Martin Chase (ed.) 2007, ‘Einarr Skúlason, Geisli 16’ in Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Poetry on Christian Subjects. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 7. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 20-1.
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3. ok (conj.): and, but; also
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hagliga (adv.): easily, comfortably
[1] hagliga: so Bb, hverlofaðr Flat
[2] hagliga ‘easily’: The Bb reading is necessary for the rhyme with hugðisk.
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huga (verb): consider, mind, think
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1. hrøkkva (verb): coil < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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1. hrøkkva (verb): coil < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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1. hrøkkva (verb): coil < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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baugr (noun m.; °dat. -i/-; -ar): ring
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2. seiðr (noun m.): coalfish < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[2] ‑seiðs: baugs Bb
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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2. seiðr (noun m.): coalfish < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[2] ‑seiðs: baugs Bb
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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2. seiðr (noun m.): coalfish < hrøkkviseiðr (noun m.)
[2] ‑seiðs: baugs Bb
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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2. inn (art.): the
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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2. inn (art.): the
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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2. inn (art.): the
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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døkkr (adj.; °-van; compar. -vari/-ari/-ri, superl. -vastr/-astr): dark
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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døkkr (adj.; °-van; compar. -vari/-ari/-ri, superl. -vastr/-astr): dark
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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døkkr (adj.; °-van; compar. -vari/-ari/-ri, superl. -vastr/-astr): dark
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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lyng (noun n.; °dat. -vi/-i; -): heather
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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lyng (noun n.; °dat. -vi/-i; -): heather
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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lyng (noun n.; °dat. -vi/-i; -): heather
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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í (prep.): in, into
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loft (noun n.): air, sky
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upp (adv.): up
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2. ganga (verb; geng, gekk, gengu, genginn): walk, go
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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stríðandi (noun m.): fighter
[4, 2, 3] stríðandi látrs hins døkkva hrøkkviseiðs lyngs ‘the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather’: Cf. Bragi Þórr 5/3, 4III hrøkkviáll Vǫlsunga drekku ‘coiling eel of the Volsungs’ drink’ [POISON > SNAKE = Miðgarðsormr]. The kenning for Óláfr has multiple levels of meaning. On the surface it is a variation of the kenning-type ‘dispenser of gold’. Óláfr was a treasure-dispenser in this literal sense during his lifetime, and after his death he continues to reward his followers with miracles.
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síðan (adv.): later, then
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láta (verb): let, have sth done
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2. er (conj.): who, which, when
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land (noun n.; °-s; *-): land < landfolk (noun n.): people of the country
[5] landfolks: so Bb, R, Tˣ, W, U, A, lands folk Flat
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folk (noun n.): people < landfolk (noun n.): people of the country
[5] landfolks: so Bb, R, Tˣ, W, U, A, lands folk Flat
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2. gæta (verb): look after, care for
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1. lík (noun n.; °-s; -): body, shape
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líkn (noun f.; °-ar; gen. -a): grace, mercy < líknframr (adj.)
[6] líknframr: líknsamr Bb, A, líkbjartr R, Tˣ, W, líknbjartr U
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bjartr (adj.; °compar. -ari, superl. -astr): bright
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bjartr (adj.; °compar. -ari, superl. -astr): bright
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samr (adj.; °compar. -ari): same
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framr (adj.; °compar. framari/fremri, superl. framastr/fremstr): outstanding, foremost < líknframr (adj.)
[6] líknframr: líknsamr Bb, A, líkbjartr R, Tˣ, W, líknbjartr U
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himinn (noun m.; °himins, dat. himni; himnar): heaven, sky < himinríki (noun n.): Heaven
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ríki (noun n.; °-s; -): kingdom, power < himinríki (noun n.): Heaven
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umgeypnandi (noun m.): holder in hand
[7] umgeypnandi: umgeypnanda Tˣ
[7, 8] umgeypnandi alls heims ‘encompasser [lit. holder in hand] of the whole world’: Ps. XCIV.4 (in manu eius fines terrae ‘in his hands are all the ends of the earth’) is probably the inspiration for this kenning, understood here to refer to God even though Snorri Sturluson (see Context) apparently understood it to refer to Christ. Cf. similar periphrases in Anon Mgr 2/5, Kálf Kátr 36/3, Gamlkan Has 29/7-8 and 64/6.
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allr (adj.): all
[7, 8] umgeypnandi alls heims ‘encompasser [lit. holder in hand] of the whole world’: Ps. XCIV.4 (in manu eius fines terrae ‘in his hands are all the ends of the earth’) is probably the inspiration for this kenning, understood here to refer to God even though Snorri Sturluson (see Context) apparently understood it to refer to Christ. Cf. similar periphrases in Anon Mgr 2/5, Kálf Kátr 36/3, Gamlkan Has 29/7-8 and 64/6.
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heimr (noun m.; °-s, dat. -i/-; -ar): home, abode; world
[7, 8] umgeypnandi alls heims ‘encompasser [lit. holder in hand] of the whole world’: Ps. XCIV.4 (in manu eius fines terrae ‘in his hands are all the ends of the earth’) is probably the inspiration for this kenning, understood here to refer to God even though Snorri Sturluson (see Context) apparently understood it to refer to Christ. Cf. similar periphrases in Anon Mgr 2/5, Kálf Kátr 36/3, Gamlkan Has 29/7-8 and 64/6.
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fyr (prep.): for, over, because of, etc.
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1. gramr (noun m.): ruler
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snjallr (adj.): quick, resourceful, bold
Interactive view: tap on words in the text for notes and glosses
Ok hagliga hugðisk |
And the enemy of the lair of the dark coiling fish of the heather [SNAKE > GOLD > GENEROUS MAN] thought then that he went easily up into the air. The outstandingly merciful encompasser [lit. holder in hand] of the whole world [= God], who watches over the people of the country, caused the kingdom of heaven to open before the clever king.
Lines 5-8 occur in several mss of the Skm section of SnE among examples of kennings for Christ. Snorri comments: ‘Here kennings become ambiguous, and the person interpreting the poetry has to distinguish from the context which king is being referred to. For it is normal to call the emperor of Constantinople king of the Greeks, and similarly the king that rules Palestine, to call him king of Jerusalem ... And the kenning that was quoted above, calling Christ king of men, this kenning can be applied to any king.’ (Faulkes 1987, 127-8; cf. SnE 1998, I, 78). Snorri was aware of Einarr’s use of double entendre to associate Óláfr with Christ.
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