Old Norse facing a living language
Frá Hjörvarði ok Sigrlinn.Hjörvarðr hét konungr. Hann átti fjórar konur. Ein hét Álfhildr. Son þeira hét Heðinn. Önnur hét Særeiðr. Þeira son hét Humlungr. In þriðja hét Sinrjóð. Þeira son hét Hymlingr. Hjörvarðr konungr hafði þess heit strengt at eiga þá konu, er hann vissi vænsta. Hann spurði, at Sváfnir konungr átti dóttur allra fegrsta. Sú hét Sigrlinn. Iðmundr hét jarl hans. Atli var hans son, er fór at biðja Sigrlinnar til handa konungi. Hann dvalðist vetrlangt með Sváfni konungi. Fránmarr hét þar jarl, fóstri Sigrlinnar. Dóttir hans hét Álof. Jarlinn réð, at meyjar var synjat, ok fór Atli heim. Atli jarls son stóð einn dag við lund nökkurn, en fugl sat í limunum uppi yfir hánum ok hafði heyrt til, at hans menn kölluðu vænstar konur þær, er Hjörvarðr átti. Fuglinn kvakaði, en Atli hlýddi, hvat hann sagði. Hann kvað:"Sáttu SigrlinnSváfnis dótturmey ina fegrstuí munarheimi?Þó hagligarHjörvarðs konurgumnum þykkjaat Glasislundi."Atli kvað:
Of Hjorvard and Sigrlinn.There was a king named Hjorvard. He had four wives. One was named Alfhild; their son was named Hedin. The second was named Saereid; their son was named Humlung. The third was named Sinrjod; their son was named Hymling. King Hjorvard had sworn a vow to marry whichever woman he knew to be fairest. He learned that King Svafnir had a daughter fairer than all others, named Sigrlinn. His jarl was named Idmund; his son Atli went to ask for Sigrlinn's hand on the king's behalf. He stayed the winter with King Svafnir. There was a jarl there named Franmar, Sigrlinn's foster-father; his daughter was named Alof. The jarl decided the girl should be refused, and Atli went home. One day Atli, the jarl's son, stood by a grove, and a bird sat in the branches above him, having overheard his men calling Hjorvard's wives the fairest of women. The bird twittered, and Atli listened to what it said. It said:"Have you seen Sigrlinn,Svafnir's daughter,the fairest girlin all the world?Though Hjorvard's wivesseem lovely enoughto men's eyes,at Glasir's grove."
"Mundu við AtlaIðmundar sonfugl fróðhugaðrfleira mæla?"Fuglinn kvað:"Mun ek, ef mik buðlungrblóta vildiok kýs ek þats vilór konungs garði."Atli kvað:
Atli said:"Will you say more,wise-minded bird,to Atli,Idmund's son?"The bird said:"I will, if the kingmakes me an offering,and I choosewhat I want from his court."
"Kjós-at-tu Hjörvarðné hans sonuné inar fögrufylkis brúðireigi brúðir þærer buðlungr á;kaupum vel samanþat er vina kynni."Fuglinn kvað:
Atli said:"Don't choose Hjorvard,or his sons,or the fair bridesthat belong to the prince —not the bridesthat are the king's own;let's deal fairly,as friends should."
"Hof mun ek kjósahörga margagullhyrnðar kýrfrá grams búief hánum Sigrlinnsefr á armiok ónauðigjöfri fylgir."Þetta var, áðr Atli færi, en er hann kom heim ok konungr spurði hann tíðenda, hann kvað:
The bird said:"A shrine I'll choose,and many altars,gold-horned cattlefrom the lord's own herd —if Sigrlinnsleeps in his arms,and follows the kingof her own free will."This was before Atli set out. And when he came home and the king asked him for news,
"Höfum erfiðiok ekki örindimara þraut óraá meginfjalliurðum síðanSæmorn vaðaþá var oss synjatSváfnis dótturhringum gæddrarer vér hafa vildum."Konungr bað, at þeir skyldu fara annat sinn. Fór hann sjálfr. En er þeir kómu upp á fjall, ok sá á Sváfaland landsbruna ok jóreyki stóra. Reið konungr af fjallinu fram í landit ok tók náttból við á eina. Atli helt vörð ok fór yfir ána. Hann fann eitt hús. Fugl mikill sat á húsinu ok gætti, ok var sofnaðr. Atli skaut spjóti fuglinn til bana, en í húsinu fann hann Sigrlinn konungs dóttur ok Álofu jarls dóttur ok hafði þær báðar braut með sér. Fránmarr jarl hafði hamazt í arnar líki ok varit þær fyrir hernum með fjölkynngi. Hróðmarr hét konungr, biðill Sigrlinnar. Hann drap Sváfakonung ok hafði rænt ok brent landit. Hjörvarðr konungr fekk Sigrlinnar, en Atli Álofar.Hjörvarðr ok Sigrlinn áttu son mikinn ok vænan. Hann var þögull. Ekki nafn festist við hann. Hann sat á haugi. Hann sá ríða valkyrjur níu ok var ein göfugligust. Hon kvað:
He said:"We had hard traveland no success.Our horses failed uson the high mountain;we had to wadethe river Saemorn after —and then we were refusedSvafnir's daughter,decked in rings,the one we wanted."The king ordered them to go a second time. He went himself. And when they came up onto the mountain, they saw over Svavaland the smoke of burning farms and great clouds of dust raised by riders. The king rode down from the mountain into the land and made camp for the night by a river. Atli kept watch and crossed the river. He found a house. A great bird sat on the roof keeping guard, and it had fallen asleep. Atli killed the bird with a spear-throw, and inside the house he found Sigrlinn, the king's daughter, and Alof, the jarl's daughter, and carried them both away with him. Jarl Franmar had shifted his shape into an eagle and had guarded them from the raiders with sorcery. There was a king named Hrodmar, a suitor of Sigrlinn's; he had killed King Svafnir and plundered and burned the land. King Hjorvard got Sigrlinn, and Atli got Alof.Hjorvard and Sigrlinn had a big, handsome son. He was silent. No name would stick to him. He sat on a burial-mound. He watched nine valkyries ride by, and one of them was the noblest.
"Síð muntu, Helgihringum ráðaríkr rógapaldrné Röðulsvöllum- örn gól árla, -ef þú æ þegirþótt þú harðan hughilmir, gjaldir."Helgi kvað:
She said:"Late will you rule, Helgi,over rings and land,mighty tree of battle,or over Rodulsvellir —an eagle screamed early —if you go on staying silent,however hard a heart,prince, you carry."
"Hvat lætr þú fylgjaHelga nafnibrúðr bjartlituðalls þú bjóða ræðr?Hygg þú fyr öllumatkvæðum vel.Þigg ek eigi þatnema ek þik hafa."Valkyrja kvað:
Helgi said:"What gift will you giveto go with the name Helgi,bright-faced bride,since it's you who offers it?Think carefullybefore you promise it —I won't accept the giftunless I get you too."
"Sverð veit ek liggjaí Sigarsholmifjórum færien fimm tögu;eitt er þeiraöllum betravígnesta bölok varit gulli.
The valkyrie said:"I know of swords lyingon Sigarsholm —four fewerthan fifty;one of themis better than all —the terror of shields,bound round with gold.
Hringr er í hjaltihugr er í miðjuógn er í oddiþeim er eiga getr;liggr með eggjuormr dreyrfáiðren á valböstuverpr naðr hala."Eylimi hét konungr. Dóttir hans var Sváfa. Hon var valkyrja ok reið loft ok lög. Hon gaf Helga nafn þetta ok hlífði hánum oft síðan í orrostum. Helgi kvað:
In its hilt is fame,in its heart is courage,in its point is dreadfor whoever holds it;along its edgelies a blood-streaked snake,and on its guard-platea serpent coils its tail."There was a king named Eylimi; his daughter was Svafa. She was a valkyrie, and rode through sky and sea. She gave Helgi this name, and often shielded him afterward in battle.
"Ert-at-tu, Hjörvarðrheilráðr konungrfolks oddvitiþótt þú frægr séir;léztu eld etajöfra byggðiren þeir angr við þikekki gerðu.
Helgi said:"You're no wise counselor, Hjorvard,king though you are,leader of your people,famous as you may be;you let fire eatthe homes of princeswho had done youno wrong at all.
En Hróðmarr skalhringum ráðaþeim er áttuórir niðjar;sá sésk fylkirfæst at lífihyggsk aldauðaarfi at ráða."Hjörvarðr svarar, at hann mundi fá lið Helga, ef hann vill hefna móðurföður síns. Þá sótti Helgi sverðit, er Sváfa vísaði hánum til. Þá fór hann ok Atli ok felldu Hróðmar ok unnu mörg þrekvirki. Hann drap Hata jötun, er hann sat á bergi nökkuru. Helgi ok Atli lágu skipum í Hatafirði. Atli helt vörð inn fyrra hluta nætrinnar. Hrímgerðr Hatadóttir kvað:[Hrímgerðarmál]
And Hrodmar now rulesover the ringsthat once belongedto our kinsmen;that lord fears littlefor his own life —he thinks he'll rulean heirless inheritance."Hjorvard answered that he would give Helgi men, if he wished to avenge his mother's father. Then Helgi went for the sword that Svafa had pointed him to. Then he and Atli set out and killed Hrodmar and did many great deeds. He killed the giant Hati, who sat on a certain cliff. Helgi and Atli lay with their ships in Hatafjord. Atli kept the first watch of the night.[The Sayings of Hrimgerd]
"Hverir ro hölðarí Hatafirði?Skjöldum er tjaldat á skipum;fræknliga látiðfátt hygg ek yðr séaskkennið mér nafn konungs."Atli kvað:
Hrimgerd, Hati's daughter, said:"Who are these menin Hatafjord?Shields hang along the ships;you look bold enough —though I doubt you're as fearless as you seem.Tell me the king's name."
"Helgi hann heitiren þú hvergi máttvinna grand grami;járnborgir roof öðlings flota;knegu-t oss fálur fara."Hrímgerðr kvað:
Atli said:"His name is Helgi,and you'll never manageto do the prince any harm;iron guardssurround the lord's fleet —no witch is going to touch us."
"Hvé þik heitirhalr inn ámáttkihvé þik kalla konir?Fylkir þér trúirer þik í fögrum lætrbeits stafni búa."Atli kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"What's your own name,mighty man?What do men call you?The prince must trust you well,to let you standon the fine ship's prow."
"Atli ek heitiatall skal ek þér veramjök em ek gífrum gramastr;úrgan stafnek hefi oft búitok kvalðar kveldriður.
Atli said:"My name is Atli,and I'll be fierce with you —I hate hags more than most;I've often stoodin the wet prowand choked the lifeout of night-riding witches.
Hvé þú heitirhála nágráðug?Nefndu þinn, fála, föður;níu röstumer þú skyldi neðar veraok vaxi þér á baðmi barr."Hrímgerðr kvað:
What's your name,corpse-hungry hag?Name your father, witch —nine leaguesis where you belong,down below,with pine trees growing on your chest."
"Hrímgerðr ek heitiHati hét minn faðirþann vissa ek ámáttkastan jötun;margar brúðirhann lét frá búi teknarunz hann Helgi hjó."Atli kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"My name is Hrimgerd,my father was Hati,the mightiest giant I ever knew;he took many bridesfrom their homes,until Helgi cut him down."
"Þú vart, hálafyr hildings skipumok látt í fjarðar mynni fyrir;ræsis rekkaer þú vildir Rán gefaef þér kæmi-t í þverst þvari."Hrímgerðr kvað:
Atli said:"You were the one, hag,in front of the prince's ships,lying at the fjord's mouth,waiting to givethe ruler's mento Ran — if a spear hadn't crossed your path."
"Duliðr ertu nú, Atlidraums kveð ek þér verasíga lætr þú brýnn fyr bráar;móðir mínlá fyrir mildings skipum;ek drekkða Hlövarðs sonum í hafi.
Hrimgerd said:"You're the one dreaming, Atli —I say you're dreaming —your eyelids are drooping shut;my mother layin front of the lord's ships —I drowned Hlovard's sons at sea.
Gneggja myndir þú, Atlief þú geldr né værirbrettir sinn Hrímgerðr hala;aftarla hjartahygg ek, at þitt, Atli, séþótt hafir reina rödd."Atli kvað:
You'd whinny, Atli,if you weren't gelded —Hrimgerd's raising her tail;your heart, I think, Atli,sits nearer your backside,though your voice sounds like a stallion's."
"Reini mun þér ek þykkjaef þú reyna knáttok stíga ek á land af legiöll muntu lemjaskef mér er alhugatok sveigja þinn, Hrímgerðr, hala."Hrímgerðr kvað:
Atli said:"You'll find me a stallionif you dare test me,once I step onto land from the sea;I'll batter you to pieces,if that's what I decide,and bend your tail down, Hrimgerd."
"Atli, gakk þú á landef afli treystiskok hittumk í vík Varins;rifja réttier þú munt, rekkr, fáaef þú mér í krummur kemr."Atli kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"Come ashore, Atli,if you trust your strength,and meet me in Varin's Cove;I'll straighten your ribs outfor you, warrior,once you're in my claws."
"Munk-a ek gangaáðr gumnar vaknaok halda of vísa vörð;er-a mér örvæntnær óru kemrskass upp undir skipi."Hrímgerðr kvað:
Atli said:"I won't come ashorebefore the men wakeand keep watch over the king;I wouldn't be surprisedif any moment nowa monster comes up under our ship."
"Vaki þú, Helgiok bæt við Hrímgerðier þú lézt höggvinn Hata;eina nóttkná hon hjá jöfri sofaþá hefr hon bölva bætr."Helgi kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"Wake up, Helgi,and make it right with Hrimgerd,for you cut down Hati;let her sleepone night beside the prince,and all her griefs are paid."
"Loðinn heitir, er þik skal eigaleið ertu mannkynisá býr í Þolleyju þurshundvíss jötunnhraunbúa verstrsá er þér makligr maðr."Hrímgerðr kvað:
Helgi said:"Lodin is the one who'll have you —you're loathsome to mankind —he lives on Tholley,a giant, cunning through and through,the worst of the rock-dwellers —that's the man fit for you."
"Hina vildu heldr, Helgier réð hafnir skoðafyrri nótt með firum;marggullin mærmér þótti afli bera;hér sté hon land af legiok festi svá yðvarn flota;hon ein því veldrer ek eigi mákbuðlungs mönnum bana."Helgi kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"You'd rather have her, Helgi,who came to search the harborswith men, the night before;that gold-decked girl,it seemed to me, showed real strength —she stepped ashore from the seaand moored your whole fleet like that;she alone is the reasonI can'tkill the prince's men."
"Heyr nú, Hrímgerðref ek bæti harma þérsegðu görr grami:Var sú ein vættrer barg öðlings skipumeða fóru þær fleiri saman?"Hrímgerðr kvað:
Helgi said:"Listen now, Hrimgerd —if I make it right with you,tell the king the truth:was there just one beingwho guarded the prince's ships,or did more of them come together?"
"Þrennar níundir meyjaþó reið ein fyrirhvít und hjalmi mær;marir hristuskstóð af mönum þeiradögg í djúpa dalihagl í háva viðu;þaðan kemr með öldum árallt var mér þat leitt, er ek leitk."Helgi kvað:
Hrimgerd said:"Thrice nine girls —but one rode ahead,a maiden white beneath her helmet;the horses shook,and from their manes felldew into the deep valleys,hail onto the tall woods;from that comes a good harvest for men —all of it was hateful, what I saw."
"Austr líttu nú, Hrímgerðref þik lostna hefrHelgi helstöfum;á landi ok á vatniborgit er lofðungs flotaok siklings mönnum it sama."Atli kvað:
Helgi said:"Look east now, Hrimgerd,and see if Helgihas struck you down with death-runes;on land and on waterthe king's fleet is safe,and his men are safe the same."
"Dagr er nú, Hrímgerðren þik dvalða hefrAtli til aldrlaga;hafnarmarkþykkir hlægligt veraþars þú í steins líki stendr."Helgi konungr var allmikill hermaðr. Hann kom til Eylima konungs ok bað Sváfu dóttur hans. Þau Helgi ok Sváfa veittust várar ok unnust furðu mikit. Sváfa var heima með feðr sínum, en Helgi í hernaði. Var Sváfa valkyrja enn sem fyrr.Heðinn var heima með föður sínum, Hjörvarði konungi, í Nóregi.Heðinn fór einn saman heim ór skógi jólaaftan ok fann trollkonu. Sú reið vargi ok hafði orma at taumum ok bauð fylgð sína Heðni."Nei," sagði hann.Hon sagði: "Þess skaltu gjalda at bragarfulli."Um kveldit óru heitstrengingar. Var fram leiddr sónargöltr. Lögðu menn þar á hendr sínar ok strengðu menn þá heit at bragarfulli. Heðinn strengði heit til Sváfu Eylimadóttur, unnustu Helga, bróður síns, ok iðraðisk svá mjök, at hann gekk á braut villistígu suðr á lönd ok fann Helga bróður sinn. Helgi kvað:
Atli said:"It's day now, Hrimgerd,and Atli has held you hereuntil it cost you your life;as a harbor-markyou'll make men laugh,standing thereturned to stone."King Helgi was a great warrior. He came to King Eylimi and asked for his daughter Svafa. Helgi and Svafa pledged troth to each other and loved each other deeply. Svafa stayed at home with her father, while Helgi went raiding; she remained a valkyrie as before.Hedin stayed home with his father, King Hjorvard, in Norway.One Yule's eve, Hedin was walking home alone through a forest and met a troll-woman. She was riding a wolf, with snakes for reins, and offered to go with him."No," he said.She said: "You'll pay for that at the toasting."That evening, oaths were sworn. The sacrificial boar was brought forward. Men laid their hands on it and swore their oaths over the toasting-cup. Hedin swore an oath to have Svafa, Eylimi's daughter, the beloved of his brother Helgi — and he regretted it so bitterly that he went off on wild paths, south through the land, and found his brother Helgi.
"Kom þú heill, Heðinnhvat kanntu segjanýra spjallaór Nóregi?Hví er þér, stillirstökkt ór landiok ert einn kominnoss at finna?"Heðinn kvað:
Helgi said:"Welcome, Hedin —what newsdo you have to tellfrom Norway?Why have you been driven,prince, from your land,and come here aloneto find us?"
"[Erumk-a, stillirstökkt ór landi]mik hefr miklu glæprmeiri sóttan:Ek hefi körnaina konungbornubrúði þínaat bagarfulli."Helgi kvað:
Hedin said:"[I have not been driven, prince,from my land —]a far greater crimehas caught me:I have chosenthe king's own daughter,your bride,at the toasting-cup."
"Sakask eigi þúsönn munu verðaölmál, Heðinnokkur beggja.Mér hefir stillirstefnt til eyrarþriggja náttaskylak þar koma;if er mér á þvíat ek aftr koma;þá má at góðugerask slíkt, ef skal."Heðinn kvað:
Helgi said:"Don't blame yourself —what's sworn at the alebetween the two of uswill come true, Hedin.A prince has summoned meto an island,on a three-night deadline —there I must go;it's uncertainwhether I'll come back;then it may still turn out well,if it's meant to be."
"Sagðir þú, Helgiat Heðinn værigóðs verðr frá þérok gjafa stórra;þér er sæmrasverð at rjóðaen frið gefafjándum þínum."Þat kvað Helgi, því at hann grunaði um feigð sína ok þat, at fylgjur hans höfðu vitjat Heðins, þá er hann sá konuna ríða varginum.Álfr hét konungr, son Hróðmars, er Helga hafði völl haslaðan á Sigarsvelli á þriggja nátta fresti. Þá kvað Helgi:
Hedin said:"You once said, Helgi,that Hedin deservedgood things from you,and great gifts;it would suit you betterto redden your swordthan to grant peaceto your enemies."Helgi said this because he sensed his own coming death, and that his fetches had visited Hedin when he saw the woman riding the wolf. There was a king named Alf, son of Hrodmar, who had staked out a battlefield for Helgi at Sigarsvellir, three nights hence.
"Reið á vargier rökvit varfljóð eitt, er Heðinnfylgju beiddi;hón vissi þatat veginn myndiSigrlinnar sonrá Sigarsvöllum."Þar var orrosta mikil, ok fekk þar Helgi banasár.
Helgi said:"On a wolf she rode,as dusk was falling,a woman who wantedto see Hedin off;she knew alreadythat Sigrlinn's sonwould fallat Sigarsvellir."There was a great battle there, and Helgi got his death-wound.
Sendi HelgiSigar at ríðaeftir Eylimaeingadóttur;"Bið bráðligabúna verðaef hon vill finnafylki kvikvan."Sigarr kvað:
Helgi sent Sigar ridingto fetch Eylimi'sonly daughter:"Tell her to make readyat once,if she still wants to findher prince alive."
"Mik hefr Helgihingat sendanvið þik, Sváfasjalfa at mæla;þik kvaðsk hilmirhitta viljaáðr ítrborinnöndu týndi."Sváfa kvað:
Sigar said:"Helgi has sent mehereto speak with you, Svava,in person;the prince saidhe wished to see youbefore his noble-born lifeleft him."
"Hvat varð HelgaHjörvarðs syni?Mér er harðligaharma leitatef hann sær of lékeða sverð of beitþeim skal ek gumnagrand of vinna."Sigarr kvað:
Svava said:"What happened to Helgi,Hjorvard's son?Grief has come to mehard now —if the sea struck him down,or a sword bit him,on those menI'll bring my own harm."
"Fell hér í morgunat Frekasteinibuðlungr, sá er varbaztr und sólu;Alfr mun sigriöllum ráðaþótt þetta sinnþörfgi væri."Helgi kvað:
Sigar said:"He fell this morningat Frekastein —that prince who wasthe best beneath the sun;Alf will holdall the victory now,though he'll have done littleto earn it this time."
"Heil vertu, Sváfahug skaltu deilasjá mun í heímihinztr fundr vera;téa buðlungiblæða undirmér hefir hjörr komithjarta it næsta.
Helgi said:"Be well, Svava —govern your grief;this is the lastmeeting we'll have in life;a prince's woundsare bleeding out —the sword has comeclosest to my heart.
Bið ek þik, Sváfa- brúðr grát-at-tu -ef þú vill mínumáli hlýðaat þú Heðnihvílu gervirok jöfur unganástum leiðir."Sváfa kvað:
I ask you, Svava —don't weep, my bride —if you'll listento what I say:that you make Hedinyour bed,and give the young princeyour love."
"Mælt hafða ek þatí munarheimiþá er mér Helgihringa valðimyndig-a ek lostigat liðinn fylkijöfur ókunnanarmi verja."Heðinn kvað:
Svava said:"I made a vowonce, in my beloved home,when Helgi chose mewith rings,that never willingly,if the prince died,would I take into my armsa prince I didn't know."
"Kysstu mik, Sváfakem ek eigi áðrRogheims á vitné Röðulsfjallaáðr ek hefnt hefikHjörvarðs sonarþess er buðlungr varbeztr und sólu."Helgi ok Sváfa, er sagt, at væri endrborin.
Hedin said:"Kiss me, Svava —I won't come backto Rogheimor Rodulsfjoll,until I've avengedHjorvard's son,the one who wasthe best beneath the sun."It is said that Helgi and Svava were reborn.