Þjóð Haustl 17III
Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.) 2017, ‘Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Haustlǫng 17’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 457.
Brátt ‘swiftly’
(not checked:)
bráðr (adj.; °compar. -ari, superl. -astr): quick(ly)
fló ‘flew’
(not checked:)
fljúga (verb): fly
bjarga ‘of the rocks’
(not checked:)
bjarg (noun n.; °-s; *-): mountain, cliff
kennings
gæti bjarga;‘of the guardian of the rocks; ’
= GIANT = Hrungnir
the guardian of the rocks; → GIANT = Hrungnir
gæti ‘of the guardian’
(not checked:)
gætir (noun m.): guardian
kennings
gæti bjarga;‘of the guardian of the rocks; ’
= GIANT = Hrungnir
the guardian of the rocks; → GIANT = Hrungnir
notes
[1] gæti ‘of the guardian’: Translated as if it were gen., but grammatically a poss. dat. after iljar ‘footsoles’.
bǫnd ‘the gods’
(not checked:)
band (noun n.; °-s; *-): band, bond
ollu ‘caused’
(not checked:)
valda (verb): cause
randa ‘of shield-rims’
(not checked:)
rǫnd (noun f.; °dat. -/-u; rendr/randir): shield, shield-rim
kennings
Ímunfǫlr íss randa‘The battle-pale ice of shield-rims ’
= SHIELD
The battle-pale ice of shield-rims → SHIELD
notes
[2-3, 4] ímunfǫlr íss randa ‘the battle-pale ice of shield-rims [SHIELD]’: An unusual shield-kenning, which may refer to the shining, metal parts of the shield-rim and decorations; alternatively, the adj. ímunfǫlr ‘battle-pale’ may allude to a shield’s having lost its bright colours through being battered and slashed in many fights or be associated with the pallor of death (so Marold 1983, 172 n. 417). Kennings with the base-word íss are usually sword-kennings (cf. Meissner 152, 171). Finnur Jónsson (Skj B) separates ímun ‘battle’ from fǫlr ‘pale’, and attaches it to dísir (l. 4), understanding a tmesis, ímun-dísir ‘battle-dísir’, valkyries. There is neither ms. justification for this reading, nor is it necessary on syntactical or lexical grounds.
ímun ‘The battle’
(not checked:)
ímun (noun f.): battle < ímunfǫlr (adj.)
kennings
Ímunfǫlr íss randa‘The battle-pale ice of shield-rims ’
= SHIELD
The battle-pale ice of shield-rims → SHIELD
notes
[2-3, 4] ímunfǫlr íss randa ‘the battle-pale ice of shield-rims [SHIELD]’: An unusual shield-kenning, which may refer to the shining, metal parts of the shield-rim and decorations; alternatively, the adj. ímunfǫlr ‘battle-pale’ may allude to a shield’s having lost its bright colours through being battered and slashed in many fights or be associated with the pallor of death (so Marold 1983, 172 n. 417). Kennings with the base-word íss are usually sword-kennings (cf. Meissner 152, 171). Finnur Jónsson (Skj B) separates ímun ‘battle’ from fǫlr ‘pale’, and attaches it to dísir (l. 4), understanding a tmesis, ímun-dísir ‘battle-dísir’, valkyries. There is neither ms. justification for this reading, nor is it necessary on syntactical or lexical grounds.
fǫlr ‘pale’
(not checked:)
fǫlr (adj.; °fǫlvan): pale < ímunfǫlr (adj.)
kennings
Ímunfǫlr íss randa‘The battle-pale ice of shield-rims ’
= SHIELD
The battle-pale ice of shield-rims → SHIELD
notes
[2-3, 4] ímunfǫlr íss randa ‘the battle-pale ice of shield-rims [SHIELD]’: An unusual shield-kenning, which may refer to the shining, metal parts of the shield-rim and decorations; alternatively, the adj. ímunfǫlr ‘battle-pale’ may allude to a shield’s having lost its bright colours through being battered and slashed in many fights or be associated with the pallor of death (so Marold 1983, 172 n. 417). Kennings with the base-word íss are usually sword-kennings (cf. Meissner 152, 171). Finnur Jónsson (Skj B) separates ímun ‘battle’ from fǫlr ‘pale’, and attaches it to dísir (l. 4), understanding a tmesis, ímun-dísir ‘battle-dísir’, valkyries. There is neither ms. justification for this reading, nor is it necessary on syntactical or lexical grounds.
iljar ‘the footsoles’
(not checked:)
il (noun f.; °; -jar): footsole
íss ‘ice’
(not checked:)
íss (noun m.; °íss; dat. ísi/ís; ísar): ice
kennings
Ímunfǫlr íss randa‘The battle-pale ice of shield-rims ’
= SHIELD
The battle-pale ice of shield-rims → SHIELD
notes
[2-3, 4] ímunfǫlr íss randa ‘the battle-pale ice of shield-rims [SHIELD]’: An unusual shield-kenning, which may refer to the shining, metal parts of the shield-rim and decorations; alternatively, the adj. ímunfǫlr ‘battle-pale’ may allude to a shield’s having lost its bright colours through being battered and slashed in many fights or be associated with the pallor of death (so Marold 1983, 172 n. 417). Kennings with the base-word íss are usually sword-kennings (cf. Meissner 152, 171). Finnur Jónsson (Skj B) separates ímun ‘battle’ from fǫlr ‘pale’, and attaches it to dísir (l. 4), understanding a tmesis, ímun-dísir ‘battle-dísir’, valkyries. There is neither ms. justification for this reading, nor is it necessary on syntactical or lexical grounds.
vildu ‘wanted’
(not checked:)
vilja (verb): want, intend
svá ‘so’
(not checked:)
svá (adv.): so, thus
dísir ‘dísir’
(not checked:)
dís (noun f.; °; -ir): dís, woman
hǫggs ‘blow’
(not checked:)
hǫgg (noun n.; °-s, dat. hǫggvi/hǫggi; -): blow
frá ‘from’
(not checked:)
frá (prep.): from
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
hǫrðum ‘the hard’
(not checked:)
harðr (adj.; °comp. -ari; superl. -astr): hard, harsh
[5] hǫrðum: hǫrðu all
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
hraun ‘The rock’
(not checked:)
hraun (noun n.; °; -): lava field < hraundrengr (noun m.)
kennings
Hraundrengr‘The rock-gentleman ’
= GIANT = Hrungnir
The rock-gentleman → GIANT = Hrungnir
drengr ‘gentleman’
(not checked:)
drengr (noun m.; °-s, dat. -; -ir, gen. -ja): man, warrior < hraundrengr (noun m.)
[6] ‑drengr: so all others, ‑drengs R
kennings
Hraundrengr‘The rock-gentleman ’
= GIANT = Hrungnir
The rock-gentleman → GIANT = Hrungnir
þaðan ‘after that’
(not checked:)
þaðan (adv.): from there
lengi ‘long’
(not checked:)
lengi (adv.): for a long time
trjónu ‘of the muzzle’
(not checked:)
trjóna (noun f.; °-u; dat. -um): snout, muzzle
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
trjónu ‘of the muzzle’
(not checked:)
trjóna (noun f.; °-u; dat. -um): snout, muzzle
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
trolls ‘of the troll’
(not checked:)
troll (noun n.; °-s; -): troll
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
trolls ‘of the troll’
(not checked:)
troll (noun n.; °-s; -): troll
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
of ‘’
(not checked:)
4. of (particle): (before verb)
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
rúna ‘friend’
(not checked:)
rúni (noun m.; °; -ar): confidant
kennings
hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu.‘the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle.’
= Þórr
the troll of the muzzle. → Mjǫllnir
the hard friend of MJǪLLNIR → Þórr
notes
[5, 7] frá hǫrðum of rúna trolls trjónu ‘from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr]’: The difficulty here comes in identifying the precise nature (kenning-type, meaning) of the kenning for Þórr’s hammer, Mjǫllnir. There is no difficulty in identifying Þórr as the ‘hard friend’ or confidant of the hammer, conceived of as a living, though monstrous being, since he and it are almost inseparable in Old Norse myth (see Note to st. 16/1 on of rúni). Trolls trjónu (l. 7) is another matter, however, though the context of the narrative makes it clear that this phrase must be a kenning for Mjǫllnir. As a kenning base-word, troll ‘troll, monster’ is uncommon, although Þjsk Lv 2/8V (Svarfd 6) provides a parallel in troll fetils ‘troll of the [sword-]strap [SWORD]’, the determinant being a part of the accoutrements of a sword. On this pattern, trjóna should be a part of a hammer. The noun means ‘muzzle, snout (of an animal)’, so, by metaphorical transfer, it must refer to a part of a Þórr’s hammer which can be thought of as its mouth or muzzle. Viking-Age amulets which represent Þórr’s hammer show an object with short, equal arms and a central ‘head’, which may well be the ‘muzzle’ in question (see Figures 24-7 in Perkins 2001, 120-1).
tíðr ‘desirous’
(not checked:)
2. tíðr (adj.; °compar. tíðari, superl. tíðastr): popular
fjǫl ‘for a much’
(not checked:)
fjǫl- ((prefix)): very- < fjǫllami (adj.)
[8] fjǫllama: ‘fiǫll lama’ W
lama ‘battering’
(not checked:)
lami (adj.; °indecl.): [battering] < fjǫllami (adj.)
[8] fjǫllama: ‘fiǫll lama’ W
at ‘of’
(not checked:)
5. at (nota): to (with infinitive)
bíða ‘waiting’
(not checked:)
bíða (verb; °bíðr; beið, biðu; beðit): wait, suffer, experience
[8] bíða: biðja Tˣ
Interactive view: tap on words in the text for notes and glosses
|
Brátt fló bjarga gæti |
The battle-pale ice of shield-rims [SHIELD] flew swiftly beneath the footsoles of the guardian of the rocks [GIANT = Hrungnir]; the gods caused that; the dísir <minor female deities> wanted [it] so. The rock-gentleman [GIANT = Hrungnir] was not desirous of waiting long after that for a much-battering blow from the hard friend of the troll of the muzzle [= Mjǫllnir > = Þórr].
As for st. 14.
Unlike the prose narrative in Skm (see Context of st. 14), which provides a semi-rational explanation for Hrungnir’s standing on his shield, there is no reference to Þjálfi’s role in persuading Hrungnir to place the shield beneath his footsoles. Instead the shield seems to fly there of its own accord, and Þjóðólfr makes it clear by means of two independent intercalaries that the gods (bǫnd, l. 2) and goddesses (dísir, l. 4) caused this bizarre event to happen. — [5-8]: There has been considerable debate among commentators about the syntax and identity of the kennings in this helmingr. One emendation, adopted by all eds, has been made for grammatical reasons, hǫrðum ‘hard’ (l. 5), to provide a m. dat. sg. adj. with of rúna ‘friend’ (l. 7), rather than the mss’ hǫrðu. Some eds (e.g. Skj B; SnE 1998) also emend all mss’ tíðr (l. 8) to tíðs ‘swift’ and construe it with hǫggs ‘blow’ (gen. after bíða ‘wait for’, l. 8). Here tíðr has been retained and taken as a m. nom. sg. adj. used predicatively with hraundrengr ‘rock-gentleman’ (l. 6), as suggested by Marold (1983, 173). The statement that the ‘rock-gentleman’ was not desirous of waiting long after that for Þórr’s coup de grace is nicely ironic. Another word that is difficult to place syntactically is fjǫllama (l. 8) and it is also difficult to ascertain this hap. leg. word’s lexical meaning. It is understood here as a cpd adj., meaning ‘much-battering’, qualifying hǫggs ‘blow’. Another view (cf. LP: fjǫrlami) is that the first element is fjǫr ‘life’, not fjǫl- ‘much’, and that the adj. means ‘life-crushing’. Skj B takes it with the kenning for Mjǫllnir, trolls trjónu fjǫllama, and glosses the whole phrase as den knusende hammer ‘the crushing hammer’. Other scholars (e.g. Wisén 1886-9, I, 11) have considered it a noun, meaning ‘life-laming’. The second element of the cpd, ‑lama, is strongly reminiscent of other descriptions of the crushing power of the mighty blows from Mjǫllnir directed at giants, in which the verb lemja ‘hit, batter, beat up’ is frequently used; cf. Vetrl Lv 1/2.
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