Rv Lv 33III/2 — brynnǫndum ‘waterers’
Hvat munk yðr eða ǫðrum
ulfbrynnǫndum kynna
— heiðs lofak hilmi blíðan
háranns — nema goð sannan?
Hvat munk kynna yðr eða ǫðrum ulfbrynnǫndum nema sannan goð? Lofak blíðan hilmi heiðs háranns.
What will I make known to you and other wolf-waterers [WARRIORS] except the true God? I praise the gracious ruler of the bright high hall [SKY/HEAVEN > = God].
readings
[2] ‑brynnǫndum: ‘‑bryníndum’ W, ‑brynjuðum papp10ˣ, 1494ˣ, 2368ˣ, 743ˣ
notes
[2] ulfbrynnǫndum ‘wolf-waterers [WARRIORS]’: This emendation is adopted from Skj B. Although such a kenning would be unique, there are close parallels in which a wolf-term is compounded with a participial agent noun referring to its feeding, e.g. ulfnistandi ‘wolf-feeder’ (ESk Hardr I 1/6II) and vargseðjandi ‘wolf-sater’ (Anon (Orkn) 1/6II); see also Meissner 346. In this particular case, ‘wolf-waterers’ are warriors quenching the thirst of wolves with blood. Despite the prose context (see Context, above), which suggests that this emendation is correct, LaufE X, faced with the reading ulfbrynjuðum (m. dat. pl.) lit. ‘wolf-armoured ones’, goes on to explain the kenning as hier er madurinn kiendur, ulfbriniadur, so sem væri hann ofan j ulfin komin ‘here the man is said to be “wolf-armoured,” as if he had entered the wolf’ (LaufE 1979, 290). The Y branch (LaufE 1979, 370) only has hier er madur kalladur ulfbryniadur ‘here the man is called “wolf-armoured”’.
kennings
- ǫðrum ulfbrynnǫndum — other wolf-waterers [WARRIORS]
grammar
case: dat.
number: pl.