Three rímur preserved in AM Accessoria 22 (Landsbiblioteket 861, 4°), copied from a parchment manuscript, possibly AM 603. A saga of Jón leikari exists but is judged younger than these rímur, which draw on an older form of the tale. The cycle begins as a knighting romance — a young nobleman earns his spurs and slays a dragon — but turns on an unexpected moral pivot: the hero refuses his bride until the king forgives a queen long punished for an old betrayal.
Ríma I
Mansöngr
1.
Silken-Sjöfn breathed on the men of the world
with the sweet breath of love;
therefore I am driven to mingle the costly woman
with the gold-wave of Durnir.
2.
My eyes alone have seen
Unni of the gold-lands,
she who lent all arts
to the linden of harm.
3.
So the brightest leek-field shines
far above all women,
as dark earth is scattered
beside the valley's whale-paths.
4.
The serpent's hair on the land-Eir
is likest the wheel of the cheek;
all flows away like those streams
that play from the adder's lair.
5.
When the birch lets the ring-wheel
of her brow shine on something,
it is like lightning from the sun
and flame with its rays.
6.
A woman need not give her virtue
freely to men for nothing;
her skin is soft and gently sloping,
warm in every way.
7.
He has the greatest grace in the world
who knows her love —
though all is long since past,
she who clasps the serpent-linen.
8.
Every creature that wishes to draw near
the bright lady's hall
bears the scent of a woman's presence,
filling with fragrance and perfume.
9.
The hair owned by two hawks
brought grief to men;
those birds have held me fast
with long and lingering thought.
10.
The fire of love seizes my heart
and burns it greatly apart;
I cannot hold to the woman's virtue —
deep sorrow clasps me fast.
11.
The tide-plain wants to clasp me firmly
with fresh serpents;
the threat of delight and the branch of ruin
all ran together.
12.
I cannot find the beautiful headdress-linden,
though I would;
I have love in Ima's wind,
yet for the rag-Hildr.
13.
Difficult fates befell men
and it was not easy to escape;
thus the very beautiful one was paid for —
the warrior and the ring's prop.
14.
Love streams warm before me
for the rag-fir woman;
I shall therefore restrain
the sweat of desire in the hall of sounds.
15.
The swift-binder of Frigg's tears governed Denmark;
there was one of the lord's kin-grove,
eager for the wolf's prey.
16.
The king's son was strong and handsome,
supported by all arts;
none more skilled on a swift horse,
wise in the grove of rings.
17.
The skin and hair of the ring-enjoyer seemed
most like the gleam of Gefn's tears
set over a white lily.
18.
Jón had trained at the sword's cheek,
at breaking shields with spirit,
at ski-journeys and hunting deer,
and in sport at sea.
19.
The king then prepared a feast
and chose noble young men;
the ruler wished to adorn his vigorous kinsman
with the knight's name.
20.
The young men came to the lord's announcement
at the appointed time;
each was a caster of fire's waves,
adorned with the serpent's ground.
21.
Jón was led into the high hall,
clad in a fine fur;
all glowed with the grave's field
and grips of white snow-slope.
22.
The men adorned his clean arm
with the brilliance of the sun;
it blazed all over like a serpent's lair
set with many stones.
23.
There was no equal to the sword-earth
that Jón bore in his hand;
the ruler then gave him the knight's name —
the sender of Rognir's words.
24.
A fine horse was saddled there;
Jón shall therefore ride out —
men have not seen its like
in the wide world.
25.
Then the steerer of Hrungnir's skis
swore a strong oath:
"My path shall not be hindered
wherever I wish to ride."
26.
The knight leapt on his riding-beast
and grasped his spear;
the warrior then turned from the men,
eager for sport with women.
27.
The horse hastened the journey fully,
nimble and swift with Jón;
it kicked and sprang into the forest —
the spurs taught the flanks.
28.
The sword-sharpener with the wolf of the bit
trod the broad forest;
the trees grew very thick,
bowing toward the king's brows.
29.
The forest cannot block the journey
before the bright sword-grove man;
the wave's hero came to the wide ground
early in the morning.
30.
The hall-man saw a sea-fortress
hidden behind strong walls;
all glowed with the serpent's market
and Gefn's beautiful showers.
31.
At the gate there were fine doors
guarded by serpent-paths;
but inside, not still —
the wrathful Jörmungandr.
32.
The warrior saw the grim serpent
and was eager to ride forward,
bold to wake the storm of the spear
and fight the fish of the valley.
33.
This wonder was like the cliffs bursting apart
or surf at great rocks,
when the serpent began to roar.
34.
The serpent's jaw-house opened;
the strong torrent gushed from it;
the kinsman's roar seemed dreadful —
the whole ground shook.
35.
The hero had a mighty spear
and drove it into the serpent's heart;
the serpent blew venom in return,
turning all the fields black.
36.
The venom had no power
to deny the prince his life;
the knight's fine horse fell there —
shield and mail were dissolved.
37.
A powerful king ruled this fortress —
that I will make clear to men;
rarely was such a lord to be found;
he was rich in worthy things.
38.
Early in the morning
the king's bold retinue began its long game;
the lord went up into a tower
with his steadfast warriors.
39.
The men gladdened the king; joy grew among them;
the nobleman asked who had slain the serpent,
the pricker of the giantess's Faxi.
40.
The bawling beast lost its life;
then the din fell silent;
the hero went home to the hall
to meet the clever warriors.
41.
The lord went out to meet the warrior,
glad with his people;
he greeted the wave-breaker first
with dignity.
42.
This noble deed of glory
will never be forgotten in the world,
as long as men's throats are sound
and the sky inclines toward the lands.
43.
The king led the hurler of Fáfnir's skis
into the high hall;
the generous one filled the court with full honors
and all the world's pleasures.
44.
The lord seated the Njörðr of treasures
at his right hand;
skillful work adorned the house
and the clean swords of Fáfnir.
45.
The prince then asked all the court
to honor Jón:
"He shall quickly lose his head
who seeks to give him offense."
46.
The king's wife entered the hall
and greeted the handsome lord;
she greeted this warrior too —
there was little space between them.
47.
The woman sat down beside the king,
adorned with rings;
silk covered the ground of her lashes;
tears ran from her eyes.
48.
Before the bride came two men,
bearing green robes;
they had only one eye between them
and a fine, slanting look.
49.
On them lay a dish borne on the hawk-ground,
and upon it a man's severed head;
he had been long destroyed —
the leek who had wronged the swan-woman.
50.
They stood before the ring-board
both for a very long time;
the sweet king wept bitterly;
then they went away.
51.
"Let my virtuous daughter come here —
the lord speaks to men;
now the Lin of the grave's ground
shall pour for us herself."
52.
The warriors soon found the dear one
and bade the beautiful maiden:
"Dress yourself in Dellingr's dawn-share
to adorn the lord's hall."
53.
The golden Rist dressed herself in woven gold
and noble serpent-paths;
she walked then with joy and grace,
the ground before her women.
54.
The lady met the firm doors;
this swan-woman is fair;
it was as if lightning from fire
played in the king's hall.
55.
The king greeted the thorn-ground
and also all the men;
the retinue gazed with wonder on the young woman —
none had seen such a one before.
56.
She took a gleaming gold cup
and poured in the clear wine;
the ristill carried the fire of the Rhine
to give the powerful king.
57.
The king found the sound of the horns;
they had so wet a spring;
the ground of wealth poured for men,
making all the court merry.
58.
The wise woman went to Jón
and gave him the white wine;
there I will stop my praise now —
he gets to look upon the young woman.
Ríma II
Mansöngr
1.
It doesn't suit me to honor ladies
in love-song words;
I have known no love's fire
from its moorings.
2.
That way I'll compose what comes next —
though life is still pleasure —
to give glowing words in the poem
to those who love a fair woman.
3.
Jón saw the white ring-fir
going to the lord's table;
then the sting of desire began
to prick the warrior's heart-hall.
4.
Men pressed such gilded horns to each other,
each telling the next;
the king's hall was filled
with the noise of warriors' swift verses.
5.
Then the brave king's people
cared for few other matters;
the swan-woman went to the sword-reddener,
wrapped in Fáfnir's cloth.
6.
Jón took her hand at the house of wine
and greeted the bright bride:
"Give me the kindness of your maidenhood —
my heart is artful."
7.
The lady's mind-tent grew warm:
"Sir, you may understand;
I gladly put myself in the knight's power —
do with me your will."
8.
The ristill-woman feared
the swift regard of the king's men;
the kinsman's earth-breaker
could speak no further with the swan-woman.
9.
Many a warrior of the generous king
was put to sleep by the mead-wave;
the king went away from the hall;
Jón resolved to follow him.
10.
A bed was prepared with the gentle ring-strength
in a high loft;
it was rich with silk's abundance,
enclosed in pure furs.
11.
The warrior sank into the down, drunk for now;
the servants left the loft;
this was locked inside.
12.
Then the prop of burning rings
was ready to visit the bed;
the woman remembered love-words
beside the adder-web waste.
13.
"Wait here, my dear ones," said the silk-twining woman,
"while I go to find the spear-fir."
14.
The white lady found the doors
and shook them with all her might;
the lock was not fast on the loft;
the door came open at the post.
15.
The wave-ground of Víðrir-Rán's ski
went to the bed;
the courtly young woman threw off her clothes
and crept in with delight.
16.
The wave-island willingly turned
to the handsome spear-bender;
there she gave him her sweet maiden-self
so that she was not offended.
17.
Jón played there with the flame-Rist,
the beautiful bright-earth woman;
they were both lost to sleep and sorrow
as the night passed.
18.
The sword-tree grew heavy;
Hildr of the necklace fell asleep;
the day met the sky and the moor;
every shadow began to break.
19.
Early the noble king dressed,
along with his stern mail-beaters;
the forward lord sent fine men
to Jón's meeting.
20.
The king's court went up to the loft
wanting to gladden Jón,
where the dís and warrior rested
on Fáfnir's precious bed.
21.
So I heard the bride stir
with the bitter branches of grief;
she pulled herself down into the covers
and crept to the lord's side.
22.
The messengers of the white fortress-king proclaimed:
"Dress yourself, snatcher of sea-fire —
the king wants to see you."
23.
The hall-man stayed silent and thought
nothing should go wrong for him;
the guard seemed to have trouble
with the woman's tender persuasion.
24.
"I have a firm grip on both my feet;
I will not venture into the king's power —
I want to be held first in grace."
25.
The troop turned back to the king
to hasten such matters:
"The Týr of the wave's gift is held
in Vímar's heavy snares."
26.
Time passed, and the king bade
strong and clever men:
"Go back to the appointed place
and call to the gold-man."
27.
The most beautiful headdress-fir
could no longer embrace Jón in grace;
she wound both her pure arms
around the warrior's heart-hall.
28.
The sweet leaf-Týr answered,
little troubled or pressed:
"Now there is that hold
I once grasped to my chest."
29.
The whole court withdrew to the king;
grief was shown in the warriors:
"Now the hall of sweetness is bound
by the heavy ropes of evil."
30.
The master summoned the pure one:
"Warrior, come to the king's meeting
and do not delay."
31.
All the court and the gentle king
could wait there gladly;
the troubled people called again
for the bright Fáfnir-skis man.
32.
The woman feared the meeting of worthy men;
she moved quickly to the warrior;
she clasped his neck at the sword-bunch
and held with all her might.
33.
Jón answered the men's call:
"That trouble will close;
it is there I am most weary
where my neck wears the heavy burden."
34.
The people were not slow to bring
these matters to the king:
"Now the weak creature's ailment
has come to the mountain's end."
35.
The string played loudly for men,
resounding in halls and streets;
the ring-guardian heard this
and thought of the danger-seat.
36.
The king came quickly to the house;
warriors followed the king;
he worried about Jón's hard illness
and intended to find the warrior.
37.
The king bore himself up to the loft —
Jón is locked there with the woman;
the lord stepped through the doors;
the woman trembled all with emotion.
38.
He who guards the household and the flock
gaped up and cried loudest:
"I have locked in this wolf
who wants to kill the whole flock!
39.
King, delay not in harming this wolf;
slay the grim giantess-horse
and free us from trouble!"
40.
The king called to the men:
"Gather my multitude;
let each come as quickly as possible
to put the harmful wolf to torment!"
41.
The king himself and every child
drove at the wolf with anger;
Jón lay nearby with bare chest
upon the king's gentle child.
42.
The warrior pulled on his clothes
and came to the king's meeting;
the headdress-Hlín went to her bower;
the maiden's woman rejoiced.
43.
The mighty woman never thought of me
in the giantess's wind;
therefore I will not put the meeting of Fjölnir
around the Fáfnir-down tree.
Ríma III
Mansöngr
1.
The beautiful fir of the grave's ground
has gladdened me before;
I therefore carry spirit on the gold's field
for the wise linden-tree.
2.
I shall therefore pay ancient Bifur's ale
to the armor-fir men;
I take up where the king went
to hunt Fenja's stump.
3.
The wolf was handled by the lord's people
and given hard torment;
they stretched him on the rack so blood ran
and stripped him of his freedom.
4.
The king came to the great hall
with strong, fierce people;
there came the most beautiful drink-fir
and served the king's warriors.
5.
The Lin of divine weave poured for men,
making herself pleasant to the hall;
she gave the warriors both ale and wine
and fine entertainment.
6.
The harbor-fire prop gladdened men
with a pure heart;
now the king wants silence for a time
to speak his words.
7.
"Here the knight has boldly slain
the dragon in our land;
ugly necessity was removed from the people
and freed us from harm.
8.
I will repay this knight
and make the reward clear:
whatever treasure the spear-breaker gets,
let him choose for himself.
9.
I take nothing back from this —
the men shall confirm it —
neither the serpent's lair nor the broad land,
nor serpent's down nor swan-women."
10.
The woman heard the king's words
and thought rightly to understand;
she knows the surf-fire's thrower
will want her.
11.
So delighted was the beautiful young woman —
I can barely put it into verse;
the bride's sweet ground
could hardly bear all that joy.
12.
The knight answered the king right then:
"I will choose that reward:
the one whom the men earlier bound."
13.
The bride turned from the sword-point;
care of trouble came on the woman;
the king and all the people wondered;
the warrior wants his dear one.
14.
The hall-man parted from the court-men;
he had his prize on a leash;
grief fell on the white woman;
she took sorrow against joy.
15.
The skier of Yggr's snares rode from the king's hall
into the forest;
the Rhine-fire loader parted there whole
from the herd-trolls.
16.
That gave the king fierce anger;
the knight wants to change this course;
the king called on his people
to arm themselves.
17.
The lord leaped on a fine horse
and would not wait for men;
so the destroyer of the serpent's skerry
rode to Jón's meeting.
18.
The guardian of the word-fire saw —
the wolf is freed from death;
he asks: why does the spreader of Dofri's speech
want to bring trouble on the people?
19.
"I shall explain to you, lord king,
what hastens the wolf's life;
tell me, high king,
what makes your queen weep."
20.
"Noble man, tell me this —
the king wishes to know."
Jón trusted in himself before the lord
and began to explain the story.
21.
He began right there, before the sword-reddeners,
how he had come to know the woman;
he did not reckon on the king's anger
and drove the story to its end.
22.
Now the king went to the gold-ring woman;
Jón was happy with honor;
the king wanted to keep all his words
since no one opposed him.
23.
"I was long away from my realm,
eager to leave it;
the bright ring-rider sat behind,
adorned with serpent's treasure.
24.
I set a mature knight
to guard the keeping of my queen;
he drew treachery toward the beautiful woman
and gained my noble queen.
25.
They told me when I came home
that those treacheries had come to pass;
I intended to repay them grimly
for the great works of desire.
26.
I saw there at the ring-woman's head —
the sword took the head from his shoulders;
I brought an herb to the hall of minds;
it will never wither.
27.
The sweet queen bore two sons
and said the knight was their father;
I took half a sight from the cheeks
and smiled at the serpent-net.
28.
When my hall is filled with men,
the queen will grieve at that;
then the clever woman will be led
before the men with head and breast.
29.
I command the woman to the spear-Njörðr
in the bright hawk-sand;
that will be our peace-treaty —
you sit with us in the land."
30.
All came together between those two men;
the news came to the warriors;
Jón rode home with the king;
the warriors greeted the king.
31.
"I will never take the gold-woman,"
the knight answered the king,
"unless the trouble is lifted
from both of you.
32.
Hide the grimness in the heart-hall
and bury the head in the earth;
then later you shall soothe all her sorrows
with the gentle silk-ground."
33.
The head was buried in clean sand
at Týr's counsel;
the sweet one parted from her trouble-sorrow;
then she received grace.
34.
When the king's troop learned
the woman was promised to the man,
the king's joyful court rejoiced;
the woman shed all sorrow.
35.
Joy flew as gladness grew
that nourished the woman,
as an arrow is shot by an archer
toward the heroes.
36.
The king arranged a fine wedding
and invited many men;
the folk rode through the land
to the lord's hall.
37.
The lady was adorned with gold;
gold glowed over the beautiful woman
as befits her in every way.
38.
The knight received there the flying-sister
of the ground's heaven;
every child was stripped of sorrow;
here the verses fall.
39.
I speak little of Draupni's dís —
the woman is hard to praise in verse;
the meter stiffens like standing ice,
or men shortened it to silence.
Colophon
Translated from the Old Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Source: Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, ed. Finnur Jónsson, vol. 2 (Copenhagen, 1905–22), pp. 826–842. Manuscript: AM Accessoria 22 / Landsbiblioteket Reykjavík 861, 4°, with lacunae supplied from Lb. 862, 4° by G. Þorláksson. An underlying saga of Jón leikari exists but is judged to be younger than these rímur.
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Source Text
Ríma I
1.
Blés á fyrða silki-Sjöfn
sætum ástar anda,
því mun eg fýsaz Durnis drofn
dýrri snót að blanda.
2.
Mín hafa augun eina séð
Unni grettis landa,
þeirri er allra lista léð
lindi frænings granda.
3.
Svó berr ljósust lauka fold
langt af ollum fljóðum,
sem þá dreift er dokkri mold
dals hjá vagna slóðum.
4.
Linns er hár á landa Eir
líkast hlýrnis hjóli,
liðaz það alt sem lækir þeir
er leika úr noðru bóli.
5.
Láti bjork sín brúna hjól
baugs á eitthvað skína,
þá er það líkt sem leiptr af sól
og logi með geisla sína.
6.
Drósar verðr ei drengjum int
dygð til sinna láta,
horundið mjúkt og halla lint
heitt í allan máta.
7.
Hefr sá mesta heimsins náð
er hennar elsku kennir,
longu það alt þó liðið sé áðr,
er lineik ormum spennir.
8.
Skepnan hvór ef skallas grund
skýr vill næri ganga,
berr þá lykt af frúar fund
að fylliz ilms og anga.
9.
Hár sem átti haukar tveir
holdum urðu að angri,
mig hafa festan fuglar þeir
fyrr með hugsan langri.
10.
Mitt tekr hjarta ástar eldr
allmjog sundur brenna,
drósar fæ eg ei dygð að heldr,
drjúg því sorg mun spenna.
11.
Fastliga vill mig flæðar rein
feskum ormum spenna,
yndis-hót og afmors grein
alt tók saman að renna.
12.
Fríða má eg ei falda lind
finna þó eg vildi,
hefi eg ást í Ímu vind
enn á refla Hildi.
13.
Ýtum fenguz orlog stríð,
ei var hægt að forða,
þess hafa goldið geysi-fríð
garpr og hringa skorða.
14.
Rénar mér firi refla þoll
rækt og ástin heita,
skal eg því hellz í hljóða holl
hepta girndar sveita.
15.
Friggjar tára fleygi-bundr
firi Danmork nam ráda,
einn var herrans ættar-lundr
úlfi gjarn til bráða.
16.
Stillis son var sterkr og vænn
studdr af listum ollum,
hverjum betr á hesti kænn
hringa lundi snjollum.
17.
því var líkast horund og hár
hringa njóts að lita,
sem þar glóaði Gefnar tár
greypt yfir lilju hvíta.
18.
Jón hefr vaniz við hjalta hlýr
hlífar brots af móði,
skíða ferð og skjóta dýr
og skemta sér á flóði.
19.
Kóngrinn býz þá veislu við
og velr til drengi þýða,
ræsir vill sinn roskva nið
riddara nafni prýða.
20.
Drengir sóttu dreifi máls
Dumbs á nefndri stundu,
hverr var hreytir bylgju báls
búinn með ófnis grundu.
21.
Jón var leiddr í háfa holl
huldur vænu pelli,
glóar það alt með grafnings voll
og greipar hvítu svelli.
22.
Skatnar gjora með skjóma sól
skrýða arminn hreina,
logar hun oll sem linna ból
logð með fjolda steina.
23.
þeim var hrotta jorð ei jafn
Jón sem bar í hendi,
ræsir gaf þá riddara nafn
Rognis orða sendi.
24.
þar var soðlað þrifligt ess,
því skal Jón út ríða,
lýðir hafa ei líka þess
litið í heimi víða.
25.
Strengdi síðan sterkan eið
stýrir Hrungnis skíða:
"hvergi skal mín heptaz leið,
hvert er eg vil ríða".
26.
Riddarinn sprang á reiðar dýr,
hann réð sitt spjót að þrífa,
garpur þegar frá gumnum snýr
gjarn á skemtan vífa.
27.
Essið flýtir ferð í nóg
fimt með Jón að renna,
spyrnir við og springr á skóg,
sporarnir síðu kenna.
28.
Branda hvessi með bitla vargr
breiða mork nam stiga,
viðrinn gjorði geysi-margr
grams að brúnum hniga.
29.
Má firi skýrum skjalda lund
skógr ei ferðir stemma,
kemr þá vells á víða grund
viðr um morgun snemma.
30.
Halrinn lítur hafa borg
hulda sterkum múrum,
glóar hun oll af grettis torg
og Gefnar fogrum skúrum.
31.
Váru á porti vænar dyrr
varðar linna leiði,
en firi innan ekki kyrr
Jörmungandr inn reiði.
32.
Garprinn litur grimman orm
og girniz framm að ríða,
djarfr að vekja darra storm
dals við fiskinn stríða.
33.
þvý var líkast þetta undr,
þá tók naðr að amra,
sem þar brysti bjorg í sundr
eðr brim við stóra hamra.
34.
Grettis opnaz góma naust,
gaus úr fossinn strangi,
ferlig þótti frænings raust —
fold var oll á gangi.
35.
Kappinn átti knáligt spjót
og keyrði í ormsins hjarta,
ófnir blés svó eitri í mót,
alla láð gjorði svarta.
36.
Eitrið hefr ei afl til þess
oðling lífs að synja,
riddarans drapz þar dýrligt ess,
drafnar skoldr og brynja.
37.
Þessari borg réð þengill ríkr,
það vil eg fyrðum skýra,
vísir fannz þar valla slikr,
virða átti hann dýra.
38.
Árla stofnar langan leik
lofðungs drótt in snarpa,
tiggi upp í turna veik
með trausta sína garpa.
39.
Ýtar gleðja þengil þann,
þeim nam gleði að vaxa,
niflung spyrr, hverr naðrinn vann
nistir gýgjar Faxa.
40.
Lífið misti þjóttu þvengr
þá nam gnýr að falla,
kappinn heim til hallar gengr
að hitta garpa snjalla.
41.
Vísir gengur garp á mót
glaðr með sína lýði,
heilsar fyrri bylgju brjót
bríkar trolls með prýði.
42.
það mun framligt frægðar verk
fyrnaz aldri í heimi,
meðan að heil er holda kverk
og hnígr að londum geimi.
43.
Leiddi gramr í hafa holl
hreyti Fófnis skíða,
milding hirðin mektar oll
og margskyns veraldar blíða.
44.
Vísir setti seima Njörð
sér til hægri handar,
húsið prýðir haglig gjörð
og hreinir Fófnis brandar.
45.
Oðling biðr þá alla drótt
Jóni sæmdir veita,
"þeim skal hofuð af hálsi skjótt
er honum vill stygðar leita".
46.
Hilmis kvón í hollina gekk
og heilsar vænum stilli,
þar með kvaddi hun þenna rekk,
þar var skamt í milli.
47.
Settiz niðr hjá sikling sprund,
sú var skrýdd með baugum,
silkið huldi hvarma grund,
hrundu tár af augum.
48.
Firi brúði kómu bragnar tveir,
báru kyrtla græna,
augað hofðu annað þeir
og ásján halla væna.
49.
þeim lá diskr um hauka hauðr
og höfuð á eitt af manni,
sá var lestir longu dauðr
lauks er sýtti svanni.
50.
Stóðu þeir firi bauga brik
báðir stund mjog langa,
sárliga grætur sætan rik,
síðan í burtu ganga.
51.
"Komi hér dygðug dóttir mín,
dogling talar við rekka,
nú skal grafnings grundar Lin
gefa oss sjálf að drekka".
52.
Kappar fundu kæru brátt
og kvoddu jómfrú fríða:
"bú þig Dellings deilu gátt
doglings holl að prýða".
53.
Guðvef klæddiz gullas Rist
og gofgum orma slóðum,
gengur svó með gleði og list
grund firi sínum fljóðum.
54.
Frú nam hitta feskar dyrr,
fríðr er þessi svanni,
var þvý líkt sem leiptr af hyr
léki í kóngsins ranni.
55.
Þengil kvaddi þorna grund,
þar með alla drengi,
ferðin horfði fogr á sprund,
fyrr sá slíka engi.
56.
Af gulli tekr hun glæsta skál
og gefr á vínið skæra,
ristill gjorði Rínar bál
ríkum kóngi að færa.
57.
Hilmir kennir horna sund,
hafa þeir vor svó váta,
ýtum skenkir auðar grund,
svó alla hirð gjörir káta.
58.
Gekk að Jóni geðlig frú
og gaf honum vínið hvíta;
þar mun eg hætta hróðri nú,
hann náir sprund að líta.
Ríma II
1.
Mér er ekki um mansöng hent
að mekta frúr í orðum,
eg hefir öngvan ámor kent
unnar báls af skorðum.
2.
þann veg yrki eg þessu næst,
þó er enn skemtan lífi,
að gefa þeim orð í óði glæst
er unna fogru vífi.
3.
Jón sá hvíta hringa þoll
að herrans borði ganga,
þá nam garpsins greina holl
girndar broddr að stanga.
4.
Holdar skýfa horn svó gyld,
hvör til öðrum sagði,
ræsis holl varð rausnum fyld
rekka af skommu bragði.
5.
þegar in frækna fylkis þjóð
fæstra greina gáði,
svanninn veik að sverða rjóð
sveipuð Fófnis láði.
6.
Jón tók hönd með húsi víns
og heilsar á brúði bjarta:
"gef mér milsku meydóms þíns,
mitt er listugt hjarta".
7.
Frúinnar hitnar hyggju tjald:
"herra, megi þér skilja,
legg eg mig gjarna garps á vald,
gjöri þér yðvarn vilja".
8.
Ristill óttaz ræktar-skjótr
rausan kóngsins manna,
ei gat frænings foldar brjótr
fleira talað við svanna.
9.
Margan svæfir mildings rekk
mögnuð hvítings bylgja,
hilmir brott af hollu gekk,
honum réð Jón að fylgja.
10.
Sæng var blíðum bauga þrótt
búin í lopti einu,
sú var lautar linna gnótt
lukt og pelli hreinu.
11.
Darra hlynr í dýnu strýkr
drukkinn niðr að sinni,
lýðrinn burt af lopti vikr,
læst er þetta inni.
12.
þá var brendra bauga skorð
búin til sængur vitja,
minniz fljóð á elsku orð
við eyði noðru fitja.
13.
"Hér skuluð bíða mætar mín,
kvað motran silkitvinna,
meðan eg geng, kvað guðvefs Lin,
geira þoll að finna".
14.
Dyrnar hitti in hvíta frú
og hristi af ollum mætti,
loka var ei firi lopti trú,
laus varð hurð á gætti.
15.
Veik að hvílu vella grund
Viðris Ránar skíða,
klæðum fleygir kurteist sprund
og kraup í sæng með blíða.
16.
Viljug sneriz þá vella ey
að vænum spjóta sveigi,
þar lét sætan sina mey
svó að hun reiddiz eigi.
17.
Lék þar Jón við leygjar Rist
lýsu jarðar fríða,
hafa þau svefns og sorgar mist,
svó tók nótt að líða.
18.
Höfginn rann á hjorva meið,
Hildr nam mens að sofna,
dagrinn hittir himin og heið,
hverr tók skuggi að rofna.
19.
Árla klæddiz gofugur gramr
og grimmir brynju þundar,
væna sendir vísir framr
virða Jóns til fundar.
20.
Lofðungs hirð í loptið gengr,
lystir Jón að gleðja,
þar sem hvíldi dís og drengr
dýrra Fófnis beðja.
21.
Svó frá eg brúði bregða viðr
af beiskum sútar greinum,
kippir sér í klæðin niðr
og kraup að herrans beinum.
22.
Erindin birta brjótar máls
bjarga grams ins hvíta:
"klæð þig, sviptir sjófar báls,
sikling vill yðr lita".
23.
Halrinn þegir og hyggur þá
honum skuli ekki skeika,
vorðinn þótti vandi á
vifs firi blíðuleika.
24.
"Fengið hefi eg fastligt hald
að fótum mínum báðum,
hætta mun ei á hilmis vald
og hafa mig fyst í náðum".
25.
Ferð í móti fylki snýr
að flýta slíkum málum:
"vells er haldinn veiti-Týr
Vimrar í þungum tálum".
26.
Stundin liðr, en stillir bað
sterka menn og snjalla:
"gangið aptr í greindan stað
gyldis fæði að kalla".
27.
Fríðust náir ei falda þoll
að faðma Jón í náðum,
vafði hun rekk um hjarta holl
hreinum ormum báðum.
28.
Ljúfur svaraði laufa Týr
litt af móð né þjósti:
"nú er það hald er hafda eg fyrr
hremt að mínu brjósti".
29.
Hirðin veik að hilmi oll,
hrygð er sýnt á drengjum:
"nú er bundin blíðu holl
bols með þungum strengjum".
30.
Meiðir kvaddi menja lund
mundar eimsins hreina:
"garprinn kom þú grams á fund
og gjör því ekki að seina".
31.
Hirðin oll og þengill þýðr
þar náir glaðr að bíða,
kallar enn á lesti lýðr
ljóssa Fófnis skíða.
32.
Vífið óttaz virða fund,
veik sér brátt að þegni,
spennir háls á hjorva þund
og heldr af ollu megni.
33.
Svaraði Jón til seggja kalls:
"sá mun lúkaz vandi,
þar er eg mest er missir fjalls
mæddur þungu klandi".
34.
þjóð var ei til þengils sein
þessi mál að venda:
"nú er það kranka kynja-mein
komið í fjalla enda".
35.
Strengrinn skemtir holdum hátt,
hlymr í svolum og stræti,
þetta heyrir hringa gátt
og hyggr að vóða sæti.
36.
Ræsir kemr að ranni skjótt,
rekkar kóngi sinna,
harmar Jóns um harða sótt
og hugði dreng að finna.
37.
Lofðung berr að lopti þvý
læstr er Jón hjá fljóði,
dogling stígur dyrnar í,
drós skalf oll af móði.
38.
Gapir sá upp og gall sem hæst
er geymir bús og sauða:
"þann hefi eg úlfinn inni læst,
er allri hjörð vill dauða.
39.
Þengill láttu ei þvý á frest
þessum vargi að granda,
drepi þér grimman gýgjar hest
og greiðið oss frá vanda".
40.
Sjóli heitr á seggi á:
"safnið mengi mínu,
skundi hverr sem skjótast má
skæðum varg til pínu".
41.
Buðlung sjálfr og barnið hvert
beitir úlf af móði,
Jón lá nær með brjóstið bert
á blíðu fylkis jóði.
42.
Kappinn strauk í klæðin sin,
kóngsins náði fundi,
fór til skemmu falda Hlín,
fagna meyjar sprundi.
43.
Mín hafa aldri mektug sprund
minnz í gýgjar vindi,
slæ eg þvý ekki Fjölnis fund
Fófnis dúns um lindi.
Ríma III
1.
Mig hefr grafnings grundar þoll
gladdan fyrr in væna,
ber eg þvý geis á glamma voll
gulls firi lindi kæna.
2.
Skal eg þvý fornan Bífurs bjór
brynju þollum greiða.
Tek eg þar upp er fylkir fór
Fenju stúf að veiða.
3.
Varginn höndlar vísis þjóð
og veita harða pínu,
ráku í streng svó rann um blóð
og ræntu hann frelsi sínu.
4.
Stillir kemr að stórri holl
með sterkum lýð og snorpum,
þar kom vænust veiga þoll
og veitti kóngsins görpum.
5.
Gumnum skenkir guðvefs Lin,
gjörir sig halla blíða,
gefr þá brögnum bjór og vín
bæði og skemtan fríða.
6.
Holda gleður hrein í lund
hafnar bálsins skorða,
nú vill hilmir hljóð um stund
hafa til sinna orða.
7.
"Hér hefr riddarinn drekann deytt
djarfr í vóru landi,
ljótri neyð frá lýðum eytt
og leysti oss frá grandi.
8.
það skal eg gjalda garp á mót
og gjöra þá umbun ljósa,
hvern þann grip fá geira brjót,
er gjörir hann sjálfur kjósa.
9.
Þeygi tek eg frá þessu neitt,
það munu ýtar sanna,
lægis ból né landið breitt,
linna dún eða svanna".
10.
Heyrði víf til hilmis máls
og hugðiz rétt að skilja,
veit að hreytir hrannar báls
hana mun girnaz vilja.
11.
Svó varð fegið ið fagra sprund,
fæ eg það diktað valla,
trautt gat brúðar blíðu-grund
borið þá skemtan alla.
12.
Riddarinn svaraði ræsi þar
rétt í samri stundu:
"þann vil eg kjósa þakkar mar
er þegnar áðan bundu".
13.
Brúðrin sneriz frá brodda rjóð,
bols tekr fljóð að minna,
undraz gramr og gjörvoll þjóð,
garpr vill dýri sinna.
14.
Halrinn skilz við holda nú,
hann hefr sinn varg í taumi,
hörmung fell á hvíta frú,
hun tók sorg mót glaumi.
15.
Reið á skóg frá skjoldungs holl
skýfir Yggjar vóða,
skilr þar heill við hjarðar troll
hlæðir Rínar glóða.
16.
það fekk ræsi ramman móð,
rekkr vill þann veg breyta,
sjóli heitr á sína þjóð
sig skuli vópnum skreyta.
17.
Vísir hljóp á vænligt ess,
hann vill ei rekka bíða,
svó gekk eyðir orma skers
Jóns til fundar ríða.
18.
það sér veitir varra báls,
vargr er leystr af dauða,
spyrr, hví dreifir Döfra máls
drótt vill afla nauða.
19.
"Eg skal lýsa, lofða gramr,
lífi hvað úlfsins flýtir,
seg það holda hilmir framr,
hvað þín drottning sýtir".
20.
"Þegninn skýr þú þetta mér,
það vill fylkir kjósa".
Treystir Jón við tiggja sér
og tekr um sögu að glósa.
21.
Hefr þar upp firi hjörva rjóð
að hann gat frúna kenda,
reiknar ekki um ræsis móð,
rekr svá út til enda.
22.
Nú veik gramr að gullhrings skorð,
glatt hefr Jón með prýði,
vill þvý halda oll sin orð
að öngva sér hann lýði.
23.
"Eg var burtu langa leið
lystr úr mínu ríki,
björt sat eptir bauga reið
búin með linna síki.
24.
Roskvan setta eg riddara til
Rögnis kvónar gæta,
hann dró flærð að falda Bil
og fekk svó drottning mæta.
25.
Sögðu mér eg sótta heim
svik þau orðin vóru,
hugðumz grimmu gjalda þeim
girndar verkin stóru.
26.
Þar sá hjálms á hringa þoll
höfuð tók sverð af Baldri,
bar eg þá jurt við heila holl,
hun má folna aldri.
27.
Sætan fæddi sonuna tvá,
sagði riddarann eiga,
hálfa sýn tók eg hlýrum frá
hlæðum ófnis teiga.
28.
þegar mín holl er þegnum þökt,
það mun drottning harma,
þá skal fyrðum fljóðið klökt
færa höfuð og barma.
29.
Frúna býð eg fleina Njörð
frána hauka sandi,
sú verðr okkur sættargjörð
þú sitir með oss að landi".
30.
Alt kom samt með seggjum þeim,
sú kom frétt til bragna,
reið þá Jón með ræsi heim,
rekkar kóngi fagna.
31.
"Mér verðr aldri gulls reið gipt,
garprinn svaraði stilli,
auðþoll nema sé angri svipt
ykkar beggja á milli.
32.
Hirtu grimd í greina holl
og graf það höfuð í moldu,
bæt þá síðan bol sín oll
blíðri silki-foldu".
33.
Höfuð var grafið í hreinan sand
hringa Týs að ráðum,
sætan skilz við súta kland,
síðan tók við náðum.
34.
þegar það fregnar fylkis sveit
að frú var játuð manni,
gladdiz hilmis hirðin teit,
harm lét allan svanni.
35.
Svó fló glaumrinn gamni vendr
geystr er frúna nærði,
sem þá álmrinn afli spendr
ör til drengja færði.
36.
Buðlung stofnar brullaup frítt
og bauð til fjölda manna,
lýðrinn ríðr um landið vítt
lofðungs sali að kanna.
37.
Bjork var prýdd við bauga lón
baugs í hilmis hollu,
glóaði gull yfir falda frón
sem frúnni sæmir að ollu.
38.
Fekk þar riddarinn fleygi-nipt
foldar vagna valla,
hvert var barnið harmi svipt;
hér munu vísur falla.
39.
Kveð eg þvý fátt um Draupnis dís,
drós er vond að óði;
stirðnar bragr en standi ís
eðr stytti menn af hljóði.
Source: Rímnasafn, vol. 2, pp. 826–842. Manuscript: AM Accessoria 22, copied from parchment (possibly AM 603), with lacunae supplied from Lb. 862, 4°.
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