A daughter named Áslaug lived after young Sigurdr; she was reared with Heimir in Hlymdalir, and great houses are sprung from her. It is said that Sigmundr, Völsungr's son, was so strong that he could drink venom and receive no hurt; and Sinfjötli his son and Sigurdr were so hard-skinned that no venom from without could harm them: wherefore Bragi the Skald has sung thus:

When the wriggling Serpent
Of the Völsung's Drink hung writhing
On the hook of the Foeman
Of Hill-Giants' kindred.

Most skalds have made verses and divers short tales from these sagas. Bragi the Old wrote of the fall of Sörli and Hamdir in that song of praise which he composed on Ragnarr Lodbrók:

[Once Jörmunrekkr awakened
To an dream, 'mid the princes
Blood-stained, while swords were swirling:
A brawl burst in the dwelling
Of Randvér's royal kinsman,
When the raven-swarthy
Brothers of Erpr took vengeance
For all the bitter sorrows.

The bloody dew of corpses,
O'er the king's couch streaming,
Fell on the floor where, severed,
Feet and hands blood-dripping
Were seen; in the ale-cups' fountain
He fell headlong, gore-blended:
On the Shield, Leaf of the Bushes
Of Leifi's Land, 't is painted.

There stood the shielded swordsmen,
Steel biting not, surrounding
The king's couch; and the brethren
Hamdir and Sörli quickly
To the earth were beaten
By the prince's order,
To the Bride of Odin
With hard stones were battered.

The swirling weapons' Urger
Bade Gjúki's race be smitten
Sore, who from life were eager
To ravish Svanhildr's lover;
And all pay Jónakr's offspring
With the fair-piercing weapon,
The render of blue birnies,
With bitter thrusts and edges.

I see the heroes' slaughter
On the fair shield-rim's surface;
Ragnarr gave me the Ship-Moon
With many tales marked on it.]

52. Of King Fróði and the mill Grótti

Why is gold called Fródi's Meal? This is the tale thereof: One of Odin's sons, named Skjöldr,--from whom the Skjöldungs are come,--had his abode and ruled in the realm which now is called Denmark, but then was known as Gotland. Skjöldr's son, who ruled the land after him, was named Fridleifr. Fridleifr's son was Fródi: he succeeded to the kingdom after his father, in the time when Augustus Caesar imposed peace on all the world; at that time Christ was born. But because Fródi was mightiest of all kings in the Northern lands, the peace was called by his name wherever the Danish tongue was spoken; and men call it the Peace of Fródi. No man injured any other, even though he met face to face his father's slayer or his brother's, loose or bound. Neither was there any thief nor robber then, so that a gold ring lay long on Jalangr's Heath. King Fródi went to a feast in Sweden at the court of the king who was called Fjölnir, and there he bought two maid-servants, Fenja and Menja: they were huge and strong. In that time two mill-stones were found in Denmark, so great that no one was so strong that he could turn them: the nature of the mill was such that whatsoever he who turned asked for, was ground out by the mill-stones. This mill was called Grótti. He who gave King Fródi the mill was named Hengikjöptr. King Fródi had the maid-servants led to the mill, and bade them grind gold; and they did so. First they ground gold and, peace and happiness for Fródi; then he would grant them rest or sleep no longer than the cuckoo held its peace or a song might be sung. It is said that they sang the song which is called the Lay of Grótti, and this is its beginning:

Now are we come
To the king's house,
The two fore-knowing,
Fenja and Menja:
These are with Fródi
Son of Fridleifr,
The Mighty Maidens,
As maid-thralls held.

And before they ceased their singing, they ground out a host against Fródi, so that the sea-king called Mýsingr came there that same night and slew Fródi, taking much plunder. Then the Peace of Fródi was ended. Mýsingr took Grótti with him, and Fenja and Menja also, and bade them grind salt. And at midnight they asked whether Mýsingr were not weary of salt. He bade them grind longer. They had ground but a little while, when down sank the ship; and from that time there has been a whirlpool the sea where the water falls through the hole in the mill-stone. It was then that the sea became salt.

["The lay of Grótti:

They to the flour-mill
Were led, those maidens,
And bidden tirelessly
To turn the gray mill-stone:
He promised to neither
Peace nor surcease
Till he had heard
The handmaids' singing.

They chanted the song
Of the ceaseless mill-stone:
'Lay we the bins right,
Lift we the stones!'
He urged the maidens
To grind on ever.

They sung and slung
The whirling stone
Till the men of Fródi
For the most part slept;
Then spake Menja,
To the mill coming:

'Wealth grind we for Fródi,
We grind it in plenty,
Fullness of fee
At the mill of fortune:
Let him sit on riches
And sleep on down;
Let him wake in weal:
Then well 't is ground.

Here may no one
Harm another,
Contrive evil,
Nor cast wiles for slaying,
Nor slaughter any
With sword well sharpened,
Though his brother's slayer
In bonds he find.'

But he spake no word
Save only this:
'Sleep ye no longer
Than the hall-cuckoo's silence,
Nor longer than so,
While one song is sung.'

'Thou wast not, Fródi,
Full in wisdom,
Thou friend of men,
When thou boughtest the maidens:
Didst choose for strength
And outward seeming;
But of their kindred
Didst not inquire.

'Hardy was Hrungnir,
And his father;
Yet was Thjazi
Than they more mighty:
Idi and Aurnir
Of us twain are kinsmen,--
Brothers of Hill-Giants,
Of them were we born.

Grótti had not come
From the gray mountain,
Nor the hard boulder
From the earth's bosom,
Nor thus would grind
The Hill-Giants' maiden,
If any had known
The news of her.

'We nine winters
Were playmates together,
Mighty of stature,
'Neath the earth's surface,
The maids had part
In mighty works:
Ourselves we moved
Mighty rocks from their place.

'We rolled the rock
O'er the Giants' roof-stead,
So that the ground,
Quaking, gave before us;

So slung we
The whirling stone,
The mighty boulder,
Till men took it.

'And soon after
In Sweden's realm,
We twain fore-knowing
Strode to the fighting;
Bears we hunted,
And shields we broke;
We strode through
The gray-mailed spear-host.

We cast down a king,
We crowned another;
To Gotthormr good
We gave assistance;
No quiet was there
Ere Knúi fell.

'This course we held
Those years continuous,
That we were known
For warriors mighty;
There with sharp spears
Wounds we scored,
Let blood from wounds,
And reddened the brand.

'Now are we come
To the king's abode
Of mercy bereft
And held as bond-maids;
Clay eats our foot-soles,
Cold chills us above;
We turn the Peace-Grinder:
'T is gloomy at Fródi's.

'Hands must rest,
The stone must halt;
Enough have I turned,
My toil ceases:
Now may the hands
Have no remission
Till Fródi hold
The meal ground fully.

'The hands should hold
The hard shafts,
The weapons gore-stained,--
Wake thou, Fródi!
Wake thou, Fródi,
If thou wouldst hearken
To the songs of us twain
And to ancient stories.

'Fire I see burning
East of the burg,
War-tidings waken,
A beacon of warning:
A host shall come
Hither, with swiftness,
And fire the dwellings
Above King Fródi.

'Thou shalt not hold
The stead of Hleidr,
The red gold rings
Nor the gods' holy altar;
We grasp the handle,
Maiden, more hardly,--
We were not warmer
In the wound-gore of corpses.

'My father's maid
Mightily ground
For she saw the feyness
Of men full many;
The sturdy posts
From the flour-box started,
Made staunch with iron.
Grind we yet swifter.

'Grind we yet swifter!
The son of Yrsa,
Hálfdanr's kinsman,
Shall come with vengeance
On Fródi's head:
Him shall men call
Yrsa's son and brother.
We both know that.'

The maidens ground,
Their might they tested,
Young and fresh
In giant-frenzy:
The bin-poles trembled,
And burst the flour-box;
In sunder burst
The heavy boulder.

And the sturdy bride
Of Hill-Giants spake:
'We have ground, O Fródi!
Soon we cease from grinding;
The women have labored
O'er long at the grist.'

Thus sang Einarr Skúlason:

I have heard that Fródi's hand-maids
Ground in the mill full gladly
The Serpent's Couch; with gold-meal
The king lets peace be broken:
The fair cheeks of my axe-head,
Fitted with maple, show forth
Fenja's Grist; exalted
Is the skald with the good king's riches.

So sang Egill:

Glad are full many men
In Fródi's meal.]

53. Of Hrólfr Kraki and Vögg

Why is gold called Kraki's Seed? In Denmark there was a king called Hrólfr Kraki: he was most renowned of all ancient kings for munificence, valor, and graciousness. One evidence of his graciousness which is often brought into stories is this: A little lad and poor, Vöggr by name, came into the hall of King Hrólfr. At that time the king was young, and of slender stature. Vöggr came into his presence and looked up at him; and the king said: 'What wouldst thou say, lad, for thou lookest at me?' Vöggr answered: 'When I was at home, I heard say that Hrólfr the king at Hleidr was the greatest man in the northern lands; but now there sitteth in the high seat a little pole, and he is called King.' Then the king made answer: 'Thou, boy, hast given me a name, so that I shall be called Hrólfr the Pole (Kraki); and it is the custom that the giving of a name be accompanied by a gift. Now I see that with the name which thou has fastened on me, thou hast no gift such as would be acceptable to me, wherefore he that has wherewith to give shall give to the other.' And he took from his hand a gold ring and gave it to him. Then Vöggr said: 'Above all kings be thou most blessed of givers! Now I swear an oath that I shall be that man's slayer who slays thee.' Then spake the king, laughing loudly: 'Vöggr is pleased with a small thing.'

54. Of Hrólfr Kraki and King Aðils

"Another example is the tale told concerning the valor of Hrólfr Kraki: That king whom men call Adils ruled over Uppsala; he had to wife Yrsa, mother of Hrólfr Kraki. He was at strife with the king who ruled over Norway, whose name was Ali; the two joined battle on the ice of the lake called Vaeni. King Adils sent an embassy to Hrólfr Kraki, his stepson, praying him to come to his aid, and promised wages to all his host so long as they should be away; King Hrólfr himself should have three precious gifts, whatsoever three he might choose from all Sweden. {p. 171} King Hrólfr could not make the journey in person, owing to the strife in which he was engaged with the Saxons; but he sent to Adils his twelve berserks: Bödvar-Bjarki was there for one, and Hjalti the Stout-Hearted, Hvítserkr the Stern, Vöttr Véseti, and the brethren Svipdagr and Beigudr. In that battle King Áli fell, and the great part of his host with him; and King Adils took from him in death the helm Battle-Swine and his horse Raven. Then the berserks of Hrólfr Kraki demanded for their hire three pounds of gold for each man of them; and in addition they required that they might bear to Hrólfr Kraki those gifts of price which they had chosen for him: which were the Helm Battle-Boar and the birnie Finn's Heritage,--on neither of which iron would take hold,--and the gold ring which was called Pig of the Swedes, which Adils' forefathers had had. But the king denied them all these things, nor did he so much as pay their hire: the berserks went away ill-pleased with their share, and told the state of things to Hrólfr Kraki.

"Straightway he begin his journey to Uppsala; and when he had brought his ships into the river Fýri, he rode at once to Uppsala, and his twelve berserks with him, all without safe-conduct. Yrsa, his mother, welcomed him and led him to lodgings, but not to the king's hall: fires were made there before them, and ale was given them to drink. Then men of King Adils came in and heaped firewood onto the fire, and made it so great that the clothes were burnt off Hrólfr and his men. And the fellows spake: 'Is it true that Hrólfr Kraki and his berserks shun neither fire nor iron?' Then Hrólfr Kraki leapt up, and all they that were with him; and he said:

'Add we to the fire
In Adils' dwelling!'

took his shield and cast it onto the fire, and leapt over the flames, while the shield burnt; and he spake again:

'He flees not the flames
Who o'er the fire leapeth!'

Even so did his men, one after another; and they laid hands on those fellows who had heaped up the fire, and cast them into the flames. Then Yrsa came and gave Hrólfr Kraki a deer's horn full of gold, the ring Pig of the Swedes being with the gold; and she bade them ride away to the host. They vaulted onto their horses and rode down into the Plain of the Fýri; and soon they saw King Adils riding after them with his host all in armor, hoping to slay them. Then Hrólfr Kraki plunged his right hand down into the horn, grasped the gold, and strewed it all about the road. When the Swedes saw that, they leapt down out of their saddles, and each took up as much as he could lay hold of; but King Adils bade them ride on, and himself rode furiously . His horse was called Slöngvir, swiftest of all horses. Then Hrólfr Kraki saw that King Adils was drawing close up to him, took the ring, Pig of the Swedes, and threw it toward him, and bade him receive it as a gift. King Adils rode at the ring and thrust at it with his spear-point, and let it slide down over the shaft-socket. Then Hrólfr Kraki turned back and saw how he bent down, and spake: 'Now I have made him who is mightiest of Swedes stoop as a swine stoops.' Thus they parted. For this cause gold is called Seed of Kraki or of Fýri's Plain. Thus sang Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler:

God of the blade of battle,
We bear through Hákon's life-days
The Seed of Fýri's valley
On our arms, where sits the falcon.

Even as Thjódólfr sang:

The king sows the bright seed-corn
Of knuckle-splendid gold rings,
With the crop of Yrsa's offspring,
In his company's glad hand-grasp;
The guileless 'Land-Director
With Kraki's gleaming barley
Sprinkles my arms, the flesh-grown
Seat of the hooded falcon.

55. Of King Hölgi

It is said that the king called Hölgi, from whom Hálogaland is named, was the father of Thorgerdr Hölgabrúdr; sacrifice was made to both of them, and a cairn was raised over Hölgi: one layer of gold or silver (that was the sacrificial money), and another layer of mould and stones. Thus sang Skúli Thorsteinsson:

When I reddened Reifnir's Roof-Bane,
The ravening sword, for wealth's sake
At Svöldr, I heaped with gold rings
Warlike Hölgi's cairn-thatch.

56. Further on kennings for gold

In the ancient Bjarkamál many terms for gold are told: it says there:

The king most gift-gracious
His guardsmen enriched
With Fenja's Labor,
With Fáfnir's Midgard,
Glasir's bright Needles,
Grani's fair Burden,
Draupnir's dear dripping,
Down of Grafvitnir.

The free-handed Lord gave,
The heroes accepted,
Sif's firm-grown tresses,
Ice of the bow-force,
Otter-gild unwilling,
Weeping of Mardöll,
Fire-flame of Órun,
Idi's fine Speeches.

The warrior rejoiced;
We walked in fair garments,
In Thjazi's counsels
The people's host-countless,
In the Rhine's red metal,
Wrangling of Niflungs,
The leader war-daring,
Warded Baldr not.

Gold is metaphorically termed Fire of the Hand, or of the Limb, or of the Leg, because it is red; but silver is called Snow, or Ice, or Hoar-Frost, because it is white. In like manner, gold or silver may be periphrased in metaphors of purse, or crucible, or lather, and both silver and gold may be called Hand-Stone, or Necklace, of any man who was wont to have a necklace. Necklaces and rings are both silver and gold, if no other distinction is raised. As Thorleikr the Fair sang:

The kindly Prince the Load casts
Of Crucibles on the Hawk-Seats
Of thanes, the wrists embellished,--
Gives Embers of the Arm-joint.

And as Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

The land-strong King of Lurid
Breaks the golden Limb-Brands;
I think the Prince of Warriors
Lacks not the Rhine's bright Pebbles.

Thus sang Einarr Skúlason:

The Purse-Snow and the Sea-Fire
Lie on both sides of the axe-head
Blood-spilling; 't is my office
To praise our foemen's Scather.

And as he sang further:

The Sea-Glow each day standeth
O'er the Crucible's white Snow-Drift,
And the shield, ships' cheeks protecting,
Shelters a heart most lavish;
Ne'er can one melt the silver
Flagon-Snow in the Fire-Flame
Of the Eel's Stream-Road; the Feller
Of Hosts all feats performeth.

Here gold is called Fire of the Eel's Stream-Road; and silver, Snow of Flagons.

Thus sang Thórdr Mæri's Skald:

The glad Giver of the Hand-Waste
Of the Gold-Minisher perceiveth
That the Hermódr of the Snake's Lair
Hath had a lordly father.

57. Men referred to in relation to gold

"Man is called Breaker of Gold, even as Óttarr the Swarthy sang:

I needs must use the Breaker
Of the Battle-Glow of good men;
Here is the watch war-doughty
Of the Wise King assembled.

Or Gold-Sender, as Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

The Sender of Gold permitteth
The silent earth to hearken
To song; his gifts I gather:
The prince his young men gladdens.

Gold-Caster, as Thorleikr sang:

Gold-Caster makes loyal to him
His guard with kingly armor.

Gold's Adversary, as sang Thorvaldr Blending-Skald:

The gold's foe Hot Coals casteth
Of the Arm; the king gives red wealth;

The vile folk's Desolator
Dispenseth the Freight of Grani.

Gold-Towerer, as is written here:

The Gold-Towerer in friendship
I got, and of the Warrior,
Son of the glowing War-Blade,
I make a song of praise.

58. Women referred to in relation to gold

Woman is periphrased in metaphors of gold, being called Willow or Giver of Gold, as Hallarsteinn sang:

He who casts the Amber
Of Vidblindi's Boar's cool, salt Drink,
Long will recall the Willow
Of the Reed-Snake's golden River.

Here the whale is called Boar of Vidblindi; this Vidblindi was a giant who drew whales out of the sea like fishes. The Drink of Whales is the sea; Amber of the Sea is gold; woman is the Willow, or Dealer, of that gold which she gives; and the willow is a tree. Therefore, as is already shown, woman is periphrased with all manner of feminine tree-names: she is also called User of that which she gives; and the word for 'user' also signifies a log, the tree which falls in the forest.

Thus sang Gunnlaugr Serpent's-Tongue:

That dame was born to stir strife
Among the sons of men-folk;
The War-Bush caused that; madly
I yearned to have the Wealth-Log.

Woman is called Forest; so sang Hallarsteinn:

With the well-trained Plane of Singing,
The tongue, I have planed, my Lady,
Dame of the First Song's ale-vats,
Forest fair of Flagons.

Fagot, as Steinn sang:

Thou shalt, O fresh Sif-Tender
Of the Flood's gold Fire, like other
Fagots of Hjadnings' gravel,
Break with thy good fortune.

Prop, as Ormr Steinthórsson sang:

The Prop of Stone was clothèd
In garments clean and seemly:
A new cloak did the hero
Cast o'er the Mead's bright Valkyr.

Post, as Steinarr sang:

All my dreams of the gracious Goddess
Of the bracelet-girded soft arms
Have lied to me; the Stream-Moon's
Unsteadfast Prop beguiled me.

Birch, as Ormr sang:

For a mark of the Birch
Of the bright hollow ring,
The palm-flame, I laid
On the dwarf-flagon, my song.

Oak, even as stands here:

The fair shaped Oak of Riches
Stands, our mirth forestalling.

Linden, even as is written here:

O dreadful, towering Elm-Tree
Of the dinning shower of weapons,
Our courage shall not lessen:
So bade the Linen's Linden.

59. Men referred to as trees

Man is periphrased in tree-metaphors, as we have written before; he is called Rowan, or Tester, of Weapons, or of Combats, of Expeditions and of Deeds, of Ships, and of all that which he wields and tests; thus sang Úlfr Uggason:

But the flashing-eyed stiff Edge-Rope
Of the Earth stared past the gunwale
At the Rowan-Tree of the people
Of Stone, the Giant-Tester.

Tree and Beam, as Kormákr sang:

The Beam of the murdering Sword-Twig
Is taller than are many
In the Din of Darts; the sword wins.
The land for dauntless Sigurdr.

Grove, as sang Hallfredr Troublous-Skald:

The Mighty Grove and Faithful
Of the Shield-Murderer, budded
With hair, stands in the Eastlands
Safe with Ullr's Ash-Warriors.

Here he is also called Ash.

Box, as Arnórr sang:

The Box of Ships bade the Rygir
Bring the shields together
At early dusk; through the spear-rain
Of strife-clouds held the autumn night.

Ash, as Refr sang:

The Strife-Lord, gracious Giver,
Sought the Maid's bed gold-sprinkled;
The Ash of Odin's War-Sleet
Won the estate of manhood.

Maple, as here:

Hail, Maple of the Ice-Lumps
Of the Hand!' So spake the Birnie.

Tree, as Refr sang:

Since I have appointed
To proffer Odin's Breast-Sea,
The War-God's Verse, to Thorsteinn;
The Tree of Swords so wills it.

Staff, as Óttarr sang:

Thou, fierce War-Staff, maintainedst
Maugre two kings, thy borders

With heroes' kin, where the ravens
Starved not; keen-hearted art thou.

Thorn, as Arnórr sang:

He gathered, the young Wealth-Thorn,
Many great heaps of corpses
For the eagles, and his henchmen
Guided and helped the hero.

60. Kennings for battle

How should battle be periphrased? By calling it Storm of Weapons or of Sheltering Shields, or of Odin or the Valkyrs, or of Host-Kings; and Din and Clashing.

Thus sang Hornklofi:

The king hath held a Spear-Storm
With heroes, where the eagles
Screamed at the Din of Skögul;
The red wounds spat out blood.

Thus sang Eyvindr:

And that hero
At Háar's Tempest
Wore a sark
Of gray wolf-skin.

Thus sang Bersi:

In earlier days I seemed not
To Gunn's War-Bushes useful
In the Sleet of Hlökk, when younger
We were: so 't is said.

Thus sang Einarr:

The stark prince lets Hildr's Shield-Sails
Take the sternest crashing Storm-Wind
Of the Valkyr, where hail of bow-strings
Drives; the sword-blade hammers.

As Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

The mail-sarks of the warriors,
Firm-woven, did not shelter
The seemly youths 'gainst Högni's
Showers of Hákon's onset.

Even as here:

They set the Point-Net's edge-band
Against the Point-Crash-Urger.

And again:

'Neath eagles' claws the king's foes
Sank at the Clash of Göndul.

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:

114. 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.

115. 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.

116. 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.

117. 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.

118. 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.

119. Þat sék fall á fögrum
flotna randar botni.
Ræs gafumk reiðar mána
Ragnarr ok fjölð sagna.

52. Frá Fróða konungi ok kverninni Grótta.

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:

120. 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.

53. Frá Hrólfi kraka ok Vögg

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."

54. Frá Hrólfi hraka ok Aðilsi konungi.

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:

121. "Aukum enn elda
at Aðils húsum,"

tók skjöld sinn ok kastaði á eldinn ok hljóp yfir eldinn, meðan skjöldrinn brann, ok mælti enn:

122. "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:

123. Bárum, Ullr, of alla,
ímunlauks, á hauka
fjöllum Fýrisvalla
fræ Hákunar ævi.

Svá sem Þjóðólfr kvað:

124. 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.

55. Frá Hölga konungi.

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:

125. Þá er ræfrvita Reifnis
rauð ek fyr Svölð til auðar,
herfylgins bar ek Hölga
haugþök saman baugum.

56. Enn frá gullskenningum.

Í Bjarkarmálum inum fornum eru tölð mörg gullsheiti. Svá segir þar:

126. Gramr inn gjöflasti
gæddi hirð sína
Fenju forverki,
Fáfnis Miðgarði,
Glasis glóbarri,
Grana fagrbyrði,
Draupnis dýrsveita,
dúni Grafvitnis.

127. Ýtti örr hilmir,
aldir við tóku,
Sifjar svarðfestum,
svelli dalnauðar,
tregum otrsgjöldum,
tárum Mardallar,
eldi Órunar,
Iðja glysmálum.

128. 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:

129. Kastar gramr á glæstar
gegn valstöðvar þegnum,
ungr vísi gefr eisu
armleggs, digulfarmi.

Ok sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm:

130. Liðbröndum kná Lundar
landfrækn jöfurr granda.
Hykka ek ræsis rekka
Rínar grjót of þrjóta.

Svá kvað Einarr Skúlason:

131. Blóðeisu liggr bæði
bjargs tveim megin geima
sjóðs, á ek sökkva stríði,
snær ok eldr, at mæra.

Ok enn sem hann kvað:

132. 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:

133. Sér á seima rýri,
sigðis látrs at átti,
hrauns glaðsendir handa,
Hermóðr föður góðan.

57. Maðr kenndr til gulls.

Maðr er kallaðr brjótr gullsins, svá sem kvað Óttarr svarti:

134. Góðmennis þarf ek gunnar
glóð-brjótanda at njóta.
Hér er alnennin inni
inndrótt með gram svinnum.

Eða gullsendir, sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm:

135. Gullsendir lætr grundar,
glaðar þengill her drengja,
hans mæti kná ek hljóta,
hljót Yggs mjaðar njóta.

Gullvörpuðr, sem kvað Þorleikr:

136. Hirð viðr grams með gerðum
gollvörpuðr sér holla.

Gullstríðir, sem kvað Þorvaldr blönduskáld:

137. Gullstríðir verpr glóðum,
gefr auð konungr rauðan,
óþjóðar bregðr eyðir,
armleggs, Grana farmi.

Gullskati, sem hér er:

138. Gat ek gullskata;
gör er leygs of bör
götu gunnvita
gráps tögdrápa.

58. Kona kennd til gulls.

Kona er kennd til gulls, kölluð selja gulls, sem kvað Hallar-Steinn:

139. 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:

140. 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:

141. Ek hefi óðar lokri
ölstafna Bil skafna,
væn mörk skála, verki
vandr stef-knarrar branda.

Tróða, enn sem kvað Steinn:

142. Þú munt, fúrs, sem fleiri,
flóðs hirðisif, tróður,
grönn, við gæfu þinni
grjóts Hjaðninga brjótask.

Skorða, svá kvað Ormr Steinþórsson:

143. Skorða var í föt færð
fjarðbeins afar hrein.
Nýri slöng nadd-Freyr
nisting of mjaðar Hrist.

Stoð, sem Steinarr kvað:

144. Mens hafa mildrar Synjar
mjúkstalls logit allir,
sjá höfumk veltistoð stilltan
straumtungls, at mér draumar.

Björk, enn sem Ormr kvað:

145. Því at hols hrynbáls
hramma, þats ek berk fram,
Billings á burar full
bjarkar hefi ek lagit mark.

Eik, svá sem hér er:

146. Aura stendr fyr órum
eik fagrbúin leiki.

Lind, svá sem hér er:

147. Ógnrakkr, skalat okkur,
almr dynskúrar malma,
svá bauð lind í landi
líns, hugrekki dvína.

59. Maðr kenndr til viða.

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:

148. En stirðþinull starði
storðar leggs fyr borði
fróns á folka reyni
fránleitr ok blés eitri.

Viðr ok meiðr, sem kvað Kormákr:

149. Meiðr er mörgum æðri
morðteins í dyn fleina;
hjörr fær hildibörrum
hjarl Sigurði jarli.

Lundr, svá kvað Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld:

150. Askþollum stendr Ullar
austr at miklu trausti
rækilundr inn ríki
randfárs brumaðr hári.

Hér er ok þollr nefndr. Búss, svá kvað Arnórr:

151. Rökr öndurt bað randir
reggbúss saman leggja,
rógskýja helt, Rygja,
regni haustnótt gegnum.

Askr, sem Refr kvað:

152. Gekk í gulli stokkna
gjöfrífr, Háars drífu
askr viðr ærinn þroska,
as-Freyr sæing meyjar.

Hlynr, sem hér er:

153. Heill kom þú, handar svella
hlynr kvaddi svá brynju.

Börr, sem Refr kvað:

154. Alls böðgæðis bjóða,
börr ræðr til þess hjörva,
ógnstöðvar hefi ek ægi
einráðit Þórsteini.

Stafr, sem Óttarr kvað:

155. Heltu, þar er hrafn né svalta,
hvatráðr ertu, láði,
ógnarstafr, fyr jöfrum,
ýgr, tveimr, við kyn beima.

Þorn, sem Arnórr kvað:

156. Hlóð, en hála téðu
hirðmenn ara grenni,
auðar þorn fyr örnu
ungr valköstu þunga.

60. Orrostukenningar.

Hvernig skal kenna orrostu? Svá, at kalla veðr vápna eða hlífa eða Óðins eða valkyrju eða herkonunga eða gný eða glym. Svá kvað Hornklofi:

157. Háði gramr, þar er gnúðu,
geira hregg við seggi,
rauð fnýstu ben blóði,
bengögl at dyn Sköglar.

Svá kvað Eyvindr:

158. Ok sá halr
at Háars veðri
hösvan serk
hrísgrímnis bar.

Svá kvað Bersi:

159. Þótta ek, þá er æri,
ár, sagt er þat, várum,
hæfr at Hlakkar drífu
hyrrunnum vel gunnar.

Svá kvað Einarr:

160. Glymvindi lætr Göndlar,
gnestr hörr, taka mestum
Hildar segl, Þar er hagli,
hraustr þengill, drífr strengjar.

Sem kvað Einarr skálaglamm:

161. Né sigbjarka serkir
sómmiðjungum rómu
Hárs við Högna skúrir
hléðut fast of séðir.

Svá sem hér:

162. Odda gnýs við æsi
oddnets þinul setja.

Ok enn þetta:

163. Hnigu fjandr at glym Göndlar
grams und arnar hramma.