Ólhv Hryn 12II/4 — drengskap ‘bravery’
Aldri bǫrðusk afli stœrðir
(ógnsveipanda) blóðgum greipum
(hirð sótti þar hvǫss at garði)
harrar tveir af drengskap meira.
Undan reið, sás fremstr vas fundinn,
fyrða gramr, at jǫfnum byrðum;
Sverris ætt fekk sigr at réttu;
svá vildi guð framiðr mildi.
Aldri bǫrðusk tveir harrar, blóðgum greipum, stœrðir afli, af meira drengskap; hvǫss hirð ógnsveipanda sótti þar at garði. Gramr fyrða, sás vas fundinn fremstr at jǫfnum byrðum, reið undan; ætt Sverris fekk sigr at réttu; guð, framiðr mildi, vildi svá.
Never have two lords, with bloody hands, empowered with strength, fought with more bravery; the fierce retinue of the terror-spreader [WARRIOR = Hákon] attacked there at the churchyard. The leader of the people [RULER = Skúli], who was found to be foremost among those of equal birth, rode away; Sverrir’s descendant [= Hákon] rightly won victory; God, excellent in mercy, willed it so.
notes
[4] drengskap ‘bravery’: It is difficult to capture the full sense of drengskapr in translation. The word connotes uprightness, nobility, and bravery, and was central to the expression of courtly behaviour in the C13-14th. Its use in poetry, however, is restricted to the present st. and Anon Heil 20/2VII. Here and throughout the poem, Óláfr is careful not to impugn the actions of either of the rivals for the throne. Rather, he praises both contenders and emphasises the courage and uprightness of both with the word drengskapr.