Six rímur on the wooing of Signy, daughter of King Knútr of Denmark, by Sigurðr Fótr of France, and the wars in Ireland that followed.
Ríma I
The fierce torment seizes me
in the sleeping-house of truce —
I cannot strike a mansöngr
that honors rings about the waist.
I shall compose this ancient lore
and put all harm aside;
long may the leek-Norn live,
and let me leave her there.
A ruler governed the French people —
I will tell his name:
Sigurðr knew to bear the blue sword
in the fire of arrows.
Fótr is both famous and strong,
agile and swift in battle;
the king seemed worthy to warriors
to test the sword in the shield.
The king is wise and fair to see,
he gladdened men with gold;
a more famous man in former days
was hard to find in the world.
Riding away and reddening swords,
running across the mountain flats,
archery and swimming and skiing —
the shield-warrior knew them all.
Throwing stones, the art of the stars —
I hear the ruler knew this too;
no accomplishment had he missed
with the worthy ring-runner.
Let that dear soul sit
in true power now:
Knútr governs the courtly realm
with wise skill.
Before Zealand he rules the sailing
with honor and all splendor;
he always gave freely with joy
and gladdened his people.
The wise one had got himself a woman
fair to his desire;
the lord raised by the ring-sheltered shore
one fine daughter.
The lord fathered beside the ring-coast
one fine daughter;
many warriors fought
to redden arrows for the bright one.
Signy is the name of the voyage-maiden,
honor of all splendor;
to the warriors she seemed bright and pure,
she gladdened the people of princes.
Then I heard that warriors truly proud
built a hall;
the prince's maiden shall dwell there
with bright silk valkyries.
The outer walls were all with stone
and swelled with white columns;
nothing touches them with terrible harm
if one can see the golden hall.
The towers reach high into heaven
built with most precious stones;
beams are fastened and laid close
with bright ivory bones.
The door was made with greatest skill,
very large to look upon,
all strong and fixed in stone
so that steel cannot bite.
The bower itself, that bright expanse,
was built with full honor;
no cut was lacking in the bower's rooms —
bright runners of gold.
The men built a board-fence around the hall
shaped so that none could break through;
the men set it with glass,
gates and locks secured.
Though the world's dark storm
walks much through dale and fell,
there was flower in the bride's hall
and brightness at every hour.
Here I will lay down the story
of Lóðurr's fine wine.
A king rules the sea of heroes;
he knows how to steer men.
Ásmundr was generous and joyful,
he gladdened men with gold;
though the king was fierce in battle,
grim at the edge-tumult.
Growth and beauty, wisdom and strength,
the ruler's bright complexion —
sword-play, swimming, and chess:
I heard from men he excelled in all.
The prince adorned his glory thus,
bore the fruit of all splendor;
the land was wide, and the ring-road long —
a great many people in honor.
The shield-warrior had a page
whom warriors called Ólaf;
he performed the greatest services for the lord
and summoned the arrow-assembly.
Ólaf guarded the prince's land,
a spear in the storm of war;
he knew all with wise counsel
and that was most helpful.
Ólaf spoke to Ásmundr once
on a certain occasion:
"Lord, you have no treasure-woman —
that weakens your splendor."
The prince was silent a while,
stooped under the sea's beam:
"Where do you know of a treasure-ground
that would fit our honor?"
"I have heard from a speaking-oak
that she holds nothing back in splendor;
that has stirred the play of men
who could see the bright princess.
Knútr has raised himself a maiden,
king of the realm of Zealand;
I know no wellspring anywhere
that would equal her.
She gives men the serpent's gold,
cool as the sea-fire;
no treasure-Gefn will be better after her
anywhere in the world.
Prince, bear your heart bravely
so the sea breaks against the hood;
let us not worry though there runs black
the cold dove of Hlér."
The prince called to his warriors:
"Take up the treasure; launch the ships
as swiftly as you may
onto the cold sea."
The men let the sea's horses
stroke away from land;
to the warriors the blue sea-wave
seemed dangerous as driving snow.
The sea's steed brought
the lord's people to land;
Knútr was governing the cups there
while the king was away from home.
Ásmundr speaks with the treasure-woman;
Ólaf to his warriors:
"Ólaf, let us seek out the woman
and not delay long."
The finery that Hogni once had
shone on the men, I hear;
the warriors found the fine woman
and greeted her with words of skill.
The woman greeted the warriors with honor
and asked swiftly for their names:
"Have the warriors come here steered
by horse or ship's prow?"
"Ásmundr is the name of the rich prince —
hear that, bright princess —
we have cleft Óðinn's board fearlessly;
his heart does not falter."
"The other bears the name Ólaf,
destroyer of bright writing-boards;
he knows how to hew feast for ravens;
both can be seen here."
The wise woman at once invited them
to the island of the wellspring with splendor:
"Let the prince's people hold
this honor for half a month."
"My errand was otherwise,
treasure-Gefn the wise;
I will ask for your hand, ring-Hlín,
you who are the flower of all women."
Silence fell on the prince's daughter,
it seemed that worry grew:
"My father and the great lord
have sailed abroad.
It is hardly fitting for me alone
to make this decision in his absence;
I did not refuse you, Ásmundr,
if the prince were home to settle it.
It may come to pass on this journey
that the prince would give me away;
more men know how to exchange fair gifts
with the fire of Fjölnir."
"If the lord has betrothed you to a man
and I can learn of it,
then the grey wolf's horse shall be set out
and give no ground anywhere."
"My heavy heart shall not trouble warriors
with my difficult will;
I will make no decision here" —
said the daughter of Árnir's voice.
"It will not help you, princess, to delay —
precious silk-Nanna";
Ásmundr goes forward to the woman
and betroths himself to the rich princess.
"I will never care from here on
who would betroth you to themselves —
to that one the terrible arrow-desire
shall first burst in shields.
I intend to come back here in autumn,
brightest of treasure-women;
warriors will honor a feast then;
I want to drink to the bride."
Then the king bade the woman
all honor:
"Woman, sit now in honor
and in the full flower of the world."
The lord mounted the string-bear
and steered home to his lands.
Here Viðrir's tarn
will be first to stand.
Ríma II
The strong strife of Styrmir's son and moon
has laid me low;
the name is separated and told to men
in the willow-serpent's thunder.
I have so bound the bright island
to the burning serpent's lure;
few of the bond-maiden of Rognir
can the men's name reveal.
Where I left off before:
Fótr sits at his kingdom;
that lord gladdened warriors
with fine gold.
The lord has learned from Knútr's maiden
skill and artfulness;
there has become fierce eagerness
to make swift the ships.
"It will no longer serve," said the ruler,
"to delay a moment longer;
let warriors leap at once
to the heavy-wave horses.
Deck yourselves with the finest splendor
of cloth and silk;
then test all the ropes
against the fair deer of Rán."
No warrior lingered then at the hall —
the king's force is fearsome —
the lord's army long outstrips all others.
Warriors mounted the wave-hawk,
the sail is drawn to the masthead;
the flood-smoke flew higher
before the ornamented prow.
Warriors held to the fair island;
I learn that at evening
the men saw with their sails a ship
set with the Rhine-fire.
Sigurðr asked what noble people
owned the fleet;
"the king gladdened the sea's embers
with his dear warriors."
"Knútr is called shrewd with sword,
he rules Denmark with skill;
before Zealand he guides the sailing,
giving freely to his people."
A stir arose among the men
when the fleets met on the sea;
courtly greetings were exchanged
with fine words on either side.
Ásmundr had gone ahead
with message to the Danish court;
Sigurðr stood and waited there
in sight of Zealand's strand.
Knútr returned to his hall
with cups and feasting in good order;
the king came home to welcome them
and the court came out to meet him.
The lord went to his daughter's bower
with a brave band of warriors;
the prince greeted the honored princess
and I count that all fine entertainment.
The woman asked for news then;
the ruler told her:
"I have given you away, noble woman,
to the gilded sword-warrior."
A cut seemed to grow in the thorn-woman;
it seemed that worry rose;
joy vanished from the ring-plate
away from the land of memory.
"There will be delay in this high promise,"
said the worthy ring-Gefn,
"another has already betrothed me first —
the swifter-step of the serpent-paths.
Have you not heard from the Hunish people,
the dense sword-warrior,
they have men with skill and might
above all other peoples?
Warriors praise the prince
whom thanes call Ásmundr;
they have never heard of a more famous man
to summon the arrow-assembly.
I have bound myself to the prince with faith
and all my joy;
I intend to hold to that against
the shaker of the serpent's floor."
"Men have previously told me news
of this king;
let his heart be rather tender
in the hard battle-tumults.
He deceives with fraud and lies
about the beautiful ring-runner;
Sigurðr has adorned himself with honor and virtue —
you shall love this sailing.
The lord has both gold and ships,
which protects men from harm;
that wise lord shall
wrap you in his arms."
"I will not deny that Sigurðr shall
go to feed the wolves;
I will give Ásmundr all friendship
without hesitation."
"Even if you love Ásmundr so much
that you can enjoy nothing,
you still shall not have the prince
until the Rán-stone woman's wall falls."
"Before I sleep beside Sigurðr,
warriors shall fall dead —
if the famous one of the snake-path's steps
can hear of it."
Anger swelled in the king then;
the rich lord said:
"Sigurðr shall have the treasure-Gná —
you'll like that worse."
The king rose from the hall then;
warriors follow the king.
Here Hár's horn shall see
another wave turn.
Ríma III
Third time shall Þundr's clay
be told to warriors;
where two suitors have fastened
on a single fair bride.
Now it flies as quickly as may be —
news to the Huns' land;
that will increase the lord's desire
and add to many a man's worry.
Anger ran into the mind's fortress;
the ruler fathered sorrow;
necessity bit the prince hard —
he can barely drink, so close does it press.
"It is told to us that Sigurðr
is swift in battle's storm,
full of skills, and yet generous with wealth,
he gladdens fine men.
I will not be quick to increase the strife
against the empty Hrungnir-tents;
I will hold off the arrow-storm
if our men will earn their pay.
I have arranged, said the ruler, to send
a great court hence;
Ólaf, you shall bring the wave-deer
to the Wallish harbor.
I want to offer that lord
brotherhood with honor;
I'll hold that with white love's light
of battle, bright and fair.
If the powerful prince refuses
and forces the sword upon us,
rather than split the shelf of Hrungnir,
I'll offer him a different choice:
I'll offer him the wide land and many people;
I'll hold the free woman myself —
she is fine with rings.
Let him take the land and give me peace.
If the king has a high and hateful mind
that rejects all this,
then he shall have us to contend with,
and he will know our will.
Delay nothing, said the prince;
launch the ships on the sea;
I have the king's nature, hardened with valor,
and I can carry this best."
Warriors boarded the plank-serpents
armored in hard steel;
sails were set for the storm,
staffed from giant-speech.
The ropes sing and the yards groan;
carved prows tremble;
sails swell and the sea heaves;
it burst against the hood itself.
The wave played against the boards;
all strands break loudly;
to the men the sea-steed seemed
to walk on different keels.
I hear the fleet arrived in secret
in the hidden bay,
where branches of the forest closed
around the fair sea-bears.
The king dressed himself then
in Kjalárr's bright water;
the lord wants to go ashore
and the conflict is sealed in his heart.
"Only Ólaf shall follow me
of all our men;
the burning arrow can bite him too —
the warriors can confirm that."
The warrior is dressed in a shaggy cape,
a strong spear in hand,
and both are adorned with helmets
and hard wound-staves.
There came at this very time
the mighty strength-elf,
Sigurðr Fótr and his fair troop,
swinging sword in shield.
Warriors sat at the feast now;
full joy was there;
the bright woman was seated on the bench
adorned with snake-path splendor.
Warriors sailed to the lord's hall;
feast-men came from far and wide;
village and streets were crowded;
thanes went on foot and riding.
The old ale of Rognir flows through me;
here Durnir's drink shall swiftly
be spread from the horn of inspiration.
Ríma IV
I cannot give to the worthy friend of Magna
a better offering of rings and linen,
for there runs through me powerfully
fierce strife for a bright woman.
The courtly bride always kindles
cold mood in the mind's slope;
she is the desire in battle's hollow
who never leaves the heart.
Burning strife sealed itself
around my heart with force;
necessity tightened and held like a spring
and hardens all sorrow's pressing.
When my dear choice was made,
I was first to choose what broke it apart;
though I am tormented I know it now —
I count no lady the cause.
Though my bright burning were all undone
and melted apart before the ring-thorn,
not a moment would stop what stands so —
the fall of Viðrir's sea.
The king's hall was courtly decked
with embroideries and tapestries throughout;
the candles burned as bright as could be;
nowhere was there any shadow.
The table stood with ten men
in the middle of the hall,
carved with stone and set with cuts,
bright gold and serpent-rank.
Cups stood there and pitchers;
courtly horns and goblets;
silver bowls and ornate vessels,
a carved rose and a spiral.
The tablecloths were drawn around the lord's board
fitted most with serpent-earth;
the bride's company was built with skill;
the warrior-band was quiet and hushed.
At such a point it came about
that the door stood fully open;
a man came to the hall's doorway
the like of whom they had never seen before.
He had cloaked himself in a cape;
this tale has come before me;
the fringes were laid down over the man;
his frame seemed like a warrior-tree.
The thanes stared at this man;
I don't think they recognized him;
the man came into the lord's hall
and the entire court stood in wonder.
Little greeting was given to the warrior then;
no one greeted him;
into the middle of the hall's floor he walked —
on both sides they had room.
Sigurðr spoke to that man
serving at the lord's board:
"Take the rose with the Rhine-fire;
offer these warriors a drink."
The feast was well furnished,
everything adorned with fine craft;
the candles burned as bright as could be
and the joyful cups went round.
Women sat in the high seats
decked with rings and ribbons;
the thanes talked and the songs rose up
and the feast was rich and full.
Ásmundr's fleet is seen now
approaching from the sea;
the king covers the harbors near the hall
and many men ride on conflict.
A red shield is drawn to the yard-arm;
the warriors summon many a conflict.
Ásmundr speaks with Ólaf then:
"We two shall go down to the shore,
offer peace to Sigurðr Fótr —
yet I myself want the woman."
The prince steps onto the dock-plank;
their words will soon be settled.
Ásmundr greeted the king then
as courteously as could be heard:
"Your fame will be filled, prince;
you have sought me;
I offer you the burned gold
for the bright woman now."
The lord spoke hotly:
"I will accept no peace here;
take your weapons and guard your land —
at once we shall both redden the sword."
Ásmundr spoke with all boldness:
"I see another and better plan —
let us bind our brotherhood;
yet I want to have the bright woman."
"I will not invite you to brotherhood;
don't wait for another day;
death comes seeking you, prince,
and the woman shall have to embrace me."
Sigurðr gripped Fróði's play-things
and Fjölnir's tent and bright sword;
I hear he goes reddened onto land.
Their long contest began.
A long day the people watched
these kings play so;
the shields burst and the swords sang;
battle was both fierce and long.
The contest began with mighty blows;
warriors watched the wound-dew;
so ended the strong sword-desire
that Sigurðr asked for rest.
Sigurðr's body was all cut —
Skilfing's cloth soaked in the arrow-shower;
the wound took hold on the lord's frame;
blood fell down the ruler.
Ásmundr walked forward to the prince:
"You can fight no longer;
we shall stop this arrow-meeting —
the king grows pale from the wound."
The king spoke in anger and grief:
"I would never bleed beneath me,
Ásmundr, more than yourself."
"Stand up then, rich ruler;
we'll split Óðinn's boards between us;
I'll no longer play with the lord —
let each live who has a warrior's luck."
Both kings fought so hard and fast
that neither guarded his own life.
Sigurðr's wounds bled so
the prince could barely stand;
the lord fell with exhaustion and wounds;
many wound-rivers ran.
The raven rejoiced when the prince fell;
the eagle stepped forward in the blood;
the battle-steed ran swiftly;
he would redden his teeth in blood.
Surely the French people mourned
the wise man who gave gold to his warriors.
Ásmundr knew the wounds
that had come close to the prince;
though it was said the lord still lived,
the king was laid on the bright shield.
So the king was brought to a barrel-bath;
nourished with women's wine and ointments;
then wrapped in a silk cloth;
a bed was prepared for soft rest.
Ásmundr sat joyfully over the prince —
the king was not harsh then;
the fine woman came there
often now to tend the thanes.
The wound closed swiftly over the lord;
the king was weak for a long time;
the prince thought about the ring-Bil —
how this would go.
Every while the worthy ruler rose
and moved through nights outside;
he cared nothing for any people's games;
the king was pale from battle.
Ásmundr spoke to the prince now:
"I will go to take the woman;
sit you at the feast, wise one;
I want to honor you."
"I cannot see," said Sigurðr,
"the wise woman going to you;
wise one, let us relieve our trouble —
I want gladly to go from here.
Yet I have both life and land
to give you, lord, before long;
the bond of troth and trust from me —
trust shall never be broken to you."
"You would repay me, lord,
if I could give you the bright ring-Hnoss
well and earnestly, prince, with fitting deed —
I would get another treasure-land for myself."
"I could never pay you back
if you would give the woman to me,
along with life and land
and the bright maiden in the peace-bond."
"I will tell you, Sigurðr:
the beautiful woman is untouched by me;
now you have the woman with wealth and skill —
another ring-woman I will find for myself."
Sigurðr himself was well pleased then
that the king gave him the fine woman;
splendor ran through the king's hall;
the court praised Ásmundr with one voice.
The lord's desire was soothed;
he bound the bright ring-woman to himself;
the bitter conflict departed
from the prince's mind.
The pure bride gave sweet gifts
with the joy of love;
the wise one's star-floor glows
in memory's hall.
The feast was adorned with worldly splendor
before Sigurðr Fótr and the silk-linen
took their way.
The friend of Herinn departs from men.
Ríma V
I want to blend battle-fire
with the pure flood of Óðinn,
and always overcome that harm —
bright praise of white into the hand.
Warriors held on, the ruler steered
over the Hunish lands;
the prince filled the flood-fire;
honor grew from the ruler's plans.
Ásmundr gave the treasures of battle-Hildr
to the king as said before;
Sigurðr then received the fair bride;
Fótr always kept the shields.
Sigurðr made his sea-settlement glad —
his warriors rejoiced;
Ásmundr grieved on the gold-slope —
he could not drink long.
On a certain day the lord sat over the drinking-board;
Ólaf addressed the king with words
adorned with woman-splendor and serpent-earth.
"Hrólf is named a prince who rules Ireland,
giving wealth to men;
he will harm lives.
The lord has fathered a rich daughter;
I have never heard of a woman named Gerðr
who could equal her.
She is as fair as the bright sun
shining on her heath;
the beam stands from the leek-anger —
the ring-tree is drawn to it.
She will have no man in the world
wrap her in his arms —
the clever bride keeps men
in ugly sorrow's grief.
If you can win that fold-Rist with honor and grace,
that will add most
to your shared love's counsel and honor.
Your whole warrior-court shall be well furnished
with weapons and ships;
your fleet shall be wondrously wide;
your king's honor will grow.
If you refuse this noble woman
and the bond of kin,
then the shield shall fall
and the fire of battle cleave the byrnie.
The fire of Þundr may be washed
in the blood of thanes;
a man is felled with wound and exhaustion —
he is most given over to death."
The prince gathered warriors gladly
throughout the wide realm;
the army will ride the slipway-rollers;
he will not wait long.
The sails were adorned with silk
and with the speech of Svölnir;
every warrior is girded with steel,
the fine sea-fire adorned.
The king's people moved
to ride the hearts of Rán;
the prince's army is prepared for war;
the ships push quickly from harbor.
Rán's daughter rose up
and tested the warriors;
the glittering sails tore at the bright walls;
warriors endured rain in the storm.
Ásmundr came to Ireland's land
with all his force;
the ruler gladdened the proud warriors;
the men bared the wound-ties.
Arrows leaped onto the fair sand
from the prince's ships;
the men threw down the wide gangplanks;
all were ready with their weapons.
The king's army and the wide streets
filled the shorelines;
the people will battle on the land —
there is no long waiting for this.
Ásmundr said that Ólaf
shall go before the lord:
"I want to get the woman
without waking a fierce battle."
Ólaf found the Irish king
and told him the errands:
"Make yourself ready here with iron-armor";
the prince did not stay silent long.
"The lord will not get the ring-woman
against my will;
let Hrungnir's shelf be hewn first;
let heads and bodies be parted from men."
"If you, rich prince, refuse
to grant us the thorn-woman,
the men will seek otherwise —
if you will not give us the betrothal request."
The horn of war blew
and the warriors took Grímnir's garment;
then the prince got the quick anger,
barely stopped in his fury.
The army attacked throughout the land
to fight with Hrólf;
broad fires burned under the ships;
wound-rivers fell far and wide.
Men bore shields high
when the spear was thrown;
thanes cast heavy stones;
the trial grew at the spear-meeting.
One could count twelve against one
at Tyrfingr's mass;
no man could withstand this;
swords sang against the shield-ogress.
Then fell all the Irish army
at the fire of battle;
the byrnies were slashed before the wound-floor;
men guided Hrungnir's grinding-stone.
The battle-horse on the quick track burst;
thanes lay covered in blood;
the raven pushed at the wound-flood;
the dead lay scattered wide.
Ásmundr and Ólaf would run from nowhere;
the army praised their king;
the grip of spears was terrible.
In the end I hear that both men were taken;
they gave the wolf hasty feeding;
the men received little mercy.
Hrólf says that the rights of men
will be diminished here;
the lord was put in the deepest dungeon,
far down and stripped of garments.
Both men came down
onto the dead-cold floor;
they were driven to great necessity;
the wound-rouge was unwound with might.
Men rolled stones widely around the pit;
the burning got under those below;
Ásmundr will not fear death.
I spread the feast now
from Viðrir's blending;
there is a plan for that standing —
the brawl-ale in the land of memory.
Ríma VI
Dreginn is beginning to fail me
as Durnir once sent away from himself;
my tongue grows heavy in the tooth-cauldron
against the word-skerry.
Love-strife plays with me
in memory's slope of the lily-ring;
the sweet was seldom kind to me;
I sleep least at the night-hour.
I bid the sixth stream of Þýðrir
to tell Þundr's wine;
now the prince is in need —
there is something that must be told.
Ásmundr has cut the wolf's bite in Ireland;
they have plotted the lord's death —
it is resolved as the king's doom
that they have thus secured the ruler.
Now let us turn the verse thither
where the kingdom stood ruled by king and queen;
Sigurðr Fótr and the bridge of gold
held their loyalty in honor always.
The rich ruler and the ring-gift's gate
lay one night in their bed;
the sweet one fell into sleep's path —
waking from sorrow, suddenly alert.
Sigurðr asked the ring-plank:
"Tell me, rich queen —
the princess was in a dream like this,
deeply pale as a corpse."
The lord's bride answered, pure:
"Sorrow burns on the thinking-stone;
necessity forces, said the clean needle —
the prince must break the arrow.
Have you heard, said the speaking-Gná,
that Ásmundr wants to be freed?
Remember, prince, that man
might yet save your life.
The Irish have him now.
It is time to show honor and deed
and set up a wise plan.
Ásmundr stirred up conflict with the Irish;
his bride had no peace;
the wound of the battle-Dís bites him;
the wound unwinds with might."
The ruler spoke in anger, swiftly:
"Warriors, blow the horn loudly!
I'll never give the Irish peace;
this shall not be settled in small pieces."
The horn sounded and the army stirred
toward the shore;
I hear the king stole a fair wind;
strong men and sea-beasts.
The keels grated against the launching-ways;
ships rushed onto the sea swiftly;
the speaking-woman's gate was filled with sorrow;
the women wept day and night.
Warriors pushed out from every harbor
on every ship as swiftly as could be;
the sails were seen at the yard-arms —
black and red, white and blue.
The wind came quickly to the ships
and drove them hard across the sea;
it could play many tricks —
it began to cripple the sailors' composure.
I heard it tested them most fiercely;
most of the sails tore;
the sides grew heavy with the wave;
the men bailed the wave-horse.
Fótr urged on the brave people:
"You will not let nets fall on you."
I hear the lord's plans served well;
the warriors came to Ireland's land.
Warriors stepped onto the fair earth;
no one wanted peace-terms;
the hard struggle will grow here —
tails were not cut off.
Cities began to burn then,
every warrior moving as swiftly as he could;
nowhere could the sword-desire
be more terrible than here.
Hrólf asked about the play of battle;
his heart grew pale from the strife;
then it was most in deliberation
whether he should redden the wound-fire.
So Ásmundr had gone forward —
his condition in the pit had been told;
the lord pressed on with his force
and entered the conflict full.
Sigurðr urged on his warriors:
"Seek the fortress and the king quickly;
kindle fire and light it fast;
warriors shall now prove their worth."
The army drove at the battle hard;
men hurled stones when the palisades broke;
I hear the byrnies were slashed by swords;
the arrow-storm was grim and sharp.
It was then that the walls burned;
the lord won most from the assault;
the fortress wall loosed when the timber ran;
this lord found his path.
The rain of swords was fearful;
Sigurðr cast down every thane;
no one brought their Irish strength
against the prince's sword.
The warriors won mercy for Hrólf;
he came into death's wading —
the army was eager to smash things quickly
and split the prince's thinking-floor.
Sigurðr then had Hrólf
set down on the hall's floor;
the prince knew how to redden the block —
twelve warriors shall guard him.
Let us now turn the verse thither
where the fairest one sits in the bower;
Elena was her name — bridge of wealth,
who never broke in her faithfulness.
The speaking-Gná was filled with sorrow;
the princess spoke thus with her ladies:
"We shall go beside the pit
if men might recover their life."
The noble women rolled the stones
away from the pit as best they heard;
men found their way out of there,
and they were drawn up on ropes then.
I hear the warriors pulled
the women quickly up with exhausted strength;
Ásmundr looks at the treasure-kept —
yet the princess was not joyful.
Men heard the cry and clamor;
the army stirred through all the city;
there was fire playing up against the sky;
slaves and servants lost their lives.
"My father will lose his life quickly —"
the ring-kept princess said gently —
"little peace does Sigurðr offer;
men shall now be summoned."
"This is the thing," said the ring-Lin,
"if you want to win my love:
spare these prisoners of yours;
the ruler's fame will be all the greater."
The lord saw the ring-ground;
the princess began to grow pale with sorrow;
she then went to the prince's meeting;
Sigurðr welcomes the wealth-grove.
Fótr is glad when he sees the princess;
all the French company rejoices;
Hrólf sits in Hel's field,
knowing hard torment and death.
The prince says that Ásmundr
shall have a fief and a ring-woman:
"That one shall receive the doomed lord
whom you wish to pronounce judgment on.
Ásmundr once showed me the greatest trust
and the gift-woman too;
Hrólf's life and three lands
now play in your power."
Ásmundr chose the prince's life —
the one who cut the wound-knife beneath;
a prince was betrothed to a fitting woman;
there the arrow-storm shall be laid down.
Warriors held fair peace;
at last it was arranged between kings;
the bloodlines began to mingle;
the lord loved his wife greatly.
The feast stood with the worthy men;
the wise man went to take his woman;
Ásmundr gave the sea's fire
to the Irish and to the French.
The Hunish king held on his way;
the treasure-trough accompanied him;
Sigurðr Fótr received honor;
men have now resolved the struggle.
Two princes settled at their rich seats;
both knew how to redden the sharp spear;
no warriors were better than they
or more honorably served.
There will be found here five and one —
I have presented the twig of wisdom;
the bright and pure bride
gave me bitter sorrow in my heart's thought.
No one will trust me now,
though much is boasted before the bridge of rings;
the thorn of praise softens;
I cannot compose about the lady.
I do not care to honor her;
I am entirely gone from her;
here Þundr's pond shall fail —
every warrior, take what he may.
Colophon
Sigurðarrímur fóts (The Rímur of Sigurðr the Foot) — six rímur, 281 stanzas. Based on Sigurðar saga fóts, a Icelandic legendary saga preserved in several manuscripts. The rímur cycle survives primarily in the Wolfenbüttel rímur manuscript (W), with copies in AM 387 fol., AM 610d, AM 611a, and AM 615a; MS 615a is described in the Danish editorial notes as wholly corrupt and useless. The rímur follow the saga closely. The story: Ásmundr sails to Zealand to woo Signy, daughter of King Knútr of Denmark; Sigurðr Fótr of France also seeks her; King Knútr awards her to Sigurðr over Signy's protests; Ásmundr contests the marriage in a duel; badly wounds Sigurðr; then magnanimously surrenders Signy and heals his rival. Sigurðr marries Signy. A second arc: Sigurðr seeks Elena, daughter of King Hrólf of Ireland; Ásmundr leads the embassy and the campaign; he and Ólaf are captured and imprisoned; Sigurðr launches a rescue fleet; the Irish are defeated; Hrólf is captured; Elena pleads for her father; Ásmundr is freed; at Ásmundr's recommendation Hrólf is spared; Elena is given to Ásmundr; both princes return to their kingdoms.
Meter: Rímur I–III and VI in four-line ABAB stanzas. Ríma IV in eight-line stanzas throughout. Ríma V in three-line stanzas throughout. The mansöngr (love-lament prologue) opens each ríma. The closing stanza of Ríma VI confirms the count: "There will be found here five and one" (= six rímur). The poet names no tradition of composition in the close but speaks in the first person of a woman who "gave bitter sorrow" — the conventional unrequited love of the rímur mansöngr.
The source text in the Wolfenbüttel manuscript shows marks of an archaic orthography (uu for v, nd for nn, occasional missing vowels) and the printed text in Rímnasafn II carries extensive Danish editorial notes by Finnur Jónsson identifying variant readings between W and the AM copies. Kennings translated by meaning throughout; where passages were garbled in OCR, sense was inferred from context.
Good Works Translation, NTAC + Claude. Translated from the Old/Middle Icelandic text in Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. II, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen, 1905–22), pp. 288–324. Scribed by the 273rd tulku, Mar/2026. First known English translation.
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Source Text
Sigurðarrímur fóts — Rímnasafn II, pp. 288–324
Ríma I
Geisar mier hin grimma pra
i gridar huosum uinndi,
ma ec pui ecki mansong sla
mæta halds um lindi.
Skal ec pui semia frædinn forn
ok firraz allann uannda;
lifi nv allvel lauka nornn
ok læt ec þanninn standa.
Valskri þiod red vijsir sa,
vil ec hans heiti greina,
Sigurdr kunni brandinn bla
at bera i rogi fleina.
Fotr er bædi frægr ok sterkr,
fimr ok snar at hilldi;
reckum potti ræser merkr
at reyna brand i skilldi.
Vitr er kongr ok vænn at sia,
virda gladdi hann seimi;
varla matti i fyrnsku fa
frægra man i heimi.
Rida i burt ok rioda sverd
ok renna hamra sletta,
skotit ok svnnd ok skida ferd,
skiolldung kunni þetta.
Steini at varpa ok stiornu list
stillir fra ec pat kunna,
ongrar hefr hann menntar mist
vit mæta hringga runna.
Latum sitia i sannri mekt
siola þann hinn dyra,
Knutr a med kænnri spekt
kurteis velldi at styra.
Fyrir Sialondum sigling rædr
med sæmd ok allri prydi;
veitti iafnan geima glædr
ok gladdi sina lydi.
Viser hafdi feingit fliod
fagrt at sinum vilia,
dreingium potti diorf ok riod
sw Draupniss miallar þilia.
Millding ool uid motra hlijd
mæta dottr eina;
firi þa barv bragnar strid
biarta at rioda fleina.
Signy heiter siglings mær
sæmd af allri prydi,
brognum potti biort ok skær,
budlungs gladdi hun lydi.
Sidan fra eg at reistu rann
reckar hardla prudir;
bragnings mær skal byggia þann
ok biartar silki Prvdir.
Utbrot woro oll med stein
ok arma suellet huita;
gadi eingi a grimligt mein,
ef golegt rann ma lita.
Turnar næfa i himininn hatt
af hardla dyrum steinum,
limi festir ok lagdir smætt
liosum fila beinum.
Hurdin var med hagleik mest
hardla stor at lita,
sterklig oll ok i steini fest,
suo stal mega eingi bita.
Bustin sialf en byna laut
buin med virding fullri,
skurdi huergi a skemmu þraut
skærv renndir gulli.
Skatnar reistu skijdgard þann,
skapat uard ongum renna,
glerinu steyptu garpar hann,
grindr ok læsar spenna.
Po driugvm gangi um dali ok fioll
hinn dockua heimsins grima,
pa var blom i brvdar holl
ok biart a huerium tima.
Þar skal ec leggia um loka Na
Lodris uiin hit dyra.
Hunum rædr hilmir sæ,
er hrotta kann at styra.
Asmundr var orr ok blijdr,
yta reifdi hann gvlli,
po var gramr i geira hlijd
grimur at eggia sulli.
Vogst ok prydi uizsku ok afl,
uijsis litr hinn skæri,
suerda leikinn sunnd ok tafl
af seggium fra eg hann bæri.
Fylki prydir fremdin sw,
frvcktar allann bloma,
landit uijtt ok linna brv,
lyda fiold med soma.
Skiolldung a sier sko suein þann
er skatnar Olaf nefna,
dygdir mest firi daugling vann
ok darra þing at stefna.
Olaf uardi odlings lad,
aurr i eli spiota,
ueit hann oll med uisi rad
ok var þat mest til bota.
Olaf kuaddi Asmund nu
a einu hueriu sinni:
"hilmir attu eigi hringa bru,
pat hneckir prydi þinni."
Peingill fra ec pagdi um stund
backdr ægis lioma:
"huar ueiztu þa hringa grund
at hæfi vorum soma?"
"Spurt hefi eg upp þa spiallda eik,
at sparir hun eigi at skarta,
pat hefr brvgdit lyda leik
ef lita sprvndit biarta.
Knutr ol sier kuinnta mey,
kongr i Sialands riki,
veit ec eigi þa uella ey
at uerdi hennar liki.
Ytum gefr hun orma latr,
aorr af kolgo eimi,
ongrar uerdr hun eptir batr
audar Gefn i heimi.
Millding bw þu baru hiort
suo bresti siar uid hufa,
hirdum eigi po hlaupi suort
Hliess en kallda dufa."
Ræser heitir a recka pa:
"Rogniss taki þier fallda,
færit skeidr fliott sem ma
fram a æginn kallda."
Virdar letu landi fra
lægiss hesta striuka,
haulldum potti hronnen bla
hætt sem miollinn riuka.
Lægiss fakr at landi bar
lofdungs piod af geima;
Knutr styrdi koppum þar
en kongr er ecki heima.
Asmund talar uid audar lund,
aurr uid sina dreingi:
"Olaf gonngum fliods a fund
ok frestum ecki leingi."
Skein a ytum skyrtan sw,
er skryddizt Haugni fordum,
kappar fundu kuinta frv
ok kuoddu snilldar ordum.
Fliodit heilsar fyrdum dyrdt,
frettir ok skiott at nafni:
"huort hafa hauldar hingat styrt
hest edr skeidar stafni?"
"Asmund heitir hilmir rikr,
heyr þat sprvndit biarta,
aurr at kliufa Odins brikr,
ecki bilar hans hiarta.
Annann prydir Olafs nafn
eydi biartra rita,
sa kann hauggua hrafni tafn;
hier ma bada lita."
Vise þegar til veizslu bydr
uella ey med bloma:
"halfan manud hilmiss lydr
halldi þessum soma."
"Aunnur woro eyrindi min,
audar Gefn hin suinna,
skal eg þin bidia bauga Hlin,
er blom ert allra kuinna."
Pagna nadi peingils iod
ok potti aukazt uandi:
"minn er fadir ok mildings biod
mætr sigldr ur landi.
Somir ualla sialfri mier
at sia par ein firi radi;
ecki neitti eg Asmund pier,
ef audling sæti at ladi.
Pat mæ uerda i þessi ferd
at peingill uili mic gippta;
fleiri kunna fagra gerd
Fiolniss elldi at skipta."
"Hafi þig millding manni fest
ok mega ec til þess fretta,
þa skal setia hyriu hest
ok huergi unndan letta."
"Kueikizt ecki þegnum pra
af þungum minum uilia,
giori ec pui onguann urskurd a"
kuad Aurniss raddar þilia.
"Dugir pier ecki drattrin leingr
dyruzt silki Nanna";
Asmund framan at fliodi gengr
ok fastnar rikann suanna.
"Hirdi ec alidri hedan i fra
huer sem þic uill festa,
þeim skal ferlig fleina pra
fyrr i hlifum bresta.
At hausti ætla ec hingat ga,
huituzt audar brecka,
uirdar prise ueizlu þa
uil ec til brvdar drecka."
Sidan kuaddi kuinnta frv
kongrinn ollum soma:
"uifit sit i uegsemd nu
ok ueralldar ollum bloma."
Millding stock a streingia biorn
ok styrdi heim til landa.
Hier mun Uidriss uarra tiorn
uerda fyst at standa.
Ríma II
Mig hefr sterku stridi lægt
Stymiss sonr ok luna,
greint er nafn ok seggium sagt
seliu ofniss duna.
Hefi ek svo bundit biarta ey
brendra orma lada,
fair a Rogniss festar mey
fyrdar nafnit rada.
Þar sem huarf ec fyrri fra
Fotr sitr at riki,
dreinnggi gladdi daugling saa
dyru linna siki.
Millding hefr af meyiu Knutz
ment ok list at fretta,
pangat giordizt furdu fus
fleygir naudrv stetta.
"Stoda mun eigi, er stillir kuad,
stunndu leingr at fresta,
þegnar hlaupi þegar i stad
a þunga baru hesta.
Plagi pier ydr med prydi mest
pell ok silkit greina,
sidan reynit reipin flest
vid Ranar hiortinn væna."
Dualar nu eingi dreingia vid
at drifa burt fra hollu,
hermanligt er lofdungs lid,
langt bar gramr af öllum.
Dreingir stigu a dælu hauk,
dregit er segl uid huna,
fiollum hærra flædrin rauk
framan um stafninn buna.
Fyrdar helldu at fridri ey,
fra ec pat, sid at kuelldi,
seggir litu med seglum fley
sett med Rinar elldi.
Sigurdr fretti frida piod
huer flotanum ætti at styra,
"kongr gledr sia kolgu glod
kappa sina dyra.
Knutr heitir kænn med suerd..."
[continues: Knútr identified; the fleets meet; greetings exchanged; Sigurðr and his company come to Knútr's court; Knútr returns home to his feasting; the king goes to his daughter; he tells her she is given to Sigurðr; Signy protests her prior betrothal to Ásmundr; Knútr overrides her; he declares Sigurðr shall have Signy; Ásmundr's fleet arrives; Knútr rises to meet the conflict.]
Reidin suall med ræsi pa,
rikr taladi herra:
"Sigurd skal eiga seima Gna,
suo þiki pier uerra."
Ræsir stock ur ranni pa,
reckar kongi fylgia.
Hier mun Hars af horna sia
huerfa onnur bylgia.
Ríma III
Pridia sinne skal Pundar leir
þegnum uerda at greina,
þar sem fyrdar festu tueir
fagra brvdi eina.
Flygr nu sem fliotazt ma
frett at Huna landi,
pat mun magna milldings pra
ok morgum aukazt uandi.
[The Hunish king prepares an embassy; Ólaf is sent to offer Sigurðr brotherhood or battle; Sigurðr refuses both; the Hunish king's fleet launches; they land secretly; Sigurðr and his troop arrive at the feast; Signy is on the wedding bench.]
Wirdar satu i ueizlu nu,
uar þar gioruoll kæti,
a beck er sett en biarta frv
buin med naudru stræti.
Bragnar sigldu at budlungs haull,
bodsmenn sottu uijda,
porp ok stræti pustu oll,
þegnar ganga ok rida.
Renar mier um recka mætt
Rogniss bior hinn forni,
hier mun Durniss dryckian bratt
dreifd af odar horni.
Ríma IV (eight-line stanzas throughout)
Ma ec pui ecki Magna uin
mætri færa hringa Lin,
pui at mier rennr um ræktar þey
ramligt strid firi biarta mey.
Kueikir iafnan kalldan mod
kurteis brvdr i hyggu slod,
su er mier girnd a geira laut
at gengr hun alldri ur hiarta braut.
[The magnificent hall described; a stranger enters in a cape; Ásmundr's fleet arrives; he challenges Sigurðr; their great duel; Sigurðr gravely wounded; Ásmundr magnanimously surrenders Signy and cares for the wounded king; the formal wedding.]
Sialfr lysti Sigurdr nu
at sikling gaf honum mæta frv,
rausninn rann um hilmiss haull,
hirdinn lofadi Asmund aull.
Linadi allri lofdung pra,
liosa festi hann menia Na,
huarf i burt hit beiska strid
bragning þeim wr minniss hlid.
Blidu ueiti brvdrin hrein
brodda riod med elsku grein,
stunndar uise stiornu paull
strauma lads i minniss holl.
Weizla prydd ok ueralldar skraut
uar þar adr enn hellt a braut
Sigurdr fotr ok silki Lin.
Seggium huerfr Herians uin.
Ríma V (three-line stanzas throughout)
Hilldi uillda ec hranar bals at hreinu blanda
Odins flod ok einatt uannda
itri huitri lof til handa.
Holdum uoldum hilmir styrdi a Huna laadi,
flædar elldi fylkir sadi,
fremdin ogs af stilliss radi.
Asmundr gaf sem greint er adr gullhrings Prvdi,
Sigurdr feck þa fagra brudi,
Fotr iafnan ranndir hnudi.
[Sigurðr rules well; Ólaf reports on Hrólf of Ireland's beautiful daughter Elena; Sigurðr prepares the fleet; Ásmundr leads the campaign to Ireland; Hrólf refuses; battle; Ásmundr and Ólaf captured and thrown in the pit.]
Hrolfr seiir at hier mun minnkast haulda Rettr,
i dýblyzu uar daugling settr
diupa nidr ok klædum flettr.
Badir kuomu bragnar nidr a buka dauda,
styrt uar þeim til storra nauda,
stundi af magni unndinn rauda.
Grioti uellta garpar mest at grofinni uijda,
ytum nadi unndir suida,
Asmund uill eigi dauda kuijda.
Wirdum seie ec ueislu upp af Uidris blanndi,
þar mun rad at pannin standi
prætu bior i minniss landi.
Ríma VI
DREGGIN tekr at dofna mier
sw Durnir senndi fyr af sier,
trenar helldr i tanna huer
tungan min uit orda sker.
[Sigurðr's queen has a dream-warning; the rescue fleet launches; storm at sea; battle in Ireland; the city burns; Hrólf captured; Elena found in the bower; she pleads for her father; Ásmundr freed; Ásmundr spares Hrólf; Elena given to Ásmundr; feast and peace; both princes return to their lands.]
Finnazt mun hier fimm ok ein,
færda hefi ec uisna grein,
gaf mier brvdrin biort ok hrein
beiskann harm um hyggiu stein.
Mier uerdr eingi traust i trv,
po talat se framt uid hringa brv,
mærdar þornar milskan nu,
ma ec pui ecki yrkia um frv.
Hirdi ec eigi at heidra pa,
horfinn er ec med ollu fra;
hier mun priota Pundar la,
þegna gripi huer sem ma.
Source Colophon
Source text: Rímnasafn: Samling af de ældste islandske rimer, Vol. II, ed. Finnur Jónsson (Copenhagen: Samfund til udgivelse af gammel nordisk litteratur, 1905–22), pp. 288–324. Primary manuscript: Wolfenbüttel rímur manuscript (W), as copied in AM 387 fol. Variant manuscript AM 610d also consulted via the editor's apparatus. Text extracted from a digital scan of the printed edition.
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