Bragi Rdr 8III/5 — hringa ‘of rings’
Ok ofþerris æða
ósk-Rôn at þat sínum
til fárhuga fœra
feðr veðr boga hugði,
þás hristi-Sif hringa
hals- in bǫls of fyllda
bar til byrjar drǫsla
-baug ørlygis draugi.
Ok ósk-Rôn ofþerris æða hugði fœra veðr boga til fárhuga feðr sínum at þat, þás hristi-Sif hringa, in bǫls of fyllda, bar halsbaug draugi ørlygis til drǫsla byrjar.
And the desiring-Rán <goddess> of the excessive drying of veins [VALKYRIE = Hildr] planned to bring the storm of bows [BATTLE] with hostile intentions against her father after that, when the shaking-Sif <goddess> of rings [VALKYRIE = Hildr], the one filled with malice, carried a neck-ring for the tree-trunk of battle [WARRIOR = Hǫgni] to the steeds of the fair wind [SHIPS].
notes
[5] hristi-Sif hringa ‘the shaking-Sif <goddess> of rings [VALKYRIE = Hildr]’: The connotations of this kenning are complex. The rings in question could be ring-hilts on swords, or rings, whether neck-rings or arm-rings, as items of ornament, or both, as Marold (1983, 104) suggested. It is possible (see Note to st. 9/1) that there is a specific reference to the neck-ring that Hildr offers her father as atonement on Heðinn’s behalf. Bragi’s choice of the goddess-name Sif, wife of Þórr, which has the sense ‘kinship, affinity’ as a common noun, may be ironic here, for Hildr is concerned to break the ties of kinship.
kennings
- hristi-Sif hringa, — the shaking-Sif <goddess> of rings, [VALKYRIE = Hildr]