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Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Leiðarvísan — Anon LeiðVII

Anonymous Poems

Katrina Attwood 2007, ‘ Anonymous, Leiðarvísan’ in Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Poetry on Christian Subjects. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 7. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 137-78. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1022> (accessed 19 March 2024)

 

Þinn óð sem ek inni
allskjótt, salar fjalla,
harðla brátt til hróðrar,
harri, munn ok varrar.
Mér gefi dǫglingr dýra
dœmistóls ok sólar,
enn svát ek mega, sanna
orðgnótt, lofa dróttin.
 
‘I arrange your poem inwardly, [and] my mouth and lips very quickly, very briskly for praise, lord of the hall of the mountains [SKY/HEAVEN > = God]. May the king of the judgement-seat and of the sun [= God] give me precious, true word-abundance, so that I may again praise the Lord.
Fyrr kveðk frægjan harra
fagrgims, þanns ræðr himni,
hás at hróðri þessum
hreggranns an kyn seggja.
Æstik aflamestan
orðgnóttar mér dróttin;
hrœrð skulu mín til mærðar
málgǫgn, en lið þagni.
 
‘I call upon the famous king of the fair jewel of the high storm-house [SKY/HEAVEN > SUN > = God], the one who rules heaven, [to hear] this praise-poem before the kinsfolk of men. I request the most powerful lord for word-abundance for myself; my speech-organs shall be stirred into praise, and let the people keep silent.
Fǫður biðk ok son síðan
slétt óðarlag rétta;
minn styrki vel verka
vandan heilagr andi.
Ór munu aldar stýri
óþægilig frægjum
orð, nema mér til mærðar
málsgnótt fái dróttinn.
 
‘Then I ask the Father and Son to straighten out a smooth poem form; may the Holy Spirit strengthen my awkward work well. Our [my] words will be displeasing to the famous steerer of men [= God], unless the Lord gives me an abundance of language for the praise-poem.
Víst emk fúss at freista
— fæk ljósum brag hrósat —
láðs fyr lyptimeiðum
linns orðspeki minnar.
Því hefr hreggþjalma hilmir
hreinlyndr gefit eina
oss, til óðar þessa
orðgnótt, at skalk njóta.
 
‘Truly I am eager to try my word-wisdom before the lifting-poles of the serpent’s land [GOLD > MEN]; I can praise the bright poem. For that purpose only has the pure-minded prince of the storm-enclosure [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] given us [me] word-abundance, so that I can use [it] for this poem.
Hljóð gefi hirðimeiðar
hrælinns at brag svinnir
— gegn vilk þjóð at þagni
þá stund, es kveðk — sunda.
Vilk, meðan varrar telja,
— vegskrýðendr mér hlýði —
frá dáðmôttugs dróttins
degi nǫkkur rǫk segja.
 
‘May the wise guarding-poles of the serpent of carrion-channels [BLOOD > SWORD > MEN] give a hearing to the poem; I desire that the honest people keep silence while I am reciting. I want, while my lips declaim, to utter some lore concerning the day of the deed-mighty Lord; way-adorners [MEN] should hear me.
Tekk til orðs, þars urðu
alfregnar jartegnir
— tôkn eru sýnd í slíku
sǫnn — Jórsalamǫnnum.
Sendi salvǫrðr grundar
snillifimr af himni
borgar lýð til bjargar
bréf gollstǫfum sollit.
 
‘I begin to speak at the point when renowned miracles befell the people of Jerusalem; true tokens are shown in such [a thing]. The prowess-nimble warden of the hall of the earth [(lit. ‘earth’s hall-warden’) SKY/HEAVEN > = God] sent a letter from heaven, embellished [lit. swollen] with golden letters, as a help for the townspeople.
Varð bréf, þats guð gerði
geðsnjallr ok lét falla
— vôns á gipt — á grœna
grund, sunnudag fundit.
Bók* réðu þá blíðir
byrskíðs viðir síðan
— verðr, sás vensk á dýrðir,
vítr — gollstǫfum ritna.
 
‘The letter, which valiant-minded God made and let fall onto the green ground, was discovered on a Sunday; there is an expectation of grace. Gentle trees of the wind-ski [SHIP > SEAFARERS] later interpreted that book, written with gold letters; he will become wise who accustoms himself to glories.
Sagði bréf, hvat brygði
bitr fár guma ári,
blakks skreytendum brautar
borðs frá dróttins orðum.
‘Hljóta víst’, kvað veitir
vegfróðr hluta góðra,
‘menn þeirs minn dag vinna,
mest angr af því flestir.’
 
‘The letter told the furnishers of the horse of the path of the plank [SEA > SHIP > SEAFARER] about the Lord’s words, what bitter harm could alter the good fortune of men. The way-wise giver of good things [= God] said: ‘Most men who work on my day will certainly gain the greatest sorrow from it’.
Hætt kveðr heilagr dróttinn
hyrskerðǫndum verða
arms, þeims eigi þyrma
alfríðs sonar tíðum.
Því ro fluggreddar fœddir
fleins með ýmsum meinum;
bæði bǫrn ok móðir
báglundask fyr stundum.
 
‘The Holy Lord says it will become dangerous for the diminishers of the fire of the arm [(lit. ‘arm’s fire-diminishers’) GOLD > GENEROUS MEN], for those who do not respect the festivals of the altogether beautiful Son. Therefore nourishers of spear-flight [(lit. ‘flight-nourishers of the spear’) BATTLE > WARRIORS] are born with various defects; both children and their mother quarrel from time to time.
‘Munk’, kvað vǫrðr, ‘í virða’,
vallræfrs, ‘liðu alla
— stríð þjá drótt til dauða
drjúghvasst — eldum kasta,
ef vegrunnar vinna
varrelgs daga helga
elds eða eigi gjalda
allþétt tíund rétta.’
 
‘The warden of the plain-roof [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] said: ‘I will cast fires into all the limbs of men — afflictions will plague mankind severely unto death — if the trees of the fire of the way of the wake-elk [(lit. ‘way-trees of the fire of the wake-elk’) SHIP > SEA > GOLD > MEN] work very energetically on holy days or do not pay the correct tithe’.
Fárskerðir býðr fyrðum
friðkunnan dag sunnu
ýtum hollr of allan
aldr dýrliga at halda.
Gefa kvezk mætr í móti
meinhrjóðandi þjóðum
ár með ǫllum tíri
ok frið hreinan.
 
‘The misfortune-diminisher [= God], gracious to men, commands men to observe ceremoniously the peace-known day of the sun thoughout all ages. The worthy harm-destroyer [= God] says he will give the peoples in return abundance and pure peace with all glory.
Án megu engir dýnu
otrs, þeirs skírn hafa hlotna,
— gótts meiðum þrif þýðask —
þat —kaup hafa skatnar.
Orð munu eigi verða
órbrennd, þaus goð kenndi;
mjǫks sá*rvita sœkir
sanns dulðr, ef hyggr annat.
 
‘No chieftains of the feather-bed of the otter [GOLD > MEN], who have received baptism, may have that [baptism] without a bargain; it is good for men to acquire well-being. The words that God taught will never be destroyed; the attacker of the wound-flame [SWORD > WARRIOR] has the truth very much concealed from him, if he thinks otherwise.
Stef skal hátt — né hætta
hykk enn tǫlu dyggva —
fljótt, ef finna mættak
fríð orð, goði smíðat.
Lúta englar ítrum
óttlaust ok lið dróttni;
einn es siklingr sunnu
setrs hvívetna betri.
 
‘A loud refrain shall be made quickly for God, if I am able to find beautiful words; nor do I yet intend to desist from good speech. Angels and people bow down fearlessly before the glorious Lord; the king of the seat of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone better than everything else.
Yfirþengill skóp engla
einn sunnudag hreina;
sǫnn hefr siklingr unnit
slík verk himinríkis.
Ok heimstýrir, harra,
heppinn, þás skóp skepnu
þann setti dag, dróttinn
dýrðar mildr, til hvílðar.
 
‘The one overlord created the pure angels on a Sunday; the king of the heaven-kingdom [= God] has performed true deeds such as these; and the fortunate world-ruler [= God] established that day for rest, when the lord of lords [= God], generous in glory, brought creation into being
Kristr setti frið fastan
fimr meðal láðs ok himna
— nauðr es þegnum þýðask
þann veg — goðs ok manna,
ok dáðskreyttan dróttinn
dags hallar frið lagði
— þat vas sunnudag — sinnar
snjallr meðal skepnu allrar.
 
‘Nimble Christ established firm peace between earth and heavens, God and men — it is necessary for men to receive that glory —, and the valiant lord of the day’s hall [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] laid down deed-adorned peace throughout his entire creation; that was on a Sunday.
Reiddi rǫngum studdan
ramn þjóðtraðar Glamma
flóð, áðr foldu næði
fjǫlkœnn Nói grœnni,
en, þás ǫrk á landi
ólesta vel festi,
þjóð af þram-Val prúðum
— þat vas dróttins dag — sótti*.
 
‘A flood tossed the rib-supported raven of the highway of Glammi <sea-king> [SEA > SHIP], before very wise Noah could reach green land, and once the Ark was moored quite unbroken to the land, the people proceeded from the magnificent rim-Valr <horse> [SHIP]; that was on the Lord’s day.
Hás ræðr heimi þessum
hreggranns jǫfurr — seggjum
goð lætr gótt líf ǫðlask
gœzkufimr — sem himnum.
Lúta englar ítrum
óttlaust ok lið dróttni;
einn es siklingr sunnu
setrs hvívetna betri.
 
‘The prince of the high storm-house [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] rules this world as well as the heavens; God, agile of grace, makes it possible for men to achieve a good life. Angels and people bow down fearlessly before the glorious Lord; the king of the seat of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone better than everything else.
Fylgði lýðr af láði
lagavísum Móísi;
sundr sprakk vágr fyr vendi;
vas þat sunnudag unnit.
Þusti hafs með hreysti
heiðit folk á leiðir;
brátt vann lǫgr inn ljóti
líftjón Pharaóni.
 
‘The people followed law-wise Moses from the land; the sea burst apart before the staff; that was accomplished on a Sunday. The heathen people rushed with valour onto the ocean’s paths; quickly the ugly sea brought about a loss of life for Pharaoh.
Tunglbryggju gaf tyggi
tíu orð laga forðum
— fríðr af fǫstu mœðisk —
fjǫlhress goðs vin Móises,
ok þrekprúðum þjóðar
þann veg yfirmanni
várr dróttinn lét veittan
víðkunnan dag sunnu.
 
‘The very hearty king of the moon-pier [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] once gave Moses, God’s friend, ten words of law — the handsome one grows weary from fasting —, and our Lord let the strength-magnificent overseer of the people [RULER = Moses] be granted that widely-known honour on a Sunday.
Sinn skreytti dag dróttinn
dáðsterkr framaverkum,
rekkum*s rann til drykkjar
reint vatn fram ór steini.
* Ráðmegninn lét rigna
risnufimr af himni
mat, þeims manna heitir,
margri þjóð til bjargar.
 
‘The deed-strong Lord adorned his day with deeds of distinction, when pure water flowed forth from a rock as a drink for men. The one strong in counsel, quick with hospitality, caused that food which is called manna to rain from heaven as a help to many people.
Einn es sælstr of sinni
— samir lýðum trú þýðask —
heims stýrandinn hár*i
hallar skepnu allri.
Lúta englar ítrum
óttlaust ok lið dróttni;
einn es siklingr sunnu
setrs hvívetna betri.
 
‘The steerer of the hall of the world [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone most blessed throughout all his exalted creation; it befits people to submit to the faith. Angels and people bow down fearlessly before the glorious Lord; the king of the seat of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone better than everything else.
Engill kom við unga
allheppinn mey spjalla,
burð ok buðlungs dýrðar
bauð hann frǫmum svanna.
Brims tók bjǫrk in fremsta
brands við helgum anda;
sú hefk frétt at dag dróttins
dýrð framm komin yrði.
 
‘An altogether fortunate angel came to speak with a young maiden, and he announced to the foremost lady the birth of the king of glory [= God (= Christ)]. The foremost birch of the fire of the sea [GOLD > WOMAN] received the Holy Spirit; I have heard that this glory was brought about on the Lord’s day.
Dagmærir lét dýrðar
dróttins tíð fyr óttu
mæztr frá meyju beztri
mildingr berask hingat.
Þvís rétt, at dag dróttins
dáðsnjalls hǫfuð kallim
— gerðisk fǫgnuðr fyrðum
fríðr — annarra tíða.
 
‘The day-glorifier, the most praiseworthy prince of glory [= God (= Christ)], allowed himself to be born here at the Lord’s time before dawn from the best maiden. Therefore it is right that we should call the day of the deed-eager Lord chief of other times; fair welcome was prepared for men.
Lét Jóhannem ítran
einn dýrðarmann hreinan
ár í Jórðôn stýrir
alls tírar sik skíra.
Dáðstéttar kom dróttni
dags ok krismu lagði
líknarfúss í lesni
lands inn helgi andi.
 
‘The steerer of all glory [= God (= Christ)] allowed the remarkable John, a certain pure man of glory, to baptise him long ago in the [River] Jordan. The Holy Spirit came, eager with grace, and laid chrism in the headband of the Lord of the deed-host of day’s land [SKY/HEAVEN > ANGELS > = God (= Christ)].
Enn vilda ek annat
alfríðustum smíða
hátt í hróðri sléttum
himins gotna stef dróttni.
Gramr skóp hauðr ok himna
hreggranns sem kyn seggja;
einns salkonungr sólar
snjallr hjalpari allra.
 
‘Further I would like to fashion another exalted refrain in the smooth praise-poem for the altogether fairest lord of the men of heaven [ANGELS > = God]. The king of the storm-house [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] created land and heavens, as well as the race of men; the excellent king of the hall of the sun [(lit. ‘hall-king of the sun’) SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone the helper of all.
Sýndi sólar landa
siklingr með trú mikla
horskum lýð á hauðri
hreinn skjótar jarteinir.
Frítt gerði dag dróttins
dáðfimr jǫfurr himna
vín ór vatni einu;
varð þjóð fegin harðla.
 
‘The pure prince of the lands of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] showed wise people on earth swift miracles with great faith. The deed-agile prince of the heavens [= God (= Christ)] made beautiful wine out of water alone on the Lord’s day; people became very happy.
Sinn veitti dag dróttinn
dýr tôkn himins stýrir,
lýð þás lítlu brauði
lofkvaddan goð saddi.
Rǫskr vann fljótt af fiskum
friðkennandi tvennum
fjǫlða lýðs ok fríðum
fimm hleifum vel reifan.
 
‘The Lord, steerer of heaven [= God], granted precious tokens on his day, when God fed the famous multitude with little bread. The valiant peace-bringer [= God (= Christ)] quickly made a multitude of people very happy with two fishes and five beautiful loaves.
Hátt gengr dýrð, sús dróttinn
dáðgladdan her saddi
— opt es kuðr at krapti
Kristr — á lítlum vistum.
Tolf, segir elda elfar
Ullr, vandlaupar fullir
— matr vannsk mǫnnum snotrum —
mikill fengr at af gengi.
 
‘Far and wide spreads the glory [from the fact] that the Lord fed the deed-gladdened host with few provisions; Christ is often known for his strength. An Ullr <god> of the fires of the river [GOLD > MAN] says that a huge catch, twelve baskets full, was left over; the food sufficed for the wise men.
Ótraulla má ǫllu
aldýrr faðir stýra;
sterkr es engr, svát orki
aptrat dróttins krapti.
Gramr skóp hauðr ok himna
hreggranns sem kyn seggja;
einns salkonungr sólar
snjallr hjalpari allra.
 
‘The altogether precious father is able to govern everything indefatigably; no one is so strong that he is able to impede the Lord’s power. The king of the storm-house [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] made land and heavens as well as the race of men; the excellent king of the hall of the sun [(lit. ‘hall-king of the sun’) SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is alone the helper of all.
Dag reið sinn með sigri
siklingr blíðr til víðrar
sólbryggju — hratt seggja
sorg — Jórsalaborgar.
En fyr ǫðling ríkjan
óhræðinn litklæði
þar vann lýðr á láði
lopthjalms borit palma.
 
‘The joyful prince of the sun-pier [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] rode on his day with victory to the extensive city of Jerusalem — men’s sorrow was ended —, and the people in that country put coloured cloths [and] palms before the fearless, powerful prince of the sky-helmet [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)].
Dag reis sinn með sigri
snjallastr faðir allra
— sonr huggaði seggi
sólar hauðrs — af dauða.
Áðr batt flærðarfróðan
fjanda heilagr andi
fast ok fyrða leysti
fremðarstyrkr ór myrkrum.
 
‘The most valiant father of all [= God (= Christ)] rose from death with victory on his day; the son of the land of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] comforted men. Previously the honour-strong Holy Spirit bound fast the deceit-learned fiend and released men from darkness.
Vôru ǫðlings ærir
alkunnan dag sunnu
heiðar bœs í húsi
hreins luktaðir einu.
Þá gaf skjǫldungr skýja
skríns postolum sínum
— ítr firri goð gotna
grandi — helgan anda.
 
‘The envoys of the prince of the pure dwelling of the heath [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ) > APOSTLES] were shut up in a certain house on a well-known Sunday. Then the king of the shrine of the clouds [HEAVEN > = God] gave his Apostles the Holy Spirit; may glorious God save men from harm.
Gefr, sás ǫllum efri,
ǫðlingr salar rǫðla
— goð magnar þrif þegna —
þjóðum allt it góða.
Gramr skóp hauðr ok himna
hreggranns sem kyn seggja;
einns salkonungr sólar
snjallr hjalpari allra.
 
‘The prince of the hall of heavenly bodies [SKY/HEAVEN > = God], who is higher than all, gives to people all that is good — God strengthens the prosperity of his servants. The king of the storm-house [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] made land and skies as well as the race of men; the excellent king of the hall of the sun [(lit. ‘hall-king of the sun’) HEAVEN > = God] is alone the helper of all.
Slœm skalk upp af aumu
— eru stef liðin — hefja,
mætr ef mér vil láta
málfinni goð vinnask.
Styrk ávalt til verka,
vegs gnóttar, mik, dróttinn;
verðk at engu orði
einhlítr, nema goð beini.
 
‘I will begin a conclusion from a state of wretchedness, if glorious God will grant that eloquence be achieved for me; the refrains are complete. Lord of the abundance of glory [= God], assist me always in [the composition of] poems; I will be fully sufficient for not one word, unless God helps [me].
Þats rétt, at dag dróttins
dǫglingr myni hingat
lopts ok lýðum skipta
ljósgims koma af himnum.
Oss skyldi sú aldri
ógnartíð in stríða
— drótt biði sikling sátta
sólvangs — ór hug ganga.
 
‘It is true that the king of the loft of the light-jewel [SUN > SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] will come here from the heavens on the Lord’s day and divide people. That severe time of terror should never go out of our minds; let the people beg the prince of the sun-plain [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] for reconciliation.
Dag metr sinn at sǫnnu
snjallastr konungr allra
eljunkuðr of aðrar
alfríðar hátíðir.
Dýrka dýrligs verka
dáðsterks hǫfuðmerki
— rétt segjum — dag dróttins
drjúgmǫrg himintǫrgu.
 
‘The most valiant king of all [= God], known for his energy, rates his day in truth higher than other most glorious festivals. Very numerous chief testimonies of deeds [HOLY WRITINGS] celebrate the day of the glorious, deed-strong lord of the heaven-shield [SKY/HEAVEN > = God]; we [I] tell it correctly.
Menn skulu œztum unna
angrs hrjóðanda þjóðar
— mér berr máls á stýri
mart — af ǫllu hjarta.
Siðminningr fær sannan
seima Þróttr af dróttni
(Kristr gefr fyrðum) fasta
(friðar vôn, þeims ann hônum).
 
‘Men must love the most excellent destroyer of the harm of people [SIN > = God] with all their hearts; many a thing comes to my rudder of speech [TONGUE]. The faithful Þróttr <= Óðinn> of riches [MAN] receives true strength from the Lord; Christ gives to men who love him the hope of peace.
Verðim vér ok fyrðar
— vili svá faðir skilja —
hilmis frægs til hœgri
handar allra landa,
ok heim dýrstr frá dómi
dagskeiðs jǫfurr leiði
oss frá ótta hvǫssum
ǫll til himna hallar.
 
‘May we [I] and [other] men be at the right hand of the famous ruler of all lands [= God] — may the Father be willing to decide thus — and may the most dear prince of the day-course [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] lead us all from acute fear, from judgement, home to the hall of the heavens [SKY/HEAVEN].
Vér skulum opt með tôrum
— verðr mein, ef því seinum —
— kostum flærð at forðask —
friðar helgan goð biðja,
at, þás ǫflugr eflir
alls sóma lýkr dómi,
fara næðim vér fríða
fljótt í dýrð með dróttni.
 
‘We must often pray holy God for peace with tears — harm will result, if we delay that; we must try to shun deceit —, so that when the powerful strengthener of all honour [= God] finishes judgement, we may succeed in going swiftly into splendid glory with the Lord.
Kostum allir æsta
oss at helgum krossi
kœnir menn, sem kunnum,
Krist eilífrar vistar.
Staðr es ǫllum œðri
— óttalaus með dróttni
þjóð lifir glǫð, sús gœði*
getr — munligri ok betri.
 
‘Let all wise men, as we are able, strive to ask Christ for an eternal abode for ourselves beside the holy Cross. That place is higher, more desirable and better than all; the happy [group of] people that obtains good things will live fearlessly with the Lord.
Haldi oss frá eldi
eilífr skapa deilir
Kristr styrkr ok myrkrum
menn, es heim líðr þenna,
svát ǫll í frið fullan
farim heim, es skilr beima
alls stýrandi, órum
óttalaus með dróttni.
 
‘May the eternal ruler of fates [= God (= Christ)], powerful Christ, keep us men from fire and darkness, when this world passes away, so that we may all go home into complete peace, fearlessly with our Lord, when the steerer of all [= God] divides men.
Yfirstillir firr ǫllu
ítr túns himins rítar
— harmsfullum ræðk halli
hugstrandar — mik grandi.
Mér fái miklu hæri
miskunn jǫfurr sunnu,
— Kristr gefr fyrðum fastan
frið — en ek kunna biðja.
 
‘Glorious overseer of the home-field of the shield of heaven [SUN > SKY/HEAVEN > = God], me distance from all harm; I govern a sorrowful stone of the shore of thought [BREAST > HEART]. May the prince of the sun [= God (= Christ)] grant me much higher mercy than I could ask for; Christ gives people secure peace.
Réð með oss, at óði
— es fróðr, sás vensk góðu —
greitt, hvé grundvǫll settak,
gǫfugr prestr at hlut mestum.
Orð* mun allra verða
auðsætt, bragar þætti,
ramligt hús þars reistum,
Rúnolfr, hvé fekk snúnat.
 
‘A noble priest readily gave us [me] advice, for the most part, about how I should establish the foundation of the poem; he is wise who accustoms himself to what is good. The words of all will become readily apparent, where we [I] raised a strong building, Rúnolfr, how I was able to compose the poem [lit. weave together the strand of the poem].
Mœðask mér á óði
— mest þarf hóf at flestu —
(brands hefr ôrr til enda)
orðvôpn* (kveðit drôpu).
Skulu eldviðir ǫldu
alljósan brag kalla
— þjóð hafi þekt á kvæði
þvísa — Leiðarvísan.
 
‘My word-weapons [ORGANS OF SPEECH] become exhausted from the poem; the greatest moderation is needed in most things; the sword-blade’s messenger [MAN] has recited the poem to the end. Trees of the fire of the wave [(lit. ‘fire-trees of the wave’) GOLD > MEN] shall call the very bright poem ‘Leiðarvísan’; may people derive pleasure from this poem.
Nú skal drótt á lok líta
— lopthjalms dǫgum optar
dýrkim dǫglings verka
dáðhress — bragar þessa.
Heim laði dýrr frá dómi
dags hallar gramr allan
— þjóð hjali kersk of kvæði —
kristinn lýð til vistar.
 
‘The company shall now look on the end of this poem; let us praise more often than [there are] days the works of the deed-hearty king of the sky-helmet [SKY/HEAVEN > = God]. May the glorious prince of day’s hall [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] invite all Christian folk home from judgement to his dwelling place; may people chatter cheerfully about the poem.
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Information about a text: poem, sequence of stanzas, or prose work

This page is used for different resources. For groups of stanzas such as poems, you will see the verse text and, where published, the translation of each stanza. These are also links to information about the individual stanzas.

For prose works you will see a list of the stanzas and fragments in that prose work, where relevant, providing links to the individual stanzas.

Where you have access to introduction(s) to the poem or prose work in the database, these will appear in the ‘introduction’ section.

The final section, ‘sources’ is a list of the manuscripts that contain the prose work, as well as manuscripts and prose works linked to stanzas and sections of a text.