The Complete

Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda

Legendary Sagas of the Northland

in English Translation

SIGRLAMI hét konungr, er réð fyrir Garðaríki. Hans dóttir var Eyfura, er allra meyja var fríðust.

Saga Heiðreks konúngs ens vitra ch. 2:

.... Ok einn dag, er konúngr reið á veiðar, ok hann varðeinn sinna manna, sá hann einn stein mikinn við sólsetr, ok þar hjá dverga tvá; konúngr vígði þá utan steins með málasaxi; þeir beiddu fjörlausnar.

Konúngr mælti: Hvat heiti þér?

Annar nefndist Dvalinn, en annar Dulinn.

Konúngr mælti: Af því at þið eruð allra dverga hagastir, þá skulu þið gera mér sverð, sem bezt kunni þið; hjöltin ok meðalkaflinn skal vera af gulli; þat skal svá bíta járn, sem klæði, ok aldri ryðr á festast; því skal fylgja sigr í orrustum ok einvígjum, hverjum er berr;

þetta játta þeir. Konúngr ríðr heim. En er stefnudagr kemr, þá ríðr konúngr til steinsins ; eru þá dvergar úti, ok fengu konúngi sverðit, ok var ið fríðasta. En er Dvalinn stóð í steindurum, þá mælti hann;

sverð þitt, Svafrlami; verðr manns bani hvert sinn, er brugðit er, ok með því skulu unnin vera 3 níðingsverk, þat skal ok vera þinn bani.

Þá hjó konúngr sverðinu til dverganna, lupu þeir í steininn; höggit kom ok í steininn, ok fal báða eggsteina, þvíat dyrnar lukust aptr á steininn.

Konúngr kallaði sverðit Tyrfing, ok barr hann jamnan síðan í orrustum ok einvígjum, ok hafði jamnan sigr.

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 1

Þessi konungr hafði eignazt sverð þat af dvergum, er Tyrfingr hét ok allra var bitrast, ok hvert sinn, er því var brugðit, þá lýsti af svá sem af sólargeisla. Aldri mátti hann svá hafa beran, at eigi yrði hann manns bani, ok með vörmu blóði skyldi hann jafnan slíðra. En ekki var þat kvikt, hvárki menn né kvikvendi, er lifa mætti til annars dags, ef sár fekk af honum, hvárt sem var meira eða minna. Aldri hafði hann brugðizt í höggi eða staðar numit, fyrr en hann kom í jörð, ok sá maðr, er hann bar í orrostu, mundi sigr fá, ef honum var vegit. Þetta sverð er frægt í öllum fornsögum.

 There was a man called Sigrlami who ruled over Gardariki. That is Russia. His daughter was Eyfura who was the fairest of all girls.

One day as the king rode out hunting, he lost sight of his men. He rode deep into the forest in pursuit of a hart but when the sun sank the following day, he still hadn’t caught it. He’d ridden so far into the forest, he hardly knew where he was. He saw a tall stone in the sunset, and by it two dwarves. He drew his knife over them, binding them outside the stone by the power of graven iron. They begged for their lives.

The king asked, “What are your names?”

One was called Dvalin, the other Dulin.

The king said, “Since you two are the most skilled out of all the dwarves, you shall make me a sword, the best that you can. The guard and boss shall be of gold, and the grip too. It will bite iron like cloth and never rust. It will bring victory in battles and single combats for all who bear it.”

They agree to this. The king rides home. And when it comes to the appointed day, he rides to the stone. The dwarves were outside. They hand him the sword and it was indeed splendid. But as Dvalin stood in the doorway of the stone, he said:

“May your sword, Sigrlami, be a man’s bane each time it is drawn and may three vile deeds be done with that sword. It will also be death to your kin.”[1]

Then the king swung his sword at the dwarves. They sprang into the rock. The sword stuck right into the stone so that both edges were lost from sight, for the door closed behind them in the stone.

Sigrlami kept that sword and called it Tyrfing. It was the sharpest of swords and each time it was drawn it shone like a sunbeam. Never could it be bared without killing a man, and with warm blood it would always be sheathed. And nothing, not human nor animal, could live a day if they got a wound from it, no matter how great or small. It never failed to strike, nor did it stop till it hit the earth, and any man who bore it in battle would have victory if he used it. The king bore it in battles and single combats and had victory every time. That sword is famous in all the old sagas. 

Saga Heiðreks konúngs ens vitra ch. 2:

 Arngrímr var þá í víking í austrveg um Bjarmland.; hann herjaði í ríki Sigrlama konúngs, ok átti orrustu við hann, ok áttust þeir vápnaskipti við, ok hjó konúngr til hans; Arngrímr kom fyri sik skildinum, ok tók af skjaldarsporðinn, ok nam sverðit í jörðu staðar. Þá hjó Arngrímr af konúngi höndina, ok féll þá niðr Tyrfingr; Arngrímr þreif sverðit Tyrfing, ok hjó með konúnginn fyrst, ok síðan marga aðra;

tók hann herfáng mikit, ok flutti brott með sér Eyfuru, konúngsdóttur, ok flutti hann hana heim til bús síns í Bólm; hann átti með henni tólf syni: Angantýr var elds2, þá Hervaðr, þá Hjörvarðr, Sæmingr ok Rani, Brami, Barri, Reifnir, Tindr ok Búi, ok tvá Haddingjar, ok unnu þeir báðir eins verk, þvíat þeir voru tvíburar ok yngstir; en Angantýr vann tveggja verk, hann var ok höfði hærri, enn aðrir menn; allir voru þeir berserkir, ok umfram aðra menn at afli ok áræði; en þóat þeir færi færi í hernað, þá voru þeir aldri fleiri á skipi, enn tólf bræðr. Þeir fóru víða um lönd at herja, ok voru mjök sigrsælir, ok urðu inir frægustu.

There was a man called Arngrim. He was a famous viking. He journeyed east to Gardariki and stayed a while with King Sigrlami and became the general of his army, to get both lands and subjects, for the king was now old. Arngrim became such a great chief now, the king gave him his daughter in marriage and appointed him to the highest position in his realm. He gave him the sword Tyrfing. Then the king settled down and nothing more is told of him.

Arngrim went north with his wife Eyfura to his family estate and settled on the island of Bolm. They had twelve sons. The oldest and most famous was Angantyr, the second Hjorvard, the third Hervard, the fourth Hrani, then Brami, Barri, Reifnir, Tind, Saeming and Bui and the two Haddings, who had between them only as much strength as one of the others, because they were twins, and because they were the youngest. But Angantyr had the strength of two. They were all of them berserks, such strong and great fighters that they would never travel except as a band of twelve. And they were never in a battle they didn’t win. Because of this they became famous in all the lands and there wasn’t a king who did not give them what they wanted.

Þat var tíðenda eitthvert sinn jólaaptan, at menn skyldu heit strengja at bragarfulli, sem siðr er til. Þá strengdu heit Arngríms synir. Hjörvarðr strengdi þess heit, at hann skyldi eiga dóttur Ingjalds Svíakonungs, þá mey, er fræg var um öll lönd at fegrð ok atgervi, eða enga konu ella.

Þat sama vár gera þeir bræðr ferð sína tólf ok koma til Uppsala ok ganga fyrir konungs borð, ok þar sat dóttir hans hjá honum. Þá segir Hjörvarðr erendi sitt konungi ok heitstrenging, en allir hlýddu, þeir er inni váru. Hjörvarðr biðr konung segja skjótt, hvert erendi hann skal þangat eiga. Konungr hugsar þetta mál ok veit, hversu miklir þeir bræðr váru fyrir sér ok af ágætu kyni komnir.

Í því bili stígr fram yfir konungs borðit sá maðr, er hét Hjálmarr inn hugumstóri, ok mælti til konungs: "Herra konungr, minnizt þér nú, hvé mikinn sóma ek hefi yðr veitt, síðan er ek kom í þetta land, ok hversu margar orrostur ek átta at vinna ríki undir yðr, ok hefi ek yðr látit heimila mína þjónustu. Nú bið ek yðr, at þér veitið mér til sæmdar ok gefið mér dóttur yðra, er minn hugr hefir jafnan á leikit. Ok er þat makligra, at þér veitið mér þessa bæn heldr en berserkjunum, þeim er illt eitt hafa gert bæði í yðru ríkir ok margra annarra konunga."

Nú hugsar konungr hálfu meir ok þykkir nú þetta mikit vandamál, er þessir tveir höfðingjar keppast svá mjök um dóttur hans.

Konungr segir á þessa leið: Hvártveggi sjá er svá mikill maðr ok vel ættborinn, at hvárigum vill hann synja mægða, ok biðr hana kjósa, hvárn hún vill eiga. Hún segir svá, at þat er jafnt, ef faðir hennar vill gifta hana, þá vill hún þann eiga, er henni er kunnr at góðu, en eigi hinn, er hún hefir sögur einar frá ok allar illar sem frá Arngríms sonum. Hjörvarðr býðr Hjálmari á hólm suðr í Sámsey ok biðr hann verða hvers manns níðing, ef hann gengr fyrr at eiga frúna en þetta einvígi er reynt. Hjálmarr kveðr sik ekki skulu dvelja. Fara nú Arngríms synir heim ok segja feðr sínum sitt erendi, en Arngrímr kveðst aldri fyrr hafa óttazt um ferð þeira.

   Þessu næst fara þeir bræðr til Bjarmars jarls, ok gerir hann í móti þeim veizlu mikla. Ok nú vill Angantýr fá dóttur jarls, er Sváfa hét, ok var nú drukkit brúðlaup þeira. Ok nú segir Angantýr jarli draum sinn: Honum þótti þeir bræðr staddir í Sámsey, ok fundu þar fugla marga ok drápu alla. Þá sneru þeir annan veg á eyna, ok flugu í móti þeim ernir tveir, ok þóttist hann ganga í móti öðrum, ok áttu þeir hart viðskipti, ok settust niðr báðir, áðr létti. En annarr örninn átti við bræðr hans ellefu, ok þótti honum örninn efri verða.

 Jarl segir, at þann draum þurfti ekki at ráða ok þar væri honum sýnt fall rikra manna.

It was Yule Eve, the time for men to make solemn vows at the ceremony of the bragarfull, or chief’s cup, as is the custom. Then Arngrim’s sons made vows. Hjorvard took this oath, that he would have the daughter of Ingjald king of the Swedes, the girl who was famed through all lands for beauty and skill, or else he would have no other woman.

That same spring, the twelve brothers make their way and they come to Uppsala and walk before the kings table, and there sat his daughter beside him. Then Hjorvard tells his errand to the king and his oath, and everyone in the hall listened. Hjorvard asks the king to say quickly what answer he will give. The king thinks about this matter, and he knows how powerful the brothers were and of what reputed kin.

There were two men staying with King Ingjald at this time, as his champions and land-wards: Hjalmar the Great-Heart and Odd the Traveller who was called Arrow-Odd. And when Hjalmar heard what the berserks said, he stepped up before the table and spoke to the king: “Lord king, does your majesty remember now what great honour I have brought you since I came to your kingdom and how many battles I fought to win lands for you, and have I not always put my service at your disposal? Now I ask you that you do me the honour of giving me your daughter to whom my thoughts have always turned. And it is more appropriate that you grant this boon to me than to the berserks who have wrought ill both in your realm and in many other kingdoms.”

Now the king thinks all the more, and it seems a very tricky problem, these two leaders competing so much over his daughter.

The king speaks thus and says that each of them is such a great man and so nobly born that he will refuse them both his daughter. And he asks her to choose which one she wants to have. She says that is fair: if her father wishes to give her in marriage, then she wants the one she knows to be good, and not one she has only heard stories of, and all of them bad, as with Arngrim’s sons.

Hjorvard challenges Hjalmar to come south to the island of Samsey and curses him as a coward despised by all if he goes first and weds the lady before the duel is decided. Hjalmar says he won’t delay. Now Arngrim’s sons go home and tell their father how it went. And Arngrim says he’s never feared for them on any of their expeditions before now.

Immediately afterwards, the brothers travel to Jarl Bjarmar and he welcomes them with a great feast. And now Angantyr wishes to wed the jarl’s daughter, who was called Svafa, and they celebrated their wedding feast. And now Angantyr tells the jarl his dream: “It seemed to me,” he said, “that we brothers stood on Samsey and found many birds and killed them all. Then I dreamt we turned along a different way on the island and there flew towards us two eagles, and it seemed I went against one, and we had tough dealings together, and we both put each other on the floor before we stopped. And the other eagle fought with my eleven brothers, and it seemed to me the eagle got the better of them.”

The jarl says that there is no need to analyse that dream, for there he was shown the fall of mighty men.    

4. KAPÍTULI

4. Battle on Samsey

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 3:

En er þeir bræðr koma heim, búast þeir til hólmstefnu, ok leiðir faðir þeira þá til skips ok gaf þá sverðit Tyrfing Angantý.

"Hygg ek," segir hann, "at nú muni þörf vera góðra vápna." Hann biðr þá nú vel fara; eptir þat skiljast þeir.

Ok er þeir bræðr koma í Sámsey, sjá þeir, hvar tvau skip liggja í höfn þeiri, er Munarvágr hét. Þau skip hétu askar. Þeir þóttust vita, at Hjálmarr mundi þessi skip eiga ok Oddr inn víðförli, er kallaðr var Örvar-Oddr. Þá brugðu Arngríms synir sverðum ok bitu í skjaldarrendr, ok kom á þá berserksgangr. Þeir gengu þá sex út á hvárn askinn. En þar váru svá góðir drengir innan borðs, at allir tóku sín vápn, ok engi flýði ór sínu rúmi, ok engi mælti æðruorð. En berserkirnir gengu með öðru borði fram, en öðru aptr ok drápu þá alla. Síðan gengu þeir á land upp grenjandi.

Hjálmarr ok Oddr höfðu gengit upp á eyna at vita, ef berserkirnir væri komnir. Ok er þeir gengu ór skóginum til skipa sinna, þá gengu berserkir út af skipum þeira með blóðgum vápnum ok brugðnum sverðum, ok var þá genginn af þeim berserksgangrinn. En þá verða þeir máttminni en þess á milli sem eptir nokkurs kyns sóttir. Þá kvað Oddr:

"Þá var mér

ótti einu sinni,

er þeir grenjandi

gengu af öskum

(ok emjandi

í ey stigu)

tírarlausir,

váru tólf saman."

Þá mælti Hjálmarr til Odds: "Sér þú nú, at fallnir eru menn okkrir allir, ok sýnist mér nú líkast, at vér munum allir Óðin gista í kveld í Valhöllu."

Ok þat eitt segja menn, at Hjálmarr hafi mælt æðruorð. Oddr svarar: "Þat mundi mitt ráð vera, at vit flýðim undan á skóg, ok munu vit ekki mega tveir berjast við þá tólf, er drepit hafa tólf ina fræknustu menn, er váru í Svíaríki."

Þá mælti Hjálmarr: "Flýjum vit aldri undan óvinum okkrum ok þolum heldr vápn þeira; fara vil ek at berjast við berserki."

Oddr svaraði: "En ek nenni eigi at gista Óðin í kveld, ok skulu þessir allir dauðir berserkir, áðr kveld sé, en vit tveir lifa."

Þetta viðrmæli þeira sanna þessar vísur, er Hjálmarr kvað:

"Fara halir hraustir

af herskipum,

tólf menn saman

tírarlausir;

vit munum

í aptan Óðin gista

tveir fóstbræðr,

en þeir tólf lifa."

Oddr segir:

"Því mun orði

andsvör veita:

Þeir munu í aptan

Óðin gista

tólf berserkir,

en vit tveir lifa."

Þeir Hjálmarr sá, at Angantýr hafði Tyrfing í hendi, því at lýsti af sem sólargeisla. Hjálmarr mælti: "Hvárt viltu eiga við Angantý einn eða við bræðr hans ellefu?" Oddr segir: "Ek vil berjast við Angantý. Hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni en brynju þinni til hlífðar."

Hjálmarr mælti: "Hvar kómu vit þess til orrostu, at þú gengir fram fyrir mik? Því viltu berjast við Angantý, at þér þykkir þat meira þrekvirki. Nú em ek höfuðsmaðr þessar hólmgöngu; hét ek öðru konungsdóttur í Svíþjóðu en láta þik eða annan ganga í þetta einvígi fyrir mik, ok skal ek berjast við Angantý," -- ok brá þá sverðinu ok gekk fram í móti Angantý, ok vísaði hvárr öðrum til Valhallar. Snúast þeir í móti, Hjálmarr ok Angantýr, ok láta skammt stórra höggva á milli.

Oddr kallar á berserki ok kvað:

"Einn skal við einn eiga,

 nema sé deigr,

hvatra drengja,

eða hugr bili."

Þá gekk fram Hjörvarðr, ok áttust þeir Oddr við hart vápnaskipti. En silkiskyrta Odds var svá traust, at ekki vápn festi á, en hann hafði sverð svá gott, at svá beit brynju sem klæði. Ok fá högg hafði hann veitt Hjörvarði, áðr hann fell dauðr. Þá gekk til Hervarðr ok fór sömu leið, þá Hrani, þá hverr at öðrum, en Oddr veitti þeim svá harða atsókn, at alla felldi hann þá ellefu bræðr. En frá leik þeira Hjálmars er þat at segja, at Hjálmarr fekk sextán sár, en Angantýr fell dauðr.

Oddr gekk þar til, er Hjálmarr var, ok kvað:

"Hvat er þér, Hjálmarr?

Hefir þú lit brugðit.

Þik kveð ek mæða margar undir;

hjálmr er þinn höggvinn,

en á hlið brynja,

nú kveð ek fjörvi of farit þínu."

Hjálmar kvað:

"Sár hefi ek sextán,

slitna brynju,

svart er mér fyr sjónum,

séka ek ganga;

hneit mér við hjarta hjörr Angantýs,

hvass blóðrefill, herðr í eitri."

Ok enn kvað hann:

"Áttak at fullu

imm tún saman,

en ek því aldri

unda ráði;

nú verð ek

liggja lífs andvani,

sverði undaðr,

í Sámseyju.

Drekka í höllu

húskarlar

mjöð menjum

göfgir at

míns föður;

mæðir marga

mungát fira,

en mik eggja

 spor í eyju þjá.

Hvarf ek frá

hvítri hlaðs

beðgunni á Agnafit

utanverðri;

saga mun sannast,

sú er hún

sagði mér,

at aptr koma

eigi mundak.

Drag þú mér

af hendi

hring inn rauða,

færðu inni

ungu Ingibjörgu;

sá mun henni

hugfastr tregi,

er ek eigi kem

til Uppsala.

Hvarf ek frá

fögrum fljóða söngvi

 ótrauðr gamans

austr við Sóta;

 för skundaðak

ok fórk í lið hinzta

sinni frá hollvinum.

Hrafn flýgr austan

af hám meiði, f

lýgr honum

eptir örn í sinni;

 þeim gef ek erni

efstum bráðir,

sá mun á blóði

bergja mínu."

Eptir þat deyr Hjálmarr. Oddr segir þessi tíðendi heim í Svíþjóð, en konungsdóttir má eigi lifa eptir hann ok ræðr sér sjálf bana.

Angantýr ok bræðr hans váru lagðir í haug í Sámsey með öllum vápnum sínum.

But when the brothers come home, they prepare themselves for the duelling place, and their father leads them to the ship and then gave the sword Tyrfing to Angantyr.

“I think,” he says, “that there will be a need of good weapons.”

He bids them farewell. After that, they leave.

And when the brothers come to Samsey, they see two ships lying in the cove which is called Munway. Those ships were the kind called ‘ashes’. They thought these ships must belong to Hjalmar and Odd. Then Arngrim’s sons drew their swords and bit on their shield-rims, and the berserk-state came on them. Then six of them went out onto each of the ashes. And there were such good warriors on board there that they all took up their weapons, and no one fled from his post, and no one uttered a word of fear. And the berserks went up one side and down the other and killed them all. Then they walked up onto the land roaring.

Hjalmar and Odd had gone up onto the island to see if the berserks had come. And as they walked out of the woods to their ships, the berserks came out of the ships with bloodied weapons, and then the berserk-state went off them. And they became weaker then that at other times, as after some kind of sickness. And Odd intoned:

“One time only

I was frightened,

when from warships

they walked roaring

(and loud yowling

to the island climbed)

twelve together,

gloryless.”

Then Hjalmar said to Odd, “Do you see there that all our men have fallen, and it appears to me most likely now that we will all be Odin’s guests in Valhall tonight.”

And that, men say, is the only word of fear that Hjalmar spoke.

Odd answers, “My advice would be this: that we get away from here to the wood, because the two of us will not be able to fight those twelve who have killed the bravest men who were in Sweden.”

Then said Hjalmar, “We will never flee from our enemies but rather endure their weapons. I will go to fight a berserk.”

Odd answered, “Well, I’m not in the mood to lodge with Odin tonight, so they will all be dead berserks before evening, and us two will live.”

That conversation of theirs is proved by this these lines which Hjalmar chanted:

“Bold fellows fare

forth off warships,

twelve together,

gloryless;

we foster brothers

must feast with Odin,

this very evening

while those twelve live.”

Odd says:

“To that an answer

I can give you:

This evening it’s they

who’ll eat with Odin,

those twelve berserks,

and the two of us live.”

Then Hjalmar saw that Angantyr had Tyrfing in his hand because it shone like a sunbeam. Hjalmar spoke: “Which do you want to fight: Angantyr on his own, or his eleven brothers?”

Odd says, “I want to fight with Angantyr. He will give hard knocks with Tyrfing, but I believe my shirt is better protection than your byrnie.”

Hjalmar spoke: “Wherever did we come to a battle, where you go forward in front of me? That’s why you want to fight with Angantyr, because you think that will get you more glory. Well, I’m the leader of this duelling expedition. In Sweden I promised the king’s daughter I’d not let you or anyone else go into this duel in front of me. So I should fight Angantyr.” And he drew his sword then and stepped up towards Angantyr, and they dedicated each other to Valhall. And they didn’t leave long between each heavy stroke.

Odd called to the berserks and said:

“One on one, lads,

unless you’re scared;

single combat,

or where’s your courage?”

Then Hjorvard went forward and he and Odd had a hard exchange of blows. And Odd’s silk shirt was so reliable that no weapon could get a grip on it, and he had a sword so good it bit mail like cloth. And he hadn’t dealt many cuts before Hjorvard fell dead. Then Hervard stepped up and went the same way, then Hrani, then one after the other, and Odd dealt them such a fierce onslaught that he laid low all eleven brothers. And of Hjalmar’s match it’s to be told that Hjalmar took sixteen wounds, and Angantyr fell dead.

Odd went up to where Hjalmar was, and said:

“What’s up, Hjalmar?

Your hue’s altered.

I say many wounds

do weary you.

Your helm is hewn,

and the hauberk on your side;

I say your life

has left you now.”

Hjalmar sang:

 “I’ve sixteen wounds,

a slit byrnie;

there’s clouds before my eyes—

can’t see.

It entered my heart,

Angantyr’s sword,

fell bloodspike,

forged in poison.”

And he sang again:

 “I owned five

farms in all

but that was never

enough for me.

Now I must lie,

of life deprived,

sword-maimed,

on Samsey Isle.

Housecarls do sup

in the hall on mead,

with gems fêted,

at father’s place.

Many men is the ale

making weary,

but me, sword-tracks[2]

on Samsey torment.

I left the fair

valkyrie of cloaks[3]

on Agnafit

to the ocean side;

it’ll turn out true,

what she told to me,

that never after

would I be back.

Take the red-gold

ring off my hand

and bring it to young

Ingibjorg;

that grief will fix

fast in her mind,

that I’ll not come

to Uppsala.

Away I turned

from womens’ song,

and eager for joy,

I eastward fared;

on I hastened,

teamed up with Soti,

left dear friends

one final time.

Raven flies from the east

from his lofty tree;

after him eagle
in escort flies.

To that last eagle

I leave my flesh.

He’ll banquet upon

on the blood of me.”

After that Hjalmar dies. Odd brings these tidings home to Sweden and the king’s daughter could not live after him and took her own life.

Angantyr and his brothers were laid in a mound on Samsey with all their weapons. 

5. Hervor Got the Sword Tyrfing

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 4

Dóttir Bjarmars var með barni; þat var mær einkar fögr. Sú var vatni ausin ok nafn gefit ok kölluð Hervör.

Hún fæddist upp með jarli ok var sterk sem karlar, ok þegar hún mátti sér nokkut, tamdist hún meir við skot ok skjöld ok sverð en við sauma eða borða. Hún gerði ok optar illt en gott, ok er henni var þat bannat, hljóp hún á skóga ok drap menn til fjár sér. Ok er jarl spyrr til þessa stigamanns, fór hann þangat með liði sínu ok tók Hervöru ok hafði heim með sér, ok dvaldist hún þá heima um stund.

Þat var eitt sinn, er Hervör var úti stödd því nær, er þrælar nokkurir váru, ok gerði hún þeim illt sem öðrum.

Þá mælti í þrællinn: "Þú, Hervör, vilt illt eitt gera, ok ills er at þér ván, ok því bannar jarl öllum mönnum at segja þér þitt faðerni, at honum þykkir skömm, at þú vitir þat, því at inn versti þræll lagðist með dóttur hans, ok ertu þeira barn."

Hervör varð við þessi orð æfar reið ok gengr þegar fyrir jarl ok kvað:

"Áka ek várri
vegsemd hrósa,
þótt hún Fróðmars
fengi hylli;
föður hugðumst ek
fræknan eiga,
nú er sagðr fyr mér
svína hirðir."

Jarl kvað:

"Logit er margt at þér
lítil of efni,
frækn með firðum
var faðir þinn taliðr;
stendr Angantýs
ausinn moldu
salr í Sámsey
sunnanverðri."

Hún kvað:

"Nú fýsir mik,
fóstri, at vitja
fram genginna
frænda minna;
auð mundu þeir
eiga nógan,
þann skal ek öðlast,
nema ek áðr förumst.

Skal skjótliga
um skör búa
blæju líni,
áðr braut fari;
mikit býr í því,
er á morgin skal
skera bæði mér
skyrtu ok ólpu."

Síðan mælti Hervör við móður sína ok kvað:

"Bú þú mik at öllu
sem þú bezt kunnir,
sannfróð kona,
sem þú son mundir;
satt eitt mun mér
í svefn bera,
fæ ek ekki hér
yndi it næsta."

Síðan bjóst hún í brott ein saman ok tók sér karlmanns gervi ok vápn ok sótti þar til, er víkingar nokkurir váru, ok fór með þeim um hríð ok nefndist Hervarðr.

Litlu síðar tók þessi Hervarðr forræði liðsins, ok er þeir kómu til Sámseyjar, þá beiddist Hervarðr at fara upp á eyna ok sagði, at þar mundi vera féván í haugi. En allir liðsmenn mæla í móti ok segja, at svá miklar meinvættir gangi þar öll dægr, at þar er verra um daga en víða um nætr annars staðar. Þat fæst um síðir, at kastat var akkerum, en Hervarðr sté í bát ok reri til lands ok lendi í Munarvági í þann tíma, er sól settist, ok hitti þar mann þann, er hjörð helt.

Hervararkviða 1:

1.
Hitt hefr mær ung
í Munarvági
við sólar setr
segg at hjörðu.

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 4 

Hann kvað:

"Hverr er ýta
í ey kominn?
Gakk þú sýsliga
gistingar til."

"Munka ek ganga
gistingar til,
þvít ek engi kann
eyjarskeggja;
segðu elligar,
áðr vit skiljum:
Hvar eru Hjörvarðs
haugar kenndir?"

Hann kvað:

"Spyrjattu at því,
spakr ertu eigi,
vinr víkinga,
ertu vanfarinn;
förum fráliga,
sem okkr fætr toga;
allt er úti
ámátt firum."

Hervör kvað:

4.
"Men bjóðum þér
máls at gjöldum;
mun-a drengja vin
dælt at letja:
fær engi mér
svá fríðar hnossir,
fagra bauga,
at ek fara eigi."

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 4 

Hún kvað:

"Hirðum eigi at fælast
við fnösun slíka,
þótt um alla ey
eldar brenni;
látum okkr eigi
lítit hræða
rekka slíka,
ræðumst fleira við."

Hann kvað:

"Heimskr þykki mér,
sá er heðan ferr,
maðr einn saman
myrkvar grímur;
hyrr er á sveimun,
haugar opnast,
brenn fold ok fen,
förum harðara."

Hervararkviða 7:

7.
Var þá féhirðir
fljótr til skógar
mjök frá máli
meyjar þessar;
en harðsnúinn
hugr í brjósti
um sakar slíkar
svellr Hervöru.

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 4 

Enda tók hann þá hlaup heim til bæjar, ok skildi þar með þeim. Nú sér hún því næst út á eyna, hvar haugaeldrinn brenn, ok gengr hún þangat til ok hræðist ekki, þótt allir haugar væri á götu hennar. Hún óð fram í þessa elda sem í myrkva, þar til er hún kom at haugi berserkjanna.
   Þá kvað hún:

"Vaki þú, Angantýr,
vekr þik Hervör,
eingadóttir
ykkr Sváfu;
seldu ór haugi
hvassan mæki,
þann er Sigurlama
slógu dvergar.

Hervarðr, Hjörvarðr,
Hrani, Angantýr,
vek ek yðr alla
und viðar rótum,
hjálmi ok með brynju,
hvössu sverði,
rönd ok með reiði,
roðnum geiri.

Mjök eru orðnir
Arngríms synir
megir meingjarnir
at moldarauka,
er engi gerir
sona Eyfuru
við mik mæla
í Munarvági.

Hervarðr, Hjörvarðr,
Hrani, Angantýr,
svá sé yðr öllum
innan rifja
sem þér í maura
mornið haugi,
nema sverð selið,
þat er sló Dvalinn;
samir eigi draugum
dýrt vápn bera."

Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Hervör dóttir,
hvat kallar svá,
full feiknstafa?
Ferr þú þér at illu;
ær ertu orðin
ok örviti,
vill hyggjandi,
vekr upp dauða menn.

Grófat mik faðir
né frændr aðrir;
þeir höfðu Tyrfing
tveir, er lifðu,
varð þó eigandi
einn um síðir."

Hún kvað:

"Segir þú eigi satt,
svá láti áss þik
heilan í haugi sitja,
sem þú hafir eigi
Tyrfing með þér;
trauðr ertu
arf at veita
eingabarni."

Þá opnaðist haugrinn, ok var sem eldr ok logi væri allr haugrinn. Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Hnígin er helgrind,
haugar opnast,
allr er í eldi
eybarmr at sjá;
atalt er úti
um at lítast,
skyntu, mær, ef þú mátt,
til skipa þinna."

Hún svarar:

"Brennið eigi svá
bál á nóttum,
at ek við elda
yðra hræðumst;
skelfr eigi meyju
muntún hugar,
þótt hún draug sjái
fyr durum standa."

Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Segi ek þér, Hervör,
hlýð þú til enn,
vísa dóttir,
þat er verða mun:
Sjá mun Tyrfingr,
ef þú trúa mættir,
ætt þinni, mær,
allri spilla.

Muntu son geta,
þann er síðan mun
Tyrfing hafa
ok trúa magni;
þann munu Heiðrek
heita lýðar,
sá mun ríkstr alinn
und röðuls tjaldi."

Hervör kvað:

19.
"Ek vígi svá
virða dauða,
at ér skuluð
allir liggja
dauðir með draugum
í dys fúnir;
sel mér, Angantýr,
út ór haugi
dverga smíði;
dugir-a þér at leyna."

Angantýr kvað:

20.
"Kveðk-at þik, mær ung,
mönnum líka,
er þú um hauga
hvarfar á nóttum
gröfnum geiri
ok með Gota málmi,
hjálmi ok með brynju
fyrir hallar dyrr."

Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 4 

Þá kvað Hervör:

"Maðr þóttumst ek
mennskr til þessa,
áðr ek sali yðra
sækja hafðak;
seldu mér ór haugi
þann, er hatar brynjur,
hlífum hættan
Hjálmars bana."

Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Liggr mér und herðum
Hjálmars bani,
allr er hann utan
eldi sveipinn;
mey veit ek enga
fyr mold ofan,
at hjör þann þori
í hönd bera."

Hervör kvað:

"Ek mun hirða
ok í hönd nema
hvassan mæki,
ef ek hafa mættak;
uggi ek eigi
eld brennanda,
þegar loga lægir,
er ek lít yfir."

Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Heimsk ertu, Hervör,
hugar eigandi,
er þú at augum
í eld hrapar;
heldr vil ek selja þér
sverð ór haugi,
mær in unga,
mák þér eigi synja."
 

Hervör kvað:

"Vel gerðir þú,
víkinga niðr,
er þú seldir mér
sverð ór haugi;
betr þykkjumst nú,
bragningr, hafa
en ek Noregi
næðak öllum."

Angantýr kvað:

"Veizt eigi þú,
vesöl ertu máls,
feiknfull kona,
hví þú fagna skalt;
Sjá mun Tyrfingr,
ef þú trúa mættir,
ætt þinni, mær,
allri spilla."

Hún segir:

"Ek mun ganga
til gjálfrmara,
nú er hilmis mær
í hugum góðum;
lítt rækik þat,
lofðunga niðr,
hvé synir mínir
síðan deila."

Hann kvað:

"Þú skalt eiga
ok una lengi,
hafðu á huldu
Hjálmars bana;
takattu á eggjum,
eitr er í báðum,
sá er manns mjötuðr
meini verri.

Far vel, dóttir,
fljótt gæfak þér
tólf manna fjör,
ef þú trúa mættir,
afl ok eljun,
allt it góða,
þat er synir Arngríms
at sik leifðu."

Hún kvað:

"Búi þér allir,
brott fýsir mik,
heilir í haugi,
heðan vil ek skjótla;
helzt þóttumst nú
heima í millim,
er mik umhverfis
eldar brunnu."

Síðan gekk hún til skipa. Ok er lýsti, sá hún, at skipin váru brottu; höfðu víkingar hræðzt dunur ok elda í eynni. Fær hún sér far þaðan, ok ekki getit um hennar ferð, fyrr en hún kemr á Glasisvöllu til Guðmundar, ok var hún þar um vetrinn ok nefndist enn Hervarðr.

Bjarmar’s daughter was with child. That was an exceptionally fair lass. She was sprinkled with water[4] and given a name and called Hervor, but it was the opinion of most that she should be left outside,[5] and they said she wouldn’t be too ladylike if she took after her father’s kin.

She was brought up with the Jarl and was as strong as the boys. And as soon as she could do anything for herself, she trained more with shot and shield and sword than sewing or embroidery. She did more bad than good too. And when these things were forbidden to her, she ran into the woods and killed men for their money. And when the Jarl hears of this highwayman, he went there with his troops and caught Hervor and brought her home, and then she stayed at home for a bit.

It happened one time that Hervor was stood outside, near where some thralls were, and she was having a go at them, just as she treated everyone.

Then one of the thralls interrupted her, saying, “You, Hervor, all you want to do is evil, but evil’s only to be expected of you. And the Jarl has forbidden anyone to tell you about your parents because he thinks it shameful for you to know about that, because the lowest thrall lay with his daughter and you are their child.”

On hearing this, Hervor became furious and went straight before the Jarl and exclaimed:

“I needn’t boast

of noble kin

though mother found

Frodmar’s favour;

a great lineage

I liked to believe,

but here I’m told:

a herder of swine.”

The Jarl declared:

“You’ve heard a great lie,

little of substance;

noble among men

your father was known.

Strewn all with soil

stands Angantyr’s

hall on Samsey,

south side of the island.”

She said:

 “Now, foster father,

I fain a visit

would pay upon

departed kin.

I’ll warrant they owned

wealth in plenty;

unless I perish

I’d like to get it.

From my hair with haste

headdress must go;

let’s off with the linen

before I leave.

Much depends,

upon my rising,

on cloak and shirt

being cut for me.”

Then Hervor spoke with her mother and said:

“Prepare me now

with proper care,

truly wise woman,

as you would a son;

a certain truth

in sleep to me comes:

no joy will I have

here at all soon.”

Then she got ready to leave alone with the gear and weapons of a man and made her way to where some vikings were and sailed with them for a while and called herself Hervard.

A little later, the captain died and this ‘Hervard’ took command of the crew. And when they came to the island of Samsey, ‘Hervard’ told them to stop there so he could go up onto the island and said there’d be a good chance of treasure in the mound. But all the crewmen speak against it and say that such evil things walk there night and day that it’s worse there in the daytime than most places are at night. In the end, they agree to drop anchor, and ‘Hervard’ climbed into the boat and rowed ashore and landed in Munway just as the sun was setting. And he met a man there watching his herd.

The young maiden

met at sunset

in Munway Cove

a man herding.

He said:

“Of human kind,

who’s come to the island?

Hie you hastily

home to your lodging!”

She said:

“Home to my lodging

I’ll hie me not,

as I know none

of the island folk;

so inform me fast

before you go:

where are Hjorvard’s

Howes[6] meant to be?”

He said:

“Don’t ask me that,

you don’t seem wise,

prince of pirates,

your plight is dire;

let’s flee as fast

as our feet can carry us;

it’s all too much

for men out here.”

She said:

“Here’s a prize necklace

in payment for talk;

I doubt you’ll divert

the vikings’ boss.”

He said:

“None can hand me

such hansom gems,

such good treasures

that I go not my way.”

She said:

“Let’s not deign to fear

such fizzing and sizzling[7]

though the whole island

heave with fire;

let’s not take fright

at fallen heroes

quite so quickly,

come let us talk.”

He said:

“Silly would seem

someone to me

who heads on alone

from here by night;

fire is blazing,

barrows open,

field burns and fen—

let’s go faster.”

Hotfoot to the holt

the herdsman was off then,

fled far away

from the words of this girl,

but Hervor’s heart

hard-knit in her breast

swells boldly now

about such matters.

And so he took off home to his village, and they parted company there. And at that she sees where the grave-fire is burning over on the edge of the island, and she goes up there and is not afraid though all the mounds were in her path and the dead standing outside. She waded through the flame as if through fog till she came to the barrow of the berserks.

Then she called:

“Awake, Angantyr!

Hervor wakes you,

only daughter

of you and Svafa;

from your crypt give me

that keenest blade,

the sword dwarves struck

for King Sigrlami.

Hervard, Hjorvard,

Hrani, Angantyr,

under forest roots

I rouse you all,

with buckler, with byrnie,

bright helm and harness,

a good sharp glaive,

and gold-reddened spear.

So much for you

sons of Arngrim,

mean men

to the mould adding,

when Eyfura’s boy

won’t even talk

to me tonight

in Munway Bay.

Hervard, Hjorvard,

Hrani, Angantyr,

be racked in your ribs

as if rotting

deep in an anthill,

if you don’t hand over

Dvalin’s sword;

it does not suit

dead men to grip

a good weapon.”

Then said Angantyr:

“Hervor, daughter,

what drives you to call so?

Brimful of bale-runes,

you’re bound for grief.

You’re out of your mind,

mad have you gone,

lost your wits now,

waking up dead men.

A father did not

dig my grave,

no parent buried me,

nor other kinsmen;

they had Tyrfing,

the two who lived,

though the owner was

but one in the end.”

She said:

“It’s a lie what you say—

may the god only let you

sit hale in your howe

if you have not got it

laid in there with you;

reluctant you are

heirlooms to share

with your only child.”

Then the mound opened and it was as though the whole barrow was fire and flame. And Angantyr said:

“Hellgate gapes

and graves open,

all is fire

on the island’s rim;

it’s grim outside

to gaze around;

shift yourself, girl,

if you can, to your ships.”

She answers:

“You can’t burn

any bonfires by night,

no flames flaring

to frighten me;

your daughter’s mind

does not tremble

though dead men there

in the door she see.”

Then said Angantyr:

“I say to you, Hervor,

have a listen,

wise daughter, now

to what will be:

this sword Tyrfing

(try to believe it)

will, girl, your offspring

all destroy.

A lad you’ll bear

who later shall own

the sword Tyrfing

and trust his own strength;

people will call

the boy Heidrek,

he’ll grow mightiest

under heaven’s tent.”

She declared:

“I cast this curse

on killed warriors,

that you entombed

shall all lie there

undead with dead

in the dank rotten;

give me, Angantyr,

from out of your mound

(it won’t help you to hide it)

the dwarves’ handiwork.”

He says:

“I say you aren’t, girl,

like other humans,

to walk among howes

up here by night

with graven spear

and with Gothic steel,

with helm and harness

at the door to my hall.”

Then said Hervor:

“I did think I was human,

at home with the living,

till down I came

to your dead men’s hall;

so hand me from your howe

what hates armour,

the hazard of shields,

Hjalmar’s bane.”

Then said Angantyr:

“Hjalmar’s bane lies

below my shoulders;

the blade is wrapped

right round in flame;

one girl only

on earth up there

I guess would dare

take that glaive in hand.”

Hervor said:

“I’ll take care of

and take in my hand

edge-sharp the blade,

could I but have it;

I’m not afraid

of fire burning;

the flame’s soon out

that I look over.”

Then said Angantyr:

“You’re foolish, Hervor,

but full of daring,

to rush into fire

with your eyes open;

rather, young girl,

I think I’ll give you

the cleaver from my cairn,

I can’t refuse.”

Hervor said:

“You did well,

warrior kinsman,

when from your grave

you gave the sword;

I’d rather have that,

regal lord,

than all Norway

beneath my sway.”

Angantyr said:

“Wicked woman,

what would you know?

No need for glee

or glad words now;

this blade Tyrfing

(you’d better believe)

will, girl, your offspring

all destroy.”

She says:

“I will go

to my ocean-steeds;

now the chief’s daughter

is cheery enough;

what do I care,

cousin of nobles,

how later my sons

will settle this thing.”

He says:

“You shall own

and long enjoy,

but keep covered,

what killed Hjalmar;

press not the edges—

there’s poison in both—

a man’s doom, that,

more dire than plague.

Fare well, daughter,

freely I’d have lent you

the lives of twelve men,

could you believe,

strength and stoutness,

all the sturdy vigour

that Arngrim’s lads

left when they died.”

She said:

“Now rest you all

(I’m raring to go)

hale men in your mound;

for a moment there I almost

thought I trod

between the worlds

when all about me

fires burned.”

Then she went to the ships. But when it got light, she saw that the ships were gone. The vikings had taken fright at the thunders and fires on the island. She gets herself passage from there but nothing is known of her journey till she comes to Godmund in Glasisvellir, and she stayed there over winter and still called herself Hervard.

6. Of The Brothers Angantyr and Heidrek

Saga Heiðreks konúngs ens vitra, ch. 1

1. Hér hefr upp sögu Heiðreks konúngs ens vitra

Svá er sagt, at í fyrndinni var kallat Jötunheimar norðr í Finnmörk, en Ymisland fyri sunnan ok millim Hálogalands; þar bygðu þá risar víða, en sumir voru hálfrisar; var þá mikit sambland þjóðanna, þvíat risar fengu kvenna af Ymislandi. Guðmundr hét konúngr í Jötunheimum; hann var blótmaðr mikill; bær hans hét á Grund, en héraðit á Glasisvöllum; hann var vitr ok ríkr; hann ok menn hans lifðu marga mannsaldra, ok því trúa menn, at í hans ríki sé Ódáins-akr, en hverr, er þar kemr, hverfr af sótt ok elli, ok má eigi deyja. Eptir dauða Guðmundar blótuðu menn hann, ok kölluðu hann goð sitt;

Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, ch. 5:

5. Frá Angantý ok Heiðreki bræðrum

Einn dag, er Guðmundr lék skáktafl ok hans tafl var mjök svá farit, þá spurði hann, ef nokkurr kynni honum ráð til at leggja. Þá gekk til Hervarðr ok lagði litla stund til, áðr Guðmundar var vænna. Þá tók maðr upp Tyrfing ok brá; þat sá Hervarðr ok þreif af honum sverðit ok drap hann ok gekk út síðan. Menn vildu hlaupa eptir honum.

Þá mælti Guðmundr: "Verið kvirrir, ekki mun svá mikil hefnd í manninum sem þér ætlið, því at þér vitið ekki, hverr hann er; mun þessi kvenmaðr yðr dýrkeyptr, áðr þér fáið hans líf."

Síðan var Hervör langa stund í hernaði ok varð mjök sigrsæl. Ok er henni leiddist þat, fór hún heim til jarls, móðurföður síns; fór hún þá fram sem aðrar meyjar, at vandist við borða ok hannyrðir.

Þetta spyrr Höfundr, sonr Guðmundar, ok ferr hann ok biðr Hervarar ok fær ok flytr heim. Höfundr var manna vitrastr ok svá réttdæmr, at hann hallaði aldri réttum dómi, hvárt sem í hlut áttu innlenskir eða útlenskir, ok af hans nafni skyldi sá höfundr heita í hverju ríki, er mál manna dæmdi.

Þau Hervör áttu tvá syni. Hét annarr Angantýr, en annarr Heiðrekr. Báðir váru þeir miklir menn ok sterkir, vitrir ok vænir. Angantýr var líkr feðr sínum at skaplyndi ok vildi hverjum manni gott. Höfundr unni honum mikit ok þar með öll alþýða. Ok svá margt gott sem hann gerði, þá gerði Heiðrekr enn fleira illt. Hervör unni honum mikit. Fóstri Heiðreks hét Gizurr.

Ok einn tíma, er Höfundr gerði veislu, var öllum höfðingjum til boðit í hans ríki utan Heiðreki. Honum líkaði þat illa ok fór allt at einu ok kveðst skyldu gera þeim nokkut illt. Ok er hann kom í höllina, stóð Angantýr upp móti honum ok bað hann sitja hjá sér. Heiðrekr var ekki kátr ok sat lengi við drykkju um kveldit. En er Angantýr, bróðir hans, gekk út, þá talaði Heiðrekr við þá menn, er honum váru næstir, ok kom hann svá sinni ræðu, at þeir urðu rangsáttir, ok mælti hvárr illt við annan. Þá kom Angantýr aptr ok bað þá þegja. Ok enn í annat sinn, er Angantýr var út genginn, þá minnti Heiðrekr þá á, hvat þeir höfðu við mælst, ok kom þá svá, at annarr sló annan með hnefa. Þá kom Angantýr til ok bað þá sátta vera til morgins. Enn þriðja sinn, er Angantýr gekk í brott, þá spurði Heiðrekr þann, er höggit hafði fengit, hvárt hann þyrði eigi at hefna sín. Svá kom hann þá sinni fortölu, at inn lostni hljóp upp ok drap sessunaut sinn, ok þá kom Angantýr at. En er Höfundr varð þessa varr, bað hann Heiðrek burt ganga ok gera eigi fleira illt í þat sinn.

Síðan gekk Heiðrekr út ok Angantýr, bróðir hans, ok í garðinn ok skildust þar. Þá er Heiðrekr hafði litla hríð gengit frá bænum, þá hugsaði hann, at hann hafði þar of lítit illt gert, snýr þá aptr til hallarinnar ok tók upp stein einn mikinn ok kastaði þangat, sem hann heyrði menn nokkura talast við í myrkrinu. Hann fann, at steinninn mundi eigi manninn misst hafa, ok gekk til ok fann mann dauðan ok kenndi Angantý, bróður sinn.

Heiðrekr gekk þá í höllina fyrir föður sinn ok segir honum þetta.Höfundr kveðr hann skulu verða í brottu ok koma aldri honum í augsýn ok kvað hitt makligra, at hann væri drepinn eða hengdr. Þá mælti Hervör drottning ok segir, at Heiðrekr hefir illa til gert, enda er mikil hefndin, ef hann skal aldri koma í ríki föður síns ok fara svá eignalauss í brott. En orð Höfundar stóðust svá mikils, at þat gekk fram, sem hann dæmdi, ok engi var svá djarfr, at móti þyrði at mæla eða Heiðreki friðar at biðja. Drottning bað þá Höfund ráða honum nokkur heilræði at skilnaði þeira.

Höfundr kveðst fá ráð mundu honum kenna ok kveðst hyggja, at honum mundi illa í hald koma. "En þó, er þú biðr þessa, drottning, þat ræð ek honum it fyrsta ráð, at hann hjálpi aldri þeim manni, er drepit hefir lánardrottin sinn. Þat ræð ek honum annat, at hann gefi þeim manni aldri fríun, er myrðan hefir félaga sinn; þat it þriðja, at hann láti eigi opt konu sína vitja frænda sinna, þótt hún beiði þess; þat it fjórða, at hann sé eigi síð úti staddr hjá frillu sinni; þat it fimmta, at hann ríði eigi inum besta hesti sínum, ef hann þarf mjök at skynda; þat it sétta, at hann fóstri aldri göfugra manns barn en hann er sjálfr. En meiri ván þykkir mér, at þú munir þetta eigi hafa."

Heiðrekr sagði, at hann hefði við illan hug ráðit, ok kvað sér mundu óskylt at hafa. Gengr þá Heiðrekr út ór höllinni. Móðir hans stendr þá upp ok gengr út með honum ok fylgir honum ór garðinum ok mælti: "Nú hefir þú svá fyrir þér búit, sonr minn, at þú munt ekki aptr ætla; þá hefi ek lítil föng á at hjálpa þér. Mörk gulls er hér ok eitt sverð, er ek vil gefa þér, en þat heitir Tyrfingr ok hefir átt Angantýr berserkr, móðurfaðir þinn. Engi maðr er svá ófróðr, at eigi hafi heyrt hans getit. Ok ef þú kemr þar, er menn skiptast höggum, láttu þér hugkvæmt vera, hversu Tyrfingr hefir opt sigrsæll verit."

Nú biðr hún hann vel fara, ok skiljast síðan.

It is said that in days of yore there was a country up north in Finnmark called Jotunheim, and to the south, between there and Halogaland, lay Ymisland. Giants were widespread in the northern part of the world then. Some were half-giants. A great blending of peoples came about at this time: giants married women from the world of men and some gave their daughters to men. Godmund was the name of a king in Jotunheim. His home was called Grund and his land Glasisvellir. He was a great worshiper of the old gods. He was a wise and powerful man and so old—and all his men too—that they each lived many times the normal span. And because of this, heathens believe that it must be in his realm that The Deathless Acre is to be found, that place to which anyone who comes is so healed that sickness and old age vanish from them and they cannot die. It is said that after Godmund’s death, folk worshipped him with sacrifices and called him their god.
One day, as Godmund was playing chess and was on the verge of losing, he asked if anyone could help him. Then ‘Hervard’ went up and advised for a little while until things were looking better for Godmund. Then a man picked up Tyrfing and drew it. ‘Hervard’ saw that and snatched the sword off him and killed him, then went out. The men wanted to run after him.

But Godmund said, “Settle down, there won’t be as much vengeance in that one as you think, because you don’t know who it is. This woman will cost you dear before you take her life.”
Then Hervor spent a long time in warfare and raiding, and had great success. And when she tired of that, she returned home to the jarl, her mother’s father. From then on, she went along like other girls, weaving and doing embroidery.
Hofund, the son of Godmund, hears about her and he comes and asks for Hervor’s hand in marriage and that is agreed and he takes her home. Hofund was the wisest of men for wits and foresight. He was set as judge over all the lands that lay around, so just and fair that he never gave a wrong verdict nor showed any favouritism, neither at home nor abroad. And after him is named the ‘hofund’, or judge, who everywhere judges the law-suits of men. None dared, or needed, to break his ruling.
Hervor and Hofund had two sons. One was called Angantyr and the other Heidrek. They were both big men and strong, clever and promising. Angantyr was like his father in temperament and wished everyone well. Hofund loved him a lot and so did all the people. But as much good as he did, Heidrek did more ill. Hervor loved him a lot. Heidrek’s foster father was called Gizur.
And once when Hofund had a feast, all the chiefs in his land were invited except Heidrek. He didn’t much like that and went all the same and said he should do them some harm. And when he came into the hall, Angantyr stood up to greet him and told him to sit at his side. Heidrek was not happy and sat long into the evening drinking. And when his brother Angantyr went out, Heidrek talked to the men who were next to him and he wound them up with his words so that they got into quarrels and all said bad things about each other. Then Angantyr came back and told them to be quiet. And again, another time, when Angantyr had gone out, Heidrek reminded them about what they had said to each other and, in the end, one punched another. Then Angantyr came and told them to call it quits till morning. But the third time when Angantyr went away, Heidrek asked the one who’d got hit whether he dared to avenge himself. He talked on like this so that eventually the one who’d been hit jumped up and killed his fellow guest, and then Angantyr arrived. And when Hofund became aware of all this, he ordered Heidrek to go away and make no more trouble that night.
After that, Heidrek went out with his brother Angantyr into the yard and they parted there. When Heidrek had gone a little way from the house, he thought to himself that he hadn’t done much harm there. He turned back towards the hall and picked up a big stone and threw it in the direction where he could hear some people talking in the darkness. He realised that the stone must have hit someone, and went there and found a man dead and recognised Angantyr, his brother. He ran straight to the forest.

Hofund held a funeral feast for his son and all grieved at Angantyr’s death. Heidrek regretted his deed and lived long in the woods shooting beasts and birds for his food. But when he pondered his case, it occurred to him that if he was never seen again, then nothing good would ever be said of him. It came into his head that he could still be a famous man with great deeds to his name like those of his forebears. He went home.

Heidrek went then into the hall, in front of his father, and tells him everything. Hofund declares that he should be off and never come into his sight and said that it would be more fitting if he was struck dead or hanged. Then Queen Hervor spoke and she says that Heidrek deserves to suffer but still it would be a harsh punishment if he could never come into his father’s kingdom but must go away with nothing to his name. But Hofund’s word carried such weight that it was done as he commanded and no one was so bold as to speak up against him or to beg mercy for Heidrek. The queen asked Hofund to grant him some sound advice at their parting.
Hofund agrees to give him a few words of advice but says he doubts it would be any good to Heidrek, “And yet, since you ask this thing, queen, the first advice I advise him with is this: that he never help a man who has killed his own liege lord. With this advice I advise him second: that he never save the man who has murdered his own friend. This third: that he mustn’t let his wife visit her family often, even if she asks. This fourth: that he never be out late with his concubine. This fifth: that he never ride his best horse, if he has much need of speed. This sixth: that he never foster a nobler man’s child. And it seems to me most likely you won’t follow that.”
Heidrek said that he had advised out of ill will and that he was not obliged to follow it. Then Heidrek goes out of the hall. His mother stands up and goes out with him and follows him out of the yard and said, “You’ve done it now, my son. The way you’ve fixed things, you can’t expect to be back—so there’s not much I can do to help you. Here is a mark of gold and a sword which I want to give you. It is called Tyrfing and it belonged to Angantyr the berserk, your grandfather. No one is so ignorant they haven’t heard tell of him. And if you come to where men trade blows, just remember how Tyrfing has often been victorious.”

Now she bids him farewell and with that they part.

7. Heidrek Got a Home in Reidgotaland

And when Heidrek has gone a little while, he meets some men with one tied up. They ask each other the news and Heidrek asks what this man had done to be bound like that. They say that he’s betrayed his lord. Heidrek asks if they’ll take money for him and they say yes. He gives them half a mark of gold and they let him loose.
The man offers Heidrek his service but Heidrek says, “Why would you be true to me, a stranger, when you betrayed your own liege lord? Get lost.”
A little later, Heidrek met some more men with one tied up. He asks what this one’s done wrong. They say he’s murdered his friend. He asks if they want gold for him. They say yes. He gave them the other half mark of gold. The man offers Heidrek his service and Heidrek refuses.
Then Heidrek goes a long way and comes to the place called Reidgotaland. There King Harald held sway, very old, and had dominion over a great empire. He had no son. And his kingdom was diminishing because certain jarls marched against him with an army and he’d fought with them but always lost. And now they’d made peace on such terms that the king paid them tribute every twelve months. Heidrek stopped there and stayed with the king over winter.
It so happened one time that a great amount of goods came to the king. Then Heidrek asks if it’s the king’s taxes.

The king says it’s something quite different: “I must pay this wealth as tribute.”
Heidrek says it is not right for a king who’s had such a great empire to pay tax to criminal jarls—it would be more resolute to stand in battle against them. The king says he’d tried that and lost.
Heidrek declared, “I would be better able to repay your good hospitality if I was captain of this expedition. And, I was thinking, if I had an army then it would seem no big deal to me to fight with nobler men than these are.”
The king says, “I’ll give you an army, if you want to fight the jarls. And you’ll certainly have it made, if you do well on this expedition. It’s most likely though that you’ll find out your own mistake, if you’re fooling yourself.”
After that the king had a great army assembled and the force was prepared for war. With Heidrek chief over the army, they went then against these jarls, harrying and plundering as soon as they come into their land. And when the jarls hear that, they marched against them with a great army and when they met there was a big battle. Heidrek was there in the vanguard and had Tyrfing in his right hand and nothing withstood that sword, neither helm nor byrnie, and he killed there all who stood near him. And then he charged forwards out in front of his own ranks and hewed on both sides, and he drove so far into the enemy ranks that he slew both jarls, and after that some of their troops fled but most were killed. Heidrek then went through the jarls’ territory and brought the whole land under the rule of King Harald, as it had been before, demanding tribute and going home when this had been done, with countless treasures and a great victory. King Harald has him met with great honour and bids Heidrek stay with him and have for himself as much land and power as he wanted.
Then Heidrek asked for King Harald’s daughter, who was called Helga, and she was given in marriage to him. Heidrek then took command of half King Harald’s kingdom. Heidrek had a son with his wife. He was called Angantyr. King Harald had a son in his old age but he is not named.

8. Heidrek Took the Whole Kingdom

Í þann tíma kom hallæri mikit á Reiðgotaland, svá at til landauðnar þótti horfa. Þá váru gervir hlutir af vísendamönnum ok felldr blótspánn til, en svá gekk frétt, at aldri mundi ár koma fyrr á Reiðgotaland en þeim sveini væri blótat, er æðstr væri á landinu. Haraldr konungr segir, at sonr Heiðreks væri æðstr, en Heiðrekr segir, at sonr Haralds konungs væri æðstr. En ór þessu mátti engi leysa fyrr en þangat væri farit, er allar órlausnir váru trúar, til Höfundar konungs. Heiðrekr er inn fyrsti maðr til þessar ferðar tekinn ok margir aðrir ágætir menn. Sem Heiðrekr kom á fund föður síns, þá var honum þar vel fagnat. Hann sagði öll erendi sín föður sínum ok beiðir dóms af honum. En Höfundr segir svá, at Heiðreks sonr var ágætastr á því landi.

Heiðrekr segir: "Svá líst mér sem þú dæmir minn son til dráps, eða hvat dæmir þú mér þá fyrir sonarskaða minn?"

Þá mælti Höfundr konungr: "Þú skalt beiðast, at inn fjórði hverr maðr sé á þínu valdi, sá er við blótit er staddr, ella muntu son þinn eigi láta til blóts. Mun þá eigi þurfa at kenna þér ráð síðan, hvat þú skalt at hafast."

Nú er Heiðrekr kom heim í Reiðgotaland, þá var þings kvatt. Heiðrekr tekr svá til orðs: "Þat var atkvæði Höfundar konungs, föður míns, at minn sonr sé ágætastr á þessu landi, ok er hann til blóts kosinn. En þar í mót vil ek eiga forráð á inum fjórða hverjum manni, er kominn er til þings þessa ok vil ek þér lofið mér þetta."

Nú var svá gert. Síðan heimtast þeir í lið hans. Eptir þat lét hann blása saman liðinu ok setr upp merki, veitir nú atgöngu Haraldi konungi, ok verðr þar mikill bardagi, ok fellr þar Haraldr konungr ok margt lið hans. Heiðrekr leggr nú undir sik allt ríki þat, er átt hafði Haraldr konungr, ok gerðist þar konungr yfir. Heiðrekr kveðst nú gjalda fyrir son sinn þetta lið allt, er drepit var, ok gaf hann nú þennan val Óðni.

Kona hans var svá reið eptir fall föður síns, at hún hengdi sik sjálf í dísarsal.

Þat var eitt sumar, at Heíðrekr konungr fór með her sinn suðr í Húnaland ok barðist við konung þann, er Humli hét, ok fekk sigr ok tók þar dóttur hans, er Sifka hét, ok hafði heim með sér. En at öðru sumri sendi hann hana heim, ok var hún þá með barni, ok var sá sveinn kallaðr Hlöðr ok var allra manna fríðastr sýnum, ok fóstraði hann Humli, móðurfaðir hans.

At that time a great famine fell upon Reidgotaland so that it seemed to be turning into a wasteland. Now lots were cast by soothsayers, and the sacrifice chip was thrown, and in this way they learnt that prosperity would never come to Reidgotaland until the most noble boy in the land was sacrificed. King Harald says that Heidrek’s son is positioned highest, and Heidrek says that Harald’s son is noblest. And this could not be resolved except by going off to the man whose solutions could all be trusted: King Hofund.
Heidrek is chosen as the leader of this mission and with him go many other respected men. As Heidrek came to meet his father, he was well received. He explained the whole matter to his father and asks him to judge. And Hofund says this: that Heidrek’s son was the highest in that land.
Heidrek says, “It looks to me like you’re sentencing my son to death, so what are you going to award me in compensation for my loss?”
Then said King Hofund, “You must request that every fourth man be under your command, of those present at the sacrifice, or else you will not let your own son be sacrificed. You don’t need telling what to do then.”
So when Heidrek came home to Reidgotaland, a council was called. Heidrek begins like this: “It was the decision of my father King Hofund that my son is best in the land, and he is chosen for the sacrifice. And in exchange for this, I want to have authority over every fourth man who’s come to this council, and I want you to grant me this.”
And so it was done—they were transferred to his forces. After that he had his troops mustered and raises a standard and attacks King Harald. And a great battle takes place there. And King Harald falls there along with many of his men. Heidrek now takes over all the land which King Harald owned and made himself king over it. Heidrek says that all these soldiers who were killed would make good enough sacrifice in place of his son, and now he gave the dead to Odin.
His wife was so angry after the fall of her father that she hanged herself in the temple of the goddess.
One summer King Heidrek went south with his army to Hunland and fought with a king called Humli and was victorious there and took his daughter, who was called Sifka, and brought her home with him. And the next summer he sent her back, and she was then with child, and the boy was called Hlod and he was a fine-looking lad and Humli fostered him, his mother’s father.

9. Of the Queen’s Treachery

One summer King Heidrek travelled with his army to Saxland. And when the king of the Saxons heard of that, he invited him to a feast and asked him to take whatever he wanted from his lands, and King Heidrek agreed to that. Then he saw his daughter, wise and fair of feature, and Heidrek asked for this girl and she was given to him in marriage. The feast was extended and afterwards he went home with his wife and took with her countless treasures. King Heidrek now became a great warrior and adds much to his kingdom in many directions. His wife often asked to go to her father and he let her, and with her went her stepson Angantyr.
One summer, when King Heidrek was raiding, he comes to Saxland, to his father-in-law’s kingdom. He puts into some hidden creek with his ships and goes ashore with one man, and they come at night to the royal halls and they head for the building where the queen normally slept, and the guards did not notice their arrival. He goes in the room and sees that a man was sleeping beside her, and he had fair hair on his head. The man who was with the king says that he’d taken revenge for lesser cause.
He answers, “I will not do that now.”
The king took the boy Angantyr, who lay in the next bed, and he cut a big lock out of the hair of this man who lay in the arms of his wife, and carried them both off with him, the hair and the boy. He went then to his ships. In the morning, the king comes into the harbour and all the people go to meet him and a feast was prepared. Heidrek has a council called and then grave tidings were told to him, that his son Angantyr had died suddenly.
Heidrek said, “Show me the body.”
The queen says it would only worsen his grief. Nevertheless, he was taken to the place. There was a cloth there, all wrapped up, and a dog inside it.
King Heidrek said, “There’s a bad change come over my boy now, if he’s turned into a dog...”
After that, the king had the boy brought to the council and said he had evidence of great treachery on the part of the queen and explained everything that had happened, ordering all men who could attend the council to be summoned thither.
And when most of the population had come, the king declared, “The golden haired man hasn’t come yet.”
Then another search was made, and a man was found in the kitchen with a band round his head. Many wondered why he had to come to the council, some miserable thrall. And when he came to the council, King Heidrek said, “Here you can see who the princess wants instead of me.”
Now he took the lock and held it to the hair and they matched.
“But you, King,” says Heidrek, “have always been good to us and so your land will remain at peace with us, but I don’t want to have your daughter any more.”
Heidrek went home now to his kingdom with his son.
One summer King Heidrek sends men to Gardariki with this mission: to invite home the son of the Garda King so that he could foster him, for now he wants to break all his father’s sound counsels, to test them. The messengers go to meet the Garda King and explain the errand with words of friendship. The king said there wasn’t much chance of that, of him giving his son into the hands of that man who was known to be guilty of many bad things.
Then the queen said, “Don’t speak like that, lord. Have you not heard how great a man he is, and how victorious? And it’s wiser to get into his favour or your kingdom will not stay at peace.”
The king said, “We will let ourselves be swayed by you in this.”
Now the boy is given into the hands of the messengers and they journey home. King Heidrek received the boy well and gave him a good upbringing and loved him a lot.
Sifka, Humli’s daughter, was back again with the king, but he had been advised not to tell her anything which was best kept secret.

10. Heidrek Married the Garda King’s Daughter

One summer the king of Gardariki sends word to Heidrek, asking him to accept his friendly invitation and come east to Gardariki for a banquet. Heidrek gets ready with a great multitude of followers, and the Garda King’s son was with him, and Sifka. Heidrek now came east to Gardariki and had a magnificent feast.
One day during this feast, the kings went into the forest with a great company and hunted with hounds and hawks. And when they’d loosed the hounds, they each went by themselves through the woods. Then Heidrek and his foster son met.
And Heidrek spoke to the prince: “Listen to my instructions, foster son. There’s a farm not far from here. Go there and hide yourself and you’ll get this ring. Be ready to come home when I send for you.”
The boy says he isn’t keen about this idea, but he did as the king asked. Heidrek came home at evening and was unhappy and sat a short while drinking.
And when he came to bed, Sifka asked him, “Why is your majesty unhappy? What’s the matter, lord? Are you sick, tell me?”
The king says, “It’s hard for me to say this because my life is at stake if the secret isn’t kept.” She says she’d keep the secret, and she fondly fished for the answer.
The king says, “I was stood with the prince beside some apple tree. Then my foster son asked me for an apple that was high up on the tree. So I drew Tyrfing and slashed up at the apple, but that was done before I remembered what curse lay on it, that it must kill if it is drawn, and only the two of us there... Then I killed the boy.”
The next day, during drinks, the Garda King’s queen asks Sifka why Heidrek was so glum. She says, “There’s cause enough for that. He’s killed the son of the Garda King. Your son.” Then she tells the whole incident.
The queen says, “That is serious news but we will not let it come out.” The queen went away immediately out of the hall with great grief.
The king notices that and calls Sifka to him and asked, “What were you and the queen talking about when she got so upset?”
“Lord,” says she, “There’s every reason to be upset. Heidrek has killed your son, most likely on purpose, and he deserves death.”
The Garda King orders Heidrek to be taken and fettered, saying, “And now it’s turned out just as I suspected.”
But King Heidrek had become so popular there that no one would do it. Then two men stood up in the hall and announced that the matter would not end there, and they put shackles on him. These were the two men Heidrek had released from death.

Then Heidrek sent men secretly to fetch the king’s son. And the Garda King has his musters his men and says to them that he wants Heidrek on the gallows. But at that moment, the prince comes running to his father and begged him not to carry out the wretched deed he was about to do, to kill the noblest of men, his foster father.
Heidrek is now set free and gets ready to go home at once.
Then the queen spoke: “Lord, do not let Heidrek get away like this while the two of you have not made up. It does not befit your position. Rather, offer him gold or silver.”
The king does so. He has great riches brought to King Heidrek and says he wishes to give him this and have his friendship again.
Heidrek says, “I am not short of treasure.”
The Garda King tells the queen. She said, “Offer him land and large properties and a host of followers.”
The king does so.
King Heidrek says, “I have plenty of properties and followers.”
The Garda King tells the queen.
She says, “Then offer him what he will accept, and that’s your daughter.”
The king says, “I never thought this would happen to me, but still I’ll follow your advice.” Then the Garda King went to see King Heidrek and declared, “Rather than have us part with bad feelings, I want you to take my daughter together with as much dowry as you choose for yourself.”
Heidrek happily accepts that, and the Garda King’s daughter went home with him. King Heidrek is at home now and he wants to carry Sifka away and takes his best horse, and it was late in the evening. They come to a river. Here she becomes too heavy for the horse, so that it collapsed and died, and the king left it and walked on. Then he had to carry her over the river. Then they come to a point where the current is so rough that they have no choice but for Heidrek to throw her off his shoulder and her back breaks and he is separated from her so that she drifts downstream dead.
After this Heidrek has a great feast prepared and goes to wed the Garda King’s daughter. Their daughter was called Hervor. She was a shield-maiden and was raised in England with Jarl Frodmar, or some say with a man called Ormar.[8]
King Heidrek settles down now and becomes a great chieftain and a wise sage. King Heidrek had a great boar reared. It was as big as the biggest of the full grown bulls and so fair that every hair on it seemed to be of gold. The king lays his hand on the head of the boar and his other hand on its bristles and swears this: that there is no one, however much wrong they may have done him, who won’t get a fair trial from his twelve wise men, and those twelve must look after the boar. Or else the accused must come up with riddles which the king could not guess. And King Heidrek now gets to be very popular.

Maðr hét Gestumblindi, ríkr ok mikill óvinr Heiðreks konungs. Konungr sendi honum orð, at hann kæmi á fund hans at sættast við hann, ef hann vill halda lífinu. Gestumblindi var ekki spekingr mikill, ok fyrir þá sök, at hann veit sik vanfæran til at skipta orðum við konunginn, hann veit ok, at þungt mun vera at hlíta dómi spekinganna, því at sakir eru nógar, þat ráð tekur Gestumblindi, at hann blótar Óðin til fulltings sér ok biðr hann líta á sitt mál ok heitr honum miklum gæðum.

Eitt kveld er þar drepit á dyrr síðla, ok gengr Gestumblindi til hurðar ok sér mann kominn. Hann spyrr þann at nafni, en hann nefndist Gestumblindi ok mælti, at þeir skyldu klæðum skipta, ok svá gera þeir. Bóndi ferr nú í brott ok felr sik, en komandinn gengr inn, ok þykkjast allir þar kenna Gestumblinda, ok líðr af nóttin.

Um daginn eptir gerir sjá Gestumblindi för sína á fund konungs, ok hann kvaddi vel konunginn. Konungr þagði.

"Herra," segir hann, "því kom ek hingat, at ek vil við yðr sættast."

 Þá svarar konungr: "Viltu þola dóm spekinga minna?"

Hann segir: "Er ekki fleiri undanlausnir?"

Konungr mælti: "Vera skulu fleiri, ef þú þykkist til færr at bera upp gátur."

Gestumblindi segir: "Lítt mun ek til þess færr, enda mun harðr á annat borð þykkja."

"Viltu," segir konungr, "heldr þola dóm spekinga minna?"

"Þat kýs ek," segir hann, "at bera fyrr upp gáturnar."

"Þat er rétt ok vel fallit," segir konungr.

 Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hafa vildak

þat er ek hafða í gær,

vittu, hvat þat var:

Lýða lemill,

orða tefill

ok orða upphefill.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

Konungr segir: "Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Færi honum mungát. Þat lemr margra vit, ok margir eru þá margmálgari, er mungát ferr á, en sumum vefst tungan, svá at ekki verðr at orði."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Heiman ek fór,

heiman ek för gerða,

sá ek á veg vega;

var þeim vegr undir

ok vegr yfir

ok vegr á alla vega.

Heiðrekr konungr

hyggðu at gátu."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat drykki,

er ek drakk í gær,

var-at þat vín né vatn

né in heldr mungát

né matar ekki,

ok gekk ek þorstalauss þaðan?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar lagðist þú í forsælu, er dögg var fallin á grasi, ok kældir svá varir þínar ok stöðvaðir svá þorsta þinn."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn hvelli,

er gengr harðar götur

ok hefir hann þær fyrr of farit,

mjök fast kyssir,

sá er hefir munna tvá

ok á gulli einu gengr?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er hamarr sá, er hafðr er at gullsmíð; hann kveðr hátt við, er hann kemr á harðan steðja, ok þat er hans gata."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

ókvikvir tveir

andalausir

sáralauk suðu?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat eru smiðbelgir; þeir hafa engan vind, nema þeim sé blásit, ok eru þeir dauðir sem annat smíði, en fyrir þeim má líkt smíða sverð sem annat."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

fætr hefir átta,

en fjögur augu

ok berr ofar kné en kvið?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er köngurváfur."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

höfði sínu vísar

á helvega,

en fótum til sólar snýr?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er laukr. Höfuð hans er fast í jörðu, en hann kvíslar, er hann vex upp."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

horni harðara,

hrafni svartara,

skildi hvítara,

skapti réttara?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

Heiðrekr mælti: "Smækkast nú gáturnar, Gestumblindi, hvat þarf lengr yfir þessu at sitja? Þat er hrafntinna, ok skein á hana sólargeisli."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Báru brúðir

bleikhaddaðar

ambáttir tvær

öl til skemmu;

var-at þat höndum horfit

né hamri at klappat,

þó var fyrir eyjar utan

örðigr sá, er gerði.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar fara svanbrúðir til hreiðrs síns ok verpa eggjum; skurm á eggi er eigi höndum gert né hamri klappat, en svanr er fyrir eyjar utan örðigr, sá er þær gátu eggin við."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær rýgjar

á reginfjalli,

elr við kván kona,

þar til er mög of getr,

ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat eru hvannir tvær ok hvannarkálfr á milli þeira."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Fara ek sá

foldar moldbúa,

á sat naðr á nái;

blindr reið blindum

brimreiðar til,

þá jór var andar vanr.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar fanntu hest dauðan á ísjaka ok orm dauðan á hestinum, ok rak þat allt saman eptir ánni."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverir eru þeir þegnar,

er ríða þingi at

sáttir allir saman;

lýða sína

senda þeir lönd yfir

at byggja bólstaði?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er Ítrekr ok Andaðr, er þeir sitja at tafli sínu."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær brúðir,

er sinn drottin

vápnlausan vega;

inar jarpari hlífa

um alla daga,

en inar fegri fara?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er hnettafl; inar dekkri verja hnefann, en hvítar sækja."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn eini,

er sefr í ösgrúa

ok af grjóti einu gerr;

föður né móður

á sá inn fagrgjarni,

þar mun hann sinn aldr ala?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er eldr fólginn á arni, ok tekr ór tinnu."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn mikli,

er líðr mold yfir,

svelgr hann vötn ok við;

glygg hann óast,

en gumna eigi

ok yrkir á sól til saka?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er myrkvi; hann líðr yfir jörðina, svá at ekki sér fyrir honum ok eigi sól, en hann er af, þegar vind gerir á."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat dýra,

er drepr fé manna

ok er járni kringt utan;

horn hefir átta,

en höfuð ekki,

ok fylgja því margir mjök?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er húnn í hnettafli."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat dýra,

er Dönum hlífir,

berr blóðugt bak,

en bergr firum,

geirum mætir,

gefr líf sumum,

leggr við lófa

lík sitt guma?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er skjöldr; hann verðr opt blóðugr í bardögum ok hlífir vel þeim mönnum, er skjaldfimir eru."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær leikur,

er líða lönd yfir

at forvitni föður,

hvítan skjöld

þær of vetr bera,

en svartan of sumar?"

"Þat eru rjúpur; þær eru hvítar um vetr, en svartar um sumar."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær snótir,

er ganga syrgjandi

at forvitni föður;

mörgum mönnum

hafa þær at meini orðit,

við þat munu þær aldr ala?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat eru Hlés brúðir, er svá heita."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær meyjar,

er ganga margar saman

at forvitni föður;

hadda bleika

hafa þær, inar hvítfölduðu,

ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?"

"Þat eru bylgjur, er svá heita."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær ekkjur,

er ganga allar saman

at forvitni föður;

sjaldan blíðar

eru þær við seggja lið

ok eigu þær í vindi vaka?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat eru ægis ekkjur, svá heita öldur."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Mjök var forðum

nösgás vaxin,

barngjörn sú er bar

bútimbr saman;

hlífðu henni

hálms bitskálmir,

þó lá drykkjar

drynhraun yfir."

"Þar hafði önd búit hreiðr sitt í milli nautskjálka, ok lá haussinn ofan yfir."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn mikli,

er mörgu ræðr

ok horfir til heljar hálfr;

höldum bergr

ok við jörð sakast,

ef hann hefir sér vel traustan vin?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er akkeri með góðum streng; ef fleinn hans er í grunni, þá bergr þat."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær brúðir,

er ganga í brimskerjum

ok eiga eptir firði för;

harðan beð hafa þær

inar hvítfölduðu konur

ok leika í logni fátt."

"Þat eru bárur, en beðir þeira eru sker ok urðir, en þær verða lítt sénar í logni."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Fjórir hanga,

fjórir ganga,

tveir veg vísa,

tveir hundum varða,

einn eptir drallar

ok jafnan heldr saurugr.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er kýr."

(Out of sequence)

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

Ok þá bregðr Heiðrekr Tyrfingi ok höggr til hans, en Óðinn brást þá í valslíki ok fló á brott. En konungr hjó eptir ok af honum vélifiðrit aptan, ok því er valr svá vélistuttr ávallt síðan.

Óðinn mælti þá: "Fyrir þat, Heiðrekr konungr, er þú rétt til mín ok vildir drepa mik saklausan, skulu þér inir verstu þrælar at bana verða."

Eptir þat skilr með þeim.

There was a man called Gestumblindi, powerful and a great enemy of King Heidrek. The king sent him word that he should come and settle things with him, if he wanted to keep his life. Gestumblindi was not a very wise man, and because he knows that he would be incapable of exchanging words with the king, and because he also knows that he doesn’t stand much chance submitting to the judgement of the wise-men—as they have plenty against him—he follows the course of sacrificing to Odin for help and asks him to look into his case and promises him many presents.
Late one evening there’s a knock at the door and Gestumblindi goes to the threshold and sees that a man has come. He asks the man his name and the stranger calls himself Gestumblindi and said that they should swap clothes—and so they do. The master goes away and hides and the stranger comes in and everyone thinks that he’s Gestumblindi, and the night passes.

Next day, this Gestumblindi makes his way to meet the king. And he greeted the king warmly. The king was silent.
“Lord,” he says, “I’ve come here to settle with you.”
Then the king answers, “Will you take the verdict of my wise men?”
He says, “Is there no other way out?”
The king replied, “There is another, if you think you’re up to asking riddles.”
Gestumblindi says, “I won’t be much good at that. But then the other choice is also tough.”
“Would you rather,” says the king, “accept the verdict of my wise men?”

“I think,” says Gestumblindi, “I’d rather ask riddles.”
“Fair enough,” says the king.
Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“I want to have
what I had yesterday—
work out what that was:
the mind-whacker,
the word-thwarter
and word up-raiser.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”

The king says, “Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. Bring him ale. That smites many wits, and many are more gabby when the ale takes hold. And some it ties their tongues so they don’t get a word out.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“From home I went,
from home I made my way;
I saw a road of roads
and a road under them
and a road over them
and a road on all sides.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
The king says, “Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. You went on a bridge across a river, and the road of the river was below you and birds flew over your head and on either side, and that was their road.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that drink
I drank yesterday?
It wasn’t wine or water;
not ale either
nor any food
yet I left released from thirst.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. You lay in the shade and dew had fallen on the grass, and so your thirst was cooled and quenched. But if you’re the Gestumblindi I thought you were, then you’re smarter than I imagined, because I’ve heard that your words lacked wisdom, but now they’re getting more shrewd.”
“I’ll probably run out soon,” says Gestumblindi, “but still I’d like you to listen to another.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who is that shrill one
who rides a hard road,
has fared that way before?
He kisses hard
who has two mouths
and goes only on gold.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
“Good riddle Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s a hammer which is used for working gold. It shouts out loud when it hits the hard anvil, and that is its road.”
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
Two lifeless ones,
lacking breath;
they boiled the leek of wounds.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s bellows. They have no wind unless it’s blown into them. And they’re as dead as any other manmade object, but by means of them may be made a sword or any other thing. But these are crafty riddles for a man like you to be asking. You’re not much of a one with words.”
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
Eight feet it has
and four eyes
and knees above its belly.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
The king said, “For one thing, your hood hangs low, and, for another, you do certainly see more down there from under it than most other men, pondering as you do every phantom of the earth. It’s a spider.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
Its head directed
down to hell
but sunward face its feet.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
  
"Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s a leek. Its head is stuck in the earth and it sprouts up as it grows.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
Harder than horn,
blacker than raven,
whiter than egg-white,
straighter than shaft of spear.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
Heidrek said, “Your riddles are going downhill a bit now, Gestumblindi. What’s the point in sitting any longer at this? It’s obsidian, and the shine on it a sunbeam. And don’t you know any other way to pose riddles than to have the same beginning for each, seeing as how you seem to know so much?”
Gestumblindi said, “He who has a little knife must look for the joint—and likewise if one’s not too knowledgeable. I’d like to ask another.
 
“White-haired women,
servants two,
bore ale-tub to the larder.
No hand turned it
nor hammer beat it.
But there outside the islands,
the upright one who made it.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. There go swans to their nest to lay eggs. The shell of an egg is not turned by hands or shaped by hammers, and a swan is upright outside the islands. Swan is the answer, along with egg.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who are those troll-wives
on the great mountain?
Woman begets with woman,
a girl with a girl,
till she gets a son
but those wives have no husbands.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s two angelicas and a little angelica stalk between them. But I wonder greatly at your wisdom and way with words.”
Gestumblindi said, “I’m about out of riddles now, but everyone’s greedy for life.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“I saw earth’s
ground-dwellers go;
corpse sat on corpse.
The blind rode the blind
to the briny sea.
That steed was short of breath.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 

“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. You found a dead horse on a glacier and a dead snake on the horse, and all that drifts down the river.” Then the king said, “Who knows but that wiser men have a hand in this. But what kind of a man you are, that I don’t know.”
Gestumblindi answers, “I am just as you see me, but I’d gladly accept my life from you and be free of this effort?”
The king says, “You’ll ask riddles till you’re finished, or I fail to get them.”
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who are those thanes
who ride to the thing,[9]
sixteen guys together?
Across the land
they send their men
to seek a home for themselves.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. That’s Itrek, who is also called Odin, and the giant Andad, sitting playing tafl.”

“It’s going to get hard for me now, most likely,” says Gestumblindi, “and I don’t know what lies ahead.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What wives are they:
their weaponless lord
they smite down and slay?
All day long
the darker defend
but the fairer ones go forward.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s a game of hnettafl. The darker pieces defend the king, and the white ones attack.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who is that single one
who sleeps in the hearth
and stems from stone alone?
No father or mother
has Fain-to-Shine;
in that place he’ll pass his life.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“That is fire hidden in the hearth. It comes from flint.”

Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“Who is that great one
who grasps the earth,
swallowing wood and water?
Bad weather he dreads,
wind, but no man,
and picks a fight with the sun.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. That’s fog. It grasps the earth so that no one sees in front of themselves and there’s no sun; but it’s off as soon as the wind gets up. But these are crafty riddles and puzzles you’re posing, whoever you are.”

Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“What beast is that
that butchers wealth,
is circled outside with iron?
Eight horns it has
but a head never
and much hazard hangs upon it.
King Heidrek
guess my riddle.”
 
“That’s the die in hnettafl, also called the cub. Its horns are its corners.”[10]
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What beast is that,
defends fighters;
it bears a bloody back,
but men it saves,
meets spears,
gives life to some,
and lays its self
inside a soldier’s palm?
King Heidrek
guess my riddle.”
 
“It’s a shield. That is often bloody in battles and defends well those men who know how to use it.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What sisters at play
pass over countries
through a father’s wish to be wise?
A white shield
in winter they bear
and a sable one in the summer.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“They’re ptarmigans. They are white in winter and black in summer.”
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who are the women
who wistful go
through a father’s wish to be wise?
To many a man
mischief they’ve done;
that’s how they’ll live their lives.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Those are Hler’s wives, as we say: waves.”

Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“Who are those maidens
who go many together
through a father’s wish to be wise?
White hair have they,
the white-bonnet ladies,
but those wives have no husbands.”
 
“Those are billows, as before.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Which are the widows
who walk all together
through a father’s wish to be wise?
They’re seldom kind
to the sons of men
and must keep awake in the wind.”
 
“That’s Aegir’s widows, a name for waves.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Up long ago
a nose-goose had grown;
eager for offspring
was she who gathered
house-timber together.
They defended her,
bite-swords of straw,
though drink’s bellow-
basalt lay over her.”
 
“There a duck has built its nest in the middle of an ox’s jawbone, and the skull rests above.”
 Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who is that great one
that governs much
and hoves to the hellward side;
men he defends
and fights with earth
if he’s found a trusty friend?”
 

“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s an anchor with a good rope. If its fluke is in the sea floor then it offers protection.”
Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“Who are those wives
who walk in the skerries
and take a trip down the firth?
Their bed is hard,
the white-bonnet women.
They can’t play much in calm.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Those are breakers; their bed is skerry and rocks. And they’re not seen much in calm weather. But your delivery’s gone all to pieces; maybe you’d like to endure the judgement of my wise men?”
Gestumblindi says, “I’m reluctant to face that although I suspect it can’t be far off.
 
“Four hang,
four sprang,
two point the way,
two ward off dogs,
one dangles after
and always rather dirty.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle, Gestumblindi—I’ve got it. It’s a cow. That has four feet and four udders, two horns and two eyes, and the tail dangles after.”

Gestumblindi said:
 
“What inhabits high fells?
What falls in deep dales?
What lives without breath?
What is never silent?
King Heidrek,
Guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle Gestumblindi. A raven always lives on high fells, and dew always falls in a deep dale; fish live without breath, and a rushing waterfall is never silent.”
Gestumblindi said:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
White they whirl,
strike stone,
and bury themselves black in the sand.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle. Now they’re getting easier. That’s hail and rain, since hail strikes the street, and raindrops sink in sand and go into the earth.”
Gestumblindi said:
 
“A black boar I saw
in muck wallow,
and not a bristle grew on its back.
King Heidrek,
guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle. It’s a dung-beetle. But it’s come to something when dung-beetles are the subject of great men’s questions.”
Gestumblindi answers, “Bad things are best put off, and many men play for more time; after all, some people do miss things. I see now too that no stone should be left unturned.
 
“I sat on a sail;
I saw dead men
bear a blood-hole
into the bark of a tree.”
 
“There you sat on a wall and saw a hawk carry an eider-duck into crags.”[11]

Gestumblindi said:
 
“What is that wonder
that whines on high?
The elm-lathe howls;
they’re hard, chief.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
“Good riddle. It’s an arrow,” says the king.
Gestumblindi said:
 
“What is it that makes
for men a light
but flame engulfs it
and wargs fight over it always?”
 
“Good riddle. It’s the sun. She lights up every land and shines over all men, and Skalli and Hatti are called wargs. Those are wolves, one going before the sun, the other after.”
Gestumblindi said:
 
“A stallion I saw stand,
it struck a mare,
tossed tail and beat
buttock under belly;
out it must draw
and waggle a good long while.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
Then the king replied, “My retainers should answer this riddle.” They made many guesses and not very pretty ones. Then, when he saw they weren’t going to get it, the king said, “You call that horse a web of linen, while the reed of the loom is his mare; and up and down the web shall shake.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“In summer I saw them
in the sunset
(when I said goodbye
they were barely drunk),
jarls sipping
ale in silence,
but there howling
the horn just stood.”
 
“Piglets drank from a sow there and she squealed at that. Good riddle, but I don’t know what sort of man you are, to make so much of such a small matter.” And now the king secretly orders them to bolt the doors of the hall.

Gestumblindi said:
 
“Maidens I saw
much like soil
boulders were beds to them,
sable and swarthy
in sunny weather
but lighter the less is seen.
King Heidrek,
Guess my riddle.”
 
“Good riddle. Those are embers faded on the hearth.”

Then said Gestumblindi:
 
“What is that wonder
I saw outside
before the Doors of Day?
Ten tongues it has,
twenty eyes,
forty feet;
forward marches the monster.
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
The king said then, “If you are the Gestumblindi I thought, then you are indeed wiser than I imagined. It’s the sow you’re talking about now out in the yard.”
Then the king had the sow slaughtered, and she had nine piglets inside as Gestumblindi had said. Now the king suspects who man this must be.

Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“Who are those two
who have ten feet,
three eyes
and one tail?
Heidrek King,
think on that.”
 
“Good riddle—now you’re making an effort, coming up with ancient marvels for me: that’s Odin riding Sleipnir.”
Then Gestumblindi said:
 
“Then tell me this
one last thing if you can,
if you are
of all kings the wisest:
what did Odin say
in Baldr’s ear
before he was raised on the pyre?”
 
King Heidrek says, “Only you know that, monster.”

And then Heidrek draws Tyrfing and slashes at him, and Odin changed into the form of a hawk and flew out through a window of the hall. But the king hacked after him and cut off his tail-feathers, and that’s why to this day the hawk has a stubby tail. But the sword fell on a retainer, who died instantly.

Odin said, “For that, King Heidrek, because you lunged at me and wanted to kill me, the lowest thralls shall be your slayers.”
After that they part. 

12. Of the Killing of Heidrek and Hlod’s Inheritance

Þat er sagt, at Heiðrekr konungr átti þræla nokkura, þá er hann hafði tekit í vestrvíking. Þeir váru níu saman. Þeir váru af stórum ættum ok kunnu illa ófrelsi sínu. Þat var á einni nótt, þá er Heiðrekr konungr lá í svefnstofu sinni ok fátt manna hjá honum, þá tóku þrælarnir sér vápn ok gengu fyrir konungs herbergi ok drápu fyrst útvörðuna. Því næst gengu þeir at ok brutu upp konungs herbergit ok drápu þar Heiðrek konung ok alla þá, er inni váru. Þeir tóku sverðit Tyrfing ok allt fé þat, er inni var, ok höfðu á brott með sér, ok engi vissi fyrst, hverir þetta höfðu gert eða hvert hefnda skyldi leita.

Þá lét Angantýr, sonr Heiðreks konungs, kveðja þings, ok á því þingi var hann til konungs tekinn yfir öll þau ríki, er Heiðrekr konungr hafði átt. Á þessu þingi strengdi hann heit, at aldri skyldi hann fyrr setjast í hásæti föður síns en hann hefði hefnt hans.

Litlu eptir þingit hverfr Angantýr á brott einn saman ok ferr víða at leita þessa manna. Eitt kveld gengr hann ofan til sjávar með á þeiri, er Grafá hét. Þar sá hann þrjá menn á fiskibát, ok því næst sá hann, at maðr dró fisk ok kallar, at annarr skyldi fá honum agnsaxit at höfða fiskinn, en sá kveðst eigi laust mega láta.

Hinn mælti: "Taktu sverðit undan höfðafjölinni ok fá mér," en sá tók ok brá ok sneið höfuð af fiskinum, ok þá kvað hann vísu:

 

"Þess galt hún gedda

fyr Grafár ósi,

er Heiðrekr var veginn

und Harvaða fjöllum."

Angantýr kenndi þegar Tyrfing. Gekk hann þá brott í skóg ok dvaldist þar, til þess er myrkt var. En þessir fiskimenn reru at landi ok fara til tjalds þess, er þeir áttu, ok lögðust til svefns. En nær miðri nótt kom Angantýr þar ok felldi á þá tjaldit ok drap þá alla níu þræla, en tók sverðit Tyrfing, ok var þat þá til marks, at hann hafði hefnt föður síns. Ferr Angantýr nú heim.

Því næst lætr Angantýr gera veislu mikla á Danparstöðum á þeim bæ, er Árheimar heita, at erfa föður sinn. Þá réðu þessir konungar löndum, er hér segir:

 

Ár kváðu Humla

Húnum ráða,

Gizur Gautum,

Gotum Angantý,

Valdar Dönum,

en Völum Kjár,

Alrekr inn frækni

enskri þjóðu.

  Hlöðr, sonr Heiðreks konungs, fæddist upp með Humla konungi, móðurföður sínum, ok var allra manna fríðastr sýnum ok drengiligastr. En þat var fornt mál þann tíma, at maðr væri borinn með vápnum eða hestum. En þat var til þess haft, at þat var mælt um þau vápn, er þá váru ger þann tíma, at maðrinn var fæddr, svá ok fé, kykvendi, yxn eða hestar, ef þat var þá fætt, ok var þat allt fært saman til virðingar tignum mönnum, sem hér segir um Hlöð Heiðreksson:

Hlöðr var þar borinn

í Húnalandi

saxi ok með sverði,

síðri brynju,

hjálmi hringreifðum,

hvössum mæki,

mari vel tömum

á mörk inni helgu.

  Nú spyrr Hlöðr fráfall föður síns ok þat með, at Angantýr, bróðir hans, var til konungs tekinn yfir allt þat ríki, sem faðir þeira háfði átt. Nú vilja þeir Humli konungr ok Hlöðr, at hann fari at krefja arfs Angantý, bróður sinn, fyrst með góðum orðum, sem hér segir:

Hlöðr reið austan,

Heiðreks arfi,

kom hann at garði,

þar er Gotar byggja,

á Árheima

arfs at kveðja,

þar drakk Angantýr

erfi Heiðreks.

  Nú kom Hlöðr í Árheima með miklu liði, sem hér segir:

Segg fann hann úti

fyr sal hávum

ok síðförlan

síðan kvaddi:

"Inn gakktu, seggr,

í sal hávan,

bið mér Angantý

andspjöll bera."

Sá gekk inn fyrir konungsborð ok kvaddi Angantý konung vel ok mælti síðan:

 

"Hér er Hlöðr kominn,

Heiðreks arfþegi,

bróðir þinn

inn böðskái;

mikill er sá maðr ungr

á mars baki,

vill nú, þjóðann,

við þik tala."

En er konungr heyrði þetta, þá varpaði hann knífinum á borðit, en sté undan borðinu ok steypti yfir sik brynju ok hvítan skjöld í hönd, en sverðit Tyrfing í aðra hönd. Þá gerðist gnýr mikill í höllinni, sem hér segir:

 

Rymr var í ranni,

risu með góðum,

vildi hverr heyra,

hvat Hlöðr mælti

ok þat, er Angantýr

andsvör veitti.

  Þá mælti Angantýr: "Vel þú kominn, Hlöðr bróðir, gakk inn með oss til drykkju, ok drekkum mjöð eptir föður okkarn fyrst til sama ok öllum oss til vegs með öllum várum sóma."

  Hlöðr segir: "Til annars fóru vér hingat en at kýla vömb vára." Þá kvað Hlöðr:

"Hafa vil ek hálft allt,

þat er Heiðrekr átti,

al ok af oddi,

einum skatti,

kú ok af kálfi,

kver þjótandi;

þý ok af þræli

ok þeira barni.

  

Hrís þat it mæra,

er Myrkviðir heita,

gröf þá ina helgu,

er stendr á götu þjóðar;

stein þann inn mæra,

er stendr á stöðum Danpar,

hálfar herváðir,

þær er Heiðrekr átti,

lönd ok lýða

ok ljósa bauga."

  Þá segir Angantýr: "Eigi ertu til lands þessa kominn með lögum, ok rangt viltu bjóða." Þá kvað Angantýr:

 "Bresta mun fyrr, bróðir.

in blikhvíta lind

ok kaldr geirr

koma við annan

ok margr gumi

í gras hníga

en ek mun Humlung

hálfan láta

eða Tyrfing

í tvau deila."

   Ok enn kvað Angantýr:

 "Ek mun bjóða þér

bjartar vigrar,

fé ok fjölð meiðma,

sem þik fremst tíðir;

tólf hundruð gef ek þér manna,

tólf hundruð gef ek þér mara,

tólf hundruð gef ek þér skálka,

þeira er skjöld bera.

 

 Manni gef ek hverjum

margt at þiggja,

annat æðra

en hann á ráði;

mey gef ek hverjum

manni at þiggja,

mey spenni ek hverri

meyju at hálsi.

 

 Mun ek um þik sitjanda

silfri mæla,

en ganganda þik

gulli steypa,

svát á vega alla

velti baugar;

þriðjung Goðþjóðar,

því skaltu einn ráða."

It’s told that King Heidrek had certain thralls that he’d captured on viking trips in the west. There were nine altogether. They came from great families and didn’t think much to their captivity. One night when Heidrek was lying in his bedroom, and few men with him, the thralls got hold of weapons and went to the king’s lodging and first killed the sentries. Next they went on and broke into the king’s lodging and slew King Heidrek and all who were inside there. They took the sword Tyrfing and all the treasure that was inside and carried it off with them. And at first no one knew who had done this or where vengeance should be sought.
Then Angantyr, Heidrek’s son, had a council called, and at the council he was declared king over all the lands that King Heidrek had owned. At this council, he made a solemn vow that he would never sit on his father’s throne till he’d avenged him.
Not long after the council, Angantyr slips away by himself and journeys far and wide in search of these men. One evening, following that river which is called the River Grave, he comes down to a lake. There he saw three men in a fishing boat, and suddenly he saw a man pulling in a fish and calling to one of the others to get him the bait-knife to behead the fish, but the other said he couldn’t spare it.
So the first one said, “Get the sword from under the head-board and give it here. And he took it and drew it and cut the head off the fish, and then he chanted a verse:
 
“The price was paid
by the pike at Grave River,
when Heidrek was slain
under Harveth Fells.”
 
Angantyr recognised Tyrfing at once. He went off into the forest and stayed there till it was dark. And those fishermen rowed to land and they go to their tent and lay down to sleep. And near midnight Angantyr came and knocked down the tent so it fell on them, and then he killed all nine thralls and took the sword Tyrfing, and this was proof that he’d avenged his father. Now Angantyr goes home.

Next, Angantyr has a great feast prepared on the Banks of Danp, at a place called Arheimar, to honour his father.
These were the kings who ruled the lands then, as it is told:
 
Of old, they say, Humli
over Huns did rule,
Gizur the Gauts,
the Goths Angantyr,
Valdar the Danes,
the Romans Kjar,
Alrek the Valiant
the English people.
 
King Heidrek’s son Hlod was brought up with King Humli his mother’s father. He was of all men the finest in appearance and the most manly. And it was an old saying of that time that a man would be ‘born with weapons’ or ‘with horses’. This is because weapons which were made at the same time as a prince was born were said to be ‘born’ with him. So also with cattle, beasts, oxen or horses which were born then. And they were all used in the honouring of men of great birth, as is told here of Hlod Heidreksson:
 
There Hlod was born
in Hunland realm
with brand and bodkin
and long byrnie,
helm ring-welded
and whetted sword
and horse well tamed
in the holy forest.
 
Now Hlod learnt of the death of his father, and at the same time that his brother Angantyr had been made king over all that realm which his father had owned. Now King Humli and Hlod were agreed that Hlod should go and claim his birthright from Angantyr his brother, first with fair words, as it says here:
 
Hlod rode from the east,
Heidrek’s heir;
he came to the gates
of the Goths’ fortress,
to Arheimar
heirlooms to claim;
there Angantyr held
Heidrek’s wake.
 
Now Hlod came to Arheimar with a great army, as it says here:
 
A lone man he found
before the lofty hall
late outside,
then said to him,
“Go thou in, my man,
to this lofty hall,
tell Angantyr:
come talk with me.”
 
The man went in and up to the king’s table, greeted Angantyr well and then said:
 
“Hlod has come here,
Heidrek’s heir,
your brother armed
as if for war;
big is that youth
on horse’s back,
wants now, my lord,
a word with you.”
 
When the king heard that, he threw his knife on the table and got up from the table and flung on his byrnie. He took a white shield in one hand and the sword Tyrfing in the other hand. Then there was a great din in the hall, as it says here:
 
Uproar in the hall,
they rose with the chief;
each strained to hear
what Hlod would say
and what answer
Angantyr gave.
 
Then said Angantyr, “Welcome Hlod, my brother. Come in and drink with us, and let us first drink mead to our father, as is fitting, and to the honour of us all with respect for each of us.”
Hlod says, “It wasn’t to fill our guts that we came here.” Then spoke Hlod:
 
“A half share I’ll have
of what Heidrek owned:
of awl and spear-tip,
of unsplit treasure,
of cow and of calf
and clanking mill,
of slave and servant,
send their children.
 
That famed forest,
folk call the Mirkwoods,
that holy grave
which stands in Gothland realm,
that famed boulder
which stands on the Banks of Danp,
half the war-gear,
that Heidrek owned,
land and people
and lustrous rings.”
 
Then says Angantyr, “You have not come legally to this land, and your proposal is not a just one.”
 
“First will burst, brother,
bright white shield
and cold spear
clash with spear
and many a man
will meet the grass
before a half
to Hun’s son I give,
or Tyrfing ever
in two sunder.”
 
And again Angantyr spoke:
 
“Accept, I bid you,
the bright lances,
money and many riches,
what you wish the most;
twelve hundred men I give you,
twelve hundred steeds I give you,
twelve hundred servants I give you,
bearing shields.
 
Much to every
man I offer,
something else better
than ere he had;
to every man
a maid I give,
and on every lass
I clasp a necklace.
 
There where you sit
I shall cover you in silver;
upon you as you walk
I shall pour down gold;
so rings will roll
to right and left,
for you alone
shall be lord over
one third of the Gothic nation.”

13. Hlod and Humli Gathered their Forces 

Gizur Grytingalidi, foster father of King Heidrek, was with King Angantyr and was then very old. And when he heard Angantyr’s words, it seemed to him a bit much to offer, and he intoned:
 
“That’s fine enough
for a thrall’s son,
bairn of slaves
though born a king;
a bastard sat
outside on the mound,[12]
while the prince parted
patrimony.”
 
Hlod was enraged now because if he accepted his brother’s offer he would be called a bastard and the son of a thrall, and he promptly turned and rode away with all his men till he came home to Hunland to his kinsman King Humli and told him that his brother Angantyr had not granted him a half share.

Humli asks about their whole conversation. He flew into a rage at the thought of Hlod, his daughter’s son, being called the son of a servant. And he spoke thus:
 
“At our ease we’ll wait
the winter out,
swap words and swig
some worthy brews;
teach Huns to fashion
fighting tackle
which valiantly
to war we’ll bear.”
 
And again he spoke:
 
“Well shall we summon
war-bands for you, Hlod,
and back you up
boldly with soldiers,
with twelve-winter force
and two-winter foal,
so shall the host
of the Huns gather.”

 That winter Humli and Hlod sat tight. In the spring they gathered an army so immense that all Hunland was emptied of able men. All men who could wield weapons went, from twelve years upwards, and all horses from two. The multitude of their men grew so great, it could be counted in regiments, and no fewer than regiments in the brigades. And a leader was set over each regiment, and a standard over every brigade, and five regiments in each brigade, each comprising thirteen squadrons. And each squadron numbered four times forty. And of these brigades there were thirty-three.[13]
When this army had assembled, they rode through that forest called Mirkwood which separates Hunland and Gothland. And when they came out of the forest, there before them were large settlements and flat plains, and on the plains stood a fine-looking fortress. And in command there were Angantyr’s sister Hervor and Ormar her foster father—they’d been posted there as a guard against the host of the Huns, and they had there a great army.

One morning at sunrise, Hervor stood on a tower over the fortress gate. She saw a great cloud of dust to the south near the forest, so that for a long time the sun was hidden. Then she saw something shining under the dust-cloud, and it seemed to her that she looked on gold: fair shields chased with gold, gilded helms and white byrnies. She saw then that this was the Hunnish army and a very great host it was.
Hervor rushed down and called the trumpeter and ordered him to sound the alarm and assemble the army. And then Hervor said, “Take your weapons and prepare for battle. And you, Ormar, ride to the Huns and challenge them to battle before the south gate.”

Ormar spoke:
 
“Sure I’ll gallop
grasping shield
and give battle
for the Gothic peoples.”

Then Ormar rode from the fortress towards the army. He called in a loud voice and bade them ride to the fortress, “And out before the south gate upon the plain, there I challenge you to battle. Whoever comes first will wait for the other.”
Now Ormar rode back to the fortress and found Hervor armed and all the army ready. Now they rode out of the fortress with their army against the Huns, and there began a mighty battle. And as the Huns have a much bigger force, the slaughter turned to the Gothic side. And at last Hervor fell, and many Goths around her. And when Ormar saw her fall, he fled along with all who survived. Ormar rode day and night as fast as he could to King Angantyr in Arheimar. The Huns now take to harrying the land, pillaging and burning far and wide.

And when Ormar came before King Angantyr he said:
 
“From the south I’ve come
to say this news:
burnt’s Mirkwood Heath
and the whole forest,
Goth-folk all blotched
with blood of men.”
 
And again he spoke:
 
“Down, I hear,
is Heidrek’s lass;
heard your sister,
the Huns felled her—
and of your people
plenty more.
 
More cheery in battle
than chatting with suitors
or taking the bench
at a bridal feast.”
 
When King Angantyr heard this, he grinned and was slow to speak, but at last he said:
 
“Unbrotherly
the bloody game
they played with you,
excellent sister.”
 
And then he looked at his household troop, and there weren’t many with him. He said then:
 
“Many more of us
drank mead together
but now in need
our number’s less.
 
No man I see
in my army
(although I ask
and offer rings)
who’ll ride boldly
and bear a shield
or hasten the Hunnish
host to find.”
 
Gizur the Old said:
 
“Not one ounce
I’ll ask of silver
nor for jingling
jangling gold,
yet boldly I’ll ride
and bear a shield,
bring now to Huns
the battle-stave.”
 
It was a law of King Heidrek’s that if an invading army was in a country, and the king of the land marked out a field with hazel twigs, so setting the place for battle,[14] then the raiders shouldn’t harry till the battle was decided. Gizur armed himself with good weapons and leapt on his horse as if he was a young man. Then he said to the king:
 
“Where shall I point
the Hunnish people?”
 
Angantyr said:
 
“Point them to Dylgja
and to Dun Heath direct them
and mark out all
the Mounts of Jass;
there Goths often
have given battle
and fine victory
they, famous, gained.”
 
Now Gizur rode off till he came to the army of the Huns. He rode no nearer than he needed to talk to them. Then he calls out in a loud voice and said:
 

“There’s fear on your forces,
fey are your generals;
the battle-banner
above you looms;
wrath with you is Odin.”
 
And also:
 
“I offer you at Dylgja
and on Dun Heath I offer
a fight under
the Jassar Fells.
A corpse be to you
on every horse.
May Odin let the javelin fly
just as I decree.”
 
When Hlod had heard Gizur’s words he said:
 
“Grab hold of Gizur
Grytingalidi,
Angantyr’s man,
from Arheimar.”
 
King Humli said:
 
“Messenger men
we must not slay,
wreak wrong on those
who ride alone.”
 
Gizur said, “Huns don’t scare us, nor your horn-bows.”

Gizur spurred his horse and rode till he came to King Angantyr and went before him and greeted him well. Angantyr asks whether he had found the kings.

Gizur said, “I spoke with them and summoned them to battle on Dun Heath in the Dylgja Dales.”

Angantyr asks how big an army the Huns have.
Gizur said, “Great is their host:
 
“Six brigades
of soldiers they have,
in each brigade
five regiments,
in each regiment
thirteen squadrons,
in each squadron
quadrupled men.”[15]
 
So Angantyr hears about the host of the Huns. Then he sent messengers in all directions and summoned to him every man who wished to support him and could bear arms. He went to Dun Heath then with his troops, and that was an immense army. Then the army of the Huns came to meet him, and their host was twice as big.

15. The Battle of Dun Heath 

The next day they began their battle and fought all that day and went at evening to their camps. They fought thus for eight days, with the leaders unharmed, but none knew the number of those who fell. But day and night more troops thronged to Angantyr’s camp from all directions, so that he had no less men than he had at the start. Now the battle grew yet more bitter. The Huns became all the more desperate as they saw their position: that their only hope of life was to win, and that they wouldn’t get much mercy from the Goths. The Goths were defending their freedom and fatherland against the Huns, and so stood fast and encouraged each other. Then, as the day wore on, the Goths made an attack so hard that the Hun ranks broke before them. And when Angantyr saw that, he charged forward out of the shield-wall and into the forefront of the enemy host and had in his hand Tyrfing and struck down both men and horses. Then the shield-wall collapsed around the Hunnish kings, and the brothers traded blows. There fell Hlod and King Humli, and a rout broke out among the Huns, but the Goths killed them and they felled so many that the rivers were dammed and burst their banks, and the dales were full of horses and dead men and blood.

King Angantyr went then to search the dead and found Hlod, his brother. Then he said:

“I offered you, brother,

every treasure,

money and many riches,

what you wished the most;

but now for war

you’ve no reward,

no lustrous rings

nor land either.”

And further:

“Cursed are we, brother,

your killer I’ve become,

it will never be forgotten—

grim is the doom of norns.”

Appendix A:

Starkad

Here is part of the Prologue from the U-version of Hervor's Saga (see Notes on Translation). The story of Starkad comes right after the description of Gudmund, which can be found at the start of Chapter 6 of this translation. The H-version of Hervor's Saga, preserved in the Hauksbók manuscript, contains an abridged form of this prologue:

There was a man called Arngrim. He was a giant and a rock-dweller. He took Ama, Ymir's daughter from Ymisland, and made her his wife. Their son was Hergrim, who was called Half-Troll. He was sometimes with mountain-giants, and sometimes with men. He had the strength of a giant. He was all-knowing in the arcane arts and a great berserk. He went to Jotunheim and took Ogn Elfburst home with him, and made her his wife. Their son was called Grim. Before this, she had been promised to Starkad Ala-Warrior.

Now this man Starkad lived by the Alufoss Fall. He was descended from that race of giants called thurses, and was like them in strength and nature. He had eight arms. Storkvid was the name of his father. Ogn Elfburst was Starkad's betrothed, and Hergrim took her from him while Starkad was away, having gone north over the Elia Creeks, but when he came back, he challenged Hergrim to an island duel, to fight for the woman. They fought by Efsta Foss at Eid. Starkad had eight arms and wielded four swords at once. He had the victory there, and Hergrim fell. Ogn was watching their duel, and when Hergrim had fallen, Ogn stabbed herself with the sword. She did not want to marry Starkad. Starkad now seized all the wealth that Hergrim had owned and took his son, Grim, away with him too. He grew up with Starkad. Grim grew both big and strong, as he got older.

Alf was the king who ruled Alfheim. Alfhild was his daughter. Alfheim was between Gaut-Elfar and Raum-Elfar. One autumn a great disablot, or sacrifice to the goddesses, was made by King Alf, and Alfhild went to the sacrifices. She was fairer than any woman, and all the folk in Alfheim were more beautiful to see than other people at that time. But in the night, as she reddened the altar, Starkad Ala-Warrior took Alfhild away and brought her home with him. King Alf called on Thor then, to search after Alfhild, whereupon Thor killed Starkad, and let Alfhild go home to her father, and with her Grim, the son of Hergrim. And when Grim was twelve years old, he went raiding and became the greatest of warriors, and he married Bauggerd, the daughter of Alfhild and Starkad. Grim made a home for himself on the island of Bolm in Halogaland, and was afterwards called Ey-Grim "Island-Grim" Bolm. Their son was Arngrim Berserk, who later lived on Bolm and was the most excellent of warriors.

Notes on Translation:

The Manuscripts

Hervor's Saga exists in three distinct versions, known as R, H and U. Of these, R is thought to be closest to the hypothetical 13th century original, but lacks an ending. It also has a gap covering the end of Chapter 5 (of the present translation) and the beginning of Chapter 6, and breaks off towards the end of Chapter 12. With its unfussy vigour and mnemonic repetitions, R comes closest to resembling an oral tale. H and U share some significant revisions to the story in contrast to R, notably the discursive introductory chapter, certain rationalisations of behaviour, and a more active role for the cursed sword Tyrfing. The narrative of U is generally fuller, with most incidental detail. H omits Hjalmar's Death Song but has several extra riddles not found in the other versions.
The R version comes from the early 15th century vellum Gl.kgl.sml. 2845, 4to, of the Royal Library in Copenhagen. U is preserved in the corrupt paper manuscript U (R:715 of the University Library, Uppsala, mid 17th century), and a part also appears in AM 203 fol. of the University Library, Copenhagen, written by Síra Jón Erlendsson of Villingaholt (died 1672). The H text is known from the Hauksbók, AM 544, 4to, written by Haukr Erlendsson (died 1334). From the answer to the second riddle, the ending is missing, but two 17th century copies, AM 281, 4to (h1) and AM 597b, 4to (h2), preserve this version to the end of the riddles. In addition, a large number of paper manuscripts derived from the above attests to the saga's continuing popularity.

Which Versions I Have Used

The present translation is based mainly on R, for which I've used G Turville-Petre's edition of Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, published by the Viking Society for Northern Research (Text Series: Number 2). This follows R "as far as it goes", filling in the first gap from H, while the end of the saga, including the Epilogue, is taken from U, with some readings from 203.
In a few places I've supplemented this with additional material from the H and U versions. For the former I used Finnur & Eiríkur Jónsson's 1892-96 edition of Hauksbók (Vol. 2, pp. 350-369), and for the latter, Hervarar saga ok Heidrekskongs, ed. Stefán Björnsson, 1785, based on the U-type 17th century paper manuscript AM 345 4to. Both are available online at Saganet. Digitised texts of R and H can be found here (titled respectively: Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, and Saga Heiðreks konungs ins vitra). Petersen's edition, Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks konungs, útgefin af NM Petersen, Copenhagen 1847, looks like a composite with the beginning according to H, but including the fuller account of the duel on Samsey as in R, after which it goes back to H while that lasts.
The divergences in my translation from the Turville-Petre edition are as follows:

* The opening to my Chapter 6, introducing Godmund, is actually the very beginning of U and H. I made an amalgam of these.
* The first mention of Arrow-Odd in Sweden is from U; in R he's not introduced till the duel. Heidrek's life in the woods is from H, as is the people's desire to expose the baby in Chapter 5; so too the names of the six berserks from Brami to Bui inclusive (only six names are given in R), and the detail regarding the relative weakness of the Haddings. I stuck to R however for the order of the first four.
* Extra riddles have been included from H, together with much additional repartee between Gestumblindi and the king, and the detail of the by-stander inadvertantly slain. The order of riddles varies between versions, and in a few cases I've altered it further to accommodate asides from both R and H. In the process, one or two asides in my translation have been shifted to follow a different riddle. From H too come some verses in The Waking of Angantyr which are missing from R. The accidental killing of the retainer is from U.
* R seems to contradict itself regarding the name of the 2nd Hervor's foster father. For continuity, I added to Chapter 10 a mention of Ormar from H, thus: "...with Jarl Frodmar, or some say with a man called Ormar." (H only names Ormar here.) The words "or some say" are my own.
* The story of the king and the dwarves in Chapter 1 is from H, with nods to U. (This incident is only alluded to in R.) However, including the dwarves presents a dilemma, since their curse demands the death of the king by his own sword. Now, in R Arngrim stays peacefully with King Sigrlami. In H & U, Arngrim never stays with the king (who is called Svavrlami there) but only attacks him, kills him in battle and steals his daughter. At first I tried combining the two versions: having Arngrim stay with Sigrlami, then betray him--but it wasn't working. So instead I've left the story of Arngrim just as in R, but shifted the curse from the king to his "kin" (that is, his descendents). Though arguably not out of keeping with legendary saga conventions--compare the elf-woman's delayed-action curse on Helgi's offspring in The Saga of Hrolf Kraki, and moreover Angantyr's own warnings to Hervor that this sword will bring doom to future generations--you might want to note: "kin" in place of "you [king]" is a wanton change to original text.

For the story of Starkad as told in U, see Appendix B.