Friday, October 28, 2011

Three Verses for Cold Weather

So, back when I was beginning this quest, I wrote poems in dróttkvætt metre, but in English.  I did this as an exercise to keep my mind going between inspirations.  Here are three of these English verses, slightly extended and modified, in honor of the change of weather Upstate New York is now experiencing.  Not that long ago, we had temperatures in the 70´s, with sunshine and occasional thunderstorms.  Last night, we dipped below freezing and the "higher elevations" had measurable snowfall. It's what makes Upstate living so "interesting," in a Chinese curse way.

These three verses go in order - from late summer storm through the leaf fall to winter's cold grip.  One definition: a heiti is a one-word metaphor, usually a god's name or familiar name for a thing.  In these verses, I use three heiti which are listed with the kennings in the notes.

So, parkas on? Snow shoes ready? Here we go.  Enjoy!

==========================================


Three Verses for Cold Weather

Through the storm-shrines tear-veil
torn by Vigþor's war-bolt,
shield-trees ride to safety
sheltered by the elm-masts.
Ash-bane flares in ice-homes.
Eyebrow-stones are blinded.
Lime-tree-bane knocks limbs down -
Loaf-bane flies for high-home.

Sviðrir´s yard-arm slumbers
Shields on ground he yields
Winter's onslaught waits he
Waking serpent-slayer.
Rostri - tree-top runner -
ruts through leaves on nut-quest;
Flyting with the flay-claw
Fleers at mouse-bane's queerness.

Forni's sacred fish-bath
frozen by Ull's chosen
servant - Norðri's sail-bane
settles waves to metal.
Neath the throne of narwals
neap-tide's wave-herds sleeping
wait for Suðri's warm breath
to welcome boat-land's melting.


========================================

KENNINGS USED:


storm-shrine > THE SKY
tear-veil > CLOUDS
Vigþor's war-bolt > [VIGÞOR =Thor of Battle] > LIGHTNING
shield-trees > MEN
Ash-bane > LIGHTNING
ice-homes > CLOUDS
eyebrow-stones > EYES
lime-tree-bane > WIND
loaf-bane > MAN

Sviðrir´s yard-arm > [SVIÐRIR = Óðinn] > TREE
shields on ground > LEAVES
serpent-slayer > FROST
Rostri > a heiti for SQUIRREL
flay-claw & mouse-bane > CAT

Forni > GOD OF THE HUNT
Ull > GOD OF WINTER / SNOW
fish-bath > POND
Norðri > a heiti for THE NORTH
sail-bane > STORMS
throne of narwhals > WATER
wave-herds > FISH
Suðri > a heiti for THE SOUTH
boat-land > WATER

======================================

Please, comment!





Thursday, October 27, 2011

Nótt-veidr (Night-Hunt)



This poem is for Halloween. In Old Germanic lore, this time of year was when the Wild Hunt took place. There is a great deal of literature on the lore of the Wild Hunt. One explanation is at the Orkneyjar website. I have chosen the Wild Hunt motif here, lead by Loki and consisting of the ghouls, ghasts, and goblins we popularly think of when we dress for Halloween.

I have written in runhent, which literally means rhyming endings. It is the only metre in Old Norse-Icelandic poetry that uses end-rhymes. Although lines of runhent can vary in length from four to eight syllables, I have used primarily a four-syllable line, with occasional five-syllable lines. The verses should move fairly quickly when spoken and I hope the form is more comfortable for you to read than the longer, more technically demanding dróttkvætt that I usually write.

The poem is presented, as usual, in Old Icelandic, English Line by Line, and a Prose Translation, all followed by notes on the kennings used.

A note about the Jack-o-Lantern. When it first became a popular symbol of Halloween, the Jack-o-Lantern was based on folklore that shows it being a guardian spirit. The bold fellow i the picture above is a traditional Irish Jack-o-Lantern, carved from a turnip! You can read more here.

Enjoy!

==============================


Old Icelandic English Line-by-Line Prose Order
Lopts fár-veiði
bereð mús-flæði
ok tán-riðinn
ok úlf-héðinn.
Almsorg ýla
blóð-tungl fýlla
eðl-vina blistra
slydda rísta
Loki´s hunt
brings the flood-mouse
and the hedge-rider
and the wolf-skin.
The elm-grief howls
the blood-moon fills
the toad friend whistles
the rain slashes.
Loki´s hunt
brings the flood-mouse
and the hedge-rider
and the wolf-skin.
The elm-grief howls
the blood-moon fills
the toad friend whistles
the rain slashes.
Upp strætir býrs
kveld-riðar fyrst
borgar-lýðr hvak
á gýgjar blakr.
Bjarnar tryllska
seið-kvenna sjá
ok menn mein-samr
með vargar u-tamr.
Up streets town
dark-riders flow
towns-people quail
at orges black.
Children bewitched
spell-women see
and men noxious
with wolves wild.
Up the town's streets
dark-riders flow
towns-people quail
at orges black.
Children bewitched
see spell-women
and noxious men
with wild wolves.
Háf-ulfr í blys-ljos
hálf-limt af kveld-mús
fenja-menna
flet-þak brenna.
Stað-fólk gnella
á skræmir ílla;
brysti bera
fyrir fólk hverra?
Half-wolf in torch-lit
twilight of night-mouse
fen-men
straw-thatch burn
Town-folk scream
at scarecrows evil;
breast bares
for folk who?
Torch-lit half-wolf in
twilight of the night-mouse;
fen-men
burn straw-thatch (roofs).
Town-folk scream
at scarecrows evil;
who bares his breast
for the folk?
Upp fram-hus stíg
inn skulla-víg
brósa rauð-gull
ward festa-ból.
Kyndill-skella
egg-leika krella.
Fára á hæl
veiði-konungr bæl.
Up porch stair
the skull of war
smiles red-yellow
guard abode.
Candle skull
edge-plays spirits.
Takes to the heel
the hunt-king burn(ing).
Up the porch stair
the skull of war
smiles - red-yellow
house guard .
Candle skull
edge-plays with spirits.
The burn(ing) hunt-king
takes to his heels.
Brý-bana bið
gefa fólk fríð
ok staðir-drott
allr svófu-rott.
The witch-bane abiding
gives the folk peace
and town- people
all sleep sweetly.
The abiding witch-bane
gives the folk peace
and the town-people
all sleep sweetly.


==============================

KENNINGS USED

mús-flæði – the ´flood-mouse´ > BAT
tán-riðinn – the hedge-rider > GHOST
úlf-héðinn – the wolf-skin > WEREWOLF
almsorg – the grief of elms > WIND
eðl-vina – toad-friend > WITCH
kveld-riðar – dark riders > ZOMBIES
seið-kvenna – spell-women > WITCHES
háf-ulfr – half-wolf > WEREWOLF
kveld-mús – night-mouse > VAMPIRE
skulla-víg – skull (of) war > JACK-o-LANTERN
festa-ból – locked or fast house > ABODE
kyndill-skella - candle skull > JACK-o-LANTERN
egg-leika – edge-plays > BATTLES
veiði-konungr – hunt-king > LOKI
brý-bana – witch-bane > JACK-o-LANTERN

==============================

Now it's your turn - to leave a comment. Here are three questions to help you get started.

1. What image or images did you like the most?

2. What images or idea in the poem would you like to know more about?

3. What do you like or dislike about this metre,
runhent?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Tears of Bees

tu pater es, rerum inventor, tu patria nobis suppeditas praecepta, tuisque ex, inclute, chartis, floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant, omnia nos itidem depascimur aurea dicta…Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, Bk. 3, ll. 9-12

You are our father, the discoverer of truths, you supply us with a father's precepts, from your pages, illustrious man, as bees in the flowery glades sip all the sweets, so we likewise feed on all your golden words


So much depends on the bees. I was working in the yard Monday and they were right there beside me, hitting up the wild flowers. We blissfully ignored one another, being careful to keep our respective distances: the bees, from my hoe; me, from their stings. As I watched them, my mind wandered and this poem was born.

==============================
Bý-tár Bee's-tears Prose Order
Engis gulla augar
óð-rærs hæna smyrill;
fluga-stinga súpa
sæta mjölk-blóms læ-víss.
Vængar með höggvanda
vínsvelgr fljóta til býhus
Þer hunangs ymr-þjuða
þrek-liga stemma lækr-gull

Birti-gulla bý-tár
bekkr dam-stæð leka
játir bara-jastars
yndi-ligr bekkr vinds-gnýr.
Hrannir út hann dynjað
Hárs á saltunnu skáldit
siglað Óðinns segjað
skald-skipit ok öl-hrönn
Meadow golden-eyes
wisdom-raiser attract hawk;
fly-sting sips
sweet milk-bloom liquor-wise.
Wings with staggering
drunkard floats to beehouse;
there honey buzzing-tribe
strongly stems stream-gold.

Bright-gold bee-tears
brook dam-yard leaks
yields wave-yeast
Charming brook squalling.
waves out of which poured
Hárs onto hall-barrel the skald
sails Odin´s speaks
skald´s ship and ale-wave.
The meadow's golden eyes
attract the hawk of wisdom-raiser;
stinging-fly sips
sweet intoxicating flower´s milk.
With staggering wings
drunkard floats to beehive
The buzzing tribe there honey
golden streams stems strongly.

Dam-yard leaks a brook
of bright-gold bee-tears;
charming brook yields
to squally yeast-wave
which pours into the waves
of Hárs hall-barrel [and] into the skald
[who] sails the skald's ship
and speaks Odin´s ale-wave


==============================

Kennings Used:

engis augar > eyes of the meadow > wildflowers

óðörærs smyrill > hawk of the wisdom raiser > hawk of nectar > bee

mjölk-bloms > milk of the flowers > nectar

bý-tár > bee's tears > honey

dam-stæði > dam-yard > honey-comb

bara-jastars > yeast-wave > mead

hrannir Hárs saltunnu > waves of Hár´s (Óðinn´s) hall-barrel > mead

skald-skipit > the skald-ship > dreams

Óðinns öl-hrönn > Ódinn's ale-wave > poetry

==============================

Please, now that you've read the poem, leave me a comment on it. Here are the three questions:
1. What did you like about this poem?

2. What would you change about this poem?

3. What else would you like to learn?
Finally, a shout out to Dr Beverliey Braune, whose excellent blog, Musings on skáldic poetry is a constant inspiration to me. Thank you, Dr. Braune.

Enjoy!

Fridrikr

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Skald-Praising Re-visited

Hej!

I know, I know, you may have seen this one before. I thought I'd try re-cycling one or two of the favorites in the new html version, in hopes that I can garner more hits and more comments. Please, read it to the end and comment!

This verse is in an unusual form called iðurmæltr “repeatedly said” by Snorri. You can find an original example in the Heilagra meyja drápa (‘Drápa about Holy Maidens’). This verse form uses repetition of the final word from one line to the first word of the following line, though in a different form.

My original verse was written in English:

Speak o glorious silk-Syf
Silken voices fill us -
Filled with sword din's fever
Fevered tales you're weaving.
Weaver of our wild dreams
Dreamers grasp your seemings
Seamless runs the silk-stream
Silky-smooth your speeches.


==============================

The re-crafted lausavísr, which you can hear here, is slightly different, as you would expect. I think it achieves my purpose of describing and praising a Skald:

Skáld-lofligr Skald-praising Prose order translation
Segðú hæra silk-smiðr
silki-raddir fyllum
fyllask sóttin sverða
sverða songar ferðir
ferða-maðr drómundr draumi
drauma-manna gripa þykkju
þykk-ligr rennr straum-silki
silki-liðka þinn sagðr
Speak, highest silk-smith
Silken voices fill us
filled with the fever of swords
sword song exploits
Traveller the war-ship of dreams
Dreaming-men grasp thoughts
Thickly flows stream-silk
Silky-smooth your tellings
Speak, highest silk-smith
silken-voices fill us
(you are) filled with thoughts of battle
with the songs of the sword's exploits
Traveller on the dream war-ship
dreaming men grasp (your) thoughts
thickly flows the silk-stream
silky-smooth your speaking.


==============================

KENNINGS USED:

silk-smiðr > Silk-maker > Smooth-speech-maker > SKALD
silki-raddir > Silken-voices > POETRY
sóttin sverða > fever of the sword > BATTLE
sverða songar > songs of the sword > BATTLE
ferða-maðr drómundr draumi > traveller (on) the war-ship of dreams > SKALD
drauma-manna > dreaming-men >LISTENERS
straum-silki > silk-streams > POETRY


==============================

Hope you enjoyed! Before you go, please leave a comment. Here are three ideas to start:

1. What was one thing you liked in this poem?

2. What change could make the poem better?

3. What would you like to know more about?


Thanks!

Fridrikr

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Krónuvísur - Crown Verses

This past weekend saw the 30th Crown Tournament of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc. 18 fighters gathered to select the next King and Queen of our Kingdom in the SCA. I wrote the following poem between Friday and today in honor and memory of the wonderful, sun-filled, chivalrous combat.

In the poem, I have referred to the devices of the two combatants in the final round. The first, Sir Timothy of Arindale, features a winged bear as its primary charge; the second, His Royal Highness Andreas Morgan, features two squirrels as his primary charges (his lady, Her Royal Highness Kallista Morgunova, also has a squirrel on her device).

So, here it is, in columns once again, for your reading ease. Please, comment on it, if you wish. I always appreciate your comments. I'll put up a recording later this week, for your listening pleasure.

==============================
Old Icelandic English Prose Translation
Hvélinn skein á hólar
himins enda-lauss dimmir -
Stýri gildr bauð skatna
stafar malregns djarfr
Ildest sverð-taka jarn-fastr
ok ýtar fresknastr rítar;
forú át mó fleins flug
finnar erfingi þínna.


Blakat merki bik-svart
borða með gull ok vörur
kallarir hrósat hringa
hrað-mæltr sírar glaðligr
Fram-leitat þjórar from-fuss
frýdi gjórdar-vitr prýddr -
kallað her-blástr koll-hufs
á kró litr-járn gnýs-odda


Stokkr-bryni snúðigt
skjaldar ganga á hjaldar
barninn skegglauss bond-ligr
ban-skot garðað megin-grimmr.
Gjorð-vitr prýdi gjarnastr
gjögar kljufuð róg-þornar
hlynir-brandr hlákka
Hlóriðs sinna hjör-opi.


Skjaldar hyggja át skýja
sverða-hlynar berjand
fruvor helztr ok hersir
heita görað hjörleiks.
Folk-Tyr mattig (fagr-eygr)
(furu-rafir) krúnu
fara andvigr (fylgt hinn)
feginn-samligr (legg ást).


Hilmr-ýta kallað á hólm-gangr
hjalmar-Týrir tví jam-ýkkr
sverð-Tyrir svertað til stals
sterki-þrekr reynast brékar-fjands.
Á holmgang kvámu hetjar
hjálmar-skaða hlammandi
gulli bjorn-maðdr flygill
ok gárp-menn töskir-jarðar


Andres loð-skegg (Hlaðguðs)
lauf-mann (elboði) bann-fjór
færði hleypi (fljótrast)
(fina engjalað kyndill.)
Raynir þakkat ronda
hringa-Ságu minntaskt
eptir krúna-efni
eggi-sveig vinnað-sigr.


Þjód-konungr, snallr jófurr
hjalm-stafr reynast frægr.
Riki-alm-viðs reka
runni efni er buinnast.
The wheel shone on hills
heaven´s end-less dusky -
Ruler mighty summoned men
staves out metal-rain bold
eldest sword-takers iron-fast
and impellers boldest of shields
They came to moor of spear flight
discover your heir.


Flew banners pitch-black
broidered with gold and fur
Heralds praised ring
quick of speech saplings cheerful.
Honor-seeking young bulls eager
challenged belts-white adorned -
called war-trumpets skull-caps
to pen colored-iron of din of points.


Tree-trunk byrnie haughtily
shield strode to uproar
youth beardless, farmer-like,
death-shot delivered, very fierce.
Belt-white proud most willing
rifts cleaved foemen.
Sword-maple eagle-screamed
Bellowing-Thunderer's sword cry.


Shield looks at of clouds
sword-maples striking
ladies gentlest and lords
high cheered sword-play.
Army-Tyr mighty (fair-eyed)
(fir tree of amber) crown
goes to fight for (guided him)
joyfulness-filled (by love).


Protector of men calls to list
helmet-Tyrs two well-matched
sword-gods file to core
courageous proved foe-breakers.
To list came heroes
helm-destroyers clashing:
golden bear-man winged
and brave man squirrel-lands.


Andreas shaggy-beard (Hlaðgoðs)
leaf-man (storm-bringer) life-ban
brings sudden (swiftest)
(fine rewarded candle).
Trier grateful of shields
ring-goddess kissed
after crown of heirs
the edge-swayer won.


Mighty king, your brave prince
helm-stave is proven glorious.
Realm of elm-leaves, counselor
of warriors heir is most ready.
The wheel of heaven shone on
endless dusky hills.
The mighty ruler summoned
metal-rain staves bold.
Iron-fast sword-takers elder
and bold shield-impellers come
to the spear flight moor
to find your heir.


Pitch-black banners broidered
with gold and fur flew;
Heralds quick of speech
praised cheerful ring-saplings.
Eager honor-seeking young bulls
challenged adorned white-belts.
War trumpets called iron-skull-caps
to the sword-point pen.


The tree-trunk byrnie strode
to the shield up-roar.
To the beardless farm-youth
he delivered the death-blow.
The willing white-belt proud
cleft rifts through foemen;
the sword-maple shrieked the
war-cry of the Bellowing Thunderer.


The shield of clouds looked at
the striking sword-maples.
Gentlest ladies and high lords
cheered the sword-play.
The mighty Army-Tyr fought
for crown guided by the love
of the fair fir-tree of amber.



Protector of men, you called
two well-matched helmet Tyrs to battle.
The sword-gods fled to the core;
they proved courageous foe-breakers.
To the list came heroes,
clashing helm destroyers:
The man of the golden winged-bear and
the brave man from squirrel-lands.


Andreas shaggy-beard brought
sudden life-ban to the leaf-lord.
Hlaðguð's swiftest storm-bringer
rewarded the fine candle.
The grateful trier of shields
kissed his ring-goddess,
after he, the edge-swayer,
won the crown of heirs.


Mighty king, the glorious helm-stave,
your brave prince, is proven.
Realm of elm-leaves,
the warrior counselor's heir is ready!

==============================

KENNINGS and HEITI USED

Verse 1:

Hvélinn himins > Heaven's wheel > SUN
Stýri skatna > Ruler of men > KING
stafar malregns > staves of metal-rain > WARRIORS
sverð-taka > sword-taker > KNIGHT (who swears an oath on the sword)
ýtar rítar > impellers od shields > WARRIORS
mó fleins flug > moor of spear flight > BATTLE-FIELD

Verse 2:

hringa sírar > ring-saplings > WOMEN
þjorar > young bulls > WARRIORS
giórðar-vitr > belts-white > KNIGHTS
koll-hufs járn-litr helmets > WARRIORS kró gnýs-odda > pen of din of [sword] points > LIST

Verse 3:

Stokkr-bryni > tree-trunk byrnie > large WARRIOR
skjaldar hjaldar > shield uproar > BATTLE
Gjorð-vitr > belt-white > KNIGHT
hlynir-brandr > sword maple > WARRIOR
Hlóriðs > Battle Thunderer > THOR

Verse 4:

Skyjaldar skyja > Shield of clouds > SUN
sverða hlynar > sword-maples > WARRIORS
Folk-Týr > Army-Tyr (god) > WARRIOR
furu-rafir > fir-tree ofamber > LADY

Verse 5:

Hilmr-ýta > Protector of men > KING
hjalmar-Týrir > helmet Tyrs > WARRIORS
sverð-Týrir > sword Tyrs > WARRIORS
svertað til stals > file to the core > fight to the end
brekar-fjánds > foe-breakers > WARRIORS
hjalmar-skada > helm-destroyers > WARRIORS
bjorn-maðr > bear-man > Timothy of Arindale
gárp-menn töskir-jardar > brave man of squirrel-land > Andreas Morgan

Verse 6:

lauf-mann > leaf-lord > DUKE (Timothy)
bann-fjór > life-ban > DEATH
Hlaðguðs elbóði > Hladgud's (valkyrie's) storm-bringer > WARRIOR
fina kyndill > fine candle > LADY
Raynir ronda > trier of shields > WARRIOR
hringa-Ságu > ring-Ságu (goddess) > WOMAN
eggi-sveig > edge-swayer > WARRIOR

Verse 7:

hjalm-stafr > helm-stave > WARRIOR
Riki-alm-viðs > Realm of elm-leaves > AETHELMEARC
reka runni > counselor of warriors > KING

=============================

Enjoy!

Fridrikr

Friday, October 7, 2011

#OCCUPYTHESAGAS

Today, I'm taking a real wide swing around my usual poetry to do a quick addition to the #occupythemiddleages twitter feed that Karl Steel put up at In The Middle.  There, Karl sees the Middle English poem, Gode speede the ploghe, as a veiled warning to the Church and the Landholders, the 1% of the times, to more closely value the peasants, the 99% of the time.

You see the same message in the poetry of the Kings' Sagas, most particularly in the Bersoglisvisur of Sigvatr Þórðarson.  In it, the skald berates the king for his ill-treatment of the farmers, and reminds him that
enn eru búendir seinir af, þvís minnir
the farmers are still slow to relinquish what they remember (verse 5)
He also gives a more direct warning of future dissent, when he says
Vasat á her, með hjorvi / hlið, þars stóðk i miðjum / hrösinn (skal með hrísi) hans flokki (við þjokkva)
There was no gap in the ranks where I stood proudly in the midst of his men with my sword; one must make the forest denser with brush. (verse 3)
Finally, in verse 12, the warning is more explicit yet:

Hætts þats allir ætlask / (áðr skal við því ráða) / hárir menn, es heyrik  / hót, skjǫldungi at móti; / greypt's þat, 's hǫfðum hnepta, / heldr, ok niðr í felda / (slegit hefr þǫgn á þegna) / þingmenn nǫsum stinga.
The threat is dangerous when all grey-haired men, as I hear, intend [to revolt] against the ruler; that must be prevented in advance.  It's rather grim when assembly members hand their heads and stick their noses into their cloaks; silence has descended on your followers.
That image, of the King's supporters, the farmers and common men keeping silent and choosing to "stick their noses in their cloaks is a powerful one.  It warns the King to respect the rights the farmers have enjoyed under his father, in order to be certain that the army will have their support, that "the brush will make the forest denser" and fill the lines.

King Magnús Óláfsson heeded the warning he was given.  I hope the 1% heeds the warning its receiving today.

Fridrikr

(Sources for the poetry are

  • Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages, vol. 2: Poetry from the Kings' Sagas 2, pp. 11-30.






Tuesday, October 4, 2011

An Interim Post!

While I'm working on the next poem, a brief interlude. In browsing Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages, vol. 7, Poetry on Christian Subjects, for inspiration, I came across these two verses in Latin, but written in dróttkvætt. The editor of this section, Jonathan Grove, says that these Stanzas Addressed to Fellow Ecclesiastics are "the only known examples of medieval Scandinavian Lat. poetry composed in skaldic metres." (SPSMA, vol. 2, p. 471). It appears that these two verses may have been written by the same author, and may date from early 14th century.
Latin Verses English Translations
Verse 1


Ad te, care ave, mitto;
audi nostrum carmen laudis:
factus esto fratrum recte
flore decus seniorum.
Presta, summe Pater, castam
plene fidem Audoeno
† aminaui † ut tu, Numen,
isto uiro prebuisti



Verse 2

Esto, consors caste,
cura mente purus;
sume tibi, Thoma,
tutum fide scutum
Vive intus, ave,
ortus celi porta;
inde gregis grandis
gaude Christi laude.
Verse 1


I send [this] to you, dear grandsire
hear our song of praise;
flowering may you be rightly made
a splendour of the senior brethren.
Bestow, Highest Father, spotless
faith abundantly upon Audenus
just as you Godhead,
have granted to that man "aminuai."



Verse 2

Chaste colleague, through attentiveness
be pure in thought;
take upon yourself, Thomas,
the sheltering shield of faith.
Having arisen, grandsire,
dwell in the gateway of Heaven;
Then rejoice in the great congregation's
praise of Christ
One thing I find interesting about these verses is the ease with which they fit into the skaldic meter. I believe that the inflected nature of Latin is the reason why Latin works so well in dróttkvætt meter. I also have found the Latin phrase celi porta "Heaven's gateway" appears in a later set of verses in Icelandic, himinríkis which is used as a kenning for the Virgin Mary. (Máríudrápa, verse 30, SPSMA, vol. 2, p. 30-31). Next time, the promised flokkr on "A Journey". Enjoy,

Fridrikr

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Enda-rimmu (Battle's End)


This flokkr of verses is designed to "show" a battle, a first victorious, but, as the gods often will it, with a turning at the end. I'm experimenting with a new layout, which I hope will help ease the understanding of what is going on here. Please let me know how you like both the poem and the lay-out. You can hear it here.
Old Norse-IcelandicWord-by-WordProse Order Translation


Vask með gram vargs-nistir
vapna-sennus happ-frjodr
Reð herkonungr hrjóda
hneitis egg í sveita.
Allvaldr dreki eld-ligr
ílla bjóðuð hildi
gladdi marg már-gunnar
góður sköldungr þjóðar.


Norðan-jarl setja át jarn
jöfurr-stýri glófi
hjoggu harða dyggvir
hirðmenn norða stirða
sigr-verk blóðgan seggja
sótti ok fekk drótinn
baugs en barðir lógu
borvar, grjoóts ok orva


Sveirteik harðan spandi
svornu kornum jóri
sveigjað malmregns suðræn
sigbjarkar ok egg-skugg
sœfri hlenna skað-vænn
sigr-blót þinn sór birgjað
sék inn hjor-flaug hastligr
hjarða smó þinn hervæðr






féllt með hilmir fóldar
fimm-tugr Norðmenn hjordr
sás á sinni ævi
sásk aldrigi háska
barask á bauglistir
á bolstað lik skjöldr
leiða longar dauða
limar illa mik stillis



I was with lord wolf-feeder
weapon-quarrel wise
Did army-king stripe
sword's edge in gore.
Overlord dragon fiery
calamitous offered battle;
fed many gulls of battle
good ruler of people.


Northern earl attacked iron
prince-controller glove
cut down most loyal
retainers Northmen relentless
victory bloody lord of
you sought and won men
ring were down lay
trees, spears and arrows


sword-play hard attracted
troll-woman's chorus steed
swayed metal-rain Southern
battle-birches and edge-thunder
slayer of thieves destructive
victory sacrifice your wounds made
I saw the spear-flight sudden
hard pierce your war-garb






fell with lord of the land
fifty Northmen hardy
he who in his life
feared never danger
carried on ring-damager's
to home corpse shield
affect me long of death
branches grievously of king


I was with you, lord, the wolf-
feeder [WARRIOR] wise of
weapon-quarrels [BATTLES].
The army-king [LEADER]
striped sword-edges in gore.
The fiery overlord of dragons
offered calamitous battle.
You, good ruler of the people
[KING] fed many battle-gulls [RAVENS].

The Northern earl, iron-gloved,
attacked, O prince-controller
[KING]. Your most loyal
retainers cut down relentless
Northmen. Lord of men [KING],
you sought and won bloody victory.
Ring-trees [WARRIORS] were
laid low by spears and arrows


The chorus of the horse of the
troll-woman [WOLF-TROOP
> Ealdormereans]
attracted
hard sword-play [BATTLE]
The Southern battle-birches
[WARRIORS] swayed in the
edge-thunder and metal-rains [BATTLE].
Slayer of destructive thieves
[KING], your wounds made
the victory-sacrifice.
I saw the sudden spear-
flight pierce your hardened
war-garb [ARMOUR]

The lord of the land fell
surrounded by fifty Northmen
He who in his life
never feared danger
Ring-damager´s [KING] corpse
carried home on shield
The long branches [MEMORIES]
of the King's death affect me grievously