A single ríma set in England during the reign of King James II. A royal decree prohibits marriages across social classes, but a brilliant and penniless student has won the heart of a great lord's daughter. Unable to marry openly, the maiden devises a bold scheme: she takes her father's carriage on a pleasure-ride, seizes the student from among a crowd of young men, claims him as her captive, and drives him to a Catholic monastery where a clerk marries them on the spot. When her father finds them at the wedding-feast, his fury melts into admiration — the maiden has won by wit what the law forbade. From Nokkrar rímur og kvæði (Reykjavík, 1906).
Mansöngr
1.
Attend me thus, you women,
as I would break the silence:
give ear here in the hall to my voice —
hear what I shall say.
2.
Rögnir's falcon has flown out
for a morsel of the moment;
I think it seeks a portion for itself
from Þundr's own horn.
3.
The craft grew stiff and the wing dragged,
it seemed short to the sea;
low across the heavy moor of silence,
in a heavier manner.
4.
When the weary bird had spent its flight
and strength was failing thin,
if the spent one limps back home,
may your luck be with it.
5.
I trust the glad age will see
that a word-sting wins its mark —
though I be found the dog's poor mead-hound,
wretchedly grown slow.
6.
There is hope the ring-goddess will see
the work when rewards are even;
thoughtlessness lay waste
to those who abandon their fortune.
7.
Rightly the ring-goddess marvels
at the manners of sluggish deeds —
that I should have the craft of Þundr
to spend both spirit and life.
8.
For such a purchase so fair is promised
to those who weary at verse;
for Yggr's cup I will not stint
though I should sweat blood.
9.
One who praises too eagerly at fault
blames ten beyond measure;
the foolish praise everything,
but the wise test with care.
10.
And if some man's mouth should reach
over my dead grumbling:
here is, brothers, the land's clay-poet —
cover him with red clay.
11.
I have cheerfully from Yggr's wife
earned the rock of children,
and upon this hope of virtues
I have laboured many a stanza.
12.
Yet glory does not drift so much
where many are the choosing-minds;
the wise man has a law over the foolish —
and that is enough.
13.
So one may confess to a fool
the sour merit of service:
in that fashion your request
is still my rule of right.
14.
To ramble on about that — the need is poor
though it now befalls me;
I read an English tale,
one, from a Danish book.
15.
The king's chosen court rode well —
came so the shortest way,
and had wetted with Kvásis's blood
the foremost tongue's point.
16.
So I go to plank the ring-field,
weaving a tale of the source's grey-beast,
and let myself be understood — for little avail
may a little be of use.
17.
Of the light-fjord's journey I shall
tell in a ríma this chance:
of England's earth, of the king —
from the time of James the Second.
18.
The letter and the tale set forth
what is to be reported and set right:
the mingling of religions
among the Britons in those days.
19.
When the Evangelical reform
came up with fortune,
some set themselves against it
with all their might.
20.
So among the multitude it fell,
great strife was kindled;
most of all upon that land
the Papist faith was loathed.
21.
Long it gave a bitter harvest,
oft there was much to heed;
the government therefore at times
had weighty troubles to endure.
22.
The nobility, not least,
had ugly disputes;
the marriage-bond became uncertain
for the daughters of great men.
23.
If a noble maiden's love was found
by a man without means,
he cared nothing for the wedding counsel —
a shabby catch, they thought.
24.
Away they would slink at once —
they thought they had caught their prey —
found some monk in haste
who quickly married them together.
25.
The nobility suffered a great wound,
their riches declined in circles;
the marriage-bond was always
shaped by circumstance.
26.
This marriage-bond thenceforth
the women exploited;
they fell into the rank of poverty,
losing wealth and honour.
27.
All grew weary of the disorder,
until the king's council
found itself compelled
to put a stop to the same.
28.
It seemed unwise to keep silent
against the king's rule of government:
Parliament, about the said custom,
held an assembly in the land.
29.
The harbourer of women's shame
the lords plainly renounced;
if a cry was sometimes heard there named,
they laid down hanging as the penalty.
30.
The seal's strong authority confirmed it,
stern was the decree:
so swiftly was every cranny sealed
around the land's ring.
31.
Freedom dwindled, this is seen,
the subjects' strength grew less;
one chief minister caused most
of the government's new rigour.
32.
One only daughter that one saw
the keeper of laws possessed,
and he must have feared lest the jewel-lady
might suffer the declared trouble.
33.
The woman was endowed with virtues,
worthy to be raised in honour;
for London did not bear
a bolder sun-ray.
34.
Yet her father gave no man leave
to love the woman;
a student lived not far away,
near that stream of the light-maiden.
35.
He was penniless, but had gained a name
foremost in the arts;
in learning and in store of skills
he was far beyond his peers.
36.
His father was a chieftain
of the army of the king's folk,
but gladly lost life and wealth
for his fatherland in war.
37.
The maiden loved the spear-tree man —
least though it was seen upon the woman;
and the gold-warrior loved her the same,
more than his own life.
38.
Gladly they would outward have
tested the marriage-state,
but in the way came a royal decree,
known to the maiden's father.
39.
Their brows clouded at that news;
both were filled with sorrow;
yet neither he nor she
stirred anything noticeably.
40.
At times the ring-lady's thought-sorrow
would seek to crush them;
caution truly grew —
but love did not leave the heart.
41.
The freedom of thought was bound fast,
love's shackle wound about them;
over it she could read the law
that also demanded their lives.
42.
Briefly, when they found occasion,
the ring-branch met the woman;
for the lady's sake he would
plainly have to wager his life.
43.
The man long broke the nail of thought —
if fortune would avail him —
how he might overcome
this trial and conquer it.
44.
Wide the street of hope around
the chosen hair-one let him roam,
just as anywhere despair
might let something be dreamed.
45.
"I trust in myself, and rather the less
a cause to lament than to adorn;
the like has been tried before
and nothing more seemly."
46.
At last the clever student sought leave
of the lord of the schools of learning,
to go and find in the splendid place
the lord who had declared the ban.
47.
He received it, but named nothing
save matters of learning;
there in that place he could not speak of the one thing
over which his thoughts were waking.
48.
With his speeches he moved
the great and noble lord,
who saw in this learned man
a sharp-witted fellow.
49.
The old friend of many arts,
the endowed wisdom-lover,
thought it fitting — and no wonder —
to come to terms with him.
50.
Most were deceived — though the maiden
kissed the man in hiding —
whether they knew each other or not,
nobody knew.
51.
Often they spoke more together
and grew familiar in speech;
men endowed with gifts of wit —
it seemed a marvel how well they matched.
52.
The treasure-keeper then managed
to meet the lord one day,
and showed with counsel
more boldness than was usual.
53.
The skilled young man asked slyly
what now weighed upon his mind.
The student hesitates and says:
54.
"I shall never come here again;
my honour and peace are spent
unless I may have help
from you for my sake."
55.
To the man the other answered sharply:
"That is ill done."
Next the lord enquires:
"How stands the matter?"
56.
The other answers: "I am in love
with a noble woman,
a virtuous maiden — but the king's decree
sentences me to death."
57.
The lord at once gave a hasty reply:
"What is this to hear?
It was reasonably foolish
to venture into this."
58.
"I suspect, though in my eyes
the swan shines well enough,
it will be wisest to think of
marrying her somehow."
59.
"Such dalliance is short work;
every feeble lad
perhaps needs nothing more
than to set his mind on it longer."
60.
"I can swear that no argument
will stand in your defence,
and to defend such a case
would not befit my station."
61.
"The worst disgrace thrives here —
hard to stiffen the rabbit's spirit —
seen branded with my name
and those of my fellow judges."
62.
"Know, my lord!" — spoke the man of spears —
"I am dealt harm by it;
yet worse still, she is the same,
and half again more frantic.
63.
"Whenever the virtuous woman
was to be given to a man,
she would stake her life, she says —
so she is equally under the ban."
64.
"The gold-land lady is so dear to me
as I would choose a moment:
I am far sooner willing
to lose my life."
65.
"The maiden's worthy father does much
to my blood's grief,
tearing me fast from the embrace
of the noble-minded woman."
66.
"I would care less about this
and the counselling would lessen,
had not our love been older
than the decree itself."
67.
"I take no pleasure in your lesson" —
the man of rank said merrily —
"Love threads itself into all this;
it is all madness."
68.
"Even if the noble woman's father
would show you mercy,
that will not save your life —
he cannot decide that."
69.
"To talk of this henceforth is late —
he who has the will's breaking:
for beyond all veins, plainly,
the matter is settled."
70.
"Far better to defend a fight" —
the powerful lord urged —
"see for yourself whether I lie,"
and showed him the document.
71.
The other took the said scroll
and looked at it a moment,
then the skilled one spoke at last:
"There is a loophole in the wording."
72.
Hastily the lord asks:
"What can confuse the case?
What comes before your mind?
I understand this poorly."
73.
The man cast such a lot:
"That I will gladly say,
if you give me leave to correct it,
and likewise to keep silent about the rest.
74.
"I shall counsel you wholly and plainly" —
the lord answered solemnly —
"all that is declared shall be kept secret,
if likewise you will trust me."
75.
"I see well," the student said,
"that he is in danger of his life
who now devises a plan
to take a woman from her father's house."
76.
"But what if a powerful maiden
takes the man by force?
Can you then hold him guilty —
is he judged at fault for this?"
77.
"People give the opposite answer —
that a maiden cannot do such a thing —
but perhaps the daughter of a powerful man,
who would have much to say."
78.
The counsellor walked like a lost wraith in smoke,
long and silent,
thought calmly about this game,
then said with wonder:
79.
"If the maiden plays this cleverly,
she shows her own will;
but over that no right comes near,
as I may judge."
80.
"Otherwise such designs are ill
hindered by any laws;
he who knows how to sail with such craft
wins the storm in battle."
81.
"But this powerful maiden must
bear mighty witness
that you have had
no hazardous opportunity."
82.
"If you get the gold-ground woman together
and send the harbour's redness —
I have a craving from that game
to behold the outcome."
83.
"There you spur me," the man shows,
"those are dangerous matters;
I hope you will lend me a word of aid,
linen-goddess and her higher giver."
84.
"I shall try" — said the counsellor —
"warriors soon shall hear
whether man and wife a ban
shall fall upon for this."
85.
The ring-lady spoke of that crooked game:
both could and would;
the student warmly thanked the answers,
and so they parted kindly.
86.
He who had talked to good purpose
and used his gifts well
must now have sought a way
to find the linen-bridge quietly.
87.
The maiden and the man gave their words
to no one's hearing;
nor does this tale relate
what they deliberated.
88.
The talk was brief, as was fitting;
they emptied kind farewells.
More came to be reported
a few days later.
89.
One day the brain's field of beauty,
laden with flowery ornament,
sought her father's leave
for a pleasure-ride about the town.
90.
The lord granted her a fine
carriage of honour and horses,
but bade her, if she wished,
to choose four armed attendants.
91.
The ring-sun's heart was glad;
best when she trusted the gift.
She bade her father farewell warmly
and set out thus equipped.
92.
Of that journey no tale is told
until the worthy maiden
beside a certain house in the town
halts the carriage.
93.
In the window on the house's side
stood a crowd of young men;
the worthy earth-lady let
the shore of her hand pause there.
94.
A handsome student stood among
the young men of the land;
the linen-slope's lady showed courtesy
just like every other.
95.
The red-cheeked ring-shore greeted him;
he swept his hat down.
The woman seized his hand boldly
and pulled him into the carriage.
96.
The leaf-Þundr of the play-field
let herself enjoy this at once:
"We are found," the woman said,
"but not yet parted.
97.
The man asks, "What have you
to command of me?"
The gold-ground answers: "Over you
a grain of errand to speak."
98.
She bids the ring-of-ears
to quicken the horse's pace,
and calls: "Hear me, my men —
I have this man as my captive.
99.
"I can scarcely hide the fact:
he would have run away.
I hold a strange debt from him;
he must settle it."
100.
The carriage rolled upon the road;
the woman declared her tidings:
"When else do you think
you will fulfil your promises to me?"
101.
"Should I fulfil my promises here" —
the man replied, feathered —
"linden-giver, grant me leave
for a small delay first."
102.
She drew a pistol and said:
"Dear one, no — I thank you.
Will you rely on this?
This game may be turned."
103.
The jewel-vine addressed the matter,
the tree beside the crow-sower:
"I today shall certainly alone
decide the terms for us both."
104.
The doughty man, the fine lady's choice,
gloomily begged for peace:
"Be merciful, surely — I shall
obey your pleasure."
105.
The woman carried out her stratagem,
and the spear-tree was of service;
as if condemned to death,
the man sat in the carriage.
106.
The wise woman knew where
the web of the linden-track —
a Catholic clergy's
monastery lay within the town.
107.
The warriors spare not the carriage-gear;
the maiden ruled the journey.
So they go at the woman's bidding
near to that building.
108.
From the carriage the fair woman stepped;
the wine-enjoyer followed.
She spoke boldly to the man:
"Here we shall hold our law-day."
109.
There the linen-bridge led
the bewildered man of spears.
The servants that time
knew nothing more of the matter.
110.
Delling's heir turned toward evening;
nothing came to report.
But what the wealth-heath labours at
time will set right.
111.
The gold-shield now, with the man beside her,
delivered the lion of the door.
He, finely dressed, walked further away —
the warrior, somewhat farther.
112.
Would you like to know what
the man of Yggr's hawk went through?
I shall not deny it to you —
for I asked about it too.
113.
What remains to be told is this:
I so heard about the man —
he ran home to the counsellor's house
and raised the conversation thus:
114.
"Lord, good day! Receive, please,
thanks for the kindly parting."
The other spoke as warmly and said:
"What is the news since?"
115.
"Nothing harmful or wicked" —
answered the bold one in craft —
"save that it is neatly accomplished.
Well then — is it done."
116.
"Lord, know man and wife:
the world's embrace is kind.
Nothing is needed now
but your warm presence."
117.
"If you grace the company with your seat,
then all is well;
nor will it afterwards go ill
if you answer a few words."
118.
"Since you have not refused
to speak a word for me,
drink with me and the maiden —
my toast, without coldness.
119.
"Your design is not without use" —
the other answered lightly —
"what is fitting for me to do besides
goes very well indeed."
120.
The men quietly along the same road
then walk the streets.
Night drew on, and daylight faded,
when they found the drinking-house.
121.
How the fasting-heath reached
the brain-cliff's enjoyment —
the student explained to the lord on the way;
the lord found it good.
22.
Most pleasing was the woman's spirit —
hear this, ring-ladies —
when in that moment the door of the house
opened and one was to enter.
123.
The man showed the lord merrily,
the fire-knot blazing:
"I say, first, that we meet here;
how afterwards we part."
124.
Somewhat sharply the lord raised his brow,
the ruler endowed with deeds:
the bridegroom himself saw
his own daughter dressed.
125.
Wrapped in men at the drinking-table,
the host who fell into a faint;
and he stared at the sand of serpents
for a long time.
126.
Grieving, the afflicted one drew breath,
the vision of clear honour;
he prepared himself with solemn bearing
and flung away noble tears.
127.
His son-in-law, who by the ring-heath
had bound him unawares,
fearlessly and wordlessly waited
for the first response.
128.
Until the gracious match of the king
brightened himself with an answer;
in these words he carved his way,
noble-spirited in feeling:
129.
"Since our dear fatherland,
born with an undying nature,
has the honour here among us
of owning such a head —
130.
"Will there be for another a greater vanity
than the nation would charge me with:
to plainly ruin that jewel
with a fool's cloak?
131.
"So wise and honest a spirit,
surely meant for good use" —
he went on, and took the hand
of his dear son-in-law.
132.
"You have won this game;
that, men may hear.
The sun-wide warden of the field
is worthy to possess.
133.
"Let not the prize be scorned.
Learn to manage your wisdom so
that most may benefit from your aid,
and fewest may complain.
134.
"Let your matchless talent
be praised and honoured by peoples;
watch over it for a lifetime —
boast of good harvest."
135.
"I cannot blame you, the grove-people's
nature of troll-women.
For you both there was compassion
though you refused advice."
136.
"One can hardly wonder, though before,
the ring-of-oaks were sought;
but have, in part, thanks for this:
you led me here."
137.
"With swift speech you beguiled me —
that gives a double thought.
My daughter has known you
a thousand times better."
138.
"Mark now, though I drink tonight
from your cup,
the unsettled shares shall not be settled
until each knows the other."
139.
The other answered: "I suspect,
worthy keeper of deeds,
your noble spirit will
govern every action."
140.
The kindly speech was heard by the company;
neither failed in deeds.
Having so spoken, over the mead
the kinsmen both sat down.
141.
The cup's red honour ran
among the host of bold men.
In the morning the lord invited home
all the guests.
142.
The warriors' company was drinking;
the wine spent its mercies.
The merry couple did not retire —
the lord held them just so.
143.
The unrhymed warrior departed from sight;
the noble one heard the word.
He summoned both husband and wife to the carriage
and drove them home together.
144.
A lavish night he repaid
with plenty of wine and dishes.
All the great folk of the town
attended that grand feast.
145.
The famous one lacked no banquet's goods,
the flinger of China's fire-ovens.
The most splendid feast the people
hastened to arrange.
146.
The marriage-bond of man and wife
a clerk splendidly sealed.
No fault could be found now
with all that had happened before.
147.
Most marvelled at what fortune
fell to such a one —
as if half of London
had crashed to its lowest stones.
148.
Loudly to honour the lord proclaimed
the man above the tables:
how the dear one won his match —
he rejoiced in words.
149.
To all, the spear-glory beside the red one
seemed ever to increase.
General delight arose from it,
but no one brought a suit.
150.
The man could spend all his powers
to the ring-branch's honour,
so that he scarcely from intelligence
lost use or esteem.
151.
By his high gifts the man
was easy to lift from the dust;
in a few years he surpassed
many a rung of honour.
152.
At last the distinguished man
filled his father-in-law's place;
his fortune and his following
so fitly arranged it.
153.
The taste of wretched wine —
I would call it so —
vanishes from my mind's palate,
and ink dwindles in the pen.
154.
The craft begins to sink, things go awry,
the ship-stone is dressed;
but to speak of year and day
I shall not now attempt.
155.
Here one may say the company sees
that the swine had a ring on its snout:
my name was first borne by a bishop,
then by a prince among the Danes.
156.
Let the learned not praise too faintly —
the poems are well wrought;
let those who choose not fault too freely —
the women graced the seat.
A Note on the Text
This is a single ríma in 156 ferskeytt (ABAB) stanzas from Nokkrar rímur og kvæði, edited by Sigurður Erlendsson (Reykjavík: Prentsmiðja "Frækorna", 1906). The poet is unnamed in the text but hints at his identity in st. 155: his name was "first borne by a bishop, then by a prince among the Danes" — likely pointing to the name Guðmundur (Bishop Guðmundur Arason of Hólar, d. 1237; Guðmundur being common among Danish royalty and clergy). The tale is set in Jacobean England and drawn, as the poet says in st. 14, from "an English tale from a Danish book." The mansöngr (st. 1–16) is a conventional poet's invocation, lamenting the difficulty of verse and invoking the mead of poetry. The story proper begins at st. 17 with the religious turmoil under James II.
The OCR of the 1906 Google Books scan contains significant noise (page numbers, "Google" watermarks, broken lines, OCR artefacts). Stanza numbering in the source is sometimes irregular. The translation follows the stanza numbers as printed. Where the Icelandic is garbled by OCR damage, the translation reflects the best reading possible; no passages were fabricated.
Good Works Translation. Translated from Icelandic by the Rímur Tulku lineage of the New Tianmu Anglican Church, March 2026. Source text: Nokkrar rímur og kvæði (Reykjavík, 1906), pp. 11–30.
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Source Text
(From Nokkrar rímur og kvæði, ed. Sigurður Erlendsson, Reykjavík: Prentsmiðja "Frækorna", 1906, pp. 11–30. Google Books digitisation, Harvard copy.)
Ríma af enskum stúdent.
1. Ansa' eg þannig ykkur fljóð
sem aftakið eg þegi:
gefið í ranni hér til hljóð,
heyrið það eg segi.
2. Fálki Rögnirs floginn er
fyrir stundar korni,
held eg ögn að sækja í sér
sjálfu' af þundar-horni.
3. Vélið styfði' og vængi dró,
var sem skamt til sæi,
lágt með þyfðum þagnarmó
í þungfærara lagi.
4. Þó hann lúinn þreytti sveim,
og þrekið veika skerði,
ef svo dúinn hrekst í heim
heppnin ykkar verði.
5. Að því trúi' eg öldin glöð,
orði stinga vinnur,
hvað eg nú sé hárs á mjöð,
hundslega orðinn svinnur.
6. Von er hringa verði gná,
verk þegar launin jafnar,
tilfinningarleysið lá
þeim lukku sinni hafnar.
7. Maklega undrast baugabil
breytni dáða sljóa,
að á eg þundar afla til
önd og fjöri sóa.
8. Fyrir það kaup svo vænt er víst,
vönduðum þreytast óði.
Yggs fyrir staup er ofgjörts íst
eg þó sveitist blóði.
9. Einn að lái lof til snjalt,
lasti tíu úr hófi,
heimskir lái hrósvert alt,
en hyggnir feilm prófi.
10. Og einhver næði munnur manns
mér yfir nöldra dauðum:
hér er, bræður! leirskáld lands
leiri þakið rauðum.
11. Eg hefi hress á yggjar kvon
aflað burnis bjarga,
og upp á þessa virkta von
vandaði stöku marga.
12. Samt ei drifið mærð svo mjög
margra' er kjósa hugir;
en hygginn yfir heimskum lög
hefir, og þetta dugir.
13. Slíkt má játa fyrir flón
forþénustu súra,
að í þann máta' er ykkar bón
enn mín réttarsnúra.
14. Þar um masa þörf svo rýr
þó mér nú tilberi;
engelskt las eg æfintýr
eitt af döfnsku kveri.
15. Konungs Ása kjói greitt
kom svo veginn skemsta,
og hafði Kvásis blóði bleytt
broddinn tungu fremsta.
16. Fer eg svo þilja baugabil,
brag af efnis greyi,
og læt mér skiljast lítils til
lítið duga megi.
17. Ljósafjarðar tróðu tjá
tilfelli skal ríma.
Englands jarðar jöfurs frá
Jakobs annars tíma.
18. Letrið saga sveit fær téð,
sem afmærð skal laga,
trúarbragða blandan með
Bretum í þá daga.
19. Evangelisk endurbót
upp þegar kom með happi,
sumir vel þar sig á mót
settu henni' af kappi.
20. Svo fyrir mengi milli bar,
megn var styrjöld búin,
helzt of lengi' á láði þar
leiðst því páfatrúin.
21. Löngum gaf það illan arð,
oft var margs að gæta;
stjórnin af því stundum varð
sterkum vanda' að sæta,
22. Eðalstandið ei hvað sízt,
átti slæmar þrætur;
hjónabandið hlutu' óvíst
höfðingsmanna dætur.
23. Aðalsmeyjar ást ef náð
umkomulaus gat drengur,
gaf hann ei um gipturáð,
glislegur þótti fengur.
24. Burtu lunka víðið vann —
veiða þóttust framann —
einhvern munk í flýti fann,
er fljótt þau vígði saman.
25. Eðalstandið stórt leið skarð,
styrði ringum gæðum;
ektabandið einatt varð
eftir kringumstæðum.
26. Hjónabandið þetta því
þaðan af vífin gistu;
rötuðu standið armóðs í,
auð og virðing mistu.
27. Öllum leiddist óreglan,
unz meðstjórnin tyggja,
sig til neydda sjálfa fann,
sömu að fyrir byggja.
28. Þótti' ei henta' að þegja við
þengils stjórnar-ráði,
parlament um sagðan sið,
samkomu hélt á láði.
29. Tilhalds sprunda téða skemd
tignir hreint afsögðu,
hafi húji stundum heyrzt þar nefnd
henging viður lögðu.
30. Orams innsigli sterki styrkt,
ströng var fororðningin:
ei svo mygli brátt var byrgt
bygða láðs um hringinn.
31. Frelsið þverrað, þetta sést,
þegna máttar ryrri,
einn ráðherrann olli mest
aðgjörð stjórnar nyrri.
32. Einka dóttir eina sá
átti geymir laga,
og mun hafa' óttast mens ef gná
mætti tjáðum baga.
33. Dáðum búna vífið var
vert til sóma' að efla,
því Lundúnaborg ei bar,
djartari sunnu refla.
34. Faðirinn samt ei frétti par
fljóði neinn að unni;
stúdent skamt í staðnum var
straums frá ljómagunni.
35. Félaus var, en fékk þó nafn
framt í mentasökum,
lærdóm bar og listasafn,
langt af sínum mökum.
36. Hans var faðir höfðingi
hers af þengils lyði,
en misti gladur fjör og fé
föðurlands vegna' í stríði.
37. Meyjan unni meiðir fleins,
minst þó sást á vífi,
seims og gunni sveinninn eins
sínu meir en lífi.
38. Vildu fegin utan ef
ektastandið kanna,
en kom í vegin konglegt bréf,
kent þó föður svanna.
39. Þeim að líkum brá í brún,
bæði fyltust trega,
samt ei slíku hann né hún
hreyfði merkjanlega.
40. Hals og nönnu hrings um sinn
hyggju sorg vill buga,
vóx að sönnu varsemin,
en vendi' ei ást úr huga.
41. Þankans frelsi fastast mjög,
þeim fjötur ástar vöfðu,
yfir þeim gat hún lesið lög,
er líftjóns einnig kröfðu.
42. Kort þegar fundust kom saman;
kvisti baugs og vífi,
fyrir sprundið hlyti hann
hreint að voga lífi.
43. Halur lengi neilann braut,
ef hamingja til vill duga,
hversu' hann fengi þessa þraut
þenkt að yfirbuga.
44. Víðlent stræti vonar kring
valinn hárs lét sveima,
eins hvar gæti örvænting
til einhvers látið dreyma.
45. Treysti' eg mér og síður sveina
sök að klaga en fegra,
reynt hefir verið annað eins
og ekki beytilegra.
46. Loksins svinnur leyfis bað
lávarður menta skóla,
að ganga' og finna í glæstum stað
gæðing tjáðan sjóla.
47. Hann fékk það, en nefndi ei neitt,
nema lærdómssakir,
þar í stað gat ei um eitt
yfir sem þankinn vakir.
48. Ræðum hrærði hávísan
höld og stórgöfugan,
er efni í lærðan leit hér mann
líka skarpsinnugan.
49. Ólæstra menta gömlum vin,
glituðum vísdóms prjáli,
virtist henta, og var ei kyn
við hann koma að máli.
50. Flestra blekti fálu þey
fljóð þó halur kyssi,
hvort þau þektust eður ei
enginn maður vissi.
51. Margoft ræddust meira við,
og málkunnugir urðu,
lofðar gæddir gáfna snið,
gegna er þókti furðu.
52. Hirðir menja hitta þá,
herrann eitt sinn náði,
fremur venju fæð sér á
fékk nú sýnt með ráði.
53. Spurði listugt ljúfmennið,
lund hans nú hvað beygir!
sveinninn tvisti verður við
voldugs spurn og segir:
54. »Aldrei kem eg aftur hér,
eydd er sæmd og friður,
mitt eg nema fyrir fér
fái hjálp af yður.«
55. Svara þegni þítt réð hinn:
»þetta' er illa farið,«
hér næst fregnar höfðinginn:
»hvernin er því varið?«
56. Ansar hinn: »eg ást á hef
eðallegu vífi,
dáða svinnu, en döglings bréf
dæmir mig frá lífi.«
57. Herrann þegar hast gaf svar:
»hvað er slíkt að frétta,
temmilega vitlaust var
að voga sér í þetta.«
58. »Fæ eg á grun þó augum í
allvel glansi svanninn,
hentast mun að hugsa' af því
hana að ekta þannin.«
59. »Svoddan glanna stytt er starf;
styrklaus hver einn drengur
má ske annað ekki þarf
en ætla sér það lengur.«
60. »Eg kann sverja' að engin rök
eru þig stoðandi;
og að verja svoddan sök,
sómdi' ei mínu standi.«
61. »Hér við dafnar hneysa verst
hara skykkan stinna,
mínu nafni mörkuð sést,
og meðdómenda hinna.«
62. »Vitið herra!« — ver kvað fleins —
»við er mér búið grandi,
hitt þó verra hún er eins,
og hálfu meir rasandi.«
63. »Nær sem skyldi virkta víf
vera gefin manni,
sitt það gilda — segir hún — líf
svo er eg eins í banni.«
64. »Seims er láðin svo mér kær,
sem eg stund þá kjöri,
mér er áður miklu nær
mínu að tapa fjöri.«
65. »Mikið vinnur míns til blóðs
meyjar faðir nýtur,
að eðalsinnaðs fatmi fljóðs
fastan á mig slítur.«
66. »Mundi' eg hér um minna fást,
og minkaði ráðfæringin,
hefði' ei verið okkar ást
eldri' en fororðningin.«
67. »Lízt mér ei á lestur þinn« —
lystugt tér mannvalið —
»þessu smeygir elskan inn,
alt er þetta galið.«
68. »Eins þó faðir íturs vífs
ykkur vildi náða,
verður það ei þér til lífs,
því má hann ei ráða.«
69. »Hér um spjalla' er héðan af seint
hefir sá óskar brekið,
því fyrir allar æðir hreint
er með þetta tekið.«
70. »Skárra' er hálfu að verja víg« —
voldugur hjald brýndi —
»horfðu' á sjálfur hvort eg lýg,«
og honum skjalið sýndi.
71. Tók við hinn og téða skrá
tímakorn á horfði,
lista svinnur loks nam tjá:
»Leikur er einn á forði.«
72. Hastur spyr að höfðinginn:
»hvað kann sök þá villa?
Hvað ber fyrir þanka þinn?
Þetta skilst mér illa.«
73. Þegninn slingur þá svo tér:
»það vil eg gjarnan segja,
leiðrétting ef lofið mér,
líka hinu að þegja.«
74. »Þér skal eg ráða heilt og hreint« —
herrann svar réð búa —
»alt hið tjáða láta leynt
líka ef mér vilt trúa.«
75. »Sé eg vel« fær sveinninn téð,
»sá er fjörs í banni,
nú sem vélar valdi með
víf af föðurs ranni.«
76. »Hvernig fer ef meyja mann
megtug nauðgan tekur;
getið þér þá haldið hann,
hér við dæmist sekur?«
77. »Gefur drótt því öfugt ans,
að orki ei slíku meyja,
kann ske dóttir megtugs manns,
er mikið hefði að segja.«
78. Gekk sem viltur ráfi í reyk
ráðgjafinn lengi og þagði,
þenkti stilt um þenna leik,
þá með undrun sagði:
79. »Leiki þetta listugt mær,
lætur hún sjá sinn vilja,
en yfir það réttur enginn nær
eg svo megi skilja.«
80. »Hindrast annars innföll slík
illa af neiðum lögum,
sá til kann með sigluflík
sigrar storm í slögum.«
81. »En þessa hlytur megtar mey
myndug vitni bæri,
að háskalítið hafirðu ei
haft neitt undanfæri.«
82. »Næðu saman seimgrund keik,
og sendir hafnar roða,
eg hefi graman af þeim leik
útfallið að skoða.«
83. »Þar mig eggið«, þegninn tér,
»þau á hættu efni,
vona eg leggið liðsorð mér
líns og hyrri gefni.«
84. »Reyna skal« — kvað ráðherrann —
»rekkar brátt hvort frétta,
víst að hal og vífi bann,
verði fyrir þetta.«
85. Leik þann skakka, baugs kvað bör
bæði kunna' og vilja;
hlyleg þakkar sveinninn svör,
svo með blíðu skilja.
86. Hann sem skrafað gat til gagns,
og gáfna notið sinna,
nú mun hafa leitað lags
línspöng hljótt að finna.
87. Mær og rekkur orð sín á
engum heyra buðu,
hér og ekki hermir frá,
hvað þau ráðslöguðu.
88. Talið skamt, sem trúlegt var,
tæmdu kveðjur blíðar;
fleira samt til frétta bar
fáum dögum síðar.
89. Dag einn reita bráins bil,
blómlega skrauti hlaðin,
föður síns leitar leyfis til
lystireisu' um staðinn.
90. Herrann gildi henni lér
heiðurs vagn og jóra,
en bauð ef vildi velja sér
vopnaða sveina fjóra.
91. Hjarta gladdist baugsól blíð,
bezt er láni treysti,
föður sinn kvaddi' í þeli þýð,
þannig búin reisti.
92. Þeirri greinir ferð ei frá
fyrri' en svanninn mætur,
staðarins einu húsi hjá
hurra vagninn lætur.
93. Stóð í glugga húss á hlið
hópur yngismanna;
storðar duggu staldra við
strönd lét greipar fanna.
94. Stúdent fríður stóð þar hjá
storðar njótum linna,
líns nam hlíðl lotning tjá
líkt og sérhver hinna.
95. Heilsaði rjóður hringaströnd,
hattinum ofan svifti,
víf greip móðugt hals um hönd,
honum í vagninn kipti.
96. Laufaþundur leiksmark það
lét sér hugnast þegi,
»við erum fundin«, fljóðið kvað,
»fyrst en skilin eigi.«
97. Halur fregnar »hvað svo mér
hafið að befala«;
auðgrund gegnir: »yfir þér,
erindiskorn að tala.«
98. Byður eyri bauga senn
blakka' að herða ganginn.
kallar: »heyrið mínir menn,
mann hef eg þenna fanginn.«
99. »Varla má eg vera þess duld,
vildi hann burtu flana,
hjá honum á eg skrítna skuld,
skal hann út með hana.«
100. Vagninn rann á veginn nú,
vífið frétti kenda:
»hvenær annars hyggur þú,
heit þín við mig enda.«
101. »Skuli' eg efna heit mín hér« —
halur gegndi fjáður —
»lindagefni leyfið mér
lítið frávik áður.«
102. Greip pístólu kvendi' og kvað:
»kæri, nei, eg þakka,
viljir stóla þú á það,
þessi leik má skakka.«
103. Máli hagar menjarein,
meið við krakasáða:
»eg í dag skal eflaust ein
okkar kjörum ráða.«
104. Rekkur dáðugt drósa val,
dapur beiddi friðar,
»verið þér náðug víst, eg skal,
vilja þóknast yðar.«
105. Víf framkvæmdi vélaspil,
og viður fleins að gagni,
eins og dæmdur dauða til
drengurinn sat í vagni.
106. Búin vizku vissi hvar,
vefjan linna traðar
kaþóliskra klerka var
klaustur innan staðar.
107. Rekkar spara' ei reisugögn;
réði ferðum svanni;
þeir svo fara að fyrirsögn
fljóðs nær þessum ranni.
108. Vagninum fljóðið frítt af gekk,
fylgdi njótur veiga,
hjalaði móðugt hún við rekk:
»hér skulum lögdag eiga.«
109. Leiddi þarna línspönginn
lúraðan bendir geira,
þénararnir þetta sinn
þar um vissu ei meira.
110. Dellings arfi að aftni leið,
ei bar neitt til frétta;
en hvað starfar auðarheið
upp mun tíminn rétta.
111. Skorð gulls nú við skildum rekk,
skilaði ljónið hurðar,
hann prúðbúinn burtu gekk
bragnir nokkuð furðar.
112. Viljið þið fá að vita hvað
ver fór Yggjar flíka,
ekki lái eg ykkur það,
að því spurði' eg líka.
113. Hér til geymist einlægt ans,
eg svo frétti' um manninn,
rann hann heim til ráðherrans,
og ræðu vakti þanninn:
114. »Herra sælir! þiggið þér,
þökk fyrir skilnað blíðan«,
hinn eins mælir hyrt og tér:
»hvað er í fréttum síðan?«
115. »Ekkert skaðlegt eða slæmt« —
ansaði knár í brögðum —
»nema það er nett framkvæmt,
nú, er þá um sögðum.«
116. »Herra, þekkið hal og frú,
heims er faðmar blíða,
vantar ekki nema nú
návist yðar þíða.«
117. »Sett ef pryðið samkvæmið,
svo er heillum varið,
á ei síðar illa við,
að orðum nokkrum svarið.«
118. »Fyrst þér hafið afsagt ei
orð fyrir mig að tala,
drekkið af hjá mér og mey,
mína skál án kala.«
119. »Gagnlaust er ei innfall þitt« —
ansaði hinn af létta —
»eigi mér að hæfa hitt
harla vel fer þetta.«
120. Seggir hljótt á sömu braut,
síðan feta' um grundu,
drógst að nótt, en dagur þraut,
þá drykkjuhúsið fundu.
121. Hvernig náði nístisheið
njóti bráins kletta,
herranum tjáði hinn á leið,
honum leist vel á þetta.
122. Helzt má fyrna frígeð hans —
freyjur heyrið spanga —
í því dyrnar opnast ranns
inn hvar skyldi ganga.
123. Herranum lystugt halur tér,
hyrjar knúður bylium:
»kalla eg fyrst að hittumst hér,
hvernig síðar skiljum.«
124. Nokkuð snart í brúnir brá
bragning dáðum gædda,
brúðarskarti sjálfur sá
sína dóttur klædda.
125. Drengjum vafð á drykkju stans
drótt sem féll í svíma,
en hann starði' á orma sands
eitri lángan tíma.
126. Avörp tregur andann dróg,
ásynd tignar klára,
forskillegum forðum bjó,
fleygir lofnar tára.
127. Tengda burinn hans, er heið
hringa festi' óvörum,
óhræddur en orðlaus beið
eftir fyrstu svörum.
128. Unz sig hressir hyrt við svar
hilmis makinn svinni,
orðum þessum út svo skar
eðalmóðugt sinni:
129. »Fyrst vort kæra föðurland
fætt með lund ódeyga,
hefir þá æru hér í bland
höfuð slíkt að eiga.«
130. »Mun fyrir annan meiri gikk,
en mig vill þjóð álíta,
dýrgrip þann með dára skikk
djarflega hreint ónyta.«
131. »Mun svo ráðug ærleg önd,
ætluð víst til þarfa« —
fremur tjáði' og tók við hönd
tengda dyran arfa.
132. »Þú hefir unnið þetta spil,
það menn heyra mega,
víðir sunnu vorðin bil
verðugur að eiga.«
133. »Metnast eigi vinning við,
vizku lær svo haga,
að flestir megi fá af lið,
en fæstir yfir klaga.«
134. »Lát þitt makalausa pund
lofað og virt af þjóðum,
yfir því vak um æfistund
arði hrósa góðum.«
135. »Get eg ei láð þér listapar
lundur þulu flagða;
ykkur báðum vorkun var
við þó neittuð bragða.«
136. »Furðu vart mun ei þótt áð,
eikar hringa beiddir,
en hafðu' á parti þökk fyrir það,
þú mig hingað leiddir.«
137. »Tali skjótt þú tældir mig,
tvískift þönkum getur,
mín hefir dóttir þektan þig
þúsund sinnum betur.«
138. »Aðgæt nú þótt eg í kvöld
ykkar bikar drekki,
skulu' ei búin skifti töld,
að skár hver annan þekki.«
139. Gegndi hinn: »eg hef á grun
hirðir nýtur dáða,
eðalsinnið yðar mun
athöfn hverri ráða.«
140. Hjalið dælt á hlýddi lið,
hvorugum fatast dáðir;
að svo mæltu munngát við
mágar settust báðir.
141. Bikars ornar iðan rauð,
ýta flokki snjöllum;
heim að morgni bragning bauð
borðgestunum öllum.
142. Var að drekka virða sveit
vínið náðum spilti;
háttuðu' ekki hjónin teit,
herrann svo til stilti.
143. Óríma bragna gekk frá sjón,
göfugur lizt við eyrði;
bæði' á vagninn heimti hjón
heim í bíðið keyrði.
144. Nætur liðugt greiðann galt
gnóttum víns og rétta,
stórmennið í staðnum alt
stórhof sótti þetta.
145. Frægan brustu' ei föngin góð,
fleygi Kínar ofna,
veglegustu veizlu þjóð
vann í hasti stofna.
146. Hjónabandi hal og frú
herlega klerkur vafði,
varð ei grand við getið nú
gjörst hvað áður hafði.
147. Flestir undrast fleins hvað álf
féll til svoddan einum,
rétt sem Lundún hefði hálf
hrapað að neðstu steinum.
148. Hátt til æru hermdi rekk
herrann yfir borðum
hvað sá kæru fastnað fékk
fagnaði hann í orðum.
149. Öllum frami fleins við rjóð
frekur bætast þótti,
alment gaman af því stóð,
en engin málið sótti.
150. Karl gat alla krafta spent
kvisti baugs til æru,
svo hann varla' af mannvitsment
misti not né kæru.
151. Gáfna háum helzt varð rekk
hægt úr dufti bjarga,
á árum fáum yfir gekk
ærutröppu marga.
152. Loksan vansa merkur mann
mágs síns rúmið fylti,
fylgi hans og hamingjan
hyljega svo til stilti.
153. Smekkur óma vesæls víns,
víl eg það svo kenna,
hverfur gómi muna míns,
og minkar blek í penna.
154. Fer að dalast fær ólag,
ferjart búa steina,
en að tala' um ár og dag
ekki nú skal reyna.
155. Hér má segja sveitin birst,
svín hafi baug á grönum,
bar mitt heiti biskup fyrst,
buðlung svo hjá Dönum.
156. Eigi hrósa lærð of lítt,
ljóðin smíði nettu,
þegi kjósa færð of frítt
fljóðin pryði settu.
Source text from Nokkrar rímur og kvæði, ed. Sigurður Erlendsson (Reykjavík: Prentsmiðja "Frækorna", 1906), pp. 11–30. Harvard College Library copy, digitised by Google Books.
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