Skylda ek Víkar í viði hávum,
Geirþjófs bana, goðum um signa.
Lagða ek geiri gram til hjarta;
þat er mér hermast handaverka.
Ek skylda um signa Víkar, bana Geirþjófs, goðum í hávum viði. Ek lagða geiri til hjarta gram; þat er mér hermast handaverka.
I was obliged to dedicate Víkarr, the slayer of Geirþjófr, to the gods on the high tree. I thrust with the spear to the ruler’s heart; that is for me the most regrettable of the deeds of my hands.
[3] bana Geirþjófs ‘the slayer of Geirþjófr’: Geirþjófr was one of three brothers, mentioned earlier in Gautr, with whom Víkarr fought for dominance over disputed territory. Geirþjófr is said to have been king of Opplandene; cf. Gautr 25/5-8.