Skyldr at skemmta þykkik skǫtnum vesa,
þeims vilja nýtt mál nema.
Forn frœði lætk framm of borin,
ef þér vilið heyrt hafa.
Þykkik vesa skyldr at skemmta skǫtnum, þeims vilja nema nýtt mál. Lætk forn frœði of borin framm, ef þér vilið hafa heyrt.
I feel I am obliged to entertain men who wish to learn useful sayings. I shall let ancient wisdom be declaimed, if you want to listen.
[4] frœði: kvæði R683ˣ
[4] forn frœði ‘ancient wisdom’: The R683ˣ variant, forn kvæði ‘ancient poems’, is possible but appears to be a lectio facilior. See also Anon Mhkv 1/5 Fœra ætlum forn orð saman ‘I intend to bring old sayings together’.