Grímnismál

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 minn, er konungr ok sitr nú at landi?" Frigg segir: "Hann er matníðingr sá, at hann kvelr gesti sína, ef honum þykkja of margir koma." 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 elda tveggja, ok sat hann þar átta nætr. 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:Heitr ertu, hripuðrok heldr til mikill;göngumk firr, funi!loði sviðnarþótt ek á loft berak;brennumk feldr fyr.

Of King Hraudung's sons. King Hraudung had two sons: one named Agnar, the other Geirrod. Agnar was ten winters old, Geirrod eight. The two of them rowed out in a boat with their fishing lines, after small fish, and a wind drove them out to sea. In the dark of night they were wrecked on a shore and went ashore, where they found a poor farmer. They stayed there through the winter. The old woman fostered Agnar, and the old man fostered Geirrod and taught him counsel. In spring the old man gave them a boat, and as he and his wife led the boys down to the shore, he spoke privately with Geirrod. They got a fair wind and came to their father's landing-place. Geirrod stood in the bow. He leapt ashore, shoved the boat back out, and said, "Go now, where the trolls can have you." The boat drifted out to sea, and Geirrod went up to the farm. He was warmly welcomed there — his father had died by then — and Geirrod was made king, and became a distinguished man. Odin and Frigg sat in Hlidskjalf and looked out over all the worlds. Odin said, "Do you see Agnar, your foster-son, raising children with a giantess in a cave, while Geirrod, my foster-son, is a king now, sitting over his own land?" Frigg said, "He's so stingy with food that he tortures his guests, if he thinks too many are coming." Odin said that was the greatest lie, and they made a wager on it. Frigg sent her maid Fulla to Geirrod. She told the king to beware — a sorcerer had come into his land who might destroy him — and gave as the sign that no dog, however fierce, would attack the man. But it was the greatest falsehood that King Geirrod was stingy with food; even so, he had the man seized whom the dogs would not touch. He wore a dark blue cloak, called himself Grimnir, and would say nothing more of himself, however he was questioned. The king had him tortured for answers and set between two fires, and he sat there eight nights. King Geirrod then had a son, ten winters old, named Agnar after his brother. Agnar went to Grimnir, gave him a full horn to drink, and said his father did wrong to torture an innocent man. Grimnir drank it. By then the fire had come so close that the cloak was burning off him. He said:Hot you are, fire, and far too fierce;get back from me, flame!My cloak scorches,though I hold it high;the fur burns before me.

Átta nætr sat ekmilli elda hérsvá at mér manngimat né bauðnema einn Agnarrer einn skal ráðaGeirröðar sonrGotna landi.

Eight nights I have sat here between the fires,and no man brought me food —save Agnar alone,who alone shall rule,Geirrod's son,over the land of the Goths.

Heill skaltu, Agnarralls þik heilan biðrVeratýr vera;eins drykkjarþú skalt aldrigibetri gjöld geta.

Hail to you, Agnar —Veratyr himself wishes you well;for a single drinkyou will neverreceive a better reward.

Land er heilagter ek liggja séásum ok alfum nær;en í Þrúðheimiskal Þórr veraunz of rjúfask regin.

Holy is the land I see lyingclose to gods and elves;and in Thrudheim shall Thor dwell,until the powers are torn apart.

Ýdalir heitaþar er Ullr hefirsér of görva sali;Alfheim Freygáfu í árdagatívar at tannféi.

Ydalir is the name of the placewhere Ull has built himself halls;Alfheim the gods gave to Freyrin the early days, a tooth-gift.

Bær er sá inn þriðier blíð reginsilfri þökðu sali;Valaskjalf heitirer vélti séráss í árdaga.

There is a third home,that the kindly powersthatched with silver:Valaskjalf, it is called,that a god built for himselfin days of old.

Sökkvabekkr heitir inn fjórðien þar svalar kneguunnir yfir glymja;þar þau Óðinn ok Ságadrekka um alla dagaglöð ór gullnum kerum.

Sokkvabekk is the fourth,where cool wavesmurmur over it;there Odin and Sagadrink every day,glad, from cups of gold.

Glaðsheimr heitir inn fimmtiþars in gullbjartaValhöll víð of þrumir;en þar Hroftr kýsshverjan dagvápndauða vera.

Gladsheim is the fifth,where the gold-brightValhalla stands wide;and there Hropt chooses,every day,men slain by weapons.

Mjök er auðkenntþeim er til Óðins komasalkynni at séa;sköftum er rann reftskjöldum er salr þakiðrbrynjum um bekki strát.

Easy it is to know,for those who come to Odin,to see the nature of that hall:spear-shafts are its rafters,shields roof the hall,mail-coats strewn on the benches.

Mjök er auðkenntþeir er til Óðins komasalkynni at séa:vargr hangirfyr vestan dyrrok drúpir örn yfir.

Easy it is to know,for those who come to Odin,to see the nature of that hall:a wolf hangsbefore the western door,and an eagle droops above.

Þrymheimr heitir inn séttier Þjazi bjósá inn ámáttki jötunn;en nú Skaði byggvirskír brúðr goðafornar tóftir föður.

Thrymheim is the sixth,where Thjazi dwelt,that giant of terrible might;but now Skadi lives there,bright bride of the gods,on her father's old ground.

Breiðablik eru in sjaunduen þar Baldr hefirsér of gerva saliá því landier ek liggja veitfæsta feiknstafi.

Breidablik is the seventh,and there Baldr hasbuilt himself halls,on that land where I knowlies the fewestseeds of harm.

Himinbjörg eru in áttuen þar Heimdallkveða valda véum;þar vörðr goðadrekkr í væru ranniglaðr inn góða mjöð.

Himinbjorg is the eighth,and there, they say,Heimdall rules the shrines;there the gods' watchman drinks,glad, in his snug hall,the good mead.

Fólkvangr er inn níundien þar Freyja ræðrsessa kostum í sal;halfan valhon kýss hverjan dagen halfan Óðinn á.

Folkvang is the ninth,and there Freyja decideswho takes which seat in the hall;half the slainshe chooses every day,and half belong to Odin.

Glitnir er inn tíundihann er gulli studdrok silfri þakðr it sama;en þar Forsetibyggir flestan dagok svæfir allar sakir.

Glitnir is the tenth,held up with gold,and roofed with silver too;and there Forsetidwells most days,and lays every dispute to rest.

Nóatún eru in elliftuen þar Njörðr hefirsér of görva sali;manna þengillinn meins vanihátimbruðum hörgi ræðr.

Noatun is the eleventh,and there Njord hasbuilt himself halls;that prince of men,free of all fault,rules his high-timbered temple.

Hrísi vexok háu grasiVíðars land viði;en þar mögr of læztaf mars bakifrækn at hefna föður.

Thick with brushand tall grass growsVidar's wooded land;and there the sonleaps down from his horse's back,bold to avenge his father.

Andhrímnirlætr í EldhrímniSæhrímni soðinnfleska bezt;en þat fáir vituvið hvat einherjar alask.

Andhrimnircooks Saehrimnirin Eldhrimnir,the best of meat;but few knowwhat feeds the warriors of the slain.

Gera ok Frekaseðr gunntamiðrhróðigr Herjaföður;en við vín eittvápngöfugrÓðinn æ lifir.

Geri and Frekithe battle-tried Father of Hostsfeeds, glory-famed;but on wine alone,weapon-splendid,Odin lives, forever.

Huginn ok Muninnfljúga hverjan dagJörmungrund yfir;óumk ek of Huginat hann aftr né komi-tþó sjámk meir of Munin.

Hugin and Muninfly every dayover the wide world;I fear for Huginthat he might not come back,but I fear more for Munin.

Þýtr Þundunir Þjóðvitnisfiskr flóði í;árstraumr þykkirofmikillValglaumni at vaða.

Thund roars;Thjodvitnir's fishplays in the flood;the river's current seemstoo greatfor the slain host to wade.

Valgrind heitirer stendr velli áheilög fyr helgum dyrum;forn er sú grinden þat fáir vituhvé hon er í lás of lokin.

Valgrind is the nameof the gate that stands on the plain,holy before holy doors;old is that gate,but few knowhow it is shut in its lock.

Fimm hundruð duraok umb fjórum tögumsvá hygg ek á Valhöllu vera;átta hundruð Einherjaganga senn ór einum durumþá er þeir fara við vitni at vega.

Five hundred doorsand forty more,I believe, are in Valhalla;eight hundred warriorsgo out through one door at oncewhen they march to fight the wolf.

Fimm hundruð golfaok umb fjórum tögumsvá hygg ek Bilskirrni með bugum;ranna þeiraer ek reft vitamíns veit ek mest magar.

Five hundred floorsand forty more,I believe, Bilskirnir holds within its walls;of all the hallswhose roofs I have known,my son's I know is the greatest.

Heiðrún heitir geiter stendr höllu áok bítr af Læraðs limum;skapker fyllahon skal ins skíra mjaðar;kná-at sú veig vanask.

Heidrun is the name of the goatthat stands on the halland bites the branches of Laerad;she fills a vatwith the clear mead;that drink can never run dry.

Eikþyrnir heitir hjörtrer stendr höllu áok bítr af Læraðs limum;en af hans hornumdrýpr í Hvergelmiþaðan eigu vötn öll vega.

Eikthyrnir is the name of the hartthat stands on the halland bites the branches of Laerad;and from his hornsdrips into Hvergelmir,and from there every river finds its course.

Síð ok VíðSækin ok EikinSvöl ok GunnþróFjörm ok FimbulþulRín ok RennandiGipul ok GöpulGömul ok Geirvimulþær hverfa um hodd goðaÞyn ok VínÞöll ok HöllGráð ok Gunnþorin.

Sid and Vid,Saekin and Eikin,Sval and Gunnthro,Fjorm and Fimbulthul,Rin and Rennandi,Gipul and Gopul,Gomul and Geirvimul —they wind around the gods' hoard —Thyn and Vin,Tholl and Holl,Grad and Gunnthorin.

Vína heitir einönnur Vegsvinnþriðja ÞjóðnumaNyt ok NötNönn ok HrönnSlíð ok HríðSylgr ok YlgrVíð ok VánVönd ok StröndGjöll ok Leiftrþær falla gumnum nærer falla til Heljar heðan.

Vina is one,Vegsvinn another,Thjodnuma a third,Nyt and Not,Nonn and Hronn,Slid and Hrid,Sylg and Ylg,Vid and Van,Vond and Strond,Gjoll and Leift —they run close to men,and from here fall down to Hel.

Körmt ok Örmtok Kerlaugar tværþær skal Þórr vaðadag hverner hann dæma ferrat aski Yggdrasilsþví at ásbrúbrenn öll logaheilög vötn hlóa.

Kormt and Ormtand the two Kerlaugar —these Thor must wadeevery day,when he goes to give judgmentat the ash Yggdrasil;for the bridge of the godsburns all in flame,the holy waters blaze.

Glaðr ok GyllirGlær ok SkeiðbrimirSilfrintoppr ok SinirGísl ok FalhófnirGulltoppr ok Léttfetiþeim ríða æsir jómdag hverner þeir dæma faraat aski Yggdrasils.

Glad and Gyllir,Glaer and Skeidbrimir,Silfrintopp and Sinir,Gisl and Falhofnir,Gulltopp and Lettfeti —on these the gods rideevery day,when they go to give judgmentat the ash Yggdrasil.

Þríar rætrstanda á þría vegaundan aski Yggdrasils;Hel býr und einniannarri hrímþursarþriðju mennskir menn.

Three rootsstand in three directionsbeneath the ash Yggdrasil:Hel lives under one,under the second the frost-giants,under the third, mortal men.

Ratatoskr heitir íkornier renna skalat aski Yggdrasilsarnar orðhann skal ofan beraok segja Niðhöggvi niðr.

Ratatosk is the name of the squirrelwho must runon the ash Yggdrasil;he carries the eagle's wordsdown from above,and tells them to Nidhogg below.

Hirtir eru ok fjórirþeirs af hæfingargaghalsir gnaga:Dáinn ok DvalinnDuneyrr ok Duraþrór.

There are also four hartsthat crane their necks backand gnaw the highest twigs:Dain and Dvalin,Duneyr and Durathror.

Ormar fleiri liggjaund aski Yggdrasilsen þat of hyggi hverr ósviðra apa:Góinn ok Móinnþeir ro Grafvitnis synirGrábakr ok GrafvölluðrÓfnir ok Sváfnirhygg ek, at æ skylimeiðs kvistu má.

More serpents liebeneath the ash Yggdrasilthan any fool would ever guess:Goin and Moin,who are Grafvitnir's sons,Grabak and Grafvollud,Ofnir and Svafnir —these, I think, will alwaysgnaw the branches of the tree.

Askr Yggdrasilsdrýgir erfiðimeira en menn um viti:hjörtr bítr ofanen á hliðu fúnarskerðir Niðhöggr neðan.

The ash Yggdrasilbears more hardshipthan men know:a hart bites it from above,its side is rotting,and Nidhogg tears at it from below.

Hrist ok Mistvil ek, at mér horn beriSkeggjöld ok SkögulHildr ok ÞrúðrHlökk ok HerfjöturGöll ok GeirönulRandgríðr ok Ráðgríðrok Reginleifþær bera Einherjum öl.

Hrist and MistI want to bring me the horn —Skeggjold and Skogul,Hild and Thrud,Hlokk and Herfjotur,Goll and Geironul,Randgrid and Radgrid,and Reginleif —these carry ale to the warriors of the slain.

Árvakr ok Alsviðrþeir skulu upp heðansvangir sól draga;en und þeira bógumfálu blíð reginæsir, ísarnkol.

Arvak and Alsvidmust drag the sun,worn thin, up from here;and under their shouldersthe kindly powers, the gods,hid cooling iron.

Svalinn heitirhann stendr sólu fyrirskjöldr, skínanda goði;björg ok brimek veit, at brenna skuluef hann fellr í frá.

Svalin is its name —it stands before the sun,a shield, before the shining god;mountain and sea,I know, would burnif it ever fell away.

Sköll heitir ulfrer fylgir inu skírleita goðitil varna viðaren annarr Hatihann er Hróðvitnis sonrsá skal fyr heiða brúði himins.

Skoll is the name of the wolfthat follows the bright godto the warding wood;and another, Hati,son of Hrodvitnir,runs ahead of heaven's shining bride.

Ór Ymis holdivar jörð of sköpuðen ór sveita særbjörg ór beinumbaðmr ór hárien ór hausi himinn.

Out of Ymir's fleshthe earth was made,and out of his blood, the sea;mountains from his bones,trees from his hair,and from his skull, the sky.

En ór hans brámgerðu blíð reginMiðgarð manna sonumen ór hans heilaváru þau in harðmóðguský öll of sköpuð.

And from his eyelashesthe kindly powers madeMidgard for the sons of men;and from his brainthe hard-heartedclouds were all shaped.

Ullar hyllihefr ok allra goðahverr er tekr fyrstr á funaþví at opnir heimarverða of ása sonumþá er hefja af hvera.

Ull's favor, and the favorof every god, belongsto whoever first reaches into the flames;for the worlds opento the sons of the godswhen the kettles are lifted off.

Ívalda synirgengu í árdagaSkíðblaðni at skapaskipa beztskírum Freynýtum Njarðar bur.

Ivaldi's sons went,in the early days,to build Skidbladnir,the best of ships,for bright Freyr,Njord's able son.

Askr Yggdrasilshann er æðstr viðaen Skíðblaðnir skipaÓðinn ásaen jóa SleipnirBilröst brúaen Bragi skaldaHábrók haukaen hunda Garmr.

The ash Yggdrasilis the noblest of trees,and Skidbladnir of ships,Odin of gods,and of horses, Sleipnir,Bilrost of bridges,and Bragi of poets,Habrok of hawks,and of hounds, Garm.

Svipum hef ek nú ypptfyr sigtíva sonumvið þat skal vilbjörg vaka;öllum ásumþat skal inn komaÆgis bekki áÆgis drekku at.

I have raised my faces nowbefore the sons of the war-gods;by this, longed-for help shall wake.To every godthe word shall come,to Aegir's benches,to Aegir's feast.

Hétumk Grímrhétumk GangleriHerjann ok HjalmberiÞekkr ok ÞriðiÞundr ok UðrHerblindi ok Hár.

They called me Grim,they called me Gangleri,Herjan and Hjalmberi,Thekk and Thridi,Thund and Udr,Herblindi and Har.

Saðr ok Svipallok SanngetallHerteitr ok HnikarrBileygr, BáleygrBölverkr, FjölnirGrímr ok GrímnirGlapsviðr ok Fjölsviðr;

Sadr and Svipaland Sanngetal,Herteit and Hnikar,Bileyg, Baleyg,Bolverk, Fjolnir,Grim and Grimnir,Glapsvid and Fjolsvid.

Síðhöttr, SíðskeggrSigföðr, HnikuðrAlföðr, ValföðrAtríðr ok Farmatýr;einu nafnihétumk aldregisíz ek með folkum fór.

Sidhott, Sidskegg,Sigfodr, Hnikud,Alfodr, Valfodr,Atrid and Farmatyr;never by one name alonehave I been called,since I first walked among men.

Grímni mik hétuat Geirröðaren Jalk at Ásmundaren þá Kjalarer ek kjálka dróÞrór þingum atViðurr at vígumÓski ok ÓmiJafnhár ok BiflindiGöndlir ok Hárbarðr með goðum.

Grimnir they called meat Geirrod's,and Jalk at Asmund's;and then Kjalarwhen I dragged the sledge,Thror at assemblies,Vidur in battle,Oski and Omi,Jafnhar and Biflindi,Gondlir and Harbard among gods.

Sviðurr ok Sviðrirer ek hét at Sökkmímisok dulðak þann inn aldna jötunþá er ek Miðvitnis varkins mæra burarorðinn einbani.

Svidur and SvidrirI was called at Sokkmimir's,and I deceived that old giant,when I becamethe sole slayerof Midvitnir's famous son.

Ölr ertu, Geirröðrhefr þú ofdrukkit;miklu ertu hnugginner þú ert mínu gengiöllum Einherjumok Óðins hylli.

Drunk you are, Geirrod —you have drunk too much;much have you lost,now that you have forfeitedall my warriors,and Odin's favor.

Fjölð ek þér sagðaken þú fátt of mant;of þik véla vinir;mæki liggjaek sé míns vinarallan í dreyra drifinn.

Much I told you,and little you remember;friends have betrayed you;I see my friend's swordlying there,all soaked in blood.

Eggmóðan valnú mun Yggr hafaþitt veit ek líf of liðit;úfar ro dísirnú knáttu Óðin sjánálgasktu mik, ef þú megir.

The sword-worn deadYgg will have now —your life, I know, is over;the goddesses are hostile —now you may look on Odin;come near me, if you can.

Óðinn ek nú heitiYggr ek áðan héthétumk Þundr fyr þatVakr ok SkilfingrVáfuðr ok HroftatýrGautr ok Jalkr með goðumÓfnir ok Sváfnirer ek hygg, at orðnir séallir af einum mér.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 síðan.

Odin is my name now;Ygg was my name before that;before that they called me Thund,Vak and Skilfing,Vafud and Hroftatyr,Gaut and Jalk among gods,Ofnir and Svafnir —and I believeall of these are only me.King Geirrod sat with his sword across his knee, drawn halfway. But when he heard that Odin had come, he stood up, meaning to pull Odin back from the fire. The sword slipped from his hand, hilt down. The king stumbled, pitched forward, and the sword went through him, and he was killed. Odin vanished then, and Agnar was king there for a long time after.