Virði engi þat vitlausu,
þótt hann hoddskǫtum heiti gæfi
viðar eða vatna eða veðrs mikils
eða alls konar orma eða dýra.
Táknar eðli talðrar skepnu
spjǫrráðanda spjǫll eða kosti.
Virði engi þat vitlausu, þótt hann gæfi hoddskǫtum heiti viðar eða vatna eða veðrs mikils eða alls konar orma eða dýra. Eðli talðrar skepnu táknar spjǫll eða kosti spjǫrráðanda.
Let nobody think it nonsense if he gives treasure-chieftains [RULERS] the name of a wood or lakes or a great storm or all kinds of serpents or beasts. The nature of the creature described signifies the flaws or strengths of the wielders of the spear [WARRIORS].
[5] viðar ‘of a wood’: Conceivably the gen. pl. viða ‘of woods/trees’ should be read here, for better match with vatna and because Merl refers to a variety of trees, e.g. oaks and linden‑trees; Bret 1848-9 has ‘tree’ and Skj B, followed by Merl 2012, has ‘trees’, but without emendation. Gunnlaugr may also be referring to woods or forests collectively, with e.g. viðr inn danski ‘Danish wood’ (II 15/6) in mind.