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skaldic

Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Sigv Vestv 5I/7 — ræðr ‘decides’

Knútr hefr okkr inn ítri
alldáðgǫfugr bôðum
hendr, es hilmi fundum,
Húnn, skrautliga búnar.
Þér gaf hann mǫrk eða meira
margvitr ok hjǫr bitran
golls — ræðr gǫrva ǫllu
goð sjalfr — en mér halfa.

Inn ítri Knútr, alldáðgǫfugr, hefr búnar hendr okkr bôðum skrautliga, Húnn, es fundum hilmi. Þér gaf hann margvitr mǫrk eða meira golls ok bitran hjǫr, en mér halfa; goð sjalfr ræðr ǫllu gǫrva.

The excellent Knútr, highly renowned for deeds, has adorned both our arms splendidly, Húnn (‘Bear-Cub’) [Bersi], when we met the ruler. To you he, wise in many ways, gave a mark or more of gold and a sharp sword, and to me half [a mark]; God himself decides everything completely.

readings

[7] ræðr: réð 75a

notes

[7-8] goð sjalfr ræðr ǫllu gǫrva ‘God himself decides everything completely’: It is not clear whether the dominant tone here is of resignation (cf. Hkr 1893-1901, IV) or of hope for better things (ÍF 27; also Hkr 1991). The stanza is probably best read in conjunction with st. 7 as the poet accepting the financial consequences of not becoming a firm supporter of Knútr.

grammar

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