Five rímur of Hrólfr Gautreksson, heir of Gautrekr the Mild — who winters at the English court of King Ella, cures an old woman's troubles, survives an arson attempt by slanderers, slays a berserker to save a man's sister, then sails with fifty ships to Ireland where war, capture, and rescue await him. Based on the shorter redaction of Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar. A single manuscript preserves these rímur: AM 146 a 8vo, written in Flatey in Breiðafjörður in the first half of the seventeenth century. The poet is anonymous; the rímur are dated to c. 1500 on linguistic grounds. 263 stanzas in five fits.
Ríma I
1.
There have I laid upon the fjord of song
a fine steed of the sea —
Hrólfr sits on English ground,
heir of Gautrekr the Mild.
2.
The lord of the land came to find him,
the gold-flinger, the trusty man —
the prince then with that steadfast lord
spoke a very long while.
3.
"There is no passage to Ireland
for the oath-men of green shields;
the king sits near me in peace —
he has much power at his command."
4.
"Autumn draws near, tree of swords —
hard to lay the ships away;
Hrólfr is well known to kings,
the king of Irish men."
5.
Hrólfr accepts the ruler's counsel:
"Be content with that —
I shall visit the Irish land
next summer, and no sooner."
6.
Ásmundr asked, and the prince agreed,
eager for love's matters;
the warrior went with the famed man —
they found an old woman, alone.
7.
The old woman greets the king
with all her creaking bones:
"Lord, you are over land and sea
praised in most things.
8.
"Prince, I need your counsel —
trials have I suffered;
my daughter, lord,
is worse to me than no one at all.
9.
"She was long a faithful ring-goddess,
attentive to my work;
now she will not, for any while,
be of any help to me.
10.
"Let the leaf-tree go his way —
small is the risk in that;
if he has beguiled so fair a woman,
she does nothing at all."
11.
Ásmundr, from his youth a wolf-feeder,
eager for slaughter, says:
"I blame him not, though the generous man
plays the same game with you both."
12.
Hrólfr answered the ring-ground:
"Give the lady comfort;
I will go to meet the arrow-grove —
let that pass in silence."
13.
The sun sank from the ridge of its hill —
it was somewhat later;
at home in the house were all
the household, fair to behold.
14.
The prince sat on one bench
and Ásmundr next beside him;
he looked upon the hall's proud man
and the cloth-decked lady.
15.
The prince greeted the gold-goddess —
the spear-goddess glided near;
the old woman sat there, stiff in the back,
her jaw forever working.
16.
The ruler asks the warrior's name —
he says he is called Grímr;
the bold one will with worthy strength
gladden the wolf at the feast.
17.
"The old woman has made her plea to me,"
the champion stretched his memory:
"The ragged one says no boundary stands
between you and ruling your daughter."
18.
"Do not trifle with me, warrior —
do not strip the hooded woman so bare;
accept thanks from me in return;
do not force us to desperation."
19.
"Lord, I set my will against it;
I shall promise this, then —
though my heart is on that woman,
I need not refuse."
20.
"The prince shall now ask this,"
said the great ring-bearer:
"We two shall build a fair child's fortune —
both together this spring."
21.
The prince says it shall be done;
he accepts this gladly:
"When we launch the plank-stag to sea,
then be ready to fight."
22.
"Strength does not wane the less for age,
though some harm may swell;
the old woman spoke to the king:
"Can you cure old age?"
23.
The warrior answers, strangely mild —
"I give no sign of that;
yet I will try, though half as late,
high upon this work."
24.
"That is often found in a poor man's house" —
I think Ásmundr explains it thus —
"therefore the keeper of this hovel
shall make you one cure."
25.
"You shall take the woman by the neck
and trust in my remedy;
then the one who harms the sea-steed's flame
shall cure your old age."
26.
The clever one then cut
the head from the double woman;
the prince answers at once:
"That is a small thing to do."
27.
The ruler was then greatly angered,
harsh in his words:
"The prince's honour is diminished
most by deeds like yours."
28.
They went home to the hall,
somewhat shame-faced;
the household came to meet them —
the prince sat and was silent.
29.
"Never have I in battle seen
the prince so angered —
where more trouble builds,
I grow hateful to him in words."
30.
Ásmundr told the whole matter,
the cause of that displeasure:
"The king met an old woman —
we came to her dwelling.
31.
"The lord bade the leaf-woman
cure her harsh old age;
the prince refused, but I went forth —
and so a head had to go."
32.
"You shall not, prince,
blame Ásmundr for this;
it was the worst sort of creature
who felled the sword-tree."
33.
Warriors raised their ale on high
before the famous king of the land;
men wanted very often
to slander Hrólfr before Ella.
34.
The prince's son with his retinue
slept in a certain bower;
the lord felt in the middle of the night
a mighty fire and crash.
35.
Hrólfr bade his men
seize their weapons hard;
the ruler's men then made great work
to rip up the timbers.
36.
Hrólfr fought as if he had the force
of twelve men to command;
he broke shields and swung the sword —
asked no one for counsel.
37.
Ella wakes nonetheless —
the whole house began to burn:
"I see now what is causing this sleep
beside this king of ours."
38.
They carried the king out in his clothes,
Hrólfr's champions, from the fire;
the blaze raised long sorrow
among the people that evening.
39.
The men repaid hatred, I tell you —
Hrólfr to the spear-meeting;
Ella spoke most shrewdly,
put an end to the raid and the burning.
40.
"Those who slandered you, men,
shall lose their lives;
now go yourself into peace with me —
honour shall not diminish."
41.
Hrólfr says that each man
shall keep his life alike:
"Let them no longer stay in the land
who lie with such treachery."
42.
I will not linger over the song's craft —
the time of winter passes;
peace over the prince's land
has seldom been better won.
43.
One night the prince resolved
to walk out from his bed;
the lord then saw a rider
coming a long way down the road.
44.
Far rode the horse and the bold man,
going with all his might;
the ruler does not return to the hall —
he will meet this stranger.
45.
The man greets the prince —
he says his name is Þórðr:
"Heavy is my need, and this I must tell —
therefore I seek you out.
46.
"A berserker has challenged me to the holm;
he demands my sister;
long has his temper been savage —
I seek your aid."
47.
"Will you resolve my trouble
and be my protector?
Truly it is your honour,
you bold and worthy man."
48.
"Heavy seems your errand to me,"
answers the famed man;
"I will go rouse my company
and get weapons for the task."
49.
"Lord, I see a readier way —
you may well trust it:
take my helm and mail-coat,
my sword and the white shield."
50.
The king dressed with all speed,
arming there by the road;
at once he leapt upon the strong horse,
and Þórðr ran on foot.
51.
The men found Þórðr's homestead
and the thorn-woman so flushed;
the prince rode as the lady, with a shiver,
offered a noble seat.
52.
The champion had then come to the field;
he hailed Þórðr with fury:
"Come to the holm, or give me the woman,
and do what I demand."
53.
"Gotten is the one who frees me,"
said the glow of the river of rings;
"be swift and arm yourself —
we shall redden the spears."
54.
"I have heard that the warrior was
famed across wide lands;
lord, I reckon it much more likely
that we shall fight with Hrólfr."
55.
The one wise in men's fame
hews at the warrior's timber —
then the ruler shall spray the sword's ice
in hot blood.
56.
The blow rode upon his neck —
the skull split asunder;
the trunk was cleft to the belt,
through both shield and rings.
57.
The prince takes thanks for his trust —
Þórðr was faithful in nature:
"Do not marry off your sister, bold one,
until I come again."
58.
"That shall surely be in your power,"
says the wound-serpent's wielder;
"Honour and wealth and my sister —
all that I can win for you."
59.
The ruler came to the hall, wise;
he had stayed up late;
the drink was not good in the cups —
the king had been missed.
60.
The ruler told the wise men
of the hope of Harekr's death;
with honour and glory the wise one received
Hrólfr's red gold.
61.
The sword-lord ordered affairs,
worthy, across the wide land;
plunder ceased and the shield-storm —
thus the winter passed.
62.
The bold man guarded Óðinn's treasure,
glad and fully armed;
guests held their bold course —
Grímr has come to the ship.
63.
The prince then has fifty
sea-bears readied;
Ella says his farewells —
they hoisted sail from the harbour.
64.
Storm-floods over ground and skerries —
I reckon the danger grows;
Hrólfr came with his whole host
swiftly to the Irish land.
65.
Quickly the warriors took harbour
a short way from the king's hall;
there shall the prince's noble flood of verse
fall silent for now.
Ríma II
1.
I would reckon that the prince's course
might run from the road of words
before the falcon-rider won
the ring-woman from the prince's son.
2.
The king of Ireland learns all —
Hrólfr's purpose and his plan;
the ruler then with his warrior band
would repay them that youthful boast.
3.
He summons both serf and thrall,
that prince who arms against treachery;
the lord's guard went not feebly —
never near to fighting on the heel.
4.
"Have you, Ásmundr, heard no tidings
of the Irish king's plots?
I scarcely trust that it will go smooth,
nor that the women's business will go easy."
5.
"We shall go with peace and mildness,
avoid all men's cunning;
then wealth and fame will grow
if we win the king's kinship."
6.
A hundred men from the host he chooses,
he who never delays fame;
he speaks bold words before the lords —
the prince's son who hides his fear.
7.
"Here shall the men stay by the sea
and wait while we go forth;
but this I promise the warriors:
each shall be ready as fast as he may."
8.
The warriors turn homeward to the stronghold,
well armed with shield-play;
the danger grew with the two lords —
now Hrólfr came to meet them.
9.
There came the whole Irish host,
no small array at the shield-meeting;
the prince spoke and won silence —
the sword-lord at the shield-ride.
10.
"I know your lineage, Ásmundr,
Ólafr's son across wide Scotland;
my kinship will be slow to reach you —
it were better if you fared poorly.
11.
"To all of us it is well known,
the plan you two have hatched;
no woman shall you win from me —
strangely many a man is deluded about himself.
12.
"Go home now with peace and truce,
no harm shall come to you;
the worthy woman is scarcely bought —
wisely have you gained little."
13.
"Hrólfr is both brave and mild,
very strong and a worthy champion;
I would offer you: let battle cease,
lest the wound-herring redden.
14.
"But if you press forward on this road,
the journey will not be easy;
then men of the spear-witchcraft
shall give you battle for a while."
15.
Gautrekr's son was not hasty;
the prince answered the wise king:
"My warriors' courage wanes at this —
neither choice seems good to me.
16.
"I see clearly that the ruler's glory
will be exchanged for brand-struggle;
if we miss the treasure-cup,
far better to hold our course away."
17.
"The wolf's jaw shall redden
if the bold are fated to die;
though the king's strength support you,
I can hardly turn back now."
18.
Hrólfr answered, bitter and swift —
the prince thought himself most insulted:
"He shall be wounded and think himself punished
whom men once called the most famed."
19.
"The Swedish host shall be tormented,"
the ruler spoke, angry and cross;
"yet the battle of men shall play —
surely each shall be called the braver."
20.
The Irish had six hundred
warriors as the tale grows;
ample is the strength and valour's ground —
fortune rules if all goes well.
21.
The Swedes waited for a truce to hold;
they trusted the king for themselves —
though they had men hidden in reserve
and would not let the attack wait.
22.
Ásmundr wanted the battle-goddess,
the fair one, brought to the ship's deck
before the sword-slaughter was ventured —
the king gave the host his word.
23.
Nowhere was the ruler mild then —
the shield-gale wearied the men;
the prince's army drives from the shore,
seizing the great shield and the spear.
24.
Fair bucklers of skill shatter —
a meeting scarcely matched;
men put the wound-spike to sleep —
the Irish host turns back to the stronghold.
25.
All the gates stood open —
to them that was no hindrance;
this strong steel-wind,
the prince's host, shoves through the gate.
26.
The sword-storm was hard and fierce —
it could harm Hrólfr most;
then next this happened:
the prince's fortress was carefully locked.
27.
A multitude drives against the men —
the gate bent and was then bowed;
the country's aid grew great for them —
the lord was awoken to the wound-sucking.
28.
Shields break and the blade rings;
bitter hatred swells among men;
each falls upon the other —
the hiss of spears cracks beside the bold.
29.
The Irish king hewed at the men —
the battle did not grow slack;
poison flew from every finger,
slipping through the warriors' chests.
30.
The Swedes advanced at their pace —
many a sword began to break;
Óðinn's weather was wondrously hard —
the men had found the king.
31.
Swedish warriors were put to sleep by the spear —
truly the encounter proved hard for them;
two fell for every one they slew —
none dared trust in flight.
32.
The prince reminded Ásmundr:
"The storm is wholly fallen now;
I reckon the maiden will be slow to win —
now let each flee who can."
33.
"I got nearly what I asked today,"
the men's friend, concerning the king's fate —
"Give them some stroke of fame;
let us feed the blood-raven still."
34.
"Let the skilful lady see
that we know how to play in the spear-drift;
let us cleave helms and test the shields —
strive more for fame than life."
35.
Ásmundr accepted the prince's counsel —
all grace was stripped from the bodies;
he cleft helm and mail-coat —
the whole Swedish host had fallen.
36.
Grímr ruled — he who puzzled riddles —
to press forward where trouble builds;
the champion hewed the war-host so
that sorrow pierced the warriors' breasts.
37.
Three brandish the thunder's fire;
men meet the evening of valour;
the host was forced into the grasp of death —
the dwelling of honour was shaken with grief.
38.
Among the Irish the blue edge falls —
too close it came to many then;
heads stroke past the bodies
as the sword hardens in the wound-bed.
39.
Both gain their fill, found late —
men egg each other on in strength;
the men's flame burned for neither host —
very dark was the night.
40.
The men's mighty troll hews —
the shield's sun splits Fjölnir's field;
warriors most in the swords' din
bore themselves up to a certain hill.
41.
The Swedes pressed to their stand with honour;
the prince tests their valour;
it was no rest for the people —
long the warriors' storm grows strong.
42.
The Irish showed no mercy;
the oath-bound host began to weaken;
weapons could not reach —
bold men who had sworn peace.
43.
The moon of the jewel-land turns —
the mighty edge of the shield-bane;
the bone he hewed while the brand lasted —
the prince, out to the ninth man.
44.
So great was the Irish host that advanced —
the bright folk was destroyed by it;
he hurls the sword away so hard,
the prince, into the black darkness.
45.
The helm's rim met with blows —
Hel's sweat covered the Irish yard;
the prince, before he was captured,
carved gaps in the warriors' lives.
46.
The men then sought the deep pit —
their torment at the traitor's pool;
they resolved to carry the prince's body
down into the deep grave.
47.
So it was done as the ruler bade —
sore was that state, more death than peace;
no use now to stand and wait —
standing, the lord came down.
48.
I hear that nowhere before in the world
was a more famed king at the sword-play;
he grasps two warriors at once —
so he manages to save them.
49.
A flagstone was carried with force over them —
it looked great to the men;
they resolved to guard the pit —
then went away from it.
50.
The prince speaks to the famed Ásmundr:
"The Irish king was cunning against us;
the bride's bed is easy —
but he will last only a few more days.
51.
"True will that prove, as we said;
bold seemed Hrólfr yesterday;
I do not think the prince's maiden
likes to lie so near you, Ásmundr."
52.
He answered, he who asked for the lady —
the king spoke truly of that:
"I would sooner choose battle
and fall dead than stay in this place."
53.
The man hews the plank-wall,
the shield-timbers of Óðinn's hall — they bore it well;
here men shall starve in Hel —
truly it goes not well then.
54.
The timber-master hews the spear-wave —
that encounter has turned to grief;
the prince's kinsman did not understand
the maiden-eager and wisdom-poor.
55.
The shield's edge you bore at the shield-battle,
prince, at the death of shields;
nor understood a nobler word —
the famed one asks the jewel-lady.
56.
"Ásmundr, it is not so easy —
the prince sets us a hard limit;
I scarcely came into a worse bargain —
I wish I were out of this pit."
57.
The lord answers the prince's son:
"Have you, lord, a child's nature?
Here I shall let Fjölnir's meeting
fall silent for a time."
Ríma III
Metre: ABAB ferskeytt. 71 stanzas. Hrólfr's companions feast in the king's hall; Ella's daughter sends a maid to the warriors; Hrólfr demands a sword; the princess mocks him, then reports Hrólfr's worth; Þórir receives Þorbjörg in marriage; a troll ravages the land; Hrólfr fights it; the princess tends Hrólfr in disguise; Þórir swears an oath of fasting until he finds a certain sword; Þórir battles the troll alone and kills it; the princess brings the sword to Hrólfr in his pit; Hrólfr frees himself; they sail home to Sweden.
1.
Heed the work of song,
company of men, with skill —
while we gladden the ground of memory
with the pure deeds of a prince.
2.
Battle was before, with strong endings,
among the wise warriors —
the grudging king was sent down
into the earth so deep.
3.
Two bold men made ready
to follow Gautrekr's son;
those warriors were sated
with the surge of wounds.
4.
The prince's daughter thought
the men poorly seated now;
the noble woman sits —
they are stripped of clothing.
5.
The oaken pillar of gold sent
a single maid to the warriors;
she bore bright, gentle words,
the ring-diminisher first of all.
6.
The champions sat content —
evening began to pass;
the golden pillar went beside the lady,
that longed-for beauty.
7.
The splendid woman asked the men
whether any there were alive;
the lady sent in reply
a bright woman to the treasure-grove.
8.
She bade them bring both clothes and beer,
bread and shining wine —
the men bade the ring-goddess,
the prince's daughter, to bring them.
9.
The woman of the horn's rim
thanks him for the speech and offer;
she makes clear to the warrior
what he wishes to receive.
10.
"A blade into my hand I ask
the prince's daughter to bring me —
a sword will be, I tell you,
heavy for women to handle."
11.
Off she went — the linden-woman goes
at last to find the lady;
she told what the man
had asked of the necklace-tree.
12.
"I would call his wisdom
what others call it too —"
the merry one smiled at the man's words
and answered.
13.
"But know that Hrólfr is
rather wise in counsel,
strong and mighty and generous with wealth,
skilled in deeds of valour.
14.
"Yesterday I was near when Gautrekr's son
gave as good as any —
he split a man clean in two
as if he were a birch-tree."
15.
"Quickly, woman, find
the terrible fence of Fenrir —
I would bring a glowing blade at night
to the noble lord."
16.
The fair flame-woman hurried away,
spoke long and earnestly;
out with sorrow, though she is not glad,
the gold-pillar went, I heard.
17.
The ground of jewels seeks
the gleaming-tongued man to harm;
the fir-tree of gold falls
among the bodies of dead warriors.
18.
Then the warriors see
the dead men rise and walk —
they shove and thrust the thorn-women,
those who lay below.
19.
Frightened and weary came the ring-oak
home to the lady's court;
red and spent from the encounter,
the woman reported this.
20.
The noble lady, eager for honour,
the prince's maid in secret —
the swan found the wounded bear;
she tells it to the fair woman.
21.
"Both blood and dead men
frighten — the ring-guardian swore
bitter oaths, and for that
I found myself in danger."
22.
Both resolved that very evening
to seek the sword again;
they found at last the fire of Fenrir
and brought it to the cheerful lord.
23.
The prince asked at once
what the woman wished to receive;
with his sword the king chose quickly —
that mild one — clothes and light.
24.
The dear one brings the champions
bright clothes from the looms;
the lady hurries home to the bower,
and the shield-lord keeps the blade.
25.
"Late will the glad lady
end her journey with these men —
the host's ferry we must now
turn homeward to Sweden."
26.
The worthy protector of gold-tree's land,
the champion Þórir, watches;
he is pleased with every counsel
of the sea-brand's goddess.
27.
This was told to the noble men —
the news was lit for learning;
the man laid for the most part at night
the kindred of men at ease.
28.
Hrólfr turns the trusty horn,
bold heir of Gautrekr —
he gave from himself a mighty blast
to clear the way for weapon-work.
29.
The gladdest, most patient necklace-norn
pours the shining wine;
she stirs and turns the pillar's horn,
dear to the prince's friend.
30.
With a crash upon the head she struck —
the horn began to ring;
the woman turned away from such —
the giver of the serpent's benches.
31.
Þórir stood at this marvel —
at once he hurled from his hand;
the savage horn broke in pieces,
the prince bends his spear.
32.
The ruler blew with angry harp,
the mighty one answered the woman:
"The bold warrior is at death's door —
the lord's life is pressed."
33.
The warrior swore a mighty vow,
standing on the other foot:
"He shall know the prince's quest
rather than enjoy peace."
34.
Þórir swore that the warrior
shall lack both drink and food
before the man learns with his life —
thus I heard the speech concluded.
35.
Away he storms, terribly angry,
shaking the sword's edges;
the band knows not which way
the warrior will lay his road.
36.
Before the clash of points was tried,
on those fourteen nights,
a wonder came to pass, I hear —
Ireland changed its ways.
37.
A troll, far from the prince's hall,
men said there was —
widely did warriors wait, in fear,
and few I heard would turn to face it.
38.
It bends and sends the steel of spears,
it smashes steads and halls;
pressing forward relentlessly,
the monster — all men fear it.
39.
The warriors flee the wind of spears;
the people saw death in the drifts;
the aurochs-kind it destroys,
alike with cattle and men.
40.
The wolf's field the fire-giant visits,
the prince's hall at dawn;
the troll of battle-clamour mounts
the struggle before daybreak.
41.
The troll set spear in shield
and weapon beneath itself at the gate;
hatred's toll was dealt to men
more than gentle peace.
42.
The steeper of the star-bear's steel
leaps with hatred's lions;
the warriors of the lord bow down
before the lightning of the sword's gaze.
43.
Five hundred men
the fellow seized in full strength;
the terrible troll was driven,
I heard, before Hrólfr's hall.
44.
Not one of the warriors drank inside —
all were stricken with horror;
the monster is welcome to none,
he crushes them in between.
45.
On another day one woman came
to visit the prince's hall;
she saw a creature with a broad sword
sitting outside, swinging.
46.
The maid came near — the troll-man
kept the prince within;
quickly to the bower she goes,
the woman of the cloak, and mourned.
47.
"Strange things I saw at the sea-land —"
the gold-fir woman said,
"I saw the stone-hall creature,
shielded against the monster."
48.
The noble woman bade
the red-cloaked lady enter with all her strength —
how does the goat-lord
regard this matter?
49.
The troll's body was
armoured far and wide in iron;
the hard helm grips his brow,
a sword girded at his side.
50.
The bright lady said the ghost
had a great ring on his arm —
wrought and wound with sword-gold;
the bridegroom speaks with sorrow.
51.
The dark brows of that giant
were gaunt and lean to look at;
I think the cave-dweller's appearance
could bite with harm.
52.
"Another time, the prince's maid
will send the woman again;
she is missed — as we have spoken —
food must be brought to him."
53.
"It is forbidden for the woman
to visit the prince's hall again;
the lord lies there and trusts
he can barely sit up."
54.
"Wicked woman, do not flinch,"
the golden fir-tree said,
"little harm will come to you
from this man."
55.
The woman seized the food and drink;
she calls gently upon the giant;
the Þjazi of the mountain knows
when he comes to the hall.
56.
The giver of the shield-stave's rim
casts his eyes upon the woman;
the she-troll's steed howls —
the head rolls for the ring.
57.
The maid flings the horn hard,
knocks the dish from her palm;
the swan found and spoke much —
the lady he wished to test.
58.
The woman is blind to the king's child now;
the maid offered to make clear:
"The ill one will be healed, woman —
the feast-companion is gone."
59.
Scarlet Gefn's gifts and treasures fall —
she wept when she heard;
then with gentle tidings
the lady drove her to the hall.
60.
"Tell him to put aside his delay,
the thorn-oak of the lady —
let the kind lord leave alive
the prince of the Swedish people."
61.
The gold-Ná sank into memory,
laying such a speech before him;
the white frost-lady looked upon
the ring-tree and said:
62.
"The grim troll ate the food —
Hrólfr is yet alive!"
The troll grinned at the gold-ring woman,
laughing at the wife.
63.
"The bright, dear shield of gold,
the sword-biter spoke:
the fierce battle went to the full —
what will it mean for Gautrekr's son?"
64.
"The thriving prince lives on,
set in a grave so dark —
men shall heap upon him
a stone terribly heavy and strong."
65.
The prince's maid fears
for the sword-light and the deeds;
her neighbours know
her honour and her mercy.
66.
Þórir said he wished to find
the swift gold-ground;
he went at that very hour
to the jewel-woman's meeting.
67.
It was evening when the courteous wife
came to Þórir's meeting;
the lives of both were lit —
the bride hurries to the grave.
68.
With one arm he grasped the other
and braced against the stone;
the fire of the land-ring's sea
hurls the earth's bone.
69.
Not one of twelve men together
could have hurled that stone;
they free Hrólfr at last
from the ring-woman's prison.
70.
The horn of gold rejoices in all of them,
the prince with gladness;
he leads the warriors home
and lightens their strife.
71.
The noble champions' wound and pain
are healed at last;
the wine of Hár's verse
was held again in wisdom's vessels.
Ríma IV
Metre: Stúfar (short-line). 48 stanzas. Þórir learns from the princess what befell in battle; the Irish queen Þorbjörg intercedes for her father the king; Þórir agrees to spare him; Ketill arrives by ship from Scotland; Ingjaldur comes from the east; they advance on the Irish king's stronghold; Þorbjörg forbids indiscriminate burning; they fight their way into the fortress; Hrólfr is found alive in his pit; the Irish king is captured; Þorbjörg prevents his execution; reconciliation and marriage.
1.
Three times I have set forth the wine of Þundr
on the welfare of warriors —
the craft of learning shall now be freed
for the fourth fit.
2.
The Irish king is inside his hall
and sorely starved;
warriors dread the terrible troll
and the shield is battered.
3.
Þórir asked the prince's maid
in this fashion:
"Let him learn of the storm of Þundr —
the battles they have had."
4.
The woman said: "Finer men
one can scarcely find —
their fame rides and runs
as cleanly as can be."
5.
"Our king does warriors harm,
filled with malice;
you have been, throughout this land,
betrayed by the people."
6.
The champion answered the bright woman:
"I know myself;
not all here will choose
to bear such words."
7.
"Now you are still," said the prince's wife,
"very near to death —
how shall the warrior's life end
if that man has his way?"
8.
Þórir answers the thorn-ground:
"Thus it shall be —
that hard hound I shall surely
starve into the earth."
9.
The woman answered, guile-wrapped,
who gladdens men:
"That man has done great wrong
to my father."
10.
"Spare him for our prayer
and be not bitter;
then your husband shall earn
the greater honour."
11.
"Will you, Ásmundr, love fiercely
as your own husband?"
All shall be given to you by my will
as far as it may be.
12.
"So it has come," said the lady,
"into the warriors' power —
we shall gain fortune's reward
if we forget not now."
13.
She speaks yet more words of peace,
though few we may recount;
the woman of the mead pours
the shining wine.
14.
Merriment frees men from grief,
a joy of every kind —
in another way must the stream
of Rögnir's verse now run.
15.
Þorbjörg sat in quiet peace
when Þórir departed;
the wife prepared, as before,
for the labour of weapons.
16.
The golden goddess sent
noble men to the farmsteads —
Ketill to summon — but her heart felt
a journey of sorrows.
17.
The bright warrior launched his ships
upon the whale-king's land;
he says the hope of men is lost
if there is further delay.
18.
Ingjaldur came from the east
upon the sea-beast;
"Now let each act as the queen bade,"
said the bright warrior.
19.
The prince journeyed day and night
to find the lady;
I heard the worthy warrior sails
in that same hour.
20.
These famous men met
and held their counsel;
both declared themselves ready
if fight there must be.
21.
The prince's sail, I heard, drops
from the yard for none;
now let every warrior prepare
who is best in battle.
22.
Then Þorbjörg gave words of thanks
for their courage:
"It is fitting now," said the ring-goddess,
"that the vengeance be worthy."
23.
Truly then two warriors
were shown to the centre;
the lady herself rode in the host with them
and a multitude of men.
24.
For the ruler's word they strain
every rope;
the waves ran on every side
and all across.
25.
The fleet seemed to fly across the sea —
there the peace is broken;
warriors came with all their host
to Ireland in the west.
26.
The champions laid anchor in the king's harbour
and moored their ships;
Ketill bade them watch the warriors' bear
— though he was angry.
27.
Ketill was not slow with words
to the prince's son:
"I shall direct the attack alone
and all the host."
28.
"Let us burn the land and break the people,
strike everything down,
fill the field with Fenrir's brood
and the clever folk."
29.
The prince's wife forbade
this counsel of men:
"Then for the army it will rather be
a throne of sorrow."
30.
They marched with grim intent
into the gleaming fortress;
corpses seemed to fill the broad ground,
the farmsteads and the squares.
31.
"Truly one may see both friends and kinsmen
cut down for their worth —
but the one who may take vengeance
is often known by courage."
32.
"Many of the host have fallen
far and near;
but I see no prince like the one
we are seeking."
33.
The whole army, fury's spirit,
gaped against them;
none shall be dragged from death's road —
so thought the wise lady.
34.
The champions sight the king's court
and recognize the hall;
a fair bower stood before them
on a beautiful field.
35.
"Burn these houses both
and bring up tinder;
wind the war-eager army
and break the walls asunder."
36.
The fated man shall not go to death before his time —
that much is spoken;
warriors had better look well to themselves
and show no cowardice.
37.
The men kindled the fire so high
and stoked the blaze;
the prince asks at midnight
who commands the host.
38.
"Now it is revealed," said the prince's son,
"what has come upon me —
the one who has come with a famous host
to free you."
39.
The prince rose to rush out
and steels his strength;
most of those who stand before him
shall earn their grief.
40.
The ruler sees the bold man
and strikes again and again;
with his hands he seized that fellow
and held him fast.
41.
The courteous lady bows the helm
and claps in answer;
over the wide ground the fair woman
casts her weapons.
42.
"When I saw what the fire had done
and the fierce battle —
this is not the way of it,"
said the thorn-slope woman.
43.
"I meant to avenge your cause
and halt your defeat;
it was never my intention
to bring you grief."
44.
"This speech touches the swift warrior,"
he said;
"there is truly no need to test
a valiant man for long."
45.
"This flood of words
will avail us nothing;
dear prince, pronounce the judgement
yourself."
46.
The prince was overjoyed and glad
when he found them all;
each man declared himself ready
to burn the hall.
47.
The prince's daughter, fair of hand,
forbids it;
Ketill was angry and furious
to go elsewhere.
48.
There was matter enough
through all that night;
I shall be silent now and endure no longer —
Ríma V
Metre: Extended rímnaháttr (AAAA, three short lines + one long). 22 stanzas. The bound sorcerer; Ketill's rage; Hrólfr's restraint; Ásmundr secures the Irish princess; the three marriages; the fleet sails home to Scotland; the poem ends.
1.
The stream of Týr shall run
through the canyon of the teeth —
the foster-dear one shall receive
Fjölnir's wine, the song's staves as they come to you.
2.
Men struck the bane of the wood-god
against the ruler's house;
when the hall burned, I heard,
it made many a man afraid.
3.
He bids the men go out then —
the situation grew dire;
"Break open those broad doors —
the troll that was inside is gone."
4.
"That one has put terror in the breasts
of shield-bearing men;
I sometimes repay a lesser trick —
all cunning has been stripped from me by skill."
5.
"We shall hardly forget
this treachery —
sooner shall I now fall dead
upon my faith than flee."
6.
The prince saw then his brother
with bloodied hands;
little stands by the ruler —
the place is now utterly burned.
7.
The swan prayed for her father,
bound up in grief;
he is grown terribly afraid,
shut inside, worn out by hunger.
8.
"I would ease the prince's need
before my father's sorrow —
let no blame fall upon the bride
for her virtue, great lord."
9.
Hrólfr says her words
shall help them:
"I will not do this for gold or treasure
if the news should spread far across the world."
10.
"This is the bargain, the woman's speech,
which shames us;
we cannot so prize a jewel-maiden
that the torrent of steel should lessen."
11.
That lord was led away bound,
who had worked treachery;
men called for him to be hanged —
"Who knows such a sorcerer?"
12.
Ketill answers, calling aloud
— there, wondrous things:
"The prince should tear the limbs asunder!
So ends the meeting of steel."
13.
Hrólfr bade him then be gentle
to his kinsman:
"My namesake, this is as near to you
as my own wish — be easy in your choice."
14.
Ásmundr answers, and the prince stood
very close at hand:
"It shall be set right when there is room;
the mighty lord we shall humble."
15.
"Prince, you shall buy your life
at little cost:
will you lay into my power
the splendid lady and the fair kingdom?"
16.
"Little," said the prince's brother,
"will I set against it" —
the king's namesake he cast down;
else neither gets peace.
17.
The Irish king made no objection
in return;
Ásmundr betrothed the fair maiden —
the lady's gentle heart was gladdened.
18.
Warriors gained their full honour
when the lady was wed;
treasures in plenty and gold were shared;
all was thoroughly done.
19.
No one thanks the Irish folk
for wealth or wine;
their king is weighed down with pain —
he felt robbed of his own.
20.
Men said the king could hardly
be treated worse;
he never asked them to be seen again —
one need not grieve for this.
21.
Brightly the warriors held their course
homeward to Scotland now;
splendid would that feast be —
three weddings were held within.
22.
Then each settles into his own kingdom,
every man —
the vessel of verse is now drawn dry;
that poem comes to its end.
Colophon
Hrólfsrímur Gautrekssonar — translated from Middle Icelandic by the Rímur Translation Lineage (New Tianmu Anglican Church), March 2026.
Source text: Diplomatic edition in Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir and Haukur Þorgeirsson, "Hrólfs rímur Gautrekssonar," Gripla XXVI (2015): 81–137. Open access. Single manuscript: AM 146 a 8vo (Flatey, Breiðafjörður, first half of the 17th century).
The rímur are anonymous, dated to c. 1500 on linguistic grounds. Five fits, 263 stanzas. Based on the shorter redaction of Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar.
This is a Good Works Translation. The English is derived from the Old/Middle Icelandic source text. The scholarly introduction and footnotes in the Gripla edition were consulted for kenning-resolution and manuscript readings. No previous English translation of these rímur exists.
Scribal work by the Rímur Translation Lineage of the New Tianmu Anglican Church.
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