Friðrek drápa inn Frisi, Part Four

Here is the final section of the Friðrek drápa inn Frisi, my praise poem for Duke Frederick of Holland.  In this section, we see evenings at Highrafters at Pennsic and his return to the West Kingdom where he reigned as King and later has served the Crown and the Dream.   In this section, you will see a cameo of Mistress Morgana Bro Morganwg and some tiny blue devils (including al-hrifinn af sauðfé Willy).

This concludes the poem.  You can hear this section HERE.


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kvæða söngu at kvældi
kváma  til há-rapts
kappa-lið hverr kýla
kaldr mjöði ok alvi.
úgeigað í elding
arin-hauk rita sögum
völva með raust vofinn
vaklyndr dökk-blár púka

í sögur-hring af-bragðs
ȯr  skald löndum öðrum
eiki-hæsts al-fagna.
yngi hlýði kvæðum.
Heyra þu orð-hegi
hljótti allir lata.
allir söngu eld-kvæð
iðja-grœnn ok hunang

hringkastr um haf vestr
heima siglt mikil
undir ráskegg arði
álvags Trundle skelfr.
Herstillr þú handtakit
hljóð-ligr al-gull-króna;
þín ríki þarf-liga
þjónað vellbrójtr sóknharðr.

þín konungar þjónað
þolinn sverð ok drótt-mál.
drauminn varða drjúgr
drengskap með þín lífs-blóð.
harði-stjór fyr skelfin
skafitung þik geðfastr
þrysvar-drótinn þegnar
þín rað-verðum heyrir

Hvernig sýna hæstu
heimill liege minna
elskandi hlatur eilifr
ölsöng sunginn fulla.
Hlátur þinn að heyra
hlið komum með liege
Komum með heim kennar
kátliga þegnur tengda

In the evenings at Highrafters we sang songs of war; warriors came and we drank deeply of cold ale and mead.  Un-lost, in the very late night, old men told stories; the wise woman with a weaving voice, summoned frisky wee blue devils.

Many fine skalds from foreign lands rejoiced in Oaktall’s circle.  Young folks sat to hear songs.  All grew quiet to hear your skilled words, All sang the old songs, evergreen and honeyed.

Proud ring-tosser [GENEROUS RULER], you sailed to the Western shores.  Under the sailyard beard [SAILS] Trundle plowed the trembling eel-plain[SEA] .  Troop-controller, you seized the heavy gold-crown.  You humbly served your Kingdom, battle-strong gold-breaker [KING].

You served your king with enduring sword and court-voice.  You defend the lasting dream courageously with your life-blood.  Tyrants tremble before you sharp-tongued steadfast-minded [WISE MAN] .  Thrice-master, freemen hear your true words.

Bring us home, my liege, to you, Sing the old ale-songs with loud loving laughter.
Your laughter leads us; liege, we come home. We come home, master, merry thanes to join you.