Rígsþula

Svá segja menn í fornum sögum, at einnhverr af ásum, sá er Heimdallr hét, fór ferðar sinnar ok fram með sjóvarströndu nökkurri, kom at einum húsabæ ok nefndist Rígr. Eftir þeiri sögu er kvæði þetta:Ár kváðu gangagrænar brautiröflgan ok aldinnás kunniganramman ok röskvanRíg stíganda.

Old stories tell that one of the gods — the one named Heimdall — went out walking along a certain shore, and came to a farmstead, where he called himself Rig. This poem follows that story:Long ago, they say,down the green roadswent a mighty, ancient god,a god well versed in lore,strong and bold —Rig, striding onward.

Gekk hann meir at þatmiðrar brautar;kom hann at húsihurð var á gætti;inn nam at gangaeldr var á golfi;hjón sátu þarhár at arniÁi ok Eddaaldinfalda.

On he went,down the middle of the road;he came to a house,a door stood in the frame;in he went —a fire burned on the floor;a couple sat there,grey by the hearth,Ai and Edda,old and hooded.

Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja;meir settisk hannmiðra fletjaen á hlið hvárahjón salkynna.

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;he sat downin the middle of the room,with the couple of the houseon either side of him.

Þá tók Eddaökkvinn hleifþungan ok þykkvanþrunginn sáðum;bar hon meir at þatmiðra skutlasoð var í bollasetti á bjóð;var kalfr soðinnkrása beztr.

Then Edda tooka coarse loaf,heavy and thick,packed full of husks;she carried it forthto the middle of the table;broth was in the bowl,she set it on the board;boiled calf's meatwas the finest dish.

Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja;reis hann upp þaðanréðsk at sofna;meir lagðisk hannmiðrar rekkjuen á hlið hvárahjón salkynna.

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;he rose from there,made ready to sleep;he lay downin the middle of the bed,with the couple of the houseon either side of him.

Þar var hann at þatþríar nætr samangekk hann meir at þatmiðrar brautar;liðu meir at þatmánuðr níu.

There he stayedthree nights together;then on he wentdown the middle of the road;and after thatnine months passed.

Jóð ól Eddajósu vatnihörvi svartanhétu Þræl.

Edda bore a child,they sprinkled him with water,wrapped him in black linen,and named him Thrall.

Hann nam at vaxaok vel dafna;var þar á höndumhrokkit skinnkropnir knúarfingr digrirfúlligt andlitlotr hryggrlangir hælar.

He began to growand thrive well;his hands hadwrinkled skin,knuckles gnarled,fingers thick,an ugly face,a bent back,long heels.

Nam han meir at þatmagns of kostabast at bindabyrðar gerva;bar hann heim at þathrís gerstan dag.

Then he sethis strength to work,binding bast,making up loads;he carried brushwood homethe whole day long.

Þar kom at garðigengilbeinaaurr var á iljumarmr sólbrunninnniðrbjúgt er nefnefndisk Þír.

Then to the yard camea bow-legged woman,mud on her soles,her arms sunburned,her nose bent down;she was named Thir.

Miðra fletjameir settisk hon;sat hjá hennisonr húss;ræddu ok rýndurekkju gerðuÞræll ok Þírþrungin dægr.

In the middle of the roomshe sat down;the son of the housesat by her;they talked and murmured,made up their bed —Thrall and Thir,day after day.

Börn ólu þau- bjuggu ok unðu, -hygg ek at hétiHreimr ok FjósnirKlúrr ok KleggiKefsir, FúlnirDrumbr, DigraldiDröttr ok Hösvir.Lútr ok Leggjaldi;lögðu garðaakra tödduunnu at svínumgeita gættugrófu torf.

Children they had —they lived and were content —their names, I think, wereHreim and Fjosnir,Klur and Kleggi,Kefsir, Fulnir,Drumb, Digraldi,Drott and Hosvir,Lut and Leggjaldi;they built fences,worked the fields,tended the pigs,watched the goats,dug the turf.

Dætr váru þærDrumba ok KumbaÖkkvinkalfaok ArinnefjaYsja ok AmbáttEikintjasnaTötrughypjaok Trönubeina.Þaðan eru komnarþræla ættir.

Their daughters wereDrumba and Kumba,Okkvinkalfaand Arinnefja,Ysja and Ambatt,Eikintjasna,Totrughypja,and Tronubeina.From them comethe lines of thralls.

Gekk Rígr at þatréttar brautirkom hann at hölluhurð var á skíðiinn nam at gangaeldr var á golfihjón sátu þarheldu á sýslu.

Rig went on thendown the straight roads;he came to a hall,a door on its hinge;in he went —a fire burned on the floor;a couple sat there,busy at their work.

Maðr teglði þarmeið til rifjar;var skegg skapatskör var fyrir enniskyrtu þröngvaskokkr var á golfi.

A man sat carvinga beam for a loom;his beard was trimmed,his hair cut short over his brow,his shirt close-fitting;a chest stood on the floor.

Sat þar konasveigði rokkbreiddi faðmbjó til váðar;sveigr var á höfðismokkr var á bringudúkr var á halsidvergar á öxlum.Afi ok Ammaáttu hús.

A woman sat there,turning the distaff,stretching her arms out,working the cloth;a headband on her hair,a smock on her chest,a cloth round her neck,brooches on her shoulders.Afi and Ammaowned the house.

Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja;[meir settisk hannmiðra fletjaen á hlið hvárahjón salkynna].::

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;he sat downin the middle of the room,with the couple of the houseon either side of him.

[Þá tók Amma]-- -- --var kalfr soðinnkrása beztr.

Then Amma took—boiled calf's meatwas the finest dish.

[Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja]reis frá borðiréð at sofna;meir lagðisk hannmiðrar rekkjuen á hlið hvárahjón salkynna.

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;he rose from the table,made ready to sleep;he lay downin the middle of the bed,with the couple of the houseon either side of him.

Þar var hann at þatþríar nætr saman;liðu meir at þatmánuðr níu.

There he stayedthree nights together;and after thatnine months passed.

Jóð ól Ammajósu vatnikölluðu Karlkona sveip riftirauðan ok rjóðanriðuðu augu.

Amma bore a child,they sprinkled him with water,called him Karl;a woman wrapped him in linen —red and ruddy,his eyes darting.

Hann nam at vaxaok vel dafnaöxn nam at temjaarðr at gervahús at timbraok hlöður smíðakarta at gervaok keyra plóg.

He began to growand thrive well;he broke oxen to the yoke,built the plow,raised timber houses,and built barns,made carts,and drove the plow.

Heim óku þáhanginluklugeitakyrtlugiftu Karli;Snör heitir súsettisk und rifti;bjuggu hjónbauga deildubreiddu blæjurok bú gerðu.

Home they drove thena woman with keys hanging at her belt,dressed in goatskin,and married her to Karl;Snor was her name —she sat beneath the veil;the couple settled,shared out rings,spread the bedsheets,and made their home.

Börn ólu þau- bjuggu ok unðu, -hét Halr ok DrengrHölðr, Þegn ok SmiðrBreiðr, BóndiBundinskeggiBúi ok BoddiBrattskeggr ok Seggr.

Children they had —they lived and were content —named Hal and Dreng,Hauld, Thegn and Smid,Breid, Bondi,Bundinskeggi,Bui and Boddi,Brattskegg and Segg.

Enn hétu sváöðrum nöfnumSnót, Brúðr, SvanniSvarri, SprakkiFljóð, Sprund ok VífFeima, Ristill.Þaðan eru komnarkarla ættir.

And these were calledby other names:Snót, Brud, Svanni,Svarri, Sprakki,Fljod, Sprund and Vif,Feima, Ristil.From them comethe lines of farmers.

Gekk Rígr þaðanréttar brautir;kom hann at salsuðr horfðu dyrrvar hurð hniginhringr var í gætti.

Rig went on from theredown the straight roads;he came to a hallwhose doors faced south;the door stood ajar,a ring hung in the frame.

Gekk hann inn at þatgolf var stráat;sátu hjónsáusk í auguFaðir ok Móðirfingrum at leika.

In he went —the floor was strewn with rushes;a couple sat there,gazing into each other's eyes,Fadir and Modir,playing with their fingers.

Sat húsgumiok sneri strengalm of bendiörvar skefti;en húskonahugði at örmumstrauk of riftisterti ermar.

The lord of the house sattwisting a bowstring,bending an elm bow,shaping arrow shafts;while the lady of the houseminded her arms,smoothed her linen,straightened her sleeves.

Keisti faldkinga var á bringusíðar slæðurserk bláfáan;brún bjartaribrjóst ljósarahals hvítarihreinni mjöllu.

She wore a high headdress,a brooch at her breast,a trailing gown,a blue-dyed shirt;her brow brighter,her chest fairer,her neck whiterthan pure snow.

Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja;meir settisk hannmiðra fletjaen á hlið hvárahjón salkynna.

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;he sat downin the middle of the room,with the couple of the houseon either side of him.

Þá tók Móðirmerkðan dúkhvítan af hörvihulði bjóðhon tók at þathleifa þunnahvíta af hveitiok hulði dúk.

Then Modir tookan embroidered cloth,white linen,and covered the board;then she tookthin loaves,white wheat bread,and spread them on the cloth.

Framm setti honfulla skutlasilfri varða, á bjóðfáin fleskiok fugla steikðavín var í könnuvarðir kálkar;drukku ok dæmðudagr var á sinnum.

She set forthsilver-bound platters,filled and set on the board,colored meatsand roasted birds;wine was in the jug,the cups were fine;they drank and talkedwhile the day went by.

Rígr kunni þeimráð at segja;reis hann at þatrekkju gerði.Þar var hann at þatþríar nætr saman;gekk hann meir at þatmiðrar brautar;liðu meir at þatmánuðr níu.

Rig knew wellhow to speak wisdom to them;then he roseand made his bed ready.There he stayedthree nights together;then on he wentdown the middle of the road;and after thatnine months passed.

Svein ól Móðirsilki vafðijósu vatniJarl létu heita;bleikt var hárbjartir vangarötul váru augusem yrmlingi.

Modir bore a boy,wrapped him in silk,sprinkled him with water,and named him Jarl;fair was his hair,bright his cheeks,his eyes fierceas a young serpent's.

Upp óx þarJarl á fletjum;lind nam at skelfaleggja strengialm at beygjaörvar skeftaflein at fleygjafrökkur dýjahestum ríðahundum verpasverðum bregðasund at fremja.

There Jarl grew upin the hall;he learned to shake the shield,string the bow,bend the elm,shape arrow shafts,hurl the spear,brandish javelins,ride horses,set hounds loose,draw swords,and swim.

Kom þar ór runniRígr gangandiRígr gangandirúnar kendi;sitt gaf heitison kveðsk eiga;þann bað hann eignaskóðalvölluóðalvöllualdnar byggðir.

Then out of the grove cameRig, walking —Rig, walking —and taught him runes;he gave him his own name,claimed him as his son;he bade him takethe ancestral lands,the ancestral lands,the ancient homesteads.

Reið hann meir þaðanmyrkvan viðhélug fjöllunz at höllu kom;skaft nam at dýjaskelfði lindhesti hleypðiok hjörvi brá;víg nam at vekjavöll nam at rjóðaval nam at fellavá til landa.

Then Jarl rode onthrough dark woods,over frosty mountains,until he came to a hall;he shook his spear,brandished his shield,spurred his horse,and drew his sword;he stirred up war,reddened the field,felled the slain,and won lands in battle.

Réð hann einn at þatátján búumauð nam skiptaöllum veitameiðmar ok mösmamara svangrifjahringum hreyttihjó sundr baug.

Alone he came to ruleeighteen estates;he shared out wealth,gave to all —treasures and gems,slim-flanked horses;he scattered rings,cut gold arm-rings apart.

Óku ærirúrgar brautirkómu at hölluþar er Hersir bjó;mey átti hannmjófingraðahvíta ok horskahétu Erna.

His messengers drovedown the wet roads,came to the hallwhere Hersir lived;he had a daughter,slender-fingered,fair and wise,named Erna.

Báðu hennarok heim ókugiftu Jarligekk hon und líni;saman bjuggu þauok sér unðuættir jókuok aldrs nutu.

They asked for her hand,and drove her home,married her to Jarl;she went veiled in linen;together they lived,content with each other,raised a family,and lived out their years.

Burr var inn ellstien Barn annatJóð ok AðalArfi, MögrNiðr ok Niðjungr- námu leika, -Sonr ok Sveinn- sund ok tafl, -Kundr hét ennKonr var inn yngsti.

Bur was the eldest,Barn the second,Jod and Adal,Arfi, Mog,Nid and Nidjung— they learned to play —Son and Svein— swimming and board games —Kund was another name,and Kon was the youngest.

Upp óxu þarJarli bornirhesta tömðuhlífar benduskeyti skófuskelfðu aska.

There they grew up,Jarl's own sons;they broke horses,strung shields,whittled arrows,brandished ash-spears.

En Konr ungrkunni rúnarævinrúnarok aldrrúnar;meir kunni hannmönnum bjargaeggjar deyfaægi lægja.

But young Konknew the runes —runes eternal,runes of life;more than that, he knewhow to save men,dull the sword's edge,and calm the sea.

Klök nam fuglakyrra eldasefa of svefjasorgir lægjaafl ok eljunátta manna.

He learned bird-speech,how to quiet fire,lull minds to rest,and calm sorrows;he had the strength and vigorof eight men.

Hann við Ríg jarlrúnar deildibrögðum beittiok betr kunni;þá öðlaðiskok þá eiga gatRígr at heitarúnar kunna.

He matched runeswith Rig-Jarl,used his wits,and knew better;then he earned the right,and won the claim,to be called Rigand to know the runes.

Reið Konr ungrkjörr ok skógakolfi fleygðikyrrði fugla.

Young Kon rodethrough brush and forest,loosed his arrows,and stilled the birds.

Þá kvað þat krákasat kvisti ein:"Hvat skaltu, Konr ungrkyrra fugla?Heldr mætti érhestum ríða[hjörvi bregða]ok her fella.

Then a crow spoke,sitting alone on a branch:"Why, young Kon,do you still the birds?You'd do betterto ride your horse,draw your sword,and cut down armies.

Á Danr ok Danprdýrar halliræðra óðalen ér hafið;þeir kunnu velkjóli at ríðaegg at kennaundir rjúfa."

Dan and Danp ownricher halls,a nobler birthrightthan yours;they know wellhow to steer a ship,how to test a blade,how to deal a wound."

Brún bjartaribrjóst ljósarahals hvítarihreinni mjöllu.

Her brow brighter,her chest fairer,her neck whiterthan pure snow.

Bjuggu hjónbauga deildu.

The couple settled,shared out rings.