Hykk, at hér megi þekkja
heldr í stuttum feldi
oss, en ek læt þessa
óprýði mér hlýða.
Værir mildr, ef mæra
mik vildir þú skikkju,
— hvat hafim heldr an tǫtra —
hildingr, muni vildri.
Hykk, at megi þekkja oss hér í heldr stuttum feldi, en ek læt þessa óprýði hlýða mér. Værir mildr, ef þú vildir mæra mik skikkju muni vildri, hildingr; hafim hvat heldr an tǫtra.
I think that one may see us [me] here in quite a short cloak, but I say this lack of style suits me. You would be generous, if you would deck me out in a coat somewhat more desirable, ruler; I’d rather wear anything but rags.
[3] læt: ‘lit’ H, Hr, ‘let’ 42ˣ
[3] ek læt ‘I say’: The verb láta (læt 1st pers. sg. pres. indic.) could also be taken in the sense ‘let, allow’ (‘I allow this lack of style to suit me’, ll. 3-4).