Einn vas maðr sá, es myrkva frétt
fyr skata skýrum skynja kunni.
Hét yngva vinr Ambrósíus,
en inn ágæti ǫðru nafni
Merlínus sá maðr kallaðisk.
Sá maðr vas einn, es kunni skynja myrkva frétt fyr skýrum skata. Vinr yngva hét Ambrósíus, en sá inn ágæti maðr kallaðisk ǫðru nafni Merlínus.
That man was [the] only [one], who could explain the obscure portent to the wise king. The friend of the king was called Ambrosius but that excellent man was known by another name, Merlin.
[5] vinr yngva ‘the friend of the king’: J. S. Eysteinsson (1953-7, 96-7) points out the conventional nature of this phrase, comparing e.g. I 10/2, I 11/8 and I 20/1. Geoffrey’s presentation of Merlin as the son of an incubus (Reeve and Wright 2007, 138-9) troubled some commentators, as in effect associating his prophecy with diabolic powers (Crick 2011, 77); Gunnlaugr may be following their lead by normalising his nature and social status.