Eil Þdr 10III/6 — Hrekkmímis ‘of Hrekkmímir’
unz með ýta sinni
— aflraun vas þat — skaunar
á seilhimin sjóla
sjalflopta kom Þjalfi.
Œddu stáli stríðan
straum Hrekkmímis ekkjur;
stophnísu fór steypir
stríðlundr með vǫl Gríðar.
unz Þjalfi kom sjalflopta á seilhimin sjóla með sinni ýta skaunar; þat vas aflraun. Ekkjur Hrekkmímis œddu straum stríðan stáli; steypir stophnísu fór stríðlundr með vǫl Gríðar.
until Þjálfi came hovering through the air on the strap-sky [SHIELD] of the ruler with the helper of the launchers of the shield [WARRIORS > LEADER = Þórr]; it was a test of strength. The widows of Hrekkmímir <giant> [GIANTESSES] infuriated the stream, harsh against the weapon; the overcomer of the cliff-porpoise [GIANTESS > = Þórr] went stubbornly with the staff of Gríðr <troll-woman>.
readings
[6] straum Hrekkmímis ekkjur: ‘[…]’ R; Hrekkmímis: ‘bekkmimi’ Tˣ
notes
[6] ekkjur Hrekkmímis ‘the widows of Hrekkmímir <giant> [GIANTESSES]’: Hrekkmímir is a cpd name consisting of ‑mímir, a familiar element in numerous giant-names (cf. Søkkmímir in Grí 50/2 and Þul Jǫtna I 6/5, Sǫkmímir in Þjóð Yt 2/10I ), and the noun hrekkr ‘trickery, scheming’. It is unclear whether this is a traditional giant-name or an ad hoc coinage. All previous eds have understood Hrekkmímir as a name for Geirrøðr and ekkjur Hrekkmímis as his daughters. However, that kenning could also refer to giantesses in general. Ekkjur ‘widows’ is a variation on the term ‘woman’ (cf. e.g. brúðr ‘bride’ for ‘woman’). Kiil’s (1956, 127-8) speculation that this kenning might suggest incest between Geirrøðr and his daughters is implausible.
kennings
- Ekkjur Hrekkmímis — The widows of Hrekkmímir <giant> [GIANTESSES]