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skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Sturl Hrafn 15II/4 — inga ‘of the king’

Mætti margfréttinn
miklum framstiklir
auðar óþjóða
inga gjörningum.
Leysti lábrostinn
lögr in skautfögru
flaust ór frónlæstum
festum bauglestis.

Margfréttinn framstiklir auðar mætti miklum gjörningum inga óþjóða. Lábrostinn lögr leysti in skautfögru flaust bauglestis ór frónlæstum festum.

The very inquisitive dispenser of wealth [GENEROUS MAN] encountered the mighty sorceries of the king of evildoers [Alexander]. The wave-bursting sea loosened the sail-fair ships of the ring-wounder [GENEROUS MAN] from the land-secured moorings.

notes

[2, 3-4] miklum gjörningum inga óþjóða ‘the mighty sorceries of the king of evildoers [= Alexander]’: This can hardly be construed differently. Skj B has megen trolddom fra røverfolkets fyrste ‘much sorcery from the prince of robbers’. Most likely Sturla is making an allusion to the famous battle of Hjǫrungavágr between the Norw. Hákon jarl and the Dan. Jómsvíkingar. During that battle, Hákon sacrificed to pagan deities who caused a terrible hailstorm that brought Hákon victory (see ÓT 1958-2000, I, 190-3; Bjbp Jóms 30, 32I). Ingi is a pers. n. but it can also be used as a heiti for ‘king’ (see LP: ingi). See also Anon (HSig) 3/6.

grammar

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