Cookies on our website

We use cookies on this website, mainly to provide a secure browsing experience but also to collect statistics on how the website is used. You can find out more about the cookies we set, the information we store and how we use it on the cookies page.

Continue

skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

Menu Search

Þórsdrápa — Eil ÞdrIII

Eilífr Goðrúnarson

Edith Marold with the assistance of Vivian Busch, Jana Krüger, Ann-Dörte Kyas and Katharina Seidel, translated from German by John Foulks 2017, ‘ Eilífr Goðrúnarson, Þórsdrápa’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 68. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1170> (accessed 25 April 2024)

 

1.
Flugstalla réð felli*
fjǫrnets goða at hvetja
— drjúgr vas Loptr at ljúga —
lǫgseims faðir heiman.
Geðreynir kvað grœnar
Gauts herþrumu brautir
vilgi tryggr til veggjar
viggs Geirrøðar liggja.
 
‘The father of the sea-thread [= Miðgarðsormr > = Loki] decided to goad the preparer of the life-net [KILLER] of the gods of precipice-altars [MOUNTAINS > GIANTS > = Þórr] to leave home; Loptr <= Loki> was assidious at lying. The by no means trustworthy mind-tester of the Gautr <= Óðinn> of host-thunder [BATTLE > WARRIOR = Þórr > = Loki] said that green paths lay towards the steed of the wall [HOUSE] of Geirrøðr <giant>. ’
2.
Geðstrangrar lét gǫngu
gammleið Þórr fyr skǫmmu
— fýstusk þeir at þrýsta
Þorns niðjum — sik biðja,
þás gjarðvani*ðr gerðisk
Gandvíkr Skotum ríkri
endr til Ymsa kindar
Iðja setrs frá Þriðja.
 
‘Þórr had vulture-path [AIR = Loptr <= Loki> (lopt ‘air’)] invite him on a challenging journey a short time ago – they were eager to crush the descendants of Þorn <giant> [GIANTS] –, when the belt-familiar one [= Þórr], mightier than the Scots of Gandvík [GIANTS], once set out from Þriði <= Óðinn> for the offspring of Ymsi <giant> [GIANT] towards the seat of Iði <giant> [MOUNTAINS]. ’
3.
Gǫrr varð í fǫr fyrri
farmr meinsvarra arma
sóknar hapts með svipti
sagna galdrs an Rǫgnir.
Þylk granstrauma Grímnis;
gall- manntælendr halla
-ópnis ilja gaupnum
Endils um Mó spenndu.
 
‘The cargo of the arms [LOVER] of the harm-woman [= Angrboða > = Loki] was ready for the journey with the mover of troops [LEADER = Þórr] earlier than the Rǫgnir <= Óðinn> of the incantation of the god of battle [= Óðinn > BATTLE > WARRIOR = Þjálfi]. I recite the lip-streams of Grímnir <= Óðinn> [POEM]; the destroyers of the man of the halls of the shrill-crier <eagle> [(lit. ‘man-destroyers of the halls of the shrill-crier’) MOUNTAINS > GIANT > = Þórr and his companion] clasped the Mór <horse> of Endill <sea-king> [SHIP] with the palms of their foot-soles. ’
4.
Vôru vǫtn ok mýrar
— verðr hitt, at þau skerða —
(svell vas áðr of alla)
ǫll torráðin (halla).
 
‘All the lakes and marshes were difficult [to traverse]; it happens that they intersect [the path]; ice was already on all the cliffs. ’
5.
Ok gangs vanir gingu
gunnvargs himintǫrgu
fríðrar vers; til fljóða
frumseyris kom dreyra,
þás bǫlkveitir brjóta
bragðmildr Loka vildi
bræði vændr á brúði
bág Sefgrímnis mága.
 
‘And the ones accustomed to walking went to the sea of the battle-wolf of the splendid sky-shield [SUN > = Fenrir > MOUNTAINS]; [he] came to the blood of the foremost harasser of women [GIANT > RIVER], when the action-liberal, rage-familiar misfortune-destroyer of Loki [= Þórr] wanted to open hostilities on the bride of the in-laws of Sefgrímnir <giant> [GIANTS > GIANTESS]. ’
6.
Ok vegþverrir varra
vann fetrunnar Nǫnnu
hjalts af hagli oltnar
hlaupár of ver gaupu.
Mjǫk leið ór stað støkkvir
stikleiðar veg breiðan
urðar þrjóts, þars eitri,
œstr, þjóðáar fnœstu.
 
‘And the path-diminisher of the waters of Nanna <female mythical being> [RIVER > = Þórr] was able to foot-traverse the fast-flowing streams of the sword, swollen with hail, over the sea of the lynx [MOUNTAINS]. The ardent banisher of the lout of the stone [GIANT > = Þórr] advanced greatly on the broad road of the stake-path [FORD], where great rivers sprayed poison. ’
7.
Þar í mǫrk fyrir markar
málhvettan byr settu
(né hvélvǫlur Hallar
háfs) skotnaðra (svôfu).
Knátti, hreggi hǫggvin*,
hlymþél við mǫl glymja,
en fellihryn fjalla
Feðju þaut með steðja.
 
‘There they set shot-adders [SPEARS] in the borderland of the fish trap [RIVER] against the chattering wind of the borderland [RIVER]; the wheel-knuckles of Hǫll <river> [STONES] did not sleep. The din-file [SPEAR] resounded against the gravel, and the storm-blasted toppling-noise of the mountains [RIVER] roared against the anvil of Fedje <river> [ROCK]. ’
8.
Harðvaxnar leit herðar
hallands of sik falla
(gatat maðr) njótr (in neytri)
njarð- (rôð fyr sér) -gjarðar.
Þverrir lét, nema þyrri
Þorns barna sér, Mǫrnar
snerriblóð, til svíra
salþaks megin vaxa.
 
‘The user of the strength-belt [= Þórr] saw the hard-grown shoulders of the sloping-land [MOUNTAIN > ROCKS] fall around him; the man could not find a useful solution for himself. The diminisher of the children of Þorn <giant> [GIANTS > = Þórr] said that his strength would grow to the neck of the roof of the earth [SKY] unless the rushing blood of Mǫrn <female mythical being> [RIVER] receded. ’
9.
Óðu fast, en Fríðar
flaut, eiðsvara Gauta
setrs víkingar snotrir
sverðrunnit fen, gunnar.
Þurði hrǫnn at herði
hauðrs run*kykva nauðar
jarðar skafls af afli
áss hretviðri blásin,
 
‘The oath-bound vikings of the seat of Gauti <= Óðinn> [= Ásgarðr > = Þórr and Þjálfi], wise in war, waded firmly, and the sword-filled fen of Fríðr <female mythical being> [RIVER] flowed. The tempest-blown wave of the ridge [RIVER] rushed mightily at the strengthener of the distress [TORMENTOR] of the quickeners of the stream of the land of the snow-drift of the earth [(lit. ‘stream-quickeners of the land of the snow-drift of the earth’) RIDGE > MOUNTAIN > RIVER > GIANTESSES > = Þórr], ’
10.
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.
 
‘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>. ’
11.
Né djúpakǫrn drôpu
dolgs vamms firum glamma
stríðkviðjǫndum stǫðvar
stall við rastar falli.
Ógndjarfan hlaut arfi
Eiðsfjarðar hug meira;
skalfa Þórs né Þjalfa
þróttar steinn við ótta.
 
‘Nor did the sea-acorns [STONES] of animosity [HEARTS] of the attack-prohibitors of the disgraceful men of the place of wolves [MOUNTAINS > GIANTS] falter when facing the torrent of the river. The heir of Eidsfjorden [= Hákon jarl?] got even more battle-daring courage; the stone of valour [HEART] of neither Þórr nor Þjálfi shook with fear. ’
12.
Ok †sifuna† síðan
sverðs liðhat*ar gerðu
hlífar borðs við Hǫrða
harðgleypnis dyn barða,
áðr hylriðar hæði
hrjóðendr fjǫru þjóðar
við skyld-Breta skytju
skálleik Heðins reikar.
 
‘And afterwards the … haters of the help of the sword [= Þórr and Þjálfi] held a din of the harsh swallower of the board of defence [SHIELD > SWORD > BATTLE] against the Hǫrðar of precipices [GIANTS], before the pool-steppers [= Þórr and Þjálfi], the destroyers of the people of the shore [GIANTS], could engage in the game of the bowl of the hair-parting [HAT] of Heðinn <legendary hero> [(lit. ‘bowl-game of the hair-parting of Heðinn’) HELMET > BATTLE] against the kin-Britons of the markswoman [= Skaði] [GIANTS]. ’
13.
Dreif fyr dróttar kneyfi
dolg-Svíþjóðar kolgu
(sótti ferð á flótta)
flesdrótt í vô (nesja),
þás funhristis fasta
(flóðrifs Danir) stóðu
(knôttu) Jólnis ættir
(útvés fyrir lúta),
 
‘The skerry-host [GIANTS] rushed into disaster because of the oppressor of the host of the cold wave of the hostile Sweden [= Gandvík > GIANTS > = Þórr]; the troop of headlands [GIANTS] took to flight, when the group of the shaker of the flame of Jólnir <= Óðinn> [(lit. ‘group of the flame-shaker of Jólnir’) SWORD > WARRIOR > WARRIORS = Þórr and Þjálfi] stood firm; the Danes of the outlying sanctuary of the sea-rib [STONE > COAST > GIANTS] fell before [them], ’
14.
þars í þróttarhersa
Þornranns hugumbornir
— hlymr varð hellis Kumra —
hringbalka* framm gingu.
List* vas fœrðr í fasta
— friðsein vas þar — hreina
gnípu hlǫðr á greypan
gránhǫtt risa kvánar.
 
‘when the courageous ones went forwards into the circular rooms of the strength-hersar of the house of Þorn <giant> [CAVE > GIANTS]; the din of the Cumbrians of the cave [GIANTS] arose. The vanquisher of the reindeer of the peak [GIANTS > = Þórr] was cunningly brought into a tight spot upon the horrible grey hat of the wife of the giant [GIANTESS]; there was a prevention of peace.’
15.
Ok hôm loga himna
hall- fylvingum -vallar
trôðusk, þærs við tróði
tungls brásali* þrungu.
Hofstjóri braut hvôru-
hreggs váfreiðar -tveggja
hlátrelliða hellis
hundfornan kjǫl sprundi.
 
‘They were trampled upon by the nuts of the sloping-plain [MOUNTAINS > STONES] and the high flame of the skies [LIGHTNING], those who pressed the hall of the moon of eyelashes [(lit. ‘eyelash-hall of the moon’) EYE > HEAD] against the rafter. The temple-steerer of the hovering chariot of the thunderstorm [= Þórr] broke the age-old keel of the laughter-ship [BREAST > BACK] of both women of the cave [GIANTESSES]. ’
16.
Fátíða nam frœði
(fjarðeplis) kon Jarðar
(mœrar legs né mýgðu
menn ǫlteiti) kenna.
Almtaugar laust œgir
angrþjóf sega tangar
Óðins afli soðnum
áttruðr í gin Suðra.
 
‘The son of Jǫrð <goddess> [= Þórr] got to know an uncommon skill; nor did the men of the lair of the land of the fjord-apple [STONE > MOUNTAINS > CAVE > GIANTS] suppress the ale-cheer. The terrifier of the bow-string [WARRIOR = Geirrøðr], the relative of Suðri <dwarf> [GIANT], struck a hearth-boiled morsel of tongs [PIECE OF IRON] into the mouth of the sorrow-thief [HELPER] of Óðinn <god> [= Þórr]. ’
17.
Þrøngvir gein við þungum
þangs rauðbita tangar
kveldrunninna kvinna
kunnleggs alinmunni,
 
‘The oppressor of the family line of the evening-running women [TROLL-WOMEN > GIANTS > = Þórr] gaped with his forearm-mouth [HAND] at the heavy red mouthful of the seaweed of tongs [PIECE OF IRON], ’
18.
svát hraðskyndir handa
hrapmunnum svalg gunnar
lyptisylg á lopti
langvinr síu þrǫngvar,
þás ǫrþrasis eisa
ós Hrímnis fló drósar
til þrámóðnis Þrúðar
þjósts af greipar brjósti.
 
‘so that the swift hastener of battle [WARRIOR = Þórr], the old friend of the tight spot (þjálfi ‘enclosure’ = Þjálfi) [= Þórr], swallowed the raised drink of the spark [PIECE OF IRON] in the air with the hurried mouths of his arms [HANDS], when the sparking fire of anger of the passionate lover of the lady of Hrímnir <giant> [GIANTESS > GIANT = Geirrøðr] flew from the breast of the grip [HAND] at the one longing for Þrúðr <goddess> [= Þórr]. ’
19.
Bifðisk hǫll, þás hǫfði
Heiðreks of kom breiðu
und fletbjarnar fornan
fótlegg Þrasis veggjar.
Ítr gulli laust Ullar
jótrs vegtaugar þrjóti
meina niðr í miðjan
mest bígyrðil nestum.
 
‘The hall shook when [he] brought the broad head of the Heiðrekr <legendary king> of the wall of Þrasir <dwarf> [STONE > GIANT = Geirrøðr] under the old leg of the bench-bear [HOUSE > PILLAR]. The glorious stepfather of Ullr <god> [= Þórr] struck the provisions of harm [PIECE OF IRON] with full force down into the middle of the girdle of the defier of the molar of the way of the fishing-line [SEA > STONE > GIANT]. ’
20.
Glaums niðjum fór gǫrva
gramr með dreyrgum hamri;
of salvanið Synjar
sigr hlaut arinbrautar.
Kom at tvíviðar tívi,
tollurr karms þás harmi,
-brautar liðs, of beitti,
bekk- fall, jǫtuns rekka.
 
‘The ruler with the bloody hammer [= Þórr] totally destroyed the descendants of Glaumr <giant> [GIANTS]; [he] gained victory over the hall-visitor of the Syn <goddess> of the hearth-stone-path [MOUNTAINS > GIANTESS > GIANT]. The fall of the retinue of the bench-road [HOUSE] came at the god of the bow [WARRIOR = Geirrøðr], when the pole of the wagon-cab [CHARIOTEER = Þórr] inflicted violence on the warriors of the giant. ’
21.
Herblótinn vá hneitir
hógbrotningi skógar
undirfjalfrs af alfi
alfheims bliku kalfa,
né liðfǫstum Lista
látrs val-Rygir môttu
aldrminkanda aldar
Ellu steins of bella.
 
‘The people-worshipped vanquisher of the calves of the low hiding-place of the gleam of the elf-world [SUN > CAVE > GIANTS > = Þórr] fought vigorously with the handy weapon of the forest; nor could the Rygir of the Lista of the falcon-lair [(lit. ‘falcon-Rygir of the lair of Lista’) ROCK > MOUNTAINS > GIANTS] resist the life-diminisher of the people of the Ælla <Northumbrian king> of the stone [GIANT > GIANTS > = Þórr], support-strong. ’
22.
Vreiðr stóð Vrǫsku bróðir;
vá gagn faðir Magna;
skelfra Þórs né Þjalfa
þróttar steinn við ótta.
 
‘The brother of Rǫskva [= Þjálfi] stood furious; the father of Magni <god> [= Þórr] won victory; the stone of valour [HEART] of neither Þórr nor Þjálfi trembles with terror. ’
23.
Verðið ér, alls orða
oss grœr of kon mœrar
á sefreinu Sónar
sáð, vingjǫfum ráða.
 
‘You must decide the gifts of friendship, as the seed of the words of Són <mythical vat> [POETRY] about the descendant of the land (= Jǫrð) [= Þórr] grows for us [me] in the mind-land [BREAST]. ’
Close

Log in

This service is only available to members of the relevant projects, and to purchasers of the skaldic volumes published by Brepols.
This service uses cookies. By logging in you agree to the use of cookies on your browser.

Close

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.