The form is Ljóðaháttr:
The ljóðaháttr stanza typically contains six lines or two units of three lines each. The first two lines in each unit are connected by alliteration, and the third is also decorated with alliteration. The first two lines have at least two beats and the third three beats.Source: (http://www.trobar.org/prosody/pnort.php)
You will note that many of the verses in the body of the poem are repeating. The first parts of these verses are largely based on the HÁVAMÅL (The Counsel of Óthinn the One-Eyed) edited and translated by Jackson Crawford.
The recordings will be added in the next few days.
Saleem drápa goðinn (Drapa for Saleem the Chieftain)
| Old Norse Verses | Poetic Translation |
|---|---|
| Stef: Skeggjaðr herra stǫndum prúðliga snarr svanbekkjar sól gunngjóð spjotar góma fólkið leyfa láðvǫrðr lunda gunnborðs. Visur: Heyr þu spakræður ef sækir mundu af randa hreggbjóðr Opts gott þat es gamlir kveða; opt ýr skơrpum belg skilin orð koma; Nú heyrþu orð skaldins hárra, gamla ok tannlaussa allþơrf ýta sonum, heill sás kva. heill sás kann, njóti sás nam, heilir þeirs hlýddu. (stef) Sifjum es þá blandat hverr es segja ræðr einum allan hugaldr. Svá með hann - goða hrafnar - beztrar vináttu ok helztrar. Sifjum es þá blandat hverr es segja ræðr einum allan hugaldr. Svá með hann - hærra þegn prúðr hlut fríðmǫnnum hafi gefit. (Stef) Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - ráðsmann síðgóðan launtals skjólsman slæligan. Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - Grœðir vísdóms er hrafnsheim til vigafar fylgir. Fróðr sá þykkisk es fregna kann ok segja it sama. Svá með hann - herra hniplings, ríkismanna raðunautr. (Stef) Lifa með drengskap allt líf þín ok vil skylfi nipt Fenris að nema þú Svá með hann - rǫskvast Hrafnsgóði fyrst til hríðar Fróða. Lifa með drengskap allt líf þín ok vil skylfi nipt Fenris að nema þú Svá með hann - Grimmast gjóða Fíðrirjóðr Yggjar. (Stef) Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - lindar línu fríðill ok vin ljúfastr. Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - álptar-blíða dóttir ástúðligast. Esat maðr alls vesall þótt hánn sé illa heill - sumr es af frændum sæll, Svá með hann - Fygja fast són djárfastr ok bezt hugaðr. (Stef) Glaðr ok reifr skyli gumna hverr unz sinn bíðr bana. Svá með hann - á Dauði segir orð sætastu ok hvatastu. Glaðr ok reifr skyli gumna hverr unz sinn bíðr bana. Svá með oss - Láta lærið frá lífi honum vega dugnaðar. (Stef) |
Refrain: Bearded chieftain bravely stands hero of the swan´s bench sun. Palate spears of people praise the land-keeper leader of the shield trees. Verses: Hear you wisdom if seek you would of the bringer of the shield storm. wisdom dwells in old men's hearts; oft from gray-beards wise words come. Hear you words of the hoary skald, old and toothless, all for men's good. Health to you who speak them, Health to you who know them, Joy to you who learn them, Health to you who hear them. (Refrain) Men are friends when they can share their minds' fruit without fear. Thus with him - Raven's Chieftain, of all comrades best and truest. Men are friends when they can share their minds' fruit without fear. Thus with him - to men of peace the brave thegn his greatest share has given. (Refrain) He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - counselor honest - well-versed secret keeper. He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - Wisdom-feeder Ravenhome's war-leader. He seems wise who knows the answer and knows how to explain it. Thus with him - pelican-lord gentle counsellor of Kings. (Refrain) Live with bravery all thy life and Hel will fear to seize you. Thus with him - brave Raven´s leader first to the storm of Fróði. Live with bravery all thy life and Hel will fear to seize you. Thus with him - osprey feeder Yggjar's feather reddener (Refrain) Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of head-dress linden - dearest friend and lover. Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of swan's grace lovely- dearest friend and father. Soul-wretched is no man even if he weakens - men find happiness in their kin. Thus with him - of scion stout-heart - dearest friend and father. (Refrain) Man should also cheerful be, till certain death comes for him. Thus with him - to Death speaks he sweetest words and bravest. Man should also cheerful be, till certain death comes for him. Thus with us - Let us learn from his life valor´s ways. (Refrain) |
Kennings Used
spjotar góma > spears of the palate > TONGUES
Láðvǫrðr > land-keeper > BARON
gunnborðs > shield trees > WARRIORS
hreggbjóðr > shield-storm > WAR
randa hreggbjóðr > bringer of the shield-storm > WARRIOR
hugaldr > mind fruit > THOUGHTS
goða hrafnar > raven's chieftain > THESCORRE BARON
Grœðir vísdóms > wisdom feeder > COUNSELLOR
hrafnsheim > ravens' home > THESCORRE
vigafar fylgir > war-way leader > CHIEFTAIN
herra hniplings > pelican-lord > COMPANION OF THE PELICAN
ríkismanna raðunautr > king's man wisdom-bringer > COUNSELLOR
nipt Fenris > sister of Fenris > HEL
Hrafnsgóði > raven's chieftain > THESCORRE BARON
hríðar Fróða > storm of Fróði > WAR
Grimmast gjóða > osprey feeder > WARRIOR
FíðrirYggjar > feathers of Yggjar > feathers of Odin >RAVEN
Fíðrirjóðr Yggjar > reddener of the feathers of Yggjar > WARRIOR
lindar línu > linden of the head-dress > WOMAN, WIFE
álptar-blíða > swan's grace > MAIDEN, DAUGHTER
Fygja fast són > scion stout-heart > BRAVE SON
LIKE IT? HATE IT? GOT QUESTIONS?
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The first few verses are an imaginative setup and those last verses really knock them down!
ReplyDeleteLovely. The only thing missing is a verse about his smart-alec humor, though I suppose the penultimate stanza hints at it. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteArianna
Thank you both for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. Thank you :) I am forever grateful that you spent your efforts and used your knowledge in this way. It is a testament to the friendship you hold with my father. And I can think of no greater way to show respect for that. We will all have a beautiful memory because you have shared your thoughts with us :) You are both great men. I am glad to know you.
ReplyDelete