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skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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ESk Lv 2II

Kari Ellen Gade (ed.) 2009, ‘Einarr Skúlason, Lausavísur 2’ in Kari Ellen Gade (ed.), Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 2: From c. 1035 to c. 1300. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 2. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 569-70.

Einarr SkúlasonLausavísur
123

Erlendr ‘Erlendr’

(not checked:)
Erlendr (noun m.): Erlendr

notes

[1] Erlendr: Erlendr gapamunnr ‘Gaping-mouth’ is otherwise unknown.

Close

hefir ‘has’

(not checked:)
hafa (verb): have

notes

[1] hefir ‘has’: An early occurrence of the disyllabic, 3rd pers. sg. pres. indic. form of the verb hafa ‘have’. The form is secured by the metre here.

Close

undan ‘from’

(not checked:)
undan (adv.): away, away from

Close

allvalds ‘of the mighty ruler’

(not checked:)
allvaldr (noun m.; °-s; -ar): mighty ruler

[2] allvalds gleði haldit: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

gleði ‘the cheer’

(not checked:)
gleði (noun f.): joy

[2] allvalds gleði haldit: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

haldit ‘fled’

(not checked:)
halda (verb): hold, keep

[2] allvalds gleði haldit: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

gramr ‘leader’

(not checked:)
1. gramr (noun m.): ruler

[3] gramr skaltattu gumna: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

skaltattu ‘you must not’

(not checked:)
skulu (verb): shall, should, must

[3] gramr skaltattu gumna: ‘[...]’ Mork;    skaltattu: skallattu H, F, skalattu Hr

notes

[3] skaltattu (2nd pers. sg. pres. indic.) ‘you must not’: Skallattu (so H, F; skalattu Hr) ‘you must not’ has been emended to skaltattu (i.e. skalt-at-þú lit. ‘must-not-you’). The metre requires a long syllable in position 2, and the correct form of the 2nd pers. sg. pres. indic. of the verb skulu ‘must’ is skalt.

Close

gumna ‘of men’

(not checked:)
gumi (noun m.; °-a; gumar/gumnar): man

[3] gramr skaltattu gumna: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

Gapa ‘Gapa’

(not checked:)
2. gapa (verb): gapa < gapamunnr (noun m.)

[4] Gapamunn of: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

munn ‘munnr (‘Gaping-mouth’)’

(not checked:)
munnr (noun m.; °-s, dat. -i; -ar): mouth < gapamunnr (noun m.)

[4] Gapamunn of: ‘[...]’ Mork;    ‑munn: so Hr, F, ‑munnr H

Close

of ‘for’

(not checked:)
2. of (adv.): too, off

[4] Gapamunn of: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

kunna ‘fault’

(not checked:)
kunna (verb): know, can, be able

Close

Hafa ‘have’

(not checked:)
hafa (verb): have

Close

munu ‘must’

(not checked:)
munu (verb): will, must

[5] munu: mun Hr

Close

heiðar ‘of the heath’

(not checked:)
3. heiðr (noun f.; °heiðar, dat./acc heiði; heiðar): heath

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

heiðar ‘of the heath’

(not checked:)
3. heiðr (noun f.; °heiðar, dat./acc heiði; heiðar): heath

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

heiðar ‘of the heath’

(not checked:)
3. heiðr (noun f.; °heiðar, dat./acc heiði; heiðar): heath

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

heiðar ‘of the heath’

(not checked:)
3. heiðr (noun f.; °heiðar, dat./acc heiði; heiðar): heath

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

jǫfra ‘of the chieftains’

(not checked:)
jǫfurr (noun m.): ruler, prince

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

jǫfra ‘of the chieftains’

(not checked:)
jǫfurr (noun m.): ruler, prince

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

jǫfra ‘of the chieftains’

(not checked:)
jǫfurr (noun m.): ruler, prince

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

jǫfra ‘of the chieftains’

(not checked:)
jǫfurr (noun m.): ruler, prince

[5] heiðar jǫfra: ‘heidur a iofrar’ Hr, heiðir jǫfrar Mork, hæðar jǫfra F

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

hlíð ‘of the slope’

(not checked:)
1. hlíð (noun f.; °-ar; -ir): slope < hlíðrœkjandi (noun m.)

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

hlíð ‘of the slope’

(not checked:)
1. hlíð (noun f.; °-ar; -ir): slope < hlíðrœkjandi (noun m.)

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

rœkjanda ‘cultivator’

(not checked:)
rœkjandi (noun m.): carer, cultivator, promoter < hlíðrœkjandi (noun m.)

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

fríðum ‘the handsome’

(not checked:)
fríðr (adj.; °compar. -ari, superl. -astr): beautiful, fair

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN
Close

verðr ‘one must’

(not checked:)
1. verða (verb): become, be

[7] verðr þess fyr gotnum: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

fyr ‘before’

(not checked:)
fyr (prep.): for, over, because of, etc.

[7] verðr þess fyr gotnum: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

gotnum ‘the people’

(not checked:)
gotnar (noun m.): men

[7] verðr þess fyr gotnum: ‘[...]’ Mork

Close

galdrs ‘of the chant’

(not checked:)
galdr (noun m.): chant, incantation

[8] galdrs nauðsynjar valdit: ‘[...]’ Mork;    galdrs: ‘galldus’ Hr

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

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galdrs ‘of the chant’

(not checked:)
galdr (noun m.): chant, incantation

[8] galdrs nauðsynjar valdit: ‘[...]’ Mork;    galdrs: ‘galldus’ Hr

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

Close

galdrs ‘of the chant’

(not checked:)
galdr (noun m.): chant, incantation

[8] galdrs nauðsynjar valdit: ‘[...]’ Mork;    galdrs: ‘galldus’ Hr

kennings

fríðum jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda;
‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’
   = MAN

the chieftains of the heath; → GIANTS
the chant of GIANTS → GOLD
the slope of the GOLD → WOMAN
the handsome cultivator of the WOMAN → MAN

notes

[5-6, 8] jǫfra heiðar galdrs hlíðrœkjanda ‘the cultivator of the slope of the chant of the chieftains of the heath [(lit. ‘slope-cultivator of the chant of the chieftains of the heath’) GIANTS > GOLD > WOMAN > MAN]’: The interpretation of this kenning was suggested by Kock (NN §962). Skj B construes it as follows: rœkjanda galdrs hlíð-jǫfra heiðar ‘the cultivator of the chant of the slope-chieftains of the heath’ i.e. ‘the cultivator of the chant of the giants’ (‘the cultivator of gold’). The problem with that interpretation is that the first element (hlíð- ‘slope-’) of the cpd hlíðrœkjanda ‘slope-cultivator’ must be a determinant for the base-word rœkjanda ‘cultivator’, and it cannot function as a determinant for jǫfra ‘chieftains’. Although Kock’s interpretation is the only possible one, it is not completely satisfactory, because, outside of Krákumál (Anon KrmVIII), men are not represented in kennings as ‘husband’ or ‘beloved’ (see Meissner 351). However, if we assume an agricultural/sexual sense here (see Note to Anon Nkt 8/1, 2), this objection disappears. The kenning ‘chant of the giant’ for ‘gold’ refers to the story about a giant’s wealth being measured in mouthfuls (see SnE 1998, I, 3).

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nauðsynjar ‘Necessities’

(not checked:)
nauðsyn (noun f.): need

[8] galdrs nauðsynjar valdit: ‘[...]’ Mork

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valdit ‘forced’

(not checked:)
valda (verb): cause

[8] galdrs nauðsynjar valdit: ‘[...]’ Mork

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Interactive view: tap on words in the text for notes and glosses

Erlendr gapamunnr falls out of favour with King Sigurðr jórsalafari because he holds the king under water in an attempt to save a man whom Sigurðr is trying drown during a swimming competition. The king asks Einarr Erlendr’s whereabouts.

This episode is also told in Hkr (ÍF 28, 269-70) in a slightly different version and with different characters (an Icelander, Jón, being saved by Sigurðr’s retainer, Sigurðr Sigurðarson). It is one of a series of episodes included in Mork (and Hkr) to document Sigurðr jórsalafari’s growing insanity (see Mork 1928-32, 388-99; ÍF 28, 262, 269). In his old age, Sigurðr suffered increasingly from delusions, and he was aware of his own mental state. According to Mork (1928-32, 397), he uttered the following prophetic statement about the future political situation in Norway: Illa ero þer at staddir Noregs menn at hafa øran konvng ifir yþr. en sva segir mer hvgr vm at þer myndot rꜹþo gulli cꜹpa af stvndo at ec vera helldr konvngr en þeir Haralldr oc M. aɴaʀ er grimr en aɴaʀ vvitr ‘You people of Norway are in a bad way having a mad king ruling you. But my mind tells me that you would soon wish to pay red gold to have me as a king rather than Haraldr and Magnús. One is mean and the other a fool’. — Mork is partly damaged, and H has been chosen as the main ms. The st. must have been composed prior to the death of Sigurðr jórsalafari in 1130.

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