Illt vas, þats ulfa sultar
optþverri stóðk ferri,
mest þars malmar brustu,
mein, þótt smátt sé und einum.
Skiliðr em ek við skylja;
skalmǫld hefr því valdit;
vættik virða dróttins;
vils mest ok dul flestum.
Illt mein vas, þats stóðk ferri optþverri sultar ulfa, þars malmar brustu mest, þótt smátt sé und einum. Skiliðr em ek við skylja; skalmǫld hefr valdit því; vættik dróttins virða; flestum [e]s mest vil ok dul.
It was an evil, harmful thing that I stood far from the frequent diminisher of the famine of wolves [WARRIOR], where metal weapons clashed most, though little may depend on one man. I am separated from the ruler; a sword-age [BATTLE] has caused that; I hope for the lord of men [RULER]; to most it [that hope] is the greatest wilfulness and delusion.