Heiðinn vildi herr of síðir
hǫmlu vígs ór porti gǫmlu;
urðu þeir, es virki vǫrðu
vangi næst, á hǫnd at ganga.
Heiðinn herr hǫmlu vígs vildi of síðir ór gǫmlu porti; þeir, es vǫrðu virki næst vangi, urðu at ganga á hǫnd.
The heathen host of the staff of battle [SPEAR] wished [to escape] at last from the old stronghold; those who defended the fort nearest the plain had to submit.
[1] Heiðinn: heiðnum 180b
[1, 2] heiðinn herr hǫmlu vígs ‘the heathen host of the staff of battle [SPEAR]’: I.e., a troop armed with spears. So Skald, ÍF 35. For an alternative interpretation, see Note to l. 4 below.