Eigi varð ins œgja
auðligr konungs dauði;
hlífðut hlenna sœfi
hoddum reknir broddar.
Heldr køru meir ins milda
mildings an grið vildi
of folksnaran fylki
falla liðsmenn allir.
Dauði ins œgja konungs varð eigi auðligr; broddar reknir hoddum hlífðut sœfi hlenna. Allir liðsmenn ins milda mildings køru meir heldr falla of folksnaran fylki an vildi grið.
The death of the fearsome king was not unadorned; spear-points inlaid with gold did not protect the slayer of robbers [JUST RULER]. All the liegemen of the gracious prince chose much rather to fall beside the battle-swift commander than wishing quarter.
[3] hlífðut: hlíf þótt F, hlífðu H
[3] hlífðut ‘did not protect’: (a) The meaning of oddar hlífðut sœfi hlenna could be straightforwardly, ‘the [Norwegians’] spear-points did not protect the slayer of robbers [Haraldr]’, i.e. the row of spears afforded no defence. (b) On the other hand, hlífðut could well be an ironic understatement: ‘the [enemy] points did not spare him’—indeed, they were the death of him.