The Third Ríma of a narrative verse cycle composed by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson, formerly Sheriff of Ísafjörður, and Árni Böðvarsson. The brothers return to Africa without Úlfar, whom all believe drowned. The old queen dies of grief. The king remarries — and the new queen's passion for the warrior Grímur the Strong sets the stage for a seduction and rejection that echoes the ancient Potiphar's wife motif. First printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff in 1775. No English translation has previously existed.
Þriðja Ríma — The Third Ríma
Mansöngr
[Stanzas 1–10 are inaccessible. The source pages could not be read due to file system locks on the page scan images. These stanzas contain the mansöngr — the lyric prelude invoking the gods of poetry — and the transition to narrative. Future translators with access to the 1775 or 1834 editions should fill this gap.]
The Brothers Return
11.
Kári and Ægir were spent from labor —
all the brothers shared this trial;
they reached harbor at the Huns' strand,
and shortly afterward went ashore.
12.
They raided widely across that land —
such was the way of that warlike age.
All summer they gathered great force,
and were able to win three strongholds.
13.
With treasures and clutching spoils
the warriors loaded all the ships;
then they departed from the land —
all the company, when summer came.
14.
Kári bade them sail on further,
as his heart desired;
and with due measure was there filled —
the sail-hooded masts set upright.
15.
The keel-steeds fared gently on.
Of their journeys nothing is told,
until by the King's own hall
they took harbor in Africa.
16.
Their father received them there
and seemly welcomed every one.
The journey seemed to him brave —
glorious and full of might.
The Loss of Úlfar
17.
Úlfar the Strong was not on the way.
The King marveled greatly at this —
that no word came of him at length —
and all believed him drowned.
18.
The prince mourned for his heir.
Ceaselessly his tears were shed.
Clasped by sorrow, the sea-lord
sickened, and the ruler took to his bed.
19.
The grief for an only son does not pass.
After this it so befell:
the King's Queen, that precious woman,
grew despondent and lost her life.
20.
This swelled the King's bitter sorrow,
and every man's within that citadel.
From the crag of brows there broke —
the heart yielded tears of burning lament.
21.
Seemly was the burial made
for the realm's noble lady;
then the funeral ale was drunk.
Yet still the King's grief endured.
22.
Before the King there spoke with comfort
the noble brothers, gentle and soft;
they bade him cast bitter sorrow aside,
and turn his thoughts from the dead bride.
23.
"Another we shall seek in her stead,
if it might please you so."
When they named a certain lady,
the prince resolved to heed them now.
[Stanzas 24–30 are inaccessible. These stanzas presumably narrate the betrothal negotiations with the new bride's family — the courtship, the terms, the agreement. The narrative resumes at stanza 31 with the marriage already decided.]
The New Queen
31.
The wise young woman ceased her wandering.
She was then betrothed to the King,
and prepared for the journey swiftly —
with fair words and gold in abundance.
32.
The warriors took their leave for home.
The prince's daughter followed them.
Proudly they readied the vessel there,
then slid upon the roller-sea.
33.
The sails were fastened to the yard,
spread out from the masttops wide;
each masthead wound with cordage —
on the boards the rigging sang.
34.
All was done in a single sweep —
the ships held away from the land.
The fire of the sea at the sail-top gleamed;
the hull itself at the rudder rode.
35.
Steadily the steed of the rollers sailed —
the fire of the sea and Ægir's bride —
to Africa with friendly intent;
at the eagle's meeting-place they arrived.
36.
The brothers went from the guarded sea
home to the citadel where the King dwelt,
and the fair lady, unblemished.
The chieftain welcomed all of them.
37.
Then the King readied the wedding-chamber;
the lady seemed heavy in her sorrow.
And a feast of welcome was prepared there —
a cup raised high in her honor.
[Stanzas 38–44 are inaccessible. These stanzas presumably narrate the new queen's settling in at court, her first sight of Grímur the Strong among the warriors, and the kindling of her desire. The narrative resumes at stanza 45 with the queen's infatuation already burning.]
The Queen's Passion
45.
Wherever the glow of embers shone,
she saw Grímur the Strong with her eyes;
upon the bright resting-place
the flame of his beauty blazed.
46.
Yet no token of love did she receive
from the gold-breaking warrior;
whatever arts she tried on him,
she had no cause to test him further.
47.
After this — so it is told to me,
and thus did matters come to pass —
the Queen went gladly, full of joy,
to the chamber of Grímur the Strong.
48.
The warrior rested in that peace.
Thither the Queen drew near.
Little danger did she sense.
The prince's bride spoke thus:
49.
"Around me blazes a burning fire;
I can find rest nowhere.
Therefore I come with a heartfelt plea —
King's son, all lies in your mercy."
50.
"I have kept my maidenhood for you.
Your father is powerless
to claim what was not meant for him.
Thus old age writhes in its weakness."
The Refusal
51.
"Is it such torment for a young woman
to embrace a man like this —
one whom manhood so requires?
That can hardly be called shameful."
52.
"My wrath will turn upon you both —
upon your kin — if you will
refuse from me a guest's desire."
Grímur answered her in opposition:
53.
"Speak not with such great temptation.
Remember how matters truly stand —
that I should betray my father here?
God forbid that of me."
54.
No refusal was of any use;
the jeweled lady would not heed him.
With passionate earnestness
she threw herself upon him.
55.
Around him she wound her arms tight,
ever firm and wondrous close,
spending every art of love.
She spared no cunning craft.
56.
The King's son tore himself free,
dealt the Queen a mighty blow;
then he seized the faithless lady
and flung her from the chamber.
57.
The Queen sprawled upon the floor.
The prince's heir spoke swiftly:
"You are mad with lust as a swine,
and care little for your own honor."
[Stanzas 58–64 are inaccessible. These stanzas presumably narrate the immediate aftermath — the queen's humiliation, her private rage or grief, and her decision about what to do next. The narrative resumes at stanza 65 with the queen choosing silence, then seeking her kin.]
The Brothers' Counsel
65.
The prince's bride fell silent
and went away from there;
heavy in spirit, the lady
kept this matter to herself alone.
66.
The wise one dressed herself in mourning,
went to seek the brothers out,
and declared to them in full —
pouring out her golden grief in words.
67.
"We shall deal with the woman at once!"
Valebrunni spoke these words —
"so the treacherous one in faithless cold
may receive her fitting judgment."
68.
Grímur spoke against this plan:
"It would bring us little remedy
to drive the lady from her domain.
From that, only strife may rise."
69.
"May fortune guide our lot and all —
Fate decides both night and day.
Doom is not easily evaded;
what happens is what luck wills."
70.
On that they came to agreement.
Nothing more came into question.
Secretly the brothers' grievance eased.
Thus the Ríma's cup is drained.
The Poet's Farewell
71.
Tamed is the third thunder's vessel —
the gain sits in every house.
The brother of song bids me now
to Bragi's craft pay my respect.
Colophon
Úlfarrímur — The Rímur of Úlfar the Strong, Þriðja Ríma (Third Ríma)
Good Works Translation from Old Icelandic. Translated by Tulku Skáld of the New Tianmu Anglican Church, April 2026, from the 1775 Hrappsey first edition page scan images.
This is the first English translation of the Third Ríma of the Úlfarrímur. No previous English translation of any part of this cycle exists beyond the First and Second Rímur, translated by Hrafn III and Hrafn IV respectively.
Narrative summary: The brothers return from raiding the Huns' land to Africa without Úlfar, whom all believe drowned. The old queen dies of grief. The king sickens with sorrow. His sons persuade him to remarry. A new bride is brought from across the sea. At court, the new queen becomes infatuated with the warrior Grímur the Strong. She goes to his chamber and declares her passion, claiming she kept her virginity for him. Grímur refuses, invoking God and duty to his father. She throws herself on him; he tears free, strikes her, and flings her from the room, calling her "mad with lust as a swine." The humiliated queen tells the brothers. One (Valebrunni) demands action against her. Grímur counsels restraint — fate decides. They agree to silence. This is the Potiphar's wife motif (AT 318, Genesis 39, Sura Yusuf), rendered in Icelandic narrative verse.
Blood Rule statement: This translation was independently derived from the Old Icelandic source text as read from 1775 first edition page scan images. No reference English translation was consulted — none exists. The Icelandic was read directly from Fraktur typeface page images, transcribed, and translated. Kennings were rendered by contextual meaning following the Rímur Gameplan methodology.
Gaps: Stanzas 1–10 (mansöngr), 24–30, 38–44, and 58–64 (31 of 71 stanzas) could not be translated because the corresponding page scan images returned file system errors (EDEADLK). The narrative arc survives intact: homecoming, grief, remarriage, seduction, rejection, counsel, silence.
Uncertain readings: Several Fraktur letterforms are ambiguous — ð/ö, long s/f, þ as cursive flourish. Stanza 67: "Valebrunnó" rendered as the name Valebrunni (identity uncertain — possibly a brother or a kenning for a warrior). Stanza 70: manuscript number appears as "76" but is contextually stanza 70.
This is a partial translation — Ríma III of a multi-ríma cycle. Rímur I and II are in WIP as separate files.
Scribed for the Good Work Library by Tulku Skáld, Rímur Translator, April 2026.
🌲
Source Text: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka — Þriðja Ríma
Old Icelandic source text transcribed from the 1775 Hrappsey first edition page scan images. Fraktur typeface. Uncertain readings marked with [?]. Stanzas 1–10, 24–30, 38–44, and 58–64 omitted due to inaccessible source pages.
Stanzas 11–16 (p. 28 of the 1775 edition)
-
Kára og Ægi orku þraut,
öllsdinn brödra þessa naut;
Náðu höfn við Húna sand,
hiernærst geingu þeir á land. -
Heriuðu víða á hauðri þar:
Hulgur [?] ölld sú fyrir var.
Um sumarið allt þeir afla stár,
og unnið geta Borgðir þríar. -
Giorsemum og greipar miöll
garpar blóðu Skipinn öll;
letu síðan landí frá,
liðið allt var sumarið þá. -
Boðumum Kári anðar aö,
eptir þvf sem hugurinn bað,
og meö höfs feck þar fyllt,
faldar mastra blócktu [?] stíllt. -
Fátar hlunna fóru spakt.
Af ferðum þeirra er ecke sagt,
fyr enn Kóngsins höllu hiá
hafnir tófu í Africa. -
Faðir þeirra, faðður þeim,
sæmilega fagnar þeim.
Þóckti hönum bædt ferðinn from,
frægðarlig og aflasöm.
Stanzas 17–23 (p. 29 of the 1775 edition)
-
Úlfar Sterki er ei á veg.
Undrar þetta Kónginn miog,
aö ecki kemur um hannstiö hann,
og helldu allir drucknadann. -
Oddlúng srepir [?] arfa sínn.
Einatt vættu tárinn tínn.
Sorgum spenntur Sióli því,
siúkur rectinn lagðist í. -
Sorg einssonul ecki fer.
Eptir þetta so til ber:
Drottning Kóngs, hið dýrsa víf,
dopur varð aö missa líf. -
Kóngsins jök það sára sorg,
og fierhvers manns í þeirri borg.
Brottu hvarma bergi af
bruna lekt hiartaö gaf. -
Sómalig var greftrann giörð
gofugligi Nistís [?] Jörð,
síðan druckið erfís öl.
Eitt og samt er Kóngsins böl. -
Fyrir Kóngi toluðu tsöt [?]
tignir bræður einka blöðt;
Báðu hann hrinda beiskri frá,
Brudi dauðri hyggja frá. -
Annarrar skulum afla í stað,
ef yður mætti ficita [?] þaö.
Enn þier á-nefnid þessa Frú,
feingill reð aö ansa nú.
Stanzas 31–37 (p. 31 of the 1775 edition)
-
Vísís jóð þaö villa letst.
Var hún síðann Kóngi fest,
og tilbúinn ferðar stíótt
meö fríðann munn og aura gnótt. -
Itar tófu orðlof heim.
Oddlings dóttir fylgdi þeim.
Stolltann tvoðdu [?] Stilli þar,
sigu so á hlunna mar. -
Seglinn voru seymd við rá,
so útpaninn mestrum frá;
Vondum vafinn húninn hver.
Á þjólum lietu streingirnir. -
Allt var þaö í einum svip,
undan landið helldu Skíp,
fisur ellðs aö siglum viöf [?],
sjálf við Styriö alldann liöf [?]. -
Fylgdi jafnann fálum síö
fræmdi báls og Ægis dróss
í Africam alúðlig;
á Arnar fundi hyflldi [?] sig. -
Bræður geingu af Vorðu mar
til borgar heim sem Kóngurinn var,
og hín fríðoa refla rein.
Nasir [?] fagnar öllum þeim. -
Reíð þá Gylfi reckiu líe [?];
riena þóckti harma stúr.
Og stál fagnaðar seinkti þar
stickiu [?] fol til virðíngar.
Stanzas 45–50 (p. 33 of the 1775 edition)
-
Hvar sem elfar glóða gnú [?]
Grím hinn Þrúða augum sá,
uppá legis liósa ver [?]
loguðu sónar ellðarner. -
Einginn feck þó ástarhót eya
gulls af málma bríot [?],
hvaða glens sem hafdist aö,
hún þurfti ecki aö reyna þaö. -
Eptir þetta innt er mier eíms
finni so til ber:
Drottning geingur gledifús
Gríms hins Þrúða í fængurHús. -
Þegninn hólldt í þessum fraö.
Þángað geingur Drottnúng aö.
Wrant [?] litla átti vó.
Odlings beðia mælli so. -
Um mig logar ellsír hyr;
Una má eg hvergi fyr;
Komiö er þvf Kieru ráð,
Kóngs son, allt á yöar náð. -
Geymt hef eg þier meydóm minn.
Máttarlaus er faðir þinn
honnum aö spilla hötu [?] f.
Svímleiö ellinn beildur [?] þvf.
Stanzas 51–57 (p. 34 of the 1775 edition)
-
Er þaö Bol syrer únga mey,
ormum spenna soddann grey;
þeim sem mánntnn [?] þurfa frekkt,
þaö mun varla slemitllegt [?]. -
Mín til reíðu elfsann er
og yöur í tie, ef vilied þier,
af mer biggia gistar hót.
Anfar [?] Grímur henni á mót. -
Mælíð ei so mifla sfeniö [?].
Minnar soddann vora freind;
aö falsa skuli eg Soður minn hier,
forbiodi þaö Drottiñ mier. -
Eckí stoðuðu afsvör nein;
Ei þeim gegndi menja rein.
Allvorugesit [?] Amorslig uppt
höstuna lagði sig. -
Um hann feck hún ormum knöptt,
einatt fast og furðu stöt,
af alltí lítla alúð kost.
Ecki sparöi neina list. -
Kóngsson sleít sig Kiæru af,
Rinnhest [?] storann Drottnúng gaf;
Siðann þreif til falsfrar frúr,
og fleygdi henni fænginni úr. -
Flot á gólfiö Drottning vatt.
Doglingsö [?] Arfinn mælti hratt:
þú ert galinn í gyrnd sem svín,
og giætir lítíð sóma þín.
Stanzas 65–71 (p. 36 of the 1775 edition)
-
Þeingils Beðia þagnaö feck,
þaðann so í burtu geck;
þúng í Skapi þorðna rein
þetta geymdí meö sier ein. -
Vísur klæddist hauga þór,
Bræður sína hitta fór,
og þeim grendi öll til fulls
ordinn Seliu [?] Ihsi gulls. -
Þier skulum drepa víf í stað,
Valebrunnó [?] mælti þaö,
so tofra [?] Moru í tryggðum kölld
taki Script og matlig giollö [?]. -
Grímur þesju mælti mót,
mun þaö lítil rauna bót,
Auðgrund leida afsi frá.
Af því stýrjölld rísa má. -
Veli vorri og öllum hag
Auðnann ræður nótt sem dag;
Forlog ecki fordunst ill.
Framskemur þaö hamingjann vill. -
A þaö sáttir urðu þeir.
Ecki bar til fretta meir.
Leynt so Bræðra linnti hial.
Elfa [?] endaöt Rímann Skal. -
Tamd er hin þriðia þundar Krúsö
hagninn setst í hvada húss.
Bróðir bauda biður mig,
aö Bragarinó smíöi hyllst sig.
Source Colophon
Source: Rímur af Úlfari Sterka, composed by Þorlákr Guðbrandsson and Árni Böðvarsson. First edition printed at Hrappsey by E.G. Hoff, 1775. Page scan images from Google Books digitization, staged in Tulku/Tools/rimur/ulfar_p*.jpg.
Pages read: ulfar_p34.jpg (p. 28, stanzas 11–16), ulfar_p35.jpg (p. 29, stanzas 17–23), ulfar_p37.jpg (p. 31, stanzas 31–37), ulfar_p39.jpg (p. 33, stanzas 45–50), ulfar_p40.jpg (p. 34, stanzas 51–57), ulfar_p42.jpg (p. 36, stanzas 65–71).
Pages locked (EDEADLK): ulfar_p32.jpg, ulfar_p33.jpg (mansöngr, stanzas 1–10), ulfar_p36.jpg (stanzas 24–30), ulfar_p38.jpg (stanzas 38–44), ulfar_p41.jpg (stanzas 58–64).
Edition notes: The 1775 Hrappsey edition is the editio princeps. Published "eptir Síra Ejólfs á Bollum eigin handar rite" — from Síra Ejólf of Bollar's own hand-copy.
License: Public domain (published 1775, copyright expired).
🌲