Grímnismál
Note: For this
poem I am including translations of names in the notes. For the verses
consisting mostly or entirely of lists of names, I have marked the verse with
an asterisk (*) and appended a second version with translated names at the end.
My translations of many of the names draw on those of Ursula Dronke, Olive
Bray, and Jean Young, to a lesser extent Guðbrandur Vigfússon.
Frá sonum Hrauðungs
konungs.
Hrauðungr
konungr átti tvá sonu. Hét annarr Agnarr, en annarr Geirröðr. Agnarr var tíu
vetra, en Geirröðr átta vetra. Þeir reru tveir á báti með dorgar sínar at
smáfiski. Vindr rak þá í haf út. Í náttmyrkri brutu þeir við land ok gengu upp,
fundu kotbónda einn. Þar váru þeir um vetrinn. Kerling fóstraði Agnar, en karl
fóstraði Geirröð ok kenndi honum ráð. At vári fekk karl þeim skip.
En er þau kerling leiddu þá til strandar, þá mælti karl einmæli
við Geirröð.
Þeir fengu byr ok kómu til stöðva föður síns. Geirröðr var fram í
skipi. Hann hljóp upp á land, en hratt út skipinu ok mælti: "Farðu nú, þar
er smyl hafi þik."
Skipit rak í haf út, en Geirröðr gekk upp til bæjar. Honum var þar
vel fagnat, en faðir hans þá andaðr. Var þá Geirröðr til konungs tekinn ok varð
maðr ágætr.
Óðinn ok Frigg sátu í Hliðskjálfu ok sáu um heima alla. Óðinn
mælti: "Sér þú Agnar, fóstra þinn, hvar hann elr börn við gýgi í hellinum,
en Geirröðr, fóstri
Óðinn segir, at þat er in mesta lygi. Þau veðja um þetta mál.
Frigg sendi eskimey sína Fullu til Geirröðar. Hon bað konung varast, at eigi
fyrirgerði honum fjölkunnigr maðr, sá er þar var kominn í land, ok sagði þat
mark á, at engi hundr var svá ólmr, at á hann mundi hlaupa.
En þat var inn mesti hégómi, at Geirröðr konungr væri eigi
matgóðr, ok þó lætr hann handtaka þann mann, er eigi vildu hundar á ráða. Sá
var í feldi blám ok nefndist Grímnir og sagði ekki fleira frá sér, þótt hann
væri at spurðr. Konungr lét hann pína til sagna ok setja milli
Geirröðr konungr átti þá son tíu vetra gamlan, ok hét Agnarr eftir
bróður hans. Agnarr gekk at Grímni ok gaf honum horn fullt at drekka ok sagði,
at faðir hans gerði illa, er hann píndi þenna mann saklausan. Grímnir drakk af.
Þá var eldrinn svá kominn, at feldrinn brann af Grímni. Hann kvað:
Of the sons of King
Hrauðungr
King Hrauðungr had two sons. One was called Agnarr and the other Geirrǫðr. Agnarr was ten years old, and Geirrǫðr was eight. They both went out in a boat with their tackle, to catch small fish. Then the wind swept them out to sea. In the darkness of night they were wrecked on the shore, went ashore, [and] found a cottager. They overwintered there. The woman fostered Agnar, and the man fostered Geirrǫð and gave him advice. In the spring the man got them a ship.
But when the woman took them to the beach, the man spoke to Geirrǫð alone.
They caught
a fair wind and came to their father's harbour. Geirrǫðr was at the fore
of the ship. He jumped ashore, and pushed off the ship, saying: "Now go
where the Devil will have you".
The ship swept out to sea, but
Geirrǫðr walked up to the settlement. He was welcomed, and his father
[had] then died. Geirrǫðr was then made king and became a well known man.
Óðinn and Frigg were sitting in Hliðskjálf and looking over all the worlds. Óðinn said: "Do you see Agnar, your foster son, how he is siring children on an ogress in a cave, and Geirrǫðr, my foster son, is a king and now rules a country?" Frigg said: "He is such a niðing with his food that he starves his guests if he thinks too many have come to visit."
Óðinn said that that was the hugest lie. They made a bet on it. Frigg sent her wish-maid Fulla to Geirrǫð. She bade the king beware that a sorceror who had entered that country did not undo him, and told them a sign: that no dog was so fierce that it would attack him.
But that was the hugest falsehood,(1) that King Geirrǫðr was not generous with his food, and nonetheless he ordered the man to be seized whom dogs would not set upon. He was in a blue cloak and gave his name as Grímnir and did not say any more, although he was questioned. The king ordered him to be tortured until he spoke and to be put between two fires, and he stayed there for eight nights.
Then King Geirrǫðr had a ten-year-old son, and he was called Agnarr after his brother. Agnarr went to Grímnir and gave him a full horn to drink and said that his father was doing wrong to torture the man without reason. Grímnir drank. And the fire had come so close that Grímnir's cloak was on fire. He said:
1. 1.
Heitr ertu, hripuðr, Hot you are, fire,
ok heldr til mikill; and far too big;
göngumk firr, funi! get away from me, flame!
loði sviðnar, The fur cloak is getting singed,
þótt ek á loft berak; though I hold it up;
brennumk feldr fyr. despite this my cloak is burning.
2. 2.
Átta nætr sat ek For eight nights I sat
milli
svá at mér manngi and no one
mat né bauð offered me food
nema einn Agnarr, except Agnarr alone,
er einn skal ráða, who alone shall rule,
Geirröðar sonr, Geirrǫð's son,
Gotna landi. in the land of the Goths.
3. 3.
Heill skaltu, Agnarr, You will prosper, Agnar,
alls þik heilan biðr for you are bid hail
Veratýr vera; by Veratýr;(2)
eins drykkjar for one drink
þú skalt aldrigi you will never
betri gjöld geta. get a better reward.
4. 4.
Land er heilagt, The land is hallowed
er ek liggja sé that I see lying
ásum ok alfum nær; near to the Æsir and Álfar;
en í Þrúðheimi but in Þrúðheim(3)
skal Þórr vera Thor shall remain
unz of rjúfask regin. until the regin are destroyed.
5. 5.
Ýdalir heita, Ýdalir(4) it is called
þar er Ullr hefir where Ullr has
sér of görva sali; made himself halls;
Alfheim Frey to Frey Alfheim
gáfu í árdaga the tívar as a tooth-gift
tívar at tannféi. gave in days of yore.
6. 6.
Bær er sá inn þriði, There is a third dwelling,
er blíð regin of which the blithe regin
silfri þökðu sali; thatched the halls with silver;
Valaskjalf heitir, Valaskjalfr(5) it is called,
er vélti sér which he created for himself,
áss í árdaga. the áss, in days of yore.
7.
Sökkvabekkr heitir inn fjórði, Sǫkkvabekkr(6) is the name of the
fourth,
en þar svalar knegu and there the cold waves
unnir yfir glymja; can din overhead;
þar þau Óðinn ok Sága there the two, Óðinn and Saga,
drekka um alla daga drink all day
glöð ór gullnum kerum. gladly from gold goblets.
8. 8.
Glaðsheimr heitir inn fimmti, Glaðsheimr(7) is the name of the fifth,
þars in gullbjarta where the gold-bright
Valhöll víð of þrumir; wide Valhǫll(8) stands rooted;
en þar Hroftr kýss and where Hroptr(9) chooses
hverjan dag every day
vápndauða vera. weapon-dead men.
9. 9.
Mjök er auðkennt, It is very easy to recognise,
þeim er til Óðins koma for those who come
salkynni at séa; to see the fellowship of Óðin's hall;
sköftum er rann reft, the abode is raftered with shafts,
skjöldum er salr þakiðr, the hall is roofed with shields,
brynjum um bekki strát. the benches strewn about with
byrnies.
10. 10.
Mjök er auðkennt, It is very easy to recognise,
þeir er til Óðins koma for those who come
salkynni at séa: to see the fellowship of Óðin's hall:
vargr hangir a wolf hangs
fyr vestan dyrr, before the west door
ok drúpir örn yfir. and an eagle bends over it.
11. 11.
Þrymheimr heitir inn sétti, Þrymheimr(10) is the name of the sixth,
er Þjazi bjó, where Þjázi lived,
sá inn ámáttki jötunn; the formidable(11) jǫtunn;
en nú Skaði byggvir, and now Skaði lives,
skír brúðr goða, shining bride of the gods,
fornar tóftir föður. on her father's old home-site.
12. 12.
Breiðablik eru in sjaundu, Breiðablik are(12) the seventh,
en þar Baldr hefir and there Baldr
sér of gerva sali, made himself halls,
á því landi, in that land
er ek liggja veit where I know there lie
fæsta feiknstafi. the fewest tokens of ill.
13. 13.
Himinbjörg eru in áttu, Himinbjǫrg(13) are the eighth,
en þar Heimdall and there Heimdall
kveða valda véum; is said to rule the vés;
þar vörðr goða there the watchman of the gods
drekkr í væru ranni drinks in a comfortable(14) abode,
glaðr inn góða mjöð. glad, the good mead.
14. 14.
Fólkvangr er inn níundi, Fólkvangr(15) is the ninth,
en þar Freyja ræðr and there Freyja governs
sessa kostum í sal; the choice of seats in the hall;
halfan val half of the slain
hon kýss hverjan dag, she chooses every day,
en halfan Óðinn á. and half Óðinn has.
15. 15.
Glitnir er inn tíundi, Glitnir(16) is the tenth,
hann er gulli studdr it is studded with gold
ok silfri þakðr it sama; and furthermore roofed with silver;
en þar Forseti and there Forseti
byggir flestan dag dwells all day(17)
ok svæfir allar sakir. and calms all disputes.
16. 16.
Nóatún eru in elliftu, Nóatún(18) are the eleventh,
en þar Njörðr hefir, and there Njǫrðr has
sér of görva sali; made himself halls;
manna þengill prince of people
inn meins vani the one without fault
hátimbruðum hörgi ræðr. governs the high-timbered hǫrg.
17. 17.
Hrísi vex With brush is grown
ok háu grasi and with high grasses
Víðars land viði; Víðar's land, Viði;(19)
en þar mögr of læzt and there the son shows himself
af mars baki on horseback
frækn at hefna föður. bold to avenge his father.
18. 18.
Andhrímnir Andhrímnir
lætr í Eldhrímni lets boil in Eldhrímnir
Sæhrímni soðinn, Sæhrímnir,(20)
fleska bezt; best of porks;
en þat fáir vitu, but few know
við hvat einherjar alask. on what the einherjar are fed.
19. 19.
seðr gunntamiðr he feeds, the war-accustomed,
hróðigr Herjaföður; glorious Herjafjǫður;(22)
en við vín eitt but on wine alone
vápngöfugr weapon-noble
Óðinn æ lifir. Óðinn ever lives.
20. 20.
Huginn ok Muninn Huginn and Muninn(23)
fljúga hverjan dag fly every day
Jörmungrund yfir; over Jǫrmungrund; (24)
óumk ek of Hugin, I dread about Huginn
at hann aftr né komi-t, lest he never return,
þó sjámk meir of Munin. yet I am more afraid for Muninn.
21. 21.
Þýtr Þund, Þundr(25) roars,
unir Þjóðvitnis Þjóðvitnir's fish
fiskr flóði í; is happy(26) in the flood;
árstraumr þykkir the river stream seems
ofmikill too great
Valglaumni at vaða. for the host of slain(27) to wade.
22. 22.
Valgrind heitir, Valgrind(28) it is called
er stendr velli á that stands on the plain,
heilög fyr helgum dyrum; holy in front of the holy door;
forn er sú grind, ancient that gate is,
en þat fáir vitu, but few know
hvé hon er í lás of lokin. how it is locked on the latch.
23. 23.
Fimm hundruð dura Five hundred doors
ok umb fjórum tögum, plus about forty,
svá hygg ek á Valhöllu vera; as I think, there are in Valhǫllr;
átta hundruð Einherja eight hundred einherjar
ganga senn ór einum durum, march side by side from one door,
þá er þeir fara við vitni at vega. when they go to fight against the
wolf.(29)
24. 24.
Fimm hundruð golfa Five hundred floors(30)
ok umb fjórum tögum, plus about forty,
svá hygg ek Bilskirrni með bugum; as I think, [are in] Bilskirnir(31) with
its curves,
ranna þeira, of those abodes
er ek reft vita, that I know under roof,
míns veit ek mest magar. my son's(32) I know to be the
largest.
25. 25.
Heiðrún heitir geit, Heiðrún(33) the goat is called
er stendr höllu á who stands on the hall(34)
ok bítr af Læraðs limum; and gnaws on Lærað's(35) limbs;
skapker fylla the basin(36) fill
hon skal ins skíra mjaðar; she will with the shining mead;
kná-at sú veig vanask. that draught cannot run out.
26. 26.
Eikþyrnir heitir hjörtr, Eikþyrnir(37) the stag is called
er stendr höllu á who stands on the hall
ok bítr af Læraðs limum; and gnaws on Lærað's limbs;
en af hans hornum and from his antlers
drýpr í Hvergelmi, it drips into Hvergelmir,(38)
þaðan eigu vötn öll vega. from where all waters take their
courses.
27. 27.*
Síð ok Víð, Síð and Víð,
Sækin ok Eikin, Sækin and Eikin,
Svöl ok Gunnþró, Svǫl and Gunnþró,
Fjörm ok Fimbulþul, Fjǫrm and Fimbulþul,
Rín ok Rennandi, Rín and Rennandi,
Gipul ok Göpul, Gipul and Gǫpul,
Gömul ok Geirvimul, Gǫmul and Geirvimul,
þær hverfa um hodd goða, they curve around the hoard of the
gods,
Þyn ok Vín, Þyn and Vín,
Þöll ok Höll, Þǫll and Hǫll,
Gráð ok Gunnþorin. Gráð and Gunnþorin.
28. 28.*
Vína heitir ein, Vína one is called,
önnur Vegsvinn, another Vegsvinn,
þriðja Þjóðnuma, a third Þjóðnuma,
Nyt ok Nöt, Nyt and Nǫt,
Nönn ok Hrönn, Nǫnn and Hrǫnn,
Slíð ok Hríð, Slíð and Hríð,
Sylgr ok Ylgr, Sylgr and Ylgr,
Víð ok Ván, Víð and Ván,
Vönd ok Strönd, Vǫnd and Strǫnd,
Gjöll ok Leiftr, Gjǫll and Leiftr,
þær falla gumnum nær, they fall close to humans,
en falla til Heljar heðan. and(39) fall from here to Hel.
29. 29.
Körmt ok Örmt Körmt and Örmt
ok Kerlaugar tvær, and the two Kerlaugs,(40)
þær skal Þórr vaða these Thor must wade
dag hvern, every day,
er hann dæma ferr when he goes to sit in judgement
at aski Yggdrasils, at the ash of Yggdrasill,
því at ásbrú because the áss-bridge
brenn öll loga, is all burning with fire,
heilög vötn hlóa. the holy waters roar.(41)
30. 30.*
Glaðr ok Gyllir, Glaðr and Gyllir,
Glær ok Skeiðbrimir, Glær and Skeiðbrimir,
Silfrintoppr ok Sinir, Silfrintoppr and Sinir,
Gísl ok Falhófnir, Gísl and Falhófnir,
Gulltoppr ok Léttfeti, Gulltoppr and Léttfeti,
þeim ríða æsir jóm these steeds the Æsir ride
dag hvern, every day,
er þeir dæma fara when they go to sit in judgement
at aski Yggdrasils. at the ash of Yggdrasill.
31. 31.
Þríar rætr Three roots
standa á þría vega stand on three ways
undan aski Yggdrasils; beneath the ash of Yggdrasill;
Hel býr und einni, Hel dwells under one,
annarri hrímþursar, the second, the hrímþursar,
þriðju mennskir menn. the third, humankind.
32. 32.
Ratatoskr heitir íkorni, Ratatoskr(42) the squirrel is called
er renna skal who is to run
at aski Yggdrasils, on the ash of Yggdrasill,
arnar orð the eagle's words
hann skal ofan bera he is to carry down
ok segja Niðhöggvi niðr. and tell them to Niðhǫggr(43) below.
33. 33.
Hirtir eru ok fjórir, There are also four stags
þeirs af hæfingar [who] in their aiming(44)
gaghalsir gnaga: gnaw with bent necks:
Dáinn ok Dvalinn, Dáinn and Dvalinn,
Duneyrr ok Duraþrór. Duneyrr and Duraþrór.(45)
34. 34.*
Ormar fleiri liggja More worms lie
und aski Yggdrasils, under the ash of Yggdrasill
en þat of hyggi hverr ósviðra apa: than can be imagined by any stupid
ape:
Góinn ok Móinn, Góinn and Móinn,
þeir ro Grafvitnis synir, they are Grafvitni's sons,
Grábakr ok Grafvölluðr, Grábakr and Grafvǫlluðr,
Ófnir ok Sváfnir, Ófnir and Sváfnir,
hygg ek, at æ skyli I think they are ever
meiðs kvistu má. to wear away the tree's twigs.
35. 35.
Askr Yggdrasils The ash of Yggdrasill
drýgir erfiði suffers trouble
meira en menn um viti: greater than people know:
hjörtr bítr ofan, a stag bites it on top,
en á hliðu fúnar, and on the side it is rotting,
skerðir Niðhöggr neðan. Niðhǫggr cuts away at it underneath.
36. 36.*
Hrist ok Mist Hrist and Mist
vil ek, at mér horn beri, I wish to bring me a horn,
Skeggjöld ok Skögul, Skeggjǫld and Skǫgul,
Hildr ok Þrúðr, Hildr and Þrúðr,
Hlökk ok Herfjötur, Hlǫkk and Herfjǫtur,
Göll ok Geirönul, Gǫll and Geirǫnul,
Randgríðr ok Ráðgríðr Randgríðr and Ráðgríðr
ok Reginleif, and Reginleif,
þær bera Einherjum öl. they bring the einherjar ale.
37. 37.
Árvakr ok Alsviðr Árvakr and Alsviðr(46)
þeir skulu upp heðan they must from here
svangir sól draga; draw the sun up, thin ones;
en und þeira bógum but under their withers
fálu blíð regin, placed the blithe regin,
æsir, ísarnkol. the Æsir, iron coolness.
38. 38.
Svalinn heitir, Svalinn(47) is his name,
hann stendr sólu fyrir, he stands before the sun,
skjöldr, skínanda goði; a shield [for] the shining goddess;
björg ok brim, Mountain and sea,
ek veit, at brenna skulu, I know that they must burn
ef hann fellr í frá. if he falls off.
39. 39.
Sköll heitir ulfr, Skǫll(48) is the name of a wolf,
er fylgir inu skírleita goði who follows the shining-faced
goddess
til
en annarr Hati, and another is Hati,
hann er Hróðvitnis sonr, he is Hróðvitnir's son,(49)
sá skal fyr heiða brúði himins. who is to [go] before the bright bride
of the sky.
40. 40.
Ór Ymis holdi From Ymir's(50) flesh
var jörð of sköpuð, the earth was created,
en ór sveita sær, and from his blood the sea,
björg ór beinum, the mountains from his bones,
baðmr ór hári, the trees from his hair,
en ór hausi himinn. and from his skull the sky.
41. 41.
En ór hans brám And from his brows
gerðu blíð regin the blithe regin made
Miðgarð manna sonum, Miðgarð for the sons of men,
en ór hans heila and from his brains
váru þau in harðmóðgu were, hard of mood,
ský öll of sköpuð. all the clouds created.
42. 42.
Ullar hylli Ullr's favour
hefr ok allra goða he has, and all the gods',
hverr er tekr fyrstr á funa, he who touches first the fire,(51)
því at opnir heimar because open worlds
verða of ása sonum, become to the sons of the Æsir,(52)
þá er hefja af hvera. when cauldrons are taken off.
43. 43.
Ívalda synir Ívaldi's(53) sons
gengu í árdaga in days of yore went
Skíðblaðni at skapa, to create Skíðblaðnir,(54)
skipa bezt, best of ships,
skírum Frey, for shining Frey,
nýtum Njarðar bur. Njǫrð's generous(55) son.
44. 44.
Askr Yggdrasils, The ash of Yggdrasill,
hann er æðstr viða, it is the highest of trees,
en Skíðblaðnir skipa, and Skíðblaðnir of ships,
Óðinn ása, Óðinn of Æsir,
en jóa Sleipnir, and of steeds Sleipnir,(56)
Bilröst brúa, Bilrǫst(57) of bridges,
en Bragi skalda, and Bragi of skalds,
Hábrók hauka, Hábrók(58) of hawks,
en hunda Garmr. and of dogs Garmr.(59)
45. 45.
Svipum hef ek nú yppt Glimpses I have now uttered
fyr sigtíva sonum, for the sons of the victorious Tívar,
við þat skal vilbjörg vaka; with that the wished-for help(60)
must wake;
öllum ásum for all the Æsir
þat skal inn koma that must come in
Ægis bekki á, at Ægir's bench
Ægis drekku at. at Ægir's drinking.
46. 46.*
Hétumk Grímr, I have been called Grímr,
hétumk Gangleri, I have been called Gangleri,
Herjann ok Hjalmberi, Herjann and Hjalmberi,
Þekkr ok Þriði, Þekkr and Þriði,
Þundr ok Uðr, Þundr and Uðr,
Herblindi ok Hár. Herblindi and Hár.
47. 47.*
Saðr ok Svipall Saðr and Svipall
ok Sanngetall, and Sanngetall,
Herteitr ok Hnikarr, Herteitr and Hnikarr,
Bileygr, Báleygr, Bileygr, Báleygr,
Bölverkr, Fjölnir, Bǫlverkr, Fjǫlnir,
Grímr ok Grímnir, Grímr and Grímnir,
Glapsviðr ok Fjölsviðr; Glapsviðr and Fjǫlsviðr;
48. 48.*
Síðhöttr, Síðskeggr, Síðhǫttr, Síðskeggr,
Sigföðr, Hnikuðr, Sigfǫðr, Hnikuðr,
Alföðr, Valföðr, Alfǫðr, Valfǫðr,
Atríðr ok Farmatýr; Atríðr ok Farmatýr;
einu nafni a single name
hétumk aldregi, I have never been called by,
síz ek með folkum fór. since I travelled among the
hosts.(61)
49. 49.*
Grímni mik hétu Grímnir they have called me
at Geirröðar, at Geirrǫð's,
en Jalk at Ásmundar, but Jalk at Ásmund's,
en þá Kjalar, and then Kjalar,
er ek kjálka dró, when I drew the sledges,
Þrór þingum at, Þrór at Things,
Viðurr at vígum, Viðurr in combat,
Óski ok Ómi, Óski and Ómi,
Jafnhár ok Biflindi, Jafnhár and Biflindi,
Göndlir ok Hárbarðr með goðum. Gǫndlir and Hárbarðr among the
gods.
50. 50.
Sviðurr ok Sviðrir Sviðurr and Sviðrir(62)
er ek hét at Sökkmímis, I have been called at
Sǫkkmímir's,(63)
ok dulðak þann inn aldna jötun, and that time I fooled the old jǫtunn,
þá er ek Miðvitnis vark when I it was, I of Miðvitnir's
ins mæra burar famous son
orðinn einbani. became the lone slayer.
51. 51.
Ölr ertu, Geirröðr, You are drunk, Geirrǫðr,
hefr þú ofdrukkit; you have drunk too much;
miklu ertu hnugginn, you are bereft of much,
er þú ert mínu gengi, since you have left mine;
öllum Einherjum all the einherjar
ok Óðins hylli. and Óðin's favour.
52. 52.
Fjölð ek þér sagðak, Many things I told you,
en þú fátt of mant; but you remember few;
of þik véla vinir; friends betray you;
mæki liggja a sword lying,
ek sé míns vinar I see, in my friend's
allan í dreyra drifinn. blood all drenched.
53. 53.
Eggmóðan val Carrion mown by weapon's edge
nú mun Yggr hafa, Yggr will now have,
þitt veit ek líf of liðit; you, I know, life has left;
úfar ro dísir, angry are the dísir,
nú knáttu Óðin sjá, now you can see Óðin,
nálgasktu mik, ef þú megir. approach me, if you can.
54. 54.*
Óðinn ek nú heiti, Óðinn I am called now,
Yggr ek áðan hét, Yggr I was called before,
hétumk Þundr fyr þat, they called me Þundr before that,
Vakr ok Skilfingr, Vakr and Skilfingr,
Váfuðr ok Hroftatýr, Váfuðr and Hroftatýr
Gautr ok Jalkr með goðum, Gautr and Jalkr among the gods,
Ófnir ok Sváfnir, Ófnir and Sváfnir,
er ek hygg, at orðnir sé and I think that they have come into
being
allir af einum mér. all about me alone.
Geirröðr konungr sat ok hafði sverð um kné sér ok brugðit til miðs. En er hann heyrði, at Óðinn var þar kominn, þá stóð hann upp ok vildi taka Óðin frá eldinum. Sverðit slapp ór hendi honum, ok vissu hjöltin niðr. Konungr drap fæti ok steypðist áfram, en sverðit stóð í gögnum hann, ok fekk hann bana. Óðinn hvarf þá, en Agnarr var þar konungr lengi siðan.
King Geirrǫðr was seated and had his sword on his knee and halfway drawn. But when he heard that Óðinn had come there, then he stood up and wanted to take Óðin away from the fires. The sword slipped out of his hand, and the hilt was pointing down. The king caught his foot and fell forwards, and the sword ran him through and killed him. Óðinn then disappeared, but Agnarr was king there for a long time afterwards.
Names
27. 27.
Síð ok Víð, Slowmoving and Wide,
Sækin ok Eikin, Attacking and Raging,
Svöl ok Gunnþró, Quaking and War-Eager,
Fjörm ok Fimbulþul, Lively and Great Babbler,
Rín ok Rennandi,
Gipul ok Göpul, Gabbler and Gaper,
Gömul ok Geirvimul, Old Woman and Spear Brandisher,
þær hverfa um hodd goða, they curve around the hoard of the
gods,
Þyn ok Vín, Dinning and Wine,
Þöll ok Höll, Fir Tree and Descending,
Gráð ok Gunnþorin. Greed and Battler.
28. 28.
Vína heitir ein, Wine-river one is called,
önnur Vegsvinn, another Way Wise,
þriðja Þjóðnuma, a third People-Taker,
Nyt ok Nöt, Usefulness and Knife,
Nönn ok Hrönn, Burly and Wave,
Slíð ok Hríð, Cruel and Storm,
Sylgr ok Ylgr, Gulp and She-Wolf,
Víð ok Ván, Wide and Waiting,
Vönd ok Strönd, Stick and Shore,
Gjöll ok Leiftr, Din and Flash,
þær falla gumnum nær, they fall close to humans,
en falla til Heljar heðan. and fall from here to Hel.
30. 30.
Glaðr ok Gyllir, Glad and Goldy,
Glær ok Skeiðbrimir, Glass and Dash-Foaming,
Silfrintoppr ok Sinir, Silver-Forelock and Sinews,
Gísl ok Falhófnir, Hostage and Pale-Hoofed,
Gulltoppr ok Léttfeti Gold-Forelock and Lightfoot
34. 34.
Góinn ok Móinn, Soil One and Heath One,
þeir ro Grafvitnis synir, they are Gravewolf's sons,
Grábakr ok Grafvölluðr, Greyback and Gravehaunter,
Ófnir ok Sváfnir Twister and Suffocator(64)
36. 36.
Hrist ok Mist Brandish
and Fog
vil ek, at mér horn beri, I wish to bring me a horn,
Skeggjöld ok Skögul, Axe-Age and Spear-Point,
Hildr ok Þrúðr,
Hlökk ok Herfjötur, Waste and Battle-fetter,
Göll ok Geirönul, Shriek and Spear-wielder,
Randgríðr ok Ráðgríðr Shield-Fierce and Counsel-Fierce
ok Reginleif, and Regin-leavings,
þær bera Einherjum öl. they bring the einherjar ale.
46. 46.
Hétumk Grímr, I have been called Masked,
hétumk Gangleri, I have been called Wanderer,
Herjann ok Hjalmberi, Warlord and Helm-Wearer,
Þekkr ok Þriði, Welcome and Third,
Þundr ok Uðr, Thin(65) and Blade,
Herblindi ok Hár. Army-blind(66) and High One.(67)
47. 47.
Saðr ok Svipall Steadfast and Fickle
ok Sanngetall, and Guesses-True,
Herteitr ok Hnikarr, War-Eager and Thruster,(68)
Bileygr, Báleygr, Bad-Eye, Fire-Eye,
Bölverkr, Fjölnir, Baleworker, Hider,
Grímr ok Grímnir, Masked and Masked One,
Glapsviðr ok Fjölsviðr; Seductively Wise and Muchly Wise;
48. 48.
Síðhöttr, Síðskeggr, Long-Hood, Long-Beard,
Sigföðr, Hnikuðr, Victory Father, Skewerer,
Alföðr, Valföðr, Allfather, Father of Slaughter,
Atríðr ok Farmatýr; Charging Rider and Cargo God;
einu nafni a single name
hétumk aldregi, I have never been called by,
síz ek með folkum fór. since I travelled among the hosts.
49. 49.
Grímni mik hétu Masked One they have called me
at Geirröðar, at Geirrǫð's,
en Jalk at Ásmundar, but Gelding at Ásmund's,
en þá Kjalar, and then Keeler,
er ek kjálka dró, when I drew the sledges,
Þrór þingum at, Thruster at Things,
Viðurr at vígum, Enemy in combat,
Óski ok Ómi, Wish and Howl,
Jafnhár ok Biflindi, Just as High and Shield-Shaker(69)
Göndlir ok Hárbarðr með goðum. Shaman(70) and Hoary-Beard
among the gods.
54. 54.
Óðinn ek nú heiti, Óðinn I am called now,
Yggr ek áðan hét, Terrible I was called before,
hétumk Þundr fyr þat, they called me Thunderer before
that,
Vakr ok Skilfingr, Wakeful and Shaker,(71)
Váfuðr ok Hroftatýr, Swayer and God of Hidden Things
Gautr ok Jalkr með goðum, Maker(72) and Gelding among the
gods,
Ófnir ok Sváfnir, Twister and Suffocator,
er ek hygg, at orðnir sé and I think that they have come into
being
allir af einum mér. all about me alone.
Notes
1. Literally: a cobweb
2. God of Men
3. Strength Home
4. Yewdales
5. Vali's Ledge
6. Sunken Bench
7. Gladshome
8. Usually anglicised as
9. Hidden, i.e., Óðinn; see also Hroptatýr, verse 54.
10. Clash Home - þrymr refers to noise and is often used metaphorically of battle.
11. Ámáttigr is a term used of witches and jǫtnar, of uncertain meaning. It has been related to ámátligr, "loathsome, piteous", but also rendered as "powerful".
12. Broadgleam. Verses 12, 13 and 16 have eru, are, rather than er, is.
13. Skymountains
14. Værr literally "peaceful", but more often used as "comfortable".
15. Field of the Host
16. Radiant
17. Literally "most of the day".
18. Ships Enclosure
19. Withy-wood, taking Viði as a proper name, as is usual; alternatively it would be "with woodland".
20. Sootyface, Fire-sooty, Sea-sooty
21. Greedy, Ravening
22. Father of Armies
23. Usually rendered as Thought and Memory
24. i.e., the earth.
25. Thunderer? Þundr also occurs as a name of Óðinn in verse 46 in Codex Regius (usually amended to Þyðr following manuscript A) and in verse 54.
26. Unir can also, less often, simply mean "dwells".
27. Taking valglaumr as not a proper name, as is usual; however, Sophus Bugge interpreted it as the name of the river running around Valhǫllr.
28. Slain-gate
29. Vitnir, a poetic word for "wolf".
30. It's also possible to take gólfr here in its rarer sense of "apartment, accommodation".
31. Bilskirnir or Bilskírnir has been taken a number of different ways, primarily as a reference to lightning - Clear-Flasher, from bil as "moment" and skír, "clear" - and a reference to strength - Failure-Defier, from a posited earlier meaning of bil - giving way - and skirra - "shun".
32. i.e, Thor's
33. Daybright-rune (although Guðbrandur Vigfússon took it as Heathrun, from heiðr rather than heið).
34. Here and in the next verse, Heriafǫðrs ("of Heriafǫðr" - Father of Armies, see Verse 19) appears at the end of the line in both manuscripts. Guðni Jónsson omitted it as Sophus Bugge suggested doing, because it disturbs the metre and is therefore likely a later addition.
35. Shelterer? Dronke amends to Leraðs for Hleraðs, "Listener". Presumably another name for Yggdrasill.
36. Skapker: the basin or cask the horns are filled from.
37. Oakthorn
38. Boiling Cauldron
39. I have changed er in Guðni Jónsson's edition to en (it would otherwise be "who fall"). En is the usual reading, and accords with manuscript A; the Codex Regius has e with a mark that according to Sophus Bugge could be read either way.
40. Dronke translates the names in these two lines "The
Dike and the Delta and the Double Baths"; Guðbrandur Vigfússon translated Kerlaugar , which literally means
"kettle-baths", thus "bathtubs", as "Charlocks",
identifying them with British river-names such as "Cherwell"; he
thought several of the river names in the poem might be those of rivers in
41. Dronke instead derives this from a hló- meaning "lukewarm", i.e., cool.
42. Gnawtooth or Auger-tooth
43. Generally read as Níðhǫggr, Malice Striker
44. There are varying reconstructions here; the Codex Regius has hæfin gar á a, A has hæfingiar.
45. Dead One, Dallying One, Downy Bank, Door-Stubborn
46. Early-Wake, All-Strong
47. Chill One
48. Skulk
49. Hater, Renowned Wolf's son
50. Ymir's name is not usually translated. It may be Murmurer or Moaner; it has been etymologically related to Indo-European names meaning Twin.
51. Dronke has amended this to er hver tekr, read as "he who puts a cauldron (hverr) first on the fire", the opposite meaning.
52. Dronke translates these two lines "because realms are laid waste round the Æsir's sons".
53. In-Ruler
54. Stick-Leaf or Snowshoe-Grassblade; the first element, skíð, refers to a piece of firewood or a snowshoe and is used metaphorically for a ship; the second is from blað, a leaf of the type of a blade of grass.
55. Nýtr usually means simply "useful".
56. Slipper
57. Twinkling Way, same as Bifrǫst,
58. Highbreek; Dronke believes this is a reference to Haukr Hábrókr, who tricked King Athelstan of England into fostering King Harald Fairhair of Norway's son Hákon.
59. Rag
60. Vilbjǫrg is a problematic hapax legomenon (unique word).
61. Folkom is plural, but is rarely used in Norse for "peoples": more naturally either "groups of warriors" or "families". See also Fólkvangr, verse 14.
62. Burner and Destroyer? Dronke has Spearer and Spearsman, but sviða and sviðra both refer to burning and singeing.
63. Sunk-Mímir, son of Midwolf; the story is lost, but Søkkmímir or Sǫkkmímir also appears in Ynglinga Saga.
64. These two are also listed as names of Óðinn in verse 54.
65. Following the tradition of taking A's reading, Þuðr, over the Codex Regius' Þundr; Þundr also occurs in verse 54 (and in verse 21 as a river-name).
66. The usual reading is Helblindi, "Hel-Blind", i.e., blinding people with death.
67. Hár and Þriði here and Jafnhár in verse 49 are the trinity in the Gylfaginning. But note also that there is a possible pun with hárr, "hoary, white-haired", as in the name Hárbarðr in verse 49 and "Hárbarðsljóð".
68. Dronke interprets Hnikarr and Hnikuðr as Hoaxer/Hoax Player rather than (Spear) Thruster.
69. Or: Shaker of (
70. Gǫndlir includes the mysterious word gandr, which has a wide range of uses including the fetch-forms in the Historia Norvegiæ's account of Lapp shamanism and in Icelandic folktale mentions of witch-rides; it has some meaning to do with the trappings of magic in "Vǫluspá" verse 22; it's also combined with the also mysterious jǫrmun to make Jǫrmungandr's name.
71. Skilfingr is the name of a royal dynasty; Dronke has "Peak Lodger".
72. Gautr is related to AS Geat and to the ancestor of the Gothic kings, Gapt. It has been interpreted as Father, Creator, but Dronke has "Blood Offering".