Útan varðk, áðr Jóta
andspilli fekk’k stillis,
— melld sák hús fyr hauldi —
húsdyrr fyrir spyrjask.
En eyrendi óru
ôttungr í sal knátti
Gorms — berk opt á armi
járnstúkur — vel lúka.
Varðk spyrjask fyrir útan húsdyrr, áðr fekk’k andspilli stillis Jóta; sák melld hús fyr hauldi. En ôttungr Gorms knátti lúka eyrendi óru vel í sal; opt berk járnstúkur á armi.
I had to make enquiries from outside the main door before I got an audience with the ruler of the Jótar [DANISH KING = Knútr]; I saw a locked building in front of the man [me]. But the descendant of Gormr [DANISH KING = Knútr] was able to conclude our [my] errand well in the hall; I often wear iron sleeves on my arm.
[8] járn‑: ‘ꜹr’ 61
[8] járnstúkur ‘iron sleeves’: These could be either chain-mail or protective metal plates such as those found at Birka (Graham-Campbell 1980, 68, 75, 252; Stierna 2001, 40-3). The import of this statement is not clear. In ÍF 27 it is taken to indicate Sigvatr’s readiness to fight against Knútr, but it may rather mean that Sigvatr received armour as a gift from Knútr (cf. st. 5).