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skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Heilagra meyja drápa — Anon MeyVII

Anonymous Poems

Kirsten Wolf 2007, ‘ Anonymous, Heilagra meyja drápa’ in Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Poetry on Christian Subjects. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 7. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 891-930. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1026> (accessed 19 March 2024)

 

Heyrðu ómælds himna veldis
herra guð, sem ei má þverra
ríki þitt, fyr miskun mjúka
mærðargrein í kvæði færða.
Til nefnandi ætta eg jafnan
Jésú næst og Máríu hæstri
yfirpostulann æzta lífi
Andréam, þann er guð hefir vandað.
 
‘Lord God of the unmeasured realm of the heavens, whose power [lit. your power which] will never diminish, listen for the sake of your gentle mercy to a portion of praise turned into a poem. After Jesus and the highest Mary I ought always to mention the chief Apostle, Andrew, most outstanding in life, whom God has chosen.
Lýsa vilda eg lofandi glós*um
líf ágætra dýrðarvífa,
drottinn várr með hverjum hætti
huldi þær í krafti skærum.
Mildliga skín yfir meyjum öllum
meyligt blóm hins hæsta sóma;
Máría sjálf er drotning dýrust;
dýran fæddi hun himna stýri.
 
‘I wanted to describe in laudatory words the lives of excellent women of glory [and] in what manner our Lord enveloped them with a shining power. The maidenly flower of the highest honour shines gracefully over all maidens; Mary herself is the most glorious queen; she gave birth to the glorious ruler of the heavens [= God (= Christ)].
Sjá er prýðilig umfram aðrar
ástvinnandi drottins kvinnur,
þvíað riettlætis sólin settiz;
sjálf þrenningin skein af henni.
Hennar nafn er hverjum manni
hjartaligt fyr miskunn bjarta;
mildliga bergr hun jafnskjótt öllum,
allir senn þótt Máríam kalli.
 
‘She is splendid above other charitable women of the Lord, because the sun of justice was established; the Trinity itself shone from her. Her name is dear to every person because of her bright mercy; she graciously saves all people equally fast, even though all might call upon Mary simultaneously.
Aðrar þoldu Jésú brúðir
ýmsa nauð í grimmum dauða,
sætur Krists og sjaldan grietu
sárligt mein í þrautum neinum.
Saklausust við mótgjörð mikla
Máría þoldi gjörvöll sárin
öndin hrein, þau er Jésús kendi
yfirvoldugr á sínu holdi.
 
‘Other brides of Jesus endured various kinds of suffering in a cruel death, and the women of Christ seldom bewailed painful harm in any tortures. Mary, most innocent pure soul, endured in the face of great assault all the wounds which all-powerful Jesus felt in his flesh.
Sæt Máría gjörði að gráta
gráti mædd í sonarins láti;
lát Júðanna fældi að fljóði;
fljóðið horfði á krossinn rjóðan.
Rjóðandi þá flaut og flóði
flóð táranna niðr um móður,
móðurbrjóstið streingt af stríði
stríðið bar sem eingi síðan.
 
‘Sweet Mary, overcome by weeping, wept at the death of the son; the conduct of the Jews mocked the woman; the woman looked at the red Cross. The reddening stream of tears then flowed and streamed down the mother; the mother’s chest, tight from grief, bore the grief like no one since.
Sjá er elskulig Máría meyja
móðir Krists, er alt hið góða
veitir, þiggur, giefr og gætir,
gæskulífið allra vífa.
Sínar flytr hún sætar bænir
syndug þjóð að hljóti yndi;
henni mega því allir unna;
ann hun hverjum kristnum manni.
 
‘The beloved maiden Mary, who offers, receives, gives and protects everything good, the gracious life of all women, she is the mother of Christ. She delivers her sweet prayers so that sinful people get happiness; therefore all people can love her; she loves every Christian person.
Dætur þrjár með dygð og vitru
dygðargædd er Anna fæddi,
Máríu liet hun meyna heita,
meir elskandi en hverja þeira.
Ættprúðasta Jóachíms dóttur
átti hun fyst, er dýrkaz mátti;
kunnig er nú Máría mönnum;
menn allir fá líkn af henni.
 
‘When virtue-endowed Anna gave birth to three daughters [equipped] with virtue and wisdom she let the maiden be called Mary, loving [her, the Virgin Mary] more than any of the others. First she had Joachim’s highest-born daughter, who could be worshipped; Mary is now known to people; all people receive mercy from her.
Önnur giftiz Máría manni;
mektarráði Alphéus náði;
frúin vænasta fjóra sveina
fæddi hun til spektar gædda.
Meingið nefnir Jacóbum yngra;
Jósép skínn í krafti ljósum;
Taddéus alt með gæzku græddi
góðr og mildur Simónis bróðir.
 
‘The second Mary married a man; Alpheus obtained a great marriage; she, the most beautiful woman, gave birth to four sons endowed with wisdom. The crowd mentions James the younger; Joseph shines in a bright power, Thaddaeus healed everything with goodness, the good and generous brother of Simon.
Máría hlaut hin yngsta æru
angri svift, er tók að giftaz;
Zébédéus mildrar meyjar
móður fekk að vilja góðum.
Þeira sonr má heita herra
harðla kunnr, er guðs son unni,
postuli Jón við mildleik mestan
mektarsannr og Jacóbus annarr.
 
‘The youngest Mary, deprived of sorrow, gained honour when she got married; Zebedee received in marriage the gentle maiden with the good will of her mother. Their son can be called a very famous lord, whom God’s son loved, the Apostle John with the greatest mercifulness, in possession of true might and the second James.
Ván er þess, að systrung sínum
sannr elskugi guðs og manna
Máría veiti mekt og æru
mæt og fögr í himna sæti,
þvíað óflekkuð miskun meyja
má það alt í sínum ráðum
gleði huggandi giefa og þiggja
gott og ljúft, er biðr hun drottin.
 
‘It is to be expected that Mary, the true love of God and people, precious and fair, in the seat of the heavens, should give her sister’s son might and honour, because the unstained mercy of maidens [= Mary], comforting with happiness, can with her counsels give and receive everything good and beloved, for which she asks the Lord.
Kvinna var með heiti hennar
henni kær og drottni skærum;
mildliga skal sú Máría kallaz;
Magðaléna jafnan sagðiz.
Fyst var þessi full af löstum;
fann hun Krist í vænu ranni;
gjörði hann hana með einu orði
alprúðastan gimstein brúða.
 
‘There was a woman with her name, dear to her and to the bright Lord; graciously she shall be called Mary; she always named herself Magdalene. First she was full of vices; she found Christ in a beautiful house; with one word he made her the finest gem among women.
Jésús Kristus upp nam rísa
einn og þrennr og birtiz henni;
postulum sagði hun prýðimestum
prúða sýn, er fegnir trúðu.
Eyðimerkur sótti síðan
sára nauð um þrjátigi ára;
hvern dag sá hun með hjálparaugum
himna dýrð, er guð várr skýrði.
 
‘Jesus Christ rose up single and threefold and revealed himself to her; she related the beautiful sight to the most magnificent Apostles, who, glad, believed [it]. Then she sought out the deserts for painful trial for thirty years; every day she saw with eyes of help the glory of the heavens, which our God displayed.
Hennar önd í sælu sanna
sannur leiddi hjálpari manna;
páskadag með sætum sigri
sæta guðs fekk virðing mæta.
Magðaléna meiri frægðir
Máría þiggr af drottni várum
nær og firr en neinn megi skýra;
nafn hennar sie blessað jafnan.
 
‘The true helper of men [= God (= Christ)] led her soul to true bliss; on Easter Day the woman of God [HOLY WOMAN = Mary Magdalene] got precious honour with a sweet victory. Mary Magdalene receives more fame from our Lord near and far than anyone could explain; may her name always be blessed.
Þrifnað fekk með þessu nafni
þrifligt sprund á hjálpar stundu;
Máría er sú kölluð kæra;
kæran segi eg að égypzk væri.
Háskafull var hennar æska;
hörmuliga í glæpum örmum
flýði hun burt af frænda láði;
fyldiz mart, það er eigi skyldi.
 
‘A good woman received prosperity with this name at the moment of help; the woman is called Mary; I say that the woman was Egyptian. Her youth was full of danger; pitifully she fled in miserable sins away from the land of her kinsmen; many a thing happened that should not have.
Krossaz vildi kvinna þessi;
kom hun með sorg til Jórsalaborgar;
yfirmusterið Jésú Kristi
enn var byrgð fyr syndum hennar,
áðr himna kóngs mjúka móður
Máría bað, sú er flaut í tárum,
líknar brunnrinn lofaði henni,
langa stund, í kirkju ganga.
 
‘This woman wanted to take the Cross; she came with sorrow to Jerusalem; the chief temple of Jesus Christ was still closed because of her sins, until Mary, who was bathed in tears, prayed to the merciful mother of the king of the heavens [= God (= Christ) > = Mary] for a long time; the fountain of mercy permitted her to enter the church.
Tuttugu vetr og sautján setti
sinn líkama þessi kvinna
eyðimerkur nökt í nauðir;
nauðin sjá var líkust dauða.
Mildur guð fyr mjúka iðran
Máríam tók úr glæpum sárum;
skínn hun nú sem einhver önnur
jungfrú hrein í lifandi greinum.
 
‘For thirty-seven years [lit. for twenty winters and seventeen] this woman lived [lit. placed her body] naked in the trials of the desert; that trial was most similar to death. Merciful God removed Mary from her painful sins because of her humble repentence; she now shines like every other pure maiden in life [lit. in the divisions of life].
Hátt og form, hinn hreini drottinn,
hefjaz láttu nú til stefja
þinnar mæðr og hirðar hennar
hreinlífastra mektarvífa.
Ynnilig berr allra kvinna
æru og prís af drottni skærum
Máría sjálf, er meyjum stýrir
móðurliga og öllu góðu.
 
‘Pure Lord, let now the metre and form rise to refrains [in honour] of your mother and of her troop of most chaste women of might. The beloved Mary, who, motherly, rules over maidens and everything good, herself has honour and praise over all women from the bright Lord.
Heimrinn norðr og heilög Róma
huggan fær af meyju skærri;
sjá var fyst í sætu lífi
svanni giftur heiðnum manni.
Valeriánum sjálf í sælu
Cécílía leiddi blessuð;
unni hann guði og jafnvel henni;
einn græðara lofuðu bæði.
 
‘The northern world and holy Rome receive comfort from a bright maiden; that woman was in her sweet life first married to a heathen man. The blessed Cecilia herself led Valerian to bliss; he loved God and her equally; both praised one Saviour.
Almákíus jungfrú sæla,
elsku næmdr, í píslir dæmdi;
mild var sett á milli elda
meyja Krists, er skyldi deyja.
Dægur sex var drósin fagra
dáliga byrgð í heitu báli;
sjálf miskunnin hlífði henni;
hennar náðu ei klæði að brenna.
 
‘Almacius, deprived of love, condemned the blessed maiden to tortures; the gentle maiden of Christ [HOLY WOMAN] was placed between fires, when she was to die. For three days the fair woman was wretchedly enclosed in a burning conflagration; mercy itself protected her; her clothes were not able to burn.
Heiðinginn bað höggva síðan
háleitt víf, er stóð í báli;
fell á knie, sú er fyldi allan,
frú Cécílía, drottins vilja.
Benjar þrjár á hálsi hreinum
heilög mær er sagt að bæri;
eigi liet þó mildust meyja
mætust líf, þvíað drottinn gætir.
 
‘Later the heathen man bade that the sublime woman, who stood in the conflagration, be beheaded; lady Cecilia, who fulfilled all the will of the Lord, fell to her knees. It is said that the holy maiden received three wounds on her pure neck; nonetheless, the gentlest, most precious, maiden did not lose her life, because the Lord watches over her.
Eftir lífið ótal krafta
einart vinnur sprundið hreina;
sigri hrósar sólu fegri
Cécílía með drottni blessuð.
Ynnilig berr allra kvinna
æru og prís af drottni skærum
Máría sjálf, er meyjum stýrir
móðurliga og öllu góðu.
 
‘After death [lit. after life] the pure woman incessantly works innumerable miracles; Cecilia, more beautiful than the sun, blessed with the Lord, triumphs. The beloved Mary, who, motherly, rules over maidens and everything good, herself has honour and praise above all women from the bright Lord.
Mestar liet á mönnum Kristi
Maxencíus píslir vaxa;
eina liet hann jungfrú væna
óteljandi meinum kvelja.
Kátrína vann sigr hin sæta
sæt og fögr á spekinga þrætu;
barg hun þeim og brögnum mörgum;
brúður kóngs á guðs son trúði.
 
‘Maxentius had the greatest tortures fall to Christ’s men’s share; he had one beautiful maiden tortured with innumerable torments. The sweet Catherine, sweet and handsome, won the victory in the dispute with wise men; she saved them and many men; the wife of the king believed in the son of God.
Kátrínu fyr kraft og vitru
keisarinn bauð að vinna dauða;
seggir þá með sverði hjuggu
sæla frú, sem kóngrinn mælir.
Yndis bað hun til allra handa,
elsku fyld, að veitaz skyldi
mönnum þeim, er mintiz hennar,
mey skínandi, í nauðum sínum.
 
‘The emperor ordered that Catherine be killed because of her power and wisdom; men then slew the blessed lady with a sword, as the king commands. Filled with love she, the shining maiden, prayed for happiness on all sides, that it should be granted to those people, who remembered her, in their trials.
Burðugt víf fekk bana með sverði;
blæða tók þá mjólk úr æðum;
hennar luktu holdið sanna
hreinir englar marmarasteini.
Kátrínam fyr miskunn mæta
mætur leiddi í hæsta sæti
guðs unnasti himins og hennar;
hennar nafn er sælt meðal kvenna.
 
‘The high-born woman received death by the sword; milk then bled from [her] veins; pure angels covered her true body with a marble stone. The precious beloved of God and of her led Catherine to the highest seat of heaven on account of precious mercy; her name is blessed among women.
Vili þier eigi várum sálum,
vífin björt, er fara af lífi,
vísa frá yðr verndarlausum;
veitið oss, það er miskunn heitir.
Ynnilig berr allra kvinna
æru og prís af drottni skærum
Máría sjálf, er meyjum stýrir
móðurliga og öllu góðu.
 
‘Do not, bright women, reject our defenceless souls, when they depart from life; grant us what is called mercy. The beloved Mary, who, motherly, rules over maidens and everything good, herself has honour and praise above all women from the bright Lord.
Ágáða með yndi fríðu
ættuð vel, sú lýðinn bætti
Sikileyjar í sínu ríki,
sóma prýdd og æsku blómi.
Quinciánus kæru væna
kvaldi sárt, er miskunn dvaldi;
fljóðið vill hann fá til brúðar;
fríðri snót er þvert í móti.
 
‘Agatha, with fair delight [and] of a good family, she improved the people in her kingdom of Sicily, adorned with honour and the bloom of youth. Quintian, who rejected mercy, painfully tortured the beautiful woman; he wants the woman as [his] bride; the fair maiden is adamantly against it [lit. (this) was very much against the fair maiden(’s wishes)].
Ekki gietr hann jungfrú lokkað
ótta þraungda úr faðmi dróttins;
ristil liet við reingdar ástir
reiður jarl fyr dómstól leiða.
Bæði liet hann brjóst af fljóði
— bundin stóð hun píslum undir —
spreingja út með spennitaungum;
sprakkinn gjörði drottni þakkir.
 
‘He cannot entice the fear-oppressed maiden from the embrace of the Lord; the earl, angry because of rejected love, had the lady brought before the judgement seat. He had both breasts ruptured from the woman with forceps; she stood bound during the tortures; the woman gave thanks to the Lord.
Bál var kynt um brúði sæla;
börðu þeir með grjóti hörðu
lýðir jarls í logandi glóðum
listugt víf, er játti Kristi.
Sæt Ágáða sárar þrautir
sigrað fekk, er hræddiz ekki;
henni skal með helgum mönnum
haldaz vegr, en minkaz aldri.
 
‘A fire was kindled around the blessed bride; they, the earl’s men, pelted the wonderful woman, who professed Christ, with hard stones [as she stood] in the blazing flames. Sweet Agatha, who was not afraid, won victory over the painful tortures; among the saints [lit. holy people] her honour will remain, and never decrease.
Gief þú mier, er græddir lofða,
giftulist til stefjaskiftis,
Jésús minn, að orða glósur
endaz mætti dýrðarkvendi.
Yfirkóróna allra vífa
ein Máría drotning hreinust
henni þjóna helgar kvinnur
hallar guðs og meyjar allar.
 
‘Give me, my Jesus, who healed people, fortunate skill for a change of refrains, so that the explanations of words will be sufficient for the glorious women. The superior crown of all women, the one Mary, the purest queen, holy women and all maidens of the hall of God [HEAVEN] serve her.
Agnes var með elsku tígnuð
Jésú blóm í sjálfri Róma;
þrautir háði þrettán vetra
þessi mey við grimman hessi.
Níðingrinn bað nökta leiða
Nönnu gulls hjá heiðnum mönnum;
vildi hann, að skammaz skyldi
skrautlig mær, ef allsber væri.
 
‘Agnes, the flower of Jesus, was honoured with love in Rome itself; this maiden, thirteen years old, was tortured by the wicked chieftain. The villain requested that the Nanna <goddess> of gold [WOMAN] be led naked past heathen men; he wanted the splendid maid to be ashamed, if she was completely nude.
Haglig leysti hár úr dreglum
hvítust meyja fagrt að líta;
fríðast var sem frúinnar klæði
falli niðr um líkam allan.
Síniformus sætu væna
sárkennandi skipar að brenna;
ýtar kyndu eldinn heita;
Agnes stóð í logandi glóðum.
 
‘The skilful very bright maiden loosened her hair, fair to look at, from ribbons; it was as if the fairest clothes of a woman fell down around her entire body. Síniformus commands [people] to burn the beautiful, pain-enduring woman; men kindled the hot fire; Agnes stood in the burning flames.
Lietti upp hendr og lofaði drottin;
lagði þá með grimdarbragði
Aspásíus járni hvössu
ungri mey í barka stungið.
Faðir hennar sem frændr og móðir
frú blíðasta grófu síðan;
yfirprísandi endalausan
Agnes þiggr af drottni fagnað.
 
‘She raised her arms and praised the Lord; Aspásius then in a savage manner thrust the sharp iron into the throat of the young maiden. Her father as well as her kinsmen and mother then buried the very gentle maiden; Agnes, deserving great praise, receives endless joy from the Lord.
Látið þier eigi, ljúfar sætur,
lífið várt, er einskis svífumz,
glæpafult í dauðadjúpi
drekkja sier, þótt jafnan flekkiz.
Yfirkóróna allra vífa
ein Máría drotning hreinust
henni þjóna helgar kvinnur
hallar guðs og meyjar allar.
 
‘Let not, beloved women, our life be drowned sinfully in the depth of death, [we] who shrink from nothing, although it is always stained. The superior crown of all women, the one Mary, the purest queen, holy women and all maidens of the hall of God [HEAVEN] serve her.
Anteócía meyjan mjúkust
Margaréta tók að bjarga
sætum lýð, er sauða gætti
sinnar fóstru, ljúfust kvinna.
Ólíbríus vænan vilja
vildi fá af brúði mildri;
frúin kærasta fimtán ára
fyrirlátandi honum að játa.
 
‘In Antioch Margaret, most gentle maiden, began to save the sweet people, most beloved woman, who guarded the sheep of her foster-mother. Olybrius wanted to get the love [lit. the beautiful will] of the gracious woman; the dearest lady, fifteen years old, refused to yield to him.
Greifinn setti guðs mey ljúfa
grið bannandi í myrkvaranni;
drákons kom þar djöfull í líki,
deyddi hun hann en fleingdi annan.
Meina fjöld og þrautir mildust
mærin tók á líkam skæran;
Malkus einn af mönnum fylkis
mey óverða hjó með sverði.
 
‘The count placed the beloved maiden of God [HOLY WOMAN] in a dungeon, prohibiting a truce; the devil came there in the shape of a dragon; she killed him and whipped another. The mildest maiden suffered a multitude of torments and tortures on her shining body; Malchus, one of the king’s men, slew the undeserving maiden with a sword.
Lesandi oft með fagnað fúsan
fúsir menn, er treysta henni,
hennar sögu, þá er krankar kvinnur
kvennligt stríð í sóttum bíða.
Margaréta brúðum bætir
bætta hjálp með sínum mætti;
vaktar þessi meyjan mektug
mektargjörð á himni og jörðu.
 
‘Keen men, who believe in her, often read her story with keen joy, when sick women suffer female affliction in illnesses. Margaret makes good help to women better with her might; powerful, this maiden keeps watch over the action of power in heaven and earth.
Sárra bið eg að sálna várra
— synda verða þungar myndir —
minniz þier fyr miskunn sanna,
meyjar guðs, þá er vier skulum deyja.
Yfirkóróna allra vífa
ein Máría drotning hreinust
henni þjóna helgar kvinnur
hallar guðs og meyjar allar.
 
‘I ask that you, maidens of God, by true mercy remember our wounded souls, when we must die; the shapes of our sins become heavy. The superior crown of all women, the one Mary, purest queen, holy women and all maidens of the hall of God [HEAVEN] serve her.
Sæt Lúcía segi eg að hieti
Sikileyjar hin vænsta meyja;
prúða vildi í porthús leiða
Páskásíus fullr af háska.
Hvergi máttu höldar margir
hræra nökkur drottins kæru;
orka þeir að yxnum sterkum;
eigi mega þau frúna sveigja.
 
‘I say that the most beautiful maiden of Sicily was called sweet Lucy; Pascasius, full of sin, wanted to send the beautiful one to a brothel. In no way could many men move the woman of the Lord [HOLY WOMAN]; they employ strong oxen; they cannot budge the lady.
Bál var kynt um brúði sæla;
bik vellanda um meyna helliz;
Lúcía stóð í loganum blessuð
lof færandi drottni kærum.
Lýðrinn fyldiz ljótrar æði;
leggur einn af greifans seggjum
hvíta frú með hvössu spjóti;
heldr hun nú með drottni veldi.
 
‘A fire was kindled around the blessed bride; boiling pitch is poured over the maiden; the blessed Lucy stood in the flame giving praise to the dear Lord. The people were filled with ugly rage; one of the count’s men pierces the bright lady with a sharp spear; she now holds power with the Lord.
Lofkennandi Lúcía önnur
líknar blóm var pínd í Róma;
Díocleciánus dygðarmeyjar
dáðugt hold í píslum þjáði.
Brennandi stóð blýfull panna;
brúði liet hann sitja prúða
dægur þrjú í logandi laugu;
lifði hun enn og giekk úr henni.
 
‘Another famous [lit. praise-showing] Lucy, a flower of mercy, was tormented in Rome; Diocletian tortured the valiant body of the virtuous maiden with torments. A pan full of lead stood burning; he made the beautiful woman sit for three days in the burning bath; she still lived on and walked out of it.
Blý og járn skal blessuð meyja
bera óverðug sier á herðum;
ýtar leiddu oft um stræti
unga frú með byrði þunga.
Utan borgar var ærlig sæta
yfirgræðara flett af klæðum;
drottni kært í djúpu vatni
drekkiz fljóð af heiðnum þjóðum.
 
‘The blessed maiden must undeserving carry on her shoulders lead and iron; men often led the young lady around the streets with the heavy burden. Outside the city the honourable woman of the supreme healer [HOLY WOMAN] was stripped of her clothes; the woman dear to the Lord is drowned in deep water by heathen people.
Ánastásía aura sína
alla gaf sem þorp og hallir;
klæði færði hun kristnum lýðum;
kvinnan blíð var tekin um síðir.
Hreina mey liet Próbus pína;
prúður lifði geisli brúða
hundrað daga, svá að hvörki kendi
hold mæðanda víns nie fæðu.
 
‘Anastasia gave away all her money as well as villages and halls; she brought clothes to Christian people; eventually the gentle woman was captured. Probus had the pure maiden tormented; the beautiful light-beam of brides lived for one hundred days, in such a way that her weary flesh tasted neither wine nor food.
Fjóra liet hann forka stóra
færa niðr og binda kæru;
slitnar hold, en beinin brotna;
beygð úr öllum liðunum teygðiz.
Jóladag fekk jungfrú sælust
allsráðanda drottins náðir;
hátíðliga fór meyjan mætust
messudag úr heimi þessum.
 
‘He had four big poles driven down and the woman bound; her flesh is torn and the bones are broken; racked, she was pulled out of all her joints. On Christmas Day the most blessed maiden received mercy from the Lord who rules over everything; on mass-day the most precious maiden solemnly left this world.
Júliána fekk hrein og heilög
hatr og mein af greifa einum;
læstu þeir að meyju mæstri
myrkvarann í fjötrum styrkum.
Sendiz þangað hinn svikli fjandi
svíkjandi með eingils líki;
kúgaðr var hann af fljóði fögru
fagnaðarlauss til margra sagna.
 
‘The pure and holy Juliana incurred the hatred and torture of a count; they locked the most precious maiden in strong fetters in a dungeon. The deceitful devil was sent there, deceiving [her] in the shape of an angel; joyless he was forced by the fair woman to tell much [lit. forced to many stories].
Leysti hun af sier langa festi;
lamdi þann, er prettinn framdi;
fjandi þoldi af fögru sprundi
fleinging bæði hart og leingi.
Kveljarinn bauð, í köldu hjóli
kæra guðs að pínuð væri;
ljúfa fekk hun endað æfi;
öndin fór þá guði til handa.
 
‘She loosened from herself a long rope; she beat the one who performed the fraud; the devil endured whipping both hard and long by the fair woman. The tormentor ordered that God’s woman [HOLY WOMAN] be tortured on a cruel wheel; she ended her dear life; her soul then went into the hands of God.
Eufémía ágæt meyja
eigi vildi goðunum hneigja;
Priskus jarl liet pína feska
plómu guðs að raungum dómi.
Ágætust úr ofni heitum
jungfrú giekk og sakaði ekki;
síðan skyldu sagirnar meiða
sætu þá, sem drottinn gætir.
 
‘Euphemia, an excellent maiden, would not pay homage to the gods; Earl Priscus had the fresh plum-tree of God [HOLY WOMAN] tormented in accordance with a wrong judgement. The most excellent maiden walked out of a hot oven and was unscathed; later the saws were intended to injure that woman whom the Lord watches over.
Setning guðs liet sagirnar brotna;
sökt var henni í djúpið nöktri;
völdug giekk af vazins öldu
vætulaust með þurrum fæti.
Liet hann óðum ljónum beita
listugt fljóð, er klæða misti;
dýrið bítur dygðar kæru;
dróttins skínn meðal píslarvótta.
 
‘The plan of God caused the saws to break; she was sunk naked into the deep [sea]; the powerful one walked without being wet [and] with dry feet from the wave of the water. He had the skilful woman, who was stripped of her clothes, set upon by raging lions; the beast bites the woman of virtue; she shines among the martyrs of the Lord.
Kristína fekk kunn að ástum
kaldar þrautir barn að aldri;
faðir hennar liet blindr af bræði
beygja járn að hálsi meyjar.
Harm aukandi hvössum krókum
hvítan bauð hann líkam slíta;
veldu síðan vífið milda
virðar þeir í glóanda eiri.
 
‘Christina, known for her charity, received cruel tortures as a child [lit. a child in age]; blind with rage her father had iron twisted around the neck of the maiden. Increasing the pain he ordered [that] her white body be torn with sharp hooks; later those men boiled the gracious woman in red-hot copper.
Þrír höfðingjar þetta píndu
þrifligt sprund á margar lundir;
trúðrinn liet, sá er týndi dáðum,
tungu skera úr vífi jungu.
Brúði hjó hann með sverði á síðu;
saklaus gjörði hun drottni þakkir;
ástir fær af kærum Kristi
Kristína fyr þrautir sínar.
 
‘Three chieftains tormented this flourishing lady in many ways; the charlatan, who destroyed virtues, had the tongue cut out of the young woman. He struck with a sword at the woman’s side; innocent, she gave thanks to the Lord; Christina receives for her tortures the love of the dear Christ.
Sóma vann í sínum dæmum
signað fljóð, er Skotland tignar;
Brígiða hielt frá bernsku dægri
blóm greinanda meydóm hreinum.
Skifti hun því, sem æ var eftir,
jafnan heilt í drottins nafni;
ástrík var hun fyr einu klaustri
abbadís með heiðri vísum.
 
‘The consecrated woman, whom Scotland praises, achieved honour by her good examples; Brigid, an exuberant flower, preserved from childhood her pure virginity. She always completely divided that which always remained behind in the name of the Lord; full of love she was abbess of a monastery with certain esteem.
Möttul sinn liet meyja drottins
mætan upp og dreginn úr vætu
sýslufull á sólargeisla;
sólin hielt, sem lægi á stóli.
Merkiligust í miðri kirkju
meyjan fór um tíðir deyja
píslalaus sem göfugur geisli;
gæti hun vár, að syndir bætiz.
 
‘The maiden of the Lord [HOLY WOMAN] placed her precious cloak which was [lit. and] drawn out of the water, careful, on a sunbeam; the sun held it, as if it [the cloak] lay on a chair. The very remarkable maiden died without torments like a noble light-beam during mass in the middle of the church; may she watch over us, so that our sins are atoned for.
Barbara gat frá blótum horfið
blíðufyld og skrýddiz fríðum;
hennar faðir liet sælan svanna
syrgiliga í húsi byrgja.
Kvíðufullu kvalara þjóðir
knífum skáru brjóst af vífi;
Ságu gulls með sverði vágu;
seldiz hun enn í drottins veldi.
 
‘Barbara, full of grace, turned away from sacrifices and adorned herself with virtues; her father had the blessed woman sadly locked in a house. Bands of tormentors cut with knives the breast off the fearful woman; with a sword [they] struck the Sága <goddess> of gold [WOMAN]; she still gave herself into the power of the Lord.
Sunnefa stökk með Seljumönnum;
sætu lýður Írland flýði;
austr um haf fór jungfrú Kristi;
eyjar til kom fylgi meyjar.
Frúin skínandi fór til bænar;
fellu á þau stórir hellar;
brúðar stendr í Björgvin miðri
blómligt skrín að helgum dómi.
 
‘Sunniva took to flight with the men of Selja; the people of the woman fled Ireland; the virgin of Christ [HOLY WOMAN] went east across the sea; the followers of the maiden came to an island. The shining lady went to pray; large rocks fell on them; the magnificent shrine of the woman stands in the sanctuary in the middle of Bergen.
Tíu þúsundir tígnar meyja
tel eg greinandi riett og eina;
Ussula var fyr öllum þessum
Einglands blóm, er fór til Róma.
Vænar meyjar hjuggu Húnir;
hrottar skýfðu brúðir drottins;
dýrkuð er nú Kolnis kirkja
kraftarík af þeira líkum.
 
‘Recording correctly, I count 11,000 [lit. ten thousand and one] maidens of distinction; Ursula, the flower of England, who went to Rome, was the leader of them all. The Huns slew the beautiful maidens; the swords slashed the brides of the Lord [HOLY WOMEN]; the church of Cologne, rich in miracles, is now worshipped because of their bodies.
Pétur gat sier prúða dóttur;
Petronilla frá eg að hieti;
þvinguð var hun með líkþrá langri;
Línus bað fyr hennar pínu.
Faðir hennar tók frúna að græða;
flýði hun alla heimsins prýði;
plagaz hun nú með prúðum sigri
pínulaus með drottni sínum.
 
‘Peter begat a fine daughter; I heard that she was called Petronilla; she was afflicted by prolonged leprosy; Linus prayed for [her in] her suffering. Her father healed the lady; she avoided all the world’s pomp; without suffering she is now furnished with a fine victory with her Lord.
Skólastika var skipuð í sælu
skærust frú með drottni kærum;
hennar tígn var heilög nunna
hreinlífis í klaustri einu.
Benedictus sá blíðr í greinum
bróðir þeirar meyjar góðrar
líða upp af líkam brúðar
ljúfa önd í merki dúfu.
 
‘Scholastica, the brightest lady, was received into bliss with the dear Lord; her distinction was [as] a holy, chaste nun in a convent. Benedict, gentle in [his] actions, the brother of that good maiden, saw the beloved soul rise up from the body of the woman in the form of a dove.
Félícitas sitr í sælu;
Sábína var numin frá pínu;
Praxis glez með prúða huxan,
Potenciána systir snótar.
Constancía kurteis meyja,
Klára þoldi dauða sáran;
Priska liez í prúðri æsku;
Púsina skínn nú guðs í húsi.
 
‘Felicity sits in bliss; Sabina was removed from torment; Praxis rejoices with her fine thought, Putentiana, the woman’s sister. Constantia, a courteous maiden, Clare suffered a painful death; Prisca died in the bloom of her youth; Pusina now shines in God’s house [HEAVEN].
Sínar dætur sigri vænum
Soffía hafði drottni offrað;
Fíðes, Spes og Káritas kvæðum,
kristiliga er lífið mistu.
Adriánus jungar meyjar
ónauðigar kvelr til dauða;
Máríu sonr hefir mæðgur fjórar
mætar leitt í himneskt sæti.
 
‘Sophia had sacrificed her daughters to the Lord with a beautiful victory; we praise Fides, Spes and Caritas, who in a Christian manner lost their lives. Hadrian torments the undeserving young maidens to death; Mary’s son [= Christ] has led the three precious daughters and their mother to the heavenly seat.
Máríu þjóna miklu fleiri
mektug hirð en nökkurr virði,
ekkjur, meyjar, frúr og flokkar,
föður unnandi helgar nunnur.
Öllum þessum eingla hallar
ástúðigum drottins brúðum
fagrmynduðum fel eg á hendi
fræðagjörð og þetta kvæði.
 
‘A much more numerous mighty crowd than anyone can consider serves Mary — widows, maidens, ladies and groups, holy nuns loving the father. To all these loving [and] beautifully formed brides of the Lord of the hall of angels [HEAVEN > = God (= Christ) > HOLY VIRGINS] I dedicate the composition of poetry and this poem.
Frú Máría, frumtígn meyja,
firrðu, þá er vier liggjum stirðir
seldir framm að synda gjaldi,
sálir várar heitu báli.
Veittu oss, er vafðir drottin
várn græðara reifaklæðum,
þína hjálp í blíðum bænum,
blómið sælt, að liðnum dómi.
 
‘Lady Mary, supreme dignity of maidens, rescue our souls from the hot fire, when we lie stiff, delivered up for the repayment of sins. You, blessed flower, who wrapped the Lord, our Saviour, in swaddling clothes, grant us your help in gentle prayers when the Judgement has come.
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