Alls mundi mér angrs léttara,
ef ek Hálfs konungs hefna mættak,
svá at Ásmundi eggfránum hjör,
bana baugbrjóts, brjóst rauf*aðak.
Mér mundi léttara alls angrs, ef ek mættak hefna Hálfs konungs, svá at rauf*aðak brjóst Ásmundi, bana baugbrjóts, eggfránum hjör.
I would be eased of all grief, if I could avenge King Hálfr, so that I would pierce the breast of Ásmundr, slayer of the ring-breaker [GENEROUS RULER = Hálfr], with a sharp-edged sword.
[7] baugbrjóts: baug spjót 2845
[7] baugbrjóts ‘of the ring-breaker [GENEROUS RULER = Hálfr]’: The element baug- ‘ring’ does not normally occur with terms for ‘spear’; baugbrjótr ‘ring-breaker’ is a common kenning for ‘man’ (see Meissner 330-1) and cf. Hálf 33/7 baugbroti ‘ring-breaker’. This emendation was first suggested by Bugge (Hálf 1864) and has been followed by all subsequent eds.
case: gen.