Sólarljóð: The Song of the Sun

image enhanced by Carla O'Harris

Home

The Icelandic poem Sólarljóð is a Christian vision utilizing both indigenous and Christian concepts.
The date of Sólarljod is uncertain, though the period just before or after 1200 has been suggested.

1998 Kurt Matthew Sager

Death and Wisdom in Solarljóð

"Sólarljóð is an Old Icelandic poem in which a deceased father advises his son from beyond the
grave. The poem consists of a series of parables and proverbs, a moving description of dying, and
accounts of both heaven and hell. Solarljoð is concerned with eschatological mystery, and this
mystery is reinforced by the poet through the use of obscure imagery and enigmatic
presentation."

2005 Margaret Clunies Ross

A History of Old Norse Poetry and Poetics

"Sólarljóð is a powerful dream vision, in which a dead father appears to his son and advises him on
how to conduct his life and achieve salvation, after having given a striking account of his own
death, his otherworld journeys and his vision of Christ as the sun of righteousness. This poem thus
combines the didactic and visionary modes and reinterprets pagan wisdom and prophetic
compositions like Hávamál and Völuspá within a Christian context."

Sólarljóð: The Manuscripts

Guðni Jónsson

bjó til prentunar

Sólarljóð

I.

1. Fé ok fjörvi

rænti fyrða kind

sá hinn grimmi Greppr;

yfir þá vegu,

er hann varðaði,

náði engi kvikr komask.

2. Einn hann át

oft harðla,

aldri bauð hann manni til matar,

áðr enn móðr

ok meginlítill

Gestr af götu kom.

3. Drykks of þurfi

lézk inn dæsti maðr

ok vanmettr vera;

hræddu hjarta

hann lézk trúa,

þeim er áðr hafði vályndr verit.

4. Mat ok drykk

veitti hann þeim, er móðr var,

allt af heilum hug;

guðs hann gáði,

góðu honum beindi,

því hann hugðisk váligr vera.

5. Upp hinn stóð,

illt hann hugði,

eigi var þarfsamliga þegit;

synð hans svall,

sofanda myrði

fróðan, fjölvaran.

6. Himna guð

bað hann hjálpa sér,

þá hann veginn vaknaði;

en sá gat

við synðum taka,

er hann hafði saklausan svikit.

7. Helgir englar

kómu ór himnum ofan

ok tóku sál hans til sín;

í hreinu lífi

hon skal lifa

æ með almáttkum guði.

*****************************

8. Auð né heilsu

ræðr engi maðr,

þótt honum gangi greitt;

margan þat sækir

er minnst of varir,

engi ræðr sættum sjálfr.

9. Ekki þeir hugðu

Unnarr ok Sævaldi,

at þeim myndi heill hrapa;

nakðir þeir urðu

ok næmðir hvívetna,

ok runnu sem vargar til viðar.

*****************************

10. Munaðar ríki

hefir margan tregat,

oft verðr kvalræði af konum;

meingar þær urðu,

þó inn máttki guð

skapaði skírliga.

11. Sáttir þeir váru

Sváfaðr ok Skartheðinn,

hvárrgi mátti annars án vera,

fyrr enn þeir æddusk

fyr einni konu:

hon var þeim til lýta lagin.

12. Hvárskis þeir gáðu

fyr þá hvítu mey,

leiks né ljóss daga;

engan hlut

máttu þeir annan muna

en þat ljósa lík.

13. Daprar þeim urðu

inar dimmu nætr,

engan máttu þeir sætan sofa;

en af þeim harmi

rann heift saman

millum virkðavina.

14. Fádæmi verða

í flestum stöðum

goldin grimmliga;

á hólm þeir gengu

fyr it horska víf

ok fengu báðir bana.

*****************************

15. Ofmetnað drýgja

skyldi engi maðr,

þat hefik sannliga sét,

því at þeir hverfa,

er honum fylgja,

flestir guði frá.

16. Rík þau váru

Ráðný ok Véboði

ok hugðusk gott eitt gera;

nú þau sitja

ok sárum snúa

ýmsum elda til.

17. Á sik þau trúðu

ok þóttusk ein vera

allri þjóð yfir;

en þó leizk

þeira hagr

annan veg almáttkum guði.

18. Munað þau drýgðu

á marga vegu

ok höfðu gull fyr gaman;

nú er þeim goldit,

er þau ganga skulu

milli frosts ok funa.

*****************************

19. Óvinum þínum

trúðu aldregi,

þó þér fagrt mæli fyrir;

góðu þú heit,

gott er annars

víti hafa at varnaði.

20. Svá honum gafsk

Sörla inum góðráða,

þá er hann lagði á Vígúlfs vald;

tryggliga hann trúði,

- en hinn at tálum varð, -

sínum bróðurbana.

21. Grið hann þeim seldi

af góðum hug,

en þeir hétu honum gulli í gegn;

sáttir létusk,

meðan saman drukku,

en þó kómu flærðir fram.

22. En þá eftir

á öðrum degi,

er þeir höfðu í Rýgjardal riðit,

sverðum þeir meiddu,

þann er saklauss var

ok létu hans fjörvi farit.

23. Lík hans þeir drógu

á leynigötu

ok brytjuðu í brunn niðr;

dylja þeir vildu,

en dróttinn sá

heilagr himnum af.

24. Sál hans bað

inn sanni guð

í sinn fögnuð fara;

en sökudólgar

hygg ek síðla muni

kallaðir frá kvölum.

II.

25. Dísir bið þú þér

dróttins mála

vera hollar í hugum;

viku eftir

mun þér vilja þíns

alt at óskum ganga.

26. Reiðiverk,

þau er þú unnit hefr,

bæt þú eigi illu yfir;

grættan gæla

skaltu með góðum hlutum,

þat kveða sálu sama.

27. Á guð skal heita

til góðra hluta,

þann er hefir skatna skapat;

mjök fyrir verðr

manna hverr,

er seinar finna föður.

28. Æsta dugir

einkum vandliga

þess er þykkir vant vera;

alls á mis verðr,

sá er einskis biðr;

fár hyggr þegjanda þörf.

29. Síðla ek kom,

snemma kallaðr,

til dómvalds dyra;

þangat ek ætlumk,
því mér heitit var:

sá hefir krás, er krefr.

30. Syndir því valda,

at vér hryggvir förum

ægisheimi ór;

engi óttask,

nema illt geri;

gott er vammalausum vera.

31. Úlfum glíkir

þykkja allir þeir,

sem eiga hverfan hug;

svá mun gefask,

þeim er ganga skal

þær inar glæddu götur.

32. Vinsamlig ráð

ok viti bundin

kenni ek þér sjau saman;

görla þau mun

ok glata aldregi,

öll eru þau nýt at nema.

III.
33. Frá því er at segja,

hvé sæll ek var

ynðisheimi í,

ok hinu öðru,

hvé ýta synir

verða nauðgir at náum.

34. Vil ok dul

tælir virða sonu,

þá er fíkjask á fé;

ljósir aurar

verða at löngum trega;

margan hefir auðr apat.

35. Glaðr at mörgu

þótta ek gumnum vera,

því at ek vissa fátt fyrir;

dvalarheim

hefr dróttinn skapat

munafullan mjök.

36. Lútr ek sat,

lengi ek hölluðumk,

mjök var ek þá lystr at lifa;

en sá réð,

sem ríkr var;

frammi eru feigs götur.

37. Heljar reip

kómu harðliga

sveigð at síðum mér;

slíta ek vilda,

en þau seig váru;

létt er lauss at fara.

38. Einn ek vissa,

hvé alla vega

sullu sútir mér;

Heljar meyar

er mér hrolla buðu

heim á hverju kveldi.

39. Sól ek sá,

sanna dagstjörnu,

drúpa dynheimum í;

en Heljar grind

heyrðak ek á annan veg

þjóta þungliga.

40. Sól ek sá

setta dreyrstöfum;

mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;

máttug hon leizk

á marga vegu

frá því sem fyrri var.

41. Sól ek sá,

svá þótti mér,

sem ek sæja göfgan guð;

henni ek laut

hinzta sinni

aldaheimi í.

42. Sól ek sá,

svá hon geislaði,

at ek þóttumk vættki vita;

en gylfar straumar

grenjuðu annan veg,

blandnir mjök við blóð.

43. Sól ek sá

á sjónum skjálfandi,

hræðslufullr ok hnipinn;

því at hjarta mitt

var harðla mjök

runnit sundr í sega.

44. Sól ek sá
sjaldan hryggvari;

mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;

tunga mín

var til trés metin,

ok kólnat at fyrir utan.

45. Sól ek sá

síðan aldregi

eftir þann dapra dag,

því at fjalla vötn

lukðusk fyrir mér saman,

en ek hvarf kallaðr frá kvölum.

46. Vánarstjarna flaug

- þá var ek fæddr, -

brott frá brjósti mér;

hátt-at hon fló,

hvergi settisk,

svá at hon mætti hvíld hafa.

47. Öllum lengri

var sú in eina nótt,

er ek lá stirðr á stráum;

þá merkir þat,

er guð mælti,

at maðr er moldu samr.

48. Virði þat ok viti

in virki guð,

sá er skóp hauðr ok himin;

hversu munaðarlausir

margir fara,

þótt við skylda skili.

49. Sinna verka

nýtr seggja hverr;

sæll er sá, sem gott gerir;

auði frá

er mér ætluð var

sandi orpin sæng.

*********************************

50. Hörundar hungr

tælir hölða oft,

hann hefir margr til mikinn;

lauga vatn

er mér leiðast var

eitt allra hluta.

51. Á norna stóli

sat ek níu daga,

þaðan var ek á hest hafinn;

gýgjar sólir

skinu grimmliga

ór skýdrúpnis skýjum.

52. Utan ok innan

þóttumk ek alla fara

sigrheima sjau;

upp ok niðr

leitaða ek æðra vegar,

hvar mér væri greiðastar götur.

*********************************

53. Frá því er at segja,

hvat ek fyrst of sá,

þá er ek var í kvölheima kominn:

sviðnir fuglar,

er sálir váru,

flugu svá margir sem mý.

54. Vestan sá ek

fljúga Vánar dreka,

ok fell á glævalds götu;

vængi þeir skóku,

svá víða þótti mér

springa hauðr ok himinn.

55. Sólar hjört

leit ek sunnan fara,

hann teymðu tveir saman;

fætr hans

stóðu foldu á,

en tóku horn til himins.

56. Norðan sá ek

ríða niðja sonu,

ok váru sjau saman;

hornum fullum

drukku þeir inn hreina mjöð

ór brunni Baugregins.

57. Vindr þagði,

vötn stöðvaði,

þá heyrða ek grimmligan gný;

sínum mönnum

svipvísar konur

mólu mold til matar.

58. Dreyra steina

þær inar dökku konur

drógu daprliga;
blóðug hjörtu

hengu þeim fyrir brjóst utan,

mædd við miklum trega.

59. Margan mann

sá ek meiddan fara

á þeim glæddu götum;

andlit þeira

sýndusk mér öll vera

rýgjar blóði roðin.

60. Marga menn

sá ek moldar gengna,

þá er eigi máttu þjónustu ná;

heiðnar stjörnur

stóðu yfir höfði þeim

fáðar feiknstöfum.

61. Menn sá ek þá,

er mjök ala

öfund um annars hagi;

blóðgar rúnar

váru á brjósti þeim

merkðar meinliga.

62. Menn sá ek þar

marga ófegna,

þeir váru villir vega;

þat kaupir sá,

er þessa heims

apask at óheillum.

63. Menn sá ek þá,

er mörgum hlutum

véltu um annars eign;

flokkum þeir fóru

til Fégjarnsborgar

ok höfðu byrðar af blýi.

64. Menn sá ek þá,

er margan höfðu

fé ok fjörvi rænt;

brjóst í gegnum

renndu brögnum þeim

öflgir eitrdrekar.

65. Menn sá ek þá,

er minnst vildu

halda helga daga;

hendr þeira

váru á heitum steinum

negldar nauðliga.
66.

Menn sá ek þá,

er af mikillæti

virðusk vánum framar;

klæði þeira

váru kynliga

eldi um slegin.

67. Menn sá ek þá,

er margt höfðu

orð á annan logit;

heljar hrafnar

ór höfði þeim

harðliga sjónir slitu.

68. Allar ógnir

fær þú eigi vitat,

þær sem helgengnir hafa;

sætar syndir

verða at sárum bótum;

æ koma mein eftir munuð.

*********************************

69. Menn sá ek þá,

er margt höfðu

gefit at guðs lögum;

hreinir kyndlar

váru yfir höfði þeim

brenndir bjartliga.

70. Menn sá ek þá,

er af miklum hug

veittu fátækum frama;

lásu englar bækr

ok ymna skrift

helgar yfir höfði þeim.

71. Menn sá ek þá,

er mjök höfðu

hungri farit hörund;

englar guðs

lutu öllum þeim;

þat er æðsta unað.

72. Menn sá ek þá,

er móður höfðu

látit mat í munn;

hvílur þeira

váru á himingeislum

hafðar hagliga.
73. Helgar meyjar

höfðu hreinliga

sál af syndum þvegit

manna þeira,

er á mörgum degi

pína sjálfa sik.

74. Hávar reiðir

sá ek með himnum fara,

þær eiga götur til guðs;

menn þeim stýra,

er myrðir eru

alls fyrir engar sakir.

75. Inn máttki faðir!

Inn mæzti sonr!

Heilagr andi himins!

Þik bið ek skilja,

er skapat hefr,

oss alla eymðum frá.

IV.

76. Hringvör ok Listvör

sitja í Herðis dyrum

organs stóli á;

járn dreyri

fellr ór nösum þeim,

sá vekr fjón með fyrðum.

77. Óðins kván

rær á jarðar skipi,

móðug á munað;

seglum hennar

verðr síð hlaðit,

þeim er á þráreipum þruma.

78. Arfi, faðir

einn þér ráðit hefi

ok þeir Sólkötlu synir

hjartar horn,

þat er ór haugi bar

inn vitri Vígdvalinn.

79. Hér eru rúnar,

sem ristit hafa

Njarðar dætr níu:

Böðveig hin elzta

ok Kreppvör hin yngsta

ok þeira systr sjau.

80. Bölvi hverju

þeir bellt hafa

Sváfr ok Sváfrlogi;

blóð þeir vökðu

ok benjar sugu

illum ey vana.

V.

81. Kvæði þetta,

er þér kennt hefik,

skaltu fyrir kvikum kveða:

Sólarljóð,

er sýnask munu

minnst at mörgu login.

82. Hér vit skiljumk,

ok hittask munum

á feginsdegi fira;

dróttinn minn

gefi dauðum ró,

en hinum líkn, er lifa.

83. Dásamligt fræði

var þér í draumi kveðit,

en þú sátt it sanna;
fyrða engi

var svá fróðr um skapaðr,

er áðr heyrði Sólarljóðs sögu.

Benjamin Thorpe

Translation 1866

The Song of the Sun

I.

1. Of life and property

a fierce freebooter

despoiled mankind;

over the ways

beset by him

might no one living pass.

2. Alone he ate

most frequently,

no one invited he to his repast;

until weary,

and with failing strength,

a wandering guest

came from the way.

3. In need of drink

that way_worn man,

and hungry feigned to be:

with trembling heart

he seemed to trust

him who had been so evil_minded.

4. Meat and drink

to the weary one he gave,

all with upright heart;

on God he thought,

the traveller's wants supplied;

for he felt he was an evil_doer.

5. Up stood the guest,

he evil meditated,

he had not been kindly treated;

his sin within him swelled,

he while sleeping murdered

his wary cautious host.

6. The God of heaven

he prayed for help,

when being struck he woke;

but he was doomed the sins of him

on himself to take,

whom sackless he had slain.

7. Holy angels came

from heaven above,

and took to them his soul:

in a life of purity

it shall ever live

with the almighty God.

*****************************

8. Riches and health

no one may command,

though all go smoothly with him.

To many that befalls

which they least expect.

No one may command his tranquility.

9. Unnar and Sævaldi

never imagined

that happiness would fall on them,

yet naked they became,

and of all bereft,

and, like wolves, ran to the forest.

*******************************

10. The force of pleasure

has many a one bewailed.

Cares are often caused by women;

pernicious they become,

although the mighty God

them pure created.

11. United were

Svafud and Skarthedin,

neither might without the other be,

until to frenzy they were driven

for a woman;

she was destined for their perdition.

12. On account of that fair maid,

neither of them cared

for games or joyous days;

no other thing

could they in memory bear

then that bright form.

13. Sad to them were

the gloomy nights,

no sweet sleep might they enjoy:

but from that anguish

rose hate intense

between the faithful friends.

14. Hostile deeds

are in most places

fiercely avenged.

To the holm they went,

for that fair woman,

and each one found his death.

***********************************

15. Arrogance should no one entertain:

I indeed have seen

that those who follow her,

for the most part,

turn from God.

16. Rich were both,

Radey and Vebogi,

and thought only of their well_being;

now they sit

and turn their sores

to various hearths.
17. They in themselves confided,

and though themselves alone to be

above all people;

but their lot

Almighty God was pleased

otherwise to appoint.

18. A life of luxury they led,

in may ways,

and had gold for sport.

Now they are requited,

so that they must walk

between frost and fire.

*****************************

19. To thy enemies

trust thou never,

although they speak thee fair:

promise them good:

'tis good to have another's injury

as a warning.

20. So it befell

Sörli the upright,

when he placed himself in Vigolf's power;

he confidently trusted him,

his brother's murderer,

but he proved false.

21. Peace to them he granted,

with heart sincere;

they in return promised him gold,

feigned themselves friends.,

while they together drank;

but then came forth their guile.

22. Then afterwards,

on the second day,

when they in Rýgiardal rode,

they with swords wounded him

who sackless was,

and let his life go forth.

23. His corpse they dragged

(on a lonely way,

and cut up piecemeal) into a well,

and would it hide;

but the holy Lord

beheld from heaven.

24. His soul summoned home

the true God

into his joy to come;

but the evil doers

will, I ween, late

be from torments called.

II.

25. Do thou pray the Disir

of the Lord's words

to be kind to thee in spirit:

for a week after,

all shall then go happily,

according to thy will.

26. For a deed of ire

that thou has perpetrated,

never atone with evil:

the weeping thou shalt

sooth with benefits:

that is salutary to the soul.

27. On God a man

shall for good things call,

on him who has mankind created.

Greatly sinful is

every man

who late finds the Father.

28. To be solicited, we opine,

is with all earnestness

for that which is lacking:

of all things may be destitute

he who for nothing asks:

few heed the wants of the silent.

29. Late I came,

though called betimes,

to the supreme Judge's door;

thitherward I yearn;

for it was promised me,

he who craves it shall of the feast partake.

30. Sins are the cause

that sorrowing we depart

from this world:

no one stands in dread,

if he does no evil:

good it is to be blameless.

31. Like unto wolves

all those seem

who have a faithless mind:

so he will prove

who has to go

through ways strewed with gleeds.

32. Friendly counsels,

and wisely composed, seven

I have imparted to thee:

consider thou them well,

and forget them never:

they are all useful to learn.

III.

33. Of that I will speak,

how happy I was

in the world,

and secondly,

how the sons of men

reluctantly become corpses.

34. Pleasure and pride

deceive the sons of men

who after money crave;

shining riches

at last become a sorrow:

many have riches driven to madness.

35. Steeped in joys

I seemed to men;

for little did I see before me:

our worldly sojourn

has the Lord created

in delights abounding.

36. Bowed down I sat,

long I tottered,

of life was most desirous;

but He prevailed

who was all_powerful:

onward are the ways of the doomed.

37. The cords of Hel

were tightly

bound round my sides;

I would rend them,

but they were strong.

'Tis easy free to go.

38. I alone knew,

how on all sides

my pains increased.
The maids of Hel each eve

with horror bade me

to their home.

39. The sun I saw,

true star of day,

sink in its roaring home;

but Hel's grated doors

on the other side I heard

heavily creaking.

40. The sun I saw

with blood_red beams beset:

(fast was I then from this world declining)

mightier she appeared,

in many ways

than she was before.

41. The sun I saw,

and it seemed to me

as if I saw a glorious god:

I bowed before her,

for the last time,

in the world of men.

42. The sun I saw:

she beamed forth so

that I seemed nothing to know;

but Giöll's streams

roared from the other side

mingled much with blood.

43. The sun I saw,

with quivering eyes,

appalled and shrinking;

for my heart

in great measure was

dissolved in languor.

44. The sun I saw

seldom sadder;

I had then almost from the world declined:

my tongue was

as wood become,

and all was cold without me.

45. The sun I saw

never after,

since that gloomy day;

for the mountain_waters

closed over me,

and I went called from torments.

46. The star of hope,

when I was born,

fled from my breast away;

high it flew,

settled nowhere,

so that it might find rest.

47. Longer than all

was that one night,

when stiff on my straw I lay;

then becomes manifest

the divine word:

"Man is the same as earth."

48. The Creator God can

it estimate and know,

(He who made heaven and earth)

how forsaken

many go hence,

although from kindred parted.

49. Of his works

each has the reward:

happy is he who does good.

Of my wealth bereft,
to me was destined

a bed strewed with sand.

*********************************

50. Bodily desires

men oftentimes seduce,

of them has many a one too much:

water of baths

was of all things to me

most loathsome.

51. In the Norns' seat

nine days I sat,

thence I was mounted on a horse:

there the giantess's sun

shone grimly

through the dripping clouds of heaven.

52. Without and within,

I seemed to traverse all

the seven nether worlds:

up and down,

I sought an easier way,

where I might have the readiest paths.

*********************************

53. Of that is to be told,

which I first saw,

when I to the worlds of torment came:_

scorched birds,

which were souls,

flew numerous as flies.

54. From the west I saw

Von's dragons fly,

and Glæval's paths obscure:

their wings they shook;

wide around me seemed

the earth and heaven to burst.

55. The sun's hart I saw

from the south coming,

he was by two together led:

his feet stood on the earth,

but his horns

reached up to heaven.

56. From the north riding I saw

the sons of Nidi,

they were seven in all:

from full horns,

the pure mead they drank

from the heaven_god's well.

57. The wind was silent,

the waters stopped their course;

then I heard a doleful sound:

for their husbands

false_faced women

ground earth for food.

58. Gory stones

those dark women

turned sorrowfully;

bleeding hearts hung

out of their breasts,

faint with much affliction.

59. Many a man I saw

wounded go

on those gleed_strewed paths;

their faces seemed

to me all reddened

with reeking blood.

60. Many men I saw

to earth gone down,

who holy service might not have;

heathen stars

stood above their heads,

painted with deadly characters.

61. I saw those men

who much envy harbour

at another's fortune;

bloody runes

were on their breasts

graved painfully.

62. I there saw men

many not joyful;

they were all wandering wild:

this he earns,

who by this world's vices

is infatuated.

63. I saw those men

who had in various ways

acquired other's property:

in shoals they went

to Castle_covetous,

and burthens bore of lead.

64. I saw those men

who many had

of life and property bereft:

through the breasts

of those men passed

strong venomous serpents.

65. I saw those men

who the holy days

would not observe:

their hands were

on hot stones

firmly nailed.

66. I saw those men

who from pride

valued themselves too highly;

their garments

ludicrously were

in fire enveloped.

67. I saw those men

who had many

false words of others uttered:

Hel's ravens
from their heads

their eyes miserably tore.

68. All the horrors

thou wilt not get to know

which Hel's inmates suffer.

Pleasant sins

end in painful penalties:

pains ever follow pleasure.

*********************************

69. I saw those men

who had much given

for God's laws;

pure lights were

above their heads

brightly burning.

70. I saw those men

who from exalted mind

helped the poor to aid:

angels read

holy books

above their heads.

71. I saw those men

who with much fasting had

their bodies wasted:

God's angels

bowed before them:

that is the highest joy.

72. I saw those men

who had put food

into their mothers' mouth:

their couches were

on the rays of heaven

pleasantly placed.

73. Holy virgins

had cleanly washed

the souls from sin

of those men,

who for a long time had

themselves tormented.

74. Lofty cars I saw

towards heaven going;

they were on the way to God:

men guided them

who had been murdered

wholly without crime.

75. Almighty Father!

greatest Son!

holy Spirit of heaven!

Thee I pray,

who hast us all created;

free us all from miseries.

IV.

76. Biugvör and Listvör

sit at Herðir´s doors,

on resounding seat;

iron gore

falls from their nostrils,

which kindles hate among men.

77. Odin's wife

rows in earth's ship,

eager after pleasures;

her sails are

reefed late,

which on the ropes of desire are hung.

78. Son! I thy father

and Solkatla's sons

have alone obtained for thee

that horn of hart,

which from the grave_mound bore

the wise Vigdvalin.

79. Here are runes

which have engraven

Niörd´s daughters nine,

Radvör the eldest,

and the youngest Kreppvör,

and their seven sisters.

80. How much violence

have they perpetrated

Svaf and Svaflogi!

bloodshed they have excited,

and wounds have sucked,

after an evil custom.

V.

81. This lay,

which I have taught thee,

thou shalt before the living sing,

the Sun_Song,
which will appear

in many parts no fiction.

82. Here we part,

but again shall meet

on the day of men's rejoicing.

Oh Lord!

unto the dead grant peace,

and to the living comfort.

83. Wonderous lore

has in dream to thee been sung,

but thou hast seen the truth:

no man has been

so wise created

that has before heard the Sun-Song.

The Lay of the Sun

translated from the Icelandic by Alan Boucher, 1985

Jón Thoroddsen:Krummavísur
Icelandic
Krummi svaf í kletta gjá, -
kaldri vetrar nóttu á,
verður margt að meini;
verður margt að meini;
Translation
The raven slept in a rock-rift
On a cold winters night
There are many things that can hurt him
Many things that can hurt him
fyrr en dagur fagur rann Before a beautiful day came
freðið nefið dregur hann He pulls his frozen nose
undan stórum steini. From underneath a big rock
undan stórum steini. Underneath a big rock

Allt er frosið úti gor, Everything is frozen outside

ekkert fæst við ströndu mor,
svengd er metti mína;
svengd er metti mína;
ef að húsum heim ég fer,
heimafrakkur bannar mér
seppi´ úr sorpi´ að tína.
seppi´ úr sorpi´ að tína.
You can't get anything at the beach
I'm so hungry
I'm so hungry
If I go to a house
Fat at home (a nickname for The dog) forbids me
To pluck from the garbage
To pluck from the garbage

Öll er þakin ísi jörð, The earth is covered in ice

ekki séð á holta börð
fleygir fuglar geta;
fleygir fuglar geta;
en þó leiti út um mó,
auða hvergi lítur tó;
hvað á hrafn að éta?
hvað á hrafn að éta?
There is nowhere to "set the table" (to sit and eat)
Full-fledged birds can fly far.
Full-fledged birds can fly far.
But even though I look everywhere
There's just one color
What can a raven eat
What can a raven eat?

Sálaður á síðu lá Dead, lying on it's side is

sauður feitur garði hjá,
fyrrum frár á velli.
fyrrum frár á velli.
'Krúnk, krúnk! nafnar, komið hér!
krúnk, krúnk! því oss búin er
krás á köldu svelli.
krás á köldu svelli.'
A fat mutton near a fence,
Who once was fast.
Once was fast.
'Caw, caw! Namesakes (Ravens), come here!
Caw, caw! cos' ready for us is,
a feast on cold ice.
a feast on cold ice.'

Regin smiður

Inngangur:
Grani bar gullið av heiði,
brá hann sínum brandi av reiði,
Sjúrður vann av orminum,
Grani bar gullið av heiði.

1.
 Viljið tær nú lýða á,
meðan eg man kvøða
um teir ríku kongarnar,
sum eg vil nú umrøða.

2.
Sigmund so nevni eg
tann Vølsungsson,
tað var hin unga HjørdisHjørdís,
kona hans var hon.

3.
So glaðiliga drekka teir
í ríkinum jól,
so týðuliga seta teir
sín teknarastól.

4.
Ófriður gekk á
ta heilu høll,
so manniligamenniliga vardu teir
hin ríka kongsins fjøll.

5.
Tá var har so mikil
ríka manna gongd,
ófriður gekk á
kong Giurs lond.

6.
Ófriður gekk á
kong Giurs lond,
leggja teir sínar bardagar
suður við sjóvarstrond.

7.
Ríða teir í bardagar,
eingin kemur heim,
eftir livir Hjrødis
bæði við sorg og mein.

8.
Ríða teir í bardagar,
lata har sítt lív,
eftir livir HjørdisHjørdís,
 Sigmundar vív.

9.
HjørdisHjørdís akslar sær
kápu blá,
so gekk hon á vøllin fram,
sum Sigmundur lá.

10.
"Ligg nú heilur, Sigmundur,
søti mín,
eg man vera í sorgartíð
komin at vitja tín.

11.
Hoyr tú, reysti Sigmundur,
søti mín,
er tað nakað grøðandi
sárini tíni?"

12.
"Seint manst tú, HjørdisHjørdís,
fáa til tey ráð:
at geva mær tey smyrslini,
sum grøða kunnu míni sár.

13.
Hundings synir í randargný
skaðan gjørdu har,
eitur var í svørðinum,
teir bóru ímótimóti mær.

14.
Áðrenn eg tað fyrsta
sárið fekk,
sundur mítt góða svørð
í tógva lutir gekk.

15.
Tá ið eg fekk tað
annað sár,
illa neit at hjartanum,
tað hyggi at tí gár.

16.
Tak tú hesa
 svørðslutir tvá,
lat tú teir til smiðju bera,
ungan son vit fá?.

17.
Tað, ið tú hevur í vón hjá tær,
tað er sveinsbarn,
tú føð tað væl við alvi upp,
tú gev tí Sjúrðar navn.

18.
Av sonnum eg tað
sigi nú til tín:
hesin sami sonurin
skal hevna deyða mín.

19.
Regin smiður býr
fyri handan á,
honum skalt tú fáa
hesa svørðislutir tvá.

20.
Fávnir eitur ormurin,
á Glitraheiði liggur,
Regin hann er góður smiður,
fáum er hann dyggur.

21.
Eg kann ikki, HjørdisHjørdís,
longur tala við teg,
tí hetta man vera deyðastund,
ið komin er á meg."

22.
Grátandi snúðist HjørdisHjørdís
Sigmundi frá,
allar hennar hirðkonur
tær stóðu henni hjá.

23.
Allar hennar hirðkonur,
tær stóðu henni við,
tá ið frúgvin HjørdisHjørdís
fell í óvit niður.
 24.
Tað var tá sum oftum enn,
tað kom á so brátt:
kongin søkti helsótt
á teirri somu nátt.

25.
Ikki kostaði Hjrødis
minni til enn tá,
børuna av reyðargulli
læt hon Sigmundi slá.

26.
Eystantil undir heyginum,
ið dreingir reika á fold,
gróvu teir tað ljósa lík
niður í døkka mold.

27.
Eystantil undir heyginum,
ið dreingir eyka tal;
dimmur er hesin dapri dagur
niður í mold at fara.

28.
Grátandi fór nú HjørdisHjørdís,
í sínum sali at sitja,
Hjálprek kongur fyrstur var,
ið frúnna mundi vitja.

29.
Sigmundur kongurin
frá HjørdisiHjørdísi gekk.
Hjálprek kongurin
frúnna aftur fekk.

30.
Frúgvin læt seg við barni ganga
níggju mánaðir taldar,
til at teirri stundini leið,
hon føðir ein svein so baldan.

31.
Frúgvin læt seg við barni ganga
níggju mánaðir sínar,
til at hennara stundini leið,
 hon føðir ein svein so fríðan.

32.
Tað var tá sum ofta er enn,
at duld eru døpur mein,
frúgvin er gingin í høgaloft,
hon føðir ein ungan svein.

33.
Sveipar hon hann í klæði væl,
tá ið hann kom í heim,
Sjúrð so bað hon nevna sær
hin gævuliga svein.

34.
Hann vaks upp í ríkinum
til gævuligan mann,
Hjálprek kongurin
fostraði hann.

35.
Hann vaks upp í ríkinum
skjótt og ikki leingi,
gjørdist hann í høggum tungur,
hann bardi kongsins dreingir.

36.
Hann var sær á leikvøllum
undir reyðum skildri,
lærdi allar listir tær,
ið kappin kjósa vildi.

37.
Hann var sær á leikvøllum
burtur við aðrar sveinar,
hvørja ta tíð, teir reiðir vóru,
stóð eitt stríð av meini.

38.
Hann var sær á leikvøllum,
hann millum manna herjar,
rívur upp eikikelvi stór,
hann lemjir summar til heljar.

39.
Niður setast sveinarnir,
 reiðir ið teir vóru:
"Líkari var tær faðir at hevna,
enn berja os so stórum."

40.
Sjúrður kastar reyðum skildri
niður á døkka fold,
tá ið hann hoyrdi síns faðirs deyða,
hann sortnaði rætt sum mold.

41.
Kastar hann svørð og herklæði,
han lystir ei longur at leika,
gongur so inn fyri móður sína
við reyðar kinnar og bleikar.

42.
"Hoyr tað, sæla móðir mín,
sig mær satt ífrá:
hvussu var hann at navni nevndur,
ið mín faðir vá?"

43.
"Eg kann ikki sannari
siga tær ífrá,
tað vóru Hundings synir,
ið tín faðir vá.

44.
Tað vóru Hundings synir,
ið tín faðir vá,
tað verður ei, meðan tú livir,
tú sømdir av teim manst fá."

45.
Sjúrður svarar síni móður
alvælallvæl, sum hann kundi:
"Ofta hava vaksið ungum rakka
hvassar tenn í munni."

46.
HjørdisHjørdís gongur at kistuni,
sum øll var í gulli drigin:
"Her sært tú tey herklæði,
sum tín var faðir í vigin."
 47.
Hon læsir upp ta kistuna,
sum nógv goymdi gull og fæ,
tekur upp taðta blóðigu skjúrtu
og kastar honum á knæ.

48.
Tekur hon teir svørðislutir,
Sjúrði hon teir fær:
"Hetta gav tín sæli faðir,
ið mikið gott unti mær.

49.
Tak tú hesa
svørðislutir tvá,
tær eitt annað javngott
svørð av teim at slá.

50.
Regin smiður býr
fyri handan á;
honum skalt tú bera
hesa svørðislutir tvá.

51.
Fávnir eitur ormurin,
á Glitraheiði liggur:
Regin hann er góður smiður,
fáum er hann dyggur.

52.
Gakk tú fram at fossinum,
kasta stein í á,
kjós tær hest til handar
sum ikki víkur frá."

53.
Gekk hann sær at fossinum,
kastaði stein í á;
hann tók tann av hestunum,
sum ikki veik ífrá.

54.
Hann var valdur í ríkinum,
av øllum var hann bestur;
síðani var hann kallaður
 Grani, Sjúrðar hestur.

55.
Sjúrður loypur á Grana bak
morgun ein so snimma,
síðan reið hann yvir um á
Regin smið at finna.

56.
Tað var hin ungi Sjúrður
ríður fyri dyrnar fram;
Regin kastar smíði øllum,
tók sær svørð í hond.

57.
"Hoyr tað, frægi Sjúrður,
tú ert so menskur ein mann;
hvørt stendur ferðin tín,
hvørt ríður tú fram?"

58.
"Hoyr tú tað nú, Regin,
higar stendur mín ferð;
ger mær tað tú, Regin smiður,
smíða mær nú eitt svørð."

59.
"Ver vælkomin, Sjúrður,
tú hevur verið mær kærur,
dvølst í ríkinum nakra tíð,
tú ver í nátt hjá mær."

60.
"Eg kann ikki, Regin smiður,
dvøljast her hjá tær;
Hjálprek kongur saknar meg
úr hásæti hjá sær.

61.
Smíða tú mær svørðið
virðiliga og væl,
bæði má eg vega við tí
jarn og so stál.

62.
Smíða skalt tú mær svørðið
 skært og so reint,
bæði skalt tú vega við tí
jarn og so stein."

63.
Regin tók við svørðinum,
legði tað í eld,
tíggju næturnar,
hevði hann tað í gerð.

64.
Tíggju næturnar
hevði hann tað í gerð,
tá var hin ungi Sjúrður
riðin aðra ferð.

65.
Sjúrður loypur á Grana bak
morgun ein so snimma,
síðan reið hann yvir um á
Regin smið at finna.

66.
Tað var hin ungi Sjúrður,
ríður fyri dyrnar fram,
Regin kastar øllum smíði
og tók sær svørð í hond.

67.
"Ver vælkomin, Sjúrður,
smíðað havi eg svørð,
bilar tær ei hugurin,
tú verður til víggja førur.

68.
Smíðað havi eg svørðið,
skært og so reint,
bæði skalt tú vega við tí
jarn og so stein."

69.
Sjúrður gongur at stórum
royndi alv so fast,
sundur hans svørð tá
í tógva lutir brast.
 70.
"Deyðan ert tú, Regin,
av mær verð,
fyri tú vildi svíkja meg
í tíni vápnagerð."

71.
Báðar tekur hann svørðislutirnarsvørðslutirnar,
kastar honum á knæ,
skalv tá Regin smiður
sum eitt liljublað.

72.
Báðar legði hann svørðislutirnarsvørðslutirnar
aftur í hans hond,
tá skalv hondin á Regin smiði
sum á liljuvond.

73.
"Smíða skalt tú annað svørð,
men smíðar tú tað svá,
vita skalt tú, Regin,
lív skalt tú ei fá.

74.
Svørðið skalt tú gera
so reiðuliga hart,
bæði skal eg vega við tí
stál og so jarn."

75.
"Smíði eg tær annað svørð
og verður tað ei svá,
hjartað úr orminum,
tað leggi eg treytir á.

76.
Hoyr tað, ungi Sjúrður,
smíði eg tær svørð,
hjartað úr orminum,
tað vil eg hava í verð."

77.
Regin tók við svørðinum,
legði tað í eld,
tríati næturnar
 hevði hann tað í gerð,

78.
Tríati næturnar
hevði hann tað í gerð,
tá var hin ungi Sjúrður
riðin triðju ferð.

79.
Sjúrður loypur á Grana bak
morgun ein so snimma,
síðan reið hann yvir um á
Regin smið at finna.

80.
Tað var hin ungi Sjúrður,
reið fyri dyrnar fram,
Regin kastar øllum smíði,
tók sær svørð í hond.

81.
"Ver vælkomin, Sjúrður,
smíðað havi eg svørð,
bilar tær ei hugurin,
tú verður so víða á ferð."

82.
Sjúrður gongur at stiðjanum,
høggur alvælallvæl fast,
hvørki mátti røkka, ei støkka,
so var svørðið hart.

83.
So høggur hann Sjúrður
fastliga til,
sundur kleiv hann stiðjan
og stabban við.

84.
Tað rennur ein á frá keldu upp,
onnur skamt ífrá
Gramm kallar hann svørðið,
á hallargólvi lá.

85.
"Hoyr tað, frægi Sjúrður,
 tú far og kann um vív,
fyri tílíkan høvdinga
vildi eg latið lív."

86.
"Hoyr tú tað nú, Regin,
hetta sigur tú mær,
men annað býr í hjartanum,
Regin smiður, á tær."

87.
"Enntá, frægi Sjúrður,
siga skalt tú mær,
nær tú ríður á Glitraheiði,
lat meg fylgja tær."

88.
"Fyrst ríði eg í randargný,
Hundings synir at finna,
so fari eg á Glitraheiði,
men tað fýsir meg minna.

89.
Fyrst ríði eg í randargný,
Hundings synir at fella,
so fari eg á Glitraheiði,
tí mær man einki bella."

90.
Tað var Sjúrður Sigmundarson,
skortar honum ei eyð,
reið hann tá í randargný,
han hevndi sín faðirs deyða.

91.
Allar vá hann Hundings synir,
væl kom hann aftur frá teim,
skamri stund í ríkinum var,
hann reið á Glitraheiði.

92.
Tað var Sjúrður Sigmundarson,
ríður fram við skóg,
møtti honum gamalur maður,
hann settist niður á lón.
 93.
Har kom maður á vøllin fram,
eingin ið hann kendi,
síðan hatt á høvdi bar,
finskan boða í hendi.

94.
"Hoyr tað Sjúrður Sigmundarson,
tú ert so reystur ein mann,
hvørt stendur nú ferðin tín,
hvørt ríður tú fram?"

95.
Har kom maður á vøllin fram,
hann vá við eggjateini;
eyga hevði hann eitt í heysi,
knept var brók at beini.

96.
"Eg reið fyrst í randargný
teir Hundings synir at finna;
nú ríði eg á Glitraheiði,
roysnisverk at vinna."

97.
"Hoyr tú, reysti Sjúrður,
siga skalt tú mær;
hvør er hesin vesali maður,
ið fylgi er við tær?"

98.
"Regin smiður kallast hann,
ormsins bróðir hann er;
tí havi eg hann í fylgi við mær
á hesi míni ferð."

99.
"Hvør bað teg grava
hesar gravir tvær?
deyðan man hin sami maður
hava ætlað tær."

100.
"Regin legði mær ráðini
at grava gravir tvær;
tí hann er mín vinmaður
 við mær á hesari ferð."

101.
"Hevur Regin biðið teg
grava gravir tvær;
hann er versti svíkjari
og deyða vil hann teg.

102.
Væl mást tú, Sjúrður,
akta har uppá;
at tú ikki deyðan skalt
av hesum ormi fá.

103.
Grava tú ta triðju,
tú grava hana skamt ífrá,
ein mun av eitrinum
lívir hon tær tá.

104.
Grava tú enn ta fjórðu,
har longur fram,
upp úr grøvini
skalt tú vega hann.

105.
Grava skalt tú ta fjórðu,
tú grava hana har íhjá,
síðan skalt tú, Sjúrður,
á jørðini stá."

106.
Ormur er skriðin av gullinum,
frá man frættast víða,
Sjúrður setist á Grana bak,
hann býr seg til at ríða.

107.
Ormur er skriðin á gullinum,
tykist hava grið,
Sjúrður trívur um benjarkolv,
hann býr sítt svørð nú til.

108.
Tríati favnar var fossurin,
 ið ormurin undir lá,
uppi vóru hans bæði bøksl,
men búkur á homrum lá.

109.
Uppi vóru hans bæði bøksl,
men búkur á homrum lá,
tað var hin reysti Sjúrður,
hann sínum svørði brá.

110.
Sjúrður gav so vænt eitt høgg,
tað øllum tókti undur,
tá skalv bæði leyv og lund
og allar veraldar grundir.

111.
Tá skalv bæði leyv og lund
og allar veraldar grundir,
Sjúrður brá sínum bitra brandi,
hjó hann um miðju sundur.

112.
Tað spurdi ormurin,
tá ið hann í brotum lá:
"Hvør er sá hin hugdjarvi,
ið høgga torir svá?"

113.
"Sjúrð skalt tú nevna meg,
Sigmundar svein,
tað var hin unga HjørdisHjørdís,
hon bar meg í heim."

114.
"Hoyr tú tað nú, Sjúrður,
hvat eg tali til tín:
hvør fylgdi tær ta longu leið
higar nú til mín?"

115.
"Regin er tín bróðir,
hann vísti mær veg,
hann er hin versti svíkjari,
deyða vildi hann teg."
 116.
Til tess svaraði ormurin,
meðan hann fleyt í blóði:
"Drepa skalt tú Regin smið,
tóat hann er mín bróðir.

117.
Veg tú nú Regin smið,
sum tú hevur vegið meg,
hann er versti svíkjari,
deyða vil hann teg."

118.
Tað var Regin smiður,
talaði so fyri sær:
"Fái eg nú, Sjúrður,
tað tú lovaði mær?"

119.
Sjúrður stakk til hjartað,
tó vegurin var trangur,
stokti hann tað á teini,
ið tríati alin var langur.

120.
Sjúrður gjørdist á hendi heitur,
hann brá sær í munn,
fuglar og so alskyns djór
vóru honum á máli kunn.

121.
Tað søgdu honum villini fuglar,
uppi sita í eik:
"Sjálvur skalt tú, Sjúrður,
eta av tíni steik."

122.
Sjúrður stokti hjartað
og tað av teini dró,
Regin legðist at drekka
ormsins eiturblóð.

123.
Regin legðist at drekka
ormsins eiturblóð,
Sjúrður gav honum banasár
 í spori, sum hann stóð.

124.
Tað var hin ungi Sjúrður,
sínum svørði brá,
síðan kleyv hann Regin smið
sundur í lutir tvá.

125.
Mikið mundi Sjúrði Sjúrður
gullið ognast tá,
tí hann vá tann frænarorm,
á Glitraheiði lá.

126.
Árla var um morgunin,
tað roðar fyri sól,
hann bindur upp á Grana bak
gullkistur tólv.

127.
Tólv gullkistur legði hann
hvørjumegin klakk,
sjálvur settist hann omaná,
so er mær frásagt.

128.
Síðan settist Sjúrður
at ríða omaná,
Grani sprakk um lyngheiðir,
og reiður var hann tá.

129.
Hesturin rennur í oyðimørk,
leiðin var honum ei kunnug,
Sjúrður svav á teirri nátt
undir so køldum runni.

130.
So treður hann Grani
grót rætt sum vøll,
tílíkur kemur eingin aftur
í ríka kongsins høll.

131.
Nú skal lætta ljóði av,
 eg kvøði ei longur á sinni,
so skal taka upp annan tátt,
og víðari leggja í minni.

Regin the Smith

BURDEN(refrain):

GRANE bore the golden hoard,

Wroth did Sigurd swing his sword,
There he slew the Dragon grim,
Wroth did Sigurd swing his sword.

1.
NOW shall ye lithe & listen well
Unto this song I sing
Of warfare, & of warriors,
& many a mighty king.
2.
SIGMUND now name I,
Of Volsung the son;
& 'twas the youthful Hjørdis
That for his wife he won.
3.
Drank they right gaily
Glad yule-tide in;
Mighty their men-at-arms
Tribute to win.
4.
Swiftly came sorrow
To their high hall,
For many a foe was fain to see
That mighty monarch's fall.
5.
One & all, the warriors
Weapon took in hand;
Wagèd was the warfare
In King Giur's land.
6.
Wagèd was the warfare
In King Giur's land;
There did they join battle
All on the South sea-strand.
7.
Many fared forth to battle,
But none returned again;
 Queen Hjørdis sat a-waiting
In sorrow & in pain.
(skipped stanza)
Many fared forth to battle,
Let them stay alive!
Queen Hjørdis sat a-waiting,
She was Sigmund's wife.

8.
Forth fared Queen Hjørdis
In mantle of grey,
To seek for King Sigmund,
On battle-field lay.
9.
'Lie soft, thou Sigmund,
Dearest to me!
All in this hour of sorrow
I come to seek for thee.
10.
'Dearest of mine
In woe as in weal,
Is no green herb a-growing
Avails thy hurt to heal?
11.
'Wide mayst thou wander
Ere leeches be found,
With store of salves availing
To heal my deadly wound.
12.
'Hunding's sons in battle
Wrought my downfall;
Venom was on the sword-points
They pierced me withal.
13.
'Or ever that venom
Brought me my bane,
My goodly brand was broken
Asunder in twain.
14.
'Or ever my second wound
Touched me with smart,
The venom was seeping
Thro' to my heart.
15.
'The fragments of my goodly sword
To weapon-smith shalt bear,
 & bid him forge a weapon
that our young son may wear.
16.
'For that thou bear'st within thee
Shall prove a gallant boy;
Sigurd shalt thou name him,
& foster him with joy.
17.
'Lithe now & listen,
For scant is my breath,
Sigurd our son
Shall avenge me my death.
18.
'The smith by the river
His dwelling hath made;
Bid him re-fashion
Sigmund's bright blade.
19.
'Fávnir hight the Fire-drake
Of Glitter Heath is Lord;
Regin is a cunning smith,
Yet none can trust his word.
20.
'No longer, my Hjørdis,
Talk I with thee!
Methinks 'tis now my dying hour
That cometh fast on me.'
21.
Weeping went Hjørdis
From the place where he lay,
The ladies of her household
Led her away.
22.
The ladies of her household
Succoured her eftsoon,
Whenas she lay witless
In sweven & swoon.
23.
Woe walketh still on Middle Earth,
& seeketh every wight!
The King must dree his death-pangs
All on the self-same night.
24.
Little spared Queen Hjørdis
Of honour to the dead;
She bade them shape for Sigmund
 A bier of the gold so red.
25.
Under the howe their henchmen
Heaped all upon the wold,
’Twas there they laid his bright bodye
Down in the darksome mould.
26.
Up spake in sorrow
The swains that stood by:
'Doleful it is on sunbright day
In darksome mould to lie!
27.
Alone in lady's bower
Sat Hjørdis sorrowing;
The first that came to woo her
Was Hjálprek the King.
28.
King Sigmund in warfare
Laid down his life;
Hjálprek the King
Took Hjødis to wife.
(skipped stanza)
She went with child, that lady fair,
Nine months long all told,
& at the hour appointed
She bore a son so bold.
29.
She went with child, that lady fair,
Till nine long months were run,
& at the hour appointed
She bore a beauteous son.
(skipped stanza)
'Twas like it often happens again,
Hid in secret was her double pain,
The lady fair went to her loft
& she bore a young swain.

30.
She wrapped him well in swaddling-bands
When to this earth he came,
A gallant boy, & fair to see,
& Sigurd was his name.
31.
Right well was he fostered
By Hjálprek the King,
The sword could he wield,
 The glaive could he fling.
32.
Both swift & strong, nor slow of growth
No feats he left untried;
A heavier blow could he lay on
Than any swain beside.
33.
When he went forth to weapon-field,
A blood-red shield he bare,
& all that hue would favour
Who chose a champion there.
34.
Now so it chanced, in weapon-field
When Sigurd went to play,
That strife fell out among the swains,
& wroth with him were they.
35.
All from an ancient oaken-tree
A mighty branch he tore,
& lammed those lads so lustily
That some rose up no more.
36.
Then did those swains to Sigurd
Speak up in dule & ire:
'Rather than maul thy comrades,
'Twere best avenge thy sire!'
37.
Now when they named his father's death,
His brow grew mirk as mould;
He cast his blood-red shield adown
All on the darksome wold.
38.
He cast down sword & harness
As from the field he sped,
& entered in his mother's bower,
With cheeks now white, now red.
39.
'Now lithe & listen, my mother dear,
& look thou tell me plain,
By what name do men name him
That was my father's bane?'
40.
'Now sooth, son of Sigmund,
I speak thee so plain;
It was the sons of Hunding
That brought thy father's bane.
 41.
'They that slew thy father
Sprang from Hunding's stem:
But never while thou livest
Wilt thou conquer them!'
42.
’Twas Sigurd up & answered,
& spake as best he might:
’Oft, oft in mouth of wolf-cub
Wax teeth that well can bit.'
43.
’Twas Hjørdis hied her to the kist
With red, red gold laid o'er:
'Behold the warrior's harness
Which last thy father wore!'
44.
The lock thereof she's loosened
All with a golden key,
& she's cast the blood-stained byrnie
Adown before his knee.
45.
Then she has ta'en the fragment twain
Of Sigmund's sword of pride:
These did thy father give me
All on the day he died!
46. (interchange order with next stanza)
'Regin the weapon-smith
Dwells by the ford;
From these shall he fashion
As goodly as sword.
47.
'The shards shalt thou bear him
Of Sigmund's bright brand;
As goodly a blade
Shall he forge to thine hand.
48.
'Fávnir hight the Fire-drake
Of Glitter Heath is lord;
Regin is a cunning smith,
Yet lean not on his word!
49.
'Go, cast a stone in the streamlet
By pasture-field doth glide,
& choose for thy need the steadfast steed
That starteth not aside.'
50.
 Forth to the stream fared Sigurd,
& cast therein a stone,
& the steadfast steed that started not,
He took him for his own.
51.
None was his like in all the land,
That courser good at need,
& the name he bore in days of yore
Was Grane, Sigurd's steed. · · ·
52.
Now Sigurd leapt on Grane's back
When yet the ways were blind,
& rode adown the river-bank
Regin the smith to find.
53.
It was the gallant Sigurd
Rode down by lea & land,
& Regin ceased his smithying
& took a sword in hand.
54.
'Now harken, doughty Sigurd,
A warrior bold enow,
Whence art thou come thus early,
& whither ridest thou?"
55.
'To thee, to thee the errand
Whereon I ride abroad!
I bid thee, Regin weapon-smith,
To forge a goodly sword.'
56.
'Now welcome, welcome, Sigurd,
So true my love for thee!
Shalt enter in my dwelling,
& bide this night with me.'
57.
'Now nay, now nay, thou weapon-smith,
I may not here abide,
Lest Hjálprek the King should lack me
From the high-seat by his side.
58.
'Now forge me a sword-blade
So sharp & so bright,
That stone & cold iron
Asunder 'twill bite!
59.
'Now forge me a sword-blade,
 Of temper & tone
That will sever asunder
Cold iron & stone!' · · ·
60.
In furnace a-flaming
The fragments he laid,
All thro' three night-times
He fashioned the blade.
61.
Three night-times he laboured
To fashion the sword,
Till once again young Sigurd
Came riding to the ford.
62.
’Twas Sigurd leapt on Grane's back,
& rode along the stand,
& Regin ceased his smithying
& took the sword in hand.
(stanza 56 is repeated)
It was the gallant Sigurd
Rode down by lea & land,
& Regin ceased his smithying
& took a sword in hand.

63.
'Behold, I have fashioned
A weapon so wight!
If thou spare not thy strokes
Shalt be foremost in fight.
64.
'Behold, I have forged thee
A weapon so true!
Both steel & cold iron
Asunder 'twill hew.'
65.
Now Sigurd sought the anvil,
& smote thereon amain;
But the new brand was broken
Asunder in twain.
66.
'Worthy art thou, weapon-smith,
To die by my hand,
For that thou wouldst betray me
In forging the brand!'
67.
Adown he flung the fragments
 To fall at Regin's knee;
Wan grew the weapon-smith
As lily-flower to see.
68.
Then he has ta'en the fragments twain,
& thrust in Regin's hand;
& the arm of Regin trembled
Like any lily-wand.
69.
'Now forge again a sword for me
By might of runic rhyme
& be thou ware, thou weapon-smith,
I spare not a second time!
70.
'A sword shalt thou forge me
So sharp & so leal,
That 'twill sever asunder
Both iron & steel!'
71.
'Yea, I will forge a second sword,
But this I'll have of thee,
The heart o' the Worm on Glitter Heath
All for my forging-fee.
72.
'Now swear me this, thou Sigurd,
& look thou hold it true;
The heart o' the Worm on Glitter Heath
To give me as my due!' · · ·
73.
Once more in the furnace
The fragments he laid;
All thro' three night-times
He fashioned the blade;
74.
All thro' three night-times
'Mid roaring & reek,
Till Sigurd rode thither
His weapon to seek.
75.
’Twas Sigurd sprang on Grane's back
When scarce the night was o'er,
& rode adown the river-bank,
& stayed at Regin's door.
76.
It was the doughty Sigurd
That halted by the ford;
 & Regin ceased his smithying,
& took in hand the sword.
77.
'A sword have I forged thee
Of wonder & worth!
Never so wight a weapon
Was seen on Middle Earth.'
78.
Now Sigurd smote the anvil
That straight did rock & reel,
But never a dint could mar the glint
Of Regin's tempered steel.
79.
Again he smote the anvil
With such a mighty blow,
The iron was cloven asunder,
& the earth-fast stone below.
80.
Bright & clear the river
Welled upwards from the spring;
& Gramm they name the sword of fame
Of Regin's smithying.
81.
'Go hence, go hence, thou Sigurd,
& woo thee a high-born wife!
For such a mighty warrior
Would I lay down my life.'
82.
Now lithe & listen, weapon-smith,
Thy words are fair & fine,
But a darker thought is hidden
Deep in that heart o' thine!'
83.
'Now Sigurd, doughty Sigurd,
This promise make to me;
When thou dost ride to Glitter Heath,
Thy comrade I may be!'
84.
'First with the sons of Hunding
I'll meet on foughten field;
Then will I hie to Glitter Heath
This biting brand to wield.
85.
'Yea, first to fight with Hunding 's sons
On battle-field I fare,
& then I ride to Glitter Heath
 To raid the Dragon's lair!' · · ·
86.
It was not Sigurd Sigmundarson
Made not that vow in vain;
With his own hand he slew the band
That brought his father bane.
87.
Both one & all, he saw them fall
That did his sire to death,
Or ever he turned him homeward,
& hied him to Glitter Heath.
88.
It was Sigurd Sigmundarson
Rode down by greenwood shaw;
And, sitting apart in secret,
An agèd man he saw.
89.
A silken cap was on his head,
As down the glade he came,
& in his hand a Finnish bow,
& no man knew his name.
90. (interchange order with next stanza)
With buckled leggings, countrywise,
That ancient man drew near;
One burning eye was in his head,
& at his back a spear.
91. (this stanza interpolated)
'And art thou Sigurd Sigmundarson,
A warrior bold, I trow,
Say, whence hast thou come to greenwood glade,
& whither ridest now?"
92.
'Of late I fared to battle-field,
& Hunding's sons I slew;
But now I ride to Glitter Heath
A daring deed to do.'
93.
'Now harken, Sigurd Sigmundarson,
& look thou tell to me,
What name is his, the caitiff carle,
That followeth after thee?'
94.
'Regin the smith men name him;
A cunning smith is he,
& brother in blood to the loathly Worm,
& therefore he followeth me!"
 95.
'Now wherefore hath he bidden thee
To delve these ditches twain?
The man that bid thee delve them,
That man desired they bane.'
96.
'’Twas Regin bid me grave them,
These grofts, by one, by two,
For that in this adventure
He is my comrade true.'
97.
'Did Regin bid thee grave them
With never a third thereby,
Then Regin is a traitor foul
That fain would see thee die.
(skipped stanza)
Well must you Sigurd,
mind over this,
So that you shalt not die
By the deeds of this wyrm.

98.
'Grave thou yet another,
A little space below,
To catch the Dragon's deadly spume
That from his mouth will flow.
99.
'A fourth shalt thou fashion,
Yet closer at hand;
'Then shalt thou, Sigurd,
Therein take thy stand.' · · ·
(skipped stanza)
Thou shalt grave a fourth,
Thou grave it there
thereafter shalt thou Sigurd,
In the earth STAY.

100.
The Worm slid forth from the red, red gold
All at the eventide,
& Sigurd sprang on Grane's back,
& swiftly did he ride.
101.
Little deeming of danger,
The Dragon crept abroad;
& Sigurd sprang from saddle,
 & drew his trusty sword.
102.
The Worm slid forth from the Treasure,
Adown the dyke to creep,
His belly clave to the lower earth
Full thirty fathom deep,
103.
But ever the back of the monster
Was high in the air aboon;
& Sigurd seized his biting brand,
& drew, & stuck eftsoon.
104.
So stern was the sword-stroke,
So mighty the blow,
That all the girth of Middle Earth
Was shaken to & fro.
105.
Shook every leaf on every tree
& earth the tree-roots under,
When Sigurd drew his trusty sword,
& clave the Worm asunder.
106.
Up & spake the loathly Worm,
All broken where he lay:
'Who is the doughty warrior
Dares deal such blows to-day?'
107.
'Sigurd shalt thou name me,
Of Sigmund the son;
Hjørdis she that bore me
After his days were done.'
108.
'Lithe & listen, Sigurd,
To this I ask of thee;
What man was in thy following
The livelong way to me?'
109.
'With Regin thy brother
I came to the Heath,
Foulest of traitors,
Desiring thy death.'
110.
Up & spake the fierce Fire-drake,
A-floating in his gore:
'Regin the false weapon-smith
Must tread the earth no more.
 111.
'Of traitors worst is Regin,
Who fain thy bane would be;
Then deal thou with the weapon-smith
As thou hast dealt by me!'
112.
Up spake the wily weapon-smith:
'Where is that fee of mine,
The Dragon's heart that is my part,
As thou dist swear langsyne?'
113.
Oh, out he hewed the Dragon's heart,
Was three ells' length & more,
& he brandered it all on burning wood
Because of the oath he swore.
114.
His hand, sore scorched with burning heat,
All on his lips he laid,
& the speech he knew of the birds that flew,
& the beasts in the greenwood glade.
115.
Up & spake the little bird
That sat on oaken-tree:
'Eat of the heart, thou Sigurd,
And thou wouldst wiser be!'
116.
The heart doth he take from the wooden stake,
And all to eat is boun,
While Regin of the poisoned gore
To drink hath laid him down.
117.
Regin hath laid him down to drink
Of the Dragon's poisoned blood,
& Sigurd dealt him his death-wound,
Nor stirred from where he stood.
118.
It was the doughty Sigurd
That swung his sword amain;
Regin the smith he sundered
Apart in pieces twain. · · ·
119.
Such treasure won Sigurd
As ne'er can be told,
When as he slew the loathly Worm
That lay upon the wold.
120.
 All in the red of morning
When dew bedecked the ground,
Twelve kists well-filled with the red, red gold
On Grane's back he bound,
121.
Twelve kists well-filled with treasure,
& mounted there beside,
& swift the good steed Grane
Thro' holt & heathland hied.
122.
Swift, swift they haste by wood & waste,
The homeward way unknown,
& they must lie the livelong night
With the cold rain dripping down.
(skipped stanza)
The horse sped through the wasteland
The way he was not in the know,
Sigurd slumbered for the night,
Under the cold thicket.

123.
Oh lightly trode Grane
On stone as in stall!
Never a steed so steadfast
Was known in kingly hall.
124.
Now will I cease from song awhile,
& see that ye mind it well,
Ere once again I raise my strain
This three-fold tale to tell.

Walther von der Vogelweide: 

Palästinalied
Palästinalied
Palästinalie  
d
 
1 Álrêrst lébe ich mir werde, Nun erst lebe ich würdig,
sît mîn sündic ouge siht seit mein sündiges Auge sieht
daz here lant und ouch die erde, das reine Land und auch die Erde,
der man sô vil êren giht. der man so viel der Ehren gibt.
ez ist geschehen, des ich ie bat: Mir ist passiert, worum ich stets bat
 ích bin komen an die stat,
dâ got menischlîchen trat.
2 Schoeniu lant, rîch unde hêre,
swaz ich der noch hân gesehen,
sô bist dûs ir aller êre.
waz ist wunders hie geschehen!
daz ein magt ein kint gebar,
hêre über áller engel schar,
wáz daz niht ein wunder gar?
3 Hie liez er sich reine toufen,
daz der mensche reine sî.
dô liez er sich hie verkoufen,
daz wir eigen wurden frî.
anders waeren wir verlorn.
wól dir, spér, kriuze únde dorn!
wê dir, heiden, dáz ist dir zorn!
4 Dô ér sich wolte über úns
erbarmen,
dô leit er den grimmen tôt,
ér vil rîch über úns vil armen,
daz wir komen ûz der nôt.
daz in dô des niht verdrôz,
dâst ein wunder alze grôz,
aller wunder übergenôz.
 
5 Hinnen vuor der sun ze helle,
vón dem grábe dâ ínne lac.
des wás der vater ie geselle
únd der geist, den nieman mac
sunder scheiden, éz sî ein,
sleht und ebener danne ein zein,
als er Abrahâme erschein.
6 Dô ér den tuifel álsô geschande
daz nie keiser baz gestreit,
dô vuor ér her wíder ze lande.
dô huob sich der juden leit:
dáz er, hêrre, ir huote brach
und dáz man ín sît lebendig sach,
dén ir hant sluog unde stach.
ich bin an die Stätte gekommen,
wo Gott die Menschwerdung antrat.
Schöne Länder, reich und herrlich,
was ich von solchen bis heute gesehen,
so bist du ihrer aller Krone.
Was für ein Wunder ist hier geschehen!
Daß eine Magt ein Kind gebar,
erhaben über aller Engel Schar,
war das nicht ein vollkommenes Wunder?
Hier ließ er, der Reine sich taufen,
damit der Mensch rein sei.
Dann ließ er sich hier verkaufen,
damit wir Leibeigene frei würden.
Anderenfalls wären wir verloren.
Wohl Dir, Speer, Kreuz und Dorn!
Weh Dir, Heiden, das ist Dir ein Ärgernis!
Da er sich wollte unsrer erbarmen,
da erlitt er den grausamen Tod,
er, der Allmächtige, über uns so
Armselige,
damit wir entkämen der Not.
Daß ihn das damals nicht verdroß,
das ist ein Wunder übergroß,
das aller Wunder, seinesgleichen nicht
hat.
Von hier fuhr der Sohn zur Hölle,
von dem Grabe, darin er lag.
Dabei war stets des Vaters Beistand
und der Geist, den niemand kann
gesondert scheiden, es soll eins sein,
klar und weiter als ein Schein,
so wie er Abraham erschien.
Als er den Teufel dort geschunden,
wie nie ein Kaiser besser stritt,
da kam er wieder zum Land.
Da hob sich an der Juden Leid:
Daß der Herr ihre Bewachung brach
und daß man ihn dann lebend sah,
den ihre Hand schlug und stach.
7 Da nâch was er in dem e lande
vierzic tage, dô vúor er dar,
dannen in sîn vater sande.
sînen geist, der uns bewar,
dén sant ér hin wider ze hant.
heilig ist daz selbe lant,
sîn náme, der íst vor got erkant.
8 In daz lant hât er gesprochen
einen angeslîchen tac,
dâ der weise wirt gerochen
und diu witwe klagen mac
und der arme den gewalt,
den man hât mit in gestalt.
wol im dort, der hie vergalt!
9 Únserre lántréhter tihten
fristet dâ niemannes klage,
wan er wíl dâ zé stunt rihten.
sô íst ez an dem lesten tage.
und swer deheine schulde hie lât
unverebent: wie der stât
dórt, dâ er pfánt noch bürgen hât.
10 Ír lât iuch des niht verdriezen,
daz ich noch gesprochen hân?
sô wil ich die rede entsliezen
kurzwîlen und iuch wizzen lân,
swáz got wúnders hie noch lie,
mit der werlte ie begie,
daz huob sich dort und endet hie.
11 Kristen, juden und die heiden
jehent, daz díz ir erbe sî.
gót, müeze éz ze rehte scheiden
durch die sîne namen drî.
al diu werlt, diu strîtet her:
wir sîn an der rehten ger.
reht ist, daz er uns gewer!
12 Mê dann hundert tûsent wunder
hie in disem lande sint,
dâ von ich niht mê besunder
kan gesagen als ein kint,
Danach war er in dem Lande
vierzig Tage, dann fuhr er dorthin,
woher ihn sein Vater sandte.
Seinen Geist, der uns bewahre,
den sandte er gleich wieder her.
Heilig ist eben dieses Land,
sein Name, der ist vor Gott anerkannt.
Auf das Land hat er gesprochen
einen schrecklichen Gerichtstag,
an dem der Waise wird gerächt
und die Witwe Klage erheben kann
und der Arme gegen die Gewalt,
die man ihnen angetan hat.
Wohl ihm dort, der hier vergilt!
Nicht wie unsere Landrichter täten
schiebt man da niemandes Klage auf,
denn er wird da sofort richten.
So wird es am letzten Tage sein.
Und wer irgendeine Schuld hier läßt
ungetilgt: Wie steht der da,
dort, da er weder Pfand noch Bürgen hat.
Ihr laßt euch dessen nicht verdrießen,
was ich bis jetzt gesprochen habe?
so will ich die Rede weiterführen
in Kürze - und euch wissen lassen,
was Gott an Wundern hier noch werden
ließ
und für die Welt ins Werk gesetzt hat,
das hub dort an und wird hier enden.
Christen, Juden und die Heiden
behaupten, daß dies ihr Erbe sei.
Gott müsse es zu Recht entscheiden
um seiner drei Wesenheiten willen.
Die ganze Welt, die streitet hierüber:
Wir sind an der rechten Seite.
Recht ist, daß er es uns gewähre!
Mehr denn hunderttausend Wunder
sind hier in diesem Lande,
davon ich nicht mehr im einzelnen
sagen kann als ein Kind,
 wan ein teil von unser ê.
swem des niht genúoge, der gê
zúo den júden, die ságent im mê.
13  Vrowe min, durch iuwer güete
nu vernemet mine clage,
daz ir durch iuwer hochgemüete
nicht erzuernet, waz ich sage.
Vil lihte daz ein tumber man
misseredet, als er wol kann.
daran solt ir iuch nicht keren an .
außer einem Teil von unserem Recht.
Wem dies nicht genügt, der gehe
zu den Juden, die sagen ihm mehr.
Meine Dame, durch eure Güte
vernehmt nun meine Klage,
damit ihr durch euer hohes Gemüt
von dem was ich sage nicht erzürnt.
Vielleicht, daß ein ungeschickter Mann
schlechter redet als er könnte
daran sollt ihr euch nicht stören.

WIDSITH

Widsith spoke, unlocked his word-hoard,

he who had travelled most of all men
through tribes and nations across the earth.
Often he had gained great treasure in hall.
5 He belonged by birth to the Myrging tribe.
Along with Ealhild, the kind peace-weaver,
for the first time, from the Baltic coast,
he sought the home of Eormanric,
king of the Ostrogoths, hostile to traitors.
10 He began then to speak at length:
‘I have heard of many men who ruled over nations.
Every leader should live uprightly,
rule his estates according to custom,
if he wants to succeed to a kingly throne.
15 Hwala for a time was the best of all,
and Alexander too, the noblest of men,
who prospered most of all of those
that I have heard of across the earth.
Attila ruled the Huns, Eormanric the Goths,
20 Becca the Baningas, Gifica the Burgundians.
Caesar ruled the Greeks and Caelic the Finns,
Hagena the Holmrycgas and Henden the Glomman.
Witta ruled the Swaefe, Wada the Haelsingas,
Meaca the Myrgingas, Mearc the Hundingas.
25 Theodric ruled the Franks, Thyle the Rondingas,
Breoca the Brondingas, Billa the Waerne.
Oswine ruled the Eowan and Gefwulf the Jutes,
Finn, son of Folcwalda, the Frisian race.
Sigehere for many years ruled the Sea-Danes,
30 Hnaef the Hocingas, Helm the Wulfingas,
Wald the Woingas, Wod the Thuringians,
Saeferth the Sycgan, Ongentheow the Swedes,
Sceafthere the Ymbran, Sceaf the Langobards,
Hun the Haetware, and Holen the Wrosnan.
35 Hringwald was called the king of the Herefaran.
Offa ruled the Angles, Alewih the Danes.
He was the bravest of all those men,
but could not defeat Offa in deeds of arms,
and the noble Offa while still a boy
40 won in battle the greatest of kingdoms.
No-one of that age ever achieved
more glory than he did. With his sword alone
he marked the border against the Myrgings
at the mouth of the Eider. Angles and Swedes
45 observed it after that as Offa had won it.
Hrothwulf and Hrothgar, nephew and uncle,
held peace together for many years
after they had driven off the Heathobard tribe
and beaten down Ingeld's line of battle,
50 cut down at Heorot the Heathobard force.
So I travelled widely through foreign lands,
through distant countries, and there I met
both good and bad fortune, far from my kin,
and served as a follower far and wide.
55 And so I can sing and tell a tale,
declare to the company in the mead-hall
how noble rulers rewarded me with gifts.
I was with the Huns and the glorious Goths,
with the Swedes and with the Geats and with the South-Danes.
50 I was with the Wenlas, the Waerne and the Wicingas.
I was with the Gefthan, the Winedas and the Gefflegan.
I was with the Angles, the Swaefe and the Aenenas.
I was with the Saxons, the Sycgan and the Sweordweras.
I was with the Hronan, the Dean and the Heathoreamas.
65 I was with the Thuringians and with the Throwendas
and with the Burgundians: there I gained a torc.
There Guthhere granted me splendid treasure
as reward for my song; that king was not tight-fisted.
I was with the Franks, with the Frisians and the Frumtingas.
70 I was with the Rugians, the Glomman and the Romans.
I was in Italy with Aelfwine too:
of all men he had, as I have heard,
the readiest hand to do brave deeds,
the most generous heart in giving out rings
75 and shining torcs, Eadwine's son.
I was with the Sercings and with the Serings.
 I was with the Greeks and Finns, and also with Caesar,
who had the power over prosperous cities,
riches and treasure and the Roman Empire.
80 I was with the Irish, with the Picts and the Lapps.
I was with the Lidwicingas, the Leonas and the Langobards,
with the Haethenas and the Haelethas and with the Hundingas.
I was with the Israelites and with the Assyrians,
with the Hebrews and the Indians and with the Egyptians.
85 I was with the Medes and the Persians and with the Myrgingas,
with the Moabites and Ongendmyrgingas and with the Amothingas.
I was with the East-Thuringians and with the Ofdingas,
with the Eolas and the Philistines and with the Idumeans.
And I was with Eormanric throughout his reign.
90 There the king of the Goths granted me treasure:
the king of the city gave me a torc
made from pure gold coins, worth six hundred pence.
I gave that to Eadgils when I came home,
as thanks to my lord, ruler of the Myrgingas,
95 because he gave me land which once was my father's.
And then Ealhhild, Eadwine's daughter,
noble queen of the household, gave me another;
her fame extended through many lands
when I used my song to spread the word
100 of where under the heavens I knew a queen,
adorned with gold, most generous of all.
Then Scilling and I with our clear voices,
before our glorious lord, struck up our song;
sung to the harp, it rang out loudly.
105 Then many men with noble hearts
who understood these things openly said
that they had never heard a better song.
From there I travelled through the Gothic homeland --
I always sought out the best companions --
110 that was Eormanric's household guard!
I visited Hehca and Beadeca and the Herelingas,
Emerca and Fridla and Eastgota,
the wise and virtuous father of Unwen.
I visited Secca and Becca, Seafola and Theodric,
115 Heathoric and Sifeca, Hlith and Incgentheow.
I visited Eadwine and Elsa, Aegelmund and Hungar,
and the proud household of the Withmyrgingas.
I visited Wulfhere and Wyrmhere; there battle often raged
in the Vistula woods, when the Gothic army
120 with their sharp swords had to defend
their ancestral seat against Attila's host.
I visited Raedhere and Rondhere, Rumstan and Gislhere,
Withergield and Freotheric, Wudga and Hama.
 They were by no means the worst of companions,
125 even though I happen to mention them last.
Often a whistling spear flew from the army,
screaming on its way to the enemy line;
there the exiles Wudga and Hama
gained twisted gold, men and women.
130 So I have always found throughout my travels
that the lord who is dearest to all his subjects
is the one God grants a kingdom of men
to have and to hold while he lives on earth.'
Wandering like this, driven by chance,
135 minstrels travel through many lands;
they state their needs, say words of thanks,
always, south or north, they find some man
well-versed in songs, generous in gifts,
who wishes to raise his renown with his men,
140 to do great things, until everything passes,
light and life together; he who wins fame
has lasting glory under the heavens.
Deor

Welund for his skill suffered exile,

the strong-willed hero had hardships to bear,
had as his companions pain and sorrow,
winter-cold exile, and endless griefs,
5 from the time that Nithhad tied him in fetters,
breaking the hamstrings of a better man.
That passed o ver; and so may this.

Beaduhild grieved less for her brothers' deaths

than she grieved in her heart for her own hard fate,
10 when it became clear she was carrying a child;
she could not foresee the uncertain future
or tell if her troubles would turn out well.
That passed over; and so may this.

We have heard of the misery that Maethhild felt

15 who was wife to Geat, how it grew yet deeper
When her sleep was stolen by sorrowful love.
That passed over; and so may this.

Theodoric ruled for thirty years

the Maerings’ stronghold; many knew that.
20 That passed over; and so may this.
 We have heard too of the wolvish temper
Ermanaric had, who mastered the lands
of the Gothic kingdom; he was a cruel lord.
Wrapped in sorrow and sad at heart,
25 Many an armed man often wanted
Ermanaric's kingdom to come to grief.
That passed over; and so may this.

A man sits restless, bereaved of joys,

feels sick at heart, secretly thinks
30 that his share of hardships is over-large.
He may then reflect that through this world
God in his wisdom goes on his way;
a gift of grace he gives to many,
assurance of glory, but grief to some.

35 I will tell you something true of myself:

the Heodenings employed me as poet [scop] for a time,
I was dear to my lord, and Deor was my name.
For many years I held a high-ranking post,
acknowledged by my master, but now Heorrenda,
40 a man skilled in song, is assigned the lands
the protector of fighters gave first to me.
That passed over; and so may this.

Weland

According to the ON Volundarkvitha, Weland was captured by his enemy King

Nithhad, hamstrung, and forced to work as his smith. Weland in revenge killed
Nithhad's two sons and 'made bowls out of their skulls, gems out of their eyeballs,
and brooches out of their teeth; he presented these works of art to the royal family
as products of his smithy' (Malone, p. 5); later he raped Beadohild and flew away
(perhaps with the help of a coat of feathers?). The story is illustrated on the eighth-
century Franks Casket (now in the British Museum); to see the image, go to
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights.aspx, and search for 'Franks
Casket'. The image you want is on the front of the casket. The left-hand panel
(facing you) of the front of the casket shows Weland as a prisoner in Nithhad’s
smithy; the body of one of Nithhad’s sons lies at his feet.

Wudga, the son of Weland and Beaduhild, became a great hero; he is also
mentioned towards the end of Widsith.
Egil Saga
Hefir hon haft langan vanmátt,
ok pat var krom mikil;
fekk hon enga nótt svefn ok var
sem hamstoli vaeri.

Ristnar hafa verit rúnar, ok er sá einn bóndason

hedan skammt í brott, er pat gerdi,
ok er sidan miklu
verr en adr.

Egil reist rúnar ok lagdi undir hoegendit

Í hvíluna, par er hon hvildi;
henni potti sem hon vaknadi or svefni ok sagdi
at hon var pá heil.

Skalat madr rúnar rista,

nema rada vel kunni,
pat verdr mrgum manni,
es of myrkvan staaf villisk;
sák á telgdu talkni
tiu launstafi ristna,
pat hefr lauka lindi
langs ofrtrega fengit

“She has been ill for a long time,

she has the exhaustion,
cannot sleep any night and was
as if she had lost reason and shape.”

Runes have been scratched therefore, it is a farmer’s son,

not far from here, he has done that,
but afterwards it was
much worse than before.

Egil scratched runes and placed them under the cushion of the bed
she rested on.
It was to her as if she had awoken from sleep,
and she said she was well now.

Chorus:
No man shall scratch runes
Not being able to use them well;
Many a man is misled
by dark forces.
Ten secret runes have I seen
Scratched on smoothed out fish bone;
For the girl this has caused
sorrow for a long time.

PATMOS

Al Landgrave de Homburgo

Cerca
Y difícil de coger está el dios.
Pero donde está el peligro, crece
También lo salvador.
En la tiniebla habitan
Las águilas y sin temor
Los hijos de los Alpes atraviesan el abismo
Sobre puentes ligeros.
Así, como se acumulan en torno
Las cimas del tiempo, y que los bienamados
Viven cerca, languideciendo sobre
Las montañas más separadas,
Danos así el agua inocente,
Oh danos las alas del más fiel sentido
Para atravesar y volver de nuevo.

Así hablaba yo, cuando raptome

Más rápido, de lo que yo pude esperar, un genio,
Llevándome lejos desde mi propia casa,
Allí donde jamás
Yo hubiese pensado llegar. Amanecía
A media luz, cuando pasé,
Sobre el sombrío bosque
Y los riachuelos nostálgicos
De la patria; jamás esa tierra había conocido;
Pero pronto, en fresco brillo,
Misteriosa
En humo de oro, florece
En un veloz crecer,
Con los pasos del sol,
Con mil cimas perfumadas,

Asia ante mí, y encandilado buscaba

Yo algo, que conociese, pues inhabituales
Me eran esas anchas avenidas, por donde descendiendo
Desde el Tmolos va
El Pactolos vestido de oro,
Y el Tauro se yergue y el Mesogis,
Y llenos de flores los jardines,
Un fuego tranquilo; pero a la luz
Florece en la altura la plateada nieve;
Y testigo de la vida inmortal
Por las paredes inaccesibles de la roca
Inmemorial crece la yerba y son sostenidos
Por columnas vivas, cedros y laureles
En fiesta,
Los palacios erigidos por los dioses.

Entre tanto murmurando alrededor de las puertas de Asia

Alargándose aquí y allá
En la incierta llanura del mar
Bastantes rutas sin sombra,
Pero el marino conoce las islas.
Y como escuché
Que una de las más cercanas
Era Patmos,
Me cogió el fuerte deseo,
De volver allí y de
Acercarme a la oscura gruta,
Pues no es, como Chipre,
La rica en fuentes, o
Cualquier otra
Con fasto que habita Patmos,

Pero hospitalaria
En una casa mucho más pobre
Ella es sin embargo
Y cuando de un naufragio o llorando
Por la patria o
Al amigo perdido
Se le acerca algún
Extranjero, lo escucha con gusto, como a sus hijos,
Las voces del ardiente boscaje,
Y donde la arena escurre y se hiende
La superficie del campo, los sones
Lo escuchan y resuenan tiernamente
Como el eco de la pena del hombre. Así cuidó
Antes al amado del dios,
Al vidente, que en una feliz juventud había

Caminado junto
Al hijo del Altísimo, inseparable, pues
Amaba el Portador de tormentas la ingenuidad
Del joven y veía el hombre atento
El rostro del dios con justeza
Cuando, en el momento del misterio de la viña, se
Sentaron todos juntos, a la hora de la cena,
Y con gran alma, presintiendo con calma
El Señor les anunció su muerte y el supremo amor, pues jamás
Le fueron suficientes para hablar de la bondad
Las palabras, en ese instante, y para divertirse, en lo que
Veía, el furor del mundo.
Pues todo está bien. Luego murió. Mucho habría
Que decir de todo esto.Y ellos le vieron, con su mirada triunfal
Llenos de felicidad los amigos aún una última vez,

Sin embargo estaban tristes, en el momento

De la llegada del atardecer, asombrados,
Pues una gran disyuntiva tenían en el alma
Los hombres, pero amaban la vida bajo el sol
Y no querían alejarse
Del rostro del Señor
Ni de su patria. Fuertemente muy dentro,
Como el fuego en el hierro, esto estaba, e iba
A su lado la sombra del amado.
Es por esto que les fue enviado
El espíritu, y seguramente tembló
La casa y la tempestad de Dios retumbó
Tronando a lo lejos sobre
Las cabezas que presentían, ahí juntos, con un peso en el corazón
Estaban reunidos los héroes de la muerte,

En el instante, cuando los dejaba

Él se mostró una vez más.
Pues en ese instante dejó de alumbrar el sol del día
El majestuoso, y quebró
Al que resplandeciera con justeza,
El cetro, sufriendo como un dios, por él mismo,
Así todo esto deberá volver
En un tiempo más propicio. No fue bien
Sostenido, Más tarde, en la infidelidad, y bruscamente roto,
El trabajo de los hombres, y una felicidad fue
Desde entonces,
Vivir en una noche más amable, y conservar
En los ojos inocentes, invariables
Abismos de sabiduría. Y son verdes
Al pie de la montaña vivientes imágenes también,

Pero es terrible, como aquí y allá

Dispersa sin fin a lo lejos Dios lo vivo.
Así ya el rostro
De los amigos más queridos hay que dejar
Y allende la montaña lejana irse
Solitario, donde en dos ocasiones
Unánime, reconocido
Fue el Espíritu celestial; y ninguna profecía lo había anunciado, pero
Una brusca presencia, los cogió de los rizos,
Cuando súbitamente
Alejándose con rapidez los miró volviéndose
El Dios y jurando,
Para que él retenga, como con cuerdas doradas
Ligado para siempre
El mal nombrado, se estrecharon las manos-

Pero en el momento de morir

Aquel en quien más
La belleza destacaba, figura tal
Era una maravilla y los dioses con el dedo mostraban,
Y cuando, eterno enigma uno para el otro
No pueden cogerse
Uno al otro, los que vivían juntos
En la memoria, y no es solamente la arena o
Los sauces que son transportados y los templos
Atrapados, cuando la gloria
del semidiós y de los suyos
Se borra y su rostro
El mismo Altísimo da vuelta
Y que, en ninguna parte es
Visible nunca más un inmortal ni en el cielo o
En la tierra verdeciente, ¿Qué es esto?

Es el lanzar del sembrador, cuando coge

Con la pala el grano,
Y lo arroja, a la claridad, balanceándolo por los aires.
Cayéndole la envoltura a los pies, pero
Al final viene el grano,
Y no hay mal, si algunos
Van a perderse y que de la palabra
Expira el son viviente,
Como la obra divina se asemeja a la nuestra,
El Altísimo no quiere todo a la vez.
Ya que el hierro yace en la mina,
Y la pez ardiente en el Etna,
Así tendré yo la riqueza,
Para formar una imagen, y así
Contemplar, al Cristo, tal cual fue,

Pero cuando alguien espoleándose a sí mismo,

Me hablase tristemente, en el camino, al estar yo indefenso
Me atacase por sorpresa, que yo estuviese estupefacto y que de un dios
La imagen pudiese imitar un lacayo-
En todo caso coléricos vi una vez a
Los Señores del cielo, no es que deba ser algo, sino
Para aprender. Son clementes, pero lo que más detestan,
Mientras dure su reino, es lo falso, y es
Cuando lo humano entre los hombres ya no existe más.
Pues ellos ya no reinan, sino gobierna
El destino inmortal y se transforma su obra
A sí misma, yendo rápidamente hacia su fin.
Cuando en lo más alto va la celestial
Marcha triunfal, será nombrado, igual al sol,
Por los fuertes el exultante hijo del Altísimo,

Un signo que reúne, y aquí está la batuta

Del canto, que apunta hacia abajo,
Pues nada es común. Los muertos despertados
Por él, Aquellos que no son prisioneros
De lo informe. Pero esperan
Muchos ojos tímidos
Contemplar la luz. No quieren
Florecer en el filo de un rayo,
Aunque la dorada rienda frena su coraje.
Pero cuando, así
Desde cejas fruncidas
Del mundo olvidado
Claridad silenciosa de una fuerza cae desde una escritura sagrada, pueden
Regocijándose de la gracia,
Ejercer su calmo mirar.

Y cuando los Celestiales ahora

Como, yo creo, me aman
Aún más a ti,
Pues sé una cosa,
Con certeza que la voluntad
Del Padre eterno mucho
Vale para ti. Tranquilo está su signo
En el cielo que truena. Y alguien se yergue debajo
Durante toda su vida. Pues aún vive el Cristo.
Pero los héroes, sus hijos
Han todos venido y su escritura sagrada
Y el rayo aclaran
Hasta ahora los actos de la tierra,
En un irresistible curso. Pero él ahí está. Pues sus obras
Le son desde siempre en suma conocidas.

Hace tiempo, desde hace tiempo que

La gloria de los Celestiales es invisible.
Pues tienen que llevarnos casi de la mano
Y así en la ignominia
El corazón nos es capturado con violencia.
Pues una ofrenda es por cada uno de los Celestiales exigida,
Pero si alguna fuese a faltar,
Nada bueno eso traería.
Hemos servido a la Madre Tierra
Y desde hace poco a la luz del sol,
Ignorantes, pero el Padre quiere,
El que sobre todo manda,
Antes que nada, que con cuidado sea sostenida
La letra con firmeza, y lo existente bien
Anunciado. A esto obedece el canto alemán.