Þorkell (ÞGísl) is named as the poet of Búadrápa in ÓT (1958-2000, 180), but beyond that nothing is known about him and his name does not appear in Skáldatal.
Búadrápa —
ÞGísl BúdrI
Emily Lethbridge and Diana Whaley 2012, ‘(Introduction to) Þorkell Gíslason, Búadrápa’ 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. 941.
The storm pelted very sharply on the mountains of lobsters [SEA]; stallions of the stems [SHIPS] bounded across the plains of the clew-line [SEA]. The dark breaker washed prows; the singeing-cold billow dashed off the surf-animals [SHIPS]; the raging wave impelled the keel.
The draught animals of currents [SHIPS] carried the mind-firm warriors to the lands of the ruler [Hákon]; the clatter of shields [BATTLE] closed in. Far-reaching Norway halted many ship-prows; weapons are harsh towards targes; fresh provisions were given to ravens.
The army carried the standard high; the terrible storm of edges [BATTLE] hit the shirts of Hamðir <legendary hero> [MAIL-SHIRTS]; the troop of men attacked. Stones and missile-points injured the lives of seamen; most shields were shattered; grey points crashed.
The troop used its hands; the storm of blades [BATTLE] was fierce; the harm of shields [SWORD] was eager for the lands of the helmet [HEADS]. Spear-trees [WARRIORS] fell; arrows flew from the bowstring; swords sang loudly against readied shields.
The hawks of the corpse [RAVENS/EAGLES] screamed; sharp wound-leeks [SWORDS] slashed the limbs of the troop; stones beat men. Grey metal weapons crashed on the supports of the helmet [HEADS]; helmets burst apart; there was no peace for the mountains of the hawk [ARMS].
Each hailstone weighed an ounce; gore spurted onto the sea from the wounds of men; blood washed the oars of the wound [SWORDS]. The slain fell there widely; [one] saw gilded standards sway; the company fought boldly on the warships of the jarls.
The very ugly troll-woman shot sharp arrows from her fingers; such is a trial for brave men. An extremely savage storm and sky-blizzard arose against the mighty men; the clash of shields [BATTLE] was loud.
The most powerful endower of battle-gulls [RAVENS/EAGLES > WARRIOR] leapt from the hull of the horse of the boat-shed [SHIP]; the snake of wounds [SWORD] was gladdened. The wave of the wound [BLOOD] poured down; the valiant Búi took a chest in each of his hands; I think men missed out on peace.
Vagn felled warriors; the sharp-eyed raven chose between stiff corpses; blood flowed onto the gunwale. Eiríkr managed nevertheless to clear completely the ship of that destroyer of wound-embers [SWORDS > WARRIOR = Vagn]; the din of steel weapons [BATTLE] was loud.
