The Rímur of Ólaf Tryggvason — Redaction B
Five rímur from medieval Iceland retelling the last great voyage and death of King Ólaf Tryggvason — his departure from Niðaróss with sixty ships, the encounter with a blind seer, the gathering of allies, the treacherous ambush at Svöldr, and the final stand aboard the Long Serpent against the combined fleets of Denmark, Sweden, and Earl Eiríkr of Hlaðir.
This is Redaction B, an independent work preserved in the Wolfenbüttel manuscript (A) and AM 603, 4to (B), with variant readings from AM 605, 4to (C) and the paper copies. Though often copied as a continuation of Óláfsrímur A (the conversion of Indriði ilbreið), Finnur Jónsson notes that "it is clear from the rímur themselves that they are an independent whole." Where Redaction A tells a tale of conversion through contest, Redaction B tells a tale of betrayal, battle, and a king who chose his death.
The Battle of Svöldr (September 9 or 10, c. 1000 CE) is one of the most famous events in Norse history. King Ólaf Tryggvason of Norway, returning from Vindland with a reduced fleet, was ambushed near the island of Svöldr by the combined forces of King Sveinn Forkbeard of Denmark, King Ólaf Eiríksson of Sweden, and Earl Eiríkr Hákonarson. The battle ended with Ólaf's death — by drowning or by choice — and the partition of Norway among his enemies.
First known English translation.
Ríma I
Mansöngur
1.
I take up my tale: out of Nið
Ólaf's warriors sailed;
in warships ran the valiant host
forth on the cold seas.
2.
Sixty of the king's warships swept
out on the herring's earth;
storm-laden through Þrándheim's fjord
they drove their sails with fury.
3.
So I heard: past Agðanes
the Long Serpent glided;
gilded prows on flood and reef
flung their gleam far and wide.
4.
Waves spun round the longships hard
as they bore south by the shore;
every sail was taut on its rope —
a song in every strand.
5.
The crew endured the storm's assault,
the prows met wave on wave;
early that day to the isle of Mostr
Ólaf's warships ran.
6.
The ruler bade his ships at sea
ride there at their moorings;
the king turned toward the fair island —
few were in his company.
7.
The king disguised himself in a cloak,
sharp-witted among his men,
and found his way across the broad clearing
to a stately farmstead.
8.
There sat one, bold of spirit,
a waster of Fáfnir's bed —
a blind old man, nimble and wise,
who asked for the latest news.
Dialogue with the Blind Seer
9.
"Have you come by sea or land
seeking a merchant's gain,
or with your blade to break men's shields
and feed the wolf on the slain?"
10.
"A merchant's garb have we obtained,"
the king spoke with cunning,
"keeping peace by Fróði's grain
among famed warriors."
11.
"Has the king come into harbour?"
the old man spoke with spirit,
"no ship matches in splendour
the king's fleet on the water."
12.
"A dangerous curse of fortune it is
that the folk here dread:
should warriors lose that prince
who fights most boldly with his blade.
13.
Four treasures shall depart
first from this realm —
in fame, in splendour, beauty, and grace
none shall match their like.
14.
The king is noblest, the queen is fair,
the dragon-ship proud on the sea,
and Vígi bears the fiercest mark
of any greyhound alive."
15.
The prince left the hall in haste,
proved in fame and wisdom;
yet the king paused there by the gate —
proud is the king's spirit.
16.
"Faded now," the blind man said,
"is the bloom of my youth;
old age holds the seat of wisdom,
yet wisdom never fails.
17.
The king himself has sought me out,
generous and mild;
before that mighty prince I have
boasted more than I should."
The Fleet Sails South
18.
The old man falls silent; the king turns
at once toward the harbour.
The great-hearted lord commands
his warships loosed from mooring.
19.
The ships shuddered, the rigging bent,
the warriors wound the sails;
spray flew sideways over the reefs —
a breeze against the currents.
20.
The storm's serpent ran south past Stimm and Stað;
warriors bring the sun of the sea —
that sea-hound — to Jaðri.
21.
Skjálgsson praised to his keen kin
the king's true splendour;
Erlingr bore the highest fame
of all landed men.
22.
To Rǫgnvaldr the prince offered the faith
and the true flower of baptism;
Ingibjǫrg was the name of that noble lady
whom the earl won with honour.
23.
Þorgeir sought the king's assembly,
bold in the clash of arms;
the king's kinsman, with a warrior's heart,
never feared cold iron.
24.
Hyrningr has ever owned on the sea
a serpent east of the boat-sheds;
Erlingr's vessel leapt from the rollers —
that warm beast — at Jaðri.
25.
A merry sight was that fleet to see —
warships and bold warriors;
the waves ran past the blue ship-sides
and the rigging did not fail.
26.
Like clouds of foam the sails appeared,
the yardarm groaned in the gale;
over cold wave-lips blew the blue
swollen surge toward the Serpent.
27.
The south wind raised its mighty voice,
the reef-sails served the deck;
all through the salt to the Elbe east
the ocean-falcons flew.
Vindland
28.
Brenney then received the prince
with bright ship-prows;
the king then bade his valiant host
moor their warships in the harbour.
29.
Warriors held their meeting there —
Swedes and Norse together;
Sigvaldi was treacherous in spirit,
as men may well affirm.
30.
Fourteen nights the lord of Norway
waited there at rest;
then on wood-steeds he would ride
to worthy Vindland's coast.
31.
The ancient wave began to surge,
Geiti's steeds ran fast —
the storm stretched sails to the south
and warriors sighted Vindland.
32.
Búrizleifr sent word to the prince,
offered the lord of Agðir
flame-red gold — and a truce was struck
between the two kings.
33.
The duchess found her faithful friend,
the noble lord of Norway,
and offered him the Rhine's red gleam —
that shield-god — to receive.
34.
Ástríðr welcomed the splendid king,
swift was the deed accomplished;
the earl's wife from Jómsborg forth —
that wise woman — followed the prince.
Mansöngur Close
35.
Unworthy am I of Viðrir's cup
to teach warriors longer this time;
here may the light of gold
gaze upon Sviðrir's memory.
Ríma II
Mansöngur
1.
Here shall Viðrir's careful verse
to warriors' companies tell
how in Jómsborg the prince sat
with bold warriors around him.
2.
No word came from the wise ones,
the summer began to wane;
the Tronders grew weary of waiting
for the third year to pass.
3.
An assembly was called at the king's command
of the Tronders' brave company;
Tryggvason with skill of tongue
spoke boldly and at length.
4.
"Leave I grant those warriors gone
who think it better at home;
I shall let my warships later
drift through the salmon's vale."
5.
The Tronders broke up the king's assembly,
turned their cunning counsel,
and upon the broad ferry-grounds
rode Fróði's horses forth.
The Fleet Departs
6.
Ninety ships in a fair wind
the Norse let glide;
eleven lay quiet at anchor
to await the lord's fleet.
7.
That day came when the king commanded
his guard and bold warriors
to wind the red silken sails
with silver-wrought rigging.
8.
Ástríðr wished to join the splendid king
out on the breakers' slopes;
fifteen she had fitted together —
those fine Wendish longships.
9.
Erlingr sailed with a noble band
east over the wide sea;
brightly he parted from the lord
and never saw him again.
10.
Unwarily Ólaf's host
sailed away upon the sea;
the Serpent made its splendid way —
a merry sight upon the water.
11.
Warm was everything as flame played —
lightning on tower and wave;
the Serpent and the Crane and all the ships
must follow Fáfnir's course.
The Ambush at Svöldr
12.
Woe to that earl who promised peace
to the fair lord of the Sygnir;
the Swedes lie off Sǫlundir
and watch the warships glide.
13.
The Swedes and Danes and the noble earl
thought they clearly perceived —
in the early morning across the wave-hall —
the Long Serpent running.
14.
Eiríkr has counsel for his men
to steer a storm of spear-points;
he would sate the vulture's greed
and avenge his cruel wrongs.
15.
Sveinn the Dane beheld that ship
and set his cheek so red;
the terror bent the bravest glance —
dread of many a man's death.
16.
Ólaf the Swede declared himself keen
to lull warriors in blood,
though Sveinn among men was first
to strengthen the sword-storm.
17.
Sixty sea-beasts Sveinn chose
for the fierce battle;
the war-horn sang and uproar grew,
steel gnashed against shields.
18.
They rowed out by the isle of Svöldr —
the earl and both kings;
there the red shield would be tested
and Rǫndr's garments torn.
19.
Tryggvason bade his worthy men
lash the warships together on the water:
"I shall not falter before Tyrfingr's bite
and the counsel of two kings.
Ólaf's Defiance
20.
Bold men, turn your longships round
to the sharp edge-storm;
bring forward to the gentle bow
the warm beasts to the Serpent."
21.
Úlfr asks whether the Serpent shall
lie ahead of the other ships,
farther forward with chosen men
urging the storm to battle.
22.
"Guard the prow, thou Týr of steel,"
the king spoke in anger,
"lay the fair flood-beast
foremost on the lobster's heath."
23.
The king asks Þorkell Nefja:
"You shall tell us this —
that banner gleaming by Hǫgni's warmth,
which king has command of it?"
24.
"That standard faces you,"
the tree of blades replied,
"King Sveinn with a Swedish host
flanking him on both sides."
25.
"The Danes have no sharp spear,"
the prince declared,
"what will those forest goats
accomplish at the shield-assembly?
26.
Let us make swords gleam in blood
and teach these cowards;
we shall lull the Swedish host with the blade —
Sveinn shall flee."
The First Attack
27.
The prince's son roused the living folk,
the foam of battle waded;
in torrents ran the flood of blood,
the falcon flies to its prey.
28.
Warriors stir the swords' murder,
spear-points wake the veins;
every board is dyed in blood,
corpses cover the deck-planks.
29.
The keen blade's sharp edge bit
through every coat of mail;
in torrents crashed the corpse-storm
against rings washed with blood.
30.
The Norse brought swords to their enemies' necks,
the Swedes learned death;
with wounds and weariness the Swedish host —
Sveinn was forced to flee.
31.
The Jutland lord fled at last
from the grim iron-storm;
Sveinn has abandoned Sviðrir's meal —
his honour was the lesser.
32.
Ólaf's ships are now all
emptied of their bold warriors;
three vessels with the king's honour
still float upon their cables.
Mansöngur Close
33.
So shall I bind Bǫlverkr's harm
in the pen of Þrúngnir's passion,
while I steer the verse-missile
with the hammer of resounding steel.
Ríma III
The meter shifts to shorter, punchier lines with internal rhyme — the battle voice.
Mansöngur
1.
The silence ends, the third warship
must now begin to glide
on Hár's meeting in Sonar's sound —
the Swedes prepare to fight.
The Uppsala King Attacks
2.
The Uppsala king bade his men advance —
forty chosen warships
to run forward in the spear-clash
across the broad whale-field.
3.
The Tronders' lord asked boldly,
eager for fame and deeds:
"A hard fight met the fair host —
which king has command?"
4.
The blade-red men tell the noble folk
that Ólaf holds command:
"The valiant host will redden swords
and test those bold warriors."
5.
Sharp words over the longship's side
a cunning man in fury
spoke then, as one may recall,
to the prince's host in battle.
6.
"For the Swedes it is felled, the heathen yields —
easier to drink blood
than win the Serpent in a steel-storm's
strife against tested warriors."
7.
The clash is fierce, the battle joined
hard for a second time;
the spear-point flies, it pierces through
the stiff edge of the mail.
8.
The king's blows in the steel-dew —
no defences withstood;
blood flowed while the dart pierced
through warriors' shoulders.
9.
Ólaf fought with points so well
that all was terror to know;
the wound bled at the sword's grove —
the Swedes flee.
10.
The glory highest, adorned in honour,
of the bold lord of the Hǫrðar;
there the host fell while swords flashed —
the Swedes are taught to fall.
11.
Eighteen ships with mighty roar
the Norse cleared with the blade;
the wound swelled with the pain's cry —
the Swedes retreat to shore.
Ólaf's Ships
12.
The Crane is emptied, stripped of men,
the Short Serpent cleared;
the dragon bears the noblest host —
no company was braver.
13.
"Cut the Crane loose from her cables,"
Tryggvi's gentle son commanded;
the wounded men the king then bade
be sent away from battle.
Eiríkr Approaches
14.
Eiríkr's men are every one
adorned in Óðinn's shrouds;
those warriors bear the keen spear
and are clad in Rǫndr's garments.
15.
Thirty ships the worthy king lets —
those deck-horses — glide
on the sea-horse's path with hostile deeds;
the Norse await the onslaught.
16.
The dragon-ship the earl commands
is iron-clad far and wide;
its strong planks are guarded with steel —
that fair steering-beast.
17.
Battle is joined as warriors call
boldly for the steel-storm;
the fight crashed against the firm planks —
a great crashing aboard the Serpent.
18.
The king asks, when battle was joined
in the strife with tested warriors:
"Fiercely comes this mighty host —
who bears that noble banner?"
19.
The king's wise and learned folk
said Eiríkr commanded
the flood-elk on the land's abyss,
fast in the shields' rain.
20.
"Trusty men the prince still has,"
Tryggvason declared,
"against us at the shield-root
bold work to accomplish."
21.
The valkyrie's storm is fierce and hard,
made for the third time;
the shield bursts in battle's rest —
Fjǫlnir's friendship is tested.
22.
Eiríkr's host is hardened in fury
in the red rain of swords;
the shadow-shields are cleft asunder —
Skúli fights with might.
23.
Keen is the fight where Vígfúss held
and fought before the earl's banner;
the tarred shield with steady hand
Torfi the strong one cleaved.
Ólaf in the Thick of It
24.
Ólaf's glory is never fully told
in all of Fjǫlnir's embrace;
the king's hand with steel and shield —
none dresses more proudly.
25.
He shoved men aside and shot at once,
the prince with both his hands;
every thrust flew through the air —
that lord of hawk-shores.
26.
Arrows shattered on firm armour,
no plate-coat availed;
the scabbard's wand struck the smooth shield —
blood spattered the warriors.
27.
Einar shot and the claw-bolt flew
hard from the cramped space;
breasts met the steel's bite —
each man toppled into the deep.
28.
Hyrningr's spear is death's arrow,
it felled the prized champions;
Víkar's sword took warriors' lives
and knocked heads from bodies.
29.
The helmet burst against the hard battle,
hearts burst on the spear-point;
for cowards it was nowhere safe
among the warriors there.
30.
With courage the Tronder folk
let Eiríkr's thanes bite
the sward clean through, the neck laid bare —
Sviðrir's bold white ones.
31.
Pale grew the corpse in the wound's sun,
slashed by the bitter blade;
the storm grew dark and the iron leapt —
the earl held toward the shore.
Mansöngur Close
32.
Ólaf's glory among warriors' praise
runs across the earth's edges;
the honour of the prince is told highest,
far above other kings.
33.
The worthy king lets warriors
be hurried to shore with their wounds;
warriors' longing and horns' stillness —
Hár's memory will best endure.
Ríma IV
Paired couplets (AABB), the meter grows taut as Eiríkr boards the Serpent.
Mansöngur
1.
The earth's lord on Sonar's sea —
the ship surged before me farther;
the age's anguish is bound by need,
now is that faded — the art of learning.
Eiríkr's Assault
2.
I take up my tale: how Eiríkr's folk
in the edge-storm, wounded and weary,
held toward shore with drawn blade —
warriors strengthen wrath and ruin.
3.
Eiríkr's will is fearsome indeed,
eager for defence and sharp cunning;
he bids yet that the prince's men
should redden the wolf's fangs in blood.
4.
Hard is the dragon, the prince's guard;
no warrior is spared on the Serpent —
"I never saw amid the point-storm
another vessel floating thus."
5.
"This will take warriors' counsel true
to ride through both wave and lead;
yet we dare at the shield-fray
to rouse the edge-storm against the prince."
6.
"Þorkell the earl is able and bold,
keen is thy wisdom's ledge;
now show thy deed and find the way
that we may reach the king's life."
7.
"I vow now by the holy faith
to keep for ever, if that fortune
should come to us through warriors' might —
that I might reach the noble prince."
8.
"The earl's power is a fading spirit,
men use such a lineage;
the strong deceit now afflicts thus —
the warriors' prince betrays his kin."
Þorkell's Stratagem
9.
Þorkell orders the warriors grimly:
"Let now the brave folk
bear great timbers to the prow-land;
let us topple mighty Ása-Þórr."
10.
"Load great oaks, as many as we can —
the best and biggest, more than two;
test then whether warriors may
bring them against the Serpent."
11.
"The high turret with the timber stands;
I reckon now that our company
may test then with the blue blade
to bear those noble battle-works aboard."
12.
"Dare we then what may befall —
if the battle-works sink, golden to see,
if bold men with the blue spear can
board the Long Serpent yet."
13.
Þorkell's stratagem is revealed and told —
soon the shield-clash shall ring loud;
the bold company at the steel-storm's roar
turns and readies for Eiríkr's assault.
14.
The war-horn is blown, the battle raised,
the rowing rages wild toward the Serpent;
the corpse floated on the sea-horse's road —
the Norse dared to endure the trial.
15.
Battle raged before at the king's will,
now grows near the fourth fight;
heart's blood wells where the folk stand —
crashing and gnashing in Sviðrir's waters.
The Fighting on the Serpent
16.
Fjǫlnir's peace cuts through warriors,
blood floods the fierce current;
Ólaf's host deserves a verse —
far and wide ride blood-drenched swords.
17.
The skull burst on Skǫgul's lap,
Skǫfnungr's drop rang on the planks;
thirty boards on the deck-horse —
the king's men defended best.
18.
Uxafótr at the shield-root
hurled from his hand the keen spear;
the hidden one swept at Fjǫrnir's cliff —
Þorsteinn seized the trident from the fight.
19.
The god rode in the mighty warship,
the wonder sunders the broad planks;
Hlífar's Þǫkk leapt on the deck —
the weary folk sank in the sea.
20.
The king saw where Þorsteinn fought,
bold and commanding with such trust:
"In the sword-storm never
has any matched you," said the lord in the spear-clash.
21.
The earl commanded in the blades' roar:
"Let him now attack who is loath to flee;
bring great oaks against the pale planks —
let warriors strengthen the Leaf-god's game."
22.
The Serpent lists all to one side,
the bold host bears across the gangways
the fierce flame — but through the mighty folk
Eiríkr's spear drove clean.
23.
The earl leapt when Hlǫkk's clash rang;
the shield-beast recoiled in the rings;
bold on the Serpent in the dart-storm —
he offered warriors the shape of death.
24.
For the noble earl the spear sang,
the berserk stirs wondrous carnage;
famed men follow still —
they bloody Fenrir's fangs.
25.
Ólaf's host with blood-drenched swords
pressed hard with warriors' might
forward against the fury's strength —
fierce and furious was the spear-rain.
The Fall of Ólaf's Champions
26.
The strife was fierce with naked steel,
the prow ever guarded athwart;
Úlfr the Red was never loath
for the edge-storm — but he was dead.
27.
Noble honour was granted to Úlfr,
told and remembered among warriors' fame;
death overcame the prince's man —
no warrior was braver than he.
28.
Þorgeir's will is wondrous bold,
eager for defence and sharp cunning;
the spear rings against the valkyrie's ice —
glad was the earth where the hero fell.
29.
The hero's kin is rich in honour,
Hyrningr's fame shall never fade;
a bold meeting with the dart-god —
death offered in that very hour.
30.
The Norse host saw the battle-field,
the mighty warrior cleaves shields;
the defence faltered in the sword-drift —
the Hǫrðar guarded the king's life.
31.
The spear-cast was grim and keen,
the valkyrie's tooth tore the brain's loaf;
the earl's host with iron's might —
all was fought back to the mast.
32.
Strife's wonder — steel like tinder
leapt and recoiled, shields burst apart;
none can ask if Rǫgnir's warmth
was ever borne higher in any land.
33.
The king's sword struck neck and shoulder,
casting keen blows at the earl's host;
the ruler's strength is shaped in honour —
the host falls back to the sterncastle.
Mansöngur Close
34.
From this glory I shall turn away,
to the morning's horn-play of verse;
Suðri's journey on the Son's sea —
let sweet sounds amend it there.
Ríma V
The final ríma. The bow breaks. The king vanishes. The prophecy is fulfilled.
Mansöngur
1.
Let the noble folk begin to prove
the horn's old flood of Yggr;
Senningr's ship runs fifth —
the play of verse around the song-shed.
2.
Sorrow brings me a sickly hour,
calmly I pour the Son's strait;
I wish the lily of the gold's light
to gaze fair on Ullr's way.
The Final Stand
3.
Battle was before with spear-point fierce,
warriors' might is told in fury;
the spear-clash is grim and raging —
the king stood bold in the sterncastle.
4.
The war-one cleaves the shaded shield,
the Baldr of shields, with hard hand;
rings burst apart, pure asunder —
valour trusts the sword-grove.
5.
The mighty warrior gave a weapon-storm:
"Defend now here the Long Serpent!"
The Norse dared Naglhringr's edge
to cut and cleave many a man.
The Bow of Einar Þambarskelfir
6.
Einar shot an arrow at the earl —
the shaft struck as the bowstring rang;
two flew mightily at the prince,
whistling and driving somewhat near.
7.
Óðinn's planks howl and clang;
the bold earl turns to Finnr:
"Einar is splitting the shaded shield —
shoot him quickly and defend my life."
8.
Finnr replies: "Son of the king,
not fated to die is the Leaf-god's grove —
I would gladly break his bow,
but I cannot shoot the arrow."
9.
The flood-fire flies and shoots —
Einar's bow breaks at the neck;
warriors strengthen keen and sharp
Hveðrungr's storm — but the bowstring snapped.
10.
The king hastened to declare:
"Einar, tell us truly now —
what burst so keen and loud
by the sword's edge with greatest might?"
11.
"Rank and riches from thy hand,
swift lord — but the bow before me
broke just now," said the mail-coat's Þundr,
"broken and shattered is the bow asunder."
12.
A bold oath the prince then gave:
"One God alone may rule this;
thy elm-bow never held
the arrow-tree against my honour."
The Last Fighting
13.
With both hands the swift lord fought
the arrow-storm;
the corpse-calming tempest crashed —
crashing and roaring against the brain's loaf.
14.
The horn spurns the brain's dwelling,
hard and sharp was the valkyrie's cloud
torn and cleft by the shield-serpent —
the prince stirs the edge-storm.
15.
The pale one cleaves Ǫlvir's helm —
that life-taker, sword-wielder, skull-splitter;
hot heads fly from bodies —
the sword took life from the Tronder host.
16.
So noble a prince the earl beheld —
Eiríkr's spear bit through bodies;
up to the hilt in hearts it drove —
that sword that robbed the folk of life.
17.
Swiftly at the earl the king in turn
sent three javelins from his hand;
I have truly heard the battle turned —
no warrior got the shot home.
18.
"At the art of metal and elm-wood
I have never missed that way
before in battle," said the bold king,
tamed in Strindr's splendour.
19.
"Now the faith of the noble man
shall the prince receive from heaven's hall;
the earl shall with honour and skill
enjoy and use God's will."
20.
He is known where Kolbeinn stands,
keen and ready to redden the point;
to the noble prince the warrior stands nearest,
mighty in battle, supreme in splendour.
The Vanishing
21.
Ólaf's sun, the prince proclaimed —
dearest mercy shields his life;
the pure power of heaven shone
loud with might over the sterncastle.
22.
No warrior saw Ólaf then —
the bold host fought on in the light;
the brave tree of darts vanished —
glory is told of the king's honour.
23.
The host is spent at the dart's murder;
warriors went over the side into the sea —
those who by Eiríkr's noblest judgment
gained grace through loyalty's pledge.
The Prophecy Fulfilled
24.
All the bold ones learned then that Ólaf,
the arrow-tree, was gone;
Þýri bore dear for her prince
death's torment and harsh grief.
25.
The dragon shuddered at the prince's fall;
the raven grows ever gaunt;
all acknowledged that fate —
he never went to the helm again.
26.
Vígi surrendered at Einar's word —
told and remembered in Norway north;
dwell, worthy yeomen, laid down,
a pure account of what love can do.
27.
The folk bore grief for the Leaf-god's grove,
for the bright lady, the dragon-ship, and the hound;
with sorrow the host lost them all —
so came true the old man's prophecy.
The Legend of Ólaf's Survival
28.
We believe now that Tryggvi's heir,
firm and hale, parted from
the dragon and the crash through a swift swim,
and hastened to reach the duchess.
29.
The bright and noble tree of darts —
the fair lady on a Wendish ship
bore him away from the swords' swirl,
and hastened to Vindland home.
30.
The wave's horn follows the billow;
the mild prince, eager for splendour,
sailed south through red to Rome itself —
on a sorrowful journey with the flower of honour.
31.
The goddess then parted from that prince
of drink; the lord lived with honour and piety;
rightly have I heard of that king:
the lord came to Jerusalem.
32.
The ways of learned clerics and cloisters
the wise ruler then took up;
power for all ages the mighty one received:
a dwelling with Christ and heaven's glory.
Eulogy
33.
None among warriors can relate
the whole of Ólaf's deeds with skill;
the hero's cunning and triumphant honour —
that is now the greatest fame among men.
34.
No prince was found more famous
in the north or out in France;
across all the salt-sea, earth, and home,
honour is paid to that king.
Mansöngur Close
35.
Here I shall part with this entertainment;
may peace hold for pure-hearted men;
the prince's wagon's way and power —
may it be granted to all for ever.
Colophon
Óláfsrímur Tryggvasonar (B) — five rímur retelling the last voyage and death of King Ólaf Tryggvason at the Battle of Svöldr (c. 1000 CE). This is Redaction B, an independent cycle preserved in the Wolfenbüttel manuscript (A), AM 603, 4to (B), and AM 605, 4to (C), distinct from Redaction A (the conversion of Indriði ilbreið, already published in the archive).
The cycle covers Ólaf's departure from Niðaróss with sixty ships (I), the gathering of allies and the treacherous ambush at Svöldr (II), the rout of the Swedes and the approach of Earl Eiríkr (III), the boarding of the Long Serpent and the fall of Ólaf's champions (IV), and the breaking of Einar Þambarskelfir's bow, the vanishing of the king, the fulfilment of the blind seer's prophecy, and the legend of Ólaf's survival and pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem (V).
The blind seer's prophecy in Ríma I (stanzas 12–14) — that four treasures would depart the realm: the king, the queen, the dragon-ship, and the hound Vígi — is fulfilled in Ríma V (stanzas 24–27), forming the cycle's structural arc.
Translated from Old/Middle Icelandic by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Source text: Rímnasafn — Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, ed. Finnur Jónsson, Vol. 1 (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 185–212. Critical apparatus has been consulted but is not reproduced. Variant readings from manuscripts B (AM 603, 4to), C (AM 605, 4to), and Ba (Ny kgl. saml. 1133) informed the translation where the base text (A, Wolfenbüttel) was corrupt.
This is a Good Works Translation — independently derived from the Old Icelandic source text. No prior English translation is known to exist.
Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
🌲
Source Text: Óláfsrímur Tryggvasonar (B)
Old/Middle Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn — Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, ed. Finnur Jónsson, Vol. 1 (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 185–212. Base text: Wolfenbüttel manuscript (A). Critical apparatus from the printed edition (variant readings, manuscript sigla, editorial notes in Danish) is intermixed with the verse text. Presented for reference and verification.
- Hef eg par od er ut af Nid
Olafs hermenn hallda;
flaustrum rendi frækid lid
fram a regin kallda. - Svifu par ut a sildar iord
Ix skiolldungs skeida,
sextigi C.
stormi prungin Prandheims fiord
preyUu segl med reida.
3. Svo fra ee ut um Agdanes
Orminn Iannga skrida,
hofudin gylld a flod og fles
fleygdu geislum vida.
4. Barur snuddu um sneckiur pvert
ok snorudu sudr med landi,
segl var hvert vid sima hert,
song i hveriu bande.
5. Stundu bond en storms var kostI',
stafnar kolgu kendu,
arla dags ad eynne Mostr
Olafs skeidr renndu.
6. Stiller bidr a flode fley
flioti par med streingi;
fylker veik a fagra ey,
faU var kongsins geingi.
7. Kongurenn dylzt vid klædit eiU,
kænn i hof med sveinum,
ratar hann fram i riodrit breitt
ad rikunl gardi einum.
8. Par sat einn af eni modI'
eyder Fofnes pall a,
blinde kaIl vår fimr ok frodr,
fregnar nyrra spialla.
s prungin: praungwan B.
fiord: gi ord C.
preyLte C.
flod og: floda A, G.
s lyder i C: seglen voru
med sonnu hert.
hvert: B; alU A.
sima: B; svira A.
A, B.
s fagra: frida C.
hop C.
breiU: ul. B.
-
"Hvort hafe pier um lege eda laund
leitad kauplnanz pryde,
eda med brande brotna rondo
ok brutiad vargi lyde?" -
"Kaupmanz hofum vier km'ti nad,"
kongrinn talar af snilli,
"halldit fride wm Froda sad
frægra kappa i milli." -
"Er bier kongrinn kominn vid hofn?"
kall talar enn af modi,
"skip hefer eingi ad skarti iofn
sem skiolldungs her a flodi." -
Hættligt er pad hamingiu bann,
er hier fæl' lydr i lanndi,
dreinngir missa doglinng pann,
er dyrstr vegr med brandi. -
Fiorer hluter fara peir burt
fyrst ur pessu riki,
ad fremd ok prydi, fegrd ok kurt
finnz ei peira liki. -
Kongr er dyrstr enn droUning hrein,
dreki er vænn a sunde,
Vige ber aft ok grimdar grein
greys af huerium hundi." -
Ræsir veik af ranne bratt,
reyndr ath fremd ok fræde;
po gaf stiller stadar vid gaU,
stollt er kongsins æde.
eda: ok A.
s med: ul. C.
uZ. e.
hrutiad: med y B, C.
s wm: B;
ok A, C.
sem C; ul. B.
s dreingir: ef dr. ej ef drottir B.
uZ. e.
U, greys: gress e.
ath: B; n A, e.
B .po gaf: -
"Blektr er nu," kvad blinnde madr,
"blome æsku minnar,
verdr af elli a vizku stadr,
visdomr eeki sinnar . -
Siklinng hefer mie soUan heim,
sæmdar giarn ok milldi;
hefie fyrir rikum ræsi peinl
rausad fleira enll skyIlde. " -
Pagnar kan enn peingill vikr
pegar j stad til hafna,
lofdungr baud lyndis rikr
leysa skeidar stafna. -
Bifadizt skip enn bendiz laukr,
hragnar seglin undu,
pvert um hrenni hraunnen rauk,
blyr vid strauma stundu. -
Renndi sudl' fyrir StiInm ok Stad
stormrinn aIku nadri;
segger leggia Sola ad
sunda hund a Jadri. -
Skialgsson Iofade skyrri mægd
skiolldungs pryde sanna;
Erlingr bar æzta frægd
allra lendra manna.
inn C.
s verdr-elli: elli uerdr B.
a: ul. G.
i B: Kongren sialfr hefr sott mie heim. SigI- skr. G.
bloma A.
s ræsi: ræser C.
ad l. G.
skeidar: sneekiu B, C.
Bendizt A (z skr. over i).
skip: spik A.
bendiz: B;
bendi (z mulig tf. over l.) ei bifade A.
laukr: Iauk A.
straumi G; wid stormi B.
sudur:
fram C.
Stimm: Stein B, G.
for B. -
Rognvalldi baud ræser tru
ok rieUan skirnar bloma;
Ingebiorg hiet agæt fru,
er iallen fieck med soma. -
Porgeir soUi a fylkis fund,
framr ad vopna hialldri,
kongsins magr vid kappa lunnd
kolld iarn oUazz alldri. -
Hyrningr hefur æ ægi aU
austan nausta nadri;
hlyra dyr a J adri. -
Skemtiligr var skare ad sia,
skeidr ok dyrer dreinger;
kolgan renndi um borden bIa,
biludu eigi streinger. -
Laudri Hk eru segl ad sia,
sviptan stynr vid storme;
kolldum vorrum blies hin bIa
bolginn allda ad Orme. -
Gonsudr æsti ramma raust,
alU nm sallt ad Elfe austr
alku falkar flugdu.
ræser: ræsi B.
i B.
s vid: med C.
vid kappa: af kappi og B.
er k. C.
ægi: ægin B, C. aU:
art C.
nausta: naustan Bi i
tf. A.
s hlunne: hlunnum C.
hraU: hart C.
fra C.
storrni: sormi B.
svorrum : med
et r A, C.
en forvanskning af blOl5ughadda.
C; Goms skr. B. æsti: æstu C.
s um: var A.
ad Elfe: til elfar C. -
Brenney tekr pa budlungs vid
hiortum sneckiu staufnum;
pa bad fylker frækid lid
festa skeidr a hofnum. -
Segger hafa par seUan fund
Svia ok Noregsmanna;
SigvaIIdi var 1ymskr i lund,
lyder mega pat sanna. -
Par ried flortan næstu nætr
Noregs gramr ad bida;
viII hann pa til Vindlandz mætr
vidis hestum rida. -
Geysazz tok hin gamla udr
Geitis hestar rendu,
stormrinn pandi segl i sudr,
segger Vinland kenndu. -
Burizleifr hefer til bragnings freU,
baud hann Egda stilJi
tandrautt gull, enn tekin er sætt
tveggia konga imilli. -
Dixin fann sinn dygvan vin,
dyran Noregs tiggia,
baud hid rauda Rinar skin
rannda Pund ad piggia. -
Astrid fagnar itrum gram,
ort nam dæder vinna,
um: bl'æddum B.
sneckiu: skeidar e.
s bad: baud B.
s hann pa:-
pa gramr B, e.
Vind-: Vin- B.
Geysazz: Geisa O; Geysiz B.
tok: hæt B.
II Geitis: er g.
s er: var e.
B, e.
s hid:-
ed B.
itrum: ytum C.
iallsins k uon i lomsborg fram
iofri fylgdi hin svinna.
35. Bel' eg ei virtur Vidris fulIz
vir dum leingr ad sinne;
hier ma lilian lysi gullz
lita a Svidris minne.
II.
- Par skal Vidris varra gnat
virda sveitum skyra
iofur med dreinge dyra. - Sagdiz ecki af svinnum neitt,
sumarid tok ad lida;
Prændum giordiz prautar leitt
Pridia els ad bida. - Ping var stefnt ad peingils villd
Prænda roskvo meingi;
Tryggvason med tungu snilld
talade sniallt ok leingi. - "Orlof gef ek peim brognum braut,
er betra piker heima;
ek mun skeidr um laxa laut
lata sidar sveima." - Prænder rufu pad ræses ping,
fram a breidan feriu bing
Froda hestum renndu.
eg: ul. A.
gnat: gnatt C; gnot B.
Or-: Ord· C.
brognum: ul. C.
ræses: rausnar C.
ræsis ordlof kiendu.
i
I
RbINASAFN
6. Niutigi skipa i nogum byr
N ordmenn lietu skrida;
ellifu lagu a lægi kyrr
lofdungs flaustr ad bida.
7. Hinn kom dagr ad hilmer baud
hird ok dyrmn dreingium
vinda silke seglin raud
med silfr bunum streingium.
8. Astrid viII med itrum gram
ut a brimla breckur;
fimtan liet hun setia a sam
sieligar Vinda sneckiur.
9. Erling hiellt med agætt lid
austr um ægi vidan,
liosan skilIde hann lofdung vid
ok leit hann alldri sidan.
10. Ofyrirsyniu Olafs lid
undan sigldi nm ægi;
Ormurinn tok med skarti skrid
skemtilegr a lagi.
11. Hlyr var alU sem logade leidr
leiptr a borg ok bylgia;
Ormr ok Trana ok 'aUa skeidr
eiga Fofni ad fylgia.
12. Svei peim ialIi er sagde frid
Sygna gram hinum frida;
Sviarner liggia Solund vid
ok sia hvar skeidur skrida.
s ellifu: sextan A.
breckur: sål. også først i B og
C, men u er fojet til (altså brecku); fork. tegnet f. ~ur streget
ud (O) el. raderet (B).
s fimtan: fimtoga B. setia-sam: a
salltann suam C.
ægin C; lægi B.
Hlyr var: kan også læses Hlyr Dar A.
logade: loganda B.
enum skr. C.
- Sviar ok Daner ok hinn dyri iall
driug miog poUuz kenna
arla dags .um olna hall
Orminn Ianga renna. - Eirekr hefer fyrir ytum rad
odda skur ad stefna;
hann viII sedia gylfris grad
ok grimra harma hefna. - Sveinn hinn danski sa pad skip
ok setti kinn svo rauda,
hræzlu margs mannz dauda. - Olafur svenski sagdiz lystur
ad sæfa iblode bragna,
po blant Sveinn af seggium fyrstur
suerda el ad magna. - Sextigi valdi siofar dyr
Sveinn ad snarpri hillde,
Iudurinn saung enn giordiz gnyr,
gnustu stal fyrir skilIdi. - Logdu ut um eyna Svolldr
iall ok kongar bader;
par mnn reynndr enn rau4i skiolldur
oc rifnar Handins vader. - Tryggvason had tigna nlenn
teingia skeidr a sundi:
poUuz:
li hall: hiarll B. ih sedia: selia C.
gylfl'is:
gyldis B.
hræslu suip; svipr skr. B.
ul. C.
valdi: villdi C.
siofar: siafar C.
fyrir: vid Ea.
undir 610.
Handins : Handis Ba.
"bila eg ei vid Tyrfings ten n
ok tveggia konga runde.
20. Garpar suui sneckium vid
snorpum eggia stormi,
leggi fra m a bvora blid
blyra dyr ad Ormi."
21. Vlfur SpUl', ef Orminn skal
audrum skeidum leggia
lengl~a fra m med lyda val
i leik ad eli eggia.
22. "Stafnenn vel' pu stala Tyr,"
stiller talar af reide,
"leggid bid frida flædar dyr
fremst a humra heidi."
23. Porkel nefiu peingill spyr:
"pu munt oss pad skyra
merkid glæst vid Hogna hyr,
huer a kongr ad styra?"
24. "Merkid ydr i moti bel', "
meider svarade branda,
"kongrinn Sveinn med svænskan her
sier til beggia handa. "
25. "Donum er ecki dorrinn kringr,"
doglinng ried ad inna,
"hvad munu skaun vid skialIda ping
skogar geitur ad vinna.
sno Ea.
fram: timm C, Ea.
fegursta C.
flædar: flæda C.
J: skaub A; skemt Ba; sku O.
vid: C; i A.
ul. Ea.
- Latum blikud iblode sverd
bleydr pessar kenna,
sæfum brande svænska ferd,
Sveinn skal undan renna." - Lofdungs son bra lift piod,
laudri gumna voda
fossum rann enn flode blod,
flygur valr til brada. - Bragnar æsa brannda mord,
broddar ædar voktu,
bukar piliur jJoktu. - Hvitings beit hin hvassa eg
hveria bryniu i gegnum,
fossum dundi hræfa hregg
at hringum blode pvegnum. - N ordmenn baru ad svirum sverd,
Sviarner dauda kenna,
med sara ok moda svænska ferd
Sveinn hlaut undan renna. - Flyde hid grimma iarna el
Iotlandz gramr ad sinne,
Sveinn hefer latid Svidris miel;
sæmd var hans ad minne. - Olafs eru pa aUa skeidr
eyddar dyrum dreingium,
ok bl. Ba.
s sæfum: suæfum med C.
piod: !iod Ba.
C; gumnar Ba.
voda: synes først skr. boda C.
s fossum :
efta C.
s sara
var: er Ba.
flaustrin priu med fylkis heidur
flipta enn med streingium.
33. Svo skal binnda Baulverks mein
basH prungnis moda,
medan ec stærestefia flein
med stælltum hamri hlioda.
III.
-
Af pagnar leid en pridia skeid
par mun verda ad skrida
Hars vid fund a Sonar sund,
Sviarner buaz ad strida. -
Uppsala gramur baud fyrdum framur
fioritigi valdra skeida,
renna fram i geira glamm
a gylfra vollinn breida. -
Prænda gramr nam fregna framr
frægdar giarn ok dada:
"halla strij tt feck herlid fritt,
huer a kongr ad rada?" -
Eggia riod seiger agæt piod
Olaf eiga ad styra, -
"rausnar ferd vill rioda sverd
ok reyna dreingi dyra."
ec tf. G.
Baulverks: boluers C.
prungins G; pra unginn 610.
s medan: a m. C.
uZ. Ba.
hlioda: Iioda Ba.
en: hin C.
Olafs flaustur eru tengd vid traust
Triggvasonar ens snialla
lysta nægd bel' lofdungs frægd
langt yfer konga aIla.
C, D. -
Snarlig ord' yfer sneckiu bord
snilldar madur af brædi
talade pa, sem minnaz ma,
vid milldings her a græde. -
"Svium er belldr, heidnen velldr,
hægra blod ad drecka
enn vinna Ormm i stala storm
stims vid reynda recka." -
Gnyr er gilldr, hafin er hilldr
hord i odru sinne;
bryniu allinn stinne. -
Stillis hogg i stala dogg
stoduz ongvar gerdar,
flode blod enn fleinnenn od
fyrdum ut um hel'dar. -
Olafur vo med oddum svo.
alU vard hræzlu ad kenna;
sveiUiz und vid sara lund,
Sviarner undan renna. -
Pryden hæst er heidri glæst
Horda grams ins snialla;
par hne ferd, enn svipudu sverd,
Svium er kennt ad falIa. -
Atian flaust vid ron1U raust
ruddu Nordmenn brande,
brædi . . a græde: omb. C.
heidnen: ud. art. Ba. -
stims:
strids C.
er :(2)
var C.
s lyder i C: bryniu rifr j briosti smygr. -
bryniu:
benia O.
i 610: sveiUist pio d af sarum mod. Foran dette v. findes et
vers i 610, mgl. de øvrr.
raust: ranstr O.
unden svall vid sara gall,
Sviarner hallda ad lande.
12. Trana er eydd ok ytum sneydd,
Ormurinn ruddur hinn skemri,
drakon ber pann dyrsta her,
droU var eingi fremri.
13. Traunu bad pa ur teingslum sIa
Tl'yggva sonur hinn miIlde,
sara menn baud sikling enn
senda burt fra hilldi.
14. Eireks menn eru aIli r senn
Odins reflum prydder,
hauldar peir bera hvassann geir
ok Handins skyrtum skrydder.
15. Priatige lætur peingill mætur
piliu hesta skrida
a nykra lad med nistri dad,
Nordmenn romu bijda.
16. Drekinn sa sem iallinn a
er iarni paktr vij da,
sterklig bord el'U stali vord
styris dyrs hins frida.
17. Hodr er greiddr af reckum beiddur
roskur ad stala storme,
vigit brast vid bord it fast,
brakade haU i Orme.
gall: giall Ea.
s drakon: C; drek-
inn A.
pann dyrsta: suo dyrann O; l. lyder i Ea: dreka a
er sa dogling uer.
eingi: C, Ba;
eingin A.
ar C.
dyrs hins: dyrsins O.
s vid-fast: pvi bard var huast O, borde
OL.A.FSRiMUR B III
18. Sioli spyr er stefndr var styr
stims vid reynda serld:
"grimliga fer sia harde her,
hver a vegligt merke?"
19. SiklillgS pio den svinn ok frod
sagdi Eirek hallda
flædar elg æ foIdar svelg
fast i skerru skialIda.
20. "Trausta menn hefr tiggi enn."
Tryggvason nam inna,
"oss a mot vid rannda rot
rausnar verk ad vinna. ,.
21. Gonla hrid er grimm ok strid
gior i pridia sinne;
springur rit i romu hvil,
reynt er Fiolnis luinne.
22. Eireks ferd er heiptum herd
i hiorva raudu regne;
skiomen hitur skygdar ritur,
Skuli veg ur af lnegne.
23. Vigr er smellt er Vigfus hiellt
ok vo fyrir iallzinns merke;
tiorgu rond med traustri hond
Torfe klauf enn sterke.
s grim.: diarf. G.
sia: en O; sa Ea.
froda A; floda Ba.
hefr tiggi: O; ha fa tiggiar A,
v. (ojer C til:
Fleinn var sendr bogi var bendr
borin var skiomi skilldi
snudi broddr j bryniu ok oddr
brak var haU af hillde.
vegr O.
enn: himl C.
- Olafs dyrd er alldri skyrd
oll i Fiolnis feinge,
stillis hond med stal ok rond
stolltari klædiz eingi. - Skyfde menn ok skaut i senn
skati med badmll hondum,
lagid tok hvert a lopti bert
lofdung hauka straundum. - Pilan brast vid panzer fast,
platan dugde eingi.
slidrar von d vid sleUa rond,
slagade blod um dreinge. - Einar skaut enn hremsa hraut
hart ur krappa rume,
stunde briost vid stalid nliorst,
steyptez hver ad hume. - Hyrnings dor er daudans 01',
dyrar kem pr fellde,
Vikars hior nam holda fior
ok hofud af bukum skeIlde. - Hialmren brast vid hialldrit fast,
hiartad sprack a spioti,
blaudum var nu virdum par
vært med ongu moti. - Liet vid mod en prænska Piod
pegnull1 Eireks bita
stal: stale e,
straundum: ul. e, men har et henvisningstegn.
pansaran Ba.
e.
huer: hel' e.
en: hin C.
A, Ea.
svord um pvert oc svira bert
Svidris balid huita.
31. Folr vard nar vid sollin sar,
særdr bitrum brande,
el var dockt enn iarnid stockt;
iallenn hieIlt at lannde.
rennr um iardar iadra,
tignen dyrst er lofdungs lyst,
langt yfer konga adra.
33. Seggi lætur sioli mætur
sara fly tia ad lande;
haulda pra ok horna la
Hars mun best at stande.
IV.
- Folldar gram a Sonar sam
sneckian geck mier fUl'ri fram;
ellin tvist er naudum nist,
nu er su hrornud fræda list. - Hef ec par od sem Eireks piod
i eggia hreggi sar ok mod
heIl du a land med brugden brand,
bragnar magna heipt ok grand. - Eireks villd er geysi gilld
giorn a vorn ok snarpa snilld;
svira:
sviran C.
bert: C; hvert A, Ea.
a enn: ok C.
lofdungs: ad lofdung C.
brugdnum C.
"heipt ok: heiptar Ba. Med dette vers op-
villd: valld B.
bidr hann enn ad budlungs menn
iblode riode a vargi tenn.
4. Dreke er hardur doglinngs vardr,
dreingur er eingi a· Ormi spardnr -
"ec sa ey vid odda pey
annad panneg fliota fiey.
5. Pad mun had unl recka rad
rida bade um logu ok lad,
poru vær ey vid randa rey
vid ræsi ad æsa eggia pey.
6. Porkell iall er prifinn ok sniallr,
pinn er suinnr vizku hiallr;
frem nu dad ok finn pad rad
ad fengium peingils life nad.
7. Heit ec nu pa helgu tru
hallda um all dur, ef giptan sn
gæfiz oU vid garpa pl'ott
gætec mætan millding sott.
8. Iallzinns mekt er ande blekl,
itar nyta slika slekt,
pretturinn rikr plagaz nu slikr,
pengurinn dreingia sinnu svikr."
Olafs her sa wisu ver
vel ma telia garpinn huer
fylkis menn a fofni enn
fimm i rimmu ok j:>ridiger senIl.
i bade: bædi C; vitt. B.
logu: lond C.
s poru vær: pori ec C.
ræsi: ræsa C.
pey: fley C, men synes rettet.
sniallr: suinnr B.
C; penningren B.
sinnu: sinni C.
-
Forkell bydur brognum pydur:
"beri nu hier sa vaske lydur
timbrin stor a stafna ior,
steypum greypum Asa-por. -
Eikr nær sem orkum vær
æztar stærztar fleri enn tvær,
profi pa ef pegnar na
pær ad færa Orminn a. -
Turninn hær med timbrit stær,
tel ec nu vel ad sveiten vor
profi pa med branden bIa
bera pav herlig vigen æ. -
Vogum pa hve verda ma,
ef vigen hniga gylld ad sia,
ef garpar na med geiren bIa
ad ganga enn langa Ormenn æ." -
Porkels brogd eru birt ok sogd,
braU mun hatl um hlifar flogd,
sveiten snioll vid stala gaull
snyz oc byz pa Eireks aulI. -
Ludur er peystur ad romu reystur,
rodur er odur ad Orme geystur,
narenn flaut um nykra braut;
Nordmenn pordu ad bida praut. -
Styrr var fyrr ad stillis villd,
stæriz nær hin fiorda hilldur,
hiartablod par bys Uln piod,
brast ok gnast i Svidris vod.
C; nu ul. A. -
steypum: ok st. C.
vigen: viguel B.
virda C.
gylld: gilld C.
s ef garpar: gior-
umm vær C; ef ul. B.
bys: B; pys A; pusti C. -
Fiolnis gridr fyrda snidur,
fiode iblode straumurinn stridr;
Olafs ferd er visu verd,
vida rida sveitug sverd. -
Heilinn hraut æ SkaugIa skaut,
skaufnungs draufn a bordum paut,
prirtiger tIest a piliu hest
peingils menn ad vorduz bezt. -
Uxafotur vid randa rot
rennde af hendi en hvossu spio,
falu sveif a fiornis kleif,
fork af orku Porsteinn preif. -
Asen reid i oflga skeid,
undrmn sundrar borden breid;
hIifar Pock æ piIiur stock,
pio den mod i ægi sock. -
PeingiIl sa hval' Posteinn vo
py dr ok bydur af trausti svo:
"i hiorfua pey pad hæfer ey
hamaz," kvad gramur i geira pey. -
lallen baud i branda gnaud:
"heri nu her, sa flugs er traudu1',
stora1' eikr æ borden bIeik
bragnar magne Laufa Ieik." -
Ormur er aIlr æ hufe hallr,
herinn berr al bryggiur sniallr
peingils A.
j81
ifar A.
pock: hlock G.
pey: fley C.
branda: B, G; geira A.
traudur: traud G.
jfa glo d, en oflga piod
Eireks geir igegnum od.
23. Iallen stock, er hliom bar Hlock,
hlifar gifr i hringum hrock,
diarfr a Orm vid darra storm,
daudans baud hann fyrdum form.
24. Dyrum iall er dorrinn gall,
dæsingur æser furda fall,
fy 19ia enn svo fræger menn,
Fenris venia blode tenn.
25. Olafs ferd med sveitug sverd
soUi fliott af kappe herd
framm i gegn vid grimdar megn;
geyst og peyst var brodda regn.
26. Stim var hert vid stalid bert,
stafnen iafnan varde um pvert
Ulfr hinn raude ei var traudr
eggia hreggs, enn hann var daudur.
27. Agæt sæmd ad Ulfs var dæmd,
innt ok minnt af reckum ræmd,
dauden vann yfer doglings mann,
dreingur var eingi frem ri en hanno
28. Forgers viII d er geysi gilld,
giorn æ vorn ok snarpa snilld,
geiren hvellr vid gonla svelIr,
glaud var haud par hetian felIr.
od: stod B.
A; -in g C.
s fræger: færer B.
venia:
B; rioda i A, C.
s vid: med C.
peyst var: peisti C.
vid
stalid: en I stal var C.
s hinn: en B; inn C.
traudr: blaudr
frægre C.
baud B.
-
Hilldings mægd er heidri nægd,
Hyrninngs furniz alldri frægd;
diarfan fund vid darra Pund
daudin baud i samri stund. -
Noregs her sa vigen ver
vigurinn digra skiolldu sker,
biladi hlif vid hiorua drif;
Hordar vor du kongsinns lif. -
Geira kast var grimt ok hvast,
gonla tonn reif heila past;
iallzins droU vid iarna prott
aptur var alU um siglu sott. -
Stims vid unndur stal sem tunndur
stock ok hrock i hlifum sunndur;
eingen spyr ad Rogna hyr
hærra bæri æ londum fur. -
Kongsinns sverd nam hals ok herd
hvast ad kasta af iallzinns ferd;
hilmis kraptur er heidri skaptur,
herinn fer ad lypting aptur. -
Hrodri fra mun ec huerfa svo,
horna mornar lodursla,
Sudl'a far vid Sonar mar
sætan bæti hliodum par.
vigen;
vigit C.
aptur-allt: allt fæl' nær G.
sem: stalsins A.
huerfa fra.
lodursla: lodur sIa A,-
bodna la C.
vid: af C.
sæti C. -
Hofi profi herlig piod
horns ed forna Y ggiar flod;
Sennings renni hid fimta flaust
flyggiar glygs um lioda naust. -
Kæran fær "mier kranka stund,
kyrliga byrlig Sonar sund,
lilian vil eg ad lysi gullz
liti hvit IR veigar Ullz. -
Styr var fyr med broddi bystur~
bragna magn er heiptum lyst,
geira pey er grimm ok od,
gramur svo framur i lypting stod. -
Herann sker pa skygdu rond
skialIda Balldur hardri hond,
hringar springa hreiner sundur,
hreysti treysti hiorfa lundur. -
V igurinn digur gaf vopna storm,
vel' nu her hinn langa Orm;
Nordmenn pordu Naglhrings egg
nista tvistan margan segg. -
Einar fleine ad ialli skaut,
orin tok for sem paumbin paut,
byrlig: byrlaec C.
Sonar: saumu B.
sund ~ sond A; lund
B..
lyst: lystr
B, C.
er-ok: med grimdum C;
var skr. B.
skygdu:
skygda C; skioma B.
s hringar: ad h. C.
tf. A.
hiorfa: laufa Bi odlings C.
lundur: kundr C.
vopna: vopnllm C.
hinn: en C.
nag]s. B.
" tvistan: ok kuista C.
margan: mangan A.
fliuga driugum ad fylke tuær
fifa ok drifa nockud nær.
7. Ymia ok gIymia Odins brikr,
iallinn sniallr ad Finne vi kr :
"Einar skeiner skygda hlif,
skioUu hann fliott ok ver mitt lif."
8. Finnurinn innir: "fylkis kundr,
feigur er eigi Laufa lundur,
gilldan villdig boga hans briota,
ban a ma ec eigi aurine skiota."
9. Fly ter sky tur flæda bals
fleine Einars boga vid hals;
bragnar magna hvellt ok hvast
H vedrungs vedur, enn paumben brast.
10. Gramur ried framur ad inna, ad:
"Einar grein oss riett i stad,
hvad par brast svo hvellt ok haU
hiorfa giors vid mestan matt."
11. "Haudr ok audr ur hendi pier
harri snar, enn boge firi mier
brast nu fast," kvad bryniu Pundur,
"brotinn ok skotinn er sveigr i sundt'."
12. Orlig svor gaf audling pa:
"einn gud hreinn pvi rada ma,
valld hefer alldri almur pinn
aurva baur vid soma minn."
eigi skiota, i O: bO maec orua ecki skiota j i A (mbr.) e~' først
skr. aurina, men e er skr. over a.
grier C.
snar:
snart B. firi: for A.
-
Baduni hade hondum strid
harri snar vid fleina hrid;
hræfa sæfa hreggid fast
hraut ok paut vid heila past. -
Hyrnan spyrner heila by,
hart ok snart var gondla sky
rofit ok klofit med rannda ormm,
ræser æser eggia storm. -
Folva Olvis falIda klyfur
fiors vid hiors sa hausa ryfur,
hior nam fiorvi prænska sveit. -
Iofur svo gofngur iallenn leit,
Eireks geirenn buka beit;
alU ad hialUi i hiortum od
hior sa fiorfui rænti piod. -
Snarliga ad ialli siklinng senn
sendi af hendi gaflauk prenn,
rett hefi ec frett at romu bra,
reck kom ecki skeytid æ. -
"Malms ok alms vid minka list
mannz hefeg pann veg alldri mist
fyr vid styr," kvad styller framur,
strindar rindar pryde tamur.
hrid: drif B.
B (rigt. sæfar?).
al Hyrnan :
Hyrnar O.
sky A, B.
med:
O; vid A, B.
ormm: her slutter B.
reknum A; ræUum hætte rom u sa Ba. -
"Nu vill tru hin s tigna nlannz
tiggi piggia himna rannz,
iall mun hiall med heidur ok snilld
hliota ok niota guds ad villd." -
Kenniz enn par Kolbeinn stendur
klienn ok sienn ad rioda renndur,
gofugum iofri garpur er næstur
gilldur i hilldi ad prydi æzstur. -
Olafs solar lofdungs lyst
life hlifir myskunn dyrst,
skein enn hreine himna kraptur
haU vid matt um lypting aptur. -
Einginn dreingia Olaf sa,
errinn her i liosid vo,
hvarf enn diarfe darra meidur,
dyrd er skyrd um kongsinns heidur. -
DroU er soU vid darra mord,
dreinger geingu sio fyrir bord,
peir sem Eireks dyrstri dmd
dygdar trygdum feingu nad.
Il ok: er skr. over i A-afskr.
s garpur
er: garpa Ba. • gilldur i: i gilldre C.
ad prydi: C; hyrl A;
l. lyder i Ba,: gilldur håde hyran æstur.
s enn: hinn C.
Hos-
Huedrungs nadra flugdi ok fleinn,
fly ter yta huer sem eirn
a floUa droU flri dyrum gram,
dreingir gengu af hordum fram;
dygd oc G. -
Aller sniallann Olaf pa
orva baurvar latinn fra;
Pyri bar dyr fyri daugling sinn
daudans naud ok striden stinn. -
Dreka bra miok vid dauglings fall,
drafnar hrafn for einatt hallr,
annad sanna ordlog pad,
ecki geck han n styre ad. -
Vige gaf sig fyrir Einars ord
int og mint i Noreg nordr;
hreina grein, hvad elskan ma. -
Piod bar mod fyrir Laufa lunnd,
Jistug misti sveit til sannz,
svo geck spa hins gamla mannz. -
Trum vær nu ad Tryggva nidr
traustur ok hraustur skildiz vidr
dreka ok breka med snarpligt sund
sotti fliott IB Dixins fund. -
Skyrann dyrann darra meid
drosin lios IB Vinda skeid
fluUe brutt ur sverda sveim,
soUi flioU i Vinndlannd heim. -
Foran dette v. har C følg. v. (mgl. D):
Virdar hirda vegligt stal,
veitiz sveitum sæfar bal,
slyrri dyr sem dreka og hiall
diarfr arf tok Eirik iall.
I ,angre fanginn Noregs iall.
2.~1 miok: pa O.
ordlog: ordlag Baj
sem: med Ba. -
geck: for G.
Truo O. -
sotti flioU:
og sogti skiot G; soUe han n otl Ea.
Qmv. Oj Skyrum dyrum Ea.
burt O. sverda: fiarda O. -
sotti: og s. C.
-
ByIgiu fyIger hyriar Haurn
hillding milldum pryde giorn,
sudur kOllI rudur i sialfa Rom
sara fars med tignar blOlll. -
SkHz pa Bil pann budIung vid
biors, var iofr med sæmd ok sid;
riett hef eg frett af fyIki peim,
fram kom gramul' i Iol'salaheim. -
Merkl'a klerka ok klaustra sid
klokur tok pa viser vid,
valld um alldur volldugr hlaut
vist med Kristi ok himna skraut. -
Inna svinner Olafs aull
einnginn dreingia verkt:m snioll,
hilldings snilld ok sigurlig sæmd,
su er nu mest af reckum ræmd. -
Eingenn peingill frægri fannz
fordum nordur ok ut i Frannz;
alU um salltid, haudl' ok heim,
heidl'inn greidiz kongi peim. -
V il eg par skiliaz skemtan vidr
skirdum vir dum hall di z fridr,
bl'agnings vagna vegr ok valld
veitiz sveit um allan n alldur .
Source Colophon
Source text: Rímnasafn — Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, Vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: Samfund til udgivelse af gammel nordisk litteratur, 1905–1912), pp. 185–212. Base text: Wolfenbüttel manuscript (A), with variants from AM 603, 4to (B), AM 605, 4to (C), Ny kgl. saml. 1133 (Ba), and AM 610c (610). Public domain.
Digitized from Internet Archive: archive.org/details/rimnasafn-samling-af-de-aeldste-islandske-rimer. Extracted and cleaned by the New Tianmu Anglican Church rímur pipeline, 2026.
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