Hvervetna frák heyja
Harald bardaga stóra;
þeir ruðu bitra branda
bǫðgjarnastir niðjar.
Sjá knáttu þar síðan
siðfornir glym járna;
þótti þeim at efla
þǫrf Véseta arfa.
Frák Harald heyja stóra bardaga hvervetna; þeir bǫðgjarnastir niðjar ruðu bitra branda. Síðan knáttu siðfornir sjá þar glym járna; þótti þeim þǫrf at efla arfa Véseta.
I have heard that Haraldr fought great battles everywhere; those extremely battle-eager kinsmen reddened sharp blades. Then heathens could see there the crash of iron weapons [BATTLE]; it seemed necessary to them to support the heir of Véseti [= Búi].
[6] siðfornir ‘heathens’: Hap. leg.; more literally, ‘custom-old, of the old faith or custom’, designating the Jómsvíkingar fighting with Búi. The Christian faith was called nýr siðr ‘the new custom’ (see Fritzner: siðr 2, and cf. Note to Þloft Tøgdr 1/2).