Praenlur — The Rimur of Thrandr · Tianmu Anglican Church

The Rímur of Þrándr

A fragmentary ten-ríma cycle from medieval Iceland, retelling the Færeyingasaga — the story of the Christianization of the Faroe Islands. The cycle follows two great opponents: Þrándr í Gøtu, the cunning and indomitable pagan chieftain, and Sigmundr Brestisson, the Christian champion sent by King Ólaf Tryggvason to bring the island men to the new faith. Their conflict runs through treachery, sea-battle, drowning, blood-feud, and assembly, until the larger tide of Norwegian Christian kingship overwhelms the old Faroese ways.

The manuscript — AM 604 g — survives in damaged and incomplete form. Ríma I and the opening of Ríma II are lost. The text picks up partway through Ríma II and continues through Ríma X, which ends abruptly. The cycle is believed to date from the fourteenth or fifteenth century.

The complete surviving cycle — Rímur II through X — is translated in this document. First known English translation.

Ríma II (Fragment)

Note: The manuscript breaks off before the beginning; we pick up partway through Ríma II. Ríma I and the mansöngr of Ríma II are lost. Stanza 1 survives only as a couplet.

Though he came to this with reluctance —
[the rest of the stanza is lost]

He came once more to the earls' meeting,
swiftly, in that same hour;
men rejoiced in the old fellowship
and wished to honor the necklace-tree.

The earls' gift was witnessed then —
he received the islands from them;
he sailed home glad with honor
and from that day became their man.

To the Faroes he goes home,
having received honor from both earls;
the islanders were not well pleased.
Óðinn, I believe, shall be brought low.

Ríma III

Þrándr grew swollen with anger;
his nature seemed to no one good.
He was often harsh in governance —
prone to sudden rage and little regarded.

Four men fill out the tale,
raised in Þrándr's household:
Sigurðr the Ring, who is never soft,
and after him Þórðr and Gautr.

Sigurðr, I am told, seemed fair to look on —
seldom gentle in his temper;
pale hair fell loose in his locks.
That one has dealt hard fortune to many.

Hung with treasure, the necklace-tree —
yet loyal to few;
to Sigmundr this man kept closest
in swimming and such other arts.

Þórðr the Low is hardship-grey,
fierce-looking and somewhat aged;
mighty in strength and truly great —
he drove for plunder more than glory.

Þrándr has long laid love on men,
so it is told me;
two kinsmen grew practiced in guile —
his nephews, children of fate.

Gautr the Red is fearfully strong,
though not said to be remarkable;
he was Þrándr's sister's son —
I will count no more of these men.

From Özurr came that heir,
and no more famous man was found;
Leifr was with Þrándr then —
tales shall go forth from that place.

Sigmundr fathered with his wife —
four sons, so it is said —
Þóralfr was gifted with good growth,
and Steingrimr was born later.

Brandr and Herrir are two more sons,
both well spoken of;
and a daughter showed noble virtue —
the one named Þóra.

Þóra is both capable and wise,
none like her sits in the islands;
adorned with judgment and many good deeds —
very shrewd are her counsels.

When Ólaf's power came to its end,
each held to Christianity as best they could;
every man lived as he pleased —
a long while, so the tale is told.

Sigmundr kept well to his faith
and had a church raised there;
both household and all the home-folk
kept all that the good master offered.

Þrándr refused this faith,
and all his following with him;
he resolved to cast off Christianity.
A more cunning man was hardly found.

Then a thing was called together;
Þrándr came, as had been said;
Sigmundr addressed him plainly and quickly —
then spoke in this manner:

"I am as before, kinsman of mine,
eager to prove your honor;
to Leifr you shall pay compensation —
he who lost his worthy father."

The son of Brestir said plainly
he would change in nothing,
but hold to Earl Hákon's judgment —
he who last brought the western faith.

"We know your case well, kinsman,
for all to see before the hall;
it befits good men still
to judge in the case of the finest."

Sigmundr said he had no need
of such things shown before him:
"Word-wrangling drains all honor;
I will tear nothing from anyone in this way."

"You are hard to take by the horn,
you would drive and shake us from our place;
it is not certain that all are content —
you shall not wonder at this.

Men grow up beside me
who get nothing good from you;
the powerful sweep aside my heirs —
this disgrace builds up against us ourselves.

Much small harm has come to me,
great wounds and money-torment;
I call it right: you have oppressed me —
if men like you fear no shame."

"Yet one thing goes above all else:
I will not forget the threat any longer;
I was forced to deny Þórr —
now it is clear that things went ill there.

At all times I have been content enough;
one thing pleases me most:
you are a great and famous man —
I might have been more clever with words."

Sigmundr says he does not fear threats:
"Wherever I meet you, I am ready."
Then the men went home
with no peace from that meeting.

I heard they came to blows
in the end of autumn, the two kinsmen;
Einar follows close with his men —
they rely on their own strength.

They land at a little ness;
the men go up onto it;
they waited there a long while —
the struggle with the followers grew long.

Twelve men from a black ship
they saw going up on the island;
fair shields they carried for the journey —
the men knew that Þrándr was there.

"What is to be decided?" said Þórir then.
"They will want to see us."
Sigmundr bids him not to be afraid:
"We shall meet the cunning man.

Let us go hard against them;
there is still much good to be weighed;
then each man leap his own way —
let us see then how the game falls.

Let all come down to the landing together!"
No easy peace was in their hearts.
Þrándr speaks to his company:
"Now shall I truly fulfill my vow.

Þorlák's sons, and Leifr with them —
you shall bind Sigmundr gladly;
a fourth man will be gained there;
now may what I will be fulfilled."

Then the men met at once;
greetings passed between them;
Þrándr's men drew off the friendly ones
and set to work at once.

They did as they were told;
the men had now turned aside;
all came up to the landing together,
and Þrándr's men gave chase.

One stood before them, the wealth-breaker,
young and quick of foot;
Sigmundr struck that man down —
then he guarded the landing.

Einar leaps and Þórir then —
fine men pressed forward;
they had to watch for the other's end —
yet a man stayed firm there.

Þórir slew that man there
and at once cast him to the sea;
all this was done in one swift moment —
and Einar sank their ships.

Sigmundr stood at the landing alone;
none could get around the rock;
the helmet-Týr leapt aside
and came then to the tide-gate.

They rowed both ships away;
Gautr in his mail was slain the third;
the fourth man he gave to the deep;
Þrándr now reaped bitter reward.

Þrándr was not quick to leave the field —
they found him cold and very wet;
they lit beacons and revealed
how the men had played their game.

Sigmundr went out with many men
wishing to humble Þrándr still,
planning to seize that wandering Gautr —
but he had already fled.

Then it was told in autumn
that three men went out in a ship;
the men had fair, good winds —
two kinsmen and Einar among them.

Land-tax they came to collect, the lissome men;
the sea-horse ran on the swell;
they came into one island sound —
soon the men's meeting would be tested.

Then they saw a ship sailing,
dark, and they knew that cargo;
Þrándr went with his company of men
and headed straight toward them.

Fifteen were the men there
on the good horse of the flood;
Þórir said this and laughed:
"They have come rather near us now."

Sigmundr said it was least wise to hold back:
"They often make a fair attack;
let the men show boldness here —
little aid is needed from outside.

It does no good to fear their threats;
I will row hardest out to meet them;
then the men who sail to glory
must each show who fights best.

Up rose the ready ones all together:
'You must strike, bold men;
none will be left out of this;
I shall do what pleases me.'"

The men followed the master's counsel;
the boat moved on against the dory's load;
Þrándr bore hard across as he could;
Þórir and Einar drew their swords.

The rowers cut all ropes;
the rigging flew across Glammi's plain;
the sail still lists toward victory —
Þrándr drove in a hard nail.

Sigmundr drove a boat-hook at the wave-board,
glory-eager on the ocean-stump;
the keel stood up but the bow went under —
Þrándr was nearly caught then.

Five men drowned on the spot;
the boat-hook rode hard against him;
Þórir spoke, steadfast and bold:
"That is how we shall play each time."

Sigmundr answered: "So shall it not be" —
he placed a flat refusal here:
"Disgrace is very great at that;
we shall drive them as hard as we can."

There they parted in their cloaks.
The Skúfeyings went home;
Sigurðr guided the men's ship —
he saved most of the men there.

The men of means spoke among themselves:
"It always comes to the same end here;
we get much harassment instead —
loose fortune causes such things."

Þrándr does not speak well of it,
yet he calls life better than death:
"Misfortune has given Sigmundr a sign —
truly his luck has now run out.

I had every advantage with him;
yet he was not worth his own life;
life-gift be to whoever may reward it —
we shall lay him in the field then.

Let us all bind ourselves to this:
if we are to claim him in death,
that you have the most famous man in Hel
who is called the finest here."

The men all gladly wished for this —
they did it all as Þrándr asked;
they sat at home through all the summer.
So this tale comes smoothly to its close.

Ríma IV

Mansöngur

Four times now the fame-track runs —
I set out from the land of poetry;
let us let the serpent of ring-boards
run from glory's sand.

The Raid

Þrándr has again forgotten goodness;
he calls men to the journey:
"Now shall Simbi, as I have dreamed,
soon be brought to ruin."

Forty men on two ships
I heard the warriors went;
they took the fair path and the breeze played —
this people was ready.

The men quickly made toward Skúfey
to drive the ships up;
day had not yet come, and bold men swiftly
would put deed and skill to loss.

Surely the fighting there is good
if men hold back nothing;
they shall never get the island taken
with all their neighbors.

Eldjárn was his name who went up first;
alone he saw a man on watch;
anger leapt into the watchman's chest
and he went at him with a sword.

Their parting of shields was such —
he drew the sails to destruction;
he drove two men over the cliff-edge —
both got death.

Þrándr's men at the farm quickly
broke open most of the doors;
the housewife took up the alarm at once —
she does everything best.

Sigmundr urged on his men; Bati was foul;
most of his people fled;
the men let the forest-giants
rush quickly through the thickets.

They spare neither fire nor iron
and intend to take the house;
Þrándr is least eager for goodness
and does not stop the attacks.

Þuríðr spoke to Þrándr's men
where the fighters were resisting:
"Headless men — let us step back;
there is no honor in this fighting."

"This shall be true," said Þrándr,
"that they are all fled;
after shall we press hard —
the able men do not hesitate."

The Sorcery

The evil man went widdershins
around those great houses;
he hissed loudly and the villain was bent low —
and the warriors followed after.

The cunning man knew sorcery
and came to the earth-house's mouth;
the crafty one had long held power
and knew the most of seeking.

The other hand he pressed to earth —
the evil man crouching low;
he turned it against the land —
then he was cunning and more skilled still.

As when a boar digs in its path
so digs this wretch;
or as a dog followed the scent
straight across the broad island.

The listening went for so long
people may tell of it:
"Men shall while I crawl
not speak to me."

"Three men have walked here,"
Þrándr began to say;
he fixed his eyes toward the gap —
"and they intend to escape."

The men found a deep gully,
very wide and long;
they divided and had to
go on both sides.

Sigurðr and Leifr went quickly
ahead at the other end;
Þrándr said that would be easy —
they should be turned back.

"Sigmundr, you are said to be bold,"
so Þrándr addressed him;
"do not make yourself a coward,
following neither hound nor people.

If you claim to be of any use,
now do not try to hide;
nowhere will you, if courage fails,
be found to have a spirit."

Then the men heard a crashing sound —
it startled them greatly;
the night was the cause, and the darkness —
Þrándr said they should run.

"Steingrímr was his name who stood beside me,
a strong man in everything;
he received a blow to his head
so that his skull flew over the field.

Truly you are swift, Simbi,"
so Þrándr came to words;
"I shall be watchful of myself —
ill came from you in the old days."

Sigmundr leaped back, turned away,
back to his own men;
most few have that skill of movement —
men will confirm this.

Þrándr said this wound
should not cause them fear —
"all shall seek the end of the gully
in pursuit of the men."

Sigmundr came with two men
then out onto the cliff-ledges;
they looked around and then heard
where Þrándr and his men made noise.

"Here we shall," said Þórir then,
"stand and resist the men;
things will go for us as they must" —
Sigmundr will not hear of that.

"Scarcely am I fit to defend —
truly — for I have lost my sword;
I would rather have my dear kinsman
try some other fate.

I dropped the gold into the grim gully;
better shall we leap into the sea
than receive shame from them."

The Swim

"Do as you like,"
said the skilled man Þórir;
they dived into the sea, and clear it was to me
that the blows were heavy.

Þrándr spoke: "There now went
their defense for this time;
let us seek around the salmon-strait —
I think little will be gained."

Sigmundr heads for Suðrey;
the swim is long ahead;
they halved themselves from exhaustion —
this I heard Einar found.

"I have," said Einar, "good things
owed to you both in return;
now I am led away from life —
there will not be long until the end."

Sigmundr says it is scarcely certain
and lifts him up onto his shoulders;
but soon Einar had given up his spirit —
the men pressed on.

"Are you going to carry a dead man
all that way with you?" said Þórir;
"he has long been dead —
our meeting grows more grim."

Sigmundr says there is no need for that;
the men swam on for a long while;
they grew weary from the power of the sea —
none can mend that.

A quarter of the swim the famous men
still had then to land;
Þórir spoke to the tough man
— that will increase the trouble.

"All our life together
we have been with joy;
now the parting will come soon —
yet one should dread nothing.

I remember no word or deed
that ever stood between us;
now my companion, dear kinsman,
has departed entirely.

I ask this: that the bold lord
help your own life;
don't give the strong warrior
any thought for my life."

Sigmundr speaks with grief's burden —
he began to let joy fall:
"We shall reach land alive together,
or we shall both die otherwise."

Sigmundr laid him on his own back —
well-beloved Þórir —
powerfully he held the grip of hands,
the great warrior of helmets.

He came to Suðrey, all the man,
swift by the shore's light;
surf was before the shore and cold to the men —
barely could they have saved themselves.

He crawled onto land, the drenched man;
Þórir washed from his shoulders —
Þórir found Hel's dwelling,
the hardest of his close encounters.

Brestir's son crept into the brush;
there it was not far from shore;
the man waited out the day that way,
sad in poor state.

The Death of Sigmundr

A farmer lived at this farm —
Þorgrimr was his name, the wicked one —
early in the day he went down to the sea,
completely stripped of virtue.

Cold-eyed, he sees red clothing
coming from one thicket;
his heart will not be shown soft
before the end.

He finds in the brush a fine man
and quickly asks his name;
Sigmundr begs him for help,
cold from the surf.

He tells all of his journey
and how Þórir was lost;
their courage is worthy of praise —
sorrow was shown in it.

Afterwards the evil man sent two boys ahead;
Sigmundr counseled that
he should ask men for help.

One seat the young men said —
the good one — to help;
Þorgrimr bade them be silent again
and not chatter about it at all.

Then he spoke quietly to the boys,
"Sigmundr has such abundance of gold
that it is fitting for us to enjoy it.

Both of you see that gold ring clearly —
the one on the lord's shoulder;
I want gladly to seize it" —
the wretch spoke, the miserable one.

The boys spoke clearly against it
and said it was great danger;
but agreement came in the end, loathsome —
that Sigmundr should be done away with.

"Let us drip down upon him and murder him,"
spoke the sword-tester;
"the men will never certainly rise up
from the sleeping-place."

They went where the champion lay —
extremely stiff from exhaustion;
ugly was Þorgrimr then —
this I heard he said:

"The lord lies rather low,
brave of our men;
the world turns heavy on men —
here this may be confirmed."

By the hair they dragged the brave man —
those young dogs;
the one was eager who committed the crime,
swift at the heavy work.

Þorgrimr let the thin axe-blade
ride with power;
the axe-mouth went most sharp —
cutting head from body.

They carried the pale corpse in clothes
out to the boat-landing;
in the Faroes there was not then
a more famous man in all.

Next Þórir's body was carried
there up from the sea;
in wounds I think such work
surely leads to death.

The banks covered thickly
the bodies of these men;
they went then from the noise of it —
few got the truth of it.

The Aftermath

This is to be told of Þrándr:
they turned to go home;
he said that man gave Sigmundr
a bloody death.

At Skúfey the farm was spared;
little burned within;
Þrándr brooded over harm to his men —
then it was quiet for a while.

Sigmundr had a wise wife —
Þuríðr is her name;
she bade all her children and household
to be cheerful and make themselves glad.

Long she kept the honorable counsel;
Þóra grew accomplished;
she raised up with abundant virtue
her four heirs.

Þrándr offered peace for himself
to the wise widow:
"If you have no ill intent toward me
I shall make amends with good."

They thanked him for this little indeed;
time went on thus;
Þrándr was pleasant to his men —
but still he brought the islands under him.

The cloak held at Skúfey
for a long time, scored with honor —
there with honor and holy faith.
Here shall the ríma end.

Colophon

Þrænlur (also Þrándarlur), anonymous (14th–15th century). A rímur cycle in ten parts — of which Ríma I and the opening of Ríma II are lost — based on the Færeyingasaga (The Saga of the Faroese). The sole surviving manuscript is AM 604 g (4°), which begins partway through Ríma II and ends abruptly in Ríma X. The manuscript title appears as a column-heading, with a later hand adding "Pranda rimur" as an alternative. The cycle covers the Christianization of the Faroe Islands under King Ólaf Tryggvason and King Ólaf Helgi (Haraldsson), centering on the conflict between the pagan chieftain Þrándr í Gøtu and the Christian champion Sigmundr Brestisson.

Ríma II (fragment): Þrándr receives the Faroe Islands from the Norwegian earls and returns home; the islanders are unhappy. Ríma III: Introduction of Þrándr's household and kinsmen (Sigurðr hringr, Þórðr enn lági, Gautr rauði, Leifr, and Þóra the wise). The religious conflict between Þrándr and Sigmundr. An island skirmish in which Sigmundr fights off twelve of Þrándr's men. A sea-chase in which Sigmundr and Þórir clash with Þrándr's fifteen men. Þrándr vows to destroy Sigmundr. Ríma IV: Þrándr launches a night raid on Skúfey with forty men. Sigmundr fights back; Þuríðr arms herself and defends the household. Þrándr's sorcerer works magic counterclockwise around the buildings. Sigmundr and Þórir escape into the sea; Einar dies. Sigmundr carries Þórir to the South Island; Þórir collapses and dies. Sigmundr, exhausted, is found at dawn by Þorgrimr the evil, who murders him for his gold ring with the help of two young men. Sigmundr's widow Þuríðr keeps the estate and raises the heirs. Þrándr offers peace and gradually consolidates his hold over the islands. Ríma V: Þrándr arranges a marriage for Leifr with Þóra, Sigmundr's daughter; Þóra demands an oath of vengeance before she will accept. Þrándr leads sixty men to Suðrey and interrogates Þorgrimr, using sorcery and rune-carving to raise the ghosts of Einarr, Þórir, and Sigmundr (the last still bloody and gilt with his ring). Confronted with the dead, Þorgrimr confesses; the gold ring is found in a chest. Þorgrimr is brought before the þing at Þórshöfn, convicted, and hanged. Leifr marries Þóra. The epilogue charts the political succession in Norway — Eiríkr jarl, then Hákon and Sveinn, then Ólaf Haraldsson (St. Ólaf) — whose coming makes Þrándr grow silent in the Faroes. Ríma VI: King Ólaf Tryggvason's reach extends to the Faroes. The chieftains Þóralf, Leifr, and Gilli travel to him; Leifr and Gilli are baptized and return. Ólaf sends men twice to collect tribute; both parties vanish. Þóralf prepares an expedition to discover what happened. Þrándr, in Göta, stirs his three retainers — Sigurðr, Þórðr, and Gautr rauði — to action with bitter taunts. They set sail as the ríma ends. Ríma VII: Þóralf goes ashore on a night island; a cloak is thrown over his head and he is pushed into the sea. His body is brought aboard. Ólaf calls a great assembly of the Faroese; the king interrogates the islanders about Þóralf's death. Sigurðr defends himself with cunning, offering oaths and ordeal. The assembly deliberates. [Manuscript lacuna.] Ríma VIII: The assembly has ended and judgment rendered. Karl the Merchant comes to Þrándr's booth to collect the tribute silver. An extended negotiation over coin quality. Gautr the Red, hidden on a bench, reveals himself; Sigurðr and Þórðr participate. In the chaos, Karl is killed — his head taken by Gautr's axe, his skull split by Þórðr's weapon-staff. Þrándr's men flee; Þórðr and Gautr are driven from the islands; Sigurðr is outlawed. Þrándr provides them a ship. Ríma IX: The exiles voyage in hard weather. Time passes; Sigurðr is haunted by Sigmundr's ghost, throwing convulsions. Þrándr presses for a meeting with Leifr. A second great assembly is called; Leifr and Gilli attend weaponless per truce, but Þrándr's men arrive armed. Tension, near-violence, then a peace-making. Þrándr offers to foster Leifr's son Sigmundr; the parties settle. Þórðr, Gautr, and Sigurðr are all pardoned. The cycle's central conflict is resolved. Ríma X: Sigurðr and his brothers settle on Straumey with the wealthy farmer Þórhallr. A complex household arrangement breaks down over envy and money. One evening Þórhallr strikes Bjarna's nose with a birch-rod; Bjarngrímr's temper flares but is checked. Þórhallr is later found murdered in his bed. Sigurðr recognizes Bjarngrímr's work; he and his brothers arm and kill the three brothers Bjarngrímr, Hergrímr, and Hágrímr. They return home to Bjarna. The manuscript ends here without a formal conclusion.

Source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1905–1912), pp. 222–273. Public domain.

Good Works Translation by the New Tianmu Anglican Church. Translated from Old Icelandic, 2026. This is the first known English translation of this cycle. Gospel register.

No existing English translation was consulted (none exists). The Rímnasafn critical apparatus was consulted for textual decisions, particularly for heavily abbreviated or damaged readings. Kennings are translated by meaning. Several passages involve extreme abbreviation in the manuscript; renderings follow the most plausible reading given the saga context.

Rímur II (fragment), III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X translated by this lineage with Claude (NTAC), 2026. The complete surviving cycle is now in English for the first time.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: Þrænlur II (Fragment)

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 222–223. The manuscript begins here, partway through Ríma II. Presented for reference and verification alongside the English translation above.

II. (Fragment)

Peyin nar hann til pessa tregr,
poUez nita at fylgir negro

Kemr hann anstr æ jarlla fund
einkar flioU j samri stnnd;
uirda gladdi uingan fornn
ok nilldu heidra menia pornn.

Jarlla uard nu aulværd sienn,
eyiar piggr hann j Jien;
sigldi hann heim med sæmdnm gladr;
sidan giorezt hann peira madro

I Færeyiar fer hann heim,
feck hann sæmd af jorlIum tueim;
eyiarskeggiar yglduzt helldr.
Odrenn trv ec at verdi felldr.

Source Text: Þrænlur III

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn, pp. 223–230. Presented for reference and verification alongside the English translation above.

III.

PRANDe tok at prvtnna modr,
potti hagrenn eigi godr;
uar hann pvi opt um styriold stirdr
ualldi suiptr ok litHs uirdr.

Soguna fylla fiorir meno,
fædaz upp med Prandi en,
Sigurdr hringr er sialldan blautr,
sidan nefndiz Pordr ok Gautr.

Sigurd r fra ec at syndizt fridr,
sialldan uar hann j lyndi blidr,
lidadiz har j locka bleikt;
Ieikit hefr sa morgum seikt.

Mentum hIaden uar menia pollr,
morgum uar hann po ecki hollr;
Sigmundi geck seggrenn næst
vm sund ok tatlI en annat fæst.

Pordr en Iagie er prautar har,
prystiligr ok nockut grar,
ramr at aflIe ok raun miog digr;
ranenn framdi hann meiri en sigr.

Prandr hefr æ. Iofda lagt
langa elsku, pat er mier sagt;
brogdum uonduzt barmar tueir,
brodr synir hans norn peil'.

Gautr en raude er geyse sterkr,
getit er ecki at hann se merkr;
hann uar Frandar systr son;
seggia tel eigi pessara mun.

Auzur gat ser arfa pann,
eigi hitte frægri mann,
Leifr uar med Prande pa;
par mnnu ganga sogur j fra.

Signmndl' ol nit sini qonu,
sagt nar af pui, flora sonu;
Poralfr uar proska gæddl',
po uar Steingrim sidar fæddr.

Brandr ok Here eru barmar tueir,
badir vor u sagdir peir;
drotturn syndar dygdir let
doUir hans, er Pora het.

Fora er bædi prifen ok uitr,
peygu slik j eyium sitr,
manuiti prydd ok margre dad,
rniog eru hennar spaklig Rad.

Pegar sem eyddiz Olafs ualld,
eptir uard sig kristnne haUd;
lifdi huer sem lysti nær
langa stund sem fregnnum uær.

Sigmund hellt uel sina tru,
sa let reisa kirkiu nu;
bædi . hion ok heima lydr
hafa pat allt er bonden bydr.

Prandr hafnar pessum sid,
par med allt hans skylldu lid,
kristnne red at kasta hann;
kyndugri feck uarlla mann.

Pessu næst er ping uar stefntt
Prandr kom, sem (yr var nefnt,
Sigmundr kuaddi hann synu bratt;
sidan talar al penna hatt.

"Eg er sem fyri frændi min
fus at reyna dreingskap pin;
Leifi mvnUu legia bætr,
let sinn fodren kappinn mætr."

Brestis son kuedz beint um pat
breyta ecki j nockurn stad
. Hakonar jarlJs at hallda dom;
hin n let næsta vestnna Rom.

"Oss eru kun ni g yckur mal,
aUu frændi at sia firi sal,
dyrum somir pat dreingium eno
at dæme um env bestu menn."

Sigmundr kuad peygi pa
purfa slik t firi ser at tia:
"orda skrap er ara draUr;
ec ryf slikt al onguan hatt."

"Hardr ertu j horn at taea,
hrekia uilltv oss ok skaka,
ecki er uist huort aIlir una,
ecki skaltu petta grvna.

Ytar uaxa upp hia mier,
eeki fa peir goU af pier;
reekar æUi riken ha)f,
RallD miog byzt oss sneypan siaif.

Mier hefr ueiUa marga smaD,
meizlen stor ok aura pian;
kalla ec rett pu kugadir mie,
ef kempur sIikar hrædaz pico

Po er pat eitt firi ollu gengR,
ec mun minnazt hote leingr,
neyddr uar ec at neita Por;
nu er pat syntt at jUa for.

AHar stundir une ec pui uest,
einnenn kann mier hugna flest,
madrenn erUu micill ok frægr,
mætte uerda ec yrda slægr."

Sigmund kuedz eigi hrædaz hot:
"huar sem kem ec ydr j mot;"
sidan foru seggir heim
sattarlaust af funde peim.

Saude fra ec at soktu peir
sid um haustit frændr tueir;
Einar fylgir pegnum pratt;
pesser treysta sinum matt.

Littlu nese peir lenda at,
lofdar gengu upp aL pat,
lituduz peir um langa hrid,
leingi ogx med koppunl strid.

Seggi tolf af suartre fley
sau peir ganga upp æ ey,
fagra skiolldu at ferdinn bar,
fyrdar kendu at Prandr uar.

"H vad er til rads," ktiad Porir pa,
"pesser munu oss uilia sia";
Sigmund bidr eigi hrædazt hann,
"hitta skulu u~r lymsku mann.

Gongnm uær j gegn peim harU,
gott er en til rada margtt,
sidan hlaupe sinn ueg huer
sia nm uer pa hue leikren fer.

AIlir komi nid up gang nidr;"
eigi nar peim hugadr fridr;
Prandr talar nid sina sueit:
"sanliga skal,ec nv efna heit.

Porlaks synir ok par med Leifr
pu skalU uina Sigmund reifr;
en fiordi mvn par feingen til,
fyllazt ma nv pat er ec uil."

Sidan hittuzt seggir braU,
synnm uard um kuediur faU;
Prandar menn uid gleUn gra
giordu pegar at Rada æ.

Pessir giora sem peim uar kenU,
pegnar hafa nv undan stefntt;
koma til upp gangs aIli!' senn,
eptir soktv Prandar menn.

Einn uard firi peim audar briotr,
alldren hans uar stuUr ok skiotr,
Sigmundr uo nv seggen pann;
sidan uarde upp gang hanno

Einar hleypr ok Porir pa
prifnir dreingir fram at sia,
havlIda lita peir hinna far,
helldr madr æ festi par.

Porir penna pegninn uo
pegar ok færir hann æ sio;
alU var peUa j einum suip
ok Einar sokUe peira skip.

Sigmund r var di upp gang einn,
eigi komzt firi bergit neinn,
hopade undan hialma Tyr
ok hittir sidan flædar dyr.

Skipunum Roa peir badum brautt,
bryniu vo hann en pridia Gaut;
fiorda manne feck hann kaf,
fiandligt bei d nu Prandr af.

Eigi uard Prandr af funde fliotr
fm'du kalen ok allmiog uotr;
brendu uita ok birtu suo,
hue bragnar hofdu Jeikit pa.

Sigmund r for uid marga menn,
mygia uilldi hann Prande en,
hygzt at taca pann hiorfa Gaut;
bann uar adr fluUr æ braut.

Sidan uar pat sagt um haust,
seggir gengu prir æ flaust,
fyrdar hofdu fvH goU uedr,
frændr tueir ok Einar medl'.

LandskylId sokUu listar menn,
lægis hestr um kolgu renn;
koma j eiU huertt eyiar sund;
en mun reyna dreingia fvnd.

Sidan litu peir sigla skip
suartt ok kenna penna grip;
Prandr for med pegnna sueit,
peira for hann beinU j leit.

Fimtan uoru fyrdar par
flædar stigs al godum mar;
Porir mælte petta ok hlær:
"peir eru komnir hellz os nær."

Sigmundr kuad pat sizt vid of:
"sæUar giora peir jafnan Rof;
hreysti syne holda lid,
hier rnun purfa litelIs uid.

Eigi dugir at hrædazt hot,
holdum rær ek beinzta æ mot;
pa skul u menn er segIlet sigr
syna buer at best er uigr.

Upp st6du Reidan aIlir senn
id skulud hoggua roskuir menn;
eingen er sa vid ollu ser,
ec skal giora pat likar mier."

Bragnar hofdu bondans rad,
batren skreid um karfa lad;
Prandr beitir puerU sem ma,
Porer ok Einar suerdum bra.

Reippen skaru reckar oll,
reiden fauk æ Glamma uoll,
hallaz feria enn sigr segll,
setti Prandr j horden negll.

Sigmundr færdi fork j hvf
frægdar giarnn a olldu stuf,
stod upp kiolr en stafnar nidr,
stunde Prandr næsta uid!'.

Fyrdar drvckna fimm j stad,
forkren reid med afle at;
Porir mælti prifen ok ernn:
"pann ueg skulu uer leika huernn."

Signmndr taladi: "suo skal ei,"
setti hann hier firi puerlegt nei,
"hadung er pat harlla mest,
hrekia skulu u~r pa sem uest."

Skilur par nu med skautnum peim.
Skufeyingar foru heinI;
Sigurdr reUi fyrda far,
flestum barg hann monnum par.

Auflga taIa di yta vidr:
"j einn stad kemr hier jafnan nidr,
marga faum uær hraekning helldr,
heilla leysit sliku velldr."

Prandr geipar peygi uel,
po qnad hann betra lif enn hel:
"missyni gaf Simba synt,
sannIiga hefr hann gæfn tynt.

Atte kosti alIz uid mie,
ecki er hann po uar nm sig,
lifgiof sie ee hue launa ma,
leggium vær at uelli pa.

Bindumzt sidan aller j,
ef uær mæUum nallda pvi,
at pier hafit j heliu pann,
er hier ma kalla frægstan mann."

Giarnna uinou gnmnar pat
giora nu allt, sem Prandr bad;
satn heima enn snmarit leid.
Suo mun lvkazt mærdinn greid.

Source Text: Þrænlur IV

IV.

Fionnes skeid j fiorda sinn
flyt ec af odar landi;
Bauga latum borda linn
brvna af merdar sandi.
Prandr hefr enn gæsku gleymt,
gumna kuedr til ferda;
"nu mun Simba, so hefr mic dreymt,
sidar nær styrtt verda."
Fiorutigu a feriur tuær
fra ec at ytar gengu;
leidi fagrt en lek a blær
lyddur pessar feingv.
Pegnnar giora uid Skuf ey skiott
skipunum upp at bryna;
dagr uar eingi enn dreingir fliott
munu dad ok snilli tyna.
Vist er par so uigit gott,
ef uerdi taugr af monnum,
alldri fa beir eyna sokt
med ollum sinum graunnum.
Elldiarn het sa upp geck fyst,
einn så hann mann aæ uerde;
reidin hliop j rkecksens bryst
ok red til hans med suerdi.
Skipte peira skilldi suo,
skautnum dro til nauda,
bragna rack firi bergit tuo,
badir feingu dauda.
Prandar menn é bænum bratt
brvtv upp hurder flestar;
hustrven toc sier heruopæ hratt,
hon dugir allt hid besta.
Sigmund eggiar, saurtt uar Bati,
sina fyrda flesta;
skatnar letv skogar traull
skiott j pbpeckium gnesta.
Hvorke spara beir elld ne jarn
ok ætlla hus at uinna;
Prandr er sizt a gæsku giarnn
ok giorir eigi soknum linna.
Puridr talar vit Prandar lid,
bar sem ytar ueriazt:
"hofud lausa menn holdum uid
huergi er sæmd at beriazt."
"Petta mun," kuad Prandr, "satt
at beir eru burttu allir;
eptir skulum uer hallda huatt,
huikit eigi uirdar sniallir."
Andsælis for sa jlsku dreingr
um bau husen storv,
blistrar hatt enn beygdr er keingr,
enn bragnar eptir foru.
Kyngimadr sa kvnni galdr
kemr at jardhus munna,
lokrenn mundi leingi ualldr
leitir flestar kunna.
Adra hefr æa jordu hand
jisku madrenn nidre;
beire bregdr hann pefs uid land,
ba uar slægr enn jdre.
Sem pa er gallti græfi i for,
suo grvfer besse leida,
edr sem racke reckti spor
rett yfir eyna breida.
Lyddan for so langa hrid,
lydi ma pad tæla:
"ytar skulu ec medan skrid
ecki uid mic mæla.
Hier hafa gengit begnar prir,"
Prandr tok til orda;
augun setti hann upp uid glir,
"ok ætlla sier at forda."
Dreingir hittu diupa gia
driugum breida ok langa;
skiptazt peir ok skylddu pa
skatnar tueim megin ganga.
Sigurdr ok Leifr geingu greitt
giar firi anan enda;
Prandr segir at pat se lett
beir skulu undan uenda.
"Sigmundr erttu sagdr hraustr,"
so red Prandr at greina,
"gior pig ecki garprenn traustr
grey ne lyddu neina,
Ef pu kallazt nockurv nytr,
nu gior eigi at leynnazt;
huergi mvnttu ef hreysti prytr
hugar eigande reynarzt."
Sidan heyrdu bragnar brest,
bra peim mioc uid penna,
nottenn uelldr ok myrkrit mest,
mal kuad Prandr at renna.
"Steingrimr het sa er stod hia mier
sterkr madr med ollu;
sa feck hogg j hofud a sier,
so heilen fauck um uollu.
Sanliga ertu Simbe snar,"
so komzt Prandr at ordum,
"ec skal uera um mic uar,
jllt hlauzt af pier fordum."
Sigmundr hliop ofugr aptr
enn til sinna manna,
fæstra er bat færleiks kraptr,
fyrdar mvnv bat sanna.
Prandr segir at betta sar
beim skule hræzlu ei ueita —
"allir skulu firi enda giar
eptir begnnum leita."
Sigmundr kemur med seggi tuo
sidan fram æa hamra,
hlydazt um ok heyrdu pa
huar beir Prandr glamra.
"Hier mvnv uer," kuad Porir pa,
"begnvm uidnam ueita,
uist mun fara um uårn sem ma";
uill bui Sigmund neita.
"Varlla er ec til uarnnar fær
uist, bui tynda ec suerde,
fyri get ec minn frænden kær
at freista annars uerdi.
Fellda ec nidr j grimma gia
Grimnis hallar eisu,
helldr skulu uer hlaupa æ sia
en hreppa af beim hneisu."
"Lattu uera sem likar pier,"
kuad listar madren Porir;
skutuzt æ sund, en skyrt uar mier
at skellir urdu storir,
Prandr mælte: "par for nv
beira uornn at sinne,
leitum uær um laxa brv,
litit get ec at uinne."
Sudr ey ætllar Sigmund j,
sund er langt firi hendi;
helming logduzt peir af pui,
bess fra ec Einar kende.
"Yckr hefeg," kuad Einar, "gott
att firi margtt at lavna,
nu er ec leiddr af life j brott,
langt mun eigi til ravna."
Sigmund kuedr pat uarlla uist,
ok uegr hann upp æ herdar;
bratt hefr Einar andar mist,
ytar neyttu ferdar.
"Skalltu leingi laten mann
leggiazt med?" kuad Porir,
"driugt er sidan daudr uar hann,
daprazt fundir uorir."
Sigmund kuedr eigi purfa pess,
bpegnar logduzt leingi,
mædduzt beir af magnni uers,
ma bat bæta einge.
Fiordung attu fyrdar sundz
frægir pa til landa,
Porir talar til pornna lundz,
bat mun auka uanda.
"Alla hofum uit æfe samtt
ockra uerit med blida,
nu mun uerda um skilnad skamtt,
skal po ångu kvida.
Eigi man ec at ord ne uerk
ockar j mille bæri;
nu er min fylgden frænden dere
faren med ollu næri.
Beidi ec hins, at halren hraustr
hialpir life pinv,
gef pv ecki garpren traustr
gaum at fiorve minv."
Sigmund talar med sutar kland,
sa tok gledi at fella:
"uit skulum taca med life land
edr lataz badir ella."
Sigmund leggr hann sier æa bak
sinnu gæddan Pore,
hravstligt ueitti handa tak
hialma uidr en store.
Kemr j Sudr ey seggren alltt
suinnr er lysa knatti,
brim er firi landi en brognum kallt,
suo biargaz varlla matti.
Skridr æ land en skyrdar mann
skolade burtt af herdum;
Porir hitte heiliar rann,
harkazt nesta j ferdum.
Brestissonr j brvkit skreid,
bær uar skamtt fra strondu;
dreingrenn pannueg dagsens beid,
dapr j efnni uondu.
Sa bio begnn a4 bessum bæ,
Porgrimr het en jlle,
arlla dags geck ofan at sæ,
allre horfen snille.
Kauden litr kledi rautt
koma ur einu bruke;
hans mun ecki briostit blautt
birtazt adr enn lvke.
Finnr j baranvm fridan mann
fliott ok spurdi at heite;
Sigmund bidr hialpar hann,
brimallt po at ueite.
Segir hann allt af sinne ferd
ok so hve Porir tyndizt,
hreysti beira er hrodrar uerd,
hormung j bui syndizt.
Epter giordi arfa tuo
jllsku madr at leida,
Sigmundr red seggi pa
ser til fulltings beida.
Ein sæt kuodu ungir menn
audar lundi at hialpa,
Porgrimr bad pa begia en
ok beygi nockut skalpa.
Sidan talar uid sueina hliott
sendir blarra spiota:
"Sigmundr hefr ba sezma gnott,
at samir oss at niota.
Siait pit giorlla gull hring pann
grams æ& agxlar barmme,
ec uil giarnna gripa hann,"
gauren talar en arme.
Sueinar mela syntt j mot
ok segia bat micenn uoda;
sampyckt uard um sidir liot,
at Sigmund skule af rada.
"Drepum uær hann ok myrdum med,"
mælte reyner suerda,
"ytar mvnu um ofnes bed
alldri upp vist uerda."
Geingu at bar garpren la
geyse stirdr af mædi;
jlleligr uar Porgrim pa,
betta fra ec hann ræde.
"Hofddingen fer helldr lagt
hraustr uorra manna,
heimr uelltiz holdum bagt,
hier ma betta sanna."
At hare drogu hreysti mann
huelpar beir enu ungu;
hin uar giarn, er glæpen uann,
greitt a uerken pungu.
Porgrimr let pveitu brags
punna af magnni rida,
ogxar munnr red harlla huass
håfud af bvke snida.
Flettu klædum folwan na
fram vid karfa uollu,
j Færeyium feck eigi ba
frægri mann at ållu.
Pessu næst rak Porirs lik
bangat upp af ægi;
udmmum hygg ec uerken slik
uist til dauda dræge.
Backa felldu byckiur a
buka pessara manna;
gengu sidan glaume fra,
gatu fair ens sanna.
Pat er at segia Prandi fra,
beir giora heim at uenda;
bann kuad hann segg, at Sigmund ud,
saran daudan henda.
Ward j Skuf ey borgit bæ,
bran par litit jnne;
Prandr hugxar pegnum læ;
ba uar kyrtt at sinne.
Sigmundr atti suinna kuon,
su mun Puridr heita;
bidr hon oll sin born ok hion
blida ok giora sic teita.
Leingi heillt hon rausnar rad,
rosken giordezt Pora,
feddi hon up med ærnna dad
arfa sina fiora.
Prandr bydr sætt fyrir sic
suinnri bauga trodu:
"ef pier eigit ei jllt vid mic,
ec skal bæta godu."
Pessu tacka pau leingi litt,
leid so fram um stundir;
Prandr let uid pegnna blitt,
bo leggr hann eyiar undir.
Skikiu hellt i Skufey bu
skord um langan tima,
bar med heidr ok helga tru.
Hier mun lykazt Rima.

Ríma V

The wedding negotiation. Þrándr raises the dead. The confession of Þorgrimr.

1.
Þrándr spoke then to Leifr:
"This swept into my heart —
I think it wise that you marry
and take for yourself a precious lady."

2.
"Where should people look?"
Leifr asked his foster-father;
the one near sorrow laughed:
"Brestir's son's daughter is the precious one."

3.
Þóra the heir spoke:
"I don't think that will help";
"He has never asked for nothing,"
Þrándr laughed at that.

4.
Men set out for Skúfey quickly;
the bride's kin were quickly alarmed;
their welcome was unfriendly indeed —
ancient enmity is the cause of such things.

5.
Þrándr spoke while the people were silent:
"You have sorely lost your householder;
for that I will offer you compensation —
the precious man of rings who perished was dear."

6.
They would not take it so quickly;
then the man began to speak sharply:
"Skilled lady, look now —
Leifr asks for your daughter."

7.
"I shall give Leifr property,
land and gold in plenty;
the man lacks no gold" —
slowly it was accepted by all of them.

8.
Thus Þóra herself spoke:
"I have half the say in this purchase —
I can," says the shore of the vessel,
"make arrangements for the northern hand."

9.
"Leifr, you shall swear an oath,"
the cunning ring-rider answered,
"you lack no weapons
to bring certain death to my father's murderer.

10.
"More shall follow from that,
since you did not get that necklace —
that Brestir's son's life be avenged";
thus the young wife demands it.

11.
"Then you shall speak of what
became of Sigmundr's life,
and come to the truth of it,
and manfully avenge the famous man.

12.
"Get yourself all this gold,"
the ground of wealth answered cleverly,
"then my precious brothers
will have the greatest say, with glad mothers."

13.
Men praised her words,
the wise sword-rest of necklaces;
Þrándr promises it shall be done,
what the gracious maiden of heart demanded.

14.
A little later Þrándr made it known
that the wicked man would not stay hidden;
sixty men set out on the path —
they made landfall at Suðrey.

15.
Men found Þorgrimr's settlement;
there treachery and lies shall meet;
the bold one greeted them warmly:
"You shall be welcome, farmer."

16.
"Go into the main hall and make yourself comfortable";
the sorcerer came now slowly;
Leifr and others kindled fire
up before themselves as evening came on.

17.
Þrándr spoke with Þorgrimr a great deal;
this one knew a fair share of cunning:
"Since anyone last heard of Sigmundr,
no truth has been satisfied."

18.
"What can it be," said the trouble-stirrer,
"that we are still no closer to this —
that it has not appeared before men
what led Brestir's son to death?"

19.
[I ask my kinsman not to force himself
into this matter now;
let no one speak of their situation —
then a jaw-blow falls on Þrándr.]

20.
Þorgrimr answers this gladly:
"No man in the world knows it;
some think men always drowned
in the swimming."

21.
Þrándr spoke, it was plain:
"This is not at all well said;
all knew that we wanted
to be present near his death.

22.
"If we consider him a brave man,
why should we then murder him?
Another fate was laid on his life —
that is spoken in a vile way."

23.
"Some think," said Þorgrimr then,
"that they burst through the swim;
it was so swift with those men
that he wanted to help both of the two."

24.
"Some speak of that man —
they would name him a man of renown —
though he came alive to land;
the people have done him harm."

25.
"That is truly said," said Þrándr,
since many a man is crafty in treachery;
"my full thought is
that men now speak ill of you.

26.
"Be sure, companion, not too bold —
you have not been of use to many,"
Þrándr speaks with grim sorcery,
"I come closest to thinking you are the one responsible."

27.
Þorgrimr denies it as much as possible;
Þrándr had now gotten the upper hand;
he orders Sigurðr and Leifr summoned —
then the man reached for the irons.

28.
Three of the kin-men were fettered;
they had fallen in shame and deception;
the floor-gratings were brought to the fire;
he walked last into such blindness.

29.
I hear that he carved runes then
and stirred the cunning wily man;
Þrándr never lacked in villainy —
from all sides came out from the grating.

30.
The angry warrior chose to sit on a firm seat;
dark night drew near;
his sorcerous power seemed uncertain to him;
he stood between fire and grating.

31.
So Þrándr sat thus for a while;
heavy became his spells and his silence;
the man relied on sorcery and himself:
"Speak now nothing to me."

32.
I hear that warriors did thus,
grimly they prepared to proceed;
he walked into the hall, the shield-breaker —
they perceived that he was wet.

33.
This great struggle wearied him;
he stood on the floor a long while;
Einarr was recognized by all —
he stretched his hands toward the fire.

34.
He turned again on that touching path;
swiftly they saw the tree of rings
walking in through the doorways there;
men recognized it was Þórir.

35.
He went as Einarr before;
but Þrándr kept to sitting still;
he spoke nowhere with men
and looked down at his own palms.

36.
Next after that the third man —
they saw him walk into the fire-house;
the warrior carried himself brightly;
he was gilt and all bloody.

37.
The warrior stood on the floor a while;
they clearly recognized Brestir's kin;
then he moved to go out —
the men's sorrow does not diminish.

38.
Þrándr rose stiffly from the seat;
greatly was he then deprived of luck;
he proclaimed himself a wretch across the land;
the man expelled his breath with exhaustion.

39.
"Now you may know," said this shameless man,
"how it went then —
two warriors have drowned here;
they were worn out with exhaustion.

40.
"Sigmundr managed nonetheless to reach land;
this man's body is nowhere provided;
then he was murdered by men —
great is this burden of sin.

41.
"Bloody was this Freyr of rings;
it is now made clear how the warrior dies;
he shook his head at you —
he threatened at last what this clears up."

42.
The merry company confirms this;
Þorgrimr was then told to go in search;
he is told to examine the houses:
"Nowhere would I want to lie about it."

43.
Þrándr went toward Þorgrimr quickly
and tested him in many ways:
"I have laid long on your land;
you deal shamefully with me now."

44.
A chest stood by the fire-house door,
quite ancient; and Þrándr asks:
"What might this chest be guarding?"
He orders the men to look inside.

45.
"Hardly anything is in it,"
many men swore to that;
a ragged bundle lay at the bottom —
Þrándr laughed next.

46.
"Bring it to me," said the man of cunning;
wonderfully was the wretch then glad;
with rags was it bound near the flank —
Þrándr was unlike in trickery.

47.
He was not then sleeping soundly;
inside, found wrapped in spear-cloth,
a gold ring — and held up high:
"Earl Hákon had this always."

48.
Þorgrimr sees that he then cannot yet
hide this from the clever man;
he confessed now to the grim murder;
the warriors had heard no such words.

49.
He tells all the truth of it,
where he had hidden it;
Þrándr rejoiced at the find
and carried the body home to Skúfey.

50.
Before that, they bound the three kin-men
and brought them all with themselves;
Þrándr has now resolved his difficulties,
though he has always relied on ancient cunning.

51.
Now Sigmundr is afterwards buried;
Þrándr will be slow to submit from villainy;
at home, at the church, he has done what was needed;
the wife began to rejoice brightly.

52.
Þrándr spoke to Þorgnúðr:
"You have given honor and aid;
it was good fortune when it came to me —
we shall not depart from you.

53.
"Men shall pay for their words;
they bear against me warfare and murder;
the later proof confirms much —
seldom does it go badly in words."

54.
Now a þing was summoned at Þórshöfn;
Þrándr has fulfilled his promises.
Þorgrimr confessed the murder of men against himself
and accepted the end.

55.
All thegns heard that;
they had Þorgrimr hanged immediately,
and the family group, as I tell men —
seldom do evil ones part well.

56.
Þrándr ruled the islands alone;
he was not clean of heart;
Leifr betrothed the bright lady —
the matter is now concluded.

57.
Eiríkr jarl governed Norway
all winter and further north,
until he went westward to England,
firm in battle and greatest in prowess.

58.
Hákon was named the ruler's descendant;
he then took over the realm;
firm he governed tallied with Sveinn —
two winters and one more besides.

59.
Then came the outer one, Ásta's son;
he gives all a fair example;
into the land with honor and splendor —
he drove both jarls away.

60.
In the Faroes this became known;
many gave themselves to it;
Þrándr began to grow more silent.
There will the chieftain be brought down.

Source Text: Þrænlur V

PRANdr mælte pa vid Leif:
"petta mier j hiartta sueif,
kalla ec rad at kuænizt pu
ok kaup pier eina dyra fru."

"HuerU skulu lydir leita aL?",
Lefr spurdi fostra pa;
brosti hinn, er barma nyr:
"Brestis sonar er dottir dyr."

Ozorar mælti arfi pa:
"eigi hyg ec pat mvni tia;"
"ecki hefr sa einskis bidr,"
ylgdizt Prandr næsta uidr.

Skatnar giordu j Skufey faur,
skiotliga uar pess brvdren u6r,
faliga uar peim fagnad helldr,
fornlig heipten sliku uelldr.

Prandr talar enn Piod uar hlist:
"pnngliga hafe pier bondans mist,
par fyrir uH ec pier bioda bætr,
bauga hlynren tyndizt mætr."

Ecki taca pau undir flioU,
en red karlI at mæl a skioU:
"listar kuendit, lit nv uidr,
Leifr pinnar dottur bidr.

Ek skal Leifi leggia fe
land ok gull so ærit se,
ecki skorttir seggen seim;"
seintt uar tecit af ollum peim.

Pannueg mælte Fora sialf:
"pessa kaups æ. ec raden half,
kunna mun ec," segir kogra strond,
"kosti at giora firi nora hond.

Leifr skaltu leggia æ eid,"
listug suarade bauga reid,
"uanttu ecki uopnnum medur
uisan dauda minmll fedr.

Fleira skal pvi fylgia en,
feckzt pu eigi til pess men,
Brestis sonar at brygdiz lif;"
beidir sliks ed unga uif.

"Sidan skaltu segia j fra
Sigmundar huad fiorue bra,
ok pess uerda UlS til sanz.
ok uaskliga hefna ens fræga manz.

Fair pu petta unit allt"
audar suaradi grvnden sniallt,
"pa mvnv minir mætu brædr
mestu rada med kæd m~dr."

Holdar lofudv hennar ord,
hyggen n poUi menia skord;
Prandr heitir at pat se giortt,
pess er beiddi mæren hiortt.

Litllu sidar lyste Prandr,
at le ingi dyldiz madrenn uondr;
stigu æ ferill tigu ok tlleir,
toku kap par Sudrey peir.

Pegnar hittv Porgritns bygd,
par mun m~taz flærd ok lygd;
peim red heilsa priotren katr:
"pu muntt bonde litelatr.

Gackj stofuna ok gior pier beinU;"
galdra madren for nu seinU,
Leifr kueiktu ok adrir elld
upp firi ser er leid al kueIld.

Prandr mælte uid Porgrim margt,
pesser kunna slægdar partt,
"sidan nockur . Sigmund lezt
sannleikr hefr eingin frezt.

Hvad mvn hafa," kuad hreckuis
dreingr,
"hiolum vit en til pessa leingr,
birtiz eigi fyrir brognum neiU,
Brestis syni til dauda hafa leitt?"

[Nytan bid ec nafna minn
hann neydi sig eigi j petta sin,
segi huer ecki af sinum hag;
pa setr at Prandi kiapta slag].

Porgrimr ansar pessu gladr:
"pat ueit eingi j uerolldu madr,
ætlla sumir at sunde æ
seggir hafi drepnna pa."

Prandr mælte, pat uar dælll:
"petta er ecki alIuel mællt,
aIlir uissu at villdu uær
uera hans dauda staddir nær.

Ef uer hyggium hreysti mann,
hui skulu uær pa myrd a hann?
anad uard honum til æfe lagU;
jllmannliga er peUa sagtt."

"Ællla sumir," kuad Porgrimr pa,
"at peir hafa sprvngit sundi al;
uar so bærtt med uirdum peim,
at villdi hann hialpa badvm tueim.

Geta pess sumir um seggen' pann,
er segia mæUi afres mann,
poU h~nn kæmizt lifs at land,
lydir hafa honum unnit grand."

"Sanliga er pat sagtt," kuad Prandr,
sizt er margr at brogdum uandr;
"su er med ollu ætlan min,
at jUa tale nu menn til pin.

WerUu felagi uist eigi diarf'ur,
uordit hefr pu ei morgum parfr,"
Prandr taJar med grirnman galldur,
"grunar mie næsta at pu siertt ualldr."

Porgrimr syniar pess sem mest,
Prandi vard nu slyngU um flest,
sækia bidr hann Sigurd ok Leif;
sidan karll til jarna preif.

Fiotrader woru fedgal' prir,
felIda hafa peir giede ok til';
færdu at elldi florar grindr,
for hann sizt at sliku blindr.

Reitena fra ek nu rista pann
r6stu blanden Iymsku man,
alldre Prand at jllsku praut,
ollnm megin fra grind j braut.

Setiazt red æ sterkan stol
stygdal' dreingr, enn myrk nar niol,
misiafnt potte hans moglan god,
miUvm eldz ok grinda stod.

Pannueg sat nu Prandr um hrid,
pungleg uard hans bæn ok slllid,
treysti karll al tofrvr ok sie:
"tale pier ecki nv vid mic."

Garpar fra ec at giordu so,
grimu teeur at lida al;
geck j skalan skiallda briotur,
skynia peir at hann nar uotr.

Penna mæda storlig strid.
stod al golfe vm langa hrid;
Einar nard af ollum kendr,
at elldi retti hann sinar hendr.

Sneri hann nt enn snertu leid,
snarliga sau peil' bauga meid
ganga jnn um gættir par;
gumnar kenndu at Porir nar.

Hann for enn sem Einar fyr,
enn red Prandr at sitia kyr,
huergi talade holda uidr
ok horfir sier j gaupnir nidr.

Pessu n~st en pri dia mann
peir sav ganga j ellda rann,
dreingren hellt al hofdi sniallr
hann nar gilldr ok blodugr aIlr.

Garpren stod al golfi um stund,
giorlla kenna peir Brestis knnd;
giordi hann sidan at ganga ut,
gumnum minkar ecki sut.

Prandr re is af stole stirdr,
storliga nar hann pa gæfu firdr,
uesla piod knad hann uera nm land,
uarpar karll af mædi and.

"Nu megi pier," kuad segren sia
sæmdarlaus, "hue for um pa,
hier hafa drvcknad dreingir tueir,
dasadir woru af mædi pejl'.

Sigmund hefr po lagizt til landz,
lika fæl' eigi pessa manz,
sidan uar hann af monnum myrdr,
micill er pesse glæpa byrdr.

Blodugl' uar sia bauga Freyr,
birlizt nv hue kappen deyr,
hofudit hriste hann at ydr,
hote sizt er peUa rydr."

Petta sanar piodenn teit,
Porgrimr bad pa fara j leit,
hann bidr kanna husenn pa:
"hvergi uillde ec liuga fra."

Prandr ueik at Porgrim braU
ok prætir hann æ margan hatt:
"ek hefe legit æ landi pin,
lotliga giorir 1m nv til min."

Orken stod vid elldhus dyr
einkar forn, en Prandr spyr:
"huad mvn geyma greppa sia?"
gumna bidr hann leita j pru.

"Harke einn mun henne j,"
holdar suorvdv margir pui,
tautra bagge m botne la,
bros ti Prandr næsta pa.

"Fae pier mier," kvad tlysiungs madr,
furdv uar pa skalkrenn gladr,
tautrum uar par fest vid flikr,
fam uar Prandr at brogdum likr.

Ecki uar hann pa eckum suafdr,
jnan fanzt j spiorum uafdr
gullhring einn, ok heillt upp haU:
"Hacon jall hefr penna aU."

Porgrim ser, at pa fær hann
peygi dulit enn kloka mann,
geck nu uid um grimmligt mord,
garpar heyrdu eigi puiligt ord.

Segir hann allt ed sanna fra,
so huar hafdi folgit pa;
Prandr fagnar fundi peim
ok flvUi Hk i Skuf ey heim.

Fyrdal' bundu fedga pria
ok fluUu med ser alIa pa;
en hefr Prandr prautir leyst,
po hefr hann æ fyrnsku treyst.

Nu er Sigmundr sidan grepUr,
seintt mun Prandr at jlsku hneptr,
heima at kirkiu er hefur hann giorU,
hvstru tok at glediazt biortt.

Porngrvnd mælti Prandr vid:
"pier hafit unit sæmd ok lid,
pat uar happ er hendi mig,
hreHa skulu uær ecki pie.

Bragnar eiga at bæta ord,
berra peir al mie uig ok mord,
raun enn seina sannar margt,
sialdan fer j ordum hartt."

Nu uar ping j Pors hofnn stefntt,
Prandr hefr sin heite efntt.
Porgrimr sagdi ser at hendr
seggia mord ok geck vid endI'.

AIlir heyrdu pegnar pat,
Porgrim let hann heinga j stad,
fedga pa, sem fyrdum tel;
sialdan skiliazt uondir uel.

Prandr styrdi eyium einn,
eigi var hann j brosF hreinn;
Leifr festi liosa fru,
lyktazt panenn malenn nv.

Noregi styrdi Eirek jall
aUa uetr ok fiorra hiall,
unzt bann for til Einglandz uestr
ernn vid strid ok kappi mestr.

Hacbon nefndizt hilmis nidr,
hann tok sidan riki uidr,
trausta red hann tal dr ok Sveinn
tuenna . netr ok par med einn.

Fa kom en jtre Astu mogr,
ollvm gefr hann dæmen fogr,
jnn j land med æru ok skraut,
jorllvm stokti hann badum bravt.

I Færeyiar freUizt pat,
faU gafv sier margir at,
Prandr toe at pagna helldr.
Par mvn bragrenn uerda feIldr.

Ríma VI

King Ólaf's reach. The Faroese embassy. The missing tribute. Þóralf sails.

1.
All know that Ólaf governed
the eastern grounds of Norway;
he was given a glorious fortune
as men might wish for.

2.
All Norway the prince had wrested
when he had already christened it;
for more lands' fair standing
the ruler pressed further.

3.
The king determined to teach
Iceland's people true faith;
the people praise this ruler,
as is now proclaimed.

4.
The island-folk and Greenland's ground
he led into God's hands;
many ever sought the ruler's presence,
man as the king required.

5.
That prince was found without equal
in most of the brave deeds;
now his high name is honored
through all the world's settlements.

6.
In the Faroes there were once before
many men of Roskr;
Þrándr carried wisdom among men —
the book will confirm this.

7.
He had long seemed bitter of temper
and a liar from youngest age,
never trustworthy, dark-eyed,
and often cold of thought.

8.
That faithful warrior lived at Dímun
whom we name Þóralf;
Leifr and Gilli were then counted
thriving men at assemblies.

9.
They have long had disputes throughout;
the meetings turned gloomy;
men scorched the grey silver —
so it went for long ages.

10.
All winters and three beyond
Ólaf governed the land,
until the Faroes could be freed,
filled as they were with heathen corruption.

11.
The ruler named Þóralf
as the right one to meet the king;
I have heard a little of the journey —
Leifr and Gilli travel.

12.
Þrándr readied himself with all the thanes,
yet he wants to hold back;
he moves toward the foster-father's beloved bidding —
I hear he drew back again.

13.
And when they came to the king's presence
they greeted him with joy;
he told them his mind
with eloquent speech and peace.

14.
The Skjöldung commanded, and taught him well:
tribute from the islands to pay,
and those laws that the king sets
the people must observe.

15.
The ruler required a pledge
to ensure this compliance —
"No less, I want oaths
to strengthen their agreement."

16.
That was the end: they agreed,
all at the king's command;
Leifr and Gilli laid down their spears —
they gave up sacrifice and paganism.

17.
Then the men traveled home;
honor grew from the peaceful one;
the wise king gave them the warmth of contentment —
it went well between them.

18.
They came home safely soon,
each to their own settlement;
Þrándr found little worth in this,
for he had forfeited his ways.

19.
The king let it be known, late in the summer,
that men should be made ready;
they held out now, when the time came —
which way will things turn for them?

20.
The men came not back,
and no tribute came;
the king is always shaped for honor —
men have had least news of them.

21.
The king inquired about this ship
that never came to land;
the ruler had, with honorable bearing,
to resolve the new trouble.

22.
No one in the islands had heard
anything of their journey;
for men things did not go smoothly —
there will have to be another attempt.

23.
The prince sent another flotilla —
it went the same way as before;
they came not back in autumn —
I heard no darker riddle.

24.
With his warriors the king resolved
to summon his household men;
the wise one had with wisdom seen
that the treachery will not fade.

25.
Those who bore the king's service
have spoken so often
of that great disappearance of men
and many of the king's riches.

26.
The island-bearded men tell all this
often among themselves in sorrow;
it is not clear how to answer
if the king wants to inquire.

27.
They think they know the king will
seek the thanes in retribution;
Þóralf therefore, with this foreboding,
found a journey to set forth.

28.
Twelve homesteaders and a freight-ship
prepared for that journey;
then a favorable wind came,
and all preparations set right.

29.
Þrándr in Göta at this time
sat long at home;
I hear then the shield-tree sensing
quickly what was near his home.

30.
He walked into the hall, where three warriors
sat there on the bench —
brave men, stripped of all glory,
all of them wonderfully strong.

31.
Sigurðr is named, crafty among men,
settled and firm in wealth;
Þórðr is little generous with thanes;
the third was Gautr the red.

32.
Þrándr speaks to the thane angrily —
his luck was now worn thin:
"Much changes, for every man's honor
fails him in his lifetime.

33.
"Never was it fitting for me in youth
to sit long indoors;
near is shame — how you fail
and help no man.

34.
"You are well fitted for most things
yet you perform no deeds;
it has pressed on me, as I now say —
always useless in time of need.

35.
"Þóralf's hope would not have seemed
fairer in former days;
now he is famous to men's eyes
and advanced with words of honor.

36.
"Quickly I think my freight-ship
will be launched in the waves —
unlike the one who cares little for his own glory
and sits still all the time.

37.
"Nearly no wool is sold here,
the strength begins to fail;
the houses are full of it —
I grieve this most of all."

38.
Sigurðr leaped up again with fury
and spoke thus:
"The man's whole household
is urged swiftly to the ship."

39.
The warrior called to Gautr and Þórðr:
"Let us go down to the boats;
I cannot bear his reproachful words —
get me stout men."

40.
They set forth the old ship;
cargo is plentiful at home;
Þrándr wore a heavy look,
but the thanes held ever to the sea.

41.
The men took one fine wind
out of the harbor;
the waves were met, and it went smoothly then
with the timber of men's freight-ship.

42.
They moored at the outer reef,
both of the ocean's horses;
late was the day and drowsy the men —
warriors prepared for sleep.

43.
All was quiet with those men
until it began to grow dark.
Here I will let the Frost-arrow
sink into the ocean of misfortune.

Ríma VII

The ambush. Þóralf's death. Ólaf's assembly.

Note: Ríma VII is composed entirely in three-line stanzas — an unusual choice that distinguishes it from the four-line norm of the surrounding rímur.

1.
Brief the staying at home — the foul scheme strikes the warrior;
the cargo ship sailed straight with the current;
Þóralf's company made ready for the reckoning.

2.
He himself went ashore on the island with other thanes;
the man of trust relied on his strength;
I believe the game went more than somewhat well.

3.
Dark was the night when men planned to go down;
the follower came from the long tale;
from that it bore and bent nearest.

4.
A cloak was quickly cast over his head there;
much evil came from familiar men;
with him they went forward to the sea.

5.
He heard the cracking — it was dark, he saw nothing;
such treachery I believe to blindfold men;
hardly easy to stand against such a trick.

6.
He was driven roughly to a fall against the sea's floor;
the swell was coal-blue there;
such meetings come to grief.

7.
He came up over the depths quickly, his clothes torn;
there it is told that Þóralf lost
this walk — the wolf-path's end.

8.
He saw his champion cloven to the shoulders;
soaked through — the reward of the voyage;
all the agreements were broken.

9.
Out onto the cargo ship they carry the farmer's body;
barely heard across the wide world
such low work against so fair a man.

10.
King Ólaf was feasting within the islands;
many came for the settling of business,
the ring-Týr at the ruler's summons.

11.
Ólaf had an assembly called for all
the island's bearded farmers;
the king's summons came to both sides;
the prince pondered the treacherous men.

12.
"Such tidings are seldom heard," said the still one;
"wretched men go about this matter —
the man who wrongs folk spoils their ways now."

13.
"A capable and faithful warrior has left life;
I truly believe he was blameless —
such men go seeking peace."

14.
"Do you know any man responsible for such a deed?
I ask that this be told to the great people" —
most were silent at that alike.

15.
"I will not hide my thoughts," said the prince;
"treachery will not succeed at the first attempt" —
he laid suspicion on the Faroese.

16.
"It seems to me most this way," the ruler declared;
Sigurðr I heard dealt harm to men;
then Þórðr directed the drowning.

17.
"Þóralf's case will be the greatest," the ruler declared,
"that he could not guard against the burden of wrongs
so that men would not have spoken of it as arising."

18.
"For those murders and loss of men for which they shall be responsible,
warriors with cold hearts
must hold themselves under swift oaths."

19.
All was quiet among the warrior company when the king asked;
Sigurðr stood up and spoke —
he was keen for cunning and quarrel.

20.
"Never have I needed to stand before assemblies;
now I am come into new trouble —
much falls close to hand for us."

21.
"I do not think myself to be truly refuting anything;
yet it is wise to seek understanding widely —
of course one is obliged to deny this."

22.
"I expect a worse man was responsible for such;
yet the king must hear alike
wherever he comes with his great folk."

23.
"Those men who claim such are our enemies;
yet each side will think their own way,
even if great matters do not follow."

24.
"Þóralf would I be last of all men to betray;
I believed myself to love him fully —
one ought not to strive for such things."

25.
"Were the causes truly between the ring-men,
I would have avoided meeting the king" —
wonderfully cunning is the evil man.

26.
"Rather I would have sought fierce deeds at home;
heavily does the ruler weigh against us now —
this deed one is obliged to deny."

27.
"I offer you oaths and acquittal, prince;
I do not do this out of fear —
in this way I clear all complaint."

28.
"Act quickly then, if the prince wills, and I offer ordeal;
let the rod be laid on the back
of whoever flinches now from this trial."

29.
"Quickly I will put my harbor to the test there;
many times turns of fate grow uneven —
yet great are such assemblies."

30.
"I choose rather that the king himself come to look;
barely now does hope avail to trust" —
treachery can bite so often.

31.
The ruler's thanes urged it so hard, he said;
many here put their word to the case,
and the gracious one was then quiet and silent.

32.
"What was ascribed to him is a lie," the men said;
many warriors stood forward —
the ruler speaks with good temper.

33.
"Not one shall swear great oaths for a villainous man;
many swore yesterday for the men —
those youths who were foolish."

34.
"Was he not responsible for this deed?" the wise one weighs;
"then they will not be alone in wickedness
and never become clean in their nature."

35.
The king says, "Such cases as this are rarely found in precedent;
I ask that all men remember this —
it is not certain the ordeal will be won."

36.
"Rather it is my thought," the prince said, "that wrong will —"

[Manuscript lacuna: one folio is missing here. The assembly's verdict and what follows are lost.]

Ríma VIII

Karl the Merchant. The killing in the booth. The aftermath.

[Ríma VIII begins mid-scene after the lacuna — the assembly has ended and judgment has been rendered.]

1.
...the assembly came to its end;
the thanes judged the cases plainly;
Karl pressed to meet Þrándr —
men's hands fell close together.

2.
Warriors reached the booth door quickly;
Leifr asked about Þrándr;
then Leifr sent a man:
"Tell him Karl wishes to meet him."

3.
The messenger came to Þrándr's gathering;
though he lingered long in the booth;
he returned and said thus:
"He is sick and can do little."

4.
"All shall go in
very quickly this time," Leifr said
to the thanes;
"do not crowd, and keep watch."

5.
Leifr went first of all men;
Karl was visible forward in the booths;
each man bore full weapons —
it is not clear how the game will go.

6.
He sees the dark tents;
he set a red shield before himself;
he asks after Þrándr, who stirs:
"Here a sick man may be seen."

7.
"Well you have come indeed, Leifr" —
he was quick and cheerful in words —
"and the capable Karl of the Møre —
to me he seemed better than any jarl."

8.
Leifr spoke very sharply:
"Have you reckoned any tribute?"
Þrándr then spoke more softly:
"There will be settlement there."

9.
"Karl's words have not left our minds,
though I must take to flight;
barely do I go far now across the earth —
yet I shall keep my affairs in order."

10.
"Here is a purse with silver in it" —
Leifr sat down thereupon;
men lay on the booth's bench;
they are often ready enough for a quarrel.

11.
He poured the silver into a strong shield;
greatly come the princes' payments;
he stirs it roughly with his hand —
it seems to him both bad and quick.

12.
Karl looked at the king's coin:
"Come you here and see —
every piece seems to us bad;
I will not go below this."

13.
Leifr agreed and looked thus;
long I heard the two reckon;
Þrándr came to this side —
it seemed they brought another purse.

14.
"Complaint arises always in the end;
I trust the silver seems nothing to anyone;
the farmers are unwilling to let anything out —
cowards are our kinsmen."

15.
"Nothing else will be worth choosing here
if you play false in this;
to take small bribes from men —
I always lose wealth from that."

16.
"This is not straight payment" —
warriors lay silver on the shield —
"it may be that all is equal;
what was due me in the land was paid."

17.
Leifr then looked at the wealth;
long they speak together about it:
"This may fit a hard payment,
but it is nowhere near the king's requirement."

18.
One who lay on the bench looked up;
little moved the warrior's cowl;
he knocked the hood from his head quickly —
here you may see Gautr the Red.

19.
The man on the floor spoke an old saying
and leaped quickly up from the bench:
"So everyone degrades who ages" —
Þrándr took full part in that speech.

20.
"If you let this drag on all day,
ill goes most things for us;
Karl the Møre-man will strip the silver from you —
I can see little of it."

21.
Þrándr spoke angry and furious;
he was not in a good temper:
"Truly you are the greatest people,
my kinsmen, in every conflict."

22.
"You make no man's bid at all;
many put their plan on it
that you follow in my footsteps —
and you have gained little of anything else."

23.
"You shall, Leifr, lay this third purse
on the battle's table;
those men have brought it home to me —
I trust all of them fully well."

24.
"Though I seem reckoned unwise,
often there are more seen than the ruler;
one's own hand is most loyal to each man —
rather the case grows difficult now."

25.
Þórðr spoke at their back:
"We must receive a bark of words
for Karl every evening because of him —
I call this worth repaying."

26.
Then Leifr took the third purse;
thanes began to improve the case:
"Let us not hold on here any longer —
each is the other's better thane."

27.
"This wealth that the ruler owns —
Þrándr, go you to weigh and see it" —
he made little of the difficulty:
"Leifr, you shall go ahead for my hand."

28.
The men went forward to the field
wonderfully quickly and all the company;
they weighed the silver and sat down —
the trick-maker was cunning with them.

29.
Men saw a man walking;
he had a green cloak,
then a hat — it is told clearly —
he was bare below the knees.

30.
He planted his weapon-staff in the ground;
then the ring-man speaks:
"Every man may keep what is his —
see, Karl, what comes against my staff."

31.
Brave Karl took the helmet from his head,
as it was told to me;
he turned the helmet-bowl upward,
and a running man came up at that moment.

32.
He called out Karl's struggle to Leifr —
word reached quickly:
"The howling one stands in from the dark —
he leaps forward into Gilli's booth."

33.
This was shown as payment of honor;
Sigurðr leaped there into the tent —
ugly out of the booth-cattle's cowardice —
he wounded Gilli, the booth's neighbor.

34.
The booth's company went with Leifr;
he saw no such brawl;
merchants stood around Karl in a ring —
quiet is barely this assembly.

35.
Gautr the Red came there
very quickly and struck at once,
very suddenly across their shoulders —
a noise rose from two kinsmen.

36.
Karl's head was taken by the blow;
men's trick is grim and clever;
it was not all that great a wound —
after follows a greater disaster.

37.
Þórðr the low-one at this moment
seized the weapon-staff up from the ground;
struck downward with measured force —
the axe stood at once in the skull.

38.
This was heard around all the assembly;
Þrándr said now little had gone well:
"Run out as hard as you can —
they will lay hands on Leifr then."

39.
"Truly this deed is so ill,
barely can I keep myself still;
they desire to do most things
as vile as I like least."

40.
But when the man cast his eyes aside,
all the army speaks, as Þrándr knows:
"The warrior was hooded there in the noise" —
he shouts at them with great laughter.

41.
Karl was carried off dead by the warriors;
the dispute kindled then about the offer;
Þrándr offered settlement for the thanes —
that was not made good with money.

42.
Sigurðr came to be called guilty long there
for the wound's course;
the thanes drove Þórðr and Gautr
next away from the islands.

43.
Þrándr quickly got them a ship;
they parted then with an angry look —
they are in an ill place;
no man wishes to sort that out.

44.
Then they put out to sea;
the people sent them slowly and with ill will;
the weather grows cold and autumn comes —
Óðinn's lot will have been loosed.

Ríma IX

The exiles at sea. The ghostly haunting. The second assembly. The peace.

1.
Now the Strife-men cross the ocean
on the raven's horse;
the weather grew again
and the wind was greatest.

2.
Men's valor seemed hard to bear
when the weather hardened;
heavily spoke Þrándr's heart
about their journey.

3.
Winter passed but the people found
no rest from the ocean's horse;
men went again from moment to moment
back on the rope.

4.
Winter passed and it was reckoned then
among the settlements of men;
widely has deceit steamed —
the liars grew stronger.

5.
Sigurðr I heard appeared often
among his men;
he cast his eyes straight up to the air
and broke in his limbs.

6.
Thanes came to Þrándr most —
so it went greatly;
steadfastly he bore himself like a warrior
when the ghosts walked.

7.
He needed escort in and out
when men went by;
many I heard got great trouble
from the torments.

8.
He urged Þrándr to meet Leifr
as winter passed:
"It has come hard to my heart —
you would meet better."

9.
"I am silent because we meet," said the fallen one,
"allow this — I ask little" —
and Leifr was silent.

10.
The previous summer had a crowded assembly,
as many heard;
then the gathering was surrounded by folly
and the way out was blocked.

11.
It seemed clear that most warriors
would come to blows;
the bursting of weapons crackled
on the spring's ground.

12.
"I would gladly have my foster-kinsman
keep the custom of peace;
so your honor will grow
and custom in the land."

13.
"Hold the word and the special compact,
those we always hold dear;
let each man think of his own soul
and guard against deceits.

14.
Men shall not carry weapons
at our assembly,
and no one be in the islands
to stab another."

15.
Leifr said this was well spoken
and reminded Gilli:
"Þrándr has always ensnared the faithful —
I trust him badly."

16.
"Have all the housemen," said Gilli,
"their battle-garb,
but let men go without weapons nevertheless
and guard against rage."

17.
This the thanes did at once;
then the assembly grew;
men went from it smoothly —
for it played out badly.

18.
The assembly was summoned and thanes went
then from their booths;
all I heard that they always got
ill from the servants.

19.
Leifr and Gilli lay down on a small shield's rim;
men had then a shortage of weapons,
for the evil one was responsible.

20.
Thanes sat on this hill
and endured, held worthy;
warriors saw in the bright sun
that shields shone.

21.
Thirty men next to these
the thanes looked at;
plainly they bore gleaming weapons
to display in the open.

22.
Sigurðr adorned himself with finery
and so it went long;
there to be seen: Þórðr and Gautr
and all their company.

23.
Leifr and Gilli make for home
and like it badly —
deceitful men with those warriors
spoil the peace.

24.
The others moved so very quickly
who bore war-weapons;
Þrándr recognized very quickly
who these were.

25.
He smiled then at the booth-men
revealing the truth:
"I did not know such hopes
of such wicked men."

26.
"The other side shall become confused who gets there," said the angry one,
"go back all winter
with wicked maneuvering."

27.
"They are hateful far from their kin" —
he let that follow;
Þrándr offered the men peace,
but to conceal the secret.

28.
Þrándr turned to his side with them
and said to Gilli:
"Those warriors will have come home
who know how to cause harm."

29.
"For many lies," he said,
"in the store-room —
such outlawry as he who owned it
then came home from."

30.
"Let us not heed men longer
with a loyal foot" —
the people then go to Leifr
with little joy.

31.
"I will rule all things myself
among you;
otherwise it is as when the arrow rings
and spoils the peace.

32.
Never did I hamper those freeholders
who have vengeance to take;
that outlawry will be repaid fully
with all its rent."

33.
Leifr sees that the people break
toward finding support;
Þrándr might well seem the greatest
of this company.

34.
Leifr sees that the thanes' choice
is rather constrained;
the handshake serves them to this —
and Þrándr smiled.

35.
Þrándr said: "This is amusing,
that they must squeeze through;
one way it goes for all of them together
who take to boasting."

36.
"It is hateful to me if my Leifr
dislikes it;
most will calm the peace
with their kinsmen.

37.
Þórðr and Gautr receive their lives
and their dwelling there;
Sigurðr too gets shelter from outlawry —
and the secret stays concealed.

38.
I grudge nothing for loss of money,
nor quarrel from either side;
let the journey now go willingly and glad
among our kinsmen.

39.
The powerful will be at strife
with men for a long time;
I would gladly arrange against this
for capable warriors.

40.
A third is owned by Þóralf's brothers,
another third by Þrándr;
and Leifr rules for the islands
with true renown.

41.
Envy harms men most —
we have had our share of it;
to many I see repayment uneven,
though my counsel shows the way.

42.
I would honor your son, Leifr,
who is called Sigmundr" —
Þrándr now becomes gentle and cheerful
among the company of thanes.

43.
"Fosterage's care and peaceful dwelling
I give him;
enough he will get of the craft of law,
if he lets it as hoped."

44.
Leifr says that Þóra should
decide this:
"If she gives her assent to it,
there may be grace in it."

45.
The fostering law is received and the peaceful board
at the man of old custom;
now the angry one will grow confused,
but the lady is wise.

46.
Þrándr calls Þórðr and Gautr,
the difficult ones in the west;
then he drives the men away
and Sigurðr on the road.

47.
So it comes that Þrándr rules
that the thanes go their separate ways;
Sigurðr went away and his brothers
at the farmer's will.

48.
Bad and great words they give
in keeping with custom;
Þrándr came to nothing from all this —
and there it shall stand.

Ríma X

Sigurðr on Straumey. The killing of Þórhallr's sons.

Note: Ríma X is the last ríma in the manuscript. The text breaks off at stanza 34 without a formal conclusion — the manuscript ends here.

1.
Strong men come to Straumey
on one ship of steering;
their affairs on the island
are then told to men with details.

2.
Thanes meet that farmer there,
the wealthy one called Þórhallr;
the youths reckon the sinking —
he worries most, but of necessity.

3.
His daughter sought in marriage is bright and peaceful;
Bjarna the lady is called;
given for money, but very gentle,
to an old man of noble standing.

4.
Þórhallr had wealth enough
under every man;
Sigurðr offered him to seek it —
he was open-hearted and keen.

5.
He will own the full agreement,
but must go to seek it;
this proud man put it forward —
money endured by necessity.

6.
Each half shall have the inner-dwelling
for his own needs;
Þórhallr fell into this sea of trouble,
for he lost his footing.

7.
Sigurðr walks his path firmly;
he sought men to wealth;
when it was cut into among men,
the warriors are not made poor.

8.
Sigurðr was glad among men;
he quickly made one wealthy;
to many he seemed a worthy man —
greatly I heard Þórhallr burdened.

9.
He takes to decisions wonderfully greedily;
so it went for long times;
Sigurðr had his power —
bitterness always dwelt beneath.

10.
That summer a ship came there;
things went not best for them;
they broke apart a fine possession —
shaming most of the men.

11.
To the southern islanders was given life
for seven when five took the waves;
Sigurðr offered for a worthy woman
men's offering to hold.

12.
He said then it had gone very little forward:
"I halt your claim;
let my goods go to that,
and let the farmer keep his own."

13.
Always words came to them this way;
envy whetted it every time;
Þórhallr I heard was very
agreeable to his guests.

14.
So it happened one evening
when men sat inside;
Þórhall's words were heavy and sharp —
the strong man's plan was merry.

15.
The farmer had enraged and angry
a birch-rod in hand;
he waved it and was in his fury —
hatred he felt surely then.

16.
The scoundrel pressed from foolish spite,
turned now to defiance;
the rod came straight on Bjarna's nose —
he flared up angrily at this.

17.
Þórhall's heavy head he wanted
to cleave at once with the axe;
Sigurðr spoke before the rage:
"the same truce is not to be torn."

18.
Quickly he separated them;
he made the tribute-folk settle;
Bjarngrímr would not stay still
against his farmer to provoke.

19.
Warriors had persistent quarrel;
those cold ones were set for conflict;
quickly the night passed —
hard were they now for the road.

20.
Sigurðr gave them silver for sailing, and horses,
those with old harness,
and so was everything else mostly
to pay from his own hands.

21.
Freeholders went home to the table
and rested down at anchor;
it was not good against the grimness of the ford,
and gain at Sigurðr's trust grew doubtful.

22.
One morning I heard notable then —
much earlier than the others —
Sigurðr walking about his business nearby,
and nothing seemed amiss.

23.
He came home and called to the table
and said he could not see Þórhallr;
the thane took firmly to word:
"That will bite me."

24.
Men thought him in his bed;
"Sleep will not come whole" —
Sigurðr often said of it
that much ill comes from strife.

25.
Sigurðr stood now from his seat
and said he would look into it:
"Many a man is not sound —
such judgments will be sought."

26.
He came to the bed and seized the covers;
the farmer lay cold;
the murder he remembered from the scattered wreckage —
the harmer of longships.

27.
"The man was wounded with a slim blade," said Sigurðr,
"miserably carried to Hel;
such defiance shall be avenged:

28.
I recognize Bjarngrímr's trick in this
with his brothers' counsel;
one single fate will be laid on them
who brought such danger near."

29.
The thane calls to Þórðr and Gautr:
"Seize weapons and helmets —
run down to the hollow of thunder;
here no one will be spared."

30.
Sigurðr struck at Bjarngrímr quickly,
straight with mighty force;
he cleft the chest and it burst against the wall —
the broad axe stood fast in the bone.

31.
Gautr the Red hewed Hergrímr,
head and all fitted parts;
driven with such fierceness
he cleft him down to the shoulders.

32.
Þórðr the low-one cut at Hágrímr
and hewed with fierce might;
[the rest of this stanza is damaged in the manuscript]

33.
Sigurðr now took all this into his hands
as the last of all these things;
men said to clear the land
and offered various settlements.

34.
Now they come home with the dead man;
Bjarna greets the cold body —
she had the fortune to be helped
by those who avenged such wicked men.

[The manuscript ends here.]

Source Text: Þrænlur VI

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 248–253. Presented for reference and verification alongside the English translation above.

VI.

ALLER uita at Dlafr red
æstr Noregs grvndv,
honum uar gofugrar giptu led
sem gumnar æskia mundu.
Allann N oreg audling sleU
enn pa at kristnad hafdi,
fleire landa fagran stett
fylkir setia krafde.
Islandz monnum trausta trv
tiggi red at kenna;
leyfa . pvi, sem lyst er nu,
lydir fylkir penna.
Eyia lyd ok Grænlandz grvnd
gudi til handa leiddi,
margr solte æ mildings fund
madr sem ræsir beidde.
Fylkir heillt sa fanl uar jafnn
flestar kenpur sniallar,
nv er hans heidrat haleitt nafnn
heims um bygdir allar.
I Færeyium fyrre uar
fi olde Roskra manna;
Prandr af uirdum uisku bar,
uill pat boken sanna.
Longum potti bann lyndis apl'
ok lygen al æsku alldri,
ecki tryggr ok augna dapr
ok optt med hvxan kalldri.
Dreingren bygdi Dimun sa
dyggr er Poralf nefnum,
Leifr ok Gille poUu pa
prifnir men æ stefnum.
Drivgum hafa peir deilur aU,
daprir urdu fundir,
seggir elldu silfrit graU,
svo for langar stundir.
AHa uetr ok um framm pria
Olafr styrdi landi,
unzt Fæ~'eyiar frelsa ma
fyldar af heidnv graDdi.
Poralf nefnde peingill til
pydr at tinna sUlli;
fra ec litt æ ferdum bil,
fara peir Leifr ok GillL
Prandr biodz med pegnum oU,
peyiu uill hann letiazt,
hleypr æ fostra fæle soU,
fra ec hann aptur setiazt.
Enn pa peir kuomu æ. kongsens fund,
kuoddu peir hano med blidu;
sagde han n beimum sina lund
med sniollu male ok fridu.
Skiolldung baud, ok skyrddi hetr,
skaU af eyium giallda,
ok pau laug, sem lofdung setr,
lydir uerda at hallda.
Festu krafde fylkir til
tiar um beizlu pessa,
"eigi sidr ec eid um uil
jatvn peira hressa."
Endir uard sa er jata peir
aIlir kongsens beidne,
i. Leifr ok GUle Htndu geir,
peir letn blot ok heidne.
Sidan foru seggir heim,
sæmden ogx af stille,
uiser gaf peim U ona r eim,
uel for peira al mille.
Koma peir heinl med heilu braU
huer til sinna bygda;
Prande fanzt um peUa fatt,
pviat hann miste dygda.
Kongren Jet um snmarit sid
seggi uerda buna;
helldu nt pa hanst nar tid,
huern ueg mun peim snuna?
Wirdar kuomu eigi aptr
ok eingi skatren næsta,
hilmir er jafnan heidren skaptr,
hafa menn um hit fæsta.
Peingill spurdi um peUa skip
peygi kom til landa,
R~ser hlaut med Heide suip
at Rada ur nyum uanda.
Eingin hafdi j eyium freU
allz til peira ferda,
ytum forst nu ecki slett,
enn mun freista uerda.
Audling sendi annat flaustr,
einn ueg geck sem fyrri;
ecki koma peir aptr um haust,
eigi fra ec gatur pyrre.
Medr kanpmonnum konguren red
a t kalla hird menn sina;
visir gat med uisku sed,
at uiel mvnu ecki duina.
Feir sem hofdu hilmirs starf
hafa so opU at Ræda
um pat micla manna huarf
ok margra kongsens gæda.
Eyiar skeggiar aUv tal
opt med serum petta,
eigi er synt hueriv anza skal,
ef at uill kongrinn freUa.
Pickiazt uita at peingiIl mvn
pegnna eptir spyria,
Poralf uiIl pui penna grun,
pan gat ferd upp byria.
Beima xij ok byrding medr
bio til peirar ferdar,
sidan kemr aL uænlegt vedr,
ok uanda allar gerda r.
Prandr j Gotu um peUa skeid
1>a sat longum heima;
fra ec pa skynia skiaIda meid
skiott um sina beima.
Geck j stofu, er garpar prir
giora par sitia al palli:
frækir ok ollum firdir tir,
furdu sterkir allir.
Sigurdr er nefndr seggium slægr
sinkr ok fastr af audi,
Pordr er liU uid pegna gæfr,
pridie uar Gautren raudi.
Prandr talar uid pegnna reidr,
proten uar nu hans gæfi:
"breytiz margt pvi brestr heidr
bragnna hvers al æfi.
Otamt uar pat ungum mier
inn at sitia longum,
heint er skomm hve bregdizt pier
ok biargit manne ongum.
ERU um flest alU færir uel
ok fremit po onguan starfa;
orkit mier, sem ee nv tel,
jafnan JIU til parfa.
Peygi mundi Po ralfs uon
piekia uænne fordum;
nv er hann frægr at firda sion
ok framdr sæmdar ordum.
Bradliga hygg ec byrding minn
brade funa lIndir,
hinn gæer liU um soman sinn
er setr vm allar stundir.
N alega selzt hier eingell ull,
aflle teeur at bresta,
eru af henne husen fvIl,
harma ec slikt hid mesta."
Sigurdr hliop med ædi enn
upp ok panueg sagdi:
"heliar karlIsens heima menn
huate til skips at bragdi."
Garpren hiet al Gavt ok Pord:
"gongum ofan til llausta,
fæ ec eigi borit hans fryiu ord,
fa mel' dreingi hrausta."
SeUu fram hid forna_ skip,
farmr er nogr heima;
Prandr uar med pungan suip,
en pegnar hielldu æ geima.
Wirdar toku uedrit eitt
u~nligt vt ur bofnum;
hraner mættu, ok geck pa greiU,
gumna byrdings stofnum.
Festu peir uid utuer enn
ægis hesta bada;
sid uar dags enn syfvar menn,
seggir buazt til nada.
AIlt er kyrtt nled ytum peim
unzt er tok at rockua.
, Hier mvn ec lata Frosta flein
{ars j æginn sokua.

Source Text: Þrænlur VII

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 253–257. Presented for reference and verification alongside the English translation above. Source text contains manuscript lacuna at stanza 36 (one folio missing).

VII.

LITit al bue liota uelr at leikum dreingi;
byrdingrin flaut bein med streingi,
biozt til reckna Po ralfs meingi.
Hann geck sialfr up al. ey med odrum pegnni,
trygdar madrenn treyste megnni,
trv ec po bætt hue leikren uegni.
Myrk uar nott pa y tar ætlla ofann at ganga,
fylgdar madrenn fra sognn langa
fra pvi befr ok næsta kranga.
Klæde uar pa kastad braU um koll al bonum,
margt stod jIlt af monnum uanum,
med hann uar geingit fram at sionvm.
Heyrdi brest, er honum var myrkt svo bann
sa ecki,
uelin trv ec at uirda bIecke,
uarlIa er hægt uid slika huecke.
Reiddr uar bann Rett til fal1dz vid reydar,
grvndir,
koIgan uar par kolbla "ndir,
krankir uerda slik ir fvndir.
Kemz hann upp VI' kafenv bratt ok kIæden
briate,
pangad fra ec sem PoraIf miste
pena ganga ulfa nis te.
Kuintan sier bann kappan nidr klofen j berdar,
eruida bIaut bann aumbun ferdar,
,alIar woru spilItar gerdar.
Wt æ byrding bondans lik hera peir sidan,
varlla heyrizt Uln heimen uidan
bnepra verk um dreing svo fridan.
Olafr kongr jnn j eygiu atte veizlv,
margr kom til maIa greidzlv
menia Tyr at fylkers beidzlv.
Ping let Olafr ollvm stefna eyiar skeggivm;
hilmes bod kom huorvm tveggivm,
hugdi gramr at flærdar seggivm.
"Slik tidinden sialldan getr," sagdi stiller,
"ganga um pat gumnar uiller,
glæpa madren sidvnunl spiller.
Geck af lifi dugande dreingr ok dyggr nære,
san liga bygg ec saklaus uæri,
slikir ganga eptir fære.
Vite pier nockunn ualIda mann uerke sliku, ?
frette ec pess bia folke Riku";
flestir pogdu enn at liku.
"Eeki leyne ee ætHan minne," er avdling
sagdi,
"flærd mvn eeki at fyrsta bragde, "
at Færeyinga grvnsemd lagdi.
"Pike mier æ pan haU hellz," at peingill
greindi,
Sigurdr fra ee at seggen skeindi,
sidan Pordr at kaf favr beindi.
Poralfs sok mvn pesse mest," at peingiU
skyrde,
"at ,gæte han n eeki glæpa byrdi
gumna sagt sagt so ypp uist yrdi.
Wm pau mord ok manna lat, at mvnv peir
uaIlda
brag nar skulu med briostit kallda
bralla suorunvm firi sie hallda. "
Kyrtt uar alU um kappa sueit, er kongrin
frette,
upp er sagtt ed Sigurdur spreUe,
sa uar giarnn æ slægd ok preUe.
"Peyi hefe ee æ pingum fyre purft at standa,
nv er ee kominn j nyan uanda,
næsta bel' oss margt til handa.
Peygi sonnu prætne j mot ee piekunzt veita,
uorkun er po uit at leita,
at uisu er pessv skyUt at neita.
V ænte ec pess at verre dreingr uallde sliku,
hlyden skal po hil mi at liku,
hual' sem kemI' med folke Ri~u.
Fyrdal' peir er tlytia slikt eru fiandmenn uorir,
sitt munu po hyggia hvorir,
hlutir po at ei fylgi storir.
Poralf mvndi ec sizt af seggium svikia kunna,
ec pottunzt honum med ollv unna,
ecki hæfir slikt at nunna.
Wærri sannar seima lvnda sakir æ mille,
fordazt mvnda ec fund uid stille;"
furdu slægr er madrenn jlle.
"HeUdr munda ec harka bragda beima leita,
pungt uill oss nv peingill veita,
pessu uerki er skyUt at neita.
Eida byd ec avdling pier ok undan færslu,
peygi giore ec pat firi hræslv,
pann ueg eydec allra kærslu.
BraU giore enn, ef budlvng uill, ok byd ec
skirslo,
leggie peim a hrygginn hrislo,
er hvikar nv undan pessara pislo.
Skiotliga vil ec pal' skips hofnn mina skilia vndir,
misiafnnar verda morgum stundil';
myklir eru po slikir fvndir.
Kys ec heUdr at kongrin sialfr korne at lita,
uarlla dvgir nv von at hlita;"
velin kann so opU at bita.
Fy lkirs pengnar fysa pat so fast, hann sagdi,
margr hier til maIa lagdi,
millding var 1;>a hliodr ok pagdi.
"Hitt mvn lygd er honum var kent," at
holdal' kuodu;
fyrdar margir frami stodu,
fylkir talar med lyndi godv.
"Eingin mun firi jl1zku dreingi eida story,
margir j gær firi seggi sorv.
sueinar peir, sem heimskir woru.
Valldi hann ecki verki pessu," at uisir greinir,
"1>a mvnu eigi j jlsku einir
ok alldri uerda j lyndi hreinir."
Dogling segir, driug mi og slik at dæm en
eigi finniz
ytar bid ec at al pat minniz,
eigi er uist at skirslan uinniz.
Helldr er pat ætllan min," at audling sagdi
"reU mun jll . .
"

[Manuscript lacuna — one folio missing]

Source Text: Þrænlur VIII

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 257–263. Note: Ríma VIII begins mid-scene after the lacuna in Ríma VII.

VIII.

.
al pingit leid,
pegnar dæmdu malin greid,
fysti Karll at finna Prand,
faU uar manna hendr j nand.
Bragnar hitta æ budar dyr
braU, en Leifr at Prandi spyr,
sidan fra ec hann sendi mann:
"seg pv at KarlI vill finna hann."
Pesse kemr 1R Prandar fund,
po var j burUv langa stund,
fer hann aptr ok sagdi so:
"siukr er hann ok lited ma."
"Ganga skul um allir inn
einkar flioU j petta sinn,"
Leifr talar uid pegnna pat,
"preyngiazt eigi ok geymit at."
Leifr gengr af fyrdum fyrstI',
fram uar KarlI j bvdir lystr;
aIuæpne bar yta huer;
eigi er synU hve Ieikren fer.
Sier hann pau en v suortu tiolld,
setti firi sic raudan skiolld,
spyr at Prandi ok hreyfizt hann:
"hier Ina lita krankan mann.
Vel pu kominn at uisn Leifr,"
uar hann greiU j ordum reifr,
"ok sa en mæH Mæra-Karll,
mier leizt fremri en nockur jarll."
Leifr talade harlla huatt:
"hefr pv nockut reiknad skaU ?";
lægra mælte Prandr pa:
"par mvn verda gredi æ.
Eigi hurfv oss ur hug
orden KarlIz, po tæki ee flvg;
varlla fer eg nu vitt um jord,
uanda skal ec po mina giord.
Hier er ein siodr ok silfr j ;"
sezt hann Leifr um j p vi,
lagu men n j budar beck,
bunir eru peir opt uid hveck.
Steypti hann siIfri IB sterkan skiolId,
storlig verda jofra giolld,
rotar j med hendi hartt;
honum lizt bædi JIU ok snartt.
Hvgdi KarlI at kongsens fe:
"komit pier pingad til ok se;
huer peningr oss lizt jllr,
ecki fer ec pessa niIlr."
Leife kuedz ok litazt so,
leingi fra ec pa Reikna tuo;
. Prandr kemr IB petta hliod,
peim lezt færa annan siod.
"Amæle bregdz jafnan sizt,
ongvan trv ec silfrit lizt;
naudigir lata ut nockut bændr,
nidingar eru uorir frændr.
Annat mun hier eigi til uals,
ef pier gioret j pessu fals;
taca af monnum mutur smar,
miss ec af pvi iafnan fiar."
"Beintt er petta ei bærtt j giolId;"
bragnar leggia silfr al skiolld;
"pat ma vera at alU se eitt,
j land skylldir uar mel' greitt."
Leifr sid an leit IB fe,
leingi taIa peir ser um hne:
"petta er hæft j harka giaIld,
en huergi nær j kongsens ualld."
Leit sa upp sem liggr j beck,
liU uar kappa rædan reck,
hraU hann felld af hofdi bravt,
hier ma lita en rauda GauL
Fornnyrde kuad flangin saU,
fliotliga vpp vr palle spraU,
"so ergizt huer sem elldazt kann,
aUu Prandr maIs hlvt pann.
Ef pu lætr j allan dag,
jlla gengr os flest j hag,
KarlI en mærska klifa af pIer
kolgv bal, sem leit er mier."
Frandr mælte odr ok æfr,
ecki uar hann j lyndi gæfr;
"sanliga erv pier mannfol mest
minir frændr vm at uik flest.
Giore pier aunguan manna mUH,
margir leigia æ pat gryn,
at pier fyllit fotspor mitt
ok feinngnir helldr at 6drv liU.
Pu skaltt Leifr en pridia siod
!Jenna leggia al hilldar biod;
fyrdal' peir hafa f4irtt mier heim,
fullvel trv ec ollvm peim."
Enn po ec se osl{ygn taldr
opt eru fleh'e sen n en ualldr,
sialf er huerium holluzt hOnd,
heIdl' gerizt nv maIen uond."
Fordr mælti peim æ. back:
"piggia verdum orda skak
firi honum Karlli al kuelIdi huerU,
. karlla ek petta lavna vertb
Pa tok Leifr enn pridia siod,
pegnna tok at batnna hliod:
"horfum eigi hier æ leingr,
hver er odrum betri peingr.
PeUa fe sem peingill æ
Prandr far pv at vega ok sia;"
!iU kuad hann pvi malin uond:
"Leifr skalttv firi minna hond."
Fyrdar gengu fram æ voll
furdu skiott ok sueiten oll,
, uogv silfr ok seUuzt nidr
slægr var peim bragda smidr.
Gumnar sav ganga mann,
græna heklu hafdi hann,
sidan hatt, en s6gd er grein,
sa uar noektr nidr um bein.
Refdi setti hann sidan i jord,
sidan talar vid bauga Niord:
"huer ma geyma seggr sin,
sia pu Karll uid refdi min."
Hialmen tok af hofdi ser
hraustr KarlI, sem greintt var mier,
handar suelli hvelfdi j,
hlaupandi madr kom at j pui.
Karllal' hann med kappe æ Leif,
kynia fliott til pessa preif:
"harked stendr af heliar trvd,
hleypr fram j Gilla bvd.
SynU var petta sæmdar gialld1
Sigurdr hliop par jnn j tialId,
geysi jiU af gassa blavt,
Gilla særdi hann bvdar navt."
Budar lid med Leifi geck,
leit hann ecki slik an hveek;
kaupmenn stodu um Karll j hringf
kyrU er varlla peUa ping.
Gautr en rande geek par at
geyse tliott ok hoggr j stad
harlla braU y til' herdal' p eim ,
harkit stod af frændum tveim.
Hofudit KarlIs nid hoggi tok;
holda brogd ern grimm og klok,
ecki var pat allstortt sal',
eptir fer ed meira far.
PordR enn lage æ pessare stund
prifr refdit vpp ur grvnd,
lystr ofan m unda skod,
ogxen pegar j heila stod.
PeUa spyrzt um pingit alU,
Prandr kuad nv litit uallt:
"hlavpit ut sem hardazt ma,
h6ndla mvnv peir Leifr pa.
Wist er petta verk so jlltf
varlla f~ ec mie sialfr stilIt ;
girnnaz peir at giora pat flest
gassaR sem mier likar vest."
Enn pegar firde augum sneit,
oll seigir droit, at Prandr ueit;
"dreingnum var par klæt j koll,"
hann kallzar at med miclvm skol!.
KarlI var bbren af koppvm daudr,
kueiktiz sidan deilld vm baudr,
Prandr bavd firi pegnna sæU,
pat vard eigi med fenu bætt.
Sigurdr yard firi sara far
sekr at heita leingi par,
pegnar giordu Pord ok Gaut
pessu næst af eyium braut.
Prandr feck peim skiotliga skip,
skilduzt pa med reide suip,
eru peiraat vik jll,
eingin mann pat greina vilI.
Letv sidan logx j haf,
lydum seintt ok jUa gaf,
kolnar uedr enn kemr æ. havst.
Kialars mvn verda feingit laust.

Source Text: Þrænlur IX

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 263–269.

IX.

HEKr um ægi Rostu menu
æ Ræfels heste,
vedrin tok at vaxa enn
ok uindrin mesti.
Vansen potti vil'da dug .. ,
ef vedrin herdir;
pungliga sagdi Prandi hugI'
vm peira ferdir.
Leid æ. vetr en Jydir fvndu
af I~gis hesti;
ytar gengv enn af stundu
aptr æ. leste.
Wetrinn leid en var pa Reimtt
um virda bygdir;
vida hefr af jlsku eimt,
pviat efllduzt lygdir.
SigurdR fra ec at syndizt opt
med sina seggi,
bra vgnum uaU hann beinU a lopt
ok braut j leggi.
Pegnar soktv at Prandi mest,
suo pat bar storv;
driugum bar hann sic dreingia uest,
pa dravgar forv.
Fylgia uard honum inn ok ul,
pa ytar gengu;
margir fra ec at micla sut
af meislum feingu.
Fysti Frand at finna Leif,
pa er fram leid uetr;
"harlla mer j hiartad sueif
pvi hiUazt betl'.
}~agnna ec pvi at finnumzt uit," er flangin sagdi,
"leyfit hitt at ec litells bid,"
en Leifr pagdi.
FYf'ra sumar uar flolment ping,
sem freUu margir,
1>a uar holdvnl heimskan kring,
eun heptuzt biargir.
BeinU la vid at beriaz mvndi
bragnar flestir,
voda giordv al vori grvndu
. vopnna brestir.
Feiginn viIlda ec fostre minn
at fridizt uandi;
so mun aukazt some pinn
ok sidr j landi.
HoIldum ord ok einka mal,
pau er jafnan kærdmn;
hugxe hver ftri sinne sal
ok sia vm vid flærdum.
Wirdar skulu ei uopnnen bera
æ woru pinge
.ok sa eingi j eyium uera,
at annann stingi."
Leifr kvad pat miog uel mælt
ok minUe æ Gilla;
"Prandr hefr jafnnan tryggua tælt,
ok trv ec honum jUa.
Haft," kuad Gille, "hirdmenn aIlir
hilldar klædi,
en uopnlausir uirdar sniaUir
ok varizt po bræde. "
PeUa giora pegnar staU,
tJa pingit eflldizt;
ytar foru af pvi flatt
pvi jUa tefldizt.
Ping uar stefnt en pegnar gengu
pa fra budum;
aIlir fra ec at jafnan feingu
JIU af trvdvm.
Logduz nidr æ litlla hred
Leifr ok Gilli;
uirdar hafa pa uopna fæd,
pvi veIldr en j Ile.
Pegnnar satu al pessum hol
ok poUuzt gilldir;
bragnar sa vit biartre sol
at blikudu skiIldir.
Pritigu manna at pessu næst
at pegnar lita,
uislega bera peir uopninn gIæst
at uinde Rita.
Sigurdr tarudi sie vid skraut
ok so for leingi,
par rua lita Pord ok Gaut
ok peira meingi.
Leifr ok Gilli leita heim
ok likar jUa,
flærdar menn med fyrdum peim
fridnum spilla.
Hina bar at svo harlla skioU,
er heruopnn baru,
Prandr minntizt peyiu flioU,
huerir pessir woru.
Brosti bann pa at budar menn
birtu hit sanna,
"uissa ec ei uonir enn
so vondra manna.
Hinn rua verda ui1ltr at getr," er uomrin sag di,
"gangit aptr j allan uetr
med jlsku bragdi.
Leidir eru peir langt ur ætt," bann let pat fylgia;
Frandr baud firi seggien sætt,
en siatnne dylgia.
Prandr snyz j sinn med peim,
enn sagdi Gilla:
"peir mvnv kappar komnir heirn,
er kunna at spilla ..
Morgum liggr," er mælte hann, "j mielu rvmi
utlegd su sem eiga uann1 .
pa af. komz hume.
Hokrvm eigi firi holdm leingr
hollvm fæte";
, lyddan pegar at Leifi gengr
liU af kte.
;,Eg uil 'Rada ollu einn
ydar j milli,
ella er glikt at gialIe fleinn
ok gridunum spille.
Heppti ee alldri haulda pa,
sem hefnazt eigu,
vpp mun gialldaz ntlegd sia
med allre leigu."
Leifr sier at lydrin brestr
ad lidsemd feingi;
Prandr matti pikia mestr
af pessu geingi.
Pat sier Leifr at prongvizt heldr
pegna koste;
hansal peinl til pessa gelldr,
enn Prandr broste.
Prandr mælti: "peUa er gaman
at peir skulu smeykiazt;
ein neg fer peim ollvm saman,
er upp taka hreykiazt.
Pat er mier leitt ef likar jlla
Leifi minum,
flestir ID vnv til fridarens stilla
frtlndum sinum.
Pordr ok Gautr piggi lif
ok par vist sina,
Sigurdr fae ok sekta hHf,
en siatnni pina.
Pungta ec ecki um peninga lat
ne prett af hvorulll;
ferden tace nu fus ok kat
uid fr~ndvm vorum.
Riken munu at rogi verda
-reckum leingi;
uillda ec giarnna vid pvi. gerda
nm uaska dreingi.
Pridiung eigv Poralfs brædr
enn Prandr annan,
Leifr ok firi eyium rædI'
med ordstir sannan.
Ofunden spillir holdum hellzt,
vier hofnum henne,
morgum se ec misiafnt gellzt
po mind Rad kenne.
Son pin uillda ec sæma Leifr,
er Sigmundr heitir;"
Prandr giorizt nu pydr ok reifr
vid pegnna sueitir.
"Fostr nærne ok frida uist
færi ec honum;
noga fæl' hann logmaIs list,
ef ltltr at uonum."
Pat segir Leifr at Pora skyld'e
pessu rada,
"ef hon par til jatan gylldi,
orkar nada."
Fostr lag pigr enn fridi pilltr
at fyrnskum manne,
nv mvn uerda uomrinn uiIltr,
en uitr er svanne.
Prandr kallar Ford ok Gaut,
priotrin vesti;
sidan Recur hann seggi æ. braut
ok Sigurd æ leste.
Pann ueg uerdr at Prandr rædr
at pegnnar skilia;
Sigurdr for j burttu ok br~dr
at bondans uilia.
Orden gefa peir jll ok stor
enn at uanda;
Prandr ecki at pessu for.
En par skal standa.

Source Text: Þrænlur X

Old Icelandic source text from Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–1912), pp. 269–273. The manuscript ends at stanza 34 without a formal conclusion.

X.

KOMA j Straum ey sterkir menn
al stiornar hesti einum;
peira verdr at uik en
ytum sogd med greinum.
Bonda hitta pegnar pann,
Forhall heitir en audge;
sinkan Reikna sueinar hann,
sytir flest en naudge.
Bedia hans er biort ok frid,
Birnna heitir suanne,
gefin til fiar, en geyse blid,
gomlvm tignar manne.
Porhallr aUi æren aud
vndir hu~rivm manne;
Sigurd r honum pat sækia baud,
sa uar briostheill grane.
Han viII eiga al6g oll
en ef sækia skyldi,
fl vtti petta falIda poll,
fe poU navdgir gylIde.
Innstædu skal helmming huor
hafa til sinna parfa;
PorhaJlr yard j pessu sI io r,
pviat hann misti starfa.
Sigurd r geingr synu fast,
sokti menn til avdar,
pegar at j med ytum skarst,
eigi giorer kempur snaudar.
Sigut'dr uar uid seggi gladr,
setr hann bralla avdgan,
morgvm leizt hann mæta madr,
miog fra ec Porhall navdgan.
Raden teeR hann furdu freckt,
for svo lang ar stundir;
Sigurdr hafdi syna meckt,
surU bio jafnan vndir.
PeUa sumar kom pangad skip,
peim teczt eigi ed besta,
brvtv j sundr en goda grip,
gumna sneydir flesta.
Sudl' eyskvm gafst seggium lif
siau, pa er fim tok alIda;
Sigurdr ha vd firi sialigt vif
seggivm bYd at hallda.
Storum kuad hanD pa stadda liU:
"stodua ec ydra pinv,
gange par til gozit miU,
en geyme bondi at sinv."

13.Iafnan peim til orda bar,
6fundin pan veg hvesti,
Porhallul' fra eg peyiv var
peckr uid ~ina gesti.

Suo bar til um eitt huerU kueIld!
jnne fyrdal' satu,
.Porhalls ord eru pvng ok snelId,
protnna brogdenn katu.
Bondenn hafdi bystr ok odr
birke sprota j hendi,
ueifdi honum ok var d uid modI',
uist pegar heiptar kende.

16, Haluren beid af heimsku gref,
horfer nu til preUa,
spl'oten kom beiQt æ Biarngrims nef,
brazt hann reidr vid petta.

Torallz uilI hann pungan haus
pegar med auxi kliufa,
Sigm'dr kuad firi sennu raus
sama ei griden at l'ivfa.
Skiotliga getr hann skil da pa,
skatnna giorir hano sæUa,
beint uilI eigi Biarnngrim hia
bonda sinum at hæUa.
Dreingir hofdu pæfu!' pratt,
pæl' muna isia uerdar;
bradliga leid af biarnnar naU,
hvazt peir nu til ferdal'.
Sigvrdr gaf. pehn sigJlv C hest,
sa er med fornum reida,
ok so er ,annat alU til flest
af sinum hondum greida.
Holdar gengu heim til bordz,
en huildu nidr at flaustri,
eigi var goU uid grimdar ford z
ok gagnn at Sigurd ar traoste.
Morgun einn fra ee mætan pa
myklu fyr en adra
Sigurd ganga vm syslur hia
ok synizt eeki padra.
Kemr hann heim ok kuaddi bord z
ok kuedz eigi PoraH lita;
pegnen tok lned pi ost til ordz:
"pat mun al mie bita."
Seggir hug du hann sængu j;
"suefn mun ecki af heilv,"
opt kuad Sigurd ord al pvi
at JIU fæl' margt af deilv.
Sigurdr stod nu sæte ur
ok sagdizt mvndenn rækia,
"margr er eigi madrinn frvr,
mvnv pau dæmen sækia."
Kom til sængr ok klæden preif,
kyl' uiH bondi liggia,
mordinu firi minzt al dreif
meidir hlunar uiggia.
"Miofu jarnne madrenn særdr",
mælte Sigurd r petta,
"hormuliga til heliar færdr,
hefnt skal slikra preUa:
Pesse kenni ec Biarnngrims brogd
brædra hans med rade;
eiuninn mun peim 6nnur logd,
er slikt næsta uode".
Pegnnen heitir æ Pord ok Gaut:
"prifit uopnn ok hialma";
"hlaupa ofan at bumra laut,
hier ,"iH .. eingin tahna.
Sigurdr hio til Biarngrims brat!
beintt med orku ramre,
'briostit klavf ok brast uid haU,
breid stod avx æ hamre.
Gautr enn ravde Hergrimm hio,
hofvd ok aIlar gerdar,
keyrde at med kappe so
ok kIanf hann nidr j herdar.
Fordr enn lagi Hafgrims bond
hio med atle stridv,
bioren snidr havka strond
[manuscript damaged]
Sigurdr tok DU sier j hand
slikt er pesser aUu;
holdar sogduzt hreinsa land
ok bofdu ymsa slattu.
Koma nv peir med kalse heim,
kaJldvm fagnar Birnna;
llustrv atti at hialpa peim
er hefndu .slikra firnna.

[Manuscript ends here — p. 273]

Source Colophon

Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske Rimer, vol. 1, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: S. L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1905–1912), pp. 222–273. Public domain. Primary manuscript: AM 604 g (4°). Source text presented without the critical apparatus (variant readings and manuscript corrections are in the Rímnasafn footnotes). OCR from Internet Archive; some characters regularised where scanning introduced errors. The manuscript contains one lacuna between Ríma VII st. 36 and Ríma VIII st. 1 (one folio missing); Ríma VIII st. 1 begins mid-scene. Ríma X breaks off at st. 34 without a formal conclusion — this is the end of the manuscript.

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