Magnús varð (at morði)
málsnjallr í bǫð falla
(réð fyr ræsis dauða
ríkr þjóðkonungr slíkum).
Meir rak þik til þeira,
þreksterkr konungr, verka
— flagðs hest hafið flestan
fylldan — nauðr, an skyldi.
Málsnjallr Magnús varð falla í bǫð; ríkr þjóðkonungr réð fyr slíkum dauða ræsis at morði. Þreksterkr konungr, meir nauðr, an skyldi, rak þik til þeira verka; hafið fylldan flestan hest flagðs.
Eloquent Magnús had to fall in battle; the powerful, mighty king caused such a death of the ruler during the onslaught. Courage-strong king, a greater need than should have been [necessary] forced you into those deeds; you have sated many a horse of the troll-woman [WOLF].
[5, 8] meir nauðr, an skyldi ‘a greater need than should have been [necessary]’: This statement is somewhat obscure, but must refer to the fact that the counsellors of Haraldr’s sons were forced to resort to excessive measures to stop the rampage of Sigurðr slembir and Magnús in 1139. Hkr (ÍF 28, 314-15) and Mork (1928-32, 429-30) describe in detail the deliberations which took place prior to the campaign that culminated in the battle of Holmengrå.