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Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Jómsvíkingadrápa — Bjbp JómsI

Bjarni byskup Kolbeinsson

Emily Lethbridge 2012, ‘ Bjarni byskup Kolbeinsson, Jómsvíkingadrápa’ 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. 954. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1122> (accessed 19 March 2024)

 

Engan kveðk at óði
órum málma rýri
(þó gatk hróðr of hugðan)
hljóðs (atferðar prýði).
Framm mun ek fyr ǫldum
Yggjar bjór of fœra,
þó at engir ýtar
ættgóðir mér hlýði.
 
‘I call upon no diminisher of metal weapons [WARRIOR] for a hearing for our [my] poem; nonetheless, I have produced a praise-poem about the courageous adorner of action [MAN]. I will bring forth the beer of Yggr <= Óðinn> [POEM] before people, although no well-born men may listen to me.
Hendir enn sem aðra
óteitan mik sútar;
mér hefr harm á hendi
handgr kona bundit.
Þó emk óð at auka
œrit gjarn at hváru;
mjǫk emk at mér orðinn
ógæfr of fǫr vífa.
 
‘The joylessness of grief grips me still, as others; a woman with beautiful hands has bound sorrow to me. Yet I am nonetheless sufficiently eager to increase poetry; I myself have become very unlucky regarding the ways of women.
Dreng var dátt of svarra
(dorgar vangs) fyr lǫngu
(því hefr oss of unga
eldreið skapi haldit).
Þó hefk ort of ítra
allfátt mjaðar þellu;
vel samir enn of eina
ǫlselju mér þylja.
 
‘The fellow [I] was charmed by the woman long ago; that mood has persisted in us [me] in relation to the young chariot of the fire of the plain of the fishing-line [(lit. ‘fire-chariot of the plain of the fishing-line’) SEA > GOLD > WOMAN]. Yet I have composed very little about the excellent pine-tree of mead [WOMAN]; it is still very fitting for me to recite about a certain ale-willow [WOMAN].
Varkak … und forsum;
fórk aldrigi at gǫldrum;
hefkak

Ǫllungis namk eigi
Yggjar feng und hanga

fleinstríðir mér óðar.
 
‘I was not … under waterfalls; I never engaged in enchantments; I have not … . I did not at all learn the booty of Yggr <= Óðinn> [POETRY] under the hanged one … arrow-harmer [WARRIOR] … to me … of the poem …


annat þarf at yrkja
allstórum mun fleira.

… greppr of snertu
(þat berum upp fyr ýta)
óhljóð (sǫgukvæði).
 
‘… need to compose something other, more by a very great amount … . The poet … about the tumult of onslaught; we [I] shall present that narrative poem before men.
… vér sitja
(seima Guðr) at Jómi
(fǫgr rænir mik flaumi)
fimm hǫfðingja snemma.
Vel samir víst at telja
vinnur hreystimanna;
þar er of málmþings meiða
merkiliga at yrkja.
 
‘We [I] … five chieftains once sat at Jómsborg; the beautiful Guðr <valkyrie> of gold [WOMAN] robs me of happiness. Certainly it is very fitting to recount the deeds of courageous men; in this case it is a matter of composing about notable poles of the weapon-assembly [BATTLE > WARRIORS].
Hvervetna frák heyja
Harald bardaga stóra;
þeir ruðu bitra branda
bǫðgjarnastir niðjar.
Sjá knáttu þar síðan
siðfornir glym járna;
þótti þeim at efla
þǫrf Véseta arfa.
 
‘I have heard that Haraldr fought great battles everywhere; those extremely battle-eager kinsmen reddened sharp blades. Then heathens could see there the crash of iron weapons [BATTLE]; it seemed necessary to them to support the heir of Véseti [= Búi].
Geta skal hins, hverr hvatra
hǫfðingi var drengja;
sá gat sigri at hrósa
snjallastr at gǫrvǫllu.
Hverr var hóti minni
hreystimaðr at flestu
heldr í herðiraunum
hauklyndum syni Áka.
 
‘Mention shall be made of this, who was the leader of the valiant warriors; he, boldest in everything, was able to boast of victory. Every courageous man was greatly inferior in most ways in tough trials to the hawk-tempered son of Áki [= Vagn].
Sigvaldi hét seggja
snarfengra hǫfðingi,
ok réð þar fyr þegnum
Þorkell liði snjǫllu.
Búi var at hverjum hjaldri
harðráðr með Sigurði;
frágum, Vagn at væri
víst ofrhugi inn mesti.
 
‘The leader of the swift-acting men was called Sigvaldi, and Þorkell there commanded the men, the valiant troop. Búi was hard-ruling in every fight together with Sigurðr; we have heard that Vagn was certainly the most daring man.
Heldu dreyrgra darra
Danmarkar til sterkir
— þeim gafsk rausn ok ríki —
rjóðendr skipum síðan.
Ok auðbrotar erfi
ógnrakkastir drukku
— þeim frák ýmsum aukask
annir — feðra sinna.
 
‘The strong reddeners of bloody spears [WARRIORS] then sailed ships to Denmark; splendour and power came their way. And the extremely battle-bold wealth-breakers [GENEROUS MEN] drank a funeral feast for their fathers; I have heard that troubles increased for certain of them.
Enn vildu þá einkum
ǫldurmenn, at skyldu
— slíkt eru yrkisefni —
ágæta sér leita.
Ok haukligar hefja
heitstrengingar gátu;
eigi segik, at ýta
ǫlteiti var lítil.
 
‘Further, the leaders then wished especially that they should seek fame for themselves; such matters are material for a poem. And they made hawk-like vows; I do not say that the ale-cheer of men was meagre.
Heitstrenging frák hefja
heiptmildan Sigvalda;
Búi var ǫrr at efla
órœkinn þrek slíkan.
Hétusk þeir af hauðri
Hákun reka fíkjum
— grimm var frægra fyrða
fjón — eða lífi ræna.
 
‘I have heard strife-liberal Sigvaldi began the making of vows; the reckless Búi was swift to strengthen such daring. They vowed eagerly to drive Hákon from the land or rob him of life; the hatred of the famous men was grim.
Búi lézk barr at fylgja
bǫðmildum Sigvalda
til hjǫrþrymu harðrar
hugprúðr vera síðan.
Hafa kvazk Hávarð vilja
hranna brjótr at gunni;
sér kvað hann eigi illa
Áslák í fǫr líka.
 
‘Courageous Búi then said he was ready to follow battle-liberal Sigvaldi into hard sword-thunder [BATTLE]. The breaker of waves [SEAFARER = Búi] said he wanted to have Hávarðr for the battle; he said Áslákr was not unpleasing to him on the journey.
Vagn kvað hitt inn hrausti;
Hamðis gunnar tǫmðum
sá lézk frœkn at fylgja
faldruðr Búa skyldu.
Þá réð heit til hvítrar
hringa meiðr at strengja
— mér kømr harmr at hendi
hættr — Þorketils dóttur.
 
‘The bold Vagn spoke another [oath]; that brave bush of the hood of Hamðir <legendary hero> [(lit. ‘hood-bush of Hamðir’) HELMET > WARRIOR = Vagn] declared it his duty to follow Búi, accustomed to battle. Then the tree of rings [MAN = Vagn] made a vow concerning the bright daughter of Þorkell [= Ingibjǫrg]; dangerous grief comes upon me.
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
— ótrauðr á lǫg skeiðum
ǫrr þengill bað ýta —
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
— gekk herr á skip, darra
hinn er kunni gný gerva —
gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; the not-unwilling swift prince [Vagn] ordered ships to be launched onto the sea. The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; the army, which knew how to make the din of spears [BATTLE], went aboard the ships.
Sagt var, at sunnan heldu
snyrtimenn of hrannir
— kaldr dreif marr á meiða
morðbáls — skipastóli.
Lǫmðu héldir húfar
— hríð kannaði lýði —
— gnúði svalr á sýju
sær — ísugar bárur.
 
‘It was said that the fine men sailed their fleet of ships from the south across the waves; the cold sea drove against the poles of the battle-fire [SWORD > WARRIORS]; the rime-covered hulls beat the icy waves; the storm tested the men; the chill sea roared against the planking.
Sagt var, at rauðra randa
reynendr flota sínum
jólanótt at Jaðri
Jómsvíkingar kœmi.
Váru heldr á harðan
hernuð firar gjarnir;
rjóðendr buðu ríki
randorma Geirmundi.
 
‘It was said that the testers of red shields [WARRIORS], the Jómsvíkingar, brought their fleet to Jæren on Yule-night. Men were rather eager for a hard raiding campaign; the reddeners of shield-snakes [SWORDS > WARRIORS] offered force to Geirmundr.
Þá buðu þeir á móti
þeim, er sunnan kómu,
til geirhríðar greppum
gǫrla, Nóregs jarlar.
Þar var mestr á méli
(morðremmandi) skǫmmu
(margr var at Laufa leiki)
landherr saman fundinn.
 
‘Then those jarls of Norway forcefully bade [their] men to the spear-storm [BATTLE] against those who came from the south. The greatest force from the land was brought together there in a short time; many a battle-strengthener [WARRIOR] was at the play of Laufi <legendary sword> [BATTLE].
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
— eldr gnauðaði víða
elri skœðr of eyjar —
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
— gaus upp logi ór húsum —
— griðum rænti gumna —
gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; fire, damaging to alder-trees, roared widely throughout the islands. The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; flame surged up from houses; that robbed men of peace.
Ok hǫfðingjar hraustir
heyra menn at væri
— þat hefr þjóð at minnum —
þrír með flokki hverjum,
þar er hreggviðir hittusk
hjálma skóðs á víðum
— fundr þótti sá fyrðum
frægr — Hjǫrungavági.
 
‘And men hear that three bold chieftains were with each troop — people hold that in memory —, where the trees of the storm of the harm of helmets [(lit. ‘storm-trees of the harm of helmets’) SWORD > BATTLE > WARRIORS] met in wide Liavågen; that meeting seemed famous to men.
Hauðr frák Hákun verja
hart, svát eigi skorti;
Eirekr hefr eggjar
ótrauðr verit rjóða.
Ok sǫgðu þar ýtar
Ármóð vera síðan
— sá var greppr við gumna
glaðr — hǫfðingja inn þriðja.
 
‘I have heard that Hákon defended the land hard, so that nothing was lacking; Eiríkr was not reluctant to redden sword-edges. And men said that Ármóðr was then the third commander there; that man was cheerful towards [his] men.
Lǫgðu heiptar hvattir
herðimenn, þar er bǫrðusk,
— herr var hauðr at verja
hundmargrsaman randir.
Ok víkingi váru
— varð raun at því — einum
— þat kveða eigi aukit
ýtar fimm at móti.
 
‘Brave men, urged into combat, laid shields together where they fought; there was an immense army to defend the land. And five men were against one viking; there was proof of that; they say that is not exaggerated.
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
atróðr mikinn ...
...
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
glygg magnaðisk eggja

gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; a great attack … . The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; the gale of blades [BATTLE] intensified …
Sigvaldi bað sína
sóknstranga vel ganga
— hann varat samr á sáttir
sveit Hákuni á móti.
Haralds arfi klauf hjálma
hildarǫrr ok skjǫldu;
framm gekk hann fyr hlífar
hart nakkvara snertu.
 
‘Sigvaldi bade his attack-strong band advance strongly against Hákon; he was not willing for settlement. The battle-keen heir of Haraldr [= Sigvaldi] split helmets and shields; he pressed forward strongly before shields in a certain short attack.
Þar gekk framm í fólki
fránlyndr Búi sína
— þess kveða virða vissu
vánir — hart með sveina.
Ok geirviðir gerðu
grimma hǫggum rammir
— gengu þeir at gunni
geystir — vápna brestu.
 
‘Keen-tempered Búi pressed forward strongly there in the battle with his followers; [people] say that men had expectations of this. And the spear-trees [WARRIORS], powerful with their blows, made fierce crashings of weapons; they went enraged into battle.
Klauf með Yggjar eldi
ólmr Goll-Búi hjálma;
niðr lét hann í herðar
hringserkja bǫl ganga.
Hart nam hǫgg at stœra
Hávarðr liði fyrða;
við hefr illr at eiga
Áslákr verit fíkjum.
 
‘Furious Gull-Búi (‘Gold-Búi’) split helmets with the fire of Yggr <= Óðinn> [SWORD]; he let the bale of mail-shirts [SWORD] drive down into shoulders. Hávarðr intensified [his] blows strongly upon the troop of men; Áslákr was extremely bad to deal with.
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
— él gnúði mjǫk stála —
— álmr spann af sér odda —
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
— gripu þeir í bug snœrum
gunnrakkastir gumnar —
gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; the storm of steel weapons [BATTLE] roared greatly; the elm-bow kicked arrow-points from itself. The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; those extremely battle-bold men gripped on the curve of the spear-thongs.
Þar frák vápnum verjask
— Vagn felldi lið — þegna;
hann klauf breiðra brúna
borg hundruðum mǫrgum.
Grimmr var snarpra sverða
sǫngr; burgusk vel drengir;
vann arfþegi Áka
ǫs; fell blóð á kesjur.
 
‘There I have heard retainers defended themselves with weapons; Vagn felled the troop; he split the fortress of broad brows [HEAD] on many hundreds. The song of sharp swords [BATTLE] was grim; warriors defended themselves well; the heir of Áki [= Vagn] made tumult; blood fell onto halberds.
Vagn hefr orðit ýtum
ǫrfengr at bǫð strangri;
með fullhuga frœknum
framm gengu vel drengir,
þar er í Yggjar éli
Áka sonr inn ríki
brátt, frák, hann at hlœði
hugprúðum Ármóði.
 
‘Vagn became quickly dominant over men in the severe battle; warriors pressed forward well with the daring one full of courage, where I have heard that he, the powerful son of Áki [= Vagn], soon felled the staunch-hearted Ármóðr in the storm of Yggr <= Óðinn> [BATTLE].
Hvervetna frák hǫlða
— herr œxti gný darra —
fyr hreggviðum hjǫrva
hrøkkva gunnar rǫkkum,
áðr í ǫrva drífu
ýtum grimmr at blóta
— framm kom heipt in harða —
Hákun þegar tœki.
 
‘I have heard that everywhere men recoiled before trees of the storm of swords [(lit. ‘storm-trees of swords’) BATTLE > WARRIORS] bold in battle — the army caused the din of spears [BATTLE] to increase —, before Hákon, cruel to men in the snow-storm of arrows [BATTLE], proceeded at once to make a sacrifice; the harsh violence proceeded.
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
— ylgr gekk á ná bólginn —
— þar stóð úlfr í átu —
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
— gein vargr of sal mergjar —
— gráðr þvarr gylðis jóða —
gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; the she-wolf stepped on the swollen corpse; the wolf stood there on the food. The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; a wolf gaped over the hall of marrow [BONE]; the greed of the progeny of the wolf [WOLVES] diminished.
Þá frák él it illa
œða Hǫlgabrúði;
glumði hagl á hlífum
harða grimt ór norðri,
þar er í ormfrán augu
ýtum skýja grjóti
— því knátti ben blása —
barði hreggi keyrðu.
 
‘Then I have heard Hǫlgi’s bride [= Þorgerðr] stirred up the terrible blizzard; very cruel hail from the north resounded on shields, where the gravel of clouds [HAIL], driven by the storm, beat in the snake-flashing eyes of men; therefore wounds swelled.
Þar var þǫrfum meiri
þrekfǫrluðum jarli
(braut, hykk, hann at heldi)
hugraun (flota sínum).
Snara bað segl við húna
Sigvaldi í byr kǫldum;
gnúði hǫrð á hlýrum
hríð; fell byrr í váðir.
 
‘There for the strength-failing jarl it was a trial of courage greater than needed; I think that he directed his fleet away. Sigvaldi bade the sails be quickly hoisted to the mast-tops in the cold wind; the harsh storm roared against the bows; the wind blew on the sails.
Þar lét Vígfúss verða
vegrœkinn Ásláki
— þann era þǫrf at segja
þátt — helfarar veittar.
Þorleifr of vann þjokkva
þrekstœrðum Hávarði
— hart vá hann með kylfu —
hǫggrammr brotit leggi.
 
‘There, glory-cultivating Vígfúss caused the way to Hel to be granted to Áslákr; there is no need to relate that episode. Þorleifr, powerful with blows, broke the thick legs of the outstandingly strong Hávarðr; he fought hard with a club.
Ein drepr fyr mér allri
— andat fólk at sundi
straumr dró út of eyjar —
ítrmanns kona teiti.
Góð ætt of kemr grimmu
— gífrs hesta brá fǫstu
gnýmiklandi geira —
gœðings at mér stríði.
 
‘A certain nobleman’s wife kills all joy for me; the current dragged the dead troop out past the islands to the sound. The good kinswoman of a chieftain brings cruel torment upon me; the increaser of the din of spears [(lit. ‘din-increaser of spears’) BATTLE > WARRIOR] ended the fast of the horses of the troll-woman [WOLVES].
Bað, fyr borð at skyldi,
bǫðsvellandi, allir
— áðr frák vápnum verjask
Vagns lið — Búa þegnar.
Ok hreggboði hjǫrva
hraustr með þungar kistur
— sá var illr af aurum —
ótrauðr á kaf réði.
 
‘The battle-sweller [WARRIOR = Búi] commanded that all Búi’s men should [go] overboard; I have heard that before that Vagn’s troop defended themselves with weapons. And the valiant offerer of the storm of swords [(lit. ‘storm-offerer of swords’) BATTLE > WARRIOR = Búi] plunged unhesitating into the sea with heavy chests; that one was mean with money.
Nam eldbroti Yggjar
ýgr fyr borð at stíga;
út bar hann af húfum
hraustr Goll-Búi kistur.
Ok optliga eptir
óblauðir þar síðan
kneigu lýðir líta
langan orm á hringum.
 
‘The fierce breaker of the flame of Yggr <= Óðinn> [(lit. ‘flame-breaker of Yggr’) SWORD > WARRIOR = Búi] stepped overboard; he, bold Gull-Búi (‘Gold-Búi’), carried out chests from the hull. And often since then dauntless men have been able to see there a long serpent on the rings.
Skeið, frák, valt at verði
Vagn með sína þegna;
ǫll váru þá þeira
þunn skip hroðin ǫnnur.
Upp náðu þar eigi
ǫðlings menn at ganga;
ofan réðu þeir ǫfga
Eireks vini keyra.
 
‘I have heard that Vagn defended the warship continuously with his men; all their other narrow ships were then cleared. The prince’s [Eiríkr jarl’s] men could not board there; they [the Jómsvíkingar] managed to drive back the friends of Eiríkr from above.
Upp stóðu þar eptir
ungra snyrtidrengja
— sveit fylgði vel Vagni
væn — þrír tigir einir.
Alls enga frák aðra
jafnmarga svá burgusk,
áðr létti dyn darra,
drengmenn hugumstranga.
 
‘Thirty fine young warriors alone remained standing there afterwards; the promising troop supported Vagn well. Not at all have I heard of another such number of strong-spirited fighting-men defending themselves thus, before the roar of spears [BATTLE] let up.
Réð með danska dólga
drengr á land at ganga;
roðin frák dǫrr í dreyra;
dauðr lá herr á skeiðum.
Vagn kvað eigi ýtum
undan ráð at skynda;
saman gerðu þeir sitja
sáttir á einni nóttu.
 
‘The warrior went ashore with the Danish enemies; I have heard spears were reddened with blood; the army lay dead on warships. Vagn said it was not a good plan for men to hasten in retreat; they sat together, having made a settlement, for one night.
Þar lét Eirekr ǫndu
átján þegar týna
(heldr frágum þá þverra)
þegna (lið fyr Vagni).
Mæltu hraustar hetjur
— haukligt var þat fíkjum —
— þau hafa þjóðir uppi —
þróttarorð með fyrðum.
 
‘Eiríkr immediately had eighteen retainers lose their lives there; we [I] have heard that the troop then diminished rather for Vagn. Bold heroes spoke forceful words to men; that was extremely hawk-like; people remember them.
Ok með fjǫrnis fálu
fór Þorketill leira,
þá er menbroti mælti
mansǫng of Gná hringa.
Gerðisk hann at hǫggva
hauklyndan son Áka;
Vagn gat heldr at hánum
heiptǫrr vegit fyrri.
 
‘And Þorkell leira (‘Clay’) advanced with the giantess of the helmet [AXE], when the neck-ring-breaker [GENEROUS MAN = Vagn] spoke a love-song about the Gná <goddess> of rings [WOMAN = Ingibjǫrg]. He [Þorkell] made to strike the hawk-tempered son of Áki [= Vagn]; strife-keen Vagn managed instead to slay him first.
‘Vilt,’ kvað hringa hreytir
hyggjugegn at Vagni,
‘élsvellandi, yðvart,
Yggjar, líf of þiggja?’
‘Eigi munk, nema efnak,’
(ungr) ‘þat er heit nam strengja,’
(svá kvað Ullr at jarli
egghríðar) ‘fjǫr þiggja.’
 
‘The thought-steady scatterer of rings [GENEROUS MAN = Eiríkr] said to Vagn, ‘Sweller of the storm of Yggr <= Óðinn> [(lit. ‘storm-sweller of Yggr’) BATTLE > WARRIOR = Vagn], will you accept your life?’ ‘I shall not accept [my] life unless I fulfil the vow that I made’; thus spoke the young Ullr <god> of the blade-storm [BATTLE > WARRIOR = Vagn] to the jarl.
Grið lét ǫrr ok aura
Eirekr gefit stórum
— mjǫk leyfa þat þjóðir —
þegnum tólf með Vagni.
 
‘Generous Eiríkr had a truce and coins given to twelve mighty retainers together with Vagn; people praise that greatly.
Þá gekk Ullr at eiga
ǫrlyndr þrymu randa
(menn fýstu þess) mæta
(margir) Ingibjǫrgu.
 
‘Then the brave Ullr <god> of the thunder of shields [BATTLE > WARRIOR = Vagn] proceeded to marry the splendid Ingibjǫrg; many men encouraged this.
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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.