Hirð lýtr himna dýrðar
hrein Máríu sveini;
môtt viðr mildingr dróttar
— maðrs hann ok goð — sannan.
Hrein hirð dýrðar himna lýtr sveini Máríu; mildingr dróttar viðr sannan môtt; hann [e]s maðr ok goð.
The pure retinue of the glory of the heavens [ANGELS] bows to the son of Mary [= Christ]; the prince of the host [= God (= Christ)] achieves true power; he is man and God.
[1-2] hrein hirð dýrðar himna ‘the pure retinue of the glory of the heavens [ANGELS]’: The phrase dýrðar himna ‘of the glory of the heavens’ is not interpreted as a kenning here, but simply as a periphrasis for heaven, as in Anon Lil 14/2VII, 34/7VII and 68/8VII. Finnur Jónsson (Skj B) links dýrðar with môtt (l. 3), but this produces a strained syntax which also violates the couplet structure repeated from st. 1. Kock (NN §§2112B, 2990K) points out parallels to dýrðar himna ‘of the glory of the heavens’ in Anon LilVII (see above) and draws attention to the angel-kenning drótt dýrðar ‘the company of glory’ in Gamlkan Has 36/1-2VII.
case: nom.