Yfirmilding kveðk engla veldis
— óðr magnaz nú — fyrst at ljóðum;
mætr þengill, stýr minni tungu
málkunnigri, frægrar sunnu.
Skyldr emk þess, er æztr var aldar,
jöfra stýris mærð at skýra
(dróttinn styrki mín orð máttigr)
mestri sæmd (um dýrðar festi).
Kveðk fyrst yfirmilding veldis engla at ljóðum; nú magnaz óðr; mætr þengill frægrar sunnu, stýr málkunnigri tungu minni. Emk skyldr at skýra mærð þess stýris jöfra, er var æztr aldar, mestri sæmd; máttigr dróttinn styrki orð mín um festi dýrðar.
I first summon the supreme lord of the angels’ realm [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] to the recitation; now the poem becomes powerful; glorious prince of the famous sun [= God], guide my eloquent tongue. I am obliged to proclaim the praise of that controller of princes [KING], who was the foremost of men, with the greatest honour; may the powerful Lord strengthen my words about the securer of glory [KING].