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Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Gamanvísur — Hharð GamvII

Haraldr harðráði Sigurðarson

Kari Ellen Gade 2009, ‘ Haraldr harðráði Sigurðarson, Gamanvísur’ in Kari Ellen Gade (ed.), Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 2: From c. 1035 to c. 1300. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 2. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 35-41. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=3262> (accessed 18 April 2024)

 

1.
Fundr vas þess, at Þrœndir
þeir hǫfðu lið meira;
varð, sús vér of gerðum,
víst errilig snerra.
Skilðumk ungr við ungan
allvald í styr fallinn;
þó lætr Gerðr í Gǫrðum
gollhrings við mér skolla.
 
‘The encounter was such that the Þrœndir had more troops; the fight which we had was truly fierce. I parted, young, from the young overlord, fallen in battle; yet the Gerðr <goddess> of the gold ring [WOMAN] in Russia ridicules me.’
2.
Sneið fyr Sikiley víða
súð; vôrum þá prúðir;
brýnt skreið vel til vánar
vengis hjǫrtr und drengjum.
Vættik miðr, at motti
myni enn þinig nenna;
þó lætr Gerðr í Gǫrðum
gollhrings við mér skolla.
 
‘The ship sliced [the sea] before broad Sicily; we were proud then; the stag of the cabin [SHIP] glided swiftly beneath the men entirely as expected. I hardly think that a sluggard will ever head there; yet the Gerðr <goddess> of the gold ring [WOMAN] in Russia ridicules me.’
3.
Senn jósum vér, svanni,
sextán, þás brim vexti,
— dreif á hlaðna húfa
húm — í fjórum rúmum.
Vættik miðr, at motti
myni enn þinig nenna;
þó lætr Gerðr í Gǫrðum
gollhrings við mér skolla.
 
‘We bailed, woman, sixteen at a time in four rowing-stations, when the surf increased; sea-spray battered the loaded hull. I hardly think a sluggard will ever head there; yet the Gerðr <goddess> of the gold ring [WOMAN] in Russia ridicules me.’
4.
Íþróttir kannk átta:
Yggs fetk líð at smíða;
fœrr emk hvasst á hesti;
hefk sund numit stundum.
Skríða kannk á skíðum;
skýtk ok rœk, svát nýtir;
hvártveggja kannk hyggja
harpslôtt ok bragþôttu.
 
‘I have eight accomplishments: I forge Yggr’s <= Óðinn’s> drink [POETRY]; I am skilled at travelling swiftly on horseback; I have practised swimming on occasion. I can glide on skis; I shoot and row well enough; I can comprehend both harp-playing and poems.’
5.
Oss munat ekkja kenna
ung né mær, at værim,
þars gerðum svip sverða,
síð í borg of morgun.
Ruddumk umb með oddi;
eru merki þar verka;
þó lætr Gerðr í Gǫrðum
gollhrings við mér skolla.
 
‘Neither the widow nor the young maiden can accuse us [me] of being late in the morning into the stronghold where we made a swinging of swords [BATTLE]. I cleared a path with the spear-point; there are marks of my deeds there; yet the Gerðr <goddess> of the gold ring [WOMAN] in Russia ridicules me.’
6.
Fœddr vas ek, þars alma
Upplendingar bendu;
nú lætk við sker skolla
skeiðr búmǫnnum leiðar.
Vítt hef ek, sízt ýttum,
eygarð skotit barði;
þó lætr Gerðr í Gǫrðum
gollhrings við mér skolla.
 
‘I was born where the Upplendingar bent the elm-bows; now I let my warships, loathsome to farmers, rock among skerries. Far and wide I have thrust the prow across the island-enclosure [SEA] since we [I] set out; yet the Gerðr <goddess> of the gold ring [WOMAN] in Russia ridicules me.’
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