Edith Marold (ed.) 2012, ‘Einarr skálaglamm Helgason, Vellekla 7’ in Diana Whaley (ed.), Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1: From Mythical Times to c. 1035. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 1. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 291.
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1. vita (verb): know
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2. vanr (adj.): lacking
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2. vera (verb): be, is, was, were, are, am
[1] Vasat (‘vara’): vant J1ˣ, J2ˣ, veit 61
[1, 4] vasat at frýja ‘one did not have to taunt’: Frýja normally means ‘reproach’. Here it should be interpreted as ‘to taunt, to provoke’ (see LP: frýja).
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of- ((prefix)): too much < ofbyrr (noun m.)
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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byrr (noun m.; °-jar/-s; -ir, acc. -i/-u(SigrVal 188¹³)): favourable wind < ofbyrr (noun m.)
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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ǫr (noun f.; °dat. -/-u; ǫrvar/ǫrar): arrow
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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oddr (noun m.; °-s, dat. -i; -ar): point of weapon
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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oddr (noun m.; °-s, dat. -i; -ar): point of weapon
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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í (prep.): in, into
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394). — [2] né ‘nor’: The mss of Hkr give adv. né here, whereas those of ÓT have prep. í ‘in, into’. Both are possible. Changing the text from né to í would seem simpler, so the lectio difficilior has been chosen here (likewise in ÍF 26 and Hkr 1991).
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394). — [2] né ‘nor’: The mss of Hkr give adv. né here, whereas those of ÓT have prep. í ‘in, into’. Both are possible. Changing the text from né to í would seem simpler, so the lectio difficilior has been chosen here (likewise in ÍF 26 and Hkr 1991).
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1. drífa (noun f.; °-u): snow-storm
[1-2] ofbyrjar ǫrva né drífu vífs odda ‘the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]’: Finnur Jónsson (in Hkr 1893-1901, IV and Skj B) switches the determinants: ofbyrjar vífs odda í drífu ǫrva ‘the strong wind of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE] in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE]’. There is no apparent reason for this (NN §394).
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sverð (noun n.; °-s; -): sword
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sverð (noun n.; °-s; -): sword
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sverð (noun n.; °-s; -): sword
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3. ok (conj.): and, but; also
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sund (noun n.; °-s; -): sound, strait; swimming
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sund (noun n.; °-s; -): sound, strait; swimming < sundfjǫrðr (noun m.)
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sverra (verb): swirl, seethe < sverrifjǫrðr (noun m.)
[3] sverri‑: ‘sværi‑’ 39, ‘svǫrri‑’ F, ‘sverþri‑’ J1ˣ, J2ˣ, sund‑ 325IX 1 a, sund ok Bb
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sverra (verb): swirl, seethe < sverrifjǫrðr (noun m.)
[3] sverri‑: ‘sværi‑’ 39, ‘svǫrri‑’ F, ‘sverþri‑’ J1ˣ, J2ˣ, sund‑ 325IX 1 a, sund ok Bb
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sverra (verb): swirl, seethe < sverrifjǫrðr (noun m.)
[3] sverri‑: ‘sværi‑’ 39, ‘svǫrri‑’ F, ‘sverþri‑’ J1ˣ, J2ˣ, sund‑ 325IX 1 a, sund ok Bb
[3] ‑fjarðar: ‘‑fiarþ(ar)’(?) J1ˣ
[3] ‑fjarðar: ‘‑fiarþ(ar)’(?) J1ˣ
[3] ‑fjarðar: ‘‑fiarþ(ar)’(?) J1ˣ
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svalr (adj.): cool < svalglýjaðr (adj./verb p.p.)
[4] svan‑: sval‑ F
[4] svan‑: sval‑ F
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glýjaðr (adj./verb p.p.): satisfied, cheerful; delighter < svanglýjaðr (adj./verb p.p.)
[4] ‑glýjaði: ‘‑glyjaðri’ F, ‑glýjaðr J2ˣ
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3. á (prep.): on, at
[1, 4] vasat at frýja ‘one did not have to taunt’: Frýja normally means ‘reproach’. Here it should be interpreted as ‘to taunt, to provoke’ (see LP: frýja).
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flýja (verb): to flee, take flight
[1, 4] vasat at frýja ‘one did not have to taunt’: Frýja normally means ‘reproach’. Here it should be interpreted as ‘to taunt, to provoke’ (see LP: frýja).
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bragr (noun m.; °-ar): poem, poetry < bragrǫgnir (noun m.)
[5] Brak‑: ‘(br)ac‑’(?) 39, brag‑ F
[5] Brak‑: ‘(br)ac‑’(?) 39, brag‑ F
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tǫgnir (noun m.) < brak (noun n.): clash, noise
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2. reynir (noun m.): tester < brak (noun n.): clash, noise
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Rǫgnir (noun m.): the Rǫgnir < brakrǫgnir (noun m.)Rǫgnir (noun m.): the Rǫgnir < bragrǫgnir (noun m.)
[5] ‑Rǫgnir: ‑reynir 39, F, ‑rǫknir J1ˣ, J2ˣ, ‑rǫgnir corrected from ‘‑reignir’ W, ‘‑raugna’ U, ‑tognir 2368ˣ, 743ˣ
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hǫggva (verb): to strike, put to death, cut, hew
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skógr (noun m.; °-ar/-s, dat. -i; -ar): forest
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skjóta (verb): shoot
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bogi (noun m.; °-a; -ar): bow
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barð (noun n.): prow, stern (of a ship)
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1. bjarga (verb; °bergr (biærgr Alk619 77⁹; biargr ÓH619 119¹); barg, burgu; borginn): to save, preserve
[6] barg: bjarg 39, F, barð Tˣ, W
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óþyrmir (noun m.): [crusher]
[6] óþyrmir varga ‘the crusher of outlaws [RULER]’: Óþyrmir is lit. ‘not-sparer’ (cf. þyrma ‘to spare, respect’). Varga here refers not to wolves but to criminals and robbers living outlawed in the forest like animals. This produces a kenning that refers to the ruler’s duty to ensure law and order in his realm. Cf. also ÞSjár Þórdr 2/1 myrðir varga ‘the killer of outlaws’. It is unnecessary to emend to ofþyrmir varga ‘the excessive sparer of wolves (i.e. their feeder) [WARRIOR]’ (so Hkr 1893-1901, IV; Skj B).
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2. varða (verb): defend
[6] óþyrmir varga ‘the crusher of outlaws [RULER]’: Óþyrmir is lit. ‘not-sparer’ (cf. þyrma ‘to spare, respect’). Varga here refers not to wolves but to criminals and robbers living outlawed in the forest like animals. This produces a kenning that refers to the ruler’s duty to ensure law and order in his realm. Cf. also ÞSjár Þórdr 2/1 myrðir varga ‘the killer of outlaws’. It is unnecessary to emend to ofþyrmir varga ‘the excessive sparer of wolves (i.e. their feeder) [WARRIOR]’ (so Hkr 1893-1901, IV; Skj B).
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hagl (noun n.; °-s; dat. *-um): hail
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2. er (conj.): who, which, when
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segl (noun n.; °-s; -): sail
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segl (noun n.; °-s; -): sail
[7] segli: so 61, seglum Kˣ, 39, F, J1ˣ, J2ˣ, 325IX 1 a, Bb, R, Tˣ, W, U, A
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hjǫrr (noun m.): sword
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hjǫrr (noun m.): sword
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rakkliga (adv.): [bravely]
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fjǫr (noun n.): life
Interactive view: tap on words in the text for notes and glosses
Vasat ofbyrjar ǫrva |
One did not have to taunt the delighter of the swan of the seething fjord of swords [BLOOD > RAVEN/EAGLE > WARRIOR] [into joining] the strong wind of arrows [BATTLE] nor the snow-storm of the woman of weapon-points [VALKYRIE > BATTLE]. The Rǫgnir <= Óðinn> of the noise of the sword [(lit. ‘noise-Rǫgnir of the sword’) BATTLE > WARRIOR] shook the hail of bows [ARROWS] out of the sail of Hlǫkk <valkyrie> [SHIELD]; the crusher of outlaws [RULER] bravely saved his life.
For the Context in Hkr and ÓT, see st. 6. SnE cites ll. 5-8 among stanzas illustrating expressions for arrows. Lines 5-6 are cited in LaufE in the section on man-kennings (see Note below).
[5, 6]: In LaufE these lines are written as if they are part of Anon (LaufE) 6III (see Note).
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