Ǫðlingr drap sér ungum
ungr naglfara á tungu
innanborðs ok orða
aflgerð meðalkafla.
Ungr ǫðlingr drap sér ungum innanborðs á aflgerð tungu naglfara ok orða meðalkafla.
The young ruler launched himself on board ship while young on the powerful activity of the language of the nail-studded one <sword> [BATTLE] and the words of the sword-hilt [BATTLE].
[2] naglfara ‘of the nail-studded one <sword>’: Understood here as a heiti for ‘sword’ (see Þul Sverða 8/4 and Note) which forms the determinant of a kenning for ‘battle’. The cpd also occurs in Bragi Rdr 5/3 (see Note to ll. 3-4 there). See also ÞjóðA Frag 3/3-4II slíðrdúkaðar siglur samnagla ‘sheath-covered masts of the rivet [SWORDS]’.