Russell Poole (ed.) 2017, ‘Breta saga 64 (Gunnlaugr Leifsson, Merlínusspá II 64)’ in Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Poetry in fornaldarsögur. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 8. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 186.
[1] sjám við ‘let us eschew’: Sjám is emended in Skald (cf. NN §2163C), followed by Merl 2012, from ms. sjá (not refreshed). The abbreviation for <m> could have been obscured by fading of the ink. Bret 1848-9 has Sjá við synd translated as Agte sig for Synd ... ‘Guard oneself from sin ...’, where sjá appears to be construed as an imp. Emended in Skj B to sé, apparently construed as if it were 3rd pers. pl. indic., continuing the usage of verbs in the previous stanza. Skj B translates as De undgå synd ... ‘They shun (or ‘will shun’) sin ...’. The construals of the verb in both Bret 1848-9 and Skj B raise difficulties, for the 1st pers. pl. is called for in view of the other verbs in the stanza. The phrasal verb sjá við ‘eschew’ is a standard formulation in homiletic admonitions (cf. HómNo 87).
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2. vit (pron.): we two
[1] sjám við ‘let us eschew’: Sjám is emended in Skald (cf. NN §2163C), followed by Merl 2012, from ms. sjá (not refreshed). The abbreviation for <m> could have been obscured by fading of the ink. Bret 1848-9 has Sjá við synd translated as Agte sig for Synd ... ‘Guard oneself from sin ...’, where sjá appears to be construed as an imp. Emended in Skj B to sé, apparently construed as if it were 3rd pers. pl. indic., continuing the usage of verbs in the previous stanza. Skj B translates as De undgå synd ... ‘They shun (or ‘will shun’) sin ...’. The construals of the verb in both Bret 1848-9 and Skj B raise difficulties, for the 1st pers. pl. is called for in view of the other verbs in the stanza. The phrasal verb sjá við ‘eschew’ is a standard formulation in homiletic admonitions (cf. HómNo 87).
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synð (noun f.; °-ar; -ir): sin
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3. ok (conj.): and, but; also
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1. svik (noun n.; °-s; -): deceit, treachery; poison < svikaráð (noun n.)
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ráð (noun n.; °-s; -): advice, plan, control, power < svikaráð (noun n.)
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3. ok (conj.): and, but; also
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allr (adj.): all
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1. kyn (noun n.; °-s; -): kin
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illr (adj.): bad, evil, unwell
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verk (noun n.; °-s; -): deed
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drýgja (verb; °-gð-): cause, practise
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dáð (noun f.; °; -ir): feat, deed
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dróttinn (noun m.; °dróttins, dat. dróttni (drottini [$1049$]); dróttnar): lord, master
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1. elska (noun f.; °-u): love
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1. hrinda (verb): launch, propell
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ǫrr (adj.): generous, brave
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illr (adj.): bad, evil, unwell
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ráð (noun n.; °-s; -): advice, plan, control, power
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