Nine rímur on the first part of Mágussaga — Emperor Játmundr of Saxony woos Ermengá, daughter of King Hrólf of Garðaríki; the trick of the wedding night; the chess-game that killed an emperor; and the hidden sons of Earl Ámundi.

Ríma I

The emperor Játmundr rules Saxony from Vernissa. His knight Sigurðr praises King Hrólf's daughter Ermengá of Garðaríki. An embassy is sent; she is betrothed; the wedding is held in Garðaríki. The wedding night: Játmundr spreads a cloth between himself and his bride and refuses to consummate the marriage. They return to Saxony. A viking named Snækollr seizes a Saxon town.

Mansöngr

Up from the deep the verse-stream rose
in fair full bloom;
I will unravel the hard matter —
that is fitting honour for men.

I walked into the realm of joy
where green plants grow;
of all that grew, I only wanted
the apple for my hand.

I had my hand stretched out toward it,
that honour-laden prize;
now I have nothing else but this
to chew upon, prop of fortune.

I looked at what had long been coming —
luck arrived at hand;
a slender staff often shows
the makings of a worthy work.

These examples I drew into speech —
men wish to learn them;
from a small spark a blazing fire
has long been known to burn.

A small seed needs long time
in fortune's acre to grow;
it rises up and from it comes
the world's abundant joy.

But when fortune's wheel turns
the host of men to ruin,
no champion, however dear,
can know how to stand against it.

And when luck drifts away
far from the warrior's breast,
the world's display departs from him —
he has no more of it.

I will not go on much longer
explaining love-song verses;
let the string of Són sing instead
honey of the dear king.

Narrative

There the honey of Són shall ring
and give men entertainment;
I can tell of that emperor —
I declare his name is Játmundr.

He ruled with wondrous worth
the fair realm of Saxony;
the prince was generous to men,
bold with the fire of the hand.

Vernissa was the name of the fair city
that the lord held to govern;
it gleamed all over, great and proud,
with the dear ice of gold.

The lord knew swimming best —
honour may be called on that;
chess and taming horses,
trusty in every ride.

The warrior had three treasures —
it is written clearly;
I know none higher than these,
nor any better.

It was a hawk, a horse, and a sword —
the prince holds them;
these mark the quality of a man,
as I can tell men.

He chose for himself with wisdom a court
of fair and worthy men;
his conduct is respected by men
for the world's full flowering.

Great fame flowed from the prince
in skill and noble honour;
many arts the prince could do —
he surpassed them all in pride.

There was with the emperor a courtly man
come of noble lineage;
I shall name that man Sigurðr —
he was loved by all.

One time with accomplished words —
I wish to tell this —
the company of warriors drank in joy
in the emperor's hall with honour.

The emperor asked, as I can tell,
cheerful among his people:
"Can any lord be found
who equals me in splendour?"

Sigurðr, I have heard, answered proudly —
wise dart-tree —:
"None is found among princes like you,
however widely they search.

It would greatly profit, my lord,
your realm,
if you could win the veil-lady,
and she would honour your name."

The lord replied, as I must tell —
stirring wisdom's springs —:
"I know none in the world
whom I would give my love to.

For those words that you then brought forth
with the greatest folly,
you shall immediately name a woman —
do not delay."

Sigurðr answered directly —
he was unlike most men —:
"One lord must be named —
Hrólf, who rules Garðaríki.

The lord has two sons
who know how to wield swords;
Sigurðr and Ásmundr, those two —
I call them by those names.

His daughter is Ermengá,
exceedingly beautiful to see;
no one finds one fairer than her
in a white veil."

The lord replied with guarded words:
"I shall prove this —
I know Hrólf and his children
and have found no men to equal them there.

For the rightness of what you found —
the lady of the great hall —
you shall prepare to leave at once,
quickly to the king's hall.

Bring me the veil-lady,
the woman of all accomplishment;
I shall have her by my hand then,
however it may suit.

Choose men for yourself, bold warrior,
from our court as you please;
no longer shall any delay
slow the going to Garðaríki."

Sigurðr prepared at that same moment
a company with shields;
the warriors from Saxon ground
turned their journey to depart.

The man had a worthy host
of chosen warriors;
the heroes came east to Garðaríki —
Hrólf received them gladly.

The man then directed
this matter to the king's hearing:
"The emperor of Saxony, brave and glad,
has sent us here.

The worthy lord of all lands
wishes to ask for your daughter;
he shall have the silk-lady,
for honour has come to his hand."

The king replied, as I am told,
most openly in speech:
"My daughter shall choose for herself
the man she pleases, by her own power."

King and Sigurðr, I can tell,
found the courtly woman;
they laid all their errand before Ermengá
and set it out in full.

The maiden answered, worthy at once —
tree of the hall's treasure —:
"That lord would never call
this his equal match.

My nature is much too proud
to bend to that lord;
his arrogance and moodiness
may ruin this joy.

If you do not ask that the bride
be given power over that lord,
he will plan swift vengeance on you —
my father and lord."

She asked to be promised the lord indeed
and to avoid all trouble.
Sigurðr betrothed the silk-lady
into the hand of the Saxon prince.

This arrangement was made —
the chisel-blade was its cause;
the fair prince shall hold
his wedding right there in Garðaríki.

Leave was taken, as I can tell,
when the matter was fully closed;
the thorn-lady stayed behind there
as they turned toward Saxony.

The men drank the white wine
when the lord came to the hall;
the prince spoke of all
the bonds of his kinship.

The prince prepared himself, bold and trusty —
the men honoured the king;
the hero wished to go east to Garðaríki
and seek his wedding.

The men set the long ships
to sail on the salmon-ground;
the warriors came to Hrólf's meeting
home in Garðaríki.

Then in the king's hall
there was prepared with every art
a feast that stood in full honour
with fine drink and food.

Beer and mead he offered them —
he left no warrior's palate empty;
wine and mead, the finest there is —
all the men drank.

First she must be told — the lady
of Fáfnir's gleaming plates:
she bid all the women
go away from her.

A single veil
she took and spread wide;
she fashioned it with her own hand
fair around her face.

There was a dish of beaten silver
that she held in her hand;
a roasted cock was upon it —
she brought it into the hall before the king.

Ermengá at once provoked
the lord to anger:
"Here is one cock, I declare to you —
prince, let us divide it.

Father and brothers, the lady says —
gleaming one of Fáfnir's gold —
the lord and she herself:
may it please you all."

The king answered with proper anger,
refreshed with memory's bonds:
"I never kept a carver's rank
great in Saxony."

The lord spoke with skill of words
as one who would choose:
"It shall be done according to your wish,
my bright ground of thorns.

I will straightway — says the sword-elf —
not divide in large portions;
the head and shoulders of our bird
the prince himself shall have.

That shall mark the prince's rank —
says the tree of counsel —
the head and shoulders, I say rightly,
belong to the prince among his children.

Your brothers lead the flight —
both wings they shall have:
they have the hawk's courage among warriors —
the shaker of spears speaks.

This shall mark you, dear prince —
says the tree of shield-edges —
each of them is swift and capable
and quick in the storm of swords.

Wife of the prince, the rooster's feet
you shall receive, both of them —
I am certain the worthy prince
would wish this to be decided —

just as the rooster uses his feet
to bear up his heavy weight,
so shall this worthy swan
uphold her lineage."

The hero, I have heard, spoke most boldly
to say such things:
"It seems to men that the one who carves himself
goes straight to deceiving himself.

The breast and the broad chest
I shall plainly take for myself;
so shall my portion be —
the shaker of spears speaks.

My portion shall mark this,
worthy to wise men:
I shall take the breast and the stiff mail
plainly before all here.

How does this please you,
you tree of bright skis?
Lord's daughter, tell me
and do not let it wait."

The lady of the wave-land answered:
"I shall speak well of it —
your portion, prince, I think,
is clear in every respect."

The lord was like blood to see —
the breaker of swords spoke:
"That ugly deed you gave me
shall be repaid to you."

That evening, as I can tell,
the warriors lay in celebration;
the lord wished to go to his bed
right beside his bride.

The organ sounded, the fiddle rang —
string-sounds arose;
the sound of harps rang for the men
loud on every street.

The prince led the thorn-lady
then with no difficulty;
the room was lit with gold —
they were to lie there together.

The bed in which the warrior lay
was made with rings of gold;
the lord stepped into the bed then
and the warriors departed.

Then the room was closed behind,
lit with gold and stones;
here the master's skillful art
was shown by one master of honour.

A single cloth the prince took
and spread it between them;
the hero added no joy
of sport with the ring-goddess.

The wise lord of this lineage
did not embrace the rich lady;
I saw no one act like that —
a lord with his bride.

The night passed in its way —
the sun had to make its journey;
the king himself came in there
where the courtly couple lay.

The emperor greeted the king warmly
with all his might;
the bride was cheerful with the warriors —
as might well be expected.

The feast lasted two weeks
surely in the king's realm;
the prince gave on both hands
red as blood the serpent's gold.

The prince prepared to go home —
this wise lord;
the veil-lady went with the lord
right at that time.

This must first be told of the prince —
foremost from the word-stream:
the lord never shared a bed
with his bride, ever.

The prince now sits quietly at home,
bold in his realm,
until the lord hears of strife
where warriors fight with swords.

The tale must fall here —
for the keel of the eagle's shore is gone;
the boat of the south sank into the sea
and was seen no more.

Ríma II

Ermengá calls a council and sails east to Garðaríki while the emperor fights Snækollr. Irish Earl Híring arrives and helps defeat the viking. The three treasures are wagered on chess; Híring wins all three. Discovered on the shore: Ermengá asleep in a tent. The marriage is consummated unknowing. Híring drowns.

Mansöngr

Like me is the ugly pig
that lies in the field by its own will;
warriors always drive it out
to the forest in some place.

That hero is very like me too,
who always drifts that way —
into the goat-shed he goes here
and asks for wool for himself.

Though I am stuck with old words —
the veil does not gladden that prop —
let us rather turn our craft
where the lord sits and the gentle queen.

Narrative

The prince sat over his drink, lordly —
bold in nature and like few men;
warriors came into the prince's hall
and brought there the wise news.

The warriors named the viking quickly
and told them somewhat more:
"A host has come onto the lord's land —
it grants the people no mercy.

Men name that viking Snækollr —
no man is worse than he;
he is turned and proven in all evil,
with a sharp following.

Men have seized by force
a fair city on Saxon land;
they raid from there on the lord's people
both day and night."

The prince answered the two men:
"I shall march against them
and kill that bold man
who can lay our warriors low."

Before the prince left home
he had thought his great plan through;
the prince sat at his drink,
and called the lady to him.

"I shall hold this from home now —
the prince speaks to the proud lady —
and make my fair land safe
so the people take no harm.

At the kings' council the warrior shall be
— I will come when it pleases me;
three years, says the worthy lord,
the finest lady shall not see me.

Now I will repay the carver's rank —
that great one rightly in Garðaríki —
veil-ground, for your willing word
I got exactly what I aimed for.

While the prince is away,
you shall straightway have gotten for me —
the gleaming prop, the three treasures —
so that it be ready, equal to those I own.

The prince said it was the hawk and sword —
that marks the quality of a man —
'and one horse,' said the lordly king,
'I trust none like it is found anywhere.

More shall go with me besides,' the prince said,
'the lord has so told the queen:
the bride shall get me that child —
clearly that I am the father of it.'"

The wise lady of the wave-land answered:
"Well I can manage your treasures;
but there will be no reckoning on this matter
as you have not worked for it.

It may be right, if you are willing yet
to act as other men do,
the noble lady spoke —
then I will make full reckoning on all of it."

The prince parted from the queen then;
the lady stayed behind there;
warriors, I have heard, set the ocean's steed
running hardest on the waves.

The warrior had his treasures then —
as I spoke of them earlier;
the prince turned away from there,
that is what I have heard of it.

Warriors came out onto the field
where the viking's host stood before them;
the prince lay siege to a high city —
sorrow began to grow among the men.

The warriors could do nothing there
to make any match for it;
this bad viking force
was so evil to deal with.

Let us first tell of the lady —
what the veil-ground had done;
she called a council in a strong hall —
a great noble company came there.

She set it out before the people plainly —
the lord's daughter without delay:
"I shall now prepare to depart at once" —
the warriors were not glad of it.

"Sigurðr shall — as is seemly —
govern the realm here hereafter,
until the lord wishes to come home,"
so the ring-Gná spoke.

"The warriors shall carry me without harm
into my father's land."
So I have heard the council broke up —
all the people know this.

Honourably, with a bold bearing,
the men equipped this ship;
the queen herself commanded the dragon —
great wisdom was given to her.

The sea-beast was sent onto the deep
as soon as the breeze allowed;
the bear of the ropes steered best —
the horse of the rollers flew on the sea.

The current took them east to Garðaríki
and the swell died down;
the prince found his daughter there —
listen now, warriors, to my verse.

The men rested there first,
I have heard, before we speak of
the prince sitting in siege before the city
as I spoke of earlier.

One morning, as I shall tell,
the people walked out to see;
the warriors saw a sail-hawk
come driving straight from the sea to the south.

Kári shook the ship's rope —
courteously they landed;
the warriors, in the cold sea,
the dart plunged in as you may hear.

The prince went — as shall be told here —
and met the one who commanded the ship;
the emperor found that warrior
and asked him kindly what his name was.

"Híring the men have named me —
to you I have steered my course;
the Irish honour me all no less
than the Saxons honour you.

My errand is this, my lord —
the worthy earl speaks then:
my great following of people
stands in your power."

The prince, I have heard, gave thanks —
their whole people turned there
rightly home with the courtly lord;
Earl Híring was now with them.

Earl Híring and his courtly following
quickly set to pitching tents;
far apart, you can see it,
from the people, in another place.

The great lord gave out of his wisdom
counsel to the prince to take the city;
they managed to destroy that band
and the prince's men killed Snækollr.

The prince gave worthy thanks
to Earl Híring for this victory:
"It was by skilful counsel
that we have taken the city.

I will repay you a little for this —
the lordly king spoke then:
the treasures that I name here —
warrior, take half of them from me.

Then we two shall set a chess-board
fashioned with the finest hand-work;
it shall be done with a good treaty,
with the treasures lying at stake.

He shall own the sword and the horse —
the swordsman of the sea-rock's edge speaks —
and with this puts a hawk on his hand:
whoever of us plays the better."

The earl answered at that same moment,
bending the steel with a bold spirit:
"I have no skill in chess —
I trust it is not suited to me.

Give me rather just one treasure —
the warrior spoke, pure in temper:
I will settle this myself with you, prince" —
so the dart-elf spoke.

"I shall decide — the lord said —
and we will set up the board at once."
They sat down and began the game,
the warriors straightway in the fire of words.

They played now with skill and craft —
I let it be suited to both;
so I have heard it ended:
the lord lost the bishop's gambit.

Híring spoke, as may be told —
the court stood and listened:
"We part on this, honest prince —
I shall now own the hawk alone."

The lord said he would not:
"Plainly I say no to that."
They cleared the board and set the men,
then I have heard they played again.

They played now as skill serves —
the lord was not guarding himself;
the prince then got the bishop's gambit —
the court watched this cheerfully.

Híring spoke to the men, plainly —
the prince was now grown angry:
"Let us leave these games so —
let me have the two treasures."

The lord spoke in grieved anger:
"You need not be so fearful;
you will be far from escaping me —
I will now reckon with you roughly."

The men's plans were stiffened —
they set up the board a third time,
steered the game with skill,
and neither gave up, that I know.

The difference was that the prince there
had the lesser part against the earl:
he who stamps with vexing display
brought him the third gambit.

The lord, I have heard, swept the board
clean across the smooth table;
the sword-breaker thrust into his purse —
the free warrior departed.

He traded not a word with the prince;
he parted from chess and board there,
took the treasures and kept them,
and went away as quickly as might be.

Híring said — the courtly following listened —
the men should ready themselves quickly:
"It is my belief the prince
will not take this lying down."

The warriors, before the sky's wheel
had the bright sun shining,
had this band of men fitted out
so that no one knew of it.

That morning, gentle and worthy,
the prince had stood up,
walked alone from his bed,
a small page attended the lord.

The prince had it in mind
to do, if he could,
dishonour to Earl Híring —
to lay hands on him.

The lord, I have heard, saw
what the people's band had done:
the ocean's elk was ready
to sail, as soon as the wind was on it.

The prince saw a small tent on the shore —
so I am told;
all the men, as I shall tell,
were outside on the ship.

The page the lord addressed:
"See what is in the tent" —
he went just as the prince bade
and ran back at once.

The page told the lord:
"I saw in that small place
a fair bed and a veil-lady —
I never saw one fairer than her;

she is so bright it seems to me —
I tell you, great lord —
as if the sky's wheel shone there,
the bright sun without shadow."

"Wait for me" — said the lordly king;
away I have heard the emperor go.
The worthy one went into the tent;
they talked of this no more.

The lord saw the bed there,
stately as has been told;
a front-curtain was drawn before it —
it fell all the way to the floor.

The lord, I have heard, went to the bed —
he would not delay any longer;
he took the curtain back with his hand
as plainly as can be told.

The emperor looked upon the woman:
he could make out Ermengá;
she lay there in honour and splendour —
she was then taken on the way.

He was somewhat more than a fool
to him — we may say —
for he thought that Híring now
would have this lady.

The lord, he had no lack of will,
and at once
lay down there with the bright lady —
I believe he had his play now.

The lord went, so I have heard,
away from there at that same moment;
the emperor got his joy —
the warrior went home to the tent.

The prince thought he had taken revenge,
rightly as it came to me;
honestly they carried the tent onto the ship,
trusty men with a bold bearing.

The wind drove the lord himself —
the sea-bear into the cold waves;
so I have heard the earl goes from the story —
nothing more is told of him.

The boat of the south seems to me
to sail up on the reef of praise —
all the keel runs out from under her;
she can float no longer.

Ríma III

Ermengá returns to Saxony; a son named Kall is born. The emperor returns from war and demands his three treasures back. She returns them. He demands the child — she brings it but publicly shames him: the child is Híring's. The emperor strikes her. She reveals herself: she was the woman in the tent. Reconciliation.

Mansöngr

Herjans hound I set running
forward on the sound of Boðn;
I capsized the other boat earlier —
it has now found a good wind.

It has full cargo on it,
the prince has made this clear to me;
in many a barrel of praise-wine
every man may claim a share.

One barrel was set with sorrow's ale —
that barrel was down in the keel;
men say it is bad —
anyone who wishes may buy it.

The eagle's shore is in one barrel —
I reckon this has fallen to me;
from it I bought an eighth-measure —
I was not slow to this.

I will tell men of it from here —
I could get nothing better;
it tipped back out from under the trap;
that ale was badly brewed.

The beginning of the verse is my opening —
I will set it out a third time,
how the prince played against the earl:
long I have been at these word-games.

Narrative

At the kings' council the brave warrior
the emperor sailed, famous and bold —
I wish to make this clear to the warriors —
nothing more came to pass then.

When the first winter had passed for the men
— I hear this skald tell —
the most precious came with Draupnir's band:
the queen came home to Saxony.

The townsfolk welcomed the bride;
the people of the town, and all at once,
the women's company and the prince's men —
many were glad of this.

The lady began to grow with child —
the warriors understood what caused it;
none should wonder at the gold-lady
for having a child by her king.

When the time drew near,
the faithful lady, I have heard —
the jewel-lady — gave birth to a boy
in the prince's hall; all the court rejoiced.

The boy was then baptised,
honourably respected by all;
the great lord should be called Kall —
so my word-tale tells it.

He grew up with fine strength,
the lord's son of noble lineage;
honour and glory the warrior received,
victory and splendour and the world's display.

At two years old, the glory-prince —
I believe he was clad in embroidered cloth;
he bore beauty beyond most —
surpassingly far above all there.

The tale turns south over the sea —
something must be told
of the emperor's journey with his sharp sword-blade
as they came home to Saxony.

When the lord came home with his fine host
into his own realm,
the wisest lady gave a feast —
her wisdom will not fail now.

The lord, I have heard, took his seat in the hall;
then all the court
entertained themselves with bright wine —
so my book makes clear.

The warriors greeted the ring-breaker
with honour; he spoke back to them;
the prince greeted the ring-keeper —
he said somewhat little to her.

"It is now time — the lord said,
the ruddy one spoke then at once —
you shall give me back my treasures
straightway as you have taken them."

She who went, whose way is worn,
came back in again;
she bore the hawk on her hand —
so my book has set it out for me.

The hawk knew the prince at once,
lifted itself up and flew high;
it settled on the lord's shoulder —
it was not slow in all of this.

Away went the wave-Hrund,
the fair one returned at that same moment,
led a horse and carried a sword —
the prince acknowledged his treasures there.

The golden lady spoke —
keeper of the treasure — wisely then at once:
"Your treasures are now given back to you —
I have cleared this debt from myself."

"Know this, powerful woman —
I care not at all for such things;
these are certainly, veil-Ná,
much worse than those I own.

There is more to it — the prince said —
that you shall not lack in this:
where is that child, which I expected of you —
ring-prop — to be brought to me?"

The loud one answered — proud Hrund —
most clearly then at once:
"You will likely think, prince,
that I cannot come clear of this matter."

She went away — she whose way is worn —
the fairest queen came back then;
the silver-ground had a boy-child here
fittingly in her arms.

She stepped forward before the prince's table —
the brightest one spoke these words:
"Here is now, lord, my son —
I declare him to be your heir.

To a thrall, thorn-rein,
you may assign this boy;
this servant serves you,
ground of thorns — and not me.

From the treasures I see it, gold-Bil —
it has gone straight to the harlot;
you have been dishonoured shamefully —
Earl Híring has shamed you."

The lord sprang up from his seat;
then I have heard the slap fell —
the fist rang against her cheek —
she had to take a fall to the floor.

The finest one went away, the wave-lady —
the fairest one at once from the king's hall;
the ring-keeper had been roughly struck —
she had no joy of it then.

Then the swan took a veil
from her face, I say;
she came back into the hall before the emperor
courteously and pressed the matter forward.

The prince asked, the ring-board:
"Am I any the less like
a more beautiful woman fit to be held
than you found in Híring's tent?"

The prince stood up with a laugh
courteously and stretched out his hands;
the prince took the bride to himself
gently and spoke to her warmly:

"This one is the same thorn-board —
no other will be like you
in wit and counsel, woman here;
you carry wisdom far beyond me.

Even though I spoke in anger
some words toward the ring-prop
I will make good all with gentleness
if you find anything lacking."

Love was taken up between them now —
the lord held with fair gold
his realm on Saxon ground;
the prince governed a long time.

I let the tale-wine fall —
men, I ask you to take it up;
the crafted poem seeks its rest —
here the ríma shall fall down.

Ríma IV

Earl Ámundi of Buslaraborg has four sons and a daughter Matthildr. Earl Mágus of Stráinsborg is introduced, with his ally Einarr and his scheming vassal Ubbi. Mágus sends Einarr to court Matthildr; the brothers agree; Mágus marries her.

Mansöngr

I have no great anxiety over love-songs —
the least joy is in such things;
it was given to all alike once
in the days of the wealthy people.

Sorli broke in sorrow's bundle —
so I believe Gunnlaugr fared;
Tristram, Helgi — grief and sorrow
I believe Arthur bore.

I do not care to praise such men —
sorrow-men in the same way;
hardly could the norns' decree
have brought down people like them.

I say no — let that not come to me,
torment with heavy sorrow;
I plan rightly that the fortune-Lin
will never weave me on her arm.

I would not choose that cold snow —
torment with heavy shame;
sooner I ask that the one bound to Þórr
go according to my counsel.

Old age lessens strength and wealth,
eye-power and hearing;
she has brought many to their knees —
she knows how to offer us this.

But the man lives in joy's assembly
and so seeks age to find him;
her hips will circle around him
and give many a heel-hook.

I desire age no longer —
she comes with heavy pains;
let the voice-string rather run
of a great earl.

Narrative

I will name a certain earl to the men —
one who steered a sword in the night;
Ámundi it is, of courtly counsel,
bold on Saxon land.

Buslaraborg the warriors have named —
the prince governed it;
the warrior received with victory and skill
the dear prop of gold.

The warrior has four sons —
so I will explain to men;
I will recite a ríma of them
and also of one daughter.

I name Vígvarðr as a bold man —
I want to tell him first;
fierce in nature, yet he governed
a strong spear-battle.

Aðalvarðr I have met as another —
I can tell them all;
he was like in wit and skill
to his brother Vígvarðr.

The third warrior I find named —
I have heard him called Rogvaldr;
all accomplishments have come to him —
none need be sought.

He received skills and great strength,
quite as if one would choose;
the warrior knew swimming and chess
and to bend a pole in a shield.

I have found the fourth man —
the prince's heir, a wealthy one;
Markvarðr shall be his name —
I hold him to be Rogvaldr's equal.

The earl's daughter, noble in spirit,
adorned with deeds, was beloved;
Matthildr is the jewel-ground's name —
she knew many accomplishments.

Men thought that choice
the most dear in the prince's realm —
the other queen Ermengá:
none like them was found.

This earl was in no way sluggish
with a storm of blows on horseback;
a great warrior and courtly —
the emperor's best friend.

Now there comes into the poem's tale
the warrior that I know well:
many men honour Earl Mágus —
I cannot leave him out.

Stráinsborg the proud earl held —
he governed it on Saxon land;
boldly there the horn rang out
as the prince fought with swords.

The company has brought into the tale
from the wise sword-shaker:
all accomplishments were fully learned —
I have heard he missed none.

The earl's kinsman, with fame and deeds,
men call Einarr;
he was the lord's highest counsel,
keeper of the great hall.

The prince's earl the warriors have named,
the book calls him Ubbi;
most good things have come from him —
but he gained all the tricks.

The gold-scatterer has fostered Kall,
the dear prince's heir;
he had on the lord's slope
one city to govern.

The sword-wielder held Spíransborg —
Ubbi spares no scheming;
grim is his mind's court —
every trap nourished in him.

Lying and tricks he learned,
shifty in every respect;
the great lord won all by cunning
rather than by clean honour.

He is notably empty of the esteem of men
though he offers all deceits;
yet pride and wealth crept toward him
greatly and always through this.

Let us now first speak of the bold earl —
the warrior, dear Mágus;
he sits with wisdom in his hall —
so I will make clear to all.

Mágus learned the news from people —
these cases are remarkable:
"Do you people know of a woman
who would suit my honour?"

The company answered at that same moment
with warm and dear love;
they did not say that on Saxon ground
any other was to be seen.

The earl asked, as the tale runs —
the court stood and asked:
"Hear me, kinsman — what is it now with you?
Why does Einarr keep silent?"

"I shall be silent no longer now —
so he answered the earl:
this love-string will be found
fair on the Saxon slope.

An earl rules Buslaraborg —
I will make this clear to the warriors:
Ámundi has, without any sorrow,
one daughter for himself.

Matthildr is the jewel-lady's name;
she has received accomplishments;
your honour would grow
surely if you got her."

The earl answered that — as I will tell —
he, who had tossed grief aside:
this, the prince said to himself then,
seemed well come upon.

Mágus spoke to his company then —
many bands prepared themselves:
"We shall seek the silk-lady
and see what luck provides."

The wise earl turned away
surely out of his proud city,
with three hundred men — so I have heard —
and every horn blared.

Warriors spurred their horses on
toward the prince's son's estate;
the warriors saw the earl's dwelling
standing on broad meadows.

The earl stepped down from his strong horse,
smoothed his bright axe-blades;
he asked the men to rest there,
for he wished to make the plan clear.

The earl spoke — he who cast off sorrow —
to a trusty sword-sharpener:
"You shall go into the city
and set out this matter.

If I cannot get the veil-lady —
the prince's slender daughter —
it will not go well for me then —
I do not wish to test that.

That is why I will not go there myself
to seek this affair out:
it ill-suits me in this battlefield surge
to offer that earl a gift.

You shall go with thirty men
at once to ride to the city;
tell my errand quickly and truly —
here we will wait for you."

The warrior rode and beat off sorrow
with thirty chosen warriors;
the hero came to the splendid city —
the earl made them welcome.

He stayed there through that night —
the friend of the prince's son;
he saw a proud silk-keeper,
adorned with serpent's gold.

When morning came, as shall be told,
he attended to this matter;
the earl's children were sitting on benches
on the broad floor — he saw them.

He is wondrously ready with his speech,
sent his fair word forward:
"Earl Mágus, with skill and honour,
has sent me to you.

This is my errand — the warrior said,
so he set it out —
the earl wishes at once
your fair daughter."

The earl answered, seemly in manner —
he who knows how to bite the spear:
"I have heard rightly that he is great
and greater than any warrior."

The earl turned matters toward Rogvaldr
rightly, and toward their brothers;
the warrior was not worn down by anyone —
nothing ever seemed better to them.

Rogvaldr answered — as shall be told —
lord, from a knowing heart:
"This kinship-prop is powerful and good —
it can come to good purpose.

Though I will decide: if this comes through,
the plan is worthy for the warriors —
whatever hardship falls at hand,
the earl shall make good.

His horses and his following
and whatever I can ask for —
whenever we need these
shall all be ready.

The dear warrior shall add
his great counsel here;
Mágus will not get the maiden
if he should refuse this."

Then Einarr turned swiftly away —
quickly to his horses;
the warrior answered nothing to that —
for it was the best plan.

He jumped onto his horse, adorned with steel,
proud, and would not wait;
the sword-fence is spurred on
and spares no riding now.

He sought out his kinsman —
who learned fame and deeds —
gave all the answers to be told
and moved nothing from where it stood.

Mágus took the matter up,
joyful in his skills:
"This is nearly a burden
for any man to grant.

He would think himself, the wise one,
to have well understood from lightness:
'toward two hands, I believe, it points —
it is hard to know how this will go.

Keski would make it known —
dear with good will —
I come off better by all of it
than the warriors could figure.'"

Mágus spoke to his company then
with strong eloquence:
"The warriors shall venture on it there —
to go along with this bargain."

Then the warriors turned home
surely to Buslaraborg;
the earl made the men welcome —
little sorrow came now.

There the earl got the veil-lady —
the fair gold-Gefn;
the prince then held his wedding-feast
and no lack of anything failed.

Mágus carried the lady home
first with his following;
love was taken up between them now
and I believe it will hold long.

I clap shut the hall of the sound,
Hlé's finished craft;
let the poem's court burst apart —
I believe the ríma will soon end.

Ríma V

At Emperor Kall's court, the page-boys Helgi and Sveinn boast drunkenly that Earl Ámundi's son Rogvaldr could beat the emperor at chess. The trusted man Úlfr reports this. The emperor summons Rogvaldr. Earl Ámundi is dismayed.

Mansöngr

The word-shuttle presses forward quickly
still with matter like this;
now I would set out the short-verse part
and entertain wealthy people.

Samson got into sorrow's quarrel —
sorrow to hold for the lady;
he lost his beauty and his mighty wife —
Delilah will be the cause.

Flores rightly and his veil-lady
got such long misery;
the rank of wisdom will surely in time
depart from those lords.

Tristram worked for the noble lady —
in grief to stand in his breast;
the warrior burned in sorrow's glow
sorely from all trouble.

Many received great pain —
men in former times;
the people went from their lives,
who played with burnt gold.

Narrative

There that lord sits with his men
and the pure queen;
adventures I shall still tell men —
one about the emperor.

Úlfr is the name of the lord's man —
one among the warriors;
he was steered toward honour and never could
put evil onto others.

He was the lord's proud counsel,
the governor of the spear's rage;
Úlfr knew all accomplishments —
he knew plenty of honour.

The warrior sought the bitter thing hardest
and got into the heavy matter:
the greatest friend of Ámundi's sons
and the young Rogvaldr.

The pure prince had two brothers,
plainly in his hall —
Helgi and Sveinn, those are their names:
bold men in every way.

The emperor's candle-boys —
these warriors were:
neither one of them carried
a slow mind's rank.

The lord held a feast day,
well I can tell of it;
the high drink gave the warriors there
great and pure entertainment.

The emperor went — as I can tell —
cheerful to find sleep;
the mead took hold of the company then —
most, and the strong wine.

The warriors spoke much at the table,
they little kept themselves from it;
the wine quickly to the vessel of wisdom —
it certainly came to words for them.

Helgi went on with foolish talk,
praising the emperor's splendour:
"That prince carries the best accomplishments
most above all people."

Then Sveinn answered more
on the emperor's rich skills:
"The warriors find no lord
first, like him, anywhere."

They weighed his chess skill,
took to saying such things —
exalting the prince's power beyond measure
further out of proper bounds.

Úlfr plainly without any mockery
gave a barb to the silk-men:
"There is not born a thing so fair or good
that nothing else like it is found."

The rank of answers Sveinn took and said —
sword-tree answering:
"Do you say rightly that Rogvaldr better
knows chess?"

Helgi spoke, mixed with anger:
"I have never heard the like —
that ought to be laid under ground
and such folly put away."

"The rank of the lord — before an ugly suspicion —
I do not slander with nonsense;
I believe rightly that the great lord
has been at chess with him."

The warriors were not brought together in talk —
sleep turned to their eyes;
the warriors laid aside this chatter
when the night passed from hand.

Straightway when the gentle, wise prince
felt the wine,
the emperor asked then to call to him
the warrior Úlfr, to his presence.

"Have you said that Rogvaldr would
match me at chess?"
"Lord, beware of bad suspicion
that gets into such nonsense.

I remember it little, what I said then —
many dangers begin thus;
the fair word among men nearby —
if mead passes among the settled ones.

Yet I have never said this —
then Úlfr made it clear:
word-chatter about you laid down,
destroyer of sharp spears.

The power of Rogvaldr over that lord
I raise not with nonsense —
I have said that the lord will have
the emperor against him at chess."

The other way the great lord turned his hatred
with a long speech:
"This you said, warrior you —
and you dare not go through with it.

The free warrior's cost of strength
I can lay upon you:
the trusty steel's man shall play me —
or you lose your life otherwise."

"Each man grasps at the full thing to see —
and avoids long torture;
sooner I bring on the trial
than you forfeit your life."

They spoke quickly no longer about it —
the dear men of speech;
away at once stepped
the mail-coat's spirit-governor.

He did not linger long, the sword-wielder —
going to find the sons of Ámundi;
there the free warrior went
straightway to the strong city.

"It is no great matter to me —
the earl's eloquence was fading —
that Rogvaldr try himself at once
against the lord's accomplishments."

The prince pressed this matter forward —
the jewel-tree's warrior answered:
"Rogvaldr comes if I may decide —
he shall never come on my account."

The swift wise warrior set off from there
— the warrior took up his departure at once;
he found Rogvaldr, the warrior,
and spoke of his trouble.

Rogvaldr looked to counsel's cup —
the sword spoke:
"Necessity brings enough to this
to free you from trouble.

I will come there according to your wish —
said the warrior, the ocean's rope;
against the lord I will show skill
greatly in the set time."

Úlfr gave thanks and went back,
set to turning again;
this long time passed
— I can tell the people.

The great lord went home at last —
shaker of the wound-giantess's sword —
Rogvaldr found his father then;
the earl asked about this:

"Did you find the hard steel-Gaut, lord —
you will have to meet him, prince —
will you manage the great hardship
and seek the chess softly?"

"I found the dear lord's man —
the warrior swore an oath firmly:
what I can tell the warriors
I have promised him to play."

The prince had a bitter struggle
in the breast then to take hold;
the beauty of joy went then
for the warrior wholly away.

"Father, by lightness you get this for me —
the gold-scatterer spoke:
why does this prince get you
so heavy a burden of sorrow?"

"This speech you set out for me —
the shaker of swords spoke:
this will be the beginning for us and you
of misfortune."

The earl could speak no longer —
worthy in this occasion;
the grief's string rang in the sea's string
hard within the breast.

The jewel-tree's warrior wearies of its sorrow-glow —
the string of the mead-pool's misery;
I will no longer explain the short verse —
warriors, take the ríma.

Ríma VI

The brothers ride to court and play the emperor at chess — three games. Rogvaldr wins all three. The emperor throws the board at him. Vígvarðr strikes the emperor with an axe. The empress intercedes. The emperor dies and is buried. The brothers flee.

Detached Mansöngr Verses

(The editor notes these six stanzas belong to a different ríma; they are preserved here as found.)

Now the brides have urged me again
to begin my love-song play;
the gold-prop gladdens herself now —
I reckon I fool myself in this.

I am become both old and stiff —
little valued beside noble ladies;
the women begin to grumble
that I know nothing of it there.

That must go for the fool who gets it —
let all the ladies accept this:
he is good for nothing, he says, the fortune-Hnoss,
other than to entertain us.

If I could yet fall asleep
beside a nobler jewel-Ná
in the dark, and the skirt-Lin
would offer me a kiss
and pat outside my cheek —

Many can reason it out for themselves —
maidens speak that word:
those guests are gladly wanted
whom the ladies most enjoy.

Others can put in another's place
their words — but I will there
give the bright prop of skulls more,
shared it will be among us all.

Narrative

This moment passed so —
I will tell the men of it;
the lord's son was on his feet then
surely with his brothers.

The warriors were at that same moment
clad in their steel;
Rogvaldr rode to his father's meeting
and found the earl in speech.

Rogvaldr spoke and turned to the lord:
"Will you, my father, follow me
forward onto the thick forest?"

The earl answered and said no —
the bender of bright runes:
"No joy will ever come to me
in seeing you oftener."

The warriors laid aside this chatter —
the earl will remember it;
Rogvaldr went from the lord's hall
to his brothers at once.

The warriors, I have heard, eight and two,
sat on their horses;
quickly the warriors then
went to the prince's hall.

The men came onto the fair field,
stood quickly from their horses —
it was not far from the prince's hall —
they found their trouble quickly.

Rogvaldr spoke to the warriors, wise:
set out so to talk with the men:
"Here shall horses have their free feed,
and have all at the ready.

Half a fill shall each one get
— our horses now;
then the warriors shall bridle them
and do as I say inside.

You shall put saddles on them —
the sword-bender spoke —
let them all face homeward
and each one stand beside the other.

It is least known what will happen here —
the sword-giver spoke;
I reckon to meet you back
at none of the clock.

We brothers shall go straight at once
to the prince's hall to attend it;
our men — and I know this —
will remain behind, sitting."

Home to the city they go quickly —
we say of the men this way;
the lord's court is at play there
on a bright field, one of them.

A fully joyful assembly was there —
the company of men turned there;
ladies, I have heard, danced in a ring —
warriors caught the ball.

The prince sat on a costly seat —
the queen adorned another;
that was one there at the sleep-seat
dressed in a silken cushion.

The lord's son came to the stool —
greeted the proud lord;
the lordly king did not take to him —
the men stopped their play.

Vígvarðr alone of the men there
had his weapon at the ready;
the great lord himself
held a hard, broad axe in hand.

He took a stand by the lord's back —
the proud, wise man;
the frame-giantess's roar shook the shield —
the lord will feel this, I believe.

The other one is not granted fortune —
the men were made angry;
this is revealed before evening comes
if he knows how to give the blow.

The prince had a board and chess
straight in his hand;
it was white with a hand's work on it —
hard it drove from the purse.

Three gold rings the warrior saw
hanging there on a thick peg —
no warrior knew this
would go this way.

The lord shot at Rogvaldr's knee
— the lord with the stiff board;
yet the fair wave-lady
moved at the right moment.

The lord, I have heard, sat then —
the sword-bender spoke —
the prince said he would lay three rings
here at the board.

"Your head, great lord, to me —
here you shall stake it,"
the other said — the arrow-grey one —
he would not agree to that.

Rogvaldr answered the lord then —
lordly, at once in response:
"I have no pride at stake
even if the prince wins the chess.

Your gold does not fall short of me —
clear, with your gold;
here I never swear to you, prince,
my head."

"I have rather the belief —
the prince said then —
how it will go to good
if the warrior chose such."

The prince spoke: if he gets that —
his head with his body —
"a short while should that
shine on your body."

"Lord, I have no quarrel with you —
no sore hardships to know;
yet you lord would lead me
from life forward into death."

The prince swore to this by his health —
the great lord spoke in lightness:
"I expect no other chess-stakes from you —
nothing but this."

The lord wished in the lord's rank
to take the first turn of the game;
the prince played there rightly
straightway as he wished.

Then in the south the sun was bright
when the warriors turned the chess;
the accomplishment of the people has done this —
they played so until the end.

The prince was ahead of midday
at many games of play;
then the prince profited little —
he felt little more of it.

Rogvaldr spoke to the rousing force
and set it out so to the men:
"I have gained from the prince the chess —
his has grown lesser."

The men set up the board
and began their game again —
the prince will lose again, I believe —
the earl's son will find it.

Toward mid-afternoon the prince got
the chess turned to a gambit;
the prince stood nowhere better then —
he will have to let it go.

Rogvaldr was cunning against the lord —
the proud man cheerful;
at the prince's king ran a short rook —
he got checkmate with a gambit.

Rogvaldr spoke and turned to the lord —
I can tell the rich men this:
"This I call my own, prince —
as much as the first time."

So the lord had grown angry —
he would answer nothing;
I believe the ring-tree's heir
jumps into loss for himself.

The warriors set this board up
a third time to play;
yet still for pride and bluster
the prince will get disgrace.

The lord knew particularly little
how to handle his own men;
the pieces fell across the wide board —
the poem has come to its end.

The prince's men stood around the board
plainly, losing widely;
the prince gave checkmate then —
a short wait for the gambit.

No one spoke a word to the other —
it was not pleasant between them;
the farting-bench went forward across the board
and blundered up against the lord.

Rogvaldr won, proud and cheerful —
the lord's accomplishments were thin;
the warrior then got a worthy gambit —
the old one took the tiller.

The lord, I have heard, swept the board
clean across everything;
he stuffed the pieces into his purse as fast as he could
and shook in the wisdom's hall.

He stood up from his seat then —
the lord's heir, wise;
the prince pressed the matter forward to speak —
the jewel-spirit was stiff.

"The lord is gladdened, I reckon by me —
said the trier of the great hall's wood —
these rings that you have here —
I now want all of them.

You have taken your chess-tricks, prince,
and your skill's cleverness;
this profits my game little —
there is a long way between them.

So will other accomplishments go —
says the thrower of hand-snow;
you were poorly taught, lord —
none of them need you to test."

The prince heaved up the board at once —
I believe he knew this;
he drove it at Rogvaldr's teeth at once —
blood ran from his mouth.

"I am not angered — Rogvaldr said,
ruddy and spoke in lightness —
I give no weight to this here —
this is fun for the king."

The prince had to go away in hard courage;
Vígvarðr began to rage in his mind
and raised up a strong anger.

The great lord swung a sharp edge
into the emperor's head:
he split down to the king's beard —
so that the clothes floated in blood.

The lord rang hard in his teeth —
I believe he felt the blow;
Vígvarðr snatched his weapon quickly
and wished to run to his brothers.

The men all then wanted
the avenger gladly captured;
the queen spoke, sorrowful to see —
the lady, the serpent's band:

"Greater honour, prince, is that —
to make the son's departure honourable —
fitting, says the worthy one,
than to hold the warriors here."

The warriors respected the lady's word —
the queen had managed well;
after a while the rope-prop
had more love for Rogvaldr.

This did not hasten the men —
they went with the dead one;
there was a worthy grave in the green place
dug in the red earth.

Little joy it gave the people
that the lord lost his realm;
now I will speak straightway
and turn to the brothers.

Rogvaldr spoke to the warriors, honestly —
set out so to tell the men:
"Our companion is rather slow —
what will be keeping Vígvarðr?"

Markvarðr with a skilful manner
spoke that way quickly:
"The warrior, I believe, grew angry at it
when the lord struck you earlier."

Aðalvarðr spoke a second time
still with the fair word:
"It does not seem to me in this time
that we need to wait long for him.

Vígvarðr came to the men there —
he bore the weapon in lightness;
the brothers saw that it was bloody —
Rogvaldr at once asked closely.

"Why is there now blood — the prince said —
plainly on your axe?"
Him it answered fast at once —
the sword-spirit, wise.

"It seemed bad to me —
you were given a fright;
the prince wanted to beat you —
I offered myself for your vengeance.

Into the emperor's head I laid little —
the warrior speaks in lightness:
I repaid your beating —
I let the blow fall on him.

I bent Óðinn's troll —
so he could feel it;
the skull's hall I split
and ran hard away."

"You declare the prince dead here" —
the warriors answered, knowing;
"surely I bear no guilt from myself
for this work, brother."

"Little luck does it seem to me —
to cause the death of a lord;
the warriors shall not — Rogvaldr said —
rightly stay quiet before this."

Fólnir's wine must fall
from the fair blending of praise;
warriors, take now that for yourselves —
I ask the ríma to stand.

Ríma VII

The brothers return home. Their father Ámundi speaks cryptically to the oak trees: ride to the Rhine, cross the stone bridge, follow the river, find an underground house. The brothers follow his directions and find it stocked for three years.

Mansöngr

The bright, pale leek-prop —
life was stolen from Guðjón by treachery;
the wave-ground, powerful and rich,
shall beware of becoming like this.

King Rúdent's skirt-rein —
I say she brought him death's pain;
Medía was that jewel-bride's name:
mighty in purpose but not in faith.

True death the ring-board gave —
Samson, given by the powerful bride;
Delilah was that dragging-Bil's name —
she had no deeds for good.

Narrative

The brothers came now straight at once,
quickly to their horses;
their journey was ready in most things —
the men turned on their way home.

Outside, I have heard, the lord was —
he greeted none of them there;
it is not easy to be spoken of —
for the earl had heard the news.

The men told the lord then —
honestly all of it, from start to finish;
the prince began to fall silent —
the hook drove into the breast.

"It is now time — Rogvaldr said,
ruddy, spoke straightway:
father, give a fair plan
so men cannot catch us."

The prince answered: "Get you
wretchedly away from my sight;
I do not care for those men
who stripped the prince of life.

I have sworn that oath to the lord —
said the warrior, the plain way:
to help men in no way
who are at all against him.

These oaths the prince gave me
in that way from himself;
if I break this — said the prince, worn —
better that I were never born."

He ran then to the hall wall —
the prince, I have heard, took up
a cleaning-pole, snare and spear:
quickly he made himself ready to run.

The prince ran as warriors run on horses —
they drove them hardest then;
I suspect enough that the path is wide
that the hero rode into the forest.

"Where is the prince going to the forest —
Vígvarðr quickly made it clear —
to do now what I suspected —
is the hero planning to hang himself?"

Rogvaldr answered directly:
"That would be a turbulent work —
something else I think the dart-elf —
he would rather do than kill himself.

We shall find our father," then
Rogvaldr made it clear quickly;
Vígvarðr answered: "It is uncertain
that I would want to seek him."

The warriors did as Rogvaldr asked —
they rode from home at once;
the warriors came to the forest —
I make clear what they wished to see.

The prince came there among ancient oaks —
wondrously pale from grief;
the prince greeted them with peace —
all of them, I have heard, were silent in reply.

"This was it — said the lord's son —
here was a thick forest of wood,
when the prince's hard journey
stood fair about its lord.

The whole forest served you —
exceptionally tall and wondrously ample;
the green leaves and the branches
bowed toward you and bent.

Life is badly shared, I know this now —
the earl said straightway —
the apple-tree near you
bends wholly away."

"No honour, the lord said,
is yours to be in this place;
that is why I have come — the prince says —
you shall receive counsel from me.

Bark-mothers, prepare yourselves from here —
away from this place — the earl said;
mount onto your strong horses —
let no moment pass between."

"Ride forward to the Rhine-road —
this journey shall be straight;
a stone arch stood there plainly
broadly wide beside the river.

Ride over it straightway —
I counsel the earl said this —
go forward along the river then —
you may see a fair forest.

The wood is thick but the road is narrow —
the earl said, not at all sad;
then the lord said — hard and broad —
there will be an earthen house for you two.

There will be wine — said the wave-ruddy one —
food enough and fodder for horses;
three winters — the prince said —
though you stay in that place.

It may be — the prince said —
while you stay in that place
that the raging of the forest will run
most away from you.

This counsel you may receive from me."
The prince turned away from there —
the lord parted from the oaks,
bid them all sit in peace.

The prince ran as if he flew —
wondrously hard off the twisted cord;
his journey was ready in most things —
I have heard he turned on his way home.

Vígvarðr spoke to the grey-faced men:
"Will you see where our father runs?
That old man has gone mad —
none is nearer to him in wisdom.

Have you heard — the pale great lord said —
that he has been talking to the ancient oaks?
That was the fool still babbling
that they will go like living men."

Rogvaldr answered at once:
"The lord thought he understood it —
that we would be somewhat nearer
to nothing, the words that he could speak.

This the prince has taught us —
even though the battle was pitched against him —
the lord was hard toward the cup of wisdom;
the oaks will surely stand here."

The warriors mounted their noble horses —
they rode then ahead of those
straight to the stone arch which the lord
told them all about.

They hurried over it on their way —
they moved away from sorrow and all pain;
the warriors came to the forest quickly —
I understand they found one earthen house.

It was outfitted with that craft
as the prince had said to them:
wine enough and the food high —
wisely to the full for three winters.

Here the poem will change a little —
warriors, guard your earthen house;
there the misfortune's poem shall
bind back the hall of sound.

Ríma VIII

Emperor Kall rules well; Ubbi gains power. Ubbi pushes Kall to move against Earl Ámundi's estate; Kall refuses. Laws are set. Earl Ámundi falls ill and dies. Úlfr becomes warden of the estate.

Mansöngr

The sorrow swells around my bed —
old and new both;
the fortune-ground is beyond pain —
old age begins to wear me.

Even if I wished about the wave-prop
to shape some love-song words,
the ring-lady honours herself from it —
here before all she wishes to fool me.

Even if I put craft for the woman's sake —
and were awake both night and day —
the thorn-ground never thanks me;
from this I get that she praises herself.

Narrative

Here the poem shall begin for me —
for the warrior band in the eighth time:
the verse must come now there
where the emperor's son was with Ubbi.

The name Kall the emperor got at once —
courtly, throughout that realm,
as his father had governed before —
now the book makes that clear.

Ubbi was with the lord most —
it will suit all in the west;
so the warriors have told it now —
none should follow him.

The prince had two sons —
something must be told of them;
Elling was the name and exceptionally lordly —
I believe he is somewhat like Ubbi.

Ellindr bore the other name —
he was not like his father;
a good warrior, bold in spirit —
the prince followed a long time.

Ubbi spoke to the lord then:
"You do well to remember
those earlier men
who killed your father for no cause.

The prince gathered a following —
then I have heard they prepared themselves;
he rode from home heavy with sorrow
and found the earl in Buslaraborg.

The earl welcomed the prince warmly,
offered him his own following;
Ámundi was not particularly quiet
and had become so worn with sorrow.

Ubbi spoke with all shame:
"You do well to bring forward
those hapless men
who stripped the prince of life."

The earl answered with honour and courtesy —
he tells them all away from there:
"I can least rightly
say anything about them."

Ubbi spoke to the lord about this:
"You shall have it searched at once —
about this matter — says the jewel-Baldr —
it seems to me you are not of little worth."

"Men of rank have not been searched here" —
the farmer says;
the prince answered then rightly:
he said that was for thieves.

"This I remember — says Emperor Kall —
when my father the king spoke of the earl:
the lord said he was a man of skill
who would never lie.

We shall hold home
at once and stay here no longer;
I would be a worse warrior
if I wished to see any harm come to him."

"You are too trusting, lord, rightly —
Ubbi answered him plainly;
you have a mother's mind, prince —
more in this than your father's now."

The prince went home at once
and stayed there no longer;
the lord governed his realm
with honour, wisely.

The prince shaped the harsh matters —
he cut short the ill roots of many;
through the prince's wide and long realm
no one dared act wrongly.

The prince set peace in the land —
the people kept a fair custom;
whoever lost any property —
the prince was to return it.

The lord had one custom —
I believe none equals it there;
the prince stood so often to it
— I believe his men did this.

The warrior set a fee on those
who often went away from him;
the nobleman now rightly —
if no need had come.

An ounce of silver each one had
to repay if he went away;
the prince's men, for timely service,
faithfully kept this rule.

He who would watch each other —
what each warrior was to the other —
each man sat for the other
then if anyone could find it.

A fee is set for those of skill —
for the prince's sons — as ransom for their heads:
the lord's full power it is —
three marks of red gold.

Whoever can tell the prince
may seek that treasure-share;
the warriors are so informed and told —
and the prince's friendship takes with it.

A time later, greatly with sorrow,
strife arose in Buslaraborg;
Ámundi got a painful illness —
sorrows made the heart faint.

The strife brought the prince to death —
the realm did not stand well then;
the prince, I have heard, offered this
to the warrior bands at once.

None would want to get wrapped in it —
the men all said no;
the warriors suspected, plain as it was,
that the brothers would be alive there.

"I know one man — said the lordly king —
friend of the brothers and none is like him:
Úlfr, take this upon yourself —
it will suit me very well."

So it was done as the prince asked —
he takes it now under his protection;
yet the warriors' warden held city and wealth —
I trust that is the best plan.

The prince sat at home in the land quietly —
all strife would pass.
Here the praise-verse for the men shall
run down in the eighth time.

Ríma IX

A man named Áki is tricked out of his wealth by a scheming courtier who is sleeping with his wife Helga. Áki locks Helga in a forest hut. Rogvaldr rides to Earl Mágus and learns Úlfr has kept the brothers' estate faithfully. The brothers are found by Ubbi's informant Áki. The cycle ends unfinished — the manuscript breaks off.

Mansöngr

One time when I had stood up with all lightness —
I looked wide over the true roads —
there was then not much to learn of.

I looked most often out on the deep with joy's bond —
this shone from the land of craft —
the waves rose to the fair sand.

I saw a travelling Fólnir's ship over the fish-mire —
I have heard of this sea-beast:
no sail followed it, nor rudder.

At times it drove flat before the current where logs bobbed —
this boat turned that way
and drew up at once to the shore.

The ocean's suction came at it with violence so strong —
it had to go over into the keel —
Hárs boat got it and the mast.

Both sides split open and the waves fell —
the keel had to fall from the cog,
and all the inner timbers snapped.

All the cargo went to the bottom — the wreckage was battered —
broken away from me it cut —
the wave's foam carried it away.

I went to where the wreckage of Hárs broke first —
I then began to search in the wrack,
if it would shoot anything at me.

I found on Fólnir's ship a single flask —
it was full of pure virtue —
Venir's gift, as I can tell.

There the chosen should be poured from with good entertainment —
the thunder-wine be offered to warriors —
now out of the hall I shall sound.

Narrative

In the prince's realm there is one man who knows custom's ways —
we shall all call him Áki:
the verse shall tell of him.

He was skilled in every kind of display in wisdom's hall —
he had wealth from many a man;
yet this fool is mad.

Men thought themselves bound to cheat the wretch a little —
they paid him late and badly —
since that time, many things spoiled.

The great lord came to the prince's meeting and told him this —
the prince sought his just case —
the tree of the serpent's rank spoke.

The prince shaped the matter so before the tree of shields —
he made the words the tent's keeper —
those who had held his goods.

So the lord could see to it with honour —
Áki got back all that he owned:
he could be called well off.

When Fáfnir's thrower of the lair stopped for the lady —
many then thought the man different —
this the book confirms most.

The warrior now turned rightly quick toward seeking counsel —
he got himself a fine strange wife:
I say her name is Helga.

One court-man was dear to her — as shall be told here —
he spoke often with the trod-rein:
I believe Áki will forbid this.

Áki set out to the fortune-lady one time in speech:
"It seems to me, my sweet joy,
that men will entice you away from me."

The dear one answered the warrior at once — that fair lady:
"Whatever men chatter with bland words —
those shall be ridden against in answer."

Áki found the lord's man a single time —
the frightened one spoke, Herjans weakling:
I believe this will profit him little.

The great lord asked the ring-Ull — as shall be told here —
men lay out the word-line:
Áki spoke about his wife.

The court-man answered him in turn and told truly:
"I will chatter with the skull-lady's Nanna —
nothing like this shall be forbidden to you."

"I will give you the wealth as a gift if you do not do this —
chatter with the bold woman in lightness —
the shaker of the serpent's rank spoke.

Then a third of the money shall run to you to claim —
warriors managed this purchase —
I need not boast of such."

That one went away, took the money, and told the men —
the shaker of the steel with a quick scheme —
another chattered with her about the scheme.

Áki found the lord's man again one time —
the fool spoke, Herjans weakling —
the other, I believe, will lay this in memory.

The great lord asked the ring-Ull as shall be named here:
"The grief makes me hard to torture —
you kept the fool-woman my wife.

Half my wealth you shall have — said the spear-shaker —
the wealth seems good to you to enjoy,
and don't bring me such disgrace."

This man of the prince's did the warrior's will — he was sent:
Áki paid the wealth from his hand —
the hero quickly turned away.

He told all the men of his intended —
the men will surely not stop the chatter:
he shot at it still a third time.

Áki found the prince's man on a fair street —
the great lord spoke with the ring-keeper:
I believe the other will not mend his answers.

"If you chatter no more — shaker of the steel — with the skull-Nanna,
I will truly lay the reward:
barrels of gold from my cask.

Take all the fortune-spirit — my whole property:
take the wealth into your keeping —
your luck will never fade."

The prince's man bought this and said he wished it —
the hero paid out readily to him
his wealth, and then they parted.

Now Áki came to the young bride in speech —
the warrior came to the thorn-thicket:
that wicked Jew spoke.

"It went badly — I got you — said the thrower of the spear:
the trouble I must certainly have more of —
truly from your side, still more.

All my wealth I have given for you —
not a pin nor a penny is left —
yet the whore cares nothing for good conduct."

"Money will run low for you first — said the veil-Nanna —
if you intend the lord's men
all to ban from speaking with me."

"I will certainly try this, if I can — the fair woman —
I will yet find the outside-way
so none can steal you from me."

With the bride he went away into the forest — the one of many colours —
there the thrower of Fáfnir's steel
made a wondrously strong hut.

The door is great and the bar is strong before the proud hall —
he then guarded the grinning-teeth's woman,
the gold-prop, in such a span.

Every day he went home to the district — so hard and wide —
there the fierce man shaped the fair plunder
to make them their food now.

There the wretch had built the hut in the forest's thick crowds —
where the sons of Ámundi had sat long
and hidden themselves from men's going.

The great lord did not know that he was so near —
that the prince's heirs were there:
and so I believe this went.

Now food and ale began to fail before the men —
the men fell short of their provisions —
it was so set out in my verse.

Now Rogvaldr shall ride away and seek counsel —
the men spoke to the cheerful lord:
what can their in-laws manage to give?

The hero took his good horse and the hard girths —
the warrior jumped into the saddle with preparation —
he then let himself be made ready for the journey.

Both at once he did not reveal about the fine warriors —
Rogvaldr shall now ride rightly —
the warrior first, and Áki to wait.

It came then that the colour-man was ready to ride —
the warrior out of the wide hall:
I say Áki began to creep.

Áki set his eyes out to look —
the warrior saw that one
and thought he recognised him and Rogvaldr.

Stráinsborg the proud man found, where the steel held:
Mágus welcomed the jewel-cutter —
Matthildr, I believe, was most glad.

The heroes came to the splendid city with joy set:
he told him all of his lightness —
the warrior, all that he wished to know.

"You can also learn of your father — as the men shall tell —
hard strife made him painful —
hard, after his sons."

"Who holds our warrior's realm?" Rogvaldr told him;
and the lord said Úlfr governed
all together the brothers' land.

The prince, I have heard, raised the matter of pure spirit:
"Here I have come to the prince's meeting —
what will the earl do for the brothers?

Without fair exchange the prince has managed — of the fine warriors —
the lord, through all the winters,
a friend one cannot call this."

The lord smiled and then set out his answer:
"That will not stand in any way —
the shaft's belly — says the tree of the shield.

A thousand and thirty more through this time —
I have held — says the sword's edge sharpener —
each day they got some stir.

They have built one worthy hall — said the shield's keeper —
all the men are ready for you:
nothing can damage it.

Yet each of you may have a hundred men — said the keeper of skills —
and the men may live their longest —
the food shall not fail there.

Now I will go — what the lordly king says of Fáfnir's land —
to fetch the men myself here:
I think this best for the plan."

Rogvaldr answered the lord back and set out:
"I will myself find the warriors —
the lordly king here next."

The great lord mounted his horse with pure spirit —
quick, fine and nimble on the ground:
he found his brothers at that same moment.

He told his errand from him and so set to the inside —
he made the wise warriors cheerful.
The verse must find Áki.

The wretch went into the hut quickly —
the great lord, I have heard, told Helga:
she was always quiet and silent.

"The difference is great — he said to her — about the bold matter —
fortune-lady, you win no use,
even if I do some work ever.

Yet luck has made me give wealth more —
I have seen the sons of Ámundi cheerful:
so I know how to find them well.

Now I shall find Emperor Kall — there the heroes gather —
hurry to find the wealth,
the foul one spoke, bad at scheming.

"Find rather the prince's son — the wise lady said —
Rogvaldr shall you not work against:
the warrior will serve you well."

"That was the expectation — he said, and so set to parting —
that you would always, thorn-timber,
want to destroy this willingly.

The hero has fooled you in the winter — said the shield-keeper —
the warrior will pay for this:
you two will be at one in scheming."

The warrior went out of the hall with said conduct —
the door slammed hard at the gate:
he then set a lock before the house.

Áki came now to the emperor's meeting and was greeted —
there was not much in between —
he spoke then with little skill:

"Lord, I can tell you much of true news —
prince, you will with gold, keeper of ranks,
noble, reward again for this."

"What can the warrior tell there — said the sword-bender —
that you think, shaker of the sword,
that the reward will be all good here?"

"The sons of Ámundi I have seen still — and it was long
they hid themselves from the crowd of people —
none of them could find them.

They are seen south toward the Rhine — where they were kept —
the men have a house in the ground:
great shame they have done the king."

Then Ubbi went there toward both of them at once:
"What can this warrior say —
it seems to me he will not be quiet."

The prince told what the great lord could tell the men;
Ubbi answered with all his evil:
"Nonsense-noise may one call this.

They are far from this road — toward thinking mine —
the men shall now take the blows:
Herjans son, for your lying."

"No warrior shall — the prince said — blame mine;
the man shall now get the white silver:
see that it is a mark — said the keeper of runes."

Not a penny did Áki get — yet he stirred up trouble;
so Ubbi went on about this —
that he had to run away at once.

Áki parted from the prince and the wise warriors —
the men shall call him a fool.
Here this poem shall fall.

Colophon

Mágusrímur is a nine-ríma cycle on the opening portion of Mágussaga — the long fornaldarsaga of the wizard Mágus and his descendants. The rímur cover the courtship of Emperor Játmundr of Saxony and Ermengá, daughter of King Hrólf of Garðaríki; the wedding trick; the chess-game that cost Játmundr his three treasures (hawk, horse, and sword); the resulting scandal and reconciliation; the careers of Earl Ámundi's children and the scheming Ubbi alongside Kall (Játmundr's successor); and the hidden sons of Ámundi sought by an informant. The cycle breaks off mid-story after Ríma IX — whether the poet never finished or the remainder is lost is unknown. Total: 536 stanzas across nine rímur.

The underlying saga is Mágussaga jarls, one of the longest of the fornaldarsögur. The mansöngr of Ríma I is absent from the primary manuscript (A); Ríma VI has a six-stanza mansöngr on the poet's aged inadequacy in love-verse; Ríma IX opens with a three-line stanza mansöngr (a sea-wreck vision) that distinguishes it metrically from the preceding four-line rímur.

Good Works Translation by the New Tianmu Anglican Church. Translated from Old/Middle Icelandic by the Rímur Tulku with Claude (NTAC). Gospel register. Source: Rímnasafn, vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1913–1922), pp. 530–620.

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Source Text

Mágusrímur

Rímnasafn, vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1913–1922), pp. 530–620.
MSS: Lbs. 145 4° (A); AM 604 4° (C, lacunae in I–IV); Stokkhólmsskinna 22 4° (B, V–IX).

Ríma I

Upp úr kafinu kvæða strond
kom með fogru blómi,
eg skal greina efnin vond
og ýtum væri það sómi .

Gekk eg framm i gleðinnar heim,
þar grænar jurtir standa,
eitt eg vilda af ollum þeim
eplið mér til handa.

Hafða eg burtu hendi í,
heiðurs voldug kæra,
ekki hefeg nú oðru en því
auðarskorð að tæra .

Leit eg á, hvað longum fór,
þá lukkan kom til handa,
vísir opt að mikils er mjór
mærðar smíð að blanda.

Dæmin þessi dró eg í mál,
drengir vilja kenna ;
af litlum gneista loganda bál
lengi mátti brenna .

Lítið korn þarf longum í
lukku akr að mæla,
vex hann upp og verðr af því
veraldar nóglig sæla .

En þá hamingjan hjóli snýr
holda sveit í vanda,
kenniz ei svó kempan dýr
að kunni á móti að standa .

Og sem lukkan líðr á braut
langt frá brjóti geira,
hverfur frá honum heimsins skraut,
hann hefr þess ekki meira.

Mun eg nú ekki monnum lengr
mansongsvísur skýra,
syngi heldur Sónar strengr
seim um kónginn dýra.

þar skal henda Sónar seim
og seggjum skemtan veita,
kann eg að segja af keisara þeim,
kveð eg hann Játmund heita .

Sá réð fyrri furðu gildr
fríðu Saxa veldi ;
oðling var við ýta mildr,
orr af greipar eldi.

Vernissa hét vænlig borg,
er vísir hefr að stýra ;
glóar hún oll með grettis torg
og greipar svellið dýra.

Sjóli kunni sundið mest,
sæmdir má það kalla,
tefla skák og temja hest,
traustr á burtreið alla .

Garprinn átti gripina þrjá,
greitt er skrifað í letri,
ongva veit eg æðri en þá,
elligar nokkura betri.

Það var haukur, hestr og sverð,
hilmir hefr að stýra;
þetta klýfur þegna gerð,
það má eg holdum skýra .

Valdi hann sér með visku hirð,
væna menn og fróma;
atferð hans er af ýtum virð
oll til veraldar blóma.

In mesta frægð af milding rann
ment og heiðri snjollum,
marga íþrótt milding kann,
metnað bar hann af ollum.

Var með keisara kurteis mann,
kominn af ættum snjollum,
Sigurð skal nefna segginn þann,
sá var þekkur ollum .

Eitthvert sinn með orðin snjoll,
eg vil þetta róma,
kát nam drekka í keisarans holl
kappa sveit með sóma.

Keisarinn spyrr, sem kann eg að tjá,
kátr við sína lýði :
„mun þann nokkurn milding fá,
að mér sé jafn að prýði ?"

Sigurður frá eg að svaraði ríkr
svinnum darra beiti :
„þér finnz engi þengill likr,
þótt þeir víða leiti .

Ágætt mundi, oðling, þá
yðvart ríkið fróma,
ef þú fengir falda-Ná,
og fríddi hún þinn sóma.“

Ræsir anzar, rétt skal tjá,
reiðir visku brunna :
„veit eg enga i veroldu þá,
eg vildi þessa unna .

Fyri þau orð, er fluttir þá
framm með heimsku mesta,
skaltú nefna skallaz brú
skjótt og eigi fresta."

Sigurður varð í svorunum beinn,
sá var fæstra líki :
„Hrólf skal nefna hilmi einn,
heldur Garðaríki .

Sjóli átti sonuna tvá
er sverðum kunna að beita,
Sigurð og Ásmund segi eg þá
seggi þessa heita .

Er hans dóttir Ernengá
yfrið væn að líta,
finnur engi fegri en þá
falda lindi hvíta."

Oðling svarar með orða vorn :
„eg mun þetta sanna,
þekki eg Hrólf og þengils born
og þykki mér ekki að manna .

Fyri það rétt, er fantú það
fljóðið grettis palla,
þú skalt búaz á burt í stað
brátt til kóngsins halla.

Fær mér hingað falda-Ná,
fljóðið allrar mentar ;
hefi eg hana við hond mér þá,
hverninn sem það hentar.

Vel þér menn, inn vaski drengr,
af vórri hirð, svó líki ;
fjarri skal því fresta lengr
að fara

Sigurður býr í samri stund
sveit með skjoldu renda,
seggir gjora af Saxagrund
sinni ferð að venda.

Seggrinn hafði sæmdar hraustr
sveit með valda bragna ;
garpar kómu í Garða austr,
gjorir þeim Hrólfr að fagna.

þanninn gjorði þessi maðr
þengils máli að venda :
"hilmir Saxa, hraustr og glaðr,
hefr oss hingað senda .

Dýr vill biðja dóttur þin
dogling allra landa,
sá skal eiga silki-Lin,
sem sæmd er komin til handa."

Hilmir svarar, sem hermt er mér,
helzt með ræðu ljósa :
„mín skal dóttir manninn sér
mektug sjálfri kjósa."

Kóngr og Sigurður, kann eg tjá,
kurteist vífið finna ;
erindi sín fyri Ermengá
oll réð upp að inna.

Meyjan svaraði mæt i stað
meiði grettis palla :
„sá mun ekki sjóli það
sitt jafnræði kalla.

Lundin mín er longum stór
lofðung þann að stilla ;
metnaðr hans og mótgjorð vór
má það yndi spilla.

Ef biðr þú ekki, að brúðrin tér,
buðlung þann að ráða,
hann mun hefndina hyggja þér,
herra faðir minn, bráða.

Heit mig heldur hilmi að fá
og hafna ollum vanda."
Sigurður fastnar silki-Gná
Saxa gram til handa.

Reisiz þessi ráðahagr,
ristil frá eg því valda;
brúðlaup sitt skal buðlung fagr
beint í Gorðum halda.

Orlof tók, sem eg kann tjá,
upp frá máli endu.
þar sat eptir þorna-Ná,
þeir til Saxlands vendu.

Holdar spenna ið hvíta vín,
hilmis koma til hallar ;
milding segja af mægðum sín
málalyktir allar.

Hilmir býz nú harðr og traustr,
holdar kónginn rækja,
garprinn vill í Garða austr
gjora sitt brúðlaup sækja .

Lýðir gjorðu á laxa grund
longum knorrum vikja ;
holdar kómu Hrólfs á fund
heim til Garðaríkja.

þá var búin í þengils holl
þeim með allar listir
veisla, stóð með vegsemd oll
og vænan drykk og vistir.

Bjór og mungát býður hann
brognum ongum smekka ;
vín og mjoð, þann vænstan kann,
virðar allir drekka .

það skal fyst af fljóði tjá
Fófnis glæstra spanga,
brúðir allar beiddi hún þá
burtu frá sér ganga.

Himnu eina hringa strond
heldur tók hún víða,
samdi hana með sinni hond
sér um ásján fríða.

Sá var diskr af silfri kveiktr,
er sætan bar á hendi,
hér var upp á hani einn steiktr,
í holl fyri kónginn vendi .

Ermengá þegar oðling sér
angri gjorir að svipta :
„hér er einn hani hygg eg þér,
hilmir, sundr að skipta .

Foðr og bræður, fljóðið tér,
Fófnis glæst af síki,
sjóli, yðr og sjálfri mér,
svó það ollum líki."

Hilmir svaraði reiður rétt,
reifður minnis bandi :
„aldri plagaða eg steíkara stétt
stórt á Saxalandi ."

Oðling talar með orða snild
enn sem mundi kjósa :
„það skal gjort að þinni vild,
mín þorna grundin ljósa.

Eg mun beint, kvað brodda álfr,
býta ekki stórum ;
hofuð og herðar hilmir sjálfr
hefr af fugli vórum .

það skal merkja mildings stétt,
meiðir talaði varna,
hofuð og herðar hygg eg rétt
hilmi sinna barna .

Bræður þínir beina flug.
báða vængi hljóta :
þeir hafa holdar hauka dug,
hristir talaði spjóta .

Það skal merkja, milding kær,
meiðir talaði randa,
hvór er þeira fleygr og fær
og fimr að éli branda .

Hilmis víf, af hananum fætr
hljóta skaltu báða ; -
það er mér víst, að þengill mætr
þessu vildi ráða 一.

Jafnt sem hananum háfir fætr
hans upp þunga valda,
svó skal þessi svanninn mætr
sinni ætt upp halda."

Garprinn frá eg að geysi-mestr
gjorði slíkt að mæla :
„sá þykkir brognum brytinn vestr
beint að sig vill tæla .

Eg mun bringu og brjóstið vítt
beint af hananum hljóta ;
skal svó verða skipti mítt,
skelfir talaði spjóta.

Hlutrinn skal það merkja minn
mætur drengjum snjollum,
eg skal brjóst og brynjan stinn
beint fyri þessum ollum .

Hversu líkar þetta þér,
þellan glæstra skíða ?
lofðungs dóttir, lýs það mér
og lát nú ekki bíða .“

Vísi anzar vella-Lin :
„vel skal yfir því láta,
skjoldung, þykki mér skiptin þin
skýr í allan máta."

Buðlung var sem blóð að sjá,
brjótur talaði sverða :
„það ljóta verk, þú léz mig fá,
launað skal þér verða.“

Þetta kveld, sem kann eg tjá,
kappar leggi í minni,
ræsir vill í rekkju gá
rétt hjá brúði sinni .

Organ þaut, en gigjan gall,
gjorðuz strengja læti,
horpuhljóð fyri holdum skall
hátt á hverju stræti.

Þengill leiddi þorna Ull
þá með ongva mæði,
það var loptið lýst með gull
að liggja skulu þau bæði.

Sú var sæng, er svarrinn lá,
samin með bauga brenda ;
ræsir sté i rekkju þá,
en rekkar í burtu venda .

Luktiz síðan loptið aptr,
lýst af gulli og steinum;
hér var sýndur hagleiks kraptr
af heiðurs-meistara einum .

Blæju eina buðlung tók
og breiddi þeira á milli;
garprinn ongva gleðina jók
til gamans við bauga stilli .

Faðmar ekki fljóðið ríkt
fylkir þessi inn svinni ;
leit eg ongvan leika slíkt
lofðung brúði sinni.

Náttin leið um seggja sinn,
sól varð gang að þiggja ;
kóngrinn sjálfur kom þar inn,
er kurteis hjónin liggja.

Keisarinn fagnar kóngi í mát
kær af ollum mætti ;
brúðrin var við bragna kát
beint sem líkligt þætti .

Vikurnar tvær að veislan stendr
víst í kóngsins ríki ;
buðlung gefr á báðar hendr
blóðrautt linna síki .

Hilmir býz nú heim að gá,
herra þessi inn svinni ;
ræsi fylgir refla-Ná
rétt í þessu sinni.

það skal fyst af fylki tjá
framast af orða skvaldri,
samlag átti sjóli sá
við sína brúði aldri.

Hilmir sitr nú heima kyrr
hraustr að sínu landi,
unz að oðling ófrið spyrr
þar ýtar vega með brandi.

Fræðið verðr að falla þar,
því farin er arnar leira,
Suðra bátrinn sokk í mar,
sáz hann ekki meira .

Ríma II

Líkt er mér það ljóta svín,
sem legz i akr að vilja sín ;
bragnar jafnan berja það
burt á skóg í nokkurn stað.

Sá er mér garprinn geysi-likr,
greitt að jafnan þangað vikr,
i geitarhús að gengur hér
og gjorir að biðja ullar sér.

þó að eg fáunz við fyrnsku orð
falda gleðr það ekki skorð ;
víkjum heldur vessa smíð,
þar vísir sitr og drottning blíð.

Dogling sat yfir drykkju ríkr,
djarfr í lund og fæstum líkr,
bragnar kómu í buðlungs holl
og báru þangað erindin snjoll .

Skjoldung kvoddu skatnar tveir
skjótt og sogðu nokkuð meir :
„herr er kominn á hilmis láð,
holdum skapar hann ongva náð.

Virðar nefna viking þann,
verri er ekki nokkur mann,
Snækoll, er með snarpa lið
snúinn og reyndur ilsku við.

Virðar hafa með valdi náð
vænni borg á Saxa láð,
herja þaðan á hilmis drótt
holdar bæði dag sem nótt. “

Hilmir svaraði holdum tveim :
„halda skal eg á móti þeim,
drepa svó þann inn djarfa mann,
er drengi vóra fella kann.“

Hilmir áðr en heiman fór
hugsað hafði brogðin stór,
dogling sat við drykkju þá,
dregla kallar hann til sín Ná .

„Eg skal halda heiman nú ,
hilmir talar við stoltar-frú,
friða svó mitt ið fagra land,
að fyrðar hljóti ekki grand.

Í kóngastefnu að kappinn tér,
koma skal eg þegar líkar mér,
veturna þrjá kvað vísi ítr,
vænust frú mig ekki litr .

Nú skal launa steikara stétt
stóra þá er í Gorðum rétt,
falda grund, að forsogn þín
fekk eg rétt að ætlan mín .

Meðan að buðlung burtu er
beint skal þú hafa fengið mér,
gullaz spongin, gripuna þrjá,
að greitt sé líkir þeim eg á. “

Hilmir kvað það hauk og sverð,
það holda klýfur jafnan gerð,
„og hestur einn, kvað herra ríkr,
hvergi trú eg að finniz slíkr.

Fleira skal þó fylgja теб,
fylkir hefr svó drottning téð,
að brúðrin fái mér barnið það,
beint að eg sé faðirinn að.“

Vísi anzar vella Lin :
„vel má orka að gripunum þín ;
verða á þessu valla skil,
sem verkað hefr þú ekki til.

Vera má rétt, ef viltú enn
verka til sem aðrir menn,
in gofga talaði gullaz Bil,
þá gjorig á þessu ollu skil.“

Dogling skilz við drottning þá,
dregla sat þar eptir Ná ;
garpar frá eg um gjálfrið mest
geysa létu unnar hest.

Garprinn hafði gripuna þá,
greitt eg áður sagða í frá ;
þengill vendi þaðan í burt,
þanninn hefi eg til þess spurt.

Virðar kómu á vollu þar,
sem víkings herrinn fyri þeim var;
hilmir sitr um háfa borg,
holdum tók að aukaz sorg .

Gátu ekki garpar þar
gjort að henni nokkuð par,
þetta ið vónda víkings-lið
var svó ilt að eiga við.

Segjum fyst af fljóði það,
hvað falda grundin hafðiz að ;
hún stefndi þing í sterkri holl,
stórt kom þangað dróttin snjoll.

Hún lýsti þá fyri lýðum beint,
lofðungs dóttir ekki seint :
„eg skal búaz nú burt í stað,“
bragnar glodduz ei við það .

Sigurður skal, sem sætan tér,
síðan stjórna ríki hér,
unz að hilmir heim vill gá,
hringa talaði þanninn Gná.

Fyrðar skulu i foður míns land
flytja mig við ekki grand;"
þanninn frá eg að þingi sleit,
þetta lýðrinn allur veit.

Heiðarliga með hreystisvip
holdar bjuggu þetta skip;
drottning sjálf fyri drekanum réð,
drjúgum er henni viskan léð.

Lægis dýri létu í haf
lýðir þegar að byrina gaf,
strengja bjorn með stýri bestr,
strauk um æginn hlunna hestr.

Gjálfrið þeim í Garða austr
greiddi veginn, en stoðvaz flaustr,
dogling fann þar dóttur sín ;
drengir hlýði vísu min .

Holdum frá eg þar hvíldir gaf
heldur fyst, en segjum af
buðlung sitr um borgina þá
beint er áðan sagði frá .

Morgun einn, að munda eg tjá,
mengið gengur út að sjá ;
seggir líta siglu hauk,
sunnan beint af hafinu strauk .

allr : omv. B. -
létu :
dýrið
lýðrinn

Kári hristi karfa band,
kurteisliga og tóku land
kappar þeir, í kaldan sjá
kafaði fleinn sem heyra má .

Hilmir fór, sem hér skal téð,
hittir þann, er skipinu réð ;
keisarinn finnur kappa þann,
kærliga spyrr að heiti hann .

Hiring hafa mig holdar nefnt,
hingað hef eg til yðvar stefnt ;
İrar heiðra allir mig
ongu síðr en Saxar þig.

Mitt er erindið milding það,
mætur jallinn talar í stað,
lýða drótt og liðsemd mín
lofðung stár i valdi þín."

Þengill frá eg að þakkar ríkr,
þeira lýðrinn þangað vikr
hilmis rétt inn hoski heim,
Híring jall er nú með þeim .

Hiring jall og hævesk drótt
heldur giora að tjalda ótt,
langt í burt má líta það
frá lýðum rétt í annan stað.

Halrinn gaf úr hyggju torg
hilmi ráð að vinna borg ;
fengu þessum flokki eytt
fylkis menn og Snækoll deytt.

Hilmir þakkar heiðarligr
Hiring jalli þenna sigr :
„valda því enu vosku ráð,
að vórri hofum vér borginni náð.

Litlu mun eg þér launa það,
lofðung ríkur mælti í stað,
gripuna þá, sem greini eg hér,
garprinn þigg þú hálfa að mér.

Síðan skulu vit setja tafl
samið með mestan handar skafl ;
það skal gjort með góðan frið,
að gripirnir skulu þar liggja við .

Sá skal eiga sverð og ess
sviptir talaði orma skers,
hér með hauk á hond sér setr
hvórr sem okkar teflir betr."

Svaraði jall í samri stund,
sveigir stáls með djarfa lund :
„telz mér engi i tafli ment,
trú eg mér sé það ekki hent.

Gef mér heldur grip þinn einn,
garprinn mælti lyndishreinn,
þekkja mun eg mig þengill sjálfr,"
þanninn mælti brodda álfr.

„Eg skal ráða, að ræsir kvað,
og reisum taflið þegar í stað. "
Settuz niðr og somdu leik
seggir beint í orða kveik.

beint :
kveik :

þeir léku nú með list og ment,
eg læt það vera báðum hent ;
þanninn frá eg að lyktaz lát:
lofðung fekk af peðinu mát.

Hiring talar, sem herma má,
hirðin stóð og hlýddi á :
„skiljum þanninn, skjoldung beinn,
skal eg nú eiga haukinn einn."

Vísir sagðiz vilja ei :
,,visliga segi eg þar við nei .“
Somdu borð og settu menn ,
síðan frá eg þeir tefla enn .

Léku nú sem listir tér,
lofðung geymdi ekki að sér ;
buðlung fekk þá byskups mát,
beint sá þetta hirðin kát.

Híring talar við holda greiðr,
hilmir var þá orðinn reiðr :
,,léttum þessum leikum svó,
lát mig eiga gripuna tvó."“

Oðling talar af ekka mæddr :
„ekki þarftu að vera svó hræddr ;
fjarri muntu forðaz mig,
því ferliga skal nú máta þig."

Ræsis urðu ráðin stinn,
þeir reisa tafl í þriðja sinn,
með listum stefndu leikinn þann
og lætur hvórgi af, það kann .

Sá var munr, að milding þar
minna hlut fyri jalli bar,
fretstertan með ferlig lát
færði honum ið þriðja mát.

Sjóli frá eg að svarfar létt
sundur tafli um borðið slétt;
berr i punginn brjótur stáls ;
burtu vendir kempan frjáls .

Skjalar þá ei við skjoldung orð,
hann skildiz þar við tafl og borð,
gripuna tók og geymir þá,
og gekk í burt sem fljótast má.

Hiring segir, að hævesk drótt,
holdar skyldi búa sig skjótt:
„það er minn grunr, að þengill rétt
þoli nú ei við þessu slétt."

Skatnar fyrr, en skýjanna hjól
skína tók in bjarta sól,
búin er þessi bragna sveit
beint svó að þetta enginn veit.

þenna morgun þýðr og mætr
þengill hafði staðið á fætr,
reikað í burt af rekkju einn,
ræsi fylgdi lítill sveinn .

Hilmir hefr í hyggju rann
heldr að gjora, ef mætti hann,
Hiring jalli hneisu þá,
að hendur báðar festi hann á.

Lofðung frá eg að lítur það,
hvað lýða sveitin hafðiz að ;
borða elgur búinn er þá
burt að sigla, þegar vindr er á.

Lítið tjald á landi sér
lofðung ríkr, að hermt er mér ;
allir menn, sem eg skal tjá,
úti vóru skipinu á.

Sveini þeim að sjóli tér :
„sjá þú, hvað í tjaldi er;"
hann fór rétt, sem hilmir bað
og hleypur aptur þegar í stað.

Sveinninn greindi sjóla það;
„sá eg í þessum litla stað
fríða sæng og falda Ná,
fegri leit eg ongva en þá,

Svó er hún bjort, að sýniz mér,
sjóli ríkur greini eg þér,
sem þar skini skýjanna hjól
skuggalaus in bjarta sól."

„Bíð þú min“, kvað buðlung ríkr ;
í burtu frá eg að keisarinn vikr.
tiginn inn
í tjaldið gengr ;

Ræsir litur rekkju þá
reisuliga sem sagt er frá,
fortjald eitt er framið þar viðr,
fell það alt á gólfið niðr.

Hilmir frá eg að hvílu gengr,
hann vill ekki fresta lengr,
tók með hendi tjaldið frá
tállaust rétt sem greina má.

Keisarinn lítur kvinnu þá,
kenna mátti hann Ermengá ;
hún hvílir þar með heiðr og skraut,
hinnan var þá tekin á braut.

Heimskan var honum heldur nær
harla mjog, sem greinum vær,
því að hann hyggur Hiring nú
hann muni eiga þessa frú .

Vísir hefr ei vant um það
vist og gjorði þegar í stað
að leggjaz þar með ljósri frú;
leikið trú eg hann gæti nú .

Sjóli fór, að svo hef eg spurt,
í samri stundu þaðan á burt;
keisarinn sína kæti fekk,
kappinn heim til tjalda gekk .

Hilmir þóttiz hefna sín
heldur, rétt sem kom til mín ;
tállaust báru tjald á skip
traustir menn við hreystisvip .

Vindrinn skúfar virða sjálfr
vóða birni í kólgu gjálfr;
svó frá eg jall úr sogunni gengr,
segir nú ekki af honum lengr.

Suðra bátrinn sýniz mér
sigla upp á mærðar sker,
allur kjolrinn undan gengr,
ekki má hann nú fljóta lengr.

Ríma III

Herjans lét eg húfa hund
hlaupa framm á Boðnar sund ;
hinum eg hvelfda hóti fyrr,
hefr nú fengið góðan byr.

Fulla hefr hann frukt á sér,
fylkir hefr svo greint fyri mér,
i margri tunnu mærðar vín
má það heimta hverr til sín .

Sett var ein með sorgar ol,
sú var tunnan niðr í kjol,
holdar segja að hún sé ill,
hana má kaupa hverr að vill.

Arnar leira
í einni er
ætla eg þessi hlotniz mér,
af henni keypta eg áttung einn,

Ýtum mun eg þar inna frá,
ekki mátta eg betra fá,
valt hún undan vélinu aptr,
var sá illa bjórinn skaptr.

Upphaf logr er óðrinn minn,
eg vil greina í þriðja sinn
hversu lofðung lék á jall,
lengi eg af því orða spjall.

Í kónga stefnu kappinn traustr
keisarinn sigldi frægr og hraustr,
það eg birta brognum vil,
bar þá ekki fleira til.

Þegar fyrðum leið inn fyrsti vetr,
frá eg að þessa skáldið getr,
dýrust kom með Draupnis band
drottning heim í Saxaland.

Brúði fagna borgarmenn,
bæjar lýðr og allir senn,
meyja sveit og mildings maðr,
margur varð af þessu glaðr.

Drósin tekr að digraz heldr,
drengir skilja hvað því veldr ;
undraz engi um auðar-Lín ,
þó ætti hún barn við kóngi sín.

þegar að tíminn téðiz til
trúlynd frá eg að menja Bil
fæddi svein i fylkis holl,
fagnar þessu dróttin oll.

Síðan var sá sveinninn skírðr,
sæmiliga af ollum virðr ;
halrinn skyldi heita Kall,
hermir þetta orða spjall.

Vóx hann upp með vænni mekt
visis sonr af dýrri slekt ;
sæmd með æru seggrinn hlaut,
sigr og prýði og veraldar skraut.

Tveggja vetra tiri gæddr
trúeg að hann sé guðvef klæddr;
fríðleik hann af flestum bar,
furðulangt yfir alla þar.

Sogunni vikur suðr um haf,
segja verður nokkuð af
keisarans ferð með kvintum brand,
kómu heim í Saxaland .

Þegar að heim með herlið frítt
hilmir kemr í ríki sítt,
veislu gjorði vænust frú,
visku mun hana ei bresta nú .

Sjóli frá eg að sez i họll,
síðan gjorði hirðin oll
skemta sér við skæra vín,
skýrir þanninn bókin min .

Seggir heilsa seima brjót
sæmiliga hann talar í mót ;
hilmir kvaddi hringa gátt,
henni tók hann nokkuð fátt.

„Það er nú ráð, að ræsir kvað,
rjóður talaði þegar í stað,
greiða muntu gripina mér
greitt sem þú hefr aflað þér.“

Veik sú burt, er vegr er skaptr,
vænuz kom þá innar aptr,
haukinn bar hún á hendi sér,
hefr svó bókin greint fyri mér.

Haukrinn kennir hilmi brátt,
hefr sig upp og flýgur hátt,
oðlings sez á enda fjalls,
ei er hann seinn til þessa alls .

Veik í burtu vella Hrund,
væn kom aptr í samri stund,
leiddi hest og laufa bar,
lofðung kennir gripina þar.

Gullaz talaði geymi-Hrund
geðlig þegar í samri stund :
„greiddir eru nú gripirnir þér,
gjori eg þessa skuld af mér.“

„Vita skaltu það, vífið ríkt,
varða þykki mér ongu um slíkt ;
víst eru þessir, veiga-Ná,
verri miklu, en þeir eg á.

Meira er hitt, að milding kvað,
mun þér ekki bresta það,
hvar er það barn, sem hugða eg þér,
hringa skorð, að færa mér?"

Skallats anzar skreyti-Hrund
skýrust þegar í samri stund :
„þú munt ætla þengill það,
að þessu má eg ei koma af stað ."

Veik í burt sú vegr er skaptr,
vænust drottning kom þá aptr,
sveinbarn hafði seimgrund hér
sæmiligt í fangi sér.

Gekk þá framm fyri buðlungs borð,
bjortust mælti þessi orð :
„hér er nú, sjóli, sonrinn minn,
segi eg hann vera arfa þinn .

þræli einum, þorna rein,
þú mátt kenna þenna svein ;
þessi lymska þjónar þér,
þorna grund, en ekki mér.

Af gripunum sé eg það, gullaz Bil,
greitt hefr orðið púta til;
hormuliga hrópað mig,
Híring jall hefr blygðað þig. "

Sjóli upp úr sæti spratt,
síðan frá eg að pústrinn datt,
vífi svó við vangann skall,
hún varð að þiggja á gólfi fall.

Vendir burtu veiga þoll
vænust þegar úr kóngsins holl,
hardliga leikin hringa gátt,
henni varð þá ekki kátt.

Sinni ásjón svanninn þá
segi eg hún tæki himnu frá,
aptr í holl fyri keisarann kemr
kurteisliga og málið fremr.

Hilmi spurði hringa brík :
„hvort er eg nokkuð þeiri lík
fríðri konu til frygðar halds
þú fannz í tjaldi Hirings jalls ?"

Hilmir upp með hlátri stendr
hæveskliga og réttir hendr,
buðlung að sér brúði tekr
blíðliga svó til málsins vekr :

„Þessi in sama er þorna brík,
þér mun engi onnur lík
að viti og ráðum, vífið hér,
visku berr þú langt af mér.

þó brotið hafi eg við bauga skorð
í bræði minni nokkur orð,
bæti eg alt með blíðu það,
ef bresta þykki þér nokkuð að.“

Ástir takaz nú upp með þeim,
odling helt með fagran seim
sínu ríki á Saxagrund,
sikling stýrði langa stund.

Falla læt eg fræða vín,
fyrðar bið eg það taki til sín ;
hróðrar gjorðin hvíldar biðr,
hér skal ríman falla niðr .

Ríma IV

Mansongs hef eg ei mikla sút,
minst er gaman að slíku ;
ollum gafz það einn veg út
áðr með fólki ríku.

Sorli sprakk i sorgar klút,
svó trúi eg Gunnlaug færi,
Tristram, Helga, trega og sút
trúi eg að Artús bæri.

Hirði eg ekki að hrósa um þá
harmamenn að líku,
nauðuliga gat norna spá
niðrað fólki slíku.

Kveð eg við nei, sú komi til mín
kvol með þungum harmi
eg ætla rétt, sú auðar-Lin
mig aldri vefi á armi.

Kýs eg eigi þess kalda snjós
kvol með þungu háði,
fyrri bið eg, að fanginn þórs
fari að mínu ráði.

Elli minkar afl og fé,
augna styrk og hljóða;
morgum hefr hún komið á kné,
kann hún oss það bjóða .

Þá garprinn lifir með gleðinnar þing
og gjorir svó elli að leita,
mjaðmar brogðin munu henni kring
og morgum hælkrók veita .

Eigi beiði eg elli lengr,
er hún með þungum meinum ;
renni heldur raddar strengr
af ríkum jalli einum .

Nefni eg ýtum nokkurn jall,
noktum stýrði brandi ;
heldr Ámundi hoskum hjall
hraustr á Saxalandi .

Buslaraborg hafa bragnar kent,
buðlung hafði að stýra,
seggrinn hlaut með sigr og ment
seima skorðu dýra.

Sonuna fjóra seggrinn á,
svó vil eg ýtum greina,
þeim mun eg rímu þylja frá
og þar með dóttur eina.

Vígvarð nefni eg vaskan mann,
vil eg hann fystan greina ;
stríðr í lund, en stýrði hann
sterkum rógi fleina .

Aðalvarð hefi eg annan kent,
alla get eg vér tínum,
var sá líkr at viti og ment
Vígvarð bróður sínum .

þegninn fæ eg inn þriðja nefnt,
þann frá eg Rogvald heita,
íþróttir hafa að honum stefnt,
engra þarf að leita.

Mentir hlaut og mektugt afl
mjog sem kjósa vildi,
seggrinn kunni sund og tafl
og sveigja stong í skildi .

Fundið hofum vér fjórða mann,
fylkis arfa ríkan,
Markvarður skal heita hann,
eg held hann Rogvald líkan.

Dóttur jalls með dýra lund
dáðum prýddur unni ;
Matthildr heitir menja grund,
margar listir kunni.

Koppum þótti kostrinn sá
kærstr í fylkis ríki,
onnur drottning Ermengá,
eigi fannz þeira líki .

Þessi jall var þeygi tregr
við þundar él á hesti,
kappi mikill og kurteislegr,
keisarans vinr inn besti .

Koma mun hér við kvæða spjall
kappi sá er eg vissa,
margir heiðra Mágus jall,
má eg hans ekki missa.

Stráinsborg hefr inn stolti jall
stýrt á Saxalandi,
harðmannliga þar hornið gall
sem hilmir vegr með brandi .

Það hefr sveit i soguna fært
af svinnum brodda hristi,
iþróttir fekk allar lært,
ongrar frá eg hann misti.

Frænda jalls með fremd og dáð
fyrðar Einar kalla,
hilmis var hann ið hæsta ráð
hirðir grettis palla.

Buðlungs jall hafa bragnar nefnt,
bókin Ubba kallar,
flest gott hefur í frá honum stefnt,
flærðir hlaut hann allar.

Fleygir gulls hefr fóstrað Kall
fylkis arfa inn dýra,
átti hann á oðlings hjall
einni borg að stýra .

Spillir stáls réð Spíransborg ,
sparir ei Ubbi flærðir,
hans er gráligt hyggju torg
hvekkjum tálar nærðir.

Lygi og pretti lærði hann,
lymskr í ollum greinum ;
halrinn alt með hvinsku vann
heldr en drengskap hreinum .

Vísliga er hann af virðum snauðr
veitir allra pretta,
dróz þó að honum dramb og auðr
drjúgum æ við þetta.

Kveðum nú fyst um kaskan jall
kappann Mágus dýra,
sitr með spekt í sinni hall,
svó vil eg ollum skýra.

Mágus fréttir mengið að,
merkilig eru þau dæmi :
„viti þér nokkuð vífið það,
er virðing minni sæmi?"

Sveitin gjorir i samri stund
svara með elsku kærri,
eigi sogðu á Saxa grund
sjá að onnur væri .

Frétti jall, sem fræðið tér,
fyrða beiddi að segja :
„heyr mig frændi, hvað er nú þér ?
hví vill Einar þegja ?"

„Þeygi skal eg nú þegja lengr,
þanninn svarar hann jalli,
fáz mun þessi frygðar strengr
fríðr á Saxa hjalli.

Ræður jall fyri Buslaraborg,
brognum mun eg það greina,
Ámundi með ongva sorg
á sér dóttur eina .

Matthild heitir menja Lín,
mentir hefr hún kennar,
vaxa mundi virðing þin
vist, ef fengir hennar."

Svaraði jall því, svó vil eg tjá,
sá hefr ekka hrundið,
þetta kvað sér þengill þá
þikkja vel til fundið.

Mágus talar við mengið þá,
margar bjugguz sveitir :
„vér skulum sækja silki-Ná
og sjá hvað lukkan veitir."

Vendi jallinn vitr í burt
víst úr borg svó prúðri,
við þrjú hundruð manns og það hef eg spurt
þaut í hverjum lúðri .

Holdar skella hestum á
hilmis sonar að vanda,
bústað jallsins bragnar sjá
á breiðum vollum standa.

Stígur jall af sterkum mar,
stýfir bjartra hlýra,
holda beiddi hann hvílaz þar,
því hann vill ráðið skýra.

Talaði jall, sá týndi sorg,
við traustan brodda hvessi :
„þú skalt, frændi, fara í borg
og forma ráðin þessi.

Ef fær eg eigi falda-Ná,
fylkis dóttur mjófa,
illa mun mér eira þá,
eigi vil eg það prófa .

því fer eg ekki þangað sjálfr
þessara mála að leita,
mér samir illa geira gjálfr
gjora þeim jalli að veita.

þú skalt fyst við þrjátigi manns
þegar til borgar ríða ;
herm min erindi hvatt til sanns,
hér skulu vér þín bíða.“

þegninn reið og þreytti sorg
við þrjátigi valdra bragna ;
garprinn kemr í gilda borg,
gjorir þeim jall að fagna .

Þar var hann um þessa nátt,
Þengils vinrinn ríki,
prúða sá hann pella gátt,
prýdd með linna síki.

Þegar að morni, það skal tjá
þessa máls réð vitja ;
bornin jallsins bekkjum á
breiðum lítr hann sitja.

Furðu er hann í framburð greiðr,
fogru máli vendi :
„Mágus jall með ment og heiðr,
mig til yðvar sendi .

Það er mitt erindi, að þegninn kvað,
þanninn réð að tína,
fá vill jallinn fljótt í stað
fríða dóttur þína.“

Svaraði jall með sæmdum líkr,
sárt kann beita geiri :
„heyrt hef eg rétt, að hann er ríkr
og hverjum kappa meiri."

Ráðum jall til Rognvalds skýtr
rétt og þeira bræðra,
eingrð ekki þegninn þrýtr,
þeim temst aldri æðra .

Rognvald anzar, rétt skal tjá,
ríkr af hjarta fróðu :
„mága stoðin er mektug sjá ,
má það verða að góðu .

Hestar hans og holda lið,
og hvað er eg kann að beiða,
þegar vér þurfum þessa við,
það skal alt til reiða.

Ráðagjorð skal rekkrinn kær
ríkur hér með veita,
Mágus ekki meyna fær,
ef mun hann þessu neita."

Sneri þá Einar snúðugt frá
snart til sinna hesta ;
ongu svaraði þegninn þá,
því það var ráðið besta.

Stokk á bak með stáli prýddr,
stoltr og vill ei bíða,
spillir garðs er sporunum hýddr,
og sparar nú ekki að ríða.

Frænda sinn réð finna sá
fremd og dáðir lærði,
andsvor gjorði oll að tjá
og ekki úr staðnum færði .

Mágus svó til málsins tók,
mentir berr hann teitar :
„næsta er þetta nauða ok
nokkurum manni að veita .

það nauðung heita .
greiddi

Vandliga þikiz sá visku nýtr
víst hafa skilið af létta :
„til tveggja handa, trúi eg, skýtr
trautt hvé gangi þetta.

Keski mundi kenna það,
kært með góðum vilja,
beint komi eg ollu betr af stað,
en bragnar kunni fyri að skilja.“

Mágus talar við mengið þá,
mælsku berr hann stranga :
„þar skulu hætta þegnar á,
að þessum kosti að ganga."

Venda síðan virðar heim
víst til Buslaraborgar ;
fagnar jallinn fyrðum þeim,
fátt berr nú til sorgar.

Fekk þar jallinn falda-Ná,
fríða gullaz Gefni ;
brúðhlaup gerði bragning þá
og brustu engi efni .

Flutti Mágus fljóðið heim
fyst með sínu mengi ;
ástir takaz nú upp með þeim
og ætla eg að haldiz lengi .

Hlemmi eg aptur hljóða borg,
Hlés að gjorðu smíði ;
bresti í sundur bragarins torg,
brátt trú eg ríman líði.

Ríma V

Orða snælda ýtiz brátt
enn með efni slíku,
nú vilda eg skýra skothendan þátt
og skemta fólki ríku.

Samsón hlaut í sorgar kif
sút fyri fljóðið halda,
misti hann skraut og mektugt vif,
mun því Dálíða valda.

Flóres rétt og falda Ná
fekk svó mæði langa,
visku stétt mun víst í frá
visi þeim að ganga .

Tristram vann fyri tigið fljóð
treginn í brjósti standa,
seggrinn brann í sútar glóð
sárt af ollum vanda.

Margir fengu mikla pin
menn í fyrra heimi,
lýðir gengu af lífi sín,
er léku

Þar sjóli sitr með sína menn
senn og drotning hreina,
ævintýr skal ýtum enn
eitt um keisarann greina.

Úlfr er nefndur oðlings mann
einn í millum seggja,
æru stefndr og aldri kann
ilt til annara leggja .

Stillis var hann ið stolta ráð,
stýrir fleini róga,
Úlfur kann sá alla dáð,
æru kann sá nóga .

Rekkrinn stundar reiði hvestr
og ratar í efnið þunga,
vinr Ámunda var sá mestr,
og vísliga Rognvalds unga.

Buðlung hreinn hefr bræður tvó
beint í sinni hollu,
Helgi og Sveinn þeir heita svó,
harkamenn með ollu .

Kertisveinar keisarans rétt
kappar þessir váru,
hvórgi seina hyggju stétt
holdar þessir báru .

Veisludag hefur vísir þá,
vel má þanninn greina,
drengjum gefr þar drykkjan há
drjúgum skemtan hreina.

Keisarinn gekk, sem kann eg að tjá,
kátur svefn að fanga,
mjoðrinn fekk þar mengið á
mest og vínið stranga.

Gorpum mart á góma berr,
gjora sér lítt að forða,
vínið snart til visku ker,
víst kom þeim til orða.

Helgi ferr með heimsku tal,
hælir keisarans prýði :
„milding berr sá menta val
mest yfir aðra lýði.“

Hinn réð svara Sveinn að meir
með siklings mentan ríka :
„eigi finna fyrðar þeir
fyrri nokkurn líkann."

Í tafli spekt þá telja þeir,
taka nú slíkt að mæla,
fylkis mekt að fyrðar meir
framm úr hófi hæla .

Úlfur greitt við ekki spott
orva gaf til síkja :
„fæz eigi neitt só frítt né gott
að finniz eigi annað líka."

Svaranna stétt nam Sveinn og getr
sverða að anza runni :
„segir þú rétt að Rognvald betr
ræsir taflið kunni ?"

Heiptar blandað Helgi kvað :
„heyrða eg aldri líka,
undir land skal leggja það
og láta burt heimsku slíka. "

„Lofðungs stétt fyri ljótan grun
lasta eg eigi með drafli,
hygg eg rétt að halrinn mun
hafa við honum í tafli ."

Eigi kom seggja samt á tal,
svefn að augum vendi,
þegnar leggja þetta hjal,
þegar leið nótt af hendi.

þegar í stað að þengill vín
þýður kendi inn svinni,
keisarinn bað þá kalla til sín
kappann Úlf að sinni.

Man eg það litt er eg mælta þá,
margir byrjaz hættir,
málið frítt fyri monnum hjá
ef mungát gengr um sættir.

þó hef eg aldri þetta sagt,
þá réð Úlfur greina,
orða skvaldur um þig lagt,
eyðir snarpra fleina.

Rognvalds makt um ræsir þann
reiseg eigi með drafli,
það hef eg sagt að hafa mun hann
hilmir við þér í tafli."

Hinn veg lagði halrinn nú
heipt með ræðu langa :
„þetta sagðir þegninn þú
og þorir eigi viðr að ganga.

Kosta efli kempan frjáls
kann eg á þig fella,
við mig tefli treystir stáls,
eðr tapir þú lífi ella."

„Frekr er hverr til fulls að sjá
og forðaz langa pínu,
fyrri berr eg freistni á
en farir þú lífi mínu."

Skrafa eigi lengur skjótt um það
skatnar mála dýrir,
í burtu gengur beint í stað
brynju flagða stýrir.

Dvelr eigi lengur drýgir stáls
doglings sonu að finna,
þangað gengur þegninn frjáls
þegar í borg svó stinna .

„Mér er eigi mikið um það,
mælskan jalli dvínar,
að Rogvald reyni rétt í stað
við ræki listir sínar."

Milding fremr á málið sá,
menja svaraði Baldri :
„Rogvald kemr ef eg ráða má
rétt þar fótum aldri."

þegninn svinnur þaðan í frá
þegar nam burtu að standa,
Rognvald finnur rekkrinn þá,
og ræðir um sinn vanda.

Rognvald sér til ráða kers,
reiðir talaði branda :
„nauðsyn berr nú nóg til þess
að náða þig frá vanda.

Þangað kemr eg að þinni vild,
kvað þegninn oldu síma,
við milding fremr eg menta snild
mjog i settan tíma.“

Úlfur þakkar oðlings kund
og aptur gjorir að venda,
líður þessi langa stund
lýðum fæ eg það kenda.

Halrinn svinni heim réð gá
hristir unda skessu,
Rognvald finnur foður sinn þá,
frétti jall að þessu :

„Fantu stinnan stála Gaut,
stillir muntu greiða,
muntu vinna mikla þraut
mjúkt og taflsins beiða ?"

„Fann eg dýran doglings mann,
drengrinn svor réð efla,
það eg skýra þegnum kann
því hét eg honum að tefla. "

Buðlung hlaut í brjóstið þá
bitrligt strið að fanga,
gleðinnar skraut réð garpnum þá
gjorvalt burt að ganga.

„Faðir af létta fær þú mér,
fleygir talaði branda,
því fær þetta þengill þér
svó þungan sorgar vanda ? "

„Þetta skraf þú skýrðir mér,
skelfir talaði sverða,
það mun upphaf oss og þér
ógæfunnar verða. “

Mátti eigi jallinn mæla lengr
mætr í þessu sinni,
harma gall inn hafi strengr
hart um brjóstið inni.

Menja Baldri mælsku strengr
mæðiz sútar imu,
skýri eg aldri skothendu lengr,
skatnar taki við rímu .

Ríma VI

Enn hafa brúðir beðið mig til
að byrja skylda eg mansongs spil .
gullaz skorðin gleði nú sig,
gabba tel eg í slíku mig.

Gjoriz eg bæði gamall og stirðr,
hjá gofugum fljóðum lítils virðr,
konurnar taka að kvitta það,
að kunna eg þar ekki að.

Það skal hafa af fifli að fær,
frúnnar allar taki því nær,
til einskis er hann segir auðar Hnoss
annars heldr en skemta oss.

Enn ef mætri menja Ná
mætta eg sofna í myrkri hjá,
kossinn byði mér kyrtla Lín
og klappaði utan að vongum mín.

Morg um hug sér mæla kann,
meyjar segja orðskvið þann ,
fegnar vilja fá þann gest
sem fljóðin jafnan neyta mest.

Ymsir mega í annars far
orðum skjóta, en eg skal þar
skýrri veita skallaz Hnoss ,
skipt mun ollum vera með oss.

Þessi stundin þanninn líðr,
það vil eg holdum tina,
var þá á fótum vísis niðr
víst með bræður sína .

Seggir vóru í samri stund
sinu klæddir stáli,
Rognvald ferr á foður síns fund
og finnur jall að máli.

Rognvald segir og ræsi tér,
rekka mun þess minna :
„viltu faðir minn fylgja mér
framm á skóginn stinna?"

Svaraði jall og sagði ní,
sveigir bjartra ríta :
„yndi verðr mér aldri að því
optar yðr að líta."

þegnar leggja þetta hjal,
þess mun jallinn minna,
Rognvald veik úr ræsis sal
rétt til bræðra sinna .

Seggir frá eg að sex og tveir
á sínum hestum sitja,
skjótliga gjorðu skatnar þeir
skjoldungs hallar vitja.

Firðar kómu á fagran voll,
fljótt af hestum standa,
það var skamt frá skjoldungs holl,
skjótan fá þeir vanda.

Rognvald talar við rekka fróðr,
réð svó drengjum spjalla :
„hér skal hestum heimilt fóðr
og hafa til reiðu alla.

Hálfa fylli hverr skal fá
hestrinn vór að sinni,
beisli síðan bragnar þá
og breyti svó sem eg inni.

Soðla skulu þér setja á þeim,
sveigir talaði branda,
láta alla horfa heim
og hvern hjá oðrum standa .

Vita má síst hvað verður hér,
veitir talaði branda,
aptr að nóni ætla eg mér
yðr til móts að standa.

Vér skulum bræður beint í stað
buðlungs hallar vitja,
vórir menn og veit eg það
verða eptir að sitja.“

Heim til borgar heldur skjótt,
holdum þann veg greinum,
þar er á leiki lofðungs drótt
á ljósum velli einum .

Gjorvoll hefr þar gleðinnar þing
gumna sveit að venda,
drósir frá eg að dansa í hring,
drengir hnottinn henda.

Dogling sitr á dýrum stól,
drotning annan prýddi,
sá var einn að sófnis ból
silkidýnan skrýddi .

Stillis sonr að stóli vikr,
stoltan kvaddi herra,
honum tók ekki hilmir ríkr,
holdar leikinn þverra .

Vigvarðr einn af virðum þar
vopnið hefr til reiða,
halrinn sér
í hendi bar

Stoðu sér tók við stillis bak
stoltar maðrinn svinni,
remmi gýgi í randa skak
ræsir trúeg að finni .

Hinum er eigi hamingjan seld,
holda gjorði reiða,
það lýsiz áðr en komið er kveld,
ef kann hann hoggið greiða .

Budlung hefur borð og tafl
beint í sinni hendi,
það var hvítt með handar skafl,
hart úr pungnum rendi .

þrjá gullhringa þegninn leit
þar við digra hanga,
þegna enginn þetta veit
að þanninn mundi ganga.

Ræsir skaut í Rognvalds hné
ríkur borði stinnu ,
þó varð vænum vella gré
vikið í rétta sinnu .

Sjóli frá eg að setti þá,
sveigir mælti eggja,
hilmir sagðiz þringa þrjá
hér við borðið leggja.

„Hofði þínu halrinn mér
hér við skaltu býta,"
annað sagðiz orva grér
ekki vildu nýta.

Rognvald anzar ræsi þá
ríkur þegar í móti :
„mér er enginn metnaðr á
þó milding taflið hljóti.

Skortir ekki skjoldung mér
skýr við gulli þínu,
hér fyri aldri heit eg þér
hilmir hofði mínu.

„Hefi eg á því heldur grun,
hilmir þanninn tédi,
hversu að góðu gegna mun
ef garprinn slíku réði.“

Hilmir segir ef hlýtr hann það
hofuð með búki sínum,
„skamma stund að skyldi það
skína á búki þínum.“

„Sjóli hef eg ei sakir við þig
sárra að kenna nauða,
svó að þú lofðung leiðir mig
frá lífi framm í dauða.“

Hilmir það við heilsu sverr,
halrinn talar af létta :
„annað taflfé oss af þér
ætla eg ei nema þetta.“

Ræsir vill í ræsis stétt
ráða leiknum fysta,
þangað teflir þengill rétt
þegar sem hann réð lysta.

Þá var í suðri sólin bjort
er seggir taflið venda,
það hefr lýða listin gjort
þeir leika svó til enda.

Milding framm yfir miðjan dag
morgum leikum vendi,
þá gekk lofðung litt í hag
litla bert hann kendi.

Rognvald talar við reisugt afl
og réð svó drengjum inna :
„hlotið hef eg af hilmir tafl
hans er orðið minna."

Taflið reisa traustir menn
og taka til leika sinna,
milding trúig að missi enn,
mun það jallsson finna.

Til miðmunda tiggi getr
tafli vent í máta,
hilmir stóð þá hvergi betr,
hann mun verða láta .

Rognvald verður ræsi klókr
rausnarmaðrinn káti,
skaust að hilmi skammar hrókr,
skák fekk hann með máti.

Rognvald talar og ræsi tér,
ríkum má eg það skýra :
„þetta kalla eg þengill mér.
þá sem hitt eð fyrra."

Svo var oðling orðinn reiðr,
ongu vildi anza,
hygg eg
étt að hringa meiðr

þegnar gerðu þetta tafl
í þriðja sinn að reisa,
þó mun enn fyri dramb og draf!
dogling hlotnaz hneisa.

Buðlungs menn um borðið stá
beint í námi víða,
skjoldung bleytti skákina þá,
skamt er mats að bíða.

Enginn talar við annan orð,
eigi var blitt á milli,
fuðruttan strauk framm á borð
og flasaði upp á stilli.

Rognvald vinnur rausnar kátr
ræsis mentir rýrar,
þá fekk garprinn gildligt mát,
gamla fuð nam stýra.

Sjóli frá eg að svarflar þá
sundur tafli ollu,
skarar i pung sem skjótast má
og skalf í visku hollu .

Stendur upp af stóli þá.
stillis arfi inn svinni,
milding gjorði mál að tjá,
menja lundrinn stinni.

„Ræsir glæður reikna eg mér,
kvað reynir grettis palla,
þessa hringa, þú hefr hér,
þá vil eg hafa nú alla.

þú hefr tiggi taflbrogð þin
tekið og menta snilli,
lítið stoðar það leikum mín.
langt er þess á milli .

Svo mun fara fleiri ment,
kvað fleygir handar snjóva,
illa var þér oðling kent,
ongva þarftu að próva.“

Tiggi reiddi upp tafl í stað,
trú eg hann þetta kunni,
á Rognvalds tennur rekr í stað,
rennur blóð af munni .

„Eg reiðumz eigi, að Rognvald kvað
rjóðr og talar af létta,
gef eg hér ongvar gætur að,
gaman er kóngi þetta.“

Hilmir hlaut með horku dug
hart í burt að ganga;
Vígvarð tekr að vesna í hug
og vekr upp reiði stranga.

Halrinn reiddi hvassa egg
i hilmis haus nam keyra,
klauf svo niðr í kóngsins skegg,
svó að klæðin flutu í dreyra .

Tiggja skall i tonnum hart
trú eg hann hoggið kenna,
Vígvarð kippir vópni snart
og vill til bræðra renna .

Virðar vildu allir þá
vegandann gjarnan fanga,
drotning mælti, dopr að sjá
drósin ófnis spanga :

„Meiri sæmd er milding það
að megi hans útferð bæta
sæmiliga, að sætan kvað,
en seggjum hér að gæta.“

Drengir virtu drósar orð,
drotning hefr svó kunnað,
rétt um stund að refla skorð
Rognvald meira unnað.

Flýtir ekki fyrðum það,
fara þeir með inn dauða,
þar var gildr í grænum stað
grafinn í mold svó rauða.

Lítið gladdi lýði það
að lofðung misti ríkja,
nú mun eg ræða rétt í stað
og ræð til bræðra víkja .

Rognvald talar við rekka beinn,
réð svó drengjum telja :
„hlýri vór er heldur seinn,
hvað mun Vigvarð dvelja?"

Markvarður með menta snið
mælti þann veg bráðan :
,,rekkrinn trúig að reiðz hafi við,
þá er ræsir sló þig áðan. "

Aðalvarð talar í annað sinn
enn með málið fríða :
„líz mér eigi í þetta sinn
hans lengi þurfa að bíða.

Vígvarð kemr að virðum þar,
vópnið berr af létta,
bræður líta að blóðugt var,
brátt nam Rognvald frétta .

„því er nú blóð, að buðlung kvað,
beint á oxi þinni?"
Honum nam anza hratt í stað
hjorva lundrinn svinni .

„Það nam illa þikja mér,
þú hefr hræslu gefna,
buðlung vildi berja á þér,
bauðz eg þín að hefna.

Í keisarans hofuð eg klekta lítt,
kempan talar af létta,
launa gjorða eg lemstur þitt,
eg lét honum hoggið detta.

Sveigja lét eg Sviðris troll,
svó hann mátti kenna,
haussins klauf eg heila holl
og hart nam burt að renna.“

„Dogling segir þú dauðan hér"
drengir anza fróðir ;
„að vísu berr eg ei vold af mér
um verknað þennan, bróðir.“

„ Lítil gæfa líz mér það
lofðungs dauða valda,
rekkar skulu ei, að Rognvald kvað,
rétt fyri kyrru halda."

Fjolnis verður falla vín
af fogru mærðar blandi,
þegnar taki nú það til sín,
því bið eg ríman standi.

Ríma VII

Lauka skorðin ljós og bleik
lífið burt af Guðjón sveik,
vella grundin variz það rík
að verði eigi þessari lík .

Kóngi Rúdent kyrtla rein
kveð eg að veitti dauða mein,
Medía hét sú menja brú
mektar gjorn en ekki trú .

Sannan dauða seima brík
Samsón veitti brúðrin rík,
Dálíða hét sú dregla Bil,
er dáðir hafði ongvar til.

Bræður koma nú beint í stað
bráðliga sínum hestum að,
ferðin þeira er að flestu greið,
firðar venda heim á leið.

Úti frá eg að oðling var,
ongvan þeira kvaddi hann þar,
tiggja er ekki um talið létt,
því tíðindin hafði jallinn frétt.

Seggir greindu sjóla þá,
sannliga þessu alt í frá,
hilmir tók að hljóðna viðr,
hokunni stakk í bringu niðr.

„Það er nú ráð, að Rognvald kvað,
ود
rjóðr og talaði þegar í stað,
faðir minn gef til fagrligt ráð

Dogling anzar: „dragnið þér
dáliga burt frá augum mér,
hirði eg ekki um holda þá
sem hilmir ræntu lífi frá .

Sjóla hefr eg svarið þann eið,
sagði þanninn kempan greið,
hjálpa ekki holdum bót
sem honum er nokkuð þvert á mót.

þessa eiða þengill mér
þanninn veitti af sjálfum sér,
ef bregð eg því, kvað buðlung mæddr,
betur að væri eg aldri fæddr."

Að hallar veggnum hleypur þá,
hilmir frá eg að tekur upp á
snyrtimaðrinn snæri og spjót,
snúðugt gjorði að treysta á fót.

Skjoldung hljóp sem skatnar á hest
skjótliga þá þeir keyra mest,
grunar mig hitt ef gatan er nóg
að garprinn ríði framm á skóg.

„Hvort mun skjoldung skógi á,
skjótliga gjorði Vígvarð tjá,
gjora nú hitt sem grunaði mig
að garprinn ætli að hengja sig?"

Rognvaldr anzar rétt í stað :
„róstu verk má kalla það,
annað ætla eg odda álfr,
ætli heldr en drepa sig sjálfr .

Vér skulum finna foður vórn“ , þá
fljótliga gjorði Rognvald tjá;
Vígvarð anzar : „vart er það
að vilja eg kalli leita að.“

Rekkar gjora sem Rognvald bað,
ríða heiman þegar í stað,
skatnar kómu skóginn á,
skýri eg hitt þeir vildu sjá .

Fylkir kom þar fornar eikr,
furðu er hann af harmi bleikr,
Þengill heilsar þeim með frið,
þegja frá eg þær allar við.

„Hitt var, sagði hilmis niðr,
hér var þykkur skógr og viðr,
sem þá fylkis ferðin stinn
fagrligt stæði um herra sinn.

Yðr nam þjóna allur skógr
einka hár og furðu nógr,
laufið grænt og limarnar á
laut það yðr og hneigði þá.

Misskipt lífi man eg nú það,
mælti jallinn þegar í stað,
epla viðrinn yðr í hjá
allur hneigiz burtu frá.

Eigi er sæmd, að oðling kvað,
yðr að vera í þessum stað,
því er eg kominn, að þengill tér,
þiggja skuluð þér ráð af mér.

Barkar mæður búiz af stað
burtu heðan, að jallinn kvað,
stígið upp á sterkligt ess,
stund skal engin á millum þess .

Ríðið framm til Rínar leið,
rétt skal þessi ferðin greið,
steinbogi nokkur stóð þar beinn
stórliga breiðr við ána einn .

Ríðið yfir hann rétt í stað,
ræð eg jallinn talaði það,
framm með ánni fari þér þá,
fagran megi þér skóginn sjá .

Mork er þykk en mjór er vegr,
mælti jallinn þeygi tregr,
þá kvað vísi, vant og breitt
verðr fyri ykkur jarðhús eitt.

þar mun vín, kvað vella rjóðr,
vist er nóg og hestum fóðr,
þrenna vetr, að þengill kvað,
þó þér dveliz í þessum stað.

Mætti vera, að milding kvað,
meðan þér dveliz í þessum stað
að reiði skógar renni þá
rétt af yðr in mesta frá.

þetta ráð megi þér þiggja af mér ;"
Þengill vendi í burtu sér,
oðling skildiz eikur við,
allar bað hann þær sitja í frið.

Fylkir hljóp sem flygi or
furðu hart af snúnum hor ,
ferð er hans að flestu greið,
frá eg hann vendi heim á leið.

Vígvarð talar við virða greypr :
„vilið þér sjá hvar faðir vár hleypr,
kall er þessi orðinn ær,
enginn er honum að vísdóm nær.

Hafi þér heyrt, kvað halrinn bleikr,
að hann hefr talað við fornar eikr ;
sá var fól það fleiprar enn,
að fara muni þær sem lifandi menn."

Rognvald anzar rétt í stað :
„ræsir þóttiz skilja það,
að vér mundum nokkur nær
nema þau orð sem talað hann fær.

þetta hefr oss þengill kent,
þó honum væri stríðið spent
vísi hart um visku ker,
vist munu eikur standa hér.“

Rekkar stíga á reisugt ess ,
ríða gjorðu framan til þess
steinboga rétt sem stillir þá
stóran sagði ollum frá.

Flýta þeir yfir hann ferðum sín
firraz sorg og alla pin,
skatnar kómu á skóginn greitt,
skil eg þeir fundu jarðhús eitt.

Það var búið með þeirri magt
sem þengill hafði þeim til sagt
vínið nóg og vistin há
visliga að fullu veturna þrjá .

Hér mun bragrinn breytaz litt,
bragnar geymi jarðhús sítt,
þar skal bolvi bragða torg
binda aptur hljóða borg .

Ríma VIII

Svellur mér um svefna bý
sorgin bæði forn og ný,
auðar grundin afmorlig
ellin tekr að mæða mig.

þó að eg vilda um vella skord
vanda nokkur mansongs orð,
hringþoll af því heiðrar sig,
hér fyri vill hún dára mig.

þó að eg vífi vandi brag
vaki til bæði nótt og dag,
porngrund aldri þakkar mér,
af þessu get eg hún hrósi sér .

Hér skal byrjaz bragrinn minn
bragna sveit í átta sinn,
kvæðið verðr að koma nú þar
sem keisara son með Ubba var.

Keisarans nafn fekk Kall í stað
kurteis alt um ríkið það,
sem faðir hans hafði fyrri stýrt,
fær nú þanninn bókin skýrt.

Ubbi var með oðling mest,
ollum mun svó gegna vest,
svó hafa holdar hermt nú það,
að hyllaz skyldi hann enginn að.

Sikling átti sonuna tvá
segja verður nokkuð frá,
Elling hét og einka ríkr,
ætla eg hann sé nokkuð Ubba likr.

Ellindr heiti annar bar,
ekki líkur foðurnum var
drengur góður, djarfr í lund
dogling fylgdi langa stund .

Ubbi talar við çðling þá :
„yðr er best að minnaz á,
fyrða þeira enu fyrri tok
er foður þinn drap fyri ongva sok .

Sjóli gjorði að safna lið,
síðan frá eg þeir bjugguz við,
heiman ríður hafinn af sorg
og hitti jall í Buslaraborg .

Jallinn fagnar buðlung blitt,
býður honum við fylgi sítt,
Ámundi var ei einka hljóðr
og svó orðinn súta móðr.

Ubbi talar með alla skamm :
„yðr er mál að selja framm
happalausa holda þá,
sem hilmir ræntu

Svaraði jall við sæmd og kurt,
segir þá alla þaðan í burt,
,,sjóla kann eg síst með skil
að segja nokkuð þeira til.“

Ubbi talar við çðling það :
„yðr skal rannsaka þegar í stað,
um þetta mál, segir menja Baldr,
mér þykir þú ekki lítils valdr."

„Rannsakað hafa ei rekkar hér
ríkir menn," að bóndi tér ;
þengill anzar þá með skil,
þjófum kvað hann það heyra til.

„Það man eg, segir keisarinn Kall,
þá kóngrinn faðir minn talaði um jall,
lofðung sagði listarmann
ljúga mundi aldri hann .

Vér skulum halda heim
í stað
og hafast hér ekki fleira að,
verri drengur væra eg þá

„Odling ertu auðtryggr rétt,
anzar Ubbi þanninn slétt ;
móður skap hefr milding þú,
meir um slíkt en foðurs þíns nú."

Hilmir veik nú heim í stað
og hefz þar ekki fleira að,
sæmiliga sjóli þann
sínu ríki stjórna kann .

Milding samdi málin vond,
af morgum sneið hann ilsku grond,
um buðlungs ríki breitt og langt
bjóða þorði enginn rangt.

Lofðung setr í landi frið,
lýðir heldu fagran sið,
hverr sá mann er misti fjá
milding skyldi aptur fá .

Qðling hafði einn þann sið,
enginn trú eg þar jafniz við,
tiggi stóð só tíðum að,
trúi eg hans menn gjorðu það .

Garprinn lagði gjald á þá,
sem gengu í burtu tíðum frá,
niflung ríkur nú með skil
ef nauðsyn kæmi engin til .

Eyri silfurs átti hverr
aptur lúka ef burtu ferr,
tiggja menn fyri tíða gjorð
trúliga vanda þessa gjorð.

þann skal eignaz þetta fé
sem þegna hverr til annars sé,
hverr um annan seggrinn sat
síðan ef nokkur fundið gat .

Listarmonnum lagt er fé
lofðungs sonum til hofuðs síns sé,
mildings er það mektin full,
merkur þrjár með rauðagull .

Hverr sem sikling segja kann
sækja má sá fjárhlut þann,
brognum er svó birt og téð,
og buðlungs vinskap þiggur með.

Stundu síðar stórt með sorg
stríð kom upp í Buslaraborg,
Ámundi fekk sára sótt,
sútir gjorðu hjartað mótt.

Stríðið færði stilli í hel,
stóð þá ríkið eigi vel,
buðlung frá eg að býður það
bragna sveitum þegar í stað.

Vist vill enginn vefjaz í,
virðar sogðu allir ní,
bragnar grunuðu beint sem var
að bræður mundu á lífi þar.

„Eg veit þann mann, kvað vísir ríkr,
vinur bræðra og enginn er slíkr,
Ulfur tak þú þetta að þér,
það mun allvel líka mér.“

Svo var gjort sem sikling bað,
í sína vernd hann tekr nú það,
þó bragna geymi hann borg og fé
besta trúeg það ráðið sé.

Lofðung sitr að landi kyrr,
líða mundi allan styr .
Hér fyri holdum hróðrinn minn
hlaupi niðr í átta sinn.

Ríma IX

Eitthvert sinn að eg stóð upp með ollum létta,
víða sá eg um veguna rétta,
var þá ekki mart til frétta .

Optast út á æginn leit með yndis bandi,
birtiz þetta af bragða landi,
bárur rísa að fogrum sandi .

Faranda leit eg Fjolnis knorr um fiska mýri,
frá eg að þessu flæða dýri,
fylgdi hvórki segl né stýri .

Stundum rak fyri straumi flatt er stofnum vendi,
þessi bátrinn þangað vendi
þegar og upp að briminu lendi .

Oldu súgrinn að honum gekk með ógn svó
knáliga varð um koll að ganga
kuggrinn Hárs og meisl að fanga .
stranga,

Bæði rifnuðu borðin frá en bylgjur falla,
kjolrinn hlaut úr kugg að falla,
og knepti í sundur innviðu alla.

Farmrinn allur fór í grunn þá flaustið meiddi,
brotinn frá mér burtu sneiddi,
báru lauðrið til sín leiddi .

Fór eg til þar flaustrið Hárs nam fyst að
þessu næst tók þangi að róta,
ef þar vill nokkru að mér skjóta.
brjóta,

Fundið gat eg á Fjolnis knerri flosku eina,
var sú full með virtrið hreina,
Venris lát sem eg kann greina .

þar skal skenkja skotnum af með skemtun
þundar vínið þegnum bjóða
þessu næst úr ranni hljóðа .
góða,

Í siklings ríki er seggrinn einn er siðu
Áka skulum hann allir kalla,
af honum verður kvæðið spjalla.
kann valla,

Hann var hagr á hvess kyns lát í hyggju
átti fé að morgum manni,
máttar heimskr er þessi glanni.
ranni,

Skatnar þóttuz skyldir til um skálk að villa,
seggnum guldu seint og illa,
síðan þótti morgu spilla .

Halrinn kemr á hilmis fund og hermir þetta,
milding beiddi mál sitt rétta,
meiðir talaði orma stétta .

Milding gjorði málið svó fyri meiði skjalda,
gjorir þeim orðin geymir tjalda,
er gózið hofðu hans að halda.

Svó gat oðling séð um það með somdum
Áki fekk það alt sem átti,
allvel ríkan kalla mátti.

Þegar að Fófnis fleygir bóls að fljóðið
morgum þykir þá maðrinn annar,
mest um þetta bókin sannar.
hætti,

Rekkrinn snýr nú réttá svinn við ráð að leita,
konuna fekk sér kynja teita,
kveð eg að hún mun Helga heita.

Hirðmaðr einn var henni kær sem hér
talar hann opt við tróðu hreina,
tel eg að Áki muni það meina.
skal greina,

Áki réð við auðar lindi eitt sinn mæla :
„líz mér þetta ljúf min sæla
að lýðir munu þig frá mér tæla."

Dýr nam anza dreng í stað sú drósin fríða :
„alt hvað skatnar skrafa með blíða
skulu þeim svorin í móti ríða.“

Áki finnur odlings manninn einu sinni,
hræddur mælti herjans slinni,
honum trú eg þetta lítið vinni.
13, guldu:

Halrinn beiddi hringa Ull sem hér skal tína,
ýtum greinir orða lína,
Áki talar um konuna sína.

Hirdmann anzar honum í mót og herindi
„eg mun skrafa við skarlaz Nanna,
skal þér ekki slíkt að banna".
ið sanna :

„Gefa skal eg þér gózið til ef gjorir ei þetta,
við skallaz lindi skrafa af létta,
skelfir talaði ófnis stétta .

þá skal fjárins þriðjungr einn til þín að
þegnar gjordu þessu að kaupa,
þarf eg eigi slíkt að raupa.
hlaupa;"

Fór sá burt við fénu tók og fyrðum sagði
skelfir stáls að skommu bragði,
skrafar þá annar við hana að bragði .

Enn fann Áki oðlings manninn einu sinni,
heimsku mælti herjans slinni,
hinn trúig þetta leggi í minni .

Halrinn beiddi hringa Ull sem hér mun
„hrygðin gjorir mig hart að pína,
hélst þér fíflið konuna mína.

Helming fjárs míns hafa skaltu, kvad
gózins þyki þér gott að njóta
og gjørir mér ekki skomm svo ljóta."
eg tína:

þessi gjorði þengils viðvr þegn að sendi,
greiðir Áki góz af hendi,
garprinn þegar í burtu vendi .
25 , skrafa :

Ollum segir hann ýtum til að ætlun minni,
ei trúig skatnar skrafinu linni,
skauz til enn í þriðja sinni.

Finnur Áki fylkis mann á fogru stræti,
halrinn talar við hringa gæti,
hinn trúig ekki í svorunum bæti.

„Ef skrafar þú ei lengur skelfir stáls við
launin skal eg þér leggja að sonnu
lestir gulls af minni konnu.
skarlaz Nonnu,

Alla þigg þú auðar lundur eigu mína,
gózið tak í geymslu þína,
gæfan mun þín aldri dvína.“

þessu kaupir þengils maðr og það kvez vilja,
honum réð garprinn greiðugt telja
gózið sitt og síðan skilja .

Nú kom Áki enn á tal við unga brúði,
þegninn kemr að þorna þrúði,
þanninn mælti vóndur júði.

„Fór það illa fekk eg þig, kvað fleygir geira,
vandann hlýt eg víst að meira
visliga af þér hálfu fleira .

Góz mitt alt hef eg gefið fyr þig, kvad
hvórki er prjónn né penningr eptir,
en pútan ekki um breytni skiptir. "
geira sviptir,

,.Féfátt mun þér fyst til þess, kvað falda
ef þú ætlar oðlings manna
allra við mig tal að banna.“
Nanna,

„Við það leita eg víst ef kann, in væna kvinna,
skal eg enn þann útsmið finna
að enginn skal þig frá mér ginna."

Með brúði ferr hann burt á skóg sá býtir
þar gjorir fleygir Fófnis stála
furðuliga sterkan skála.
mála,

Stór er hurð en sterkr er fleinn fyri stoltu
geymir síðan grottintanni
gullaz spong i slíku spanni.
ranni ,

Hvern dag fór í heraðið heim svó hart og víða ,
þar réd gramur gripuna fríða
gjora nú þeim til matar að smíða.

þar hefr skræfan skálann gjort á skógi
ad synir Ámunda sátu longum
og sig hafa dulið frá manna gongum .
prongum

Halrinn ekki hér til veit að honum svo næri
þengils arfar þessir væri,
og þanninn trú eg að þetta færi .

Nú tók minka matr og ol fyri monnum
virðar lúka vistum sínum ,
var svó greint í óði mínum .
fínum

Nú skal Rognvald ríða á burt og ráða leita,
holdar tala við herrann teita ,
hvað munu mágar kunna að veita ?

Garprinn tók inn gilda hest og gjarðir herðar,
seggrinn sprang í sodul með gerðar,
síðan léz hann búinn til ferðar .

Birti eigi af báðum senn um bragna fríða,
Rognvald skal nú rétt að ríða
rekkrinn fyst, en Áki að bíða.

Bar þá til að býtir gulls var búinn að ríða,
rekkrinn út af ranni víða
ræð eg að Áki giorði að skríða .

Áki gjordi augum sínum út að renna
hrotti lítur holdinn þenna
hann og Rognvald þóttiz kenna.

Stráinsborg hitti inn stolti maðr er stálin
Mágus fagnar menja skerði,
Matthild trúeg ið glaðasta verdi.
herdi,

Garpar kómu í gilda borg með gledina setta,
segir hann alt af sínum létta
seggnum alt það vildi frétta.

„Foður þíns máttu og frétta lát, sem fyrðar
helstríð gjorði hann að pína
harðligt eptir synina sína."
tína,

„Hverr hefr rekka ríki vórt," að Rognvald
en odling segir að Úlfur ráði
allra saman bræðra láði .
tjáði ;

Hilmir frá eg að hóf svó málið hreinna lunda:
„hér er eg kominn til hilmis funda,
hvað mun jall fyri bræðrum stunda ?

Skiptalaust hefr skjoldung gjort um
visir þýðr um veturna alla,
vinskap má það ongvan kalla."
skatna snjalla

Sjóli brosir og síðan réð hann svor að gjalda,
„það mun ekki einninn halda
orva bol, kvað meiðir skjalda.

þúshundrað manns og þrjátíu betr um
haldið hef eg, kvað hvessir líma,
hvern dag fengu nokkuð stima.
þenna tíma

þeir hafa gjort einn gildan sal, kvað
ýtar allir yðr til handa,
ekki vætta má honum granda .
geymir randa,

þó hverr yðar hafi hundrað manns, kvað
og ýtar lifi sinn aldrinn mesta,
ekki skal þar matrinn bresta .
hirðir lista,

Nú vil eg fara, hvað fylkir ríkur Fófnis láða,
holda sjálfur hingað náða,
eg hygg svó best til þessa ráða.“

Rognvald anzar ræsi ímót og réð að inna :
„eg skal sjálfur seggi finna,
sikling ríkur hér næst..nna."

Halurinn á hest sinn sté með hreinni lundu,
fljótur vel og fimr á grundu,
fann hann bræðr
í samri stundu.

Sínum erindum segir hann frá og svó réð
káta gjorði kappa svinna.
Kvæðið verðr hann Áka að finna .

Skræfan inn í skálann gekk að skommu
inna ,
halrinn frá eg að Helgu sagði ,
hún var jafnan hljóð og þagði .

„Mikill er munr, að mælti hann við málið
audþoll vinnur ongvan þarfa,
þótt einatt gjori eg nokkuð starfa ,
djarfa,

Enn hefr gæfan gjort mér heldur góz að veita,
sonu Ámunda séð hef eg teita,
svó kann eg þeira gloggt að leita .

Nú skal finna keisarann Kall, er kappar
flýta mér og féð að sækja,“
fólið talaði, vónt til klækja.
rækja,

„Finn þú heldur fylkis son, kvað fljóðið
Rognvald skaltu ei raunir vinna,
rekkrinn mun þér góðu inna."
svinna,

„Sú var vón, að sagði hann og svó réð skilja,
að þú mundir, þorna þilja.
þessu jafnan eyða vilja.

Garprinn hefr þig giljað í vetr, kvad
þegninn verður þess að gjalda,
þið munud eitt um lymsku valda."
geymir skjalda,

Seggrinn út úr salnum gekk med sogdum
hurdu smellir hart i gætti,
hér næst lás fyri rannið setti .
hætti;

Kemr nú Áki á keisarans fund og kvaddi
það var ekki mart á milli,
mælti hann þá við litla snilli:

„Sjóla kann eg að segja mart til sannra
stilli,
þú munt gulli, geymir stétta
gofugur, launa enn fyri þetta."

„Hvað kann seggrinn segja það, kvað
að þú hyggur, hristir sverða,
að hér muni launin allgóð verða ?"
sveigir gerda,

„Sonu Ámunda séð hefeg enn og svo var
leyndu sér fyri lýða mengi,
leita kunni þeira engi.
lengi,

þeir eru séðir suðr við Rín, er sjóla vorðu,
holdar eiga hús i jordu,
háðung mikla kóngi gjorðu.“

Þegar veik Ubbi þangað að til þeira beggja :
„hvað kann þessi seggr að segja,
sýniz mér hann ekki þegja. "

Hilmir segir, hvað halrinn kann fyri
Ubbi svarar með ilsku alla :
„æslalæti má slíkt kalla.
holdum spjalla ;

þeir eru langt af þessum vegi á þenking
holdar skulu nú hoggin tína,
Herjans son, fyri lygi þína.“

„Þegn skal engi, að þengill kvað, fyri
seggnum fá nú silfrið hvíta,
sé það mork," kvað geymir ríta .
mína ;

Ongvan peng að Áki fekk, en aflar þrauta ;
svó réð Ubbi um það tauta,
að hann varð þegar í burt að snauta.

Skilz þar Áki skjoldung viðr og skatna
holdar skulu hann heimskan kalla.
Hér mun þessi bragrinn falla.
snjalla,

Colophon

Mágusrímur is a nine-ríma cycle on the first part of Mágussaga — one of the romances of chivalry (riddarasögur) that were among the most popular source material for Icelandic rímur poets. The cycle is set in a legendary Norse-European court: Emperor Játmundr of Saxony, his peculiar marriage to Ermengá of Garðaríki, a chess game that kills an emperor, and the hidden sons of Earl Ámundi who will shape the remaining saga. The cycle exemplifies the rímur tradition at its most courtly.

Good Works Translation from Old Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church with the assistance of Claude (Anthropic), 2026. The Old Icelandic source text follows below.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Colophon

Text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rímur, vol. 2, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1913–1922), pp. 530–620. Base text: Lbs. 145 4° (A) for Rímur I–IV where it survives; AM 604 4° (C) supplies A's lacunae; Stokkhólmsskinna 22 4° (B) is the sole source for Rímur V through IX. B and C are closely related but neither is a copy of the other. The cycle is incomplete: the manuscripts end without resolution in Ríma IX. Variant apparatus from the Rímnasafn edition omitted.

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