《海德雷克的谜语》的原典
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古诺尔斯语原文采用冰岛学者 Guðni Jónsson 编订版本的规范拼写。
"Hafa ek þat vilda,
er ek hafða í gær,
vittu, hvat þat var:
lýða lemill,
orða tefill
ok orða upphefill.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Fái honum mungát. Þat lemr margra manna vit. Sumir verða margmæltir þar af, en sumum vefst tungubragð."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Heiman ek fór,
heiman ek för gerðak,
sá ek á veg vega,
vegr var undir
ok vegr yfir
ok vegr á alla vega.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar fórtu yfir brú, ok var árvegrinn undir henni, en fuglar flugu yfir höfði þér ok tveim megin þín; þat var þeira vegr; þú sátt lax í ánni, ok var þat hans vegr."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat drykkja,
er ek drakk í gær,
var-at þat vín né vatn,
mjöðr né mungát
né matar ekki,
þó gekk ek þorstalauss þaðan?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu?"
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar lagðist þú í forsælu ok kældir varir þínar á dögg. En ef þú ert sá Gestumblindi, sem ek ætlaða, þá ertu vitrari en ek hugða, því at ek hefi spurt orð þín óvitrlig, en gerast nú á leið spaklig."
"Þat er ván, at mik þrjóti brátt," segir Gestumblindi, "en þó vilda ek enn, at þér hlýddið:
Hverr er sá inn hvelli,
er gengr harðar götur
ok hefir hann þær fyrr of farit,
mjök fast kyssir
ok hefir munna tvá
ok á gulli einu gengr?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er gullsmiðs hamarr, sem gull er með slegit. Hann kveðr hátt við, er hann á harðan steðja, ok þat er hans gata."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverr er sá inn mikli,
er ferr mold yfir,
svelgr hann vötn ok veisur,
glygg hann óask,
en guma eigi
ok yrkir á sól til saka?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er myrkvi. Fyrir honum sér eigi sól, en hann hverfr þegar, er vindr kemr, ok megu menn ekki at honum gera; hann drepr skini sólar. En vélasamliga berr þú upp slíkar gátur ok vanmæli, hverr sem þú ert."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverr er sá inn mikli,
er mörgu ræðr
ok horfir til heljar hálfr,
öldum bergr,
en við jörð sakask,
ef hann hefir sér vel traustan vin?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er akkeri með digrum ok sterkum streng. Þat ræðr mörgu skipi. Þat hrífr öðrum fleini í jörð, ok horfir sá til heljar; hann bergr mörgum manni. En mjök undrast ek orðfimi þína ok vitrleik."
Gestumblindi mælti: "Ek em nú ok náliga þrotinn at gátum, en frekr er hverr til fjörsins.
Hverr byggir há fjöll,
hverr fellr í djúpa dali,
hverr andalauss lifir,
hverr æva þegir?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Hrafn byggir jafnan á hám fjöllum, en dögg fellr jafnan í djúpa dali, fiskr lifir andalauss, en þjótandi foss þegir aldrigi."
"Vandast mun nú," segir Gestumblindi, "ok veitk-a ek nú, hvat fyrir verðr.
Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum;
höfði sínu
vísar heljar til,
en fótum til sólar snýr?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er laukr. Höfuð hans horfir í jörð, en blöðin í loft."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
ókyrrir tveir
andalausir
sára lauk suðu?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Smiðbelgir eru þat. Þeir hafa vind, en engan anda."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
hvítir fljúgendr
hellu ljósta,
en svartir í sand grafask?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Smækkast nú gáturnar, en þat er hagl ok regn, því at hagli lýstr á stræti, en regns dropar sökkva í sand ok sækja í jörð."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
svartan gölt
ek sá í sauri vaða,
ok reis-at honum burst á baki?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er tordýfill, ok er nú margt til tínt, er tordýflar eru ríkra manna spurningar."
Gestumblindi svarar: "Frest eru böls bezt, en margr maðr vill at meira leita, ok sést því sumum yfir. Sé ek nú ok, at allra útfæra verðr at leita.
Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
tíu hefr tungur,
tuttugu augu,
fjóra tigu fóta,
ferr hart sú vættr?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar sáttu sú, ok váru í henni níu grísir." Lét þá konungr drepa súna, ok váru í henni níu grísir, sem Gestumblindi hafði sagt.
Þá mælti konungr: "Eigi veit ek nú, nema vitrir eigi nú hlut í, ok eigi veit ek, hvat manna þú ert."
Gestumblindi svarar: "Slíkr em ek sem þú mátt sjá, ok vilda ek gjarnan þiggja líf mitt ok vera lauss af þessum þrautum."
Konungr svarar: "Upp skaltu bera gátur, þar til er þik þrýtr ella mik at ráða."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
ofarliga flýgr,
almhljóð gellr,
harðar eru, hilmir?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Ör er þat," segir konungr.
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
fætr hefir átta,
en fjögur augu,
berr þat ofar kné en kvið?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
Konungr mælti: "Er nú bæði, at þú hefir hattin síðan, enda sér þú niðr undan fleira en flestir menn aðrir, er þú hugsar hvert skrípi jarðarinnar. En þat er köngurváfa."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
lýðum lýsir,
en logi gleypir,
ok keppask um þat vargar ávallt?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er sól. Hon lýsir lönd öll ok skínn yfir alla menn, en Skalli ok Hatti heita vargar, þat eru úlfar, en annarr þeira ferr fyrir, en annarr eftir sólu."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat undra,
er ek úti sá
fyrir Dellings durum:
horni harðara,
hrafni svartara,
skafti réttara,
skjalli hvítara?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þú sátt hrafntinnu, ok skein á sólar geisli, er lá í einu húsi. Eða kanntu ekki á annan veg gátur upp at bera en hafa it sama upphaf at, þar sem mér virðist þú fróðr maðr?"
Þá mælti Gestumblindi:
"Báru brúðir
bleikhaddaðar,
ambáttir tvær,
öl til skemmu;
var-a þat höndum horfit
né hamri klappat;
þó er fyrir eyjar útan
örðigr, sá er ker gerði.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat eru æðar tvær, þær er eggjum verpa. Eggin eru eigi ger með hamri eða höndum, en þjónustumeyjar báru ölit í eggskurninni."
Gestumblindi mælti: "Liðar verðr sá at leita, er lítit sax hefir ok mjök er fáfróðr, ok vilda ek enn tala fleira, eða
Hverjar eru þær rýgjar
á reginfjalli,
elr við kván kona,
mær við meyju
mög of getr,
ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat eru fjallhvannir tvær saman, ok rennr upp hvannkálfr í millum þeira."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverjar eru þær snótir,
er um sinn dróttin
vápnlausar vega,
inar jörpu hlífa
um alla daga,
en inar fegri frýja?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er hneftafl. Töflur drepast vápnlausar um hnefann, ok fylgja honum inar rauðu."
"Hverjar eru þær leikur,
er líða lönd yfir
at forvitni föður,
hvítan skjöld
þær á vetrum bera,
en svartan um sumar?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Þat eru rjúpur. Þær eru hvítar um vetr, en svartar um sumar."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverjar eru þær snótir,
er ganga syrgjandi
at forvitni föður,
hadda bleika hafa þær
inar hvítföldnu
ok eigu í vindi at vaxa?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat eru bylgjur, er heita Ægismeyjar."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverjar eru þær meyjar,
er ganga margar saman
at forvitni föður,
mörgum hafa manni
þær at meini komit
ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
en þetta eru bárur sem áðan."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverjar eru þær brúðir,
er ganga brimserkjum í
ok eigu eftir firði för,
harðan beð hafa þær
inar hvítföldnu
ok leika í logni fátt?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat eru enn Ægis meyjar, ok förlast þér nú mjök framburðurinn, ok muntu nú vilja þola dóm spekinga."
Gestumblindi segir: "Tregr em ek þess, en þó væntir mik, at þar komi nú skjótt.
Fara ek sá
foldar moldbúa,
á sat nár á nái,
blindr reið blindum
brimreiðar til,
jór er andar vanr.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar komtu at á einni, ok rak ísjaka eftir ánni, ok lá þar dauðr hestr ok á hestinum einn dauðr ormr, ok bar þar blindr blindan, er þeir váru þrír saman."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat dýra,
er drepr fé manna
ok er járni kringt útan,
horn hefir átta,
en höfuð ekki
ok rennr, sem renna má?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er húnn í hneftafli; hann heitir sem björn; hann rennr, þegar honum er kastat."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hvat er þat dýra,
er Dönum hlífir,
berr blóðugt bak,
en bergr firum,
geirum mætir,
gefr líf sumum,
leggr við lófa
lík sitt gumi?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er skjöldr; hann bergr mörgum; hann berr oft blóðugt bak."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Mjök varp forðum
nösgás vaxin,
barngjörn sú er bar
bútimbr saman,
hlífðu henni
hálms bitskálmir,
þó lá drykkjar
drynhraun yfir.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar lá önd á eggjum millum nautskjálka, er þú hálms bitskálmir kallar, en drynhraun hausinn, en bútimbr hreiðrit."
"Fjórir ganga,
fjórir hanga,
tveir veg vísa,
tveir hundum varða,
einn eftir drallar
ok oftast óhreinn.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er kýr; hon hefir fjóra fætr ok fjóra spena, tvau horn ok tvau augu, en halinn drallar eftir."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverr er sá inn eini,
er sefr í öskugrúa
ok er af grjóti einu gerr,
föður né móður
á-at sá inn fárgjarni,
þar mun hann sinn aldr ala?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er fólginn eldr á arni, er drepinn er við tinnu."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hest sá ek standa,
hýddi meri,
dúði dindil,
drap hlaun und kvið,
ór skal draga
ok gjöfta at góða stund.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
Þá svarar konungr: "Þessa gátu skulu ráða hirðmenn mínir."
Þeir gátu margs til ok eigi fagrs mjök.
Þá mælti konungr, sem hann sá, at þeir gerðu ekki at: "Hest þann kallar þú línvef, en skeið meri hans, er upp ok ofan skal hrista vefinn."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverir eru þeir þegnar,
er ríða þingi at
ok eru sextán saman,
lýði sína
senda þeir lönd yfir
at byggja bólstaði.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er tafl Ítreks konungs."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Sá ek á sumri
sólbjörgum í
verðung vaka
vilgi teita,
drukku jarlar
öl þegjandi,
en æpanda
ölker stóð.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat er grísa sýr; þá er grísir sjúga hana, þá hrínn hon, er þeir þegja. En eigi veit ek, hverr manna þú ert, er þvílíka hluti gerir svá mjúkliga af litlum efnum." Ok nú biðr konungr í hljóði, at byrgja skal hallardyrnar.
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Meyjar ek sá
moldu líkar,
váru þeim at beðjum björg,
svartar ok sámar
í sólviðri,
en þess at fegri er færa of sér.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þat eru glæður fölnaðar á arni."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Sat ek á segli,
sá ek dauða menn
blóðugt hold bera
í börk viðar.
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
"Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Þar saztu á vegg, sáttu val fljúga ok bar æði í klóm sér."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Hverir eru þeir tveir,
er tíu hafa fætr,
augu þrjú
ok einn hala?
Heiðrekr konungr,
hygg þú at gátu."
Góð er gáta þín,
Gestumblindi,
getit er þeirar:
Margs freistar þú nú, er þú finnr þau rök til framburðar við mik, er forðum váru. Þat er þá er Óðinn reið hestinum Sleipni. Hann hafði átta fætr, en Óðinn tvá, en þeir höfðu þrjú augu, Sleipnir tvau, en Óðinn eitt."
Gestumblindi mælti:
"Segðu þat þá hinzt,
[ef þú, Heiðrekr, ert
hverjum vitrari vísa]:
Hvat mælti Óðinn
í eyra Baldri,
áðr hann var á bál hafðr?"
Konungr svarar:
"Undr ok argskap
ok alla bleyði,
[vænti ek verit hafa,
en orð þau, er mæltir,
einn þú veizt],
ill vættr ok örm."
Konungr brá þá Tyrfingi ok hjó til Gestumblinda, en hann brást í vals líki ok fló út gegnum hallarglugg einn. En sverðit kom á vélit valsins, ok er hann því vélstuttr jafnan síðan, svá sem heiðnir menn trúa. Ok var nú Óðinn honum reiðr orðinn, síðan hann hjó til hans, ok á þeiri nótt var konungr drepinn.
本英文译文由 AI 根据古诺尔斯语原文翻译。
“I would have that
which I had yesterday;
find out what it was:
a crippler of men,
a hinderer of words,
and a starter of words.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
Give him ale. It cripples many men's wits. Some become talkative from it, while others find their tongues tangled.”
Gestumblindi said:
“From home I went,
from home I made my journey;
I saw ways upon my way:
a way lay beneath,
a way lay above,
and ways on every side.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You crossed a bridge, and the river's way lay beneath it, while birds flew above your head and on either side of you; that was their way. You saw a salmon in the river, and that was its way.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What was the drink
I drank yesterday?
It was neither wine nor water,
neither mead nor ale,
nor any food,
yet I left there free of thirst.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You lay down in the shade and cooled your lips with dew. But if you are the Gestumblindi I thought you were, you are wiser than I supposed, for I have heard foolish words from you, but now, as we go on, they grow wise.”
“I will likely run out soon,” says Gestumblindi, “but I would still like you to listen:
Who is the shrill one
who walks hard roads
and has travelled them before,
kisses very firmly,
and has two mouths,
and walks on gold alone?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is a goldsmith's hammer, with which gold is beaten. It rings loudly when it strikes the hard anvil, and that is its road.”
Gestumblindi said:
“Who is the mighty one
who passes over the earth,
swallows waters and marshes,
fears the storm,
but fears no men,
and brings charges against the sun?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is darkness. The sun cannot be seen through it, but it vanishes as soon as the wind comes, and people can do nothing to it; it quenches the sunshine. But you are cunning in posing such riddles and misleading words, whoever you are.”
Gestumblindi said:
“Who is the mighty one
who governs much
and turns halfway toward Hel,
saves men's lives,
but contends with the earth,
if he has a trusty friend?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is an anchor with a thick, strong rope. It governs many a ship. It grips the earth with one fluke, and that one points toward Hel; it saves many a man's life. But I marvel greatly at your skill with words and your wisdom.”
Gestumblindi said: “I too have nearly run out of riddles now, but everyone is eager to preserve his life.
Who dwells on high mountains,
who falls into deep valleys,
who lives without breath,
who is never silent?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
The raven always dwells on high mountains, while dew always falls into deep valleys; a fish lives without breath, while a roaring waterfall is never silent.”
“It will grow difficult now,” says Gestumblindi, “and I do not know what will come to mind.
What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors?
Its head
points toward Hel,
but it turns its feet toward the sun.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is a leek. Its head points into the earth, but its leaves into the air.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
two restless ones,
without breath,
cooked the leek of wounds?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
They are smith's bellows. They have wind, but no breath.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
white fliers
strike the stone,
but black ones bury themselves in sand?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
The riddles grow smaller now, but it is hail and rain, for hail strikes the street, while raindrops sink into the sand and make their way into the earth.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
a black boar
I saw wading in filth,
yet no bristles rose on its back?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is a dung beetle, and many things have now been dragged in, when dung beetles become questions for powerful men.”
Gestumblindi answers: “Delay is best in trouble, but many a man seeks something greater, and so some overlook things. I too see now that every way out must be sought.
What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
it has ten tongues,
twenty eyes,
forty feet;
that creature moves swiftly?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You saw a sow, and inside her were nine piglets.” Then the king had the sow killed, and inside her were nine piglets, as Gestumblindi had said.
Then the king said: “For all I know, wise beings may now have a hand in this, and I do not know what sort of man you are.”
Gestumblindi answers: “I am as you can see, and I would gladly be granted my life and be free of these trials.”
The king answers: “You must pose riddles until either you run out or I fail to solve them.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
it flies on high,
the elm-bow's voice rings out;
hard they are, ruler?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is an arrow,” says the king.
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
it has eight feet
and four eyes,
and carries its knees higher than its belly?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
The king said: “You wear your hat low, yet you see more beneath it than most other men, since you give thought to every strange creature on earth. But it is a spider.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
it gives light to people,
but flame swallows it,
and wolves always strive for it?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
It is the sun. It lights every land and shines over all people, but the beasts are called Skalli and Hati; they are wolves, and one goes before the sun and the other behind it.”
Gestumblindi said:
“What is that marvel
I saw outside
before Delling's doors:
harder than horn,
blacker than a raven,
straighter than a shaft,
whiter than an eggshell's membrane?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You saw a piece of obsidian lying in a house, and a sunbeam shone upon it. Or can you find no other way of posing riddles than to give them the same beginning, though you seem to me a learned man?”
Then Gestumblindi said:
“Pale-haired women,
two serving maids,
carried
ale to the chamber;
it was neither shaped by hands
nor hammered with a hammer;
yet out beyond the islands
is the vigorous one who made the vessel.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle.”
“Good is your riddle,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
They are two female eiders laying eggs. Eggs are made neither with a hammer nor with hands, but serving maids carried the ale in the eggshell.”
Gestumblindi said: “He who has a small knife and little knowledge must look for a joint, and I would still like to say more, or
Who are those women
on the mighty mountain?
Woman bears a child with wife,
maiden with maiden
begets a son,
yet these women have no husbands?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
Those are two mountain angelicas together, and a young angelica shoot springs up between them."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those women
who around their lord
fight without weapons?
The brown ones shield him
throughout every day,
but the fairer ones revile him.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is hnefatafl. The pieces strike one another down without weapons around the king-piece, and the red ones follow him."
"Who are those maidens
who travel over lands,
rousing their father's curiosity?
A white shield
they bear in winter,
but a black one in summer.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Those are ptarmigans. They are white in winter but black in summer."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those women
who go mourning,
rousing their father's curiosity?
They have pale hair,
those white-hooded ones,
and must grow in the wind.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
Those are waves, which are called Aegir's maidens."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those maidens
who go in great numbers together,
rousing their father's curiosity?
To many a man
they have brought harm,
yet these women have no husbands.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
But these are waves, as before."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those brides
who walk in shirts of surf
and journey along the fjord?
They have a hard bed,
those white-hooded ones,
and play little in calm weather.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
Those are Aegir's maidens again. Your invention is failing you badly now, and you must now be willing to submit to the judgment of wise men."
Gestumblindi said: "I am reluctant to do that, but I expect it will soon come to that now.
I saw the earth's
soil-dweller travelling;
a corpse sat upon a corpse.
The blind rode the blind
to ride the surf,
a horse bereft of breath.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You came to a river, and an ice floe was drifting down it. A dead horse lay on it, and on the horse lay a dead snake. There the blind bore the blind, all three together."
Gestumblindi said:
"What beast is that
which destroys men's wealth
and is ringed with iron outside?
It has eight horns
but no head,
and runs as well as it can.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is a die in hnefatafl; it has the same name as a bear. It runs whenever it is thrown."
Gestumblindi said:
"What beast is that
which shields the Danes,
bears a bloody back,
yet saves men,
meets spears,
gives life to some,
and against his palm
a man lays its body?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is a shield; it saves many men and often bears a bloody back."
Gestumblindi said:
"Many eggs once were laid
by a full-grown nose-goose;
eager for offspring, she gathered
building-timbers together.
She was sheltered
by straw's biting swords,
yet drink's bellowing
rock lay above her.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
A duck lay there on her eggs between an ox's jawbones, which you call straw's biting swords; by the bellowing rock you mean the skull, and by the building-timbers the nest."
"Four walk,
four hang,
two show the way,
two ward off dogs,
one trails behind,
and is usually dirty.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is a cow; she has four feet and four teats, two horns and two eyes, while her tail trails behind."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who is that solitary one
who sleeps in a heap of ashes
and is made from stone alone?
Neither father nor mother
has that mischief-maker;
will he spend his life there?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is a fire banked on the hearth, struck from flint."
Gestumblindi said:
"I saw a stallion standing,
flogging a mare,
wagging his dangling tail,
thrusting his rump beneath her belly;
it must be drawn out
and worked for a good while.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
Then the king answered: "My retainers shall solve this riddle."
They made many guesses, and few were very decent.
Then the king said, when he saw that they were making no progress: "The horse you speak of is a linen loom, and its mare is the reed, which must shake the woven cloth up and down."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those thanes
who ride to the assembly,
sixteen together?
Their people
they send across lands
to settle homesteads.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is King Itrek's board game."
Gestumblindi said:
"I saw in summer,
among sunny crags,
a company keeping watch,
far from cheerful.
The earls drank
ale in silence,
but screaming
the ale-vessel stood.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
That is a sow with piglets. When the piglets suckle her, she squeals while they are silent. But I do not know what sort of man you are, who fashions such things so smoothly from so little material." And now the king quietly ordered the hall doors to be barred.
Gestumblindi said:
"I saw maidens
who looked like earth;
rocks were their beds.
Black and dusky
in sunny weather,
but fairer when they shed their clothes.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
Those are embers grown pale on the hearth."
Gestumblindi said:
"I sat on a sail;
I saw dead men
carrying bloody flesh
in the bark of a tree.
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
"Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You were sitting on a wall and saw a falcon flying, carrying an eider in its claws."
Gestumblindi said:
"Who are those two
who have ten feet,
three eyes
and one tail?
King Heidrek,
ponder the riddle."
Your riddle is good,
Gestumblindi;
it has been solved:
You are trying many things now, finding events from long ago to put before me. That is when Odin rode the horse Sleipnir. He had eight feet and Odin two, and they had three eyes: Sleipnir two and Odin one."
Gestumblindi said:
"Tell me this last, then,
[if you, Heidrek, are
wiser than every ruler]:
What did Odin say
in Baldr's ear
before he was laid on the pyre?"
The king answered:
"Shameful things and perversion
and every kind of cowardice,
[I expect it was,
but the words you spoke,
you alone know],
you evil, wretched being."
Then the king drew Tyrfing and struck at Gestumblindi, but he changed into a falcon's shape and flew out through a window of the hall. The sword struck the falcon's tail, and that is why it has always had a short tail ever since, as heathen people believe. Odin had now become angry with him because he had struck at him, and that night the king was killed.
本简体中文译文由 AI 根据古诺尔斯语原文翻译,并参考英文译文。
“我想再得那东西,
我昨日曾有过它,
猜猜它是什么:
它摧折人的神智,
它阻滞言语,
又使言语滔滔。
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
给他拿啤酒来。它会损伤许多人的神智。有些人喝了便多嘴多舌,有些人却舌头打结。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“我离家出门,
我离家踏上旅途,
看见路上还有路,
下方有路,
上方有路,
四面八方都有路。
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你走过一座桥,桥下是河水的路;鸟儿飞过你的头顶和两旁,那是它们的路;你看见河中的鲑鱼,那便是它的路。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么饮料,
我昨日喝过,
既非葡萄酒,也非清水,
既非蜜酒,也非啤酒,
也不是什么食物,
我离开时却不再口渴?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你躺在背阴处,用露水润凉了嘴唇。倘若你就是我所想的那个盖斯特姆布林迪,那你比我原先以为的更有智慧;因为我听说过你的话,尽是些愚言,如今却越说越有见识。”
“想来我很快便要无话可说了,”盖斯特姆布林迪说,“不过,我还想请您听一听:
谁是那喧响者,
行走在坚硬的路上,
那些路他从前也曾走过,
他的亲吻十分猛烈,
他长着两张嘴,
脚下却只踏着黄金?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是金匠的锤子,用来锤打黄金。它敲在坚硬的铁砧上,便发出响亮的声音;铁砧就是它的路。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“谁是那庞然大物,
在大地上行进,
吞下湖水与沼泽,
他畏惧风暴,
却不畏惧人,
还要加害太阳?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是昏雾。它遮得太阳不见踪影,风一来,它便消散;人们却拿它毫无办法。它遮灭太阳的光辉。无论你是谁,你提出这样的谜语和含混之辞,着实狡猾。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“谁是那强大者,
掌管着许多事物,
半边朝向赫尔,
他拯救世人,
却与大地争斗,
只要有个十分可靠的朋友相助?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是系着粗壮绳索的锚。它管住许多船。它的一只尖爪抓进地里,那一只便朝向赫尔;它救得许多人的性命。不过,你的口才与智慧,实在令我惊讶。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:“如今我的谜语也快出尽了,可人人都贪恋自己的性命。
谁住在高山上,
谁落入深谷中,
谁不呼吸却活着,
谁永远不沉默?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
乌鸦常住高山,露水常落深谷,鱼儿不呼吸却活着,轰鸣的瀑布永不沉默。”
“如今怕是越来越难了,”盖斯特姆布林迪说,“我也不知道接下来能想出什么。
那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前;
它的头
朝向赫尔,
脚却转向太阳?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是葱。它的头朝着地下,叶子却伸向空中。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
两个不停活动、
没有气息的东西,
煮着伤口之葱?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是铁匠的风箱。它们有风,却没有气息。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
白色的飞物
撞击石板,
黑色的却钻入沙中?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
如今这些谜语越发细小了。那是冰雹和雨,因为冰雹打在路面上,雨滴却没入沙中,渗进地下。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
我看见一头黑公猪,
在污泥中跋涉,
背上却没有竖起鬃毛?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是蜣螂。如今可真是什么都搜罗来了,连蜣螂也成了显贵们的考问。”
盖斯特姆布林迪答道:“灾祸能拖延便是好事,可许多人一心追求更大的东西,因此漏看了眼前。我如今也明白,非得搜寻一切脱身之计不可。
那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
它有十条舌头,
二十只眼睛,
四十只脚,
这生灵走得飞快?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你在那里看见一头母猪,肚里怀着九只小猪。”国王随即命人杀了那头母猪,它肚里果然有九只小猪,正如盖斯特姆布林迪所说。
国王于是说道:“如今我不得不疑心,有智者在其中插手;我也不知道你究竟是什么人。”
盖斯特姆布林迪答道:“我就是您眼前所见的这般人。我很想保住性命,摆脱这些考验。”
国王答道:“你得继续出谜,直到你出不出来,或是我猜不出来。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
它在高处飞翔,
榆木弓声铿然,
它们坚硬,君王啊?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是箭,”国王说。
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
它有八只脚,
却有四只眼睛,
膝盖举得比肚子还高?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
国王说道:“你既把帽檐压得很低,又从帽檐底下看见了比旁人多得多的东西,连地上每一样怪物都想到了。那是蜘蛛。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
它照亮世人,
却吞噬火焰,
群狼总为它争逐?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是太阳。她照亮所有土地,光照一切世人。那两头恶兽名叫斯库尔和哈提,都是狼;一头奔在太阳前面,一头追在太阳后面。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:
“那是什么奇物,
我在外面看见,
就在德林的门前:
比兽角更硬,
比乌鸦更黑,
比矛杆更直,
比卵膜更白?
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你看见的是一块黑曜石,放在一间屋子里,有一束阳光照在上面。在我看来,你是个博学的人,难道你出谜就不会换个法子,总用同一个开头吗?”
盖斯特姆布林迪于是说道:
“两位女子,
头发浅淡,
两个女仆,
把啤酒送进房中;
那器皿未经手塑,
也未经锤敲;
可那造器皿的,
仍在岛外精神健旺。
海德雷克国王,
请思量这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是两只产卵的绒鸭。鸭蛋既非锤打,也非手制;侍女们用蛋壳盛着啤酒送来。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说道:“短刀小、见识少的人,得寻着关节下手。我还想再说些,或者
那些妇人是谁,
身在巍峨的山上,
女人与妻子生育,
少女与少女
生下儿子,
她们却没有丈夫?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是两株长在一起的山当归,它们之间又长出一株小当归。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那些女子是谁,
围着自己的主君,
不持兵器厮杀,
褐色的女子
日日守护他,
较白的女子却向他挑衅?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是王棋。棋子们围着王棋,不持兵器相互杀戮,红色的棋子则追随它。”
“那些女伴是谁,
行过片片土地,
让父亲惊奇,
冬天她们
披着白色的盾牌,
夏天却披着黑盾?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“那是雷鸟。它们冬天是白色,夏天是黑色。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那些女子是谁,
一路哀吟着前行,
让父亲惊奇,
她们有浅黄的长发,
头裹白巾,
并要在风中长大?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是波浪,人称埃吉尔的女儿们。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那些少女是谁,
成群结伴而行,
让父亲惊奇,
她们曾使
许多人遭殃,
自己却没有丈夫?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
这还是刚才说的波浪。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那些新娘是谁,
身穿浪花的衣衫,
沿着峡湾行进,
她们睡在坚硬的床上,
头裹白巾,
风平时却很少嬉戏?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那仍是埃吉尔的女儿们。如今你出的题大为逊色,想必你愿意接受智者们的裁决了。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:“我不情愿,却料想这一刻很快就要来了。
我看见大地的穴居者
正在行进,
一具尸体坐在另一具尸体上,
瞎子骑着瞎子,
奔向海上的旅程,
那匹马没有气息。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你来到一条河边,河上漂着一块浮冰,上面躺着一匹死马,马身上又有一条死蛇。三者在一起,便是瞎子载着瞎子。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那是什么野兽,
杀死人们的牲畜,
周身包着铁,
有八只角,
却没有头,
能跑多快就跑多快?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是下王棋用的骰子;它的名字与熊相同;一掷出去,它便奔跑。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那是什么野兽,
庇护丹麦人,
背上鲜血淋漓,
却能救人,
迎着长矛,
使一些人活命,
男子把它的身躯
贴在掌上?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是盾牌;它救了许多人;它的背上常常鲜血淋漓。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“从前有只长成的鼻鹅,
产下许多卵,
它渴望儿女,
衔来筑屋的木料,
护卫着它的,
是啃咬禾秆的双刀,
上方还覆着
饮水的轰鸣熔岩。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是一只鸭子,伏在牛的两块颌骨之间孵蛋。你把颌骨叫作啃咬禾秆的双刀,把头骨叫作轰鸣熔岩,把鸭巢叫作筑屋的木料。”
“四个行走,
四个垂挂,
两个指路,
两个防狗,
一个在后面拖着,
大多时候肮脏不堪。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是母牛;它有四只脚、四个乳头、两只角和两只眼睛,尾巴则拖在后面。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那个孤独者是谁,
睡在灰烬堆里,
全由石头生出,
这个凶恶的家伙
没有父亲,也没有母亲,
将在那里度过一生?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是炉膛里埋着的火,用燧石打出来的。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“我看见一匹公马站着,
鞭打母马,
抖动尾巴,
腹下撞击臀部,
须不时抽出,
再把食物喂给它。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
国王答道:“这道谜让我的侍臣们来解。”
他们猜了许多答案,都不大雅观。
国王见他们毫无进展,便说:“你把织麻布的织机叫作公马,把它的筘叫作母马,须用筘上下振动织物。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那些臣民是谁,
骑马奔赴议会,
一共十六个,
他们派自己的百姓
越过片片土地,
去安家定居。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是伊特雷克国王的棋戏。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“我曾在夏日,
太阳落山时,
看见一群侍从醒着,
并不十分欢快,
诸位伯爵
默默喝着啤酒,
盛酒的容器
却站在那里叫喊。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是带着小猪的母猪;小猪吃奶时,它便哼叫,小猪们却不作声。不过,我不知道你究竟是什么人,竟能用这么平常的事物,把这类谜编得如此巧妙。”这时,国王低声吩咐,要把大厅的门堵住。
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“我看见一些少女,
模样如同泥土,
以石块为床,
在晴朗的日子里,
又黑又暗,
身子越动却越美丽。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
那是炉膛里已经暗淡的炭火。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“我坐在帆上,
看见死去的人们,
把带血的肉
放在树皮里携行。
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
你那时坐在墙上,看见一只隼飞过,爪里抓着一只绒鸭。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那两个是谁,
共有十只脚,
三只眼睛,
一条尾巴?
海德雷克国王,
请你想想这谜。”
“你的谜出得好,
盖斯特姆布林迪,
谜底已经猜到:
如今你真是百般尝试,竟找出远古的事情来向我出题。那是奥丁骑着斯雷普尼尔的时候。马有八只脚,奥丁有两只;他们共有三只眼睛,斯雷普尼尔有两只,奥丁有一只。”
盖斯特姆布林迪说:
“那么最后请说,
[海德雷克,倘若你
比所有君王都聪明]:
奥丁曾在巴德尔耳边
说了什么,
在他被放上火葬柴堆之前?”
国王答道:
“怪诞、淫邪,
以及一切怯懦,
[我想便是这些,
但你说过的话,
唯有你自己知道],
邪恶可怜的妖物。”
国王随即拔出提尔锋,向盖斯特姆布林迪砍去;他却化作一只隼,从大厅的一扇窗户飞了出去。但剑砍中了隼的尾巴,因此从那以后,隼的尾巴便一直很短,异教徒们是这样相信的。国王向奥丁挥剑之后,奥丁对他满怀怒意;就在那一夜,国王被杀了。