《詩語法》原典
Skáldskaparmál
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古諾爾斯語原文採用冰島學者 Guðni Jónsson 版本的標準化拼寫。
Einn maðr er nefndr Ægir eða Hlér. Hann bjó í eyju þeiri, er nú er kölluð Hlésey. Hann var mjök fjölkunnigr. Hann gerði ferð sína til Ásgarðs, en æsir vissu fyrir ferð hans, ok var honum fagnat vel ok þó margir hlutir gervir með sjónhverfingum. Ok um kveldit, er drekka skyldi, þá lét Óðinn bera inn í höllina sverð ok váru svá björt, at þar af lýsti, ok var ekki haft ljós annat, meðan við drykkju var setit. Þá gengu æsir at gildi sínu, ok settust í hásæti tólf æsir, þeir er dómendr skyldu vera ok svá váru nefndir: Þórr, Njörðr, Freyr, Týr, Heimdallr, Bragi, Víðarr, Váli, Ullr, Hænir, Forseti, Loki. Slíkt sama ásynjur: Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Iðunn, Gerðr, Sigyn, Fulla, Nanna. Ægi þótti göfugligt þar um at sjást. Veggþili öll váru þar tjölduð með fögrum skjöldum. Þar var ok áfenginn mjöðr ok mjök drukkit. Næsti maðr Ægi sat Bragi, ok áttust þeir vit drykkju ok orðaskipti. Sagði Bragi Ægi frá mörgum tíðendum, þeim er æsir höfðu átt.
Hann hóf þar frásögn, at þrír æsir fóru heiman, Óðinn ok Loki ok Hænir, ok fóru um fjöll ok eyðimerkr, ok var illt til matar. En er þeir koma ofan í dal nakkvarn, sjá þeir öxnaflokk ok taka einn uxann ok snúa til seyðis. En er þeir hyggja, at soðit mun vera, raufa þeir seyðinn, ok var ekki soðit. Ok í annat sinn, er þeir raufa seyðinn, þá er stund var liðin, ok var ekki soðit. Mæla þeir þá sín á milli, hverju þetta mun gegna. Þá heyra þeir mál í eikina upp yfir sik, at sá, er þar sat, kvaðst ráða því, er eigi soðnaði á seyðinum. Þeir litu til, ok sat þar örn ok eigi lítill. Þá mælti örninn: "Vilið þér gefa mér fylli mína af uxanum, þá mun soðna á seyðinum." Þeir játa því. Þá lætr hann sígast ór trénu ok sezt á seyðinn ok leggr upp þegar it fyrsta lær uxans tvau ok báða bóguna. Þá varð Loki reiðr ok greip upp mikla stöng ok reiðir af öllu afli ok rekr á kroppinn erninum. Örninn bregzt við höggit ok flýgr upp. Þá var föst stöngin við bak arnarins, en hendr Loka við annan enda stangarinnar. Örninn flýgr hátt svá, at fætr Loka taka niðr grjót ok urðir ok viðu, en hendr hans, hyggr hann, at slitna munu ór öxlum. Hann kallar ok biðr allþarfliga örninn friðar. En hann segir, at Loki skal aldri lauss verða, nema hann veiti honum svardaga at koma Iðunni út of Ásgarð með epli sín, en Loki vill þat. Verðr hann þá lauss ok ferr til lagsmanna sinna, ok er eigi at sinni sögð fleiri tíðendi um þeira ferð, áðr þeir koma heim. En at ákveðinni stundu teygir Loki Iðunni út um Ásgarð í skóg nökkurn ok segir, at hann hefir fundit epli þau, er henni munu gripir í þykkja, ok bað, at hon skal hafa með sér sín epli ok bera saman ok hin. Þá kemr þar Þjazi jötunn í arnarham ok tekr Iðunni ok flýgr braut með ok í Þrymheim til bús síns.
En æsir urðu illa við hvarf Iðunnar, ok gerðust þeir brátt hárir ok gamlir. Þá áttu þeir æsir þing, ok spyrr hverr annan, hvat síðast vissi til Iðunnar, en þat var sét síðast, at hon gekk út ór Ásgarði með Loka. Þá var Loki tekinn ok færðr á þingit, ok var honum heitit bana eða píslum. En er hann varð hræddr, þá kvaðst hann mundu sækja eftir Iðunni í Jötunheima, ef Freyja vill ljá honum valshams, er hon á. Ok er hann fær valshaminn, flýgr hann norðr í Jötunheima ok kemr einn dag til Þjaza jötuns. Var hann róinn á sæ, en Iðunn var ein heima. Brá Loki henni í hnotarlíki ok hafði í klóm sér ok flýgr sem mest. En er Þjazi kom heim ok saknar Iðunnar, tekr hann arnarharminn ok flýgr eftir Loka, ok dró arnsúg í flugnum. En er æsirnir sá, er valrinn flaug með hnotina ok hvar örninn flaug, þá gengu þeir út undir Ásgarð ok báru þannig byrðar af lokarspánum. Ok þá er valrinn flaug inn of borgina, lét hann fallast niðr við borgarvegginn. Þá slógu æsirnir eldi í lokarspánuna, en örninn mátti eigi stöðva sik, er hann missti valsins. Laust þá eldinum í fiðri arnarins, ok tók þá af fluginn. Þá váru æsirnir nær ok drápu Þjaza jötun fyrir innan ásgrindr, ok er þat víg allfrægt. En Skaði dóttir Þjaza jötuns, tók hjálm ok brynju ok öll hervápn ok ferr til Ásgarðs at hefna föður síns. En æsir buðu henni sætt ok yfirbætr ok it fyrsta, at hon skal kjósa sér mann af ásum ok kjósa at fótum ok sjá ekki fleira af. Þá sá hon eins manns fætr forkunnarfagra ok mælti: "Þenna kýs ek. Fátt mun ljótt á Baldri." En þat var Njörðr ór Nóatúnum. Þat hafði hon ok í sættargerð sinni, at æsir skyldu þat gera, er hon hugði, at þeir skyldu eigi mega, at hlægja hana. Þá gerði Loki þat, at hann batt um skegg geitar nökkurrar ok öðrum enda um hreðjar sér, ok létu þau ýmsi eftir ok skrækði hvárt tveggja hátt. Þá lét Loki fallast í kné Skaða, ok þá hló hon. Var þá ger sætt af ásanna hendi við hana.
Svá er sagt, at Óðinn gerði þat til yfirbóta við Skaða, at hann tók augu Þjaza ok kastaði upp á himin ok gerði af stjörnur tvær. Þá mælti Ægir: "Mikill þykkir mér Þjazi fyrir sér hafa verit, eða hvers kyns var hann?" Bragi svarar: "Ölvaldi hét faðir hans, ok merki munu þér at þykkja, ef ek segi þér frá honum. Hann var mjök gullauðigr. En er hann dó ok synir hans skyldu skipta arfi, þá höfðu þeir mæling á gullinu, er þeir skiptu, at hverr skyldi taka munnfylli sína ok allir jafnmargar. Einn þeira var Þjazi annarr Iði, þriði Gangr. En þat höfum vér orðtak nú með oss at kalla gullit munntal þessa jötna, en vér felum í rúnum eða í skáldskap svá, at vér köllum þat mál eða orð eða tal þessa jötna." Þá mælti Ægir: "Þat þykkir mér vel fólgit í rúnum."
Ok enn mælti Ægir: "Hvaðan af hefir hafizt sú íþrótt, er þér kallið skáldskap?" Bragi svarar: "Þat váru upphöf til þess, at goðin höfðu ósætt við þat fólk, er Vanir heita. En þeir lögðu með sér friðstefnu ok settu grið á þá lund, at þeir gengu hvárirtveggju til eins kers ok spýttu í hráka sínum. En at skilnaði þá tóku goðin ok vildu eigi láta týnast þat griðamark ok sköpuðu þar ór mann. Sá heitir Kvasir. Hann er svá vitr, at engi spyrr hann þeira hluta, er eigi kann hann órlausn. Hann fór víða um heim at kenna mönnum fræði, ok þá er hann kom at heimboði til dverga nökkurra, Fjalars ok Galars, þá kölluðu þeir hann með sér á einmæli ok drápu hann, létu renna blóð hans í tvau ker ok einn ketil, ok heitir sá Óðrerir, en kerin heita Són ok Boðn. Þeir blendu hunangi við blóðit, ok varð þar af mjöðr sá, er hverr, er af drekkr, verðr skáld eða fræðamaðr. Dvergarnir sögðu ásum, at Kvasir hefði kafnat í mannviti, fyrir því at engi var þar svá fróðr, at spyrja kynni hann fróðleiks. Þá buðu þessir dvergar til sín jötni þeim, er Gillingr heitir, ok konu hans. Þá buðu dvergarnir Gillingi at róa á sæ með sér. En er þeir fóru fyrir land fram, reru dvergarnir á boða ok hvelfðu skipinu. Gillingr var ósyndr, ok týndist hann, en dvergarnir réttu skip sitt ok reru til lands. Þeir sögðu konu hans þenna atburð, en hon kunni illa ok grét hátt. Þá spurði Fjalarr hana, ef henni myndi hugléttara, ef hon sæi út á sæinn, þar er hann hafði týnzt, en hon vildi þat. Þá mælti hann við Galar, bróður sinn, at hann skal fara upp yfir dyrrnar, er hon gengi út, ok láta kvernstein falla í höfuð henni, ok talði sér leiðast óp hennar. Ok svá gerði hann. Þá er þetta spurði Suttungr jötunn, sonr Gillings, ferr hann til ok tók dvergana ok flytr á sæ út ok setr þá í flæðarsker. Þeir biðja Suttung sér lífsgriða ok bjóða honum til sættar í fóðurgjald mjöðinn dýra, ok þat verðr at sætt með þeim. Flytr Suttungr mjöðinn heim ok hirðir, þar sem heita Hnitbjörg, setr þar til gæzlu dóttur sína, Gunnlöðu. Af þessu köllum vér skáldskap Kvasis blóð eða dvergadrekku eða fylli eða nökkurs konar lög Óðreris eða Boðnar eða Sónar eða farskost dverga, fyrir því at sá mjöðr flutti þeim fjörlausn ór skerinu, eða Suttungamjöð eða Hnitbjargalögr." Þá mælti Ægir: "Myrkt þykkir mér þat mælt at kalla skáldskap með þessum heitum. En hvernig kómuzt þér æsir at Suttungamiði?"
Bragi svarar: "Sjá saga er til þess, at Óðinn fór heiman ok kom þar, er þrælar níu slógu hey. Hann spyrr, ef þeir vili, at hann brýni ljá þeira. Þeir játa því. Þá tekr hann hein af belti sér ok brýndi ljána, en þeim þótti bíta ljárnir miklu betr ok föluðu heinina, en hann mat svá, at sá, er kaupa vildi, skyldi gefa við hóf. En allir kváðust vilja ok báðu hann sér selja, en hann kastaði heininni í loft upp. En er allir vildu henda, þá skiptust þeir svá við, at hverr brá ljánum á háls öðrum. Óðinn sótti til náttstaðar til jötuns þess, er Baugi hét, bróðir Suttungs. Baugi kallaði illt fjárhald sitt ok sagði, at þrælar hans níu höfðu drepizt, en talðist eigi vita sér ván verkmanna. En Óðinn nefndist fyrir honum Bölverkr. Hann bauð at taka upp níu manna verk fyrir Bauga, en mælti sér til kaups einn drykk af Suttungamiði. Baugi kvaðst einskis ráð eiga at miðinum, sagði, at Suttungr vildi einn hafa, en fara kveðst hann mundu með Bölverki, ok freista, ef þeir fengi mjöðinn. Bölverkr vann um sumarit níu manna verk fyrir Bauga, en at vetri beiddi hann Bauga leigu sínnar. Þá fara þeir báðir til Suttungs. Baugi segir Suttungi, bróður sínum, kaup þeira Bölverks, en Suttungr synjar þverliga hvers dropa af miðinum. Þá mælti Bölverkr til Bauga, at þeir skyldu freista véla nökkurra, ef þeir megi ná miðinum, en Baugi lætr þat vel vera. Þá dregr Bölverkr fram nafar þann, er Rati heitir, ok mælti, at Baugi skal bora bjargit, ef nafarrinn bítr. Hann gerir svá. Þá segir Baugi, at gegnum er borat bjargit, en Bölverkr blæss í nafarsraufina, ok hrjóta spænirnir upp í móti honum. Þá fann hann, at Baugi vildi svíkja hann, ok bað bora gegnum bjargit. Baugi boraði enn, en er Bölverkr blés annat sinn, þá fuku inn spænirnir. Þá brást Bölverkr í ormslíki ok skreið inn í nafarsraufina, en Baugi stakk eftir honum nafrinum ok missti hans. Fór Bölverkr þar til, sem Gunnlöð var, ok lá hjá henni þrjár nætr, ok þá lofaði hon honum at drekka af miðinum þrjá drykki. Í inum fyrsta drykk drakk hann allt ór Óðreri, en í öðrum ór Boðn, í inum þriðja ór Són, ok hafði hann þá allan mjöðinn. Þá brást hann í arnarham ok flaug sem ákafast. En er Suttungr sá flug arnarins, tók hann sér arnarham ok flaug eftir honum. En er æsir sá, hvar Óðinn flaug, þá settu þeir út í garðinn ker sín, en er Óðinn kom inn of Ásgarð, þá spýtti hann upp miðinum í kerin, en honum var þá svá nær komit, at Suttungr myndi ná honum, at hann sendi aftr suman mjöðinn, ok var þess ekki gætt. Hafði þat hverr, er vildi, ok köllum vér þat skáldfífla hlut. En Suttungamjöð gaf Óðinn ásunum ok þeim mönnum, er yrkja kunnu. Því köllum vér skáldskapinn feng Óðins ok fund ok drykk hans ok gjöf hans ok drykk ásanna."
Þá mælti Ægir: "Hversu á marga lund breytið þér orðtökum skáldskapar, eða hversu mörg eru kyn skáldskaparins?" Þá mælti Bragi; "Tvenn eru kyn, þau er greina skáldskap allan." Ægir spyrr: "Hver tvenn?" Bragi segir: "Mál ok hættir." "Hvert máltak er haft til skáldskapar?" "Þrenn er grein skáldskaparmáls." "Hver?" "Svá at nefna hvern hlut, sem heitir. Önnur grein er sú, er heitir fornöfn. In þriðja málsgrein er sú, er kölluð er kenning, ok er sú grein svá sett, at vér köllum Óðin eða Þór eða Tý eða einhvern af ásum eða álfum, ok hvern þeira, er ek nefni til, þá tek ek með heiti af eign annars ássins eða get ek hans verka nökkurra. Þá eignast hann nafnit, en eigi hinn, er nefndr var. Svá sem vér köllum sig-Tý eða hanga-Tý eða farma-Týr, þat er þá Óðins heiti, ok köllum vér þat kennt heiti, svá ok at kalla reiðar-Tý."
En þetta er nú at segja ungum skáldum, þeim er girnast at nema mál skáldskapar ok heyja sér orðfjölða með fornum heitum eða girnast þeir at kunna skilja þat, er hulit er kveðit, þá skili hann þessa bók til fróðleiks ok skemmtunar. En ekki er at gleyma eða ósanna svá þessar frásagnir at taka ór skáldskapinum fornar kenningar, þær er höfuðskáld hafa sér líka látit. En eigi skulu kristnir menn trúa á heiðin goð ok eigi á sannyndi þessa sagna annan veg en svá sem hér finnst í upphafi bókar.
Nú skal láta heyra dæmin, hvernig höfuðskáldin hafa látit sér sóma at yrkja eftir þessum heitum ok kenningum, svá sem segir Arnórr jarlaskáld, at Óðinn heiti Alföðr: Nú hykk slíðrhugaðs segja, / síð léttir mér stríða, / þýtr Alföður, ýtum / jarls kostu, brim hrosta. Hér kallar hann ok skáldskapinn hrostabrim Alföður. Hávarðr halti kvað svá: Nú er jódraugum ægis / arnar flaug of hauga; / hygg ek, at heimboð þiggi / Hangagoðs af vangi. Svá kvað Víga-Glúmr: Lattisk herr með höttu / Hangatýs at ganga, / þóttit þeim at hætta / þekkiligt, fyrir brekku. Svá kvað Refr: Oft kom, jarðar leiftra / er Baldr hniginn skaldi, / hollr at helgu fulli / Hrafnásar mér, stafna. Svá kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Ok Sigurð / hinn er svönum veitti / hróka bjór / Haddingja vals / Farmatýs, / fjörvi næmðu / jarðráðendr / á Öglói. Svá kvað Glúmr Geirason: Þar var, þrafna byrjar / þeim stýrðu goð Beima / sjalfr í sæki-alfi / Sigtýr Atals dýra. Svá kvað Eyvindr enn: Göndul ok Skögul / sendi Gautatýr / at kjósa of konunga, / hverr Yngva ættar / skyldi með Óðni fara / ok í Valhöllu vera. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: Ríðr at vilgi víðu / víðfrægr, en mér líða, / Hroftatýr, of hváfta / hróðrmál, sonar báli. Svá kvað Þjóðólfr inn hvinverski: Valr lá þar á sandi, / vitinn inum eineygja / Friggjar faðmbyggvi, / fögnuðum dáð slíkri. Þat kvað Hallfreðr: Sannyrðum spenr sverða / snarr þiggjandi viggjar / barrhaddaða byrjar / biðkván und sik Þriðja. Hér er þess dæmi, at jörð er kölluð kona Óðins í skáldskap. Svá er hér sagt, at Eyvindr kvað: Hermóðr ok Bragi, / kvað Hroftatýr, / gangið í gögn grami, / því at konungr ferr, / sá er kappi þykkir, / til hallar hinig. Svá kvað Kormákr: Eykr með ennidúki / jarðhljótr día fjarðar / breyti, hún sá er, beinan, / bindr. Seið Yggr til Rindar. Svá kvað Steinþórr: Forngörvan á ek firnum / farms Gunnlaðar arma / horna fors at hrósa / hlítstyggs ok þó lítinn. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: Þar hykk sigrunni svinnum / sylgs valkyrjur fylgja / heilags tafns ok hrafna. / Hlaut innan svá minnum. Svá kvað Egill Skalla-Grímsson: Blætk eigi af því / bróður Vílis, / goðjaðar, / at ek gjarn séa; / þó hefr Míms vinr / mér of fengit / bölva bætr, / er it betra telk. Gafumk íþrótt / ulfs of bági, / vígi vanr, / vammi firrða. Hér er hann kallaðr goðjaðarr ok Míms vinr ok úlfs bági. Svá kvað Refr: Þér eigu vér veigar, / Valgautr, salar brautar, / Fals, hrannvala fannar, / framr, valdi tamr, gjalda. Svá kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Hljóta mun ek, né hlítir, / Hertýs, of þat frýju, / fyrir örþeysi at ausa / austr víngnóðar flausta. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: Kostigr ríðr at kesti, / kynfróðs, þeim er goð hlóðu, / Hrafnfreistaðar, hesti / Heimdallr, at mög fallinn. Svá er sagt í Eiríksmálum: Hvat er þat drauma, kvað Óðinn, / ek hugðumk fyrir dag rísa, / Valhöll ryðja / fyrir vegnu fólki, / vekða ek Einherja, / bæða ek upp rísa, / bekki at strá, / bjórker leyðra, / valkyrjur vín bera, / sem vísi kæmi. Þat kvað Kormákr: Algildan bið ek aldar / allvald of mér halda / ýs bifvangi Yngva / ungr. Fór Hroftr með Gungni. Þat kvað Þórálfr: Sagði hitt, er hugði, / Hliðskjalfar gramr sjalfum, / hlífar-styggs þar er höggnir / Háreks liðar váru. Svá kvað Eyvindr: Hinn, er Surts / ór sökkdölum / farmögnuðr / fljúgandi bar. Svá kvað Bragi: Þat erumk sýnt, at snimma / sonr Aldaföðrs vildi / afls við úri þafðan / jarðar reist of freista. Svá kvað Einarr: Því at fjölkostigr flestu / flestr ræðr við son Bestlu, / tekit hefk morðs til mærðar, / mæringr en þú færa. Svá kvað Þorvaldr blönduskáld: Nú hef ek margt / í miði greipat / burar Bors, / Búra arfa.
Hér skal heyra, hvé skáldin hafa kennt skáldskapinn eftir þessum heitum, er áðr eru rituð, svá sem er at kalla Kvasis dreyra ok dverga skip, dverga mjöð, jötna mjöð, Suttunga mjöð, Óðins mjöð, ása mjöð, föðurgjöld jötna, lögr Óðreris ok Boðnar ok Sónar ok fyllr, lögr Hnitbjarga, fengr ok fundr ok farmr ok gjöf Óðins, svá sem hér er kveðit, er orti Einarr skálaglamm: Hugstóran bið ek heyra, / heyr, jarl, Kvasis dreyra, / foldar vörð á fyrða / fjarðleggjar brim dreggjar. Ok sem kvað Einarr enn skálaglamm: Ullar gengr of alla / asksögn þess, er hvöt magnar / byrgis böðvar sorgar, / bergs geymi-lá dverga. Svá sem kvað Ormr Steinþórsson: At væri borit bjórs / bríkar ok mitt lík, / rekkar nemi dauðs drykk / Dvalins, í einn sal. Ok sem Refr kvað: Grjót-aldar ték gildi / geðreinar Þórsteini; / berg-Mæra glymr bára, / bið ek lýða kyn hlýða. Svá sem kvað Egill: Buðumk hilmir löð, / þar á ek hróðrs of kvöð, / bar ek Óðins mjöð / á Engla bjöð. Ok sem kvað Glúmr Geirason: Hlýði, hafta beiðis / hefk, mildingar, gildi; / því biðjum vér þagnar, / þegna tjón at fregnum. Ok sem kvað Eyvindr: Vilja ek hljóð / at Hárs líði, / meðan Gillings / gjöldum yppik, / meðan hans ætt / í hverlegi / galgafarms / til goða teljum. Svá sem Einarr kvað skálaglamm: Eisar vágr fyr vísa, / verk Rögnis mér hagna, / þýtr Óðreris alda, / aldrhafs, við fles galdra. Ok enn sem hann kvað: Nú er þats Boðnar bára, / berg-Saxa, tér vaxa, / gervi í höll ok hlýði / hljóð fley jöfurs þjóðir. Ok sem kvað Eilífr Guðrúnarson: Verðið ér, alls orða / oss grær of kon mæran / á sefreinu Sónar / sáð, vingjöfum ráða. Svá sem kvað Völu-Steinn: Heyr Míms vinar mína, / mér er fundr gefinn Þundar, / við góma sker glymja / glaumbergs, Egill, strauma. Svá kvað Ormr Steinþórsson: Seggir þurfut ala ugg, / engu sný ek í Viðurs feng / háði, kunnum hróðrsmíð / haga, of mínn brag. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: Haldrgegnis ték Hildar / hugreifum Áleifi, / hann vil ek at gjöf Grímnis, / geðfjarðar lá, kveðja. Skáldskapr er kallaðr sjár eða lögr dverganna, fyrir því at Kvasis blóð var lögr í Óðreri, áðr mjöðrinn væri gerr, ok þar gerðist hann í katlinum, ok er hann kallaðr fyrir því hverlögr Óðins, svá sem kvað Eyvindr ok fyrr var ritat: Meðan hans ætt / í hverlegi / galgafarms / til goða teljum. Enn er kallaðr skáldskaprinn far eða líð dverganna. Líð heitir öl, ok líð heitir skip. Svá er tekit til dæma, at skáldskapr er nú kallaðr fyrir því skip dverga, svá sem hér segir: Bæði á ek til brúðar / bergjarls ok skip dverga / sollinn vind at senda / seinfyrnd götu eina.
Hvernig skal kenna Þór? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Jarðar, faðir Magna ok Móða ok Þrúðar, verr Sifjar, stjúpfaðir Ullar, stýrandi ok eigandi Mjöllnis ok megingjarða, Bilskirrnis, verjandi Ásgarðs, Miðgarðs, dólgr ok bani jötna ok trollkvinna, vegandi Hrungnis, Geirröðar, Þrívalda, dróttinn Þjálfa ok Rösku, dólgr Miðgarðsorms, fóstri Vingnis ok Hlóru. Svá kvað Bragi skáld: Vaðr lá Viðris arfa / vilgi slakr, er rakðisk, / á Eynæfis öndri, / Jörmungandr at sandi. Svá kvað Ölvir hnúfa: Æstisk allra landa / umbgjörð ok sonr Jarðar. Svá kvað Eilífr: Vreiðr stóð Vrösku bróðir, / vá gagn faðir Magna; / skelfra Þórs né Þjalfa / þróttar steinn við ótta. Ok sem kvað Eysteinn Valdason: Leit á brattrar brautar / baug hvassligum augum, / æstisk áðr at flausti / öggs búð, faðir Þrúðar. Enn kvað Eysteinn: Sín bjó Sifjar rúni / snarla fram með karli, / hornstraum getum Hrímnis / hræra, veiðarfæri. Ok enn kvað hann: Svá brá viðr, at, sýjur, / seiðr, renndu fram breiðar, / jarðar, út af borði / Ulls mágs hnefar skullu. Svá kvað Bragi: Hamri fórsk í hægri / hönd, þá er allra landa, / ægir öflugbarða, / endiseiðs of kenndi. Svá kvað Gamli: Þá er gramr, hinn er svik samðit, / snart Bilskirrnis hjarta, / grundar fisk með grandi / gljúfrskeljungs nam rjúfa. Svá kvað Þorbjörn dísarskáld: Þórr hefir Yggs með árum / Ásgarð af þrek varðan. Svá kvað Bragi: Ok borðróins barða / brautar hringr inn ljóti / á haussprengi Hrungnis / harðgeðr neðan starði. Enn kvað Bragi: Vel hafið yðrum eykjum / aftr, Þrívalda, haldit / simbli sumbls of mærum, / sundrkljúfr níu höfða. Svá kvað Eilífr: Þröngvir gein við þungum / þangs rauðbita tangar / kveldrunninna kvinna / kunnleggs alinmunni. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: Þjokkvöxnum kvaðsk þykkja / þikling firinmikla / hafra njóts at höfgum / hætting megindrætti. Ok enn þetta: Fullöflugr lét fellir / fjall-Gauts hnefa skjalla, / rammt mein var þat, reyni / reyrar leggs við eyra. / (56.) / Víðgymnir laust Vimrar / vaðs af fránum naðri / hlusta grunn við hrönnum. / Hlaut innan svá minnum. Hér er hann kallaðr jötunn Vimrar vaðs. Á heitir Vimur, er Þórr óð, þá er hann sótti til Geirröðargarða. Ok svá kvað Vetrliði skáld: Leggi brauzt þú Leiknar, / lamðir Þrívalda, / steypðir Starkeði, / stéttu of Gjalp dauða. Ok svá kvað Þorbjörn dísarskáld: Ball í Keilu kolli, / Kjallandi brauzt þú alla, / áðr draptu Lút ok Leiða, / léztu dreyra Búseyru; / heftir þú Hengjankjöftu, / Hyrrokkin dó fyrri; / þó var snemr in sáma / Svívör numin lífi.
Hvernig skal kenna Baldr? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Friggjar, ver Nönnu, faðir Forseta, eigandi Hringhorna ok Draupnis, dólgr Haðar, Heljar sinni, Gráta-goð. Úlfr Uggason hefir kveðit eftir sögu Baldrs langt skeið í Húsdrápu, ok ritat er áðr dæmi til þess, er Baldr er svá kenndr.
Hvernig skal kenna Njörd? Svá, at kalla hann Vanaguð eða Vananið eða Van ok föður Freys ok Freyju, fégjafa guð. Svá segir Þórðr Sjáreksson: Varð sjalf suna, / nama snotr una, / Kjalarr of tamði, / kváðut Hamði, / Goðrún bani, / goðbrúðr Vani, / heldr vel mara, / hjörleik spara. Hér er þess getit, er Skaði gekk frá Nirði, sem fyrr er ritat.
Hvernig skal kenna Frey? Svá, at kalla hann son Njarðar, bróður Freyju ok enn Vanaguð ok Vananið ok Vanr ok árguð ok fégjafa. Svá kvað Egill Skalla-Grímsson: Því at Grjótbjörn / of gæddan hefir / Freyr ok Njörðr / at féarafli. Freyr er kallaðr Belja dólgr, svá sem kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Þá er útröst / jarla bági / Belja dolgs / byggja vildi. Hann er eigandi Skíðblaðnis ok galtar þess, er Gullinbursti heitir, svá sem hér er sagt: Ívalda synir / gengu í árdaga / Skíðblaðni at skapa, / skipa bazt, / skírum Frey, / nýtum Njarðar bur. Svá segir Úlfr Uggason: Ríðr á börg til borgar / böðfróðr sonar Óðins / Freyr ok folkum stýrir / fyrstr inum gulli byrsta. Hann heitir ok Slíðrugtanni.
Hvernig skal Heimdall kenna? Svá, at kalla hann son níu mæðra eða vörð goða, svá sem fyrr er ritat, eða hvíta ás, Loka dólg mensækir Freyju. Heimdallar höfuð heitir sverð. Svá er sagt, at hann var lostinn mannshöfði í gegnum. Um þat er kveðit í Heimdallar galdri, ok er síðan kallat höfuð mjötuðr Heimdallar. Sverð heitir manns mjötuðr. Heimdallr er eigandi Gulltopps. Hann er ok tilsækir Vágaskers ok Singasteins. Þá deilði hann við Loka um Brísingamen. Hann heitir ok Vindlér. Úlfr Uggason kvað í Húsdrápu langa stund eftir þeiri frásögu, ok er þess þar getit, at þeir váru í selalíkjum. Hann er ok sonr Óðins.
Hvernig skal kenna Tý? Svá, at kalla hann einhenda ás ok úlfs fóstra, víga guð, son Óðins.
Hvernig skal kenna Braga? Svá, at kalla hann Iðunnar ver, frumsmið bragar ok inn síðskeggja ás - af hans nafni er sá kallaðr skeggbragi, er mikit skegg hefir - ok sonr Óðins.
Hvernig skal kenna Víðar? Hann má kalla inn þögla ás, eiganda járnskós, dólg ok bana Fenrisúlfs, hefniás goðanna, byggviás föðurtófta ok son Óðins, bróður ásanna.
Hvernig skal kenna Vála? Svá, at kalla hann son Óðins ok Rindar, stjúpson Friggjar, bróður ásanna, hefniás Baldrs, dólg Haðar ok bana hans, byggvanda föðurtófta.
Hvernig skal kenna Höð? Svá, at kalla hann blinda ás, Baldrs bana, skjótanda Mistilteins, son Óðins, Heljar sinna, Vála dólg.
Hvernig skal kenna Ull? Svá, at kalla hann son Sifjar, stjúp Þórs, öndurás, bogaás, veiðiás, skjaldarás.
Hvernig skal kenna Hæni? Svá, at kalla hann sessa eða sinna eða mála Óðins ok inn skjóta ás ok inn langa fót ok aurkonung.
Hvernig skal kenna Loka? Svá, at kalla hann son Fárbauta ok Laufeyjar, Nálar, bróður Býleists ok Helblinda, föður Vánargands, þat er Fenrisúlfr, ok Jörmundgands, þat er Miðgarðsormr, ok Heljar ok Nara ok Ála, frænda ok föðurbróður, vársinna ok sessa Óðins ok ása, heimsæki ok kistuskrúð Geirröðar, þjóf jötna, hafrs ok Brísingamens ok Iðunnar epla, Sleipnis frænda, ver Sigynjar, goða dólgr, hárskaði Sifjar, bölvasmiðr, inn slægi áss, rægjandi ok vélandi goðanna, ráðbani Baldrs, inn bundni áss, þrætudólgr Heimdallar ok Skaða. Svá sem hér segir Úlfr Uggason: Ráðgenginn bregðr ragna / rein at Singasteini / frægr við firnaslægjan / Fárbauta mög vári; / móðöflugr ræðr mæðra / mögr hafnýra fögru, / kynni ek, áðr ok einnar / átta, mærðar þáttum. Hér er þess getit, að Heimdallr er son níu mæðra.
Nú skal enn segja dæmi, af hverju þær kenningar eru, er nú váru ritaðar, er áðr váru eigi dæmi til sögð, svá sem Bragi sagði Ægi, at Þórr var farinn í austrvega at berja troll, en Óðinn reið Sleipni í Jötunheima ok kom til þess jötuns, er Hrungnir hét. Þá spyrr Hrungnir, hvat manna sá er með gullhjálminn, er ríðr loft ok lög, ok segir, at hann á furðugóðan hest. Óðinn sagði, at þar vill hann veðja fyrir höfði sínu, at engi hestr skal vera jafngóðr í Jötunheimum. Hrungnir segir, at sá er góðr hestr, en hafa lézt hann mundu miklu stórfetaðra hest. Sá heitir Gullfaxi. Hrungnir varð reiðr ok hleypr upp á hest sinn ok hleypir eftir honum ok hyggr at launa honum ofrmæli. Óðinn hleypir svá mikit, at hann var á öðru leiti fyrir, en Hrungnir hafði svá mikinn jötunmóð, at hann fann eigi fyrr en hann kom inn of ásgrindr. Ok er hann kom at hallardurum, buðu æsir honum til drykkju. Hann gekk í höllina ok bað fá sér at drekka. Váru þá teknar þær skálir, er Þórr var vanr at drekka af, ok snerti Hrungnir ór hverri. En er hann gerðist drukkinn, þá skorti eigi stór orð. Hann lézt skyldu taka upp Valhöll ok færa í Jötunheima, en sökkva Ásgarði, en drepa goð öll, nema Freyju ok Sif vill hann heim hafa með sér, en Freyja ein þorir þá at skenkja honum, ok drekka lézt hann mundu allt ásaöl. En er ásum leiddust ofryrði hans, þá nefna þeir Þór. Því næst kom Þórr í höllina ok hafði á lofti hamarinn ok var allreiðr ok spyrr, hverr því ræðr, er jötnar hundvísir skulu þar drekka, eða hverr seldi Hrungni grið at vera í Valhöll eða hví Freyja skal skenkja honum sem at gildi ása. Þá svarar Hrungnir ok sér ekki vinaraugum til Þórs, sagði, at Óðinn bauð honum til drykkju ok hann var á hans griðum. Þá mælti Þórr, at þess boðs skal Hrungnir iðrast, áðr hann komi út. Hrungnir segir, at Ása-Þór er þat lítill frami at drepa hann vápnlausan. Hitt er meiri hugraun, ef hann þorir at berjast við hann at landamæri á Grjóttúnagörðum, - "ok hefir þat verit mikit fólskuverk," sagði hann, "er ek lét eftir heima skjöld minn ok hein. En ef ek hefða hér vápn mín, þá skyldum vit nú reyna hólmgönguna, en at öðrum kosti legg ek þér við níðingsskap, ef þú vill drepa mik vápnlausan." Þórr vill fyrir engan mun bila at koma til einvígis, er honum var hólmr skoraðr, því at engi hafði honum þat fyrr veitt. Fór þá Hrungnir braut leið sína ok hleypði ákafliga, þar til er hann kom í Jötunheima, ok varð ferð hans allfræg með jötnum ok þat, at stefnulag var komit á með þeim Þór. Þóttust jötnar hafa mikit í ábyrgð, hvárr sigr fengi. Þeim var ills ván af Þór, ef Hrungnir léti, fyrir því at hann var þeira sterkastr. Þá gerðu jötnar mann á Grjóttúnagörðum af leiri, ok var hann níu rasta hár, en þriggja breiðr undir hönd, en ekki fengu þeir hjarta svá mikit, at honum sómði, fyrr en þeir tóku úr meri nökkurri, ok varð honum þar eigi stöðugt, þá er Þórr kom. Hrungnir átti hjarta þat, er frægt er, af hörðum steini ok tindótt með þrimr hornum, svá sem síðan er gert ristubragð þar, er Hrungnishjarta heitir. Af steini var ok höfuð hans. Skjöldr hans var ok steinn, víðr ok þjokkr, ok hafði hann skjöldinn fyrir sér, er hann stóð á Grjóttatúnagörðum ok beið Þórs, en hein hafði hann fyrir vápn ok reiddi of öxl ok var ekki dælligr. Á aðra hlið honum stóð leirjötunninn, er nefndr er Mökkurkálfi, ok var hann allhræddr. Svá er sagt, at hann meig, er hann sá Þór. Þórr fór til hólmstefnu ok með honum Þjálfi. Þá rann Þjálfi fram at, þar er Hrungnir stóð, ok mælti til hans: "Þú stendr óvarliga, jötunn, hefir skjöldinn fyrir þér, en Þórr hefir sét þik, ok ferr hann it neðra í jörðu, ok mun hann koma neðan at þér." Þá skaut Hrungnir skildinum undir fætr sér ok stóð á, en tvíhendi heinina. Því næst sá hann eldingar ok heyrði þrumur stórar. Sá hann þá Þór í ásmóði. Fór hann ákafliga ok reiddi hamarinn ok kastaði um langa leið at Hrungni. Hrungnir færir upp heinina báðum höndum ok kastar í mót. Mætir hon hamrinum á flugi, ok brotnar sundr heinin. Fellr annarr hlutr á jörð, ok eru þar af orðin öll heinberg. Annarr hlutr brast í höfði Þór, svá at hann fell fram á jörð. En hamarrinn Mjöllnir kom í mitt höfuð Hrungni ok lamði hausinn í smán mola, ok fell hann fram yfir Þór, svá at fótr hans lá of háls Þór. En Þjálfi vá at Mökkurkálfa, ok fell hann við lítinn orðstír. Þá gekk Þjálfi til Þórs ok skyldi taka fót Hrungnis af honum ok gat hvergi valdit. Þá gengu til æsir allir, er þeir spurðu at Þórr var fallinn, ok skyldu taka fótinn af honum ok fengu hvergi komit. Þá kom til Magni, sonr Þórs ok Járnsöxu. Hann var þá þrínættr. Hann kastaði fæti Hrungnis af Þór ok mælti: "Sé þar ljótan harm, faðir, er ek kom svá síð. Ek hygg, at jötun þenna myndak hafa lostit í hel með hnefa mínum, ef ek hefða fundit hann." Þá stóð Þórr upp ok fagnaði vel syni sínum ok sagði, at hann myndi verða mikill fyrir sér, - "ok vil ek," sagði hann, "gefa þér hestinn Gullfaxa, er Hrungnir hefir átt." Þá mælti Óðinn ok sagði, at Þórr gerði rangt, er hann gaf þann inn góða hest gýgjarsyni, en eigi föður sínum.
Þórr fór heim til Þrúðvanga, ok stóð heinin í höfði honum. Þá kom til völva sú, er Gróa hét, kona Aurvandils ins frækna. Hon gól galdra sína yfir Þór, til þess er heinin losnaði. En er Þórr fann þat ok þótti þá ván, at braut myndi ná heininni, þá vildi hann launa Gró lækninguna ok gera hana fegna, sagði henni þau tíðendi, at hann hafði vaðit norðan yfir Élivága ok hafði borit í meis á baki sér Aurvandil norðan ór Jötunheimum, ok þat til jartegna, at ein tá hans hafði staðit ór meisinum, ok var sú frerin, svá at Þórr braut af ok kastaði upp á himin ok gerði af stjörnu þá, er heitir Aurvandilstá. Þórr sagði, at eigi myndi langt til, at Aurvandill myndi heim koma, en Gróa varð svá fegin, at hon mundi enga galdra, ok varð heinin eigi lausari ok stendr enn í höfði Þór, ok er þat boðit til varnanar at kasta hein of gólf þvert, því at þá hrærist heinin í höfði Þór. Eftir þessi sögu hefir ort Þjóðólfr hvinverski í Haustlöng." Þá mælti Ægir: "Mikill þótti mér Hrungnir fyrir sér. Vann Þórr meira þrekvirki nökkut, þá er hann átti við troll?"
Þá svarar Bragi: "Mikillar frásagnar er þat vert, er Þórr fór til Geirröðargarða. Þá hafði hann eigi hamarinn Mjöllni eða megingjarðar eða járngreipr, ok olli því Loki. Hann fór með honum, því ar Loka hafði þat hent, þá er hann flaug einu sinni at skemmta sér með valsham Friggjar, at hann flaug fyrir forvitni sakar í Geirröðargarða ok sá þar höll mikla, settist ok sá inn of glugg. En Geirröðr leit í móti honum ok mælti, at taka skyldi fuglinn ok færa honum, en sendimaðr komst nauðuliga á hallarvegginn, svá var hann hár. Þat þótti Loka gott, er hann sótti erfiðliga til hans, ok ætlaði sér stund at fljúga eigi upp, fyrr en hann hafði farit allt torleiðit. En er maðrinn sótti at honum, þá beinir hann fluginn ok spyrnir við fast, ok eru þá fætrnir fastir. Var Loki tekinn þar höndum ok færðr Geirröði jötni. En er hann sá augu hans, þá grunaði hann, at maðr myndi vera, ok bað hann svara, en Loki þagði. Þá læsti Geirröðr Loka í kistu ok svelti hann þar þrjá mánuðr. En þá er Geirröðr tók hann upp ok beiddi hann orða, þá sagði Loki, hverr hann var, ok til fjörlausnar vann hann Geirröði þess eiða, at hann skyldi koma Þór í Geirröðargarða, svá at hann hefði hvárki hamarinn né megingjarðar. Þórr kom til gistingar til gýgjar þeirar, er Gríðr er kölluð. Hon var móðir Víðars ins þögla. Hon sagði Þór satt frá Geirröði, at hann var jötunn hundvíss ok illr viðreignar. Hon léði honum megingjarða ok járngreipr, er hon átti, ok staf sinn, er heitir Gríðarvölr. Þá fór Þórr til ár þeirar, er Vimur heitir, allra á mest. Þá spennti hann sik megingjörðum ok studdi forstreymis Gríðarvöl, en Loki helt undir megingjarðar. Ok þá er Þórr kom á miðja ána, þá óx svá mjök áin, at uppi braut á öxl honum. Þá kvað Þórr þetta: 65 / Vax-at-tu nú, Vimur, / alls mik þik vaða tíðir / jötna garða í; / veiztu, ef þú, vex, / at þá vex mér ásmegin / jafnhátt upp sem himinn. Þá sér Þórr uppi í gljúfrum nökkurum, at Gjálp, dóttir Geirröðar stóð þar tveim megin árinnar, ok gerði hon árvöxtinn. Þá tók Þórr upp ór ánni stein mikinn ok kastaði at henni ok mælti svá: "At ósi skal á stemma." Eigi missti hann, þar er hann kastaði til. Ok í því bili bar hann at landi ok fekk tekit reynirunn nökkurn ok steig svá ór ánni. Því er það orðtak haft, at reynir er björg Þórs. En er Þórr kom til Geirröðar, þá var þeim félögum vísat fyrst í geitahús til herbergis, ok var þar einn stóll til sætis, ok sat Þórr þar. Þá varð hann þess varr, at stóllinn fór undir honum upp at ræfri. Hann stakk Gríðarveli upp í raftana ok lét sígast fast á stólinn. Varð þá brestr mikill, ok fylgði skrækr. Þar höfðu verit undir stólinum dætr Geirröðar, Gjálp ok Greip, ok hafði hann brotit hrygginn í báðum. Þá lét Geirröðr kalla Þór í höllina til leika. Þar váru eldar stórir eftir endilangri höll. En er Þórr kom gagnvart Geirröði, þá tók Geirröðr með töng járnsíu glóandi ok kastar at Þór, en Þórr tók í móti með járngreipum ok færir á loft síuna, en Geirröðr hljóp undir járnsúlu at forða sér. Þórr kastaði síunni ok laust gegnum súluna ok gegnum Geirröð ok gegnum vegginn ok svá fyrir útan í jörðina." Eftir þessi sögu hefir ort Eilífr Guðrúnarson í Þórsdrápu.
Hvernig skal kenna Frigg? Svá, at kalla hana dóttur Fjörgyns, kona Óðins, móður Baldrs, elju Jarðar ok Rindar ok Gunnlaðar ok Gerðar, sværa Nönnu, dróttning ása ok ásynja, Fullu ok valshams ok Fensala.
Hvernig skal Freyju kenna? Svá, at kalla hana dóttur Njarðar, systur Freys, konu Óðs, móður Hnossar, eigandi valfalls ok Sessrúmnis ok fressa, Brisíngamens, Vanagoð, Vanadís, it grátfagra goð, ástaguð. - Svá má kenna allar ásynjur at nefna annarrar nafni ok kenna við eign eða verk sín eða ættir.
Hvernig skal kenna Sif? Svá, at kalla hana konu Þórs, móður Ullar, it hárfagra goð, elja Járnsöxu, móður Þrúðar.
Hvernig skal kenna Iðunni? Svá, at kalla hana konu Braga ok gætandi eplanna, en eplin ellilyf ásanna. Hon er ok ránfengr Þjaza jötuns, svá sem fyrr er sagt, at hann tók hana braut frá ásum. Eftir þeiri sögu orti Þjóðólfr inn hvinverski í Haustlöng. Ásu er svá rétt at kenna at kalla einn hvern annars nafni ok kenna við verk sín eða eign eða ættir.
Hvernig skal kenna himin? Svá, at kalla hann Ymis haus ok þar af jötuns haus ok erfiði eða byrði dverganna eða hjálm Vestra ok Austra, Suðra, Norðra, land sólar ok tungls ok himintungla, vagna ok veðra, hjálmr eða hús lofts ok jarðar ok sólar. Svá kvað Arnórr jarlaskáld: Ungr skjöldungr stígr aldri / jafnmildr á við skildan / þess var grams, und gömlum, / gnóg rausn, Ymis hausi. Ok enn sem hann kvað: Björt verðr sól at svartri, / sökkr fold í mar dökkvan, / brestr erfiði Austra, / allr glymr sjár á fjöllum. Svá kvað Böðvarr balti: Alls engi verðr Inga / undir sólar grundu / böðvar hvatr né betri / bræðr landreki æðri. Ok sem kvað Þjóðólfr inn hvinverski: Ók at ísarnleiki / Jarðar sunr, en dunði, / móðr svall Meila blóða, / mána vegr und hánum. Svá sem kvað Ormr Barreyjarskáld: Hvégi er, Draupnis drógar / dís, ramman spyr ek vísa, / sá ræðr, valdr, fyr veldi, / vagnbrautar mér fagnar. Svá sem kvað Bragi skáld: Hinn er varp á víða / vinda Öndurdísar / of manna sjöt margra / mundlaug föður augum. Ok sem Markús kvað: Fjarri hefir, at fæðisk dýrri / flotna vörðr á élkers botni, / háva leyfir hverr maðr ævi / hringvarpaðar, gjalfri kringðum. Svá sem kvað Steinn Herdísarson: Hás kveð ek helgan ræsi / heimtjalds at drag þeima, / mærð tésk fram, en fyrða / fyrr, því at hann er dyrri. Ok sem kvað Arnórr jarlaskáld: Hjalp þú, dýrr konungr, dýrum, / dags grundar, Hermundi. Ok enn kvað Arnórr: Saðr stillir, hjalp þú snjöllum, / sóltjalda, Rögnvaldi. Ok sem kvað Hallvarðr: Knútr verr jörð sem ítran / alls dróttinn sal fjalla. Sem Arnórr kvað: Míkáll vegr þat er misgért þykkir / mannvits fróðr ok allt it góða; / tyggi skiptir síðan seggjum / sólar hjalms á dæmistóli.
Hvernig skal jörð kenna? Svá, at kalla hana Ymis hold ok móður Þórs, dóttur Ónars, brúði Óðins, elju Friggjar ok Rindar ok Gunnlaðar, sværu Sifjar, gólf ok botn veðra hallar, sjár dýranna, dóttir Náttar, systir Auðs ok Dags. Svá sem kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Nú er alfröðull elfar / jötna dolgs of folginn, / ráð eru rammrar þjóðar / rík, í móður líki. Sem kvað Hallfreðr vandræðskáld: Ráð lukusk, at sá, síðan, / snjallráðr konungs spjalli / átti einga-dóttur / Ónars viði gróna. Ok enn sagði hann: Breiðleita gat brúði / Báleygs at sér teygða / stefnir stöðvar hrafna / stála ríkismálum. Svá sem kvað Þjóðólfr: Útan bindr við enda / elgvers glöðuðr hersa / hreins við, húfi rónum, / hafs botni far gotna. Sem Hallfreðr kvað: Því hygg fleygjanda frægjan, / ferr jörð und menþverri / ítran, eina at láta / Auðs systur mjök trauðan. Svá kvað Þjóðólfr: Dolgljóss, hefir dási / darrlatr staðit fjarri, / endr þá er elju Rindar / ómynda tók skyndir.
Hvernig skal sæ kenna? Svá, at kalla hann Ymis blóð, heimsækir goðanna, verr Ránar, faðir Ægisdætra, þeira er svá heita Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blóðughadda, Hefring, Uðr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kólga, land Ránar ok Ægisdætra ok skipa ok sæskips heita, kjalar, stála, súða, sýju, fiska, ísa, sækonunga leið ok brautir, eigi síðr hringr eyjanna, hús sanda ok þangs ok skerja, dorgar land ok sæfugla, byrjar. Svá sem kvað Ormr Barreyjarskáld: Útan gnýr á eyri / Ymis blóð fara góðra. Svá kvað Refr: Vágþeysta berr vestan, / vætti ek lands fyr brandi, / hvalmæni skefr, húna / hógdýr of lög bógu. Svá sem kvað Sveinn: Þá er élreifar ófu / Ægis dætr ok tættu / föls, við frost of alnar, / fjallgarðs rokur harðar. Ok sem kvað Refr: Færir björn, þar er bára / brestr, undinna festa / oft í Ægis kjafta / úrsvöl Gymis völva. Hér er sagt, at allt er eitt Ægir ok Hlér ok Gymir. Ok enn kvað hann: En sægnípu Sleipnir / slítr úrdrifinn hvítrar / Ránar, rauðum steini / runnit, brjóst ór munni. Sem kvað Einarr Skúlason: Harðr hefir ört frá jörðu / élvindr, svana strindar / blakkr lætr í sog sökkva / snægrund, skipi hrundit. Ok enn sem hann kvað: Margr ríss, en drífr dorgar / dynströnd í svig löndum, / spend verða stög stundum, / stirðr keipr, fira greipum. Ok enn kvað hann: Grams bera gollna spánu, / göfug ferð er sú jöfri, / skýtr holmfjöturr Heita / hrafni, snekkju stafnar. Enn sem hann kvað: Haustköld skotar hélðum / holmrönd varar öndri. Ok enn svá: Sundr springr svalra landa / sverrigjörð fyr börðum. Sem Snæbjörn kvað: Hvatt kveða hræra Grótta / hergrimmastan skerja / út fyrir jarðar skauti / eylúðrs níu brúðir, / þær er, lungs, fyrir löngu, / líðmeldr, skipa hlíðar / baugskerðir rístr barði / ból, Amlóða mólu. Hér er kallat hafit Amlóða kvern. - Enn sem kvað Einarr Skúlason: Viknar ramr í, Rakna, / reksaumr fluga-straumi, / dúks hrindr böl, Þar er bleikir / bifgrund, á stag rifjum.
Hvernig skal kenna sól? Svá, at kalla hana dóttur Mundilfara, systur Mána, kona Glens, eldr himins ok lofts. Svá sem kvað Skúli Þorsteinsson: Glens beðja veðr gyðju / goðblíð í vé, síðan / ljós kemr gótt með geislum / gránserks ofan Mána. Svá kvað Einarr Skúlason: Hvargi er Beita borgar / bálgrimmustum skála / hár of hnossvin órum / heims vafrlogi sveimar.
Hvernig skal kenna vind? Svá, at kalla hann son Fornjóts, bróður Ægis ok elds, brjót viðar, skaði ok bani eða hundr eð vargr viðar eða segls eða seglreiða. Svá sagði Sveinn í Norðrsetudrápu: Tóku fyrst til fjúka / Fornjóts synir ljótir.
Hvernig skal kenna eld? Svá, at kalla hann bróður vinds ok Ægis, bana ok grand viðar ok húsa, Hálfs bani, sól húsanna.
Hvernig skal kenna vetr? Svá, at kalla hann son Vindsvals ok bana orma, hríðmál. Svá kvað Ormr Steinþórsson: Ræð ek þenna mög manni / Vindvals unað blindum. Svá kvað Ásgrímr: Sigrgæðir var síðan / seimörr í Þrándheimi, / þjóð veit þínar íðir, / þann orms-trega, sannar.
Hvernig skal kenna sumar? Svá, at kalla son Svásaðar ok líkn ormanna ok gróðr manna. Svá sem kvað Egill Skalla-Grímsson: Upp skulum órum sverðum, / ulfs tannlituðr, glitra, / eigum dáð at drýgja / í dalmiskunn fiska.
Hvernig skal kenna manninn? Mann skal kenna við verk sín, þat er hann veitir eða þiggr eða gerir. Hann má ok kenna til eignar sinnar, þeirar er hann á, ok svá ef hann gaf, svá ok við ættir þær, er hann kom af, svá þær, er frá honum kómu. Hvernig skal hann kenna við þessa hluti? Svá, at kalla hann vinnanda eða fremjanda fara sinna eða athafnar, víga eða sæfara eða veiða eða vápna eða skipa. Ok fyrir því at hann er reynir vápnanna ok viðr víganna, allt eitt ok vinnandi. Viðr heitir tré. Reynir heitir ok tré. Af þessum heitum hafa skáldin kallat manninn ask eða hlyn, lund eða öðrum viðarheitum karlkenndum ok kennt til víga eða skipa eða fjár. Mann er ok rétt at kenna til allra ásaheita. Kennt er ok við jötnaheiti, ok er þat flest háð eða lastmæli. Vel þykkir kennt til álfa. Konu skal kenna til alls kvenbúnaðar, gulls ok gimsteina, öls eða víns eða annars drykkjar, þess er hon selr eða gefr, svá ok til ölgagna ok allra þeira hluta, er henni samir at vinna eða veita. Rétt er at kenna hana svá at kalla hana selju eða lág þess, er hon miðlar, en selja eða lág, þat eru tré. Fyrir því er kona kölluð til kenningar öllum kvenkenndum viðarheitum. En fyrir því er kona kennd til gimsteina eða glersteina, at þat var í forneskju kvinnabúnaðr, er kallat var steinasörvi, er þær höfðu á hálsi sér. Nú er svá fært til kenningar, at konan er nú kennd við stein ok við öll steinsheiti. Kona er ok kennd við allar ásynjur eða valkyrjur eða nornir eða dísir. Konu er ok rétt at kenna við alla athöfn sína eða við eign eða ætt.
Hvernig skal kenna gull? Svá, at kalla þat eld Ægis ok barr Glasis, haddr Sifjar, höfuðband Fullu, grátr Freyju, munntal ok rödd ok orð jötna, dropa Draupnis ok regn eða skúr Draupnis eða augna Freyju, otrgjöld, nauðgjald ásanna, sáð Fýrisvalla, haugþak Hölga, eldr allra vatna ok handar, grjót ok sker eða blik handar.
Fyrir hví er gull kallat eldr Ægis? Þessi saga er til þess, er fyrr er getit, at Ægir sótti heimboð til Ásgarðs, en er hann var búinn til heimferðar, þá bauð hann til sín Óðni ok öllum ásum á þriggja mánaða fresti. Til þeirar ferðar varð fyrst Óðinn ok Njörðr, Freyr, Týr, Bragi, Viðarr, Loki, svá ok ásynjur Frigg, Freyja, Gefjun, Skaði, Iðunn, Sif. Þórr var eigi þar. Hann var farinn í austrveg at drepa troll. En er goðin höfðu setzt í sæti, þá lét Ægir bera inn á hallargólf lýsigull, þat er birti ok lýsti höllina sem eldr, ok þat var þar haft fyrir ljós at hans veizlu, sem í Valhöllu váru sverðin fyrir eld. Þá sennti Loki þar við öll goð ok drap þræl Ægis, þann er Fimafengr hét. Annarr þræll hans er nefndr Eldir. Rán er nefnd kona hans, en níu dætr þeira, svá sem fyrr er ritat. At þeiri veizlu vannst allt sjálft, bæði vist ok öl ok öll reiða, er til veizlunnar þurfti. Þá urðu æsir þessir varir, at Rán átti net þat, er hon veiddi í menn alla, þá er á sæ kómu. Nú er þessi saga til þess, hvaðan af þat er, at gull er kallat eldr eða ljós eða birti Ægis, Ránar eða Ægis dætra. Ok af þeim kenningum er nú svá sett, at gull er kallat eldr sævar ok allra hans heita, svá sem Ægir eða Rán eigu heiti við sæinn, ok þaðan af er nú gull kallat eldr vatna eða á ok allra árheita. En þessi heiti hafa svá farit sem önnur ok kenningar, at in yngri skáld hafa ort eftir dæmum inna gömlu skálda, svá sem stóð í þeira kvæðum, en sett síðan út í hálfur þær, er þeim þóttu líkar við þat, er fyrr var ort, svá sem vatnit er sænum, en áin vatninu, en bekkr ánni. Því er þat kallat nýgervingar allt, er út er sett heiti lengra en fyrr finnst, ok þykkir þat vel allt, er með líkendum ferr ok eðli. Svá kvað Bragi skáld: Eld of þák af jöfri / ölna bekks við drykkju; / þat gaf Fjölnis fjalla, / með fulli mér stillir.
Hví er gull kallat barr eða lauf Glasis? Í Ásgarði fyrir durum Valhallar stendr lundr, sá er Glasir er kallaðr, en lauf hans allt er gull rautt, svá sem hér er kveðit, at Glasir stendr / með gullnu laufi / fyrir Sigtýs sölum. Sá er viðr fegrstr með goðum ok mönnum.
Hví er gull kallat haddr Sifjar? Loki Laufeyjarson hafði þat gert til lævísi at klippa hár allt af Sif. En er Þórr varð þess varr, tók hann Loka ok myndi lemja hvert bein í honum, áðr hann svarði þess, at hann skal fá af Svartálfum, at þeir skulu gera af gulli Sifju hadd þann, er svá skal vaxa sem annat hár. Eftir þat fór Loki til þeira dverga, er heita Ívaldasynir, ok gerðu þeir haddinn ok Skíðblaðni ok geirinn, er Óðinn átti, er Gungnir heitir. Þá veðjaði Loki höfði sínu við þann dverg, er Brokkr heitir, hvárt bróðir hans, Sindri, myndi gera jafngóða gripi þrjá sem þessir váru. En er þeir kómu til smiðju, þá lagði Sindri svínskinn í aflinn ok bað blása Brokk ok létta eigi fyrr en hann tæki þat ór aflinum, er hann hafði í lagt. En þegar er hann var genginn ór smiðjunni, en hinn blés, þá settist fluga ein á hönd honum ok kroppaði, en hann blés sem áðr, þar til er smiðrinn tók ór aflinum, ok var þat göltr, ok var burstin ór gulli. Því næst lagði hann í aflinn gull ok bað hann blása ok hætta eigi fyrr blæstrinum en hann kæmi aftr. Gekk hann á braut. En þá kom flugan ok settist á háls honum ok kroppaði nú hálfu fastara en áðr, en hann blés, þar til er smiðrinn tók ór aflinum gullhring þann, er Draupnir heitir. Þá lagði hann járn í aflinn ok bað hann blása ok sagði, at ónýtt myndi verða, ef blástrinn felli. Þá settist flugan milli augna honum ok kroppaði hvarmana, en er blóðit fell í augun, svá at hann sá ekki, þá greip hann til hendinni sem skjótast, meðan belgrinn lagðist niðr, ok sveipði af sér flugunni, ok þá kom þar smiðrinn ok sagði, at nú lagði nær, at allt myndi ónýtast, er í aflinum var. Þá tók hann ór aflinum hamar. Fékk hann þá alla gripina í hendr bróður sínum Brokk ok bað hann fara með til Ásgarðs ok leysa veðjunina. En er þeir Loki báru fram gripina, þá settust æsirnir á dómstóla ok skyldi þat atkvæði standast, sem segði Óðinn, Þórr, Freyr. Þá gaf Loki Óðni geirinn Gungni, en Þór haddinn, er Sif skyldi hafa, en Frey Skíðblaðni ok sagði skyn á öllum gripunum, at geirrinn nam aldri staðar í lagi, en haddrinn var holdgróinn, þegar er hann kom á höfuð Sif, en Skíðblaðnir hafði byr, þegar er segl kom á loft, hvert er fara skyldi, en mátti vefja saman sem dúk ok hafa í pungi sér, ef þat vildi. Þá bar fram Brokkr sína gripi. Hann gaf Óðni hringinn ok sagði, at ina níundu hverja nótt myndi drjúpa af honum átta hringar jafnhöfgir sem hann. En Frey gaf hann göltinn ok sagði, at hann mátti renna loft ok lög nótt ok dag meira en hverr hestr ok aldri varð svá myrkt af nótt eða í myrkheimum, at eigi væri ærit ljós, þar er hann fór; svá lýsti af burstinni. Þá gaf hann Þór hamarinn ok sagði, at hann myndi mega ljósta svá stórt sem hann vildi, hvat sem fyrir væri, at eigi myndi hamarrinn bila, ok ef hann yrpi honum til, þá myndi hann aldri missa ok aldri fljúga svá langt, at eigi myndi hann sækja heim hönd, ok ef þat vildi, þá var hann svá lítill, at hafa mátti serk sér. En þat var lýi á, ar forskeftit var heldr skammt. Þat var dómr þeira, at hamarrinn var beztr af öllum gripunum ok mest vörn í fyrir hrímþursum, ok dæmðu þeir, at dvergrinn ætti veðféit. Þá bauð Loki at leysa höfuð sitt, en dvergrinn sagði, at þess var engi ván. "Taktu mik þá," kvað Loki, en er hann vildi taka hann, þá var hann víðs fjarri. Loki átti skúa þá, er hann rann á loft ok lög. Þá bað dvergrinn Þór, at hann skyldi taka hann, en hann gerði svá. Þá vildi dvergrinn höggva af höfuð hans, en Loki sagði, at hann átti höfuðit, en eigi hálsinn. Þá tók dvergrinn þveng ok kníf ok vill stinga rauf á vörrum Loka ok vill rifa saman munninn, en knífrinn beit ekki. Þá mælti hann, at betri væri þar alr bróður hans, en jafnskjótt sem hann nefndi hann, þá var þar alrinn, ok beit hann varrarnar. Rifaði hann saman varrirnar, ok reif Loki ór æsunum. Sá þvengr, er muðrinn Loka var saman rifaðr, heitir Vartari.
Hér heyrir, at gull er kennt til höfuðbands Fullu, er orti Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Fullu skein á fjöllum / fallsól bráavallar. / Ullar kjóls of allan / aldr Hákunar skaldum. Gull er kallat grátr Freyju, sem fyrr er sagt. Svá kvað Skúli Þorsteinsson: Margr of hlaut of morgin / morðelds, þar er val felldum, / Freyju tár at fleiri / fárbjóðr; at þar várum. Ok sem kvað Einarr Skúlason: Þar er Mardallar milli, / meginhurðar, liggr skurða, / Gauts berum galla þrútinn, / grátr, dalreyðar látri. Ok hér hefir Einarr enn kennt svá Freyju at kalla hana móður Hnossar eða konu Óðs, svá sem hér: Eigi þverr fyrir augna / Óðs beðvinu Róða / ræfrs, eignisk svá, regni / ramsvell, konungr elli. Ok enn svá: Hróðrbarni kná ek Hörnar, / hlutum dýran grip, stýra, / brandr þrymr gjalfrs á grandi / gollvífiðu, hlífar; / sáðs, berr sinnar móður, / svans unni mér gunnar / fóstrgæðandi Fróða, / Freys nift bráa driftir. Hér getr ok þess, at Freyju má svá kenna at kalla hana systur Freys. Ok enn svá: Nýt buðumk Njarðar dóttur, / nálægt var þat stáli / vel of hrósa ek því vísa / vörn, sævar bál barni. Hér er hon kölluð dóttir Njarðar. Ok enn Svá: Gaf, sá er erring ofrar, / ógnprúðr Vanabrúðar / þing Váfaðar þröngvir / þróttöflga mér dóttur; / ríkr leiddi mey mækis / mátvaldr á beð skaldi / Gefnar, glóðum drifna, / Gautreks svana brautar. Hér er hon kölluð Gefn ok Vanabrúðr. Til allra heita Freyju er rétt at kenna grátinn ok kalla svá gullit, ok á marga lund er þessum kenningum breytt, kallat hagl eða regn eða él eða dropar eða skúrir eða forsar augna hennar eða kinna eða hlýra eða brá eða hvarma.
Hér má þat heyra, at kallat er orð eða rödd jötna gullit, svá sem fyrr er sagt. Svá kvað Bragi skáld: Þann átta ek vin verstan / vaströdd en mér baztan / Ála undirkúlu / óniðraðan þriðja. Hann kallaði stein vasta undirkúlu, en jötun Ála steinsins, en gull rödd jötuns.
Hver sök er til þess, at gull er kallat otrgjöld? Svá er sagt, at þá er æsir fóru at kanna heim, Óðinn ok Loki ok Hænir, þeir kómu at á nökkurri ok gengu með ánni til fors nökkurs, ok við forsinn var otr einn ok hafði tekit lax ór forsinum ok át blundandi. Þá tók Loki upp stein ok kastaði at otrinum ok laust í höfuð honum. Þá hrósði Loki veiði sinni, at hann hefði veitt í einu höggvi otr ok lax. Tóku þeir þá laxinn ok otrinn ok báru eftir sér, kómu þá at bæ nökkurum ok gengu inn. En sá búandi er nefndr Hreiðmarr, er þar bjó. Hann var mikill fyrir sér ok mjök fjölkunnigr. Beiddust æsir at hafa þar náttstað ok kváðust hafa með sér vist ærna ok sýndu búandanum veiði sína. En er Hreiðmarr sá otrinn, þá kallaði hann sonu sína, Fáfni ok Regin, ok segir, at Otr, bróðir þeira, var drepinn ok svá, hverir þat höfðu gert. Nú ganga þeir feðgar at ásunum ok taka þá höndum ok binda ok segja þá um otrinn, at hann var sonr Hreiðmars. Æsir bjóða fyrir sik fjörlausn, svá mikit fé sem Hreiðmarr sjálfr vill á kveða, ok varð þat at sætt með þeim ok bundit svardögum. Þá var otrinn fleginn. Tók Hreiðmarr otrbelginn ok mælti við þá, at þeir skulu fylla belginn af rauðu gulli ok svá hylja hann allan, ok skal þat vera at sætt þeira. Þá sendi Óðinn Loka í Svartálfaheim, ok kom hann til dvergs þess, er heitir Andvari. Hann var fiskr í vatni, ok tók Loki hann höndum ok lagði á hann fjörlausn allt þat gull, er hann átti í steini sínum. Ok er þeir koma í steininn, þá bar dvergrinn fram allt gull, þat er hann átti, ok var þat allmikit fé. Þá svipti dvergrinn undir hönd sér einum litlum gullbaug. Þat sá Loki ok bað hann fram láta bauginn. Dvergrinn bað hann eigi bauginn af sér taka ok lézt mega æxla sér fé af bauginum, ef hann heldi. Loki kvað hann eigi skyldu hafa einn penning eftir ok tók bauginn af honum ok gekk út, en dvergrinn mælti, at sá baugr skyldi vera hverjum höfuðsbani, er ætti. Loki segir, at honum þótti þat vel, ok sagði, at þat skyldi haldast mega fyrir því sá formáli, at hann skyldi flytja þeim til eyrna, er þá tæki við. Fór hann í braut ok kom til Hreiðmars ok sýndi Óðni gullit. En er hann sá bauginn, þá sýndist honum fagr ok tók hann af fénu, en greiddi Hreiðmari gullit. Þá fylldi hann otrbelginn, sem mest mátti hann, ok setti upp, er fullr var. Gekk þá Óðinn til ok skyldi hylja belginn með gullinu, ok þá mælti hann við Hreiðmar, at hann skal sjá, hvárt belgrinn er þá allr hulðr. En Hreiðmarr leit til ok hugði at vandliga ok sá eitt granahár ok bað þat hylja, en at öðrum kosti væri lokit sætt þeira. Þá dró Óðinn fram bauginn ok hulði granahárit ok sagði, at þá váru þeir lausir frá otrgjöldunum. En er Óðinn hafði tekit geir sinn, en Loki skúa sína ok þurftu þá ekki at óttast, þá mælti Loki, at þat skyldi haldast, er Andvari hafði mælt, at sá baugr ok þat gull skyldi verða þess bani, er ætti, ok þat helzt síðan. Nú er sagt, af hverju gull er otrgjöld kallat eða nauðgjald ásanna eða rógmálmr.
Hvat er fleira at segja frá gullinu? Hreiðmarr tók þá gullit at sonargjöldum, en Fáfnir ok Reginn beiddust af nökkurs í bróðurgjöld. Hreiðmarr unni þeim enskis pennings af gullinu. Þat varð óráð þeira bræðra, at þeir drápu föður sinn til gullsins. Þá beiddist Reginn, at Fáfnir skyldi skipta gullinu í helminga með þeim. Fáfnir svarar svá, at lítil ván var at hann myndi miðla gullit við bróður sinn, er hann drap föður sinn til gullsins, ok bað Regin fara braut, en at öðrum kosti myndi hann fara sem Hreiðmarr. Fáfnir hafði þá tekit hjálm, er Hreiðmarr hafði átt, ok setti á höfuð sér, er kallaðr var ægishjálmr, er öll kvikvendi hræðast, er sjá, ok sverð þat, er Hrotti heitir. Reginn hafði þat sveð, er Refill er kallaðr. Flýði hann þá braut, en Fáfnir fór upp á Gnitaheiði ok gerði sér þar ból ok brást í ormslíki ok lagðist á gullit. Reginn fór þá til Hjálpreks konungs á Þjóði ok gerðist þar smiðr hans. Þá tók hann þar til fóstrs Sigurð, son Sigmundar, sonar Völsungs, ok son Hjördísar, dóttur Eylima. Sigurðr var ágætastr allra herkonunga af ætt ok afli ok hug. Reginn sagði honum til, hvar Fáfnir lá á gullinu, ok eggjaði hann at sækja gullit. Þá gerði Reginn sverð þat, er Gramr heitir, er svá var hvasst, at Sigurðr brá niðr í rennanda vatn ok tók í sundr ullarlagð, er rak fyrir strauminum at sverðsegginni. Því næst klauf Sigurðr steðja Regins ofan í stokkinn með sverðinu. Eftir þat fóru þeir Sigurðr ok Reginn á Gnitaheiði. Þá gróf Sigurðr gröf á veg Fáfnis ok settist þar í. En er Fáfnir skreið til vatns ok hann kom yfir gröfina, þá lagði Sigurðr sverðinu í gegnum hann, ok var þat hans bani. Kom þá Reginn at ok sagði, at hann hefði drepit bróður hans, ok bauð honum þat at sætt, at hann skyldi taka hjarta Fáfnis ok steikja við eld, en Reginn lagðist niðr ok drakk blóð Fáfnis ok lagðist at sofa. En er Sigurðr steikði hjartat ok hann hugði, at fullsteikt myndi, ok tók á fingrinum, hvé hart var. En er frauðit rann ór hjartanu á fingrinn, þá brann hann ok drap fingrinum í munn sér. En er hjartablóðit kom á tunguna, þá kunni hann fuglsrödd ok skilði, hvat igðurnar sögðu, er sátu í viðnum. Þá mælti ein: Þar sitr Sigurðr / sveita stokkinn, / Fáfnis hjarta / við funa steikir; / spakr þætti mér / spillir bauga / ef fjörsega / fránan æti. Þar liggr Reginn, kvað önnur, / ræðr um við sik, / vill tæla mög, / þann er trúir hánum, / berr af reiði / röng orð saman, / vill bölvasmiðr / bróður hefna. Þá gekk Sigurðr til Regins ok drap hann, en síðan til hests síns, er Grani heitir, ok reið til þess, er hann kom til bóls Fáfnis, tók þá gullit ok batt í klyfjar ok lagði upp á bak Grana ok steig upp sjálfr ok reið þá leið sína. Nú er þat sagt, hver saga til er þess, at gullit er kallat ból eða byggð Fáfnis eða málmr Gnitaheiðar eða byrðr Grana.
Þá reið Sigurðr, til þess er hann fann á fjallinu hús. Þar svaf inni ein kona, ok hafði sú hjálm ok brynju. Hann brá sverðinu ok reist brynjuna af henni. Þá vaknaði hon ok nefndist Hildr. Hon er kölluð Brynhildr ok var valkyrja. Sigurðr reið þaðan ok kom til þess konungs, er Gjúki hét. Kona hans er nefnd Grímhildr. Börn þeira váru þau Gunnarr, Högni, Guðrún, Guðný. Gotthormr var stjúpsonr Gjúka. Þar dvalðist Sigurðr langa hríð. Þá fekk hann Guðrúnar Gjúkadóttur, en Gunnarr ok Högni sórust í bræðralag við Sigurð. Því næst fóru þeir Sigurðr ok Gjúkusynir at biðja Gunnari konu til Atla Buðlasonar, Brynhildar, systur hans. Hon sat á Hindafjalli, ok var um sal hennar vafrlogi, en hon hafði þess heit strengt at eiga þann einn mann, er þorði at ríða vafrlogann. Þá riðu þeir Sigurðr ok Gjúkungar - þeir eru ok kallaðir Niflungar - upp á fjallit, ok skyldi þá Gunnarr ríða vafrlogann. Hann átti hest þann, er Goti heitir, en sá hestr þorði eigi at hlaupa í eldinn. Þá skiptu þeir litum, Sigurðr ok Gunnarr, ok svá nöfnum, því at Grani vildi undir engum manni ganga nema Sigurði. Þá hljóp Sigurðr á Grana ok reið vafrlogann. Þat kveld gekk hann at brúðlaupi með Brynhildi. En er þau kómu í sæing, þá dró hann sverðit Gram ór slíðum ok lagði í milli þeira. En at morgni, er hann stóð upp ok klæddi sik, þá gaf hann Brynhildi at línfé gullbauginn, þann er Loki hafði tekit af Andvara, en tók af hendi henni annan baug til minja. Sigurðr hljóp þá á hest sinn ok reið til félaga sinna. Skipta þeir Gunnarr þá aftr litum ok fóru heim til Gjúka með Brynhildi. Sigurðr átti tvau börn með Guðrúnu, Sigmund ok Svanhildi.
Þat var eitt sinn, at Brynhildr ok Guðrún gengu til vatns at bleikja hadda sína. Þá er þær kómu til árinnar, þá óð Brynhildr út í ána frá landi ok mælti, at hon vildi eigi bera í höfuð sér þat vatn, er rynni ór hári Guðrúnu, því at hon átti búanda hugaðan betr. Þá gekk Guðrún í ána eftir henni ok sagði, at hon mátti fyrir því þvá ofar sinn hadd í ánni, at hon átti þann mann, er eigi Gunnarr ok engi annarr í veröldu var jafnfrækn, því at hann vá Fáfni ok Regin ok tók arf eftir báða þá. Þá svarar Brynhildr: "Meira er þat vert, er Gunnarr reið vafrlogann, en Sigurðr þorði eigi." Þá hló Guðrún ok mælti: "Ætlar þú, at Gunnarr riði vafrlogann? Sá ætlak at gengi í rekkju hjá þér, er mér gaf gullbaug þenna. En sá gullbaugr, er þú hefir á hendi ok þú þátt at línfé, hann er kallaðr Andvaranautr, ok ætlak, at eigi sótti Gunnarr hann á Gnitaheiði." Þá þagnaði Brynhildr ok gekk heim. Eftir þat eggjaði hon Gunnar ok Högna at drepa Sigurð, en fyrir því at þeir váru eiðsvarar Sigurðar, þá eggjuðu þeir til Gotthorm, bróður sinn, at drepa Siguð. Hann lagði Sigurð sverði í gegnum sofanda. En er hann fekk sárit, þá kastaði hann sverðinu Gram eftir honum, svá at sundr sneið í miðju manninn. Þar fell Sigurðr ok sonr hans þrévetr, er Sigmundr hét, er þeir drápu. Eftir þat lagði Brynhildr sik sverði, ok var hon brennd með Sigurði, en Gunnarr ok Högni tóku þá Fáfnisarf ok Andvaranaut ok réðu þá löndum.
Atli konungr Buðlason, bróðir Brynhildar, fekk þá Guðrúnar, er Sigurðr hafði átta, ok áttu þau börn. Atli konungr bauð þá til sín Gunnari ok Högna, en þeir fóru at heimboðinu. En áðr þeir fóru heiman, þá fálu þeir gullit Fáfnisarf í Rín, ok hefir þat gull aldri síðan fundizt. En Atli konungr hafði þar lið fyrir ok barðist við þá Gunnar ok Högna, ok urðu þeir handteknir. Lét Atli konungr skera hjarta ór Högna kykum. Var þat hans bani. Gunnari lét hann kasta í ormgarð, en honum var fengin leyniliga harpa, ok sló hann með tánum, því at hendr hans váru bundnar, en svá lék hann hörpuna, svá at allir ormarnir sofnuðu nema sú naða, er renndi at honum ok hjó svá fyrir flagbrjóskat, at hon steypði höfðinu inn í holit, ok hangði hon á lifrinni, þar til er hann dó. Gunnarr ok Högni eru kallaðir Niflungar ok Gjúkungar. Fyrir því er gull kallat Niflunga skattr eða arfr. Litlu síðar drap Guðrún tvá sonu sína ok lét gera með gulli ok silfri borðker af hausum þeira, ok þá var gert erfi Niflunga. At þeiri veizlu lét Guðrún skenkja Atla konungi með þeim borðkerum mjöð, ok var blandit við blóði sveinanna, en hjörtu þeira lét hon steikja ok fá konungi at eta. En er þat var gert, þá sagði hon honum sjálfum með mörgum ófögrum orðum. Eigi skorti þar áfenginn drykk, svá at flest fólk sofnaði, þar sem sat. Á þeiri nótt gekk hon til konungs, er hann svaf, ok með henni sonr Högna ok vágu at honum. Þat var hans bani. Þá skutu þau eldi í höllina, ok brann þat fólk, er þar var inni. Eftir þat fór hon til sjávar ok hljóp á sæinn ok vildi týna sér, en hana rak yfir fjörðinn, kom þá á þat land, er átti Jónakr konungr. En er hann sá hana, tók hann hana til sín ok fekk hennar. Áttu þau þrjá sonu, er svá hétu: Sörli, Hamðir, Erpr. Þeir váru allir svartir sem hrafn á hárslit sem Gunnarr ok Högni ok aðrir Niflungar. Þar fæddist upp Svanhildr, dóttir Sigurðar sveins, ok var allra kvinna fegrst. Þat spurði Jörmunrekkr konungr inn ríki. Hann sendi son sinn, Randvé, at biðja hennar sér til handa. En er hann kom til Jónakrs, þá var Svanhildr seld honum í hendr. Skyldi hann færa hana Jörmunrekki konungi. Þá sagði Bikki jarl, at þat var betr fallit, at Randvér ætti Svanhildi, er hann var ungr ok bæði þau, en Jörmunrekkr var gamall. Þetta ráð líkaði þeim vel inum ungum mönnum. Því næst sagði Bikki þetta konungi. Þá lét Jörmunrekkr konungr taka son sinn ok leiða til gálga. Þá tók Randvér hauk sinn ok plokkaði af fjaðrarnar ok bað senda feðr sínum. Þá var hann hengðr. En er Jörmunrekkr konungr sá haukinn, þá kom honum í hug, at svá sem haukrinn var ófleygr ok fjaðralauss, svá var ríki hans ófært, er hann var gamall ok sonlauss. Þá leit Jörmunrekkr konungr Svanhildi, er hann reið ór skógi frá veiðum með hirð sína, hvar hon sat at haddbliki. Þá riðu þeir á hana ok tráðu hana undir hestafótum til bana. En er þetta spurði Guðrún, þá eggjaði hon sonu sína til hefndar eftir Svanhildi. En er þeir bjuggust til ferðar, þá fekk hon þeim brynjur ok hjálma svá sterka, at eigi mundi járn á festa. Hon lagði ráð fyrir þá, at þá er þeir kæmi til Jörmunrekks konungs, at þeir skyldu ganga of nótt at honum sofanda. Skyldi Sörli ok Hamðir höggva af honum hendr ok fætr, en Erpr höfuðit. En er þeir kómu á leið, þá spurðu þeir Erp, hver liðsemð þeim myndi at honum, ef þeir hitti Jörmunrekk konung. Hann svarar, at hann myndi veita þeim þvílíkt sem hönd fæti. Þeir segja, at þat var alls ekki, at fótr styddist við hönd. Þeir váru svá reiðir móður sinni, er hon hafði leitt þá út með heiftyrðum, ok þeir vildu gera þat, er henni þætti verst, ok drápu Erp, því at hon unni honum mest. Litlu síðar, er Sörli gekk, skriðnaði hann öðrum fæti, studdi sik með hendinni. Þá mælti hann: "veitti nú höndin fætinum. Betr væri nú, at Erpr lifði." En er þeir kómu til Jörmunrekks konungs of nótt, þar sem hann svaf, ok hjuggu af honum hendr ok fætr, þá vaknaði hann ok kallaði á menn sína, bað þá vaka. Þá mælti Hamðir: "Af myndi nú höfuðit, ef Erpr lifði." Þá stóðu upp hirðmenninir ok sóttu þá ok fengu eigi sótt með vápnum. Þá kallaði Jörmunrekkr, at þá skal berja grjóti. Var svá gert. Þar fellu þeir Sörli ok Hamðir. Þá var ok dauð öll ætt ok afkvæmi Gjúka. Því er brynja kölluð klæði eða váðir Hamðis ok Sörla.
Eftir Sigurð svein lifði dóttir, er Áslaug hét, er fædd var at Heimis í Hlymdölum, ok eru þaðan ættir komnar stórar. Svá er sagt, at Sigmundr Völsungsson var svá máttugr, at hann drakk eitr ok sakaði ekki, en Sinfjötli, sonr hans, ok Sigurðr váru svá harðir á húðna, at þá sakaði ekki eitr, at útan kæmi á þá bera. Því hefir Bragi skáld svá kveðit: Þá er forns Litar flotna / á fangboða öngli / hrökkviáll of hrokkinn / hekk Völsunga drekku. Eftir þessum sögum hafa flest skáld ort ok tekit ýmsa þáttu. Bragi inn gamli orti um fall Sörla ok Hamðis í drápu þeiri, er hann orti um Ragnar loðbrók. Knátti eðr við illan / Jörmunrekkr at vakna / með dreyrfáar dróttir / draum í sverða flaumi; / rósta varð í ranni / Raudvés höfuðniðja, / þá er hrafnbláir hefnðu / harma Erps of barmar. Flaut of set við sveita / sóknar alfs í golfi / hræva dögg, þar er höggnar / hendr sem fætr of kenndusk; / fell í blóði blandinn / brunn ölskála, runna / þat er á Leifa landa / laufi fátt, at höfði. Þar svá at gerðu gyrðan / golfhölkvis sá fylkis / segls naglfara siglur / saums andvanar standa; / urðu snemmst ok Sörli / samráða þeir Hamðir / hörðum herðimýlum / Hergauts vinu barðir. Mjök lét stála stökkvir / styðja Gjúka niðja / flaums, þá er fjörvi næma / Foglhildar mun vildu, / ok bláserkjar birkis, / ball, fagrgötu allir, / ennihögg ok eggjar / Jónakrs sonum launa. Þat sék fall á fögrum / flotna randar botni. / Ræs gafumk reiðar mána / Ragnarr ok fjölð sagna.
Hví er gull kallat mjöl Fróða? Til þess er saga sjá, at Skjöldr hét sonr Óðins, er Skjöldungar eru frá komnir. Hann hafði atsetu ok réð löndum, þar sem nú er kölluð Danmörk, en þá var kallat Gotland. Skjöldr átti þann son, er Friðleifr hét, er löndum réð eftir hann. Sonr Friðleifs hét Fróði. Mann tók konungdóm eftir föður sinn í þann tíð, er Ágústus keisari lagði frið of heim allan. Þá var Kristr borinn. En fyrir því at Fróði var allra konunga ríkastr á Norðlöndum, þá var honum kenndr friðrinn um alla danska tungu, ok kalla menn það Fróðafrið. Engi maðr grandaði öðrum, þótt hann hitti fyrir sér föðurbana eða bróðurbana lausan eða bundinn. Þá var ok engi þjófr eða ránsmaðr, svá at gullhringr einn lá á Jalangrsheiði lengi. Fróði konungr sótti heimboð í Svíþjóð til þess konungs, er Fjölnir er nefndr. Þá keypti hann ambáttir tvær, er hétu Fenja ok Menja. Þær váru miklar ok sterkar. Í þann tíma fundust í Danmörku kvernsteinar tveir svá miklir, at engi var svá sterkr, at dregit gæti. En sú náttúra fylgði kvernunum, at þat mólst á kverninni, sem sá mælti fyrir, er mól. Sú kvern hét Grótti. Hengikjöftr er sá nefndr, er Fróða konungi gaf kvernina. Fróði konungr lét leiða ambáttirnar til kvernarinnar ok bað þær mala gull, ok svá gerðu þær, mólu fyrst gull ok frið ok sælu Fróða. Þá gaf hann þeim eigi lengri hvílð eða svefn en gaukrinn þagði eða hljóð mátti kveða. Þat er sagt, at þær kvæði ljóð þau, er kallat er Gróttasöngr, ok er þetta upphaf at: Nú erum komnar / til konungs húsa / framvísar tvær, / Fenja ok Menja; / þær eru at Fróða / Friðleifs sonar / máttkar meyjar / at mani hafðar. Ok áðr létti kvæðinu, mólu þær her at Fróða, svá at á þeiri nótt kom þar sá sækonungr, er Mýsingr hét, ok drap Fróða, tók þar herfang mikit. Þá lagðist Fróðafriðr. Mýsingr hafði með sér Grótta ok svá Fenju ok Menju ok bað þær mala salt. Ok at miðri nótt spurðu þær, ef eigi leiddist Mýsingi salt. Hann bað þær mala lengr. Þær mólu litla hríð, áðr niðr sökk skipit, ok var þar eftir svelgr í hafinu, er særinn fellr í kvernaraugat. Þá varð sær saltr.
Hví er gull kallat sáð Kraka? Konungr einn í Danmörk er nefndr Hrólfr kraki. Hann var ágætastr fornkonunga fyrst af mildi ok fræknleik ok lítillæti. Þat er eitt mark um lítillæti hans, er mjök er fært í frásagnir, at einn lítill sveinn ok fátækr er nefndr Vöggr. Hann kom í höll Hrólfs konungs. Þá var konungrinn ungr at aldri ok grannligr á vöxt. Þá gekk Vöggr fyrir hann ok sá upp á hann. Þá mælti konungr: "Hvat viltu mæla, sveinn, er þú sér á mik?" Vöggr segir: "Þá er ek var heima, heyrðak sagt, at Hrólfr konungr at Hleiðru var mestr maðr á Norðrlöndum, en nú sitr hér í hásæti kraki einn lítill, ok kallið þér hann konung." Þá svarar konungr: "Þú, sveinn, hefir gefit mér nafn, at ek skal heita Hrólfr kraki, en þat er títt, at gjöf skal fylgja nafnfesti. Nú sé ek þik enga gjöf hafa til at gefa mér at nafnfesti, þá er mér sé þægilig. Nú skal sá gefa öðrum, er til hefir," - tók gullhring af hendi sér ok gaf honum. Þá mælti Vöggr: "Gef þú allra konunga heilastr, ok þess strengi ek heit at verða þess manns bani, er þinn banamaðr verðr." Þá mælti konungr ok hló við: "Litlu verðr Vöggr feginn."
Annat mark var þat sagt frá Hrólfi kraka um fræknleik hans, at sá konungr réð fyrir Uppsölum, er Aðils hét. Hann átti Yrsu, móður Hrólfs kraka. Hann hafði ósætt við þann konung, er réð fyrir Nóregi, er Áli hét. Þeir stefndu orrostu milli sín á ísi vatns þess, er Væni heitir. Aðils konungr sendi boð Hrólfi kraka, mági sínum, at hann kæmi til liðveizlu við hann, ok hét mála öllum her hans, meðan þeir væri í ferðinni, en konungr sjálfr skyldi eignast þrjá kostgripi, þá er hann köri af Svíðjóð. Hrólfr konungr mátti eigi fara fyrir ófriði þeim, er hann átti við Saxa, en þó sendi hann Aðilsi berserki sína tólf. Þar var einn Böðvarr bjarki ok Hjalti hugprúði, Hvítserkr hvati, Vöttr, Véseti, þeir bræðr Svipdagr ok Beiguðr. Í þeiri orrostu féll Áli konungr ok mikill hluti liðs hans. Þá tók Aðils konungr af honum dauðum hjálminn Hildisvín ok hest hans Hrafn. Þá beiddust þeir berserkir Hrólfs kraka at taka mála sinn, þrjú pund gulls hverr þeira, ok um fram beiddust þeir at flytja Hrólfi kraka kostgripi þá, er þeir kuru til handa honum. Þat var hjálmrinn Hildigöltr ok brynjan Finnsleif, er á hvárigu festi járn, ok gullhringr sá, er kallaðr var Svíagríss, er átt höfðu langfeðgar Aðils. En konungr varnaði allra gripanna, ok eigi heldr galt hann málann. Fóru berserkir braut ok unðu illa sínum hlut, sögðu svá búit Hrólfi kraka. Ok jafnskjótt byrjaði hann ferð sína til Uppsala, ok er hann kom skipum sínum í ána Fýri, þá reið hann til Uppsala, ok með honum tólf berserkir hans, allr griðalausir. Yrsa, móðir hans, fagnaði honum ok fylgði honum til herbergis ok eigi til konungs hallar. Váru þá gervir eldar fyrir þeim ok gefit öl at drekka. Þá komu menn Aðils konungs inn ok báru skíð á eldinn ok gerðu svá mikinn, at klæði brunnu af þeim Hrólfi, ok mæltu: "Er þat satt, at Hrólfr kraki ok berserkir hans flýja hvárki eld né járn?" Þá hljóp Hrólfr kraki upp ok allir þeir. Þá mælti hann: "Aukum enn elda / at Aðils húsum," tók skjöld sinn ok kastaði á eldinn ok hljóp yfir eldinn, meðan skjöldrinn brann, ok mælti enn: "Flýra sá eld / er yfir hleypr." Svá fór hverr at öðrum hans manna, tóku þá ok, er eldinn höfðu aukit, ok köstuðu á eldinn. Þá kom Yrsa ok fekk Hrólfi kraka dýrshorn, fullt af gulli, ok þar með hringinn Svíagrís ok bað þá braut ríða til liðsins. Þeir hljópu á hesta sína ok ríða ofan á Fýrisvöllu. Þá sá þeir, at Aðils konungr reið eftir þeim með her sinn alvápnaðan ok vill drepa þá. Þá tók Hrólfr kraki hægri hendi gullit ofan í hornit ok söri allt um götuna. En er Svíar sjá þat, hlaupa þeir ór söðlunum, ok tók hverr slíkt er fekk, en Aðils konungr bað þá ríða ok reið sjálfr ákafliga. Slöngvir hét hestr hans, allra hesta skjótastr. Þá sá Hrólfr kraki, at Aðils konungr reið nær honum, tók þá hringinn Svíagrís ok kastaði til hans ok bað hann þiggja at gjöf. Aðils konungr reið at hringinum ok tók til með spjótsoddinum ok renndi upp á falinn. Þá veik Hrólfr kraki aftr ok sá, er hann laut niðr. Þá mælti hann: "Svínbeygt hefi ek nú þann, er ríkastr er með Svíum." Svá skilðust þeir. Af þessi sök er gull kallat sáð Kraka eða Fýrisvalla. Svá kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Bárum, Ullr, of alla, / ímunlauks, á hauka / fjöllum Fýrisvalla / fræ Hákunar ævi. Svá sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Örð sær Yrsu burðar / inndrótt jöfurr sinni / bjartplógaðan bauga / brattakr völu-spakra. / Eyss landreki ljósu / lastvarr Kraka barri / á hlémyldar holdi, / hauks kölfur mér sjalfum.
Svá er sagt, at konungr sá, er Hölgi er nefndr, er Hálogaland er við kennt, var faðir Þorgerðar Hölgabrúðar. Þau váru bæði blótuð, ok var haugr Hölga kastaðr, önnur fló af gulli eða silfri - þat var blótféit - en önnur fló af moldu ok grjóti. Svá kvað Skúli Þorsteinsson: Þá er ræfrvita Reifnis / rauð ek fyr Svölð til auðar, / herfylgins bar ek Hölga / haugþök saman baugum.
Í Bjarkarmálum inum fornum eru tölð mörg gullsheiti. Svá segir þar: Gramr inn gjöflasti / gæddi hirð sína / Fenju forverki, / Fáfnis Miðgarði, / Glasis glóbarri, / Grana fagrbyrði, / Draupnis dýrsveita, / dúni Grafvitnis. Ýtti örr hilmir, / aldir við tóku, / Sifjar svarðfestum, / svelli dalnauðar, / tregum otrsgjöldum, / tárum Mardallar, / eldi Órunar, / Iðja glysmálum. Gladdi gunnveitir, / gengum fagrbúnir, / Þjaza þingskilum / þjóðir hermargar, / Rínar rauðmalmi, / rógi Niflunga, / vísi inn vígdjarfi. / Varði hann Baldr þeygi. Gull er kallat í kenningum eldr handar eða liðs eða leggjar, því at þat er rautt, en silfr snær eða svell eða héla, því at þat er hvítt. Með sama hætti skal ok kenna gull eða silfr til sjóðs eða diguls eða lauðar, en hvárttveggja silfr ok gull má vera grjót handar eða hálsgjörð nökkurs þess manns, er títt var at hafa men. Men ok hringar eru bæði silfr ok gull, ef eigi er annan veg greint. Sem kvað Þorleikr fagri: Kastar gramr á glæstar / gegn valstöðvar þegnum, / ungr vísi gefr eisu / armleggs, digulfarmi. Ok sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Liðbröndum kná Lundar / landfrækn jöfurr granda. / Hykka ek ræsis rekka / Rínar grjót of þrjóta. Svá kvað Einarr Skúlason: Blóðeisu liggr bæði / bjargs tveim megin geima / sjóðs, á ek sökkva stríði, / snær ok eldr, at mæra. Ok enn sem hann kvað: Dægr þrymr hvert, en hjarta / hlýrskildir ræðr mildu / Heita blakks, of hvítum / hafleygr digulskafli. / Aldri má fyr eldi / áls hrynbrautar skála, / öll viðr folka fellir / framræði snæ bræða. Hér er gull kallat eldr áls hrynbrautar, en silfr snær skálanna. Svá kvað Þórðr Mæraskáld: Sér á seima rýri, / sigðis látrs at átti, / hrauns glaðsendir handa, / Hermóðr föður góðan.
Maðr er kallaðr brjótr gullsins, svá sem kvað Óttarr svarti: Góðmennis þarf ek gunnar / glóð-brjótanda at njóta. / Hér er alnennin inni / inndrótt með gram svinnum. Eða gullsendir, sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Gullsendir lætr grundar, / glaðar þengill her drengja, / hans mæti kná ek hljóta, / hljót Yggs mjaðar njóta. Gullvörpuðr, sem kvað Þorleikr: Hirð viðr grams með gerðum / gollvörpuðr sér holla. Gullstríðir, sem kvað Þorvaldr blönduskáld: Gullstríðir verpr glóðum, / gefr auð konungr rauðan, / óþjóðar bregðr eyðir, / armleggs, Grana farmi. Gullskati, sem hér er: Gat ek gullskata; / gör er leygs of bör / götu gunnvita / gráps tögdrápa.
Kona er kennd til gulls, kölluð selja gulls, sem kvað Hallar-Steinn: Svalteigar mun selju / salts Viðblinda galtar / rafkastandi rastar / reyrþvengs muna lengi. Hér er kallat hvalir Viðblinda geltir. Hann var jötunn ok dró hvali í hafi út sem fiska. Teigr hvala er sær, röf sævar er gull. Kona er selja gulls þess, er hon gefr, ok samheiti við selju er tré, sem fyrr er ritat, at kona er kennd við alls konar trjáheiti kvenkennd. Hon er ok lág kölluð þess, er hon gefr. Lág heitir ok tré þat, er fellr í skógi. Svá kvað Gunnlaugr ormstunga: Alin var rýgr at rógi, / runnr olli því gunnar, / lág var ek auðs at eiga / óðgjarn, fira börnum. Kona er kölluð mörk. Svá kvað Hallar-Steinn: Ek hefi óðar lokri / ölstafna Bil skafna, / væn mörk skála, verki / vandr stef-knarrar branda. Tróða, enn sem kvað Steinn: Þú munt, fúrs, sem fleiri, / flóðs hirðisif, tróður, / grönn, við gæfu þinni / grjóts Hjaðninga brjótask. Skorða, svá kvað Ormr Steinþórsson: Skorða var í föt færð / fjarðbeins afar hrein. / Nýri slöng nadd-Freyr / nisting of mjaðar Hrist. Stoð, sem Steinarr kvað: Mens hafa mildrar Synjar / mjúkstalls logit allir, / sjá höfumk veltistoð stilltan / straumtungls, at mér draumar. Björk, enn sem Ormr kvað: Því at hols hrynbáls / hramma, þats ek berk fram, / Billings á burar full / bjarkar hefi ek lagit mark. Eik, svá sem hér er: Aura stendr fyr órum / eik fagrbúin leiki. Lind, svá sem hér er: Ógnrakkr, skalat okkur, / almr dynskúrar malma, / svá bauð lind í landi / líns, hugrekki dvína.
Maðr er kenndr til viða, sem fyrr er ritat, kallaðr reynir vápna eða víga, ferða ok athafnar, skipa ok alls þess, er hann ræðr ok reynir. Svá kvað Úlfr Uggason: En stirðþinull starði / storðar leggs fyr borði / fróns á folka reyni / fránleitr ok blés eitri. Viðr ok meiðr, sem kvað Kormákr: Meiðr er mörgum æðri / morðteins í dyn fleina; / hjörr fær hildibörrum / hjarl Sigurði jarli. Lundr, svá kvað Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld: Askþollum stendr Ullar / austr at miklu trausti / rækilundr inn ríki / randfárs brumaðr hári. Hér er ok þollr nefndr. Búss, svá kvað Arnórr: Rökr öndurt bað randir / reggbúss saman leggja, / rógskýja helt, Rygja, / regni haustnótt gegnum. Askr, sem Refr kvað: Gekk í gulli stokkna / gjöfrífr, Háars drífu / askr viðr ærinn þroska, / as-Freyr sæing meyjar. Hlynr, sem hér er: Heill kom þú, handar svella / hlynr kvaddi svá brynju. Börr, sem Refr kvað: Alls böðgæðis bjóða, / börr ræðr til þess hjörva, / ógnstöðvar hefi ek ægi / einráðit Þórsteini. Stafr, sem Óttarr kvað: Heltu, þar er hrafn né svalta, / hvatráðr ertu, láði, / ógnarstafr, fyr jöfrum, / ýgr, tveimr, við kyn beima. Þorn, sem Arnórr kvað: Hlóð, en hála téðu / hirðmenn ara grenni, / auðar þorn fyr örnu / ungr valköstu þunga.
Hvernig skal kenna orrostu? Svá, at kalla veðr vápna eða hlífa eða Óðins eða valkyrju eða herkonunga eða gný eða glym. Svá kvað Hornklofi: Háði gramr, þar er gnúðu, / geira hregg við seggi, / rauð fnýstu ben blóði, / bengögl at dyn Sköglar. Svá kvað Eyvindr: Ok sá halr / at Háars veðri / hösvan serk / hrísgrímnis bar. Svá kvað Bersi: Þótta ek, þá er æri, / ár, sagt er þat, várum, / hæfr at Hlakkar drífu / hyrrunnum vel gunnar. Svá kvað Einarr: Glymvindi lætr Göndlar, / gnestr hörr, taka mestum / Hildar segl, Þar er hagli, / hraustr þengill, drífr strengjar. Sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Né sigbjarka serkir / sómmiðjungum rómu / Hárs við Högna skúrir / hléðut fast of séðir. Svá sem hér: Odda gnýs við æsi / oddnets þinul setja. Ok enn þetta: Hnigu fjandr at glym Göndlar / grams und arnar hramma.
Vápn ok herklæði skal kenna til orrostu ok til Óðins ok valmeyja ok herkonunga, kalla hjálm hött eða fald, en brynju serk eða skyrtu, en skjöld tjald, ok skjaldborgin er kölluð höll ok ræfr, veggr ok gólf. Skildir eru kallaðir ok kenndir við herskip, sól eða tungl eða lauf eða blik eða garðr skipsins. Skjöldr er ok kallaðr skip Ullar eða kennt til fóta Hrungnis, er hann stóð á skildi. Á fornum skjöldum var títt at skrifa rönd þá, er baugr var kallaðr, ok eru við þann baug skildir kenndir. Höggvápn, öxar eða sverð, er kallat eldar blóðs eða benja. Sverð heita Óðins eldar, en öxar kalla menn trollkvinna heitum ok kenna við blóð eða benjar eða skóg eða við. Lagvápn eru vel kennd til orma eða fiska. Skotvápn eru mjök kennd til hagls eða drífu eða rotu. Öllum þessum kenningum er marga lund breytt, því at þat er flest ort í lofkvæðum, er þessar kenningar þarf við. Svá kvað Víga-Glúmr: Lattisk herr með höttu / Hangatýs at ganga, / þóttit þeim at hætta / þekkiligt, fyr brekku. Svá kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Hjalmfaldinn bauð hildi / hjaldrörr ok Sigvaldi, / hinn er fór í gný Gunnar, / gunndjarfr Búi, sunnan. Róða serkr, sem Tindr kvað: Þá er hringfáum Hanga / hrynserk, viðum brynju / hruðusk riðmarar Róða / rastar, varð at kasta. Hamðis skyrta, sem Hallfreðr kvað: Ólítinn brestr úti / unndýrs frömum runnum / hart á Hamðis skyrtum / hryngráp Egils vápna. Sörla föt, enn sem hann kvað: Þaðan verða föt fyrða, / fregn ek görla þat, Sörla / rjóðask björt í blóði / benfúr méil-skúrum. [Hlakkar tjöld], sem Grettir kvað: Heldu Hlakkar tjalda / hefjendr saman nefjum / Hildar veggs ok hjuggusk / hregg-Nirðir til skeggjum. Róða ræfr, sem Einarr kvað: Eigi þverr fyrir augna / Óðs beðvinu Róða / ræfrs, eignisk sá, regni / ramsvell, konungr elli. Hildar veggr, sem kvað Grettir ok áðr er ritat. Skipsól, sem Einarr kvað: Leyg rýðr ætt á ægi / Óláfs skipa sólar. Hlýrtungl, sem Refr kvað: Dagr var fríðr, sá er fögru / fleygjendr alinleygjar / í hangferil hringa / hlýrtungli mér þrungu. Garðr skips, sem hér er: Svá skaut gegn í gögnum / garð steinfarinn barða, / sá var, gnýstærir geira, / gunnar æfr, sem næfrar. Askr Ullar, sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Ganga él of yngva / Ullar skips með fullu, / þar er samnagla siglur / slíðrdúkaðar ríða. Ilja blað Hrungnis, sem Bragi kvað: Vilið, Hrafnketill, heyra, / hvé hreingróit steini / Þrúðar skal ek ok þengil / þjófs ilja blað leyfa? Bragi skáld kvað þetta um bauginn á skildinum: Nema svá at góð ins gjalla / gjöld baugnafaðs vildi / meyjar hjóls inn mæri / mögr Siguðar Högna. Hann kallaði skjöldinn Hildar hjól, en bauginn nöf hjólsins. Baugjörð, sem Hallvarðr kvað: Rauðljósa sér ræsir, / rít brestr sundr in hvíta, / baugjörð brodda ferðar, / bjúgrennd, í tvau fljúga. Svá er enn kveðit: Baugr er á beru sæmstr, / en á boga örvar. Sverð er Óðins eldr, sem Kormákr kvað: Svall, þá er gekk með gjallan / Gauts eld, hinn er styr belldi, / glaðfæðandi Gríðar, / gunnr. Komsk Urðr ór brunni Hjálms eldr, sem kvað Úlfr Uggason: Fullöflug lét fjalla / fram haf-Sleipni þramma / Hildr, en Hrofts of gildar / hjalmelda mar felldu. Brynju eldr, sem kvað Glúmr Geirason: Heinþynntan lét hvína / hryneld at þat brynju / foldar vörðr, sá er fyrðum / fjörn-harðan sik varði. Randar íss ok grand hlífar, sem Einarr kvað: Ráðvöndum þá ek rauðra / randa ís at vísa, / grand berum hjalms í hendi, / hvarmþey drifinn Freyju. Öx heitir trollkona hlífa, sem Einarr kvað: Sjá megu rétt, hvé, Ræfils / ríðendr, við brá Gríðar / fjörnis fagrt of skornir, / foldviggs, drekar liggja. Spjót er ormr kallat, sem Refr kvað: Kná myrkdreki marka / minn, þar er ýtar finnask, / æfr á aldar lófum / eikinn borðs at leika. Örvar eru kallaðar hagl boga eða strengjar eða hlífa eða orrostu, sem Einarr kvað skálaglamm: Brak-Rögnir skók bogna, / barg óþyrmir varga, / hagl ór Hlakkar seglum, / hjörs, rakkliga fjörvi. Ok Hallfreðr: Ok geir-Rótu götvar / gagls við strengjar hagli / hungreyðöndum hanga / hléðut járni séðar. Ok Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Lítt kváðu þik láta, / landvörðr, er brast, Hörða, / brynju hagl í benjum, / bugusk almar, geð falma.
Orrosta er kölluð Hjaðninga veðr eða él ok vápn Hjaðninga eldr eða vendir, en saga er til þess. Konungr sá, er Högni er nefndr, átti dóttur, er Hildr hét. Hana tók at herfangi konungr sá, er Heðinn hét Hjarrandason. Þá var Högni konungr farinn í konunga stefnu. En er hann spuðri, at herjat var í ríki hans ok dóttir hans í braut tekin, þá fór hann með sínu liði at leita Heðins ok spurði til hans, at hann fór norðr með landi. Þá er Högni konungr kom í Nóreg, spurði hann, at Heðinn hafði siglt vestr of haf. Þá siglir Högni eftir honum allt til Orkneyja, ok er hann kom þar, sem heitir Háey, þá var þar fyrir Heðinn með lið sitt. Þá fór Hildr á fund föður síns ok bauð honum men at sætt af hendi Heðins, en í öðru orði sagði hon, at Heðinn væri búinn at berjast ok ætti Högni af honum engrar vægðar ván. Högni svarar stirt dóttur sinni. En er hon hitti Heðin, sagði hon honum, at Högni vildi enga sætt, ok bað hann búast til orrostu, ok svá gera þeir hvárirtveggju, ganga upp á eyna ok fylkja liðinu. Þá kallar Heðinn á Högna, mág sinn, ok bauð honum sætt ok mikit gull at bótum. Þá svarar Högni: "Of síð bauttu þetta, ef þú vill sættast, því að nú hefi ek dregit Dáinsleif, er dvergarnir gerðu, er mannsbani skal verða, hvert sinn er bert er, ok aldri bilar í höggvi ok ekki sár grær, ef þar skeinist af." Þá mælti Heðinn: "Sverði hælir þú þar, en eigi sigri. Þat kallak gott hvert, er dróttinhollt er." Þá hófu þeir orrostu þá, er Hjaðningavíg er kallat, ok börðust þann dag allan, ok at kveldi fóru konungar til skipa. En Hildr gekk of nóttina til valsins ok vakði upp með fjölkynngi alla þá, er dauðir váru. Ok annan dag gengu konungarnir á vígvöllinn ok börðust ok svá allir þeir, er fellu inn fyrra daginn. Fór svá sú orrosta hvern dag eftir annan, at allir, þeir er fellu, ok öll vápn, þau er lágu á vígvelli, ok svá hlífar, urðu, at grjóti. En er dagaði, stóðu upp allir dauðir menn ok börðust, ok öll vápn váru þá nýt. Svá er sagt í kvæðum, at Hjaðningar skulu svá bíða ragnaröks. Eftir þessi sögu orti Bragi skáld í Ragnars drápu loðbrókar.
Orrosta er veðr Óðins, sem fyrr er ritat. Svá kvað Víga-Glúmr: Rudda ek sem jarlar, / orð lék á því, forðum / með veðrstöfum Viðris / vandar mér til landa. Viðris veðr er hér kallat orrusta, en vöndr vígs sverðit, en menn stafir sverðsins. Hér er bæði orrosta ok vápn haft til kenningar mannins. Þat er rekit kallat, er svá er ort. Skjöldr er land vápnanna, en vápn er hagl eða regn þess lands, ef nýgervingum er ort.
Hvernig skal kenna skip? Svá, at kalla hest eða dýr eða skíð sækonunga eða sævar eða skipreiða eða veðrs. Báru fákr, sem Hornklofi kvað: Hrjóðr lét hæstrar tíðar / harðráðr skipa börðum / báru fáks ins bleika / barnungr á lög þrungit. Geitis marr, svá kvað Erringar-Steinn: En þótt ófrið sunnan / öll þjóð segi skaldi, / hlöðum Geitis mar grjóti, / glaðir nennum vér, þenna. Sveiða hreinar: Súðlöngum komt sveiða, / sunds liðu dýr frá grundu, / sigrakkr, Sölsa bekkjar, / Sveins mögr, á tröð hreinum. Svá kvað Hallvarðr. Hér er ok kölluð sunds dýr ok særinn Sölsa bekkr. Svá kvað Þórðr Sjáreksson: Sveggja lét fyr Siggju / sólborðs goti norðan. / Gustr skaut Gylfa rastar / glaumi suðr fyr Aumar / En slóðgoti síðan / sæðings fyr skut bæði, / hestr óð lauks fyr Lista, / lagði Körmt ok Agðir. Hér er skip kallat sólborðs hestr ok sær Gylfa land, sæðings slóð særinn ok hestr skipit ok enn lauks hestr. Laukr heitir siglutré. Ok enn sem Markús kvað: Fjarðlinna óð fannir / fast vetrliði rastar. / Hljóp of húna gnípur / hvals rann íugtanni. / Björn gekk fram á fornar / flóðs hafskíða slóðir. / Skúrörðigr braut skorðu / skers glymfjötur bersi. Hér er skip kallat björn rasta. Björn heitir vetrliði ok íugtanni ok bersi, ok björn skorðu er hér kallat. Skip er ok kallat hreinn, svá kvað Hallvarðr, sem áðr er ritat, ok hjörtr, sem kvað Haraldr konungr Sigurðarson: Sneið fyr Sikiley víða / súð, várum þá prúðir. / Brýnt skreið vel til vánar / vengis hjörtr und drengjum. Ok elgr, sem Einarr kvað: Baugs, getr með þér þeygi, / þýðr, drengr vera lengi, / elg búum flóðs, nema fylgi, / friðstökkvir, því nökkut. Otr, sem Máni kvað: Hvat munt hafs á otri, / hengiligr, með drengjum, / karl, því at kraftr þinn förlask, / kinngrár, mega vinna? Vargr, sem kvað Refr: En hoddvönuðr hlýddi, / hlunnvitnis em ek runni / hollr til hermðar-spjalla / heinvandils, Þórsteini. Ok oxi. Skip er kallat skíð eða vagn eða reið. Svá kvað Eyjólfr dáðaskáld: Meita fór at móti / mjök síð of dag skíði / ungr með jöfnu gengi / útvers frömum hersi. Svá kvað Styrkárr Oddason: Ok eft ítrum stökkvi / ók Högna lið vögnum / hlunns á Heita fannir / hyrjar flóðs af móði. Ok sem Þorbjörn kvað: Hafreiðar var hlæðir / hlunns í skírnar brunni, / Hvíta-Krists sá er hæsta / hoddsviptir fekk giftu.
Hvernig skal Krist kenna? Svá, at kalla hann skapara himins ok jarðar, engla ok sólar, stýranda heims ok himinríkis ok engla, konung himna ok sólar ok engla ok Jórsala ok Jórdánar ok Gríklands, ráðandi postula ok heilagra manna. Forn skáld hafa kennt hann við Urðarbrunn ok Róm, sem kvað Eilífr Guðrúnarson: Setbergs, kveða sitja / sunnr at Urðarbrunni, / svá hefir rammr konungr remmðan / Róms banda sig löndum. Svá kvað Skafti Þóroddsson: Máttr er munka dróttins / mestr, aflar goð flestu. / Kristr skóp ríkr ok reisti / Rúms höll veröld alla. Himna konungr, sem Markús kvað: Gramr skóp grund ok himna / glyggranns sem her dyggvan, / einn stillir má öllu / aldar Kristr of valda. Svá kvað Eilifr kúlnasveinn: Hróts lýtr helgum krúzi / heims ferð ok lið beima. / Sönn er en öll dýrð önnur / einn sólkonungr hreinni. Máríu sonr, enn sem Eilífr kvað: Hirð lýtr himna, dýrðar, / hvein Máríu sveini, / mátt vinnr mildingr dróttar, / maðr er hann ok goð, sannan. Engla konungr, enn sem Eilífr kvað: Máttr er en menn of hyggi / mætr goðs vinar betri. / Þó er engla gramr öllu / örr helgari ok dýrri. Jórdánar konungr, sem kvað Sighvatr: Endr réð engla senda / Jórdánar gramr fjóra, / fors þó hans á hersi / heilagt skoft, ór lofti. Grikkja konungr, sem Arnórr kvað: Bænir hefi ek fyr beini / bragna falls við snjallan / Grikkja vörð ok Garða. / Gjöf launak svá jöfri. Svá kvað Eilífr kúlnasveinn: Himins dýrð lofar hölða, / hann er alls konungr, stilli. Hér kallaði hann fyrst Krist konung manna ok annat sinn alls konung. Enn kvað Einarr Skúlason: Lét, sá er landfolks gætir, / líknbjartr himinríki / umgeypnandi opna / alls heims fyr gram snjöllum.
Þar koma saman kenningar, ok verðr sá at skilja af stöð, er ræðr skáldskapinn, um hvárn kveðit er konunginn, því at rétt er at kalla Miklagarðskeisara Grikkjakonung, ok svá þann konung, er ræðr Jórsalalandi, at kalla Jórsalakonung, svá ok at kalla Rómskonung Rómaborgarkeisara, eða Englakonung, þann er Englandi ræðr. En sú kenning, er áðr var ritat, at kalla Krist konung manna, þá kenning má eiga hverr konungur. Konunga alla er rétt at kenna svá at kalla þá landráðendr eða landsvörðu eða landssæki eða hirðstjóra eða vörð landsfólks. Svá kvað Eyvindr skáldaspillir: Farmatýs / fjörvi næmðu / jarðráðendr / á Öglói. Ok sem Glúmr kvað Geirason: Hilmir rauð und hjalmi / heina laut á Gautum. / Þar varð í gný geira / grundar vörðr of fundinn. Sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Hár skyli hirðar stjóri / hugreifr sonum leifa / arf ok óðaltorfu, / ósk mín er þat, sína. Sem Einarr kvað: Snáks berr fald of fræknu / folkvörðr, konungs Hörða / frama telr greppr fyr gumnum, / geðsnjallr skarar fjalli. Rétt er ok um hann konung, er undir honum eru skattkonungar, at kalla hann konung konunga. Keisari er æðstr konunga, en þar næst er konungr sá, er ræðr fyrir þjóðlandi, jafn í kenningum öllum hverr við annan í skáldskap. Þar næst eru þeir menn, er jarlar heita eða skattkonungar, ok eru þeir jafnir í kenningum við konung, nema eigi má þá kalla þjóðkonunga, er skattkonungar eru. Ok svá kvað Arnórr jarlaskáld of Þorfinn jarl: Nemi drótt, hvé sjá sótti / snarlyndr konungr jarla. / Eigi þraut við ægi / ofvægjan gram bægja. Þar næst eru í kenningum í skáldskap þeir menn, er hersar heita. Kenna má þá sem konung eða jarl, svá at kalla þá gullbrjóta ok auðmildinga ok merkismenn ok fólksstjóra eða kalla hann oddvita liðsins eða orrostu, fyrir því at þjóðkonungr hverr, sá er ræðr mörgum löndum, þá setr hann til landstjórnar með sér skattkonunga ok jarla at dæma landslög ok verja land fyrir ófriði í þeim löndum, er konungi liggja fjarri, ok skulu þeir dómar ok refsingar vera þar jafnréttir sem sjálfs konungs. En í einu landi eru mörg heruð, ok er þat háttr konunga at setja þar réttara yfir svá mörg heruð sem hann gefr til valds, ok heita þeir hersar eða lendir menn í danskri tungu, en greifar í Saxlandi, en barúnar í Englandi. Þeir skulu ok vera réttir dómarar ok réttir landvarnarmenn yfir því ríki, er þeim er fengit til stjórnar. Ef eigi er konungr nær, þá skal fyrir þeim merki bera í orrostum, ok eru þeir þá jafnréttir herstjórar sem konungar eða jarlar. Þar næst eru þeir menn, er hölðar heita. Þat eru búendr þeir, er gildir eru at ættum ok réttum fullum. Þá má svá kenna at kalla þá veitanda fjár ok gætanda ok sætti manna. Þessar kenningar megu ok eiga höfðingjar. Konungar ok jarlar hafa til fylgðar með sér þá menn, er hirðmenn heita ok húskarlar, en lendir menn hafa ok sér handgengna menn, þá er í Danmörku ok í Svíðjóð eru hirðmenn kallaðir, en í Nóregi húskarlar, ok sverja þeir þó eiða svá sem hirðmenn konungum. Húskarlar konunga váru mjök hirðmenn kallaðir í forneskju. Svá kvað Þorvaldr blönduskáld: Konungr heill ok svá snjallir / sókn-örr, við lof görvan / óð hafa menn í munni / mínn, húskarlar þínir. Þetta orti Haraldr konungr Sigurðarson: Fullafli bíðr fyllar, / finn ek oft at drífr minna, / hilmis stóls, á hæla / húskarla lið jarli. Hirðmenn ok húskarla höfðingja má svá kenna at kalla þá inndrótt eða verðung eða heiðmenn. Svá kvað Sighvatr: Þat frá ek víg á vatni / verðung jöfurs gerðu, / nadda él en, nýla, / næst tel ek engi in smæstu. Ok enn þetta: Þági var sem þessum / þengils á jó strengjar / mjöð fyr malma kveðju / mær heiðþegum bæri. Heiðfé heitir máli ok gjöf, er höfðingjar gefa. Svá kvað Óttarr svarti: Góðmennis þarf ek gunnar / glóðbrjótanda at njóta. / Hér er alnennin inni / inndrótt með gram svinnum. Jarlar ok hersar ok hirðmenn eru svá kenndir, kallaðir konungs rúnar eða málar eða sessar. Svá kvað Hallfreðr: Grams rúni lætr glymja / gunnríkr, hinn er hvöt líkar, / Högna hamri slegnar / heiftbráðr of sik váðir. Sem Snæbjörn kvað: Stjórnviðjar lætr styðja / stáls buðlinga máli / hlemmisverð við harðri / húflagan skæ dúfu. Svá kvað Arnórr: Bera sýn of mik mínir / morðkennds taka enda / þess of þengils sessa / Þung mein synir ungir. Konungs spjalli, sem Hallfreðr kvað: Ráð lukusk, at sá, síðan, / snjallráðr konungs spjalli / átti eingadóttur / Ónars viði gróna. Svá skal menn kenna við ættir, sem Kormákr kvað: Heyri sonr á, Sýrar, / sannreynis, fentanna / örr greppa lætk uppi / jast-Rín, Haralds, mína. Hann kallaði jarlinn sannreyni konungsins, en Hákon jarl son Sigurðar jarls. En Þjóðólfr kvað svá um Harald: Vex Óláfs feðr / járnsaxa veðr, / harðræði hvert / svá at hróðrs er vert. Ok enn svá: Jarizleifr of sá, / hvert jöfri brá. / Hófsk hlýri fram / ins helga grams. Ok enn kvað hann: Andaðr er sá, / er of alla brá, / haukstalla konr, / Haralds bróðursonr. Enn kvað svá Arnórr í Rögnvaldsdrápu: Réð Heita konr hleyti / herþarfr við mik gerva. / Styrk lét oss of orkat / jarls mægð af því frægðar. Ok enn kvað hann of Þorfinn jarl: Bitu sverð, en þar þurðu, / þunngör fyr Mön sunnan / Rögnvalds kind, und randir / ramlig folk, ins gamla. Ok enn kvað hann: Ættbæti firr ítran / allríks, en ek bið líkna / trúra tyggja dýrum, / Torf-Einars goð meinum. Ok enn kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Né ættstuðill ættar / ógnherði mun verða, / skyldr em ek hróðri at halda, / Hilditanns in mildri.
Hvernig er ókennd setning skáldskapar? Svá, at nefna hvern hlut sem heitir. Hver eru ókennd nöfn skáldskaparins? Hann heitir bragr ok hróðr, óðr, mærð, lof. Þetta kvað Bragi inn gamli, þá er hann ók um skóg nökkurn síð um kveld. Þá stefjaði trollkona á hann ok spurði, hverr þar fór: Troll kalla mik / tungl sjöt-rungnis, / auðsug jötuns, / élsólar böl, / vílsinn völu, / vörð nafjarðar, / hvélsvelg himins. / Hvat er troll, nema þat? Hann svarði svá: Skald kalla mik / skapsmið Viðurs, / Gauts gjafrötuð, / grepp óhneppan, / Yggs ölbera, / óðs skapmóða, / hagsmið bragar. / Hvat er skald, nema þat? Ok sem Kormákr kvað: Hróðr geri ek of mög mæran / meir Sigröðar fleira; / haftsænis geld ek hánum / heið. Sitr Þórr í reiðu. Ok sem kvað Þórðr Kolbeinsson: Mjök lét margar snekkjur, / mærðar örr, sem knörru, / óðr vex skalds, ok skeiðar / skjaldhlynr á brim dynja. Mærð, sem Úlfr Uggason kvað: Þar kemr á, en æri / endr bar ek mærð af hendi, / ofra ek svá, til sævar, / sverðregns, lofi þegna. Hér er lof kallat skáldskapr.
Hvernig eru nöfn goðanna? Þau heita bönd, sem kvað Eyjólfr dáðaskáld: Dregr land at mun banda / Eiríkr und sik geira / veðmildr ok semr hildi. Ok höft, sem kvað Þjóðólfr inn hvinverski: Tormiðlaðr var tívum / tálhreinn meðal beina. / Hvat kvað hafta snytrir / hjalmfaldinn því valda. Rögn, sem Einarr kvað skálaglamm: Rammaukin kveð ek ríki / rögn Hákunar magna. Jólnar, sem Eyvindr kvað: Jólna sumbl / enn vér gátum, / stillis lof, / sem steina brú. Díar, sem Kormákr kvað: Eykr með ennidúki / jarðhljótr día fjarðar / breyti, hún sá er, beinan, / bindr. Seið Yggr til Rindar.
Þessi nöfn himins eru rituð, en eigi höfum vér fundit í kvæðum öll þessi heiti. En þessi skáldskaparheiti sem önnur þykkir mér óskylt at hafa í skáldskap, nema áðr finni hann í verka höfuðskálda þvílík heiti. Himinn: hlýrnir, heiðþorrnir, hreggmímir, andlangr, ljósfari, drífandi, skatyrnir, víðfeðmir, vetmímir, leiftr, hrjóðr, víðbláinn. Sól: sunna, röðull, eyglóa, alskír, sýni, fagrahvél, líknskin, Dvalins leika, álfröðull, ifröðull, mylin. Tungl: máni, ný, nið, ártali, mulinn, fengari, glámr, skyndir, skjálgr, skrámr.
Hver eru jarðarheiti? Hon heitir jörð, sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Jarl lætr odda skúrar / oft herðir gör verða / hrings, áðr hann of þryngvi, / hörð él, und sik jörðu. Fold, sem Óttarr kvað: Fold verr folk-Baldr, / fár má konungr svá, / örnu reifir Óleifr, / er framr Svía gramr. Grund, sem Hallfreðr kvað: Grund liggr und bör bundin / breið holmfjöturs leiðar, / heinlands hoddum grandar / Höðr, eitrsvélum naðri. Hauðr, sem Einarr kvað: Verja hauðr með hjörvi / hart döglinga bjartra / hjalmr springr oft fyr olmri / egghríð, framir seggir. Land, sem Þórðr Kolbeinsson kvað: En eft víg frá Veigu, / vant er orð at styr, norðan / land eða lengra stundu / lagðisk suðr til Agða. Láð, sem Óttarr kvað: Heltu, þar er hrafn né svalta, / hvatráðr ertu, láði / ógnar stafr, fyr jöfrum, / ýgr, tveimr, við kyn beima. Hlöðyn, sem kvað Völu-Steinn: Man ek þat, er jörð við orða / endr myrk Danar sendi / grænnar gröfnum munni / gein Hlöðynjar beina. Frón, sem kvað Úlfr Uggason: En stirðþinull starði / storðar leggs fyr borði / fróns á folka reyni / fránleitr ok blés eitri. Fjörgyn, sem hér er kveðit: Örgildi var ek, Eldis, / áls Fjörgynjar, mála, / dyggr, sé heiðr ok hreggi, / hrynbeðs, áar steðja.
Vargr heitir dýr. Þat er rétt at kenna við blóð eða hræ, svá at kalla verð hans eða drykk. Eigi er rétt at kenna svá við fleiri dýr. Vargr heitir ok úlfr, sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Gera var gisting byrjuð / gnóg, en ulf ór skógi / sonr á sár at spenja / Sigorðar kom norðan. Hér er hann ok geri kallaðr. Freki, sem Egill kvað: Þá er oddbreki, / sleit und freki, / gnúði hrafni / á höfuðstafni. Vitnir, sem Einarr kvað: Elfr varð unda gjalfri / eitrköld roðin heitu. / Vitnis fell með vatni / varmt ölðr í men Karmtar. Ylgr, sem Arnórr kvað: Svalg áttbogi ylgjar / ógóðr, en varð blóði / græðir grænn at rauðum, / grandauknum ná, blandinn. Vargr, sem Illugi kvað: Vargs var munr þat, er margan, / menskerðir stakk sverði / myrkaurriða markar, / minn dróttinn rak flótta. Þetta er enn vargs heiti, sem Hallr kvað: Heiðingja sleit hungri, / hárr gylðir naut sára, / granar rauð gramr á fenri, / gekk ulfr í ben drekka. Ok enn sem Þórðr kvað: Óð, en ærnu náði / íms sveit freka hveiti, / gera ölðra naut gylðir, / Gjalpar stóð í blóði. Björn heitir fetvíðnir, húnn, vetrliði, bersi, fress, íugtanni, ifjungr, glúmr, jölfuðr, vilskarpr, bera, jórekr, riti, frekr, blómr, ysjungr. Hjörtr heitir mótroðnir, dalarr, dalr, Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr, Duraþrór.
Þessi eru hesta heiti talið í Þorgrímsþulu: Hrafn ok Sleipnir, / hestar ágætir, / Valr ok Léttfeti, / var þar Tjaldari, / Gulltoppr ok Goti, / getit heyrðak Sóta, / Mór ok Lungr með Mari. Vigg ok Stúfr / var með Skævaði. / Þegn knátti Blakkr bera, / Silfrtoppr ok Sinir, / svá heyrðak Fáks of getit, / Gullfaxi ok Jór með goðum. Blóðughófi hét hestr, / er bera kváðu / öflgan Atriða, / Gísl ok Falhófnir, / Glær ok Skeiðbrimir, / þar var ok Gyllis getit. Þessir eru enn talðir í Kálfsvísu: Dagr reið Drösli, / en Dvalinn Móðni, / Hjalmr Háfeta, / en Haki Fáki, / reið bani Belja / Blóðughófa, / en Skævaði / skati Haddingja. Vésteinn Vali, / en Vífill Stúfi, / Meinþjófr Mói, / en Morginn Vakri, / Áli Hrafni, / er til íss riðu, / en annarr austr / und Aðilsi / grár hvarfaði, / geiri undaðr. Björn reið Blakki, / en Bjárr Kerti, / Atli Glaumi, / en Aðils Slöngvi, / Högni Hölkvi, / en Haraldr Fölkvi, / Gunnarr Gota, / en Grana Sigurð. Árvakr ok Alsviðr draga sólina, sem fyrr er ritat. Hrímfaxi eða Fjörsvartnir draga nóttina. Skinfaxi eða Glaðr fylgja deginum.
Þessi öxnaheiti eru í Þorgrímsþulu: Gamalla öxna nöfn / hefi ek görla fregit / þeira Rauðs ok Hæfis, / Rekinn ok Hýrr, / Himinhrjóðr ok Apli, / Arfr ok Arfuni. Þessi eru orma heiti: dreki, Fáfnir, Jörmungandr, naðr, Níðhöggr, linnr, naðra, Góinn, Móinn, Grafvitnir, Grábakr, Ófnir, Sváfnir, grímr. Naut: kýr, kálfr, yxni, kvíga, vetrungr, griðungr, boli. Sauðr: hrútr, bekri, ær, lamb, veðr. Svín: sýr, gylta, runi, göltr, gríss.
Hver eru heiti lofts ok veðranna? Loft heitir ginnungagap ok meðalheimr, foglheimr, veðrheimr. Veðr heitir hregg, byrr, glygg, hret, gjósta, vindr. Svá segir í Alsvinnsmálum: Vindr heitir með mönnum, / en vönsuðr með goðum, / kalla gneggjuð ginnregin, / æpi jötnar, / en alfar gnýfara, / heitir í helju hlömmuðr. Veðr heitir ok gustr.
Tveir eru fuglar þeir, er eigi þarf at kenna annan veg en kalla blóð eða hræ drykk þeira eða verð. Þat er hrafn ok örn. Alla aðra fugla karlkennda má kenna við blóð eða hræ, ok er þat þá nafn örn eða hrafn, sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Blóðorra lætr barri / bragningr ara fagna. / Gauts berr sigð á sveita / svans örð konungr Hörða. / Geirs oddum lætr greddir / grunn hvert stika sunnar / hirð, þat er hann skal varða, / hrægamms ara sævar. Þessi eru nöfn hrafns: krákr, Huginn, Muninn, borginmóði, árflognir, ártali, holdboði. Svá kvað Einarr skálaglamm: Fjallvönðum gaf fylli, / fullr varð, en spjör gullu, / herstefnandi hröfnum, / hrafn á ylgjar tafni. Svá kvað Einarr Skúlason: Dolgskára kná dýrum / dýrr magnandi stýra, / Hugins fermu bregðr harmi / harmr, bliksólar garmi. Ok enn sem hann kvað: En við hjaldr, þar er hölðar, / hugþrútit svellr, lúta, / Muninn drekkr blóð ór benjum / blásvartr, konungs hjarta. Sem kvað Víga-Glúmr: Þá er dynfúsir dísar / dreyra mens á eyri, / bráð fekk borginmóði / blóðs, skjaldaðir stóðum. Sem Skúli kvað Þorsteinsson: Myndit efst, þar er undir / árflogni gaf ek sárar, / Hlökk í hundraðs flokki / Hvítinga mik líta. Örn heitir svá: ari, gemlir, hreggskornir, eggðir, ginnarr, undskornir, gallópnir. Sem Einarr kvað: Sámleitum rauð sveita, / sleit örn gera beitu, / fekksk arnar matr járnum, / Járnsöxu grön faxa. Sem Óttarr kvað: Örn drekkr, undarn / ylgr fær, af hræum sylg, / oft rýðr ulfr köft, / ari getr verð þar. Sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Segjöndum fló sagna / snótar ulfr at móti / í gemlis ham gömlum / glamma ó fyr skömmu. Ok sem hér er: Hreggskornis vil ek handa / háleitan mjöð vanda. Ok enn sem Skúli kvað: Vaki ek þat er val heltk ekka / víðis áðr ok síðan, / greppr hlýðir þá góðu, / gallópnis vel, spjalli.
Hver eru sævar heiti? Hann heitir: marr, ægir, gymir, hlér, haf, leið, ver, salt, lögr, græðir. Sem Arnórr kvað ok fyrr var ritat: Nemi drótt, hvé sæ sótti / snarlyndr konungr jarla. / Eigi þraut við ægi / óvæginn gram bægja. Hér er nefndr sær ok svá ægir. Marr, sem Hornklofi kvað: Þá er út á mar mætir / mannskæðr lagar tanna / ræsinaðr til rausnar / rak vébrautar Nökkva. Lögr er ok hér nefndr. Svá kvað Einarr: Lögr þvær flaust, en fagrir, / flóðs vaskar brim stóðum, / þar er sær á hlið hvára / hlymr, veðrvitar glymja. Hér er ok flóð kallat. Svá kvað Refr, sem fyrr var ritat: Færir Björn, þar er bára / brestr, undinna festa / oft í ægis kjafta / úrsvöl Gymis völva. Haf, sem Halvarðr kvað: Vestr lézt í haf, hristir, / harðviggs, sikulgjarðar, / umbands allra landa, / íss, framstafni vísat. Leið, sem hér er: Erum á leið frá láði / liðnir Finnum skriðnu. / Austr sé ek fjöll af flausta / ferli geisla merluð. Ver, sem Egill kvað: Vestr fór ek of ver, / en ek Viðris ber / munstrandar mar, / svá er mitt of far. Marr, sem Einarr kvað: Kaldr þvær marr und mildum / margt dægr viðu svarta, / grefr élsnúin, jöfri, / almsorg Manar þjalma. Salt, sem Arnórr kvað: Salt skar húfi héltum / hraustr þjóðkóngr austan / Báru brimlogs rýri / brún veðr at Sigtúnum. Græðir, sem Bölverkr kvað: Leiðangr bjótt af láði, / lögr gekk of skip, fögru, / gjalfrstóðum reist græði / glæstum, ár it næsta. Hér er ok gjálfr kallat særinn. Víðir, sem kvað Refr: Barðristinn nemr brjósti / borðheim drasill skorðu, / nauð þolir viðr, en víði / verpr inn of þröm stinnan. Húmr, sem Brennu-Njáll kvað: Senn jósum vér, svanni, / sextán, en brim vexti, / dreif á hafskips húfa / húm, í fjórum rúmum. Þessi eru enn sævar heiti, svá at rétt er at kenna til skip eða gull. Rán, er sagt, at var kona Ægis, svá sem hér er: Hrauð í himin upp glóðum / hafs, gekk sær af afli. / Börð, hygg ek, at ský skerðu. / Skaut Ránar vegr mána. Dætr þeira Ægis ok Ránar eru níu, ok eru nöfn þeira fyrr rituð: Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blóðughadda, Hefring, Uðr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Dröfn, Kólga. Einarr Skúlason talði í þessi vísu: Æsir hvasst at hraustum / Himinglæva þyt sævar, sex nöfn þeira, [himinglæva, Uðr, Dúfa, Blóðughadda, Kólga, Hefring]. Hrönn, sem Valgarðr kvað: Lauðr var lagt í beðja, / lék sollit haf golli, / en herskipum hrannir / höfuð ógurlig þógu. Bylgja, sem Óttarr svarti kvað: Skáruð sköfnu stýri, / skaut, sylgháar bylgjur, / lék við hún á hreini / hlunns, þat er drósir spunnu. Dröfn, sem Ormr kvað: Hrosta drýgir hvern kost / hauk lúðrs gæiþrúðr, / en drafnar loga Lofn / löstu rækir vinföst. Bára, sem Þorleikr fagri kvað: Sjár þýtr, en berr bára / bjart lauðr of við rauðan, / gránn þar er gulli búnum / gínn hlunnvísundr munni. Lá, sem Einarr kvað: Né framlyndir fundu / fyrr, hykkat lá kyrrðu, / þar er sjár á, við varra, / vini óra fell stórum. Fyllr, sem Refr kvað: Hrynja fjöll á fyllar, / fram æsisk nú Glamma / skeið vetrliði skíða, / skautbjörn Gusis nauta. Boði, sem hér er: Boði fell of mik bráðla. / Bauð heim með sér geimi. / Þá ek eigi löð lægis. Breki, sem Óttarr kvað: Braut, en breki þaut, / borð, óx viðar morð, / meðr fengu mikit veðr, / mjó fyrir ofan sjó. Vágr, sem Bragi kvað: Vildit vröngum ofra / vágs byrsendir ægi, / hinn er mjótygil máva / mærar skar fyr Þóri. Sund, sem Einarr kvað: Skar ek súðum sund / fyr sunnan Hrund, / mín prýddisk mund / við mildings fund. Fjörðr, sem Einarr kvað: Næst sé ek orm á jastar / ítrserki vel merkðan, / nemi bjóðr hvé ek fer, flæðar, / fjarðbáls of þat máli. Sægr, sem Markús kvað: Sægs mun ek síðr en eigi, / sá er illr, er brag spillir, / sólar sverri málan, / sliðráls reginn, níða.
Hver eru elds heiti? Svá sem hér er: Eldr brennat sjá sjaldan, / svíðr dyggr jöfurr byggðir, / blása rönn fyr ræsi / reyk, er Magnús kveykvir. Logi, sem Valgarðr kvað: Snarla skaut ór sóti, / sveyk of hús ok reykir / stóðu stopðir síðan, / steinóðr logi glóðum. Bál, sem hér er: Haki var brenndr á báli, / þar er brimslóðir óðu. Glæðr, sem Grani kvað: Glæðr hygg ek Glamma slóðar, / gramr eldi svá, felldu. Eisa, sem Atli kvað: Öx rýðsk, eisur vaxa, / allmörg, loga hallir, / hús brenna, gim geisar, / góðmennit fellr blóði. Hér er ok gim gallat eldrinn. Eimr, sem hér er: Brunnu allvalds inni, / eldr, hygg ek, at sal felldi, / eimr skaut á her hrími, / halfgör við Nið sjalfa. Hyrr, sem Arnórr kvað: Eymðit ráð við Rauma / reiðr Eydana meiðir. / Heit dvínuðu Heina, / hyrr gerði þá kyrra. Funi, sem Einarr kvað: Funi kyndisk fljótt, / en flýði skjótt / Hísingar herr, / sá er hafði verr. Brími, sem Valgarðr kvað: Bjartr sveimaði brími, / brutu víkingar fíkjum, / vísa styrks of virki, / varp sorg á mey, borgar. Leygr, sem Halldórr skvaldri kvað: Ér knáttuð þar þeira, / þú vart aldrigi, skjaldar / leygr þau of sjöt, sigri / sviptr, gersimum skipta.
Þessi eru nöfn stundanna: öld, forðum, aldr, fyrir löngu, ár, misseri, vetr, sumar, vár, haust, mánuðr, vika, dagr, nótt, morginn, aftann, kveld, árla, snemma, síðla, í sinn, fyrra dag, í næst, í gær, á morgun, stund, mél. Þessi eru enn heiti nætrinnar í Alsvinnsmálum: Nótt heitir með mönnum, / en njóla með goðum, / kalla grímu ginnregin, / ósorg kalla jötnar, / alfar svefngaman, / dvergar draumnjörun. Frá jafndægri er haust, til þess er sól sezt í eykðarstað. Þá er vetr til jafndægris. Þá er vár til fardaga. Þá er sumar til jafndægris. Haustmánuðr heitir inn næsti fyrir vetr, fyrstr í vetri heitir gormánuðr, þá er frermánuðr, þá er hrútmánuðr, þá er þorri, þá gói, þá einmánuðr, þá gaukmánuðr ok sáðtíð, þá eggtíð ok stekktíð, þá er sólmánuðr ok selmánuðr, þá eru heyannir, þá er kornskurðarmánuðr.
Hver eru manna heiti ókennd? Maðr er hverr fyrir sér; it fyrsta ok it æðsta heiti manns, er kallaðr er maðr keisari, því næst konungr, þar næst jarl. Þessir þrír menn eigu saman þessi heiti öll. Allvaldr, svá sem hér er kveðit: Allvalda kann ek alla / austr ok suðr of flausta, / Sveins er sonr at reyna, / setr, hverjum gram betri. Hér er ok gramr kallaðr. Því heitir hann allvaldr, at hann er einvaldi alls ríkis síns. Fylkir, sem Gizurr kvað: Fylkir gleðr í folki / flagðs blakk ok svan Hlakkar, / Óláfr of viðr élum / Yggs gögl fegin Sköglar. Fyrir því er fylkir kallaðr konungr, at hann skipar í fylkingar herliði sínu. Vísi, sem kvað Óttarr svarti: Vísi tekr, víg-Freys, / víst austr munlaust, / aldar hefir allvaldr, / óskvíf, gótt líf. Harri eða herra, sem kvað Arnórr: Harri fekk í hverri / Hjaltlands þrumu branda, / greppr vill grams dýrð yppa, / gagn, sá er hæstr var bragna. Hertogi heitir jarl, ok er konungr svá kallaðr ok, fyrir því er hann leiðir her til orrostu. Svá kvað Þjóðólfr: Ok hertoga hneykir / herfingnum lét stinga, / leyfð ber ek hans, ór höfði / haugs skundaði augu. Sinjór eða senjór, sem Sighvatr kvað: Lát auman nú njóta, / Nóregs, ok gef stórum, / mál halt, svá sem sælan, / sínjór, laga þinna. Mildingr, sem Markús kvað: Mildingr fór of óþjóð eldi, / auðit varð þá flotnum dauða. / Hæstan kynduð, hlenna þrýstir / hyrjar ljóma suðr at Jómi. Mæringr, sem Hallvarðr kvað: Erat und jarðar höslu, / orðbrjótr Dönum forðar / moldreks, munka valdi / mæringr en þú næri. Landreki, sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Eyss landreki ljósu / lastvarr Kraka barri, sem fyrr var ritat. Því heitir hann svá, at hann rekr her um land annarra konunga eða rekr her ór sínu landi.
Konungr er nefndr Hálfdan gamli, er allra konunga var ágætastr. Hann gerði blót mikit at miðjum vetri ok blótaði til þess, at hann skyldi lifa í konungdómi sínum þrjú hundruð vetra. En hann fekk þau andsvör, at hann myndi lifa ekki meir en einn mikinn mannsaldr, en þat myndi þó vera þrjú hundruð vetra, er engi myndi vera í ætt hans kona eða ótiginn maðr. Hann var hermaðr mikill ok fór víða um Austrvegu. Þar drap hann í einvígi þann konung, er Sigtryggr hét. Þá fekk hann þeirar konu, er kölluð er Alvig in spaka, dóttir Emundar konungs ór Hólmgarði. Þau áttu sonu átján ok váru níu senn bornir. Þeir hétu svá: Einn var Þengill, er kallaðr var Manna-Þengill, annarr Ræsir, þriði Gramr, fjórði Gylfi, fimmti Hilmir, sétti Jöfurr, sjaundi Tyggi, átti Skyli eða Skúli, níundi Harri eða Herra. Þessir níu bræðr urðu svá ágætir í hernaði, at í öllum fræðum síðan eru nöfn þeira haldin fyrir tignarnöfn, svá sem konungs nafn eða jarls. Þeir áttu engi börn ok fellu allir í orrostum. Svá kvað Óttarr svarti: Þengill var þegar ungr / þreksgörr vígörr. / Haldask bið ek hans aldr, / hann tel ek yfirmann. Svá kvað Markús: Ræsir lét af roðnum hausi / Rínar sól á marfjöll skína. Svá kvað Egill: Gramr hefir gerðihömrum / grundar upp of hrundit. Svá kvað Eyvindr: Lék við ljóðmögu, / skyldi land verja, / gylfi inn glaðværi, / stóð und gullhjalmi. Svá kvað Glúmr Geirason: Hilmir rauð und hjalmi / heina laut á Gautum. Svá kvað Óttarr svarti: Jöfurr heyri upphaf, / ofrask mun konungs lof, / háttu nemi hann rétt / hróðrs mín, bragar síns. Sem Stúfr kvað: Tíreggjaðr hjó tyggi / tveim höndum lið beima, / reifr gekk herr und hlífar, / hizig suðr fyr Nizi. Svá kvað Hallfreðr: Skiliðr em ek við skylja, / skaldmöld hefir því valdit. / Vætta virða dróttins / vil er mest ok dul flestum. Svá kvað Markús: Harra kveð ek at hróðrgörð dýrri / hauklundaðan Dana grundar. Enn áttu þau Hálfdan aðra níu sonu, er svá heita; Hildir, er Hildingar eru frá komnir, annarr Nefir, er Niflungar eru frá komnir, þriði Auði, er Öðlingar eru frá komnir, fjórði Yngvi, er Ynglingar eru frá komnir, fimmti Dagr, er Döglingar eru frá komnir, sétti Bragi, er Bragningar eru frá komnir. Þat er ætt Hálfdanar ins milda. Sjaundi Buðli, er Buðlungar eru frá komnir. Af Buðlungaætt kom Atli ok Brynhildr. Átti er Lofði. Hann var herkonungr mikill. Honum fylgði þat lið, er Lofðar váru kallaðir. Hans ættmenn eru kallaðir Lofðungar. Þaðan er kominn Eylimi, móðurfaðir Sigurðar Fáfnisbana. Níundi Sigarr, þaðan eru komnir Siklingar. Þat er ætt Siggeirs, er var mágr Völsungs, ok ætt Sigars, er hengði Hagbarð. Af Hildinga ætt var kominn Haraldr inn granrauði, móðurfaðir Hálfdanar svarta. Af Niflunga ætt var Gjúki, af Öðlinga ætt var Kjárr, af Ylfinga ætt var Eiríkr inn málspaki. Þessar eru ok konunga ættir ágætar: frá Yngva, er Ynglingar eru frá komnir, frá Skildi í Danmörk, er Skjöldungar eru frá komnir, frá Völsungi á Fraklandi, þeir heita Völsungar. Skelfir hét einn herkonungr, ok er hans ætt kölluð Skilfinga ætt. Sú kynslóð er í Austrvegum. Þessar ættir, er nú eru nefndar, hafa menn sett svá í skáldskap, at halda öll þessi fyrir tignarnöfn. Svá sem Einarr kvað: Frá ek við holm at heyja / hildingar fram gingu, / lind varð græn, inn grána / geirþing, í tvau springa. Sem Grani kvað: Döglingr fekk at drekka / danskt blóð ara jóði. Sem Gamli kvað Gnævaðarskáld: Öðlingr drap sér ungum / ungr naglfara á tungu / innan borðs ok orða / aflgerð meðalkafla. Sem Jórunn kvað: Bragningr réð í blóði, / beið herr konungs reiði, / hús lutu oft fyr eisum, / óþjóðar slög rjóða. Svá kvað Einarr: Beit buðlungs hjörr, / blóð fell á dörr. / [Raufsk Hildar ský / við Hvítabý.] Svá kvað Arnórr: Siklinga venr snekkjur / sjálútar konr úti. / Hann litar herskip innan, / hrafns góð er þat, blóði. Sem Þjóðólfr kvað: Svá lauk siklings ævi / snjalls, at vér ’rom allir, / lofðungr beið inn leyfði / lífs grand, í stað vöndum. Lofða konungi fylgði þat lið, er Lofðar heita. Sem Arnórr kvað: Skjöldungr mun þér annarr aldri / æðri, gramr, und sólu fæðask. Völsungr, sem kvað Þorkell hamarskáld: Mér réð senda / of svalan ægi / Völsunga niðr / vápn gullbúit. Ynglingr, sem kvað Óttarr svarti: Engi varð á jörðu / ógnbráðr, áðr þér náði, / austr sá er eyjum vestan / Ynglingr und sik þryngvi. Yngvi, þat er ok konungs heiti, sem Markús kvað: Eiríks lof verðr öld at heyra, / engi maðr veit fremra þengil, / Yngvi helt við orðstír langan / jöfra sess, í veröld þessi. Skilfingr, sem Valgarðr kvað: Skilfingr helt, þar er skulfu / skeiðr, fyr lönd in breiðu, / eydd varð, suðr, of síðir / Sikiley, liði miklu. Sínjór, sem Sighvatr kvað ok fyrr var ritat: Lát auman nú njóta / Nóregs ok gef stórum.
Skáld heita greppar, ok rétt er í skáldskap at kalla svá hvern mann, er vill. Rekkar váru kallaðir þeir menn, er fylgðu Hálfi konungi, ok af þeirra nafni eru rekkar kallaðir hermenn, ok er rétt at kalla svá alla menn. Lofðar heita ok menn í skáldskap, sem fyrr er ritat. Skatnar váru þeir menn kallaðir, er fylgðu þeim konungi, er Skati mildi var kallaðr. Af hans nafni er skati kallaðr hverr, er mildr er. Bragnar heita þeir, er fylgðu Braga konungi inum gamla. Virðar heita þeir menn, er meta mál manna. Fyrðar ok firar ok verar heita landvarnarmenn. Víkingar ok flotnar, þat er skipa herr. Beimar, svá hétu þeir, er fylgðu Beimuna konungi. Gumnar eða gumar heita flokkstjórar, svá sem gumi er kallaðr í brúðför. Gotnar eru kallaðir af heiti konungs þess, er Goti er nefndr, er Gotland er við kent. Hann var kallaðr af nafni Óðins ok dregit af Gauts nafni, því at Gautland eða Gotland var kallat af nafni Óðins, en Svíþjóð af nafni Sviðurs. Þat er ok heiti Óðins. Í þann tíma var kallat allt meginland, þat er hann átti, Reiðgotaland, en eyjar allar Eygotaland. Þat er nú kallat Danaveldi ok Svíaveldi. Drengir heita ungir menn búlausir, meðan þeir afla sér fjár eða orðstír, þeir fardrengir, er milli landa fara, þeir konungsdrengir, er höfðingjum þjóna, þeir ok drengir, er þjóna ríkum mönnum eða bóndum. Drengir heita vaskir menn ok batnandi. Seggir eru kallaðir ok kníar ok liðar, þat eru fylgðarmenn. Þegnar ok hölðar, svá eru búendr kallaðir. Ljónar heita þeir menn, er ganga of sættir manna. Þeir menn eru, er svá eru kallaðir: kappar, kenpur, garpar, snillingar, hreystimenn, harðmenni, afarmenni, hetjur. Þessi heiti standa hér í mót at kalla mann blauðan, veykan, þjarfan, þirfing, blotamann, skauð, skræfu, skrjáð, vák, vám, læra, sleyma, teyða, dugga, dási, dirokkr, dusilmenni, ölmusa, auvirð, vílmögr. Örr maðr heitir mildingr, mæringr, skati, þjóðskati, gullskati, mannbaldr, sælingr, sælkeri, auðkýfingr, ríkmenni, höfðingi. Hér í mót er svá kallat: hnöggvingr, glöggvingr, mælingr, vesalingr, féníðingr, gjöflati. Heitir spekingr ráðvaldr. Heitir ok óvitr maðr fífl, afglapi, gassi, ginningr, gaurr, glópr, snápr, fóli, ærr, óðr, galinn. Snyrtimaðr ofláti, drengr, glæsimaðr, stertimaðr, prýðimaðr. Heitir hraumi, skrápr, skrokkr, skeiðklofi, flangi, slinni, fjósnir, slápr, dröttr. Lýðr heitir landfólk eða ljóðr. Heitir ok þræll kefsir, þjónn, önnungr, þirr.
Maðr heitir einn hverr, / tá, ef tveir eru, / þorp, ef þrír eru, / fjórir eru föruneyti, / flokkr eru fimm menn, / sveit, ef sex eru, / sjau fylla sögn, / átta bera ámælisskor, / nautar eru níu, / dúnn, ef tíu eru, / ærir ro ellifu, / toglöð er, / ef tólf fara, / þyss eru þrettán, / ferð fjórtán, / fundr er þá, / er fimmtán hittask, / seta eru sextán, / sókn eru sautján, / ærnir þykkja óvinir, / þeim er átján mætir, / neyti hefir sá, / er nítján menn hefir, / drótt eru tuttugu menn. / Þjóð eru þrír tigir, / fólk eru fjórir tigir, / fylki eru fimm tigir, / samnaðr eru sex tigir, / sörvar eru sjau tigir, / öld eru átta tigir, / herr er hundrað.
Enn eru þau heiti, er menn láta ganga fyrir nöfn manna. Þat köllum vér viðkenningar eða sannkenningar eða fornöfn. Þat eru viðkenningar at nefna annan hlut réttu nafni ok kalla þann, er hann vill nefna, eiganda eða svá at kalla hann þess, er hann nefndi, föður eða afa. Ái er inn þriði. Heitir ok sonr ok arfi, arfuni, barn, jóð ok mögr, erfingi. Heitir ok bróðir, blóði, barmi, hlýri, lifri. Heitir ok niðr, nefi, áttungr, konr, kundr, frændi, kynstafr, niðjungr, ættstuðill, ættbarmr, kynkvísl, ættbogi, afkvæmi, afspringr, höfuðbaðmr, ofsköft. Heita ok mágar, sifjungar, hleytamenn. Heitir ok vinr ok ráðunautr, ráðgjafi, máli, rúni, spjalli, alda þófti, einkili, sessi, sessunautr. Þófti er hálfrýmisfélagi. Heitir ok óvinr, dólgr, andskoti, fjandi, sökkvi, skaðamaðr, banamaðr, þröngvir, sökkvir, ósvífruðr. Þessi heiti köllum vér viðkenningar ok svá, þótt maðr sé kenndr við bæ sinn eða skip sitt, þat er nafn á, eða eign sína, þá er einkarnafn er gefit. Þetta köllum vér sannkenningar, at kalla menn spekimann, ætlunarmann, orðspeking, ráðsnilling, auðmilding, óslækinn, gæimann, glæsimann. Þetta eru fornöfn.
Þessi eru kvenna heiti ókennd í skáldskap: Víf ok brúðr ok fljóð heita þær konr, er manni eru gefnar. Sprund ok svanni heita þær konr, er mjök fara með dramb ok skart. Snótir heita þær, er orðnæfrar eru. Drósir heita þær, er kyrrlátar eru, svarri ok svarkr þær, er mikillátar eru. Ristill er kölluð sú kona, er sköruglynd er. Rýgr heitir sú, er ríkust er. Feima er sú kölluð, er ófröm er, svá sem ungar meyjar eða þær konur, er ódjarfar eru. Sæta heitir sú kona, er búandi hennar er af landi farinn. Hæll er sá kona kölluð, er búandi hennar er veginn. Ekkja heitir sú, er búandi hennar varð sóttdauðr. Mær heitir fyrst hver, en kerlingar er gamlar eru. Eru enn þau kvenna heiti, er til lastmælis eru, ok má þau finna í kvæðum, þótt þat sé eigi ritat. Þær konur heita eljur, er einn mann eigu. Snör heitir sonarkván. Sværa heitir vers móðir. Heitir ok móðir, amma, þriðja edda. Eiða heitir móðir. Heitir ok dóttir ok barn, jóð. Heitir ok systir, dís, jóðdís. Kona er ok kölluð beðja, mála, rúna búanda síns, ok er þat viðrkenning.
Höfuð heitir á manni. Þat skal svá kenna at kalla erfiði háls eða byrði, land hjálms ok hattar ok heila, hárs ok brúna, svarðar, eyrna, augna, munns. Heimdallar sverð, ok er rétt at nefna hvert sverðsheiti, er vill, ok kenna við eitt hvert nafn Heimdallar. Höfuð heitir ókennt hauss, hjarni, kjannr, kollr. Augu heita sjón ok lit eða viðrlit, örmjót. Þau má svá kenna at kalla sól eða tungl, skjöldu ok gler eða gimsteina eða stein brá eða brúna, hvarma eða ennis. Eyru heita hlustir ok heyrn. Þau skal svá kenna at kalla land eða jarðarheitum nökkurum eða munn eða rás eða sjón eða augu heyrnarinnar, ef nýgervingar eru. Munn skal svá kenna at kalla land eða hús tungu eða tanna, orða eða góma, varra eða þvílíkt, ok ef nýgervingar eru, þá kalla menn munninn skip, en varrarnar borðit, tunga ræðit eða stýrit. Tennr eru stundum kallaðar grjót eða sker orða, munnr eða tunga. Tunga er oft kölluð sverð máls eða munns. Skegg heitir barð, grön eða kanpar, er stendr á vörrum. Hár heitir lá, haddr þat, er konr hafa. Skoft heitir hár. Hár er svá kennt at kalla skóg eða viðarheiti nökkuru, kenna til hauss eða hjarna eða höfuðs, en skegg kenna við höku eða kinnr eða kverkr.
Hjarta heitir negg. Þat skal svá kenna, kalla korn eða stein eða epli eða hnot eða mýl eða líkt ok kenna við brjóst eða hug, kalla má ok hús eða jörð eða berg hugarins. Brjóst skal svá kenna at kalla hús eða garð eða skip hjarta, anda eða lifrar, eljunar land, hugar ok minnis. Hugr heitir sefi ok sjafni, ást, elskhugi, vili, munr. Huginn skal svá kenna at kalla vind trollkvenna, ok rétt at nefna til hverja, er vill, ok svá at nefna jötnana, eða kenna þá til konu eða móður eða dóttur þess. Hugr heitir ok geð, þokki, eljun, þrekr, nenning, minni, vit, skap, lund, tryggð. Heitir ok hugr reiði, fjandskapr, fár, grimmð, böl, harmr, tregi, óskap, grellskap, lausung, ótryggð, geðleysi, þunngeði, gessni, harðgeði, óðværi.
Hönd má kalla mund, arm, lám, hramm. Á hendi heitir ölnbogi, armleggr, úlfliðr, liðr, fingr, greip, hreifi, nagl, gómr, jaðarr, kvikva. Hönd má kalla jörð vápna eða hlífa, við axlar ok ermar, lófa ok hreifa, gullhringa jörð ok vals ok hauks ok allra hans heita, ok í nýgervingum fót axlar, bognauð. Fætr má kalla tré ilja, rista, leista eða þvílíkt, renniflein brautar eða göngu, fets. Má kalla fótinn tré eða stoð þessa. Við skíð ok skúa ok brækr eru fætr kenndir. Á fæti heitir lær, kné, kálfi, bein, leggr, rist, jarki, il, tá. Við þetta allt má fótinn kenna ok kalla hann tré, ok kallat er sigla ok rá fótrinn, ok kenna við þessa hluti.
Mál heitir ok orð ok orðtak ok orðsnilli, tala, saga, senna, þræta, söngr, galdr, kveðandi, skjal, bifa, hjaldr, hjal, skvál, glaumr, þjarka, gyss, þraft, skálp, hól, skraf, dælska, ljóðæska, hégómi, afgelja. Heitir ok rödd, hljómr, rómr, ómun, þytr, göll, gnýr, glymr, þrymr, rymr, brak, svipr, svipun, gangr. Vit heitir speki, ráð, skilning, minni, ætlun, hyggjandi, tölvísi, langsæi, bragðvísi, orðspeki, skörungskapr. Heitir undirhyggja, vélræði, fláræði, brigðræði.
Læti er tvennt. Læti heitir rödd, læti heitir æði, ok æði er ok ólund. Reiði er ok tvíkennt. Reiði heitir þat, er maðr er í illum hug, reiði heitir ok fargervi skips eða hross. Far er ok tvíkennt. Fár er reiði, far er skip. Þvílík orðtök hafa menn mjök til þess at yrkja fólgit, ok er þat kallat mjök ofljóst. Lið kalla menn þat á manni, er leggir mætast, lið heitir skip, lið heitir mannfólk, lið er ok þat kallat, er maðr veitir öðrum liðsinni, líð heitir öl. Hlið heitir á garði, ok hlið kalla menn uxa, en hlíð er brekka. Þessar greinir má setja svá í skáldskap, at gera ofljóst, at vant er at skilja, ef aðra skal hafa greinina en áðr þykki til horfa in fyrri vísuorð. Slíkt sama eru ok önnur mörg nöfn, þau er saman eigu heitit margir hlutir.
英文譯文由 AI 根據古諾爾斯語原文翻譯。
A man is named Aegir, or Hler. He lived on the island now called Hlesey. He was highly skilled in magic. He made a journey to Asgard, but the Aesir knew of his coming beforehand, and he was warmly welcomed, though many things were brought about through illusions. In the evening, when it was time to drink, Odin had swords carried into the hall, and they were so bright that they gave light; no other light was used while they sat drinking. Then the Aesir went to their feast, and twelve Aesir took their high seats, those who were to be judges. Their names were Thor, Njord, Frey, Tyr, Heimdall, Bragi, Vidar, Vali, Ull, Hoenir, Forseti, and Loki. Likewise, the goddesses were Frigg, Freyja, Gefjon, Idunn, Gerd, Sigyn, Fulla, and Nanna. Aegir thought it a magnificent sight to look around him there. All the wall panels were hung with beautiful shields. There was strong mead there too, and much drinking. Bragi sat next to Aegir, and they drank together and talked. Bragi told Aegir of many events in which the Aesir had taken part.
He began his account with three Aesir setting out from home: Odin, Loki, and Hoenir. They travelled over mountains and wilderness, and food was hard to find. When they came down into a valley, they saw a herd of oxen, took one of the oxen, and put it in an earth oven. When they thought it must be cooked, they opened the oven, but it was not cooked. A second time, after a while had passed, they opened the oven, and it was still not cooked. They discussed among themselves what could be causing this. Then they heard a voice in the oak above them: whoever was sitting there said that he was responsible for the meat not cooking in the oven. They looked up, and an eagle was sitting there, no small one.
Then the eagle said, “If you will give me my fill of the ox, it will cook in the oven.”
They agreed. Then he let himself down from the tree, settled on the oven, and immediately took both the ox’s thighs and both its shoulders. Loki grew angry, picked up a great pole, swung it with all his strength, and struck the eagle’s body. The eagle recoiled from the blow and flew up. The pole was stuck fast to the eagle’s back, and Loki’s hands to the other end of the pole. The eagle flew at such a height that Loki’s feet struck stones, scree, and trees, and he thought his arms would be torn from his shoulders. He shouted and begged the eagle most urgently for mercy. But the eagle said that Loki would never be free unless he swore an oath to bring Idunn out of Asgard with her apples, and Loki agreed. Then he was released and went to his companions, and for now no more is told of their journey before they came home.
At the appointed time, Loki lured Idunn out of Asgard into a forest, saying that he had found some apples that she would consider treasures. He asked her to bring her own apples with her and compare them with the others. Then the giant Thjazi came there in eagle form, seized Idunn, and flew away with her to his home in Thrymheim.
The Aesir were badly troubled by Idunn’s disappearance, and they soon became grey-haired and old. Then the Aesir held an assembly, and each asked the others what they last knew of Idunn. She had last been seen going out of Asgard with Loki. Loki was seized and brought to the assembly, and he was threatened with death or torture. When he became frightened, he said that he would go after Idunn in Jotunheim if Freyja would lend him the falcon shape she possessed. When he obtained the falcon shape, he flew north into Jotunheim and came one day to the giant Thjazi’s home. Thjazi had rowed out to sea, and Idunn was home alone. Loki changed her into the shape of a nut, held her in his claws, and flew as fast as he could.
When Thjazi came home and found Idunn missing, he took his eagle shape and flew after Loki, raising an eagle’s gale as he flew. When the Aesir saw the falcon flying with the nut, and where the eagle was flying, they went out to the foot of Asgard’s wall and carried loads of wood shavings there. When the falcon flew in over the stronghold, he dropped down beside its wall. Then the Aesir set fire to the wood shavings, but the eagle could not stop himself when he lost the falcon. The fire caught the eagle’s feathers, and his flight came to an end. The Aesir were close by and killed the giant Thjazi inside the gates of Asgard, and that killing is very famous.
But Skadi, the giant Thjazi’s daughter, took a helmet and mail-coat and all her weapons of war and went to Asgard to avenge her father. The Aesir offered her a settlement and compensation, beginning with this: she was to choose herself a husband from among the Aesir, choosing by their feet and seeing nothing else of them. She saw one man’s exceptionally beautiful feet and said, “I choose this one. There can be little that is ugly about Baldr.” But it was Njord of Noatun.
She also made it part of her settlement that the Aesir should do something she thought they would be unable to do: make her laugh. Loki tied a cord around a goat’s beard and the other end around his own testicles, and each gave way in turn, both squealing loudly. Then Loki let himself fall into Skadi’s lap, and she laughed. Thus a settlement was made with her on the Aesir’s behalf.
It is said that Odin gave Skadi this further compensation: he took Thjazi’s eyes, threw them up into the sky, and made two stars from them.
Then Aegir said, “Thjazi seems to me to have been a very powerful being. What was his ancestry?”
Bragi answered, “His father was named Olvaldi, and you will find what I tell you about him remarkable. He was very rich in gold. When he died and his sons were to divide the inheritance, they measured out the gold they shared by each taking a mouthful, all taking the same number of mouthfuls. One of them was Thjazi, the second Idi, and the third Gang. From this we now have an expression among us, calling gold the mouth-count of these giants. We conceal it in riddles or poetry by calling it the speech or words or talk of these giants.”
Then Aegir said, “That seems to me well concealed in riddles.”
Aegir spoke again: “Where did the art that you call poetry originate?”
Bragi answered, “Its beginning was this: the gods were in conflict with the people called the Vanir. They arranged a peace conference and established a truce in this way: both sides went up to a single vessel and spat their spittle into it. When they parted, the gods did not want to let this token of their truce perish, so they made a man from it. His name is Kvasir. He is so wise that no one asks him anything to which he does not know the answer. He travelled widely through the world, teaching people knowledge. When he came as a guest to the home of two dwarfs, Fjalar and Galar, they called him aside for a private conversation and killed him. They let his blood run into two vessels and a kettle. The kettle is called Odrerir, and the vessels are called Son and Bodn. They mixed honey with the blood, and it became a mead that makes everyone who drinks it a poet or a learned man. The dwarfs told the Aesir that Kvasir had suffocated in his own wisdom, because no one there was learned enough to ask him questions that would draw on his knowledge.
“Then these dwarfs invited a giant named Gilling and his wife to their home. The dwarfs invited Gilling to row out to sea with them. As they went along the coast, the dwarfs rowed onto a submerged rock and overturned the boat. Gilling could not swim and drowned, but the dwarfs righted their boat and rowed ashore. They told his wife what had happened, and she was deeply distressed and wept loudly. Fjalar asked her whether she would feel better if she looked out to sea where he had drowned, and she wished to do so. Then he told his brother Galar to go up above the doorway as she went out and drop a millstone on her head, saying that he was tired of her wailing. And Galar did so.
“When the giant Suttung, Gilling’s son, heard of this, he went and seized the dwarfs, took them out to sea, and set them on a skerry that was submerged at high tide. They begged Suttung to spare their lives and offered him the precious mead as compensation for his father, and on these terms they reached a settlement. Suttung took the mead home and stored it in a place called Hnitbjorg, setting his daughter Gunnlod there to guard it.
“Because of this we call poetry Kvasir’s blood, or the dwarfs’ drink or fill, or any kind of liquid of Odrerir or Bodn or Son, or the dwarfs’ passage-price, because that mead bought them their lives and release from the skerry, or Suttung’s mead, or the liquid of Hnitbjorg.”
Then Aegir said, “It seems to me an obscure way of speaking to call poetry by these names. But how did you Aesir obtain Suttung’s mead?”
Bragi answered, “This is the story of it: Odin set out from home and came to a place where nine slaves were mowing hay. He asked whether they wanted him to sharpen their scythes. They agreed. Then he took a whetstone from his belt and sharpened the scythes. They thought their scythes cut much better and offered to buy the whetstone, but he set its price at a fair payment from whoever wished to buy it. All said they wanted it and asked him to sell it to them, but he threw the whetstone up into the air. As they all tried to catch it, they struggled with one another so that each swept his scythe across another’s neck.
“Odin sought lodging for the night with a giant named Baugi, Suttung’s brother. Baugi said that his farming affairs were in a bad way: his nine slaves had killed one another, and he could see no prospect of finding workmen. Odin called himself Bolverk before him. He offered to undertake nine men’s work for Baugi, asking in payment for one drink of Suttung’s mead. Baugi said that he had no control over the mead and that Suttung wanted it all for himself, but he said that he would go with Bolverk and try to obtain the mead.
“Bolverk did nine men’s work for Baugi during the summer, and when winter came he asked Baugi for his wages. They both went to Suttung. Baugi told his brother Suttung of his agreement with Bolverk, but Suttung flatly refused to give a single drop of the mead. Then Bolverk told Baugi that they should try some trick to see whether they could get the mead, and Baugi agreed. Bolverk brought out an auger called Rati and told Baugi to bore through the mountain, if the auger would bite. He did so. Then Baugi said that he had bored through the mountain, but Bolverk blew into the borehole, and the chips flew back towards him. He realized that Baugi meant to deceive him and told him to bore right through the mountain. Baugi bored again, and when Bolverk blew a second time, the chips flew inward. Then Bolverk changed into the shape of a snake and crawled into the borehole. Baugi thrust the auger after him but missed him.
“Bolverk went to where Gunnlod was and lay with her for three nights. Then she allowed him to take three drinks of the mead. With the first drink he drained all of Odrerir, with the second all of Bodn, and with the third all of Son, and then he had all the mead. He changed into eagle form and flew as fast as he could. When Suttung saw the eagle’s flight, he took eagle form himself and flew after him. When the Aesir saw Odin flying, they set their vessels out in the courtyard. When Odin came in over Asgard, he spat the mead up into the vessels. But Suttung had come so close to catching him that he let some of the mead out behind him, and no care was taken of that. Whoever wanted it could have it, and we call it the fool-poets’ share. But Odin gave Suttung’s mead to the Aesir and to those men who knew how to compose poetry. That is why we call poetry Odin’s booty and his find, his drink and his gift, and the drink of the Aesir.”
Then Aegir said: “In how many ways do you vary the expressions of poetry, and how many kinds of poetry are there?”
Then Bragi said: “There are two kinds that distinguish all poetry.”
Aegir asked: “Which two?”
Bragi said: “Language and verse forms.”
“What kinds of expression are used in poetry?”
“Poetic language has three divisions.”
“What are they?”
“To call each thing by its own name. The second division is what is called substitution. The third division of language is what is called a kenning. This division is formed in this way: we name Odin or Thor or Tyr, or someone among the Aesir or elves, and to whichever of them I name I attach a designation for something belonging to another god, or mention some of his deeds. Then the name belongs to that other god, rather than to the one who was named. Thus, when we say Victory-Tyr or Tyr of the Hanged or Tyr of Cargoes, these are names for Odin, and we call them kennings; likewise when we say Chariot-Tyr.”
This must now be said to young poets who wish to learn the language of poetry and acquire a wealth of words through ancient names, or who wish to understand what is composed in veiled language: they should study this book for knowledge and entertainment. But these accounts should not be forgotten or discredited to the point of removing from poetry the ancient kennings that the foremost poets have been pleased to use. Yet Christians should not believe in heathen gods, or in the truth of these accounts in any other way than is set out here at the beginning of the book.
Now examples shall be heard of how the foremost poets have thought it fitting to compose using these names and kennings, as when Arnor, the earls’ poet, says that Odin is called Allfather:
Now I mean to tell men
of the stern-hearted earl’s virtues;
slowly my grief eases;
Allfather’s mash-surf roars.
Here he also calls poetry Allfather’s mash-surf. Havard the Lame composed this:
Now for the sea-horse’s trees
the eagle’s flight has passed over the mounds;
I think they accept an invitation
from the field of the god of the hanged.
Viga-Glum composed this:
The host held back from advancing
beneath the hat of the Tyr of the Hanged;
they thought it no pleasant risk
to venture down the slope.
Ref composed this:
Often, when the Baldr of the gleams
of the prows’ earth had fallen,
the Raven-god’s holy cup
came kindly to me.
Eyvind, the spoiler of poets, composed this:
And Sigurd,
who gave the swans
of the Tyr of Cargoes
the beer of the rooks
of the Haddingjar’s slain,
was robbed of life
by the rulers of the land
at Oglo.
Glum Geirason composed this:
There was Victory-Tyr himself
in the attacking elf of Atal’s beasts;
the gods of Beimi directed
those ravens’ winds for him.
Eyvind also composed this:
Gondul and Skogul
were sent by the Tyr of the Goths
to choose among kings
which of Yngvi’s line
should go with Odin
and dwell in Valhalla.
Ulf Uggason composed this:
Far-famed Hropt-Tyr rides
to his son’s very broad pyre,
while words of praise
flow through my jaws.
Thjodolf of Hvin composed this:
The slain lay there on the sand,
assigned to the one-eyed
dweller in Frigg’s embrace;
we welcomed such a deed.
Hallfred composed this:
With true words the bold receiver
of the sword of the wind’s steed
draws beneath himself Thridi’s
pine-haired, longed-for wife.
Here is an example of the earth being called Odin’s wife in poetry. This is what Eyvind is said to have composed:
“Hermod and Bragi,”
said Hropt-Tyr,
“go to meet the prince,
for a king is coming,
one thought a champion,
here to the hall.”
Kormak composed this:
The land-winner honors with a headband
the dispenser of the gods’ fjord,
he who binds the mast upright.
Ygg won Rind with spells.
Steinthor composed this:
I have an ancient horn-torrent
to praise, though a small one,
of the burden of Gunnlod’s arms,
who shuns contentment.
Ulf Uggason composed this:
There, I think, Valkyries and ravens
follow the wise victory-tree
to the drink of the holy sacrifice.
Thus the hall received its pictures within.
Egil Skallagrimsson composed this:
I do not worship
Vili’s brother,
the gods’ protector,
because I am eager to;
yet Mimir’s friend
has granted me
redress for sorrow
that I count the better gift.
The wolf’s enemy,
accustomed to battle,
gave me an art
free from fault.
Here he is called the gods’ protector, Mimir’s friend, and the wolf’s enemy. Ref composed this:
To you we must render Fal’s drink,
Valgaut of the snow of the path
of the wave-steeds’ hall,
valiant and accustomed to command.
Einar, the bowl-clatterer, composed this:
I shall have to pour out
the bilge-water of Army-Tyr’s wine-vessel
before the generous, swift lord;
blame for that will not suffice.
Ulf Uggason composed this:
Noble Heimdall rides on his horse
to the pyre the gods have built
for the fallen son
of the wise Raven-tester.
This is said in Eirik’s Lay:
“What dream is this?” said Odin.
“I thought I rose before daybreak
to make Valhalla ready
for the slain.
I woke the Einherjar,
bade them rise,
strew the benches,
rinse the beer-cups,
and the Valkyries bear wine,
as though a ruler were coming.”
Kormak composed this:
Young, I ask the ruler of all
to hold me fully honored
on the swaying ground of Yngvi’s fish.
Hropt went with Gungnir.
Thoralf composed this:
The lord of Hlidskjalf himself
said what he had in mind,
where the shield-shunning Harek’s
followers were struck down.
Eyvind composed this:
He who bore,
flying from Surt’s
deep dales,
the burden that gives strength.
Bragi composed this:
It is clear to me that early
the son of the Father of Men wished
to test his strength against
the rain-drenched cord of the earth.
Einar composed this:
For most richly gifted princes
have less to settle with Bestla’s son
than you; I have taken up
the praise of battle.
Thorvald, the blending poet, composed this:
Now I have grasped much
in the mead
of Bor’s son,
Buri’s heir.
Here shall be heard how poets have made kennings for poetry using the names written above: calling it Kvasir’s blood, the dwarfs’ ship, the dwarfs’ mead, the giants’ mead, Suttung’s mead, Odin’s mead, the mead of the Aesir, the giants’ compensation for their father, the liquid and contents of Odrerir, Bodn, and Son, the liquid of Hnitbjorg, Odin’s booty, discovery, cargo, and gift, as in these verses composed by Einar, the bowl-clatterer:
I ask the great-hearted guardian
of the land to hear—hear, earl—
Kvasir’s blood, the dregs-surf
of the men of the fjord-bone.
And as Einar, the bowl-clatterer, also composed:
The dwarfs’ rock-keeping wave
passes over all the company
of Ull’s ash, who strengthens
courage in the shelter of battle-sorrow.
As Orm Steinthorsson composed:
May both the beer-bench’s body
and mine be carried into one hall;
let men receive the drink
of the dead Dvalin.
And as Ref composed:
I offer Thorstein the worth
of the rock-people’s mind-land;
the rock-Maerar’s wave resounds;
I ask humankind to listen.
As Egil composed:
The ruler offered me welcome;
I owe him praise for that.
I bore Odin’s mead
to the English lands.
And as Glum Geirason composed:
Listen, generous princes:
I have the gods’ supplicant’s drink.
For this we ask for silence,
that we may tell of a lord’s loss.
And as Eyvind composed:
I ask for a hearing
for Har’s drink,
while I raise up
Gilling’s compensation,
while in the gallows-burden’s
cauldron-liquid we trace
his lineage
back to the gods.
As Einar, the bowl-clatterer, composed:
The wave of the life-sea surges
before the ruler; Rognir’s deeds serve me;
Odrerir’s wave roars
against the skerry of incantations.
And again, as he composed:
Now that the wave of Bodn,
of the rock-Saxar, begins to swell,
let the prince’s people make
silence in the hall and hear the ship.
And as Eilif Gudrunarson composed:
You must decide on gifts of friendship,
since for us the seed of words
about a famous descendant grows
on Son’s reed-covered land.
As Volu-Stein composed:
Hear, Egil, my streams
of Mimir’s friend’s joy-rock resound
against the gums’ skerry;
Thund’s discovery is given me.
Orm Steinthorsson composed this:
Men need harbor no fear
about my poem; I turn nothing
to mockery in Vidur’s booty;
I know how to fashion praise.
Ulf Uggason composed this:
To cheerful Olaf I offer
the wave of Hild’s helmet-giant’s mind-fjord;
I wish to greet him
with Grimnir’s gift.
Poetry is called the dwarfs’ sea or liquid because Kvasir’s blood was liquid in Odrerir before the mead was made, and it was brewed there in the cauldron. For this reason it is called Odin’s cauldron-liquid, as Eyvind composed in the lines written earlier:
While in the gallows-burden’s
cauldron-liquid we trace
his lineage
back to the gods.
Poetry is also called the dwarfs’ vessel or drink. Líð means ale, and líð means a ship. Thus, as an example, poetry is now called the dwarfs’ ship for this reason, as it says here:
Both to the rock-earl’s bride
I must send the dwarfs’ ship
and the swelling wind
along one long-neglected road.
How should Thor be referred to? By calling him the son of Odin and Jord, the father of Magni, Modi, and Thrud, Sif’s husband, Ull’s stepfather, the wielder and owner of Mjolnir and the belt of strength and Bilskirnir, the defender of Asgard and Midgard, the enemy and slayer of giants and troll-women, the killer of Hrungnir, Geirrod, and Thrivaldi, the lord of Thjalfi and Roskva, the enemy of the Midgard Serpent, and the foster-son of Vingnir and Hlora. Bragi the poet composed this:
The line of Vidrir’s heir
lay far from slack on Eynaefir’s ski
as Jormungand was dragged
toward the sand.
Olvir Hnufa composed this:
The girdle of all lands raged,
and so did Jord’s son.
Eilif composed this:
Roskva’s brother stood angry;
Magni’s father won victory.
Neither Thor’s nor Thjalfi’s courage-stone
trembles with fear.
And as Eystein Valdason composed:
Thrud’s father gazed with sharp eyes
at the ring of the steep road;
the dwelling of the terror had stirred
before the boat.
Eystein also composed:
Sif’s confidant swiftly readied
his fishing gear beside the old man;
we stir Hrimnir’s
horn-stream.
And he also composed:
The earth’s coalfish jerked so
that broad seams sprang apart;
the fists of Ull’s kinsman
struck out over the gunwale.
Bragi composed this:
The terrifier of mighty prow-beasts
took his hammer in his right hand
when he recognized the boundary-fish
of all the lands.
Gamli composed this:
When Bilskirnir’s brave-hearted lord,
who devised no deceit,
began to destroy the earth’s fish
with the ravine-whale’s bane.
Thorbjorn, the poet of the disir, composed this:
Thor has defended Asgard by his might,
with Ygg’s helpers.
Bragi composed this:
And the hideous ring of the path
of the boat with its row of oars,
fierce of mind, stared from below
at the shatterer of Hrungnir’s skull.
Bragi also composed:
You have firmly held back your steeds,
splitter of Thrivaldi’s nine heads,
from the renowned feast-beast’s
festive banquet.
Eilif composed this:
The oppressor of women who roam
at evening opened his arm-mouth
at the heavy, red-hot morsel
of the tongs’ seaweed.
Ulf Uggason composed this:
The goat-user declared that the stout-grown
fat fellow thought the mighty pull
an immense
and dangerous venture.
And also this:
The mighty slayer of the mountain-Gaut
let his fist crash against the ear
of the tester of the reed of the leg;
a grievous hurt it was.
(56.)
The wide sky of Vimur’s ford
struck the ear’s floor against the waves,
away from the gleaming serpent.
Thus the hall received its pictures within.
Here he is called the giant of Vimur’s ford. Vimur is the name of a river that Thor waded when he went to Geirrod’s courts. And Vetrliði the poet composed this:
You broke Leikn’s legs,
battered Thrivaldi,
toppled Starkad,
and trod Gjalp dead.
And Thorbjorn, the poet of the disir, composed this:
A blow rang on Keila’s skull;
you shattered Kjallandi completely;
earlier you killed Lut and Leidi,
and made Buseyra bleed;
you checked Hengjankjapta;
Hyrrokkin died before;
yet sooner still the swarthy
Svivor was robbed of life.
How should Baldr be referred to? By calling him the son of Odin and Frigg, Nanna’s husband, Forseti’s father, owner of Hringhorni and Draupnir, Hod’s enemy, Hel’s companion, god of tears. Ulf Uggason composed a long passage about Baldr’s story in Húsdrápa, and examples in which Baldr is referred to in these ways have already been written above.
How should Njord be referred to? By calling him god of the Vanir, descendant of the Vanir, or a Van, and father of Frey and Freyja, the god who gives wealth. As Thord Sjareksson says:
Gudrun herself became
the slayer of her sons;
the wise bride of gods
could not love the Van;
Kjalar tamed
horses very well;
they did not say Hamdir
held back from sword-play.
This refers to Skadi leaving Njord, as written earlier.
How should Frey be referred to? By calling him Njord’s son, Freyja’s brother, and also god of the Vanir, descendant of the Vanir, a Van, god of fruitful seasons and giver of wealth. As Egil Skallagrimsson composed:
For Grjotbjorn
has been endowed
by Frey and Njord
with abundant wealth.
Frey is called Beli’s enemy, as Eyvind Skaldaspillir composed:
When the earls’ enemy
wished to settle
the outlying land
of Beli’s foe.
He owns Skidbladnir and the boar called Gullinbursti, as is said here:
Ivaldi’s sons
went in ancient days
to fashion Skidbladnir,
the best of ships,
for shining Frey,
Njord’s worthy son.
As Ulf Uggason says:
Battle-wise Frey rides on the boar to the pyre
of Odin’s son,
and leads the hosts,
foremost on the golden-bristled one.
The boar is also called Slidrugtanni.
How should Heimdall be referred to? By calling him the son of nine mothers or the watchman of the gods, as written earlier, or the white god, Loki’s enemy, seeker of Freyja’s necklace. Heimdall’s head is called a sword. It is said that he was pierced through with a human head. This is told in Heimdall’s Chant, and since then a head has been called Heimdall’s doom. A sword is called a man’s doom. Heimdall owns Gulltopp. He is also the visitor to Vagasker and Singastein. There he contended with Loki over Brisingamen. He is also called Vindler. Ulf Uggason composed a long passage in Húsdrápa about this story, and it is mentioned there that they were in the shapes of seals. He is also Odin’s son.
How should Tyr be referred to? By calling him the one-handed god and fosterer of the wolf, god of battles, Odin’s son.
How should Bragi be referred to? By calling him Idunn’s husband, the first maker of poetry, and the long-bearded god—from his name, someone with a great beard is called a beard-Bragi—and Odin’s son.
How should Vidar be referred to? He may be called the silent god, owner of the iron shoe, enemy and slayer of the wolf Fenrir, avenging god of the gods, the god who dwells on his father’s homesteads, and Odin’s son, brother of the Aesir.
How should Vali be referred to? By calling him the son of Odin and Rind, Frigg’s stepson, brother of the Aesir, Baldr’s avenging god, Hod’s enemy and his slayer, dweller on his father’s homesteads.
How should Hod be referred to? By calling him the blind god, Baldr’s slayer, shooter of the mistletoe, Odin’s son, Hel’s companion, Vali’s enemy.
How should Ull be referred to? By calling him Sif’s son, Thor’s stepson, god of skis, god of the bow, god of hunting, god of the shield.
How should Hoenir be referred to? By calling him Odin’s benchmate or companion or confidant, and the swift god, the long-footed one, and mud-king.
How should Loki be referred to? By calling him the son of Farbauti and Laufey, or Nal, brother of Byleist and Helblindi, father of Vanargand, that is, the wolf Fenrir, and of Jormungand, that is, the Midgard Serpent, and of Hel and Nari and Ali; kinsman and paternal uncle, companion and benchmate of Odin and the Aesir; visitor and chest-ornament of Geirrod; thief of giants, a goat, Brisingamen and Idunn’s apples; Sleipnir’s kinsman, Sigyn’s husband, enemy of the gods, destroyer of Sif’s hair, maker of mischief, the cunning god, slanderer and deceiver of the gods, plotter of Baldr’s death, the bound god, contentious enemy of Heimdall and Skadi. As Ulf Uggason says here:
Wise in counsel, the famed guardian of the gods
contends for land at Singastein
with the terribly cunning
son of Farbauti;
the mighty son of eight mothers
and one wins the lovely sea-kidney;
I tell of it beforehand
in strands of praise.
Here it is mentioned that Heimdall is the son of nine mothers.
Now further examples shall be told of the origins of those kennings just written for which examples have not already been given, as Bragi told Aegir: Thor had gone east to fight trolls, while Odin rode Sleipnir into Jotunheim and came to the giant called Hrungnir. Hrungnir then asked who this man with the golden helmet was, riding through air and over water, and said that he had a remarkably good horse. Odin said he would wager his head that no horse in Jotunheim was as good. Hrungnir said that it was a good horse, but declared that he himself had a horse with a much longer stride. It was called Gullfaxi. Hrungnir grew angry, leapt onto his horse and galloped after Odin, intending to repay his boasting. Odin rode so fast that he was a ridge ahead, but Hrungnir was in such a giant’s rage that he did not notice where he was until he had passed through the gates of the Aesir.
When he reached the hall doors, the Aesir invited him to drink. He went into the hall and asked for something to drink. The bowls Thor was accustomed to drinking from were brought out, and Hrungnir drained each one. When he grew drunk, there was no shortage of boasts. He declared that he would pick up Valhalla and carry it to Jotunheim, sink Asgard and kill all the gods, except that he wanted to take Freyja and Sif home with him. Freyja alone then dared to pour his drink, and he declared that he would drink all the Aesir’s ale.
When the Aesir grew tired of his boasts, they called on Thor. At once Thor came into the hall with his hammer raised, furious, and asked who was responsible for allowing giants as cunning as dogs to drink there, who had granted Hrungnir safe conduct to be in Valhalla, and why Freyja should pour his drink as though at a feast of the Aesir. Hrungnir answered, looking at Thor with unfriendly eyes, and said that Odin had invited him to drink and he was under Odin’s protection. Thor said that Hrungnir would regret that invitation before he got out. Hrungnir said it would bring Thor of the Aesir little glory to kill him unarmed. It would be a greater test of his courage if he dared to fight him on the border at Grjotunagardar.
“And it was a very foolish thing,” he said, “to leave my shield and whetstone at home. If I had my weapons here, we would try our strength in single combat now. As things stand, I charge you with dishonour if you mean to kill me unarmed.”
Thor was determined not to fail to come to single combat once challenged, for no one had ever challenged him before. Hrungnir then went on his way and rode hard until he reached Jotunheim. His journey became very famous among the giants, as did the fact that a meeting had been arranged between him and Thor. The giants felt that much depended on which of them won. They expected evil from Thor if Hrungnir fell, since he was the strongest among them.
The giants then made a man of clay at Grjotunagardar, nine leagues tall and three wide beneath the arms. They could find no heart large enough to suit him until they took one from a mare, and it proved unsteady in him when Thor arrived. Hrungnir had his famous heart of hard stone, pointed with three corners, like the carved design made ever since that is called Hrungnir’s heart. His head was also of stone. His shield was stone too, broad and thick, and he held it before him as he stood at Grjotatunagardar awaiting Thor. For a weapon he had a whetstone, which he rested on his shoulder, and he was no easy opponent. Beside him stood the clay giant called Mokkurkalfi, who was very frightened. It is said that he urinated when he saw Thor.
Thor went to the appointed duel, and Thjalfi went with him. Thjalfi ran ahead to where Hrungnir stood and said to him, “You stand unguarded, giant, holding your shield before you. Thor has seen you, and he is travelling underground and will come at you from below.”
Hrungnir thrust his shield beneath his feet and stood on it, taking the whetstone in both hands. At once he saw lightning and heard great peals of thunder. Then he saw Thor in his divine fury. Thor came on fiercely, swung his hammer and hurled it at Hrungnir from far away. Hrungnir raised the whetstone in both hands and threw it to meet the hammer. It struck the hammer in flight, and the whetstone broke apart. One piece fell to the ground, and from it all whetstone rocks have come. The other piece crashed into Thor’s head, so that he fell forward onto the ground. But the hammer Mjolnir struck Hrungnir in the middle of his head and shattered his skull into tiny pieces. He fell forward over Thor, so that his foot lay across Thor’s neck. Thjalfi attacked Mokkurkalfi, who fell with little glory.
Thjalfi then went to Thor to lift Hrungnir’s foot off him, but could not move it at all. All the Aesir came when they heard that Thor had fallen, and tried to lift the foot off him, but could get nowhere. Then Magni, the son of Thor and Jarnsaxa, arrived. He was then three nights old. He flung Hrungnir’s foot off Thor and said, “What a terrible pity, Father, that I came so late. I think I would have struck this giant dead with my fist if I had found him.”
Thor rose and warmly welcomed his son, saying that he would become a mighty man. “And I wish,” he said, “to give you the horse Gullfaxi, which belonged to Hrungnir.”
Then Odin spoke and said that Thor had done wrong to give that fine horse to a giantess’s son rather than to his own father.
Thor went home to Thrudvangar, and the whetstone remained lodged in his head. Then the seeress called Groa, wife of Aurvandil the Bold, came to him. She sang her spells over Thor until the whetstone began to loosen. When Thor felt this and thought there was hope of removing it, he wished to reward Groa for the healing and make her happy. He told her that he had waded south across Elivagar, carrying Aurvandil from Jotunheim in a basket on his back. As proof of this, one of Aurvandil’s toes had stuck out of the basket and frozen, so Thor had broken it off, thrown it up into the sky and made it into the star called Aurvandil’s Toe.
Thor said that it would not be long before Aurvandil came home. Groa became so happy that she could remember none of her spells, and the whetstone grew no looser. It still remains in Thor’s head, and people are warned against throwing a whetstone across the floor, because that makes the whetstone in Thor’s head move. Thjodolf of Hvin composed Haustlöng about this story.”
Then Aegir said, “Hrungnir seems to me to have been very mighty. Did Thor ever perform a greater feat of strength when contending with trolls?”
Then Bragi answers: “The story of Thor’s journey to Geirrod’s courts is well worth telling. He did not have his hammer Mjolnir, his belt of strength, or his iron gloves, and Loki was responsible for that. Loki went with him, for this had happened to Loki once when he flew out for amusement in Frigg’s falcon shape: out of curiosity he flew to Geirrod’s courts, saw a great hall there, perched on it, and looked in through a window. Geirrod looked towards him and ordered someone to catch the bird and bring it to him. The man he sent had great difficulty climbing the hall’s wall, it was so high. Loki enjoyed seeing him struggle to reach him and decided for the moment not to fly away until the man had completed the whole difficult climb. But when the man reached for him, he spread his wings and pushed off hard, only to find his feet stuck fast. Loki was caught there and brought to the giant Geirrod. When Geirrod saw his eyes, he suspected that this must be a person and told him to answer, but Loki remained silent. Then Geirrod locked Loki in a chest and kept him starving there for three months. When Geirrod took him out and demanded that he speak, Loki told him who he was. To save his life, he swore oaths to Geirrod that he would bring Thor to Geirrod’s courts without either his hammer or his belt of strength.
Thor came to lodge with a giantess called Grid. She was the mother of Vidar the Silent. She told Thor the truth about Geirrod: that he was an exceedingly cunning giant and dangerous to deal with. She lent Thor a belt of strength and iron gloves that she owned, and her staff, called Grid’s Staff. Then Thor came to the river called Vimur, the greatest of all rivers. He fastened the belt of strength around himself and braced Grid’s Staff against the current, while Loki held on beneath the belt. When Thor reached the middle of the river, it rose so high that it broke over his shoulders. Then Thor spoke this verse:
65
Do not rise now, Vimur,
since I mean to wade through you
to the giants’ courts;
know that if you rise,
then my divine strength will rise
as high as heaven.
Then Thor looked up into a ravine and saw Gjalp, Geirrod’s daughter, standing astride the river; she was causing it to rise. Thor took a great stone from the river and threw it at her, saying, ‘A river must be stopped at its mouth.’ His throw did not miss its mark. At that moment he was carried towards the bank, managed to catch hold of a rowan bush, and so climbed out of the river. Hence the saying that the rowan is Thor’s salvation.
When Thor reached Geirrod’s, the companions were first shown to a goat-house for their lodging. There was one chair to sit on, and Thor sat there. Then he noticed that the chair was rising beneath him towards the roof. He thrust Grid’s Staff against the rafters and pressed down hard on the chair. There was a great crack, followed by a scream. Geirrod’s daughters Gjalp and Greip had been beneath the chair, and he had broken both their backs.
Then Geirrod had Thor summoned into the hall for games. Great fires burned along the length of the hall. When Thor came opposite Geirrod, Geirrod took a glowing lump of iron with tongs and threw it at Thor. Thor caught it in his iron gloves and raised the lump aloft, while Geirrod leaped behind an iron pillar to protect himself. Thor threw the lump, driving it through the pillar, through Geirrod, through the wall, and into the ground outside.”
Eilif Gudrunarson composed his Thorsdrapa after this story.
How should Frigg be referred to in kennings? By calling her Fjorgyn’s daughter, Odin’s wife, Baldr’s mother, the rival of Jord and Rind and Gunnlod and Gerd, Nanna’s mother-in-law, queen of the Aesir and goddesses, of Fulla, the falcon shape, and Fensalir.
How should Freyja be referred to in kennings? By calling her Njord’s daughter, Frey’s sister, Od’s wife, Hnoss’s mother, possessor of the battle-slain and Sessrumnir and tomcats and Brisingamen, deity of the Vanir, lady of the Vanir, the deity whose tears are beautiful, goddess of love.
All the goddesses may likewise be referred to by naming one with another’s name and identifying her by her own possessions, deeds, or ancestry.
How should Sif be referred to in kennings? By calling her Thor’s wife, Ull’s mother, the deity with beautiful hair, Jarnsaxa’s rival, Thrud’s mother.
How should Idunn be referred to in kennings? By calling her Bragi’s wife and keeper of the apples, and the apples the Aesir’s remedy for old age. She is also the giant Thjazi’s stolen prize, as was told earlier, when he carried her away from the Aesir. Thjodolf of Hvin composed verses in Haustlong after that story.
It is likewise proper to refer to the Aesir by calling any one of them by another’s name and identifying him by his own deeds, possessions, or ancestry.
How should the sky be referred to in kennings? By calling it Ymir’s skull, and hence a giant’s skull, the dwarfs’ toil or burden, or the helmet of Vestri and Austri, Sudri and Nordri; the land of the sun, moon, heavenly bodies, wagons, and weather; the helmet or house of air, earth, and sun. As Arnor the Earls’ Poet said:
No young king so generous ever steps
aboard a planked ship
beneath Ymir’s ancient skull;
that prince’s splendour was abundant.
And again, as he said:
The bright sun turns black,
earth sinks into the dark sea,
Austri’s burden breaks,
the whole sea roars over the mountains.
As Bodvar the Lame said:
For no ruler will ever,
beneath the sun’s ground,
be keener in battle, better,
or nobler than Ingi’s brothers.
And as Thjodolf of Hvin said:
Jord’s son drove to the iron-game,
and the moon’s road thundered
beneath him; the fury
of Meili’s brother swelled.
As Orm, Poet of the Barra Isles, said:
However the lord of the wagon-road
welcomes me, lady of Draupnir’s band,
I hear that the ruler is mighty;
he governs the realm.
As Bragi the poet said:
He who cast the eyes
of the ski-goddess’s father
above the dwelling of many men
onto the winds’ wide washing-bowl.
And as Markus said:
It is long since a nobler guardian of seafarers
was born on the storm-vat’s surf-encircled floor;
every man praises the lofty life
of the ring-flinger.
As Stein Herdisarson said:
I invoke the holy ruler
of the high world-tent in this poem
before men; praise comes forth,
for he is more glorious.
And as Arnor the Earls’ Poet said:
Glorious king of the day’s ground,
help glorious Hermund.
And again Arnor said:
True ruler of the sun’s tents,
help valiant Rognvald.
And as Hallvard said:
Canute guards the land as the lord of all
guards the splendid hall of mountains.
As Arnor said:
Michael, wise in understanding, weighs
what is thought wrongly done and all that is good;
then the ruler of the sun’s helmet separates men
upon the judgment seat.
How should the earth be referred to in kennings? By calling her Ymir’s flesh and Thor’s mother, Onar’s daughter, Odin’s bride, the rival of Frigg and Rind and Gunnlod, Sif’s mother-in-law, the floor and bottom of the hall of weather, the sea of animals, Night’s daughter, the sister of Aud and Day. As Eyvind the Spoiler of Poets said:
Now the river’s sun is hidden
in the body of the giants’ enemy’s mother;
the counsels of a mighty people
are powerful.
As Hallfred the Troublesome Poet said:
Their plans came to pass: afterwards
that wise-counselling confidant of the king
possessed the only daughter
of Onar, overgrown with trees.
And again he said:
The steerer of the ravens’ resting-place
drew Baleyg’s broad-faced bride
to himself with the mighty speech
of steel.
As Thjodolf said:
The gladdener of lords moors
the Goths’ vessel, with riveted hull,
at the outer edge of the elk-sea,
against the clear sea’s floor.
As Hallfred said:
Thus I think the famous flinger
very reluctant to leave Aud’s sister alone;
the earth passes beneath
the glorious diminisher of necklaces.
As Thjodolf said:
The spear-sluggish fool stood far away
when the hastener of battle-light
once took Rind’s rival
without a bride-price.
How should the sea be referred to in kennings? By calling it Ymir’s blood, visitor to the gods, Ran’s husband, father of Aegir’s daughters, whose names are Himinglaeva, Dufa, Blodughadda, Hefring, Ud, Hronn, Bylgja, Bara, and Kolga; the land of Ran and Aegir’s daughters, of ships and terms for seagoing ships, of keels, prows, planking, seams, fish, and ice; the sea-kings’ way and roads; likewise the ring of islands, the house of sands, seaweed, and skerries, the land of fishing-lines, seabirds, and fair winds. As Orm, Poet of the Barra Isles, said:
Ymir’s blood roars from offshore
on the sandbank of good ships.
As Ref said:
The gentle beast of mastheads bears from the west
its wave-driven shoulders across the water;
I expect land before the prow;
it shaves the whale’s ridge.
As Svein said:
Then Aegir’s storm-rejoicing daughters
were woven and torn
by fierce, frost-bred squalls
from the pale mountain-wall.
And as Ref said:
Gymir’s spray-cold prophetess brings
the bear of twisted cables,
where the wave breaks,
often into Aegir’s jaws.
Here it is said that Aegir, Hler, and Gymir are all the same. And again he said:
But the sea-peak’s Sleipnir,
drenched in spray, tears its breast,
coloured with red stone,
from white Ran’s mouth.
As Einar Skulason said:
A fierce storm-wind has swiftly
thrust the ship away from land;
the horse of the swans’ field lets the snow-land
sink into the sea’s undertow.
And again, as he said:
Many a stiff oar rises
in men’s hands, while the fishing-line’s roaring shore
sweeps round the lands;
at times the stays are stretched taut.
And again he said:
The king’s longship’s prows carry golden plates;
that is a noble voyage for the prince;
the island-fetter propels
Heiti’s raven.
Again, as he said:
The autumn-cold island-rim thrusts
the frosted ski of the wake.
And again:
The swelling girdle of cool lands
splits apart before the prows.
As Snaebjorn said:
They say nine brides of the island-quern-frame
swiftly turn the most war-fierce
Grotti of skerries
out beyond the earth’s edge;
they who long ago ground
Amlodi’s ale-grist; the ring-diminisher
cleaves with his ship’s prow
the dwelling of ships’ sides.
Here the sea is called Amlodi’s mill. Again, as Einar Skulason said:
Strong driven nails loosen
in the rushing current, where Rakni’s
heaving ground turns pale; the sail’s bane
thrusts the reefed sail against the stay.
How should the sun be referred to in kennings? By calling her Mundilfari’s daughter, Mani’s sister, Glen’s wife, the fire of sky and air. As Skuli Thorsteinsson said:
Glen’s bedmate, gracious to the gods,
wades into the goddess’s sanctuary; then
the good light comes down with the rays
of grey-shirted Mani.
As Einar Skulason said:
Wherever the world’s lofty flickering flame
hovers over our treasure-friend,
most fierce against the blaze
of Beiti’s stronghold’s hall.
How should wind be described in kennings? By calling it Fornjot's son, the brother of Aegir and fire, the breaker of trees, the harm and death of trees or sails or rigging, or their hound or wolf. As Svein said in Nordrsetudrapa:
Fornjot's ugly sons
first began to blow.
How should fire be described in kennings? By calling it the brother of wind and Aegir, the death and destruction of trees and houses, Half's slayer, the sun of houses.
How should winter be described in kennings? By calling it Vindsval's son and the death of serpents, the season of storms. As Orm Steinthorsson said:
I offer the blind man this comfort:
the son of Vindval.
As Asgrim said:
The victory-bringer, generous with gold,
was afterwards in Trondheim—
the people know your deeds are true—
through that torment of serpents.
How should summer be described in kennings? By calling it Svasud's son, the relief of serpents and the growth of men. As Egil Skallagrimsson said:
Let us make our swords flash on high,
reddener of the wolf's teeth;
we have brave deeds to perform
in the mercy of the valley-fish.
How should a man be described in kennings? A man should be described through his deeds: what he gives or receives or does. He may also be described through the possessions he owns, and likewise through what he has given, and through the families he descends from and those descended from him.
How should he be described through these things? By calling him the performer or accomplisher of his journeys or activities, battles or sea voyages or hunting, or of weapons or ships. For he is a tester, reynir, of weapons and a doer, viðr, of battles, both meaning a performer. Viðr is a word for a tree. Reynir is also the name of a tree. From these terms poets have called a man an ash or maple, a grove, or other masculine names for trees, and associated them with battles or ships or wealth. It is also proper to describe a man through any of the names of the Aesir. He is also described through giants' names, though this is mostly mockery or abuse. Describing him through elves is considered fitting.
A woman should be described through all kinds of women's finery, gold and jewels, ale or wine or any other drink she serves or gives, and likewise through ale vessels and all the things it is fitting for her to make or provide. It is proper to describe her by calling her the willow or felled tree of what she distributes; selja and lág are trees. For this reason a woman is described in kennings through all feminine names for trees. A woman is described through jewels or glass stones because in ancient times women wore an ornament called a stone necklace around their necks. This has now been extended in kennings so that a woman is described through stone and all names for stones. A woman is also described through all the goddesses or Valkyries or Norns or disir. It is also proper to describe a woman through any of her activities, possessions or family.
How should gold be described in kennings? By calling it Aegir's fire and Glasir's needles, Sif's hair, Fulla's headband, Freyja's weeping, the speech and voice and words of giants, Draupnir's drops and the rain or shower of Draupnir or Freyja's eyes, otter compensation, the Aesir's forced payment, the seed of Fyrisvellir, the roof of Holgi's mound, the fire of all waters and of the hand, the stones and skerries or gleam of the hand.
Why is gold called Aegir's fire? The explanation is the story mentioned earlier: Aegir accepted an invitation to Asgard, and when he was ready to return home, he invited Odin and all the Aesir to visit him three months later. Foremost among those who made this journey were Odin and Njord, Frey, Tyr, Bragi, Vidar and Loki, and also the goddesses Frigg, Freyja, Gefjon, Skadi, Idunn and Sif. Thor was not there. He had gone east to kill trolls.
When the gods had taken their seats, Aegir had shining gold brought onto the hall floor. It brightened and lit the hall like fire, and served as light at his feast, just as swords served in place of fire in Valhalla. Then Loki quarrelled there with all the gods and killed Aegir's thrall, whose name was Fimafeng. Another of his thralls is named Eldir. His wife is named Ran, and they have nine daughters, as written earlier. At that feast everything provided itself: the food, the ale and all the equipment needed for the feast. Then these Aesir discovered that Ran owned a net in which she caught everyone who went to sea.
This story explains why gold is called the fire or light or radiance of Aegir, Ran or Aegir's daughters. From these kennings the practice has now developed of calling gold the fire of the sea and of all its names, since Aegir and Ran have names associated with the sea. From this, gold is now called the fire of lakes or rivers and of all river names. These terms have developed like other terms and kennings: younger poets have composed after the examples of older poets, as found in their poems, and then extended them into areas they considered similar to what had been composed before, as a lake resembles the sea, a river a lake, and a brook a river. Thus everything in which a term is extended further than is found before is called a new creation, and all of it is considered good when it accords with likeness and nature. As Bragi the poet said:
I received from the prince the fire
of the mackerels' bench for the drink
of the mountains' Fjolnir; the ruler
gave it to me with a cup.
Why is gold called Glasir's needles or leaves? In Asgard, before the doors of Valhalla, stands a grove called Glasir, and all its foliage is red gold, as is said here:
Glasir stands
with golden leaves
before Sigtyr's halls.
It is the most beautiful tree among gods and men.
Why is gold called Sif's hair? Loki, Laufey's son, had maliciously cut off all Sif's hair. When Thor discovered this, he seized Loki and would have broken every bone in his body before Loki swore that he would get the dark elves to make Sif hair of gold that would grow like other hair. After this Loki went to the dwarfs called Ivaldi's sons, and they made the hair, Skidbladnir and the spear Odin owned, called Gungnir.
Then Loki wagered his head with the dwarf called Brokk on whether Brokk's brother Sindri could make three treasures as good as these. When they came to the smithy, Sindri put a pigskin in the forge and told Brokk to work the bellows without stopping until he took out what he had put in. As soon as Sindri had left the smithy, while Brokk worked the bellows, a fly settled on Brokk's hand and bit him. But he kept working the bellows as before until the smith took something out of the forge. It was a boar, and its bristles were gold.
Next Sindri put gold in the forge and told Brokk to work the bellows without stopping until he returned. He went away. Then the fly came and settled on Brokk's neck and now bit twice as hard as before. But Brokk kept working the bellows until the smith took from the forge the gold ring called Draupnir.
Then Sindri put iron in the forge and told Brokk to work the bellows, saying that it would be ruined if the blowing stopped. Then the fly settled between Brokk's eyes and bit his eyelids. When the blood ran into his eyes so that he could not see, he snatched up his hand as quickly as he could, while the bellows sank down, and swept the fly away. Then the smith came back and said that everything in the forge had come close to being ruined. He took a hammer out of the forge.
He then placed all the treasures in his brother Brokk's hands and told him to take them to Asgard and settle the wager. When Brokk and Loki presented the treasures, the Aesir sat on their judgment seats, and the decision pronounced by Odin, Thor and Frey was to stand.
Loki gave Odin the spear Gungnir, Thor the hair that Sif was to have, and Frey Skidbladnir. He explained the properties of all the treasures: the spear never stopped in its thrust; the hair took root in the flesh as soon as it was placed on Sif's head; and Skidbladnir had a favourable wind as soon as its sail was raised, wherever it was to go, but could be folded up like a cloth and kept in one's pouch if desired.
Then Brokk brought forward his treasures. He gave Odin the ring and said that every ninth night eight rings of equal weight would drip from it. He gave Frey the boar and said that it could run through air and over water, night and day, faster than any horse. It would never be so dark at night or in the worlds of darkness that there would not be ample light wherever it went, so brightly did its bristles shine.
Then he gave Thor the hammer and said that he could strike as hard as he wished, whatever was before him, and the hammer would not fail. If he threw it at something, it would never miss and never fly so far that it would not return to his hand. If he wished, it could become so small that he could keep it inside his shirt. It had one flaw: its handle was rather short.
Their judgment was that the hammer was the best of all the treasures and offered the greatest protection against the frost giants, and they ruled that the dwarf should have his winnings. Then Loki offered to ransom his head, but the dwarf said there was no prospect of that.
“Catch me, then,” said Loki. But when the dwarf tried to catch him, he was already far away. Loki had shoes in which he could run through air and over water. Then the dwarf asked Thor to catch him, and Thor did so. The dwarf wanted to cut off Loki's head, but Loki said that he was entitled to the head, but not the neck.
Then the dwarf took a thong and a knife and tried to pierce holes in Loki's lips and lace his mouth shut, but the knife would not cut. Then he said that his brother's awl would be better for this. As soon as he mentioned it, the awl was there, and it pierced the lips. He laced the lips together, and Loki tore himself free of the stitches. The thong with which Loki's mouth was laced shut is called Vartari.
Here one can hear gold described through Fulla's headband, in what Eyvind the Poet-spoiler composed:
Fulla's brow-field's setting sun
shone on the mountains of Ull's ship
for poets throughout
the whole of Hakon's life.
Gold is called Freyja's weeping, as said earlier. As Skuli Thorsteinsson said:
Many a bringer of slaughter-fire's peril
won that morning, where we felled the slain,
still more of Freyja's tears;
we were there.
And as Einar Skulason said:
There Mardoll's weeping lies
between the grooves; we carry
the destroyer of Gaut's mighty door,
swollen with the valley-char's lair.
Here Einar has also described Freyja by calling her Hnoss's mother or Od's wife, as here:
The mighty ice of Rodi's roof
does not melt beneath the rain
of Od's bedfellow's eyes;
may the king thus reach old age.
And again:
I can wield Horn's glorious child;
we received a precious treasure.
The surf's firebrand rests on the shield's
destroyer, wrapped in gold.
The nurturer of the battle-swan
granted me Frodi's seed;
Frey's niece bears the drifting snow
of her mother's eyelashes.
Here it is also mentioned that Freyja may be described by calling her Frey's sister. And again:
In the child of Njord's daughter
a useful defence was offered me;
the sea's fire lay close to the steel;
I praise the ruler well for that.
Here she is called Njord's daughter. And again:
The battle-proud impeller of Vafud's assembly,
who displays courage,
gave me the mightily strong daughter
of the bride of the Vanir.
The mighty wielder of the sword
led Gefn's maiden to the poet's bed,
strewn with embers of the path
of Gautrek's swans.
Here she is called Gefn and Bride of the Vanir. It is proper to associate weeping with any of Freyja's names and so describe gold. These kennings are varied in many ways: it is called the hail or rain or sleet or drops or showers or torrents of her eyes or cheeks or cheekbones or eyelashes or eyelids.
Here one can hear that gold is called the word or voice of giants, as was said before. Thus spoke Bragi the poet:
I had him as a friend, worst
to the voice—but best to me—
of Ali of the fishing grounds’ under-globe,
a blameless third.
He called a stone the fishing grounds’ under-globe, a giant Ali of the stone, and gold the giant’s voice.
Why is gold called otter-payment? It is said that when the Aesir Odin, Loki, and Hoenir went to explore the world, they came to a river and walked along it to a waterfall. Beside the waterfall was an otter, which had caught a salmon in the falls and was eating with its eyes closed. Loki picked up a stone, threw it at the otter, and struck it on the head. Then Loki boasted of his catch, saying that he had caught an otter and a salmon with a single blow. They took the salmon and the otter and carried them along, until they came to a farm and went inside. The farmer who lived there was named Hreidmar. He was a powerful man and very skilled in magic. The Aesir asked to stay there for the night, saying that they had brought ample food, and showed the farmer their catch. When Hreidmar saw the otter, he called his sons, Fafnir and Regin, and told them that their brother Otr had been killed, and who had done it.
Now the father and sons went at the Aesir, seized and bound them, and told them that the otter was Hreidmar’s son. The Aesir offered a ransom for their lives, as much wealth as Hreidmar himself wished to demand. They agreed on this settlement and bound it with oaths. Then the otter was skinned. Hreidmar took the otter’s skin and told them that they must fill it with red gold and also cover it completely, and that this should be their settlement.
Then Odin sent Loki to Svartalfheim, and he came to the dwarf named Andvari. He was a fish in a pool, and Loki caught him and demanded as ransom for his life all the gold he possessed in his rock. When they came into the rock, the dwarf brought out all the gold he owned, and it was a very great treasure. Then the dwarf slipped a small gold ring under his arm. Loki saw this and told him to hand over the ring. The dwarf begged him not to take the ring away, saying that he could increase his wealth with it if he kept it. Loki said that he should not have a single penny left, took the ring from him, and went out. But the dwarf said that the ring should bring death to whoever owned it. Loki said that this suited him well, and that the curse could remain in force, since he would pass it on to the ears of whoever received it.
He went away and came to Hreidmar, and showed Odin the gold. When Odin saw the ring, he thought it beautiful and took it out of the treasure, but handed the gold over to Hreidmar. Hreidmar filled the otter’s skin as full as he could and stood it upright when it was full. Then Odin went up to it and was to cover the skin with the gold. He told Hreidmar to see whether the skin was now completely covered. Hreidmar looked and examined it carefully, and saw a single whisker. He demanded that it be covered, or else their settlement would be void. Then Odin brought out the ring and covered the whisker, and said that they were now released from the otter-payment.
When Odin had taken his spear and Loki his shoes, and they no longer had anything to fear, Loki said that what Andvari had declared should hold true: that the ring and the gold should bring death to whoever owned them. And so it proved afterwards. Now it has been told why gold is called otter-payment, or the Aesir’s forced payment, or the metal of strife.
What more is there to tell about the gold? Hreidmar took the gold as compensation for his son, but Fafnir and Regin demanded some of it as compensation for their brother. Hreidmar would not grant them a single penny of the gold. The brothers conceived the wicked plan of killing their father for the gold. Then Regin demanded that Fafnir divide the gold equally between them. Fafnir replied that there was little chance that he would share the gold with his brother, when he had killed his father for it. He told Regin to go away, or else he would meet the same fate as Hreidmar. Fafnir had taken a helmet that had belonged to Hreidmar and put it on his head. It was called the Helm of Terror, and every living creature that saw it was afraid. He had also taken the sword called Hrotti. Regin had the sword called Refil. He fled, while Fafnir went up onto Gnitaheid, made himself a lair there, changed into a serpent’s shape, and lay down upon the gold.
Regin went to King Hjalprek in Thjod and became his smith. There he took into his fostering Sigurd, the son of Sigmund, son of Volsung, and of Hjordis, daughter of Eylimi. Sigurd was the most outstanding of all warrior kings in lineage, strength, and courage. Regin told him where Fafnir lay upon the gold and urged him to go and win it. Then Regin made the sword called Gram. It was so sharp that when Sigurd lowered it into running water, it cut through a tuft of wool that drifted with the current against its edge. Next Sigurd split Regin’s anvil with the sword, right down into its wooden block.
After that, Sigurd and Regin went to Gnitaheid. Sigurd dug a pit in Fafnir’s path and sat down in it. When Fafnir crawled to the water and passed over the pit, Sigurd thrust the sword through him, and that killed him. Then Regin came up and said that Sigurd had killed his brother. As a settlement, he required Sigurd to take Fafnir’s heart and roast it over a fire. Regin lay down, drank Fafnir’s blood, and settled down to sleep.
As Sigurd roasted the heart, he thought it must be fully cooked and touched it with his finger to see how firm it was. When the froth from the heart ran onto his finger, he burned himself and put his finger into his mouth. When the heart’s blood touched his tongue, he understood the speech of birds and knew what the nuthatches sitting in the tree were saying. Then one spoke:
There sits Sigurd,
spattered with blood,
roasting Fafnir’s heart
beside the fire;
wise I would think
the breaker of rings
if he ate the gleaming
muscle of life.
There lies Regin, said another,
plotting to himself;
he means to betray the young man
who trusts him.
In anger he puts
crooked words together;
the smith of evil means
to avenge his brother.
Then Sigurd went to Regin and killed him. Afterwards he went to his horse, named Grani, and rode until he came to Fafnir’s lair. He took the gold, tied it into packs, and loaded them onto Grani’s back. Then he mounted himself and rode on his way. Now the story has been told that explains why gold is called Fafnir’s lair or dwelling, or the metal of Gnitaheid, or Grani’s burden.
Then Sigurd rode until he found a house on the mountain. Inside, a woman lay asleep, wearing a helmet and a coat of mail. He drew his sword and cut the mail off her. Then she awoke and said her name was Hild. She is called Brynhild and was a Valkyrie.
Sigurd rode away from there and came to a king named Gjuki. His wife was named Grimhild. Their children were Gunnar, Hogni, Gudrun, and Gudny. Guttorm was Gjuki’s stepson. Sigurd stayed there a long time. He married Gudrun, Gjuki’s daughter, and Gunnar and Hogni swore brotherhood with Sigurd.
Next Sigurd and Gjuki’s sons went to Atli, Budli’s son, to ask for his sister Brynhild as a wife for Gunnar. She lived on Hindarfjall, and a wavering flame surrounded her hall. She had sworn a vow to marry only the man who dared to ride through the wavering flame. Then Sigurd and the Gjukungs—they are also called Niflungs—rode up onto the mountain, and Gunnar was to ride through the wavering flame. He owned the horse called Goti, but that horse did not dare to leap into the fire. Then Sigurd and Gunnar exchanged appearances and names, because Grani would carry no man but Sigurd. Sigurd mounted Grani and rode through the wavering flame.
That evening he celebrated his wedding with Brynhild. When they came to bed, he drew the sword Gram from its sheath and laid it between them. In the morning, when he rose and dressed, he gave Brynhild as a bridal gift the gold ring that Loki had taken from Andvari, and took another ring from her hand as a keepsake. Sigurd then mounted his horse and rode to his companions. He and Gunnar exchanged appearances again, and they went home to Gjuki with Brynhild. Sigurd had two children with Gudrun, Sigmund and Svanhild.
Once Brynhild and Gudrun went to the water to bleach their hair. When they came to the river, Brynhild waded out from the bank and said that she would not put on her head water that ran from Gudrun’s hair, because she had a braver husband. Gudrun followed her into the river and said that she had the right to wash her hair farther upstream, because she had a husband whose courage neither Gunnar nor anyone else in the world could equal, since he had killed Fafnir and Regin and taken the inheritance of them both.
Then Brynhild replied, “It is worth more that Gunnar rode through the wavering flame, while Sigurd did not dare.”
Then Gudrun laughed and said, “Do you think Gunnar rode through the wavering flame? I believe the man who went to bed beside you was the one who gave me this gold ring. And the gold ring you have on your hand, which you received as a bridal gift, is called Andvaranaut, and I do not believe Gunnar went to Gnitaheid to fetch it.”
Then Brynhild fell silent and went home. After that she urged Gunnar and Hogni to kill Sigurd, but because they were bound to Sigurd by sworn oaths, they urged their brother Guttorm to kill him. He thrust a sword through Sigurd as he slept. When Sigurd received the wound, he threw the sword Gram after him, cutting the man in two at the waist. There Sigurd fell, and his three-year-old son, named Sigmund, whom they killed. After that Brynhild ran herself through with a sword and was burned with Sigurd. Gunnar and Hogni then took Fafnir’s inheritance and Andvaranaut, and ruled the lands.
King Atli, son of Budli and brother of Brynhild, then married Gudrun, who had been Sigurd's wife, and they had children. King Atli invited Gunnar and Hogni to visit him, and they accepted the invitation. Before leaving home, however, they hid the gold, Fafnir's inheritance, in the Rhine, and that gold has never since been found. King Atli had a force waiting there and fought against Gunnar and Hogni, and they were taken prisoner. King Atli had Hogni's heart cut out while he was alive. This killed him. He had Gunnar thrown into a snake-pit, but a harp was secretly brought to him, and he played it with his toes, since his hands were bound. He played the harp so that all the snakes fell asleep except one viper, which darted at him and struck him below the breastbone, thrusting its head into his body. It clung to his liver until he died. Gunnar and Hogni are called Niflungs and Gjukungs. For this reason gold is called the Niflungs' treasure or inheritance.
A little later Gudrun killed two of her sons and had drinking cups made from their skulls, adorned with gold and silver. Then the funeral feast for the Niflungs was held. At that feast Gudrun had King Atli served mead in those cups, mixed with the boys' blood, and she had their hearts roasted and given to the king to eat. When this was done, she told him herself, with many harsh words. There was no shortage of strong drink, and most people fell asleep where they sat. That night she went to the king as he slept, accompanied by Hogni's son, and they struck him down. This killed him. Then they set fire to the hall, and the people inside were burned.
After this she went to the sea and threw herself into it, intending to end her life, but she was washed across the fjord and reached the land ruled by King Jonakr. When he saw her, he took her into his household and married her. They had three sons, named Sorli, Hamdir, and Erp. Their hair was all as black as a raven, like Gunnar's and Hogni's and that of the other Niflungs. Svanhild, the daughter of young Sigurd, was brought up there, and she was the most beautiful of all women.
King Jormunrek the Mighty heard of this. He sent his son Randver to ask for her hand on his behalf. When Randver came to Jonakr, Svanhild was entrusted to him. He was to bring her to King Jormunrek. Then Earl Bikki said that it would be more fitting for Randver to marry Svanhild, since he was young, as she was, whereas Jormunrek was old. The young people liked this advice. Bikki then told the king about it. King Jormunrek had his son seized and led to the gallows. Randver then took his hawk, plucked out its feathers, and asked that it be sent to his father. Then he was hanged. When King Jormunrek saw the hawk, it occurred to him that just as the hawk was flightless and featherless, so his kingdom was helpless, since he was old and without a son. Then, as King Jormunrek rode out of the forest with his retainers after hunting, he saw Svanhild sitting bleaching her hair. They rode her down and trampled her to death beneath their horses' hooves.
When Gudrun heard this, she urged her sons to avenge Svanhild. As they prepared to leave, she gave them mail-coats and helmets so strong that iron could make no impression on them. She instructed them that when they reached King Jormunrek, they should approach him at night while he slept. Sorli and Hamdir were to cut off his hands and feet, and Erp his head. Once they were on their way, they asked Erp what help he would give them if they encountered King Jormunrek. He replied that he would help them as a hand helps a foot. They said that a foot received no support at all from a hand. They were so angry with their mother, who had sent them off with bitter words, that they wanted to do what would hurt her most, and they killed Erp, because she loved him best. A little later, as Sorli was walking, one foot slipped, and he supported himself with his hand. Then he said, "The hand has helped the foot now. It would be better now if Erp were alive."
When they came by night to King Jormunrek where he slept and cut off his hands and feet, he awoke and called to his men, telling them to wake. Then Hamdir said, "His head would be off now if Erp were alive." The retainers rose and attacked them, but could do nothing against them with weapons. Then Jormunrek shouted that they must be battered with stones. This was done. Sorli and Hamdir fell there. By then all Gjuki's family and descendants were dead. For this reason a mail-coat is called the clothing or garments of Hamdir and Sorli.
Young Sigurd was survived by a daughter named Aslaug, who was brought up at Heimir's in Hlymdalir, and great lineages have descended from her. It is said that Sigmund, son of Volsung, was so powerful that he could drink poison without harm, while his son Sinfjotli and Sigurd had such tough skin that poison did them no harm if it touched their bare bodies from outside. Thus the poet Bragi has composed:
When, on the hook of the wrestling challenger
of ancient Lit's men,
the coiling eel hung curled,
the eel of the Volsungs' drink.
Most poets have composed from these stories, taking up various episodes. Bragi the Old composed about the fall of Sorli and Hamdir in the praise-poem he made about Ragnar Lodbrok:
And Jormunrek awoke
from a dreadful dream,
amid blood-stained troops
in the surge of swords;
uproar arose in the hall
of Raudve's foremost kinsman,
when Erp's raven-black brothers
avenged their sorrows.
Corpse-dew flowed over the benches
on the battle-elf's hall-floor;
there, amid gore, severed
hands and feet could be seen.
He fell, mingled with blood,
headfirst into the ale-bowls' pool;
this is painted on the leaf
of the trees of Leifi's lands.
There stood, encircling
the prince's tub of the floor-steed,
the masts of Naglfari's sail,
with no nails in them;
and soon Sorli and Hamdir,
united in purpose, were battered
with the hard shoulder-knobs
of Hergaut's beloved.
The scatterer of the surge of steel
had Gjuki's descendants hard pressed,
when they sought to rob
Foglhild's beloved of life;
and all repaid Jonakr's sons
for the dark-shirted birches'
fiercely gleaming blows to the brow
and the blades' edges.
I see that fall of men
on the fair surface of the shield.
Ragnar gave me the moon of Rae's carriage
and a wealth of stories.
Why is gold called Frodi's meal? This is the story behind it: Odin had a son named Skjold, from whom the Skjoldungs are descended. He lived and ruled in the lands now called Denmark, but then called Gotland. Skjold had a son named Fridleif, who ruled the lands after him. Fridleif's son was named Frodi. He succeeded his father as king at the time when Emperor Augustus established peace throughout the world. Christ was born then. Because Frodi was the most powerful of all kings in the northern lands, the peace was attributed to him throughout the Danish-speaking world, and people call it Frodi's Peace. No one harmed another, even if he came upon his father's or brother's killer, free or bound. There were no thieves or robbers either, so that a gold ring lay on Jalangrsheid for a long time.
King Frodi went to Sweden as the guest of the king named Fjolnir. There he bought two slave-women named Fenja and Menja. They were large and strong. At that time two millstones were found in Denmark, so large that no one was strong enough to turn them. These millstones had the property that the mill would grind whatever the person turning it commanded. The mill was called Grotti. The man who gave the mill to King Frodi was named Hengikjopt. King Frodi had the slave-women brought to the mill and told them to grind gold. They did so, first grinding gold and peace and prosperity for Frodi. He allowed them no longer rest or sleep than the cuckoo was silent, or than it took to sing a song. It is said that they sang the lay called Grotti's Song, which begins:
Now we have come
to the king's halls,
we two who know the future,
Fenja and Menja;
with Frodi,
Fridleif's son,
these mighty maidens
are kept as slaves.
Before the lay ended, they ground out an army against Frodi, so that that night a sea-king named Mysing arrived, killed Frodi, and took much plunder. Then Frodi's Peace ended. Mysing took Grotti with him, along with Fenja and Menja, and told them to grind salt. At midnight they asked whether Mysing had had enough salt. He told them to grind longer. They had been grinding only a little while when the ship sank, and a whirlpool remained there in the sea, where the water pours into the millstone's eye. Then the sea became salty.
Why is gold called Kraki's seed? There was a king in Denmark named Hrolf Kraki. He was the most renowned of the ancient kings, above all for his generosity, courage, and humility. One sign of his humility, often recounted in stories, concerns a poor little boy named Vogg. He came into King Hrolf's hall. The king was then young and slender. Vogg walked up before him and looked up at him. The king said, "What do you want to say, boy, looking at me like that?"
Vogg said, "When I was at home, I heard it said that King Hrolf at Hleidra was the greatest man in the northern lands, but now a little sapling sits here in the high seat, and you call him king."
The king replied, "Boy, you have given me a name: I shall be called Hrolf Kraki. But it is customary for a gift to accompany the giving of a name. Now I see that you have no gift to give me for my naming that would please me. So the one who has something to give must give to the other." He took a gold ring from his hand and gave it to him.
Then Vogg said, "May you give with the greatest good fortune of all kings, and I vow to kill the man who kills you."
The king laughed and said, "Vogg is pleased with little."
Another example is told of Hrolf Kraki’s courage. A king named Adils ruled at Uppsala. He was married to Yrsa, Hrolf Kraki’s mother. He was at odds with a king named Ali, who ruled over Norway. They arranged to fight a battle on the ice of the lake called Vänern. King Adils sent word to Hrolf Kraki, his stepson, asking him to come to his assistance. He promised wages to his entire army for the duration of the expedition, while the king himself was to receive three treasures of his own choosing from Sweden. King Hrolf could not go because of his war with the Saxons, but he nevertheless sent Adils his twelve berserks. Among them were Bodvar Bjarki and Hjalti the Stout-hearted, Hvitserk the Bold, Vott, Veseti, and the brothers Svipdag and Beigud.
King Ali and a large part of his army fell in that battle. King Adils then took from his dead body the helmet Hildisvin and his horse Hrafn. Hrolf Kraki’s berserks then asked to receive their wages, three pounds of gold apiece, and also asked to take Hrolf Kraki the treasures they had chosen for him. These were the helmet Hildigolt and the mail-coat Finnsleif, neither of which iron could pierce, and the gold ring called Sviagris, which Adils’s forefathers had owned. But the king refused to surrender any of the treasures, nor did he pay their wages. The berserks left, displeased with their lot, and told Hrolf Kraki what had happened.
He immediately set out for Uppsala. When he had brought his ships into the river Fyris, he rode to Uppsala with his twelve berserks, all without a promise of safe conduct. Yrsa, his mother, welcomed him and accompanied him to his lodgings, rather than to the king’s hall. Fires were lit for them there, and they were given ale to drink. Then King Adils’s men came in, piled logs on the fire, and made it so large that the clothes of Hrolf and his men began to burn. They said, “Is it true that Hrolf Kraki and his berserks flee neither fire nor iron?”
Then Hrolf Kraki sprang up, and all his men with him. He said:
“Let us heap the fires still higher
in Adils’s houses.”
He took his shield, threw it onto the fire, and leaped over the fire while the shield was burning. He said further:
“He does not flee the fire
who leaps over it.”
His men followed, one after another. They also seized those who had built up the fire and threw them onto it. Then Yrsa came and gave Hrolf Kraki an animal’s horn full of gold, together with the ring Sviagris, and told them to ride away to their army. They sprang onto their horses and rode down onto Fyrisvellir. Then they saw King Adils riding after them with his army fully armed, intending to kill them.
Hrolf Kraki reached his right hand down into the horn and scattered the gold all along the road. When the Swedes saw it, they leaped from their saddles, and each took whatever he could get. But King Adils told them to ride on and himself rode hard. His horse was called Slongvir, the swiftest of all horses. Hrolf Kraki then saw King Adils riding close behind him. He took the ring Sviagris, threw it towards him, and told him to accept it as a gift. King Adils rode up to the ring, reached for it with his spear-point, and slid it up onto the socket. Hrolf Kraki turned back and saw him bend down. Then he said, “Now I have made the mightiest of the Swedes stoop like a swine.” Thus they parted.
For this reason gold is called Kraki’s seed or the seed of Fyrisvellir. As Eyvind Skaldaspillir said:
“We bore, Ull of the battle-leek,
throughout Hakon’s life,
the seed of Fyrisvellir
on the mountains of hawks.”
As Thjodolf said:
“The prince sows Yrsa’s son’s grain
for his household upon the steep field,
brightly ploughed with rings,
of the knuckle-wise birds.
The blameless ruler showers
Kraki’s bright barley
on the flesh of the sea-earth,
the hawk’s perch, for me myself.”
It is said that the king named Holgi, after whom Halogaland is named, was the father of Thorgerd Holgabrud. Sacrifices were offered to both of them. Holgi’s burial mound was built with alternating layers: one of gold or silver—this was the sacrificial wealth—and another of earth and stones. As Skuli Thorsteinsson said:
“When I reddened Reifnir’s roof-beacon
off Svolder to win wealth,
I gathered in rings the mound-thatch
of Holgi, who follows the army.”
In the ancient Bjarkamal many names for gold are listed. It says there:
“The most generous king
enriched his household
with Fenja’s toil,
Fafnir’s Midgard,
Glasir’s glowing foliage,
Grani’s fair burden,
Draupnir’s precious sweat,
Grafvitnir’s down.
The generous ruler gave out,
and men received,
Sif’s scalp-bonds,
the ice of the bow’s distress,
the sorrowful otter-payment,
Mardoll’s tears,
Orun’s fire,
Idi’s glittering speech.
The giver of battle gladdened—
we went finely dressed—
very many hosts
with Thjazi’s assembly-speech,
the Rhine’s red ore,
the Niflungs’ strife,
the battle-bold prince.
Yet he did not protect Baldr.”
In kennings gold is called the fire of the hand, joint, or arm, because it is red; silver is called snow, ice, or frost, because it is white. In the same way gold or silver may be described in relation to a purse, crucible, or bowl. Both silver and gold may be the stones of the hand, or the neckband of any man accustomed to wearing a necklace. Necklaces and rings may be either silver or gold unless otherwise specified. As Thorleik the Fair said:
“The king casts the crucible’s cargo
onto his men’s gleaming falcon-perches;
the young ruler gives
the fire of the arm.”
And as Einar Skalaglamm said:
“The land-valiant prince destroys
Lund’s fires of the wrist.
I do not think the ruler’s warriors
will run short of the Rhine’s stones.”
As Einar Skulason said:
“On either side of the purse’s expanse
lie snow and fire
of the blood-ember’s rock;
I must praise the destroyer of treasures.”
And again, as he said:
“Every day the sea-flame thunders
above the crucible’s white snowdrift,
while Heiti’s horse’s side-shield
rules a generous heart.
The fire of the eel’s rushing road
can never melt the bowls’ snow;
the feller of hosts undertakes
every bold enterprise.”
Here gold is called the fire of the eel’s rushing road, and silver the snow of the bowls. As Thord Maeraskald said:
“Hermod, the glad sender
of the hands’ lava, sees
in the destroyer of threads a good father,
who owned the serpent’s lair.”
A man is called a breaker of gold, as Ottar the Black said:
“I need to enjoy the generosity
of the breaker of battle’s embers.
Here within is a most vigorous
household with a wise king.”
Or a sender of gold, as Einar Skalaglamm said:
“The sender of gold lets me enjoy
the ground’s lot of Ygg’s mead;
the king gladdens his band of warriors;
I may receive his favour.”
A flinger of gold, as Thorleik said:
“The flinger of gold makes
the king’s household loyal to him with gifts.”
An enemy of gold, as Thorvald Blonduskald said:
“The enemy of gold flings the embers
of the arm; the king gives red wealth;
the destroyer of wicked men distributes
Grani’s burden.”
A lord of gold, as here:
“I found a lord of gold;
a tugging-song is made
of the flame of the shower’s path,
the battle-beacon’s tree.”
A woman is described in relation to gold and called a willow of gold, as Hallar-Stein said:
“The caster of the amber of the cool,
salt field of Vidblindi’s boar
will long remember the willow
of the reed-thong’s land.”
Here whales are called Vidblindi’s boars. He was a giant and drew whales out of the sea like fish. The field of whales is the sea; the amber of the sea is gold. A woman is the willow of the gold she gives, and a synonym for willow is tree, as was written earlier: a woman is described by all kinds of feminine tree-names. She is also called a log of what she gives. A log is also a tree that falls in the forest. As Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue said:
“The woman was born to bring strife
among men’s children; the bush
of battle caused it; I was eager
to possess the log of wealth.”
A woman is called a forest. As Hallar-Stein said:
“With poetry’s plane I have smoothed
Bil of the ale-prows,
fair forest of bowls, careful in my work
on the stems of the refrain-ship.”
A pole, again as Stein said:
“You, slender guardian-Sif
of the flood’s fire, will, like other
poles of the Hjadnings’ stone,
struggle against your fortune.”
A prop, as Orm Steinthorsson said:
“The very pure prop of the fjord’s bone
was dressed in clothes.
The spear-Frey cast new stitching
around the Hrist of mead.”
A support, as Steinar said:
“All my dreams of the gentle Syn
of the necklace’s soft resting-place have lied;
this swaying support of the stream’s moon
has brought me to submission.”
A birch, again as Orm said:
“For upon the cup of the hollow,
roaring fire of hands, which I present,
I have placed the image of the birch
of Billing’s son’s drink.”
An oak, as here:
“The finely dressed oak
of riches stands against our pleasure.”
A linden, as here:
“Battle-bold elm of the metal shower,
our courage must not fail:
so the linden of linen commanded
in the land.”
A man is described in relation to trees, as was written earlier, and called a tester of weapons or battles, journeys and deeds, ships and everything he commands and puts to the test. As Ulf Uggason said:
“And the stiff cord of earth’s leg
stared over the gunwale
at the tester of the land’s hosts,
gleaming-eyed, and blew venom.”
A tree or trunk, as Kormak said:
“The trunk of the slaughter-twig
surpasses many in the din of spears;
the sword wins land
for Earl Sigurd, the tree of battle.”
A grove, as Hallfred the Troublesome Poet said:
“In the east the mighty nurturing grove
of the shield’s peril, budding with hair,
stands as a great support
for the firs of Ull’s ship.”
Here fir is also named.
A box-tree, as Arnor said:
“The bold box-tree of men bade the Rygir
bring their shields together at dawn;
he kept the rain of strife-clouds falling
throughout the autumn night.”
An ash, as Ref said:
“The generous ash of Haar’s snowstorm,
the rushing Frey, went
into the maiden’s gold-strewn bed;
the tree has ample vigour.”
A maple, as here:
“‘Welcome,’ the maple of the hand’s ice
thus greeted the mail-coat.”
A tree, as Ref said:
“For I have resolved to offer
all praise of battle’s feeder to Thorstein,
the terrifier of the battle-place;
the tree of swords brings this about.”
A stave, as Ottar said:
“You held the land there against two princes,
where the raven did not starve;
fierce stave of battle, you are swift in counsel,
against the race of men.”
A thorn, as Arnor said:
“The young thorn of wealth heaped
heavy piles of slain before the eagle,
while his retainers showed
slippery slopes to the eagle’s feeder.”
How should battle be referred to? By calling it the weather of weapons or shields or Odin or a Valkyrie or warrior-kings, or their din or clamor. As Hornklofi said:
The king waged a spear-storm
against men, where wound-goslings
screeched at Skogul's din;
red wounds snorted blood.
As Eyvind said:
And that man,
in Har's weather,
wore the dusky shirt
of Hrisgrimnir.
As Bersi said:
Once, when I was younger—
so the story goes—I was thought
well suited to Hlokk's snowstorm
among the trees of battle-fire.
As Einar said:
The bold ruler lets Hild's sail
catch Gondul's mightiest roaring wind;
the linen cracks where
hail from the bowstring drives.
As Einar Skalaglamm said:
Nor did the shirts of victory-trees,
carefully wrought, firmly shelter
the honored men from Hogni's showers
in Har's tumult.
As here:
To set the edge-net's cord
against the rousers of spear-din.
And this too:
At Gondul's clamor the king's enemies
sank beneath the eagle's claws.
Weapons and armor should be referred to through battle, Odin, Valkyries, and warrior-kings: a helmet is called a hat or headdress, a mail-coat a shirt or tunic, and a shield a tent; the shield-wall is called a hall and roof, wall and floor. Shields are also named and referred to through warships, as the ship's sun or moon or leaf or gleam or fence. A shield is also called Ull's ship, or referred to through Hrungnir's feet, since he stood on a shield. On ancient shields it was customary to paint a border called a ring, and shields are referred to through that ring. Cutting weapons, axes or swords, are called fires of blood or wounds. Swords are called Odin's fires, while axes are given the names of troll-women and referred to through blood or wounds or forest or wood. Thrusting weapons are aptly referred to through serpents or fish. Missiles are often referred to through hail or driving snow or sleet. All these kennings are varied in many ways, for most poetry in which these kennings are needed is composed in praise-poems. As Viga-Glum said:
The army hesitated to advance
before the slope in Hanged-Tyr's hats;
they did not find it pleasant
to venture into danger.
As Einar Skalaglamm said:
Battle-eager Sigvaldi,
helmet-crowned, offered combat,
and battle-bold Bui, who came
from the south into Gunn's din.
Rodi's shirt, as Tind said:
Then the trees of mail had to cast off
Hangi's ring-patterned, rattling shirt,
when the riding-steeds of Rodi's
road were stripped of men.
Hamdir's tunic, as Hallfred said:
Outside, the ring-hail of Egil's weapons
breaks hard and fiercely
against Hamdir's tunics
upon the noble trees of the wave-beast.
Sorli's clothes, as he also said:
From there the bright clothes
of Sorli's men—I hear it clearly—
are reddened with blood
in the file-showers of wound-fire.
Hlokk's tents, as Grettir said:
The raisers of Hlokk's tents
held the noses of Hild's wall together,
and the storm-Njords struck
at one another's beards.
Rodi's roof, as Einar said:
The strong ice of Rodi's roof
never dwindles before the rain
of the eyes of Od's bedmate;
may that king attain old age.
Hild's wall, as Grettir said in what was written above.
Ship-sun, as Einar said:
Olaf's kin reddens the flame
of the ships' sun upon the sea.
Bow-moon, as Ref said:
Fair was the day when the flingers
of the arm's flame pressed upon me
a beautiful bow-moon
in the hanging path of rings.
The ship's fence, as here:
Thus he shot straight through
the stone-painted fence of the prow;
that battle-fierce sweller of spear-din
pierced it as though it were birch bark.
Ull's vessel, as Thjodolf said:
Storms rage in full force
around the ruler's ship of Ull,
where the masts with joining nails,
sheathed in scabbard-cloths, sway.
The leaf beneath Hrungnir's soles, as Bragi said:
Will you hear, Hrafnkel,
how I shall praise the ruler
and the leaf beneath the soles of Thrud's thief,
brightly covered with paint?
Bragi the poet said this about the ring on the shield:
Unless the famed son of Sigurd
wished good recompense
for the ringing, ring-hubbed
wheel of Hogni's daughter.
He called the shield Hild's wheel, and the ring the wheel's hub.
Ring-land, as Hallvard said:
The ruler sees the red-bright,
curved ring-land of the spear-host
fly apart in two;
the white shield bursts asunder.
This too is said:
A ring best suits a shield,
and arrows a bow.
A sword is Odin's fire, as Kormak said:
Battle swelled when the feeder
of Grid's steed, who stirred up strife,
advanced with Gaut's ringing fire.
Urd came out of the well.
Helmet-fire, as Ulf Uggason said:
The mighty Hild of the mountains
made the sea-Sleipnir stride forward,
while the mighty wielders of Hroft's
helmet-fire felled her steed.
Mail-coat's fire, as Glum Geirason said:
The land's guardian made the hone-thinned,
ringing fire of mail shriek then;
he defended himself against men,
stubbornly holding to life.
Shield-ice and shield's destruction, as Einar said:
From the upright ruler I received
ice of red shields, sprinkled
with Freyja's eyelid-thaw;
we bear the helmet's destruction in our hand.
An axe is called the troll-woman of shields, as Einar said:
The riders of Raefil's land-steed
can clearly see how finely carved
the dragons lie beside the eyelash
of the helmet's Grid.
A spear is called a serpent, as Ref said:
My fierce, oaken dark dragon
of the shield's forests can play
upon men's palms
where men meet.
Arrows are called the hail of the bow or bowstring or shields or battle, as Einar Skalaglamm said:
The Rognir of the sword's crash
boldly shook the hail of bows
out of Hlokk's sails;
the wolves' benefactor saved his life.
And Hallfred:
And the iron-covered garments
of the hunger-banishing feeders
of spear-Rota's gosling
failed to shelter them from bowstring-hail.
And Eyvind Skaldaspillir:
They said you scarcely let your spirit
falter, guardian of the Hordar's land,
when mail-hail broke in wounds
and the elm bows bent.
Battle is called the weather or storm of the Hjadnings, and weapons the fires or wands of the Hjadnings, and there is a story behind this. A king named Hogni had a daughter called Hild. A king named Hedin, son of Hjarrandi, carried her off as plunder. King Hogni was then away at a meeting of kings. When he learned that his kingdom had been raided and his daughter taken away, he set out with his forces to seek Hedin and heard that he was traveling north along the coast. When King Hogni reached Norway, he learned that Hedin had sailed west across the sea. Hogni then sailed after him all the way to the Orkneys, and when he reached the place called Hoy, Hedin was there with his forces.
Hild then went to meet her father and offered him a necklace on Hedin's behalf as a settlement, but in the same breath she said that Hedin was ready to fight and that Hogni could expect no mercy from him. Hogni answered his daughter harshly. When she met Hedin, she told him that Hogni wanted no settlement, and urged him to prepare for battle. Both sides did so, going ashore on the island and drawing up their forces.
Then Hedin called out to Hogni, his father-in-law, and offered him a settlement and much gold in compensation. Hogni answered: “You have offered this too late if you wish to make peace, for now I have drawn Dainsleif, which the dwarfs made. It must kill a man every time it is drawn, and it never fails in its stroke, and no wound heals if it is made by this sword.”
Then Hedin said: “You are praising your sword, but not your victory. I call any sword good that is faithful to its lord.”
Then they began the battle called the Battle of the Hjadnings, and fought all that day. In the evening the kings went to their ships. But during the night Hild went among the slain and by sorcery raised up all those who were dead. The next day the kings went onto the battlefield and fought, as did all those who had fallen the previous day. This battle continued day after day in such a way that all who fell, and all the weapons lying on the battlefield, and likewise the shields, turned to stone. But at dawn all the dead men rose and fought, and all the weapons were serviceable again. It is said in poems that the Hjadnings will remain like this until Ragnarok. Bragi the poet composed his praise-poem for Ragnar Lodbrok from this story.
Battle is Odin's weather, as was written earlier. As Viga-Glum said:
Like earls, I once cleared
my way to lands—
word went around of it—
with the staves of Vidrir's weather-wand.
Vidrir's weather here means battle, the wand of battle means the sword, and men are the staves of the sword. Here both battle and weapons are used in a kenning for a man. When poetry is composed in this way, it is called extended. A shield is the land of weapons, and weapons are the hail or rain of that land, if the imagery is developed further.
How should a ship be referred to? By calling it the horse or beast or ski of sea-kings or the sea or ships' equipment or the wind.
Wave-steed, as Hornklofi said:
The hard-minded clearer
of the pale wave-steed,
still a child, had ships' prows
thrust onto the sea at highest tide.
Geiti's horse, as Erringar-Stein said:
Though all the people tell the poet
of war coming from the south,
we load this horse of Geiti with stones;
gladly we make the effort.
Sveidi's reindeer:
Victory-bold son of Svein, you came
with long-planked reindeer onto the path
of Solsi's stream; the beasts
of the sound glided from the land.
So Hallvard said. Here they are also called beasts of the sound, and the sea Solsi's stream. As Thord Sjareksson said:
He made the shield-board's horse
sway from the north past Siggja.
The wind drove the delight of Gylfi's league
south past Aumar.
Then the horse of the seagull's path
left both Karmt and Agdir astern;
the leek's horse waded
past Lista.
Here a ship is called the horse of the shield-board, and the sea Gylfi's land; the seagull's path is the sea and the horse the ship, and it is also called the leek's horse. The mast is called a leek. And again, as Markus said:
The bold winter-wanderer of the sea-road
waded through the snows of fjord-serpents.
Snarling-tooth ran over the masthead-high peaks
of the whale's dwelling.
The bear advanced upon the ancient
paths of the flood's sea-skis.
The storm-hardy bruin of the prop
broke the skerry's resounding fetter.
Here a ship is called the bear of sea-roads. A bear is called winter-wanderer and snarling-tooth and bruin, and here it is called the bear of the prop. A ship is also called a reindeer, as Hallvard said in what was written above, and a stag, as King Harald Sigurdsson said:
The planking cut a wide course past Sicily;
we were splendid then.
The expanse's splendid stag glided
well beneath the men, as we hoped.
And an elk, as Einar said:
Kindly breaker of the ring's peace,
a man cannot stay long with you—
we fit out the elk of the flood—
unless something comes of it.
An otter, as Mani said:
What work can you do with the men
aboard the otter of the sea,
drooping, gray-cheeked old man,
now that your strength is failing?
A wolf, as Ref said:
And the waster of the hone-wand's treasure
listened to Thorstein;
I am loyal to the tree of the roller-wolf
in tales of sorrow.
And an ox. A ship is called a ski or wagon or carriage. As Eyjolf Dadaskald said:
Very late in the day the young man
went on the ski of Meiti's offshore domain,
with equal strength, to meet
the noble chieftain.
As Styrkar Oddason said:
And after the noble scatterer
of the flood's fire, Hogni's host
furiously drove the rollers' wagons
onto Heiti's snows.
And as Thorbjorn said:
The loader of the roller's sea-carriage
was in the spring of baptism;
that scatterer of treasure gained
the highest grace of White Christ.
How should Christ be referred to in kennings? By calling him creator of heaven and earth, of angels and the sun; ruler of the world, the kingdom of heaven, and angels; king of heaven, the sun, angels, Jerusalem, the Jordan, and Greece; master of the apostles and saints. Poets of old have referred to him through Urd’s well and Rome, as Eilif Gudrunarson said:
They say he sits south at Urd’s well;
so far has the mighty king of Rome
extended his dominion over the lands
of the gods of the mountain plateau.
Thus said Skafti Thoroddsson:
The might of the monks’ lord
is greatest; God accomplishes most.
Mighty Christ created the whole world
and raised the hall of Rome.
King of heaven, as Markus said:
The king of the storm-house made earth and heaven,
as well as the faithful host.
One ruler can govern everything:
Christ, lord of mankind.
Thus said Eilif kulnasvein:
The world’s host and the ranks of men
bow before the holy cross.
Heaven’s sun-king alone is purer
than all other true glory.
Mary’s son, as Eilif also said:
Heaven’s pure host bows
to Mary’s son.
The lord of hosts performs true, glorious deeds;
he is both man and God.
King of angels, as Eilif also said:
The glorious power of God’s friend
is greater than men imagine.
Yet the generous king of angels
is holier and more glorious than all.
King of the Jordan, as Sighvat said:
The king of the Jordan once commanded
four angels to be sent from heaven;
a cascade washed the holy hair
upon the lord’s head.
King of the Greeks, as Arnor said:
For kindness I offer prayers
to the wise guardian of Greeks and Gardar
for the slayer of men.
Thus I repay the prince’s gift.
Thus said Eilif kulnasvein:
Heaven’s glory praises the ruler of men;
he is king of all.
Here he first called Christ king of men, and the second time king of all. Einar Skulason also said:
He who guards the people,
bright in mercy, who embraces
the whole world, had heaven’s kingdom opened
for the valiant prince.
Here the kennings overlap, and whoever interprets the poetry must determine from the context which king is meant. For it is correct to call the emperor of Constantinople king of the Greeks, and likewise to call the king who rules the land of Jerusalem king of Jerusalem; likewise to call the king of Rome emperor of the city of Rome, or the ruler of England king of the English. But the kenning written above, calling Christ king of men, can apply to any king. It is correct to refer to all kings by calling them rulers of the land, defenders of the land, seekers of land, leaders of the royal household, or guardians of the people. Thus said Eyvind skaldaspillir:
The rulers of the land
deprived the Cargo-god
of his life
at Oglo.
And as Glum Geirason said:
Beneath his helmet the ruler reddened
the whetstones’ hollow against the Gauts.
There, in the clash of spears,
the land’s guardian was overtaken.
As Thjodolf said:
May the noble leader of the household,
glad at heart, leave his sons
his inheritance and ancestral soil;
that is my wish.
As Einar said:
The brave-hearted guardian of the people wears
the snake’s headgear upon his bold mountain of hair;
the poet recounts before men
the glory of the king of the Hordar.
It is also correct to call a king who has tributary kings beneath him king of kings. An emperor is highest among kings; next comes a king who rules a nation, and all such kings are equal to one another in all poetic kennings. Next come those men called earls or tributary kings. They are equal to kings in kennings, except that tributary kings cannot be called kings of nations. Thus Arnor the earls’ poet said of Earl Thorfinn:
Let the court learn how this
bold-spirited king of earls attacked.
He did not fail to contend
with the overbearing prince’s terror.
Next in poetic kennings come the men called hersirs. They may be referred to like kings or earls, by calling them breakers of gold, lavish givers of wealth, men of the standard, or leaders of the host, or by calling a man leader of the troop or of the battle. For every king of a nation who rules many lands appoints tributary kings and earls to govern alongside him, to administer the law of the land and defend against warfare those lands that lie far from the king. Their judgments and punishments must have the same authority there as the king’s own.
But within one country there are many districts, and kings customarily appoint a judge over as many districts as they place under his authority. These men are called hersirs or landed men in the Danish tongue, counts in Saxony, and barons in England. They too must be lawful judges and lawful defenders of the territory entrusted to their government. If the king is absent, a standard must be carried before them in battle, and they then have the same authority as military commanders as kings or earls.
Next come the men called freeholders. These are farmers of established lineage who possess full legal rights. They may be referred to as givers and guardians of wealth and reconcilers of men. These kennings may also apply to chieftains.
Kings and earls have in their following men called retainers and housecarls. Landed men also have men who have entered their service, called retainers in Denmark and Sweden but housecarls in Norway; nevertheless, they swear oaths just as retainers do to kings. Kings’ housecarls were very commonly called retainers in ancient times. Thus said Thorvald blonduskald:
King eager for battle, be fortunate,
and so too your brave housecarls.
Men have on their lips my poem,
filled with praise.
King Harald Sigurdsson composed this:
Full of power, he waits to fill
the ruler’s throne; I often see
a smaller band of housecarls
following at an earl’s heels.
The retainers and housecarls of chieftains may be referred to by calling them the inner household, the following, or paid men. Thus said Sighvat:
I heard that the prince’s following
recently fought a battle on the water;
the storms of spearheads that I next recount
were none of the smallest.
And also this:
Then, on the prince’s horse of the cable,
it was as though no maiden
were serving mead to these paid men
before the greeting of weapons.
The pay and gifts that chieftains give are called service-money. Thus said Ottar the Black:
I need to enjoy the goodwill
of the breaker of battle’s embers.
Here within, with the wise prince,
is a household eager for every deed.
Earls, hersirs, and retainers are referred to as the king’s confidants, conversation-companions, or benchmates. Thus said Hallfred:
The king’s confidant, mighty in battle,
who delights in daring, lets the garments
forged with Hogni’s hammer ring
around him, swift to anger.
As Snaebjorn said:
The kings’ conversation-companion has
the resounding swords of the prow
of the long-sided horse of the steering-band
pressed against the hard wave.
Thus said Arnor:
My young sons show
heavy sorrow on my behalf
at the death of that battle-famed
benchmate of the prince.
The king’s companion, as Hallfred said:
The agreement was concluded: thereafter
that wise-counselling companion of the king
possessed Onar’s only daughter,
grown over with woodland.
Men should also be referred to through their ancestry, as Kormak said:
Let the generous son of Harald’s
true-proven friend listen;
I proclaim my yeast-Rhine of the men
of the Syr of fen-teeth.
He called the earl the king’s true-proven friend, and Earl Hakon the son of Earl Sigurd. But Thjodolf said this about Harald:
Every hard trial increases
Olaf’s father’s storm of iron swords,
so that it is worthy
of praise.
And also this:
Jarizleif saw
how the prince fared.
The holy king’s brother
advanced.
And he also said:
Dead is the one
who surpassed all,
the descendant of hawk-perches,
Harald’s brother’s son.
Arnor also said this in Rognvaldsdrapa:
Heiti’s descendant, a boon to armies,
chose to establish kinship with me.
Through this, the earl’s marriage-kinship
helped me win renown.
And he also said of Earl Thorfinn:
Thin-forged swords bit south of Man,
and there beneath the shields
powerful armies fell
before old Rognvald’s descendant.
And he also said:
God, keep harm from the splendid
ennobler of mighty Torf-Einar’s line;
I ask mercy for the faithful,
noble ruler.
And Einar skalaglamm also said:
No pillar of Hilditann’s line
will be more generous
than the battle-promoter;
I am bound to uphold his praise.
How is poetry phrased without kennings? By naming each thing by its own name. What are the names for poetry without kennings? It is called verse, praise, song, eulogy, and commendation. Bragi the Old spoke this when he was driving through a forest late one evening. A troll-woman then addressed him in verse and asked who was passing:
They call me troll,
moon of dwelling-Rungnir,
sucker of a giant’s wealth,
ruin of the storm-sun,
the seeress’s affliction,
guardian of the navel-earth,
swallower of heaven’s wheel.
What is a troll, if not that?
He answered:
They call me poet,
Vidur’s thought-smith,
finder of Gaut’s gift,
a poet of no small worth,
bearer of Ygg’s ale,
creator of song,
skilled smith of verse.
What is a poet, if not that?
And as Kormak said:
I make still more praise
about Sigrod’s famous son;
I pay him the holy drink’s honour.
Thor sits in his chariot.
And as Thord Kolbeinsson said:
The shield-maple, lavish in glorious deeds,
had many warships, as well as merchant ships
and longships, thunder upon the surf;
the poet’s song grows.
Eulogy, as Ulf Uggason said:
There the river of sword-rain reaches
the sea; earlier I delivered eulogy.
Thus I offer
a commendation of warriors.
Here poetry is called commendation.
What are the names of the gods? They are called bonds, as Eyjolf dadaskald said:
Eirik, generous with the spear’s pledge,
brings land beneath himself
at the bonds’ pleasure, and makes battle.
And fetters, as Thjodolf of Hvin said:
The bait-reindeer among the bones
was hard for the gods to share.
The helmeted adorner of the fetters
asked what caused this.
Powers, as Einar skalaglamm said:
I say the mightily strengthened powers
increase Hakon’s dominion.
Yule-gods, as Eyvind said:
Once more we have fashioned
the Yule-gods’ feast,
the ruler’s praise,
like a bridge of stones.
Divinities, as Kormak said:
With a headband the land-winner
enriches the wielder of the divinities’ fjord,
he who binds the straight mast.
Ygg worked spells to win Rind.
These names for the sky are recorded, but we have not found all these terms in poems. Yet I think there is no obligation to use these poetic terms, any more than others, in poetry unless one has first found such terms in the works of leading poets.
Sky: twin-faced, bright-clouded, storm-Mimir, far-reaching, light-farer, drifter, Skatyrnir, wide-embracer, winter-Mimir, lightning, coverer, wide-blue.
Sun: sunna, wheel, eye-glow, all-bright, sight, fair-wheel, comforting light, Dvalin’s plaything, elf-wheel, Ifrodul, Mylin.
Moon: Mani, new moon, waning moon, year-counter, Mulin, Fengari, Glam, hastener, squinter, Skram.
What are the names for the earth? It is called earth, as Thjodolf said:
The earl, the ring's hardener,
often raises fierce storms
of spear-points before he forces
the earth beneath himself.
Soil, as Ottar said:
The battle-Baldr defends the soil;
few kings can do as much.
Olaf gladdens the eagles;
the Swedes' ruler is valiant.
Ground, as Hallfred said:
The broad ground lies beneath the tree
of the island-fetter's road, bound
by the venom-cunning serpent; the Hod
of the whetstone-land destroys treasures.
Land, as Einar said:
Brave warriors fiercely defend
the land of illustrious princes with swords;
helmets often split before the raging
storm of edges.
Country, as Thord Kolbeinsson said:
After the battle the country, from Veiga
in the north—words are hard to find for warfare—
lay subdued southward to Agdir,
or farther still, for a time.
Territory, as Ottar said:
You held, where the raven did not starve—
you are bold in counsel—the territory,
fierce staff of terror, against two princes
and the race of men.
Hlodyn, as Volu-Stein said:
I remember when the dark earth
once gaped with a dug mouth
for the sender of the words of the Dan
of green Hlodyn's bones.
Earth, as Ulf Uggason said:
The stiff cord of earth stared
across the gunwale at the tester
of the hosts of the land's bone,
gleaming-eyed, and blew venom.
Fjorgyn, as is said here:
I was loyal to the lavish giver
of the sounding bed of Fjorgyn's eel;
may honor attend the storm of the words
of Eldir of the anvil's river.
The wolf is a beast. It is proper to form kennings for blood or carrion by calling them its food or drink. It is not proper to form such kennings with other beasts. The wolf is also called Ulf, as Thjodolf said:
A plentiful feast was prepared for Geri,
when Sigurd's son came from the north
to entice the wolf out of the forest
to the wounds.
Here it is also called Geri. Freki, as Egil said:
When the spear-breaker
—Freki tore the wound—
rubbed the raven
on the head's prow.
Vitnir, as Einar said:
The venom-cold river was reddened
with the hot surge of wounds.
Vitnir's warm drink flowed with the water
into Kormt's necklace.
Ylgr, as Arnor said:
The she-wolf's evil brood swallowed
carrion piled high with slaughter,
and the green sea became mingled
with red blood.
Varg, as Illugi said:
It pleased the wolf when my lord
put the fugitives to flight; the necklace-destroyer
pierced many a dusky trout
of the forest with his sword.
These too are names for the wolf, as Hall said:
He relieved the heath-dweller's hunger;
the gray howler enjoyed the wounds.
The prince reddened Fenrir's muzzle;
the wolf went to drink from wounds.
And again, as Thord said:
Gjalp's herd waded in blood,
while the dusky pack gained plenty
of Freki's wheat; the howler enjoyed
Geri's drink.
A bear is called Fetvidnir, Hunn, Vetr lidi, Bersi, Fress, Iugtanni, Ifjung, Glum, Jolfud, Vilskarp, Bera, Jorek, Riti, Frek, Blom, Ysjung. A stag is called Motrodnir, Dalar, Dal, Dain, Dvalin, Duneyr, Durathror.
These names of horses are listed in Thorgrim's Thula:
Hrafn and Sleipnir,
excellent horses,
Val and Lettfeti;
Tjaldari was there,
Gulltopp and Goti;
I heard Soti mentioned,
Mor and Lung with Mar.
Vigg and Stuf
were with Skaevad.
Blakk could carry a warrior;
Silfrtopp and Sinir;
I also heard Fak mentioned,
Gullfaxi and Jor among the gods.
Blodughofi was the horse's name
that they said carried
the mighty Atridi;
Gisl and Falhofnir,
Glaer and Skeidbrimir;
Gyllir was mentioned there too.
These others are listed in Kalf's Verse:
Dag rode Drosul,
and Dvalin Modnir,
Hjalm Hafeti,
and Haki Fak;
Beli's slayer rode
Blodughofi,
and the Haddingjar's prince
rode Skaevad.
Vestein rode Val,
and Vifil Stuf,
Meinthjof Mor,
and Morgin Vakr,
Ali Hrafn,
when they rode to the ice;
and another, eastward
beneath Adils,
a gray horse, wheeled about,
wounded by a spear.
Bjorn rode Blakk,
and Bjar Kert,
Atli Glaum,
and Adils Slongvir,
Hogni Holkvir,
and Harald Folkvir,
Gunnar Goti,
and Sigurd Grani.
Arvak and Alsvid draw the sun, as was written earlier. Hrimfaxi or Fjorsvartnir draws Night. Skinfaxi or Glad accompanies Day.
These names of oxen occur in Thorgrim's Thula:
The names of ancient oxen
I have learned thoroughly:
Raud and Haefir,
Rekin and Hyr,
Himinhrjod and Apli,
Arf and Arfuni.
These are names for serpents: dragon, Fafnir, Jormungand, adder, Nidhogg, serpent, viper, Goin, Moin, Grafvitnir, Grabak, Ofnir, Svafnir, Grim.
Cattle: cow, calf, oxen, heifer, yearling, young bull, bull.
Sheep: ram, wether, ewe, lamb, tup.
Swine: sow, young sow, boar, hog, piglet.
What are the names for the air and the weather? The air is called Ginnungagap and Middle-world, Bird-world, Weather-world. Weather is called storm, fair wind, tempest, squall, gust, wind. So it says in Alsvinn's Sayings:
Wind it is called among men,
but Waverer among the gods;
the mighty powers call it Neigher,
the giants Howler,
the elves Roaring Traveler;
in Hel it is called Blusterer.
Wind is also called a blast.
There are two birds for which no further qualification is needed when calling blood or carrion their drink or food. These are the raven and the eagle. Any other masculine bird-name may be used in a kenning with blood or carrion, and then it signifies an eagle or raven, as Thjodolf said:
The prince makes the blood-grouse
rejoice in the eagle's barley.
The king of the Hordar carries Gaut's sickle
against the blood-swan's fodder.
The feeder of the carrion-vulture of the eagles' sea
makes his followers mark out with spear-points
every stretch farther south
that he must defend.
These are names for the raven: Krak, Huginn, Munin, Borginmodi, Arflognir, Artali, Holdbodi. So said Einar skalaglamm:
The army-leader gave the mountain-wonted
ravens their fill; the raven grew full
on the she-wolf's food,
while spears rang out.
So said Einar Skulason:
The worthy strengthener can steer
the precious beast of the battle-starling;
sorrow disturbs the gleam-sun's hound
with grief for Huginn's cargo.
And again, as he said:
In battle, where men fall,
the king's heart swells with courage;
blue-black Munin drinks
blood from wounds.
As Viga-Glum said:
When, eager for the din of the goddess
of the blood-necklace, we stood shielded
on the gravel-bank, Borginmodi
gained a meal of blood.
As Skuli Thorsteinsson said:
You would have seen me last, where I gave
Arflognir sore wounds,
among a hundred warriors
beneath the Hvitings' Hlokk.
The eagle is called Ari, Gemlir, Hreggskornir, Eggdir, Ginnar, Undskornir, Gallopnir. As Einar said:
He reddened the dusky muzzle
of Jarnsaxa's horse with blood;
the eagle tore Geri's bait;
the eagle's food was gained with iron.
As Ottar said:
The eagle drinks a draught from corpses;
the she-wolf gets her meal.
The wolf often reddens its jaws;
the eagle finds food there.
As Thjodolf said:
The wolf of the giantess flew to meet
the tellers of tales,
in an ancient eagle's shape,
not long ago.
And as it says here:
I wish to perfect the lofty mead
of Hreggskornir's hands.
And again, as Skuli said:
I keep watch, as before and since,
when I held the sea-hawk's sorrow;
the poet listens well then
to Gallopnir's good discourse.
What are the names for the sea? It is called Mar, Aegir, Gymir, Hler, ocean, road, fishing-ground, salt, water, sea. As Arnor said, and as was written earlier:
Let the company hear how the bold
king of earls ventured out to sea.
The unyielding prince did not lack
struggles against Aegir.
Here it is named sea, and also Aegir. Mar, as Hornklofi said:
When the deadly driver of the rush-serpent
of the sanctuary-road drove Nokvi's
steeds of the water's teeth
out onto the sea to win glory.
Water is also named here. So said Einar:
Water washes the vessels; the flood's surf
cleanses the steeds, while the fair
weather-vanes ring out where the sea
thunders against either side.
Here it is also called flood. So said Ref, as was written earlier:
Often Gymir's spray-cold prophetess
carries Bjorn, where the wave breaks,
into Aegir's jaws,
the jaws of twisted cables.
Ocean, as Hallvard said:
Westward into the ocean you directed
the prow, shaker of the hard steed
of the glittering belt, the ice
of the girdle of all lands.
Road, as it says here:
We have traveled onto the road from the land
the Sami traverse on skis.
Eastward, from the vessels' path,
I see mountains glittering with rays.
Fishing-ground, as Egil said:
Westward I went over the sea,
and I carry Vidrir's
sea of the mind's shore;
such is my voyage.
Mar, as Einar said:
The cold sea washes the black timbers
beneath the generous prince for many a day;
the storm-twisted sorrow of the elm
cuts into the jaws of Mon.
Salt, as Arnor said:
The valiant high king cut the salt
from the east with a sloping hull;
a sharp wind carried the destroyer
of the wave's surf-fire to Sigtuna.
Sea, as Bolverk said:
The following year you fitted out a levy
from the fair land; water washed over the ships;
you plowed the sea with splendid
steeds of the surge.
Here the sea is also called surge. Expanse, as Ref said:
The prow-cutting steed of the stay
strikes the planking-world with its breast;
the timber suffers hardship, and flings
the expanse inward over its stiff edge.
Dusk, as Njal of the Burning said:
Together we sixteen bailed, woman,
in four rowing-spaces, while the surf rose;
the dusk swept over
the ocean-ship's hull.
These too are names for the sea, with which it is proper to form kennings for ships or gold. Ran is said to have been Aegir's wife, as here:
The sea flung embers into the sky;
the ocean surged with force.
The prows, I think, sliced the clouds.
Ran's road struck at the moon.
Aegir and Ran have nine daughters, and their names were written earlier: Himinglaeva, Dufa, Blodughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hronn, Bylgja, Drofn, Kolga. Einar Skulason counted in this verse:
Himinglaeva fiercely rouses
the sea's roar against the brave,
six of their names, [Himinglaeva, Udr, Dufa, Blodughadda, Kolga, Hefring].
Hronn, as Valgard said:
Foam lay in the bedding;
the swollen ocean played over gold,
and the waves washed the fearsome
heads of the warships.
Bylgja, as Ottar the Black said:
You cut the draught-high waves
with a smooth-planed rudder; the sheet
of what women spun played by the masthead
on the roller's reindeer.
Drofn, as Orm said:
The guarding Thrud of the hawk's perch
practices every virtue,
and the steadfast Lofn of the wave's flame
shuns faults.
Wave, as Thorleik the Fair said:
The sea roars, and the wave carries
bright foam over the red timber,
where the roller-bison, adorned with gold,
gapes with its gray mouth.
Shore-water, as Einar said:
Nor had bold men ever before found
our friends on a ship's prow
where the sea fell so heavily;
I think they did not calm the shore-water.
Swell, as Ref said:
Mountains of water crash upon the swell;
now the winter-traveler of Glammi's skis
surges forward, the sheet-bear
of Gusir's cattle.
Breaker, as it says here:
A breaker suddenly fell over me.
The ocean invited me home with it.
I did not accept the sea's invitation.
Surf, as Ottar said:
Planks broke while the surf roared;
the slaughter of timber increased.
Men met with mighty weather;
the strakes stood low above the sea.
Wave, as Bragi said:
The sender of the wave's breeze would not
lift it against the crooked sea-monster,
he who cut the gulls' land's
slender cord for Thor.
Sound, as Einar said:
I cut the sound with planking
south of Hrund;
my hand was adorned
at my meeting with the generous ruler.
Fjord, as Einar said:
Next I see a serpent finely drawn
on the splendid shirt of the yeasty flood;
let the giver of fjord-fire grasp
how I treat that subject.
Sea, as Markus said:
I will certainly not slander
the shaker of the sea's sun in my speech,
god of the sheath-eel;
a man who spoils poetry is wicked.
What are the terms for fire? As here:
This fire burns often;
the worthy prince scorches settlements.
Houses breathe out smoke before the ruler
when Magnus kindles it.
Flame, as Valgard said:
Swiftly from the soot shot
the raging flame with embers;
it swept over houses, and smoke
stood in columns afterward.
Pyre, as here:
Haki was burned on a pyre
where the paths of the surf surged.
Embers, as Grani said:
The embers of Glammi’s path, I think,
brought ruin; so the prince set fires.
Blaze, as Atli said:
The axe reddens; blazes grow,
very many; halls flare,
houses burn, fire rages,
the noble company falls bleeding.
Here the fire is also called a conflagration. Smoke, as here:
The sovereign’s dwellings burned;
fire, I think, brought down the hall.
Smoke flung frost upon the host
beside the Nid itself, where the buildings were half finished.
Fire, as Arnor said:
Angry, the destroyer of the island-Danes
spared no measures against the Raumar.
The Heinir’s threats dwindled;
fire made them quiet.
Flame, as Einar said:
Flame was swiftly kindled,
and swiftly fled
the host of Hisingen,
which had the worse of it.
Blaze, as Valgard said:
Brightly the blaze swept about;
the mighty ruler’s Vikings eagerly
broke the strongholds of the city;
it cast sorrow upon the maiden.
Fire, as Halldor Skvaldri said:
There you could divide
their treasures; never were you
robbed of victory; the shield’s
fire swept over those dwellings.
These are the names of periods of time: age, formerly, lifetime, long ago, year, half-year, winter, summer, spring, autumn, month, week, day, night, morning, evening, dusk, early, soon, late, at a time, the day before, next, yesterday, tomorrow, while, moment.
These are further terms for night in Alsvinnsmal:
It is called Night among men,
and Darkness among the gods;
the mighty powers call it Mask,
the giants call it Freedom from Care,
the elves Delight in Sleep,
the dwarfs Dream-Njorun.
Autumn lasts from the equinox until the sun sets in the southwestern quarter. Then winter lasts until the equinox. Then spring lasts until the moving days. Then summer lasts until the equinox. The month immediately before winter is called Autumn-month; the first month of winter is called Slaughter-month, then comes Frost-month, then Ram-month, then Thorri, then Goi, then Lone-month, then Cuckoo-month and Seedtime, then Egg-time and Lambfold-time, then Sun-month and Shieling-month, then Haymaking, then Grain-harvest-month.
What are the unqualified terms for men? Each individual is a man; the first and highest title a man is called is emperor, next king, and next earl. These three men share all the following titles.
All-ruler, as is said here:
I know all the sovereigns
east and south of the fleets’ seats;
Svein’s son proves himself
better than every prince.
Here he is also called prince. He is called all-ruler because he alone rules over his whole kingdom.
Host-leader, as Gizur said:
The host-leader gladdens in battle
the troll-woman’s steed and Hlokk’s swan;
Olaf makes Ygg’s geese glad
in Skogul’s storms.
A king is called host-leader because he arranges his army in battle formations.
Leader, as Ottar the Black said:
The leader takes battle-Frey’s
desired bride in the east, surely against her will;
the all-ruler has
a good life among men.
Lord or master, as Arnor said:
The lord won victory in every
Shetland thunder of swords;
the poet wishes to proclaim the prince’s glory,
he who was highest among men.
An earl is called duke, and a king is also called this because he leads an army into battle. So Thjodolf said:
The humbler of dukes had
the eyes of the mound’s hastener,
taken captive, gouged from his head;
I proclaim his praise.
Signor or senior, as Sighvat said:
Let the wretched now enjoy,
lord of Norway, your laws
as well as the fortunate; keep your word
and give generously.
Generous one, as Markus said:
The generous one assailed the hostile people with fire;
death was then allotted to the seafarers.
You kindled the highest gleam of flame,
crusher of thieves, south at Jomsborg.
Illustrious one, as Hallvard said:
Beneath earth’s hazel there is
no illustrious one nearer the lord of monks
than you, breaker of the land-ruler’s word,
who protects the Danes.
Land-ruler, as Thjodolf said:
The blameless land-ruler scatters
the bright grain of Kraki,
as was written earlier. He is called this because he drives an army through other kings’ lands or drives an army out of his own land.
There was a king named Halfdan the Old, who was the most renowned of all kings. He held a great sacrifice at midwinter and sacrificed so that he might live for three hundred years in his kingship. But he received the answer that he would live no longer than one long human lifetime, yet for three hundred years there would be no woman or untitled man in his family. He was a great warrior and traveled widely in the eastern lands. There he killed in single combat a king named Sigtrygg. Then he married a woman called Alvig the Wise, daughter of King Emund of Holmgard. They had eighteen sons, and nine were born at one time. These were their names: one was Thengill, who was called Thengill of Men; the second Raesir; the third Gram; the fourth Gylfi; the fifth Hilmir; the sixth Jofur; the seventh Tyggi; the eighth Skyli or Skuli; the ninth Harri or Herra. These nine brothers became so renowned in warfare that in all learned writings since, their names have been used as titles of rank, like the title king or earl. They had no children and all fell in battle.
So Ottar the Black said:
The prince was already in youth
full of strength, eager for battle.
I pray that his life may endure;
I count him a leader of men.
So Markus said:
The ruler made the Rhine’s sun shine
from a reddened skull upon the sea-mountains.
So Egil said:
The prince has thrust up
the enclosure-cliffs of the ground.
So Eyvind said:
The cheerful king
played with the sons of men;
he was to defend the land
and stood beneath a golden helmet.
So Glum Geirason said:
Beneath his helmet the ruler reddened
the whetstone’s hollow upon the Geats.
So Ottar the Black said:
Let the prince hear the beginning;
the king’s praise will grow.
Let him rightly learn the measures
of my praise, his poem.
As Stuf said:
With both hands the glory-eager ruler
hewed down the company of men;
joyfully the host advanced beneath shields
there, south off the Nissan.
So Hallfred said:
I am parted from the ruler;
the age’s harvest of poets has caused it.
The lord of men’s disposition
is far beyond most men’s hopes and understanding.
So Markus said:
I summon the hawk-spirited lord
of the Danes’ land to a costly work of praise.
Halfdan and Alvig also had nine other sons, whose names were these: Hildir, from whom the Hildings descend; the second Nefir, from whom the Niflungs descend; the third Audi, from whom the Odlings descend; the fourth Yngvi, from whom the Ynglings descend; the fifth Day, from whom the Doglings descend; the sixth Bragi, from whom the Bragnings descend. This is the family of Halfdan the Generous. The seventh was Budli, from whom the Budlungs descend. Atli and Brynhild came from the Budlung family. The eighth was Lofdi. He was a great warrior-king. The company who were called Lofdar followed him. His kinsmen are called Lofdungs. From them descends Eylimi, the maternal grandfather of Sigurd, Fafnir’s slayer. The ninth was Sigar; from him descend the Siklings. This is the family of Siggeir, who was Volsung’s son-in-law, and the family of Sigar, who hanged Hagbard. Harald the Red-bearded, Halfdan the Black’s maternal grandfather, descended from the Hilding family. Gjuki was of the Niflung family, Kjar of the Odling family, and Eirik the Wise-spoken of the Ylfing family.
These are also renowned royal families: the descendants of Yngvi, from whom the Ynglings descend; the descendants of Skjold in Denmark, from whom the Skjoldungs descend; the descendants of Volsung in the land of the Franks, who are called Volsungs. There was a warrior-king named Skelfir, and his family is called the Skilfing family. That lineage is in the eastern lands. Men have used these family names just mentioned in poetry so that all of them serve as titles of rank.
As Einar said:
I have heard that princes went forward
to wage the grey spear-assembly
by the island; the green linden
was split in two.
As Grani said:
The prince gave the eagle’s offspring
Danish blood to drink.
As Gamli, the poet of Gnaevad, said:
The young prince struck down
for me, young then, the strength
of the middle sections of words upon the tongue
of the nail-ship within its boards.
As Jorunn said:
The prince resolved to redden in blood
the hostile people’s battlefields;
the host suffered the king’s anger;
houses often bowed before blazes.
So Einar said:
The prince’s sword bit;
blood fell upon spears.
[Hild’s cloud was torn
at Whitby.]
So Arnor said:
The ruler’s son accustoms princes’ warships
to pitching out at sea.
He stains the warship’s interior
with blood; that is the raven’s good fortune.
As Thjodolf said:
Thus ended the brave prince’s life,
so that we are all in a difficult position;
the praised ruler suffered
the destruction of his life.
The company called Lofdar followed King Lofdi.
As Arnor said:
Another Skjoldung higher than you, prince,
will never be born beneath the sun.
Volsung, as Thorkel Hamarskald said:
The descendant of Volsungs
had a gold-adorned weapon
sent to me
across the cool sea.
Yngling, as Ottar the Black said:
Before you, there was on earth
no Yngling eager for battle
who subdued the islands
from the west to the east.
Yngvi is also a term for a king, as Markus said:
People shall hear Eirik’s praise;
no man knows a more excellent prince
in this world; Yngvi held
the princes’ seat with lasting renown.
Skilfing, as Valgard said:
The Skilfing steered south with a great host
past the broad lands, where warships shook;
in the end Sicily
was laid waste.
Signor, as Sighvat said, and as was written earlier:
Let the wretched now enjoy,
lord of Norway, and give generously.
Poets are called bards, and in poetry it is proper to call any man this if one wishes. Those men who followed King Half were called warriors, and from their name fighting men are called warriors; it is proper to call all men this. Men are also called Lofdar in poetry, as was written earlier. Those men who followed the king called Skati the Generous were called generous men. From his name, everyone who is generous is called a generous man. Those who followed King Bragi the Old are called champions. Those men who judge men’s cases are called worthies. Defenders of the land are called fighters, men, and husbands. Vikings and seafarers are a shipborne army. Those who followed King Beimuni were called heroes. Leaders of companies are called men or bridegrooms, just as a man is called a bridegroom at a wedding.
Men are called Goths after the name of the king called Goti, after whom Gotland is named. He was named after Odin, his name being derived from the name Gaut, for Gautland or Gotland was named after Odin, and Sweden after Svidur. That is also a name of Odin. At that time all the mainland he possessed was called Reidgotaland, and all the islands Eygotaland. This is now called the Danish realm and the Swedish realm.
Young men without farms are called gallants while they are acquiring wealth or renown: those who travel between countries are traveling gallants; those who serve princes are royal gallants; those who serve powerful men or farmers are also gallants. Valiant men who are making their way are called gallants. Men are also called fellows, stalwarts, and retainers; these are followers. Farmers are called thanes and freeholders. Those men who work to reconcile people are called mediators.
There are men who are called these things: champions, combatants, heroes, men of prowess, men of valor, hardy men, mighty men, warriors. Opposed to these are the following terms for a man: soft, weak, timid, a weakling, a coward, a wretch, a craven, a scarecrow, a feeble fellow, a miserable fellow, a sluggard, a good-for-nothing, a dastard, a dullard, a dawdler, a do-nothing, a paltry fellow, a beggar, a contemptible fellow, a son of misery.
A generous man is called a liberal man, an illustrious man, a generous one, a people’s benefactor, a gold-giver, a Baldr among men, a prosperous man, a lover of good living, a wealthy man, a rich man, a chieftain. Opposed to these are the following terms: miser, skinflint, niggard, wretch, money-grubber, reluctant giver.
A wise man is called a master of counsel. An unwise man is also called a fool, an idiot, a lout, a dupe, a boor, a simpleton, a dolt, a jester, a madman, a frenzied man, a lunatic.
A well-dressed man is called a dandy, a gallant, a splendid fellow, a fop, a man of finery. A man is called a sloven, a ragged fellow, a clumsy fellow, a straddle-legs, a vagabond, a loafer, a byre-dweller, a slouch, a laggard.
The people of a country are called a populace or a folk. A thrall is also called a bondman, a servant, a laborer, a slave.
Each single person is called a man,
a pair if there are two,
a throng if there are three;
four are a fellowship,
five men are a band,
a troop if there are six;
seven fill a crew,
eight bear the tally of accusation;
nine are companions,
a gathering if there are ten;
eleven are messengers;
a train it is
if twelve travel;
thirteen are a crowd,
fourteen a travelling party;
a meeting it is
when fifteen meet;
sixteen are a garrison,
seventeen an attacking force;
enemies seem plentiful
to one who meets eighteen;
he has a company
who has nineteen men;
twenty men are a retinue.
Thirty are a nation,
forty a people,
fifty a battalion,
sixty an assembly,
seventy are warriors,
eighty a multitude,
a hundred a host.
There are also terms that people use in place of men's names. We call these relational descriptions, true descriptions, or substitute names. Relational descriptions consist in naming another thing by its proper name and calling the person one wishes to name its owner, or calling him the father or grandfather of what one has named. Great-grandfather is the third. He is also called son and heir, inheritor, child, infant and boy, successor. He is also called brother, blood-brother, bosom-brother, brother, brother. He is also called descendant, nephew, relation, son, offspring, kinsman, scion, descendant, pillar of the family, member of the family, branch of the kin, branch of the family, offspring, progeny, chief scion, offshoot. There are also relatives by marriage, connections by marriage, and those joined by marriage. He is also called friend and fellow counsellor, adviser, interlocutor, confidant, companion in conversation, old benchmate, shipmate, seatmate, companion on a bench. A benchmate is a companion who shares one's half of a rowing bench. He is also called enemy, foe, opponent, adversary, destroyer, harm-doer, slayer, oppressor, overthrower, ruthless attacker.
We call these terms relational descriptions, and likewise when a man is described by reference to his farm or his ship, which has a name, or to a possession of his that has been given a proper name. We call it true description to call men wise men, thoughtful men, men wise in speech, skilled counsellors, generous with wealth, untiring, heedful men, splendid men. These are substitute names.
These are unqualified terms for women in poetry: wife and bride and lady are names for women who are given in marriage. Damsel and belle are names for women much given to pride and finery. Gentlewomen are those who are deft with words. Ladies are those who are quiet; proud women and grand dames are those who are haughty. A woman of forceful temperament is called a spirited woman. The most powerful is called a matron. A shy woman is called a modest maiden, as are young maidens or women who are timid. A woman whose husband has gone abroad is called a waiting wife. A woman whose husband has been slain is called a bereaved wife. A woman whose husband died of sickness is called a widow. Each is first called a maiden, and those who are old are called old women.
There are also terms for women that are insulting, and these may be found in poems, although they are not written here. Women who share one husband are called rival wives. A son's wife is called a daughter-in-law. A husband's mother is called a mother-in-law. There are also mother, grandmother, and third, great-grandmother. A mother is called a mam. There are also daughter and child, infant. There are also sister, lady, sister by birth. A woman is also called her husband's bedfellow, companion in conversation, confidante, and this is a relational description.
A person has what is called a head. It should be described by calling it the neck's toil or burden, the land of helmet and hat and brain, of hair and brows, scalp, ears, eyes, mouth; Heimdall's sword—and it is correct to use any term for a sword one wishes and qualify it with any name of Heimdall. Unqualified terms for the head are skull, brainpan, pate, crown.
Eyes are called sight and glance or gaze, aimers. They may be described by calling them the sun or moon, shields and glass or gemstones or the stone of lashes or brows, eyelids or forehead. Ears are called listening organs and hearing. They should be described by calling them the land of hearing, or using any other term for earth, or its mouth or channel or sight or eyes, when creating new metaphors.
The mouth should be described by calling it the land or house of tongue or teeth, words or gums, lips or the like; and when creating new metaphors, people call the mouth a ship, the lips its planking, and the tongue its oar or rudder. Teeth are sometimes called the stones or skerries of words, mouth, or tongue. The tongue is often called the sword of speech or of the mouth.
A beard is called a fringe, and what grows on the lips is called a moustache or whiskers. Hair is called locks, and what women have is called tresses. Hair is also called a head of hair. Hair is described by calling it a forest or using any term for trees, qualifying it by reference to skull or brainpan or head; a beard is qualified by reference to chin or cheeks or throat.
The heart is called the core. It should be described by calling it a grain or stone or apple or nut or ball or the like, qualifying it by reference to breast or mind; it may also be called the house or earth or rock of the mind. The breast should be described by calling it the house or enclosure or ship of heart, spirit, or liver, the land of energy, mind, and memory.
The mind is called thought and affection, love, fondness, will, desire. The mind should be described by calling it the wind of troll-women, and it is correct to name whichever one wishes; likewise one may name giants, or describe them by reference to a giant's wife or mother or daughter. The mind is also called disposition, liking, energy, strength, willingness, memory, understanding, temper, mood, loyalty. The mind is also called anger, hostility, malice, fierceness, misery, grief, sorrow, ill temper, irritability, deceit, faithlessness, lack of spirit, fickleness, insolence, hard-heartedness, agitation.
The hand may be called hand, arm, paw, fist. Parts of the hand and arm are called elbow, forearm, wrist, joint, finger, grip, flipper, nail, fingertip, edge, quick. The hand may be called the earth of weapons or shields, the tree of shoulder and sleeve, palm and flipper, the earth of gold rings and of falcon and hawk and all its names; and in new metaphors, the foot of the shoulder, the bow-bender.
Feet may be called trees of soles, insteps, stockings, or the like, the running spear of the road or of walking, of a step. The foot may be called the tree or pillar of these. Feet are described by reference to skis and shoes and trousers. Parts of the foot and leg are called thigh, knee, calf, bone, shin, instep, outer edge, sole, toe. The foot may be described by reference to all these things and called their tree; the foot is also called a mast and a yard, qualified by reference to these things.
Speech is also called words and expression and eloquence, talk, tale, altercation, dispute, song, incantation, chanting, chatter, quavering, din, babble, squalling, merriment, wrangling, mockery, prattle, boasting, praise, gossip, foolish talk, dialect speech, idle talk, blather. It is also called voice, sound, vocal tone, resonance, rushing, shrill crying, roaring, clanging, thundering, rumbling, crashing, swishing, swooshing, movement.
Understanding is called wisdom, counsel, comprehension, memory, judgement, thoughtfulness, skill in reckoning, foresight, resourcefulness, wisdom in speech, ability. It is also called cunning, scheming, guile, treachery.
Læti has two meanings. Læti means voice; læti means behaviour, and æði also means ill temper. Reiði also has two meanings. Reiði is what it is called when a person is angry; reiði also means the equipment of a ship or horse. Far also has two meanings. Fár is anger; far is a ship. People make much use of such expressions to compose in a concealed manner, and this is called very over-obvious. People call the place in a person's body where bones meet a lið; lið means a ship; lið means people; lið is also what it is called when a person gives another assistance; líð means ale. Hlið is a gate in a fence, and people call an ox hlið, but hlíð is a slope.
These distinctions can be used in poetry to make it so over-obvious that it is difficult to understand, if one is to take a meaning different from the one the preceding lines initially seem to suggest. The same applies to many other terms whose names are shared by several things.
繁體中文譯文由 AI 根據古諾爾斯語原文翻譯,並參考英文譯文。
有一人名叫埃吉爾,又名赫勒爾。他住在如今稱為赫勒島的島上,精通法術。他動身前往阿斯嘉;阿薩神族預先知道他要來,熱情地款待他,卻也施展幻術,變出許多事物。到了晚間,準備飲宴時,奧丁命人將劍搬入大廳;這些劍明亮得足以照明,整場飲宴便不用其他燈火。隨後,阿薩神族赴宴,十二位擔任審判者的神坐上高座,名字如下:索爾、尼約德、弗雷、提爾、海姆達爾、布拉基、維達、瓦利、烏勒、海尼爾、福爾塞提、洛基。女神們也同樣入座:弗麗嘉、芙蕾雅、格芙昂、伊登、葛德、西格恩、芙拉、南娜。埃吉爾覺得四周景象十分華美。所有牆面都掛滿美麗的盾牌。席間還有醇烈的蜜酒,眾人暢飲甚歡。布拉基坐在埃吉爾身旁,兩人對飲交談。布拉基向埃吉爾講述了阿薩神族經歷過的許多事情。
他先說起,曾有三位阿薩神離家遠行,分別是奧丁、洛基和海尼爾。他們穿越山嶺與荒野,很難找到食物。當他們下到一處山谷時,看見一群牛,便捉住其中一頭公牛,放進坑爐烹煮。他們以為肉該熟了,便打開坑爐,卻發現還沒煮熟。又過了一陣子,他們第二次打開坑爐,肉仍未熟。他們彼此議論,這究竟是怎麼回事。這時,他們聽見頭頂的橡樹上傳來說話聲,棲在那裡的那一位說,坑爐裡的肉煮不熟,是他所為。他們抬頭望去,樹上蹲著一隻鷹,個頭可不小。
鷹說:「你們若肯讓我吃這頭公牛,吃到飽,坑爐裡的肉就會熟。」他們答應了。鷹便從樹上降下,落在坑爐上,立即先取走公牛的兩條後腿和兩塊肩肉。洛基頓時大怒,抓起一根大木棍,使盡全力揮去,打在鷹的身軀上。鷹挨了一擊,猛然騰空飛起。木棍卻黏在鷹背上,洛基的雙手也黏在木棍另一端。鷹飛在空中,洛基的腳一路撞上石塊、碎石坡和樹木;他覺得自己的雙臂就要從肩頭扯斷了。他大聲呼喊,苦苦哀求鷹放過他。但鷹說,除非洛基發誓,將伊登連同她的蘋果引出阿斯嘉,否則永遠不會放開他。洛基答應了。於是他獲得自由,回到同伴身邊。此後直到他們回家,這趟旅程便再無其他事情可述。
到了約定的時候,洛基把伊登誘出阿斯嘉,帶到一處樹林,說自己找到了一些蘋果,她一定會覺得是珍寶,並請她帶上自己的蘋果,好與那些蘋果比較。這時,巨人夏基化作鷹形飛來,抓住伊登,帶著她飛往斯呂姆海姆,回到自己的住處。
阿薩神族因伊登失蹤而惶惶不安,很快便白了頭髮,衰老起來。於是他們召開集會,彼此詢問最後一次得知伊登的消息是在何時;眾人最後見到她,是她與洛基一同走出阿斯嘉的時候。洛基便被抓來,帶到集會上,眾神揚言要殺死他,或對他施以酷刑。他害怕起來,說只要芙蕾雅肯借他那件隼羽衣,他就會前往約頓海姆尋回伊登。
他拿到隼羽衣後,便向北飛往約頓海姆,某日抵達巨人夏基的住處。夏基已划船出海,伊登獨自在家。洛基將她變成一顆堅果,握在爪中,竭盡全力飛走。夏基回到家,發現伊登不見了,便披上鷹羽衣,飛去追趕洛基,飛行時捲起強風。阿薩神族看見隼帶著堅果飛來,也看見鷹追在後頭,便走到阿斯嘉城牆外,搬來一捆捆刨花。隼一飛進城內,便貼著城牆落下。阿薩神族隨即點燃刨花;鷹失去了隼的蹤影,卻已無法止住飛勢。火焰燒上鷹的羽毛,使他再也飛不起來。阿薩神族就在近旁,於神域門內殺死了巨人夏基,這一戰極為有名。
巨人夏基的女兒絲卡蒂戴上頭盔,穿起鎧甲,帶齊兵器,前往阿斯嘉為父報仇。阿薩神族卻提出與她和解,給予賠償;首先,她可以在阿薩神族之中挑選一位丈夫,但只能看腳,不能看其他部位。她看見一人的雙腳格外俊美,便說:「我選這個。巴德爾身上想必沒有多少醜陋之處。」但那人卻是來自諾阿通的尼約德。
她又在和解條件中要求阿薩神族做一件她以為他們絕對辦不到的事:逗她發笑。洛基便將繩子一端繫在一隻山羊的鬍鬚上,另一端繫在自己的睪丸上。他與山羊輪流拉扯退讓,雙方都高聲尖叫。隨後,洛基倒在絲卡蒂膝上,她便笑了。阿薩神族就此與她達成和解。
據說,奧丁為了補償絲卡蒂,取出夏基的雙眼,拋上天空,化作兩顆星星。
埃吉爾說:「在我看來,夏基生前想必是個了不起的人物;他出自什麼家族?」
布拉基回答:「他的父親名叫厄爾瓦爾迪;如果我把他的事告訴你,你一定會覺得奇特。他擁有極多黃金。他死後,兒子們要分遺產,便用這種方法計量分配的黃金:每人各取一口,人人取的口數都相同。其中一人是夏基,另一人是伊迪,第三人是岡格爾。因此,我們如今有個說法,將黃金稱為這些巨人的『口數』;而在隱語或詩歌中,我們又將它隱稱為這些巨人的『言語』、『話語』或『談話』。」
埃吉爾說:「我覺得這隱語藏得真妙。」
埃吉爾又問:「你們稱為詩藝的這門技藝,起源於何處?」
布拉基回答:「它的起源是這樣的:諸神曾與稱為華納神族的一族交惡。後來,雙方相約議和,訂立和約的方法,是兩方都走到同一個容器前,往裡面吐下自己的唾液。臨別時,諸神不願讓這個和平的信物白白消失,便用它造出一個人,名叫克瓦希爾。他極有智慧,無論誰問他什麼,他都能解答。他遍遊世界,傳授人們知識;後來,他受邀到兩個矮人法亞拉與戈拉家中作客。他們將他叫去私下談話,卻殺死了他,讓他的血流進兩個容器和一口大鍋裡。那口鍋名叫奧德勒里爾,兩個容器則叫索恩和博德恩。他們將蜂蜜摻入血中,釀成蜜酒,任何人喝了,都會成為詩人或學者。矮人們向阿薩神族說,克瓦希爾被自己的才智悶死了,因為那裡沒有任何人學識足夠,能向他求問知識。
「後來,這兩個矮人邀請一位名叫吉爾林的巨人和他的妻子前來作客。他們又邀吉爾林一同划船出海。沿岸航行時,矮人們將船划上暗礁,弄翻了船。吉爾林不會游泳,便淹死了,矮人們則將自己的船扶正,划回岸上。他們把事情告訴他的妻子,她悲痛不已,放聲大哭。法亞拉便問她,若能望向丈夫喪命的那片海,是否會好受些;她說願意。於是他吩咐兄弟戈拉爬到門上方,等她走出去時,將一塊磨石砸到她頭上,說自己厭煩了她的哭叫。戈拉便照做了。
「吉爾林的兒子、巨人蘇通聽說此事,便前來抓住兩個矮人,帶到外海,把他們放在一塊漲潮便會淹沒的礁石上。他們懇求蘇通饒命,願意獻出珍貴的蜜酒,作為殺父的賠償,以求和解,雙方便如此議定。蘇通將蜜酒帶回家,藏在名叫赫尼特比約格的地方,派自己的女兒貢露守護。
「因此,我們將詩藝稱作『克瓦希爾之血』、『矮人之飲』或『矮人飽飲之物』,或稱為奧德勒里爾、博德恩、索恩其中任何一器所盛的液體,也稱作『矮人的渡具』,因為這蜜酒使他們得以從礁石上贖回性命;又稱『蘇通的蜜酒』或『赫尼特比約格之液』。」
埃吉爾說:「用這些名稱來稱呼詩藝,我覺得很晦澀。不過,你們阿薩神族是怎麼得到蘇通蜜酒的?」
布拉基回答:「事情是這樣的:奧丁離家出行,來到一處地方,有九名奴僕正在割草。他問他們,是否願意讓他替他們磨利鐮刀。他們答應了。他便從腰帶上取下一塊磨刀石,磨利鐮刀。他們覺得鐮刀鋒利多了,便想買那塊磨刀石;他開出的條件是,想買的人必須付出相稱的價錢。他們都說願意,求他賣給自己,他卻將磨刀石拋向空中。人人都想搶到手,混亂之中,各自的鐮刀都割上了別人的脖子。
「奧丁向一位名叫包吉的巨人借宿,他是蘇通的兄弟。包吉抱怨自己的莊園經營不順,說手下九名奴僕全死了,也不知道到哪裡才找得到工人。奧丁向他自稱博爾維爾克,提出替包吉承擔九個人的工作,要求的報酬則是一口蘇通蜜酒。包吉說自己無權處置蜜酒,說蘇通要獨自占有;但他願意陪博爾維爾克去,試試能不能取得蜜酒。
「博爾維爾克整個夏天替包吉做了九個人的工作,到了冬天,便向包吉索取報酬。兩人於是一同去見蘇通。包吉向兄弟蘇通說明自己與博爾維爾克的約定,蘇通卻斷然拒絕,一滴蜜酒也不肯給。博爾維爾克便對包吉說,他們應當試些計謀,看看能否取得蜜酒,包吉也贊同。
「博爾維爾克隨即取出一把名叫拉提的鑽子,吩咐包吉試試鑽子是否鑽得動,把岩山鑽穿。包吉照做了,接著說岩山已經鑽通;博爾維爾克便朝鑽孔裡吹氣,碎屑卻迎面飛回。他於是察覺包吉想欺騙他,便命他把岩山鑽穿。包吉又鑽了一陣,博爾維爾克第二次吹氣時,碎屑便往裡飛去。他隨即化作蛇形,鑽進孔中;包吉拿鑽子朝他刺去,卻沒有刺中。
「博爾維爾克來到貢露所在之處,與她同睡了三夜,她便答應讓他喝三口蜜酒。第一口,他喝乾了奧德勒里爾;第二口,喝乾了博德恩;第三口,喝乾了索恩,於是所有蜜酒都到了他腹中。接著,他化作鷹形,拚命飛去。蘇通看見鷹飛走,也披上鷹羽衣,飛去追趕。
「阿薩神族看見奧丁飛來,便把容器搬到庭院裡;奧丁一飛進阿斯嘉,就將蜜酒吐進容器中。但蘇通已逼得極近,眼看就要追上他,他便將一部分蜜酒從後面排出;這部分無人看管,誰想要都可以拿去,我們稱它為『蠢詩人的份兒』。至於蘇通蜜酒,奧丁則贈給阿薩神族與懂得作詩的人。因此,我們將詩藝稱為『奧丁的所得』、『奧丁的所獲』、『他的飲物』、『他的贈禮』和『阿薩神族的飲物』。」
於是埃吉爾說:「你們變換詩歌措辭的方式有多少種?或者說,詩歌有多少類?」布拉基說:「區分一切詩歌的,有兩類。」埃吉爾問:「哪兩類?」布拉基說:「語言與格律。」「詩歌採用什麼樣的語言?」「詩歌語言分為三種。」「哪三種?」「第一,依每樣事物本來的名稱稱呼它。第二種,叫作代稱。第三種語言形式,叫作隱喻複稱;這一種的構成方式,是我們稱說奧丁、索爾、提爾,或阿薩神族、精靈中的任何一位,而無論我提及其中哪一位,都在名字旁加上另一位神的所有物之名,或提及他的某項事蹟。如此,這稱號便屬於後一位,而非原先提名的那一位。例如,我們稱『勝利提爾』、『懸者提爾』或『重載提爾』,這些便是奧丁的稱號,我們稱之為隱喻之名;稱『戰車提爾』也是如此。」
如今,這些話是說給年輕詩人聽的:凡渴望學習詩歌語言,以古老名稱充實自己的詞彙,或渴望理解隱晦詩句的人,都應研讀這本書,從中獲得知識與樂趣。然而,不可遺忘或否認這些故事,以致將古老的隱喻複稱從詩歌中剔除;那些都是大詩人樂於採用的。但基督徒不應信奉異教諸神,也不應相信這些故事的真實性,除非是依照本書開頭所見的方式理解。
現在應當聽聽這些例證,看看大詩人如何認為運用這些名稱與譬喻作詩是合宜的。譬如宮廷詩人阿諾爾便如此吟詠,稱奧丁為眾神之父:
如今我想向眾人述說
心志堅毅的伯爵之美德;
我的悲苦稍得紓解,
眾神之父的麥芽浪濤轟鳴。
這裡他也把詩歌稱為眾神之父的麥芽浪濤。跛子哈瓦爾德如此吟道:
如今,海上駿馬的樹木已得消息,
鷹飛過了墳丘;
我想,他從原野上
接受了懸吊之神的邀請。
維加·格盧姆如此吟道:
軍隊不願戴著
懸吊之提爾的兜帽前行,
他們不以為在山坡前
冒險是可喜的事。
雷夫如此吟道:
船首之地的閃電之巴德爾
已在詩人面前倒下;
他常懷著善意,來到我這裡,
來飲烏鴉之神的神聖酒杯。
「詩人之剋星」埃溫德如此吟道:
還有西格爾德,
他曾把哈丁族戰死者的
渡運之提爾的
白天鵝之啤酒
供給烏鴉;
大地的統治者
在厄格洛伊
奪去了他的性命。
格盧姆·蓋拉松如此吟道:
在那裡,勝利之提爾親自
投身勇士的進擊之中;
他們的武士之神
駕馭著阿塔爾獸群之風。
埃溫德又如此吟道:
貢德爾與斯科古爾,
哥特人之提爾派遣她們
去挑選諸王,
看英格維的後裔中誰
應與奧丁同行,
居住在英靈殿。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
聲名遠播的赫羅夫特之提爾
騎向兒子的廣大火葬堆;
而讚頌的言辭
流過我的雙頰。
赫維尼爾的肖多爾夫如此吟道:
戰死者躺在沙灘上,
註定歸於獨眼的
弗麗嘉懷抱中的居者;
我們為這等功業歡欣。
哈爾弗雷德如此吟道:
刀劍之駿馬的勇敢受賜者,
以真實的言語,引來
斯里迪長著針葉髮絲的待嫁妻子,
使她躺在自己身下。
這裡的例子說明,詩歌中把大地稱為奧丁的妻子。這裡又說,埃溫德如此吟道:
赫爾莫德與布拉基,
赫羅夫特之提爾說,
去迎接那位君王,
因為有位國王,
人們稱為勇士的那一位,
正往這座殿堂而來。
科爾馬克如此吟道:
土地的取得者,以額上的布帶
增進諸神峽灣之變換者的榮耀;
是她繫上了那挺直的桅頂。
伊格以巫術求取琳德。
斯泰因索爾如此吟道:
我有古早釀成、分量雖少的
角杯瀑流,值得以奇辭讚頌,
它屬於貢露雙臂所負的那一位,
那不喜安於所得之人。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
在那裡,我想女武神與烏鴉
追隨著睿智的勝利之樹,
渴飲神聖祭牲的飲料。
殿內因而留下這般圖像。
埃吉爾·斯卡拉格里姆松如此吟道:
我祭拜威利的兄弟,
那庇護諸神者,
並非因為
我心甘情願;
然而密米爾的朋友
已賜予我
苦難的補償,
我認為那更為可貴。
狼的仇敵,
那慣於戰鬥者,
賜給了我
毫無瑕疵的技藝。
這裡稱他為諸神的庇護者、密米爾的朋友,以及狼的仇敵。雷夫如此吟道:
英勇的戰死者之哥特啊,
我們應當償付你法爾廳堂道路上的飲料,
那浪濤駿馬所踏白雪之飲;
它順從我的掌握。
埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆如此吟道:
我想我不會因此
受到軍隊之提爾的責難,
在慷慨的勇士面前,
傾出船舶之酒舟中的液汁。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
尊貴的海姆達爾騎著馬,
來到諸神堆起的柴堆旁,
來到那出身高貴的烏鴉試驗者
倒下的兒子身邊。
《埃里克之歌》中如此說:
這是怎樣的夢?奧丁說,
我夢見自己天未亮便起身,
清掃英靈殿,
迎接戰死的人們;
我喚醒英靈戰士,
叫他們起來,
在長凳上鋪草,
洗淨啤酒杯;
叫女武神端上葡萄酒,
彷彿有位君王將來。
科爾馬克如此吟道:
年輕的我祈求世人的主宰,
使我享有充分的價值,
在英格維之弓的搖動原野上。
赫羅夫特持岡格尼爾而行。
索拉爾夫如此吟道:
希利德斯凱爾夫的君王
親口說出他的心意,
就在不愛盾牌的哈雷克
麾下人馬遭殺戮之處。
埃溫德如此吟道:
那一位,從史爾特的
幽深谷地裡,
飛著載走了
那沉重的貨物。
布拉基如此吟道:
我看得分明:眾人之父的兒子
很早便想一試力氣,
與那濺滿水的
大地之繩較量。
埃納爾如此吟道:
因為,卓越的君王啊,大多數人
與貝斯特拉之子相處,都比你更為遜色;
我已著手讚頌殺戮,
你在多方才德上都勝過他們。
布蘭達詩人索爾瓦爾德如此吟道:
如今我已將許多事
刻入那蜜酒之中,
那是波爾之子、
布利繼承者的蜜酒。
這裡應當聽聽詩人如何按照前面記下的那些名稱來譬喻詩歌,例如稱它為克瓦希爾之血、矮人之船、矮人的蜜酒、巨人的蜜酒、蘇通的蜜酒、奧丁的蜜酒、阿薩神族的蜜酒、巨人的父命賠償、奧德勒里爾與博德恩及松恩的液體與所盛之物、赫尼特比約格之液,以及奧丁的所得、發現、負載與贈禮,正如此處埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆所作的詩:
我請胸懷大志的大地守護者
聆聽眾人峽灣之骨的酒滓浪濤;
伯爵啊,請聽,
請聽克瓦希爾之血。
埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆又如此吟道:
山中矮人的守藏之水,
流過那位烏勒的所有梣樹之眾;
他激發戰鬥悲愁之
抵禦者的勇氣。
奧爾姆·斯泰因索爾松如此吟道:
願啤酒長凳的主人之軀
與我的身軀一同被抬入一座廳堂;
願人們領受
死去的德瓦林之飲。
雷夫如此吟道:
我向索爾斯泰因獻上
石頭族類心田的盛宴;
山中居民的波濤轟鳴,
我請人類聆聽。
埃吉爾如此吟道:
君王邀請我,
我因此有讚頌的義務;
我把奧丁的蜜酒
帶到英格蘭的土地上。
格盧姆·蓋拉松如此吟道:
諸位君王,請聽:
我有諸神所求者的盛宴;
因此我們請求肅靜,
好讓人們聽聞勇士的喪亡。
埃溫德如此吟道:
我願眾人安靜,
聽哈爾的飲料,
當我高舉
吉爾林的賠償,
當我們在
絞架負載者的鍋中之液裡,
將他的世系
追溯到諸神。
埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆如此吟道:
長存之海的波濤在君王面前奔湧,
勒格尼爾的作品使我得益;
奧德勒里爾的浪濤
在咒語的岩礁旁轟鳴。
他又如此吟道:
如今,山中薩克西的
博德恩之浪正在高漲;
願君王的臣民在殿中肅靜,
聆聽那艘船。
埃利夫·古德魯納松如此吟道:
你們當決定贈給朋友的禮物,
因為在松恩的心田裡,
我們言語的種子
正為高貴的君王生長。
沃盧斯泰因如此吟道:
埃吉爾,請聽密米爾朋友的
歡愉之山的水流,在我的齒礁旁轟鳴;
我已獲賜
松德爾的發現。
奧爾姆·斯泰因索爾松如此吟道:
人們不必為我的詩歌
心生憂懼;我絲毫不將
維杜爾的所得化為嘲弄,
我們懂得如何打造讚歌。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
我向心懷喜悅的奧拉夫獻上
希爾德堅守者的心靈峽灣之水;
我願以格里姆尼爾的贈禮
向他致意。
詩歌被稱為矮人的海或液體,是因為蜜酒釀成以前,克瓦希爾的血是奧德勒里爾中的液體,而蜜酒就在那口鍋裡釀成,因此它被稱為奧丁的鍋中之液,正如埃溫德所吟,而前面已記下的詩句:
當我們在
絞架負載者的鍋中之液裡,
將他的世系
追溯到諸神。
詩歌也被稱為矮人的船,或矮人的「利德」。「利德」意為啤酒,「利德」也意為船。因此人們舉出例子,說明如今為何把詩歌稱為矮人之船,正如此處所說:
我要送往山中伯爵新娘那裡的,
有矮人之船,
也有滿鼓的風;
兩者同走一條不易荒廢的道路。
應當如何譬喻索爾?可以稱他為奧丁與約爾德之子,曼尼、莫迪與斯魯德之父,希芙的丈夫,烏勒的繼父,妙爾尼爾、力量腰帶與比爾斯基爾尼爾的掌管者及所有者,阿斯嘉與米德加爾特的守護者,巨人與女巨魔的仇敵及殺戮者,赫朗格尼爾、蓋爾羅德與斯里瓦爾迪的斬殺者,夏爾維與蘿絲克瓦的主人,米德加爾特巨蛇的仇敵,溫格尼爾與赫洛拉的養子。詩人布拉基如此吟道:
維德里爾繼承者的釣線
繃得絲毫不鬆,
當耶夢加得在埃納夫的滑雪板旁
被拖向沙灘之時。
厄爾維爾·赫努瓦如此吟道:
環繞一切土地的巨蛇
與約爾德之子都怒不可遏。
埃利夫如此吟道:
蘿絲克瓦的兄弟憤怒地站著,
曼尼之父奮力求勝;
索爾與夏爾維的勇氣之石
不因恐懼而顫抖。
埃斯泰因·瓦爾達松如此吟道:
斯魯德之父以銳利的目光
望向陡峭道路的圓環;
此前,恐怖的居所在船邊
狂怒翻騰。
埃斯泰因又吟道:
希芙的密友立刻
在老漢身旁備好釣具;
我們將攪動
赫里姆尼爾角杯中的水流。
他又如此吟道:
大地之魚猛然一扯,
使烏勒親屬的雙拳
撞上船舷外側,
寬闊的船板向前滑去。
布拉基如此吟道:
錘子在右手中揮動,
那時,強健槳葉的恐嚇者
認出了環繞
一切土地的魚。
甘利如此吟道:
那不曾心懷欺詐的君王,
以比爾斯基爾尼爾之心果斷出擊,
用峽谷鯨魚的禍害,
劈開大地之魚。
女神詩人索爾比約恩如此吟道:
索爾以勇力,與伊格的助手們
一同守護阿斯嘉。
布拉基如此吟道:
槳划船艏所行道路的
醜陋圓環,心志兇悍,
從下方瞪視著
赫朗格尼爾頭顱的擊碎者。
布拉基又吟道:
九首的劈裂者啊,
你已在名聞遐邇的宴飲之中,
將斯里瓦爾迪的牲畜
牢牢攔下。
埃利夫如此吟道:
夜行女人的壓制者
張開手臂的嘴,迎接
鐵鉗海草的
沉重赤紅一口。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
山羊的享用者說,
在這沉重而艱危的拉扯中,
那身軀粗壯的幼獸
顯得力大無窮。
他又如此吟道:
山中哥特的擊倒者,使強勁的拳頭
砰然落在蘆葦腿的持有者耳旁;
那一擊造成了
嚴重的傷害。
(56.)
維穆爾渡口的維德吉姆尼爾,
在浪濤邊揮拳,打向
那閃亮毒蛇的耳根。
殿內因而留下這般圖像。
這裡稱他為維穆爾渡口的巨人。維穆爾是一條河的名字;索爾前往蓋爾羅德的宅邸時,曾涉過這條河。詩人韋特利迪也如此吟道:
你折斷萊克恩的腿,
擊打斯里瓦爾迪,
推倒斯塔爾卡德,
踏在死去的吉亞爾普身上。
女神詩人索爾比約恩也如此吟道:
凱拉的頭顱響起重擊,
你打碎了基亞蘭迪全身,
先前你殺死盧特與萊迪,
使布瑟拉淌血;
你制伏了亨吉安基亞夫塔,
希羅金更早便已死去;
然而那黝黑的斯維沃爾,
也早已被奪去性命。
該如何以代稱稱呼巴德爾?可以稱他為奧丁與弗麗嘉之子、南娜之夫、福爾塞提之父、赫林霍尼與德羅普尼爾的主人、霍德爾之敵、赫爾的伴侶、哭泣之神。烏爾夫·烏加松在《廳堂頌》中用了很長的篇幅吟詠巴德爾的故事;前文已引過以這些代稱稱呼巴德爾的詩例。
該如何以代稱稱呼尼約德?可以稱他為華納之神、華納族裔或華納神,以及弗雷與芙蕾雅之父、賜予財富之神。索爾德·夏雷克松如此說道:
古德倫親自成了
兒子們的殺手;
克亞拉爾馴服馬匹,
手段十分高明;
明慧的神婦
無法愛上那華納神;
人說哈姆迪爾
不肯止息刀劍之戲。
這裡提到的是絲卡蒂離開尼約德一事,正如前文所記。
該如何以代稱稱呼弗雷?可以稱他為尼約德之子、芙蕾雅之兄,以及華納之神、華納族裔、華納神、豐年之神與財富賜予者。埃吉爾·斯卡拉格里姆松如此吟道:
因為格里約特比約恩
已蒙厚賜,
弗雷與尼約德
使他財源豐盈。
弗雷又稱為貝利之敵,正如「詩人剋星」埃溫德所吟:
當諸伯爵之敵
想要定居
貝利之敵的
邊遠疆域之時。
他擁有斯基德普拉特尼爾,以及名叫古林布爾斯蒂的野豬,正如此處所說:
伊瓦爾迪的兒子們
在遠古之時
著手打造斯基德普拉特尼爾,
這艘船中之最,
獻給光輝的弗雷,
尼約德賢能的兒子。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此說道:
善戰的弗雷騎向柴堆,
來到奧丁之子的火葬場;
他率領眾人,乘著
那頭金鬃野豬走在最前。
那頭野豬也叫斯利德魯格坦尼。
該如何以代稱稱呼海姆達爾?可以稱他為九位母親之子,或諸神的守衛,正如前文所記;也可以稱他為白色的阿薩神、洛基之敵、芙蕾雅項鍊的尋回者。海姆達爾的頭稱為劍。據說,他曾被一顆人頭擊穿。此事吟詠於《海姆達爾咒歌》中;此後,頭便稱為海姆達爾的奪命者。劍則稱為人的奪命者。海姆達爾擁有古爾托普。他也是瓦加礁與辛加岩的造訪者。他當時與洛基爭奪布里希嘉曼項鍊。他也叫溫德勒爾。烏爾夫·烏加松在《廳堂頌》中用了很長的篇幅吟詠這段故事,其中說到他們當時都化作海豹。他也是奧丁之子。
該如何以代稱稱呼提爾?可稱他為獨手的阿薩神、狼的養父、戰鬥之神、奧丁之子。
該如何以代稱稱呼布拉基?可稱他為伊登之夫、詩歌的首創者、長鬚的阿薩神——鬍鬚濃長的人,便是依他的名字稱為「鬍鬚布拉基」——以及奧丁之子。
該如何以代稱稱呼維達?可稱他為沉默的阿薩神、鐵鞋之主、芬里爾之敵與殺死牠的人、諸神的復仇之神、居於父親故宅的阿薩神,以及奧丁之子、阿薩諸神之兄弟。
該如何以代稱稱呼瓦利?可稱他為奧丁與琳德之子、弗麗嘉的繼子、阿薩諸神之兄弟、為巴德爾復仇的阿薩神、霍德爾之敵與殺死他的人、父親故宅的居住者。
該如何以代稱稱呼霍德爾?可稱他為盲眼的阿薩神、殺死巴德爾的人、槲寄生的射出者、奧丁之子、赫爾的同伴、瓦利之敵。
該如何以代稱稱呼烏勒?可稱他為希芙之子、索爾的繼子、滑雪之神、弓之神、狩獵之神、盾之神。
該如何以代稱稱呼海尼爾?可稱他為奧丁的同席者、同伴或交談之友,以及迅捷的阿薩神、長腳者、泥沼之王。
該如何以代稱稱呼洛基?可以稱他為法布提與勞菲——亦即納爾——之子、比雷斯特與赫爾布林迪之兄弟、瓦納爾甘德——亦即芬里爾狼——與耶夢加得——亦即米德加爾特之蛇——以及赫爾、納利、阿利之父、奧丁與阿薩諸神的親族、叔父、旅伴與同席者、蓋爾羅德的訪客與箱中飾物、巨人之物的竊賊、山羊與布里希嘉曼項鍊及伊登蘋果的竊賊、斯雷普尼爾的親族、西格恩之夫、諸神之敵、希芙頭髮的禍害、災禍的製造者、狡詐的阿薩神、諸神的讒毀者與欺騙者、謀害巴德爾者、被捆縛的阿薩神、海姆達爾與絲卡蒂爭鬥的對手。正如烏爾夫·烏加松在此所說:
深謀而聞名的神域守衛,
在辛加岩與那極其狡詐的
法布提之子交鋒;
那位守衛威名遠播。
心志強大的母親之子
取得了美麗的海之腎石;
我以頌詩的篇章宣揚他——
他有八位母親,還加上一位。
這裡說到海姆達爾是九位母親之子。
現在還要講述一些故事,說明剛才記下、先前卻尚未舉出故事說明的那些代稱由何而來。布拉基曾告訴埃吉爾,索爾往東方去打巨魔時,奧丁騎著斯雷普尼爾來到約頓海姆,造訪一個名叫赫朗格尼爾的巨人。赫朗格尼爾便問,那戴著金盔、騎馬踏過天空與海洋的是什麼人,並說他的馬好得出奇。奧丁說,他願拿自己的頭打賭,約頓海姆沒有一匹馬能與牠媲美。赫朗格尼爾說,那確實是匹好馬,但他聲稱自己有匹馬,步幅要大得多。那匹馬叫古爾法克西。赫朗格尼爾發起怒來,跳上自己的馬,策馬追趕奧丁,打算讓他為狂言付出代價。奧丁策馬疾馳,已翻過一道山脊,跑在前頭;赫朗格尼爾卻巨人怒氣大發,直到闖入阿薩神族的大門之內,才察覺自己到了哪裡。
他來到廳堂門口,阿薩諸神便邀他飲酒。他走進廳堂,要求拿酒給他喝。於是,眾神取來索爾慣用的酒碗,赫朗格尼爾將每一碗都喝了。他喝醉之後,狂言便接連不斷。他說要把英靈殿整座搬起,帶回約頓海姆,將阿斯嘉沉沒,殺盡諸神,只留下芙蕾雅與希芙,要把她們帶回家去。當時只有芙蕾雅敢替他斟酒,而他聲稱自己要喝光阿薩神族所有的啤酒。
阿薩諸神聽膩了他的狂言,便呼喚索爾。索爾隨即來到廳堂,高舉鎚子,怒不可遏,問是誰作主,竟讓奸詐如狗的巨人在這裡喝酒;又是誰准許赫朗格尼爾安然留在英靈殿;芙蕾雅又為什麼要替他斟酒,彷彿在阿薩神族的宴會上一樣。赫朗格尼爾回答時,望向索爾的眼神毫無善意;他說,是奧丁邀他來喝酒的,他受奧丁的保護。索爾便說,赫朗格尼爾還沒走出這裡,就會為這場邀請後悔。
赫朗格尼爾說,阿薩神索爾殺死一個手無寸鐵的他,算不上什麼榮耀。若敢在邊界上的格里奧特圖納加爾德與他交戰,那才更考驗膽量。「我把盾牌和磨刀石留在家裡,」他說,「實在是件大蠢事。不過,若我的武器在這裡,我們現在就該決鬥一番;否則,你若要殺死手無寸鐵的我,我就要斥你為卑鄙之徒。」索爾既受了決鬥的挑戰,無論如何也不肯失約,因為從前還沒有人這樣挑戰過他。
赫朗格尼爾隨後離去,一路策馬狂奔,直到回到約頓海姆。他這趟出行,以及他與索爾約定決鬥的事,在巨人之間傳得沸沸揚揚。巨人們認為,誰勝誰負,對他們關係重大。赫朗格尼爾是他們當中最強的,若他倒下,他們便料想索爾會給他們帶來災難。
於是,巨人們在格里奧特圖納加爾德用黏土造了一個人,高九拉斯特(古北歐長度單位),腋下寬三拉斯特(古北歐長度單位)。但他們找不到足夠大、配得上這副身軀的心臟,最後只好從一匹母馬身上取來一顆;等索爾到來時,那顆心在他體內可一點也不安穩。
赫朗格尼爾那顆著名的心是硬石做的,上面有三個尖角,後來人們便照著它刻出一種圖樣,稱為赫朗格尼爾之心。他的頭也是石頭做的。他的盾同樣是石頭,又寬又厚。他站在格里奧特圖納加爾德等待索爾時,將盾擋在身前,又以一塊磨刀石作武器,扛在肩上,模樣十分兇悍。他身旁站著那個名叫莫克庫爾卡爾維的黏土巨人,心裡怕得要命。據說,他一看見索爾,就嚇得尿了出來。
索爾前往約定決鬥的地方,夏爾維與他同行。夏爾維先跑到赫朗格尼爾站立之處,對他說:「巨人,你站得太不小心了。你把盾擋在身前,可是索爾已看見你,正從地下過來,要從下方攻擊你。」赫朗格尼爾便把盾扔到腳下,站在上面,雙手握住磨刀石。
緊接著,他看見閃電,聽見震耳的雷聲,隨後便看見索爾帶著神怒而來。索爾猛衝過來,掄起鎚子,隔著老遠便朝赫朗格尼爾擲去。赫朗格尼爾雙手舉起磨刀石,迎面擲出。磨刀石在半空撞上鎚子,碎成兩半。一半落在地上,所有的磨刀石岩便由此而來;另一半擊入索爾頭中,使他向前倒地。妙爾尼爾卻正中赫朗格尼爾的頭,把他的頭顱砸成細小的碎塊。他向前倒在索爾身上,一隻腳壓住了索爾的脖子。夏爾維則攻擊莫克庫爾卡爾維;那巨人毫無多少光彩可言地倒下了。
夏爾維接著走向索爾,想搬開赫朗格尼爾壓在他身上的腳,卻怎麼也搬不動。阿薩諸神聽說索爾倒下,全都趕來,想把那隻腳移開,卻都無能為力。這時,索爾與雅恩薩克莎之子曼尼來了。他當時出生才三夜。他把赫朗格尼爾的腳從索爾身上扔開,說:「父親,我來得這麼晚,真是太遺憾了!我想,要是我碰上這巨人,早就一拳把他打死了。」
索爾於是站起身,欣喜地迎接兒子,說他將來必定大有作為。「我願意,」他說,「把赫朗格尼爾的馬古爾法克西送給你。」奧丁便開口,說索爾做得不對,竟把那匹好馬送給女巨人之子,卻不送給自己的父親。
索爾回到斯魯德旺,磨刀石仍嵌在他的頭裡。這時,一位名叫格羅婭的女巫來了,她是勇士奧爾萬迪爾的妻子。她對著索爾唱起咒歌,直到磨刀石鬆動。索爾感覺到了,覺得這下有望把磨刀石取出,便想報答格羅婭的醫治,讓她高興,於是告訴她,他曾從北方涉過埃利伐加爾,背著一只背簍,將奧爾萬迪爾從北方的約頓海姆帶回來。他還說了一件事作為憑證:奧爾萬迪爾有一隻腳趾伸在背簍外面,凍壞了,索爾便將它折下,拋上天空,造成一顆星,名叫奧爾萬迪爾之趾。
索爾說,奧爾萬迪爾不久就會回家;格羅婭高興得忘光了咒歌,磨刀石便沒能再鬆動,如今仍嵌在索爾的頭裡。因此,人們告誡不可將磨刀石橫擲過地板,因為那會使索爾頭中的磨刀石震動。赫溫的索約多爾夫便依據這個故事,寫成了《秋長頌》。」
埃吉爾接著說:「我覺得赫朗格尼爾本領很大。索爾對付巨魔時,還做過什麼更顯神力的事嗎?」
布拉基答道:「索爾前往蓋爾羅德庭院的事,很值得詳述。當時他既沒有帶妙爾尼爾鎚,也沒有力量腰帶或鐵手套,這都是洛基造成的。洛基與他同行,因為洛基先前曾遇上這樣一件事:有一次,他披上弗麗嘉的隼羽衣飛出去遊玩,出於好奇,飛進蓋爾羅德的庭院,看見那裡有座大廳,便停下來,從窗戶往裡看。蓋爾羅德迎面瞧見他,便下令捉住那隻鳥,帶到自己面前。奉命的人好不容易才爬上廳牆,因為那牆實在很高。洛基見他爬得如此吃力,心中快意,打算暫且不飛,等他走完整段難行的路再說。然而,那人逼近時,他展翼欲飛,用力一蹬,雙腳卻牢牢黏住了。洛基就這樣被捉住,送到巨人蓋爾羅德面前。蓋爾羅德看見他的眼睛,便疑心這是個人,要他開口回答,洛基卻默不作聲。於是蓋爾羅德把洛基鎖在箱子裡,餓了他三個月。等到蓋爾羅德把他放出來,要他說話時,洛基才說出自己的身分,並為贖回性命,向蓋爾羅德立誓,要把索爾帶到蓋爾羅德的庭院,讓他既不帶鎚子,也不帶力量腰帶。
索爾投宿在一位名叫格里德的女巨人家中。她是沉默者維達的母親。她把蓋爾羅德的實情告訴索爾,說他是個極其狡詐、難以對付的巨人。她把自己的力量腰帶和鐵手套借給索爾,也借給他自己的手杖,名叫格里德之杖。索爾隨後來到一條名叫維穆爾的河,那是所有河流中最大的一條。他繫上力量腰帶,把格里德之杖抵在上游,洛基則抓住力量腰帶的下緣。索爾走到河中央時,河水猛然暴漲,浪頭拍上他的肩膀。索爾於是吟道:
65
維穆爾,如今休再高漲,
因我必須涉過你,
前往巨人的庭院;
你要知道,你若高漲,
我的神力也將高漲,
直與蒼天一般高。
索爾這時看見,上方一處峽谷裡,蓋爾羅德的女兒吉亞爾普正跨立河流兩岸,是她使河水暴漲。索爾便從河中撿起一塊大石,朝她擲去,說道:『要堵河,就得堵住河口。』他投向的目標,並未落空。就在這時,他被沖到岸邊,得以抓住一叢花楸,於是跨出河流。因此才有這句俗語:花楸是索爾的救星。
索爾抵達蓋爾羅德的住處後,他們兩個同伴先被領到山羊棚裡住宿。裡面有一張椅子,索爾便坐了下來。他隨即察覺,身下的椅子正升向屋頂。他把格里德之杖頂住椽木,用力把身子往椅子上壓。隨即響起一聲巨大的斷裂聲,伴隨著尖叫。原來蓋爾羅德的兩個女兒吉亞爾普和格雷普就在椅子底下,他把她們兩人的脊背都壓斷了。
接著,蓋爾羅德派人召索爾到大廳裡競技。廳內沿著整座大廳燃著熊熊大火。索爾走到蓋爾羅德對面時,蓋爾羅德用鉗子夾起一塊燒得通紅的鐵,朝索爾擲去。索爾用鐵手套接住,把鐵塊舉了起來,蓋爾羅德便跳到一根鐵柱後面躲避。索爾擲出鐵塊,打穿柱子,穿透蓋爾羅德,再穿過牆壁,最後鑽進外面的土地裡。」
埃利夫·古德倫之子依據這個故事,作了《索爾頌》。
該如何以代稱稱呼弗麗嘉?可以稱她為菲約爾金之女、奧丁之妻、巴德爾之母、約爾德、琳德、貢露與葛德的情敵、南娜的婆母、阿薩男神與女神之王后、芙拉、隼羽衣與芬薩里爾的女主人。
該如何以代稱稱呼芙蕾雅?可以稱她為尼約德之女、弗雷之妹、奧德之妻、赫諾絲之母、戰死者、塞斯魯姆尼爾、雄貓與布里希嘉曼項鍊的主人、華納之神、華納女神、淚美之神、愛之神。——所有阿薩女神都可以如此稱呼:借用另一位女神的名字,再以她自身的所有物、事蹟或家世加以限定。
該如何以代稱稱呼希芙?可以稱她為索爾之妻、烏勒之母、美髮之神、雅恩薩克莎的情敵、斯露德之母。
該如何以代稱稱呼伊登?可以稱她為布拉基之妻、蘋果的守護者,而那些蘋果則稱為阿薩神族的不老藥。她也是巨人夏基掠得的俘虜,正如前面所說,他將她從阿薩神族那裡擄走。赫維尼爾的修多爾夫依照這個故事,作了《秋日長詩》。稱呼阿薩諸神時,同樣可以借用另一位神的名字,再以他自身的事蹟、所有物或家世加以限定。
該如何以代稱稱呼天空?可以稱它為尤彌爾的頭顱,由此又可稱為巨人的頭顱、侏儒們的辛勞或重擔,或威斯特里、奧斯特里、蘇德里、諾德里的頭盔;太陽、月亮、星辰、車乘與風雨的國土;空氣、大地與太陽的頭盔或屋宇。雅爾的詩人阿爾諾爾如此吟道:
再沒有這般慷慨的年輕君王,
登上披盾的船舷;
那位君主氣度何其恢弘,
在尤彌爾古老的頭顱之下。
他又如此吟道:
明亮的太陽將化為漆黑,
大地沉入幽暗的海洋,
奧斯特里的重擔迸裂,
整片大海在群山上轟鳴。
博德瓦爾·巴爾蒂如此吟道:
因為在太陽的國土之下,
沒有比英吉的兄弟
更善戰、更優秀,
或更尊貴的國君。
赫維尼爾的希約多爾夫如此吟道:
約爾德之子驅車前往鋼鐵之戲,
月亮的道路在他身下轟響,
梅利兄弟的
怒氣翻湧。
巴雷島的詩人奧爾姆如此吟道:
德羅普尼爾之蹤的女神啊,無論如何,
我聽聞那位君王威勢強大;
迎我前往車乘之路的那位統治者,
掌管著國度。
詩人布拉基如此吟道:
他曾將滑雪女神父親的雙眼,
從掌中拋向
遼闊的風之境,
高過眾人的居所。
馬爾庫斯如此吟道:
遠在風暴之器的底部,
難再生出更尊貴的海員守護者;
人人都讚頌那位拋環者崇高的一生,
在海濤環繞之地。
斯坦·赫爾迪絲之子如此吟道:
我在這首頌歌裡,
稱頌高聳世界之帳的神聖君主,
讚美向前展開,先於世人,
因他更加尊貴。
雅爾的詩人阿爾諾爾如此吟道:
白晝國土的尊貴君王啊,
請救助尊貴的赫爾蒙德。
阿爾諾爾又吟道:
太陽帳幕的真實統治者啊,
請救助勇敢的勒格恩瓦爾德。
哈爾瓦爾德如此吟道:
克努特守護大地,猶如萬有之主
守護宏偉的群山之廳。
如阿爾諾爾所吟:
智慧淵博的米迦勒,衡量一切被視為罪過之事,
也衡量所有善行;
隨後,太陽頭盔的君王坐在審判座上,
為世人裁決。
該如何以代稱稱呼大地?可以稱她為尤彌爾的血肉、索爾之母、奧納爾之女、奧丁的新娘、弗麗嘉、琳德與貢露的情敵、希芙的婆母、風雨廳堂的地板與底部、眾獸的海洋、諾特之女、奧德與達格之姊妹。破詩人埃溫德如此吟道:
如今,巨人之敵的母親體內,
藏起了河流的光輝圓日;
強盛族群的
謀略威力無窮。
惹事詩人哈爾弗雷德吟道:
計策終告成功,此後,
那位善謀的國王友人,
擁有了奧納爾唯一的女兒,
她身上長滿樹林。
他又說道:
驅使鋼刃烏鴉棲地之人,
以強權的言語,
將焰眼者那容顏寬廣的新娘,
拉到了自己身邊。
修多爾夫如此吟道:
使首領歡欣者,在海鹿的兩端外側,
將哥德人的船舶繫於海底,
那鉚合的船身旁,
繫著馴鹿之木。
哈爾弗雷德吟道:
因此,我想那位聲名遠播的投擲者,
極不情願拋下奧德的姊妹,
讓她孤身留下;大地臣服於
那位高貴的項鍊耗散者。
修多爾夫如此吟道:
怠於擲矛的懦夫,遠遠站在一旁,
當年,那位催動戰光者,
未付聘禮,便娶得了
琳德的情敵。
該如何以代稱稱呼海洋?可以稱它為尤彌爾的血、眾神的訪客、蘭的丈夫、埃吉爾眾女兒之父,她們的名字是希明格蕾娃、杜法、布洛杜格哈達、赫夫琳、烏德、赫倫、比爾吉亞、巴拉、科爾嘉;蘭、埃吉爾眾女兒、船隻以及各種海船的國土,也可說是龍骨、船艏、船舷、船縫、魚與冰的國土;海王的道路與路徑,也可稱為群島之環、沙地、海藻與礁岩的屋宇,釣線、海鳥與順風的國土。巴雷島的詩人奧爾姆如此吟道:
尤彌爾的血在外頭
撞擊良好航程的沙岸,轟然作響。
雷夫如此吟道:
乘浪的溫馴桅頂之獸,自西而來,
我盼望船艏前方出現陸地;
牠越過海面,
削平鯨魚的山脊。
斯韋恩如此吟道:
當那生於寒霜之中的
埃吉爾眾女兒,
織起又撕裂風暴的帷幕,
掀起礁石山牆的猛烈飛沫。
雷夫又如此吟道:
在浪濤碎裂之處,
吉密爾那雨冷的女巫,
常把捲纜之熊
送入埃吉爾的顎間。
這裡說的是,埃吉爾、赫勒爾與吉密爾全是同一位。他又吟道:
海崖的斯雷普尼爾,滿身飛沫,
將塗著紅色顏料的胸膛,
從蒼白的蘭
口中掙出。
埃納爾·斯庫利之子如此吟道:
猛烈的暴風迅速將船
推離陸地;天鵝原野的駿馬
使覆雪之地
沉入海流。
他又如此吟道:
釣線的喧響海岸,飛濺著將陸地環抱,
許多僵硬的槳架
在眾人手中起伏,
支索不時繃得緊緊。
他又吟道:
長船的艏柱載著君王鍍金的木片,
這是君主何等榮耀的行程;
島嶼的鎖鏈推送著
海蒂的烏鴉。
他又如此吟道:
秋寒的島嶼邊緣,覆著霜,
推撞船舷的滑雪板。
又如此吟道:
寒冷國土的厚腰帶,
在船艏前迸裂。
斯奈比約恩如此吟道:
據說九位島磨箱的新娘,
在大地邊緣之外,猛烈轉動
最兇暴的礁石格羅蒂;
她們在很久以前,
曾磨出阿姆洛迪的麥酒粉;
如今,那位毀環者以船艏
劃破船舷的居所,
航過她們的住處。
這裡把大海稱作阿姆洛迪的磨坊。埃納爾·斯庫利之子又如此吟道:
堅固的船釘,在拉克尼的
疾飛之流中彎曲;
帆布的禍害推動蒼白的
肋骨震地,壓向支索。
該如何以代稱稱呼太陽?可以稱她為蒙迪爾法利的女兒、瑪尼的姊妹、格倫的妻子、天空與空氣之火。斯庫利·索爾斯坦之子如此吟道:
格倫的妻子,懷著神聖的喜悅,
步入女神的聖所;隨後,
美好的光芒挾著射線,
自灰衫瑪尼上方降下。
埃納爾·斯庫利之子如此吟道:
貝蒂城堡的世界遊火,
無論何處高高迴旋,
都照不見比我們這位賜寶者
更厭惡廳堂烈焰的人。
該如何用隱喻稱呼風?可以稱它為弗恩約特之子、埃吉爾與火的兄弟、樹木的摧折者,或樹木、船帆、帆具的禍害、殺手、獵犬或惡狼。斯韋恩在《北境頌》中如此說:
弗恩約特那些猙獰的兒子,
起初便開始狂飛。
該如何用隱喻稱呼火?可以稱它為風與埃吉爾的兄弟、樹木與房屋的殺手和毀滅者、哈爾夫的殺手、房屋的太陽。
該如何以隱喻稱呼冬季?可以稱它為溫德斯瓦爾之子、群蛇的殺手、暴風雪的時節。奧爾姆·斯坦索爾松如此吟道:
在溫德斯瓦爾之子的這段時日,
我要為那盲人帶來歡樂。
阿斯格里姆如此吟道:
此後,賜勝者在特隆赫姆,
慷慨散贈黃金,
人民知道你真實的功業,
就在那群蛇受苦的時節。
該如何以隱喻稱呼夏季?可以稱它為斯瓦蘇德之子、群蛇的慰藉、人們的滋長之時。正如埃吉爾·斯卡拉格里姆松所吟:
我們該高舉長劍,讓劍光閃耀,
染紅狼牙的人啊;
我們該成就英勇的功業,
趁著谷中之魚蒙受恩惠的時節。
該如何用隱喻稱呼男人?應當以他的作為來稱呼他,也就是他所給予、接受或從事的事物。也可以用他所擁有的財物,或他曾贈出的財物來稱呼他;同樣,也可以用他的祖先,或他的後裔來稱呼他。
該如何用這些事物來稱呼他?可以稱他為旅程或事業、戰鬥、航海、狩獵、武器或船舶的從事者或推行者。因為他是武器的「試煉者」、戰鬥的「施行者」,兩者都與「從事者」同義。「施行者」一詞也指樹木,「試煉者」也是一種樹木的名稱。詩人根據這些稱謂,將男人稱為梣樹、楓樹、樹叢,或其他陽性的樹木名稱,再以戰鬥、船舶或財富加以限定。也可以恰當地用阿薩神族諸神的一切名號來稱呼男人。巨人的名號也用於這類隱喻,但大多含有嘲弄或貶斥之意。用精靈的名號來稱呼男人,則被認為是恰當的。
應當用一切女子服飾、黃金、寶石,以及她所奉上或贈予的啤酒、葡萄酒或其他飲料來稱呼女人;同樣,也可用酒器,以及一切適合她從事或提供的事物來稱呼她。稱她為所分贈之物的「施予者」或「給予者」,是恰當的用法,而「施予者」與「給予者」也是樹木之名。因此,一切陰性的樹木名稱,都可用來構成稱呼女人的隱喻。
之所以用寶石或玻璃珠來稱呼女人,是因為古時女子有一種稱為石珠項鍊的飾物,佩戴在頸上。如今,這種用法已延伸成隱喻,以石頭及石頭的一切名稱來稱呼女人。也可用所有女神、女武神、諾恩或女靈來稱呼女人。以女人的一切作為、財物或家世來稱呼她,也都是恰當的。
該如何用隱喻稱呼黃金?可以稱它為埃吉爾之火、格拉希爾的針葉、希芙的秀髮、芙拉的額帶、芙蕾雅的眼淚、巨人的口語、聲音或話語、德羅普尼爾的滴珠,以及德羅普尼爾或芙蕾雅雙眼的雨水或驟雨、水獺的賠償、阿薩神族被迫繳付的贖金、菲里斯平原的種子、霍爾吉墓丘的覆頂、一切水域與手的火焰、手的石塊、岩礁或光芒。
為什麼黃金被稱為埃吉爾之火?緣由就是先前提到的那個故事:埃吉爾應邀前往阿斯嘉作客;等他準備回家時,便邀請奧丁與所有阿薩神族在三個月後到他家赴宴。赴宴的首先有奧丁、尼約德、弗雷、提爾、布拉基、維達、洛基,以及女神弗麗嘉、芙蕾雅、格芙昂、絲卡蒂、伊登、希芙。索爾不在場,他已前往東方殺妖怪。
諸神入座後,埃吉爾命人將發光的黃金搬進廳堂,放在地板上;黃金像火一般照亮整座廳堂。宴席便以此照明,正如英靈殿以寶劍代替火光。洛基當時與在場的所有神祇爭吵,還殺了埃吉爾的一名奴僕,名叫菲瑪芬格。他另一名奴僕名叫埃爾迪爾。他的妻子名叫蘭,他們有九個女兒,正如先前所記。
那場宴席上的一切都自行備妥,無論食物、啤酒,或宴席所需的一切器物,都是如此。阿薩神族當時發現,蘭有一張網,所有出海的人,她都用這張網捕捉。
這個故事便是黃金被稱為埃吉爾、蘭或埃吉爾諸女的火焰、燈光或光輝的由來。由這些隱喻,又衍生出將黃金稱為海之火,以及用海的一切名稱來構成同樣的稱呼;正如埃吉爾或蘭的名字都可用來指海,由此,黃金如今也被稱為湖泊或河流之火,並可用一切河名構成這類稱呼。
這些稱謂與其他稱謂和隱喻的演變相同:後世詩人依循古代詩人的範例,仿效古詩中的用法作詩,然後再將它們延伸到他們認為與先前詩作相似的事物上,就像湖泊之於海、河流之於湖泊、溪流之於河流。因此,凡將稱謂延伸到前所未見的範圍,都稱為新造隱喻;只要符合相似之理與事物本性,便都被認為是恰當的。詩人布拉基如此吟道:
我從君王手中領得
鯖魚之長凳的火焰,酬答
山巒之菲約爾尼爾的飲料;
統治者舉杯時將它賜我。
為什麼黃金被稱為格拉希爾的針葉或樹葉?在阿斯嘉、英靈殿門前,立著一片名叫格拉希爾的樹林,所有樹葉都是赤金,正如此處所吟:
格拉希爾挺立,
滿樹金葉,
在西格提爾的廳堂前。
在神與人之間,那是最美的樹木。
為什麼黃金被稱為希芙的秀髮?勞菲之子洛基曾惡作劇,將希芙的頭髮全部剪掉。索爾發現後,便捉住洛基,打算敲碎他全身的骨頭,直到洛基發誓,會設法請黑精靈以黃金替希芙打造一頭秀髮,而且會像普通頭髮一樣生長。
之後,洛基前往一群稱為伊瓦爾迪之子的矮人那裡。他們製成那頭秀髮、斯基德普拉特尼爾,以及奧丁所有、名叫岡格尼爾的長矛。洛基隨後拿自己的頭,與一個名叫布洛克的矮人打賭,賭布洛克的兄弟辛德里能否打造出三件同樣精良的寶物。
他們進入鍛造坊後,辛德里將一張豬皮放入爐中,吩咐布洛克鼓動風箱,在他將放入的東西從爐中取出之前,不可停手。他剛走出鍛造坊,布洛克正在鼓風,一隻蒼蠅便落在布洛克的手上叮咬;但布洛克仍照常鼓風,直到工匠將爐中的東西取出。那是一頭公豬,鬃毛全是黃金。
接著,辛德里將黃金放入爐中,吩咐布洛克鼓風,在自己回來以前不得停止。他便離開了。蒼蠅又飛來,落在布洛克的頸上,這回叮咬的力道比先前大了一倍;但他仍繼續鼓風,直到工匠從爐中取出名叫德羅普尼爾的金環。
辛德里隨後將鐵放入爐中,吩咐布洛克鼓風,並說只要鼓風一停,爐中的東西便會報廢。蒼蠅這回落在布洛克兩眼之間,叮咬他的眼皮;鮮血流入眼中,使他什麼也看不見。他便趁風箱壓下的瞬間,極快地伸手揮掉蒼蠅。工匠恰在此時回來,說爐中的東西差一點便全毀了。接著,他從爐中取出一把鎚子。
辛德里將所有寶物交給兄弟布洛克,叫他帶往阿斯嘉,裁決賭局。布洛克與洛基將寶物呈上時,阿薩神族便坐上審判席,約定以奧丁、索爾、弗雷三人的判決為準。
洛基將岡格尼爾長矛送給奧丁,將希芙要用的秀髮送給索爾,將斯基德普拉特尼爾送給弗雷,並說明每件寶物的特性:那支矛刺出時,沒有什麼能擋住它;那頭秀髮一放上希芙的頭,便會與皮肉相連;斯基德普拉特尼爾只要揚帆,無論要去哪裡,都會有順風,而且只要願意,便能像布一樣摺起,放進自己的袋子裡。
接著,布洛克呈上自己的寶物。他將金環送給奧丁,說每到第九夜,便會從環上滴下八只重量與它相同的金環。他將公豬送給弗雷,說牠無論晝夜,都能奔行於空中和水上,速度勝過任何馬匹;無論夜晚或黑暗世界多麼幽暗,牠所到之處都會有充足的光亮,因為牠的鬃毛如此明亮。
他隨後將鎚子送給索爾,說無論面前是什麼,他都可以隨心所欲地用力敲擊,鎚子絕不會損壞;如果將它擲出,也絕不會失手,無論飛得多遠,都會回到他的手中;而且只要願意,它便能縮得很小,藏進自己的襯衣裡。不過,它有個缺點,就是鎚柄稍短。
三位神祇裁定,鎚子是所有寶物中最精良的,也是對抗霜巨人最有力的防禦,因此判定矮人贏得賭注。洛基隨即提出贖回自己的頭,矮人卻說絕無可能。
「那就來捉我吧。」洛基說。然而,等矮人要捉他時,他已遠在別處。洛基有一雙鞋,能穿著它奔行於空中和水上。矮人便請索爾捉住洛基,索爾照做了。
矮人隨即要砍下洛基的頭,洛基卻說,矮人贏得的是他的頭,可沒有贏得他的脖子。矮人於是拿起皮帶和刀,要在洛基的嘴唇上刺孔,將嘴縫起來,但刀卻刺不穿。他便說,用他兄弟的錐子會更好;話才出口,那把錐子便出現了,而且能刺穿嘴唇。他將洛基的雙唇縫合,洛基卻把皮帶從穿孔中扯了出來。那條縫住洛基嘴巴的皮帶,名叫瓦爾塔里。
從埃溫德「詩人剋星」所作的詩中,可以聽出黃金是以芙拉的額帶來比喻的:
芙拉眉原的落日,
照耀著詩人們的
烏勒之舟的山巒,
貫穿哈康的一生。
如前所述,黃金稱為芙蕾雅的眼淚。斯庫利·索爾斯坦松如此吟道:
那晨,許多殺戮之火的
災禍施予者,在我們斬敵之處,
獲得更多芙蕾雅的眼淚;
我們當時也在場。
又如埃納爾·斯庫拉松所吟:
瑪爾多爾的眼淚,臥在
雕紋之間;我們持著
高特巨門的毀傷者,滿飾
谷鯨的巢穴。
埃納爾在這裡又以隱喻稱呼芙蕾雅,稱她為赫諾絲之母,或奧德之妻,如以下詩句:
羅迪屋頂的堅冰,並不因
奧德枕邊伴侶的
眼中之雨而減損;
願國王如此安享暮年。
又如此吟道:
我得以持有赫爾恩那榮耀的孩子,
我們得到一件珍貴的寶物;
波濤的火焰,依附在
纏金的盾牌毀傷者上;
弗羅迪的種子,是那
餵養戰場天鵝的人賜我的;
弗雷的姊妹承載著
她母親眉睫飄落的雪。
這裡也提到,可以稱芙蕾雅為弗雷的姊妹,藉此比喻她。又如此吟道:
尼約德之女的孩子,賜我實用的護衛;
海之火焰緊貼著鋼刃;
我為此大大讚頌
那位君王。
這裡稱她為尼約德之女。又如此吟道:
那位增進榮耀、臨戰威武的
瓦法德議會的迫逼者,
將華納新娘那強健有力的
女兒賜給了我;
威勢赫赫的劍戰主宰,
將格芙恩的少女引上詩人的床榻,
她身上灑滿了高特雷克
群鵝行道上的火炭。
這裡稱她為格芙恩與華納新娘。芙蕾雅所有的別名,都可以用來修飾眼淚,藉此稱呼黃金。這些隱喻還有許多變化,可以稱黃金為她眼睛、臉頰、頰側、眉睫或眼瞼的冰雹、雨、風雪、水滴、驟雨或瀑流。
由此可知,黃金被稱為巨人的言語或聲音,正如前面所說。詩人布拉基如此吟道:
我有過這第三位朋友,
他最敵視海魚下方圓球的
阿利之聲,卻待我最好,
無可非議。
他將石頭稱為海魚下方的圓球,將巨人稱為石頭的阿利,又將黃金稱為巨人的聲音。
黃金為何被稱為水獺的賠償金?據說,阿薩神族中的奧丁、洛基與海尼爾出外探察世界時,來到一條河邊,沿河走到一處瀑布。瀑布旁有一隻水獺,從瀑布裡捉到一尾鮭魚,正瞇著眼睛吃。洛基拾起一塊石頭,朝水獺擲去,擊中了牠的頭。洛基便誇耀自己的獵獲,說他一擊就獵到了水獺和鮭魚。他們拾起鮭魚與水獺,帶著繼續走,來到一處農莊,走了進去。住在那裡的莊主名叫赫瑞德瑪。他是個勢力強大、精通巫術的人。阿薩神族請求在那裡過夜,說自己帶了充足的食物,並把獵獲展示給莊主看。赫瑞德瑪一看見水獺,便叫來兒子法夫納與雷金,告訴他們,他們的兄弟奧特爾被殺了,也說明是誰下的手。於是父子三人上前捉住阿薩神族,將他們綁起來,告訴他們,那隻水獺就是赫瑞德瑪的兒子。阿薩神族提出以財物贖命,數額任由赫瑞德瑪決定。雙方便以此議和,立誓為約。
接著,他們剝下水獺的皮。赫瑞德瑪拿起水獺皮,對他們說,必須用赤金將皮囊填滿,再將整張皮覆蓋起來,以此作為雙方和解的條件。奧丁於是派洛基前往斯瓦爾特亞爾夫海姆,洛基在那裡找到名叫安德瓦利的矮人。他化作魚,待在水中;洛基徒手捉住他,要他交出藏在岩石住處裡的全部黃金來贖命。他們進入岩石後,矮人將所有黃金搬了出來,那是一筆極大的財富。接著,矮人悄悄將一枚小金環藏到腋下。洛基看見了,便命他交出金環。矮人求他別拿走金環,說只要留著它,就能再為自己積聚財富。洛基說,一分錢也不會留給他,便奪走金環,走了出去。矮人說,這枚金環將使每一位擁有它的人喪命。洛基說,他覺得這樣很好;這番咒語儘管應驗,因為他會把它轉告給即將接收財寶的人。
洛基離開那裡,回到赫瑞德瑪家,將黃金拿給奧丁看。奧丁看見金環,覺得它很美,便將它從財寶中取出,其餘黃金則交給赫瑞德瑪。赫瑞德瑪盡可能將水獺皮囊塞滿,裝滿後便將它豎起。奧丁上前,用黃金將皮囊覆蓋起來,接著對赫瑞德瑪說,看看皮囊是否已經全被蓋住。赫瑞德瑪仔細查看,發現還有一根鬍鬚露在外面,便要求將它也蓋住,說這樣雙方才算完成和解。奧丁於是取出金環,蓋住那根鬍鬚,說他們如今已經付清了水獺的賠償金。
等奧丁取回長矛、洛基取回鞋子,他們再也不必害怕時,洛基便說,安德瓦利所說的話必將應驗:這枚金環與這些黃金,將使擁有它們的人喪命。後來果真如此。現在已經說明,黃金為何被稱為水獺的賠償金、阿薩神族被迫繳納的贖金,或爭端之金屬。
關於黃金,還有什麼可說的?赫瑞德瑪收下黃金,作為兒子被殺的賠償;法夫納與雷金則要求分得一些,作為兄弟被殺的賠償。赫瑞德瑪卻連一分錢的黃金也不肯給他們。兄弟倆於是定下惡計,為了黃金殺死父親。接著,雷金要求法夫納將黃金平分。法夫納回答,既然自己為了黃金連父親都殺了,兄弟就別指望他會分出黃金,並命雷金離開,否則就會落得與赫瑞德瑪相同的下場。
法夫納當時已拿走赫瑞德瑪原有的一頂頭盔,戴在頭上;那頂頭盔叫作恐懼之盔,所有活物見了都會害怕。他還拿走了名叫赫羅蒂的劍。雷金拿著那把名叫雷菲爾的劍,逃離了那裡。法夫納則上了格尼塔荒原,在那裡築巢,變成大蛇的模樣,盤踞在黃金上。
雷金前往蒂約德,投奔希亞爾普雷克國王,成為他的鐵匠。他在那裡收養了西格爾德;西格爾德的父親是沃爾松之子西格蒙德,母親是埃利米之女希約爾迪絲。論家世、力量與勇氣,西格爾德在所有征戰的君王之中都最為卓越。雷金告訴他法夫納盤踞黃金的所在,慫恿他前去奪取黃金。接著,雷金打造了名叫格拉姆的劍。這把劍十分鋒利,西格爾德將它伸入流水中,隨水漂來、碰上劍刃的一綹羊毛便被切成兩半。隨後,西格爾德用這把劍將雷金的鐵砧連同底下的木墩一併劈開。
之後,西格爾德與雷金前往格尼塔荒原。西格爾德在法夫納必經的路上挖了一個坑,坐在裡面。法夫納爬向水邊,經過坑洞上方時,西格爾德便用劍刺穿牠,殺死了牠。雷金隨即走來,說西格爾德殺了他的兄弟,提出要他取出法夫納的心臟,放在火上烤,以此和解。雷金則俯身喝了法夫納的血,然後躺下睡覺。
西格爾德烤著心臟,覺得應該烤熟了,便用手指試它有多硬。心臟的汁沫流到手指上,燙傷了他,他便將手指放進嘴裡。心血一碰到舌頭,他就懂得鳥語,聽得懂棲在樹上的鳥兒在說什麼。其中一隻說:
西格爾德坐在那裡,
渾身濺滿鮮血,
將法夫納的心臟
放在火上烘烤;
這位揮霍金環的人,
若吃下那鮮亮的
生命之筋,
我便認為他明智。
另一隻說:
雷金躺在那裡,
心中盤算,
想欺騙那個
信任他的青年;
他滿懷憤怒,
編造邪曲的話語,
這造禍之人
想為兄弟報仇。
西格爾德於是走向雷金,殺死了他,隨後來到自己名叫格拉尼的馬旁,騎馬前往法夫納的巢穴。他取走黃金,綁成馱包,放上格拉尼的背,自己也騎了上去,繼續趕路。現在已經說明,黃金被稱為法夫納的巢穴或居所、格尼塔荒原的金屬,或格拉尼的負荷,背後有什麼故事。
西格爾德繼續騎行,直到在山上找到一座屋舍。裡面睡著一名女子,戴著頭盔,穿著鎖子甲。他拔劍割開她身上的鎖子甲。她醒來後,自稱希爾德。她被稱為布倫希爾德,是一位女武神。
西格爾德騎馬離開,來到一位名叫吉烏基的國王那裡。國王的妻子名叫格里姆希爾德,兩人的孩子是貢納爾、霍格尼、古德倫與古德妮。古托姆則是吉烏基的繼子。西格爾德在那裡住了很長一段時間,後來娶了吉烏基之女古德倫,貢納爾與霍格尼也和西格爾德立誓結為兄弟。
隨後,西格爾德與吉烏基的兒子們前往布德利之子阿特利那裡,為貢納爾向阿特利的妹妹布倫希爾德求婚。她住在欣達爾山上,廳堂四周有烈焰翻騰,而她已立誓,只嫁給敢騎馬穿越烈焰的男子。西格爾德與吉烏基的子孫——他們也被稱為尼伯龍根——騎馬上山,原定由貢納爾騎馬穿越烈焰。他有一匹名叫戈提的馬,但那匹馬不敢躍入火中。西格爾德與貢納爾便交換了容貌與姓名,因為格拉尼除了西格爾德以外,不肯讓任何人騎乘。西格爾德於是躍上格拉尼,騎馬穿越烈焰。
當晚,他與布倫希爾德成婚。兩人上床後,他將格拉姆劍拔出鞘,放在彼此之間。早晨,他起身穿衣時,將洛基從安德瓦利那裡奪來的金環送給布倫希爾德,作為新婚贈禮,並從她手上取下另一枚金環作為紀念。西格爾德隨後躍上馬背,騎回同伴身邊。他與貢納爾換回原本的容貌,帶著布倫希爾德回到吉烏基那裡。西格爾德與古德倫育有兩個孩子,西格蒙德與斯萬希爾德。
有一次,布倫希爾德與古德倫到水邊漂洗頭髮。兩人來到河邊時,布倫希爾德離岸涉入河中,說自己不願讓從古德倫頭髮流下的水碰到自己的頭,因為她嫁的丈夫更加勇敢。古德倫便跟著她走入河中,說自己才有資格在更上游洗頭,因為她嫁的男子,無論貢納爾或世上任何人都比不上他的英勇;他殺死法夫納與雷金,取得了他們兩人的遺產。
布倫希爾德回答:「貢納爾騎馬穿越烈焰,比那更了不起,西格爾德卻不敢。」
古德倫笑著說:「妳以為騎馬穿越烈焰的是貢納爾嗎?我想,與妳同床的,是把這枚金環送給我的那個人。至於妳手上戴著、作為新婚贈禮收下的那枚金環,它叫作安德瓦拉諾特;我想,貢納爾可不曾到格尼塔荒原去取它。」
布倫希爾德於是默不作聲,回家去了。此後,她慫恿貢納爾與霍格尼殺死西格爾德。但因為兩人曾與西格爾德立誓結盟,便慫恿自己的兄弟古托姆去殺他。古托姆趁西格爾德熟睡,用劍刺穿了他。西格爾德受傷後,將格拉姆劍朝他擲去,將他攔腰斬成兩段。西格爾德就此死去,他那名叫西格蒙德、年僅三歲的兒子也被他們殺了。
此後,布倫希爾德以劍自刺,與西格爾德一同火葬。貢納爾與霍格尼則取得了法夫納的遺產與安德瓦拉諾特,並統治諸地。
布德利之子、布倫希爾德的兄弟阿特利國王,娶了西格爾德先前的妻子古德倫,兩人生了孩子。阿特利國王邀貢納爾與霍格尼前來作客,他們便應邀而去。但在離家之前,他們將法夫納遺下的黃金藏入萊茵河;從此,那批黃金再也沒有人找到。阿特利國王事先在當地部署了軍隊,與貢納爾和霍格尼交戰,將兩人擒住。阿特利國王命人趁霍格尼還活著時,剖出他的心臟,霍格尼因此喪命。他又命人將貢納爾丟進蛇坑,但有人暗中交給貢納爾一把豎琴。由於雙手被綁,他便用腳趾彈奏,琴聲使所有的蛇都睡著了,只有一條母蛇例外。牠竄向他,猛咬他的胸骨下端,將頭鑽進胸腔,緊咬著他的肝臟不放,直到他死去。貢納爾與霍格尼被稱為尼伯龍根族和吉烏基族。因此,黃金被稱為尼伯龍根族的寶藏或遺產。
不久之後,古德倫殺了自己的兩個兒子,命人以他們的頭骨製成酒杯,飾以金銀。接著,人們為尼伯龍根族舉行喪宴。宴席上,古德倫命人用那些酒杯斟蜜酒給阿特利國王,酒中摻了兩個男孩的血;她又命人烤熟他們的心臟,給國王吃。事成之後,她親口告訴了他,說了許多惡毒的話。宴席上烈酒不缺,大多數人都坐在原處睡著了。那天夜裡,她與霍格尼的兒子一同走近熟睡的國王,向他下手,將他殺死。接著,兩人放火焚燒大廳,裡面的人全被燒死了。
此後,她來到海邊,跳進海裡,想要自盡,卻被沖過海灣,來到約納克國王的領地。他看見她,便收留她,娶她為妻。他們生了三個兒子,名字是索爾利、哈姆迪爾、埃爾普。他們的頭髮全都黑得像烏鴉,與貢納爾、霍格尼及其他尼伯龍根族人一樣。年輕西格爾德的女兒斯萬希爾德也在那裡長大,是所有女子中最美麗的。
強大的耶爾蒙雷克國王聽說了她,便派兒子蘭德維爾替自己求婚。蘭德維爾來到約納克那裡,斯萬希爾德便被交到他手上,由他帶去交給耶爾蒙雷克國王。這時,比基伯爵說,蘭德維爾與斯萬希爾德都很年輕,由他娶她更為相配,耶爾蒙雷克卻已年老。兩個年輕人都很喜歡這個主意。隨後,比基便將此事告訴國王。耶爾蒙雷克國王於是命人抓住兒子,押往絞架。蘭德維爾便捉起自己的鷹,拔掉牠的羽毛,囑咐人送給父親。接著,他便被絞死了。
耶爾蒙雷克國王看見那隻鷹,想到鷹失去了羽毛,無法飛翔,自己的王國也同樣失去了支撐,因為他年事已高,又沒有兒子。後來,耶爾蒙雷克國王帶著侍從狩獵,騎馬從林中出來,看見斯萬希爾德坐在那裡洗頭髮。他們便縱馬朝她衝去,將她踩死在馬蹄下。
古德倫聽說此事,便激勵兒子們替斯萬希爾德報仇。他們準備啟程時,她給了他們極堅固的鎖子甲與頭盔,鐵器也傷不了。她為他們定下計策:到了耶爾蒙雷克國王那裡,要趁夜間他熟睡時下手,由索爾利與哈姆迪爾砍斷他的手腳,埃爾普則砍下他的頭。
上路後,他們問埃爾普,若是見到耶爾蒙雷克國王,他能幫上什麼忙。他回答,他對他們的幫助,就如同手對腳的幫助。他們說,腳根本不靠手支撐。母親送他們出門時說了許多怨毒的話,使他們十分憤怒,便想做出最令她痛心的事。他們殺了埃爾普,因為母親最疼愛他。不久,索爾利走路時一腳滑倒,便伸手撐住自己。他說:「這下手幫了腳。要是埃爾普還活著就好了。」
他們趁夜來到耶爾蒙雷克國王熟睡的地方,砍斷了他的手腳。他醒了過來,呼喚手下,叫他們醒來。哈姆迪爾說:「要是埃爾普還活著,這下頭也已經砍掉了。」侍從們起身攻打他們,卻無法用武器傷害他們。耶爾蒙雷克於是喊道,要用石頭打他們。眾人照做,索爾利與哈姆迪爾就死在那裡。至此,吉烏基的全族與後裔也都死盡了。因此,鎖子甲被稱為哈姆迪爾與索爾利的衣服或衣袍。
年輕西格爾德死後,留下了一個名叫阿絲勞格的女兒,在赫呂姆谷的海米爾家中養大;許多顯赫的家族都是她的後代。據說,沃爾松之子西格蒙德十分強健,飲下毒液也不受傷害;他的兒子辛菲約特利與西格爾德,皮膚則堅韌得即使毒液沾上裸露的身體,也傷不了他們。因此,詩人布拉基如此吟道:
當古老利特族人的
邀戰者之鉤上,
懸著蜷曲扭動的鰻魚——
沃爾松族飲液之鰻。
大多數詩人都曾根據這些故事作詩,各自取用不同的情節。老布拉基在為毛褲拉格納爾所作的頌詩中,吟詠了索爾利與哈姆迪爾之死。
或是從惡夢之中,
耶爾蒙雷克驚醒,
身旁盡是染血的軍旅,
四下湧起刀劍的洪流;
勞德維王族的
廳堂裡起了騷亂,
當烏鴉般黝黑的埃爾普兄弟,
為悲苦復仇之時。
屍體的露水伴著鮮血,
漫過征戰精靈廳堂的座席;
在那地板上,
斷手與斷腳清晰可辨;
眾人酒杯之主一頭
栽進混著血的酒池——
這景象繪在萊菲諸王疆土的
葉片上。
他們使君王的
廳堂之馬的槽盆遭到包圍,
劍帆的桅杆們
不用鐵釘便立在那裡;
同謀的索爾利
與哈姆迪爾,很快便被
赫爾高特情人的
堅硬石瘤擊倒。
刀刃洪流的驅策者
命人猛攻吉烏基的後裔,
當他們想奪去
鳥之希爾德愛人的性命;
眾人都設法向暗衫樺樹
償還狠厲燦亮的
擊額之創與刀刃之傷,
報復約納克的兒子。
我看見這場死亡,繪在美麗的
戰士圓盾底面。
拉格納爾贈我海王車駕之月,
以及許多故事。
為什麼黃金被稱為弗羅迪的麵粉?這與以下故事有關:奧丁有個兒子,名叫斯基約爾德,斯基約爾德王族便出自他。他居住並統治的地方,如今稱為丹麥,當時卻稱為哥特蘭。斯基約爾德有個兒子,名叫弗里德萊夫,在他之後統治國土。弗里德萊夫的兒子名叫弗羅迪。他繼承父親的王位時,正值奧古斯都皇帝使全世界安享和平。基督也在那時誕生。由於弗羅迪是北方諸國最強大的國王,凡說丹麥語的地方,便都將這和平歸功於他,人們稱之為弗羅迪之和平。即使有人遇上殺父或殺兄弟的仇人,無論對方自由在外或遭到綑綁,也不會加害於他。當時也沒有竊賊或強盜,以至於一只金環放在亞朗格荒原上,長久無人取走。
弗羅迪國王應邀前往瑞典,拜訪一位名叫菲約爾尼爾的國王。他在那裡買下兩名女奴,名叫芬雅與梅妮雅。她們身材高大,力氣強健。當時,丹麥發現了兩塊極大的磨石,無論誰都沒有足夠的力氣推動。然而,這座磨具有一種特性:磨的人說要磨出什麼,它便磨出什麼。這座磨名叫格羅蒂。將磨送給弗羅迪國王的人,名叫亨吉克約夫特。弗羅迪國王命人將女奴帶到磨旁,叫她們磨出黃金。她們便照做,起初為弗羅迪磨出了黃金、和平與幸福。他給她們休息或睡覺的時間,卻只容得下杜鵑停啼的一刻,或唱完一首歌的工夫。據說,她們唱了那些稱為《格羅蒂之歌》的詩句,開頭如下:
如今我們來到
國王的宅邸,
我們兩個能預見未來的女子,
芬雅與梅妮雅;
在弗里德萊夫之子
弗羅迪家中,
這兩個強壯的姑娘
被當作女奴。
歌還沒有唱完,她們便磨出了一支攻打弗羅迪的軍隊。就在那天夜裡,一位名叫米辛的海王來到這裡,殺了弗羅迪,奪得大量戰利品。弗羅迪之和平就此終結。米辛帶走格羅蒂,也帶走芬雅與梅妮雅,叫她們磨鹽。到了半夜,她們問米辛是否還沒厭倦鹽。他叫她們繼續磨。她們又磨了一小會兒,船便沉了下去。從此,那片海中便有了漩渦,海水不斷流入磨眼。海水就是這樣變鹹的。
黃金為何被稱為克拉基的種子?丹麥有一位國王,名叫赫羅爾夫,綽號克拉基。他在古代諸王之中最負盛名,尤其以慷慨、英勇與謙遜著稱。關於他的謙遜,有一件事流傳甚廣:有個年幼貧窮的男孩,名叫沃格。他來到赫羅爾夫王的廳堂。當時國王尚且年輕,身形纖瘦。沃格走到他面前,抬頭望著他。國王便說:「孩子,你這樣看著我,是想說些什麼?」沃格說:「我在家時,聽人說赫萊德拉的赫羅爾夫王是北方諸國最偉大的人物,可如今坐在這高座上的,卻只是一根小木樁,你們竟稱他為國王。」國王回答:「孩子,你替我取了名字,往後我就叫赫羅爾夫·克拉基了。依照慣例,取名時應當附贈禮物。如今我看你沒有什麼合我心意的禮物可送我,作為取名之禮,那就由有能力的人送給另一個人吧。」說罷,他從手上取下一只金環,送給男孩。沃格便說:「願你賜贈之時,比所有國王都更為安康!我在此立誓:誰若殺了你,我必取他的性命。」國王笑著說:「一點小東西,就能讓沃格滿心歡喜。」
關於赫羅爾夫·克拉基的勇武,還流傳著另一件事蹟。當時統治烏普薩拉的國王名叫阿迪爾斯。他娶了赫羅爾夫·克拉基的母親伊爾莎。他與統治挪威、名叫阿利的國王不睦。兩人約定在名叫維尼的湖面冰上交戰。阿迪爾斯國王遣人傳話給他的繼子赫羅爾夫·克拉基,請他出兵相助,答應在出征期間給他的全軍發餉,而國王本人則可以從瑞典任選三件珍寶。赫羅爾夫國王正與薩克森人交戰,無法親往,卻仍派出手下十二名狂戰士前去援助阿迪爾斯。其中有貝德瓦爾·比亞爾基、勇毅的希亞爾蒂、奮勇的赫維特塞爾克、沃特爾、維塞蒂,以及斯維普達格與貝古德兩兄弟。
那場戰役中,阿利國王與大半部眾陣亡。阿迪爾斯國王從他的屍身取走希爾迪斯溫頭盔,又奪了他的坐騎赫拉夫恩。隨後,赫羅爾夫·克拉基的狂戰士要求領取軍餉,每人三磅黃金;此外,他們還要求帶走替赫羅爾夫·克拉基選定的珍寶:希爾迪格爾特頭盔、芬斯雷夫鎖子甲,以及名叫斯維亞格里斯、由阿迪爾斯歷代祖先傳下來的金環。那頭盔與鎖子甲都不受鐵刃所傷。然而國王拒絕交出任何一件珍寶,也不支付軍餉。狂戰士們憤憤不平地離去,將事情的經過告訴赫羅爾夫·克拉基。
他隨即動身前往烏普薩拉。他把船駛入菲里河後,便騎馬前往烏普薩拉,十二名狂戰士也隨他同行,全都未獲安全通行的保證。他的母親伊爾莎迎接他,領他到客舍,沒有帶他去國王的大廳。人們為他們生火,送上啤酒。接著阿迪爾斯國王的人走進來,不斷往火裡添柴,火勢大得燒著了赫羅爾夫一行人的衣服,並說:「赫羅爾夫·克拉基與他的狂戰士,當真既不逃避烈火,也不逃避鐵刃嗎?」赫羅爾夫·克拉基與眾人一齊跳起身來。他說:
讓我們再把火添旺,
燒旺阿迪爾斯的屋舍。
他拿起盾牌,拋進火中,趁盾牌燃燒時躍過火焰,又說:
躍過烈火的人,
並未逃避烈火。
他的部下一個接著一個照做,還抓住那些添火的人,把他們扔進火裡。這時伊爾莎來了,交給赫羅爾夫·克拉基一隻盛滿黃金的獸角,連同斯維亞格里斯金環,叫他們騎馬離去,回到部眾那裡。他們躍上馬背,騎下菲里平原。隨後,他們看見阿迪爾斯國王率領全副武裝的大軍追來,要殺死他們。
赫羅爾夫·克拉基便把右手伸進獸角,抓出黃金,沿路撒得遍地都是。瑞典人看見,便跳下馬鞍,各自撿拾能拿到的黃金;阿迪爾斯國王卻命令他們繼續追趕,自己也策馬疾馳。他的馬名叫斯隆格維爾,是所有馬中最快的一匹。赫羅爾夫·克拉基看見阿迪爾斯國王已追近身後,便取出斯維亞格里斯金環,朝他擲去,叫他收下這份禮物。阿迪爾斯國王騎向金環,用矛尖挑起,讓金環滑到矛頭的套筒上。赫羅爾夫·克拉基回過頭,看見他俯下身去,便說:「如今我已讓瑞典人中最有權勢的那一位,像豬一樣低頭了。」兩人就此分道揚鑣。因此,黃金被稱為克拉基的種子,或菲里平原的種子。
「詩人之剋」艾溫德如此吟道:
戰蔥的烏勒啊,我們曾佩戴,
整個哈康在世的歲月裡,
在鷹隼的山嶺上,
佩戴菲里平原的種子。
正如肖多爾夫所吟:
君王向自己的近衛播撒
伊爾莎之子的穀種,
撒在善識指節者的陡田上,
那是金環翻耕得明亮的田地。
無可指摘的國土之主,
將克拉基的燦亮穀粒,
撒在我這隻鷹棲之臂、
覆土山丘的肉身上。
據說,霍洛加蘭因一位名叫霍爾吉的國王而得名;他是索爾格爾德·霍爾加布魯德的父親。父女兩人都受人祭祀。霍爾吉的墳丘堆成一層黃金或白銀——那是祭獻的財物——再堆一層泥土與石塊,層層相間。
斯庫利·索爾斯坦松如此吟道:
當我在斯沃爾德前,為求財富,
染紅雷夫尼爾屋頂的火炬時,
我便以金環,堆聚起
伴隨軍旅的霍爾吉之墓的覆頂。
古老的《比亞爾基之歌》列舉了許多黃金的稱呼。其中如此說道:
最慷慨的君王,
以芬雅的苦工,
以法夫納的米德加爾特,
以格拉希爾的燦亮葉片,
以格拉尼的華美負載,
以德羅普尼爾的珍貴汗滴,
以格拉夫維特尼爾的羽絨,
厚賜自己的侍從。
慷慨的君王散發財物,
人們伸手領受,
希芙髮根所繫之物,
弓弦之苦的冰霜,
不情願付出的水獺贖金,
瑪爾達爾的淚水,
奧倫的烈火,
伊迪的閃亮言語。
賜予戰鬥者使人歡喜,
我們個個衣飾華美;
他以夏基在集會上的言語,
以萊茵河的赤礦,
以尼伯龍根的爭端,
使眾多部眾歡欣,
那位作戰勇猛的君王。
他絲毫不護惜巴德爾。
在隱喻中,黃金被稱為手、關節或手臂的火,因為它是紅色的;白銀則稱為雪、冰或霜,因為它是白色的。同樣,也應以錢袋、坩堝或熔煉時的泡沫來構成黃金或白銀的隱喻。白銀和黃金都可以稱為手的石頭,或任何慣常佩戴頸飾之人的頸環。頸飾與指環,若未另加說明,都可以是白銀或黃金。
正如俊美的索爾雷克所吟:
君王將坩堝的負載,
擲在臣民明亮的鷹棲之所;
年輕的君主賜下
手臂的烈焰。
又如「碗鳴」埃納爾所吟:
以勇武保土的隆德君王,
毀耗著關節的火焰。
我想,君王的武士們
不會缺少萊茵河的石頭。
埃納爾·斯庫拉松如此吟道:
錢袋海洋的兩岸,
都堆著雪與石上血焰的火;
我有責任頌揚
那位珍寶的仇敵。
他又如此吟道:
每一天,海中烈焰都轟鳴,
而赫提之馬的舷盾之心,
以慷慨支配著
坩堝潔白的雪堆。
鰻魚喧響之路上的烈火,
永遠無法將碗中的雪融盡;
那位軍旅的摧毀者,
施展著一切英勇作為。
這裡,黃金被稱為鰻魚喧響之路的火,白銀則稱為碗中的雪。
「梅里詩人」索爾德如此吟道:
金線的耗損者,
雙手熔岩的欣然散布者,
在守護鐮刀臥處的赫爾莫德身上,
看見一位好父親。
男人被稱為黃金的破壞者,正如「黑色的」奧塔爾所吟:
我需要仰賴那位善士,
那位戰鬥餘燼的破壞者。
屋內這群近衛,
與睿智的君王同在,個個勇毅。
也可稱為黃金的散發者,如「碗鳴」埃納爾所吟:
黃金的散發者讓我享用
伊格蜜酒的流轉;
君王使勇士的軍伍歡喜,
我得以獲享他的厚待。
黃金的拋擲者,如索爾雷克所吟:
黃金的拋擲者以作為,
使君王的侍從忠於自己。
黃金的敵人,如「混合詩人」索爾瓦爾德所吟:
黃金的敵人拋撒
手臂的餘燼,國王賜下赤金;
惡徒的摧毀者散發
格拉尼的負載。
黃金的慷慨施予者,如此處所吟:
我曾獲得一位黃金的慷慨施予者;
這首韻腳讚歌已作成,
歌頌那位戰炬之路的
雹雨烈焰之樹。
女人可以黃金來構成隱喻,稱為黃金的柳樹,正如哈拉爾·斯坦所吟:
維德布林迪野豬的鹹涼田地上,
蘆葦繫帶之路的琥珀拋擲者,
會長久懷念
那株柳樹。
這裡,鯨魚被稱為維德布林迪的野豬。他是個巨人,在外海捕鯨,如同捕魚一般。鯨魚的田地就是海,海的琥珀就是黃金。女人是她所施予之黃金的「柳樹」;「柳樹」的同類名稱是樹,正如先前所寫,女人可用各種陰性的樹名來構成隱喻。她也被稱為所施予之物的「倒木」。森林中倒下的樹也叫作「倒木」。
「蛇舌」貢勞格如此吟道:
那女子生來便使世人爭鬥,
戰爭之樹促成了這一切;
我曾熱切渴望
擁有那株財富的倒木。
女人被稱為森林。哈拉爾·斯坦如此吟道:
我以詩歌的刨鑽,
雕出了啤酒船頭的比爾;
那位美麗的碗之森林,
是我精琢疊句之舟柱頭的作品。
又可稱為木竿,正如斯坦所吟:
纖細的洪流之火的木竿啊,
守護財物的希芙,
你會像其他女子一樣,為自己的福分,
與赫寧族的石頭搏鬥。
又可稱為支柱,奧爾姆·斯坦索爾松如此吟道:
那株峽灣之骨的支柱,
身披極其潔淨的衣裳;
矛尖的弗雷將新製的扣飾,
繫在蜜酒的赫里斯特身上。
又可稱為柱子,如斯坦納爾所吟:
關於那位慷慨的辛,頸飾軟座上的女神,
我的夢全都欺騙了我;
而我面前這株流波之月的靈動支柱,
如今神情安定。
又可稱為樺樹,正如奧爾姆所吟:
因為我在比林之子的
滿杯上,刻下了樺樹的標記,
那是手掌凹處轟鳴之火的樺樹,
如今我將這杯呈上。
又可稱為橡樹,如此處所吟:
衣飾華美的財富之橡樹,
站在我們的遊戲面前。
又可稱為椴樹,如此處所吟:
臨危勇猛的金屬轟鳴之雨的榆樹啊,
你我的勇氣不可衰退;
亞麻布的椴樹,
曾在故土如此吩咐。
正如先前所寫,男人可用樹木來構成隱喻,稱為武器或戰鬥、旅程與行動、船隻,以及一切由他掌管、由他試驗之物的「花楸樹」。
烏爾夫·烏加松如此吟道:
大地之腿那僵硬的繩索,
目光炯炯,在船舷外,
瞪著大地上的軍旅花楸樹,
噴吐毒液。
也可稱為樹木或大樹,如科爾馬克所吟:
在矛槍的喧響中,
殺戮之枝的大樹高出眾人;
利劍為戰鬥之樹西格爾德伯爵,
贏得了土地。
又可稱為樹林,「難纏詩人」哈爾弗雷德如此吟道:
烏勒的梣木之松,
在東方得到強大的倚靠,
那是盾牌之火的強盛驅策之林,
枝頭萌發著白髮。
這裡也提到了松樹。
又可稱為灌木,阿爾諾爾如此吟道:
暮色初臨,勒加人的戰士灌木,
命人將盾牌併攏;
整個秋夜,爭鬥之雲
始終承受著雨點。
又可稱為梣樹,如雷夫爾所吟:
慷慨的騷動之弗雷,
哈爾飛雪的梣樹,
以豐盛的力量,走進
少女綴金的床榻。
又可稱為楓樹,如此處所吟:
「願你安好!」鎖子甲的楓樹,
如此迎接手上冰霜的楓樹。
又可稱為樹,如雷夫爾所吟:
利劍之樹作此決定,
我也決意將一切戰鬥激勵之辭,
獻給戰士之所的威嚇者,
索爾斯坦。
又可稱為木柱,如奧塔爾所吟:
威猛的恐懼之柱,你守住了土地,
在那裡,烏鴉並未挨餓;
你果斷勇毅,對抗兩位君王,
也對抗他們的部眾。
又可稱為荊棘,如阿爾諾爾所吟:
年輕的財富之荊棘,
在雄鷹前堆起沉重的屍堆;
侍從們向雄鷹的餵養者,
展示了陣亡者的高堆。
該如何用代稱說戰鬥?可稱作兵器、盾牌、奧丁、女武神或軍王的風暴,或他們的轟鳴、喧響。霍恩克洛菲如此吟道:
君王向戰士掀起
長矛的暴風;傷口之鵝
在斯科古爾的雷鳴中啄食,
赤紅的創口噴湧鮮血。
埃溫德如此吟道:
那位男子
在哈爾的風暴中,
身披灌木林格里姆尼爾的
灰暗衣衫。
貝爾西如此吟道:
據說,往年
我尚年輕之時,
在赫洛克的飛雪中,
頗合戰火之樹的心意。
埃納爾如此吟道:
勇敢的君王讓希爾德之帆
迎向貢德爾最猛烈的狂風;
亞麻織物迸裂,
弓弦的冰雹紛飛。
埃納爾·斯考拉格拉姆如此吟道:
勝利之樹的衣衫,
雖經仔細察看,也未能在霍格尼的驟雨中,
牢牢庇護哈爾喧戰的
榮譽之樹。
又如此詩所言:
面對矛尖轟鳴的激發者,
他們豎起尖鋒之網的邊索。
還有這首:
貢德爾的喧響中,君王的敵人
倒在鷹爪之下。
兵器與戰具的代稱,應取自戰鬥、奧丁、女武神與軍王;頭盔稱為帽子或頭巾,鎖子甲稱為長衫或襯衣,盾牌稱為帳幕,盾陣則稱為廳堂、屋頂、牆壁或地板。盾牌也以戰船為依歸,稱為船的太陽、月亮、葉片、光輝或圍牆。盾牌又稱為烏勒的船,或以赫朗格尼爾的雙腳為依歸,因為他曾站在盾牌上。古時的盾牌常畫有一道邊圈,稱作環,盾牌也以這道環為代稱。劈砍的兵器,如斧或劍,稱為血或傷口的火。劍稱為奧丁的火;斧則取女巨人的名稱,再繫以血、傷口、森林或樹木。刺擊的兵器,適宜以蛇或魚為代稱。投射的兵器,常以冰雹、飛雪或暴雨為代稱。這些代稱都有多種變化,因為需要這類代稱的作品,多半是頌詩。維加格盧姆如此吟道:
軍隊不願戴著
懸神的帽子走向山坡前;
在他們看來,
冒險並不可喜。
埃納爾·斯考拉格拉姆如此吟道:
裹著頭盔巾、奮勇的西格瓦爾迪,
與敢戰的布伊一同邀戰;
布伊曾從南方
投入岡恩的喧響。
羅迪的長衫,如廷德所吟:
當時,鎖甲之樹不得不拋下
懸者綴環的鏗鏘長衫;
羅迪路途上的騎乘之馬,
被剝去了鎧甲。
哈姆迪爾的襯衣,如哈爾弗雷德所吟:
埃吉爾兵器的鳴響冰雹,
在外頭猛烈擊打哈姆迪爾的襯衣,
浪獸的英勇之樹身上,
響起絕不微弱的爆裂聲。
索爾利的衣裳,仍如他所吟:
我清楚聽聞,從那裡起,
戰士們明亮的索爾利衣裳,
在傷口之火的銼屑驟雨中,
便染上了鮮血。
〔赫洛克的帳幕〕,如格雷蒂爾所吟:
舉起赫洛克帳幕的人,
讓希爾德之牆的尖角相接;
風暴中的尼約德們,
彼此砍向鬍鬚。
羅迪的屋頂,如埃納爾所吟:
羅迪屋頂的雨,在奧德爾床伴的
雙眼前不曾止息;
願那位君王活到老年,
願他獲得堅硬的冰塊。
希爾德之牆,如格雷蒂爾所吟,前面已經寫過。船的太陽,如埃納爾所吟:
奧拉夫的宗族在海上,
將船之太陽的火焰染紅。
船舷的月亮,如雷夫所吟:
那一天真美,拋擲臂上火焰的人,
將美麗的船舷月亮
推上我臂環的
懸掛路徑。
船的圍牆,如此詩所言:
長矛喧聲的增強者,
將覆石的船首圍牆直刺穿透;
那面圍牆狂猛好戰,
卻如樺樹皮一般。
烏勒的梣木舟,如索約德爾夫所吟:
烏勒之船的狂風
全力席捲君王,
那裡釘合的桅杆,
裹著劍鞘的布帆,來回擺動。
赫朗格尼爾腳底的葉片,如布拉基所吟:
赫拉芬凱蒂爾,你可願聽,
我要如何讚頌君王,
以及斯魯德竊賊那腳底的葉片,
其上鮮明敷著顏料?
詩人布拉基論盾上的環,吟道:
除非那位顯赫的西古德之子,
想以少女之輪的佳美酬禮,
報答霍格尼;那輪響亮,
輪轂呈環形。
他將盾牌稱為希爾德之輪,將環稱為輪轂。環之大地,如哈爾瓦爾德所吟:
君王看見矛尖隊伍的環之大地,
四周彎曲,閃著紅光,
飛裂成兩半;
白色的盾牌迸碎。
又有如此吟唱:
環最配盾牌,
箭最配弓。
劍是奧丁的火,如科爾馬克所吟:
當那個發動戰鬥的人,
格里德之馬的餵養者,持著鳴響的
高特之火前行,戰火便高漲;
烏爾德走出了井泉。
頭盔的火,如烏爾夫·烏加松所吟:
山嶺那力大無窮的希爾德,
使海上的斯雷普尼爾向前踏行;
赫羅夫特的頭盔之火們,
卻將她的坐騎擊倒。
鎖子甲的火,如格盧姆·蓋拉松所吟:
那時,大地的守護者,
讓磨刀石磨薄的鎖甲鳴火呼嘯;
他在眾人面前護衛自己,
奮不顧命。
盾緣的冰與盾牌的禍害,如埃納爾所吟:
我從正直的君王手中,
領得紅盾之冰,灑著
芙蕾雅眼瞼的融水;
我們手持頭盔的禍害。
斧稱為盾牌的女巨人,如埃納爾所吟:
雷菲爾大地坐騎的騎乘者,
可以清楚看見,那些雕刻精美的龍,
如何躺在頭盔格里德的
眼瞼旁。
矛稱為蛇,如雷夫所吟:
我的盾板紋飾之暗龍,
在眾人相逢之處,
能在人的掌上,
狂猛而傲然地嬉戲。
箭稱為弓、弦、盾牌或戰鬥的冰雹,如埃納爾·斯考拉格拉姆所吟:
劍之轟鳴的勒格尼爾,
從赫洛克的帆中猛抖出弓的冰雹;
那不憐憫狼群的人,
英勇保住了性命。
哈爾弗雷德也吟道:
在弓弦的冰雹下,
矛之羅塔飛禽的戰具,
雖嵌著鐵,也未能庇護
懸者的飢餓消除者。
埃溫德·斯考爾達斯皮利爾也吟道:
霍達人的國土守護者,據說,
當鎖甲的冰雹在傷口中碎裂,
榆木弓彎曲之時,
你幾乎不曾意志消沉。
戰鬥稱為赫寧族的風暴或暴雪,兵器則稱為赫寧族的火或枝條,其中有一段故事。一位名叫霍格尼的國王有個女兒,名叫希爾德。她被一位名叫赫定、希亞蘭迪之子的國王擄去。當時霍格尼國王前去參加諸王的集會。當他得知自己的國土遭到劫掠、女兒也被帶走,便率領部眾去尋找赫定,並探聽到他沿著海岸向北而去。霍格尼國王來到挪威時,又聽說赫定已向西航越大海。於是霍格尼揚帆追趕,一直追到奧克尼群島;他抵達一處名叫霍伊島的地方時,赫定與他的部眾已在那裡。
希爾德於是去見父親,代表赫定獻上項鍊求和,但另一方面又說,赫定已準備好迎戰,霍格尼別指望他手下留情。霍格尼冷淡地回答女兒。她回到赫定那裡時,便告訴他霍格尼不肯和解,叫他準備作戰。雙方就這樣登上島嶼,將部眾排成戰陣。
赫定隨即向他的岳父霍格尼喊話,提出和解,並願以大量黃金賠償。霍格尼回答:「你若想和解,這番提議來得太遲了。我如今已拔出矮人打造的達因斯雷夫;它每次出鞘都必須奪人性命,揮砍從不落空,被它劃出的傷口永遠無法癒合。」
赫定說:「你誇的是劍,卻不是勝利。我認為,凡是忠於主人的劍,都是好劍。」
他們於是展開那場稱為赫寧族之戰的戰鬥,整整打了一天;到了傍晚,兩位國王回到船上。希爾德卻在夜裡走到陣亡者之間,以巫術喚起所有死者。第二天,兩位國王又走上戰場交戰,前一天陣亡的人也全都一同參戰。這場戰鬥就這樣日復一日地持續下去;所有倒下的人,以及留在戰場上的一切兵器與盾牌,都化為石頭。但天一亮,所有死者便起身再戰,兵器也全都恢復可用。詩中說,赫寧族將如此等待諸神黃昏的到來。詩人布拉基依照這段故事,在獻給毛褲拉格納爾的頌詩中作了詩。
戰鬥是奧丁的風暴,前文已有記載。維加-格盧姆如此吟道:
往昔我如諸位伯爵,
以維德里爾風暴之枝的樹幹,
為自己闢得土地;
此事曾傳為話談。
這裡以維德里爾的風暴稱戰鬥,以戰鬥之枝稱劍,以劍的樹幹稱人。這裡同時以戰鬥與兵器構成人的代稱。這樣作詩,稱為延展代稱。盾牌是兵器的土地;若以新創的意象作詩,兵器就是那片土地上的冰雹或雨水。
該如何用代稱說船?可稱為海王、海洋、船具或風的馬、獸或滑雪板。波浪之馬,如霍恩克洛菲所吟:
年紀尚幼、意志堅決的摧毀者,
當盛時之巔,
命人將蒼白的波浪之馬,
以船首推入海中。
蓋蒂爾之馬,埃林加斯坦如此吟道:
縱使所有人都向詩人
述說南方的戰事,
我們仍欣然奮力,
將這匹蓋蒂爾之馬裝滿石頭。
斯韋迪的馴鹿:
斯韋恩之子,勇於求勝者,
你駕著長舷的斯韋迪馴鹿,
踏上索爾西長凳的道路;
海峽的群獸離岸而行。
哈爾瓦爾德如此吟道。這裡也將船稱為海峽的獸,將海稱為索爾西的長凳。索爾德·夏雷克松如此吟道:
他讓太陽之板的駿馬,自北方
疾馳過錫格亞之前。
陣風將吉爾菲路途的歡騰之物,
吹送到奧馬爾以南。
隨後,海鳥路徑的駿馬,
將卡爾姆特與阿格迪爾都置於船尾;
蔥之馬,
涉過利斯蒂之前。
這裡將船稱為太陽之板的馬,將海稱為吉爾菲的土地;海鳥的路徑是海,馬是船,此外又稱為蔥之馬。桅杆稱為蔥。又如馬庫斯所吟:
海峽的冬行者奮力涉過
峽灣之蛇的積雪。
鯨魚居所的長牙熊,
躍過桅頂的峰巒。
熊沿著洪流上
海之滑雪板的古道前進。
不畏驟雨的船架之熊,
扯斷礁石的鳴響枷鎖。
這裡將船稱為海峽的熊。熊又稱冬行者、長牙熊與熊,這裡也稱為船架的熊。船也稱為馴鹿,如哈爾瓦爾德所吟,前面已經寫過;又稱為鹿,如西格爾德之子哈拉爾德王所吟:
船舷在西西里前廣泛劃行,
當時我們意氣昂揚。
草場之鹿載著勇士,奮力前進,
駛向美好的希望。
又稱為麋鹿,如埃納爾所吟:
臂環的驅散者,我們備妥洪流的麋鹿;
親愛的人,除非能有些所得,
否則,勇士無法
長久與你相伴。
水獺,如瑪尼所吟:
兩頰灰白、垂頭喪氣的老漢,
你的力氣已漸衰弱,
與勇士一同在海上水獺中,
你還能做些什麼?
狼,如雷夫所吟:
耗散財寶的索爾斯坦聽了;
我忠於滾木之狼的樹,
願向他述說
磨石之杖的戰事。
也稱為公牛。船稱為滑雪板、車或車乘。埃約爾夫·達達斯考爾德如此吟道:
白晝已很遲時,年輕人
乘著梅蒂爾的滑雪板,
與相當的兵力出海,
迎擊外海漁場的顯赫領主。
斯蒂爾卡爾·奧達松如此吟道:
洪流之火的顯赫驅散者既逝,
霍格尼的軍隊便憤然
乘著滾木之車,
駛上海蒂的積雪。
又如索爾比約恩所吟:
海上車乘的裝載者,
那位財寶的散施者,
曾在洗禮之泉中,
獲得白色基督至高的恩福。
該如何以譬稱稱呼基督?可以稱他為天地、天使與太陽的創造者,世界、天國與天使的統御者,諸天、太陽、天使、耶路撒冷、約旦河與希臘之王,使徒與聖徒的主宰。古代詩人曾以烏爾德之泉與羅馬來譬稱他,如埃利夫·古德倫納松所吟:
據說他坐在岩座上,
在南方烏爾德之泉旁;
羅馬眾神的強王如此
以土地擴展了自己的威權。
斯卡夫蒂·索羅德松如此吟道:
修士之主的力量
最為強大,神能成就萬事。
大能的基督創造並建起
羅馬的殿堂——整個世界。
諸天之王,如馬庫斯所吟:
君王創造大地、風暴殿堂的諸天,
也創造忠誠的軍旅;
唯有一位君主,世人的基督,
能夠統御一切。
埃利夫·庫爾納斯韋恩如此吟道:
世間行旅與眾人之群
俯首於天穹的神聖十字架。
太陽之王獨一無二,確實
比其他一切榮光更加純淨。
瑪利亞之子,仍如埃利夫所吟:
天上的侍從俯首
於瑪利亞之子、榮耀的磨石;
眾人的君王施展威能,
他是真正的人,也是真正的神。
天使之王,仍如埃利夫所吟:
神之友的可貴力量,
比人們所能想像的更為卓越。
然而慷慨的天使之王
比萬物更加神聖、更加榮耀。
約旦河之王,如西格瓦特所吟:
從前,約旦河之王
命四位天使從空中降下;
他神聖的髮絲卻由
瀑布在首領頭上洗濯。
希臘人之王,如阿爾諾爾所吟:
我為戰士的施惠祈禱,
向希臘人與加爾達的
英明守護者祈求。
我如此報答君王的贈禮。
埃利夫·庫爾納斯韋恩如此吟道:
諸天的榮光讚頌眾人的君主,
他是一切之王。
他在這裡先稱基督為眾人之王,第二次則稱他為一切之王。埃納爾·斯庫拉松又吟道:
守護世上人民的那一位,
以慈悲的光輝,為英明的君王
敞開了天國,
他懷抱整個世界。
這些譬稱在此相互重疊,解讀詩歌的人必須依據上下文,分辨詩中說的是哪一位王。因為將君士坦丁堡的皇帝稱為希臘人之王是恰當的;將統治耶路撒冷之地的王稱為耶路撒冷之王,也同樣恰當;羅馬城的皇帝也可以稱為羅馬之王,而統治英格蘭的人則可以稱為英格蘭人之王。不過,前面所寫、將基督稱為眾人之王的譬稱,任何國王都可以使用。
所有國王都可以如此譬稱:稱他們為土地的統治者、土地的守護者、土地的征服者、侍從的統領,或百姓的守護者。埃溫德·斯卡爾達斯皮利爾如此吟道:
貨載之提爾的
性命,
大地的統治者們
在奧格洛伊奪去。
格盧姆·蓋拉松也如此吟道:
君王在哥特人身上,將盔甲之下
磨石的谷地染紅。
在長矛的喧聲中,
大地的守護者被尋見。
如肖多爾夫所吟:
高貴而心懷喜悅的侍從統領,
願他將自己的遺產
與祖傳的土地留給兒子們,
這是我的心願。
如埃納爾所吟:
百姓的守護者,心志英明,
在英勇的髮之山上戴著蛇的頭巾;
詩人在眾人面前,頌說
霍達蘭國王的功業。
對於麾下有納貢諸王的國王,也可以恰當地稱他為諸王之王。皇帝在諸王之中地位最高,其次是統治一國的國王;在詩歌的一切譬稱中,這些國王彼此相等。
其次是稱為雅爾或納貢之王的人。他們在譬稱中與國王相等,但納貢之王不可稱為一國之王。雅爾的詩人阿爾諾爾便曾如此歌詠索爾芬雅爾:
願眾人聽聞,這位
果決的雅爾之王如何進攻。
面對那位令人畏懼、勢不可擋的君王,
他從不畏縮退讓。
在詩歌譬稱中,其次是稱為地方首領的人。他們可以像國王或雅爾一樣譬稱,稱為黃金的折斷者、財富的慷慨施予者、持旗者、軍旅的統領,或稱他為軍隊或戰鬥的領袖。因為每一位統治多個國家的國王,都會任命納貢之王與雅爾,與自己共同治理土地,在遠離國王的地方,依國法裁決,保衛土地免遭戰亂;那些地方的判決與刑罰,應當與國王親自施行的一樣公正。
而一國之中又有許多地方,國王的慣例,是任命執法者,統管他所授予的若干地區。他們在丹麥語中稱為地方首領或受封領地者,在薩克森稱為伯爵,在英格蘭稱為男爵。他們也應當在交付自己治理的領域內,擔任公正的法官與忠實的土地守護者。如果國王不在附近,戰鬥時便應在他們面前舉旗;這時,他們便是與國王或雅爾具有同等權限的軍隊統帥。
其次是稱為豪農的人。他們是家世良好、享有完整權利的農人。可以如此譬稱他們:稱他們為財物的施予者、守護者,以及眾人的調停者。這些譬稱也可以用於首領。
國王與雅爾身邊的隨從,稱為侍從與家臣;受封領地者也有向自己宣誓效忠的人。在丹麥與瑞典,這些人稱為侍從,在挪威則稱為家臣;然而,他們所立的誓言,也和侍從向國王所立的一樣。古時,國王的家臣往往稱為侍從。索爾瓦爾德·布倫杜斯卡爾德如此吟道:
善戰的國王啊,願你安好,
也願你英勇的家臣安好;
人們口中傳誦我的詩篇,
那是為讚頌而作的。
哈拉爾德·西格爾德松國王作了這首詩:
君王寶座的全副兵力,
正等待家臣軍隊
緊隨雅爾而來;
我常覺得,來的比預期更少。
首領的侍從與家臣,可以如此譬稱:稱他們為內廷侍眾、扈從,或受賞者。西格瓦特如此吟道:
我聽說,君王的扈從
近來在水上作戰;
我算那些矛尖的風暴,
絕非最小的戰鬥。
他又如此吟道:
當時可不像少女
在君王的纜繩之馬上,
於金屬的問候之前,
為這些受賞者奉上蜜酒。
首領所給的薪俸與贈禮,稱為賞賜。黑色奧塔爾如此吟道:
我需要仰賴那位
戰火折斷者的恩惠。
英明君王身旁的內廷侍眾,
個個勇氣充沛。
雅爾、地方首領與侍從,也可以如此譬稱:稱為國王的密友、談伴或同席者。哈爾弗雷德如此吟道:
國王的密友善於征戰,
喜愛勇猛,怒火易燃,
使以鎚敲打的霍格尼衣袍
在自己身上鏗鏘作響。
如斯奈比約恩所吟:
鋼鐵諸王的談伴,
讓舵索將船舷
緊緊抵住鴿鳥之馬
堅硬的閉合之劍。
阿爾諾爾如此吟道:
我的年幼兒子們,
顯然開始承受
這位善戰君王同席者
深重的苦難。
國王的交談者,如哈爾弗雷德所吟:
事情終於議定,後來,
那位謀略英明的國王談伴,
娶得奧納爾唯一的女兒,
她身上生長著林木。
人也應當依家世來譬稱,如科爾馬克所吟:
哈拉爾德真正考驗者之子,請聽
我的希爾沼澤之牙的
酵沫萊茵河;我慷慨地
將它呈給詩人們。
他稱雅爾為國王的真正考驗者,而哈康雅爾則是西格爾德雅爾之子。肖多爾夫如此歌詠哈拉爾德:
奧拉夫的父親,使
鐵刃的風暴增長;
每一項英勇事蹟,
都值得讚頌。
他又如此吟道:
雅里茨萊夫看見,
君王展現何等風采。
那位神聖君王的兄弟,
昂然向前挺進。
他又吟道:
那位超越眾人的勇士
已然逝去,
他出身鷹棲之座的家族,
是哈拉爾德的姪兒。
阿爾諾爾又在《勒格恩瓦爾德頌》中如此吟道:
海蒂的後裔,軍旅所需之人,
決意與我結為姻親。
因此,與雅爾的姻親之誼,
為我大增榮耀。
他又如此歌詠索爾芬雅爾:
薄刃的劍在馬恩島南方咬噬,
古老的勒格恩瓦爾德之子,
就在那裡,盾牌之下,
強大的軍旅遭到重創。
他又吟道:
願神使無比強大的草皮埃納爾
那位高貴的家族榮耀遠離災厄;
我為親愛而忠誠的君王
祈求慈悲。
埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆又吟道:
使戰禍加劇的家族支柱,
不會比戰齒王的宗族
更為慷慨;
我有義務守持讚歌。
什麼是詩歌中不使用譬稱的表達?就是以每一件事物本來的名稱稱呼它。詩歌有哪些不帶譬稱的名稱?它稱為詩、頌歌、歌詠、讚辭、讚歌。
老布拉基在深夜駕車穿過一座森林時,吟了以下這首詩。當時,一名女巨怪向他吟誦,問經過的是誰:
他們稱我為巨怪,
居所劫掠者的月亮,
巨人的財富吸吮者,
風暴太陽的災禍,
女先知的親善伴侶,
墳墓大地的守護者,
吞噬天輪者。
不是這些,又有什麼是巨怪?
他如此回答:
他們稱我為詩人,
維杜爾的心意工匠,
高特贈禮的尋獲者,
不吝辭句的歌者,
伊格的啤酒奉持者,
詩歌的創造之靈,
詩藝的巧匠。
不是這些,又有什麼是詩人?
又如科爾馬克所吟:
我為西格爾德著名的兒子
再作更多頌歌;
我以神之海的榮譽酬報他。
索爾坐在戰車上。
又如索爾德·科爾貝恩松所吟:
那位盾牌之楓,慷慨地酬賞讚歌,
使許多長船、貨船
與戰艦在浪濤上轟鳴;
詩人的歌詠日益增長。
讚辭,如烏爾夫·烏加松所吟:
河流就在那裡注入海中;先前,
我已將更多讚辭作成;
我如此獻上劍雨勇士的讚歌,
以及眾人的頌揚。
在這裡,詩歌被稱為讚歌。
眾神有哪些名稱?他們稱為繫縛者,如功業詩人埃約爾夫所吟:
埃里克慷慨地以長矛下注,
依眾神的意願,將土地納入
自己治下,並發起戰鬥。
也稱為束縛者,如赫溫的肖多爾夫所吟:
那頭詭詐的馴鹿,在骨頭之間,
很難讓諸神分取。
戴著頭盔的眾神增智者
問是什麼造成這件事。
也稱為威能者,如埃納爾·斯卡拉格拉姆所吟:
我吟唱,眾神以強大的助力,
增強哈康的權勢。
也稱為耶誕諸神,如埃溫德所吟:
我們又一次得以釀成
耶誕諸神的宴飲,
君主的讚歌,
猶如石砌的橋樑。
也稱為神祇,如科爾馬克所吟:
土地的獲得者,以額帶
增益神祇之峽灣的施予者;
那額帶繫住
挺直的桅杆。伊格向琳德施展巫術。
這些天空的名稱已記錄在此,但我們並未在詩中找到所有這些名稱。我認為,這些詩歌用語如同其他用語一樣,詩人不宜用於詩中,除非先在大詩人的作品裡找到這類名稱。
天空:赫呂爾尼爾、海德索爾尼爾、風暴密米爾、長闊者、光行者、飄灑者、高穹者、廣抱者、維特密米爾、閃光、覆蓋者、廣藍者。
太陽:蘇娜、日輪、長耀者、全明者、顯明者、美輪、仁光、德瓦林的玩物、精靈之輪、疑輪、米林。
月亮:瑪尼、新月、殘月、數年者、穆林、芬加里、微光者、疾行者、斜視者、光輝者。
大地有哪些名稱?她稱作「大地」,如索德約爾夫所吟:
伯爵,矛尖驟雨的激發者,
常使鎖環的嚴酷風暴興起,
而後才將大地
征服於自己腳下。
「原野」,如奧塔爾所吟:
戰陣的巴德爾守衛原野,
鮮有君王能如此;
奧拉夫使鷹歡喜,
瑞典人的君王勇武過人。
「地面」,如哈爾弗雷德所吟:
寬廣的地面為毒冷的蛇纏繞,
伏在島嶼束帶之路的樹下;
磨石之地的霍德爾,
耗散了寶藏。
「沃土」,如埃納爾所吟:
勇士持劍奮力捍衛
輝煌諸王的沃土;
頭盔常在狂暴的
鋒刃驟雪前崩裂。
「土地」,如索爾德·科爾班松所吟:
戰後,從北方的維加,
戰亂中難以措辭,
土地向南直到阿格德爾,
甚至更遠,都歸於他的統治。
「國土」,如奧塔爾所吟:
你守住國土,那裡烏鴉不曾挨餓,
你果敢善謀,
凶猛的恐怖之杖啊,你率領戰士,
抵擋了兩位君王。
「赫洛丁」,如沃盧·斯坦所吟:
我記得,黝黑的大地,
昔日為青翠赫洛丁骨骸之達恩
言語的散布者,
張開了掘出的嘴。
「陸地」,如烏爾夫·烏加松所吟:
大地的僵硬繩索,
越過船舷,目光灼亮,
瞪著大地之骨的陸地軍眾的試煉者,
噴吐毒液。
「菲約爾金」,如此處所吟:
我忠於菲約爾金之鰻
鳴響臥床的慷慨施贈者;
願榮耀也歸於河流之砧的
埃爾迪爾言語的風暴。
狼是一種野獸。可以用血或屍體來構成牠的代稱,稱之為牠的食物或飲料。其他野獸不宜如此稱呼。狼也稱為「烏爾夫」,正如席約多爾夫所吟:
格里的盛宴
已備得豐盛;
西格爾德之子自北方而來,
引森林中的狼來啜飲傷口。
這裡也稱牠為格里。也稱弗雷基,正如埃吉爾所吟:
當矛尖的浪濤湧起,
弗雷基撕裂傷口,
烏鴉在頭顱的船首上
啄食不休。
也稱「維特尼爾」,正如埃納爾所吟:
冰冷如毒的河流,
被滾熱的傷口浪潮染紅。
維特尼爾的溫暖飲料隨水
流入卡爾姆特的項鍊。
也稱「母狼」,正如阿爾諾爾所吟:
母狼凶惡的族裔
吞下大量死者;
青綠的海洋混入鮮血,
竟成了一片赤紅。
也稱「瓦爾格」,正如伊盧吉所吟:
我的君主驅敵潰逃時,
狼心大悅;
毀散項鍊者以劍刺穿許多
森林中的暗色鱒魚。
狼還有以下稱謂,正如哈爾所吟:
荒原客的飢餓已解,
灰色嗥叫者飽享傷口;
君王染紅了芬里爾的嘴,
狼前往創傷之中飲血。
又如索爾德所吟:
巨女的馬群涉血前行,
巨人的群獸吃足了弗雷基的麥穗;
嗥叫者飽飲格里的酒,
蓋爾普的馬群立在血泊裡。
熊稱為「闊步者」、「幼熊」、「越冬者」、「貝爾西」、「弗雷斯」、「怒齒者」、「伊夫永」、「格盧姆」、「咆哮者」、「瘦腹者」、「母熊」、「約雷克」、「里蒂」、「貪食者」、「布洛姆」、「喧鬧者」。鹿稱為「迎面染紅者」、「達拉爾」、「達爾」、「達因」、「德瓦林」、「杜內爾」、「杜拉索爾」。
《索爾格里姆名錄詩》列出以下馬名:
赫拉芬與斯雷普尼爾,
皆為名駒,
瓦爾與雷特費蒂,
其中還有提亞爾達里,
古爾托普與哥蒂,
我也聽人提過索蒂,
還有莫爾、隆格與馬爾。
維格與斯圖夫
和斯凱瓦德在一起。
布拉克能馱載勇士,
還有西爾夫托普與西尼爾;
我也聽人提過法克,
古爾法克西與約爾同在諸神之中。
有匹馬名叫布洛杜格霍菲,
據說牠馱載著
強大的阿特里迪;
還有吉斯爾與法爾霍夫尼爾,
格勒爾與斯凱德布里米爾,
其中也提到了吉利爾。
《卡爾夫之歌》又列出以下馬名:
達格騎德羅斯爾,
德瓦林騎莫德尼,
希亞爾姆騎哈費蒂,
哈基騎法克;
貝利的殺戮者騎著
布洛杜格霍菲,
哈丁族的君主
則騎斯凱瓦德。
維斯泰恩騎瓦爾,
維菲爾騎斯圖夫,
梅恩席約夫騎莫爾,
摩爾金騎瓦克爾,
阿利騎赫拉芬,
眾人騎馬踏上冰面;
另一匹灰馬
則在東邊,
馱著阿迪爾斯轉身,
身受矛傷。
比約恩騎布拉克,
比亞爾騎凱爾特,
阿特利騎格勞姆,
阿迪爾斯騎斯隆格維,
霍格尼騎霍爾克維,
哈拉爾德騎弗爾克維,
貢納爾騎哥蒂,
格拉尼則馱著西格爾德。
阿爾瓦克與阿爾斯維德拉著太陽,如前文所述。赫里姆法克西或菲約爾斯瓦特尼爾拉著諾特。斯金法克西或格拉德伴隨達格。
《索爾格里姆名錄詩》收有以下公牛名:
那些老公牛的名字,
我已詳加探聞:
勞德與海菲,
雷金與希爾,
希敏赫里約德與阿普利,
阿爾夫與阿爾富尼。
以下是蛇的稱謂:龍、法夫納、耶夢加得、納德爾、尼德霍格、林恩爾、納德拉、哥因、莫因、格拉夫維特尼爾、灰背、奧夫尼爾、斯瓦夫尼爾、格里姆。
牛:母牛、牛犢、公牛、小母牛、一歲牛、種公牛、雄牛。
羊:公綿羊、種公羊、母羊、羔羊、閹公羊。
豬:母豬、小母豬、種公豬、野公豬、小豬。
天空與風有哪些稱謂?天空稱為金倫加裂隙、中間世界、飛鳥世界、風的世界。風稱為暴風、順風、狂風、寒風、勁風、風。《阿爾斯維恩之歌》如此說道:
人間稱它為風,
諸神稱它為飄遊者,
至高神祇稱它為嘶鳴者,
巨人稱它為呼嘯者,
精靈稱它為轟然疾行者,
在赫爾境內,它稱為喧響者。
風也稱為陣風。
有兩種鳥,無須另用其他方式譬稱,只要把血或屍體稱為牠們的飲料或食物即可。那就是烏鴉和鷹。其他一切語法上屬陽性的鳥名,都可用血或屍體來構成譬稱,這時所指的就是鷹或烏鴉,如索德約爾夫所吟:
君王以鷹的大麥
使血松雞歡喜。
霍達人的君王,將高特的鐮刀
揮向血天鵝的莊稼。
屍鷲之海的鷹的餵養者,
命隨從以矛尖
標出南方每一處淺灘,
那些都須由他守護。
烏鴉有這些名稱:鴉、福金、穆寧、勇心者、晨飛者、計歲者、報肉者。「響秤」埃納爾如此吟道:
召集軍眾者使慣居山間的
烏鴉飽食;兵刃鏗鏘,
烏鴉吃著母狼的獵物,
填飽了肚腹。
埃納爾·斯庫拉松如此吟道:
尊貴的戰鷗滋養者,
能揮使珍貴的閃光之日的獵犬;
福金載荷的災星,
使自己的憂苦消散。
他又如此吟道:
戰鬥中,眾人俯身退縮,
君王的心卻充滿勇氣,昂然鼓動;
青黑的穆寧,
從傷口飲血。
如「戰士」格盧姆所吟:
當我們渴望血項鍊女神的喧響,
持盾站在沙洲上,
勇心者便得到
鮮血淋漓的生肉。
如斯庫利·索爾斯坦松所吟:
白角的赫洛克不會看見我
落在百人隊伍的最後,
在那裡,我把慘痛的傷口
獻給晨飛者。
鷹有這些名稱:鷹、老者、斬風者、激勵者、欺誑者、撕傷者、尖啼者。如埃納爾所吟:
他以鮮血染紅了
雅恩薩克莎那匹黝黑駿馬的口鬚;
鐵器備下鷹的食物,
鷹撕扯格里的餌食。
如奧塔爾所吟:
鷹飲著屍體的汁液,
母狼得到一頓餐食;
狼屢屢染紅雙顎,
鷹在那裡得到食物。
如索德約爾夫所吟:
女子之狼帶著喧響,
飛向故事的講述者,
披著老者的古老羽衣,
那是在很久以前。
又如此處所吟:
我要精心釀製
斬風者雙手的崇高蜜酒。
又如斯庫利所吟:
我從前與此後總醒著,
那時我善養尖啼者憂苦之海的鷹;
詩人於是仔細聆聽
那位良伴的話語。
海有哪些名稱?它稱作:滄海、埃吉爾、吉米爾、赫勒爾、汪洋、海道、水域、鹹海、海水、浩海。如阿爾諾爾所吟,前面也已寫過:
眾人請聽,性情果決的
伯爵之王如何駛向大海。
不屈的君王奮力
抵擋埃吉爾,從未力竭。
這裡用了「大海」,也用了「埃吉爾」。「滄海」,如霍恩克洛菲所吟:
當那殺人甚多、海齒之路
聖所的對抗者,
為顯威名,把諾克維的船首之蛇
逐向外面的滄海。
這裡也用了「海水」。埃納爾如此吟道:
海水沖洗船身,明亮的
風向標鏗鏘作響;浪濤洗刷洪流的馬群,
大海在船隻兩側
轟然拍擊。
這裡也稱作「洪流」。雷夫如此吟道,前面也已寫過:
吉米爾那濕冷的女先知,
在波浪碎裂之處,
常把繩纜盤繞的熊
送進埃吉爾的巨口。
「汪洋」,如哈爾瓦爾德所吟:
劍帶之冰的揮舞者啊,你讓
強健駿馬的船首,
向西指向汪洋,
那環繞一切陸地的束帶。
「海道」,如此處所吟:
我們已離開芬人滑行的國土,
駛入海道;
從船隻的行路向東望,
我見群山在日光中閃耀。
「水域」,如埃吉爾所吟:
我越過水域向西行,
而我載著維德里爾
心岸的滄海,
我的行程便是如此。
「滄海」,如埃納爾所吟:
冰冷的滄海在慷慨君王腳下,
連日沖洗烏黑的船木;
暴雪捲動的榆弓之悲,
掘開馬恩的束帶。
「鹹海」,如阿爾諾爾所吟:
勇健的國王乘著結霜的船殼,
從東方劃開鹹海;
暗色風暴將巴拉浪焰的削減者,
推向西格圖納。
「浩海」,如博爾維爾克所吟:
次年,你從美麗的國土徵集艦隊,
海水漫過船隻;
你乘華麗的浪濤駿馬,
劃開浩海。
這裡也把海稱作「浪濤」。「廣海」,如雷夫所吟:
支架的駿馬以胸膛迎向
船板之家,船首將它劃開;
船木承受苦難,廣海卻
被拋過堅硬的船舷。
「幽海」,如「焚屋」尼亞爾所吟:
女子啊,我們十六人一同
在四處槳位舀水,浪濤卻愈長愈高;
幽海飛濺,
打上海船的船殼。
這些也都是海的名稱,可以適當地用來構成船或黃金的譬稱。據說蘭是埃吉爾的妻子,如此處所吟:
海上的餘燼迸向天空,
大海以猛烈之勢翻騰;
我想船首劃破了雲朵,
蘭的道路衝撞月亮。
埃吉爾和蘭有九個女兒,她們的名字前面已寫過:希明格蕾娃、杜法、布洛杜格哈達、赫芙林、烏德爾、赫倫、比爾嘉、德勒芬、科爾嘉。埃納爾·斯庫拉松在這一詩節中列舉了她們六個名字:
希明格蕾娃猛烈激起
大海的呼嘯,直撲勇士。
[希明格蕾娃、烏德爾、杜法、布洛杜格哈達、科爾嘉、赫芙林]。
「赫倫」,如瓦爾加爾德所吟:
泡沫鋪在海的臥床上,
鼓脹的汪洋戲弄黃金;
湧浪洗刷著
戰船猙獰的頭顱。
「比爾嘉」,如「黑」奧塔爾所吟:
你們以刨平的舵劃開
高聳的波濤;女子們紡織的帆,
在滑木馴鹿上,
貼著桅頂飛舞。
「德勒芬」,如奧爾姆所吟:
照料麥芽磨臼之鷹的斯魯德,
具備一切美德;
浪沫之焰的洛芬忠於友誼,
摒除一切過失。
「波浪」,如「俊美的」索爾雷克所吟:
大海呼嘯,波浪將
明亮的泡沫帶過紅色船木;
灰色的滑木野牛,在那裡
張開飾金的嘴。
「近岸海水」,如埃納爾所吟:
我想,我們那勇毅的朋友,
先前未曾尋得近岸海面的平靜,
那裡大海以滔天之勢,
撲打我們的船木。
「滿潮」,如雷夫所吟:
滿潮的群山傾落在帆索之熊上;
格拉米雪橇的冬熊,
此刻正向前奔騰,
沿著古西爾群牛的跑道。
「碎浪」,如此處所吟:
碎浪驟然撲在我身上。
大海邀我同歸它的家。
我沒有接受海的邀請。
「拍岸浪」,如奧塔爾所吟:
船板破裂,拍岸浪呼嘯,
船木的毀滅愈來愈劇烈;
眾人遭遇猛烈風暴,
海面上方的薄板斷碎。
「海波」,如布拉基所吟:
海波之風的派遣者,不願
與狂怒的埃吉爾交鋒;
他曾在索爾面前,割斷
海鷗之地的纖細繫帶。
「海峽」,如埃納爾所吟:
我以船板劃開海峽,
行經赫倫德以南;
我的手得了裝飾,
當我見到慷慨的君王。
「峽灣」,如埃納爾所吟:
接著,我看見一條蛇,
精巧刻在酵液的華美衣衫上;
願峽灣之火的施贈者明白,
我如何以這番話回報他。
「海流」,如馬爾庫斯所吟:
我絕不以詩辱罵,
毀壞詩歌的人何其惡劣,
那多言的海流之日的揮散者,
鞘鰻之神啊。
火有哪些名稱?例如這裡所說的:
這火燃燒,可不罕見,
勇武的君王焚燒聚落;
屋舍在君王面前吐出濃煙,
那是馬格努斯點燃的火。
「火焰」,如瓦爾加爾德所吟:
火焰迅疾地從煙灰中噴出,
席捲屋舍,隨後煙柱
挺立不散,
狂猛的火焰迸射紅炭。
「柴火」,例如這裡所說的:
哈基在柴火上焚身,
就在浪濤之路奔流之處。
「餘燼」,如格拉尼所吟:
我想,他們撒下了格拉米道路的餘燼;
君王便如此施火。
「熾焰」,如阿特利所吟:
斧刃染紅,熾焰高漲,
無數廳堂烈火熊熊;
屋舍燃燒,烈焰肆虐,
良善的人們倒在血泊中。
這裡也把火稱作「烈焰」。「煙焰」,例如這裡所說的:
君王的居所燃燒起來,
我想,是火摧毀了廳堂;
煙焰向軍隊撒下霜灰,
那是尼德河畔尚未落成的宮室。
「焰火」,如阿爾諾爾所吟:
對付勞馬人,他毫不留情,
那盛怒的島丹人摧折者;
海納人的威嚇消散了,
焰火使他們沉寂。
「烈火」,如埃納爾所吟:
烈火迅速燃起,
希辛島的軍隊
急忙逃竄,
他們吃了敗仗。
「明焰」,如瓦爾加爾德所吟:
明亮的火焰四處飛舞,
維京人猛烈地攻破
強大君王的城防,
將悲傷拋給少女。
「火光」,如「饒舌者」哈爾多爾所吟:
你們在那裡得以分取他們的珍寶,
你從不曾失去勝利;盾牌的
火光掠過那些居所,
而你們分取財物。
以下是時日的名稱:世代、往昔、一生、很久以前、年、半年、冬、夏、春、秋、月、週、日、夜、早晨、傍晚、晚間、清早、早早、遲暮、那時、前一天、最近、昨天、明天、片刻、時辰。
《阿爾斯溫之歌》還列出夜晚的這些名稱:
在人間稱為夜,
在眾神間稱為幽暗,
大能的神祇稱之為面紗,
巨人稱之為無憂,
精靈稱之為安眠之樂,
矮人稱之為夢之女神。
從晝夜平分之日起,到太陽落在午後三時的方位之時,是秋季。此後到晝夜平分之日,是冬季。此後到搬遷日,是春季。此後到晝夜平分之日,是夏季。
冬季前一個月稱為秋月;冬季第一個月稱為屠宰月,接著是霜月,再來是公羊月,接著是索里月,再來是戈伊月,再來是獨月,再來是杜鵑月與播種時節,再來是產卵時節與羊欄時節,再來是太陽月與夏牧場月,再來是割草忙季,再來是收穀月。
稱呼人的非借代名稱有哪些?每個人本身都稱為「人」;人的第一等、最高貴的稱號,是稱一個人為皇帝,其次是國王,再其次是伯爵。這三種人共同享有以下所有名稱。
「全權者」,如下詩所述:
我知東方與南方所有
船舶座上的全權者;
斯韋恩之子經得起考驗,
勝過每一位君王。
這裡也用了「君王」這個名稱。他稱為全權者,是因為他獨掌全國的權柄。
「列陣者」,如吉祖爾所作:
列陣者在戰陣中使女巨人的駿馬
與赫拉克的天鵝歡喜;
奧拉夫在斯科古爾的風暴中餵養
欣悅的伊格之雁。
國王被稱為列陣者,是因為他將軍隊編成戰陣。
「引導者」,如黑奧塔爾所作:
引導者在東方確實取得
戰鬥之弗雷心愛的妻子;
全權者從世人的愛妻那裡
獲得美好的生活。
「哈里」或「赫拉」,如阿爾諾爾所作:
君主在設得蘭每一場
刀劍的雷霆中都贏得勝利;
詩人願頌揚君王的榮耀,
他在勇士之中最為崇高。
伯爵稱為「統軍者」,國王也如此稱呼,因為他率領軍隊出戰。如索多爾夫所作:
統軍者的摧折者命人
剜出那俘虜的雙眼;
我傳揚他的美名;
他催逼墳丘中的奔馳者。
「西尼奧爾」或「塞尼奧爾」,如西格瓦特所作:
挪威的君主,如今請讓貧苦者
與富足者同享你的法律,
慷慨施予,
恪守諾言。
「慷慨者」,如馬爾庫斯所作:
慷慨者用火掃過敵國,
那些人當時注定一死。
盜賊的壓制者啊,你在南方約姆
燃起了沖天的火光。
「顯赫者」,如哈爾瓦德所作:
在大地的穹頂之下,沒有
比你更親近修士之主的顯赫者;
大地統治者的背信者
正庇護著丹麥人。
「領土驅策者」,如索多爾夫所作:
無可指摘的領土驅策者
揮灑克拉基明亮的穀粒。
如前文所錄。他如此得名,是因為他驅使軍隊穿越其他國王的領土,或將敵軍逐出自己的國土。
有位國王名叫老哈夫丹,是所有國王中最負盛名的一位。他在仲冬舉行盛大的祭典,獻祭祈求自己能在王位上活三百年。然而他得到的答覆是:他只能享有常人漫長的一生,但此後三百年間,他的家族不會出現女人,也不會出現沒有爵位的男子。他是位偉大的戰士,曾遍歷東方各地,在那裡於決鬥中殺死一位名叫西格特呂格的國王。後來,他娶了人稱「智者」的阿爾維格,她是霍爾姆加爾德國王埃蒙德的女兒。他們育有十八個兒子,每次生下九個。他們的名字如下:第一個是滕吉爾,人稱「眾人之君」滕吉爾;第二個是雷西爾;第三個是格拉姆;第四個是吉爾菲;第五個是希爾米爾;第六個是約弗爾;第七個是提吉;第八個是斯基利,又名斯庫利;第九個是哈里,又名赫拉。這九兄弟戰功如此顯赫,此後所有記述都把他們的名字當作尊稱,與國王或伯爵的稱號相同。他們沒有子女,且全都戰死沙場。
「黑膚者」奧塔爾如此吟道:
君王年少之時,
便已勇力充沛,奮勇善戰。
我祈求他長保性命,
我認他為人中之尊。
馬庫斯如此吟道:
君王讓萊茵河之日,自染紅的頭顱上
照耀海上山巒。
埃吉爾如此吟道:
君王已將大地的
環圍山岩向上推開。
埃溫德如此吟道:
他與民眾嬉遊,
本該保衛國土;
那歡欣的君王,
頭戴金盔而立。
格盧姆·蓋拉松如此吟道:
君王頭戴戰盔,將磨石之谷
染上哥特人的鮮血。
「黑膚者」奧塔爾如此吟道:
願君王聆聽開篇,
國王的讚譽必將增長;
願他正確領會我頌歌的格律,
那是獻給他的詩篇。
如斯圖夫所吟:
受榮耀激勵的君王,
雙手揮斬敵軍;
軍士欣然持盾前進,
就在南方尼茲河外。
哈爾弗雷德如此吟道:
我已與君王分離,
是戰亂造成這般景況。
盼望人主歸來的心何其深,
卻讓多數人徒然自欺。
馬庫斯如此吟道:
我以珍貴的頌歌,召請丹麥國土上
那心如鷹隼的君王。
哈夫丹夫婦還有另外九個兒子,名字如下:希爾迪爾,希爾丁家族由他而出;第二個是內菲爾,尼伯龍根家族由他而出;第三個是奧迪,奧德林家族由他而出;第四個是英格維,英格林王朝由他而出;第五個是達格,達格林家族由他而出;第六個是布拉基,布拉格寧家族由他而出,這就是「慷慨者」哈夫丹的家族。第七個是布德利,布德倫家族由他而出,阿特利與布倫希爾德便出自布德倫家族。第八個是洛夫迪,他是位偉大的征戰之王,追隨他的軍隊稱為洛夫達人,他的族人則稱為洛夫敦家族。埃利米也出自這一家族,他是「法夫納的殺戮者」西格爾德的外祖父。第九個是西加爾,西克林家族由他而出;這是沃爾松的姻親西格蓋爾所屬的家族,也是吊死哈格巴德的西加爾所屬的家族。
「紅鬚者」哈拉爾出自希爾丁家族,他是「黑膚者」哈夫丹的外祖父。吉烏基出自尼伯龍根家族,基亞爾出自奧德林家族,「善言者」埃里克出自伊爾芬家族。以下也是著名的王族:由英格維傳下的英格林王朝,由丹麥的斯基約爾德傳下的斯基約爾敦家族,以及由法蘭克地區的沃爾松傳下、稱為沃爾松家族的一支。有位征戰之王名叫斯凱爾菲爾,他的家族稱為斯基爾芬家族,這一族居於東方。剛才所列舉的這些家族名稱,人們在詩歌中全都用作尊稱。
如埃納爾所吟:
我聽說,在島旁,
君王們上前召開灰色的
長矛之會;綠色的椴木盾
裂成兩半。
如格拉尼所吟:
達格林君王讓鷹的幼雛
飲下丹麥人的鮮血。
如「格奈瓦德的詩人」加姆利所吟:
年輕的奧德林君王,趁著年少,
便投入釘舟之舌
與盾牌的交談,
奮力施展劍柄間的激辯。
如約倫所吟:
布拉格寧君王使兵刃
染上惡民的鮮血;眾人承受王怒,
屋舍屢屢在熾焰前傾倒,
武器盡染殷紅。
埃納爾如此吟道:
布德倫君王的劍咬噬,
鮮血滴落長矛。
[希爾德的雲朵
在惠特比裂開。]
阿爾諾爾如此吟道:
西克林王族的後裔,讓長船
習於在外海傾斜。
他用鮮血染遍戰船內部,
這對烏鴉是樁美事。
如休多爾夫所吟:
勇武的西克林君王就這樣
結束了一生,使我們全都
陷入困境;那受頌揚的洛夫敦君王
遭逢了性命的毀滅。
稱作洛夫達人的軍隊追隨洛夫迪國王。如阿爾諾爾所吟:
君王啊,陽光之下,永遠不會再誕生
另一位比你更尊貴的斯基約爾敦君王。
「沃爾松」,如「鎚之詩人」索爾凱爾所吟:
他命人送給我,
越過清冷的海洋,
那沃爾松家族的後裔,
一件飾金的兵器。
「英格林王朝」,如「黑膚者」奧塔爾所吟:
在你之前,大地的東方
不曾有如此迅猛善戰的
英格林王朝君王,能自西方
將諸島盡納治下。
「英格維」也是國王的稱號,如馬庫斯所吟:
世人將聽聞埃里克的讚歌,
在這世上,無人知道更卓越的君王;
英格維長享聲名,
穩坐諸王之位。
「斯基爾芬」,如瓦爾加爾德所吟:
斯基爾芬君王統率大軍,
長船在遼闊的國土外顫動;
最終,南方的
西西里島遭到蹂躪。
「西尼約爾」,如西格瓦特所吟,也就是前面所記的:
如今讓可憐的人蒙受挪威的恩澤,
並且慷慨施予。
詩人稱為「格雷帕爾」,在詩中,只要願意,也可以這樣稱呼任何人。追隨哈爾夫國王的人稱為「雷卡爾」;由於他們的名稱,戰士也稱為雷卡爾,而且可以用來稱呼所有人。如前文所述,詩中也以「洛夫達爾」稱人。追隨那位人稱慷慨的斯卡蒂的國王者,稱為「斯卡特納爾」。由於他的名字,每個慷慨的人都稱為「斯卡蒂」。追隨老布拉基國王的人,稱為「布拉格納爾」。裁斷人間訴訟的人,稱為「維爾達爾」。守衛國土的人稱為「菲爾達爾」、「菲拉爾」或「維拉爾」。「維京人」與「弗洛特納爾」,指的是船隊的軍兵。「貝馬爾」,是追隨貝穆尼國王者的名稱。隊伍的首領稱為「古姆納爾」或「古馬爾」,正如婚禮中的新郎稱為「古米」。
「哥特納爾」得名於一位名叫哥提的國王,哥特蘭也以他命名。他的名字取自奧丁的名號,由「高特」一名衍生而來,因為高特蘭或哥特蘭是依奧丁之名而稱呼的,瑞典則依斯維杜爾之名而稱呼。那也是奧丁的名號。在那時,他所有的大陸領土統稱為雷德哥特蘭,所有島嶼則統稱為島哥特蘭。如今那裡稱為丹麥王國與瑞典王國。
尚未成家立業、仍在積累財富或聲名的年輕人,稱為「德倫吉爾」;往來各國者稱為遠行德倫吉爾,侍奉君主者稱為國王的德倫吉爾,侍奉富人或農莊主者,也稱為德倫吉爾。勇健而日益有成的人,稱為德倫吉爾。「塞吉爾」、「克尼亞爾」與「利達爾」,指的是隨從。「塞格納爾」與「霍爾達爾」,是農莊主的稱呼。奔走調解人間紛爭的人,稱為「利奧納爾」。
有些人被如此稱呼:鬥士、勇士、猛士、才俊、勇健之人、剛毅之人、超群之人、英雄。與這些名稱相對的,是稱人為怯弱者、軟弱者、無用者、窩囊廢、柔弱漢、廢物、膽小鬼、懦夫、孱弱者、不中用者、可鄙者、卑劣者、卑賤者、畏縮者、呆子、遲鈍者、無能之人、可憐蟲、賤物、苦命人。
慷慨的人稱為施惠者、顯貴者、豪傑、眾人中的豪傑、贈金的豪傑、人中之尊、富足者、享福者、財富堆積者、富人、首領。與此相對,則如此稱呼:吝嗇鬼、守財奴、斤斤計較者、寒酸者、貪財小人、吝於施予者。
智者稱為謀策之主。愚笨的人也稱為傻瓜、蠢貨、莽夫、受騙者、粗人、呆子、笨蛋、愚人、瘋子、狂人、癲狂者。
講究儀表的人稱為華服者、俊士、光鮮之人、矜持之人、修飾之人。也有邋遢漢、粗鄙漢、笨重漢、岔腿漢、浪蕩漢、懶漢、牛棚漢、懈怠漢、拖沓漢等稱呼。
國中的人民稱為「利德」或「利奧德」。奴隸也稱為「凱夫西爾」、僕役、勞作者、「西爾」。
每個獨自的人,稱為一人;
若有兩人,便稱一雙;
若有三人,便稱一聚;
四人便是同行之伴;
五人稱為一夥;
若有六人,便稱一隊;
七人湊成一班;
八人便達受責之數;
九人稱為伙伴;
若有十人,便稱一群;
十一人便是使團;
稱為一打,
若有十二人同行;
十三人是一眾;
十四人是一旅;
稱為聚會,
當十五人相逢;
十六人是一營;
十七人是一集;
敵人已夠多了,
對那遇上十八人的人而言;
有了一班同伴,
若有人擁有十九人;
二十人便是一部。
三十人是一族;
四十人是一群民眾;
五十人是一陣;
六十人是一會;
七十人是一列戰士;
八十人是一方人民;
一百人便是一軍。
還有一些稱謂,人們將它們置於人名之前。我們稱之為關係稱謂、實義稱謂或別稱。所謂關係稱謂,就是以另一事物的本名稱呼它,再將所要稱呼的人說成那事物的所有者,或稱他為所提及之人的父親、祖父;第三種稱呼是先祖。還有兒子、嗣子、承嗣者、孩子、幼兒、男兒、繼承人等稱謂。還有兄弟、血親、同胞、手足、連肝之親等稱謂。還有後裔、姪輩、族親、子嗣、子弟、親屬、血脈之幹、苗裔、宗族之柱、家族之幹、血脈之枝、宗族之條、子孫、後代、宗族主幹、分枝等稱謂。還有姻親、婚親、聯姻之人等稱謂。還有朋友、共議者、獻策者、談伴、知己、交談者、世人的同座者、至交、座友、同席之伴等稱謂。同座者,就是共用半個划槳座位的伙伴。還有敵人、仇敵、對手、敵手、摧毀者、加害者、殺害者、逼迫者、覆滅者、凌虐者等稱謂。
我們稱這些為關係稱謂;若以某人自有名稱的莊園、船隻,或有專名的產業來稱呼他,也是一樣。我們所謂的實義稱謂,是稱某人為智者、深思之人、言辭明智者、善謀之人、慷慨施財者、不懈之人、謹慎之人、儀表堂皇之人。這些都是別稱。
以下是詩藝中不加隱喻的女性稱謂:已許配給男人的女子,稱為妻子、新娘、婦人。極講究排場與妝飾的女子,稱為貴婦、淑女。言辭機敏的,稱為慧女。文靜的,稱為佳人;高傲的,稱為傲婦、驕女。心性剛毅的女人,稱為女傑。最有權勢的,稱為女主。羞怯的,稱為羞女,如年輕少女或膽怯的女人。丈夫已出國的女人,稱為獨守之婦。丈夫遭殺害的女人,稱為遺婦。丈夫病逝的,稱為寡婦。每個女人起初都稱為少女,年老後則稱為老婦。還有一些貶斥女人的稱謂,雖未寫在這裡,卻可在詩歌中找到。
共事一夫的女人,稱為情敵。兒子的妻子,稱為媳婦。丈夫的母親,稱為婆婆。還有母親、祖母,第三代稱為曾祖母。娘,也是母親的稱呼。還有女兒、孩子、幼兒等稱謂。還有姊妹、女神、幼女神等稱謂。女人也稱為丈夫的床伴、談伴、知己,這便是關係稱謂。
人身上有稱為頭的部位。應如此以隱喻稱呼它:頸項的勞苦或重負,頭盔、帽子、腦髓、頭髮、眉毛、頭皮、耳朵、眼睛、嘴巴的土地。也可稱為海姆達爾之劍;任取一個劍的稱謂,再與海姆達爾的任何一個名字相連,都是正確的。頭不加隱喻的稱謂有頭顱、腦、鬢側、頭頂。
眼睛稱為視覺、目光、凝視、敏銳的察看者。可以如此以隱喻稱呼它們:睫毛、眉毛、眼瞼、前額的太陽、月亮、盾牌、玻璃、寶石或石頭。耳朵稱為聽器、聽覺。應如此以隱喻稱呼它們:聽覺的土地,或其他任何大地的稱謂;若是新創隱喻,也可稱為聽覺的嘴、通道、視覺或眼睛。
應如此以隱喻稱呼嘴巴:舌頭、牙齒、言語、上顎、嘴唇或諸如此類事物的土地或房屋。若是新創隱喻,人們便把嘴巴稱為船,嘴唇稱為船舷,舌頭稱為槳或舵。牙齒有時稱為言語、嘴巴或舌頭的碎石或礁岩。舌頭常稱為言語之劍或嘴中之劍。
鬍鬚又稱鬚髯;長在嘴唇上的,稱為髭或唇鬚。頭髮稱為髮絲,女人的頭髮稱為長髮。髮綹也是頭髮的稱呼。頭髮可如此以隱喻稱呼:將它稱為森林,或任取一個樹木的稱謂,與頭顱、腦或頭相連;鬍鬚則與下巴、臉頰或咽喉相連。
心臟又稱心腑。應如此以隱喻稱呼它:穀粒、石頭、蘋果、堅果、球或類似的東西,再與胸膛或心意相連;也可稱為心意的房屋、土地或山岩。胸膛應如此以隱喻稱呼:心臟、氣息或肝臟的房屋、庭院或船,精力、心意與記憶的土地。
心意又稱心思、情思、愛、戀慕、意願、渴望。應如此以隱喻稱呼心意:女巨人之風;任取一位女巨人的名字都是正確的,也可提及巨人,或以某位巨人的妻子、母親、女兒來指稱她。
心意又稱心情、好感、精力、勇氣、熱忱、記憶、才智、性情、心性、忠誠。心意也稱憤怒、敵意、怨恨、殘酷、惡念、悲痛、哀傷、惡性、暴躁、虛偽、背信、意志薄弱、輕浮、放肆、心腸冷硬、狂暴。
手可稱為手掌、手臂、掌、爪。手上各部位的名稱有肘、上臂、腕關節、關節、手指、虎口、手腕、指甲、指尖、手緣、甲下嫩肉。手可稱為武器或盾牌的土地,肩膀、衣袖、掌心與手腕的樹木,金環、隼、鷹以及鷹的一切異稱的土地;在新創隱喻中,也可稱為肩膀之腳、迫弓者。
腳可稱為腳底、腳背、腳踝或諸如此類部位的樹木,道路、行走、步伐的奔行之矛。腳可稱為這些事物的樹木或支柱。也可用滑雪板、鞋子、褲子來構成腳的隱喻。腳上各部位的名稱有大腿、膝蓋、小腿肚、腿骨、小腿、腳背、腳外緣、腳底、腳趾。這一切都可用來構成腳的隱喻,稱它為這些事物的樹木;腳也稱為桅杆與帆桁,再與這些事物相連。
言語又稱詞語、措辭、口才、談說、敘事、嘲罵、爭辯、歌唱、咒唱、吟誦、閒談、顫聲、喧鬧、絮談、尖聲叫嚷、歡鬧、口角、嘲弄、爭吵、饒舌、誇耀、閒話、胡言、鄉音、空話、喋喋不休。又稱嗓音、聲響、聲調、共鳴、呼嘯、尖叫、轟鳴、鏗鏘、巨響、咆哮、爆裂聲、掠響、揮動聲、動靜。
才智稱為智慧、謀略、理解、記憶、思量、思慮、計算之術、遠見、機智、言辭中的智慧、卓識。又稱暗中盤算、詭計、奸謀、背信之計。
「læti」有兩種意思。「læti」可以指聲音,也可以指舉止,而舉止也可指壞脾氣。「reiði」也有兩種意思:人心懷怒氣,稱為「reiði」;船隻或馬匹出行所用的裝備,也稱為「reiði」。「far」也有兩種意思:「fár」是憤怒,「far」是船。人們常用這類詞語寫含意隱晦的詩,這往往稱為「過於明白」。
人身上骨頭相接的地方,人們稱為「lið」;船稱為「lið」;人群稱為「lið」;一個人給另一個人的幫助,也稱為「lið」;「líð」則是啤酒。圍牆上的門稱為「hlið」,人們也把公牛稱為「hlið」,而「hlíð」則是斜坡。
在詩藝中,可以如此運用這些不同詞義,造成「過於明白」:若要採用的詞義,與前面詩行原先看似指向的詞義不同,便會難以理解。還有許多其他稱謂也是如此,由多種事物共用同一個名稱。