by Sigurður Breiðfjörð

Twenty rímur composed by Sigurður Breiðfjörð (1798–1846), published posthumously in Akureyri in 1860 by J. Borgfirðingur, printed by H. Helgason. The cycle retells the story of Gunnar Hámundarson of Hlíðarendi — the greatest warrior in Njáls saga and one of the most celebrated heroes in all of Icelandic literature. Gunnar's story is one of martial excellence, ill-fated marriage to Hallgerður langbrók, escalating feuds, and a final stand at Hlíðarendi that has echoed through seven centuries of Icelandic memory.

Sigurður Breiðfjörð was the most famous rímur poet of the nineteenth century, known for Núma rímur and dozens of other cycles. This cycle, among his last works, takes on the weightiest material in the saga tradition. The twenty rímur employ varied metres — skothending, ferskeytt, and others — with elaborate mansöngvar and the full apparatus of the rímur tradition. This is the first known complete English translation.

Ríma I

Skothending.

Mansöngr

1.
My dear fatherland,
born in the earliest ages,
over your hoary heaths
the ancient glory lives.

2.
From your first ages
deeds of fame appear;
on old shields gripped tight
golden runes shine.

3.
Though storms rage with hostile fury
and the relentless wave breaks,
your thrones tremble least
atop the goddess of high peaks.

4.
You do not fear
though weather devours all —
your peaks wound the high clouds,
you tread the sea underfoot.

5.
Fair beauty does not fade in your dales
in the drizzle of wading seasons;
grey-mountained slopes
shelter your green grounds.

6.
You who grant abundant needs
and power through the nights,
your mighty fame
lets many a son be born.

7.
The men of Northern lands marvel
at bold warriors swift —
so it was of old, so it is still,
so it shall long continue.

8.
Though death's rain falls
upon the aged warriors,
let the scrolls of fame
preserve their memory for the living.

9.
The mother's son is lost,
the people's grief grows soft,
but on the instrument of verse
his glory lives, once struck.

10.
The poets should attend to this —
to spin wiser scrolls;
they too work toward
the full happiness of the nation.

11.
A lord of Snæfellsnes
has therefore bidden me
to examine an aged tale
and turn it into verse.

12.
Strengthen me, pure learning,
precious being of Múspell,
you who ever have the power
to perform wondrous works.

13.
You whose bright, hot fire
kindles the poet's art anew —
so your word, keen with might,
draws down the moon.

14.
When you play the laws with calm,
delighting with cunning words,
the oaks dance, the wild beasts
gather round about you.

15.
The world knows your power
and bears true witness;
those who love you with devotion
you make immortal.

16.
Let us then go to examine the saga
and refresh our understanding;
noble friend, listen then
to this small entertainment.

The Narrative

17.
The telling of the tale proceeds
from the dying flame-tree:
in the eastern Rangárvellir
there was one called Mörður Gígja.

18.
He was Sigmundur's son,
bent now with age;
the farmer dwelt there in wealth —
the farm was called Vellir.

19.
He had a daughter, Unnur by name,
a maid of surpassing beauty;
among women one could not
find her like far and wide.

20.
Another man was called Höskuldur,
a man of great fortune;
he lived and dealt in wealth
in the dales of Breiðafjörður.

21.
At Höskuldstaðir he dwells,
there in Laxárdalur;
a glad daughter with blooming brow —
one child born to the hero.

22.
She is Hallgerður the fair,
whom people call beautiful;
more shall be heard of her
in verses later.

23.
Hrútur, Höskuldur's kinsman,
keeps house no less well;
there he lives where the farm
was named for the farmer.

24.
Both brave and wise he was,
skilled in weapon-play;
his enemies feared this man,
though he was not quarrelsome.

25.
He sees — the worse for him —
the fair woman of the earth,
and therefore seeks love
from Unnur, Mörður's daughter.

26.
Mörður betroths the gold-ring's lady
to the most honoured warrior;
the wealth-lord sails then,
and the woman sits in betrothal.

27.
He tarries there about three years,
that great man of grace;
he performed deeds and won great wealth,
and women's love besides.

28.
Wise Gunnhildr of deceitful ways —
the king's mother — became
acquainted with the warrior,
perhaps more than she should have.

29.
Back he sailed across the sea
to visit his homeland;
his ship came into Borgarfjörður
and he brought his goods to his home.

30.
Eastward he went to fetch his bride,
the bold one sent for the fair;
a fine feast stood that autumn —
there streams of wine flowed.

31.
The woman settles then
into the homestead with him,
but the lady is not of light mood
as befits new brides.

32.
The stricken woman suffers anguish,
he is downcast;
winter passes, the Althing comes —
Unnur goes, and Hrútur.

33.
Hrútur has his booth set up
upon the shore of the fjord;
alone on foot the head-dressed woman
goes to Mörður's booth.

34.
The woman weeps; the man goes
to ask what grieves her most —
ill she feels within herself,
Unnur there from the west.

35.
Both go to speak alone,
far from all souls;
a grief-song she has then,
spoken in secret words.

36.
(I cannot bear the harsh laws
that lay upon us poets —
to translate the sorrow-song
of the silk-dressed island-woman.)

37.
Mörður bids the jewel-lady
to speak the matter plainly;
very stiffly she spoke then,
the woman of the serpent-forest.

38.
She spoke then, and she spoke then,
much about their narrow circumstances —
(whether I ought and whether I may
put this in my song).

39.
(Where man and woman sleep
more needs to be done;
here there was too much — with others, too little
is often thought to be.)

40.
All effort was useless;
the trouble of growth was the cause —
the nature of them both
was thrown quite out of order.

41.
Mörður understands the matter then
and knows the maiden's wish,
and also declares: You shall be
divorced from this husband.

42.
This is so arranged;
after the Althing is ended,
the scarlet-clothed one parts from Hrútur
and quickly rides eastward.

43.
Hrútur keeps the maiden's dowry,
which is of great worth;
this causes heavy mood
to Unnur and to Mörður.

44.
Mörður the mighty fell ill —
it was a sickness unto death;
Unnur takes after him
wealth and red rings.

45.
Careless she was and improvident,
she squandered her good means;
therefore the wealth of the shore
vanished from her swiftly.

46.
In the chapters of the tale
we may proceed to the same time:
of one worthy warrior —
Gunnar was his name.

47.
He was Unnur's young kinsman
and supported her estate;
the hero Gunnar — of Hámundur's line
he shall be known.

48.
Rannveig was his mother's name,
the spear-wielder dwelt
most nobly at Hlíðarendi.

49.
In the fair eastern river-slope
the farm can be found;
nowhere in our time
is there a fairer chieftain's seat.

50.
Gunnar bore the greatest skills,
tall and stout he was,
known for deeds in battle —
and therefore won most victories.

51.
The flame of Odin upon shields
he wielded with both hands;
he shot from the bow and hit whatever
mind and eye demanded.

52.
In war-gear the hero was bold —
his strength was greatest of all;
lightly he leapt high in the air,
equally forward and back.

53.
He could swim and run a raid
swift as a seal;
in no sport did Gunnar
ever count anyone his equal.

54.
The man bore the finest beauty
and bright skin like linen,
straight-nosed — and that was
raised proudly at the front.

55.
Blue eyes and keen enough,
offering delight to the sight;
on his cheeks the rose is ruddy
as though blood ran in snow.

56.
The ring-tree, straight and tall —
his build the finest nature gave;
about broad shoulders his fair hair
fell in locks below.

57.
The most courteous of champions he was;
he shared his pack-horses' loads,
faithful to friends, yet chose
his acquaintances with care.

58.
Most industrious in works
wherever he turned his hand;
yet though strong as steel,
well-tempered in mood.

59.
Kolskeggur we name his kinsman —
an unwearied man of valour,
accustomed to the battle-dance,
the red clay of slaughter.

60.
The third brother, Hjörtur by name —
he was born later,
raised by his mother,
counted among few years.

61.
Njáll was his name;
now shall be told of him:
at Bergþórshvál, a keen farmer,
he dwelt in the Landeyjars.

62.
Great wealth he possessed,
and also many farms;
Bergþóra was his wife's name —
the lady was thought hard-tempered.

63.
Njáll bore that flaw of nature:
no beard grew upon him;
but he was the greatest man of learning,
esteemed by the sons of the land.

64.
He knew the law more than any man,
skilled at stretching cases,
very deep-seeing and wise in most things,
able to foretell the future.

65.
He proved the best at counsel,
straightened what was crooked;
the people looked most toward
the achievements of him who set the course.

66.
He begot with his wife
three sons and daughters;
the lads our saga
lets us remember later.

67.
Now recall Gunnar,
the lord of Hlíðarendi:
Unnur finds her kinsman
and brings a great need.

68.
She is in dire straits at home;
the hero she asks for counsel —
he offers her provisions
as swiftly as she needs.

69.
Thus speaks the treasure-woman:
Least of all is this for idle comfort —
your wealth I do not wish
to squander carelessly.

70.
Hrútur holds my dowry;
I cannot win it back,
unless I may enjoy
the benefit of your counsel.

71.
Of my kinsmen none there is
save you, so renowned,
to win the wealth from him —
for he is brave and cunning.

72.
Wise Gunnar answers the maid:
It is well not to tangle things;
I am not learned in the law
to pursue that case.

73.
The linden-lady extends the plea:
I wish most for deeds —
that you go and find Njáll;
he knows counsel for most things.

74.
The weapon-wielder is wise
and your friend, I believe;
the path of law he shows you
if you dare to try.

75.
Unnur's pleas are pressing enough;
to that it finally comes —
faithful Gunnar takes it in hand,
counts himself out no longer.

76.
He gives her provisions first
as she may need;
then homeward the kind man
hastened with measured steps.

77.
Gunnar may attend to the matter;
he waits no longer,
prepares to find farmer Njáll,
and rides to Bergþórshvál.

78.
Danger lies in the will
to rush into trouble;
guard me from that peril —
all birds cry warning.

Ríma II

Ferskeytt.

Mansöngr

1.
How does the beginning please you now,
the opening of my poems —
if men would have more of them,
I shall offer them forth.

2.
None need expect
that I would fault myself
or the verse-craft of my own making —
I am not such a calf.

3.
Though I hold nothing against it,
little shall I say of that —
it is poor housekeeping
to measure oneself out of measure.

4.
Before I sang a soul-song
and renewal of the spirit,
I wished to draw from that same treasury,
but woe to me if it serves.

5.
No soul may there
find true remedies
against the hardships at hand —
Hannes takes it ill.

6.
He sees the trouble that beginning bears,
his toil and his quarrels;
I know before it is over
he will weep tears.

7.
If I see that the smith of songs —
one who can set verse aright —
need not trouble himself far
to moan and lament so.

8.
To speak crosswise at what one sees
and slander self-wrought work
is no humility,
though such things may be taken for it.

9.
Those examples I know clearly:
those who learn such ways
snatch praise from others
and think it honour.

10.
Yet I will not stammer over my poems —
fortune's aid endures —
if it might please the overseer,
it would quicken the heart's joy.

The Plan of Njáll

11.
Gunnar rode over the stony ridge
and drives to Bergþórshvóll;
Njáll is home and receives
his friend with great honour.

12.
Then to private counsel withdraw
the warriors of the sword —
Gunnar speaks: my errand is
to seek counsel from you.

13.
I have pledged a deed to Unnr:
to recover her wealth from Hrútr.
Most plans will need testing
before this is finished.

14.
"This is a perilous course,"
replies Njáll in answer —
"I have not yet thought out
how it should be done."

15.
"Yet I will for the warrior's staff
consider that difficulty,
so if nothing goes awry,
I think it will serve."

16.
Njáll falls silent for a time,
nourished by wisdom's deeds,
then comes again to Gunnar
and speaks forth his plan.

17.
"Three of you shall ride abroad" —
thus runs Njáll's counsel —
"let your outermost garment be
a wide homespun coat."

18.
"Take a wood-axe in your hand
and two horses to ride;
from this shore you shall fashion
some home-forged wares."

19.
"When you ford the western Hvítá
you must ride through the crossing,
let your hood cover your brow
wide enough to hide your face."

20.
"You will pass many a hall
and be asked your name;
let your companions say
that here rides Kaupahéðinn."

21.
"From north of Eyjafjörður, say —
let him be known as a petty trader,
both ill-natured and cowardly,
always in some quarrel."

22.
"Onward through Borgarfjörður you shall pass,
hawking your wares —
yet let everything about you
never be fair in temper."

23.
"Until through all the settlements
your reputation has flown:
'Kaupahéðinn is a wretch' —
nor will that be a lie."

24.
"Westward then you shall go,
wrangling much and bickering.
At Höskuldstaðir you must
lodge a single night."

25.
"At the next farm, with the farmer Hrútr,
offer your goods —
but choose the worst of them
to show the men."

26.
"You shall beat them in the brawl,
the farmer will grow angry;
between you, on that account,
blows shall come to pass."

27.
"Long exchange fist-blows with him
and wrestle open-handed,
yet conceal your full strength
so you are less recognized."

28.
"Hrútr will then be drawn to this
rough sport to settle —
he will invite you home with him,
which you must accept."

29.
"He will ask the news from far,
widely across the land —
there you must play one note only:
you shall slander everyone."

30.
"Hrútr will likewise turn the talk
to the Reykjadalr country —
whether many a man there
might be counted a champion."

31.
"You shall answer thus" —
then Hrútr will laugh —
"'Only thieves live there,
wretches and harlots.'"

32.
"Speak of the eastern fjords
and find fault with every man;
the chieftain will then ask you
about the Rangárvellir."

33.
"Say that no men there
achieve any honour
since the blessed Mörður Gígja
passed from the world."

34.
"The keen chieftain will then ask you
with pointed reasoning
whether you never heard tell
of his suit against Mörður."

35.
"You may show you know of this
and press the point with feeling,
and say besides that still
Unnr seeks her wealth."

36.
"He will ask whether you are
sharp in legal words;
you shall answer this plainly:
'I thought I used to be.'"

37.
"'Let us make sport' — we two
shall argue over this —
'yet you must tell me
the proper form of suit.'"

38.
"Speak forth the charges then
and show the way of law;
I shall summon after you
and let nothing go astray."

39.
"When you challenge him thus,
Hrútr will do it;
then read out the summons too —
but let it be wrongly done."

40.
"He will laugh at you the most,
he and his men together;
you shall blame the errors
on your travelling companions."

41.
"Ask him to summon once more —
he will not suspect it.
After him, speak forth the charges
as swiftly as you can."

42.
"Now summon so precisely,
altering nothing,
then ask whether it be correct —
he will not deny it."

43.
"Then speak aloud and high
so the warriors may hear:
'I have summoned for the recovery of Unnr's
pledged and lawful wealth.'"

44.
"Then the following night,
with no man knowing,
you shall steal away in silence,
riding with little rest."

45.
"Press onward to the east
out of those treacherous lanes —
next we shall answer these charges
at the assembly."

46.
This counsel the bright chieftain
shall follow and obey.
Gunnar thanks him warmly
and rides home again.

The Deception at Hrútr's Farm

47.
Westward then he goes,
eager to press the matter forward,
and manages every detail
just as Njáll taught him.

48.
All went as the maker of spears
had given such tidings:
Hrútr summoned against himself,
then the other man after.

The Suit at the Althing

49.
Gunnar comes to the Althing
after the winter has passed;
Hrútr too, with Höskuldur beside him,
has ridden thither.

50.
Gunnar then went before the court,
the guardian of bright light —
he bade them hear the oath-speech
and the bringing of the charges.

51.
He brought forth his suit
and upheld it with oaths;
witness to the charges was
given, and the summons confirmed.

52.
The stout one offered a defence,
thus Hrútr made his case:
he claims three witnesses are wanting
and the suit falters.

53.
To this Njáll said he knew a remedy —
to bring the witnesses forth.
Gunnar says: "Best now
to try another way."

54.
"I challenge you, Hrútr, to single combat —
one of us shall fall —
there in the river island where the torrent
churns on both sides."

55.
"Ready yourself now swiftly for the blow,
bring yourself to yield,
or you shall this very day
pay out Unnr's share."

The Settlement

56.
So from the booths the fair host
lets the matter pass.
The case was silent for a time —
neither prosecuted nor defended.

57.
Hrútr took up with his kinsman
the matter most keenly:
"Never have I let my share
fall from cowardice."

58.
Höskuldur replied —
the tidings are known to us —
"It is foolish to risk yourself
in combat against Gunnar."

59.
"He has felled many a brave man
when he wields a weapon.
I will pay half with you
and give him the money."

60.
Many farmers urged Hrútr
to avoid the clash.
Both brothers then went out
from the booths together.

61.
They walk to Gunnar's booth,
bearing cold silver in hand.
Höskuldur said to the hero:
"Here is the money to take."

62.
Gunnar spoke: "Then pay it —
I can take my share."
The men loosed it from their purses
as silver poured forth.

63.
The warriors paid all from their hands.
Höskuldur declared:
"May you enjoy and gain alike" —
thus Gunnar made a verse.

64.
"One may enjoy wealth and banish sorrow,
the serpent-sun of the ground —
I have earned it by right, not lies,
and won the bride-price."

65.
"Ill the only reward you will get,"
Hrútr says in return.
"Let it go as it may" —
Gunnar turns aside his words.

66.
Away went the chieftain with the other,
and Höskuldur asked:
"Shall Gunnar never pay
for his trickery?"

67.
Hrútr spoke: "Revenge on Gunnar
I think will be hard —
though neither to me nor our kin
will it bring recompense."

68.
With that the talk between them ends,
the assembly I hear dissolves;
the people ride homeward,
and with them fair Gunnar.

Gunnar Returns Unnr's Wealth

69.
Honour from the suit men thought
the gentle chieftain had won.
After that, home to Unnr
he rides with the riches.

70.
Nothing of it would she take,
the goddess of the golden locks,
but said she held him in higher
regard than any other.

71.
Under this wish, with me,
all the love-birds may croak —
fools fashion their own rewards
just as Gunnar takes his.

72.
That is nothing — what is worse:
those who scratch our backs —
the parish officers and the dogs —
let them have at it.

Ríma III

Gagraljóð.

Mansöngr

1.
If my men deem Bragi worthy
to test the sound of verse,
the third lay I sing now,
offering gilded silver cups.

2.
It is the ancient custom of the folk —
on thatched halls of old —
the blind-wood decked the horns,
and peace settled in hearts then.

3.
To verse-songs the women
knew best in winter-time;
wise tales were handed on
and heartened the farm's folk.

4.
Of us alone one may not speak,
though joy it wakes among the crowd —
in other lands besides,
wondrous things were wrought by song.

5.
Holy speech there tells
how a grey and foul-tempered king,
Saul, with a verse-scroll
found his desolate spirits cheered.

6.
He with a creature's playing
made the peoples find their peace;
the devil's foulness he withstood —
the good poet David, often.

7.
When Sparta's folk were helpless,
courage and boldness flagged,
Tyrtaeus in his song's embrace
quickened heart and trust and mood.

8.
They drew the wound-streams of steel,
the blood-swamp of battle's mire,
as though they were made new
when he struck his lyre.

9.
The warm strings of verse
make heroes' hearts gentler —
thought's cunning fills
where no hand can reach.

10.
O, that verses wrought by me
might kindle joy and banish woe,
ever wash over Iceland here
and overflow the folk with gladness.

11.
O, that the voice of my speech
might well serve to gladden hearts —
most precious ruler of judgments, you —
on a fairer, brighter ground.

The Sons of Njáll

12.
Now shall be named the sons of Njáll —
each bore ample growth of manhood:
one was a wielder of the raven's steel,
Helgi; another, Grímur was.

13.
Skarphéðinn was the third then —
his strength surpassed the others;
on the field of blood-winning
he knew few his equal.

14.
Rich in fame and fleet of foot,
most things they were known for by their skills,
clear in answer, quick of speech,
in poetic arts also learned.

Valgarður and Unnur's Marriage

15.
Of Valgarður the Grey we tell —
most rotten in his nature;
at Hof beside the Rangá
the fierce man held his farm, about this time.

16.
He was short of friends in the land,
widely held the worst of reputations —
grey without and grey within,
lacking every dignity.

17.
This wretch came riding to the fields
with his brother's horse beside him,
asked Unnur — she with him
pledged her troth and chose to wed.

18.
Against her kinsmen's counsel then
the quick villain won her;
Gunnar blamed this, and many men
deeply deplored the match.

19.
Yet now she bears a child by him,
one son with the spear-grey lord —
this the maiden needed indeed! —
and names him Mörður.

20.
This boy the woman raises up,
he thrives there swiftly —
he gets no praise from me:
his nature was a crooked frame.

Hallvarður and the Voyage Abroad

21.
From Arnarbæli, harsh in manner,
a ship's captain from abroad —
Hallvarður the generous was his name —
to Hlíðarendi he rode.

22.
With him through the winter
bold Gunnar chose to deal;
often the hero asked the other
to sail with him abroad.

23.
He cared nothing for that plan,
the elf of the forge-fire,
until he had counsel from Njáll,
who urged the voyage rather.

24.
The far-seeing lady well foresaw
what fate held for the man;
she bids Gunnar guard his wealth
and keep an eye on his farm.

25.
Home then he drives the hoof-steeds,
turns to the clear counsel's plan,
readies himself for sailing —
the gold-lord of the sun-moor.

26.
The bold one came with champions —
Kolskeggur and then the rest —
they let the lion's bed set sail,
brought the bear onto the wave.

27.
Tighten the stays, raise the yard,
cast off the hawsers, draw the sail —
away from the land-meadow they steer;
the storm sharpens, the gale drives on.

28.
The gentle foster of the homeland then —
there the oar-steeds push forward —
Gunnar watches recede behind him
the silver-white highlands.

29.
The fair wind does not fail —
though the tall mast bends —
to Norway the ship flies
and the ropes pull the land near.

At the Court of Earl Hákon

30.
Hákon, the earl of Hlaðir,
rules the land at this time;
Hallvarður managed to begin speech
with the seed of the golden lord.

31.
"Will you stay with the earl?"
"That is not for me, Gunnar —
the finest raiding would serve
if you had ships that fit me."

32.
"Two longships I own, my lord —
the god of the star of ocean —
you may take if it suits your temper,
and find men for the raiding."

33.
This Gunnar accepts swiftly —
from there the two ships sailed
to whale-harbour for lodging;
Hallvarður we find among the men.

34.
There his brother Ölvir is,
inviting the warriors into his hall;
the company comes ashore from ships
and takes that good welcome.

35.
Gunnar, finest of all by far —
Ölvir could see that he was —
he asked the arrow-tree of everything,
his journey and his sailing.

36.
Hallvarður sees himself in raiding
and wants the greatest hero in action;
Ölvir, hard, answers this:
"You two seem to lack a crew."

37.
"That honour I would find, my lord,
if we could get strength from you."
"So it shall be," the other answers —
"if Gunnar serves us, we will serve."

38.
"Two longships I can lend —
if the leaf-sharpening storm goes forth —
a twenty-bencher and a thirty-bencher,
moon-tarn god, for this occasion."

39.
"The crew can be found as needed —
my home-men I count on one,
my farmers on the other —
nothing will discourage them."

40.
"I trust you most, kinsman,
famed Gunnar, in the raiding —
I know your valour and good fortune —
he is well-known in the sword-storm."

41.
"I do not know if it will go well
through the bay-streams here —
now let us float the ships out;
piracy lies in our hope."

The Sea-Battle with Vandill and Karl

42.
Two brother-vikings forbid the route —
fiercest of sea-raiders —
Vandill, one of them, sails the flood;
Karl follows him boldly.

43.
Though now we hear of peace passed,
I scarce think the mind can rest —
Gunnar bids his crew make ready
and wishes the old man well.

44.
On Gunnar's knarr Kolskeggur rides —
keen he is and bears the branch;
on the other Hallvarður steers —
the other ship he commands.

45.
Four bright longships
the warriors let go;
past the Isles they sail the sea —
far and wide they show.

46.
Gunnar sees, as the ships advance
past the river mouth,
enemies lie before them —
the bold one speaks thus:

47.
"Let us prepare for battle —
draw the grey shield-blades —
but if the host grants us peace,
we shall not seek the fight."

48.
The crews arm, but lengthen their stride,
the brothers wait in the harbour;
they hold the mid-ships aside —
the others wade forward into it.

49.
Vandill seizes the prow-scythe then,
flung it with the strength of his hands
onto Gunnar's band of warriors —
he would drag the foe to him.

50.
Gunnar drew the mighty brand —
the ships drive together close —
no helm upon the head remained
where the spear-thrower struck.

51.
He boards Vandill's groaning knarr —
the wet sword sweeps above —
he aimed a blow with the keen edge:
one head falls straightway.

52.
To the other gunwale Karl comes bold
and dares to grapple close —
wounds wake in burning fire;
it seemed peace was hard to find.

53.
Karl drove a spear at Gunnar —
the sword-tree saw it coming,
turned nimbly on swift feet
and caught a thin shield-board.

54.
The eye cannot fix on him —
then back he threw the spear
at the grey host; and he who caught the throw
lay longest in his swoon.

55.
So forward he waded, wounding the host —
the blood seethes in their veins;
none withstood the elm-stream —
edges rang upon the rims.

56.
All go frantic there —
no one may speak of peace;
the battle-vixens tremble —
the struggle was so savagely increased.

57.
One anchor Kolskeggur found —
the eager man would kindle slaughter —
upon Karl's ship he managed to board,
cleaving through the ship's boards.

58.
The beam-shears' keen scythe —
the ship's wound bleeds and sails on —
in coal-black the sea overturns —
the host sees the danger's end.

59.
Whoever can, flee from here,
hence to the nearest ship!
Gunnar then returned back
to his own sea-steed in a flash.

60.
Then Hallvarður also
is arrived hard enough;
the enemy's host thins most —
the skull-cliffs tumble down.

61.
Gunnar through the spear-bridge went,
saving warriors' lives the most;
now he hewed, now he shot —
most wounds would never heal.

62.
The wounded are laid low by the dozen —
great harm the host inflicts;
there in the cable-cauldron
one could wade in men's blood to the calves.

63.
The spear-shower keeps felling them —
Kolskeggur follows steadily —
beneath that knarr it goes —
the bloody sword-edge rings.

64.
Karl boards Vandill's knarr,
known for harm to many —
each brother breaks his shields —
they were berserkers, those two.

65.
Weariness overcomes Kolskeggur —
for he needed rest awhile;
Gunnar, the garment-god, saw this
and sings these words aloud:

66.
"Early you cool, my eagle —
you choose the slain, yet forget yourself —
thirst will seize you yet
where the shield-ravens cry."

67.
Skeggur took up the eastern cup,
one measure he fills it —
the warrior drinks, his thirst is quenched,
then back to the battle's fame.

68.
The brothers' mood is whetted —
both hands they put to use;
up onto Vandill's wave-hound
they wade in a single breath.

69.
They press the slaughter, blood streams —
the sword-bow breaks red —
warriors dare split the host,
wading with each gunwale past.

70.
Thrust and hack, strip the hulls —
the dead pile on the thwarts —
swords yearn through grey defences,
grinding and gaining the hard way.

71.
The viking host's defence now fails —
Vandill sees where Gunnar is,
goes to him and trusts his strength —
but trust me, it goes ill.

72.
That is my riddle: the fool there
will get the worst of his measure —
he should have let all boats
row past him earlier.

73.
I know of many a man
how fierce hasty wrath may be —
onto an unfamiliar shoal
it leads him oft to harm.

Ríma IV

Stikluvik.

Mansöngr

1.
Silence does not mend the longing —
some may think it ails —
I often let my little songs
seek out a fresher joy.

2.
The ancient ages dwell upon
my people's feats of old —
high praise adorns the champions
though the world's ages pass away.

3.
To study what our fathers wrought
is joy to younger sons,
as those in the gale of war
reddened their play with blood.

4.
The valiant ones craved
the glory poets win —
for that they fought untiring,
those storms of edges keen.

5.
Where the bloodied shield met the rim
of the sharp-mouthed halberd,
the poet stood with harp in hand
and quickened the people's strength and soul.

6.
In the halls of kings
to bear verses forth to warriors
was esteemed above all other arts
by men of wisdom there.

7.
After the song's well-fashioned strain
the breast was greatly heartened —
then they waded into battle
and the edges sang a bloody tune.

8.
Of their virtue, strength and guard
the verses are not silent,
so long as children of the craft are born
and offer song-eager lore.

9.
Here, undaunted, chieftains
have their praises fashioned still
for the fallen gate-lords of old
above the dead champions.

10.
And so for your delight, dear one —
you who rule the king's domain! —
I would sing here if I may
of Gunnar's worthy deeds.

11.
As the torrent of the sea-beast falls
flooding across the flats,
out through the surf of the ice-land
flow all my verses and gladden the folk.

12.
My cheerful mind shall not grow weary,
nor braid an ugly verse,
for I know the people care
for these songs above all else.

13.
Vandill whetted weapons without mercy —
against Gunnar's shield
he turned most stratagems at speed;
his blade fastened its point in there.

14.
Boldly the brave one parried
Vandill's keen-edged halberd —
it jolted back against the haft:
here the sport will end.

15.
Gunnar lets the gleaming brand
play quick and nimble then —
the other cannot hold his ground;
the sword finds footing on him.

16.
Clean from under the body, both
feet the blade swept off;
the war-weight takes his wound —
he fell to earth and died outright.

17.
The clang of edges crashes high,
the battle-dove is shaken.
Kolskeggur the champion saw —
he runs Karl clean through.

18.
The viking host is routed,
the crane of doom undone;
the victors take the war-spoil
and drive the wealth-beasts ashore.

19.
The ships drift on the deep sea
southward to the Danish shore,
then east among the islands there —
ever the victory was theirs.

20.
They winter in the East,
and when the spring arrives
they set their ships upon the sea,
victory-heroes armed for war.

21.
They find a viking fleet at once,
they stifle any peace —
this they win in the battle-bout;
the keen ones lacked no strength.

22.
After that, the spear-elves
scout the island-sea —
at last they let their prows make for
a headland all alone.

23.
A man standing in a field
the crew see, all alone;
Gunnar makes the land —
the shield-god finds that man.

24.
Tófi, he says his name is;
the hero asks him further,
for he does not walk alone and empty
that perilous field for nothing.

25.
"You I wish to find, Tófi —
and let you know, glad-hearted —
a ready and trusty host
is on the other tongue of land.

26.
"Those riders of the sea-swells
have stout brothers near:
Kolskeggur one, Hallgrímur the other —
I can name the viking."

27.
"The warriors fight across the surf
and beat all comers —
they own weapons so fine
no better host may be found."

28.
"Hallgrímur bears the halberd Arngeirr —
it reaches the doomed in every stroke;
no other shadow of the war-god's sky
may trouble it in its life."

29.
"It is heard well every single time
before it fells a man —
that halberd sings with wonder;
in all things I call it matchless."

30.
"Whether he will, he may with it
hew and thrust in one —
fame follows from that spear."
Gunnar speaks a verse then:

31.
"I shall fell the mighty champion
and bear the fine halberd Arngeirr —
where its dark storm howls in the peaks
I will have death or dwell in Valhöll."

32.
Hallgrímur's brother carries a short sword,
the shrewd Tófi reports —
the halberd is reddened that the champion bears —
a fine stock of weapons this.

33.
"Your ears will scarcely suffer
either peace or calm —
those brothers in the din of war
have a third more men than you."

34.
"The treasure is hidden ashore,
there to be found and won,
but the brothers, girded with steel,
will come seeking you at once."

35.
"If you mean to flee,
make haste on your journey
before those ice-beasts hem you in
and pen you here."

36.
"If the storm of edges rises here
and you bear the victory —
if you still wish for home —
then I will show you to the treasure."

37.
The glad shield-storm lord
hastens onto the strand —
he calls upon his men
to give their best in the assault.

38.
"We will dig up the treasure-hoard —
may the journey serve us well."
The folk prepare and go,
and see the others' vessels near.

39.
The vikings wade toward them,
showing the fury of doom —
the storm of the edge-tree
is once more raised to harm.

40.
Each man draws his hard-mouthed sword
and sets to work with it —
Gunnar slays man after man,
mightily he fought.

41.
Swollen rows of wounds run
red down the hulls,
the carnage was immense —
the sea-bears held their ground.

42.
Gunnar rages without mercy,
destroying the lives of men;
ever against his ears crashed
the terrible voice of edges.

43.
The shields wail and groan,
the blood-stream scours the hulls,
wounds stream everywhere,
blue-red gashes hissing.

44.
Again and again in fury he struck
wounds upon them, Gunnar —
two lights aloft in flame
the god-folk saw then blazing.

45.
With both hands the war-man
wielded his weapons well —
he felled a host of warriors there,
more famed than any who opposed him.

46.
Hallgrímur and his men charge
Gunnar's wave-steed —
he swung Arngeirr to the fray;
many felt the blow to the face.

47.
Many a man is bathed in blood,
the bitter one rends the warriors;
Gunnar lets the fierce ones
feel his measured step.

48.
The enemy needs no goading —
the grim war-mask is hard;
Arngeirr strikes at him —
the other man spun away.

49.
He stumbles over a crossbeam,
his shield tilts aside;
the spear, ripped, shatters apart —
so grey were the straits.

50.
Into the beam the halberd goes —
now Gunnar seizes his chance;
with fortune's edge he bears his sword
and strikes the champion's forearm off.

51.
The blow breaks the arm;
the bite, though, does not hold —
the other hastens his retreat —
down crashes the halberd Arngeirr.

52.
Gunnar seizes it and hewed
Hallgrímur clean through —
there the life poured from the wound:
the proud one died in one stroke.

53.
Gunnar spoke this verse: "Here
the stubborn hero lost his life —
what the sorcerer foretold comes true;
I reckon this a fine prize.

54.
"Here now learn, you warriors,
where I won this spear —
I will hold it in my hand
from this day until my life's end."

55.
The namesakes wage a long weapon-storm,
long they had to test each other —
the assault was grim and hard;
Gunnar comes there at last.

56.
At the enemy, Kolskeggur drives
the new spear home —
the blade goes clean through the man;
he scatters his life's darkness.

57.
The vikings beg for mercy,
knowing their swift death —
Gunnar, swift in deeds of honour,
grants them all quarter.

58.
Their weapons and their garments
he lets them keep, the mild one —
so from the coast the host departed
back to its own homeland.

59.
The hero sets a boat ashore
at the very same time —
Tófi leads him to the treasure;
they find a great hoard by the surf.

60.
The treasure they find in plenty,
hidden in a wood-shelter —
silver of fine make, and the best gold,
good garments, and most weapons.

61.
"Enjoy this haul from my hand to yours,"
the swift one says to Tófi:
"you did me a loyal turn —
how may I repay you?"

62.
"I was alone," says Tófi,
"in the eastern highway —
born on a Danish field —
I wished to see it again."

63.
"A pirate band of vikings
dealt me that same harm:
the enemies took my wealth
and flung me ashore here, naked."

64.
Gunnar swears to see to it
that the wise one finds his friends.
Onward the ships push forth —
both men on the sea-god's stallion then.

65.
With the deck-timbers' best of will
the lord of men commands —
now past the headland's shelter
they steer for the northern lands.

66.
White waves surge then
on a host of splendid ships —
the rudder drinks the blue currents,
the rigging groans, the yards creak.

67.
A gentle swell carried
the hull on easy keels —
the wind-cloth swells the sails,
the prows swim fair.

68.
So from the gentle swan-fjord,
veiled in forest,
the fair Danish shore recedes —
the land's pride dances round it.

69.
The green grounds catch the gleam
of the sun's heat glittering —
the woods gaze up at the clouds,
the gilded splendour glows.

70.
Let the mind forget her custom here —
here is where we rest content;
grief comes to those whose misfortune
binds their loves at home.

Ríma V

Frumhendt.

Mansöngr

1.
The bravest from this fair land
yearned to win enduring fortune,
loosed the island's binding bond —
let the eagle of the sea take flight.

2.
Poets and heroes from here
adorned the other lands,
sought renown and high honour,
wearied their swords with deeds.

3.
Fortune smiled her best upon
those blossom-lords of blades,
yet most yearned again for home
to seek their hard-won fates.

4.
Some men still in our own age
pursue those same far journeys,
learning wisdom and many an art
from the ways of other lands.

5.
Back to Iceland's cold embrace
most often will they turn,
yet some find less of the bliss they sought
when parting comes at last.

6.
Some are cowed by scorn and lies —
hatred feeds the wretched —
both valour and virtue are lost
in the sluggish drift of days.

7.
They lean toward the stream of ale,
which often were better spared,
and let in drowsy idleness pass
the life that might have lasted.

8.
Quickest of all, some seize upon
the customs and goods of strangers,
lose their own tongue and grow troubled —
take up the stranger's manners.

9.
For such men it is no cause
for angry blame at home —
the harm falls heavier on those
who still keep learning and honour.

10.
Yet to lament this frozen land
is hardly what my verse requires,
for my own days I have myself sown
with little cause for sorrow.

11.
I am vigorous still and well,
I do no man harm —
like any other poor devil
I compose, and let it run.

12.
It makes me laugh — nowhere
does it cause anyone pain,
though scoundrels enough may gnaw
upon my lowest bones.

13.
When harder fortunes press
and song is thought to sting,
I launch my verse-cart from the shore
and let the bones roll on.

Narrative

14.
The warriors travel out to sea,
ships steer toward the harbours —
at the place called Hedeby
the men bring their vessels to shore.

15.
The storm-voice falls silent then,
the wave's fury lightens —
ten ships on their mooring-ropes
sturdy Gunnar fastened.

16.
Harald, son of Gormr —
so men call the king of the Danes —
could marshal the driving storm,
the fire-lord of the hall.

17.
Gunnar's company came forth —
their bearing well made known —
in all the land of Iceland
none could find their like.

18.
The bold lord of ships
bids the warriors home —
Gunnar, generous with gold,
rides then to the feast.

19.
He took the feast, and there
among the king's own men
he tried his hand at every feat —
all proved lesser than he.

20.
The generous king prepared himself —
the serpent's treasure-giver —
noble garments gleaming with gold
Gunnar received at the feast.

21.
He bids farewell to the dear meeting,
rides the cold-planked waves —
Gunnar brings his ship to land
at Hysing in the north.

22.
Olver greets his kinsmen there
and takes the honoured gifts —
yet another feast is held;
the red ale flows.

23.
Thence they sailed along the coast —
the company reaches Trondheim —
Gunnar met Earl Hakon there;
the earl bids him in.

24.
There through winter he remained,
enjoying fine provisions,
surpassing all in worthy deeds —
the gold-giver beyond compare.

25.
The earl's sister at the feast
seemed taken with fond longing —
Bergljot was a well-bred woman,
gentle-natured and fair.

26.
The prince spoke words on the matter,
as was known throughout the hall —
if Gunnar would ask for the bride,
she loved no man more dearly.

27.
The stern one never heeded
love's entreating call —
the ship-wetter longed for spring
and wished for frozen Iceland.

28.
He bids a fond farewell to earl
and maiden — the bold warrior —
and so the journey is drawn forth
onto the wide sea-moor.

29.
Both Kolskegg and Hallgrimr
he has aboard the ship —
the vessel trails her sails
and the wind sharpens fiercely.

30.
The rigged bark bore along
the wave's soft back —
eager was the heir of Fornjotr
to tear that canvas apart.

31.
The wave-ash bore through billows,
driving steadily northward —
from the sea the hooded peaks
of the frost-land emerged.

32.
Forth the ancient land appeared,
living in its mantle of snow,
spreading its white heath-shawl
over the deep of the waves.

33.
Rolling cool in fair weather,
the wave-wolf served them well —
at the mouth of Arnarbeli
the anchors bit the shallows.

34.
Gunnar rides up from the shore,
his warriors on fine horses —
they come to Hlidarendi
and all welcome them warmly.

35.
The glad company gathers round —
joy and delight enfold them —
he has not brought home arrogance
that scatters men's affections.

36.
He has kept his mother-tongue —
a thing that much delays some others —
the speech and chatter of our land
he has not lost.

37.
Then the men take to their horses,
each as his mount can bear —
the two fair brothers ride
to Bergthorskvol.

38.
Njall was glad to see the men
and bade them stay with him.
Gunnar told his tidings —
his art upheld the telling.

39.
Njall asked him then —
for the season was coming on —
whether Gunnar to the Althing
intended soon to ride.

40.
Gunnar said that he would go
and attend that gathering —
then asked whether Njall
would ride along beside him.

41.
"I am not going," the other answered,
"I have cares enough to tend —
and better for you this time,
I think, to stay at home."

42.
Gunnar rides home glad,
having exchanged gifts with Njall —
then dear Kolskegg comes
to speak with him beside the house:

43.
"We must surely ride to the thing —
our honour will grow there,
and good esteem turns to the worthy."
So speaks the warrior Gunnar:

44.
"Praise holds no sway upon my mind —
the flattery of foolish folk —
but this would be a welcome thing:
to meet with good friends."

45.
Hallvardur too expressed the wish
to see the Althing for himself.
Then out from the farmstead with his men,
Gunnar sets out to ride.

46.
The horses stretch toward the Althing —
so the story runs —
and none among the riders
was more nobly dressed than he.

47.
Many sought him out
to question Gunnar there —
he was easy in all things
and knew well how to answer.

48.
One day near the booths he went,
his fingers washed clean —
a bright woman walked toward him
straight upon the path.

49.
Tall and very fair she was,
in no mean attire —
her hair in light loose waves
about her figure fell.

50.
Her brow shone with vivid hues —
the fire of jewelled pins —
and on both her rounded cheeks
a scattered blossom-glow.

51.
Her hand is soft, white, and fine —
how it adorns the woman!
Her body, straight and shapely,
stirred a gentle warmth in men.

52.
She wore a scarlet mantle then,
resting gently on her shoulders,
silver-trimmed along the edges
straight down to her shoes.

53.
The lady wore beneath
a kirtle of fine cloth —
decked in red, the finest worn,
with blazing blossom-fire.

54.
Gunnar too made a fine display —
accustomed to good ways —
in the bright scarlet finery
the king of the Danes had given.

55.
Beauty was intent to catch the eye,
like a yarn well spun.
This woman, I know, I would foretell
is the makings of a match.

56.
Both exchange their greetings then,
as good custom demands —
the hero asks the name
of the woman who weaves the bloom.

57.
She heeded well his question —
and swift was her reply:
she said her name was Hallgerdur,
Hoskuldsdottir — the maiden!

58.
The fair one asks the famous man
to tell his tidings —
then they lengthen their talk together
and both sit down.

59.
Gunnar's heart grows warmer still
the more he looks upon her —
the warrior asks the maiden
whether she is promised to a man.

60.
The fair one says she is not —
and adds to her reply:
"It is for all to see
there is no such entanglement."

61.
Gunnar asked: "Do you think, then,
that equal standing is lacking?"
"That is not the case," she said —
"the time delays its gifts."

62.
Gunnar asks her once again:
"If I come seeking with honour —
will you give me, sweet one,
your favour and your warmth?"

63.
"Such a thought will scarce be yours,"
so says the bright one to him.
He said that it was truly his wish,
waking fiercely in his heart.

64.
The woman spoke: "If your mind
inclines to this —
then find my father Hoskuldur
and see what he will say."

65.
So their gentle talk concluded
between the man and the woman.
Gunnar followed the straight path
to the booth of the Dalamen.

66.
In walks the bold man,
choosing his words with care —
he finds Hoskuldur and Hrutr
and takes a seat beside them.

67.
The farmer with a friendly air
gives his gracious welcome —
nothing in his words recalled
the quarrels of former days.

68.
The man brings forth his question —
how would they answer him
if he asked for Hallgerdur?
The brothers look at one another.

69.
Hoskuldur speaks first:
"Few men, I think,
would come to ask
for this particular woman."

70.
Hrutr ponders, thinking quickly —
the speaker of the fire-brands —
"The maiden is much mixed in temper,
and I will speak plainly on it."

71.
"I know it is our honour
that you should have her —
but if hardship comes of it,
you must not blame us."

72.
The bold one answered back:
"I can well acknowledge
that sooner would you nurse the feud
than refuse me the woman."

73.
"We shall not refuse you this,"
the brothers said, resolved.
Now the sweet one is called forth —
she listens to the words.

74.
She gave herself to the golden man —
so she wished to have it —
the finest wedding feast
should be held at Hlidarendi.

75.
It is hard to choose oneself
a wife of proper standing —
and devil take the luck, if it goes ill,
to live within that bond!

Ríma VI

Baksneitt.

Mansöngr

1.
Though I sing of the fame of heroes
in my poem,
my mind turns always back to the other —
my thoughts seek out the womenfolk.

2.
I have gladly praised in my songs
the gold-ring sun's bright radiance,
as boldly as men dare in verse,
painting them in every fashion.

3.
If any man has knotted ugly words
about them,
I have been there to meet him
and mend their every cause.

4.
If poets' shames create
obscenity and slander against women,
I stop both my ears
and curse such verse.

5.
O how hotly I love them
with all my heart —
whoever baits them with sharp words,
they prick my eye upon a thorn.

6.
But sadly not everything
will wholly please —
for their faults one must contend:
the sweet one can turn stubborn.

7.
They have great vindictive temper
and fierce pride —
when they come together among themselves,
god help me if that is pleasant.

8.
Neither words nor frenzy-fits
do they spare
when they must quarrel in anger —
one had best keep silent about it.

9.
Though I contend with women here
in the chanting of my verse,
I will slander none of them,
though some pass harsh judgments.

10.
This only I advise you, girls:
heed the seemlier customs,
and still the quarrelsome spirit
in your breast.

11.
Of the world's goods you have
the greatest share to claim —
take care to shun ugly wickedness,
that we may enjoy the rest.

12.
Be always of good temper
and gentle in manner;
be the delight of friends and nation;
be all of you good at heart.

Narrative

13.
Happy is every man who has won
a fair bride.
Gunnar rides home from the Althing
and bids a multitude of men to the feast.

14.
He went to Bergthorsknoll
and invited Njall.
There was some chill in the old man —
he managed with difficulty to say:

15.
"That woman you have bought — when she comes east,
all the worst will come from her;
I know she wreaks
the most mischief."

16.
Gunnar answers: "Never shall any cur
turn aside our bond."
The other replied:
"So it shall be."

17.
"Always you will wish
to soften her malice.
Your friendship I will cultivate nonetheless
and come to this feast as well."

18.
There was a man named Thrainn,
a valiant fellow,
known as a son of Sigfuss —
he kept his farm beside Grjota.

19.
Thorhildur was his wife,
cheerless in her luck —
a woman of sharp tongue and loose speech,
a bringer of shame to the household.

20.
Thrainn gave no love
to the luckless woman,
for all others were fairer,
sweeter of speech, and more agreeable.

21.
Let us say now: to Grjota
the champion Gunnar rides —
Thrainn was his kinsman, true,
so he bids him to the feast.

22.
Thrainn's brothers come
to the same celebration;
next arrives a fine company —
Hoskuld and the Dale-folk.

23.
The dalesman came swiftly
with his fair daughter —
the father beholden to the man
who was Hallgerd's husband before.

24.
Thorgerd was the name of that woman,
jewel-adorned and wise,
now a full fourteen winters —
fairer no wife was seen, nor better.

25.
From Bergthorsknoll a company
now comes in full —
Njall arrives with every son;
their wives they bring along.

26.
Must I describe how the men sat,
while they ate and drank their mead?
Let them work that out
for themselves!

27.
Bergthora attended to the table-service
of the feast;
Thorhildur, Thrainn's wife,
must likewise see to this.

28.
The woman stared at Thrainn constantly
with troubled thoughts —
toward fair Thorgerd
the man cast a gentle eye.

29.
The wife managed to compose a verse:
"Gaping lust endows you with its gifts —
there is danger
in your eyes."

30.
At this her prattle
Thrainn grew harsh with anger,
sprang from the laden table,
and presently spoke thus:

31.
"From you I now shall be parted —
let it go as it will —
your chattering and your spite to hear
I shall no longer bear."

32.
Over this divorce Thrainn grew so wroth
the woman was driven from the feast —
he deemed a greater peril
if she stayed.

33.
But when the woman had gone out
alone to wander,
peace settled again among the men,
and they drank red mead from the horns.

34.
Thrainn then spoke his mind:
"This I will not hide —
the other woman I wish to have,
the bright-haired one, by counsel of my friends."

35.
Wise Hoskuld then managed
to answer him:
"One thing all agree upon —
the divorce was badly done."

36.
"Tell us, Gunnar, of this man's honour."
He said: "I know the man —
I will say little."

37.
"Tell us, Njall, in your famous judgment —
all know you do not lie,
nor bend from the truth."

38.
Njall spoke: "One thing I can make clear —
he has quick strength
and skill as good as any man
can hope."

39.
"And of wealth there is no lack in him —
I think he can make a match."
Hoskuld then began
to shape his answer:

40.
"This match I will not deny to Thrainn."
Gunnar goes to find
the mother and daughter
and sets forth the others' words.

41.
Both let themselves be led to consent —
the fair woman goes to marry Thrainn,
and both steered the match
to good fortune.

42.
The feast was now enlarged,
the ale-stream of the horns
bellowed through the passages —
what a joy to be there!

43.
After the feast Gunnar endowed
the men with gifts;
then the bold folk departed,
carrying themselves away on able horses.

44.
Gunnar's bride set to increasing
the household's care —
much she took upon herself
and often drove the stores together.

45.
Thorgerd with Thrainn took on
a thriving farm —
the finest housewife she was held.
Of her there is no more to say.

46.
It befell that the farmer Njall
invited Gunnar
to visit his feast in autumn —
Gunnar went.

47.
Hallgerd came with him
to Hvol in the south;
the farmer welcomed them both
and cleared the best seats for the couple.

48.
Njall's daughter-in-law came
to the same feast.
Bergthora led the bride to the bench
and spent these words:

49.
"Hallgerd — you must move over
from that seat."
The other calls it an insult
if she should be shuffled like a drinking-horn.

50.
Bergthora said: "Here I alone
shall rule the house."
The newcomer sat down, dear to her man —
the other's temper cooled.

51.
Bergthora came with the basin
to offer hand-washing.
Hallgerd pulled her hand away
and shaped her words:

52.
"There is no great difference between
you two as a couple —
though you scratch him with your toenails,
that beard of his grows no shorter."

53.
Bergthora raised her voice
to a louder pitch:
"That suits us both —
no one need reproach us further."

54.
"Your first husband, the one you had before,
as I recall,
had a proper beard on his cheeks —
and him you managed to slay."

55.
The worst taunt swelled the fury
in the other's breast;
she turned to Gunnar
and from her lips this speech flew:

56.
"Since I belong to you,
most famous man on the frost-isle,
and I am deeply shamed —
you must raise vengeance in return."

57.
Gunnar leapt from the tables
and swiftly answered:
"These matters I will spare —
it is best to go home with you."

58.
"Better you attend to your household folk
than spin hateful words
in the houses
of my best friends."

59.
"Njall deserves a nobler return from me
than to play
the fool of your goading."

60.
Hallgerd said: "Remember this, Bergthora —
we shall not be parted from this."
The other snarled
in stubborn temper.

61.
"You shall never reap profit
from our quarrel —
I warn you of that.
Let us see how the games play out."

62.
Gunnar soon rode off with his bride;
at home the good man waited through the winter.
Spring came —
toward the Althing he rode.

63.
The champion wished to go to the Althing,
but before he saddled up
he spoke thus to his dear wife:
"Keep yourself now gentle of temper."

64.
"Rouse no enmity
that would bring harm
to my trusted friends —
be mild in your ways."

65.
Hallgerd gave her answer,
though none could like it:
"May the trolls take your friends —
I care little for such matters."

66.
Gunnar set out — it was no use
matching words against her.
The best of heroes
rode to the Althing.

67.
Njall too was there,
useful among his brave sons.
Now let us turn back east
and look in on the women's household.

68.
Bergthora had a house-servant
called Svartur —
he was a thrall, of modest praise,
but fierce when provoked.

69.
The wretch goes from home
at her bidding,
to fell wood in the forest
up at Raudaskrida.

70.
Hallgerd hears of this at Hlidarendi —
that Svartur is cutting wood in the forest
that is the right
of her own lands.

71.
"Bergthora must have ordered it —
she robs me of my timber
while at home
she knows I am alone."

72.
She calls for Kol and bids him rise;
the working-thrall was not slow —
wicked,
and quick to mischief.

73.
An axe she placed
in the rascal's hand;
he asked what work of war
he had to do.

74.
"Take yourself to Raudaskrida,"
spoke the woman —
"there Svartur will be working
at the timber on our land."

75.
"What shall I do to him?"
asked Kol.
"You ask me that," the lady said —
"you wrecker and whip-hide?"

76.
"You shall strike the thrall down at once —
if you dare not try,
then another of the servants will go."

77.
The brute went and took a horse
from the pasture,
rode east to Raudaskrida —
anger driving behind him.

78.
Perhaps sleep comes upon some
at such a late hour —
but not when Svartur
walks the death-road.

Ríma VII

Braghending.

Mansöngr

1.
Wretched thralls exhaust themselves
under heavy blows —
shall I not bend my own craft
to a different shape?

2.
It is no joy to be bound
to certain stations;
those who love wealth too well
use a man like a dog.

3.
Though the master be a fool
with no eye for it,
the servant must still go —
there is no use arguing.

4.
Whoever sells himself
into service for wages
must bend in the master's grip
and serve his power.

5.
The free man fares no better
in his luck —
many burn for freedom,
but old fate decides.

6.
Hard it is to be ground
under cruel conditions,
to be forced by bitter need
or else be beaten down.

7.
Nature's cradle-song was this:
"I will bless you all,
but let none of you
become a thrall."

8.
Yet kings may crush
their dearest subjects —
those they send to war
and force to bitter obedience.

9.
And if still, for a single grudge,
countless men of honour
lose their lives without mercy,
far from any comfort —

10.
Then shall farmers bear
eternal blame for punishing,
though for the sake of the homestead
they let some servant fall?

11.
I shall not slander Thora
or Gerd for that,
though they drove thralls to strife —
their duty was to obey.

12.
Kings, power, and service
none can avoid;
though you ache for freedom,
luck alone can grant it.

13.
The laws of every land
are ruled by bitter passions —
nations need such reins,
for fewer men are good.

14.
How great a ruin
any one man's power may work —
let others judge that,
and whether it must be so.

Narrative

15.
Kol — that man — like a bolt
loosed from a bow,
past both meadow and stony ground,
came east to Markarfljot.

16.
Poor Svartur was there at his work;
Kol would not be outdone —
he woke this thread of speech:

17.
"See now whether I too
know how to strike a blow" —
and drove the axe, that lout,
into the creature's skull.

18.
The brain spattered here and there,
for the skull was broken;
Svartur lay crumpled,
spent of all his life.

19.
Home came the one who lived
to Hlidarendi;
Hallgerd was well pleased
that death had taken the dark one.

20.
The silk-lady sent a man
to the Althing then —
he was to tell Gunnar
how Svartur came to die.

21.
Gunnar took little notice
of the idle talk,
but went all the same and told Njall,
so their bond would not break.

22.
Njall spoke sharp words
about Hallgerd then;
he accepted payment for the thrall —
the good man who paid fairly.

23.
When both heroes had finished
their business at the Thing,
they rode home, spurring
their gold-maned horses.

24.
Bergthora was large in her purpose
and had this to say:
"I shall settle the matter with those wretches —
dull Kol shall also die."

25.
Gunnar ran and found
the fair one, Gerd, and told her;
she said he should pay the price
for the rogue who caused the harm.

26.
Njall rode with men
to watch over his goods,
and Bergthora stayed at home;
a large figure came striding to the farm.

27.
A spear bent sharp in his hand,
that reckless man;
the woman did not know him.
The spear-bender asked thus:

28.
"Does the ring-lady
rule this household?"
The thread-goddess told him straight;
the man drew out swift speech:

29.
"Will you, lady, take
a working-man into service?"
Better to think well on him —
so spoke the linden-woman:

30.
"If I get from you obedience
and every kind of service —
even if you must kill a man —
I shall take you in."

31.
He answers: "I am hard
in my resolve;
not everything grows large in my sight —
so be it on your terms."

32.
Njall asked, when he came home
and rested his horses,
where the big fellow came from.
"He is my servant," said Thora.

33.
Njall spoke: "He looks a bold one,
that blade-rider;
but whether he is good at his work,
I shall learn in time."

34.
Skarphedin treats with warmth
and friendship the stranger
whose name is Atli —
though mischief stirs beneath.

35.
The next summer, Njall and Gunnar
ride together
to the Thing with fine companies,
spurring their weary horses.

36.
Bergthora had this to say
to Atli, her man of ill will:
"Kol should die today,
if you have the courage for war."

37.
Atli says: "I shall seek
his company readily;
I know well enough how to manage —
we are both foul fellows."

38.
He found himself a horse
and drove it hard,
up into Fljotshild he rode,
saying he was looking for horses.

39.
Kol was hauling stores
from the shieling that morning
down across the middle field —
they met, and Atli spoke:

40.
"How goes the salmon catch?
Let me hear."
Kol bristled all the more at that;
the spear-man answered:

41.
"What happens in our household
is the least of your concern,
here or anywhere else."
Atli drew nearer meanwhile.

42.
He drove the great spear
through Kol's middle;
the man swung his axe to meet it,
but fell from the saddle.

43.
He died there, and Atli,
feeling his own strength,
saw a household man from Hlidarendi
and turned his horse that way.

44.
He spoke thus: "Kol is struck
from his horse;
he would gladly get to his feet —
see whether he is slain."

45.
"He will hardly seem
to have died of old age" —
the wretch managed to bring his news,
and Hallgerd may judge the rest.

46.
He rode away, and Hallgerd
heard the tidings at home —
his words and the straight story —
and said she would repay this.

47.
She sent a man to the Thing
with these tidings;
Gunnar asked Njall about it,
and their meeting settled the matter.

48.
The same sum as before for Svartur
he now paid;
the shield-lord brought it back,
and the men rode from the Thing.

49.
Njall spoke sharply to Thora
about this course of things;
she said she would never relent,
though more might go wrong.

50.
Hallgerd is not content,
and weaves her anger —
Gunnar has made his settlement;
he gives little thought to it.

51.
Once Njall spoke these words
to Atli in a visit:
"Will you not move house?
It will be dangerous to sit still."

52.
He said he was resolved to stay,
but asked Njall to take care —
not to make good on him like a thrall,
if he should meet such men.

53.
"So it shall be," answers Njall;
"but the long sun
may rule the blood-vengeances,
if fate proves a swift host."

54.
It is told: Hallgerd at Hlidarendi
sent a boy westward
to fetch her kinsman,
a man she well knew.

55.
Brynjolf they call that fighter,
known as the Brawler;
this cold-handed one
had little in the way of virtues.

56.
The sword-lord comes
to Hlidarendi;
Gerd treated him well —
Gunnar let it be.

57.
In time Gunnar dares
ride to the Thing;
Njall and the men go too —
the housewives stay behind.

58.
Atli was then at a place
called Thorolfsfell,
cutting wood in the field —
not likely to reach old age.

59.
Hallgerd bade Brynjolf
go visit the wretch
and sit down his ugly life
and carry him from the world.

60.
Brynjolf was ready for it
and went on his way;
the villain saw in a familiar field
charcoal-smoke rising to the sky.

61.
He crept the whole way
following the smoke;
there was Atli — who did not flinch,
but the other came to feed the fire.

62.
Brynjolf struck him on the head
from behind;
the other reeled under the hard blow
as his hand reached for the spear.

63.
Doomed, he sent the shaft
at the fiend;
the other dodged the blow;
he who felt the wound spoke:

64.
"Take this, you wretch — I could not
prepare myself
on the field of slaughter;
likely I shall soon die.

65.
"I expect you will not
live long either;
take your axe from here —
my stay in the world is fading."

66.
The coward dared not take the axe
until Atli was fully dead —
then fell forward,
red with blood.

67.
The fool rode home, and Hallgerd
wasted no time —
sent a man on foot to the Thing;
noble Gunnar heard the news.

68.
He went and quickly told Njall
how the villains wrought their damage;
Skarphedin drew out his speech:

69.
"Though Hallgerd lures
our household folk to slaughter,
she will not let them reach old age" —
Gunnar answered in reply:

70.
"Your own mother
spared no man's life either —
each strikes blows in the other's yard,
though it matters more than many think."

71.
To Njall for the free man
whom the fool had killed,
Gunnar paid a hundred in silver —
that payment led to a truce.

72.
Gunnar then rode home
and found his woman;
he told her the truth of it —
the judgement and the men's compensation.

73.
She answered: "It was not worth it,
though Atli died,
to pay so much for a wretch —
you are like Njall in cowardice."

74.
Gunnar spoke: "I shall keep
to my own ways."
The lord grew harsh
and cold toward her.

75.
And so it went, until she came
after him with gentleness —
as best becomes a woman —
and his temper softened, as one would hope.

76.
Take from her, you women,
this lesson here:
better to use kindness
on your husbands than to nurse resentment.

Ríma VIII

Nýhenda.

Mansöngr

1.
A small ember often kindles
the fire that has long been fed,
until the blaze towers high
and floods every direction.

2.
So may small drops of water
be gathered long together
until they fill the deepest pool
and pour into the greatest rivers.

3.
Just so, for a quarrel of words
over what matters least,
a man may sell his wealth, his honour, and his life —
the world that sharpens bitter feuds.

4.
The stream of lies flows like a river
over settled lands;
even a good man can hardly defend himself —
it breaks his well-being too.

5.
When a single wretch
has spewed his vomit of lies,
the torrent grows like a flooding river
that swallows ever new streams.

6.
I doubt that men in many places
can halt its course,
for countless swords
fight under its banner.

7.
Friend! If it should come to pass
that you fall into its spite,
the remedies will be few indeed
to drive it off in peace.

8.
Best, then, to keep silent
when the lash falls hardest,
to stand on steady feet
though the torrent rages against you.

9.
Hold always to silence and patience
and the endurance that adorns all deeds —
then the monster begins to tremble,
is shamed, and flees at last.

10.
Devil-born fiend, Falsehood!
We know your wretched ways —
you have brought me and many others
great misery, and stolen our peace.

11.
Over you be curse and ban,
upon your breast and brow alike!
We wish that Misfortune's
poisoned mark be burned on you with steel!

12.
Be driven, black Sin,
you who feed on honour's ruin,
down into the hot peak of Hekla —
let the flat rock slam shut over you!

Narrative

13.
Of Bergþórshvol we must tell
no less the tidings now —
there was one among the household,
called Þórður, strong in body.

14.
That freedman had served there
a long time in his place;
he had fostered all the children
of the household from their youth.

15.
He had long been of a quiet temper,
a skilled man in truth;
Bergþóra goes to find him,
for the father and sons are at the Thing.

16.
"Make ready," she gave him her word,
"to strike down Brynjúlf, known as the Brawler —
he is Hallgerður's kinsman,
and a man of no good repute."

17.
"I am no killer," spoke the old man thus,
"and I am far past my best years —
but if you deem it necessary,
then it is best I find the man."

18.
Þórður rides off then —
she thought no less of him for it;
he came at last to Hlíðarendi
and bade Hallgerður come speak with him.

19.
Tell Brynjúlf, he said calmly,
something of my errand;
say what you want of him —
so she spoke; and Þórður answered:

20.
"I wish to ask the man
where Atli's body was hidden;
it has been poorly tended,
as I hear some talk."

21.
"In Akratungu," the woman says,
"he lies below." Þórður replies:
"Do you not think that Atli
will soon be carried to his resting place?"

22.
"You seldom cause killings,
poor Þórður!" the woman says;
"now we shall see
how your paths cross."

23.
Rannveig, Gunnar's mother, strong in mind,
counselled this reply:
"Such goading does not become you;
things may go differently."

24.
Down to Akratungu
the rider spurs his horse;
Brynjúlf was out in the field.
"Defend yourself!" says Þórður.

25.
"I shall not shame you,
though you face a hard road to death."
The other, swollen with rage,
draws his trailing sword.

26.
He rides at the other hard,
not gentle in his approach;
least of all does Þórður flinch —
there the edges clashed together.

27.
Þórður swiftly swung his axe;
Brynjúlf blocked it with his sword —
the blade broke in his hands
and the ugly stroke fell short.

28.
Then with the axe a second time
into his breast Þórður strikes;
the edge bit deep through the flesh
and forced the life out.

29.
Þórður then met a shepherd
when he had left the slain man —
told the fellow where the body lay
and bade him bring the news to Hallgerður.

30.
He rode home unharmed;
Þóra spoke with a joyful heart:
"May honour crown your hands
for this great deed."

31.
Hallgerður bore the news
when she heard of the swift killing:
"Worse shall come of this,
if I have any say in it."

32.
The news reached Njáll at the Thing;
he had it brought three times,
then the hero opened thus:
"Never have I heard the like."

33.
"More killings than we expect shall come
if Þórður keeps on this way;
your sons, my men,
would be better expected to do such things."

34.
Skarphéðinn, the cup-breaker,
said this: "It may well be thought
that my doomed foster-father
has found his man to kill."

35.
Gunnar paid out silver freely,
a hundred — the fathers were glad;
all of them settled, they rode home
saddling the paths of the lions.

36.
The saga tells of a man called
Sigmundur the Lambskin —
he had courage and strength,
and was quick-witted in many crafts.

37.
Yet he was swollen with pride,
able to compose much that was scurrilous —
he dealt in noise and mockery,
and few loved him for it.

38.
One man stood with him,
called Skjöldur, a good youth —
they pushed their boat over the waves
and found the ice-cold shore.

39.
They came in the Hornafirði
riding their horses over the land,
made their way to Hlíðarendi —
they had known Gunnar of old.

40.
There they wintered,
the ring-lord offered them welcome.
Gunnar's handsome kinsman
was that ski-lord Sigmundur.

41.
"Hard though you find it, I tell you,
bold men, of the two —
you may the less attend to my wife
and the more to our counsels."

42.
The men obeyed him then
in all that he asked;
the household was well kept,
and the lady of the house spared no kindness.

43.
Sigmundur was content in most things,
though the bond of friendship grew —
such gossip among the folk
was its cause.

44.
Often she complained
that she thought Brynjúlf's killing
hard to swallow —
a hundred weighed in silver for him.

45.
Gunnar paid no heed to it;
Gerður pressed the matter often;
the hero quietly warned
that Þórður should watch his movements.

46.
Outside at Bergþórshvol once
the old man Njáll and Þórður
stood together,
and Þórður spoke thus to the farmer:

47.
"Do I see this, or does it seem so to me —
do you see the field turn red? —
here in the yard lies a goat
covered all over in red blood."

48.
Njáll answers: "There is no goat there,
only the bare ground of the field;
it is your own fetch you see —
you must be a doomed man."

49.
Hallgerður, in hope of vengeance,
nurses spite in her breast;
she finds Þráinn Sigfússon
and speaks thus before him:

50.
"You would be a mighty kinsman to me
if you would show your skill
and end Þórður's life now."

The spear-lord spoke in reply:

51.
"Because my kinsman Gunnar
would be furious at this,
I am not willing
to grant your wish now."

52.
"Sigmundur and Skjöldur shall
do the killing," says the woman;
"you stand hidden nearby
when the day's light fades."

53.
All three agreed to this.
Þráinn promised to stand by.
The folk make ready for the Thing
that summer, as is the custom.

54.
Gunnar rode, and noble Njáll,
the roads up to Þingvellir —
but Þórður — the imprudent one —
stayed behind at Þórólfsfell.

55.
Hallgerður heard this news
and bade the others go.
Sigmundur said it was settled;
then they took their swift horses.

56.
Sigmundur said to Þráinn,
as they rode eastward:
"You shall do nothing
when we cut down doomed Þórður."

57.
"I reckon two will suffice for one."
Þráinn said he would not fight;
then presently they caught sight
of Þórður riding down the road.

58.
Sigmundur flung these words
at Þórður:
"Yield to our power —
here you shall die."

59.
"That shall not be," Þórður declares;
"I challenge you alone
to fight against me —
let us test our courage."

60.
Sigmundur gives his answer:
"Better to use the advantage of numbers;
the other is tired of standing by
while we drive you to the floor of death."

61.
Þórður speaks: "Though the onslaught be fierce
and the shield be torn,
I know that Skarphéðinn
will avenge me well."

62.
Every warrior drew his blade;
the wound-maker howled its war-spell —
Skjöldur and Sigmundur pressed in,
hard upon the healer's star.

63.
Skilled Þórður defended himself
long against their shields,
broke his spear against them both —
the weariness sorely punished the fighters.

64.
Skjöldur cut the hawk's slope —
though the edge-track stung him,
still for a time
he defended himself admirably.

65.
Sigmundur drew his bare blade
and drove it through Þórður's breast;
then rained the shower of blood —
the warrior falls upon the green field.

66.
The brave one trod the path to Hel;
the lost men covered his body,
heaped stones over him,
and hastened to ride away.

67.
Þráinn then spoke up:
"This deed is nothing to boast of —
it is my prophecy that the sons of Njáll
will sharpen their vengeance here."

68.
Up to Hlíðarendi now
the band of warriors ride back;
the fair lady of the house
is full glad in her greeting.

69.
She sent a boy down to Hvol
to tell Þóra of the killing.
The proud woman of sorrows
answered with a mighty temper:

70.
"Of Hallgerður's evil talk
I want to hear nothing;
more shall come of these matters —
let her remember, worse will follow."

71.
Now Hallgerður was triumphant,
and thought she had won just vengeance;
she made her way to the Thing
to bring Gunnar the news.

72.
I see this has come to pass,
and it proves again and again
that you, women, can achieve
with your tongues alone what few men could.

Ríma IX

Alhending minni hálfsneidd.

Mansöngr

1.
Let us turn to the lore of heroes,
though it yield but little —
Auðunn's dirge, the swan-song
of Sigmundur's shame.

2.
The wise folk of earlier times,
as the written record tells,
seldom dared to publish libel —
the disgrace was felt too keenly.

3.
Now that black art
has become a habit for some madmen:
to slander the people and put to print
the worst accusations they can manage.

4.
Some years ago, men here received
a journal called Fjölnir —
strange pamphlets travelled in it;
we spat it out in the end.

5.
I have heard a priest from the east,
whose reputation he lets wither,
has given his brothers a letter
that blackens his own countrymen.

6.
This is the worst kind of libel:
to feed upon our charity,
yet publish accusations against us
and lie — in a woven bundle.

7.
He likewise uses low cunning,
lets his slanders run free,
praises an abundance of useful wares,
and swindles the people into buying.

8.
Then the pamphlet crawls through the district —
men are forced to own
what is libel against their own community,
if they are able to buy it.

9.
Great and small alike he blackens,
shames most men's characters;
the worst reading, I know, falls
upon men of power and priests.

10.
This wretched mass-journal
frightens the good temper away;
such sheets should stop offering
themselves to us at all.

11.
I bid you, people of the land!
— you who hold the greater arts —
do not blame me though I libel
the libellers who are ours.

12.
I would have you drive this Fjölnir
out of your halls every time.
Then we shall see what my Simbi
will win for its slander.

Narrative

13.
News was heard at the Thing
that Þórður had been struck down.
Gunnar in his heart
felt the grief increase.

14.
He went to find wise Njáll
and spoke these words:
"Hard tidings I must tell you now —
Þórður has fallen, unavenged."

15.
"I offer you the bitter case
to judge yourself,
so that our friendship shall not
be marred by this foul business."

16.
Heavy-hearted was the wise Njáll;
then and afterward he spoke,
working the matter out shrewdly,
offering fair terms to all.

17.
"I will agree to a settlement still —
the case seems fit for one.
Two hundred in silver, count them out,
champion, for the slain man."

18.
The treasure was paid to the warrior;
splendour was given at the ship-prow.
Then the fair sons of Njáll
went home to their booth.

19.
When the men heard this news
they thought it far from good.
The shield-bold Skarpheðinn
then spoke in verse:

20.
"Was it thought a small thing there
to strip a man of his life?
When shall our weapons stir?
Does this not wake us?"

21.
The father answered the warrior swiftly:
"The time will not be long to wait.
No man shall call your temper slack
when duty demands that you fight.

22.
"A settlement for this I have made here
with Gunnar, fairly borne.
I trust you will honour it."
The other said: "So it may be."

23.
"If Sigmundur does more of this,
we shall not spare our vengeance."
The old man spoke: "Then you shall
steer your own course."

24.
Gunnar rides his horse home.
He confronted Sigmundur:
"It fell out badly for us
that you killed the man so recklessly.

25.
"A settlement for this
I have reached before the spear-lord.
But take care that you
do not repeat these evil deeds."

26.
The man gave his solemn word
concerning this matter.
Days pass thus in the hall;
no further news is told.

27.
Let me turn now to the fair one
of Hlíðarendi for once —
the woman who in most places
sniffs out spoils for her purse.

28.
Women wield the art of speech,
yet mostly forge their blame;
they can accomplish these three things:
beg, flatter, and slander.

29.
Going in to find the fair folk,
the lady of the house makes her visit.
In the bower of rings, the battle-red one —
Hallgerður — sat enthroned.

30.
Þráinn was there, and Þorgerður
from Grjótá besides,
a mannered woman, and Sigmundur
lingered long in the hall.

31.
Gunnar was not within,
nor the champion's brothers.
The fair woman, among her women,
began to kindle talk:

32.
"Where were you last night?
Down there at Hvol?"
The stooped crone spoke softly,
though her shrunken stomach grumbled.

33.
"What did the master and his folk
busy themselves with there?"
The ragged one drew out her answer,
she of the noble dress:

34.
"Njáll sat at the inner bench —
he worked at nothing useful;
in the house among his thralls
he suffered to sit idle."

35.
"The old man's sons, all of them,
have their little tasks —
the lads fancy themselves great men,
but boasting is all they need."

36.
"Heðinn was sharpening his axe,
grinding the whetstone endlessly;
Helgi was hardening his sword
and polishing the hilts.

37.
"Grímur, brother of the others,
fitted a shaft to a spearhead."
Hallgerður laughed and answered:
"There is great work to do here!

38.
"And what were the serving-men
doing over there?"
One of them dragged out her answer,
filthy and well-beaten:

39.
"I do not know that for certain —
yet one I saw blundering
at work that suited him:
he was carrying dung over the hills."

40.
"Njáll, that stubborn fool —
who has done so many novelties —
now trusts that the dung there
will make his meadow grow better."

41.
The woman laughed brightly at this
and kept the chatter flowing:
"He may well be called
the most foolish of men.

42.
"The dung that he should rake up
is on his upper lip —
if he could make himself grow a beard
around that bare chin of his.

43.
"The beardless old smoothface —
let the shields call him ring-man,
and all his bold heirs
we'll call the dung-beardlings."

44.
"Sing, Sigmundur, sing us now
a verse about what we speak of.
Let us enjoy the fact that you
are reckoned a poet of some quality."

45.
"I am quite ready for that,"
he answered, "to compose."
And that same moment he sang
a mockery-poem with all his might:

46.
"What use are shields and helms
to men who cannot fight?
The dung-beardlings can hardly
wield their trusty bucklers.

47.
"The sun-wave's long-hooded ones
— though they may gape and stare —
dare not answer the insult here,
their threats amount to nothing.

48.
"The old man of foul words
may grind his whetstone all he likes;
the honour-hairless one
will never find his vengeance.

49.
"Beardless wretch — let him be called
the one whom shame must follow;
the people far and wide shall know
him and his dung-beardlings.

50.
"If these worms are granted honour,
let them listen well:
the dung-heap's beardless vermin
shall be named for all to see.

51.
"No one speaks well of the old man —
none of nobler quality.
The beardless fool,
let all men call him the dunce."

52.
The high-born woman laughed
at the young man's jest:
"The Thing is where the warrior meets me best,
and generous is his style."

53.
Gunnar came in boldly from the door,
raging with fury —
his ears, though he had not wished to hear,
had caught the entire poem.

54.
Before, the laughter and racket
had been at its loudest indoors.
Now the voices fell silent, and the warrior
shook with rage as he spoke:

55.
"Sigmundur, your wretched work
goes on in this same place:
forging slander against Njáll
and his dung-beard sons besides.

56.
"Death shall burn you soon enough
for this heavy crime.
Your nature does not heed
good counsel given."

57.
"Let no man carry that filth with him —
let no one dare!
Or let him slink from this house
and bear our wrath."

58.
The greatest spear-famed warrior
strode fiercely from the room.
Every man feared him greatly.
Those words fell cold upon them.

59.
The women, scheming and wheedling,
gathered their plans together:
"Let us hurry over to Hvol
and spread this news there soon.

60.
"Bergþóra there will reward us
for these well-smithied tidings."
Then they went to Landeyjar,
carrying their burden of malice.

61.
They told every word of the talk
and forgot nothing.
Bergþóra raged with fury
and spoke thus to her sons:

62.
"Shame and mockery you have worn,
the vilest of names received!
It is cowardice and disgrace
if you cannot answer for it."

63.
Heðinn replied: "Their insults
will surely force a reckoning.
My dear mother,
you make much too great a fuss."

64.
The fierce woman answered, burning:
her temper ground against itself:
"Best that shame should fall on those
who suffer such injuries."

65.
Wise Njáll then spoke
and turned to give his answer:
"Be at peace, woman, I bid you —
the reckoning will come in due time."

66.
Then could be heard how things stood —
the ring of the axe-blade!
Men snatched up their shields
and their thin bed-shirts.

67.
Out they hurried from the house,
Njáll toward the back wall.
The brothers rushed past the farmstead,
armed and ready for the spear's shaking.

68.
"Where will you ride, Heðinn?"
The old man asked aloud.
The swift one answered: "We ride
to see about the sheep."

69.
The shrewd old man said this:
"It will be tested there, I think.
Be content and let it go —
let those sheep be lost."

70.
Njáll leaned back upon his pillow.
The shielded warriors
whipped their horses hard
and rode toward Fljótshlíð.

71.
They rode toward Hlíðarendi,
sharpening their edges,
and waited there
until the night grew thin.

Ríma X

Kolbeinsbragur.

Mansöngr

1.
When will winter ease its storms?
Hardly before high Easter comes —
I cannot leave my floor,
the fallen snow breeds longing.

2.
Hard drifts hide the earth,
the high mountains grow small,
the island belt is beaten by squalls —
one cannot even see the horizon.

3.
Biting winds lash the naked peak,
from the north they set their course,
a giant's shape over land and pool
lets its wading go unchecked.

4.
Whatever cuts and however it goes,
though the age grow bare and barren,
I sit here and compose
a host of songs through days and evenings.

5.
Proud song shall not be halted
by whatever hardship wars upon me —
the wind's voice grows weary
while I ascend to higher tones.

6.
Foul weather I shall play against —
good laws sustain the people —
until the storm dies down
we shall recite our brave-hearted songs.

7.
Two sounds shall be heard —
the metre's scroll and the storm's fury —
at Geirraudseyri the gold-ring lord
will know them clearly then.

8.
My wise raven of Herjann,
the glorious lord, art-loving,
leads it in — but the arrogant one
cannot find his way into the house.

9.
Sheltered then from the storm's gaze,
with the refrain-scroll, among the people,
one may sing to the high sounds,
and hearts may calm their cares.

10.
Let the troll go mad and flee to the mountains
like the giantess Hetta with grimacing brows —
let all her terrible roar
crash down upon the packed-thick cliffs.

11.
Then I may sing the saga —
O reddening sun, O palm-tree,
I ask that they grant me what they can;
the moon's sweat I ask of the Norns.

12.
Njall's heirs on Hlidarendi's slope
have found their way across the ground.
Let us wake the tale to its free feet —
Sigmundur rides at the hour before dawn.

13.
Skjoldur goes with the glitter-snare,
the men tend to the horses,
they spur across the slope,
see the horses and catch them.

14.
The raven has a heavy cold —
his croaking was fit for a meal —
with whetted beak and lurching steps
he hops about the grounds.

15.
An ill omen he seems to them
as the riders' course turns that way —
the bold warriors see Sigmundur,
he who wore the precious garments.

16.
Skarphedinn speaks up:
"Look — riding here now
is the red elf and the swaggerer beside him.
Let us greet them as is fitting."

17.
"Sigmundur, in the clash of swords
you may sing and test your mettle —
the mocking poem you shall both
answer with grey shields."

18.
The men were brought together.
Sigmundur meets Skarphedinn.
The bold warrior in mail spoke:
"Away with you, trickster!"

19.
"I await you — in bloody strife
make yourself ready, and hurry —
it is not the time for composing mockery,
other work awaits us here."

20.
Sigmundur then upon his skull's height
took his helm and shook his spear;
a blue halberd lay at his belt,
his shield gave the brash man shelter.

21.
Then the bold ones together
turned their swords in anger —
grey shields take the blows,
the rims of helms clash faithfully.

22.
Under the long song of edges
the mail coats begin to groan,
the press on the field grows fierce —
the warriors do not spare each other.

23.
Hedinn drives the hard blows
with his horn-blade, which bit well,
tears the other's shield and guard,
loud as verse chanted below.

24.
Then he drew his sword on Sigmundur,
the battle-ready warrior —
the blue edge struck the shield,
the broad point fastened in it.

25.
A quick turn by the strength-spent one —
the frenzied warrior cast away his shield;
the one who wished to show his mastery
lost the bear from the hawk's grip.

26.
Rushing quickly from behind —
with fierce drives Hedinn struck,
the horn-blade wounds the shoulder-blade;
upon his knees the man must stumble.

27.
"Yield to me now, strong one —
I reckon you will soon kiss the ground.
It is worse if it goes thus."
The warrior declared, shaken: "Mercy."

28.
He sprang up, but Hedinn struck,
smashed the helm and the skull beneath —
face-flat the wretch fell
in strife on the moor, and quickly died.

29.
Skjoldur suffers beside the others,
nowhere does he find gentler moments —
then with a grey spear to the leg
Grimur takes it nearly from him.

30.
Helgi through the fierce warrior
drove the spear and out through the back —
the rain of blood saps his strength;
death could take the wretch.

31.
A shepherd nearby Hedinn saw
running there, and spoke swiftly:
"Here — you shall hold
the head of the fallen Sigmundur."

32.
"Go home to Hallgerdur
with the head, and let it be known:
whether his lips of mockery
have composed verse — she shall see."

33.
He cut the head from the body there
and the shepherd received it —
but he carried it away, for he was frightened
of the men, and cast it down.

34.
The brothers ride, far from danger,
swift to the river Markarfljot;
the deadly killings they cover with cairns —
men go to report them there.

35.
They reach Njall and make known
what has happened; he speaks:
"My sons may be praised —
here the self-judgments shall cease."

36.
Hearts are gladdened by worthy boldness,
the aggressors received their due —
first I will not let them pay atonement,
those knaves with their cunning hands.

37.
That shepherd, who from the men
carried the head on swift feet,
runs as fast as he can
to Hallgerdur and wakes her response:

38.
"Njall's sons, in clash of steel —
we saw here this morning —
struck free Sigmundur on the neck.
Fallen, I see, is Skjoldur too.

39.
"The brothers offered to bring me
the head freely to the farmstead —
we had some exchange here —
some commotion when Hedinn raged."

40.
"The skull I did not dare
bring to you, noble lady!
I thought that grey displeasure
would wound your thoughts."

41.
It went ill — the woman swore
that the sending she could not receive —
Gunnar would face great jaw-sorrow
when he learned of his kinsman's death.

42.
"For the gentle kinsman's strife
vengeance must be nourished now,
or else mockery from all folk
would pursue us here forever."

43.
She storms in before her Gunnar —
proud Gerdur — and begins her speech:
"Your kinsman has perished
in the storm of steel against Njall's sons."

44.
Gunnar declared: "Crimes breed counsel
that come here as often happens —
you both reap revenge for your mockery.
Each reaps what he bakes for himself."

45.
Gunnar, the chosen one, walked from the hall —
anger struck against his calm spirit —
yet for the fallen kinsman
he prepared no legal summons.

46.
Hallgerdur could boast of that —
the sword-god was in the house —
she reminded him as often as she could
of the unavenged and slain man.

47.
The lady grew angry in her faithful heart,
to Gunnar she pressed the matter sharply;
three assemblies pass now —
nothing was done about it.

48.
At the fourth assembly, I hear,
the sword-god finds Njall,
and the men then, as prudent
as before, discuss the matter.

49.
Gunnar accepted the warrior's counsel —
he wishes now to go forth.
The other said: "Wait a moment,
take your seat now."

50.
"It is likely that it wearies you —
your kinsman left to moulder.
Better that we settle it."
The sword-wielder answers him:

51.
"This honour we accept with thanks
from him who offers here —
two hundreds of silver at once
give me, and it is done."

52.
"For Skjoldur no wergild
shall any man demand —
the fellow committed a host of tricks;
few mourn after him."

53.
"That mockery which the fool composed —
no one may recite it after this.
If a man is found who composed it,
the worst reward he shall receive."

54.
So with gladness they paid the silver —
Gunnar and the fathers there —
the spirit of friendship was kindled;
good were the settlements.

55.
No song may be prolonged for those
who are dead and sleep their sleep.
Of other men we must
now speak here.

56.
Gissur is the merry warrior's name —
"the White" he was so called —
he knew the law, and long gave
community aid and answer.

57.
At Mosfell he built his homestead —
a chieftain in most things —
every neighbour found him praiseworthy,
and that is truthfully said.

58.
Another is heard of — Geir the priest,
a handsome warrior who lived in Hlid.
These two in legal matters
settled strife for men far and wide.

59.
By the river Ranga at Hof
Mordur now keeps house.
Little Unnur has passed away;
that woman bears no more.

60.
Of Mordur the lore declares —
he was false and beloved by none —
a treacherous temper, cruelty he
could nurture alone, the miser.

61.
He came to hate Gunnar,
envying the swift warrior —
that kinsman who cherished honour,
bore fame and accomplishments.

62.
The peat-slave was a heel of tricks
at Hof, and he vexed the folk —
unpopular and not agreeable,
as few are pleasant to see.

63.
Oddkell is the man I may name —
Kirkjubaer is what I call
the place he governed;
the farm stands near the sea.

64.
A brother that tall warrior had —
Hallkell, swift of bearing —
he then stayed with his kinsman
where the household was larger.

65.
Hallbjorn, called "the White," one lad —
he too is their kinsman here —
slow to blame and pure of heart;
praise we shall bear for them.

66.
An Irish slave, kind to none,
ugly — Melkolfur was his name —
unpopular and quarrelsome,
born of malice, thief-natured.

67.
The treacherous slave Oddkell owned;
he did most things poorly.
From these I may now pass
and find the joy that makes amends.

68.
Another at Hof there was —
most wretched in his fortune's blight:
Skammkell bore in his breast
the worst plague against peace.

69.
Ill-willed he was, and bore toward all
poisoned malice and disgrace —
nimble at the whittling of lies,
sly, wheedling, and presumptuous.

70.
Oddkell's fate thus turned,
as the true book tells —
he chose crosswise for his friend
the accursed man of wickedness.

71.
Let no one blame me
though ill talk flows upon the page —
it is Njala that slanders here,
except where I smooth it.

72.
The deeds we may see —
evil and good as stir the nation —
few judgments we pass upon them,
but we shun the foul works of poetry.

Ríma XI

Skáhent staðlafall.

Mansöngr

1.
The mind's keen edge is dulling in my head —
the islanders' barrel-tears flow on;
wine troubles every man's wit in the season.

2.
At the feast, lesser industry holds sway —
the wine has lingered long in fire's heat;
upon the withered page I wait for words.

3.
Let the waking swan sing, let it croak anew,
sing the stilled saga-songs,
the silver-gilded vessel of tales.

4.
All my delight must wisely bind itself —
we offer verse to the people of the earth,
so long as nations wish the tune.

5.
I turn about and seek from every side
the goodwill of my people here —
most of all to win what is dearest to me.

6.
That is the challenge of my station —
to please the mind of everyone here;
I wish that poetry might succeed for me.

7.
As the old tale of Tristram relates —
about what is planned for all,
may each receive a little.

8.
To spin a song from the sagas of the homeland,
which fewest knew of here —
that was what I next chose for myself.

9.
I tried to adorn speech widely with songs,
when I set about writing the scroll,
with small tricks of the poet's craft.

10.
Men of greater learning hear and judge —
now there are those who find such things
thin wash-water and overstated talk.

11.
Therefore shall the well-known saga of Gunnar
be simply turned into verse,
so all the people may understand.

12.
A dear friend of the nation shaped
such material, and bade it be versified —
I also shall attempt the same.

13.
I wish to show you, my countrymen!
I too, if you will it,
can follow the saga well with letters.

Narrative

14.
Let us find where we left the tale —
we offer wise men this thread we departed from;
many others shall remember it too.

15.
There was a hard winter for a time;
hay and good provisions grew scarce —
across the snowy land the people suffered.

16.
Gunnar the gentle laid forth provisions
on both sides while he could;
men saw him open his stores to all.

17.
He refused no one, so good a man he was,
until at length there was no more —
all had found their sustenance from him.

18.
When the ring-shaker lacked hay and provisions,
he summoned to ride beside him
Kolskegg, and Þráinn after.

19.
To Kirkjubæjar the fair warriors rode.
Oddkell is called outside;
word-bold Gunnar says to him:

20.
"It has come to this, farmer — I bid now
for hay and provisions from you,
and whatever you have to spare."

21.
"I lack neither food nor hay," Oddkell answers,
"but to share with you
I shall not trouble myself here."

22.
"Will you sell then?" Gunnar replied.
"That you may see my need —
will you take some payment in return?"

23.
The farmer refuses again to offer his goods.
Skammkell stood beside him there,
steering him ever from the good course.

24.
Þráinn said: "The best counsel is
we take both hay and food,
and pay whatever price is fitting."

25.
Skammkell says: "Would the fair men of Mosfell
not suffer the shame
of letting themselves be plundered there?"

26.
"We shall not rob, though he refuse our prayer,"
Gunnar inclined his words to that.
Oddkell then spoke and said:

27.
"I have a slave, given to me here —
this scrawny piece of hell-hide —
I will sell him to you, dear Gunnar!"

28.
The lord answers: he will not spare
the price to buy the slave.
Out then is led the wretched Melkólfur.

29.
The silver is counted out for Gunnar's purchase.
Home he rides now, wise and careful;
old Njáll hears of what befell.

30.
And thus he speaks: "Ill do men act,
to refuse one such as he —
never was Gunnar one for harm."

31.
Þóra spoke: "It is more lordly
to bring him provisions rightly,
since here we have plenty enough."

32.
"So shall it be as you say,"
the farmer speaks, and loads
the packs on fifteen mares.

33.
This hay he says he brings to Gunnar,
and likewise food in store —
five more mares he loads as well.

34.
Gunnar meets the caravan; the wise one speaks:
"Hay and food — see to these now.
But why do you not come to me yourself?"

35.
Gunnar thanks the generous warrior.
The messenger rides home with that;
next comes the approach of the Thing.

36.
Gunnar hosted the greatest multitude of guests —
they came from Síða in the east,
the nobles riding in their company.

37.
He invites them home when they ride back,
to seek shelter at his side —
for it was hard in the districts then.

38.
So the swift warriors ride to the Thing.
Njáll is there with his kin,
and nothing of note came to pass.

39.
Let us turn home to the tale of Hlíðarendi.
First I must touch upon
one fault of Hallgerður alone.

40.
The woman speaks to Melkólfur the slave,
heavy as ever in her frost:
"You shall ride to Kirkjubæjar.

41.
"On two horses — cheese and butter mostly —
you shall steal from those fools;
go well, and use your cunning."

42.
"Burn the storehouse of those wretches' sons,
so all the world may hold
that fire alone caused their harm."

43.
The slave replies: "Grey and old, I have always
practised coarse wickedness and deceit —
but never have I committed a thief's stroke."

44.
"Hear this, fool!" she further declared.
"You are an old and practised thief —
it is not worth arguing about."

45.
"If you do not go, death awaits your doom."
The wretched slave sets foot on the road
as soon as the day is done.

46.
On two horses he steals the provisions;
fire destroys the stores within —
the fatty goods fill up the load.

47.
The dog does not bark at the known hand,
but he kills the hound nonetheless
and flings the embers in.

48.
His belt and knife the wretch dropped by the road,
on the eastern bank of Rangá —
then wandered home to the edge of Hlíðar.

49.
The stern lady received the stolen goods.
At Kirkjubæjar, come morning,
men say they saw what was lost.

50.
Oddkell believes that fire alone
had worked the damage thus —
no man is blamed for it.

51.
To Hlíðarendi now return from the Thing
noble Gunnar and his company;
the people rejoice at his feast.

52.
Hallgerður bore provisions to the men in the hall —
butter and cheese the people found —
and Gunnar marvelled at those stores.

53.
He knew not to expect these from his own farm.
He asked whence the lady
had received them — and she answered:

54.
"From a place you may well enjoy —
there is no need," she says,
"to ask about provisions."

55.
A blow on the cheek the fierce hero struck her;
angered, she endured it:
"On foul theft we shall not feast."

56.
"This I say," spoke Hallgerður then —
"I will remember this heavy blow,
and repay it, if fortune lets me."

57.
With that food both went forward;
more meat came to the table then —
the folk were merry as they could feast.

58.
The saga turns again to Skammkell.
By Rangá, where filth lay,
he saw something in the road.

59.
Belt and knife the stiff villain finds;
he recognises Melkólfur's mark upon them —
that greatest of troublemakers.

60.
He found Oddkell and spoke with him about it.
They set about their plan,
and both rode out to find Mörður.

61.
They show the items to the gold-lord;
"Do you know these?" they ask —
to which he answered yes.

62.
"Or what in this is to be weighed,
considering Hlíðarendi?
After this, more might be discovered."

63.
The wretch says: "It is hard to deal
with so unequal an adversary —
and so we must tread carefully."

64.
Mörður says: "You speak the truth here —
yet I know more than you
of many things from Gunnar's household."

65.
They offer money if the rogue would
press their case for them;
the god of steel gives answer:

66.
"Show me that silver, as you offer."
Three marks the fool puts forward;
the rascal then delivers his speech:

67.
"Parish women I shall send
with wares through the wide country —
we shall see what profit they bring."

68.
"It is the manner of thieves to drop their traces —
especially this trickster steals;
here all is well if things go thus."

69.
"The old women come gladly back
and show what they have procured
at each and every place."

70.
"Perhaps by that means more may be learned
than we yet know —
and for that, I am prepared."

71.
This pleases the sinful pair;
home in haste they drive the horses —
the grey mind of malice was kindled.

72.
From this you see what could become,
if evidence does not fail,
the very worst of all lawsuits.

Ríma XII

Staðlafall minnsta.

Mansöngr

1.
Though the labour of verse grow wearisome,
the sitting indoors and the solitude,
like winter's ban of storms.

2.
I cannot part from Gunnar thus —
together we must toil on still;
the parting keeps growing slow.

3.
In the flesh we share no dwelling —
this bond must be of the spirit,
as we can plainly see.

4.
The high-born muses of learning
cannot free me from this companion's bonds —
it is not easy to abandon that seat.

5.
Therefore, beloved, I seek your love
to lighten somewhat my afflictions —
least of all would I lose you.

6.
You who have hallowed my songs
and sheltered warmly the children of verse
you bore into this world for me.

7.
Therefore you will wish to ease this trouble,
so that my inner soul again
may bind itself to you.

8.
So that I may tell at the right time
to our high master
the poem of Gunnar's life.

9.
So that I may show my countrymen
how our fathers of old
were famous and faithful.

10.
And so I shall not, Iðunn, for a time,
in my company,
constantly drive you away.

11.
Let us watch what fates await
the offspring already born,
before more are brought to life.

Narrative

12.
Mörður, who wrought many a trick,
sent women through the high districts
carrying small wares.

13.
Half a month they had been gone;
then home they come, laden —
moor-ruddy rag-norns.

14.
Mörður makes these women tell
what each housewife gave them
most generously.

15.
Hallgerður above all helped them —
cheese they had from her,
and not in small slices.

16.
Mörður took them then and rode to Oddkell's;
in the cheese-chest of his wife
the edges of the missing slices fit.

17.
They seemed very well to belong there —
both men fancy they can see
that prosecution shall follow.

18.
Mörður says the case is easy to press
against Hallgerður now —
with that he calls himself done.

19.
He rode home; but rumour rose about it —
to Gunnar's ears as well
the matter also came.

20.
The well-known man would mend this disgrace
and avoid the worst of it;
he went to find his brother Kolskegg.

21.
He bids the good man ride beside him,
Þráinn likewise and the others
who lived nearest there.

22.
So with his warriors he set out riding;
the chieftain arrives
at Kirkjubæjar with twelve men.

23.
He bids Oddkell come outside to meet him;
Skammkell, there for mischief,
the shameful one gives this answer:

24.
"Let me go out with you for counsel —
I would be most loyal
to him whose need is greatest."

25.
Then at Gunnar's bidding they come out —
Oddkell, Skammkell, Hallkell beside,
Hallbjörn the fourth.

26.
Gunnar spoke: "It is hard to learn
that my wife has caused
you great harm, farmer.

27.
"That slave you once sold me,
by her counsel, has
shamefully done the deed.

28.
"I offer you now the best men in the district
to judge this matter." Skammkell speaks:
"Harmfully you offer."

29.
"Gunnar has many good friends,
but my Oddkell has few —
and may lose his share."

30.
Gunnar offered: "I will settle the case
and lay my friendship alongside —
the payment shall be doubled for you."

31.
Skammkell says: "It is shameful to hear
that he should sell you self-judgment
when it should be yours by right."

32.
"You must not accept this, Oddkell."
"Therefore I refuse," the man answers;
then Gunnar spoke:

33.
"I know that all here hear and understand
whose counsel guides the man —
and how it shall be repaid.

34.
"Then judge the case yourself, Oddkell."
Skammkell whispers to him:
"Call that an honour-offer."

35.
"Gissur the White and Geir you must choose
to pronounce upon your case —
I will go along with that."

36.
Oddkell managed to bring this up.
Gunnar said: "Do as you will —
act here as you please.

37.
"Yet it shall be said of this matter
that you yourself refused your honour —
though my offers still stand."

38.
Gunnar rides away, angered most in his heart,
with his company.
Hallbjörn speaks to his brother:

39.
"Unmanly, Oddkell, you answer Gunnar's offer
in a way that is no surprise —
since you have an evil friend."

40.
"What good can come to you
from quarrelling with the greatest man
that mother earth can claim?"

41.
"Yet I know that the noble hero of honour
will yet hold to his word
if you heed my counsel."

42.
"Go now, find both Geir and Gissur —
tell them all of it truthfully —
then you will get better counsel."

43.
Oddkell has a mare saddled
and makes ready to go — but
Skammkell turns to the farmer with words:

44.
"Would you not rather, friend, that I go
on your behalf to find Geir?
They know me better than you."

45.
Oddkell accepts what the wretch offers;
he turned then from the men.
Hallbjörn spoke again:

46.
"That folly may well become your ruin —
that you send that fool
whom everyone knows as the greatest liar."

47.
Oddkell answers: "You ought to fret less —
your heart would waver too
if Gunnar whetted his halberd."

48.
"None can know which of us fears it most —
his halberd with its blue edges —
of that we may speak later."

49.
Both brothers, angry, leave off talking.
Let us think again of Skammkell.
The wretch arrives at Mosfell.

50.
He delivers the terms that Gunnar offered —
and that Gissur should have the ruling;
so Oddkell had proposed.

51.
Gissur spoke: "I call his terms good;
it is best to settle
with that most honourable gentleman."

52.
Skammkell went back to find Oddkell,
called the farmer to a private word,
and opened his bag of lies:

53.
"It is the will of those noble men
that no honour nor self-judgment
should be used in such a case."

54.
"You shall summon Gunnar as an abettor of theft —
since he kept the stolen goods —
and Hallgerður for the thieving."

55.
"I have set you up as the finest man in every way" —
"therefore you may press forward here."
The other said he would try it.

56.
Next twelve men ride from the farm
toward Hlíðarendi in the east;
they see Gunnar standing outside.

57.
Oddkell has the long summons delivered.
Skammkell asks with a grin:
"Well, Farmer Gunnar — is that fair enough?"

58.
"I say to you both — this shall matter most,"
said Gunnar, "but perhaps
we may remember this later."

59.
Angered, the most renowned warrior,
stung hard by this trial,
rides now to find Njáll.

60.
"Do not let this cling to you, friend,"
said Njáll — "for this case
shall turn to your honour."

61.
"You shall scarcely lack for friends."
Then onward to the Thing —
the men ride from their farms.

62.
Gunnar finds his worthy kinsmen from the Dales,
his in-laws gathered there;
he tells them of these matters.

63.
Hrútur knew how to counsel:
"We shall press them hard —
for our company is the greater.

64.
"Challenge Gissur the White to the island,
and Kolskegg shall challenge Chieftain Geir —
they will flinch before you.

65.
"Against Oddkell and the rest of their band
there will be men enough
who dare to swing the blue-edged swords."

66.
"If they will sell us self-judgment,
take it in such a way
that honour and worth shine through."

67.
Njáll called this the nearest thing to good counsel.
These cheerless tidings
Gissur the White comes to hear.

68.
He asked Oddkell who had counselled
that Gunnar be summoned for theft —
if the fight is to be over this charge.

69.
Oddkell said: "It was your own counsel."
Skammkell seemed little inclined to settle —
he would press the case hard.

70.
"The scoundrel who has lied the most,
the crime-filled wretch —
we have found him here," said Gissur.

71.
The man Skammkell, speechless then and feeble,
crept into his booth;
it was hard to deal with him.

72.
Gissur then with a worthy company turned
toward Gunnar and declared:
"Heed now what we offer you.

73.
"You yourself may judge your own case,
so that we avoid trouble
and the greatest honour be shown to you."

74.
Gunnar thought upon the shaping of his case —
about it he took no one's counsel —
and this is how he spoke:

75.
"You shall have compensation for house and food —
but for what the slave did,
I can pay you nothing.

76.
"You concealed the faults of that wretch;
let him be returned to you —
that seems to me most fitting.

77.
"But for the insult and the shame
of the summons you served here —
I shall keep the value of the house."

78.
"And if you will not accept this,
then prepare for something else —
our peace shall then be ended."

79.
Gissur says: "Your settlement shall hold,
if you remain Oddkell's friend hereafter."
Gunnar did not speak against it.

80.
"He may keep Skammkell's friendship —
who has long desired his ruin —
yet I shall give him counsel."

81.
"Let Oddkell always keep this warning —
that he never again
act against my interests."

82.
They must accept these terms;
the greatest honour from the case was won
in this manner by the famed warrior.

83.
Thus ends this great case —
it went so then, and so it goes now:
the law moves as it has weight.

Ríma XIII

Hrynjandi minni frumhentur.

Mansöngr

1.
The heroes of the ancient snow-land
won honour enough in their time,
born of noble nature and life —
they wielded bright blades with ease.

2.
Of this the stories of spear-poets
bore witness in later days:
our ages of manly courage
were fairer in former times.

3.
To stand in the footsteps of those noble ones
whose saga most deserves praise —
that we dare not attempt,
on account of the newer laws.

4.
Where once men dared to strike
and hew their enemies blue with steel,
we who wrong a friend so badly
get a slap across the jaw.

5.
For that too there are fines
if we sneak in a fist-blow;
much the same as when the mighty nation
settled killings with payment.

6.
Men cannot wrestle with fate —
the host of heroes dwindles;
mouth and pen must serve instead,
though both be used with care.

7.
Where the old heroic deeds grow dim
we find other entertainment;
the arts of cunning never perish
from beginning to the end.

8.
I can scarcely weigh in words —
though much increases my unease —
whether things go better now than before,
where prejudices still contend.

9.
Now the table is more often set
better than in former days;
less is raw and more is cooked,
the meal improved in every way.

10.
Less is wild and more is tame,
one may dress it up to suit —
less frenzy and more lameness.
Can that not also please?

11.
There I will rest my meaning —
now I shall let it be;
let both ages' stories show
each one's own true measure.

Narrative

12.
Oddkell the sturdy once
bade farewell to his sword-home;
eastward in the Dale he had kinsmen —
he means to ride to a feast.

13.
The rich man readies the journey,
to test the steeds beyond:
Skammkell with him and both brothers,
and four other men besides.

14.
Oddkell rode a fierce horse
up past the farm at Hlíðarendi;
the finest stallion began to race —
its rider could not hold it.

15.
He cannot keep the rein's grip —
the horse drives headlong forward,
like rapids of a waterfall
pouring from the heights.

16.
Near Fljótshlíð on nimble legs
far from the riding-path it ran;
in a certain field stands Gunnar,
the honourable man.

17.
He had not seen so much as a speck
of the riders on their way —
there Oddkell's wild mount hurls itself
down upon him from the slope.

18.
One spur of the spear-lord
gashes Gunnar's cheek;
the blood ran down the fair man's face —
the other could not help it.

19.
The wicked men look on; the wounded one
urges the horse aside:
"Though I bleed — still it stings me,
this wound presses hard."

20.
Skammkell says: "Bear up —
though the blood reddens you,
you must not lose your composure
or speak in anger."

21.
"You were bolder at the Thing —
wise men can confirm it —
where you bore the bitter halberd
and offered to fight men's cases."

22.
Gunnar answers: "My injury
I shall not soon forget —
if I catch you again, scoundrel,
the halberd shall show itself."

23.
Skammkell shouts: "Ride well, lads!"
The luckless age upon the land —
up the slope they gallop.

24.
Gunnar turns homeward to the farm,
keeping his wits about him;
to a few neighbours he tells
what had come to pass.

25.
Always nourished on evil counsel,
eastward in the dale,
Skammkell made a mockery of it,
bold and bragging in the hall.

26.
Many shaming tales the wretch could tell,
piling on the damage —
said that Gunnar had wept
and fled wildly from the danger.

27.
The gossip spread widely
about Gunnar through the districts;
they sat a week at the feast,
then wanted to ride home.

28.
Now tell of fair Gunnar:
on his beloved farmstead he sat
and saw his shepherd
rushing hard toward the farm.

29.
"Why so wild?" asks Gunnar.
"Can you explain your ride?"
The angry boy tries to answer:
"Treachery no one should endure."

30.
"I saw rushing toward me —
in a great fury —
eight men by Markarfljót,
four in coloured cloaks."

31.
"Oddkell from the east, that must be,"
Gunnar takes note.
The shepherd answers:
"The rascal looks guilty to me."

32.
"It grieves me that evil men's
words should slander the good —
false Skammkell is always busy
stirring up his foul talk."

33.
"He has let it be heard in gossip —
that wretch who ruins good men —
that you wept and ran
when Oddkell struck you."

34.
"The word-sick man must hold his tongue,"
said Gunnar. "As for you,
I shall use you for nothing else
than what you are meant to do."

35.
"Shall I not tell Kolskegg?"
says the shepherd.
"No — I will find him myself
and tell him the news."

36.
"Now go seek your weary mother's sleep."
The boy obeyed.
The good hero at the singing sword's spell
girded himself with iron.

37.
He set the gilded helm upon his head,
bound the shield at his side,
stirred the halberd's steel in his hands —
it made a cold ringing sound.

38.
The good weapon sang aloud,
so that it keened in the blade;
Rannveig came red-faced into the passage
and spoke alone:

39.
"So angry I have never seen you, good son,
though trouble brings its grief."
Gunnar dismissed his mother's words
and rode alone from the yard.

40.
Men hear it — the song is loud —
the fair-eared one declares:
"Gunnar's heavy halberd
promises you far worse."

41.
Then bold Kolskegg spoke:
"That foretells news."
The loyal man seized a horse —
he will follow after.

42.
Hallgerður said: "Let him now
put the mischief-makers to the test —
they shall not find that he weeps
to flee the arrows' need."

43.
Your Gunnar rides down
the tongue of the fields;
the brave man reaches Rangá
by the heavy-sliding ford.

44.
Opposite Hof the best warrior waited,
the byrnie-breaker keen —
there he let the over-wearied horse
cast off its heavy burden.

45.
Where boulder-scree fills the roads
the spear-warrior looks ahead;
the host of men approaches from above —
there is no use hiding.

46.
Gunnar spoke: "If men seek
the halberd's swift prey,
you shall find yourselves
brought low and shamed."

47.
"Now test it no less:
if wounds befall you here,
whether I weep to flee from you
or retreat one step."

48.
The bold men leap from horseback,
blades bare their fangs;
all press upon Gunnar alone
with the gleam of double edges.

49.
Hallbjörn swings his sword boldly —
he wished to show his might.
Gunnar says: "Do not press forward,
for you should not have to die."

50.
"If sword-hilts provoke me,
defend your own lives;
I shall stand unyielding, spare no man
of this evil company's assault."

51.
One sharpens the answer,
quickly he chants his vow:
"You mean to slay my brother —
show now your bitter will."

52.
"Shame is upon me if I must stand for this!"
He shakes his dark-blue brand
between his hands,
to strike the stubborn foe.

53.
Gunnar threw his shield before him —
the blade floated through;
then he broke the shield-bearer down
with his drawn sword.

54.
The eye cannot follow it —
the edge whets with all its might;
the finest hero flings the ring
and severs the arm clean off.

55.
Skammkell the wretch in agony
creeps behind the warrior's back;
may the trolls take the disgraced one —
we detest his harm and suits.

56.
He swung his axe with all his strength,
demanded every ounce of might;
Gunnar saw him, swung the halberd
blue-edged upon him.

57.
Struck the axe from his hand
by that death-blow;
sent it to the empty river
and spoke this verse:

58.
"You once asked whether the summons
was rightly brought to court —
your deceits I must avenge,
you slave stripped of honour."

59.
He seized the halberd —
no more mercy now —
drove it through wicked Skammkell;
the blood poured forth.

60.
The luckless one was flung from the saddle
far across the field,
crashed on his head in the road-mire
and there ended his days.

61.
An ugly easterner named Eyjólf —
one who knew how to shoot
a sharp spear to avenge Hámundur,
quick in his resolve.

62.
The brave one caught the spear
as was his custom,
sent it back to its owner —
it shall end his life.

63.
The flight upon that spear was thus:
it went to hard torment —
through the shield, through the man,
through the earthen wall.

64.
Oddkell dared turn his spear
against the undaunted hero —
the sharp blade was aimed
at the warrior's foot on the rocky mound.

65.
Light as a thaw-wind
the hero leaps into the air,
then drives the battle-swift halberd
straight into him.

66.
Through the man the spear drove
and made him meet his end;
thus about the battle-field
blood flowed from reddened veins.

67.
Kolskegg ran forward swiftly
and drove his spear into Hallkell;
thus he hewed to the man's destruction —
the ugly one sank down.

68.
Red blades upon bloodied shields,
fierce settlements are run;
eight men fall — all of them —
beneath the warriors' strength.

69.
A woman from Hof saw
what danger was unfolding;
she told Mörður with haste.
The cowardly man says:

70.
"That would serve Gunnar well alone" —
the meaning of his words was this:
he would help none of them
escape from harm.

71.
The case turns upon the schemer
against the jewel-bright lady —
"Most you say, most you torment,
you wretched coward."

72.
Fair Gunnar rides forth with his brother,
whips the horse to speed;
now he rides almost like a madman,
lashing the steed's flanks.

73.
On the sandy shore the horse leapt
into the road and met a stream;
it came down standing on nimble feet,
free upon the land.

74.
"Hard it was ridden," Kolskegg says.
The other answered nimbly:
"Skammkell mocked me greatly —
that insult smouldered long."

75.
Kolskegg says: "You have avenged
the mockery on the wretch."
The mighty warrior gave his oath
and spoke:

76.
"I do not know whether I am
the greater coward for this:
that I care least to wound men
upon a heated spear."

77.
A man's praise and shame both live,
though he little knows how to rave;
even if he lingers in this world —
here Njála proves it true.

Ríma XIV

Stafhenda.

Mansöngr

1.
It is good to find a worthy friend —
he mends most faults we carry,
gives both shield and counsel,
though our deeds should falter.

2.
Choose him rather than the throne
of mighty kings in power;
often he shuts out the night
of anguish, need, and heart-sickness.

3.
Choose him rather than the warm
love of any maiden —
that so often wavers
and burns hotter than we bear.

4.
Choose him rather than the hidden gold
that Plutus found and hoarded —
though gold commands much for itself,
a friend's heart shines the brighter.

5.
Yet this is true: it is a trial
to find a friend sufficient,
one who loves us still
when all the rest turn away.

6.
Foster-brothers in former times
fastened their bonds of friendship;
through grief and lamentation
they walked beneath the earth together.

7.
Together they let their blood flow,
and bound their oaths so:
whatever pain struck one,
the other should feel it too.

8.
Heavy therefore were the vengeances
when one of them in battle fell —
the survivor stripped all peace
from the man who slew his brother.

9.
Sooner they gave up their lives
than let revenge come slowly;
they scorned both wealth and power
for the one whose flesh had fallen.

10.
How shall Gunnar hold his ground
after the clash of iron?
I bid his friends stand ready now
and lend the brave man aid.

Narrative

11.
Far and wide the killings spread in rumour;
most men's verdict held
that those proud ones should sooner
have sought Gunnar out themselves.

12.
Gunnar went to find Njáll
and laid the matter before him.
The old man said: "What was done here
was done as men deserved.

13.
"You must come to the Thing —
there honour may be gained.
Steer these cases by my counsel;
I hold it firm in mind."

14.
"The beginning of your killings
is this affair." Gunnar replied:
"Lay your counsel on me, far-seeing one."
"So it shall be," said Njáll.

15.
"In the same bloodline
you must forever shun fresh killing;
never break an agreed settlement,
and nothing shall endanger you.

16.
"Those who break settlements more than you —
many others face that peril," Gunnar replied.
"If you heed this prophecy," said Njáll,
"you shall grow old."

17.
"But if you break these two commandments,
know that your death shall follow —
doomed you shall be for that."
Gunnar then set forth.

18.
Geir and Gissur learned
of Gunnar's mighty killings;
for fallen Oddkell they
held two boats in common cause.

19.
From the west the men rode early
to inspect the wounds of the dead;
they named witnesses to the injuries —
nine neighbours bore that witness.

20.
At home bold Gunnar waited
with thirty men around him;
yet even with a hundred warriors
none dared move against him.

21.
At that the men rode home;
the talk ran high on these affairs.
Most predicted
a turbulent Thing to come.

22.
The men of Fljótshlíð, most of them,
followed Gunnar to the Thing,
for he was well beloved —
the finest champion of Iceland.

23.
There came Njáll and his sons,
serving the chieftain's need;
Geir and Gissur came as well
and walked to where the Law Rock stood.

24.
They announced the killings properly;
then the matter went to court.
Geir summoned Gunnar
to hear the oath pronounced.

25.
The oath was sworn, and all the proofs
were duly laid; the case moved forward.
Witnesses likewise
were set upon the benches.

26.
He bade the neighbours then be challenged;
the verdict was pronounced.
The jurors stepped down from the benches
and went at once to judgment.

27.
They ruled as truth demanded,
yet one point stood in the verdict:
that Auðólfr's kinsmen abroad
must answer for his killing.

28.
Njáll and Gunnar saw in this
a defence within the case.
Gunnar stepped before the court;
Geir bade them hear him speak:

29.
"For this I charge you sternly —
you have framed the case in error.
I declare you outlawed:
a lesser outlaw for such a fault."

30.
Njáll and Gissur the White saw
the need was pressing now;
they went seeking settlement
to make terms for the dead.

31.
Agreement was reached on that.
"Willing to settle I am," said Gunnar.
Six chosen wise men
now moved toward a resolution.

32.
"For Skammkell pay nothing at all —
worthless, he may fall uncounted.
Against a man's full compensation
stands the wound that Gunnar took."

33.
"The other killings shall be paid for" —
that was the settled peace.
Gunnar's kinsmen were eager
to furnish him with wealth.

34.
All was compensated at the Thing;
the men confirmed the settlements.
No injury remained,
and all were friends thereafter.

35.
Gunnar rides wisely home,
having won honour from those cases.
Let him sit now with his good name,
well regarded at his hearth.

36.
Starkaður I may name — a man
who seemed but little good.
Hallbera was the housewife,
daughter of Hróaldur by name.

37.
Their farm was no small thing,
up by the three-peaked mountain;
three sturdy sons they had as well —
these lads I now may name.

38.
Þorgeir they were called, and Þorkell;
the third was Börkur the rascal.
All of them bore trouble with them —
violent men and hard of temper.

39.
The couple's daughter bore good fortune:
Hildigunnur, who was called
a healer by the folk around,
for she had mastered those arts.

40.
Egill we name as another man
who likewise took a wife.
Sandgíl was their farmstead's name;
his sons I also note.

41.
Kolur was one, and Óttar,
and Haukur, skilled in craft.
These brothers too were reckoned
men of uneven temper.

42.
Steinvör was their mother —
little praise she bore.
Their sister earned some commendation:
Guðrún, that evening star.

43.
Egill kept Norwegian men —
wealth and good fellowship followed.
Þórir they were called, and Þorgrímur;
each was thought a worthy man.

44.
Always of one mind
were Egill's sons and Starkaður's;
they joined in sport and skill together,
each teaching the other arts.

45.
Starkaður had himself a horse
whose hooves they thought the finest;
men held that in a match
none could ever master it.

46.
It was spoken of one day:
no man in all the district
dared set a horse against that one.
Hildigunnur then said:

47.
"Gunnar has a dark-maned stallion —
I know that one would dare
to fight yours." But the brothers
answered the maiden thus:

48.
"Foolish women praise
Gunnar above all others,
but it is not certain, if we match them,
that he would win the field."

49.
"He would best you in that
and everything besides" —
so the bold woman spoke again.
At this the brothers grew angry.

50.
They rode to Hlíðarendi,
all the brothers setting out.
Gunnar welcomed his guests
and asked where they were bound.

51.
"No further," they answered.
"We are told that you, steel-god,
have a young horse
fit to match the best."

52.
"Small talk," Gunnar answered.
"My horse is hardly worth the fuss —
he is weak and young." But back
the brothers pressed again:

53.
"Hildigunnur gave us reason
to think your horse would dare
to test itself against ours."
Bold Gunnar answered then:

54.
"I shall dare it, certainly.
Yet I say this plainly:
little gain will come of it."
The brothers answered thus:

55.
"Will you match him, then?"
Gunnar said: "Yes —
lest your long journey here
prove a wasted ride.

56.
"Let it be sport for men,
and harmless between us;
but if you offer me foul play,
I can return it in kind.

57.
"You shall have every
chance to withdraw, but be warned:
I will suffer no dishonour
from the likes of you, brothers."

58.
The bold ones mounted their horses,
rode home, told their father
every detail of the matter —
how the horse-fight should go.

59.
"Seek sparingly against that master,"
their father Starkaður warned.
"He is the most famous of men,"
Hildigunnur added:

60.
"Gunnar, the farmer, is slow
to rouse to anger,
but a man beyond mastering
if things go ill —
of that you must take care."

61.
Gunnar seeks Njáll again
and tells him plainly
of the horse-fight in the district
as though asking counsel.

62.
"The greater part shall be yours,"
said Njáll, "yet this I prophecy:
from this event shall come
the falling of men hereafter."

63.
"Will that cause my death?"
said Gunnar at these words.
Njáll answered in the same breath:
"You have least reason to fear.

64.
"But those who come against you
in time ahead
shall remember when they bring great strife —
I foresee much dread from it."

65.
Gunnar rides bravely home.
Next he learns the news
that his father-in-law Höskuldr
has died and left his wealth.

66.
Þorgerður at Grjótá
bears a child in that same season;
the ring-goddess gives the child
the name of the one who fell.

67.
Gunnar sees two heirs
born to his own wise wife:
Högni one is called;
the other takes the name of Grani.

68.
Promising lads they are,
yet Högni more than Grani —
that spear-god bore his father's spirit
and resembled him the more.

69.
So it stands with the horse-fight
I spoke of a moment past.
Long enough now have I sat —
next it is time for the meal.

Ríma XV

Oddhending minni.

Mansöngr

1.
To the best brand of the mountain's hand
I bring the smith of verse;
let Iceland, dear and close at hand,
give ear unto my rhymes.

2.
The lore is written of the foster-land
and the glories of those days —
carried forth by deed, for I am told
it would suit the most of men.

3.
Sport there was among the warriors then,
shared in many branches;
keen enough for every feat,
much they wished to prove.

4.
Through the blood of wave-rimmed shores
they plied the horses' races;
tried the board-game, tried their strength,
the champions bold and able.

5.
Swimming they knew, and the swan's ground
they crossed like seals in water;
they tested wounds' ale in the mouth,
and practised great agility.

6.
Running over the bay's headlands
the quick folk hardened themselves;
arrows from the bow in flight
they would not spare either.

7.
Skiing, swift as an arrow flies,
men knew throughout the land;
ships with spirit enough to ride
the bold ones gladly mounted.

8.
Wrestling too the keen ones mastered,
stripping warriors of their clothing;
ball-games everywhere on fields
stirred the spirit bright.

9.
In those days Iceland's ground
was schooled in peaceful customs;
now the minds and moods of men
are glued to silver coins.

10.
This is now the way of things:
no man is counted worthy
unless he bears upon his back
a saddlebag of gold.

Narrative

11.
To the horse-fight many rode
and decked their mounts in finery;
Njáll was there, and his sons too,
and Gunnar could be seen.

12.
Both his brothers — that great man's —
were present at the gathering,
and a mighty crowd besides
from all across the land.

13.
Likewise there the keen troops saw
the sons of Starkaðr come,
and Egill's heirs too took their way
to that same market-field.

14.
They ask whether the spear-lord
has his horse prepared;
Gunnar, that land's gentle lord,
then leads them into talk:

15.
"Now the good sport shall begin
for you warriors soon."
Then mighty Skarphéðinn chose
to speak with Gunnar thus:

16.
"In this matter, if it might be of use,
and with a peaceful purpose —
I would drive your stallion
where the pack-dogs fight."

17.
The hero says: "That we forbid."
The other answered plainly:
"Well enough — since both of us
are men who make a noise."

18.
Gunnar spoke: "Then let us go
headlong to the horse-fight —
though some harm may come of it,
let us wait no longer."

19.
Then the tall horses were led forth;
Héðinn leads Gunnar's stallion.
He who goads must follow close —
the match demands its contest.

20.
There at the ring in a red tunic stood
the master of Hlíðarendi;
he bore a staff for the stallion's urging
and a belt above his waist.

21.
The horses leapt upon each other,
testing hooves from the front;
they bit so fiercely that the crowd
could take the greatest pleasure.

22.
Þorgeir speaks to those beside him:
"Let us shove our horse —
let us see whether Gunnar here
can keep his footing still."

23.
They push their horse to start a quarrel,
eager to begin the fray;
Gunnar drives his own to charge
and makes it step the harder.

24.
Backwards at that press and strain
the Þríhyrningar tumble;
the battered horse brought them to grief —
the brothers suffered shame.

25.
They get their feet beneath them, after that,
though anger burns their spirit;
they rush at Gunnar through the crowd —
he steered himself aside.

26.
Kolr the grey that tall hero
seized between his hands
and flung him far away —
the wretch fell senseless cold.

27.
Gunnar's horse with all his might
Þorgeir managed to wound —
struck its eye out, plain to see,
the beast hung sagging fast.

28.
Gunnar struck with power, though,
Þorgeir a blow on the cheek;
that blow undid all peace —
it knocked the fool unconscious.

29.
Kolskegg bids the tall hero
to put the horse to death.
"That beast," he said, "cannot
survive its injuries."

30.
The warrior did as he wished;
Þorgeir came to his senses,
snatched up weapons, rushed at Gunnar —
all good fortune lost.

31.
The warriors stilled the horses' charge
so that they could not reach
the field of battle; now
Skarphéðinn speaks his mind:

32.
"I am tired of all this brawling
going on so long;
better that we take up weapons —
let us slay some worthy men."

33.
Njáll now spoke of settlement;
the brothers answered back:
"We shall not stop, but the keen-edged blow
shall have its payment yet.

34.
Gunnar shall receive in time
our attack, and wait for death."
They took their horses; from the Thing
all the thanes rode home.

35.
Time passes until on the Thing-field
the firm folk ride together;
there Ólafr, his kinsman, may
noble Gunnar find.

36.
He bade them home with honour
to guest through the autumn;
but asked the treasure-bearer
to use the greatest caution.

37.
"You must not with so few men
set out on winding journeys,
for the Þríhyrningar plan
against us every way."

38.
Ásgrímr — one man I can name —
dwelt at Bræðratunga;
at the Thing he had his quarrels
to bring his cases clear.

39.
Against Úlfr, the son of Uggi,
he stood in slippery trouble;
he asks the people for their help
to answer those same charges.

40.
Gunnar, for he loved Ásgrímr,
went forth to plead the case,
and challenged Úlfr upon the holm
to avenge Uggi's wrongs.

41.
That iron-bearer dared not stand
against the death-dealing man;
no weapons raised — he would not fight —
so the case was dropped.

42.
No small help it was; and then
Ásgrímr gave his thanks;
he sends to bid the champion home,
an invitation warm.

43.
The Thing was done; on hoofed hawks
each to his own homestead
then rode away, and afterward
to other labours turned.

44.
Later then, that summer on,
to his brother Kolskegg
Gunnar, true as he may be,
declares his purpose armed:

45.
"To Bræðratunga shall we make
our journey on the reins;
weapons heavy on the young men's hands
I wish to have them bear.

46.
Three of us shall mount the steeds
and ride there to the feast;
our companion Hjörtur the bright
shall follow bearing swords."

47.
Next the steadfast hero finds
his helmet, shield all reddened,
his halberd and the cutting-stone —
good Ölvir's gift of old.

48.
His brothers in their battle-gear
swung their heavy swords;
the horses danced along the road
until they reached the Tunga.

49.
The warriors took their fill of feast
for several handsome days;
then across the highlands high
homeward they would draw.

50.
This journey, as it then was made,
the Þríhyrningar heard;
they whetted swords, and bade the bold
spring to their feet at once.

51.
From thence the keen men gathered:
thirty rode together;
on swift steeds the warriors sat,
eager for the sword-game.

52.
Among them through the elfin land
old Starkaðr made his way,
and his sons in the blade-dance too —
no man there stood idle.

53.
Egill rides upon his steed
likewise to that meeting,
three sons bearing treasure-swords,
seeking out the ground.

54.
Þórir the Eastman, great in strength,
follows Egill also;
so the mounted band rode forth
to meet the mighty warriors.

55.
The hoofed chairs tested out the roll
of the stiff-maned stallions;
at Knafahólar the horses hid,
close by the Þjórsá's bank.

56.
It happens that from Grímr at Tunga
Gunnar comes now riding,
over rivers — out upon
the open ground he passes.

57.
Beside the river he cannot,
though he wishes, stay awake;
he stops and says that there
he means to take his sleep.

58.
Sleep falls on the green ground
on Gunnar, champion noble;
in that hour in every way
he groaned and thrashed in slumber.

59.
Hjörtur speaks: "Now let us
wake the handsome warrior;
it seems to me he suffers here
the weight of heavy dreams."

60.
"You cannot wake that man,"
Kolskegg then replied;
"let him, though it pains him,
have the good of all his dreams."

61.
It is madness in one's mind
to untangle dream-riddles;
yet they often point the way
to tidings yet to come.

Ríma XVI

Drjúgmælt.

Mansöngr

1.
We asked for silence, shaped in verse's measures —
let all who hear attend —
how the tides of blood ran down
from the edges Gunnar bore.

2.
I cannot carry books enough
where blood-storms rage and run;
no nobler warrior than he
walked the frost in former days.

3.
I know the fair Snow-land
can tell of such customs past —
strong enough to strive with swords,
many champions it held then.

4.
Grettir the Strong could hardly find
a match among the living,
there where ragged shields were waving —
long the bold one fought.

5.
Nor was Hörður any gentler
wherever he could swing a blade,
by his battle-deeds renowned,
he showed his worth in desperate hours.

6.
There Súrr drove his sword downward —
peace, it seemed, was ended then;
he launched the blood-waves coursing down,
men crawled away in fear.

7.
Of Skarphéðinn feats are found
set forth in our own Njála;
though I sing of him less here,
he swung his heavy axe-steel.

8.
Swift Kári, the fame-man,
slew whole companies in his time;
long recorded in the annals,
he hardly found his equal far.

9.
Countless more, heroes of deeds,
Iceland's ground can show —
men who long let spear-points
whistle against their shirts.

10.
Most men give this verdict,
and the book confirms it too:
Gunnar won the greatest honour
of all beneath the frost.

Narrative

11.
Gunnar woke from troubled sleep
and cast aside his heavy shield;
heat-oppressed, the man let out a sigh.
Kolskeggur asked him then:

12.
"Tell us of your heavy burden,
that we may listen well" —
the keen one wished to know the dream;
a verse he shaped, and spoke:

13.
"Against so few we ride from Tunga —
we should hardly have come here;
I expect a heavy fight:
hear, kinsman, this my dream:

14.
"We seemed to ride in thunder-hulls
to race the coursers' course;
we came here to Knafahólar,
a wondrous-great trap we saw."

15.
"These appeared quite many,
battle-strong and armed for war;
evil wolves attacked us,
and we turned toward the Rangá."

16.
"Well with strength I could defend myself
and I shook my bow;
but they pressed so hard that I
had to take the sword and halberd."

17.
"I split the wolves with edges,
they had their harm prepared —
I slew so many I was amazed,
I knew not what then shielded me."

18.
"You too with bright leaf-blades
harried the wolves fiercely,
but at Hjörtr they managed,
through such assault, to bring him down."

19.
"One gripped his heart in gaping jaws
and worked destruction on him;
I charged swiftly at that one
and cut him clean in two."

20.
"At that the wolves leapt back,
for they were sorely wounded then.
One counsel now I think will serve:
dear Hjörtr — you must turn back.

21.
"Home to Tunga, ride again —
rather than face this storm of shields."
The young shield-bearer answered:
"Never will I flee from you.

22.
"Though I see death prepared for me,
away from you I will not run."
Then over the fields of counsel
the great heroes rode.

23.
To Knafahólar the hoof-wolves
the warriors let trot;
they saw on the hillside many blades —
the sun was glinting on the steel.

24.
Kolskeggur, not quietly, declared:
"Look — here is a company!
What is your counsel, brave and good:
press the fight, or save ourselves?"

25.
"Let no man mock me for it,"
the keen warrior said —
"before a host to bolt and flee —
let the fearless man ride on.

26.
"Still toward the Rangá, battle-eager,
let us seek the river-tongue;
there on the spit we give our stand,
if fighting there must be."

27.
Onward toward the river
the brave ones galloped then.
Kolur, the villain, shouted:
"The champion Gunnar runs away!"

28.
Kolskeggur the worthy
answered that with this:
"Before this day is over,
a tale of that may yet be told."

29.
Now thirty against three they join
the great clash of thorns;
on the river-tongue they hold their ground —
to the joy of the wave-sport's play.

30.
Forward Sigurður drove his swine-snout helm,
bold in the fury of attack;
the shield took his carved strokes —
he shook its reddened surface.

31.
Gunnar seized the bow with power,
let the blue arrow fly in sport;
the mighty-sinewed one raised his shield —
the fire-dragon's lord saw that.

32.
The arrow cut through the shield
and pierced through eye and nape;
at that the hide-clad warrior jerked —
the wretch fell dead.

33.
So the first fight was won
by the fairest man at the gathering;
again he bent the bow-arm,
the arrow flew into the host.

34.
The one called Úlfheðinn
felt the tremor driven in —
through byrnie and through breast it tore;
soon that man departed the world.

35.
Before one farmer's feet
a warrior fell — the stalwart dropped;
Kolskeggur hurled a stone that struck,
bound a slow man fast to death.

36.
Starkaður raised his voice to the men:
"Let us rush them and prevail!
It will serve us ill to let
that man keep bending his bow."

37.
Every warrior urged the next
to put both arms to use;
the keen bowman, pressed by arrow-storms,
had to set the bow aside.

38.
He shook the halberd, the spear-lord,
famous — no mercy spared there;
the empty ground the blood-stream paints;
the leaf-breeze keen and sharp.

39.
Likewise draws his kinsman's blade
Gunnar, fearsome then;
long he hews through the men of spars —
the field is clothed in dead.

40.
Kolskeggur hacked the crowd of boasters,
laying on with his short-sword;
many a warrior met his death,
the sword-storm ruled the dark.

41.
Þorgeir the talker raised his voice
where they were dealing blows:
"Hildigunnur — I promised her
Gunnar's head today."

42.
In grim anger the breaking jaws glowed,
the fierce attacker answered back:
"Here the fair maiden shall not
fix her heart on that."

43.
"You I summon forward, fool —
look closer while you may;
for her sake first show me my death —
let the grey horse prove it."

44.
Þorgeir addressed his brothers then:
"Best we bend our spears as one
where the fury rages fiercest —
none shall find us slow.

45.
"The warrior holds no shield —
we will soon take our chance;
the host into the blood-tides
shall be toppled on the field."

46.
Börkur the stubborn and Þorkell both
rushed at the towering warrior;
but before Þorgeir could speak,
the heavy blades struck home.

47.
The halberd taught Börkur's hands
the swiftness of its lord —
it knocked the blade from Börkur's hand,
and now the enemy knew himself.

48.
The honour-rich one drew his sword
and brought it to Þorkell's neck —
the head flew off; that man
I write down as dead.

49.
Kolur egged on Egill's son
and spoke to the warriors then:
"You, Kolskeggur — I would test you
against the storm of weapons."

50.
He thrust his spear at the good champion —
could find no shield to fend;
the edge bit fast into his foot,
the swift blood ran.

51.
But he rallied and struck no less,
he held firm with the short-sword;
hacked the wretched foot clean off —
the blow fell ruthlessly.

52.
Kolur stood and stared at the stump,
a moment — the blood wading down.
Kolskeggur, reddened, dared to speak:
"You must be thinking straight.

53.
"It will be as it seems to you,
and if you look well at it:
your foot is lost to injury —
we shall speak no more of it."

54.
The body then struck the ground,
doomed Kolur met his death;
the field was washed by rushing veins,
and many suffered wounds.

55.
Egill then at Gunnar charged —
he shook the dark-blue spear;
the halberd swung with utmost force
and struck the star-lord's blow.

56.
The spear went clean through the skull —
grim grappling followed then;
out upon the Rangá
he flung the foeman's corpse.

57.
That, the eastern man Þórir saw —
he waded now toward Hjörtr;
great harm the young man suffered;
the bright edge wounded deep.

58.
The blade fell on the best of men,
flayed open his breast — he died;
the lesser man did little damage:
Gunnar's wrath burned the more.

59.
The hero cleaved the villain apart —
the torso tumbled to the ground;
the wound-stream flooded the field;
that man was done with life.

60.
Kolskeggur sheared the head from Haukur —
thus that one found his death;
though such things swell the coward's fear,
the brave ride out of need.

61.
Gunnar sliced off Óttarr's arm —
now the men took flight;
angry warriors gave pursuit,
and wounds grew many still.

62.
Starkaður and Þorgeir both
hurried down the path;
Gunnar with his Sköfnung-blade
dealt them heavy wounds.

63.
Few retreated without shaking,
bearing wounds both broad and raw.
Nineteen dead lay on the ground
beneath the river-tides.

64.
Hjörtr upon his shield bold Gunnar
bore the dead man home —
he who followed valour's ways
was buried thus with honour.

65.
So were the attacks of blades
beside our forebears, might-adorned;
now in later years the fights
grow fewer, as is fitting.

Ríma XVII

Afhending.

Mansöngr

1.
Dainty girls! I wish now to lower my voice —
the poems are growing rather long.

2.
Though I thought myself at first in all things able,
it is likely I shall yet grow weary.

3.
Even though my friends be wise and clever,
the devil's own haste is upon me.

4.
Therefore I would rather hurry onward now —
summer shines in ruddy halls.

5.
I care not for half-spent verse from here to Christmas —
let no one bind me on my back like a filly.

6.
But if I may bring this canto to its end,
I shall fly across the mountains.

7.
Though I have neither horse nor staff, whatever happens,
the worst of weather shall carry me.

8.
I know that Glitner's goddesses serve my walking —
though Sigga lacks both socks and shoes.

9.
To the Helgafell folk I say it loud and soft:
among them I shall dwell no longer.

10.
They are like most people one can find —
good men and tight with gifts.

11.
In Hólmur one's spirits may be cheered and driven wild,
for the stench there is foul indeed.

12.
Yet since many of the inhabitants are gentle folk,
may all of them live victorious.

13.
For I dare not lengthen this prattle further —
there is neither time nor place for it.

Narrative

14.
Gunnar goes to find Njáll by old custom
and tells him of the warriors slain.

15.
He spoke: "What would be the wisest course now?"
The sage answers and gives counsel:

16.
"Let us go to where the fight took place
and dig up the fallen men without delay."

17.
"We shall bring witnesses accustomed to observe
the wounds of those who lie there dead."

18.
"Then we shall make them all unholy for their ambush —
those who tried to strip you of your life."

19.
"More charges we shall find to bring
before the general assembly:"

20.
"After a while, the worthy marksmen among the dead —
outlaw every one of them."

21.
This must be told: Þorgeir from Þríhyrningur
readies himself to face the contest at the Thing.

22.
Mörður rides with them for a great sum;
the men await the judgments after.

23.
These cases the chieftains settle at the Thing
and make agreements upon the fines.

24.
Every man who has fallen in the clash of blades —
the hero pays at half-compensation.

25.
For Hjörtr, who fell in the spear-contest,
two men's worth of payment is offered.

26.
Gunnar, mighty in strength, paid at once upon the Thing
everything that was owed.

27.
Then the champion rode home, choosing honour —
the greatest glory from the cases was his.

28.
That same Oddkell who fell before
in the third encounter —

29.
Ep was his kinsman's name, and he was thought a valiant man,
trustworthy and swift in fortune.

30.
The champion lived at Kirkjubær with ample means
and had many pleasant friends about him.

31.
Þorgeir from Þríhyrningur went with his stout men
to find Mörður at Hof.

32.
He asks for better counsel from the shield-bender —
how best to repay Gunnar with revenge.

33.
Mörður says: "In this way you may go
and swell the ranks of your friends:"

34.
"You shall find young Þorgeir, Oddkell's heir,
and remind him of his griefs."

35.
"Gunnar killed his father and his good kinsmen —
you shall offer the young man fellowship."

36.
"Together you may both repay Gunnar's wrongs —
do not stop at the first attempt."

37.
"When you find the chance to strike the famous man,
let the wounds burn deep."

38.
"You shall urge Oddkell's heir with every hope
to avenge his father upon him."

39.
"Rather shall you shield yourself and harry him
until he is worn out of life."

40.
"Then you shall flee as though struck with panic
if Oddkell's heir is slain."

41.
"For once before, Njáll the fortune-blessed
gave Gunnar this stern prophecy:"

42.
"If he should cut down the same family line
a second time — that would be his death."

43.
"So perhaps the chance may come to men later,
when things have gone that way."

44.
Mörður falls silent. Þorgeir rides off
and finds his fine-named namesake.

45.
They hold private speech together all that day —
and came to one accord.

46.
They would lie in wait for the man of honour
and watch for their moment to strike.

47.
Mörður was to spy as much as needed for the namesakes —
to tell them when the time was ripest.

48.
Let us tell this: Gunnar rode nobly out
from home among fair company.

49.
Gladly he went to Breiðafjörður's dark-browed dales
to speak with his kinsmen there.

50.
Ólafr Peacock, that man of greatest worth,
wished to offer him a feast.

51.
Half a month Gunnar took his lodging
beside that generous lord of arms.

52.
Ólafr, most beloved, spoke to the ruddy champion:
"Three gifts I wish to offer you."

53.
"A cloak and a ring you shall receive, strong warrior —
gifts that the King of Ireland gave me."

54.
"And a hound I give you too, whose name is Sámur —
he serves a man no less than a companion."

55.
"He growls at every man who bears you hatred,
but knows all those who come as friends."

56.
"Your friends and foes alike he knows, fairest of men —
and he will lay down his life to guard you."

57.
Then to the hound the lord of rings spoke:
"You shall walk with Gunnar."

58.
Sámur went to Gunnar then
and lay down crouching at his famous feet.

59.
Ólafr bade the outstanding man take care of himself
wherever he wished to fare.

60.
"Since you are greater than all other men,
a mighty host shall envy you."

61.
Gunnar thanks him for the gifts and good counsel,
then rides homeward through those lands.

62.
One day Gunnar means to ride out
to the haymaking in the Landeyjar.

63.
Mörður, quick in treachery, gets word of this —
that the man rides gladly from home.

64.
He sends word to the namesakes: a better chance
would not come into their hands.

65.
Þorgeir from Þríhyrningur then rode forth
with twelve men at his shield.

66.
He comes to Kirkjubær and calls upon his namesake —
quickly they gather their men.

67.
Thirteen ride out from there
and wait beside the ford at Rangá.

68.
They know that Gunnar must cross the water —
they hide there with their hateful band.

69.
But when Gunnar rides from the island-fields
the warm fair weather follows him.

70.
Arrows, bow, and the singing halberd —
mighty Gunnar bears them all.

71.
Bold Kolskeggur carried on his back
coat of mail and the hard short-sword.

72.
So it happened, as the warriors rode down to the Rangá,
they saw a wonder after.

73.
The halberd in an instant reddened all with blood —
Kolskeggur asks: "What does this portend?"

74.
"Wound-rain, warriors call this," the armed man answers,
"when such a wonder comes to pass."

75.
"Men hold it to foretell the hardest battle —
that the weapons ready themselves in blood."

76.
When I hear all wonders run wild,
my ears and tail hang down upon me.

77.
May the god of gold-bearing birds forgive —
though I must fall silent now.

Ríma XVIII

Skothending.

Mansöngr

1.
Though the fair songs of the gods' ground
thus weigh down my fate,
I am bound for a time —
about you I may not sing.

2.
Our district's man of power
bade me so:
compose that throng of tales
set in the metre of poems.

3.
He has moreover
solemnly forbidden
that I sing of you, jewel-suns! —
and bids me speak of other things.

4.
Therefore my mansöngr-words
are thus in these rímur;
no wonder that your soul
does not rest easy with me betimes.

5.
This trifle I have meant
to shoot toward you — and hide it.
I bid you, ladies,
keep silent as stones.

6.
Surely I dare the anger
of my oft-praised friend —
let his eyes pass by
this single page.

7.
If he sees it, fearfully
the trial will torment me;
he may not kill me, perhaps,
but much I shall have to endure.

8.
I know, girls! — you know too —
but we must all keep silent:
he is not like me,
in speaking in your court.

9.
I have now excused
my foolish blundering;
may the good women forgive it,
the grounds of silk-spinning.

10.
Thus must this matter
be arranged for now.
Days will come, counsel will come —
the ring-maker grows merry.

Narrative

11.
Next the serpent-warriors ride
upon the acre-plain,
until they see those men
who sit beside the river.

12.
Gunnar spoke: "Bold champion,
battle will bring wonders —
we can see men's ambush,
kinsman! Look there."

13.
"Up along the ford past them
we shall drive our horses;
from there we must ready ourselves
and draw the blue weapons."

14.
Alone now the lords ride swiftly —
then they turn grimly toward the warriors.
Gunnar seizes his bow.

15.
He bends the elm; the arrow-storm
destroys such wolves as these;
sends death to several men
and wounded many more.

16.
Oddkell's young son spoke,
urging his men with exhortation:
"Let us attack as hard as we can here —
otherwise the worse for us."

17.
First fair Önundur reaches
the meeting with the champion;
the halberd in Gunnar's hand runs red —
his luck still holds.

18.
It cuts the unyielding shield
and does yet more damage;
through the body the shaft goes —
the spear-god falls.

19.
Then Ögmundur, clear-eyed,
brings himself ready to strike;
Gunnar hurries at him from behind,
means to deal the blow.

20.
That wise Kolskegg saw;
he swings the short-sword savagely,
hews both feet from
the garment-tree of shafts.

21.
Out into the Rangá he kicks
the footless, shrieking man;
the harsh water seizes him —
he has a swift death.

22.
The meetings of spears increase then,
weapons suck from wounds;
din and thunder fill the high hillside,
the crags tremble beneath.

23.
Gunnar dealt death to men
in the blood's fierce squalls —
with one hand he thrust, with the other hewed,
blue-edged both.

24.
He flayed the mail-coats; most men there
knew the red shafts' gnashing,
dealing with the greatest marvels
the reddened death of wounds.

25.
Well did Kolskegg deal
abundant death-blows;
a manifold crowd of dead
bowed upon the field.

26.
Þorgeir Þríhyrningur saw
the ordeal could not prosper;
amid the grey work of death-throes
he spoke eagerly to his namesake:

27.
"Let no man rest easy
nor offer any excuse
until the father who fell here
is avenged by the spear-trees."

28.
Oddkell's son answers now:
"I shall seek the linen-shroud,
though it goes ill for all —
even though you wield your sword."

29.
Gunnar leaps at Oddkell's
heir on the spur-swift horse.
The other seized the bloody blade
and bore the halberd against him.

30.
Þorgeir clove his shield in two;
the stroke was quicker to wound —
likewise flesh upon his hand
the broad sword could damage.

31.
Another man draws near
who dealt with malice;
swift Gunnar strikes the wretch
to his death with the sword.

32.
And the roaring halberd,
after that, with fury —
he sent it through his enemy
who then came wading in.

33.
The mail-coat's destroyer wielded the short-sword,
seized the man in torment,
grasped aloft the helmet high
with both his hands.

34.
Out into the Rangá he hurls that one —
the fair god burning with rage;
the body traveled a long way,
tumbling down in the eddies.

35.
The body finds a stone,
at last it lodges there;
that place is now called Þorgeirsvað —
as most people know.

36.
Þorgeir Þríhyrningur declares
then to the ski-enjoyers:
"From this thing of spears let us flee —
it is the devil to fight against."

37.
Every man takes to flight;
that suits them all best.
Then Kolskegg says thus:
"Let us pursue the wretches."

38.
"Try to shoot Þorgeir,
with your bow."
Against him the faithful champion
answers this verse:

39.
"My purses will empty fast enough,
most in truth and reality —
those whom we dared to slay,
once they are all compensated."

40.
Kolskegg answers: "Fear not for money,
kinsman — there shall be honour enough.
But Þorgeir will yet bring ruin
to the sword-gods in the end."

41.
Speaks the staunch brand-flinger:
"I count it no trouble,
though some of his kin
should stand in my way."

42.
Home then they ride from the meeting,
the kinsmen driving their horses;
these tidings far and wide
men get to hear.

43.
Gissur the White finds the carnage
there on the field's paths;
he hurries thither with his company
and describes the slayings in tales.

44.
They prepare the cases for the Thing;
thither Gissur rides.
Njáll the faithful, the shield of friends,
offers the other his support.

45.
Prosecution and defence are wearied there,
long disputes they make;
Njáll, who was eager for peace,
took up Gunnar's case.

46.
There the wise thunder of steels
sets about the oaths;
twelve sword-gods he asked
to reckon the terms of settlement.

47.
The slayings shall be compensated then —
yet the tame brand-wielder,
noble Gunnar, from the people
shall be moved away from the land.

48.
Let the man be three winters
gone from these shores;
likewise bold Kolskegg may
be abroad in the meanwhile.

49.
But if they do not go
abroad at the appointed time,
they may be slain on the land's soil
if the dead men's kinsmen should reach them.

50.
Thus is the settlement made;
they shake hands upon it.
Home without disgrace he hastens —
Hámund's famous descendant.

51.
Njáll speaks to the spear-lord
with gentle temper:
"Be careful that the settlements
you have made, you do not break."

52.
"If twice into the same family line
the slayings press hard,
the heaviest sorrow will come of it
if this settlement you break."

53.
"If you go to foreign lands,
you tested tree of lineage,
honour shall come to your hands
from every direction."

54.
Kind Gunnar speaks,
the bold one, to the gentle:
"I think it least likely for me
to break a settlement of men."

55.
The worthy thegns part there,
then tend to their farms;
Gunnar has his goods loaded
on a ship, and his weapons.

56.
The hero rode through the district
as was his fair custom —
he goes to bid farewell to his kinswomen,
his folk and neighbours.

57.
The gold-elf after that
bids farewell to all at the farmstead;
then he set out from home
with his weapons.

58.
Passing by Markarfljót
where the mountains have their hall,
Gunnar's saddle-whale stumbled
upon the stony ground.

59.
Up to Hlíðarendi then
Gunnar turns his eye;
the fair champion began to say,
and reined in his horse:

60.
"Very fair is Fljótshlíð now,
adorned with its blossoms;
never at any time was it so fair
in my eyes."

61.
"Pale it glitters on the fields,
like the meadows newly mown.
From hence I shall go nowhere —
let us stop our journey."

62.
"Home I ride and go nowhere."
His companion answered:
"That is the greatest grief to me —
that you will not go."

63.
"Break the settlement you must not,
against your friend's counsel;
then it is likely that soon
all Njáll prophesied for you will come to pass."

64.
"Home I shall go," the champion said,
"come you too, brother."
Kolskegg answers: "Least of all shall I
break such a settlement."

65.
"Greet my mother then —
our meetings shall dwindle;
for I would hear tidings
of my brother's fall."

66.
"This one thing alone shall part
our fates, my companion —
the thunder of spears, from the whale-road
to the moor."

67.
Gunnar rides sturdily home,
up the hillside to his household.
Thus does death bid every man
seek his own destiny.

Ríma XIX

Skothent gagraljóð.

Mansöngr

1.
Most things draw toward their end
or find their own turning;
every day declares it,
as the light breaks on our brow.

2.
The gifts of fortune go alike —
though the sun of luck shines mild,
the dark of harm creeps after it
and murders its light in time.

3.
So is the joy of the lover:
though love's morning-star may shine,
his blessings swim away,
and that day too grows dim.

4.
So is the high seat of power
that lends the beam of honour:
seldom still, it over-wearies
the man who bears it.

5.
So is the toil of man
who once had least shelter:
at the end, his sorrow turns
someday to a sun of gladness.

6.
So too is our saga,
which the rhyme has carried on:
it turns aside at every step,
and must find its own ending.

7.
His fortune who won happiness,
honour, and power — might it last?
Even Gunnar's life, alas,
can hold no longer.

8.
So toward the fall all things were drawn
by fate's ungracious norn;
yet longest of all there lives
the fame of the man who wins excellence.

9.
Vice perishes swiftly,
both its lies and its proofs;
deed and honour reign at rest
and are not shaken by departure.

10.
No man may rely upon —
though many perhaps it cuts —
that slander lives, when hypocrisy
has found its roots.

Narrative

11.
Gunnar comes home bold,
Hallgerður welcomed him then;
after that he sits quietly
upon his fair homestead.

12.
Gissur the White at the Thing
declared the man an outlaw;
that warrior gathers a host,
meaning to set new plans in motion.

13.
Starkaður then and Þorgeir found,
and with them scheming Mörður;
up in a cleft by the Alþing
the men began their counsel.

14.
Sixty men together
swore it bound by oath:
Gunnar must be taken with blades —
that man can be robbed now.

15.
Mörður shall keep the watch
and tell all men the moment
when the shield-god seems
most vulnerable to attack.

16.
Gunnar finds old Njáll,
tells him all of this;
they speak friend-words
together at some length.

17.
"Keep my sons beside you —
they will follow faithfully."
The bold Gunnar answers gravely:
"I cannot accept such a thing.

18.
I will not, on my account,
have weapons bring their dance of dread —
that your sons should be doomed,
scattered in the storm of brands.

19.
But if the edge-craving force
shall take my life away,
then let Högni stir himself —
and quickly swing the hammer of vengeance."

20.
Njáll the wise gave that promise,
should such need arise;
then home sought the fox's den,
riding upon his fine steed.

21.
Gunnar goes about the district,
seeking the company of men,
as though he were scarcely outlawed;
so the seasons pass.

22.
His enemies dared not
attack him, though many wished it;
so the summer waned in grace,
honour and courage his guard.

23.
But in autumn, the honour-slow,
treacherous Mörður learns
the brave one is home alone,
and sets his spies to work.

24.
All who plot the worst
against Gunnar gather at a farm;
they spin their schemes aloft —
how he might best be taken.

25.
Mörður comes with his treacherous way:
"Let us leash the fierce hound first,
or else he will warn
our approach before we strike."

26.
"Force the man who lives nearest
to go spy in secret,
and catch the one who does not ride —
that bone-giant knows the dog."

27.
Then the band rode south
to where the farmstead stands;
Þorkell is the householder's name
whom the company lays hands on.

28.
They threaten to kill the man —
he was reluctant indeed —
unless he leads the dog away
from the houses into the lanes.

29.
On the roof-back the dog lay;
though cunning was needed here —
at Þorkell's whistle then
the dog leapt into the narrow lane.

30.
Önundur was his name — a dull deed —
the wretch still raised his hand;
and there he split the dog's skull:
loud it howled, and died.

31.
In the hall Gunnar lay,
and his mother, noble woman;
the lady wakes then
and speaks to the warrior:

32.
"Sorely and badly does Sámur the hound
seem strangely afflicted;
between us and the enemy
there is little distance now."

33.
The foes had come outside
but did not know for certain
whether the famed hero
was at home or not.

34.
They bade someone go look
if the fine man was within;
warriors on the field
would wait and hold their ground.

35.
A Norseman leapt upon the house
and peered with cunning care;
Gunnar quickly saw him
through the window where he stood.

36.
Out he thrust the halberd
and struck the guilty man —
down from the roof he tumbled
and staggered back into the host.

37.
Gissur the White asks freely:
"Is Gunnar at home then?"
His man gives the answer neatly
and brings the proof forward:

38.
"More than I dare say —
but this much I know is true:
his halberd is at home;
it struck me as I fell."

39.
The host attacked the houses then,
whetted swords and spears;
Gunnar with fierce resolve
bears the bow against them.

40.
He defended himself well and nimbly
against the bright shield-waves;
none with savage heart could manage
to wound that most famous man.

41.
Some entered the tall house —
he shot at them too;
the shield-men retreated,
enduring long exhaustion.

42.
They attacked a second time,
all as before;
the hero harms the host
and deals them cutting blows.

43.
The great champion shot with power,
and the sword-branches suffered for it;
they recoiled from that evil,
their assault failing again.

44.
The warriors rested, then made
a third assault at length,
yet accomplished nothing still,
and at last withdrew.

45.
Gunnar sees that an arrow
lay there on the wall outside;
the hero speaks these sharp words:
"Let me try that shaft."

46.
"It is a shame if the lord should die
by his own arrows' lack —
I endure here in bitter distress."
Old Rannveig answers thus:

47.
"Those craven wretches have drawn back —
do not wake them, my dear son!"
But the bow-bender, fierce then,
loosed an arrow into the main host.

48.
It struck a man and wounded him;
Gissur speaks then:
"His arrows — he found the first outside;
inside, he must have fewer."

49.
Mörður gives his counsel:
"Let us burn the man inside!"
"Your folly!" Gissur said —
"no one here will answer to that."

50.
"We shall not sink to that alone —
it cannot be borne;
find a fairer plan."
Then the wretch devised his speech:

51.
"Tear the thatch from the hall quickly —
take ropes, all of you —
wind them fast around the rafters;
perhaps worse shall befall him then."

52.
Then the angry folk bound ropes
on either end of the rafters,
and tore the thatch from the hall —
that did not take long.

53.
Gunnar sees the unexpected:
now inside the open hall,
he defends himself, bearing the bow —
the warriors cannot touch him.

54.
Mörður bids them burn again,
fierce, to kill the champion;
Gissur answers at once:
"Your will shall not blind us."

55.
One of the warriors ran up
and pressed against the steel-frame;
he hewed the bowstring through —
the hero suffered damage.

56.
Then the halberd Gunnar seized,
that thorn-lord, in both hands,
drove it through that man
and flung him from the ledge.