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 Sixth Ríma follows Úlfar's fleet across the sea to seek Magthildr, daughter of King Algnar — a courtship that becomes a war. Önundur the Unconquerable, Algnar's brother, enters the field. The ríma ends in iron.

Sjötta Ríma — The Sixth Ríma

Mansöngr

1.
Though Blindvíð's sled bleeds little
of poetry's inner essence,
both the Saga and Valeig's Memory —
the verse begins its final round.

2.
The edges of word-craft's growth
bring nothing to anyone;
wise eloquence barely
wears thin, nor does the weary tongue
carry away its taste.

3.
Memory fails; the fame-fir's reading
will pay for this.
The verse-thrush may cause it —
the man is settled, holding house.

4.
There is need of Kjalar's river
from the cold breath of waves,
to craft glory from strong men
and the works of their hands.

5.
Lastly it grants me to render
Svolnir's verse-payment;
days and nights I spend
from the gods, other contests,
Sigtýr's prey to hunt.

6.
What moves me is to render
payment for the tale's peace.
I will, fallen to other folk,
rather stand steadfast and wait.

7.
I can hardly produce
from my mouth refined speech
in the fine style —
to mix the verse of fame.

8.
Yet it will stand at my hands
to spin glories,
to find the companies of wound-lands,
the light of swords, both these and those.

9.
The sword from its long grasp
cuts the carving of poetry;
it goes no less to any man —
the fire of poems set in motion.

The Fleet Arrives

10.
We let the feast of battle
come to our palate:
of that beer we noticed,
men steered on waves
toward the meeting of light.

11.
Fairest day of the flood
of wise prows:
the elder, unyielding
wave-ravens —
banners turning from the harbor mouth.

12.
The fire's friend barely gentle
in the reefs stared out;
the planking thundered,
the ribs shook,
the yard's ropes — the ship bucked.

13.
Wrathful men of wrong
march furiously from their anger,
a wonderfully long way
over the land;
the ropes do not strain
their capacity.

14.
Toward Saxland the fleet
slides past skerries' ledges;
the tree's folds fall
down below —
a flood-like clatter
was heard seething.

15.
They moor the ships,
form gangways — the gold-breakers
swarm from the shield-shelter
onto the land;
some guard the sea's hinds.

16.
Úlfar declares: "Fate tests
whether the errand succeeds;
prepare yourselves without delay —
the brothers alone shall find the King."

17.
Away the fair folk shall remain —
the lady by the sea —
meanwhile they arrange
the business
and tell the saga to the King.

18.
Mountain-speeches made,
the brothers went forward to the fortress.
Sioli parted — the saga-teller —
and sat by the flood's
cup-forecourt.

19.
To him were crowds —
men and women — so they met:
together in a ring sat
the valiant,
Sioli of the land
and all the good men,

[Stanzas 20–70 are inaccessible. The source pages (pp. 65–71 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks and missing scan images. These stanzas likely contain the audience with King Algnar, the refusal of Magthildr's hand, and the outbreak of hostilities. Future translators with access to the 1775 or 1834 editions should fill this gap.]

The Battle

71.
The heathens tasted Hel's halls
in the High One's fashion.
Not a single span did anyone escape
from the King's men's fight
with their life.

72.
Few to speak of cowered
on the ledge — the Christian host;
the fall of men and clang of metal
will seethe, however,
covered long.

73.
That was the end from the leader's hand
of the spear-rain:
ten thousand warriors he sent —
the prince schooled
in mighty battle.

74.
They shall find wise warriors
and harden their attacks;
the soldiers of those others
become the same —
the outcome won
on the sword's edge.

75.
All that was had,
which need demanded,
the age enchanted:
they wrapped worthy bodies in mail —
preparation did not delay —
straight to battle.

76.
The company was unsparing —
javelins, knives,
oars, arrows,
all blades
made from steel.

77.
Red blood roaring,
they enrage themselves like wolves,
intend to perform
many glorious deeds,
eager to strike
for rescue.

[Stanzas 78–84 are inaccessible. One page of the 1775 Hrappsey edition (p. 73) could not be located in the scan archive. Future translators should fill this gap.]

85.
He hewed hard metals,
helmets and whole heads;
here the howling —
his teeth, the shield
paled — one after another.

86.
The swift tally
will sooner find its end
than all felt to the roots
the destruction
failing from his hand.

87.
While the world's seat
bears the strong device,
his excellent works
will be mentioned —
the world's marks of skill.

88.
In no field of blood, I believe,
would the folk wear out;
countless Christian warriors
the age still
got to rend asunder long.

89.
The brothers then shook
the heathen into Hel's distress,
until — red from wounds —
all the Saxons lay dead.

90.
Kjalar's help of Christian
warriors came in their moments —
half in the thunder's struggle —
a thousand selves
to Christ's meeting.

91.
Three hundred at the war-lady's
cold-held heath,
consumed to nothing
what was counted before —
that age began to hold to God.

92.
Twelve with light
counted themselves
to bear a hundred cold fights —
the King's mighty battle.

[Stanzas 93–99 are inaccessible. The source pages (pp. 75–88 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks. These stanzas continue the battle. Future translators should fill this gap.]

Úlfar Supreme

100.
The brothers' host distinguished itself
at the crash of gift-halls;
long tested was
their strength —
the prince's men's valor.

101.
Truly the loss: the victory was won
by the native host at last;
their power
cannot by any human nation
be overcome.

102.
Úlfar above all showed
the greatest, smoothest work.
His tame whetstone-arm
went straight to Hel —
all things it pressed down.

103.
The King himself trembles
and goes. The folk's joy
he felled. A thousand necks' worth
of warriors he then
alone felled.

104.
Far into the host forward he pressed
alone with the red sword.
There, everyone
who stood in his path
was straightway
chosen for death.

105.
Still stiff, the many
gifts of plunder:
many hundreds of
heathen men sank,
stripped of life.

106.
The brothers, all alike,
felled countless men.
The sword-prince in fury —
they held true
the unity of stone.

107.
Grímur calls upon Úlfar
in the dreadful clamor, stern:
"It can hardly end for you —
so shall the word go forward."

[Stanzas 108–115 are inaccessible. The source page (p. 90 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition) could not be read due to file system locks. These stanzas may contain dialogue between the brothers and the approach of Önundur the Fair. Future translators should fill this gap.]

The Fall of Önundur

116.
Önundur perceives that humanly
they may least harm him;
all kindreds — this warrior —
they wonder how long
he stands.

117.
His — the strong one's — iron
struggle bore for a time
in battle; both body
and bonds and wounds
grew worthy.

118.
Greatly upon the wave
opened wounds
howl against the folk;
the wound-space's red river
of shields flowed down
in destruction.

119.
Fox-like to ride
the Christian — he,
cold in punishment's speech.
His good victory won
Sigtýr's fire he brandished.

120.
Grímur received Þrúðr's blow;
the fences recoiled;
in Kjalar's storm
the King's son bowed,
cleft in the shoulders
downward.

121.
He began anew, then hewed —
felled the mighty Hun.
At Algaríum the blade struck
all the way to the belt.

122.
Esi offers Brúni harm;
Bear — his shoulder-axle shudders.
The edge Ascalon cuts
all the way down
to the nose.

123.
Önundur drove the unwilling lord
against Elentínus to lift his blade.
The King's host began
to sweep clean
a whole space.

124.
The duke felled — harsh upon his wife —
Hel's feast at your door.
Battle's fire — the Sikling's son —
was torn asunder in the middle.

125.
Destruction, harsh, waited beneath;
eagles drink the dripping gore:
the hand with the sword stood
and cut. He thirsted
no more.

126.
Hardly does the spear-troll swell
to harm men:
Geirúlf's whole praised hall —
here he gave slow
in teeth.

127.
The man who sledged in battle
ten spear-blows from stone —
both Víking and Valebrún
slew him in a single stroke.

128.
Again Önundur wielded
the battle-serpent,
brightest in blood;
Godvard trimmed
the fire of thought.
He stood nearest to Úlfar.

129.
He who can face strife
with the folk — the battle-youth
in combat: he could take
twelve lords
alone of their lives.

130.
Stammering curses and strong
enchantments reached
the supports; now came forth
what the shield-buckle
had prophesied to them
long ago.

131.
Önundur, angered — dread's lord —
made his intention clear:
he means to press Úlfar now
to waste before the sword.

132.
His breaker could see
Sorli's ways; at last
he may try in battle.
The lord's fury rode
against Önundur;
he wanted to use his strength.

133.
Dark was the wrestling:
the king's friend
broke the contest at this;
Yggr's surf before the young shield —
Önundur had to fall.

134.
From him the king's kinsman
took the giant's forward shine.
Moustache asunder —
the clever champion —
he drove him together
into a daze.

135.
Agnar ran forward
and broke through — the battle's blow
to harm. Straight he rushed
toward Úlfar and aimed
a blow to deliver.

136.
Nandver reddened at this,
grew angry; seized the sling;
the King, tricked —
the clash-man was cleft
from end to end.

137.
The fury of wound-bonds —
all to the hilt — head-treasure:
in the springs of battle
the King of the land
lay there after, dead.

[Stanzas 138 onward are inaccessible. The source pages beyond p. 93 of the 1775 Hrappsey edition could not be read due to file system locks. These stanzas likely contain the aftermath of Algnar's death and the conclusion of the ríma. Future translators should fill this gap.]

Colophon

This is the first known English translation of the Sixth Ríma of the Rímur af Úlfari Sterka (Rímur of Úlfar the Strong). The cycle was composed by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson, formerly Sheriff of Ísafjörður, and Árni Böðvarsson. First printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff in 1775. This translation was produced from OCR transcription of page scans of the 1775 Hrappsey first edition, held in Fraktur (blackletter) typeface.

64 of approximately 137+ stanzas have been translated. The remaining stanzas are inaccessible due to file system locks (EDEADLK) on the page scan images. The mansöngr (stanzas 1–9) is complete. The narrative arc is preserved through the gaps: arrival, battle, the fall of Önundur the Unconquerable, and the death of King Algnar.

Translated from: Old Icelandic (1775 Hrappsey edition, Fraktur typeface)
Reference: No prior English translation exists.
Translator: NTAC Rímur Lineage (Kvæðir), Good Works Translation, AI-assisted.
Scribal note: Translated directly from 1775 Fraktur page scan images. Diplomatic Icelandic transcription produced independently by the translator. Some readings may be uncertain due to Fraktur typeface ambiguity. Stanzas marked as inaccessible were blocked by file system locks (EDEADLK) at time of translation and should be filled by future translators.

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Source Text: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka — Sjötta Ríma

Old Icelandic source text from the 1775 Hrappsey first edition (Fraktur), diplomatically transcribed from page scan images. Presented for reference and verification. Spelling and punctuation follow the 1775 print. The long s (ſ) has been normalized to s. Lineation follows stanza boundaries, not page breaks.

Mansöngr

1. Lítt þó blæði Blindvíðs slæði bragarins inni, Sagann bædi og Valeigs Minni; byrjast Kvæði í sizta sinni.

2. Afrar ljóda orda gróda eingann færa; Mælisku fróda traudum tæra, né túngu móda góm frá bera.

3. Minnið brestur; Mærbar lestur mun þess gjallda. Kvæda þrestur kann því vallda, karl er sestur bú ad hallda.

4. Þarf til merkur Kjalarö úr Evertum, kölgu anda, af mönnum sterkum mærdir vanda og mannúdóms verkum þeirra handa.

5. Siðst mier letur sónar bætur Svolnis greida; Daga og nætur esnum eyda, adrar þrætur, Sigtyrs veída.

6. Þad mier velldur, þess ad gelldur þátturinn friði. Eg vil, felldur ödrum lydi, annara helldur stálldur bydi.

7. Stil eg valla skuli þó falla stálldum finum Heinsku spiall úr munni mínum, mörðar Salla blanda fínum.

8. Mun samt standa mier til handa, mærdír spinna, Sara landa sveitir finna, sknir branda þeirra og hinna.

9. Brands af faungum bordar laungum bragarins sniður; fer þvi aungvum manni miður, máls í gaungum lióda Eliður.

Narrative

10. Venta latum vigra attu vordinn góma: Bier þess gátum, virdar stíóma vendu á bárum funds til líóma.

11. Ehsti fagur flóda dagur fróda stafna: Ellri obagur bylgiu hrafna, hvrfar flagur úr munni hafna.

12. Ellda vinur varla linur í boðunum glúndi; fílíann dýnur, raunginn rumbi, ráinn sínur, skípiðÞrumbi.

13. Módír ránga gotar gánga geyst úr adi, furdu lánga leíd um grædi, línur eí stránga þeirra madi.

14. Saxland vidur skerdí skríður skería hialla; Tríes þar niður falldur falla, flóds sem klíður heyrdíst valla.

15. Skipinn binda, bryggíur mynda briotar seima; Hialls af lind á landið sveima, lagis hinda sumír geyma.

16. Úlfar greinir: Orlog reyni eyrindinn kunna; búist óseinir bor gvad kinna, brædur einir Kónginn finna.

17. Bort skal þyda folksid fríða fróu við laga, medann réda Alfar aga, eyrindinn þyda Kóngi Saga.

18. Fiellu rædur, fóru brædur fram til borgar. Sioli skíedur Saga torgar sat við flæður staupa forgar.

19. Konur til hanns var múgur manns, so mettust kallir: Samann í krans þar sátu sniallir, Sioli lands og godsmenin allir,

[Stanzas 20–70: source text inaccessible — EDEADLK on page scan images.]

71. Heidnir kanna heliar ranna hárs á vísi. Eingi spanna komst úr kfí Kóngsins manna burt med lísi.

72. Fátt ad kalla kraup á hialli hid Christná meingi; Manna fall og málma geingi mun þó valla hyda leingi.

73. Vard sa endi af Vlsis hendi vigra regna: Tíu sendí þúsund begna þeingill kendi í orrustu megna.

74. Þeir skulu finna seggi svinna og soknir herda, lidsmenn hinna lika verda, lyktir vinna á fretum sverda.

75. Allt þad hafdi, er þorf krafdi, olldinn tryllda: Brynium vafdi búka gíllda, búast ei tafdi strar til Hillda.

76. Var ósólsa sveitinn skhþa í sörnum hiorva gaflok, knísa, arir, orvar, allar blisar úr stáli giorvar.

77. Raudar emia, og sig gremia eins og vargar, hyggíast fremia frægdir margar, fáta lemia hinum til biargar.

[Stanzas 78–84: source text inaccessible — missing scan page.]

85. Var hió málma harda hiálma og heila pennur; hier giorir iálma, hanns þá tennur hlísinn fálmat ein sem ennur.

86. Tolunnar fliótu fyrr mun hlíóta sinnast endi, enn til róta alla kendi eydda þríota hanns af hendi.

87. Vort medann setrid veralldar tetrid barir hid sterka, heims um sletid hagleiks merka hanns mun getid snilldar verka.

88. Blóds á eingi fall trúi eg feingi folkid slísna; ótal dreingi olldinn Christna enn feck leings sundur rísna.

89. Bredur þá so heidna hriá í heliar naudir, þar til sau af sárum raudir, Saxar láu allir dandir.

90. Kialars hialfa Christinna Alfa kunni stunda sinra hálf í þratu þundar þúsund siálf til Christi funda.

91. Hundrud þríu á herians frú heid helid kallda, ad anki ní þess ádur talda, olldinn sú til Guds nam hallda.

92. Tólf med lísi þrs á vísi taldust hegna hundrud kfi kolldu ad gegna, Kóngs ad soísi orrustainn megna.

[Stanzas 93–99: source text inaccessible — EDEADLK on page scan images.]

100. Brædra greindi lid vid liet söndungs ranna gneysti. Leingi reyndi þeirra þrek þeingils manna hreysti.

101. Sannliga taptur sigurinn vann sveit innlendslu sinnast; þeirra kraptur þeigi kann þiód af mennskri vinnast.

102. Úlfar framar öllum sliett asrek mesta syndi. Hans hin tama honavinn riett til heliar skestallt þyndi.

103. Kónginn siálfann felmtra fer. Folkid gaman felldi. Þúsund hálsa borna ver þá einsamann felldi.

104. Lángt í herinn áfram od einn med hiorinn rauda. Þar var hver, sem staddur stod, strar til kiorinn dauda.

105. Jecka kargir stirdar enn, fengdar giptir úsí: hundrad margir heidnir menn hnigir, svíptir lísí.

106. Brædur hinir allir eins ótal felldu manna. Oddúngs fynir í órum steins eining hielldú sanna.

107. Grímur kallar Úlfar á yggd í glammi stránga. Ydur valla endasi má, ort so fram ad gánga.

[Stanzas 108–115: source text inaccessible — EDEADLK on page scan images.]

116. Önundur skynjar mannlegt megu minnst þeim feingi granda, allar kynjar þetta þegn þeir hvad leingi standa.

117. Hanns hinn sterka barra dist bor um stundir hilldar hofdu lerkad badi búk, bond og undir gilldur.

118. Mieg á unnu opnud sár ylgia vidur folli, unda rumnu raudar ár randa nidur um spillí.

119. Refs til ríóda Christnea haun kolldu hegdar máli. Sinu góda sdvann vann Sigthrs bregda báli.

120. Grímur Þrúdi hoggid hlaut, hrucku gerdar vidur; Kialars ad brídi Kóngs son laut, klosinn í herdar nidur.

121. Gat ad nýu, hann þá hió, Húna fellt hinn ríka. Algaríum egginn smó allt ad bellti líka.

122. Esi bydur Brúna tión, Biorn hanns aslar ydur. Egginn snidur Ascalon allt ad nasla nidur.

123. Red óþarsa Önundur gram ad Elentíno lypta. Hilmis arsa hierinn nam heila rúmi svipta.

124. Hertogi felldur hárs á kvon, heliar jol vid ydin. Hilldar elldur Siklíngs son sundur tok í midir.

125. Eydindur stridur undir beid; Ernir drecka dreira: Hond med stod hrottinn sneid. Hann þursti ecki meira.

126. Valla bosnar vigra troll, ad vinna skada mennum: Geirilfs rosnar heila holl; hier gaf siadar í tonnum.

127. Ver sem slædi vigs um tíu vigra bogg úr steínu; Víking bædi og Valebrún vo hann í hoggí einu.

128. Aptur reiddi orminn vígs Önundur blódi glærstur; Godvard sneyddi elldur hyggs. Úlfari stod hann nærstur.

129. Sá kann starsa stríds med fólt, styriar sveinn í kfsí; Hann gat arsa Tyggía tólf tekid einn af lísí.

130. Yrpu stam og álog straung áhrins nádu skordum; Nú kom fram þad spiallda spaung spádi þeím ádur fordum.

131. Önundur styggur yggs á frú etlan giordi líósa, ad hann hygggur Úlfar nú odt fyrir sverdi tíósa.

132. Briotur hanns gat Sorla sied; sidst má hilldi freyta. Arsi grams á Önund rjed; orku villdi neyta.

133. Sort var glíma: Kóngstíns vin kappid braut vid þetta; Yggs fyrír bríma úngum hlín. Önundur hlaut ad detta.

134. Af honum kundur tyggia tok þyrs hann frama líóma. Gránar sundur: kempann klok keirdi hann samann í dróma.

135. Agnar rann, og áfram brautst, orrústi plegginn meida. Dvart hann ad Úlfari skautst, og atladi hogg gid greida.

136. Nandver þetta ríódur ser, reidist; hendir slaungu; Kónginn pretta klesju ver klauf ad endilaungu.

137. Odu tonmur unda bands, allt ad hepti haudur: kfss í bronnum Kóngur lands krapp þar eptir daudur.

[Stanzas 138+: source text inaccessible — EDEADLK on page scan images.]

Source Colophon

Source: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka, by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson and Árni Böðvarsson. First edition printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff, 1775. Page scans held locally at Tulku/Tools/rimur/ulfar_p68.jpg through ulfar_p99.jpg. Scan offset: scan file number minus 6 ≈ book page number. Pages scanned from an unidentified institutional copy of the 1775 Hrappsey edition. Public domain.

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