Composed by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson, formerly Sheriff of Ísafjörður, and Árni Böðvarsson. A narrative verse cycle recounting the deeds of Úlfar the Strong and his brothers. First printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff in 1775. No English translation has previously existed. The Fifth Ríma follows the great war against Ammon's host — vengeance for the slain queen of Ríma IV — through battle, victory, and the opening of a new quest: the winning of Magthildr, daughter of King Algnar.

Fimmta Ríma — The Fifth Ríma

Mansöngr

[Stanzas 1–2 are inaccessible. The source pages (end of p. 47 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks on the page scan images. These stanzas open the mansöngr — the lyric prelude invoking poetic inspiration. Future translators with access to the 1775 or 1834 editions should fill this gap.]

3.
Often one gained but little at last,
though ambition pressed close;
Rome's strong thread of learning and beauty
can be tied together no longer.

4.
A company would drive me to the hills —
though truly I have no art for composing verse,
Úlfar's Saga makes up for that.

5.
Though I seek ever more for Kvasir's wound-drink —
that hope is slow-coming in truth —
such waiting wearies good men.

6.
Yet I think old Kvasir's wounds have been bled dry —
the Stone-folk hold what remains;
therefore I shall seek the Dwarves' seat.

7.
If the Dwarves' fire of the East reached me —
the brew they send forth —
then aid would be lent to my mansöngr's purpose,
and verse would likewise stir to life.

8.
My thoughts will therefore press on regardless,
the western force having passed from hand —
the poem shall be spun another way:
back again to the saga's thread.

The War Against Ammon

9.
There the wealth of battle frothed
at Odin's fen; the stewards held
keen errands, and their answers
paid honor to the King.

10. (truncated — continues onto inaccessible page)
The ruler of the land, mighty in verse,
so that the distant host might rest. To Stóla—

[Stanzas 11–18 are inaccessible. The source page (p. 49 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks. These stanzas continue the opening of the war narrative — the assembly of forces and the prelude to battle.]

19.
Next the horn was blown about the army,
one blast after another. Then the band
was drawn up; Odin's blade
was drawn from concealment.

20.
The dark war-fire raised there
a harsh storm; warriors clashed with shields.
So terrible a clash of weapons across the wide earth
had never before been made.

21.
On each side the army fell in heaps
together to the ground. In the spear-storm
the broken shaft bore flesh apart
and severed limb from limb.

22.
Yet more of the host fell throughout the land —
Úlfar saw it plain;
no ear turned anywhere aside,
the horseman in the battle's midst.

23.
What cold counsel of the world
could hold such a man? The warrior drove
his horse hard through the fray,
like Baldr rushing to his fate.

24.
Now he thrust, now he hewed,
alike with both hands;
the wound-scourge snatched its toll —
and many fell at the stroke.

25.
Bathed in flame-glow, his skull
covered in blood until dawn;
the fame-sound of the mighty man
echoed throughout the world's hall.

26.
Grímur the Proud swung the sharp blade here
hard with the full force of his strength;
harsh against the stone-bride,
the wound-dealer drove the warriors' reply.

27.
As sheep before wolves, the battle's answer
destroyed the King's men. The fallen
pitched loose from their footing —
life fled from the reddened field.

28.
The battle-line and both its horns
were forced to fall back;
meanwhile the sons of iron
felt the bite of ancient blades.

29.
The heathen, gaunt upon death's threshold —
Harald sent many to the grave.
Both arms hot upon the beam,
warm blood covered the deck.

30.
The warrior let the sharp spear fly
high in the crashing charges.
A man of great power —
many they took, and fewer they gained.

31.
Herbrand struck — Helda fell,
he who was Ammon's brother.
With great force the deed swelled;
the warrior's steed wheeled about the field.

32.
The Duke rode against the charging line —
the serpent's barrel of war —
his challenge matched against the mast.
He cut the blood-flood asunder there.

33.
Harald wheeled the keen steel,
nowhere slow to fight;
then he brought it to the helm —
the warrior wielded the bright metal.

34.
The sword dealt a blow to the brow
and all the company with its banner;
life ended there with force,
the hewer's blade led the way.

35.
When Fenícánus saw his kinsmen fall,
the steel-bush rode about the field;
in the shallow stream
hatred swelled.

36.
He charged at the sea-grove's companion
and struck with force;
the hand went beneath the helm —
the wound-torrent bound the blood-sea.

37.
Harald's peace was shattered —
the warrior wielded the storm-blade;
no less fiercely he cleft the skull
and tore the coif down to the shoulders.

38.
Two of Ammon's men has Harald
robbed of life;
the hewer gives the heathens thus
their death-tower — he slew many.

39.
Let us speak of the banner's champion,
who spoiled Högni's garments;
of Úlfar the Strong, of valor in the hall,
of mighty deeds — let us tell the tale.

40.
Ceaselessly the battle-Ullr clashed
against the full army and its standards;
many he checked and punished —
the skull-reaper swallowed wound-tears.

41.
He hewed apart horse and man
along the entire length;
scarcely in the swim of swords
had men seen such a wonder.

42.
Dread seized upon those men,
the warriors all;
the formation trembled before the arrow-storm —
Ammon's army was crushed.

43.
Valentínus, when he saw this,
drew his sword from its sheath,
drove his horse with lordly skill,
and struck upon the field.

44.
Ill was the earth's turning for the meeting —
Úlfar the Strong had the power;
Fortune's will and Death's tryst,
valor and doom — their encounter.

45.
The mighty man, right there on the spot,
thrust with the blood-wet sword;
the shield-bearer fought it hard —
little ground was left to hold.

46.
Again Úlfar hewed more fiercely —
the edge split the head;
the trunk sank to the battle's sea —
the spear-lord died from his wounds.

47.
A troop saw the weapon-hero —
Birgitíus on the field —
when from afar he saw his brother's death,
he rode forth to the sword's necessity.

48.
The lord resolved to avenge his grief,
charging straight at Úlfar the Strong;
he wished for peace no less than war —
but first to avenge his kinsmen's fall.

49.
The warrior swung the blade downward,
the wound-lord dealing red;
the healer's earth was swept loose —
the edge struck and tempered all.

50.
The keeper of Gefn's tears won
the valued prize;
swiftly the wave of wounds rose —
against the wounded men he pressed.

51. (truncated — continues onto inaccessible page)
Spear-branches stood about the ground;
he risked his very life —

[Stanzas 52–73 are inaccessible. The source pages (pp. 54–56 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks. These stanzas contain the climax and turning point of the battle — the decisive rout of Ammon's forces and the deaths of remaining enemy champions. The narrative resumes at stanza 74 with the battle's aftermath.]

The Rout and Aftermath

74.
In Gramr's storm, Gylfi's bearer —
the worthy companion rode forth;
the sword carved through brow and breast —
the armor was split asunder.

75.
Dead, the prince fell from life
there upon the field;
the belly gaped, life was stunned —
they fell to Odin's dwelling.

76.
Before, at the meeting of blades,
he desired greatly to conquer;
now he lies breathless, driven forth —
that King of the Eastern lands.

77.
I believe each man's fortune
from the world's high throne is set;
they held a funeral feast from his estate —
the stronghold's legacy of the land.

78.
Grief and counsel fell from afar
to those who had much to settle —
honored Asia and Africa —
after both those Kings fell.

79.
Let the two lands long mourn
their Kings. But this shall be told:
the heathen men still intended
to attempt flight once more.

80.
Remund's warrior-spirit
swiftly summoned his host to defense;
forward and back he fought like a lion —
the leaf-rafter held the land.

81.
In a short while he felled
warrior after warrior, ever-growing;
men were split apart at the middle —
from many a wound the blood poured.

82.
Grímur sees where the stone-lord
breaks shields in waves;
Randver with angry spear
goes to Remund — and they meet.

83.
The carving-blade's meeting from below
cut through the serpent's mountain;
Odin's tinder bared the trunk —
it bit asunder clean across.

84.
Remund fell in two halves —
the Hanging God's fire upon him;
battle with shields and blades
raged across this world.

85.
One notable champion, servant of the King
from the slopes, stood forth;
Hroar fought fiercely —
darkening spirits everywhere.

86.
The whole host turned to flight,
like a flock after the shepherd falls;
doom's strength waited to seize them —
the feet of fear raced far.

87.
They unwound toward the sea and out to the ships —
the whole heathen fleet resting.
Sail was raised and the course was set;
the wound-ground was left behind.

Victory and the Feast

88.
Odin's hunter yields no more to men —
they grieve no more toward the south;
they sailed their ships as fortune allowed,
setting their course out to sea.

89.
The victors went to the heathen tents
that the others had left behind,
where the great treasures
were uncounted still.

90.
Generous abundance at the hillside —
it healed many a wound;
others gathered up the wealth —
some divided the war-spoils.

91.
Swiftly they gladdened all the land's folk
with glowing streams of gold;
wounds they healed on soft beds —
the dead were honored in glory.

92.
After the hard-fought battle,
they rode far from the field;
the King's death they also honored —
men drank the red funeral ale.

93.
Up rose the fair drinking,
dancing and merriment;
the loyal ones praised Harald's might —
his bright fame endured.

The Quest for Magthildr

94.
The brothers asked across the land
whether promise held or not,
for his mind was set on the matter —
the ravens' father gave his answer.

95.
Over the warrior-court there was one
whose name was King Algnar;
Strength stirred the shield for him —
he had one daughter far away.

96.
Magthildr was her name — a treasure,
fairer than any other;
the King enchanted by her golden glow,
filled with longing, gathered his folk.

97.
He had a brother, a prince from afar —
Önundur the Fair was his name;
no man of the earth's expanse
bore a more famous blade.

98.
He had long held against the fire,
guarding his kingdom in stillness,
and won the warrior's warmth —
none like him had been met before.

99.
Before this blazing brand
stood a thane who wished for battle;
on wave and land, a man of deeds —
he proved unconquerable.

100.
The prince had a secret son —
Jámund was his name;
one could hardly think better —
a weapon-lord more famous than he.

101.
No blow could find the champion —
he leapt lightly into the air
as if lightning itself sprang forth.

102.
"I asked before of King Algnar
to grant me his daughter;
but he scorned my message
and scarcely gave reply."

103.
"There he broke off the meeting —
I dared not make war then;
we raised sail upon the yard
and held away from the wound-ground."

104.
"I have not forgotten the gold-fold maiden
since last upon the ridge;
that one who turns the wheel of my mind —
the hidden mood of my heart about her dwelling."

105.
Úlfar spoke and declared:
"We shall seek out Algnar —
swiftly, gladly, to the meeting-ground;
the noble woman shall come to her place."

106.
"Foolish counsel!" the other replied —
"I hold it the gravest folly
to claim her through force;
in battle-charge to reach such a prize."

107.
"Önundur's hands fell your host
in the blink of an eye;
he is known for his terrible deeds —
no one can stand against him."

108.
The King's son spoke: "I call you,
Champion Önundur the Mighty;
wherever he tempers his warrior's blade —
nowhere does the champion frighten me."

109.
"Not so doomed are we all
in facing lawless weapons;
though he has no love from afar —
it is not so dire as your mind tells you."

110.
Within a short time,
Úlfar gathered his men;
a host for the meeting of blades —
four thousand warriors they had.

Departure

111.
The men readied ship and gear,
swiftly prepared for the voyage;
the loyal ones wished to sail into the blade-storm —
but Harald was to guard the land.

112.
The warriors went with swords drawn
forth to their ships;
the wind welcomed the unfurling cloth —
they awaited what fate would bring.

113.
The full foam of white fate
changes its ways in the thread of the verse;
the glow of peace has fallen —
the clamor of the host falls silent.

Colophon

Translated from Old Icelandic by Tulku Hrafn of the New Tianmu Anglican Church, April 2026. This is the first known English translation of the Fifth Ríma of the Rímur af Úlfari Sterka.

Source text: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka, composed by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson (formerly Sheriff of Ísafjörður) and Árni Böðvarsson. First printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff, 1775. Translated from 1775 first edition page scans (pp. 48–62 of the Hrappsey edition).

This translation is a Good Works Translation (GWT) — independently derived from the Old Icelandic source text. The 1775 Fraktur pages were read, transcribed, and translated directly. No prior English translation exists for reference. The kenning-dense mansöngr stanzas (3–8) involve interpretive uncertainty in some readings; the narrative stanzas are more straightforward.

Gaps: Stanzas 1–2 (p. 47, EDEADLK), 11–18 (p. 49, EDEADLK), 52–73 (pp. 54–56, EDEADLK). These pages could not be read due to file system locks. 80 of 113 stanzas (71%) are translated. Stanzas 10 and 51 are truncated where text continues onto inaccessible pages.

Translation notes: The rímur kenning tradition is extremely dense in this cycle. "Gefn's tears" = gold (Gefn is Freyja, whose tears are gold). "Stone-folk" = dwarves. "Kvasir's wound-drink" = the mead of poetry. "Battle-Ullr" = warrior. "Wound-scourge" and "skull-reaper" = sword. "Sword's necessity" = the urgency of battle. All Odin-names (Þundr, Viðrir, Hár, Herjann, Gramr, Yggr) are translated as "Odin" or contextual equivalents in the English.

Scribal credit: Formatted by Tulku Hrafn, sub-miko of Tianmu. Rímur translation lineage: Hrafn III (Ríma I), Hrafn IV (Ríma II), Skáld (Ríma III), Ljóð (Ríma IV), Hrafn (Ríma V).

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Source Text: Fimmta Ríma af Úlfari Sterka

Old Icelandic source text from the 1775 Hrappsey first edition, transcribed from Fraktur page scans. Presented for reference and verification. Uncertain readings are marked with [?]. Stanzas from EDEADLK pages (1–2, 11–18, 52–73) are omitted.

Page-to-Stanza Map

Mansöngr Transcription (Stanzas 3–8)

3. Ofta feingut eindst litt, uppgangsamur narfta [?], Róms þvi streingur fradíð fridt fær ei leingur saman knytr.

4. Mig vill jaga sveit i fell; sannliga þó eg hafi eckert lag ad yrkia vers. Úlfars Saga gelldur þess.

5. Þó eg leiti optar enn eptir Qvásis Benium. Von sú heitir seinlig senn. Soddann þreytir góda menn.

6. Enn eg meina út sie blædt undum Qvásis gamla. Þad hefur Steina þjódinn rædr; þvi skal reyna Dverga sett.

7. Ef mier nadi Austra Elid, ærtir Dverga senda; Mannsaungs Rádsum leggdist lid, líka Kvedum brygdi vid.

8. Vellta minna vill þvi þrátt, Vestra líds af hendi. Od skal spinna á annan hátt, aptur sinna Sögunnar þátt.

Note: Full diplomatic transcription of the remaining ~72 narrative stanzas is pending. The 1775 Fraktur is legible but kenning-dense, and several readings remain uncertain. The page scans are preserved in Tulku/Tools/rimur/ulfar_p54–p68.jpg for verification.

Source Colophon

Source: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka, by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson and Árni Böðvarsson. Hrappsey: E.G. Hoff, 1775. First edition. Page scans from the archive's collection, staged in Tulku/Tools/rimur/. The 1775 edition is public domain. Scan offset: file number minus 6 ≈ book page number.

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