Fjölsvinnsmál

Útan garðahann sá upp of komaþursa þjóðar sjöt:"Hvat er þat flagða,er stendr fyr forgörðumok hvarflar um hættan loga?

Outside the wallshe saw it rise before him —the dwelling-place of giants:"What monster is this,standing before the gate,prowling around the dangerous flame?

Hvers þú leitar,eða hvers þú á leitum ert,eða hvat viltu, vinlaus, vita?Úrgar brautirárnaðu aftr heðan;átt-at-tu hér, verndar vanr, veru."Kómumaðr kvað:

What are you looking for,what are you searching for,what do you want to know, friendless one?Take the wet roadsback the way you came —you have no home here, with no one to shield you."

"Hvat er þat flagða,er stendr fyr forgarðiok býðr-at líðöndum löð?Sæmðarorðalausshefir þú, seggr, of lifat,ok haltu heim heðan!"Borgarvörðr kvað:

The newcomer said:"What monster is this,standing before the gate,offering no welcome to travelers?You've lived a shameless life,friend —so turn around and head home!"

"Fjölsviðr ek heiti,en ek á fróðan sefa,þeygi em ek míns mildr matar;innan garðaþú kemr hér aldregi,ok dríf þú nú, vargr, at vegi!"Kómumaðr kvað:

The fortress guard said:"Fjolsvid is my name,and my mind is sharp enough —but I'm no friend to sharing my food;inside these wallsyou'll never set foot,so get moving, you wolf, back down the road!"

"Augna gamansfýsir aftr at fá,hvars hann getr svást at sjá;garðar glóamér þykkja of gullna sali;hér mynda ek eðli una."Fjölsviðr kvað:

The newcomer said:"A man wants backthe joy of his eyes,wherever he finds something lovely to see;these walls glow to me,ringing golden halls —here I'd gladly make myself at home."

"Segðu mér, hverjumertu, sveinn, of borinn,eða hverra ertu manna mögr?"Kómumaðr kvað:"Vindkaldr ek heiti,Várkaldr hét minn faðir,þess var Fjölkaldr faðir.

Fjolsvid said:"Tell me, boy,whose son you are,or what people's kin you belong to."The newcomer said:"Vindkald is my name,Varkald was my father,and his father was Fjolkald.

Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hverr hér ræðrok ríki hefireign ok auðsölum?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask,and I want to know:who rules here,who holds powerover this land and its rich halls?"

"Menglöð of heitir,en hana móðir of gatvið Svafrþorins syni;hon hér ræðrok ríki hefireign ok auðsölum"Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Mengloth is her name —her mother bore herto the son of Svafrthorin;she rules here,she holds powerover this land and its rich halls."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat sú grind heitir,er með goðum sá-atmenn it meira forað?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that gate called,the greatest dangerno one has seen among the gods?"

"Þrymgjöll hon heitir,en hana þrír gerðuSólblinda synir;fjöturr fastrverðr við faranda hverner hana hefr frá hliði."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Thrymgjoll is its name —three sons of Solblindimade it;a fixed chainholds fastwhoever lifts it from the gate."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat sá garðr heitir,er með goðum sá-atmenn it meira forað?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that fence called,the greatest dangerno one has seen among the gods?"

"Gastrópnir heitir,en ek hann görfan hefkór Leirbrimis limum;svá hefik studdan,at hann standa mun,æ meðan öld lifir."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Gastropnir is its name —I built it myselffrom the limbs of Leirbrimir;I braced it so wellthat it will standas long as men live."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat þeir garmar heita,er gífrari hefikenga fyrr í löndum lítit?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what are those hounds called —fiercer onesI've never seen anywhere in any land?"

"Gífr heitir annarr,en Geri annarr,ef þú vilt þat vita;varðir ellifu,er þeir varða,unz rjúfask regin."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"One is called Gifr,and the other Geri,if you want to know;eleven watchesthey keep on guard,until the gods meet their doom."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita,hvárt sé manna nökkut,þat er megi inn koma,meðan sókndjarfir sofa."Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:is there any man alivewho could get insidewhile the fierce watchers sleep?"

"Missvefni mikitvar þeim mjök of lagit,síðan þeim var varzla vituð;annarr of nætr sefr,en annarr of daga,ok kemsk þá vætr, ef þá kom."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"They were givenuneven sleep,once they were set to guard;one sleeps by night,the other by day,so no one gets past, once they've tried."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita,hvárt sé matar nökkut,þat er menn hafi,ok hlaupi inn, meðan þeir eta."Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:is there any foodthat men could bring,to slip past while they're eating?"

"Vegnbráðir tværliggja í Viðópnis liðum,ef þú vilt þat vita,þat eitt er svá matar,at þeim menn of gefi,ok hlaupi inn, meðan þeir eta."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Two roasted wing-jointslie in Vidopnir's limbs,if you want to know;that's the only foodmen could give themto slip past while they're eating."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat þat barr heitir,er breiðask umlönd öll limar?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that conifer called,whose branches spread outover every land?"

"Mímameiðr hann heitir,en þat manngi veit,af hverjum rótum renn;við þat hann fellr,er fæstan varir,flær-at hann eld né járn."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Mimameid is its name,and no one knowsfrom what roots it runs;what will bring it down,few can guess —neither fire nor iron fells it."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat af móði verðrþess ins mæra viðar,er hann flær-rat eld né járn?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what comes from the seedof that famous tree,when neither fire nor iron fells it?"

"Út af hans aldniskal á eld berafyr kelisjúkar konur;útar hverfaþats þær innar skyli,sá er hann með mönnum mjötuðr."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Its fruit must be carriedout to the firefor women weak with labor-sickness;what was insidethen comes out —that's the power it holds among men."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat sá hani heitir,er sitr í inum háva viði,allr hann við gull glóir?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that cock called,perched high in the tree,all aglow with gold?"

"Víðópnir hann heitir,en hann stendr veðrglasirá meiðs kvistum Míma;einum ekkaþryngr hann örófsamanSurtr Sinmöru."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Vidopnir is his name,and he glowson the branches of Mimir's tree;with one endless tormenthe afflictsSurt and Sinmara."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt sé vápna nökkut,þat er knegi Viðópnir fyrirhníga á Heljar sjöt?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:is there any weaponthat could bring Vidopnir down,down to the halls of Hel?"

"Lævateinn heitir hann,en hann gerði Loftr rúnumfyr nágrindr neðan;í segjárnskeriliggr hann hjá Sinmöru,ok halda njarðlásar níu."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Laevatein is its name,and Loft made it with runesbelow the corpse-gates;it lies in an iron chestbeside Sinmara,held fast by nine locks."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt aftr kemr,sá er eftir ferrok vill þann tein taka."Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:can he come back —the one who goes after itmeaning to take that wand?"

"Aftr mun koma,sá er eftir ferrok vill þann tein taka,ef þat færir,er fáir eigu,Eiri örglasis."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"He can come back —the one who goes after itmeaning to take that wand —if he brings herwhat few possess,a gift for Eir of the ember-glass."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt sé mæta nökkut,þat er menn hafiok verðr því in fölva gýgr fegin."Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:is there any treasuremen could offer,that would please the pale giantess?"

Ljósan léaskaltu í lúðr bera,þann er liggr í Viðópnis völum,Sinmöru at selja,áðr hon söm teliskvápn til vígs at ljá."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"A bright sickleyou must carry in your pack —the one lying among Vidopnir's feathers —to give Sinmara,before she agreesto lend that weapon for the killing."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat sá salr heitir,er slunginn ervísum vafrloga?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that hall called,wrapped aroundwith dancing, uncanny flame?"

"Hyrr hann heitir,en hann lengi muná brodds oddi bifask;auðranns þessmunu um aldr hafafrétt eina fírar."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Hyr is its name,and long it willtremble on a spear's point;of that rich house,men will only ever havea single rumor, for all time."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hverr þat gerði,er ek fyr garð sákinnan, ásmaga?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:who made it —the one I saw inside the fence there,one of the gods' own kin?"

"Uni ok Íri,Óri ok Bári,Varr ok Vegdrasill;Dóri ok Úri,Dellingr, Atvarðr,Líðskjalfr, Loki."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Uni and Iri,Ori and Bari,Var and Vegdrasil;Dori and Uri,Delling, Atvard,Lidskjalf, Loki."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat þat bjarg heitir,er ek sé brúði áþjóðmæra þruma?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what is that mountain called,where I see a bridelying in glory, famed among peoples?"

"Lyfjaberg þat heitir,en þat hefir lengi veritsjúkum ok sárum gaman;heil verðr hver,þótt hafi árs sótt,ef þat klífr, kona."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Lyfjaberg is its name,and it has long beena joy to the sick and the sore;any woman grows whole,however long she's ailed,if she climbs it."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvat þær meyjar heita,er fyr Menglaðar knjámsitja sáttar saman?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:what are those maidens called,who sit together in peaceat Mengloth's knees?"

"Hlíf heitir,önnur Hlífþrasa,þriðja Þjóðvarta,Björt ok Blíð,Blíðr, Fríð,Eir ok Aurboða."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Hlif is one,the second Hlifthrasa,the third Thjodvarta,Bjort and Blid,Blidr, Frid,Eir and Aurboda."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:Hvárt þær bjarga,þeim er blóta þær,ef gerask þarfar þess?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:do they protectwhoever makes offerings to them,if the need arises?"

"Bjarga svinnar,hvar er menn blóta þærá stallhelgum stað;eigi svá hátt foraðkemr at hölða sonum,hvern þær ór nauðum nema."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"They protect wisely,wherever men make offerings to themat a holy altar;no danger comes so heavyon the sons of menthat they can't rescue him from it."

"Segðu mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita,hvárt sé manna nökkut,er knegi á Menglaðarsvásum armi sofa?"Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Tell me this, Fjolsvid —what I mean to ask you,and I want to know:is there any manwho could sleepin Mengloth's loving arms?"

"Vætr er þat manna,er knegi á Menglaðarsvásum armi sofa,nema Svipdagr einn,hánum var sú in sólbjartabrúðr at kván of kveðin."Vindkaldr kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"There's no man alivewho could sleepin Mengloth's loving arms,except Svipdag alone —to him that sun-brightbride was promised as wife."

"Hrittu á hurðir,láttu hlið rúm,hér máttu Svipdag sjá;en þó vita far,ef vilja myniMenglöð mitt gaman."Fjölsviðr kvað:

Vindkald said:"Throw the doors open,make room at the gate —here you may look on Svipdag!But go and find outwhether Mengloth would welcomemy company."

"Heyr þú, Menglöð,hér er maðr kominn,gakk þú á gest sjá;hundar fagna,hús hefir upp lokizk,hygg ek, at Svipdagr sé."Menglöð kvað:

Fjolsvid said:"Listen, Mengloth —a man has come;go and see the guest;the dogs are glad,the house has opened up —I think it must be Svipdag."

"Horskir hrafnarskulu þér á hám galgaslíta sjónir ór,ef þú þat lýgr,at hér sé langt kominnmögr til minna sala.

Mengloth said:"Ravens sharp-eyedwill tear your eyes outon the high gallows,if you're lyingthat a man has come at last,all this way, to my halls.

Hvaðan þú fórt,hvaðan þú för gerðir,hvé þik hétu hjú?At ætt ok nafniskal ek jartegn vita,ef ek var þér kván of kveðin."Svipdagr kvað:

Where did you travel from,how did you make this journey,what did your people call you?By your name and your lineI must have proof,if I was destined to be your wife."

"Svipdagr ek heiti,Sólbjartr hét minn faðir,þaðan rákumk vindkalda vegu;Urðar orðikveðr engi maðr,þótt þat sé við löst lagit."Menglöð kvað:

Svipdag said:"Svipdag is my name,Solbjart was my father —from there I was driven down wind-cold roads;no man speaksagainst Urd's word,even when it seems wrongly set."

"Vel þú nú kominn,hefik minn vilja beðit,fylgja skal kveðju koss;forkunnar sýnmun flestan glaða,hvars hefir við annan ást.

Mengloth said:"Now you are welcome —I've waited for this,a kiss will seal my greeting;the sight of you,longed-for, will gladdenanyone who holds love for another.

Lengi ek satljúfu bergi á,beið ek þín dægr ok daga;nú þat varð,er ek vætt hefi,at þú ert kominn, mögr, til minna sala.

I've sat here longon this beloved mountain,waited for you day after day;now it's come true,what I hoped for —that you've come, at last, to my halls.

Þrár hafðarer ek hefi til þíns gamans,en þú til míns munar;nú er þat satt,er vit slíta skulumævi ok aldr saman."

I've carried longingfor your love,and you for mine;now it's certainthat we two will spendour whole lives, to the end, together."