Five rímur of Hrólfr Gautreksson, heir of Gautrekr the Mild — who winters at the English court of King Ella, cures an old woman's troubles, survives an arson attempt by slanderers, slays a berserker to save a man's sister, then sails with fifty ships to Ireland where war, capture, and rescue await him. Based on the shorter redaction of Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar. A single manuscript preserves these rímur: AM 146 a 8vo, written in Flatey in Breiðafjörður in the first half of the seventeenth century. The poet is anonymous; the rímur are dated to c. 1500 on linguistic grounds. 263 stanzas in five fits.
Ríma I
1.
There have I laid upon the fjord of song
a fine steed of the sea —
Hrólfr sits on English ground,
heir of Gautrekr the Mild.
2.
The lord of the land came to find him,
the gold-flinger, the trusty man —
the prince then with that steadfast lord
spoke a very long while.
3.
"There is no passage to Ireland
for the oath-men of green shields;
the king sits near me in peace —
he has much power at his command."
4.
"Autumn draws near, tree of swords —
hard to lay the ships away;
Hrólfr is well known to kings,
the king of Irish men."
5.
Hrólfr accepts the ruler's counsel:
"Be content with that —
I shall visit the Irish land
next summer, and no sooner."
6.
Ásmundr asked, and the prince agreed,
eager for love's matters;
the warrior went with the famed man —
they found an old woman, alone.
7.
The old woman greets the king
with all her creaking bones:
"Lord, you are over land and sea
praised in most things.
8.
"Prince, I need your counsel —
trials have I suffered;
my daughter, lord,
is worse to me than no one at all.
9.
"She was long a faithful ring-goddess,
attentive to my work;
now she will not, for any while,
be of any help to me.
10.
"Let the leaf-tree go his way —
small is the risk in that;
if he has beguiled so fair a woman,
she does nothing at all."
11.
Ásmundr, from his youth a wolf-feeder,
eager for slaughter, says:
"I blame him not, though the generous man
plays the same game with you both."
12.
Hrólfr answered the ring-ground:
"Give the lady comfort;
I will go to meet the arrow-grove —
let that pass in silence."
13.
The sun sank from the ridge of its hill —
it was somewhat later;
at home in the house were all
the household, fair to behold.
14.
The prince sat on one bench
and Ásmundr next beside him;
he looked upon the hall's proud man
and the cloth-decked lady.
15.
The prince greeted the gold-goddess —
the spear-goddess glided near;
the old woman sat there, stiff in the back,
her jaw forever working.
16.
The ruler asks the warrior's name —
he says he is called Grímr;
the bold one will with worthy strength
gladden the wolf at the feast.
17.
"The old woman has made her plea to me,"
the champion stretched his memory:
"The ragged one says no boundary stands
between you and ruling your daughter."
18.
"Do not trifle with me, warrior —
do not strip the hooded woman so bare;
accept thanks from me in return;
do not force us to desperation."
19.
"Lord, I set my will against it;
I shall promise this, then —
though my heart is on that woman,
I need not refuse."
20.
"The prince shall now ask this,"
said the great ring-bearer:
"We two shall build a fair child's fortune —
both together this spring."
21.
The prince says it shall be done;
he accepts this gladly:
"When we launch the plank-stag to sea,
then be ready to fight."
22.
"Strength does not wane the less for age,
though some harm may swell;
the old woman spoke to the king:
"Can you cure old age?"
23.
The warrior answers, strangely mild —
"I give no sign of that;
yet I will try, though half as late,
high upon this work."
24.
"That is often found in a poor man's house" —
I think Ásmundr explains it thus —
"therefore the keeper of this hovel
shall make you one cure."
25.
"You shall take the woman by the neck
and trust in my remedy;
then the one who harms the sea-steed's flame
shall cure your old age."
26.
The clever one then cut
the head from the double woman;
the prince answers at once:
"That is a small thing to do."
27.
The ruler was then greatly angered,
harsh in his words:
"The prince's honour is diminished
most by deeds like yours."
28.
They went home to the hall,
somewhat shame-faced;
the household came to meet them —
the prince sat and was silent.
29.
"Never have I in battle seen
the prince so angered —
where more trouble builds,
I grow hateful to him in words."
30.
Ásmundr told the whole matter,
the cause of that displeasure:
"The king met an old woman —
we came to her dwelling.
31.
"The lord bade the leaf-woman
cure her harsh old age;
the prince refused, but I went forth —
and so a head had to go."
32.
"You shall not, prince,
blame Ásmundr for this;
it was the worst sort of creature
who felled the sword-tree."
33.
Warriors raised their ale on high
before the famous king of the land;
men wanted very often
to slander Hrólfr before Ella.
34.
The prince's son with his retinue
slept in a certain bower;
the lord felt in the middle of the night
a mighty fire and crash.
35.
Hrólfr bade his men
seize their weapons hard;
the ruler's men then made great work
to rip up the timbers.
36.
Hrólfr fought as if he had the force
of twelve men to command;
he broke shields and swung the sword —
asked no one for counsel.
37.
Ella wakes nonetheless —
the whole house began to burn:
"I see now what is causing this sleep
beside this king of ours."
38.
They carried the king out in his clothes,
Hrólfr's champions, from the fire;
the blaze raised long sorrow
among the people that evening.
39.
The men repaid hatred, I tell you —
Hrólfr to the spear-meeting;
Ella spoke most shrewdly,
put an end to the raid and the burning.
40.
"Those who slandered you, men,
shall lose their lives;
now go yourself into peace with me —
honour shall not diminish."
41.
Hrólfr says that each man
shall keep his life alike:
"Let them no longer stay in the land
who lie with such treachery."
42.
I will not linger over the song's craft —
the time of winter passes;
peace over the prince's land
has seldom been better won.
43.
One night the prince resolved
to walk out from his bed;
the lord then saw a rider
coming a long way down the road.
44.
Far rode the horse and the bold man,
going with all his might;
the ruler does not return to the hall —
he will meet this stranger.
45.
The man greets the prince —
he says his name is Þórðr:
"Heavy is my need, and this I must tell —
therefore I seek you out.
46.
"A berserker has challenged me to the holm;
he demands my sister;
long has his temper been savage —
I seek your aid."
47.
"Will you resolve my trouble
and be my protector?
Truly it is your honour,
you bold and worthy man."
48.
"Heavy seems your errand to me,"
answers the famed man;
"I will go rouse my company
and get weapons for the task."
49.
"Lord, I see a readier way —
you may well trust it:
take my helm and mail-coat,
my sword and the white shield."
50.
The king dressed with all speed,
arming there by the road;
at once he leapt upon the strong horse,
and Þórðr ran on foot.
51.
The men found Þórðr's homestead
and the thorn-woman so flushed;
the prince rode as the lady, with a shiver,
offered a noble seat.
52.
The champion had then come to the field;
he hailed Þórðr with fury:
"Come to the holm, or give me the woman,
and do what I demand."
53.
"Gotten is the one who frees me,"
said the glow of the river of rings;
"be swift and arm yourself —
we shall redden the spears."
54.
"I have heard that the warrior was
famed across wide lands;
lord, I reckon it much more likely
that we shall fight with Hrólfr."
55.
The one wise in men's fame
hews at the warrior's timber —
then the ruler shall spray the sword's ice
in hot blood.
56.
The blow rode upon his neck —
the skull split asunder;
the trunk was cleft to the belt,
through both shield and rings.
57.
The prince takes thanks for his trust —
Þórðr was faithful in nature:
"Do not marry off your sister, bold one,
until I come again."
58.
"That shall surely be in your power,"
says the wound-serpent's wielder;
"Honour and wealth and my sister —
all that I can win for you."
59.
The ruler came to the hall, wise;
he had stayed up late;
the drink was not good in the cups —
the king had been missed.
60.
The ruler told the wise men
of the hope of Harekr's death;
with honour and glory the wise one received
Hrólfr's red gold.
61.
The sword-lord ordered affairs,
worthy, across the wide land;
plunder ceased and the shield-storm —
thus the winter passed.
62.
The bold man guarded Óðinn's treasure,
glad and fully armed;
guests held their bold course —
Grímr has come to the ship.
63.
The prince then has fifty
sea-bears readied;
Ella says his farewells —
they hoisted sail from the harbour.
64.
Storm-floods over ground and skerries —
I reckon the danger grows;
Hrólfr came with his whole host
swiftly to the Irish land.
65.
Quickly the warriors took harbour
a short way from the king's hall;
there shall the prince's noble flood of verse
fall silent for now.
Ríma II
1.
I would reckon that the prince's course
might run from the road of words
before the falcon-rider won
the ring-woman from the prince's son.
2.
The king of Ireland learns all —
Hrólfr's purpose and his plan;
the ruler then with his warrior band
would repay them that youthful boast.
3.
He summons both serf and thrall,
that prince who arms against treachery;
the lord's guard went not feebly —
never near to fighting on the heel.
4.
"Have you, Ásmundr, heard no tidings
of the Irish king's plots?
I scarcely trust that it will go smooth,
nor that the women's business will go easy."
5.
"We shall go with peace and mildness,
avoid all men's cunning;
then wealth and fame will grow
if we win the king's kinship."
6.
A hundred men from the host he chooses,
he who never delays fame;
he speaks bold words before the lords —
the prince's son who hides his fear.
7.
"Here shall the men stay by the sea
and wait while we go forth;
but this I promise the warriors:
each shall be ready as fast as he may."
8.
The warriors turn homeward to the stronghold,
well armed with shield-play;
the danger grew with the two lords —
now Hrólfr came to meet them.
9.
There came the whole Irish host,
no small array at the shield-meeting;
the prince spoke and won silence —
the sword-lord at the shield-ride.
10.
"I know your lineage, Ásmundr,
Ólafr's son across wide Scotland;
my kinship will be slow to reach you —
it were better if you fared poorly.
11.
"To all of us it is well known,
the plan you two have hatched;
no woman shall you win from me —
strangely many a man is deluded about himself.
12.
"Go home now with peace and truce,
no harm shall come to you;
the worthy woman is scarcely bought —
wisely have you gained little."
13.
"Hrólfr is both brave and mild,
very strong and a worthy champion;
I would offer you: let battle cease,
lest the wound-herring redden.
14.
"But if you press forward on this road,
the journey will not be easy;
then men of the spear-witchcraft
shall give you battle for a while."
15.
Gautrekr's son was not hasty;
the prince answered the wise king:
"My warriors' courage wanes at this —
neither choice seems good to me.
16.
"I see clearly that the ruler's glory
will be exchanged for brand-struggle;
if we miss the treasure-cup,
far better to hold our course away."
17.
"The wolf's jaw shall redden
if the bold are fated to die;
though the king's strength support you,
I can hardly turn back now."
18.
Hrólfr answered, bitter and swift —
the prince thought himself most insulted:
"He shall be wounded and think himself punished
whom men once called the most famed."
19.
"The Swedish host shall be tormented,"
the ruler spoke, angry and cross;
"yet the battle of men shall play —
surely each shall be called the braver."
20.
The Irish had six hundred
warriors as the tale grows;
ample is the strength and valour's ground —
fortune rules if all goes well.
21.
The Swedes waited for a truce to hold;
they trusted the king for themselves —
though they had men hidden in reserve
and would not let the attack wait.
22.
Ásmundr wanted the battle-goddess,
the fair one, brought to the ship's deck
before the sword-slaughter was ventured —
the king gave the host his word.
23.
Nowhere was the ruler mild then —
the shield-gale wearied the men;
the prince's army drives from the shore,
seizing the great shield and the spear.
24.
Fair bucklers of skill shatter —
a meeting scarcely matched;
men put the wound-spike to sleep —
the Irish host turns back to the stronghold.
25.
All the gates stood open —
to them that was no hindrance;
this strong steel-wind,
the prince's host, shoves through the gate.
26.
The sword-storm was hard and fierce —
it could harm Hrólfr most;
then next this happened:
the prince's fortress was carefully locked.
27.
A multitude drives against the men —
the gate bent and was then bowed;
the country's aid grew great for them —
the lord was awoken to the wound-sucking.
28.
Shields break and the blade rings;
bitter hatred swells among men;
each falls upon the other —
the hiss of spears cracks beside the bold.
29.
The Irish king hewed at the men —
the battle did not grow slack;
poison flew from every finger,
slipping through the warriors' chests.
30.
The Swedes advanced at their pace —
many a sword began to break;
Óðinn's weather was wondrously hard —
the men had found the king.
31.
Swedish warriors were put to sleep by the spear —
truly the encounter proved hard for them;
two fell for every one they slew —
none dared trust in flight.
32.
The prince reminded Ásmundr:
"The storm is wholly fallen now;
I reckon the maiden will be slow to win —
now let each flee who can."
33.
"I got nearly what I asked today,"
the men's friend, concerning the king's fate —
"Give them some stroke of fame;
let us feed the blood-raven still."
34.
"Let the skilful lady see
that we know how to play in the spear-drift;
let us cleave helms and test the shields —
strive more for fame than life."
35.
Ásmundr accepted the prince's counsel —
all grace was stripped from the bodies;
he cleft helm and mail-coat —
the whole Swedish host had fallen.
36.
Grímr ruled — he who puzzled riddles —
to press forward where trouble builds;
the champion hewed the war-host so
that sorrow pierced the warriors' breasts.
37.
Three brandish the thunder's fire;
men meet the evening of valour;
the host was forced into the grasp of death —
the dwelling of honour was shaken with grief.
38.
Among the Irish the blue edge falls —
too close it came to many then;
heads stroke past the bodies
as the sword hardens in the wound-bed.
39.
Both gain their fill, found late —
men egg each other on in strength;
the men's flame burned for neither host —
very dark was the night.
40.
The men's mighty troll hews —
the shield's sun splits Fjölnir's field;
warriors most in the swords' din
bore themselves up to a certain hill.
41.
The Swedes pressed to their stand with honour;
the prince tests their valour;
it was no rest for the people —
long the warriors' storm grows strong.
42.
The Irish showed no mercy;
the oath-bound host began to weaken;
weapons could not reach —
bold men who had sworn peace.
43.
The moon of the jewel-land turns —
the mighty edge of the shield-bane;
the bone he hewed while the brand lasted —
the prince, out to the ninth man.
44.
So great was the Irish host that advanced —
the bright folk was destroyed by it;
he hurls the sword away so hard,
the prince, into the black darkness.
45.
The helm's rim met with blows —
Hel's sweat covered the Irish yard;
the prince, before he was captured,
carved gaps in the warriors' lives.
46.
The men then sought the deep pit —
their torment at the traitor's pool;
they resolved to carry the prince's body
down into the deep grave.
47.
So it was done as the ruler bade —
sore was that state, more death than peace;
no use now to stand and wait —
standing, the lord came down.
48.
I hear that nowhere before in the world
was a more famed king at the sword-play;
he grasps two warriors at once —
so he manages to save them.
49.
A flagstone was carried with force over them —
it looked great to the men;
they resolved to guard the pit —
then went away from it.
50.
The prince speaks to the famed Ásmundr:
"The Irish king was cunning against us;
the bride's bed is easy —
but he will last only a few more days.
51.
"True will that prove, as we said;
bold seemed Hrólfr yesterday;
I do not think the prince's maiden
likes to lie so near you, Ásmundr."
52.
He answered, he who asked for the lady —
the king spoke truly of that:
"I would sooner choose battle
and fall dead than stay in this place."
53.
The man hews the plank-wall,
the shield-timbers of Óðinn's hall — they bore it well;
here men shall starve in Hel —
truly it goes not well then.
54.
The timber-master hews the spear-wave —
that encounter has turned to grief;
the prince's kinsman did not understand
the maiden-eager and wisdom-poor.
55.
The shield's edge you bore at the shield-battle,
prince, at the death of shields;
nor understood a nobler word —
the famed one asks the jewel-lady.
56.
"Ásmundr, it is not so easy —
the prince sets us a hard limit;
I scarcely came into a worse bargain —
I wish I were out of this pit."
57.
The lord answers the prince's son:
"Have you, lord, a child's nature?
Here I shall let Fjölnir's meeting
fall silent for a time."
Ríma III
Metre: ABAB ferskeytt. 71 stanzas. Hrólfr's companions feast in the king's hall; Ella's daughter sends a maid to the warriors; Hrólfr demands a sword; the princess mocks him, then reports Hrólfr's worth; Þórir receives Þorbjörg in marriage; a troll ravages the land; Hrólfr fights it; the princess tends Hrólfr in disguise; Þórir swears an oath of fasting until he finds a certain sword; Þórir battles the troll alone and kills it; the princess brings the sword to Hrólfr in his pit; Hrólfr frees himself; they sail home to Sweden.
1.
Heed the work of song,
company of men, with skill —
while we gladden the ground of memory
with the pure deeds of a prince.
2.
Battle was before, with strong endings,
among the wise warriors —
the grudging king was sent down
into the earth so deep.
3.
Two bold men made ready
to follow Gautrekr's son;
those warriors were sated
with the surge of wounds.
4.
The prince's daughter thought
the men poorly seated now;
the noble woman sits —
they are stripped of clothing.
5.
The oaken pillar of gold sent
a single maid to the warriors;
she bore bright, gentle words,
the ring-diminisher first of all.
6.
The champions sat content —
evening began to pass;
the golden pillar went beside the lady,
that longed-for beauty.
7.
The splendid woman asked the men
whether any there were alive;
the lady sent in reply
a bright woman to the treasure-grove.
8.
She bade them bring both clothes and beer,
bread and shining wine —
the men bade the ring-goddess,
the prince's daughter, to bring them.
9.
The woman of the horn's rim
thanks him for the speech and offer;
she makes clear to the warrior
what he wishes to receive.
10.
"A blade into my hand I ask
the prince's daughter to bring me —
a sword will be, I tell you,
heavy for women to handle."
11.
Off she went — the linden-woman goes
at last to find the lady;
she told what the man
had asked of the necklace-tree.
12.
"I would call his wisdom
what others call it too —"
the merry one smiled at the man's words
and answered.
13.
"But know that Hrólfr is
rather wise in counsel,
strong and mighty and generous with wealth,
skilled in deeds of valour.
14.
"Yesterday I was near when Gautrekr's son
gave as good as any —
he split a man clean in two
as if he were a birch-tree."
15.
"Quickly, woman, find
the terrible fence of Fenrir —
I would bring a glowing blade at night
to the noble lord."
16.
The fair flame-woman hurried away,
spoke long and earnestly;
out with sorrow, though she is not glad,
the gold-pillar went, I heard.
17.
The ground of jewels seeks
the gleaming-tongued man to harm;
the fir-tree of gold falls
among the bodies of dead warriors.
18.
Then the warriors see
the dead men rise and walk —
they shove and thrust the thorn-women,
those who lay below.
19.
Frightened and weary came the ring-oak
home to the lady's court;
red and spent from the encounter,
the woman reported this.
20.
The noble lady, eager for honour,
the prince's maid in secret —
the swan found the wounded bear;
she tells it to the fair woman.
21.
"Both blood and dead men
frighten — the ring-guardian swore
bitter oaths, and for that
I found myself in danger."
22.
Both resolved that very evening
to seek the sword again;
they found at last the fire of Fenrir
and brought it to the cheerful lord.
23.
The prince asked at once
what the woman wished to receive;
with his sword the king chose quickly —
that mild one — clothes and light.
24.
The dear one brings the champions
bright clothes from the looms;
the lady hurries home to the bower,
and the shield-lord keeps the blade.
25.
"Late will the glad lady
end her journey with these men —
the host's ferry we must now
turn homeward to Sweden."
26.
The worthy protector of gold-tree's land,
the champion Þórir, watches;
he is pleased with every counsel
of the sea-brand's goddess.
27.
This was told to the noble men —
the news was lit for learning;
the man laid for the most part at night
the kindred of men at ease.
28.
Hrólfr turns the trusty horn,
bold heir of Gautrekr —
he gave from himself a mighty blast
to clear the way for weapon-work.
29.
The gladdest, most patient necklace-norn
pours the shining wine;
she stirs and turns the pillar's horn,
dear to the prince's friend.
30.
With a crash upon the head she struck —
the horn began to ring;
the woman turned away from such —
the giver of the serpent's benches.
31.
Þórir stood at this marvel —
at once he hurled from his hand;
the savage horn broke in pieces,
the prince bends his spear.
32.
The ruler blew with angry harp,
the mighty one answered the woman:
"The bold warrior is at death's door —
the lord's life is pressed."
33.
The warrior swore a mighty vow,
standing on the other foot:
"He shall know the prince's quest
rather than enjoy peace."
34.
Þórir swore that the warrior
shall lack both drink and food
before the man learns with his life —
thus I heard the speech concluded.
35.
Away he storms, terribly angry,
shaking the sword's edges;
the band knows not which way
the warrior will lay his road.
36.
Before the clash of points was tried,
on those fourteen nights,
a wonder came to pass, I hear —
Ireland changed its ways.
37.
A troll, far from the prince's hall,
men said there was —
widely did warriors wait, in fear,
and few I heard would turn to face it.
38.
It bends and sends the steel of spears,
it smashes steads and halls;
pressing forward relentlessly,
the monster — all men fear it.
39.
The warriors flee the wind of spears;
the people saw death in the drifts;
the aurochs-kind it destroys,
alike with cattle and men.
40.
The wolf's field the fire-giant visits,
the prince's hall at dawn;
the troll of battle-clamour mounts
the struggle before daybreak.
41.
The troll set spear in shield
and weapon beneath itself at the gate;
hatred's toll was dealt to men
more than gentle peace.
42.
The steeper of the star-bear's steel
leaps with hatred's lions;
the warriors of the lord bow down
before the lightning of the sword's gaze.
43.
Five hundred men
the fellow seized in full strength;
the terrible troll was driven,
I heard, before Hrólfr's hall.
44.
Not one of the warriors drank inside —
all were stricken with horror;
the monster is welcome to none,
he crushes them in between.
45.
On another day one woman came
to visit the prince's hall;
she saw a creature with a broad sword
sitting outside, swinging.
46.
The maid came near — the troll-man
kept the prince within;
quickly to the bower she goes,
the woman of the cloak, and mourned.
47.
"Strange things I saw at the sea-land —"
the gold-fir woman said,
"I saw the stone-hall creature,
shielded against the monster."
48.
The noble woman bade
the red-cloaked lady enter with all her strength —
how does the goat-lord
regard this matter?
49.
The troll's body was
armoured far and wide in iron;
the hard helm grips his brow,
a sword girded at his side.
50.
The bright lady said the ghost
had a great ring on his arm —
wrought and wound with sword-gold;
the bridegroom speaks with sorrow.
51.
The dark brows of that giant
were gaunt and lean to look at;
I think the cave-dweller's appearance
could bite with harm.
52.
"Another time, the prince's maid
will send the woman again;
she is missed — as we have spoken —
food must be brought to him."
53.
"It is forbidden for the woman
to visit the prince's hall again;
the lord lies there and trusts
he can barely sit up."
54.
"Wicked woman, do not flinch,"
the golden fir-tree said,
"little harm will come to you
from this man."
55.
The woman seized the food and drink;
she calls gently upon the giant;
the Þjazi of the mountain knows
when he comes to the hall.
56.
The giver of the shield-stave's rim
casts his eyes upon the woman;
the she-troll's steed howls —
the head rolls for the ring.
57.
The maid flings the horn hard,
knocks the dish from her palm;
the swan found and spoke much —
the lady he wished to test.
58.
The woman is blind to the king's child now;
the maid offered to make clear:
"The ill one will be healed, woman —
the feast-companion is gone."
59.
Scarlet Gefn's gifts and treasures fall —
she wept when she heard;
then with gentle tidings
the lady drove her to the hall.
60.
"Tell him to put aside his delay,
the thorn-oak of the lady —
let the kind lord leave alive
the prince of the Swedish people."
61.
The gold-Ná sank into memory,
laying such a speech before him;
the white frost-lady looked upon
the ring-tree and said:
62.
"The grim troll ate the food —
Hrólfr is yet alive!"
The troll grinned at the gold-ring woman,
laughing at the wife.
63.
"The bright, dear shield of gold,
the sword-biter spoke:
the fierce battle went to the full —
what will it mean for Gautrekr's son?"
64.
"The thriving prince lives on,
set in a grave so dark —
men shall heap upon him
a stone terribly heavy and strong."
65.
The prince's maid fears
for the sword-light and the deeds;
her neighbours know
her honour and her mercy.
66.
Þórir said he wished to find
the swift gold-ground;
he went at that very hour
to the jewel-woman's meeting.
67.
It was evening when the courteous wife
came to Þórir's meeting;
the lives of both were lit —
the bride hurries to the grave.
68.
With one arm he grasped the other
and braced against the stone;
the fire of the land-ring's sea
hurls the earth's bone.
69.
Not one of twelve men together
could have hurled that stone;
they free Hrólfr at last
from the ring-woman's prison.
70.
The horn of gold rejoices in all of them,
the prince with gladness;
he leads the warriors home
and lightens their strife.
71.
The noble champions' wound and pain
are healed at last;
the wine of Hár's verse
was held again in wisdom's vessels.
Ríma IV
Metre: Stúfar (short-line). 48 stanzas. Þórir learns from the princess what befell in battle; the Irish queen Þorbjörg intercedes for her father the king; Þórir agrees to spare him; Ketill arrives by ship from Scotland; Ingjaldur comes from the east; they advance on the Irish king's stronghold; Þorbjörg forbids indiscriminate burning; they fight their way into the fortress; Hrólfr is found alive in his pit; the Irish king is captured; Þorbjörg prevents his execution; reconciliation and marriage.
1.
Three times I have set forth the wine of Þundr
on the welfare of warriors —
the craft of learning shall now be freed
for the fourth fit.
2.
The Irish king is inside his hall
and sorely starved;
warriors dread the terrible troll
and the shield is battered.
3.
Þórir asked the prince's maid
in this fashion:
"Let him learn of the storm of Þundr —
the battles they have had."
4.
The woman said: "Finer men
one can scarcely find —
their fame rides and runs
as cleanly as can be."
5.
"Our king does warriors harm,
filled with malice;
you have been, throughout this land,
betrayed by the people."
6.
The champion answered the bright woman:
"I know myself;
not all here will choose
to bear such words."
7.
"Now you are still," said the prince's wife,
"very near to death —
how shall the warrior's life end
if that man has his way?"
8.
Þórir answers the thorn-ground:
"Thus it shall be —
that hard hound I shall surely
starve into the earth."
9.
The woman answered, guile-wrapped,
who gladdens men:
"That man has done great wrong
to my father."
10.
"Spare him for our prayer
and be not bitter;
then your husband shall earn
the greater honour."
11.
"Will you, Ásmundr, love fiercely
as your own husband?"
All shall be given to you by my will
as far as it may be.
12.
"So it has come," said the lady,
"into the warriors' power —
we shall gain fortune's reward
if we forget not now."
13.
She speaks yet more words of peace,
though few we may recount;
the woman of the mead pours
the shining wine.
14.
Merriment frees men from grief,
a joy of every kind —
in another way must the stream
of Rögnir's verse now run.
15.
Þorbjörg sat in quiet peace
when Þórir departed;
the wife prepared, as before,
for the labour of weapons.
16.
The golden goddess sent
noble men to the farmsteads —
Ketill to summon — but her heart felt
a journey of sorrows.
17.
The bright warrior launched his ships
upon the whale-king's land;
he says the hope of men is lost
if there is further delay.
18.
Ingjaldur came from the east
upon the sea-beast;
"Now let each act as the queen bade,"
said the bright warrior.
19.
The prince journeyed day and night
to find the lady;
I heard the worthy warrior sails
in that same hour.
20.
These famous men met
and held their counsel;
both declared themselves ready
if fight there must be.
21.
The prince's sail, I heard, drops
from the yard for none;
now let every warrior prepare
who is best in battle.
22.
Then Þorbjörg gave words of thanks
for their courage:
"It is fitting now," said the ring-goddess,
"that the vengeance be worthy."
23.
Truly then two warriors
were shown to the centre;
the lady herself rode in the host with them
and a multitude of men.
24.
For the ruler's word they strain
every rope;
the waves ran on every side
and all across.
25.
The fleet seemed to fly across the sea —
there the peace is broken;
warriors came with all their host
to Ireland in the west.
26.
The champions laid anchor in the king's harbour
and moored their ships;
Ketill bade them watch the warriors' bear
— though he was angry.
27.
Ketill was not slow with words
to the prince's son:
"I shall direct the attack alone
and all the host."
28.
"Let us burn the land and break the people,
strike everything down,
fill the field with Fenrir's brood
and the clever folk."
29.
The prince's wife forbade
this counsel of men:
"Then for the army it will rather be
a throne of sorrow."
30.
They marched with grim intent
into the gleaming fortress;
corpses seemed to fill the broad ground,
the farmsteads and the squares.
31.
"Truly one may see both friends and kinsmen
cut down for their worth —
but the one who may take vengeance
is often known by courage."
32.
"Many of the host have fallen
far and near;
but I see no prince like the one
we are seeking."
33.
The whole army, fury's spirit,
gaped against them;
none shall be dragged from death's road —
so thought the wise lady.
34.
The champions sight the king's court
and recognize the hall;
a fair bower stood before them
on a beautiful field.
35.
"Burn these houses both
and bring up tinder;
wind the war-eager army
and break the walls asunder."
36.
The fated man shall not go to death before his time —
that much is spoken;
warriors had better look well to themselves
and show no cowardice.
37.
The men kindled the fire so high
and stoked the blaze;
the prince asks at midnight
who commands the host.
38.
"Now it is revealed," said the prince's son,
"what has come upon me —
the one who has come with a famous host
to free you."
39.
The prince rose to rush out
and steels his strength;
most of those who stand before him
shall earn their grief.
40.
The ruler sees the bold man
and strikes again and again;
with his hands he seized that fellow
and held him fast.
41.
The courteous lady bows the helm
and claps in answer;
over the wide ground the fair woman
casts her weapons.
42.
"When I saw what the fire had done
and the fierce battle —
this is not the way of it,"
said the thorn-slope woman.
43.
"I meant to avenge your cause
and halt your defeat;
it was never my intention
to bring you grief."
44.
"This speech touches the swift warrior,"
he said;
"there is truly no need to test
a valiant man for long."
45.
"This flood of words
will avail us nothing;
dear prince, pronounce the judgement
yourself."
46.
The prince was overjoyed and glad
when he found them all;
each man declared himself ready
to burn the hall.
47.
The prince's daughter, fair of hand,
forbids it;
Ketill was angry and furious
to go elsewhere.
48.
There was matter enough
through all that night;
I shall be silent now and endure no longer —
Ríma V
Metre: Extended rímnaháttr (AAAA, three short lines + one long). 22 stanzas. The bound sorcerer; Ketill's rage; Hrólfr's restraint; Ásmundr secures the Irish princess; the three marriages; the fleet sails home to Scotland; the poem ends.
1.
The stream of Týr shall run
through the canyon of the teeth —
the foster-dear one shall receive
Fjölnir's wine, the song's staves as they come to you.
2.
Men struck the bane of the wood-god
against the ruler's house;
when the hall burned, I heard,
it made many a man afraid.
3.
He bids the men go out then —
the situation grew dire;
"Break open those broad doors —
the troll that was inside is gone."
4.
"That one has put terror in the breasts
of shield-bearing men;
I sometimes repay a lesser trick —
all cunning has been stripped from me by skill."
5.
"We shall hardly forget
this treachery —
sooner shall I now fall dead
upon my faith than flee."
6.
The prince saw then his brother
with bloodied hands;
little stands by the ruler —
the place is now utterly burned.
7.
The swan prayed for her father,
bound up in grief;
he is grown terribly afraid,
shut inside, worn out by hunger.
8.
"I would ease the prince's need
before my father's sorrow —
let no blame fall upon the bride
for her virtue, great lord."
9.
Hrólfr says her words
shall help them:
"I will not do this for gold or treasure
if the news should spread far across the world."
10.
"This is the bargain, the woman's speech,
which shames us;
we cannot so prize a jewel-maiden
that the torrent of steel should lessen."
11.
That lord was led away bound,
who had worked treachery;
men called for him to be hanged —
"Who knows such a sorcerer?"
12.
Ketill answers, calling aloud
— there, wondrous things:
"The prince should tear the limbs asunder!
So ends the meeting of steel."
13.
Hrólfr bade him then be gentle
to his kinsman:
"My namesake, this is as near to you
as my own wish — be easy in your choice."
14.
Ásmundr answers, and the prince stood
very close at hand:
"It shall be set right when there is room;
the mighty lord we shall humble."
15.
"Prince, you shall buy your life
at little cost:
will you lay into my power
the splendid lady and the fair kingdom?"
16.
"Little," said the prince's brother,
"will I set against it" —
the king's namesake he cast down;
else neither gets peace.
17.
The Irish king made no objection
in return;
Ásmundr betrothed the fair maiden —
the lady's gentle heart was gladdened.
18.
Warriors gained their full honour
when the lady was wed;
treasures in plenty and gold were shared;
all was thoroughly done.
19.
No one thanks the Irish folk
for wealth or wine;
their king is weighed down with pain —
he felt robbed of his own.
20.
Men said the king could hardly
be treated worse;
he never asked them to be seen again —
one need not grieve for this.
21.
Brightly the warriors held their course
homeward to Scotland now;
splendid would that feast be —
three weddings were held within.
22.
Then each settles into his own kingdom,
every man —
the vessel of verse is now drawn dry;
that poem comes to its end.
Colophon
Hrólfsrímur Gautrekssonar — translated from Middle Icelandic by the Rímur Translation Lineage (New Tianmu Anglican Church), March 2026.
Source text: Diplomatic edition in Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir and Haukur Þorgeirsson, "Hrólfs rímur Gautrekssonar," Gripla XXVI (2015): 81–137. Open access. Single manuscript: AM 146 a 8vo (Flatey, Breiðafjörður, first half of the 17th century).
The rímur are anonymous, dated to c. 1500 on linguistic grounds. Five fits, 263 stanzas. Based on the shorter redaction of Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar.
This is a Good Works Translation. The English is derived from the Old/Middle Icelandic source text. The scholarly introduction and footnotes in the Gripla edition were consulted for kenning-resolution and manuscript readings. No previous English translation of these rímur exists.
Scribal work by the Rímur Translation Lineage of the New Tianmu Anglican Church.
See also: Introduction to Rimur
🌲
Source Text
Hrólfs rímur Gautrekssonar, single manuscript AM 146 a 8vo (Flatey, Breiðafjörður, first half of the 17th century). Diplomatic edition in Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir and Haukur Þorgeirsson, "Hrólfs rímur Gautrekssonar," Gripla XXVI (2015): 81–137. Open access. Transcribed from the diplomatic edition; inline footnote reference numbers removed.
Ríma I
-
Þar hef eg lagt ä lioda fiórd
lægis fakinn gillda
Hrolfur situr ad enskre jórd
arfe Gautrix millda. -
Herra landz kom hitta hann
hreiter nodru spänga
tigge þa vid traustan mann
talade stund mióg länga. -
Ecke fær til Jrlandz er
eidir grænnra skiallda
kongurinn sit vmm kirtt hia mier
kann þui margt ad vallda. -
Hauste er nærre hiórfa runnur
hófnum vant ad leggia
Hrolfur er ad kijnge kunnur
kongurin jrskra seggia. -
Hrolfur þiggur hilmers rad
hafdu þock ad slijku
eg skal vitia ä Jra läd
annad sumar ad lijku. -
Asmund bæde og odling fann
elsku giarn til greina
filker geingur og frægdar mann
fundu kerling eina. -
Kerling heilsar kongin ä
krept j óllum beinum
lofdung ertu vmm lond og siä
leifdur j flestum greinum. -
Ræsir þarf eg rada þijn
rauner hefeg feingid
mier er dógling dotter mijn
driugum verr enn einginn. -
Hün var leinge hringa frijd
hugul ad mijnu starfe
nu vill eckj vijst vmm hrijd
verda mier ad huarfe. -
Lättu j burtu laufa þund
lijtel er þad hætta
ginner hann suo gödligtt sprund
giorer hun eckj vætta. -
Asmund til af æsku leggur
vlfum giarn til brädar
lasta eg ei þo hinn leifde seggur
leike yckur einn veg bädar. -
Hrölfur suarade hringa grund
huggun veitte fliode
fer eg ad hitta fleina lund
fare þad og ad hliode. -
Siole veik af sinne hóll
þad var stundu sijdar
heima voru ad hüse óll
hioninn lauga fridar. -
Audling sest ä annan beck
og Äsmund honum hid næsta
leit ä palle prudann reck
og pella linde glæsta. -
Audling kuadde audar frigg
odda lijka fleiger
kerling sat þar krept j hrigg
og kiapta jafnann teiger. -
Hilmer spir ad heite þegn
hann kuedst Grimur ad nafne
garpurin vill med gilldligt megn
gledia vlf ä tafne. -
Kierling hefur þad kiært fyrer mier
kappinn rackte minne
rifinn kuedst eckj rind fyrer þier
räda döttur sinne. -
Fipla þu eckj filker tier
fallda bil suo snauda
þigg j mote þock af mier
þroka oss eigi til nauda. -
Vijsir legg minn vilia ä möt
eg vil þa þessu heita
þo er minn hugur ä þidre snöt
eg þarf þui eckj ad neita. -
Budlung skal nu bidia þess
kuad baugavidurinn störe
vid bigium fagurligt bäru ess
bädir saman ad vore. -
Þeingill seiger ad þad skal giort
þiggur slijkt med blijda
þegar vier ytum þiliu hiórt
þa vertu buinn ad strijda.
og minnir e.t.v. á völur sem geisp-
uðu ótt og títt áður en þær fóru með
spádóma.
Fipla: fífla.
„Ekki þvinga mig til óyndisúrræða“.
En sögnin ‚þroka‘ hefur venjulega
aðrar merkingar. -
Mórgum vex eigi megtin sijdur
mein þo nockud suelle
kelling talade kongin vidur
kantu ad leifa elle. -
Filker ansar furdu blıȷdur
fäst eigi til þess merke
enn þö hitte eg hälfu sıȷdur
hätt ä þessu verke. -
Þad hittest opt j huse kallz
higg eg Äsmund greina
þui er mijn gäta geimer hiallz
gioreg þier lækning eina. -
Þu skallt tausinn teigia halz
og treista ä adgiord mijna
þä mun lestir | lægis bals
leifa elle þijna. -
Hoskur hio þa hilmers þegn
hófud af linde tuinna
þeingill ansar þegar j giegn
þetta er smän ad vinna. -
Stillir var þä storum reidur
strijdur j ordum sijnum
minkast atlar milldings heidur
mest af verkum þijnum. -
Geingu þeir til hallar heim
helldur af skómmu bragde
meingid for ä mote þeim
millding sat og þagde.
kemur fyrir í sögunni en ‚leifa/
leyfa elli‘ kemur fyrir þrisvar hér
í rímunni og víðar í kveðskap frá -
öld og síðar, t.d. Pontus rímum
I. og Amicus rímum IV.36.
þ.e. kerling. -
Alldre sa eg j ymu fyr
odling vera suo reidan
þar sem magnast meire stir
mier j ordum leidann. -
Asmund sagde alla grein
ä efne þeirrar stigdar
konge mætte kerling ein
vid komum til hennar bigdar. -
Lofdung beidde laufa bil
ad leifa elle stränga
ódling neitte enn eg for til
af hlaut hofud ad gänga. -
Ecke skaltu ódling höt
Äsmund þessa kunna
var þad ein hin vesta snöt
er vælte hiorfa runna. -
Ytar bäru ligd ä lopt
landz fyrer konginn fræga
hóldar villdu harla opt
Hrolf vid Ella rægia. -
Siklings son med sinne drött
suaf j eirne skemmu
millding kiende vmm midia nött
mättkann elld og remmu. -
Hrolfur bad þä holda enn
hardt til vopna þrifa
stora giora þa stillis menn
stocka vpp ad rijfa.
bundið og ekki gott að vita hvort
skrifarinn sá fyrir sér eitt r eða -
Hrolfur liet sem hefde fiór
holda xij ad räda
spillte hlıȷf enn spente hior
spurde onguann rada. -
Elle vaknar eckj ad helldur
allt tok hus ad brenna
sie eg nu eigi huad suefne velldur
sijst vid kongin þenna. -
Kongin bäru j klædum vt
kappar Hröls vr ellde
lijdum vackte länga sut
loginn ä þessu kuellde. -
Holdum fra eg heipter gallt
Hrolfur ad geira sennu
Elle talade einka sniallt
endid reik og brennu. -
Þeir skulu rett er rægdu þig
reckar lijfe tijna
gack nu sialfur j sætt vid mig
sæmd skal eckj duina. -
Hrolfur seigir ad huor skal dreingur
hallda lijfe ad lijku
vere þeir eckj j lande leingur
sem liggia ä bragde slijku. -
Leing eg eigi vmm lioda giord
lijdur stund af vetre
fridur hefur vmm filkirs jórd
feingist sialldann betre. -
Eina nött ad ódling ried
vt af huijlu ad gänga
ræsir gat þä rijda sied
reck vmm braut suo länga. -
Frärre hestur og frækinn dreingur
for af óllu megne
hilmer eigi til hallar geingur
hann vill mæta þegne. -
Þesse heilsar þeingil ä
Þordur liest hann heita
þung er naud enn þad skal tia
þui fer eg ydar ad leita. -
Berserkur hefur mier bodid ä holm
bidur hann sistur minnar
lóngum er hanz lundinn ölm
leitaeg filgdar þinnar. -
Vilier þu leisa vandann minn
og verda mier ad huarfe
sannliga er þad somen þinn
sæmdar madurin diarfe. -
Yfrid þike mier erinde þitt
ansar madurin frægie
fer eg ad vekia filge mitt
og fä mier vopn suo nægie. -
Vıȷsir sie eg til vænna rad
vel meige þier þui hlijta
tak minn hialm og hogna vod
hrotta og skiólldinn huijta.
vita hvort skrifari sá fyrir sér eitt
k eða tvö. Í vísu II. er orðið þó
ritað með einu k. -
Kongurinn vann med kappeflest
klædest þar vid stræte
þegar hliop vppa þrifinn hest
enn Þordur rann ä fæte. -
Þegnar hitta Þordar bigd
og þornabil suo rioda
dogling ried su drös med hrigd
dijrligt sæte ad bioda. -
Kappinn var þa komen ä möt
kuadde Þord af reide
gack ä holm edur gipt mier snöt
og gior þa huad eg beide. -
Feingen er sa sem frelsar mig
fleiger rijnar glöda
vertu fliotur og vopna þig
vid skulum fleina rioda. -
Frett hef eg hitt ad filker var
frægur ä lóndum vijda
millding ætleg þad miklu nær
munu vid Hrolfur strijda. -
Firda sa sem frægd er vijs
filkirs vidur ad hoggua
þa mun hilmer hræfar js
j heitu blode dóggua. -
Hóggid reid hans halse ad
haus nam sundur ad springa
bükinn klauf ad belltis stad
bæde skiolld og hringa. -
Tigge lofast af trauste sijn
trur var Þordur skaptur
giptu eigi seggurin sistur þijn
suinnur ädur eg kiem aptur. -
Þad skal vijst j vallde þijn
veiter benia linna
sæmd og audur og sıȷster mijn
slijkt er eg mä | þier vinna. -
Hilmer kom til hallar frödur
hann hefur sijdla vaknad
kur var eckj j koppum gödur
kongsins var þa saknad. -
Hilmer sagde virdum vijs
von ä Hareks dauda
hoskum gafst med heidur og pris
Hrolfe gullid rauda. -
Mälum skipade malmafreir
mætur vmm landid vijda
heptist rän og randa þeÿr
ried suo vintur ad lijda. -
Hirdte garpur grimnis aud
gladur og allann reida
gester hielldu garpar braut
Grimur er komen til skeida. -
Fimtie lætur filkir þa
flædar biórnu büna
Ella seiger ad eidast mä
þeir vndu segl vid hüna. -
Gnaudar flöd vmm grund og sker
gieteg ad aukist vande
Hrolfur kom med holldnum her
hratt ad Jra lande. -
Skiotliga toku skatnar hófn
skamt frä kongsins hóllu
þar skal filkirs fræda drófn
falla nidur med ollu.
Ríma II
-
Munda eg ætla ad midiungs skeid
mætte renna af orda leid
ädur enn feinge falka reid
filkirs sonur af bauga meid. -
Jrlandz kongurin alla veit
ætlun Hrölfs og räda leit
vill þa gramur med garpa sueit
giallda þeim hinu bernsku heit. -
Stefner ad sier þÿ og þræl
þeingill sä sem bist vid væl
ódlings hird gieck ecke dæl
alldre nær ad strida ä hæl. -
Hefur þu Asmund ongua frett
Jra kongs af brógdum rett
varla tru eg ad veite sliett
nie vijfa mälin gänge liett. -
Vær skulum fara med fride og vægd
fordast alla gumna slægd
aflast mun þa audur og frægd
ef vier hliotum kongsins mægd. -
Hundrad lidz af hernum velur
hinn er onguar frægdir duelur
hreiste mäl fyrer herrum telur
hilmers son er öttann felur. -
Hier skulu bragnar beint vid siä
bijda medann vier gongum frä
enn þa heitum hólda ä
huor skal buinn sem fliotast mä. -
Bragnar snüa til borgar heim
büner vel vid randa seim
naudinn öx med nófnum tueim
nu kom Hrolfur ä möte þeim. -
Þar kom óll hin jrska þiod
eckj dæl vid randa biod
filker talar og fieckst þä hliod
fetla grams vid randa riod. -
Kienneg Asmund ættdrif þitt
Olafs son vmm Skotland vijdt
seinkast mun þier mægdid mitt
mætte vera þier geinge lijtt. -
Ollum oss er alkunnig
ætlun su er brugge þid
fæst þui eckj fliod af mier
furdu margur er dulinn ad sier. -
Farid nu heim med fride og sætt
firdum skal vid onguo hætt
varla kaupist vijfid mætt
vijsliga hafi þier lijtid grædt.
Grímur Helgason les ‚fatla‘.
fetla grams er lokleysa. Upphaflegt
gæti verið fleygir fetla garms; fetla
garmur er sverð og fleygir þess
að orðið mægð sé haft í hvorugkyni
en kynið er hér rímbundið. -
Hrolfur er bæde hraustur og milldur
harla sterkur og kappe gilldur
þier vileg biöda ad heptist hilldur
hellduren riodist benia sıȷlldur. -
Enn ef þu fijsist fram ä leid
ferdinn mun eigi verda greid
þä munu virdar vigra seid
veita ydur vmm eitthuort skeid. -
Gautrex son vard eckj odur
ódling suarade konge frödur
mijnkast vid þad holda hrödur
huorgi þike mier kosturin gödur. -
Sie eg þad glogt ad siklings skraut
skiptist vm vid branda þraut
ef vier missum menia laut
miklu er betra ad hallda j braut. -
Grär mun riodast gilfris kiaptur
ef gorpum verdur daudinn skaptur
þo þig stidie kijnge kraptur
kann eg varla ad huerfa aptur. -
Hrolfur suarade bistur og brädur
bragning þottist næsta smädur
sa skal meiddur og þikjast þiadur
þegnar kalla frægstann ädur. -
Sä skal pijndur hinn suenske her
sikling mællte reidur og þuer
þö skal leika virda ver
vijst er kallast frægri huer.
sjá Ordbog over det norrøne prosa
sprog (Kaupmannahöfn: Den
Arnamagnæanske kommission,
1989–), 312.
geta til að ‚siklings‘ ætti að vera
‚skjöldungs‘. -
Hofdu Jrar hundrud vj.
holda lidz er roman vex
gnögt er afl og grundinn þreks
giptann rædur ef allvel tekst. -
Tófdu Suijar ad tækist grid
treista þeir sier kongin vid
vtan þeir hefde j leindum lid
og liete eckj ä soknum bid. -
Villde Äsmund veiga skord
væna flitia ä skeidar bord
adur enn hädist hiorfa mord
hernum gerde kongurinn ord. -
Huorge var þa sikling suijfur
segge mædde randa gijfur
stillirs her frä strondu drijfur
störann skiolld og spiotid þrifur. -
Fagrar bresta fröda | brijkur
fundurinn hittest varla slijkur
ytar suæfa vnda spijkur
Jra her til borgar vijkur. -
Opnar stodu allar grindur
jtum var þad eckj hindur
þesse hinn sterke stäla vindur
stillis her vm portenn hrindur. -
Hiorua jel var hart og æst
Hrölfe kann ad granda fæst
þannen brä vid þessu næst
þeingils borg var vandliga læst.
öxi eða annað vopn. -
Dreingium j möte drijfur mugur
dorinn sueigdist og var þä biugur
landsins vard þeim lijdurinn driugur
lofdung vacktist vnda sugur. -
Brotnar hlijf enn brandurinn giellur
biturlig heipt med gumnum suellur
huor vmm annann firda fellur
fleina þitur hia gorpum smellur. -
Jrlanz kongrinn jta hio
eckj giordist sokninn slio
órinn af huorium fingre flö
firda j gegnum briostid smö. -
Suiarner geingu sijnu snart
suerdid tok ad brotna mart
odins vedur var vndra hart
jtar feingu konginn vart. -
Suenska dreinge suæfde fleinn
sannliga vard þeim fundurinn beinn
tijndust jta tueir fyrer einn
treiste eigi ad flijia neinn. -
Odling minte Äsmund ä
oll var fallinn hridinn þä
seinkast ætlaeg snot ad fä
sijne nu huor þad orka mä. -
Gat eg þui nær sem geck j dag
gumna vinur vmm kongsins hag
fäum þeim nockurn frægdar slag
fillum enn ä blode nag.
spássíu með sömu hendi og vísað
Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir 1600, 120. -
Latum sia þad listug vijf
leika kunnum j fleina drijf
kliufum hiälm enn kóstum hlijf
kieppunst meir a frægd enn lijf. -
Asmund þecktist ódlings rad
oll var þockt af bükum läd
hann klauf hialm og hógna vod
hniginn var óll hin suenska þiod. -
Grijmur ried sä gätum fir
ad gänga framm þar magnast stir
kappinn hiö so herians hir
ad holdum süt vmm briostid lijr. -
Þrenner spenna þundar elld
þegnar giegner frama kuelld
drott var ött j daudan selld
digdar bigd var sutum hrelld. -
Jra suijrum eggin blä
ærid nær geck morgum þä
bukum striuka hofudinn hia
herdist suerd j benia lä. -
Bada fä þeir sıȷdla sokt
segger eggiast huor ä þrott
holda glód var huorge drott
härla var þä dimt af nött. -
Recka skijfer ramma troll
randa sol rauf fiolnis vóll
bragnar mest j branda goll
bärust vpp ad eirne hóll.
væntanlega að menn séu háls-
höggnir og að höfuðin strjúkist við
búkana þegar þau falla af.
Fjölnir notað sem jötunsheiti og
vísar í Þjassa og frásögn Snorra-
Eddu af því er hann stóð á skildi -
Þustu Suijar j stad med stigd
stillir pröfar þeirra digd
þad var eigi lıȷdum ligd
leinge magnast gorpum hrigd. -
Jrar syndu onguann frid
eidast tok þä gumna lid
eigi komu vopnum vid
vasker menn er eidust grid. -
Mäna skipte menia landz
mättug egginn skiallda grandz
beininn hio medan brandurin vanst
budlung vt til niunda manz. -
Jralid gieck ad suo margt
eyddist vid þad folkid biart
brandinum kastar burt suo hartt
budlung vtj myrkrid suart. -
Hóggum mætte hialmsins bard
heliar sueit for Jra gard
filkir ädur enn fangin vard
firdum veitte æfe skard. -
Soktu dreinger sijdann hauf
sijna pijnu ad flærdar auf
firda skildu ad filkirs krauf
færa ofan j diupa gróf. -
Suo var giórt sem sikling bidur
sıȷndur var meir þa daude enn fridur
stodar nu eckj ad stalldra vidur
standande kom ræsir nidur.
Björn Karel Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir
1600, 96, 126. Land menja er hönd.
en óvenjulangt bil er á undan orðinu
eins og staðið hafi til að skrifa meira
eða eitthvað hafi verið skafið út.
Merkingin í fyrri helming þessarar
vísu virðist ekki ljós. -
Frietta eg huorge fyr j heim
frægra kong ad hiorua seim
gripur j möte gorpum tueim
gietur hann þann veg borgid þeim. -
Hellu færde med afle ä
ytum leist hun stör ad siä
grofina hugdu ad geyma þä
geingu sıȷdann burtu fra. -
Audling talar vid Asmund frægur
Jrlandz vard oss kongurin slægur
brudar er sia bingurin hægur
brätt mun hann endast nockur dægur. -
Sannast mun þad sógdu vær
snarligur virdtist Hrolfur j giær
eckj lijst mier ódlings mær
Äsmund huijla ydur suo nær. -
Suarade hinn er snotar bad
sanliga talade kongur vmm þad
helldur kiore eg hillde ad
hnijga daudur enn þennan stad. -
Recka skifer refla þiel
raugnis hallar vndu vel
hier munu segger suellta j hel
sannliga fer þä eckj vel. -
Laudursins skijfer vigra vagur
vordinn er sa fundurinn bägur
eigi skilde milldings mägur
meyar giarn og vijsku lägur.
þessi orð í sögunni: „þat ætla ek,
fóstbróðir! at Hrólfr, nafni minn,
ætli þér þessa sængina fyrr en
hjá Ingibjörgu, dóttur sinni“, sjá
Hrólfssaga Gautrekssonar, útg.
Detter, 62.
Valhallar: skildir; þél skjalda: sverð,
sbr. Björn Karel Þórólfsson, Rímur
fyrir 1600, 142. Hugsunin er þá
væntanlega að þeir menn sem voru
höggnir í bardaganum undu því vel
– en þeim Hrólfi er ætlaður smán-
arlegur dauðdagi. -
Skifdann leistu skialldar spord
skiolldungs þar vid randa mord
eigi skilde ædru ord
ägiæt spiria menia skord. -
Asmund er þad eigi suo vant
ódling setur oss hardann skamt
varla kom eg j verra pant
væri mier vr grófinne ant. -
Herrann ansar hilmers kund
hefur þu ræsir barna lund
hier mun eg läta fiolnis fund
falla nidur vmm eina stund.
Þridia
Ríma III
-
Higge digg ä hrödrar giord
hólda sueit med greinum
medan vier gledium minnis jórd
af milldings verkum hreinum. -
Styr var fyr med styrkuum endur
styre | fröda hiupa
nauda traudur var niflung sendur
nidur j jórd suo diupa. -
Garpar snarper gordu tueir
Gautrex syne ad filgia
sarer voru segger þeir
siatnar vnda bilgia. -
Dottur þotte dóglings nu
dreinger jlla setter
jta sijter agiæt fru
eru þeir klædum fletter.
endinn á skildinum.
brynja > hermaður. -
Endils sende eikar skord
eina meÿ til recka
berdu skerde blijdlig ord
baugs hann fyrest ecka. -
Käter sätu kappar þä
kuelld tok fram ad lijda
gullas þóllen grófinne hiä
gieck hin öska frida. -
Virda spurde vegligt sprund
huort væri þar menn ä lıȷfe
snöt j möte seima lund
sende biortu vijfe. -
Bæde klæde bior og vist
braud og vijnit skiæra
meidir beidir mens vid rist
milldings dottur færa. -
Spracka þackar spenner horns
spioll og bod med tiggia
ryrer skyrer rinde þorns
reckx huad hann vill þiggia. -
Brand til handa beide eg mier
budlungs dottur færa
suerd mun verda seigeg þier
snötum þungt ad hræra. -
Laut j braut til lindar geingur
loks ad hitta rinde
biargar sagde baugs huad dreingur
beidde menia linde.
ormur, sbr. Björn Karel Þórólfs
son, Rímur fyrir 1600, 117.
kenndur við horn sitt, sbr. Björn
Karel Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir
1600, 181.
mannkenning.
lind og rindur séu allt hálfkenn-
ingar fyrir konu.
merkingu í orðin ‚bjargar baugs‘.
Vísuorðið skortir innrím og hlýtur
að vera afbakað. -
Walla kalla eg visku hanz
vera sem adrer läta
brosad er opt ad male manz
mens og suarar hin käta. -
Hitt er kuıȷttad Hrolfur sie
helldur vitur j radum
merkur sterkur og milldur af fie
mentur snilldar dädum. -
J giær var eg nær er Gautrex kundur
gafst sem adrir færi
laufa klauf hann *lund j sundur
lijkt sem birke væri. -
Fliodid rioda finn þu skiott
fenrix garda skerra
gillding villda eg glod j nött
gófugum færa herra. -
Wndann skundar eisu frid
einkar talade leinge
vt med sut þo eigi sie blijd
audskord fra eg ad geinge. -
Geitis leitar glæse mals
grund ad hlıȷfar spille
þellan fellur þyniar bals
þegna daudra j mille. -
*Dynu synest dreinger þa
daudir gänga sagu
þægia og bægia þornana
þeir er nidre lägu.
heim og saman og þriðja vísuorð
skortir innrím. Leiðrétta mætti
‚mens og‘ í ‚mengrund‘ eða ‚menþöll‘
en vandséð er hvers vegna þau orð
hefðu afbakast svona.
Helgason les ‚Hitter‘ en þá hefði
mátt búast við titli yfir t en ekki e.
Hann les áfram: ‚kuytt ad‘.
65 *lund: hdr. lind; laufa lundur =
en erfitt er að koma henni heim og
saman. Björn Karel leiðréttir Fenrix
í Fjölnis og hugsar sér að Fjölnis
garðar sé skjaldarkenning (Björn
Karel Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir 1600,
- en eins og hann bendir sjálfur
á eru engin önnur dæmi þekkt um
slíka kenningu í rímum. Ekki er
heldur árennilegt að fá merkingu í
‚skerra‘, sem virðist eindæmaorð.
Vænlegra gæti verið að leiðrétta í
‚Fenrix góma sparra‘ og breyta þá
‚herra‘ í ‚harra‘ í fjórða vísuorði.
Hliðstæða við hvort tveggja er í
Ektors rímum XII.70.
Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir 1600, 130.
Geitis er gull; grund gulls er kona.
þella gulls: kona.
71 *Dynu: hdr. Dynest.
ing og er það óvenjulega að orði
komist en raunar ekki illa til fundið
um skemmumey. Annar möguleiki
er að hér hafi upphaflega verið gull-
kenning, t.d. hafi ‚drengir‘ verið
‚drákons‘.
-
Hrædd og mædd kom hringa eik
heim ad fruinnar garde
riod og möd af runnu leik
ristil þessa varde. -
Sætan mæt er sæmdar giorn
siklings mær j hliode
suannenn fann hinn sara biórn
seiger | þad vænu fliode. -
Bæde hræda bauga vor
blod og firdar daudir
baru sarer bragnar suór
budust mier af þui nauder. -
Badar rädast beint vmm kuelld
brandsins enn ad leita
fundu ad stundu fenrix elld
og færdu gram hinum teita. -
Frette af lietta filkir ött
fliod huad þiggia villde
kióre med hiorue kongurinn fliott
klæde og lios hinn millde. -
Kiærann færer kappa þeim
klædinn biórt af veflum
skundar sprund til skemmu heim
en skiolldung geymer hellu. -
Sijd mun blijd vid segge fru
syna ferd ried enda
herians feriu hliotum nu
heim j Suiþiod venda.
‚runnu leik‘ á að vera.
það gengur ekki upp að sverðið
finnist hér og svo aftur í vísu 22.
Geta mætti þess til að hér ætti að
vera neitun.
Fenrix notað sem Óðinsheiti.
eindæmaorð og rímið er
ónákvæmt. Óvenjulegur bogi er
yfir u. Til greina mundi koma að
leiðrétta í ‚vellum‘ og skilja þannig
að átt sé við gullbjört klæði. -
Giæter mætur gullhrings þóll
garpurinn Þorer landa
reckurinn þeckist radin óll
rindar ægis branda. -
Versar þessa virdum mætum
virt var birt að fretta
halurinn falde hellst vm nætur
holda kind af lietta. -
Hrolfur huolfer hornid traust
hraustur Gautrex arfe
gaf þad af sier gillda raust
greitt fyrer vopna starfe. -
Blijdust þijdust bauga norn
birlar vijnid skiæra
stærer og færir stiriar horn
stillis *vininum kiæra. -
Hraum vid þraum ad haufde hun ä
hornid tok ad gialla
vijkur af slijku vorunum fra
veiter ofnis palla. -
Þorir stöd vid þesse vndur
þegar varp af hende
vrar hurar horn j sundur
hilmer spiotid bendir. -
Ræsir blæs af reide harpur
rijkur og suarade vijfe
j daudans naud er dreingurinsnarpur
drotter þróngua lijfe.
virðist vera ávarpsliður og
eiga við konuna sem hlýðir á
Hér, Þorbjörg drottning.
‚mætr‘.
í ‚talaði‘.
erfitt að sjá til hvers það vísar
í sögunni.
86 *vininum: hdr: vinnum.
Ofnir er ormsheiti.
fyrir í Hrólfs sögu Gautrekssonar
en er hins vegar notað um horn
sem gegnir mikilvægu hlutverki í
Sturlaugs sögu starfsama.
Merkingin gæti verið svipuð og
í sögnunum hurra og húrra sem
þekktar eru í nýrri tíð.
eindæmaorð. Gæti átt að merkja
‚herptur‘. -
Streingde dreingur sterkligt heit
stöd hann ódrum fæte
hann skal kanna hilmers leit
helldur en birdar sæte. -
Þorer suor ad þarnast skal
þegninn drick og fædu
fyr enn spir med fiorue hal
fra eg so lukast rædu. -
Heimann sueimar harla reidur
hristir mækis eggia
veit eigi sueit huort vijga meidur
veg mun sijdann leggia. -
Adur enn hädist odda fundur
ä þeim xiiij. nättum
frett hef eg þetta ad yrde vndur
Jra brä þad hättum. -
Tróll fra hollu tiggia längt
tóludu menn ad væri
vijda bijda virdar krankt
vid fra eg horfa fære. -
Bendir sendir beiger fleins
braut hann þorp og hallir
fijsir hnijsir fram ad eins
flagdid hrædast allir. -
Flijdu lijdir fleina vind
fölk sä daudt j hrónnum
eıȷdir deıȷdir vrins kind
eirn veg fie sem monnum.
nautgripi, sbr. orðið úrarhorn. -
Fitiar vitiar fenris jödz
filkers hallar snimma
dofri ofrar darra hliodz
dægri fyr var rimma. -
Sprettings sette spialld j skiólld
og spiot vnd sier j gätter
hóldum vóldust heiptar giólld
helldur enn mijnkar satter. -
Steiper hleiper stiórnu hramms
stals med heiptar lionum
vijger hnijga virdar grams
vals fyrer leiptar siönum. -
Hundrud vndra holda fimm
halurinn lidz ad mætte
rädinn nädu ad reina grimm
Hrolfs firer þessum vætte. -
Eingin dreingia jnne dreckur
oll tok brógd af stille
kall er valla kóppum þeckur
knosar hann þeirra ä mille. -
Annan dag kom fliodid eitt
til filkers hallar vitia
sijndist kind med suerdid breitt
suóng þar vte sitia. -
Mær kom nær þa mellu dreingur
millding jnne birgde
skiott og fliott til skemmu geingur
skyckiu folld og sirgde.
94 Fenris jóð: úlfur. Fit (land) úlfs
gæti verið vígvöllur.
95 Dofri er jötunsheiti, hér Þórir.
Einnig kæmi til greina að Dofri
darra hljóðs (orrustu) ætti að vera
mannkenning.
96 Ofra getur merkt að lyfta en
samhengið hér er óljóst.
97 Sprettingur er jötunsheiti en hvað
spjald Sprettings á að vera er ekki
ljóst.
98 Stjarna hramms: gull; steypir
gulls: maður.
99 Þetta vísuorð er torskilið; ljónar
eru menn og ef til vill á að taka
saman ‚ljónar heiptar stáls‘ og
skilja sem hermenn.
framburðinum Rólfs. Slíkar
norskuslettur finnast sums staðar
í rímum.
stuðul og innrím. Ef til vill
ætti ‚annan‘ að vera ‚fagran‘. -
Brigdinn hugde eg bäru landz
brima þóllinn sagde
beite leit eg biarga ranns
birgd var hóll ad flagde. -
Joded rioda ódlings bad
jnna fliod af mætte
huersu þessu hugdir ad
hafra tigge þætte. -
Buss var þussa briniu vardur
bükurinn järne vijda
ennid spennir hialmurinn hardur
hrotte girdur vid sijda. -
Drosinn lios kuad draugnum þeim
digrann hring ä arme
buinn og snüenn vid branda seim
brudurinn talar med harme. -
Sorangs voru suartar brijn
suangur og magur ad lijta
higg eg biggia hellis sijn
harmur kunne ad bijta. -
Annan suanna ódlings mær
enn vill kuinnan senda
mistar vist sem mælum vær
med skal fædu venda. -
Ferdar er þad fliode bann
fram til hallar vitia
tigge liggur og treistist hann
traudla vpp ad sitia.
sjávar: gull; þöll gulls: kona.
hér Þórir, sbr. Björn Karel
Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir 1600,
skilið. Til forna eru slíkar kenn-
ingar hafðar um guðinn Þór.
sonar, þ.e. Þóris. Taka á saman
svo: Búkurinn þursaburs var
víða brynjuvarður.
Ordbog) er jötunn.
Þórir. Hygg eg byggja hellis
sýn: [þannig] tel ég útlit jötuns-
kenning en erfitt er að sjá
hvernig það á að ganga upp.
-
Vella þella vondsligt kuein
veittu eigi kuad suanne
þig mun leida lıȷtid mein
lox af þessum manni. -
Vijf nam þrifa vist og drick
vænt ä vrne kallar
þennann kienner þiasse hrigg
þegar hann kom til hallar. -
Renner spennir randa sködz
reiger ad fliode augu
ristar nistar halu stodz
hófudid fyrer baugu. -
Meyan fleiger horne hart
hrunde diskur af lofa
suannann fann og sagde margt
snötina villde hann profa. -
Kind er blind enn kongsins nu
katt ried mær ad jnna
veill man heilla vife fru
vist er horfinn sinna. -
Skallaz fallaz gefne og gied
greiner þegar hün heyrde
sijdann frijdar sagner med
snöt til hallar keyrde. -
Seigdu ad bregde þussinn þrä
þorna eikinn | rioda
läte kätann lijfe ä
lofdung suenskra þioda.
Þórir.
skilja á samhengið hér og rímið
er ófullkomið.
Hristar til að fá fram stuðul.
óskiljanlegur. -
Suinn j minne seimanä
slijka rædu lagde
huijt nam lijta hrimenn ä
hringa þóll og sagde. -
Fædu snæde ferligt troll
framur er Hrolfur ä lijfe
gretter leit vid gullhrings þóll
glotte þuss ad vijfe. -
Skijre hin dıȷra skorda gullz
skioma talade beiter
grimma rimma gieck til fullz
Gautrex syne huad veiter. -
Lifer hinn þrifne sikling siä
settur j grof suo myrkua
hellu fella hóldar ä
harla þunga og styrkua. -
Brædur fædir budlungs mær
benia skins og däder
henne kienna holdar nær
heidurinn sinn og näder. -
Suinna finna seimagrund
sagdist Þorer vilia
sotte ött ä suannans fund
seima æske þilia. -
Kuelld var helldur er kurteist vijf
kom til Þorirs fundar
beggia seggia birtast lijf
brudur ad grofinne skundar.
er kona. -
Ódrum *naudru eidir bings
arme skaut vid steine
*leigiar fleiger landa hrings
lestir folldar beine. -
Onguer slongua óflger xij.
ytar þessare hellu
leisir þeisir lijdir Hrölf
lox af bauga þellu. -
Agnars fagnar óllum þeim
alma þorn med blıȷdu
beidir leidir bragna heim
baugs enn liette strijdu. -
Mætum bætist mein og pijn
milldings kóppum sniollum
heptist aptur hrosta vijn
härs j visku póllum.
Ríma IV
-
Þrisuar framda eg þundar vijn
vmm þegna hag
frialsast mun þui fræda smijd
vmm fiorda brag. -
Jrlandz kongur er jnn j holl
og allmióg suelltur
skatnar hrædast skrämlig tróll
og skiolldurinn smelltur. -
Þorer spurde þeingils meÿ
ä þennan hätt
frete hann af þundar þey
er þeir hafa ätt.
129 *naudru: hdr. naudum.
öðrum armi við steini.
131 *leigiar: hdr. leiger.
hrings (sævar) = maður. Eldur
sævar er gull. Lestir gulls er
*leygjar landa hrings fleygir
foldar beini = maðurinn fleygir
steininum.
er myrkt. -
Wijfid sagdi vaskare menn
kann varla fä
þeirra vorninn rıȷdur og renn
sem reinast mä. -
Kongur vor giorer koppum grand
med kijnge filldur
þu hefur verid vmm þetta land
af þegnum trilldur. -
Kappinn suarade kuendid liösa
kienne eg mig
hier munu eckj allir kiösa
ord ä sig. -
Nu ertu enn kuad niflungs vijfid
næsta skiædur
hue skal endast hilmes *lijfid
ef halurinn rædur. -
Þorer ansar þornagrund
þa suo fellt
þann fæ eg vijst hinn harda hund
til heliar suellt. -
Wijfid suarade vielum suipt
er virda gledur
madur hefur sä mikla skript
ä mijnum fedur. -
Vægid honum fyrer vora bæn
og vertu eigi stiggur
mun þä eignast meire | sæmd
þinn madurinn diggur.
er einnig að finna í Geðraunum,
Sturlaugs rímum og Ektors rímum.
Í hinum rímunum er það ‚frægðin‘
sem ríður og renn.
138 *lijfid: hdr. vijfid. -
Vilier þu Äsmund elska heitt
sem eigin mann
þier skal allt af vilia veitt
sem verda kann. -
So er kominn ä seggia valld
ad sagde frü
oss mun verda giptu gialld
ef gleymum nu. -
Fleyri talar hun frigdar ord
en faum þad greint
virdum birlar veigaskordin
vijnid hreint. -
Holda giorer fra harme spenna
huorskins glaumur
annan veg skal rógnis renna
rösar straumur. -
Þorbiorg sat nu þeige kıȷr
er Þorer huarf
vijfid biost þä vijst sem fyr
j vopna starf. -
Gófuga menn j garda sende
gullas vór
Kietil ad hitta enn hiartad kiende
harma fór. -
Skeidum hratt ä skeliungs frön
sä skijrdar dreingur
farna seiger hann firda von
ef frestast leingur.
skapur. Rós getur merkt bikar,
sbr. Ordbog. -
Jngialldur kom austanad
ä æis dijr
dige nu huor sem drottning bad
kuad dreingurinn skijr. -
Dógling sotte daga sem nætur a
drösar fund
sikling fra eg ad siglir mætur
j samre stund. -
Fundust þesser frægdar menn
og fromdu tal
bädir lietust buner senn
ef beriast skal. -
Hilmers segl fra hünum nidur
ad huorge sijgur
buist nu huer sä bragna vidur
er best er vijgur. -
Þorbiorg gaf þa þackar ord
ä þeirra snilld
hæfer nu kuad hringa skord
ad hefnd sie gilld. -
Sannliga var þa seggium tueim
sijnt til midz
früinn var sialf j ferd med þeim
og fiolde lidz. -
Reina þeir fyrer ræsis ord
reipid huert
ólldur geingu a jmis bord
og allt vm þuert. -
Fliuga þotte flaustur vm hver
þar fridurin brestur
ytar komu med allann her
til Jrlandz vestur. -
Kappar lógdu ä kongsins hófn
og kiendu skeidur
Kietill bad vackta virda biorn
og var þo reidur. -
Kietill var ei til orda seinn
vid ódlings jöd
eg vil rada atferd einn
og allre þiod. -
Brennum land og britium þiod
og berium allt
fillum suo af fenris jöd
og folkid sniallt. -
Þessa lätte þegna gielldur
þeingils kuon
þä mun verda hernum helldur
harma trön. -
Geingu þeir med grimma lund
j glæsta borg
bukar þocktu breida grund
bæi og torg. -
Vijst ma bæde vine og frændur
vegna siä
hinn verdur opt ad hreiste kiendur
er hefna mä. |
Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir 1600,
106–107.
vera skip en í því er varla heil
brú. Björn Karel leggur til að
leiðrétta í ‚vimra björn‘ (Rímur
fyrir 1600, 153) en ekki verður
séð að ‚vimra‘ komi fyrir í
rímum. Vænlegra væri að leið-
rétta í ‚voða björn‘; þannig er
skip kennt í Mágus rímum II.72.
aukning, blómað mál). Trón
merkir hásæti. -
Fallinn sie hier fiolda hersins
fir og nær
sie eg ei lijkt til lofdungs þess
sem leitum vær. -
Herinn allur grimdar geistur
gapte j mot
verdur eigi vr heliu leistur
higginn snot. -
Kappar lijta kongsins gard
og kiendu hóll
frijdlig skiemma fyrer þeim vard
ä fógrum vóll. -
Brennum þesse bæde hus
og berum ad tundur
vinda herinn vijga füs
og vegge j sundur. -
Ofeigum kiemur ei ólld j hel
og er þad mællt
segger skilldu siäst vm vel
og sijna eigi fælt. -
Bragnar kinda bäl suo hätt
og birta glædur
millding spir vmm midia nätt
huor manna rædur. -
Nu er þad birt kuad budlungs jöd
er bar fyrer mig
sä er nu kominn med fræga þiod
ad frelsa þig.
að sýna ekki hræðslu. -
Stiller ried ad stockua vt
og sterkleik herdur
feinginn mun þeim flestum sut
er fyrer honum verdur. -
Vijsir lijtur vaskann mann
og vegur suo tijdt
hóndum greip hann holdinn þann
og helldur strijdt. -
Hneiger hialm enn kurteis sprundid
klappar möt
vopnum fleiger ä vıȷda grund
su vænlig snöt. -
Giæsku fann er giort var bäl
og grimligt strijd
þetta er eckj ä þann veg mäl
kuad þorna hlijd. -
Hugda eg ad hefnna þıȷn
og hepta suig
alldre var þad ætlan mijn
ad angra þig. -
Sæker þetta suinna dreinge
sagde hann
raunar þarf eigi reina leinge
róskuann mann. -
Oss mun þetta orda gialfur
ónguo tia
dijran seigdu dógling sialfur
dominn ä.
skáldið talið að *kneigir væri forn -
Filkir vard þä feigin og gladur
er fann þau oll
huor kuedzt buinn budlungs madur
ad brenna holl. -
Budlungs dottur blıȷdu næfur
bannar þad
Kietell var möte ödur og æfur
j annann stad. -
Ecka var þar efnis feingur
vmm alla nätt
þeigia mun eg og þilia eigi leingur
þennan hätt.
Ríma V
-
Tÿrs skal renna tappa rijn vmm
tanna gliufur
fiolnis vijn skal föstrenn liufur
fara til þijn og kuædis stufur. -
Wirdar slögu vidris grand
vmm vijsirs rann
huer fra eg nær er hóllinn brann
hræddann giorde margan mann. -
Gumna bidur hann gänga vt þä
giordist stir
briota vpp hinu breidu dıȷr
burt er tróll sem þar var fir. -
Skotnum hefur sä skelk j bringu
skiolldurinn sett
launa eg stundum lægre prett
listum er óllum af mier flett.
Karel Þórólfsson, Rímur fyrir
1600, 206.
vera einn af áheyrendum eða við
takendum rímunnar.
en heldur gengur það illa upp. Má
vera að upphaflegt sé ‚viðarins
grand‘. -
Oss mun varla verda vr | minne
villann su
fyre skal eg enn flıȷia nu
falla daudur ä mijna tru. -
Budlung leit þa brodur sinn med
blodgar hendur
einka fätt vid stiller stendur
stadurinn giorest nu all miog
brendur. -
Suannenn bad fyrer sijnum fedur
sinnu giæddur
hann er ordinn ærid hræddur
jnne birgdur af hüngre mæddur. -
Fyrre leista eg filkirs naud enn
fódur mijns hrigd
beri nu eigi ä brudi bligd
bragna vin fyrer sijna digd. -
Hrolfur seiger ad hennar ord
skule hialpa þeim
gioreg þad ei fyrer gull nie seim
geijse vijdt þad spirst vmm heim. -
Kaup er þesse kuenna mäl er
klandra oss
mektum eigi suo menia hnoss
ad minkist ytum stäla foss. -
Bragning var sa bundinn leiddur
er brógdinn vann
hóldar bädu ad heingia hann
huor veit slijkann galldra mann. -
Kietell suarar og kallar hätt þar
kinlig vndur
lofdung skilde lima j sundur
licktast þannen stäla fundur. -
Hrolfur bad þä blıȷdann verda
barma sinn
næsta er suo nafne minn
nockud hægst vmm kostinn þinn. -
Asmund suarar og ódling stod
þa einkar nær
rettast skal þegar rümid fær
rijkann herran kügum vær. -
Lofdung muntu litlu kaupa lijfid
þitt
villtu leggia ä valldid mitt
vegligt sprund og rikid fridt. -
Lıȷtid mun eg kuad lofdungs
brödurin leggia vidur
kongsins nafne kaste hann nidur
kaupist ella huorge fridur. -
Jrlandz kongurinn ongu giorde
ansa ä möt
fastnar Asmund frida snöt
fruinnar gladdist blijdu röt. -
Ytar feingu fulla sæmd er fruenn
var gipt
gripanna fiolda og gullen skipt
giórla var med óllu suipt. -
Eingin þackar jrskum monnum aud
nie vijn
þeirra kongur er þrunginn pijn
þottist hracktur af eigu sijn. -
Wirdar kuadu valla kongin verre
fäst
alldre bad hann þa optar siäst
eckj skal til þessa liast. -
Skijrer hielldu skatnar heim til
Skotlandz nu
veglig munde veislann su
voru jnne brudkaup þriu. -
Sijdann sest ad sijnu riki seggia
huer
dugga óls enn dreggin sier
dicktan su til enda fer.
Source Colophon
Source text from Gripla XXVI (2015), ed. Jóhanna Katrín Friðriksdóttir and Haukur Þorgeirsson. Diplomatic edition from AM 146 a 8vo. Public domain manuscript. Open access.
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