
"You shall consent, treasure-vine,
young one, to be my bride;
do not be shy of your tenderness —
bear up well and cast off pain."
26.
The wealth-goddess, with anguished voice,
consents to the spear-field [warrior];
the lord gladdened the prince's child —
a hundred times he kissed the lady.
27.
This became their counsel;
he does not tire of the world's grace;
the sweet one wound a silk thread
round the honour-man's wisdom-bed.
28.
The knight embraces the cloth-woman
just as if they were truly wed;
he grasped her white body like drifted snow —
fearsome must be their account.
29.
The prince said to the braided goddess:
"Your father comes, I am certain;
sweet one, you must — clever and quick —
speak well of our art."
30.
The artist and the leek-gate [maiden]
lie so all that night;
the lord comes in the morning at once;
he spoke both sternly and loud:
31.
"Wisest bride, I would hear
how the arts went."
The modest girl answers:
"Honourably this went.
32.
I lay my oath upon it,"
said the gentle woman to the lord;
"the earl performed the love-feat
no worse than he had said."
33.
The king's breast, swelling with passion,
found the emperor, who bore the struggle:
"Oliver has done full well;
I bid another prove his craft.
34.
Bold Villifer, I trust,
must grasp the hand-skerry [golden ball];
I will slay the lord's host
if he does not break the hall's vessel."
35.
Fortune aided the palm-god [warrior];
under the gold his palms he thrust;
the wall for many fathoms broke —
manfully he finished his trial.
36.
The king began to wail:
"I am faced with wonders here;
you show me illusions —
my land will be stolen from me."
37.
He swore then by the sweet cross
that the warriors' treasure should be lessened:
"Let Turpin make the fair torrent
flood into the city upon us."
38.
The bishop goes and blesses;
now it appears what power can do —
a storm began to rage then;
it rises upon the high cliffs.
39.
With currents the fierce river swept
streets, fields, forests, and meadow;
the city floats in torrents entirely —
it flooded up into the king's hall.
40.
The king himself flees to the tower;
a new terror grew;
so great was the roar in the hall —
each man turns his own way out.
41.
The emperor himself and the lord's host
stood far beyond the eastern gate.
Hugo spoke to the prince:
he would accept terms.
42.
The king asked for peace:
"I would know what you intend —
mighty lord, to drown me?
Death is certain if I stay here.
43.
Grim ruin it would be
if Christian warriors lost their lives;
rather will I now lay life and land
in your hands."
44.
The bishop called for prayers;
the people were eager for this;
all the lord's company prepares —
the river turns back into its channel.
45.
The bishop wrought so bright a deed —
the city sheds its grief and woe;
then it is dry and clean again;
no trace of water-harm was found.
46.
The king goes to meet the emperor —
courtly folk and a mighty lady;
he would gladly offer kind amends
for his angry threat.
47.
There was then a great press of men;
scarcely could they find room to walk;
Bishop Turpin sang the service;
his speech was thought eloquent and long.
48.
The bishop, I tell, most zealous,
proclaims that power which was written highest:
Charlemagne, greatest of emperors —
king shall be highest in the world.
49.
Then came the fair feast
for the men, after prayer was done,
with the highest earthly bounty —
nowhere in any land was such seen.
50.
The lord, I tell, bright and worthy,
lets no amusement lack —
delicacies, wine, and the sweet cost;
the emperor stays there fourteen nights.
51.
Then the champion's host
would turn homeward to France;
the noble lord of the land of the Greeks
would reward their company with gifts.
52.
Parting was dear among the champions;
the church sang and the people were taught;
then Hugo had delivered
a hundred bisunds of bright gold.
53.
The proud company boards the ship;
steel and gold on their bodies they bore;
there came to Earl Oliver
a bright maiden, she who wept.
54.
Sorrow does not cease;
truly it gives no one shelter;
the young woman held at once
one hand around the lord's waist.
55.
The artful lady
"I remember," said the lily,
"I pledged the earl my troth;
therefore as his true wife
I shall follow you away now."
56.
"I was glad of our meeting,"
the earl answered the jewel-ground [lady];
"I desire it gladly, powerful bride —
if that be your will."
57.
It is not written whether the prince's child
followed the bright one.
Oliver has won that lady
who was noblest among the Greek people.
58.
The king prays well for his champions;
the emperor parted from the folk;
good peace holds among the warriors —
it is not written further than this.
Colophon
Geiplur ("The Boasting Rímur") is a four-ríma Old Icelandic cycle retelling the Charlemagne in Constantinople legend — the Icelandic branch of the Old French Pèlerinage de Charlemagne à Jérusalem et à Constantinople. The cycle recounts how Charlemagne's queen declares King Hugo of Greece his superior; how the emperor and his twelve peers journey first to Jerusalem (where they sit in Christ's seats and receive holy relics) and then to Constantinople, where Hugo's spinning palace astounds them; how the peers boast impossibly in their bedchamber, overheard by a spy in a hollow pillar; how Hugo demands fulfilment on pain of death; and how divine intervention makes every boast succeed.
The Icelandic rímur version closely follows the Old French chanson de geste but domesticates it through Norse kenning-style and the mansöngr convention. The four rímur employ distinct meters: Ríma I in four-line ABAB stanzas, Ríma II the same, Ríma III in four-line AABB couplets, and Ríma IV in four-line AAAA monorhyme. The poet is unnamed; the cycle survives in three manuscripts: A (AM 604, 4°), B (Cod. Wolfenbüttel), and C (Sth. perg. 23, 4°).
Translated from Old/Middle Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, March 2026. AI-assisted (Good Works Translation). Source text: Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, Copenhagen, 1913–22), pp. 357–390. Critical apparatus consulted for variant readings across MSS A, B, and C.
First known English translation of this rímur cycle.
🌲
Source Text
Ríma I
I.
- Venus hefr það visna lag,
er virða kann að frygða,
setr hún upp með sorgar slag
og sætleik afmors dygða. - Hverr sem þar vill koma í kast
kvinnum dikt að vanda,
það má verða áfengt jast,
ekki vil eg það blanda. - Veneris lát í vísum færð
vildeg brúðum inna,
ef þeim væri á minni mærð
móðir úlfs og linna. - Veit eg ongva vanda-smíð
á Viðris dýru flaustri,
því að mér verða vifin frið
vindr í fullu austri. - Par skal bragrinn brogðum læstr
bjóða skemtan holdum,
Karlamagnús keisari æstr
koppum stýrði voldum. - Kóngrinn eflir kristin log
og kirkjur lét hann smíða,
heiðnir fengu hogg og slog
er hilmis þorðu að bíða. - Keisarinn hefr þá kappa fjold,
er klæðaz vápnum hreinum ;
slik mun hvergi i heimi told
hirð með kóngi neinum . - Rollant var þó ræsi kærstr
reyndr að sníldar verki,
honum er jallinn Oliver næstr
og Oddgeir danski inn sterki. - Túrpin byskup taldi kær,
trú fyri heiðnum ondum,
og svo vel til viga fær,
hann vegr með báðum höndum. - Nemus hét ok Namlun sá
nýtra herra líki,
þeira ætt var eigi små
og Otúel kóngsson ríki. - Var með kóngi Villifer,
er vakti rómur snarpar,
Ívóriús og Ingelier,
allir hreystigarpar. - Bernarð og þeir Bæring jall,
er bjartar randir knúði ;
Reinald varði ræsis hjall
og riddari Geirarð prúði. - Bertrans klýfur brandrinn hvass,
búna Hundings serki ;
afreksmaðrinn Angelas
og annar Bérarð sterki.
Namlun: mamlun
Ingiler C.
,Hundings: Handis B, C.
Bérarð: Ber- - Þar var einn á þengils hjall,
er þótti morgu spilla ,
guðníðingrinn Gunilon jall,
er gjorði flest ið illa. - Nenni eg heldr að nefna fátt
af niflungs gorpum snjollum ,
þó skal kveða einn klókan þátt
af koppum þessum ollum. - Það skal inna, er út í Frans
eina stund með greinum
dogling sitr og drotning hans
dýr hjá lundi einum. - Sjóli spurði sína frú
svó með skemtan kærri :
„mun sá nokkur milding nú,
mér sé jafn eða hærri ?" - „Veit eg þann“, kvað vífið ljóst,
„vera mun æðri mektar" .
Kóngi rann svó kapp í brjóst,
að kendi valla spektar. - Roðna tók in ríka frú,
reiddiz kóngrinn mildi ;
fell hún honum til fóta nú
fljótt og sættaz vildi.
„Vænti eg þess", kvað vella Lin,
„að vísir angrið sveigi ,
eg er in kærsta kvinnan þin,
þú kunn mig þessa eigi" .
Gunilon: Gutilon A ,
Guinwl-
um B, gvmilvm C.
at vera B.
hærri : B, C; æðri A.
að kendi : og kennir C.
4fljótt og :
fliodit B;
fliod ok C.
3kærsta : C; kærasta A, B.
21.
„Þú hefr mælt svo mikla smán,
"
mér er skylt að hefna,
ongrar áttu vægðar ván
ef viltu ei kónginn nefna“ .
22. „Húgon inn ríki heitir sá
herrann grískra þegna ;
það hefeg frétt, að fylkir sá
má flestu ollu megna.
23. Engi er svó ræsir ríkr
að rauðagulli og steinum,
þó er hann eigi þengill likr
þér i ollum greinum" .
24: „Eg skal leita að lofðung þeim,
listin hefr svó unnað,
koma ei fyrr í Frakkland heim,
en fái eg hann séð og kunnað .
25. Beri hann eigi makt af mér
i margri hreysti sinni ,
tignin þín mun týnaz hér,
tapar þú elsku minni" .
26. Ræsir hugsar ráðin stinn
og ræður þegar að kalla
fyrstan Rollant frænda sinn
og félaga þeira alla.
27. Hirðin kóngsins hlýðir á,
hilmir talar við lýði :
„út skulum vér til Jórsala gá
allir samt með prýði.
sål. her (= sagaen) ; senere findes formen
Hugi.
heidri C.
týnir A.
skulu C.
týnaz : B, C;
tapaz A.
Jórsala: iossala C.
28. Eg vil hitta inn helga kross
og halda í burt úr landi,
það hefr sýnt í svefni oss
sjálfr inn helgi andi.
29. Listug vápnin logðu af
lofðungs garpar snjallir,
skatnar tóku nú skreppu og staf,
þeir skulu til krossins allir.
30. Keisarinn ferr með koppum þeim,
kænn og snarr í rómu,
út og suðr í Jórsalaheim
og allt til borgar kómu .
31. Plaga sik framm i prúðastmynstr,
er Páter Noster heitir,
það mun þikkja koppum kynstr,
hvað kóngsins vóga sveitir.
32. Lyktar sinni ljúfri bæn
lofðungs herrinn mæti,
þegnar líta par svo væn
þrettán veglig sæti .
33. Sá þeir aldri suðr um heim
sæti slik i hollum ,
sjálfur guð hefr setið í þeim
með sínum postulum ollum.
34. Stillir settiz stólinn á,
studdi hann kónglig gipta,
en jafningjarnir út í frá
qðrum sætum skipta.
taki A;
taka C.
- 29, garpar: dreingir B, C.
jafn.: uden art. C. - 343
- Gyðingur nokkur gekk þar nær
og gjorði alla að lita,
rekkrinn varð sá raunmjog ær,
hann réð sín klæðin slíta. - Pátríarkann fyrstan fann,
fell hann niðr að grundu,
„sjálf ódæmin " , sagði hann,
„séð hefeg nú fyri stundu. - Rekka leit eg sex og sjau
sitja í kirkju skærri ,
þeir hafa sez i sætin þau,
séð hef eg engi hærri . - Einn svo langt af öllum bar,
oll hans klæðin skína,
Kristur trúeg að kominn sé þar
kær með postula sina" . - Pátriarkinn plagar í stað
presta fjold á stræti,
kirkju sinni kemr hann að,
kóngrinn stigr úr sæti . - Hvor nam heilsa qðrum fyrr,
hvað sé það nema jafni?
kirkju herrann keisarann spyrr
kænn að veldis nafni . - „Frakkland heitir fagrligt hjall,
er fengum vér með sóma,
er eg að nafni keisarinn Kall
kóngr um gjorvalt Róma. "
--
تش37, sætin: sæti B.
,klæðin: klædi athB,
efter i C v ..... (afrevet og slettet?) . - „Þú hefr haft þann soma sess,
er sjálfur dróttinn prýddi,
náliga skulu þér njóta þess“ .
Niflung sitr og hlýddi. - „Hér fyri skuluð hafa það nafn,
heiðri prýddir og seimi,
þér skal kallaz engi jafn
annar kóngr í heimi" . - Dogling veitti Draupnis torg
og dvaldiz þar með sveina,
milding gjorði í mætri borg
Máríu kirkju eina. - Helt hann þá, sem hér er sagt,
hóf og veislu fróma,
stillir fekk þar mikla makt
og marga helga dóma. - Gjort var að þeim gull-ligt skrin
og góðar festar milli,
Túrpin byskup tók til sín,
sá trúr var guði og stilli. - Buðlung vill í burtu gá
og byskup kveðr inn svinna,
nú vill hilmir halda á
Húgon kóng að finna. - Fagri herra fylgdi þeim
fram til Erico borgar,
vill hann síðan venda heim,
vita þeir ei til sorgar .
skaltu B, C.
С.
fylgir C.
Erico: C; eriku B; Antekiu A.
IS
Sk
„birti ek ræðu mína,
hogg þú jafnan heiðna menn
og hefn þeim villu sina" . - Hilmir fór að herja framr
hvatt á spanska drengi,
Marsilíus inn mikli gramr
monnum réð þar lengi. - Garpar kómu Grikkland á,
gildir heita máttu;
hálfa mílu holdar þá
heim til borgar áttu . - Kurteis garðr, er kóngrinn á,
kominn var þeim svó nærri,
plantaðr var með plómum sá
og prýði heimsins skærri . - Þá var kominn í þenna garð
pengill allra Grikkja,
hvergi sá fyri skotnum skarð ,
skemtan má slíkt þikkja. - Þúsund meyja, þrjár og ein
þegnum skemtan greiða,
sérhver skyldi silkirein
sinn unnustann leiða. - Líta þeir um langa stund
listir slíkra manna.
Skeljungs taki nú skála sund
skarlas æski-Nanna .
má
slíkt: mundi
-hver:
-hvern A.
Skili- A.
skarlazt C.
II.
- Mælskan þverr en minnið brestr,
má eg ei fáz i kvæðum,
harmrinn er sá hálfu vestr
að hyggja að mansongs fræðum . - Gumnar kveða að gamni sér
og gleðja unga sæti,
þegar er harmr í hjarta mér
er heyri eg þess kyns læti . - Heimrinn vill, að hafi eg slikt
hatr af ungum fljóðum,
gjoriz það ekki góðu likt,
get eg ei valdið hljóðum. - Þegar að hugrinn þangað snýr
að þylja neitt um svanna,
er eg sjaldan soðla dýr,
sorgin má það banna. - Fyrða drótt og fljóða sveit
fræðið verðr að skýra:
Kalla-Magnús keisarinn leit
kóngsins garðinn dýra. - Keisarinn spyrr, hvárt kynni neinn
kónginn honum að líkja,
þar kom ræsis riddarinn einn
og réð að honum að víkja. - „Herra minn er heðan svo skamt
á hávum stóli einum,
hann mun lofaz af listum samt
og leikr í guðvef hreinum" .
kune i C (til v. III 12g).
mestr C.
4guðvef:
II. 1, er: war B.
soda B.
gudne(?) B. - Fylkir gekk og flokkrinn harðr
framm um sléttar grundir,
þar var gjorr af gulli arðr
og gengu múlar undir. - Kóngsins skina klæðin bjort,
keisarinn þangað vendi,
það var allt með guðvef gjort
og glæstur sproti i hendi. - Qõling keyrði yxnin meðr,
er arðrinn drógu fríðan ;
herra Magnús hilmi kveðr
og hirðin gjorvoll siðan . - „Var það fyri vetrum sjau" ,
vísir talaði inn fríði,
„hreystiverkin heyrða eg þau,
að hafi þér gjort i stríði . - Hilmir, farðu heim til vár
og holda sveitin kæra,
tak þar náð ið næsta ár,
því nóg er vínið skæra" . - Fylkir reið með frægan mátt
framm og drengir allir,
kóngsins líta þeir bragnar brátt
borg og stórar hallir. - Bidenciána var borgin sú
af brognum kolluð ólim,
þó er hún kend af koppum nú
Konstantinopólim . - Síðan tóku sąðluð ess,
seggir kóngsins snjallir,
sjau þúshundruð sjóla hess,
silki klæddir allir. - Magnús: herefter lakune i A (til v. III 21,).
ólim = lat. olim fordum'.
- 14
- Kemr nú framm í kóngsins rann
keisara múgrinn fríði,
aldri var það óvís mann,
að efldi fallig smíði . - Uppi á einum stólpa stendr
stillis hollin bjarta,
logar hún oll með lindar strendr
og límd með aurnis hjarta. - Þessi stólpi hefr og heldr
hallar qllum þunga,
svó með heimsins hagleik feldr,
só hvers manns lofaði tunga. - Prýðiliga var pentað hvólf,
pilárar margir standa
alt úr rjáfri og ofan á gólf,
út til beggja handa. - Veggrinn bæði viðr og hár,
vænum settur rondum,
grænn og dokkur, rauðr og grár
og gjorr af meistara hondum. - Standa þar með steini framt
stólpar aðrir minni,
hvergi færri en hundrað samt
i hollu kóngsins inni . - Mannlíkan hefr markað á
meistarinn einn, sá kunni,
þau eru bornin brigða smá,
sem bera sér horn að munni.
oven i pog streg gennem 1; kunde måske læses parlig 0 :
parflig.
II - Þegar er stólpinn steini líkr
stórum vindi léttir,
hverr að çðrum hefði vikr,
hlær og fingur réttir. - Hverr er stólpinn holr og tómr
og hoddum þaktur víða,
það er inn mesti meistaradómr
mega það gjorvalt smíða. - Þá kom vindr og veifði họll
vænum stólpum næri,
bornin tóku að blása upp oll
beint sem lifandi væri . - Mildings holl sem mylna snýz,
mektug ófnis skerjum,
engi þegn við þessu býz ,
en þýtr i stólpa hverjum, - Ýtar tóku allir hratt
einkar senn að mæla :
„nú hefr drotning sagt oss satt,
sé ek að því má hæla" . - Ætlar síðan oðling mætr
út með fólki snjollu,
engi mátti festa fætr
Frankismanna í hollu. - Litu þeir ongva lika enn,
er lifðu marga aldra,
kynjar þetta keisarans menn
og kolluðu máttargaldra . - Þá kom Hugi með herlið ríkt
herra keisarann finna,
óttaz biðr hann ekki slíkt
oðlings garpa svinna. - Settu þeir í sæti hæst
sjálfan Grikkja stilli,
Kallamagnús keisara næst,
kært var þeira i milli . - Ríkan mátti Rollant sjá
ræsi næst í sæti,
honum var jallinn Óliver hjá,
afreks garprinn mæti. - Hverr að qðrum holda sitr,
hóf man ekki þverra,
erkibyskup einkar vitr
og Oddgeir danski herra . - Annan veg hjá Grikkja gram
gjorði sæti að þiggja
drotning hans, er dáðir nam ,
drós vill heiðra tiggja . - Listug kunni lauka ey
lækna drengja sóttir ,
þar næst sitr ein þriflig mey,
það var kóngsins dóttir. - Nú sem ríkur Óliver jall
jungfrú þessa kendi,
það kom angr í elsku hjall,
að allan líkamann brendi . - Riddari vænn í ræktar þey
ræddi af blíðu sinni :
„kæra vilda eg kóngsins mey
kjósa i rekkju minni . - Vildi guð, að værir þú
i vóru eigin landi,
skylda eg þig, en fagra frú,
fá með yndis bandi." - Mildingssonr á meyna drakk,
mjúk er þeira blíða ,
gefr hún jalli góða þakk,
gjorir á kveld að líða. - Hirðin tók að hætta þá
hvíta vín að drekka,
niflung vill til náða gá,
nótt er komin á rekka. - Hverr var skarlags skreytiálfr
skrýddur pelli hreinu,
keisarann leiddi kóngrinn sjálfr
og kvómu að lopti einu. - Alt var þetta lopthús læst
lagið með gullið brenda,
hilmis stóð þar hvilan glæst,
herrann skal til venda. - Þar má líta í þessum stað
þrettán sængr af eiri,
keisarans víkja kappar að,
en koma eigi þangað fleiri. - Alt hefr þetta ið ferska form
in fegrsta veraldar sæla.
Pegnar munu í þessum dorm
porfum fleira mæla. - Holdar stigu í hvílur brátt,
Húgon nam þess biða,
lýðum bauð hann ljúfa nátt
og læsti rannið fríða. - Stólpi einn var gjorr með gler
á gólfi þessu miðju,
hann var innan holr sem ker
ok hafðr í meistara smiðju.
ið ferska : sål. D; heimsins hds.
24*
RİMNASAFN - Þar lét standa í stólpa mann
stillir Grikkja halla,
spektar drengi spotta kann,
spéar hann um þá alla. - Sumlið veldur seggjum enn
sætt, er vizkan dvínar,
tiggi biðr nú tigna menn
telja upp listir sínar. - Fyrða sveit er furðu lyst
fremja skemtan dýra,
seggir biðja sjóla fyst
sína íþrótt skýra. - Fylkir byrjar frábært tal
frægr á þessum tíma.
Ljóðum þannveg lúka skal,
liðin er onnur ríma.
III . - Longum orta eg ljóða spil
látafult um menja Bil,
enn eg fær af ungri snót
ekki par nema sorg i mót. - Meistarar þeir, sem mansong tjá
meyjum skyldu sitja hjá ,
eg skal stytta stundir þeim,
og stunda svá litt á þenna heim. - Afmors menn fyri elsku líf
yrkja vildu um kurteist víf,
sá þarf eigi að sorga neitt,
svó hefr heimrinn lítið veitt. - Kvað eg það næst, að keisarans menn
komnir vóru í hvílur enn,
qõling skyldi íþrótt tjá,
engi mátti spéarann sjá.
III.
- „Taki á morgun mildingr slikr,"
mælti þanninn herrann ríkr,
„riddara þann, er frægstan fær,
fara skal hann í brynjur tvær. - Honum skal ætla hjálma tvó,
hest og reiðann sterkan svó,
brynja, alt og búa með ferð ,
ber eg á lopt mitt góða sverð . - Holdinn sundr og hestinn slétt
hoggva skal eg í einu rétt,
spillaz mun þá spekt og friðr,
spjótskapts lengd i vollinn niðr. - Stýfi ei mitt ið sterka hogg
stillis mann og oll hans plogg ,
hamingjan þetta hilmi lér,
hann skal eiga vald á mér. “ - Svaraði sá er í stólpa stendr :
„sterkligar munu þínar hendr,
heimsliga gjorði hilmir það,
að hýsa yðr í þessum stað.“ - Ríkur mælti Rollant þá :
„ræsir skal mér sjálfur fá
aukaz mun þá undrin forn
Olivant, sitt ið góða horn . - Blikna mun þá bragna lið,
blæs eg það svó, að gjorvoll hlið
lúkiz bæði upp og aptr,
ofurligur er þessi kraptr . - Gangi út á víðan voll
visi rikr og hirðin qll,
skakiz af honum skegg og hár ; "
skjalarinn kvað það máttardár.
gaen har :
Olifant horn sitt. - „ Lyktiz eigi leikrinn framr,
lífi mínu ráði gramr.“
Óliver hóf ið mjúka mál,
er meyjan gjorði sorgar tál . - „Lofðungs dóttir ljúf og blíð
liz mér bæði djorf og fríð ,
láti kóngrinn líka sér
leggja hana í sæng hjá mér. - Dogling treysti á drengskap sinn,
drýgja skylda eg vilja minn
hauka láðs við hyrjar gátt
hundrað sinnum eina nátt. “ - Njósnarmaðrinn anzar enn :
„aldri leit eg slika menn.
Frúinnar armr er furðu góðr,
fyrri muntu protinn og móðr. “ - Oddgeir danski afreks garpr
jafnan þótti vitr og snarpr,
iprótt sína innir brátt;
eigi geta þeir mælt svo fátt. - „Kallaz má það kynstr og undr,
kreista skal eg í miðju sundr
stólpa þann, sem stendr á holl,
steypaz skal hún til jarðar qll . - Fellur alt ið feska rann ,
færi eg sundur stólpann þann,
hvólfið mun þá hverfa niðr,
hofuðið mitt þar liggur viðr. “ - „Ekki batnar enn um mál, "
anzar hinn er gjorði tál,
„vist er þetta vóðatal,
vil eg svó heill eg segja skal. " - Rækkefølgen af de talende
er herefter forskellig fra sagaens. - Turpin byskup talar með list,
tignar hafði aldri mist :
„móða fellr hér mikil í sjá,
margar borgir standa í hjá. - Færi eg hana úr farveg braut,
flestum mun það verða þraut,
svó skal fossinn falla í borg,
flói hann bæði um hús og torg. - Þá fylkir hefr af fossi spurn,
flýja mun hann í hæsta turn,
kóngrinn skal fyri hræzlu hér
hvergi þora að víkja sér.“ - Spéarinn talar, sá spottið nam :
„spari þér ekki að dára gram ,
banni guð, það beiðir þú,
bolvaðir sé þér allir nú." - Hermir þá með heiðri virðr
hertogi Némus gamall og stirðr :
„buðlung taki nú brynjur tvær,
bera skal eg á morgun þær. - Frægir mega það fyrðar sjá ,
faðma spring eg einn og þrjá
yfir þann turn, að hér er hæstr,
hilmir skal mér sitja næstr. - Hristi eg mig, kvað hringa lundr,
hrynja skal þá oll i sundr
brynjan rétt sem brunnið strá,
bani mér kóngr, ef lýg eg frá .
hér :
hann C; hér A.
Nemus: nems A, C.
spiáarinn.
hafan C.
flyg eg fra. - „Þú munt heldr i sinunum seigr, "
svaraði hinn, er spottið eigr,
„undarligt er yðvart geip,
aldri heyrða eg meira fleip.“ - Vaskur mælti Villifer :
„vænan gullboll lit eg hér,
fær hann eigi, þótt þreyti það,
þrjátigi manna hrært úr stað. - Lypti eg honum á lófa mér,
leikur mun það þykkja hér,
handar skal eg svo fogrum farm
fleygja upp á borgar arm . - Múrinn skal við meisl og undr
marga faðma brotna í sundr,
preyti eg eigi þessa ment,
þá skal vera mitt lífið ent. " - Njósnarinn kvað það nauðagap :
„nógan hafi þér dáraskap,
það var lofðungs lukku bann
að leiða yðr í þetta rann. " - Brálla mælti búinn við skraut
„taki nú sjóli sverðin oll
og seti að hjęltum niðr i voll. - Hleyp eg ofan af hallar vegg,
horfir upp in snarpa egg,
þá skal síðan sundr um þvert
sverðið kóngsins brotna hvert.
þyrfti A. - Kemr eg heill af hrotta fund,
hvergi bið eg neina und,
ella sé eg af milding meiddr,
á morgun þegar til dauða leiddr. " - Stólpamaðrinn stendr og hlær:
„stórlig undrin heyrðu vær,
hvort muntú jafnt af járni gjorr,
eigi kann þig að bita hjorr? " - Bernarð gjorði traustr að tjá :
„taki á morgun hesta þrjá,
eg skal reyna rás í gegn
og renni hverr, sem vinz til megn. - Hleyp eg upp yfir hesta tvó,
hreystimaðrinn talaði svó,
kynstraleik má kalla það,
kemr eg niðr á þriðja glað . - Fjórum plómum furðu hátt
fleyg eg upp og hendi brátt,
falli eitthvert eplið niðr,
úti er bæði líf og friðr. " - „Mikið er yðvart menta lán,
mælti hinn, er gjorði smán ,
yðvart gabb er undra leitt,
en eigi er kóngi í þessu sneitt . * - Bertram mælti, buðlungs mann,
„bragning láti, sagði hann,
fá mér einar fjórar lindr,
fljúga skal eg hér út um grindr.
A: hvárt muntu af stáli gjorr | þig kann ekki að bíta hjorr,
i C: pv mvnt iafnt af iarni gior | þig kann ecki at bita
hior. D har delvis restitueret det rigtige.
eplið::
þetta C.
epli C.
- 40, yðvart:
- Fer eg um skóga, fjoll og grund,
flykkjaz saman á einni stund
hirtir, fuglar, hermorg dýr,
og hver sú kind, í vatni býr. - Þetta gjorvalt þegar í stað
þrengiz vórum fótum að,
en fyri afli anda mins
aptur ferr til heima sins." - Lágt nam anza lyddan nú :
„leikari mátt vel kallaz þú,
fleipr er þetta, fóstri minn,
að fuglar gjori svo viljann þinn." - Berarð frækni beiddi sér :
„buðlung skal til handa mér
þá mun fremjaz frægðin ný
fjórar byrðar taka með blý. - Það skal vera í katli klokt,
kem eg svo að með holdið nokt."
Þar kvez sveigir svófnis fróns
sitja skyldi
í framan til nóns. - „Hristi eg af mér hverja grein,
hvorki fær eg skaða né mein,
eg skal prófa pislir hér,
ef pengur nokkur finz á mér. “ - „Eigi er þetta undralaust,
anzar hinn með lágri raust,
heyrða eg ongvan herma slíkt,
holdið þitt er járni líkt."
allz kyns C.
heimilis A.
heima C;
mætti C.
fremdin A.
taki A.
harma C. - Reinald mælti rausnar orð :
„reika skal eg fyri kóngsins borð,
eta og drekka oðlings vin,
en engi skal þó sjá til mín . - Listir hefr mér lukkan veitt,
lýst eg kónginn hoggið eitt,
hann skal fjúka framm á gólf,
fleiprar sá við aðra tólf. - Buðlungs vilja bragnar hér
bjarga honum, en skripta mér,
hafa þeir eigi hendr á segg,
en hverr skal rifa af qðrum skegg. " - Seggrinn lét eigi svaranna frest :
„sá hefr mælt til kóngsins vest,
það var drafl og dáraspil,
að dogling bauð þér veislu til. " - Pannveg mælti geysiglaðr
þessi hafði síðast sagt
sómaplag, það honum var lagt : - „Frægðin mín er furðu skjót,
fái mér kóngur eitthvert spjót,
það skal byrðr ins mesta manns,
er milding hefr hér innan lands. - Þá skal prúða penga fá,
pressa upp í turninn há;
eg skal hæfa, hygg eg, það ,
þótt hálfa milu standi eg að .
skioti C. - Ofan skal falla Ægis hyrr,
annar hlutrinn liggi kyrr,
rásin mín er rausnarskjót,
renn eg aptr og hendi spjót. “ - Inti hinn, er andsvor gaf :
„aldri heyrða eg þvílíkt skraf.
Veikt mun yðvart visku ker,
veit eg ei, hverr heimskastr er." - Siklings múgrinn sofnar ríkr,
síðan burt úr stólpa vikr
njósnarmaðr á niflungs fund,
sá numið hefur mart um stund . - Hilmir spurði halla brátt :
„hvað hafa þessir mælt í nátt?
Gat það nokkur sagt af sér,
að seggir vildu dveljaz hér ?" - Þegninn segir, að því var fist,
að þessir toluðu neitt um vist,
„sjá hefr heldr in heimska drótt
hætt að yðr í alla nótt. - Lofðung hóf ið ljóta rabb,
langt var heldur þeira gabb. “
Holdar vóru í húsi tveir,
hermdi hann alt, hvað mæltu þeir. - „Svó vil eg heill, er hilmir kvað,
her skal safna þegar í stað. “
Þá var Hugi í hjarta grimmr.
Húmið leið og skugginn dimmr. - Kóngsins lið var klæðum skrýtt,
keisarinn hafði messu hlýtt .
Huga inn rika hilmir fann
og heilsar upp á stilli þann. - Kóngsins brjóst er kalt og hryggt,
keisara anzar furðu styggt :
„herra, máttu hugsa um þig,
hvar fyri léztú dára mig ?" - Visir anzar valla hart :
„vórir menn hafa drukkit snart. "
„Kom eg ei þar við krúsa foss,
að kóngar léti spéa um oss. - Hefr eg mér í hjarta fest,
hverjum sem það gegnir vest,
leika skulu þér listir þær,
svó liggi hvórki ein né tvær. - Ella bíðið æfigrand ;
aldri komi þér heim i land,
nema þér fáið svo fullgjort það,
að finna megi þar engi að . “ - Keisarinn sjálfr og fólk af Franz
frammi stóðu í einum kranz.
Fyrst mun verða falla bágr
Fjolnis bjórr og rausta lágr.
spéa: spia A;
Keisarinn : uden art. C.
bjórr: baur A; bvrr C.
lágr C; laugvr A.
Fyrst: Freys A, C.
bágr :
bragr
sål. Sth. brudst.; frænings A, C.
IV.
- Báru menn í blossa strind,
brá svá niðr í Huldar vind,
því er eg bæði hjortr og hind,
hljóða grein fyri silkilind . - Munda eg gjarna mærðar smið
mjúka semja á hverri tíð,
ef mér vildi auðar hlíð
orðin leggja á móti blíð. - Kom þar næst í kvæða part,
keisarinn talar við fólkið snart :
„vér hofum næsta mælt til mart,
milding tekr á þessu hart. - Ræsir biðr, at reynum vær,
reiðifullur, listir þær ;
ætla eg rétt með ollu nær,
að engi vór sé til þess fær. “ - Rollant svarar með reiði-hátt :
„ræsi vildag bjóða fátt.
Kúgum hann með kapp og mátt
og kvistum fólkið sundr í smátt. “ - „Hogg eg aldri, er keisarinn kvað,
kristið fólk í þessum stað ,
margur drífur múgrinn að ,
megum vér ekki efla það. - Lifandi guð má leysa pin
liknarfullur af koppum min. “
Helga dóma og háleit skrín
hilmir lætur bera til sin.
brá: bar C (sål. sikkert).
svá: sier C.
hyldar C.
-leit:
-leitt C. - Tiggi sjálfur táraz viðr,
tignar óx inn mesti friðr.
Keisarinn þá með kærleik biðr,
að kóngsins ofsi legðiz niðr. - Jafnskjótt kemr á kóngsins fund
Krists engill í samri stund,
hraustan biðr hann hilmis kund,
að hræðaz eigi oðlings lund . - Það hefr Kristur visir veitt
verða skal sem þér hafið beitt,
ei mun liggja af listum neitt,
þótt leika vili þér hvert sem eitt. - Frægðin þín og fróminn þrenn
framm yfir alla kappa renn.
Dróttinn bauð þér, dogling, enn,
dára ei svó fleiri menn . " - Allir lofuðu Jésú mátt,
engill hvarf í burtu brátt.
Gumna lið var geysikátt,
gjora nú heldr að syrgja fátt. - Alt skal vera sem qõling bað,
jafningjarnir heyra það,
búnir til að bera sig að,
bila nú eigi að prófa í stað. - Keisarinn eptir kæra frétt
kóngi segir og var þá létt :
„nú eru vér til reiðu rétt
að reyna allar listir slétt. "
qol-
sdogl-
sorga C.
legðiz : leggizt C.
lings C; auðar A.
vísi C.
hilmir C.
prennr. - Tiggi svaraði tamr í dyst,
tunga hans var snjoll og byst -
ei mun þessa jungfrú lyst -:
„Óliver bið eg að reyni fyst. - Hann kvaz mundu hringa Bil
hundrað sinnum dokkva nil
veraldar blíðu vinna skil,
vita skal nú, hvað dugir hann til. - Sanni þetta silki-Gná,
seggrinn haldi lífi þá,
þótt þar vanti eitt sinn á,
allir skulu þér dauðann fá. “ - Virða drótt og vísir mætr
veislu frá eg að stofna lætr,
drykkrinn byrlaz dýr og sætr,
drjúgum gekk svó alt til nætr. - Sætan skal til sængur gá
sæmilig, þá kveldar á,
nú er að duga sem dygðin má,
dóttir kóngs í hvílu lá. - Hoffólk alt með hersum gengr,
horpu þaut inn sæti strengr ,
kurteis ferr af klæðum drengr,
hann kvelr sig eigi i þessu lengr. - Þar er inn mesti sæmdar siðr,
sjálfir kóngar stóðu viðr,
aldri lengur leyfis biðr,
legz hann þá hjá meynni niðr.
bliðu : á tf. A.
φό Α.
-17s þótt C;
orðlofs A. - Þegar var skenkt ið skæra vin
skjaldabrjót og silki-Hlín,
jungfrú grét með angri og pin,
Óliver hugði gott til sín. - Lásar geymdu loptið það ,
lýðrinn veik og burt i stað.
Kóngsins dóttur krýpr hann að ,
komið er þar sem jallinn bað. - „Fórtú heiman fyrr en nú ,
fylki spurði meyjan sú ,
geysihrygg var gullhlaðs brú ,
að gabba þannveg marga frú ? " - „Játa skaltú , auðarlin
ung, að verða púsan mín,
blygðaz ekki blíðan þín,
ber þig vel og kasta pín . " - Auðar Rist af angri hljóð
játar þessu fleina rjóð ,
herrann gladdi hilmis jóð ,
hundrað sinnum kysti hann fljóð. - Þetta verður þeira ráð,
hann þýðiz ekki heimsins náð,
sætan vafði silkiþráð
sæmdarmanns um viskuláð. - Riddarinn faðmar refla nipt
rétt sem væri eigingipt,
holdið spenti hann hvitt sem dript,
hræðilig mundi þeira skript.
kraup C.
skrýpr: - Fylkir sagði falda Rist :
„faðir þinn kemr, sem mér er vist,
sætan skaltú, svinn og tvist,
segja mikið af vórri list." - Listarmaðr og lauka gátt
liggja þannveg alla nátt,
milding kemr að morni brátt,
hann mælti bæði styggt og hátt :
„Hoskust brúðr, eg heyra vil,
hvern veg urðu á listum skil. "
„heiðurliga gekk þetta til.
32. Eiðinn fær eg á það lagt,
qðling, sagði vífið spakt,
jallinn drýgði elsku makt
ongu verr en hann hefr sagt. "
33. Kóngsins brjóst af kappi spent
keisarann fann, er stríð var hent:
„fullvel hefr hann Óliver ent;
annar bið eg að reyni ment.
34. Vaskur trúi eg að Villifer
verði að grípa handar sker,
lífi ræni eg lofðungs her,
ef lemr hann eigi hallar ker."
35. Lukkan studdi laufa Gaut,
lófunum undir gullið skaut,
margra faðma múrinn braut,
mannliga enti hann sína þraut.
s lofðungs her C; lýði
Liknin A.
, lófunum: lofa C.
efndi C.
36. Kóngrinn tók að kveina sér :
„kominn er eg við undur hér,
sjónhverfingar sýni þér,
svikið mun verða land af mér."
37. Sór hann þá við sætan kross,
að seggjum skyldi minka hnoss :
„láti Turpin fagran foss
falla inn í borg að oss."
38. Byskup ferr og blessar á,
birtiz nú, hvað kraptrinn má,
gríður tók að geysaz þá,
hún gengur upp á bjorgin há.
39. Straumum hratt in stríða þoll
stræti , akra, skóga og voll,
flýtur borg i fossum qll,
flóði hún upp í kóngsins holl.
40. Tiggi sjálfr í turninn flýr,
tók að vaxa ógnar nýr,
svó var mikill í salnum gnýr ,
sinn veg hverr í burtu snýr.
41. Keisarinn sjálfr og lofðungs lið
var langt fyri austan borgarhlið.
Húgon talaði hilmi við,
hann mun vilja þiggja grið .
42. Fylkir beiddi friðarins sér:
„fregna vil eg, hvort ætli þér,
dogling ríkr, að drekkja mér,
dauði er vís, ef bið eg hér.
holl A.
nýr = gnýr.
í burtu: C;
til sætis A.
25*
43. Það mega verða grimmlig grond,
ef garpar kristnir missa ond,
fyrri vil eg nú líf og lond
leggja bæði í yðra hond. "
44. Byskup lét um bænir lýst,
brognum varð á þessu fýst,
mildings allur múgrinn býst,
móðan aptr i farveg snýst.
45. Byskup vann svó bjarta grein,
borgin hrindur sút og kvein,
þá er hún eptir þurr og hrein,
þeygi fanz at vatni mein.
46. Kóngrinn gengur keisara á mót,
kurteist fólk og voldug snót,
vill þá gjarna blíða bót
bjóða fyri sin reiðihót.
47. Var þá mikil af virðum þrong,
valla fenguz rúmlig gong,
Turpin byskup tíðir song,
tala hans þótti snjoll og long.
48. Brognum frá eg að byskup kæstr
boðar þann krapt, er skrifaðiz hæstr,
Kallamagnús keisari mæstr
kóngur skyldi í heimi hæstr .
49. Síðan kom til veislan væn
virðum eptir lykta bæn ,
með það hæsta heimsins lén,
að hvergi lands var þvílík sén.
i hand.
hæstr:
50. Skjoldung frá eg að skýr og mætr
skemtan ongva vanta lætr,
krásir, vin og kostrinn sætr,
keisarinn dvelz þar fjórtán nætr.
51. Þá vill oldin afreksmanns
aptur venda heim í Frans,
gofgi herra Grikkjalands
gjofum vill reifa þeira krans.
52. Halla var með koppum kært,
kirkjan song og fólkið lært,
þá lét Hugi af hendi fært
hundrað bisunda gullið skært .
53. Stoltar fólkið stígr á mar,
stál og gull á líkama bar,
gekk að jalli Óliver par
jungfrú bjort, sú grátin var.
54. Eigi verður sorgin svif,
sannliga gefr hún ongvum hlíf,
í stað helt ið unga vif
annari hendi um mildings lif.
55. Listug,
„man eg, kvað liljan sú,
lofaða eg jalli mína trú,
ætla eg því sem eiginfrú
yðr að fylgja í burtu nú."
56. „Eg var lystr á okkarn fund,
jallinn svaraði menja grund,
vil eg það gjarna, voldugt sprund,
væri þar som til yðvar lund.
sætr : mætr C.
fiorar C.
adra hond
væri
57. Skrifað er ei, hvort skjoldungs jóð
skýrum fylgdi málma rjóð.
Óliver hefr það fengið fljóð,
er frómast var með Grikkja þjóð .
58. Kóngrinn vel fyri koppum biðr,
keisarinn skildiz fólkið viðr,
góður helz með gorpum friðr,
Source Colophon
Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, Copenhagen, 1913–22), pp. 357–390. Three manuscripts: A (AM 604, 4°, main text), B (Cod. Wolfenbüttel), C (Sth. perg. 23, 4°). Critical apparatus notes variant readings. Public domain.
🌲