Hilmir réð á heiði
hjaldrskíðs þrimu galdra
óðr við œskimeiða
ey vébrautar heyja,
áðr gnapsólar Gripnis
gnýstœrandi fœri
rausnarsamr til rimmu
ríðviggs lagar skíðum.
Hilmir réð heyja þrimu hjaldrskíðs á heiði, ey óðr við œskimeiða galdra vébrautar, áðr rausnarsamr Gripnis ríðviggs gnapsólar gnýstœrandi fœri skíðum lagar til rimmu.
The ruler commanded that the noise of the battle-plank [SWORD > BATTLE] be launched on the heath, ever furious at the wishing trees of the incantations of the standard-road [BATTLEFIELD > BATTLE > WARRIORS], before the magnificent increaser of the noise of the jutting sun of the riding horse of Gripnir <sea-king> [(lit. ‘noise-increaser of the jutting sun of the riding horse of Gripnir’) SHIP > SHIELD > BATTLE > WARRIOR] sailed into battle with the skis of the sea [SHIPS].
[4] ‑brautar: ‑brotar F
[4] vébrautar ‘of the standard-road [BATTLEFIELD]’: This kenning has been interpreted in various ways. (a) In this edn (following Kock NN §228) it is understood as a kenning for ‘battlefield’, since, although unparalleled, this provides the least problematic solution. On the meaning of vé, here ‘standard’, cf. LP: vé 2 and st. 2/8 below. Other interpretations are as follows. (b) In LP: vébraut Finnur Jónsson translates the cpd as stærk værnende vej(?) ‘strong, protecting path (?)’, cf. also Finnur Jónsson (1884, 66-8; Hkr 1893-1901, IV; Skj B); Eggert Ó. Brím (ÓT 1892, 345). (c) Fidjestøl (1982, 74-6) understands it as a base-word of a shield-kenning ‘path of the sword’; cf. also (less convincingly) Holtsmark (1927, 13-20). (d) For further suggestions see Reichardt (1928, 25-6) and Mohr (1933, 11).
case: gen.