The Rímur of Konráðr
An eight-ríma knight-romance, also known as Konráðs Þáttr (The Tale of Konráðr). The story follows Prince Konráðr, son of Emperor Rígarðr of Saxony, who is sent as a youth to be fostered by Earl Roðgeirr. There he and Roðgeirr's son Roðbert swear brotherhood, master all courtly arts, and become inseparable companions. When Roðbert seduces Konráðr's sister Silvia, it is Konráðr who pleads for mercy and brokers exile over execution. The sworn brothers sail to Constantinople, where the Emperor of Greece receives them with honour, and their fortunes entwine with those of the Byzantine court across the remaining seven rímur.
The text survives in manuscripts A (AM 604 a), B, E, and G, and was first edited by Theodor Wisén in Riddara-Rímur (Copenhagen, 1881). This is the third and final cycle in the Riddara-Rímur collection, following Filipó-Rímur and Herburts Rímur.
First known English translation of this rímur cycle.
Ríma I
The mansöngr. Emperor Rígarðr of Saxony. Konráðr and Silvia. Earl Roðgeirr and his son Roðbert. The sworn brotherhood. Roðbert seduces Silvia. Konráðr pleads for mercy. Exile to Constantinople.
1.
Though I would pour the rose-stream
of poetry for men,
I have about the dark child of Dellingr
far too much to think upon.
2.
My rudder of speech has stiffened,
the streets of wisdom wander;
always the fire of the dark woman
hinders me from fair Dvalinn's game.
3.
There where a maiden's fortress-wall
burns with heated breath,
my storm of longing stands
ever full of desire.
4.
Now I have lost what was lent me —
all power over this matter;
my heart is burned by the wound
of the ring-goddess's fire.
5.
The grief of the guide-woman
has played me hard in secret storm;
I think therefore that joy is scarce
before the gold of the bright lady.
6.
No harder longing can be found,
if it shall never cease,
than to praise that worthy jewel-woman
whom a man may never enjoy.
7.
Had I some tale of adventure
that might gladden men,
the words standing clear and bright,
upheld in ancient fashion —
8.
Rígarðr was the emperor called
who ruled Saxony;
to men he gave the snow of arms
and the dear light of the wave.
9.
The lord made his people honour
the name of the Almighty;
therefore the king's glory was
adorned with every splendour.
10.
Many held that generous lord
the mightiest of kings;
north of the Greek sea
his equal could not be found.
11.
He was both gentle and bold,
as men may well hear;
the prince reddened the gleaming spear
in the red blood of warriors.
12.
The ruler had chosen a wise wife
for her lineage and her beauty;
dear and fair was that queen
who gladdened the lord's people.
13.
The king begat with that gold-woman
a son and a daughter so fair;
to them was granted with honour
the world's power and delight.
14.
The prince's son was gentle and great,
quick with the spear in battle,
kind and bold and strong in trials
even in his youth.
15.
The king's son was the equal of few,
his fame he bore above all folk;
Konráðr he received as his courtly name,
chosen for every excellence.
16.
His sister was fair and beautiful,
the blossom of the world's delight;
no hill of Svölnir's maiden
could outshine that sweet woman.
17.
Silvia is the name of that silken lady,
learned in many arts;
to the people those graceful siblings
gave the serpent of generosity.
18.
The ruler with his strong host
upheld his power and kingdom;
warriors fed the wolf of Fenrir
from the fair wound-stream.
19.
A mighty earl those warriors had
whom they called Roðgeirr;
he did not flinch before the bitter spear
when summoning the assembly of blades.
20.
This warrior bore his fame
far above other men;
swift to sport and arts,
his like could not be found.
21.
The earl wedded with Fáfnir's bridge
a shrewd kinswoman of the headband:
he begat a son with his wife
whom men call Roðbert.
22.
Skilled he was in bearing,
eager to fight with steel;
of good sense he had no lack
and was thought wise in speech.
23.
Roðgeirr adorned with Rhine-gold
his fair warriors;
the champion wished with his splendid host
to ride to the emperor's court.
24.
Warriors turned their fair horses
from the prince's estate;
there shone the sun on Sörli's cloth
and Svölnir's burnished rings.
25.
The lord, richly adorned,
received the worthy earl with joy;
he sat next to the emperor himself,
and warriors magnified the feast.
26.
The earl speaks his errand,
the prince's men fall silent:
"The king's son I would invite
home to me as my foster-son."
27.
"Konráðr we shall teach
to cleave the thin shields,
and all those feats of arms
that I have learned to master."
28.
The emperor with affection now
accepted the courtly invitation;
then the glowing serpent-bridge
was given by the lord to his people.
29.
Konráðr chose from the king's retinue
bold and handsome men;
swiftly the warriors took their leave
and longed to ride for home.
30.
The men found Roðgeirr's estate
and sought to rest;
the earl bestowed love and every kindness
upon the prince's son.
31.
Roðbert placed the king's kinsman
next to himself in rank;
swiftly he won from the gold-tree
fair love and lasting.
32.
Konráðr learned with courtesy and fame
all the arts of manhood;
therefore he bore a fair abundance of honour
above the bravest champions.
33.
To ride in the dust and redden swords,
to defeat warriors in the field,
swift swimming and skiing
and shooting the stiff bow.
34.
The ruler's son was great and worthy,
nobly suited to measure;
in tournament he was firm and strong —
there is no need for anyone to prove it.
35.
Roðbert next gave the prince's son
the bold name of knight;
yet he played with greatest pleasure
beside the dear king's heir.
36.
All the tongues in the wide world
that men could distinguish,
Roðbert could read them all
as clearly as pure German.
37.
Many a fair accomplishment
they proved in works of skill;
soon they swore themselves into brotherhood
and bound it with strong oaths.
38.
Konráðr wishes to visit his father's court
at the appointed time;
Roðbert follows that thorn-god,
clad in the sea's surf.
39.
The lord welcomes his heir
and all their company;
he pours worthy wine for the warriors
and they dwell at home a long while.
40.
The king's daughter, bright and fair,
dwells in her bower alone;
Roðbert saw that silken hill
whom men call the fairest.
41.
He spoke much with the linen-tree
and wished to court the maiden;
he won from that Fáfnir's golden land
a gentle willingness.
42.
Konráðr trusted his faithful companion
to speak with the fair lady;
therefore none intruded on their talk,
and so the hours slipped by.
43.
One day as the treasure-tree
was enjoying her young life,
the thorn-ground spoke these words —
there was sorrow on the woman:
44.
"Fate wishes to press us far too hard
with bitter necessity;
now I carry the young child —
earl's son, I shall tell you."
45.
"My father will be driven to fury
over this great event;
therefore you shall be hanged in shame
and know harsh torments."
46.
Roðbert says: "Now the hour proves
unjust to us both;
yet even if it goes as you say,
I shall never flee."
47.
"Give your counsel, red-lipped woman,
from your own wisdom!" —
The wife answered in that moment:
"Tell it to my brother!"
48.
"I will not be present for that —
such things are hard to seek;
then tell me truly afterward
what answer he will give!"
49.
Roðbert came before Konráðr's knee
and declared he feared for mercy:
"My life, my land, my wealth —
the prince's son shall decide."
50.
"I have made the bright woman with child
and broken the bond of faith;
mine is truly the blood of wolves
once the emperor learns of it."
51.
The prince spoke, furious and grim,
who had burned the wolf on the spit:
"Your fame and honour are driven away
if justice takes its course."
52.
"Your father loved me and gave me fame,
that honour I was bound to receive;
therefore I must help you most,
for his sake you shall profit."
53.
Konráðr went to the emperor's presence
and greeted the mighty ruler;
he asked the wise king for a moment
to turn aside to private speech.
54.
The ruler went to his study at once
with his strong retinue;
the prince's son, from loyalty's power,
spoke thus with honour:
55.
"Roðbert has in dire need
drawn near your wrath;
he has broken the trust of youth
and made my sister with child."
56.
The king's mind was grimly shaken
with furious rage and dread;
the lord says: "This foul shame
will spread far too wide."
57.
"He shall seduce no more fair women
by such deceit;
he shall lose his life in disgrace
and hang upon the ugly gallows."
58.
Konráðr begs the lord above all
to soften his wrath:
"Sire, grant a stay of execution
and weigh the love between us!"
59.
"Send him far from this land
with many followers;
give him honour and worldly ornament —
our glory is the greater for it."
60.
"Let your ugly wrath, bright lord,
fall to nothing;
the dear Lord endured far more
who received death for all."
61.
The prince began to thunder
harsh reproof at his noble child:
"You are far too foolish in spirit
and understand nothing."
62.
"Though I grant," said the lord, "that
Roðbert should keep his life,
I foresee from my own knowledge:
he will betray you both."
63.
Konráðr pledged to leave the emperor's land;
champions bind their oaths;
warriors shall drive the bears
across the herring-ground.
64.
Konráðr steps aboard the wave-stag,
glad of Roðbert's will;
from father and mother and the bright woman
the prince's son took his leave.
65.
The ruler's son with his strong host
steered out of Saxony;
the warriors' kind stood in armour
with Bölverkr's sharp fire.
66.
Champions let the greedy wolves
leap swiftly from the harbours;
the dove struck against the steep board
and bent many a longship.
67.
It was as though the great winds
bore the storm-power through the sky;
the daughters of Hlér drove the dark steed
as lightning drives.
68.
Rán's bright children ran
against the reddened prow;
Konráðr lets the hood-stag
race toward Constantinople.
69.
The Greeks have seen the fleet approach
that men call the finest;
the ships were adorned with clear gold
and precious stones.
70.
The sails were set with Svöfnir's wealth
and wide yardarms;
far out across the ring of lands
the flash leapt from their ships.
71.
The ruler's son into the Bosporus
steers the flood-reindeer;
warriors in the harboured ground
drive the stout masts.
72.
Famed and bold was the Greek king,
eager for art and honour;
the throne-king, proud and noble,
let his people walk to the shore.
73.
The king's host came to harbour
to meet the sword-god;
now he bids the worthy thorn-field
accept a mighty feast.
74.
Roðbert asked the prince
to refuse no honour;
then the Greek host went forth
to meet the lord in splendour.
75.
Konráðr came from the wave-home
with his worthy champions;
then the ruler of the Rhine-gold
shared it out among his men.
76.
Roðbert speaks to the prince:
"You yourself shall choose:
will you sit and answer
the king's questions?"
77.
Konráðr says the champion shall
meet the king's questions:
"Roðbert, you can in eloquent speech
contend with warriors best."
78.
"If you will lay this burden on me"
— said the giver of the wave-thread —
"prince's son, I shall rightly before you
both walk and sit."
79.
The warrior says that Roðbert shall
decide everything alone;
when their talk was ended,
they sought the king's hall.
80.
I have made a fair lady the subject
of my poem's shining ornament;
now may men most bravely
seize the theft of Ómi.
Ríma II
The Greek princess Matthildr. Konráðr's courtship. Roðbert as envoy. The princess tests Konráðr. Roðbert woos on his own behalf. Konráðr alone in the hall.
1.
There where Finnr's wisdom-skerry
first wrecked my longship,
the horn of Fundinn need not
run dry of sword-intent.
2.
My gentle harbour burns fiercely
with anguish's bitter grief
for that bright maiden's name
that I bound before in song.
3.
She bears the river-fire's trail
alone of all women,
as a blossoming oak outshines,
bright beside ugly thorns.
4.
Though I owned sea and land
and three bright homes besides,
I would give wealth and serpent-shore —
all of it for her kindness.
5.
I will adorn the tale further
for the gold-woman in words;
the king let his champions
contend upon the clear wave.
6.
The Niflungs' son and his worthy band
now wish to visit the hall;
he gives ample eagle's-fare,
that spender of the serpent-thread.
7.
The king with courtesy and art
let his champions feast;
no honour was lacking there,
and every kind of sport was proved.
8.
Pipes sounded, then strings,
the ruler's bold people;
the lord himself came to meet
the worthy heir of Rígarðr.
9.
Courteously they greet
the scatterer of the serpent-plain;
champions led the king's son
to the church and then to the halls.
10.
The king steps to his gleaming seat
set about with wave-fire;
Roðbert sat next to the ruler,
and warriors took to speech.
11.
The king asked Roðbert first
truly of his lineage and name,
whither their intent was aimed
in steering the prow of the ship.
12.
Roðbert says that splendour and trust
Rígarðr bestows on Saxons:
"His heir am I without doubt,
I bear the name Konráðr."
13.
The king asks who sits there next
to that wise jewel-god:
"To him least fault has been lent —
his like I never saw."
14.
"Roðbert is the warrior's name,
trials have proved it true;
to him, as one may see,
beauty is given and nothing else."
15.
"Roðgeirr begat that heir,
strong-armed warrior of the bow;
he first set him at my feet
and so entrusted him to me."
16.
Thus their conversation ended;
the warriors fell silent;
the host poured into the king's hall,
men drank their toasts.
17.
Warriors received from the king
honour and pure splendour;
the king thought Konráðr in most things
able to explain himself.
18.
The lord had a daughter then,
a treasure called Matthildr;
to warriors she gave the snow of Grettir
and gladdened gentle companies.
19.
Beauty of body with art and adornment,
character and eloquent speech —
that woman of the land-serpent's hollow
bore them far above all others.
20.
Scarcely could the world's hall
hold her equal;
all the world's graces adorned
that linden of Fáfnir's hill.
21.
She lacked none of those arts
that masters hold in learning;
every man who saw the maiden
cast off sorrow and weariness.
22.
The king's child dwelt in her bower,
attended by wise women;
it was adorned with Grettir's fire
and wrought with fair craftsmanship.
23.
The prince wished at a certain hour
to find the treasure-tree;
the lord went with trusty spirit
to speak with the wise woman.
24.
The headband-woman greets her father
and the famous king's men:
"Such tidings as there are to tell,
lord, you will make known to us!"
25.
"This is the chief news," said the wise lord,
"to tell the thorn-ground:
here now is Konráðr, an emperor's kinsman,
come with worthy warriors."
26.
"Does he bear far," said the leek-woman,
"arts above other men?
Such reports have come to me
that his equal cannot be found."
27.
"Truly to him," said the king, "is given
wisdom with eloquent speech;
a fairer man I have seldom seen,
nor more worthy in all things."
28.
"Whom do you compare," said the ring-ground,
"to Lord Konráðr?
I find it nearest in the lord's manner
that you have seen few such as he."
29.
"Next to Konráðr," says the king, "sits
a bold champion;
you would never find a fairer man,
though you searched the whole world."
30.
"Every man may shape himself
clearly as he pleases;
yet I could never choose myself
a lesser in any way."
31.
"Much you find," said the jewel-beam,
"to say about the white metal-tree;
I see that no prince is his equal —
therefore I shall look upon him."
32.
That bright talk they ended there;
the lord went to the hall;
Roðbert asks where the king had been
and the bold companies of warriors.
33.
This the breaker of giant-thunder
quickly explained to the heroes;
then the lord's train was finely
honoured with ocean-light.
34.
Roðbert spoke to the king,
all warriors falling silent:
"Is your daughter, lord,
the fairest of all women?"
35.
"This has been said on Saxon ground
by the host about your daughter:
that she, the ring-bearer,
would suit my excellence."
36.
"Mankind could scarcely find
a full equal for me
save that one linen-tree
whom men call the fairest."
37.
"For that reason our journey here
to your lands was the noblest;
now I wish to ask the bright bow-woman
for my hand in marriage."
38.
The king said that wise words
were spoken there by the people:
that he alone, the ring-guardian,
would suit her in art and glory.
39.
"I will betroth the gold-ring-lord
to whomever is the noblest;
therefore with the scarlet-earth
we shall seek clearer counsel."
40.
The next day the mighty lord
will find the precious lady;
Roðbert now follows the prince
with the sturdy warrior-band.
41.
The headband-tree greets her father;
warriors went to their seats;
then she chose words of honour
for the prince's worthy heir.
42.
The lord sees upon the fair woman
the red lands of Fáfnir;
the gold-ring-ground set a fine stool
before the lord's seat.
43.
The stool's carvings displayed
ornaments of the serpent-thread;
there the wave-fire woman bade
the prince's heir sit.
44.
The warrior answered the white lady
and held the wound-serpent:
"The high seats have been taken
many times before."
45.
"If you wish, king's kinsman,
to see our arts,
the spear-god will never find
the gold-braided linden white."
46.
They talk much as the time passes
and rehearse all their graces;
the gold-ground woman found
the lord's tongue most eloquent.
47.
The king asked the gold-ring-woman:
"Tell me, mighty sweet one,
how does the princess regard
the worthy prince's heir?"
48.
"Scarcely have I seen a fairer man
of such a bearing;
he wears the helm of awe over all —
it seems to me as if I stand still."
49.
"It is as though a bright light
played about a flickering torch,
blazing and burning swiftly
yet still casting a dark shadow."
50.
"The spender of the serpent-mountain
would seem the best of men,
were he the heir of some earl,
bold with the light of waves."
51.
"Now I think no less a hope
attends the bright king's heir,
since he is called an emperor's son,
come from a noble line."
52.
The wisest gold-woman asked the king
to reveal before her:
"To which of them belongs the retinue?
What power has Roðbert?"
53.
The king said their host
all serve Roðbert;
yet one could scarcely find
a warrior to match him.
54.
"Konráðr has asked, ring-goddess,
for your hand in marriage;
I have so considered the prince
that your wish shall stand."
55.
"I cannot," said the maiden, "leap
so quickly to bright resolve;
I wish first," says the gold-gate,
"to know who shall win me."
56.
"Courteously bid the emperor's son
call his men to him;
another time we shall speak of this —
I think there is no haste."
57.
Thus their talk ended;
the day began to fade;
the lord departed from the bright hall
with his fair band of warriors.
58.
The king speaks to Roðbert now
as the men sat at table:
"How does the artful lady seem to you?
Unlock it for me in words!"
59.
"The maiden is both bright and rosy
and bears a clever tongue;
I will not deny it, shield-tree —
deep-sighted she seems to me hardly."
60.
"Tell me now," said the lord,
"O wielder of the sea-surf,
why have warriors not served you
for a long time?"
61.
Roðbert said he would try
his wisdom before the prince,
if it would become a matter for warriors —
which there was no need to tell.
62.
"This man whom you see here,
my lord — you may now understand —
even in his youth he served me,
a warrior at his father's will."
63.
"Roðbert I valued most of men,
greatly for his lineage;
that champion repaid me worst
and corrupted my sister."
64.
"My father's mood was terribly wrathful;
I could scarcely hold him back;
yet I never gave up the spear-tree
for all the lord's anger."
65.
"The lord drove that bright
sword-gleam out of the land;
Roðbert found this a hardship
and dared not remain there."
66.
"Then I brought the gold-tree
myself here to your lands;
but when a short time had passed,
he says he has come into difficulty."
67.
"He said that fierce strife
was stirred against him by the emperor's host;
he asked me to lend him for a short while
a bold retinue of warriors."
68.
"This I granted the thorn-tree
just as was now told;
since then I have not called
my own men back to me."
69.
The prince says that his people
have long wondered at this:
"Warrior, call your men to you —
let none of them delay!"
70.
Roðbert came before Konráðr now;
the emperor's son asked:
"Where had the warrior gone? —
Tell me lightly of such things!"
71.
"The king's daughter, bright and wise,
dwells in her bower alone;
to that place went the lord
with his spear-tree and a host of men."
72.
"She seemed to me both bright and clear,
the linden of Fáfnir's shores;
therefore I have asked the bright bow-goddess
now for your hand."
73.
"The king received it well;
your wish you shall attain;
I foresee, ring-woman,
this shall go forward."
74.
The lord thanks the spear-tree
for his courage and eloquent counsel:
"Yet I shall look upon the leek-ground
whom men call the fairest."
75.
"Of that you shall have no need"
— so Roðbert explained —
"it is little custom in this land
to visit bright maidens."
76.
"I cannot show you the lady,
wise jewel-god;
prince's son, you may trust me —
I shall never betray you."
77.
"More have I already learned
from the king himself:
the ruler says that off the Bosporus
the bears of the mast-rigging lie."
78.
"Your father has sent men
to seek tidings of us both;
I shall be turned into a bitter corpse,
bright one, unless mercy comes."
79.
"Your fame-land will wish
to see my necessity;
lend me first your fair warriors
to follow me!"
80.
"It is your right," said the shield-tree,
"you shall have your will."
Konráðr bids his warriors
go swiftly with Roðbert.
81.
Roðbert follows the king's host;
the warriors found their way;
the champion wishes to meet
the king's fair child at once.
82.
The warrior went into the lady's hall
with the splendid king's train;
all the company went with Roðbert,
but none follows Konráðr.
83.
The king's men took up their speech
clearly in the former manner;
warriors filled the broad hall,
guarding the maiden throughout.
84.
Konráðr has now lost his champions
and his bold warriors;
all is quiet and still in the hall —
he gladdens no one.
85.
Konráðr sits with few champions
in the king's hall a long time;
the emperor's son went away soon,
none of the warriors follows.
86.
Out of the hall for a while
the spender of brands has gone;
he looked out upon the green ground
and saw a gleaming bower standing.
87.
The ruler's son saw a great hall
standing with clean stone walls;
it was set with Fáfnir's mountains
and an abundance of precious stones.
88.
Finer work has scarcely been seen
by the famous prince;
to that place the warrior walked —
I think he would not turn aside.
89.
I ask you, warriors, to hold
this thought well in mind!
Here shall the strong drink of Durnir
grow quiet for this time.
Ríma III
The mansöngr. Konráðr enters Matthildr's bower. The language-leaves. Matthildr discovers the deception. Roðbert accuses Konráðr before the king. The display of arms. Two Blackamoors slain. The lion at the gate. Roðbert's next scheme.
1.
The island of the engraver's ground
bade me build this vessel of Gillíngr;
for your sake, ground of drinks,
I shall fashion yet a third encounter.
2.
I will shape this song for warriors —
how the prince's heir found the bower;
Konráðr walked into the gleaming hall
and saw a splendid company of champions there.
3.
No seat may be seen empty;
all was arrayed as tightly as could be;
the warrior stands in the middle of the floor,
the prince's son considers his situation.
4.
The emperor's son wore a kirtle
come from distant foreign lands;
fine weave covered the champion's body —
scarcely has such a treasure been found.
5.
A belt was clasped about the man's waist,
adorning that worthy belt-tree;
in every lash-pool of Odin's wife
he was made altogether with skill.
6.
The hawk-land was exceedingly strong,
adorned with Fenja's work;
yet the prince's mind-tent could be seen
covered with a red Gjúki-fold.
7.
The sword played in the prince's hand,
fashioned along the serpent's shore;
none was found like that leaf of leaves —
it brightens, pushing aside Odin's boards.
8.
The emperor's son bore courtesy enough;
the champion lacked no warrior's strife;
brightness stands upon the ruler's flesh —
none fairer has ever stepped upon the earth.
9.
The ruler's daughter saw the warrior;
she gazes upon the prince's heir;
the lily beholds that reddener of leaves —
this one surpasses all people by far.
10.
The goddess of gold bade two men
find both of them another seat;
she pats the cushion beside her —
the prince's heir sits down there.
11.
Konráðr sat beside the gold-goddess;
each then looked upon the other's form;
Roðbert began to redden at the sight —
he saw the famous scion of Rígarðr.
12.
Roðbert speaks to the king then:
"A warrior has come into the bower —
there was no need for the prince's maiden
to sit near this champion."
13.
"When the bride is disturbed by this,
the prince may see it clearly;
Roðbert knows such cunning art —
he has lost none of his tricks."
14.
"It does no harm," said the king,
"if it does not happen again this way;
our company is so great and fine —
they cannot even speak together."
15.
Roðbert woos once more the bright lady;
she asked him to cut the matter short;
now the young gold-goddess will
attend to it there with grace.
16.
The day wore on until all the keen folk
left the king's bower;
Dellingr's child lulled the dark brood —
all the prince's people to sleep.
17.
The next day, when the drinking ends,
the prince goes gladly to a meeting;
Roðbert follows the king again
and nearly all of Konráðr's men.
18.
Konráðr sits in the king's hall;
the band of warriors was gone away;
I will there relate to warriors
how he thought to walk into the bower.
19.
The warrior enters the lady's hall;
the virtuous jewel-tree saw it.
Matthildr welcomes him warmly —
she saw none of the ruler's company there.
20.
He sits down beside the gold-goddess;
the woman takes at this time
many leaves and a little casket —
never had he seen a fairer gift.
21.
These leaves are bright and clean;
they set forth every branch of language;
seventy-two were counted —
she bade the prince's son look upon them.
22.
The tree of spears and the goddess of gold
quickly find what delights them;
the two mastered the Greek language
and now they speak equally well.
23.
The ground of gold asked first:
"Tell me what I am curious about —
what is your name, lord?
What is your lineage, or your fair kingdom?"
24.
The champion answered the wise lady:
"We bear the name Konráðr;
Rígarðr is my famous father;
the king holds Saxony besides."
25.
The bride answered and smiled:
"I understand this custom of yours well
(though it is a fine name) —
that you all wish to be called so."
26.
"I did not know," said Konráðr,
"any champion to fault that;
I find no reddener of swords
called so among our people."
27.
"Yet here," says the gold-goddess,
"is another man who names himself so;
he calls himself the emperor's son —
the champion informed me of this."
28.
The lord answers the woman again:
"Then other men are wiser,
if that fellow does not know his own name;
lady, you are like few others."
29.
"His men call him Roðbert;
one may call him Roðgeirr's son;
we swore the bond of brothers young
and fought many a battle of blades."
30.
The land answered the serpent-goddess:
"These words seem more likely to me;
my father trusts that Odin-of-gold so —
I can hardly sway his mind."
31.
Konráðr asks that the cheerful bride
not break her oath —
that the wise one would bind
all her love to the emperor's heir.
32.
They delight each other with splendid words,
the shield-maple and the ring-goddess;
Konráðr walks into the king's hall —
the court had returned to their seats.
33.
Roðbert asked the bold one there,
Rígarðr's son, where he had gone;
Konráðr tells the thane then
the truth about this matter.
34.
"So much the better," said the thane now,
"the more often you go there;
though it may please the king least,
we shall keep quiet about most of it."
35.
Then the champion told the king:
"Roðbert claims this before me —
your daughter has this day
kept the warrior in her bower."
36.
Then the king grew very angry;
swiftly the ring-tree answered:
"Let us make this leaf-god
lose his life this very hour!"
37.
"I cannot bear," said the shield-tree,
"to be rightly known for that;
rather I see, with higher grace,
lord, another plan for this."
38.
"Let the reddener of leaves tomorrow
perform many feats before the fair folk;
in many ways that withering tree
will then show his mettle before you."
39.
The king liked that well;
then Roðbert leaned toward Konráðr
and bade the sword-reddener hail:
"The king's whole people praise you."
40.
"I have declared all your skills,
my lord, those which you have mastered;
the king asks that your arts
might be seen by his own court."
41.
The emperor's son with courtesy and skill
grants the king his wish;
the dark brow-night passed away —
the day showed its brightness soon.
42.
The prince then went in a byrnie —
the finest that could be seen in the world;
it was bathed in the serpent's field —
no blade cut through it in battle.
43.
The tent of Fjölnir and the wrap of Fróði
the king's son seized with his sword's grip;
a golden banner was fastened to a lance —
the warrior mounted a fine horse.
44.
The light-foot ran with the prince
bright upon the level ground;
none of the men there had ever seen
a more famous man than this one was.
45.
Konráðr performs those feats
which men could nowhere come near;
no thane was found there
who could ride against the prince's heir.
46.
The play of the south-hall sank into the sea;
the warrior rides from the field,
delights himself in the forest once more —
he sees none of the king's men there.
47.
When dusk had come upon the ground,
the prince's son at that same moment
let the bridled beast turn about —
he found a certain gate of the fortress.
48.
The warrior sees two enemies
sitting dark upon their horses.
They are Blackamoors of bitter temper;
both turn toward Konráðr.
49.
The warrior draws the wound-serpent,
ready to raise a storm of swords;
then the lord's purpose was fulfilled —
to strike mightily for the maiden's sake.
50.
The brand cuts through the Blackamoor's neck;
that one was quickly silenced;
his head leapt from his trunk —
the body tumbled to the ground.
51.
Many a wolf drank the warm blood
wisely, and Fenrir's brood;
the vulture came there for the gold-goddess's sake —
the white bear gnawed upon the shield.
52.
Fortune granted with the god of swords
this trial to the wise one accomplished:
both Blackamoors lost their lives
quickly before Konráðr's sharp blade.
53.
The warrior rides to the great place,
to the ruler's daughter's bower.
Matthildr welcomes the tree of spears,
asks where he went these hours.
54.
He showed the heads to the ring-goddess —
neither was fair to look upon;
then the gold-bridge tells her
truly all that had happened now.
55.
Matthildr praised the gentle lord
who grants the greatest virtues.
Konráðr walks into the king's hall —
the whole court marvels at the champion.
56.
Grim was then the god of spears;
warriors thought it a great wonder —
he bore a bloodied sword in his hand;
the prince's presence silenced the company.
57.
The king speaks with Roðbert gladly:
"Truly this is a man of great deeds;
he has now slain those enemies
who made many men meet death."
58.
The man spoke to the king:
"I have now explained to you this way;
not much will frighten him —
he has far too bold a heart."
59.
"He must have in his sleep
dispatched both to cold death,
or else played some cunning trick
and concealed it from both of us."
60.
The king says that this
cannot be so;
"Let us slay this god of spears
and delay his death-hour no more."
61.
"I cannot bear," said Roðbert plainly,
"that warriors should learn that news of me."
The king's counsels were much confounded —
all was just as the evening before.
62.
Bright day came when the night was spent;
Konráðr soon performed his feats;
all went on the former path —
the king's son rode to the forest.
63.
The champion wishes at evening once more
to enter the fortress like other men;
he is eager to see that lady
who walks most beautifully upon the earth.
64.
The path was barred for the prince —
every gate of the fortress was locked,
save only this: a wild beast
exceedingly fierce dwells in the midst.
65.
Two pillars stand in the gateway;
they were made of stone,
flattened above so that men
could easily defend themselves there.
66.
A third pillar stands in the middle;
there the strong gates are locked;
the beast's chains were about it —
few wished to come near that one.
67.
Konráðr makes the sign of the cross upon himself;
he drives his spurs into his horse;
he bade the ring-goddess learn
that he would fear no hour.
68.
Into the gate the lord rode swiftly;
here the lion wakes at once;
it lashes its tail against the horse —
the horse fell dead to the ground.
69.
Konráðr leaps upon the pillar;
he stands in the middle of the gate;
the beast begins to roar loudly —
the prince's son struck with fury at once.
70.
The spear showed tremendous speed;
fiercely he hewed clean across
the upper skull at the ears
and split everything down into the mouth.
71.
The lion fell, and the prince
lightly parted from the pillar;
he hewed from the beast its mane
and found the king's fair steed.
72.
The wisest of women bids the gold-goddess then:
"Tell the king who you truly are;
I fear this with all my heart —
that Roðbert will overwhelm you."
73.
The man answered the ring-goddess:
"Fortune shall rule my life!"
Konráðr parted from the scarlet-goddess;
he found the king's fair hall.
74.
The warrior set upon the floor
the mane of the beast he had borne with him;
he carries the mane before the king on high —
Konráðr steps quickly into his seat.
75.
With loud voice the king's people
praised this reddener of swords;
they thought it strange that so famous a man
the king should wish dead.
76.
Roðbert considers, whatever may pass,
his deceit grows no less;
he spoke then to the prince:
"You have now enjoyed good fortune."
77.
"Both night and bright day
I lift up your honour;
nowhere in the world now
is any king the equal of you."
78.
"Now the king throughout all Greece
has made his letters known, that no warrior bold
might see your arts —
then the king will give you his daughter."
79.
"Tomorrow your power shall be fulfilled;
then for the maiden's sake you shall
perform whatever feats you wish —
conceal none of your skills now!"
80.
The prince's son answers, glad in heart:
"Champion, I may for a time
accomplish what you wish!
Well shall the earl's son keep faith."
81.
The king's thin court received
dear sleep upon that night.
Now it is time that Fundinn's vessel
should be set upon the narrows of tales.
Ríma IV
The mansöngr laments lost love. Konráðr rides out before the court and performs feats of arms. At nightfall the gates are locked; he rides into the wild. A dragon seizes a lion; Konráðr slays the dragon and wins the lion's loyalty. He returns to Matthildr's bower with dragon-gold. Matthildr counsels him: reveal your lineage to the king. She gives him a green gemstone and instructs him on the quest for its twin. Konráðr calls a þing, declares his true name, and denounces Roðbert's treachery. The king betroths Matthildr to him — if he can fetch the second stone from the Blacklands.
1.
Báleygr's wine for the ring-goddess
I offer a fourth time.
Late and early, grievous harm
gives my sweet mind sorrow.
2.
Joy once granted us, in a certain hour,
the gold-ground's gentle will;
she wakened then the branch of Venus,
fairest plank of rings.
3.
My fate with the treasure-goddess
severed all our meetings;
I lost the lady — and now I find
only falseness from another woman.
4.
Fortune seized that cloak of sorrow
and set it round our frozen heart;
bound so bitterly about our breast,
and bade me never come free.
5.
Great is the pain of losing the one
who is the heart's chief joy,
yet to live with the other, says my mind,
whom I find most loathsome.
6.
I would give thanks if the ring-Hlökk,
she who forces me to anguish,
gave our grief — that fortress of care —
leave to burst asunder.
7.
I am therefore pale, for the play of men
brings us little gladness;
yet a while longer shall the craft of praise
cascade from the street of words.
8.
The king's people, when the sky's ember
lit the heavens bright,
went to where the fame
of the prince's son was on the land.
9.
Before the princess now
the champions watched Konráðr ride out;
he performed, as all men saw,
many fine and fair feats.
10.
Nearly all those skills
that warriors could name —
he performed them while the king looked on;
his glory lacked for nothing.
11.
So the day passed that the fair warrior
let his steed run free;
the prince's heir sees the forest wide
and makes sport that evening.
12.
Night came then, and the champion swiftly
sought the king's stronghold;
but before the prince, every gate
was locked with stiff bolts.
13.
The noble saw that by no means
could he ride into the fortress;
the stout one looked eastward across
the fields, clean and fair.
14.
A single mountain stood, marvellously broad,
so near the prince's hall;
soon with wondrous power
greater trials would appear to him.
15.
Very late on the mountain's slope
he saw a tall fire burning;
thither the worthy prince
let his swift steed run.
16.
Then the bold and valiant warrior
heard a mighty roaring;
the sound rang through valley and mountain;
the prince's son rode on undaunted.
17.
He saw where from the fish-pool flew
a monstrous dragon, long in flight;
one might search, but the bold one saw
none more terrible.
18.
The serpent spewed its foul venom
over land and sea;
on the black night it would constantly
set torment upon bold men.
19.
In its claws, with loud cries,
the man saw a beast —
the lion it had seized,
the sharp talons biting deep.
20.
He saw soon, where the serpent's lair
glowed red and high;
there the dragon's young could be seen —
to all of them he dealt death.
21.
The dragon wished to drag the lion
into the dwarves' hall, to its young;
the cliff was steep, but Fáfnir's kin
was forced to cease its flight.
22.
The beast, when its wings failed,
began to claw with its feet;
it used such force that the cliff broke
and the ancient earth shuddered.
23.
The serpent's path was not easy
up the mountain to climb;
Konráðr's keen mind now considered
whom to aid in this.
24.
He drew his sword — the warrior
may enjoy true fortune;
the coils the serpent holds,
the prince's son will break.
25.
The beast had, with tremendous struggle,
to abandon its purpose;
the fair warrior's blade cuts
the dragon asunder through the middle.
26.
The beast gripped fast, clawing fiercely,
wounding flesh to bone;
Konráðr hewed with skill and strength
and wrenched the claws from its shoulders.
27.
The lion saw it could now long
enjoy life and mercy;
the beast crawled the long way
to the prince's son's feet.
28.
The prince's heir then boldly
addressed the beast:
"I bid you serve me —
I shall heal you well."
29.
A sign of peace the swiftest saw then
upon the noble, wise beast;
it sprang up sharply, shook itself hard,
willing to follow the king's heir.
30.
The prince took the dragon's claws
and gladly let it run free;
thither rides the fair knight
where he saw the red fire burning.
31.
He gathers gold now, and full honour
grows, while sorrow fades;
then the fair knight rides
home to the prince's fortress.
32.
The prince's heir bids the lion
break the lock from the gate;
the stout beast struck with its tail —
no more force was needed.
33.
Up sprang the gate, and the treasure-goddess —
the noble's son — came to find her;
brightest then, when she saw the lion,
the lady marvelled twice over.
34.
The gold now the fair lady showed
to the prince's heir:
"Truly you have — the woman declares —
gained a serpent's bed of treasure."
35.
"Test no longer, worthy warrior,
your precious fortune!"
She then bade the prince's son
call his men at once.
36.
"Set a meeting now — said the wisest woman —
and declare your lineage, so noble;
speak boldly of all your intent
to make clear to the mighty king!"
37.
All her counsel the tree of jewels gave
to the tester of Fáfnir's field;
she healed the beast, and the prince turned
toward the Greek king's hall.
38.
The people marvelled at the arrow-reddener;
fast ran the white-wave's rumour;
the lion now the folk could see
following the prince's heir.
39.
Upon the table before the king
the beast laid both its paws;
then the warrior went to his seat,
and the whole company fell silent.
40.
The mighty lord turns to Roðbert:
"This trouble is ended;
the trial is done — a dragon slain
by a warrior in our land."
41.
"Your companion, who accomplishes nearly all things,
has freed my realm;
I know now upon our faith
that his equal is scarcely found."
42.
"No people will dare to harm
that thorn-land of shields;
he has gained such a companion
that few will stand against him."
43.
The treasure's kin for a time
no one dared to greet;
Roðbert saw the anger upon him —
few warriors will be cheered.
44.
The mighty prince turns to the champion
and so Konráðr makes it plain:
"Ask the king to set a þing
with his worthy warriors!"
45.
Konráðr's words across the king's table
the champion calmly told:
"Roðbert asks you, keen ruler,
to raise a þing at once."
46.
The noble king agrees
to raise a grand assembly;
the night soon passed,
and the sky's ember brightened.
47.
The horn sounds then, and the kingly one's
host drives to the þing;
the people in great number bore finery and splendour —
Fáfnir's hoard-light gleamed.
48.
Konráðr then, as might be known,
calls his men to him;
the fair company went to the warrior —
the splendid host rejoiced.
49.
Konráðr boldly before all the champions
began to declare his lineage;
Roðbert's lies and broken honour
he would no longer conceal.
50.
"Roðbert, you have broken your faith,
your righteousness and virtue's flower,
and repaid here with cunning guile
my life and many an honour."
51.
"Treason against your lord you have wrought against me,
warrior, in the king's own hall;
truly you are, for your twisted faith,
a scoundrel through and through."
52.
The prince's kin then boldly praised
the host of wise warriors;
a more patient man than he
the race of thanes will never find.
53.
The king then with cunning arts
began to boast of a bright gemstone;
it was green and wondrously fair —
it bore radiant light.
54.
"Show me, if I trust you,"
— the king then spoke with wisdom —
"another stone of equal kind,
so there be no difference!"
55.
He asks then where one must travel
to find that precious stone:
"You yourself must — said the king —
explain all this to me, warrior!"
56.
"If I gain the power to return,"
— Konráðr began to reckon —
"give me the lady — and I shall now
betroth your fair daughter."
57.
This deed came before all men alike,
and the greatest joy was found there;
the silk-ground in that same hour
Konráðr himself betrothed.
58.
The þing was ended, the thriving company
— the prince went to the hall;
Konráðr now would find the lady
who knows all his joys.
59.
Matthildr then, when she saw the worthy
tree of the serpent's land:
"Hail to you now!" — says the gracious lady —
"What are your tidings?"
60.
The warrior then began
to tell the silk-goddess true news:
"This is above all else — that you are betrothed to me,
precious pillar of thorns!"
61.
"It seems to me now," — says the mighty lady —
"great tidings to hear;
this quest is hardened by trials,
yet not steered toward ease."
62.
"That gemstone, many a man
has asked the king to bring him;
they have gained, through foolish counsel,
only the road to Hel."
63.
The bright ground of the beast's land
took out a green stone, the cheerful one:
"See — this is like the one the mighty king,
warrior, bade you seek."
64.
"Wear upon you," — says the ring-goddess —
"the bright stone as a talisman;
glad prince, neither fire nor venom
will avail to harm you."
65.
"A bold company shall travel with you
first to the Blackland Isles;
then go alone, away from your men —
all will long for you."
66.
"A rooster and a pig," — said the ring-goddess —
"you shall have for the journey;
the fine beast too — but your following
shall be no more than that."
67.
All her wise counsel the jewel-tree gave
the warrior from her wisdom;
they will afterward deliver the fair prince
from sorrow and from torment.
68.
The fair words from the headdress-pillar
the warrior fixed in memory.
Berlingr's ship at the craft-cairn
shall be broken a fourth time.
Ríma V
Mansöngr
1.
I offer the Fenja-goddess of the thread
the fifth draught of Yggr's remembrance.
Swiftly and eagerly the journey prepares —
the wise prince's kinsman.
The Voyage to the Blackland Isles
2.
From the shield-goddess at the ship's rail he parts then,
and from the famous folk of the king;
the prow-ravens rise aloft
and steer to sea in splendour.
3.
The stiff winds rule the sails,
and the men hold fast the ropes;
Fornjótr's children against their kinsman
lust to wage their strife.
4.
Gríðr's harsh tempest made the sea rage,
and the gale tore at every line;
the mighty storm delivers the glad
king's son to land at last.
5.
The prow-ravens plunged upon the shore,
and Ægir's maidens toppled;
the bold men of the prince then knew
the shores of the Blackland Isles.
Arrival and Departure
6.
To the fine land the famous company
of Konráðr came to shore;
they led the tethered horses onto sand —
those courteous lords of spears.
7.
The shield-king's son makes known his will:
swiftly he parts from his company;
the fair troop mourns his going
and grieves long afterward.
8.
The prince's path unfolds;
the land is crossed to its end;
the warrior saw the fair ground then
that Matthildr first had shown him.
The Lion's Island
9.
The dwelling is noble — Báleygr's wife
built it of lions alone;
the precious goddess of the thread
told the prince all this in detail.
10.
No harm touches the land —
there one may see abundance:
fine blossoms in that fair place,
fair lilies, white and bright.
11.
The grove is thick with oaks;
apples and plums hang heavy;
fruit and fragrance — the land gave forth
a fine scent and sweetness.
12.
The warrior of the flood's fire speeds onward
with his swift beast and his journey;
the warrior's steed walks on till evening —
the precious land will end.
Camp in the Wilderness
13.
He quickly builds a fine shelter
from the green leaves of the forest;
there the ring-tree waited out
the gentle night in peace.
14.
The lord of rings makes ready when day breaks,
hastening to seek his way;
profit and advantage are his
who gladdens the hearts of the faithful.
The Elephant
15.
The prince heard crashing and cracking
ring out suddenly in the forest;
pale oaks bent earthward
where these wonders drove.
16.
He saw a monstrous beast come charging
swiftly through the trees with fearsome might;
it roared and raged toward the warrior,
full of fury for its work.
17.
It lunged with bellowing at the man again and again
and lashed its tail upon the ground;
its snout and eyes it raised aloft
and trusted its terrible strength.
18.
The bright prince finds the beast approaching —
the warrior has come into danger;
near the shelter he sees his spinning-staff
standing ready and keen.
19.
"Good and worthy beast of virtue!" —
the king's son spoke to it then —
"Ready yourself now, my bright companion!
For soon the rooster shall crow."
20.
The courteous lord then heard
what nature demanded:
bold and steadfast, the prince then
wound the tail about its ears.
21.
The lord of elephants rushes forward
from the dark forest;
the noble, virtuous prince
trusts his mighty strength.
22.
The man then made the rooster sing its song —
there was little distance between them;
that fearsome elephant-slayer
did not know these sounds.
23.
The beast turns swiftly to flee
and hastens on its way;
the prince longs eagerly
to claim that fair quarry.
The Kill
24.
The keen prince of the shield-king's blood
hurls his spear swiftly at the beast;
the fair feather-shaft struck its heart —
the elephant fell to meet him.
25.
This was a famous deed the prince won:
he flayed the hide from the beast
and bore it quickly to his shelter —
the bright lord of javelins.
The River Crossing
26.
The prince then swiftly speeds his journey onward,
casting the serpent's coils aside;
the mighty flood surged
between two lands.
27.
The prince found a single stone bridge
to cross the furious torrent;
he saw a fair land standing beyond —
the way would yield its prize.
28.
The warrior goes on until the sun
begins to dim upon the land;
the harsh reddener of swords
settles where the elephants dwell.
29.
Pale oaks bent down to earth
before the prince;
there one could mark an elephant's bed —
the wise king's son took counsel.
30.
A mighty house stood marked with power;
there Konráðr stood his ground;
the glory-seeking prince would there
await his dangerous deed.
The Great Elephant
31.
Time passed, and the prince
felt the forest tremble;
the fair ground cracked and burst
as the elephant sought its path.
32.
The beast turned swiftly from the forest
and shook the green meadow;
it was tall and not at all slender —
a creature of tremendous might.
33.
It bore its head above its body
higher than the pale oaks;
the serpent-tree's destroyer saw
no living creature ever larger.
34.
Its leg was thick below the joint,
ugly upon the beast's foot;
another he found at the hip-joint —
mighty were its movements.
35.
Hugely curved, both thick and strong,
was the beast's stiff snout;
with its dark jaws it could accomplish
fearsome work with ease.
36.
The tail, it is said, was thick,
with a hard knob at its end;
with it the beast won certain victory
whenever it wished to seize its prey.
37.
Tangled locks of stiff hair
hung down over all the elephant;
swords bent and bowed against it —
so hard was it to overcome.
The Pig and the Chase
38.
The elephant now wishes first
to go back to its dwelling;
it leans against the oaks
and seeks to find its rest.
39.
The fair oaks twist and bend,
giving way beneath the beast's weight;
the prince sees the struggle grow
and sets the young pigs loose.
40.
The swine squeal bitterly and loud
and raise up plentiful howling;
the beast turns swiftly to the road
and hastens toward the forest.
41.
The prince leaps upon his strong steed
of steel and races after;
the warrior's cunning did not fail him there —
he hurled his spear from his hand.
42.
One arrow alone did not go deep enough
beneath the elephant's armour;
the famous prince of lords
was not slow to find the wound.
43.
The beast found death's necessity swiftly
when it stood against the prince;
the warrior swiftly sundered the elephant
with all wonder and no fear.
The Ivory and the Gemstone
44.
The courteous lord then took those fine bones —
the rider of the heavy forest —
scarcely could fairer ones be named;
he wished to leave them there awhile.
45.
Then the dark night passed,
and he slept in peace;
the hardened swordsman thought swiftly
upon the white maiden's counsel.
46.
The fair day shone upon the prince
and the glorious white sun;
venom and sweat — no harm at all
shall any of them know.
47.
He commands the worthy beast to wait for him there:
his horse and his provisions;
for the bright lord
makes it too dangerous to ride.
48.
The lion serves the prince faithfully then,
obedient to his command;
the beast turns from him sadly
and drags its tail upon the ground.
The Stone Bridge and the Return
49.
The bold warrior then went forward,
sturdy, to the fierce torrent;
crashing and thundering, the harsh roar
of the stream rang long.
50.
The prince saw a clean stone arch
built with cunning craft;
that bridge was wondrously high —
a dwelling between two lands.
51.
Now, as the lady has taught the prince,
glory turns toward him;
Bölverkr's ale is spanned across the bridge —
the poem reaches its end.
Ríma VI
Mansöngr — The Sixth Offering
1.
I push the mast-horse of Sindri
from the memory-house of Svínna;
may the light of life gaze upon Leikna's vessel —
the gracious folk, with wisdom!
Alone on the Stone Bridge
2.
The strong and noble prince now stood
before the torrent alone;
counsel was given before the splendid lady
spoke of such dire paths.
3.
Now the bowstring draws tight on the stone arch —
the bold guide of beasts steps with trust;
over the torrent, upon the middle of the bridge,
the stout warrior of arms stood firm.
4.
The fierce spirit of the giantess-slayer
held the bright destroyer standing;
he saw then a multitude of serpent-folk
and the venom's fair destruction.
5.
The fair land was smooth and straight,
and wide fields were found;
yet mountains rose beyond the prince's sight,
and the boulder-slopes were cruelly steep.
The Burning Wasteland
6.
The ledge, the hill, and all the soil —
the slopes burned in fire;
thick as a forest in another land
the evil one's flame raged.
7.
The prince saw smoke, foul and heavy,
rising far and wide from the ground;
many a serpent lay upon gold,
blowing their glowing breath.
The Serpent-City
8.
The prince now sees a city and a square
gleaming with nearest treasure;
one could scarcely call a fairer one
anywhere in the wide world.
9.
High towers gave trusty shelter
against the fiercest assault;
far and wide, fair craftsmanship ruled
with the skill of art.
10.
Rivers of fire flowed enormously wide
from the fields toward them;
stiff serpents lay in great numbers
upon the fire of the land's edge.
11.
The work is mighty upon the fair wall,
widely wrought with splendour,
girded and guarded against the shield-storm;
it harms no people within.
12.
More and greater marvels did the prince
of ice-cold Thundr perceive
than I could reckon for the wise
and tell with words enough.
The Sleeping Dragon
13.
The dragon is set at the strong stone-arch gate,
set upon the threshold to guard;
it slept and had ceased its work
of streaming hot venom.
14.
The prince of precious warriors
sprang over the mighty serpent upon the threshold;
the stiff steel preserves his life
and strengthens his mighty deeds.
15.
Yet the prince found a clear path
straight to the high gate;
he sees two white serpents lying there —
the stiff snakes slept.
16.
The seeker of gold leapt over them
with skill and craft;
the city shone bright to behold —
so bright that darkness could not fall.
17.
The warrior entered the splendid city
as the bright lady's light was shining;
the finest streets met at the square —
many he saw gleaming in splendour.
18.
He sees one glorious hall,
but not a host of warriors;
it was covered first in serpent-gold —
none was ever more finely wrought.
The Serpent-Hall
19.
Two thick serpents slept
at the door, set there to guard;
yet the hall was open, and they
were meant to watch the gate.
20.
The bold warrior entered the dragon's hall,
he who feared nothing;
more and greater beauty he saw
than poets could tell in verse.
21.
It seemed to the prince in truth
that all pleased him, fair and splendid;
in Fafnir's hall he found the greatest
treasure beside the mighty walls.
22.
The burning gold of arching bows
lay soft and red before the pillars;
the hall was all brimming with glory —
it crashes and flows in heaps.
23.
The entire hall, from end to gate,
was covered within by serpents;
they slept, carved serpents lay close together,
for none of them woke.
24.
Red as flame, upon the table there stood
vessels from the serpents' lair,
thick with drink, as the prince
was destined that day to win.
25.
The bold king saw the two horns —
the hall stood all in bloom;
splendid they were and worthy,
wrought of the sea's gleam.
26.
The warrior saw a bowl standing near,
a vessel of the serpents' brands;
he found nothing fairer —
few things had he seen so great.
The Sleeping Serpent-King
27.
The prince walked further on,
as though skill would never leave his hand;
he looked and saw a high throne
at the hall's far end.
28.
A lord of serpents lay there,
hideous upon the serpent-stone;
he bore the terrible helm of dread,
and was splendid still in other ways.
29.
A great crown was visible upon
the king of heavy serpents;
the carved one slept and lay upon gold —
the warrior went to find him.
30.
The serpent-storm seemed to the noble
warrior a mighty terror;
the coiled body, thick with knots,
spanned from wall to wall.
31.
He saw one splendid tapestry hanging there —
it burned with the fire of the sea;
one could scarcely call a fairer thing
anywhere in the wide world.
Seizing the Gemstone
32.
The bold prince saw hanging high
(the bright stones were the cause)
a board, and few things fairer
are found than the serpents' treasure.
33.
The board was adorned with carvings
and bright fair stones shone upon it;
all was wrought of Menja's gold
and lacked no craft or art.
34.
Before the high seat, the prince looks
and sees lying in the middle below:
a green and white carved serpent-pair
clearing the way before the lord.
35.
Both serpents stretched out their two jaws
and blew as hard as they could;
between them, the serpents
tossed a single stone.
36.
Góinn and Móinn, swift as a wonder,
sent the stone ceaselessly;
they opened their soft mouths apart
and never failed to catch it.
37.
The prince recognised the stone
that he had come to seize;
otherwise his fortune would be spoiled —
the warrior means to press forward.
38.
The young prince caught
the bright stone in mid-air;
he won the errand he came for,
still following the lady's counsel.
The Serpents Stir
39.
The dragon set at the stone-arch gate
turned its fierce gaze upon the prince;
it plunged down from the threshold to the ground —
the prince chooses to wait no longer.
40.
The bold warrior then plucked a stone
from the fair board;
he shall prove the word of honour true
that he won from the maiden's lips.
41.
From the deep the dragon came back up;
the carved one held a stone in its mouth
and tamed itself to one course,
as both serpents had done before.
42.
The warrior seized the bright brand-stone
with true skill in his hand;
the serpent's fury at the stone only grew,
raging against the spoiler.
43.
The serpent that had been playing guard
now lost its cunning;
the carved one dashed itself down to the floor —
this is the dragon's torment.
44.
The warrior breaks a second stone
from the middle of the board;
he shall prove the word of honour true
that he won from the maiden's lips.
45.
From the deep the dragon rose again;
the carved one held a stone in its mouth
and tamed itself to one course,
as both serpents had done before.
Escape from the Hall
46.
The serpents struggle to finish their task,
the mighty work to end;
the prince now goes to seize
the third stone as well.
47.
Both serpents turned on the warrior,
bristled first and threatened;
the dark ones then sank themselves down,
both at the same time, in that way.
48.
The entire hall shook then —
loud was the crash in the hall;
Fjölnir's lady trembled and quaked,
as though the sea-waves were falling.
49.
The destroyer seized the tapestry,
for he had to flee at once;
the carved horns adorned with treasure —
he snatched them swift and fast.
50.
The bold prince took the bowl away,
a finer one cannot be found;
there was no pause in this ordeal,
as must be told to the gentle folk.
51.
The smoke thickened and the darkness swelled;
the crashing grew ever louder;
swift and fast the serpents' strength increased,
and the wonders shook the ground.
52.
The warrior went to the door, as the maiden,
the noblest and wisest, had told him;
he braced himself upon his stout spear —
the prince will not fall.
53.
By narrow paths the prince passed
once more through the double guard;
it was as though a mighty war
of swords stood all around the warrior.
54.
The hot venom of the serpents' jaws
ravaged all the fields;
the warrior walked on, never once
wishing to look back.
55.
The prince will step upon the stone arch
and leapt over the dark serpent;
the warrior wished to see
what the fell brothers were doing.
56.
The city has lost its craft and art;
its splendour is stripped from the hall;
the serpent-storm draws cruelly near —
now all is overturned.
57.
The fire that had burned with glory before,
when the hall blazed with honour —
the ledge is all black to look upon,
stripped of fortune and bloom.
Return to the Company
58.
The bold and trusty destroyer turns
to his own companions;
at once the fair beast greeted him
when it found the clever warrior.
59.
Glad and fair, the prince rode away
when the ordeals were ended;
the wise one carried off with him
the bones I named before.
60.
The prince came to the lion's land
and found the hide of the beast;
no more heavy trials did the prince
see, the bright one, after that.
61.
The prince did not rest or cease his path
with honour and with splendour
(the bright prince won fame enough)
until he found his wise company.
62.
His men were overjoyed
to see the prince returned.
I wind the sea of Son to its end —
let the warriors lay it in memory!
Ríma VII
Mansöngr — The Seventh Offering
1.
Here shall Durnir's tale be spread,
for it brings the ladies delight;
though I have no skill in love-songs,
I would gladden the mighty lady still.
2.
Warriors wish to bring Suttungr's wine
to the wise linen-goddess;
sorrow's horn with grief and pain —
the Norns have sent that cup to me.
3.
Warriors wish to fill the boat of glory
from the dregs of Durnir's mead;
they fight with rings and fortune,
yet cannot gladden the merry maiden.
4.
Those who wish to bring the praise-poem's play
to the wise ring-goddess —
love's cunning and desire's skill —
men lure the lady thus.
5.
Never have I from Edda's well
drawn a love-trick or a poet's art;
I beat like surf against a stone
when I name the fair leek-field.
6.
I came where the field was old,
and all the harvest of glory had fallen;
therefore I cannot pour the mead-horn
to the ring-norn of the finest kind.
7.
Here shall Víðrir's wave of lips
be raised aloft with bows;
long life to the fair leek-goddess —
fortune shall find that woman!
8.
Though warriors urge me ceaselessly
to tell the ode of Konráðr's might,
I know no lofty verse-form well —
words fail me for the task.
The Voyage Home
9.
Now the fair prince delays no longer
to push his fleet gladly from shore;
quickly the small time passes —
the fierce wind played in the sail.
10.
Hefring began to strike the keels;
the broad sea bent before the prow;
the land was sighted, and the prince's honour
is clear — it will be won there.
11.
The prince's order was given thus:
not to sail into the Stólpasund;
they put into some hidden inlet —
the prince's son will find his lady.
12.
So eager was the prince in heart
that as soon as night had come,
he would find the worthy woman quickly;
the prince slipped away alone from his men.
Konráðr and Matthildr
13.
Swiftly he came to the lady's chamber
and found the fair princess within;
the beauty of the lady and the lord together —
no man alive can tell it.
14.
The fair and fine lady asked
(wonderfully gentle was the maiden then):
"How has your errand fared?
I think it was no easy one."
15.
The prince answered the lady then:
"There is much to tell of now;
you shall close the word upon it!"
The ring-goddess longed to hear.
16.
He gave the linen-goddess the stone
that she had lent him before with honour;
the pure ring-goddess kept it safe —
she gave no answer to this yet.
17.
The prince then took the other stone,
the one he had plucked from the middle of the board;
its colour was like the lightning-flash
that the sun can kindle in a salmon's stream.
18.
"This stone" — said the mighty maiden —
"we call most excellent;
you are scarcely yet done with your errand."
The bright bride began to marvel.
19.
The prince then showed the maiden
the other fine stone that was there;
the thorn-ground spoke her verdict on them,
though she thought him still not done.
20.
The lady answered then, steadfast:
"Each stone is precious in itself;
yet the one I have not yet seen
is the one the king sent you to find."
21.
The steel-god took out the very stone
that the prince's father had sought so long;
the king's daughter recognised it at once —
the lady's chamber brightened with joy.
22.
"Fortune has granted you" — said the wave-goddess —
"worthy honour and this joy:
to win that gemstone with renown —
none fairer may be found."
23.
"My father has longed for this,
and for it brought many men to grief;
your fame across the earth and land,
O prince, will long be told."
24.
"I can explain clearly: these are smaragds —
I reckon his fame may be told in full;
this one conquers all with its pure light,
the fair bloom and the bright field."
25.
Next the prince showed the jewel-goddess
the Fafnir-stone he had retrieved from the deep
below the ground —
the lady spoke in that same moment.
26.
"We call this" — said the noblest lady —
"a chrysolite, the one you show now;
the gemstone's name, and the fortune
is immense, that you have won it."
27.
"Its bloom and its bright purity
shall banish all manner of darkness;
venom does them no harm
who keep this stone upon themselves."
28.
He shows now the stone the sleeping
serpent had guarded, and the wise bride
then spoke of its powers:
"Great is your gained honour."
29.
"We call this a carbuncle" —
said the learned maiden — "a fine stone;
its virtues are these:
to possess it" — said the bright bride.
30.
"All the powers of the stones
I named before — this one commands;
fire cannot burn the hall
in which this gemstone is kept."
31.
The prince now showed the horns
that were adorned with Fafnir's bridge;
a marvellous treasure that work was —
the noble lady beheld these precious things.
32.
"Much has the sun-god granted you,
O prince" — said the jewel-goddess —
"to win such treasures with renown;
none fairer may be seen."
33.
The prince then brought forth the tapestry —
it was all like gold to behold;
every weave upon it was
the fairest the world can show.
34.
"This treasure that you have displayed" —
the prince's daughter spoke in answer —
"I scarcely believe it will ever be equalled;
a fairer tapestry no one has seen."
35.
The prince took out the fine bowl
that was wrought with many a craft;
the prince's daughter gazed upon it here —
it burned like Fafnir's island.
36.
The gold-braided goddess inspected the treasures
and answered the warrior then:
"Few such things are found on earth;
the deed will long be remembered."
37.
The noble lady said: "The stones
that stand in the bowl, two by two —
they command more powers
than you can see," said the ring-goddess.
38.
"In five different ways," the bride asked,
"may drink be mixed in that bowl;
yet no one blend touches another —
all this the prince shall see."
39.
"If warriors drink wrongly" — said the jewel-goddess —
"as well may happen,
the drink vanishes, and the men shall see
a fair castle appear before them."
40.
"Two trusty knights stand guard
over it" — said the ring-goddess —
"armed with shields they are,
with shadowed helms and bright spears."
41.
"But when warriors drink correctly" —
the lady claimed she knew the truth —
"then all returns to its place,
and the vision is lifted away."
42.
"Now you have seen" — said the prince —
"the fine treasures I have displayed;
I have laboured greatly as the wise lady counselled;
great is the wisdom granted to you."
Before the King
43.
"When the sun lights the ring of lands
and the cunning sun turns in its course,
my father shall summon a crowded assembly,
and the company shall ready itself with serpent-treasure."
44.
"Show the stone then to the king
and tell him at length of your ordeals;
O prince, you shall win from all
the highest fame that may be heard."
45.
Matthildr then gave the prince her counsel,
and rightly it was told thereafter;
the prince parted from the ring-goddess
and now has sleep and fair rest.
46.
Messengers from the prince's side
sought the king at morning;
the lord at once, in that same hour,
set a þing upon the wide ground.
47.
The emperor's son with his fine company
quickly found the king;
the prince brought forth the stone —
most thought he had won it well.
48.
The warriors now, as the tale was told,
praised his fame and skill;
the king declared he knew in truth
that no man could equal this one.
49.
"I understand now" — said the wise prince —
"you are truly the emperor's son;
I harbour no suspicion against that —
if you will do one thing I ask!"
50.
"Your fame is splendid" —
the prince trusts himself the best —
"take your weapons and arm yourself,
mount a strong horse, and ride against me!"
The Final Joust
51.
Konráðr spoke then to the king:
"Trust in your fortune, lord;
O king, you shall have the victory;
you yourself shall have your will."
52.
The sport grew, for both princes
armed themselves together;
scarcely had men beheld
fairer weapons than those two bore.
53.
Then they leapt upon their horses
handsomely, as I can tell;
fairer knights than those
the world can nowhere show.
54.
They rode at one another with practised skill;
the warriors had not lost their splendour;
the linen-goddess shall hear the tale —
neither had lost his honour.
55.
Konráðr's adorned lance struck the shield
squarely, and the keen prince
flew from the saddle, struck by steel;
yet the king came down standing.
56.
Konráðr rode at once to the king,
courteously and gently;
the fair prince gave the tapestry then
to the grove of spears, to calm his anger.
57.
"All is good" — said the king — "from you;
I welcome such gifts myself;
a finer tapestry, the lord swore,
O prince — let it gladden us here."
58.
"Now is the time" — said the prince —
"for the one who has claimed before all
to be the emperor's heir and scorned Konráðr
to come forward now with fame and deeds."
59.
"Show some honour now, if you can!
You said you surpassed him in everything;
Roðbert, perform that feat of valour now —
ride out against this man!"
60.
Roðbert could see for himself now
that the king would have his way.
Let the tap strike the empty barrel
of Gautr — and let it ring!
Ríma VIII
Mansöngr — The Eighth and Final Offering
1.
Though poetry is hateful to me now,
far beyond all measure,
still shall the palate's ship be launched
and made merry by a verse.
2.
Once in youth I swiftly fed
the flame-spark of Fjölnir;
those who bring the love-songs
make many maidens glad.
3.
So has the world retreated from men,
withdrawing all manner of joy;
though warriors would offer entertainment,
none will listen anymore.
4.
Such is the fashion of the age,
and it has been so for long;
sagas and rímur sink from favour —
no one cares for them at all.
5.
Now it may be that if anyone
composes worthy entertainment,
dearer in the warriors' eyes
are gossip and mockery than such art.
6.
The fair drink that Fjölnir owns
I never learned to taste;
often Skrimnir has snatched the ale
away from the poets.
7.
Long have I bought for little price
the splendid wine of Lóðurr;
the Norns' mead-craft was marked down low,
and I could not watch over it.
8.
I have poured Finnr's wave for warriors
fairly, this seventh time;
now shall the company, while the dregs hold out,
hear Durnir's tale.
The Joust of Roðbert
9.
I will turn now to this part
(I must tell with skill):
Roðbert had little wish
to enter the contest against Konráðr.
10.
Yet he armed himself at the king's command
in the cold garments of Gjúki;
he was strong enough to speak with cunning
and skilled in every counsel.
11.
So great was the host at the assembly
that none could count them;
in every tower the crowd stood watching,
and the throng covered the ground.
12.
Then the warriors rode to meet each other,
their hands adorned with treasure;
Konráðr bore his opponent's spear
mightily, with force.
13.
The king seized Roðbert by the neck
and taught him the power of his arm;
he wrenched the fire-breaker from the saddle
with his strong right hand.
14.
The prince rode to the foulest fen
that could be found;
there the prince let fall
this traitor of the lord.
15.
The whole company at once
began to shout and call;
ill it went for the emperor's kinsman —
into the mire he fell.
16.
At Roðbert every man laughed
and shouted who had a mouth,
while Lord Konráðr was honoured then
by the court with all their might.
17.
Roðbert was dragged from the ditch now
by warriors, at Konráðr's bidding;
it is no wonder that Lady Matthildr
will not henceforth love that man.
18.
The king demanded that Roðbert then
be stripped of life by the warriors —
hanged upon the gallows,
or torn apart by horses.
Konráðr's Mercy
19.
Konráðr answered the king then
and said it could scarcely stand:
"I will let Roðbert keep his life,
though he led me into peril."
20.
"Let the warrior keep a single ship
with wealth and men still;
but he is rightly outlawed from both empires —
his own counsel brought this on him."
21.
The ship bore Roðbert away
upon the cold whale-field;
the traitor still enjoyed his father's favour,
and so managed to keep his life.
The Wedding
22.
The assembly then was closed by the prince's court;
there was no shortage of celebration;
the prince wished a swift wedding
prepared with all honour.
23.
Konráðr said in that same hour,
turning to the serpent-goddess of the sea:
he will now journey to his father's court
and bid the emperor come.
24.
He parts now from the prince's daughter
and the fair scarlet-maiden;
the warriors let the ornamented ships
glide upon the fishing-ground.
25.
The shelves of Hlér and the prince's fleet
shared the fire between them;
the pale wave of Blóðughadda
thundered against both stems.
26.
They sailed from the sea to the adorned land;
the warriors know it is Saxony;
not one empty fjord did they see
as far as the eye could run.
27.
So many ships were on the water
that none could count them;
the emperor is now arrived —
if any man can delay him.
28.
Scarcely had they seen the king's company
maintain greater splendour;
Konráðr found his father swiftly,
and they met with all honour.
29.
Konráðr invited the emperor then,
with his fine company,
to the feast where he would receive
the ring-goddess with splendour.
30.
The king's voyage was readied quickly,
the ships and host selected;
the emperor had so fine a company
that none had seen a fairer.
31.
Then they let the sea-horses
gallop from the land;
the other host took its leave
and stayed behind at home.
32.
The dark sails caught the wind;
the waves played upon the hulls;
far and wide the fire of the linden-tree
flashed from the ship-doves.
33.
The sister of Day sank in the herring-ground,
she and her tormentors;
Rán's shears parted in two
the shadowed prows of the ships.
34.
The emperor conquered the lock of the land
at last, with Rán's hounds;
the flood-horses carried the race
forward to Stólpasund.
35.
The Greeks had then seen the fleet
that the warriors call the fairest;
the ships were adorned with splendour,
with pure gold and with gems.
36.
Never before among men
had there been such a precedent:
that a fairer fleet could be seen
sailing to any shore.
37.
The warriors drove their ships into the broad harbour
and ran the keel to ground;
no ship was the equal of their splendour —
the host adorned itself upon the wave.
38.
They stepped ashore with a famous company,
the men adorned in finery;
the retainers bore hardened swords,
adorned with Hamdir's gold.
39.
Never had they seen in all the east
a fairer company;
the lord of Constantinople came to meet them
with splendour.
The Feast
40.
Truly I cannot describe the feast,
for there is more to tell:
all the grandeur and the honour
that grew upon their coming.
41.
The king's invitations were all gracious
to the emperor's company;
then he led into his own hall
the lord and both the fathers.
42.
The kings seated themselves at one high table
with the wise lord of lances;
a nobler feast was found nowhere
in the circuit of the world.
43.
All the warriors there were gladdened
with wine and mead;
the entertainment was the finest the world had borne,
with fair voices of art.
44.
The prince and the bright goddess of wealth
were then with all honour
wedded together with splendour and skill —
the prize and the bloom of the world.
45.
And next, for honour and for wisdom,
even as the master taught,
they were crowned with courtesy and might
by the hand of Emperor Rígarðr.
46.
The feast grew with honour then;
wine came often to the lips;
each one played what pleased him
and what life could ask.
The Later Days
47.
For half a month the feast endured,
honoured with all splendour;
then the emperor's company took
the cold fire of the sea with bloom.
48.
The kings parted graciously;
the emperor went to his fleet;
then the horses leapt upon
the broad wave of Hlér.
49.
Gylfir's ugly jaw gaped wide
at the gilded prow of the ship;
the prince returned to Saxony
and settled peacefully in his land.
50.
A short time then passed quickly
before the king of the Greeks
had to await the perilous meeting with death;
the prince fell from the land.
51.
The time came when the emperor
had to endure the sickly death;
Konráðr fathered with the garment-goddess
three sons, all fair.
52.
To his first son the prince gave
his own father's name,
the lord of the serpent-slope;
that one was equal to the finest emperors,
and strong, as the tale tells later.
53.
To him was given in honour
all the world's mighty bloom;
then he was sent to Saxony
and crowned with the imperial title.
54.
Kitelax was the name of Konráðr's son
who knew the finest splendour;
Vilhjálmr always gladdened
the tree of wealth and his people.
55.
Konráðr upheld the high king's name
and ruled his realm;
no prince upon the earth was found
his equal or his like.
56.
The prince held, while life endured,
with the fair leek-goddess,
a love complete; and his renown
spread far across the world.
57.
And when the prince drew his last breath
and the sorrowful death shook him,
Kitelax ruled after him
all the land and the realm.
58.
Here shall the tale come to its end;
no need to stretch the story further;
better is other fine entertainment —
this one shall not be strung out.
59.
Eight journeys of valour have I wrought
with the tool of glory;
I find much in the bird's basket
and turn it upon the wheel of tales.
Colophon
Konráðs Rímur (The Rímur of Konráðr), also known as Riddara-Rímur III. Eight rímur in ferskeytt (ABAB) metre, except Ríma VII which uses a four-line monorhyme (AAAA). Composed by an unknown Icelandic poet, probably fifteenth century. The cycle is the third of three knight-romances preserved in the Riddara-Rímur collection. The story follows Prince Konráðr of Saxony, betrayed by his sworn brother Roðbert, who wins back his identity and the hand of Princess Matthildr of Constantinople through dragon-slaying, lion-taming, elephant-hunting, and the theft of gemstones from a sleeping serpent-king.
Source: Riddara-Rímur, ed. Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen: J. H. Schultz, 1881), pp. 111–171. Base manuscript: AM 604 a, 4° (fifteenth century). Apparatus criticus from MSS AM 604 b (B), AM 604 e (E), and the fragmentary G.
Good Works Translation by the New Tianmu Anglican Church and Claude, 2025–2026. Translated from Old/Middle Icelandic. Rímur I–II by Skaði; Ríma III by Rímur Tulku (2026-03-21); Ríma IV by Rímur Tulku (2026-03-21); Ríma V by Dagný (2026-03-21); Rímur VI–VIII by Ásvaldr (2026-03-21). Wisén's editorial notes and apparatus criticus were consulted for readings. First known complete English translation.
See also: Introduction to Rimur
🌲
Source Text
Konráðs Rímur, from Riddara-Rímur, ed. Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen: J. H. Schultz, 1881), pp. 111–171. Base manuscript: AM 604 a, 4° (fifteenth century). Critical apparatus, variant readings (MSS B, E, F, G, AE, BF, etc.), and page headers stripped. Ríma II section header was not preserved in the OCR; break detected by stanza-number sequence.
Ríma I
i.
- En þó at K^giiis rósar flóð
rekkum vilda ek skeinkja,
hefr ek um dpkkva Dellíngs jóð
drjúgum margt at þeinkja.
- Mitt er stirðnat stýri máls,
strætin vizku reika;
dvelr mik jafnan drafnar báls
Dvalins en fagra leika.
- Þar sem brúðar borgar vegg
berr með heitan anda,
gjgrir mitt jafnan gríðar hregg
girndar fullt at standa.
- Þá hefi ek mist, er mér var lént,
makt af þessu efni;
því er mitt hjarta af bólinu brent
baugs fyr væua Gefni.
- Leiðvarar hefr mér leikit þrátt
leyndar stríð í vindi;
get ek því helzt mér gamanit fátt
gulls fyr bjarta lindi.
t >
-
Hittizt eingi harðari þrá,
ef haua skal aldri þrjóta,
en lofa þá mætu menja Ná,
er manu fær aldri at njóta. -
Heíi ek þat eitthvert æfintýr,
er ýta gleðja mætti;
^ orðiu standa skilin ok skýr,
skorðuð fornum hætti.
-
Rígarð kallazt keisari sá,
er kunni Saxland stýra;
ýtum veitti haun arma snjá
ok unnar Ijósit dýra. -
Dpglíng lætur drottins nafn
dýrka sína lýði,
því var hilmis heiðrinn jafu
heims af allri prýði.
- Margir héldu mildíng af
mektar kónga ríki;
gramr fyr norðan Grikklands haf
greitt fannzt ei hans líki.
- Hann var bæði blíðr ok prr,
bragnar mega þat heyra;
fylkir litar fránan dprr
í fyrða rauðum dreyra.
- Vísir hafði vitra frú
valit at ætt ok prýði;
6^ hœttari þrá F 6=^ ef ej i BF mun aldri BF vill eigi
njóta BF 7^ sem ýta G T skrifuð með fró?um hætti G
JStr. 3 — 7 hafva ordningsföljden 5, 6, 3^ 7 i G (str. 4 sak-
skriffél i B gefir hann G orma alla hds. 9^ herrans heiðír-
margir kóngar reki {sic) A 10' g^ramr AÉE greitt fyr F
frú G 12« valin at B valit ætt A af ætt G
kONRÁBS rÍmUR.
dýr ok væii var drottníng sú,
er dpglíngs mektar lýði.
- Siklíng ól við seima gátt
svein ok mey so fríða;
þeim var lén með heiðurs hátt
heimsins makt ok blíða.
- Buðlúngs son var blíðr ok merkr,
brodda fimr at hjaldri,
þýðr ok 9rr ok þrautar sterkr
þegar á úngum aldri.
-
Fylkis son var fæstum jafn,
frægð bar hann yfir lýði;
Eonráðs fékk hann kurteist nafn,
kjgrinn í alla prýði. -
Systir hans var fpgr ok fríð,
fruktuð veraldar blóma;
sigrar eingin Svplnis hlíð
sætu hprund at Ijóma. -
Silvia heitir seima brík,
sett til margrar fræði;
lýðum gáfu linna sík
listug syskin bæði. -
StiUir hefr með sterkri þjöð
stutt sitt vald ok ríki;
fyrðar s^ddu Fenris jóð
fggru benja síki.
som E, men dár af en senare nand ráttadt till sterkur 15*
hliJ G IV Silviu nafn fékk silkibrík G 17» sett i markyns
-
Rikan jarl hafa rekkar þeir
Roðgeir kunnat nefna;
bilar hann ei við bitran geir
brodda þíng at stefna. -
Frægð bar þessi fylkis maðr
fram yfir aðra dreingi;
var til leiks ok lista hraðr,
líki fannzt hans eingi. '
- Jarlinn fékk með Fofnis brú
falda nipti snjalla:
ól hann son með sinni frú,
seggir Roðbert kalla.
-
Listugr var hann á líkams burð,
lystr at vega með stáli,
mannvits fékk hann þeygi þurð
ok þótti snjallr í máli. -
Roðgeirr prýddi Rínar glóð
rekka sína fríða;
kappinn vill með kléna þjóð
til keisaraus fundar ríða. -
Fyrðar tóku af fylkis lóð
fríðum hestum venda;
skein þar sól á SQrla vóð
ok Sv^lnis hrínga brenda. -
Mildíng réð ok meingit glæst
mætum jarli at fagna;
sjálfum keisara settizt næst,
seggir veizlu magna.
lilotit aí nefna G 19^ bilaði hann aldri bj^rtum geir G 20*
hilmis lá5 G 24» hestum frííum G 24» skein þá G 24*
K0NUÁÐ8 RÍMCJK. 95
-
Jarlinn innir erindin sín,
gðlíngs dreingir hljóða:
"hilmis syni vil ek heim til mín
helzt til næmis bjóða." -
"Konráði skulum kenna vær
at kljúfa skj^ldu þunna,
ok íþróttir allar þær,
sem ek he£ numit at kunna."
- Keisarinn viU með kærleik nú
kurteist heimboð þiggja;
þá var logandi linna brú
lýðum veitt af tiggja.
- Konráðr velr af vísis drótt
vaska menn ok fríða;
orlof þágu fyrðar fljótt
ok fýsazt heim at ríða.
- Rekkar fundu Roðgeirs bygð,
réðu náða at leita;
jarl nam elsku ok alla dygð
^ðlíngs syni at veita.
- Roðbert skipar hann ræsis nið
ríkum næst at gánga;
fékk hann brátt af vella við
væna elsku ok lánga.
- Konráðr nam með kurt ok frægð
karlmanns listir allar;
- bar hann því fremdar fríða nægð
fram yfir kempur snjallar.
- Ríða í dust ok rjóða sverð,
rekka i taði at vinna.
96 konrÁðs kíhuk.
skjótligt sund ok skíða ferð
ok skjóta af boganum stinna.
- StiUis son var stórr ok merkr,
stórliga vænn til hófa;
í turniment var traustr ok sterkr,
tjáir þat ongum prófa.
- Ræsis syni fékk Roðbert næst
riddara nafn hit djarfa;
lék hann þó til líka fæst
við Ijúfan kóngsins arfa.
-
Allar túngur út í heim,
sem ýtar máttu greina,
Roðbert kunni at ráða þeim
rétt sem þýsku hreina. -
Allmargt hafa þeir prýði-plag «
prófat snildar verkum;
sóruzt brátt í bræðralag
ok bundu eiðum sterkum.
-
Konráðr viU á fgður síns fund
fara at nefndum tíma;
Roðbert fylgir þorna Þund -
O^lí^g fagnar arfa sín
ok gllu þeirra meingi,
dreingjum skeinkir dygðugt vín,
ok dveljazt heima leingi. -
Skjpldúngs dóttir skær ok fríð
skemmu byggir eina;
& 38» á kóngsins fund B á keisarans fund G 38» koma á
B koma at liðnum tíma G 38» fylgíTi G 39» dreingum skentir
B dv^lduzt G
konrÁðs ríhur. 97
Roðbert sá þá silkihlíð,
er seggir vænsta greina.
- Talar hann margt við lauka lind
ok Íysti brúði at gilja,
gat hann af Fofnis foldar strind
feingit mjúkan vilja.
-
Konráðr trúði traustum hal
at tala við sprandit fríða;
því gekk einginn á þeirra tal,
þanninn stundir líða. -
Einnhvern dag sem auðar skorð
júngu skemtir lífi,
þorngrund raælti þessi orð,
þá var hrygð á vífi.
- "QrlQg vilja yfrit þúngt
oss með nauðum spenna;
nú geing ek með jóðit júngt,
jarlsson, mun ek þér kenna."
- "Faðir minn verður stríði streingðr
stóru um atburð þenna;
muntu því með háÖúng heingðr
ok harðar pítiur kenna."
- Roðbert segir, at "reynizt nú
ránglig okkur stundan;
þó at so fari sem fleiprar þú,
þá flý ek aldri undan."
- "Gef .nú ráð, hit rjóða sprund,
rekk af vísdóm þínum!" -
Svaraði víf í samri stund:
"þú seg til bróður mínum!"
i S lysti hana at G 4P af mætri menja lind AJS af Fofnis
98 ' konkÁðs rímur.
- "Vil ek þar ekki vera í hjá,
, vant er slíks at leita;
grein mér síðan satt í frá
sv^r þau hann viU veita!"
- Roðbert kom fyr Konráðs kné,
kvað sér grvænt náða:
- "lífit mitt sem land ok fé
lofðúngsson 'skal ráða."
-
"Barnat hefi ek hit bjarta fljóð
ok brugðit trúleiks stéttir,
mitt er at vísu vQrgum blóð
veitt, þegar keisarinn fréttir." -
Buðlúng sagði bystr ok reiðr,
er bræddi varg á steikum:
"fordrifiu er þín frægð 6k heiðr,
ef ferr at makligleikum." -
"Faðir þinn unni frægðar mér,
fremd þá ek nam hljóta;
á ek því helzt at hjálpa þér, ■
því hans áttu at njóta."
- Konráðr gekk á keisarans fund
ok kvaddi stiUi enn ríkja;
biðr þá horskan hilmi um stund
hratt á eintal víkja.
- StiUir geingr í studium brátt
með sterka sína lýði;
tiggja son af trúleiks mátt
talaði so með prýði:
kva5 G 49» l^nd G 50*' jeg hefi barnat bur5ugt ^óð G
enn ríka XG ríkan B 53» bi?r þá hilmi hrínga lund AJBE
konrÁðs kímur. 99
- "Boðbert hefr með nauðum nú
nálægzt reiði þína;
hann hefr brotit af bernsku trú
ok barnat systur mína."
- Grams varð hyggjan grimmliga hremd
af geystu forzi ok kvíða;
fylkir segir: "en fúla skemd
fara mun helzt til víða."
-
"Skal hann ei fleiri vænlig víf
með vélum þann veg fánga;
mun hann með háðúng láta líf
ok á Ijótum gálga hánga." -
Konráðr biðr þá mildíng mest
at mýkja reiði sína:
"vísir, láttu á vígi frest
ok virð til elskan mína!"
- "GJQrið hann lángt af landi í braut
ok lýði miklu fleiri,
veit honum heiðr ok veraldar skraut,
vór er sæmd at meiri."
- "Láta megi þér, lofðúng skýrr,
Ijóta reiði at falla;
meira þoldi drottinn dýrr,
er dauðann þá fyr alla."
- Qðlíngs tók á ítran kund
ávít stórt at dynja:
"helzti ertu heimskr í lund
ok hefr þú ekki at skynja."
geystiun hremd B var hyggjan geyst ok hremd G 56' grimt
me^ forz ok B gripin meS forz ok G 56' kvaáí; "sjá frábœr
skynja (f
- ''Þó at ek lofi -- kvað lofðúng — þeT,
lífí at Roðbert næði,
sé ek þat fyrir af sjálfum mér,
svíkr hann ykkur bæði."
-
Konráðr lofaði keisarans land,
kappar trygðir binda;
seggir skulu á síldar grund
siglu bj^rnum hriuda. -
Konráðr stígr á kólgu hjprt
kátr at Roðberts vilja;
við fgður ok móður ok fljóðin bj^rt
fýlkis m9gr réð skilja.
-
Stillis son með sterka þjóð
stýrði úr Saxa veldi;
bragna kind í brynjum stóð
með Bglverks sn^rpum eldi. -
Garpar létu úr hQfnum hratt
hlaupa græðis varga;
dúfan hnauð um borðit bratt
ok beygði snekkju marga. -
Var sem í lopti veðrin stór
vinda Qflin' bæri;
dætur Hlés um drafnar jór
drifu sem eldíng færi.
- Ránar bQmin rendu bjgrt
á roðnu snekkju barði;
Konráðr lætur húfa hjgrt
hlaupa at Miklagarði.
62* |>ó ek — kvaáí lofJúng — leyfi þér G 62' at ej i B
KONRÁÐS RhlXJR. 101
-
Grikkir hafa þá siglíng séð,
erseggir vænsta greina;
skipunuin var með skarti léð
skíra guUs ok steina. -
Seglin vóru með Svöfnis bíng
sett ok reflum breiðum,
lángt stóð út á landa hríng
leiptr af þeirra skeiðum. -
StiUis 6on í Stólpasund
stýrir flæðar hreinura,
h^ldar þegar í hurara grund
hleypa digrum fleinum. -
Frægr ok ^rr var Grikkja gramr,
gjarn á list ok prýði;
stólkóngrinn lét stoltr ok framr
til strandar gánga lýði. -
Kom til hafnar hilmis þjóð
hJQrva Týr at finna,
býðr nú þýðum þorna rjóð
^^ þiggj^ veizlu stinna.
-
Roðbert bað nú niflúngs nið
at neita pngum sóma;
gekk á burt hit Grizka lið
grams á fund með blóma. -
Konráðr gekk frá kólgu heim
með kappa sína nýta;
þá réð ræsir Rínar seim
rekkum sínum býta.
- Roðbert talar við ræsis nið:
"rétt skulu sjálfir kjósa;
BB 72» greint (greindr E) at snild ok ^ greitt atlist J? 73»
ok herra Eonrá5 iinna G 73' bn9u nú svinnum seima rjó5 jB ok
3:cbe och 4:de versraderna i 2:dra rimans 5:te str, i B och G
viK þér sitja sv^runum við
ok siklíngs spurnir glósa?"
-
Konráðr segir at kappinn skal
kóngsins spurnum mæta:
"íloðbert, máttu mælskutal
mest við dreingi þræta." -
"Ef vilið þenna vanda mér
— kvað veitir uQðru fitja —
buðlúngsson, skal beint fyr þér
bæði gánga ok sitja." -
Rekkrinn segir, at Roðbert skal
ráða einn fyr ^Uu;
þegar sem endizt þeirra tal,
þeingils sóktu at h^llu.
- Hefi ek til óðar væna virt
veigar nipti Ijóma;
nú mega garpar geysistirt
grípa þýfi Óma.
Ríma II
- Þar sem Finns við fræða sker
fyrr nam snekkju at brjóta,
þarf ei Fundins horna hver
hJQrva lund at þrjóta. - Berliga logar mín bh'ðu hafn
bgls af sárum móði
fyr þat bjarta brúðar nafn,
er batt ek fyrr í óði.
—79 stá nást efter 2:dra rimans 5:te strof % B och G 80*
fróma AJE af veiga þ^Uu róma G 80» garpar mega nú G
konrÁðs rímur. 103
-
Sú berr elfar elda reik
ein af Qllum snótum,
sem þá brjáir ein blómguð eik
bJQrt hjá' þyrni Ijótum. -
Þó at ek ætti l^gu ok Ipnd
ok Ijósa heima þrenna,
gæfa ek auð ok orma strgnd
alt við blíðu hennar. -
Æfintýr víl ek auðar rein
í orðum leingur skreyta;
kóngrinn lét með kólgu hrein
kappa sína þreyta.
. 6. Niflúngs son ok en nýta ferð
nú viU hallar vitja;
sá gefr ærinn erni verð
eyðir npðru fitja.
- Kóngrinn lét með kurt ok list
kappa sina hófa;
Qngrar var þar æru mist,
ok alls kyns leika prófa.
-
Pípur þeytti, en stundi streingr,
stillis þjóð en djarfa;
mildíng sjálfr á móti geingr
mætum Bígarðs arfa. -
Hæverskliga þeir heilsa upp á
hreyti npðru valla;
deÚar följd dárefter intaga str. 76—79 frán f'órra riman
104 KONKAf>S RÍMUR.
kappar leiddu í kirkju þá
kóngsson ok til halla.
-
Siklíng stigr i sæti glœst
samit með unnar báli;
Boðbert settizt ræsi næst,
rekkar tóku á máli. -
Ræsir spurði Roðbert fyrst
rétt at ætt ok nafni,
hvert var rekka hyggjan ly^t
at halda skeiðar stafni.
- Roðbert segir, at rausn ok tráuet
Rígarð Sgxum veiti:
"hans er ek arfi efunarlaust,
ek ber Konráðs heiti."
- Siklíng spyrr, hverr sitr þar næst
svinnum menja Baldri:
"þeim er léð til lýta fæst,
líka hans sá ek aldri."
-
"Roðbert heitir rekkrinn sá,
raunir hafa þat sannat;
honiiim er léð sem líta má
litr en eigi annat." -
"Roðgeirr ól þann arfa sér,
álma sterkan beudi,
lagði hann fyrst at fótum mér,
fal hann svó oss á hendi."
- Þann veg eudizt þeirra tal,
þegnar fella at sinni;
skýr 'dreif ferð í skjgldúngs sal,
skatnar drekka minni.
þetta tal B þvi nœst létu þetta tal G 16> falla G 16« drukku Q
-
Seggir þágu af siklíng mest
sæmd ok prýði hreina;
kóngi.þótti Konráðr flest
kunna sér at greina. -
Dóttur átti dpglíng þá
dýra, er Matthildr heitir;
ggrpum veitti hon grettis snjá
ok gladdi lý^fa sveitir, , -
Líkams fegrð með list ok skrai^t,
lund ok málit snjalla,
bar sú foldar linna laut
láugt yflr ^vanna alla.
- Varla mátti í heimsins hgll
hennar líka bíða,
veraldar lýtur listiu gll
lindi Fofnis hlíða.
21» Misti hou gngra menta þá,
sem meistarar hafa ok fræði;
bragua hverr, er brúði sá,
bregður sorg ok mæði.
- Skemmu byggir skJQldúngs jóð,
skipuð af vífum kænum;
hon var prýdd með grettis glóð
ok gjprð með hagleik vænum.
- Qðlíng vildi á einni stund
auðar skorðu flnna,
tiggi gekk með trausta lund
at tala við vífit svinna.
17^ silfr ok peninga hreina G IV kappinn flest ö^
18» grettis lá ABJ^ 19^ lát ok fegríT G frœgí meí B 19»
6r 23*^ únga brúði íinna G
106 K0NRAÐ8 RIMUR.
-
Á fgður sinn heilsar faldá Bil
ok fræga kóngsins sveina:
"fréttir þær sem falla til,
fylkir, muntu oss greina!" -
"Þat er nú helzt — kvað þeingiU sviðr
þorna grund at skýra;
hér er nú Konráðr, keisara niðr,
kominn með rekka dýra."
- "Berr hann lángt — kvað lauka Ná —
list yfir aðra dreingi?
hafa so geingit fréttir frá,
at finnzt hans líki eingi."
- "Víst er honum — kvað vísir — léð
vizka með máli snj^llu;
vænni mann hef ek varla séð,
né virðuligri at ^llu."
- "Hvern viti þér — kvað hrínga grund
herra Konráð líkan?
finn ek næsta í lofðúngs lund,
at litit hafið annan slíkan."
- Konráð næst 'segir kóngrinn þann
kappa sitia snjallan,
finnur aldri fegri mann,
þó farit sé um heiminn allan."
- "Skatna hverr þó skapaði sik
skýrt sem vildi láta.
25* " - - - -
|ein|
80 hafa greint mér liréíar frá, hans fyndizt líkinn eingi 6r
inn láta G
konrÁðs rímur. 107
kynna ek aldri kjósa mík
klénni í allan máta."
- "Mikit finnzt yðr — kvað menja brík —
um málma runninn hvíta;
skil ek at eingi er skJQldúng slíkr,
því skal ek hajin augum líta.^
-
Ljósu tali þau létta þar,
lofðúng gekk til halla'r;
Roðbert spyrr, hvar ræsir var
ok rekka sveitir snjallar. -
Þetta greinir br^gnum brátt
brjótur jgtna róma;
þá var mildíngs meingit knátt
mektat ægis Ijóma.
- Roðbert mælti ræsi viðr,
rekkar allir hljóða:
"hvórt er, dpglíng, dóttir yður,
dýrust allra fljóða?"
- "Þat hefir sveit á Saxa grund
sagt af dóttur þinni,
at sú þætti hrínga hrund
hæfa prýði minni."
-
"Finna þóttizt fyrða kind
fuUkosta mér varla,
nema þá eina lauka lind,
er lýðir vænsta kalla." -
"Fyr þat gj^rðizt ferðin vár
frægust hér til landa;
vil ek nú bjartrar bauga Nár
biðja mér til handa."
bli^rar mér G
106 KONRÁÐ8 RilfUS.
- Yísir sagði vitrlig orð
vera þar tpluð af lýði,
at hann einn þætti hrínga skorð
hæfa at list ok prýði.
- "Vil ek þeím gipta gullhríngs Nj^rð,
er ggfgastur má heita;
skulu vit þvi við skarlats JQrð
skýrra mála leita."
-
Dag viU annan dýra frú
dQglíng ríkur finna;
Roðbert fylgir fylki nú
ok fyrða sveitin stinna. -
A ^fgður sinn heilsar falda skorð,
fyrðar geingu at sætum;
síðan valdi hon sæmdar orð
siklíngs arfa mætum.
- Fylkir sér á fríðri hrund
Fofnis rauðra landa;
vænan stól lét gullhríngs grund
grams fyr sæti standa.
- Stólsins báru skurðir skil
skreyttra npðru fitja;
buðlúngs arfa at sitja.
- Halrinn svaraði hvítri frú
ok hélt á unda ngðrum:
"forsætin hafa feingizt nú.
fyrri sinni ^ðrum."
ÍTÍða B 42' dýrra landa G 42' grafníng^s grund AJE 42*
konkÁðs rímuu. 109
- "Ef þér vilið, vísis kundr,
vórar listir líta,
gjgrr sér aldri geira Þundr
gulihlaðs lindi hvíta."
- Tala nú margt, sem tíminn líðr
ok tína prýði alla;
mikit fannzt grafníngs grundar hlíð
grams um túngu snjalla.
47..Gramr nam spyrja guUhríngs Ná:
"grein þat, vgldug sæta,
hversu lízt þér, líneik, á
lofðúngs arfa enn mæta?"
-
"Varla leit ek vænni mann
vera með slíkum hætti;
ægishjálm berr gngvan hann,
oss sem standa þætti." -
"Er þat líkt sem Ijósit bjart
leiki um tortís kl^kkvan,
brjái sem mest ok brenni snart
ok berr þó skugga d^kkvan." -
"Þætti oss eyðir orma fjalls
afbragð flestra manna,
væri hann arfi einshvers jarlSy
grr af Ijósi hranna."
- "Nú þykki mélr ei minni von
at mildings arfa skýrum,
þar sem hann kallazt keisarason,
kominn af ættum dýrum."
49 — 50 hafva omvánd ordning i A, men ovfiftyUning antydes
110 K0NRÁÐ8 rÍmUR.
-
Þat bað svinnust seima Bil
siklíng fyr sér inna:
"hvórum heyrir hirðin til?
hvat kann Roðbert vinna?" -
Kóngrinn sagði þeirra þjóð
þjóna Roðbert alla,
enn sem þenna randa rjóð
rekkar liti varla.
- "Konráðr hefr þín, bauga Bil,
beðit nú sér til handa;
hefi ek so anzat gðlíng til,
at yðarr vili skal standa."
- "Kann ek ei svo — kvað brúðrin — brátt
bJQrt at þessu hlaupa;
vil ek enn fyrr — segir vella gátt —
vita hverr mik skal kaupa."
- "Kurteist bið þú keisara nið
kalla til sin dreingi;
tímann annán tglumzt vær við,
tel ek þess kosti leingi."
- Þanninn endizt þeirra tal,
þá tók dagr at líða;
gramr sté burt úr glæstum sal
ok garpa sveitin fríða.
- Ræsir talar við Roðbert nú,
er rekkar sátu at borðum:
53' sag5i at A Str. 53 sahnas i E W hefr nú baufifa G 54*
hverr G Str, 61—55 hafva ordningsföljden 51^ 54, 55, 52y 53
konkJIðs kímur. 111
"hversu lízt þér listug frú?
leys mér þat með orðum!"
-
"Bæði er júngfrú bjgrt ok rjóð
ok berr svó túngu snjalla;
dyl ek þess eigi darra rjóð,
djupsæ þykki mér varla." -
"Grein nú þat — kvað mildíng — mér,
hví hafa ekki þegnar þér
þjónat lángan tíma?"
- Boðbert sagði þeingil þá
þreyta vizku sína,
ef þat mun verða þegnum tjá,
sem þgrf er eingi at tína.
-
"Þessi maðr, sem þér sjáið hér,
þeingill, megið nú skilja,
þegar í æsku þénti hann mér
þegn at fpður síns vilja." -
"Boðbert virta ek manna mest
mjpk fyr ættkvísl sína;
galt mér þetta garprinn verst
ok glæpti systur mína."
- "Fpður míns lund var furðu reið,
fékk ek stpðvat varla;
gaf ek þó aldri upp geira meið
grams fyr þykkju alla."
- "Lofðúng gjprði af landi braut
Ijósan hjgrva blekki;
^^^^"— ^^^^"^— ' —■■■ W ■ ■■ I ■■■■■■■ ■■ M^»^— ■ ■■■■ 1 ■I.^^^M^^^— ^^MMM^— ^— — — ^M^
aldri G 65' úr landi G landi af med omflyttningstecken A
65» Ijósan álma hnekki B
112 K0NRÁÐ8 RÍMUR.
Roðbert sýndízt þetta þraut
ok þorði at vera þar ekki."
- "Síðan flutta ek seima lund
sjálfr híngat til landa;
en þegar at liðin var lítil stund,
læzt hann kominn í vanda."
- "Ærit kvað hann sér stofnat stríð
af sterku keisarans meingi;
bað mik at Ijá sér litla hríð
lýða rQskligt geiíigi."
-
"Þetta veitta ek þorna við
þegar sem nú var spjallat;
síðan hef ek ei sjáligt lið
sérliga til mín kallat." -
Þeingill segir, at þjóðin sín
þat hefr undrazt leingi;
"dreingrinn, kalla drótt til þín,
dveli þá ýta eingi!" -
Roðbert kom fyr Konráð nú,
keisarason nam frétta:
"hvert var geinginn garprinn? þú
grein mér slíkt af létta!"
- "SkJQldnngs dóttir skœr ok fróð
skemmu byggir eina;
þángat gekk með geira rjóð
gramr ok fjpldi sveina."
me^ fj^lda sveina B
konrÁðs kÍmur. 113
- "Leizt mér bæði Ijós ok klár
lindÍQ ofnis stranda;
hefí ek því bjartrar bauga Gnár
beðit nú yðr til handa."
-
"Vísir tekr þar vænliga á,
YÍlja þinn munt fánga;
forsjá þykki mér falda Ná,
fram mun þetta gánga." -
D^glíng þakkar darra lund
dygð ok mælsku snjalla:^
"skal ek þó líta lauka grund,
er lýðir vænsta kalla." -
"Þess muntu eigi þurfa viðr
— þat nam Roðbert inna —
sá er hér lítt í landi siðr
Ijósar brúðir at finna." -
"Svanna má ek ei sýna þér,
svinnum menja Baldri;
tiggja son, mátt treysta mér,
því tæla skal ek þik aldri." -
"Fleira hefi ek enn frétt um stund
fyrst af sjálfum tiggja:
stillir segir við Stólpasund
streingja bj^rnu liggja."
- "Faðir þinn sendir fyrða þá,
er frétta at okkur báðum;
mér skal bregða í beiskan ná
bjart en svipta náðum."
lydeUe: Rœsir þakkar Roðbert nú rausn ok fylgit snjalla:
78» er ^ i B 'at frétta G af okkur E 78» mér á at breffJa
114 K0NRÁÐ8 kÍmUR.
- "Yðr muafrægðar landin lyist
at líta nauðsyn mína;
Ijá þu mér til fylgðar fy(r)8t
fríða rekka þínal"
- "Skylt er þat -r- kvað skjalda viðr —
þú skalt þinn vilja fánga."
Eonráðr sína bragna biðr
brátt með Roðbert gánga.
-
Roðbert fylgir ræsis þjóð,
rekkar þetta fundu;
kóngsins vill hit kléna.jóð
kappinn hitta af stundu. -
Dreingrinn geingx í drósar hgll
ok dýrligt kóngsins meingi;
fór með Roðbert ferðin 9II,
en fylgir Konráð eingi.
-
Skjgldúngs tóku skatnar tal
skýrt með fyrra hætti;
braguar skipuðu breiðan sal
brúðar alt.at gætti. -
Konráðr hefr nú kappa mist
ók kvinta sína dreingi;
alt er í hgllu hljótt ok tvist,
hann gleðr ýta eingi.
- Konráðr sitr með kappa fátt
í kóngsins h^U so leingi;
keisarasou gekk burtu brátt,
bragna fylgir eingi.
konrÁðs rÍmuk. 115'
- Út af hgll um eina stund
eyðir hefr sik branda;
hann leit fram á græna grund
glæsta skemmu standa.
-
StiUisson leit stóra hpll,
stóð með múrnum hreina;
hon var sett með Fofnis fjgll
ok fJQlda dýrra steina. -
Yænna smíð hefr varla séð
vísis kundr enn frægi;
þángat garprinn gánga réð,
get ek hann ekki vægi. -
HQlda bið ek at hyggjan merk
haldi þetta í íninni!
Hér skal Durnis dreggin sterk
dofna fyrst at sinni.
III.
Ríma III
- Mik bað grafníngs grundar ey
GiUíngs þetta at smíða fley;
fyr þinn vilja, veiga grund,
-vanda skal ek enn þriðja fund.
-
Brag vil ek vanda brQgnum þann,
er buðlúngs arfl skemmu fann;
Eonráðr gekk í glæstan sal,
garpa sá hann þar skrautligt val. -
Qngvan sess má auðan sjá,
alt var skipat sem þr^ngvast má;
garprinn stendr á gólfit mitt,
gramsson hugsár efnit sitt.
var þar nógligt val G 3* ^ngan sex ékriffel i B 3^ sem
þykkast B 3» stóí á gólfi G gekk á gólfit E
116 KONRAÐS RIMUK.
-
Keisarason bar kyrtil þanii,
kominn er utan úr l^ndum hann;
guðvef huldi grettis sík,
gersemi hittizt varla slík. -
Belti spent um miðjan mann
mætan prýddi linda þann;
Oíins kvónar hvarma hver
hann var allur listum gerr. -
Hauka láðin harðla sterk
hon var prýdd með Fenju verk,
þó sázt hilmis heila tjald
hulit með rauðan Gjúka fald.
-
Brandrinn lék i buðlúngs h^nd,
búinn var sá með ngðru strpnd;
sá fannzt pngum laufa líkf,
Ijósar skýfir Oðins bríkr. -
Eeisarason bar kurt í nóg,
kappann skorti ei rekka róg;
leiptrit stár á stiUis hold,
stigit hefir einginn fegri á mold. -
Ðóttir stiUis dreinginn sá,
d^glíngs arfa hon horfir á;
liljan skoðar þann laufa rjóð,
lángt berr þessi af allri þjóð. -
Seggi tvó lét seima Ná
sæti annat báða fá;
drepr þar hendi dýnu viðr,
dgglíngs arfi sezt þar niðr.
prjorr (^ 6~ Hringir léku á n^ndum tveim, hverjfi funduzt
jainir þeim, gj^ríir bœéíi at gulli ok smí J, gersimis (?) hvor
str^nd B orma strand G 7' braudr er eingi laufa B bœsing
A BÍófS G visis hold B S* vænni á mold B vænni á fola G
KONRÁÐS rímur. 117
-
Konráðr sat hjá seima Ríst,
sá þá hvórt á annars list;
Roðbert tók at roðna við,
Bígarðs leit hann frægan nið. -
Hoðbert talar við ræsi þá :
"rekkr er kominn í skemmu sá,
þprf var eingi at þeingils mær
þessum siti garpi nær." -
"Þegar er brúði brugðit viðr,
buðlúng má þat líta sviðr;
Boðbert kann so klóka list,
konstra hefr hann gngra mist." -
"Ekki sakar — kvað þeingill — þat
ef þann veg berr ei optar at;
svó er vórt margt hit mæta lið,
mega þau eigi ræðazt við."
- Boðbert biðr enn bjartrar frúr;
bað hon þat slíta máli úr,
nú viU gngu auðar Bil
anza þar með blíðu til.
-
Leið svó dagr, at lýðrinn snjallr
lofðúngs gekk úr skemmu allr;
Ðellíngs svæfði hit dpkkva jóð
dgglíngs alla valda þjóð. -
Annan dag, sem drykkjan líðr,
d^glíng geingr á stefnu blíðr;
Boðbert fylgir fylki enn
ok flestir allir Eonráðs menn.
118 KONRÁÐS rímuk.
- Konráðr sitr i kóngsins hgll,
kappa sveit var burtu 9II,
vil ek þar skýra skgtnum frá,
í skemmu hugði hann gánga þá.
- Ðreingrinn geingr í drósar hQll,
dygðug sá þat menja þgll.
Matthild fagnar vella við,
vísis sá hann þar ekki lið.
-
Sezt hann niðr hjá seima hlíð,
svanninn tekr á þessi tíð
fjplda blaða ok eski eitt;
aldri leit hsiun v^nna ueitt. -
Blpð eru þessi bj^rt ok hr^iu,
birta alla túogna grein;
sjautigi vóru talin ok tv^u,
tiggja son bað bon líta á þau. -
Finna brátt þat fýsazt á
fleina lundr ok menja Ná;
Girzkumálit tgmdu tvau,
tala nú jafnvel bæði þau. -
Gulls nam frétta grundiii fy(r) st:
"grein mér þat er ek er til lyst;
hvert er, herra, heitit þitt?
hver er þíu ætt eðr ríkit frítt?" -
Eappinn svaraði kvintri frú:
Eonráðs berum vér heiti nú;
Rígarð er minn frægi feðr,
fylkir heldur Saxland meðr."
22» fíima þat er B fundu skjótt þat fýstuzt á 6^ 22« fl&ipa
Ti9r ok hringa Ná B fylkis son ok bauga Ná G 22» Girskn
málsinB túngu tvau G 22» t^lu^u si9an bæ9i j^au G 23»
konrÁðs rimur. 119
- Brúðrin svarar ok brosti við:
"beint skil ek þenna yðvarn sið
(ágætt nafn er þetta þó),
at þér vilið allir heita svó."
- "Vissa ek eigi — Konráðr krað —
kappa ngkkurn lasta þat;
hitta ek ^ngvan hjprva rjóð
heita svó með vórri þjóð."
:27. "Enn er hér — segir auðar Gná —
annarr maðr, er nefnizt svá;
keisarason hann kallat sik,
kappinn, frœð at slíku mik.^
:28. Vísir svarar vífi enn:
"vissari eru þá aðrir menn,
ef seggrínn veit eí sjálfs síns aafn;
svanninn, ertu fæstum jafn."
- "Roðbert liefna rekkar hann,
Boðgeirs son má kalla þann;
bundum úngir bræðra lag
ok branda frQmdum margan slag."
-
Láða svaraði linna skorð:
"líkari þykki mér þessi orð;
faðir minn trúir svó ðeina Þund,
fæ ek hans varla stpðvat lund." -
Konráðr biðr, at brúðrin teit
brjóta skuli sin eigi heit.
^ B svaraði F 28» vitrari G eru hér .B 28» ef^'tB 28*
muntu fæstum G Str. 27 — 2B hafva omvánd ordning i G
120 KONRABS RIMUR.
at kvintan mundi hon keisarans nið
kærleik allan binda við.
-
Skemta sér með skrautlig orð
skjalda hlynr ok bauga skorð;
Konráðr geingr í kóngsins hgll,
komin var hirð í sæti pll. -
Roðbert spurði rgskann þar
Rígarðs son, hvert geinginn var;
Konráðr greinir þegni þá
þessu efni satt í frá.
- "Þess æ betr — kvað þegninn nú —
sem þángat optar geingur þú;
þótt þat líki lofðúng ve(r) st,
láta skulu vit kyrt um flest."
-
Þegar Jaut kappinn kóngi at:
"kallsar Roðbert fyr mér þat,
dag hefr þennan dóttir þín
dreinginn geymt í skemmu sín.'^ -
Þá varð hilmir harðla reiðr,
hvatliga svaraði bauga meiðr:
"látum þenna laufa Þund
lífi týna í samri stund!"
- "Nenni ek ei — kvað randa runnr —
rétt at þessu verða kunnr,
helduf sé ek með hærri náð,
hilmir, þar til annat ráð."
kóngi 1 staJ G 35» fyr mér RoJbert G 35» hefi G dóttur
AG 36» var B 36» brodda meiéír G 36» því skulum eigi
B ok dveljum ei hans heljar stund G 36»—* stá hos A med
Mnvisningstecken i nedre marginalen 37» ek^* iA kvað 'RcÍ-
bert rétt G 37» at ver9a at þessu B rekkar geti þat sann-
liga frótt G 37» hœgri G
konrÁðs rÍhur. 121
-
"Láttu á morgun laufa rjóð
. leika margt fyr vænni þjóðl
marga vega mun þá fyr þér
þorna lundrinn breyta sér." -
Líkar allvel lofðúng þat;
laut nú Boðbert Eonráð at,
biðr þá heilan hjprva rjóð:
"hilmis lofar þik gJQrvgll þjóð." -
"Hefi ek íþróttir allar tjáð,
Qðlíng, þær sem þér hafið náð;
lofðúng biðr at listir þín
líta mætti hirðin sín.''
4L Keisarason með kurt ok snild
kóngi játar sína vild;
leið í burt en brúna nótt,
birti sýndi dagrinn skjótt.
-
Buðlúng fór í brynju þá
bezta mátti í heimi sjá,
linna fróni lauguð var,
laufi eingi at hildi skar. -
FJQlnis tjald ok Fróða sveip
fylkis son með hrotta greip;
gulligt merki víð gladiel fest,
^ garprinn sté á fríðan hest.
- 44. Léttfeti rann með lofðúngs kund
Ijósan fram á slétta grund;
fyrr sá eingi fyrða þar
frægri mann, en þessi var.
38» mun ^* i G þá ^ i B 39^ fullvel B lét sér kóngr.
at bi9r A med (mfiyttningsteeken þvi vill lofðúng Íistir þin
122 KONRAÐS KIUUR.
- Konráðr leikur listir þær,
er lýðir kvómuzt hvergi nær;-
þar fannzt einginn þegna sá
við þeingils arfa ríða iná.
- Suðra leikan sókti í haf,
seggrinn ríður staðnum af,
skemtir sér á skógi enn,
skJQldúngs sá hann þar ^ngva menn.
gramsson lét í samri stund
bitla dýrit bregða við,
borgar fann hann eitthvert hlið.
-
Ðreingrinn lítur dólga tvá
dgkkva sitja hestum á.
Blámenn hafa þeir beiska lund,
báðir snúa á Eonraðs fund. -
Rekkrinn bregður benja orm
búinn at vekja sverða storm,
þá varð herrans hyggjan fyld
at hQggva stórt fyr júngfrú skyld.
-
Brandrinn sníður blámanns háls,
brátt var þessum varnat máls,
hpfuðit st^kk hans strjúpa frá,
steyptizt bolr at jprðu þá. -
Vargrinn margr hit varma blóð
vísliga drakk ok Fenris jóð;
sta^num G Under 8ta5num ar velli anhragt sásom ráttelae
sneru G 4&* kappinn bregJur B Konráír bregður G 49»
rinn j^rJu á G Str, 61 sahnas i G
konrAðs rímur. 123
gemlir kom þar guUu rítr,
gnast í skildi dgrrinu bvítr.
- Hamíugjan fekk með bj^rva Gaut
horskum unnit þessa þraut:
báðir létu blámeun fjgr
brátt fyr sngrpum Eonráðs d^r.
-
Garprinn riðr í stóran stað
stillis dóttur skemmu að.
Mattbild fagnar fleina lund,
fréttir, bvert banu veik um stund. -
HQfuðin sýndi brínga Gná,
bvórki var þó fagrt at sjá;
síðan greinir seima brú
sannliga alt, sem gj^rðizt nú. -
Mattbild lofaði mildíng þaim,
er mestar dygðir veita kann.
Konráðr geingr í kóngsins bQll,
kappann undrazt birðin qU. -
Grimmligr var þá geira Þundr,
gQrpum þótti næsta undr,
bar bann í bendi blóðugt sverð,
bragníngs setti bljóða ferð.
- Ræsir talar með Boðbert glaðr:
"rétt er þetta afreksmaðr,
bann befr drepit nu dólga þá,
er dauðann létu marga fá."
som % stallet har fö^ande visa: Hilmi anzar hringa Lín:
"hœtt er þanninn lífi þín;" Konráðr skilzt við skikkju þ^ll,
124 K0NKÁÐ8 KÍhUR.
- Halrinn talaði hilmi viðr:
"hefi ek nú þann veg greint fyr yðr;
honum mun eigi ægja mar(g) t,
yfrit hefr hann hjartat snart."
- "Mun hann í blundi báða þá
brugðit hafa at kgldum ná
eðr lómbrggðum leikit enn
ok leynzt at hvórura pðrum senn."
-
Þeingill segir at þetta svá
þann veg eigi verða má;
"drepum vit þennan darra Þund
ok dveljum eigi hans heljarstund." -
"Nenni ek ei — kvað Boðbert rétt —
at rekkar fái þat til mín frétt."
MJQk voru ræsis ráðin feld,
rétt var alt sem hit fyrra kveld.
-
Ljós kom dagr at liðinni nátt,
leika framdi Eonráðr brátt;
fór nú alt á fyrri leið,
fylkisson til skógar reið. -
Eappinn viU at kveldi enn
komazt í borg sem aðrir menn; •
fýsizt hann þat fljóð at sjá,
sem foldu geingur vænast á.
- Leið var stemd fyr lofðúngs nið,
læst eru gjprvgll borgar hlið,
•
fietta aldri veroa má G 60"~* bví skulum eiffi laufa lund
ninnr G 61' rekkar geti þat Ijósliga frétt B rétt at ver^a
KONRÁÐS KÍMUR. 125
nema þat eitt at óarga dýr
yfrit grimt í miðju býr.
-
Standa í hliðiuu stólpar tveir,
af steinum vóru gjgrvir þeir
flatir svó ofan, at fyrðum var
furðu hægt at verjazt þar. -
Stólpi enn þriði stendr í mið,
þar sterkar grindur læsazt við;
viðjar dýrsins vóru um þann,
vildu fæstir koma á hann. -
Konráðr gjprir sér krossmark á,
keyrir sporunum hestinn þá;
bað hann þat frétta hrínga Hrund,
at hræðazt skyldi hann pngva stund.
-
1 hliðit nam ríða herrann fljótt,
hér fyr vaknar Ijónit skjótt;
halanum lýstur hesti viðr,
hann féll dauðr at jprðu niðr. -
Eonráðr stiklar stólpann á,
stendr í miðju hliðinu sá;
dýrit gJQrir at grenja hátt,
gramsson hjó með reiði brátt. -
Geirinn sýndi geysisnert,
grimmliga hjó hann alt um þvert
efra hausinn eyrum viðr,
Qllum skipti í munninn niðr.
- Ljónit féll, en lofðúngs niðr
léttliga skildizt stólpann viðr;
klauf af dýrinu kampa stóð,
kóngsins fann hann dýrligt jóð.
Ijerrann ótt B herrann reið at hliéíinu ótt G 68» dýrit skjótt
126 RONRÁÐS rtmur.
-
Svinnust biðr þá seima Eir,
at "segir þú kóngi deili á þér,
uggir þat með gllu mik,
ofþreyta muni Roðbert þik." -
Halrinn svaraði hrínga Lín:
"hamíngjan ráði lífi mín!"
Konráðr skilzt við skarlats þoU,
skJQldúngs fann hann væna hpll. -
Garprinn setti á gólfit niðr
granirnar dýrs, er bar hann sér. viðr;
kampa berr sem kónginh hátt,
Konráðr stígr í sæti brátt. -
Hárri r^ddu þeingils þjóð
þenna lofaði hjprva rjóð;
þótti firn so frægan mann
at feigan vildi kóngrinn hann.
-
Roðbert hugsar hvat sem líðr,
hvergi mínkazt flærð at síðr;
talaði þá við niflúngs nið:
"notið hafi þér nú giptu við." -
"Bæði nátt ok bjartan dag'
ber ek á lopt þitt sómíaplag,
hvergi þykkir í heimi nú
hilmir npkkurr jafn sem þú." -
"Nú hefir gramr um Grikkland alt
gjgrt sín bréf, at nieingit snjalt
bi9 ek, kva? seiina B sannliga vil ek, kva9 silki-Eir G 72'
K0NKÁÐ6 RÍMU&. 127
líta mættí listir þín,
þá lofðúng gefr þér dóttur sín."
- "A morgun skal þín mektin fyld;
munu þér þá fyr júngfrú skyld
laika slíkt sem vildir þú;
lista dyli þér pngra nú!"
- Eóngsson anzar kátr í lund:
"kappinn, má ek um eina stund
veita slíkt sem vildir þú!
vel mun jarlsson halda trú."
- Eóngsins fékk en kléna drótt
kæran svefn á þeirri nótt.
Næsta er mál, at Fundins far
fyrðar seti af greina mar.
IV.
Ríma IV
- Báleygs vín fyr bauga Lín
býð ek fjórða sinni.
Síð ok ár gefr sárligt fár
sætan hyggju minni.
- Oss gaf blíð um eina tíð
auðgrund mjúkan vilja;
vakti hon eiu þá Veneris grein
vænust hrínga þilja.
- OrlQg mín við auðar Lín
alla skildu fundi;
mista ek frú, en fékk ek nú
fals fra pðru sprundi.
- Hamíngjan greip þann sorgar sveip
ok setti um hjartat frosna;
^ % B
batt svó sárt um brjóstit várt
ok bað mik aldri at losna.
- Mikit er bann at missa þann .
mest er hjartans yndi,
en lifa við hínn, segir hugrinn minn,
er hvimleiðastan fyndi.
- Kynna ek þpkk, ef hrínga HlQkk,
hin sem gjprir mik þvínga,
gæfi oss sorg þá sinnu borg
í sundur næði at sprínga.
- Er ek því bleikr at lýða leikr
lítt verðr oss at kæti;
enn um hríð skal hróðrar smíð
hrynja af orða stræti.
- Hilmis þjóð, sem hlýrnis glóð
himininn lýsa náði,
fór til þar, sem frægðin var
fylkis sonar á láði.
- Konráð nú fyr kvinta frú
kappar litu út ríða;
lék hann þá, sem lýðrinn sá,
leika marga ok fríða.
- Iþróttir þær allar nær,
sem ýtar kunnu greina;
framdi hann þá, sem þeingill sá;
þraut ei prýði neina.
- Leið svó dagr, at dreingrinn fagr
drasil lét burt hann renna;
med omflyttningstecken sem mest er at gle5i ok yndi G 5'
ýtar G mátti greina A 10' so þjó^in sá G IV burt ej i
K0NRÁÐ8 KIMUR. 129
skJQldúngs níðr , sér skóginn viðr,
skemtir aptan þenna.
12. Kom þá nátt, • en kappinn brátt
kóugsiús borg vill finna;
grams fyr nið eru gJQrvQll hlið
geymd með lása stinna.
. 13. Qðlíng sá, at einginu má
inn í borgina ríða;
leit í austr halrinu hraustr
hreina v^llu ok fríða.
- Fjallit eitt stóð furðu breitt
fylkis hQll so nærri;
honum mún brátt með býsna mátt
birtazt þrautir stærri.
1 5. Furðu 'síð í fjallsins hlið
funa sá hávan brenna;
þángat lætr þeingiU mætr
þófa hj^rtinn renna.
-
Þá nam garpr gildr ok snarpr
grenjan mikla at heyra;
hljóðit gall í grund ok fj'all;
gramsson reið at meira. -
Sá hann, hvar flaug af fískalaug
ferligr dreki so leingi;
hittazt má en hrauðnir sá
hrspðiligri eingi.
- Ljótu spjó yfir land ok sjó
linninn eitri sínu;
^amsson G Str, 14— -16 hafoa ordningsföJjden 15, 16, 14 i
^ IV sér hann G af ^ i B 17» hrimnir {otydligt) sá G
liann hruínir sá (?) E
/
130 konr'ðs rímur.
sá viU þrátt á svartri nátt
setja gQrpum pínu.
- Hans í klóm með hvellan róm
halr nam dýr at líta;
Ijóninn þann, er hremdi hann,
hvassar klær lét bíta.
- Leit hann brátt, hvar lýsti hátt
linna bólit rauða;
ofnis má þar únga sjá,
^Uum veitti hann dauða.
- Drekinn vill hann í dverga rann
draga til únga sinna:
fjall var bratt, en Fofnir hratt
flugnum varð at linna.
- Dýrit fast, sem flugrinn brast,
fótum tók at sporna;
orku naut, svó bjargit brauty
ok bifaðizt hauðrit foma.
-
Ofnis leið var eigi greið
upp á fjall at beit^;
Eonráðs leit nú hyggjan heit^
hvórum þar skal veita. -
Sverði brá, en seggrinn má
sannrar giptu njóta;
lykkju þá, sem linninn á,
lofðúngsson viU brjóta.
lét hann E 20» Fofnis B ^ngva skriffél i E Str. 20 sak-
hreysti njóta G
KONRÁÐS rimur. 131
-
Grettir hlaut með geysiþraut
at gleyma sinni iðju;
dreingsins fríðr d^rrinn sníðr
drekann í suridr í miðju. -
Dýr er fast, því hremsir hvast,
hold at beini meiddi;
Konráðr braut með kurt ok skraut,
ok klær úr bógum greiddi,
- Ljónit sá, at hann leingi má
lífs ok náða njóta;
dýrit skreið svó lánga leið
lofðúngs syni til fóta.
- Dpglíngs niðr þá dýrit viðr
djarfliga tók at rsöða:
"býð ek þér at þjóna mér,
þik skal ek allvel græða."
- Friðarmark sá þá fljótast á
fíla gram hinum svinna;
spratt upp snart ok hristizt hart,
hilmis nið viU sinna.
- Grettis klær tók gramsson þær
ok glaðinn lét burtu renna;
þángat ríðr riddari fríðr,
er rauðan loga sá brenna.
31. Velr nú gull, en virðíng fuU
vex, en misti sorgar;
síðan ríðr riddari fríðr-
ræsis heim til borgar.
G 31» því nœst rí?r G
-
Lofðúngs niðr þá Ijónit biðr
lás frá hliðinu at brjóta;
dýrit hraust með halanum laust,
so hgrku þurfti at njóta. -
Upp stQkk grind, en auðar lind
Qðlíngs son nam finna;
Ijósust þá, er Ijónit sá,
lofnin undrazt tvinna.
- GuUit nú réð fríðri frú
fylkis arfi at sýna;
"víst hefr þér — at vífit tér —
vaxit orma dýna."
- "Þreyttu ei leingr, dugandi dreingr,
dýra giptu þína!"
Eæran bað þá kalla i stað
kóngsson dreingi sína.
- "Set nú mót — kvað svinnust ^nót
ok seg þina ætt svó dýra,
ræðið snjalt um ráð þitt alt
ríkum kóngi at skýra!"
- Ráðin 9II gaf refla þ^U
reyni Fofnis vallar;
hon græddi dýr, en gramsson snýr
Grikkja kóngs til hallar.
-
Qrva rjóð nam undrazt þjóð,
ótt gekk hvítíngs bylgja;
Ijónit þá mega lýðir sjá
lofðúngs arfa fylgja. -
Borðit á fyr buðlúng þá • "
báðar klærnar lagði;
azt G 34^ g^fgri frú B 34' hefr þú, kva^ vella brú
Str, 38 sahnas i B
konráðs btmur. 133
síðan geingr at sæti dreingr,
en sveitin gJQrvQll þagði.
- Herrann ríkr at Koðbert víkr:
"rofinn er þessi vandi;
þraut hefr eytt, en drákon deytt
dreingr í vóru landi.''
- "Félagi þinn, at flest alt vinnr,
frelsat hefr mitt ríki;
veit ek nú á vóra trú,
at varla fæzt hans líki."
-
"Eingin þjóð þeim þorna rjóð
þora mun neitt at granda;
fgirunaut þann hefr feingit hann,
at fæst mun við þann standa," -
Auðar lund um eina stund
eingi þorði at kveðja;
Roðbert sá honum reiði á,
rekk munu fæstir gleðja. -
Gramsson ríkr at garpnnm víkr
ok gjprir svó Konráðr skýra:
"bið siklíng setja þíng
með sína rekka dýra!"
- Konráðs orð yfir k(ingsins borð
kappinn stilli sagði:-
"Roðbert biðr þik, ræsir sviðr,
at reisa þíng at bragði."
- Játar sterkr stillir merkr
stórligt þíng at reisa;
134 konkÁðs rÍmuk.
leið so brátt en brúna nátt
ok birtizt hlýrnis eisa.
- Dynr þá lúðr, en dQglíngs prúðr
drífur herr at þíngi;
fólkit niar(g) t bar skraut ok skart,
skein af Fofnis bíngi.
- Konráðr þá, sém kennazt má,
kallar til sín dreingi;
ferðia þekk at garpnum gekk,
gladdizt herligt meingi.
-
Konráðr snjalt fyr kgppum alt
kyn sitt tók at greina;
Roðberts lygð ok rofna dygð
réð hann þá ei leyna. -
"Roðbert, þú hefr rofna trú
rétt ok dygðar blóma
ok launat hér með lymsku n|ér
líf ok margan sóma." -
"Drottinssvik hefr drýgt við mik
dreingr í fylkis hQllu;
víst ert þú fyr vilta trú
verrfeðrúngr at qIIu."
- Ræsis . II þá rómar snjpU
rekka drótt en svinna;
þolnara mann mun þeygi en hann
þegna kind mega fínna.
- Buðlúng tók með br^gðin klók '
bjprtum steini at hrósa;
r>na R d.^2 Irallar aíno 7? ÆfiS »-0,.^? A JP. AA«
en saknaa %
sá var grænn- ok geysivænn
geisla bar hann Ijósa.
- Tjá þú mér, ef trú ek þér,
— talar þá kóngr með snilli —
annan stein með jafnri grein,
svó eigi beri í miUi!"
- Hann fréttir þá, hvert ferðazt á
at finna slein enn dýra:
"sjálfr þú skalt — kvað sjóli — alt,
seggr, þér þetta skýra!"
- "Fáizt sá kraptr, at komunzt ek aptr,
— Konráðr réð at tína —
gipt mérfrú, en festi ek nú
fríða dóttur þína."
- Þetta framt kom fyrðum samt
ok fékkzt þar gleði en mesta;
silkigrund í samri stimd
sér réð Konráðr festa.
-
Þíngi sleit en þrifna sveit,
þeingill gekk til hallar;
Konráðr nú vill finna fru,
er frygðir kann sér allar. -
Matthild þá, er mætan sá
meiði foldar linna:
"heill þú nú! — segir hæversk frú —
hvat er tíðinda þinna?"
- Silki-Ná tók seggrinn þá
sannar fréttir skýra;
"þat er þó mest, at þú ert mér fest,
þorna skorð en dýrai"
- "Mér lízt nú — segir mektug frú —
mikil tíðindi at frétta;
þessi ferð er þrautum herð,
en þeygi stýrt til létta."
- "Gimstein þann hefr margan manu
mildíng beðit sér færa; '
hafa þeir náð með heimsku ráð
Heljar veg at læra."
- Grænan stein tók grundin hrein
grettis láðs en teita:
"sjá er þeim líkr, er siklíng ríkr,
seggrinn, bað þik leita."
- "Ber þér á — segir bauga Ná —
bjartan stein at vanda;
buðlúng teitr, bál eðr eitr
bilar þér alt at granda."
- "Frækit lið skal fara þér við
fyrst til Blálandseyja;
einn samt þá gakk ýtum frá,
allir munu þik þreyja."
- "Hana ok svín — kvað hrínga Lín -
hafa skalt þú til ferða,
dýrit frítt, en fylgit þitt
fleira mun eigi verða."
- Káðin qU gaf refla þgll
rekk af vísdóm sínum;
stefnd G skýrt til B 62» boíit G 62^ með' herskaps daéí
frá G 66» ferí ar B 66» þitt . . . frítt G 67» af vizku grein-
um B
KONRAÐS
ÍÐS KÍMtlR. 137
þau mlinu fríðan fylki síðan
firra sút ok pinum.
68. Fagrlig orð af falda skorð
festir dreingr í minni.
Berlíngs kn^rr við bragða v^rr
mun brotinn í fjórða sinni.
V.
Ríma V
-
Færi ek snæru fenja Bil
hit fimta Yggjar minni.
Fljótt ok ótt býzt ferðar til
fylkis kundr enn svinni. -
Skorð við borða skilr hann þá
ok skJQldúngs fræga lýði;
stafna hrafna stíga upp á
ok stýra í haf með prýði.
-
Váðum ráða veðrin stinn,
en virðar reipum halda;
Fornjóts b^rn við frænda sinn
fýsazt stríði at valda. -
Gríðar stríður gj^rði sjór
ok jgustr á'hverju bandi;
teitum veitir stormrinn stórr
stillis syni at landi. -
Stafnar hafnir stukku á,
ok steypazt Ægis meyjar;
138 konrÁðs uímur.
þekkja rekkar ræsis þá
rpskvir Blálands eyjar.
-
Frómum kómu fjlki á land
frægir Konráðs lýðir;
festar hesta færðu á sand
fleina lundar þýðir. -
Skilr. at vilja skjgldúngs mpgr
skjótt við sína dreingi;
harma arma ferðin fpgr
fæðir síðan leingi. -
Leiðin greiðizt lofðúngs kund,
lands er vannzt til enda;
sá þá fylkir fagra grund,
er fyrr hefr Matthild kenda.
- Bygð er dygðug Báleygs kván
•beint af Ijónum einum;
dýrust skýrði refla Rán
ræsi slíkt með greinum.
-
Landi grandar þeygi það,
þar má ávQxt líta,
frómuð blom í fQgrum stað,
fagra lilju ok hvíta. -
Skógr er nógur eikum af,
epli ok plómur hánga,
i G V skj^ldúng nœr G V hvarma B feríin fær G 7*
er AÍj landa bands til enda G 8^ sá hann þá irón ok frí5a
blóm í f^grum staí. frukt ok lilju hvita G Str. 9—10 hafva
KONRÁÐS rÍmUR. 139
frykt ok lykt, at frónit gaf
fríðan ilm ok ánga. .
- Flýtir ýtir flæðar elds
ferð ok dýrit skjóta;
dreingsins geingur drasiU til kvelds,
dýra land mun þrjóta.
-
Fríðan smíðar skála skjótt
skógs með laufit græna;
beið þar meiðir blíða nótt
baugs ok náð svó væna. -
Býr sik Týr, þá birtir heim,
baugs til ferðkr leita;
gagn er magnatgarpi þeim,
sem gleðr opt lýði teita. -
Bresti gnesta buðlúngs niðr
brátt í skóginn heyrði;
bleikar eikur bendazt viðr,
þar býsnir þessar keyrði. -
Fram sá þramma ferligt dýr
*» fljótt með aflit sterka;
gey^t ok þeyst at garpnum snýr
ok grimdar fullt til verka.
- Hljóp með ópi at halnum opt
ok halanum laust við j^rðu;
trjónu ok sjónu teygði á lopt
ok treysti afli h^rðu.
G 14''—* grein var ein sú garpi þeim gj^ra mun dv^l at
14Ö '
KONKAÐS RIMUR.
-
Dýrit skýra dpglíng finnr,
dreingr er kominn í vanda;
nálægt skála naf^a sinn
nýtan lítur standa. -
"Þýtt ok prýtt með dygðum dýr
dQglíngs son réð tala —
bú þik nú, minn bessi skýrr! .
því brátt skal haninn gala."
- Hlýði þýðir hpldar á,
hvat náttúran krafði:
hraustr ok traustur halanum þá
hann at eyrum vafði.
-
Fundi skundar fíla gramr
fram af skógi myrkum;
dygð ok frygð en tiggi tamr
treystir mætti styrkum. -
Halrinn gala lét hænu jóð,
hér var skamt í milli;
eícki þekkjazt þessi hljóð
þreknum íilfa spilli. -
Dýrit snýr til ferðar fljótt
ok flýtir sér í skeiði;
by(r) stan lystir gðlíng ótt
at eignazt fagra veiði. -
Skýtur nýtur skJQldúngs mpgr
skjótt til dýrs með spjóti;
hjartat snart sú fjgðrin f^gr,
fall tók Ijón á móti.
hijóíar á {sic) A hlýddi dýrit hljqíit á íí; 20^ ok ^ % B
dygðíug f^nff B stóðí nú hljóJr. en fylkir frarar G ^L* fýsizt
KONRÁÐS rímur. 141
- Frægðar uægð sú er fylkir vaim,
ok flær þá belg af dýri;
berr til þerris bráðla bann
brodda hlynrinn skýri.
- Snýr þá dýrr til ferðar fljótt
fleygir ofnis stranda;
móða flóði af magni ótt
í millum tveggja landa.
-
Steinbrú eina stiUir fann
yfír stríða móðu at gánga;
land sá standa listugt bann,
leið mun greiða fánga. -
Dreingrinn geingr unz Ðellíngs jóð
daprt nam frón at skyggja;
berðir sverða bittir rjóðr
belzt þar er fílar byggja.
- Bleikar eikur buðlúng sá
bendar niðr at láði;
ííls þar bvílu merkja má
mildíngs son með ráði.
- Máttar hátt var markat hús,
má þar Konráðr standa;
viU þar stiUir fremdar fúss
frægðar bíða at vanda.
- Skeið á leið, en skJQldúngs kund
skjálfa mprkin þótti;
brast þar fast en fagra grund,
er fíllinn leiðir sótti.
29» bendazt B 29» fíla hvílu G marka má B 30» stillir viU
142 KONRÁÐS RIMUK.
- Dýrit snýr af skógi skjótt
ok skelfir græna vqUu;
þat var hátt ok þeygi mjótt,
þrautar mikit at qUu.
-
Bar þar hQfuðit búknum á
bleikum eikum hærra;
ofnis stofna eyðir sá
aldri kvikendi stærra; -
Liðr var niðri, er legginn þraut,
Ijótr á dýrsins fæti;
annan fann við mjaðmar mót,
máttug voru hans læti.
-
Drjúgum bjúg sem digr ok sterk
er dýrsins snoppa en stinna;
gómá skjómum grálig verk
greitt má fíUinn vinna. -
Haliun er talinn at hans sé digr
ok harður kleppr á enda;
vann hann þar með vísan sigr,
ef vildi hánn bráðir henda.
-
Falla um allan fílinn niðr
flókar hárs ins stinna;-
svigna ok digna sverðin viðr,
svó er hann ilt at vinna. -
Fíllinn viU nú fyrst í stað
fara til bygða sinna,
32^ úr skógi G 32» þótti (ptydligt skrifvet) hátt G 32*
KONRÁBS kÍMUR. 143
hallazt allur eikum að
ok ætlar náðir finna.
-
Vunduzt undan vænar eikr
víst af dýrsins þúnga;
stillir viU at stærizt leikr
ok styggir galtar úngá. -
Svínin hrína sárt ok ótt
ok setja upp ýlur nógar;
dýrit snýr til ferðar fljótt
ok flýtir sér til 'skógar. -
Steypir hleypr á sterkan mar
stáls ok eptir rendi;
kappans slapp ei kænskan þar,
ok keyrði hann spjót af hendi. -
Flekkur ekki fór loðinn einn
fílsins undir bægi';
þann fann benja þeygi seinn
þeingils laukr enn frægi.
- Dauðans nauð fann dýrit skjótt,
er dpglíngs sonar réð bíða^
sundrar undi^um fylkir fljótt
fíl án allan kvíða.
- Klókur tók þau kurteis bein
keyrir þúngra skíða,
varla kallazt vænni nein,
ok vill þar láta bíða.
vill sín láta G ok eý i B
144 konrAðs kímur.
- Síðan líðr en svarta nótt,
ok svaf hann þá af með náðum;
herðir sverða hugði skjótt
at hvítrar júngfrú ráðum.
- Dagrinn fagr á doglíng skein
ok dýrlig hvíta sunna;
eitur sveitum ekki mein
aíla mun þá kunna.
- Segir hann þegar, at þrifligt dýr
þar verðr hans at bíða,
hestr ok nest, þvíat herrann skýrr
. hætta gjprir at ríða.
- Ljónit þjónar listugt þá
lofðúngs þessu ráði; ;
dýrit suýr honum daprt í frá
ok dregr siun hala með láði.
-
Garprinn snarpur gekk þá fram
gildr at móðu strángri; .
stundi ok dundi stríðligt glam
straums af atferð lángri. -
Steinboga hreinan sti^lir sá
.studdan hagleiks vanda;
brú var sú með býsnum há,
bygð meðal tveggja landa.
- Nú sem frú hefr fylki kent,*
frægðir at honum venda;'
B^lverks q1 er á bryggju spent,
bragrinn fær sinn enda.
45^nátt(r 45^ svaf hann þáme5 B svaf hannhanaafmeéí
strííleJk B sterkligt glam E 49~ glam straums uteglömda
til enda B bógu skal þessa shta G
koxrÁðs rímur. 145
VI.
Ríma VI
- Sindra hrind ek siglu mar
úr SYÍnnu minnis láði;
líti Jivítr á Leiknar far
lýður þýðr með ráði!
- Sterkr ok merkur stillir nú
stóð Yið móðu eina;
ráð gaf áðr en rjóða frú
rík til slíkra greina.
- Streingja geingr á steinbogann nú
stýrir dýrs með trausti;
yfir móðu stóð á.miðri brú
málma álmr enu hrausti.
- Móður óður mellu dólgs
meiðir heiðs réð stánda;
sá þá orma fJQlda fólks
ok fræníngs vænán granda.
- Slétt var rétt hit fríða frön
ok funduzt grundir víðarj
9II eru fjgll úr vísis sjón,
en urðir furðu stríðar.
strofer med delvis förderfvad text, som imellertid hár oförán-
harms ok karms í bandi; svaana ok hranna hættan Ty
heiitv^ meáí einu grandi. Grafníngshafna ek glaumi (otyd-
ligt) fast giund fyr hrund so bjarta: svíáfur etríáf um
sinmí past senn ok brennur hjarta. ^essar hvessa þrautir
inér þúngar úngan kviða; 'þróttug drótt taki þeg-n at
- Hjallrinn allur, holt ok mold
hraiinar branu í eldi;
nóg sem skógr er upðru fold
niðjúngs í miðju yeldi.
-
Veyka reyki vísir sá ' ,
víða líða úr gruudu;
gargann margr á gulli lá,
glæstum blæsfl'i hrundu. -
Borg'ok torg sér niflúflg nú
næsta glæsta seimi;
varla kallazt vænni en sú
víða í fríðum heimi.
-
Hávir gáfu turnar tríitt
traust við hraustu stríði;
víða fríðir veldit prútt
vist með -listar smíði. -
Gloðir flóðu geysivítt
geima þeim úr velli;
lirinar stinnir lágu títt
á landa branda eldi. -
Verk eru sterk á vænum múr,
víða smíðat prýði,
girt ok hirt fyr skjalda skúr;
skaðar það eigi lýði.
- Meiri ok fleiri mektir sá
mundar Þundur ísa,
en runnum kunna ek reikna ífrá
ok rógi nógu vísa.
omvánd ordnmg i G 8^ sá niflúng G 8^ glæst með G 8*
KONRAÐS rÍmUR. 147
- Grettir settr er steinboga sterks
storð á sporði geyma;
svaf hann ok hafði hafnan verks
heitu eitri at streyma.
- Strángan spráng yfir storðar ál '
stýrir dýrra bragna;
lífi hlífir hit stinna stál
sterklig verk at magna. •
- Greiða leið hefr gramsson þó
gjprt at poi'ti hávu;
lítr hann hvíta liggja tvó,
linnar stinnir sváfu.
-
Veitir leitar vells yfir þa
vist með listum st^kkva;
bjart var skart í borg at sjá,
brátt svó mátti ei rpkkva. -
Dreingrinn geingr í dýra borg,
er drósin Ijós nam tína;
mætust stræti móins við torg
m^rg sá hann f^rguð skína. -
Itra lítr hann eina hpU,
en ekki rekka meingi;
fyrst var hon byrst með fræníngs V9II,
fríðari smíðazt einííi.
O'
- Ormar dorma digrir tveii
Ö'
við dyrr sem fyr at gæta;
13^ er settr G slerkur B l^* storðar B ok sporcí G
1.3' hafnar .B 13'—* soí'nar dofnar af sinnu verks ok settur
8—16 hafva ordnwgsföljden 12. 13, 14, 8, 9, 10, 15, 10, 11,
lýst
148 KONKAÐ8 EIMUK
9II var hgllin opin, en þeir
áttu gátt at sæta.
-
Garprinn snarpr í grettis rann
gekk, sá er ekki hræddizt;
ileiri ok meiri fegrð sá hann,
en fróðum óði í ræddizt. -
Sýndizt reyndar siklíng flest
splt ok fplt at líka;
hann fann í ranni Fofnis mest
fjall við hall so ríka.
- Loganda bogar hit brenda gull
blautt ok rautt fyr stokka;
hpU er 9II með heiðri full,
þat hrýtr ok flýtr til flokka.
- Alla hallina utar at gátt
innan linnar þpktu;
gáfu ok sváfu grafnar þrátt
gQng, því at ^ngvir v^ktu.
- Tandrrauð standa á trapizu þar
tól af bóli linna
drykkjar þykkt, sem dQglíng var
dag þann lagit at vinna.
-
Harri snarr leit hornin tvaii,
h^ll stóð 9II með blóma;
vóra stórum veglig þau,
vunnin unnar Ijóma. -
Beitir leit þar borðker eitt
branda standa nærri;
konrÁðs rÍmur. 149
fann hann eigi fegra neitt,"
fá sá liann þessu stærri.
27.^.Leingra geingur lofðúng sá,
sem listir misti ei henda;
hlítar lítur hávan þá
hallar pall í enda.
28. Liggur tiggi linna þar
Ijótr á grjóti npðru;
frægan ægisfjprni bar,
fríðr enn síðr at pðru.
^ 29. Kórona stór þar kendizt á
kúngi þúngra linna;
grafnir svaf ok á guUi lá,
gekk hann rekkr at finna.'
- Orraa stormr leizt urðar seiðr
ítrum rítar spilli ; .
flókum tók hans búkrinn breiðr
beggja véggja á milli.
- Herligt pell sá hann hánga eitt,
T) at hrannar brann í eimi;
varla Jcallazt vænna neitt
víða í fríðum heimi.
- Gramr sá framr þar háaga hátt
(hreinir steinar valda)
^et nied otydlig förkörtning i A; kan möjligen lasas frægar
eller frægur; ægisíjr>rni, sá ándradt af utgifvaren i st. f eigi
150 K0NK\Ð8 lUMUK.
borð, en vorðit fegra fátt
jinnzt en linnar halda.
- Borð er vorðit skurðum skrýtt,
ok skein á steina fríða;
alt var malti Menju pi'fit
ok misti ei listar víða.
- Fyr mætu sæti mildíng lítr
miðju niðri liggja;
grafníngs nafnar grænn ok hvítr
greiða ],eið fyr tiggja.
-
Báðir náðu barmar tveir
at blása þá sem fastast;
einum steini ormar þeir
iUir milli kastazt. -
Góinn ok móinn so ótt sem undr
einart steininn senda;
mjúkum lúka munnum sundr
ok mistu ei vist at henda.
-
Þeuna kennir þeingill stein
þann sem hann vill henda;
elligar spellazt giptu grein,
gramr vill fram at venda. -
Hreinum steini á lopti liut
lofðúng úngur náði;
hann gat þanninn erindit int
enn með Iiennar ráði.
i ÉG skein á . . . . prýðíi B Hár sluta Konrá^s rimur
G Str. 27—33 hafva ordningsföljden 31, 32, 33, 27, 28,
KONUAÐS RlMUR-.
- Grettir setti siklíng viðr
sjónar frón hit stríða;
í storð á íjporði steyptizt niðr,
stiUir viU þó bíða.
- Garprinn snarpur stakk þá stein
stríðr úr fríðu borði;
hann muu sanna heiðurs grein
hljóta af snótar orði.
- Úr grundu af stundu grettir kemr;
grafnir hafði í munui
stein ok eina atferð temr,
áðr ok báðir kunnu.
-
Bendir hendi bjártan tók
brands með sannri snilli;
steinshis einart ormrinn jók
óðr á móð við spilli. -
Linninn hinh, er lék hann viðr,
listar misti seinna;
í gólfit kólfazt grafnir niðr,
gretti er þetta meinna.
- Ytir brýtur annan stein
iðinn úr miðju borði;
hann má sanna heiðurs grein
hljóta af snótar orði.
- Úr grundu af stundu grettir kemr;
grafnir hafði í munni
faldi hit falda foldar bein friðír ok bí5a þorði G (jfr áfven
]
152 KONKAeS RIMUR.
stein ok eina atferð temr,
áðr ok báðir kunnu-
-
Linnar vinna at vanda grein,
verkin sterk at enda;
þenna enn hinn þriðja stein
þeingill geingr at henda. -
Báðir ráða barmar viðr,
byrstazt fyrst ok láta;
dpkkvir s^kkvazt síðan niðr
senn á þenna máta. -
Hallina alla hristir nú,
. hátt er brátt i ranni;
skykkjum rykkir Fjglnis frú,
sem falli skjallar hrannir. . ^
-
Hh'fa þrífur hreytir pell, *
hann hlaut í braut at gánga;
skorníngs hornin skrýdd með vell '
hann skjótt ok ótt nam fán^a. -
Gramr tók framr þat borðker braut^
er betra getr ei íinna;
rekk var ekki í þessu þraut,
sem þýðum lýðum skal inna.
- Reykinn eykr, en magnazt myrkr,
mest enn bresti stærði;
ótt ok fljótt vex orma styrkr,
en undrin grui^idir. hrærði.
52. Dreingrinn geingr at dyrum, sem snót
dýrust skýrði hin snjalla;
konrÁðs rimur. 153
hann styðr sik við hit sterka spjót,
stillir viU ei falla.
- Einum greinura ^ðlíng'fór
énn um tvenna verði;
var nú þar sem styrjgld stór
standi branda skerði.
-
Eitri heitu orma kjaptr
Qllura vgllum spildi;
rekkrinn gekk, svó aldri aptr
ítr at líta vildi. -
StiUir víll á steinbogann gá
ok stpkk yíir d^kkvan linna;
.by(r) stan lystir buðlúng sjá,
hvat bræður skæðir vinna. -
Listar mist hefr borgar bær,
á braut er skraut af hpllu;
orma stormr er nógu nær,
nú er þar snúit um pllu. -
Hyrr var fyrri hauðri á
er hrannar brann með sóma;.
- hjallrinn allr er svartr at sjá,
sviptur giptu ok blóma.
- Hraustr ok traustr hristir snýr
hríngs til þínga sinna;
þegar var fegit hit fríða dýr,
er fann hann garpinn svinna.
- Blíðr ok fríður buðlúng ferr
braut, er þrautir kyrði;
154 konráðs uimuk.
fiiinur svinnr ok burtu berr
bein, þau ek greinda fyrri.
-
Ljóna frón koin fylkir á
ok fann hann belg af dýri;
^ngvar þrpngvar þrautir sá
þeingiU leingr enn skýri. -
Linnir sinni ei lofðúng fyrr
leið með heiðr ok prýði,
(frægðar nægð \ann fylkir skýrr)
en finnr hann svinna lýði. -
Þegnar fegnir fylkis þá
furðu urðu at sinni.
Enda spenda ek Sónar sjá;
seggir leggi í minni!^
VII.
Ríma VII
-
Hér skal dreifa Durnis þátt,
er drósunum verður at því kátt;
þó mér sé eigi um manspng dátt,
, mektugt sprund at gleðja þrátt. -
Seggir vilja Suptúngs vín
svinnri at færa menja Lín;
sorgar liorn með sút ok pín —
sent hafa nornir þat til mín. -
Dreingir vilja Durnis mát
af dreggjum at fylla mærðar bát;
berjazt þeir með baug ok lát,
en blíðka eigi sprundin kát.
- Hinir sem vilja hróðrar spií
horskri at færa raenja Bil,
konrÁðs rímur. 155
afmors br^gð ok elsku skil —
ýtar lokka fljóðin til.
-
Aldri hefi ek úr eddu nein
afmors brpgð eðr kvæða grein;
berzt ek því sfeiB brim við stein,
þá blíða nefni ek lauka rein. -
Ek kom fram þar akr var forn,
alt var fallit mærðar kom;
má ek því eigi milsku horn
mætri skeinkja bauga norn.
-
Hér skal Viðris varra lá
verða upp með bógum at tjá;
lifi nú allvel lauka Ná,
lukku mun þat vífit fá! -
Þó at mik beiði bragnar þrátt
at birta óð um Konráðs mátt,
ek vanda pngvan vísuhátt,
verðr mér til þess orða fátt. -
Dvelr nú eigi fylkir fríðr
flaustrum út at hrinda blíðr;
tíminn bráðla lítíll líðr,
lék í segli vindrinn stríðr.
-
Hefríng tók at hitta skeiðr,
hneig fyr barði sjórinn breiðr;
landit sázt, en lofðúngs heiðr
Ijóst er at þar mun verða greiðr. -
Svó var boðit af siklíngs kund
at sigla eigi í Stólpasund;
þess bauga gátt at byrja ó5 um Konráðs þátt, (m'c), valla
visa: Grikkland kómu garpar á, grams má vænar hallir
8Já, borgin var me5 Fj^lnis frjá, frétta ek alla skrýdda þá.
156 konrÁðíí rÍmur.
þeir leggja í eitthvert leyni und,
lofðúngs son vill hitta sprund.
- Svó var hilmi í huganum ótt,
at hann vill þegar, sem komin er nótt,
dygðugt vífit finna fljótt;
fylkir víkur einn frá drótt.
-
Bráðliga hittir bruðar í rann
ok buðlúngs dóttur væna fann;
fljóðs ok herrans fpgriuð þann
fyrða einginn skýra kann. -
Lífit spyrr þá fagrt ok frítt
(furðu var þá sprundit blítt):
"hvert .erorðit erindit þitt? -
eigi mun þat vanda lítt." -
Fljóði svaraði þeingiU þá:
'^þar er nu margt at segja ífrá;
þér skulið Ijúka orði á!"
annt var til þess bauga Ná.
- Lauka fékk hann lindi stein,
þann léði hon fyrr méð sóma grein;
þenna geymir hríngþpll hrein,
hér gaf hon ei til andsvpr nein.
- Stillir tók þá steininn þann,
er stakk úr borðinu miðju hann;
sá var litr sem laxa rann
leiptur sólar birta kann.
- "Þenna stein — segir mektug mær —
mjpk ágætan kgllum vær;
ll^ l^g"5u nf) kkut leyni und 6r 12^ at och sem ej i E Str. 12
E) hann Ijó&an stein. er léði honura fyrr meí heiírs grein
konrAðs rímur. 157
ertu eu varla erindi at nær.''
Yglazt tók þá brúðrin skær.
-
Aunan þanii, sem þar var til,
þeiugiU sýndi menjaJSil;
þorngrund sagði á þessum skil,
þó leizt henni hann ei í vil. -
Drósin svarar þá dyggilig:
"dýrr er steinninn hvórr fyr sig;
eigi kemr sá enn fyr mig,
er Qðlíng sendi eptir þig."
^21. Stála Týr tók steininn þann,
er stillis aríi leita vann;
dQglíngs kennir dóttir hann,
drósar gladdizt blíðu rann.
-
"Þér hefr veizt — kvað vella Ná —
vegligr heiðr ok giptan sjá
gimstein þann með frægð at fá,
fríðari Qngvan hitta má." -
"Faðir minn hefr at þessum þráð,
ok þar fyrir marga gumna bmáð;
yðr mun frægð um fold ok láð,
' fylkir, verða leingi tjáð."
-
"Smaragðum fæ ek gJQrla greint,
get ek hans frægð at inna Beint;
hann sigrar alla birti beint
blóma fagra ok vellit hreint." -
Hér næst sýndi hann seima Hrund
þann sótti fyrri niðr i grund
fríían (ráttadt till þíðan) stein, sem þar kom til G 19^ þýðri
36 (se nedanl) 21» stála Freyr G 2V þekkir dóttir G ' 2L1*
• /
Fofnir stein; við fylkis kund
fljóðit talar í samri stund.
-
"K^Uum V8pr — segir klénust frú —
krisolitum þann sýnir nú;
gimsteins heiti en gipta sú
geysimikil, sem hittir þú." -
"Hans mun blómi ok birtan hrein
bregða allri myrkra grein;
eitrit gj^rir þeim ekki mein,
sem á sér geymir þenna stein."
-
Hann sýnir nú, jþann sótti hinn
svofnir stein, en brúðrin svinn
mektir hans þá mælti um sinn:
"mikiU er grðinn heiðrinn þinn." -
"Karbunkulus þann k^Uum vær*
klénan stein — segir listug mær — ;
eru náttúrur nýtar þær,
at nálgazt hann" — segir briiðrin skær.
- "Allar frygðir frukta hann
fyrrá steins ek greina vann,
eldrinn brennir eigi rann,
ef inni er látinn gimsteinn þann."
- Hornin sýndi hilmir nú,
er heiðruð voru með Fofnis brú;
virktum gjpr var gersemi sú,
gripi sá þessa en dýra. frú.
á þessa lund G' 26^"~^ krisolitus kalla nii kvintir menn, segir
K0NUAÐ8 RIMUll. 159
- "M^rgu hefr þik — kvað meiija lá —
mildíng sólar látit ná,
gersimar þær með frægð at fá,
at fríðari ^ngvar líta má."
- Pellit berr fram þeingiU þá,
þat var alt sem guU at sjá;
vefnaðr allur var þar á,
sem ver^ldin fegrstan sýna má.
-
"Þenua grip, sem þú hefr téð —
þeingils dóttir anza réð —
varla trú ek þat verði um léð,
vænna pell hali n^kkurr séð." -
Vísir tekr þat kléna ker,
sem konstfum mí^rguin smíðat er;
lofðúngs dóttir leit á hér,
logar þat alt sem Fofnis sker.
- Gripuna skoðaði gullhlaðs Ná,
garpnum réð at anza þá: ^
"fæst er þvílíkt foldu á,
ferð mun leingi uppi sjá."
- Stoltar frúin kvað: "steinar þeir
standa í kerinu tvennir tveir,
konstrum valda mprgum meir,
en megir þú sjá," — kvað bauga Eir.
- Með fernum hætti, brúðrin biðr,
má blanda drykk í kerit þat niðr,
kemr þó einginn annan viðr;
alt sér þetta ræsis niðr.
x>wvánd ordning i G
160 ' konráðs kímuk.
-
"Ef drekka rángt — segir dregla Gná
dreingir af, sem verða má,
drykkrinn hverfr, en fyrðar fá
fríðan kastala at líta þá.'' -
"Riddarar geyma tvennir tveir
traustir hann ■— segir bauga Eír — ;
skrýddir eru með skildi þeir,
skygðum hjálmi ok bJQrtum geir." -
"En þegar drekka dreingir rétt
— drósin kveðzt til sanns hafa frétt —
þá setzt plit í sína stétt,
en sýn er allri í burtu létt."
- "Nú hefr þú — kvað niflúng — séð
nýta gripi, sem ek hefi téð;
mjpk hefi ek breytt sem mengrund réð,
mikillar er þér spektar léð."
-
"Þegar sem lýsir landa hríng,
listug sólin snýzt í kríng,
faðir minn stefni fJQlment þíng,
en ferðin búizt með ofnis bíng." -
"Steininn sýn þú stiUi þá
ok stórum grein honum þrautum frá;
gðlíng, muntu af Qllum fá
æzta frægð, sem heyrazt má."
- Matthild gefr þá ræsi ráð,
rétt þau verða síðan tjáð;
hilmir skilzt við hrínga láð
ok hefr nú svefn ok fríða náð.
G gó5a ná5 G ^
KONRAÐS rÍmUR. 161
- Sendimenn af siklíngs kund
sækja at morni á. kóngsins fund;
sjóli lætr í samri stund
setja þíug á víðri grund.
-
Keisarason með kléna drótt
kóngsins náði fundi skjótt:
steininn bar fram fylki fljótt,
flestum þótti hann vel bafa sótt. -
Rekkar nú, sem r^ddin vannz,
róma um frægð ok listir hans;
vísir kveðzt þá vita til sanns,
at verðr ei líki þessa manns. -
"Þat skil ek rétt, — kvað þeingiU sviðr —
þú ert at s^nnu keisarans niðr;
get ek þar Qngva grunsemd viðr,
gjpr þú einn hlut þann ek biðr!"
- '^Þín er frægðin listilig,
— lofðúng treystir bezt á sig —
tak þín vópn ok tygja þig,
traustan jór ok ríð við mig!"
-
Konráðr talar við tiggja þá:
"treysta megi þór giptu á;
siklíng, muntu sigri ná,
sjálfur skalt þinn viljann fá." -
Skemtan óx, því skrýddy.zt enn .
skjpldúngarnir báðir senn;
vópnin þeirra hafa varla menn
vænni litit en þessi tvenn.
46» frá siklíngs G 46» sóktn at G 46» sjóli þegar í G
stállet har ett s., hvilket sedan hlifvit utstruket 49» gef ek
U
162 konkÁðs rimuk.
-
Hlaupa síðan hesta á
hæverskliga, sem ek muii tjá;
væuni riddara víst én þá
verpldin ongva sýna má. -
Ríðazt gegn með greindri list,
garpar hafa ei prýði mist;
þat mun frétta falda Rifct,
frægðar plag hefr hvórrgi mist. -
Konráðs skapti skreyttu miðr
skj^ldrinn matti, en hilmir sviðr
stQkk úr sQðli, stála viðr;
standandi kom þá ræsir niðr. -
Konráðr þegar at kóngi ríðr^
kurteisliga var hann þá blfðr;
pellit gaf þá fylki fríðr
. fleina lundr, at reiddizt síðr.
- ''Gott er alt — segir gramr — af þér
gjaíir at þiggja sjálfum mér;
dýrra pell, en dróttin sór,
dpglíng, vil ek at skemti hér."
-
"Þeim er nú — kvað niflúng — ráð
næsta, er sik hefr pllum tjáð
keisara erfa en Konráð smáð,
koma nú til með frægð ok dáð." -
"Sýn nú n^kkura sæmd, ef kann!
þú sagðizt einu hafa alt yfir hann;
Roðbert, frem nú roskleik þann
at ríða út við þenna mann!"
or peii sem arottin ter jlju or a^gjmgf at pvi sxemtan er
mann G
konrAðs ríml'r. 163
- Roðbert gat nú sjálfr at sjá,
síklíng verðr at ráða þá.
Tappinn smelli tómri á
tunnu Gauts, sem heyrazt má!
VIII.
Ríma VIII
- Þó fræðin sé mér firna leið
fram úr ^llum máta,
þó skal gánga góma skeið
ok gjprazt af vísan káta.
-
Fyrr Í æsku fremda ek hratt
Fjplnis kveik at næra;
meyjunum gj^ra þeir mgrgum glatt,
er mansQngs kvæðin færa. -
Svó hefr heimrinn hpldum frá
hopat ok alls kyns blíða;
þó skatnar vili skemtan Ijá,
skal því einginn hlýða.
- Þann veg tíðkazt þessi siðr,
þat hefr verit so leingi,
S9gur ok rímur sældazt niðr,
sinna vill því eingi.
attonde riman inledes i G med följande visor, hvilkas dehm
vanstálda text hár oförándrad aftryckes: (1) Veitta ek fyrri
veigar Finns víf atbeiJni sinni; en skal drótt, meðan dreggin
vinnz, Durnis hlýð'a minni. (^) At flestu hefik fullgott tom,
fátt er mér at yndi: afmors forláts æskublóm oss í gríáíar
vindi. (3) Sá mun kunna þúnga þrá þessa heims at skilja.
hverr hann má aldri hafa né fá hjartans mjúkan vilja. (4) ^wí
í'æ ek eigi mans^ngs makt móins af grundar hlýíi: temprazt
fyr mér trúírar akt tiguls at brendu skýi. (5) f etta hygg
ek þrauta' mál þegns megi yndi varna, mér er af Feneris
(Veneris) fullri skál fallin sævar stjarna. (6) Skjótt mnn
draga þat skemtun frá. ef skatna mæ?i er ly^^^^; Herjans
1H4: K0NRÁ©« rimur.
-
Nú má vera þó iiQkkurr sé
nýta skemtan semja,
dýrra þykkir drafl ok spé
dreingjum þeim þat fremja. -
Fríðan drykk, at Fj^lnir á,
fékk ek aldri at kenna:
opt liefr skrimnir skáldum frá
skotizt með bjórinn þenna.
- Lpngum fékk ek lítit keypt
Lóðurs vínit mæta;
norna meiskri niðr víCr lileypt
ok náða ek eigi at gæta.
- Veitta ek virðum veigar Finns
vænum sjaunda sinni;
nú skal drótt, meðan dreggin viunz
Durnis hlýða minni.
-
Vil ek nú þángat víkja til
(verð ek snild at seiga):
Roðbert lét sér lítt í vil
leik við Konráð eiga. -
Hann klæddizt þó fyr kóngsins vild
k^ldum Gjúka váðum;
sá var traustr at tala með suild
ok tamr í ^Uum ráðum.
- Svó var m^rg á þíngi þjóð,
þat má telja eingi;
í hverjum turni at birðin stóð
ok huldi grundir meingi.
- Ríðazt síðan rekkar mót
reifðir handar skafli;
wotsvarar str. 1 i (r; frán och med str. 9 fortgá texterna. ^>a-
rekkar sí5an rííazt G 12^ me5 ro5num handins \sic) G
konrÁðs uímur. 165
' Konráðr af sér kauðans spjót
knáliga bar með afli.
- Ræsir grípr um Roðberts háls,
ramliga orku kendi;
kipti úr spðli báru báls
brjót með hægri hendi.
-
Fylkir ríðr at feninu því,
sem fúlast mátti kenna;
þar lét d^glíng detta í
drottins svikarann þenna. -
Sveitin qU í samri stund
senn réð hrópa ok kalla;
illa fór um keisarans kund,
í keytu skyldi falla. -
At Koðbert hlær ok hrópar á
hverr sem munninn átti,
en herra Konráð heiðrar þá
hirð sem orka mátti.
-
Roðbert draga af díki nú
dreingir at Konráðs vilja;
mikil er vón, at Matthild frú
mun hann ei síðar gilja. -
Ræsir biðr, at Roðbert þá
rekkar svipti lífi,
gálga festi hann ýtar á
eðr eykir sundur rífi.
- Konráðr svaraði kóngi þá
ok kvað þat varla standa:
•
r
166 konrÁðs uímur.
læt ek Roðbert lífi ná,
þó leiddi hann mik í vanda."
- "Eina skéið íneð auð ok menn
enn skal kappinn halda;
rétt er hann sekr um ríkin tvenn,
ráð hans en því valda."
- Snekkjan burt með Roðbert renn
á reyðar vgllinn kalda;
fpður síns naut sá falsarinn enn,
at fJQrvi náði hann halda.
-
Þíngi sleit þá þeingils drótt,
þeygi skorti blónja;
buðlúng vildi brúðhlaup skjótt
búa með pllura sóma. -
Konráðr sagði í samri stund
svipti npðru slóða,
vill nú halda á f^ður síns fund
ok fylki þángat bjóða.
- Skilr hann nú við skj^ldungs kund
ok skarlats nipti fríða;
skatnaf láta á skeljúngs grund
skreyttar snekkjur skríða.
- Skaflar Hlés ok skj^ldúngs f^r
skiptu með sér eldi;
Bláðughadda bleikri vQr
um báða stafna skeldi.
- Skaut úr geima skreyttri j^rð,
skatnar Saxland kenna;
för halda) G 22» sleit en þégna G 22» viU til brúáíhlaups
KONRAf) S RIMUU. 167
^ngvan litu þeir auða, u fjprð,
er augum mátti renna.
-
Svó var mprg á sundi skeið,
at seggir máttu ei telja;
keisarinn er nú kominn á leið,
ef kann hann eingi at clvelja. -
Varla sáu þeir vísis drótt
valda meira blónja;
Konráðr hittir f^ður sinn fljótt
ok íinnazt þeir með sóma. -
Konráðr býður keisara þá
með kléna sína Ivði
í þat hóf, sem hann skal fá
hrínga skorð með prýði.
50. Vísis ferð er v^nduð fljótt,
valín at skipum ok meingi;
keisarinn hefr svó kléna drótt,
at kendizt vænni eingi.
-
Síðan láta landi frá
lægis hesta sveima;
annarr mugrinn orlof þá
eptir at sitja heima. -
Refla tóku blakkar byr,
báran lék á húfum,
lýsti vítt af lindar hyr
leiptr af skeiðar dúfum. -
Systir Dags í síldar grund
sQkk ok hennar grandar;
27« á sjónum G '2V at ej i EG 27» var nú G 27» kann þá
— j . .«_.
168 KONRAÐS KIMUU.
skarti Ránar skiptu í sundr
skygðir snekkju brandar.
-
Keisarinn sigrar landa lás
loks með Ráuar hundum:
flæðar hestar fluttu rás
framan at Stólpasundum. -
Grikkir hafa þá siglíng séð,
er seggir vænsta greina;
skipunum var með skarti léð
skíra gulls ok steina. -
Funduzt aldri fyrðum hjá
fyrri til þess dæmi,
at vænni mætti siglíng sjá,
svó hon til landa kæmi.
- Rekkar hleyptu á rúma h^fn
ok ráku flein at grunni;
skip vóru eingi at skarti j^fn,
skrýddizt herr á unni.
-
Stigu á land með fræga ferð
fyrðar hjúpum prýddir;
hirðmenn báru harðhg sverð
Hamdis auði skrýddir. -
Aldri sáu þeir austr í heim
aðr^ vænni lýði;
Miklagarðs í móti þeim
mildíng kom með prýði.
smiðum misskrifning i A 35»~* skipunum skira gulls ok
steina var med skarti lé? A^ men med antydan tiU omflytt-
dins A hauííins E\ jfr noten till Fil. B. IV, P; strofen sak-
fóljd af hal pa pergamentet försvunnit i A aðra finna lý5i
konrÁðs rÍmur. . 169
- Víst ei kann ek veizlu at tjá,
því verðr at greina fleira,
alla makt ok seru þá,
er vex við kómu þeirra.
-
Kóngsins boð eru fcærlig gll
keisarans lýð til náða;
síðan leiddi í sína h^ll
sjóli feðga báða. -
Sæti skipuðu sjólar eitt
með svinnum brodda hvessi:
hóf fannzt meir^ hvergi neitt
heims í krínglu þessi. -
Virðar allir vóru þar
víni ok milsku gladdir;
skemtau var sú, er ver^ldin bar,
með vænar listar raddir. -
Vísis son ok vella Rist
vóru þá með sóma
píisuð saman með prýði ok list,
prís ok veraldar blóma, •
- en því næst fyr æru ok spekt,
alt sem meistarinn kendi,
kórónuð með kurt ok mekt
af keisara Rígarðs hendi.
-
Veizlan óx með virðíng þá,
vín kom opt at munni;
lék þat hverr, sem lysti á
ok lífit beiðazt kunni. -
Hálfan uiánuð hófit stóð,
heiðrat Qllum sóma;
síðan þiggur keisarans þjóð
kólgu eld með blóma. -
Kærliga skiljazt kóngar þá,
keisarinn ferr til skeiða;
hlaupa síðan hestar á
hlésins 9ldu breiða. -
Gylfisi Ijótur gein við kjaptr
gyltum snekkju brandi;
siklíng kemr í Saxland aptr
ok settizt kyrr at landi. -
Leið nú skjótt en litla stund,
at lofðúng Grikkja náði
hættan bíða heljar fund;
hilmit féll frá láði. -
Kemr sú stund, at keisarinn hlaut
kránkan dauð^ at bíða;
Konráðr ól við kyrtla lau^
kappa þrjá so fríða. -
Fyrsta 'syni gaf f^ður síns nafn
fleygir ofnis hlíðar;
sá var kvintum keisurum jafn.
ok knár sem greinir síðar.
- Honum var allr at heiðri kendr
heimsins mektar blómi;
síðan var hann til Saxlands sendr
ok sæmdur keisaradómi.
47*—* Mánu5 stó5 it nfiikla hóf, mesrtat allkyns blóma;
keisarans síðían kurteis þjóð kólgu bjózt til Ijóma Q 48*
skildu G 48» gekk til G 48» lægis stnúka haukar á ^i'
til Saxland A
KONRÍf>S KÍmUR. 171
-
Kitelax hét sá Konráðs niðr,
er kunni flesta prýði;
jafnan gladdi vella viðr
Vilhjálmr sína lýði. -
Studdi Konráðr stólkóngs nafn
ok stýrði sínu ríki;
fylki þeim á foldu jafn
fannzt ei npkkurr líki.
- Lofðúng hélt, meðan lífit vannz,
ok lauka nipt en fríða
fulla ást, en frægðir hans
fóru um heiminn víða.
- En þá er siklíng sálazt vann,
sútardauðinn skeldi, ,
Kirelax átti eptir hann
qUu at stýra veldi.
-
Hér skal endazt æfintýr,
ei þarf sQgn at leingja;
betri er Qnnur skemtan skýr,
skal ei þetta reingja. -
Atta hefi ek afreksf^r
unnit mærðar tóli;
finn ek margt í fugla kpr
ok.fæ ek þat greina hjóli.
dessa slutord: Endir á Konráís rímum átta, þó illa sé kiór-
a5ar. •
Source Colophon
Source text from Riddara-Rímur, ed. Theodor Wisén (Copenhagen, 1881). Public domain.
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