The Complete

Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda

Legendary Sagas of the Northland

in English Translation

Hervarar Saga og Heiðreks

The Saga of Hervör and Heithrek

Svá er sagt, at í fyrndinni var kallat Jötunheimar norðr í Finnmörk, en Ymisland fyri sunnan ok millim Hálogalands; þar bygðu þá risar víða, en sumir voru hálfrisar; var þá mikit sambland þjóðanna, þvíat risar fengu kvenna af Ymislandi.

Guðmundr hét konúngr í Jötunheimum; hann var blótmaðr mikill; bær hans hét á Grund, en héraðit á Glasisvöllum; hann var vitr ok ríkr; hann ok menn hans lifðu marga mannsaldra, ok því trúa menn, at í hans ríki sé Ódáins-akr, en hverr, er þar kemr, hverfr af sótt ok elli, ok má eigi deyja.

Eptir dauða Guðmundar blótuðu menn hann, ok kölluðu hann goð sitt; hans sun hét Höfundr; hann var bæði forspárr ok spakr at viti, ok var dómandi allra mála yfir þeim ríkjum, er þar voru í nánd; hann dæmdi aldri rángan dóm, ok engi þorði at rjúfa hans dóma.  

Maðr hét Hergnírr, hann var risi ok bergbúi; hann nam af Ymislandi. Ámu Ymisdóttur, ok fekk síðan; þeirra sun var Hergrímr hálftröll; hann nam af Jötunheimum Ögu Álfasprengi, ok fekk síðan; Grímr hét sun þeirra. Hana hafði fest Starkaðr Áludrengr; hann hafði 8 hendr; hann var farinn norðr um Elivága, ok var hún þá brott tekin; en er hann kom heim, þá drap hann Hergrím á hólmgaungu. Ögn lagði sik sverði ígegnum, ok vildi eigi giptast Starkaði. Eptir þat nam Starkaðr Álfhildi, dóttur Álfs konúngs ór Álfheimum, en Þórr drap Starkað.

Fór þá Álfhildr til frænda sinna, ok var Grímr með henni, þartil er hann fór í hernað, ok varð enn mesti hermaðr; hann fekk Bauggerðar, dóttur Stakaðs Áludrengs; hann fekk sér búsað í ey þeirri á Hálogalandi, er Bólm heitir; hann var kallaðr Ey-Grímr Bólmr. Sun þeirra Bauggerðar hét Arngrímr berserkr, er síðan bjó í Bólm, ok var enn ágætasti maðr.

Here begins the Saga of King Heithrek the Wise.

I. It is said that in the days of old the northern part of Finnmark was called Jötunheimar, and that there was a country called Ymisland to the south between it and Halogaland. These lands were then the home of many giants and half-giants; for there was a great intermixture of races at that time, because the giants took wives from among the people of Ymisland.

There was a king in Jötunheimar called Guthmund. He was a mighty man among the heathen. He dwelt at a place called Grund in the region of Glasisvellir. He was wise and mighty. He and his men lived for many generations, and so heathen men believed that the fields of immortality lay in his realm; and whoever went there cast off sickness or old age and became immortal.

After Guthmund's death, people worshipped him and called him their god. His son's name was Höfund. He had second sight and was wise of understanding, and was judge of all suits throughout the neighbouring kingdoms. He never gave an unjust judgment, and no-one dared violate his decision.

There was a man called Hergrim who was a giant dwelling in the rocks. He carried off from Ymisland Ama the daughter of Ymir, and afterwards married her. Their son Thorgrim Halftroll took fromötunheimar Ögn Alfasprengi, and afterwards married her. Their son was called Grim. She had been betrothed to Starkath Aludreng, who had eight hands; but she was carried off while he was away to the north of Elivagar. When he came home he slew Hergrim in single combat; but Ögn ran herself through with a sword rather than marry Starkath. After that Starkath carried off Alfhild the daughter of King Alf from Alfheimar, but he was afterwards slain by Thor.

Then Alfhild went to her kinsfolk, and Grim was with her there till he went raiding and became a great warrior. He married Bauggerth the daughter of Starkath Aludreng and set up his dwelling on an island off Halogaland called Bolm. He was called Ey-grim Bolm. His son by Bauggerth was called Arngrim the Berserk, who afterwards lived in Bolm and was a very famous man.

Konúngr hét Sigrlami; svá er sagt, at hann væri sun Óðins; hans sun hét Svafrlami; hann tók ríki eptir föðr sinn; hann var enn mesti hermaðr. Ok einn dag, er konúngr reið á veiðar, ok hann varðeinn sinna manna, sá hann einn stein mikinn við sólsetr, ok þar hjá dverga tvá; konúngr vígði þá utan steins með málasaxi; þeir beiddu fjörlausnar.

Konúngr mælti: Hvat heiti þér?

Annar nefndist Dvalinn, en annar Dulinn.

Konúngr mælti: Af því at þið eruð allra dverga hagastir, þá skulu þið gera mér sverð, sem bezt kunni þið; hjöltin ok meðalkaflinn skal vera af gulli; þat skal svá bíta járn, sem klæði, ok aldri ryðr á festast; því skal fylgja sigr í orrustum ok einvígjum, hverjum er berr;

þetta játta þeir. Konúngr ríðr heim.

En er stefnudagr kemr, þá ríðr konúngr til steinsins ; eru þá dvergar úti, ok fengu konúngi sverðit, ok var ið fríðasta.

En er Dvalinn stóð í steindurum, þá mælti hann;

sverð þitt, Svafrlami; verðr manns bani hvert sinn, er brugðit er, ok með því skulu unnin vera 3 níðingsverk, þat skal ok vera þinn bani.

Þá hjó konúngr sverðinu til dverganna, lupu þeir í steininn; höggit kom ok í steininn, ok fal báða eggsteina, þvíat dyrnar lukust aptr á steininn. Konúngr kallaði sverðit Tyrfing, ok barr hann jamnan síðan í orrustum ok einvígjum, ok hafði jamnan sigr.

Konúngr átti dóttur, er hét Eyfura, hún var kvenna vænst ok vitrust.

Arngrímr var þá í víking í austrveg um Bjarmland.; hann herjaði í ríki Sigrlama konúngs, ok átti orrustu við hann, ok áttust þeir vápnaskipti við, ok hjó konúngr til hans; Arngrímr kom fyri sik skildinum, ok tók af skjaldarsporðinn, ok nam sverðit í jörðu staðar. Þá hjó Arngrímr af konúngi höndina, ok féll þá niðr Tyrfingr; Arngrímr þreif sverðit Tyrfing, ok hjó með konúnginn fyrst, ok síðan marga aðra; tók hann herfáng mikit, ok flutti brott með sér Eyfuru, konúngsdóttur, ok flutti hann hana heim til bús síns í Bólm;

Hann átti með henni tólf syni: Angantýr var elds, þá Hervaðr, þá Hjörvarðr, Sæmingr ok Rani, Brami, Barri, Reifnir, Tindr ok Búi, ok tvá Haddingjar, ok unnu þeir báðir eins verk, þvíat þeir voru tvíburar ok yngstir; en Angantýr vann tveggja verk, hann var ok höfði hærri, enn aðrir menn; allir voru þeir berserkir, ok umfram aðra menn at afli ok áræði; en þóat þeir færi færi í hernað, þá voru þeir aldri fleiri á skipi, enn tólf bræðr. Þeir fóru víða um lönd at herja, ok voru mjök sigrsælir, ok urðu inir frægustu. Angantýr hafði Tyrfing, en Sæmingr Mistiltein, Hervarðr Brota, en þat var siðvenja þeirra, þá er þeir voru með sínum mönnum einum, at þá er þeir fundu, at berserksgángr kom at þeim, fóru þeir á land upp, ok brutust við skóga, eða stóra steina, þvíat þeim hafði þat orðit, at þeir höfðu drepit menn sína, ok roðit skip sín; stórar sagur fóru af þeim ok mikil frægð.

      II. There was a King called Sigrlami who was said to be a son of Othin. His son Svafrlami succeeded to the kingdom after his father and was a very great warrior. One day as the King rode a-hunting he got separated from his men, and at sunset he came upon a big stone and two dwarfs beside it. The King banned them with his graven sword from entering the stone. The dwarfs begged him to spare their lives.

The King said: "What are your names?"

One of them said his name was Dvalin and the other Dulin.

The King said: "As you are the most cunning of all dwarfs you must make me a sword, the best you can. The hilt and the grip must be of gold, and it must cut iron as easily as if it were cloth and never rust; and it must bring victory to whoever uses it in battle and single combat."

They agreed to this, and the King rode away home.

And when the appointed day came, the King rode to the stone. The dwarfs were outside, and they handed to the King a sword which was very beautiful.

But as Dvalin was standing in the doorway of the stone he said:

"Your sword, Svafrlami, will be the death of a man every time it is drawn; and moreover it will be the instrument of three pieces of villainy; and to you yourself also it shall bring death."

Then the King struck at the dwarfs with the sword. But they sprang into the stone, and the sword came down on it—sinking so deep that both the ridges of the blade were hidden; for the door into the stone closed as they disappeared. The King called the sword 'Tyrfing,' and ever afterwards he carried it in battle and single combat, and was always victorious.

The King had a daughter who was called Eyfura, an exceedingly beautiful and clever girl.

At that time Arngrim was raiding among the Perms in the Baltic. He raided the Kingdom of King Svafrlami and fought against him. They met face to face, and King Svafrlami struck at Arngrim who parried the blow with his shield; but the lower part of the shield was cut away and the sword plunged into the earth. Then Arngrim struck off the King's hand, so that he had to let Tyrfing fall. Arngrim caught up Tyrfing and cut down first the King, and then many others. He took great booty there, and carried off Eyfura, the King's daughter and took her to his home in Bolm.

By her he had twelve sons. The eldest was Angantyr, then Hervarth, then Hjörvarth, Sæming and Hrani, Brami, Barri, Reifnir, Tind and Bui, and the two Haddings who only did one man's work between them, because they were twins and the youngest of the family; whereas Angantyr, who was a head taller than other men, did the work of two. They were all berserks, and were unequalled in strength and courage. Even when they went marauding there were never more than just the twelve brothers on one ship. They raided far and wide in many lands, and had much success and won great renown. Angantyr had Tyrfing, and Sæming Mistletoe, Hervarth had Hrotti, and each of the others possessed a sword famous in single combat. And it was their custom when they had only their own men with them, to land when they felt the berserks' fury coming upon them, and wrestle with trees or great rocks; for they had been known to slay their own men and disable their ship. Great tales were told about them and they became very famous.

      III. One Yule Eve at Bolm, Angantyr made a vow over the pledge cup, as the custom then was, that he would wed Ingibjörg the daughter of King Yngvi of Upsala—the cleverest and most beautiful maiden in all the Northlands—or perish in the attempt and marry no-one else. No more of their vows are recorded.

Tyrfing had this characteristic, that whenever it was unsheathed it shone like a sunbeam, even in the dark, and could only be sheathed with human blood still warm upon it. Never did he whose blood was shed by Tyrfing live to see another day. It is very famous in all stories of the olden days.

Next summer the brothers went to Upsala in Sweden, and when they had entered the hall, Angantyr told the King his vow and that he intended to wed his daughter.

Everybody in the hall listened. Angantyr asked the King to declare what was to be the result of their errand, whereupon Hjalmar the stout-hearted rose from the table, and addressed the King:

"Call to mind, Sire, how much honour I have won for you since I came into your kingdom, and how many times I have risked my life for you. In return for these my services I beg that you will give me your daughter in marriage. And moreover I consider myself more deserving a favourable answer than these berserks, who do harm to everyone."

The King pondered over the matter, and found it difficult to decide the question in such a way as to give rise to as little trouble as possible; and he answered at last:

"My wish is that Ingibjörg should choose for herself the husband she prefers."

She replied: "If you want to marry me to anyone, then I would rather have a man whose good qualities I know already than one of whom I have only known by hearsay, and nothing but evil at that."

Angantyr said: "I will not bandy words with you; for I can see that you love Hjalmar. But as for you, Hjalmar, come south to Samsø and meet me in single combat. If you do not appear next midsummer you will be a coward in the eyes of all men."

Hjalmar said that he would not fail to come and fight, and the sons of Arngrim went home to their

Nú er þat til at taka, at dóttir Bjarmars jarls fæddi meybarn, ok þótti flestum ráð, at út væri borit, ok sögðu, at eigi mundi konu skap hafa, ef föður-frændum yrði líkt; jarl lét ausa vatni ok uppfæða, ok kallaði Hervöru, ok sagði, at eigi var þá aldauða ætt Arngríms suna, ef hún lifði.

En er hún vóx upp, þá var hún fögr; hún tamdi sik við skot ok skjöld ok sverð; hún var mikil ok sterk; ok þegar hún mátti nokkut, gerði hún hvárki illt, enn gott; ok er henni var þat meinat, þá hljóp hún útá skóga, ok drap menn til fjár sér; en er jarl varð þess varr, þá lét hann taka hana, ok færa heim, ok var hún þá heima um stund.

Hún kemr at jarli einn dag, ok mælti: Brott vil ek héðan, þvíat ekki fæ ek hér yndi. Litlu síðarr hvarf hún einsaman með karlmanns búnaði ok vápnum, ok fór til víkinga, ok var með þeim um stund, ok nefndist Hjörvarðr; ok litlu síðarr dó höfðingi víkinga, ok tók þá Hervarðr forræði liðsins.

Ok eitt sinn, er þeir komu til Sámseyjar, gekk Hjörvarðr á land, ok vildi engi hans manna fylgja honum, þvíat þeir sögðu þar engum manni duga um nætr útí at vera. Hjörvarðr kvað vera mikla févon í haugunum, ok fór á land, ok gekk uppá eyna nær sólarglaðan. Þeir lágu í Munarvági; þar hitti hún hjarðsvein einn, ok spurði hann tíðenda;

Hann segir: Er þér ókunnigt hér í eyjunni, ok gakk heim með mér, þvíat hér dugir engum manni úti at vera eptir sólsetr, ok vil ek skjótt heim.

Hervarðr svarar: Seg mér, hvar Hjörvarðs haugar heita.

Sveinninn svarar: Vanfarinn ertu, er þú vilt þat forvitnast um nætr, er fárr þorir á miðjum dögum, ok brennandi eldr leikr þar yfir, þegar sól gengr undir.

Hervarðr kveðst at vísu skyldu vitja hauganna.

Féhirðir mælti: Ek sé, at þú ert drengiligr maðr, þóat þú sért óvitr, þá vil ek gefa þér men mitt, ok fylg mér heim. Hervarðr segir: Þóat þú gefir mér allt þat, er þú átt, fær þú mik eigi dvalit.

En er sólin settist gerðust dunur miklar útá eyna, ok hlupu upp hauga eldarnir; þá hræddist féhirðir, ok tók til fóta, ok hljóp í skóginn, sem mest mátti hann, ok sá aldri aptr. Þetta er kveðit eptir viðræðu þeirra:

IV. The story goes on to say that a girl was born to the daughter of Earl Bjartmar. Everyone advised exposing the child, saying that if she resembled her father's kinsmen she would not have a womanly disposition. The Earl, however, had her sprinkled with water; and he brought her up, and called her Hervör, saying that the line of Arngrim's sons would not be extinguished if she were left alive.
She grew up to be a beautiful girl. She was tall and strong, and trained herself in the use of bow, shield and sword. But as soon as she could do anything it was oftener harm than good; and when she had been checked she ran away to the woods and killed people to provide herself with money. And when the Earl heard of it, he had her caught and brought home, where she remained for a time.
One day she went to the Earl and said: "I want to go away because I am not happy here."
A little while after she departed alone, dressed and armed like a man, and joined some vikings and stayed with them for a time, calling herself Hervarth. Shortly afterwards the chief of the vikings died, and Hervarth took command of the band.
One day when they sailed to Samsø, Hervarth landed; but her men would not follow her, saying that it was not safe for anyone to be out of doors there by night. Hervarth declared that there was likely to be much treasure in the barrows. She landed on the island towards sunset, but they lay off in Munarvagar. She met a shepherd boy and asked him for information.
He said: "You are a stranger to the island; but come home with me, for it is unsafe for anyone to be out of doors here after sunset; and I am in a hurry to get home."
Hervarth replied: "Tell me where are 'Hjörvarth's Barrows,' as they are called."
"You must surely be mad," replied the boy, "if you want to explore by night what no-one dare visit at mid-day. Burning flame plays over them as soon as the sun has set."
But Hervarth insisted that she would visit the barrows—whereupon the shepherd said:
"I see that you are a brave man though not a wise one, so I will give you my necklace if you will come home with me."
But Hervarth replied: "Even if you give me all you have you will not hold me back."
And when the sun had set, loud rumblings were heard all over the island, and flames leapt out of the barrows. Then the shepherd grew frightened and took to his heels and ran to the wood as fast as he could, without once looking back. Here is a poem giving an account of his talk with Hervör:

She could now see the fires of the barrows and the ghosts standing outside; and she approached the barrows fearlessly and passed through the fires as if they had been merely smoke, until she reached the barrow of the berserks. Then she cried:

Vaki þú, Angantýr!
vekr þik Hervör,
einka dóttir
ykkr Tófu;
sel þú mér ór haugi
hvassan mæki,
þann er Svafrlama
slógu dvergar.

Hervarðr ok Hjörvarðr,
Hran, Angantýr!
vek ek yðr alla
undir viðarrótum
hjálmi ok með brynju,
hvössu sverði,
rönd ok með reiði
roðnum geiri.

Mjök eruð orðnir,
Arngríms synir!
megir at meinsamir
moldar auka,
er engi skal
suna Eyfuru
við mik mæla
í Munarvági.

Hervarðr, Hjörvarðr,
Rani, Angantýr!
svá sé yðr öllum
innan rifja,
sem þér í maura
mornið hauga,
nema sverð selið mér,
þat er sló Dvalinn,
sæmir eigi draugum
dýr vápn fela.

Þá svarar Angantýr:

Hervör dóttir!
hví kallar svá
full feiknstafa,
ferr þú þér at illu,
ær ertu orðin
ok örvita,
villhygjandi,
vekr menn dauða.

Grófað mik faðir niðr,
né frændr aðrir,
þeir höfðu Tyrfing
tveir er lifðu,
varð þó eigandi
einn um síðir.

(Hún svarar):

Seg þú einn satt mér!
svá láti Ass⁸ þik
heilan í haugi,
sem þú hefir eigi
Tyrfing með þér,
trautt er þér at veita
arfa þínum
einar bónir.

Þá var, sem einn logi væri allt at líta um haugana, er opnir stóðu. Þá kvað Angantýr:

Hnigin er helgrind,
haugar opnast,
allr er í eldi
eybarmr at sjá;
atalt er úti
um at litast,
skyntu, mær! ef þú mátt,
til skipa þinna.

Hún svarar:

Brenni þér ei svá
bál á nóttum,
at ek við elda
yðra fælumst;
skelfrað meyju
muntún hugar,
þóat hún draug sjái
í durum standa.

Þá kvað Angantýr:

Segi ek þér, Hervör!
lýttu til meðan,
vísa dóttir!
þat er verða mun:
sjá mun Tyrfingr,
ef þú trúa mættir,
ætt þinni, mær!
allri spilla.

Muntu sun geta,
þann er síðan mun
Tyrfing bera
ok trúa afli;
þann munu Heiðrek
heita lýðar,
sá man ríkstr alinn
und röðuls tjaldi.

Hún kvað:

Ek vígi svá
virða dauða,
at þér skuluð
allir liggja
dauðir með draugum
í dys fynir;
sel mér, Angantýr!
útór haugi
hlífum hættan
Hjálmars bana.

Hann segir:

Kveðkað ek þik, mær úng!
mönnum líka,
er þú um hauga
hvarfar á nóttum
gröfnum geiri
ok með gota málmi,
hjálmi ok með brynju,
fyrir hallar dyr.

Hún Kvað:

Maðr þóttumst ek
mennskr til þessa,
áðr ek sali yðra
sækja réðak;
sel þú mér ór haugi,
þann er hatar brynjur,
dverga smíði
dugir ei⁹ þér at leyna.

Angantýr kvað:

Liggr mér und herðum
Hjálmars bani,
allr er hann utan
eldi sveipinn;
mey veit ek enga
moldar hvergi,
at þann hjör þori
í hendr nema.

Hún segir:

Ek man hirða,
ok í hendr nema
hvassan mæki,
ef ek hafa mættak;
uggi ek eigi
eld brennanda,
þegar loga lægir,
er ek lít yfir.

Hann kvað:

Heimsk ertu, Hervör!
hugar eigandi,
er þú at augum
í eld hrapar;
ek vil heldr selja þér
sverð ór haugi,
mær in únga!
mákað ek þér synja.

Hún kvað:

Vel gerðir þú,
víkinga niðr!
er þú seldir mér
sverð ór haugi;
betr þikkjumst nú,
buðlungr! hafa
enn ek Noregi
næða öllum.

Hann kvað:

Veizt eigi þú,
vesöl ertu mála,
fláráð kona!
hverju fagna skal.

Hún segir:

Ek mun gánga
til gjálfr mara,
nú er hilmis mær
í hugum góðum;
lítt ræðumst þat,
lofðúnga niðr!
hve synir mínir
síðan deila.

Hann kvað:

Þú skalt eiga
ok una lengi,
hafðu á huldu,
Hjálmars bana;
takattu á eggjum,
eitr er í báðum,
sá er mannsmjötuðr
meini verri.

Far vel, dóttir!
fljótt gæfa ek þér
tólf manna fjör,
ef þú trúa mættir,
afl ok eljun,
allt ið góða,
þat er synir Arngríms
at sik leifðu.

Hún kvað:

Búi þér allir,
brott fýsir mik,
heilir í haugi!
héðan vil ek skjótla;
helzt þóttumst nú
heima í millim,
er mik umhverfis
eldar brunnu.

Síðan gekk hún til skipa; ok er lýsti, sá hún, at skipin voru brottu, höfðu víkingar hræðst dunur ok elda í eynni; fær hún sér far þaðan, ok er ekki um hennar ferð fyrr (getit), enn hún kemr á Glasisvöllu til Guðmundar, ok var þar um vetrinn, ok nefndist enn Hjörvarðr.

Einn dag, er Guðmundr lék skáktafl, ok hans tafl var mjök svá farit, þá spurði hann, ef nokkr kynni honum ráð til at leggja. Þá gekk Hervarðr, ok lagði litla stund til, áðr Guðmundar var vænna. Þá tók maðr upp Tyrfing, og brá; þat sá Hervarðr, ok þreif af honum sverðit, ok drap hann, ok gekk út síðan; menn vildu hlaupa eptir honum.  Þá mælti Guðmundr:

Verið kyrrir! ekki mun svá mikil hefnd í manninum, sem þér ætlið, þvíat þér vitið ekki, hverr hann er, mun þessi kvenmaðr yðr dýrkeyptr, áðr þér fáið hans líf.

Síðan var Hervarðr lánga stund í hernaði, ok varð mjök sigrsæl; ok er henni leiddist þat, fór hún heim til jarls, móðurföður sins; fór hún þá fram sem aðrar meyjar, at (hún) vandist við borða ok hannyrðir. Þetta spyrr Höfundr, sun Guðmundar, ok ferr hann ok biðr Hervarar, ok fær, ok flytr heim.

Höfundr var manna vitrastr, ok svá réttdæmr, at hann hallaði aldri réttum dómi, hvárt sem í hlut áttu innlenzkir eðr útlenzkir, ok af hans nafni skyldi sá höfundr heita í hverju ríki, er mál manna dæmdi.

Þau Hervör áttu 2 syni, hét annar Angantýr, en annar Heiðrekr; báðir voru þeir miklir menn ok sterkir, vitrir ok vænir. Angantýr var líkr sínum at skaplyndi, ok vildi hverjum manni gott; Höfundr unni honum mikit, ok þar með öll alþýða, ok svá margt gott, sem hann gerði, þá gerði Heiðrekr enn fleira illt; Hervör unni honum mikit; fóstri Heiðreks hét Gizurr.

Ok einn tíma, er Höfundr gerði veizlu, var öllum höfðingjum tilboðit í hans ríki, utan Heiðreki; honum líkaði þat illa, ok fór allt at einu, ok kveðst skyldu gera þeim nokkut illt; ok er hann kom í höllina, stóð Angantýr upp móti honum, ok bað hann sitja hjá sér. Heiðrekr var ekki kátr; hann sat lengi um kveldit, síðan Angantýr var genginn; hann snerist þá til þeirra manna, ok kom hann svá sinni við þá, er hjá honum sátu, at þeir heituðust við; ok er Angantýr kom aptr, bað hann þá þegja. Ok öðru sinni, er Angantýr gekk út, minnti Heiðrekr þá á sitt mál, ok kom þá svá, at hvárr sló annann; kom þá enn Angantýr aptr, ok sætti þá til morgins. Ok eð þriðja sinn, er Angantýr gekk brott, þá mælti Heiðrekr til þess, er sleginn var, hví hann þyrði eigi at hefna sín; ok svá kom hans fortala, at sá hljóp upp, er sleginn var, ok drap félaga sinn; þá kom Angantýr inn, ok lét illa yfir þessu verki. En er Höfundr varð þessa varr, bað hann Heiðrek flýja ór hans ríki, eða fá ella dauða;

Gekk þá Heiðrekr út ok með honum bróðir hans; þar kom móðir hans, ok fékk honum Tyrfing. Þá mælti Heiðrekr:

Eigi veit ek, nær ek get svá mikinn mun gert föður míns ok móður, sem þau gera mín; faðir minn gerir mik útlægjan, en móðir mín gaf mér Tyrfing, er mér þikkir betra, enn mikit ríki, ok skal ek gera þat eitthvert, er honum má verst þikkja, ok brá þá sverðinu, ok lýsti af mjök ok sindraði; hann eiskraði þá mjök, ok héldt við berserksgáng. Nú með því, at þeir bræðr voru tveir saman, en Tyrfingr varð manns bani hvern tíma, er honum var brugðit, þá hjó hann bróður sinn banahögg; þetta var sagt Höfundi. Heiðrekr varð þegar brottu í skógi. Höfundr lét gera erfi eptir sun sinn, ok var Angantýr hverjum manni harmdauði.

Heiðrekr undi stórilla við verk sitt, ok var hann lengi á skógum, ok skaut dýr ok fugla til matar sér; en er hann hugleiddi sitt mál, þá þótti honum, sem eigi væri gott frásagnar, ef engi vissi, hvat af honum yrði; kom enn í hug, at hann mætti enn verða frægr maðr af stórum verkum, sem ættmenn hans inir fyrri; fór nú heim, ok fann móðr sína, ok bað hana biðja föður sinn, at ráða honum heilræði at skilnaði; hún gekk fyrir Höfund, ok bað hann ráða syni sínum heilræði. Höfundr svarar, kveðst fá mundu kenna honum, en lét honum þó verr mundu í hald koma; hann kveðst ok ekki mundu fyrir hans bæn gera:

Þat er ið fyrsta, at hann hjálpi ekki þeim manni, er drepit hefir lánardrottin sinn; annat, at hann gefi eigi þeim manni frið, er drepit hefit félaga sinn; þriðja, at kona hans sé eigi heimanförul til frænda sinna; fjórða, at vera eigi síð úti hjá frillu sinni; fimmta, at ríða eigi bezta hesti sínum, ef hann skal skunda; sétta, at fóstra eigi sér ríkara manna barn; þat ið sjöunda, at skyldi jamnan eiga kersi við komanda gest; þat ið áttunda, setja aldri Tyrfing at fótum sér; en ekki mun hann hafa af.

Móðir hans segir honum þessi heilræði.

Heiðrekr svarar: Með illum huga munu ráðin vera kend, enda mun ek ekki af hafa.

Móðir hans gat honum mörk gulls at skilnaði, ok bað hann jamnan láta í hug koma, hversu biturt hans sverð var, ok hversu mikit ágæti hverjum hefir fylgt þeim, er barr, ok hversu mikit traust þeim er í hans bitru eggjum, er þat berr í orrustu eðr einvígjum, ok hversu mikill sigr því fylgdi; ok skildust þau síðan.

Fór hann leið sína; ok er hann hafði eigi lengi farit, þá mætti hann mönnum; þeir fóru með bundinn mann; Heiðrekr spurði, hvat þessi maðr hefði gert; þeir sögðu hann svikit hafa lánardrottinn sinn; hann spurði; Vili þér fé fyrir hann. Þeir játtuðu því; hann leysti hann fyri hálfa mörk gulls.

Þessi maðr bauð honum sína þjónustu; hann segir;

Eigi muntu mér trúrr ókunnum, er þú sveikt herra þinn þann, er þú áttir margt gott at launa. Ok litlu síðarr fann hann mann, ok einn bundinn; hann spurði, hvat sá hefði gert; þeir sögðu hann myrðt hafa félaga sinn; hann leysti hann fyrir aðra hálfa mörk gulls; sá bauð honum sína þjónustu; en hann neitaði.

Síðanfór hann þartil, er hann kom á Reiðgotaland; hann fór á fund konúngs þess, er þar réð fyrir, ok Haraldr hét; hann var þá gamall; konúngr tók vel við honum, ok dvaldist hann með konúngi um hríð.

VI. One day Guthmund was playing chess, and when the game was almost up, he asked if anyone could advise him as to his moves. So Hervarth went up to him and began to direct his moves; and it was not long before Guthmund began to win. Then somebody took up Tyrfing and drew it. When Hervarth saw this, he snatched the sword out of his hands, and slew him, and then left the room. They wanted to rush out in pursuit, but Guthmund said:
"Don't stir—you will not be avenged on the man so easily as you think, for you don't know who he is. This woman-man will cost you dear before you take his life."
After that Hervör spent a long time in piracy and had great success. And when she grew tired of that she went home to the Earl, her mother's father. There she behaved like other girls, working at her embroidery and fine needlework.
Höfund, the son of Guthmund, heard of this and went and asked for the hand of Hervör, and was accepted; and he took her home.
Höfund was a very wise man and so just in his judgments that he never swerved from giving a correct decision, whether the persons involved were natives or foreigners. And it is from him that the 'höfund' or judge of law-suits takes his name in every realm.
He and Hervör had two sons. One was called Angantyr, the other Heithrek. They were both big strong men—sensible and handsome. Angantyr resembled his father in character and was kindly disposed towards everyone. Höfund loved him very much, as indeed did everybody. But however much good he did, Heithrek did still more evil. He was Hervör's favourite. His foster-father was called Gizur.
One day Höfund held a feast and invited all the chief men in his kingdom except Heithrek. This greatly displeased him, but he put in an appearance all the same, declaring that he would do them some mischief. And when he entered the hall, Angantyr rose and went to meet him and invited him to sit beside him. Heithrek was not cheerful, but he sat till late in the evening after Angantyr had gone; and then he turned to the men who sat on either side of him and worked upon them by his conversation in such a way that they became infuriated with each other. But when Angantyr came back he told them to be quiet. And when Angantyr went out a second time, Heithrek reminded them of his words, and worked upon them to such an extent that one of them struck the other. Then Angantyr returned and persuaded them to keep the peace till morning. And the third time Angantyr went away, Heithrek asked the man who had been struck why he had not the courage to avenge himself. And so effective did his persuasion prove that he who had been struck sprang up and slew his companion. When Angantyr returned, he was displeased at what had taken place. And when Höfund heard of it, he told Heithrek that he must either leave his kingdom or forfeit his life.
So Heithrek went out, and his brother with him. Then his mother came up and gave him Tyrfing. And Heithrek said to her:
"I don't know when I shall be able to show as much difference in my treatment of my father and mother as they do in their treatment of me. My father proclaims me an outlaw while my mother has given me Tyrfing, which is of more account to me than a great territory. But I shall do that very thing that will most distress my father."
He then drew the sword, which gleamed and flashed brilliantly, and then he got into a great rage and showed the berserk's fury coming upon him. The two brothers were alone. Now since Tyrfing had to be the death of a man every time it was drawn, Heithrek dealt his brother his death-blow. Höfund was told of it, and Heithrek escaped at once to the woods. Höfund had a funeral feast made for his son Angantyr, and he was lamented by everybody.
Heithrek got little joy of his deed and lived in the woods for a long time, shooting deer and bears for food. And when he came to think over his position, he reflected that there would be but a poor tale to tell if no-one was to know what had become of him; and it occurred to him that he could even yet become a man famous for deeds of prowess like his ancestors before him. So he went home and sought out his mother and begged her to ask his father to give him some sound advice before they parted. She went to Höfund and asked him to give their son sound advice. Höfund replied that he would give him a little, but added that it would turn out to his disadvantage nevertheless; he said however that he would not ignore his request:
"In the first place he must not aid a man who has slain his liege lord. Secondly, he must not protect a man who has slain one of his comrades. Thirdly, his wife ought not to be always leaving home to visit her relatives. Fourthly, he ought not to stay out late with his sweetheart. Fifthly, he should not ride his best horse when he is in a hurry. Sixthly, he ought not to bring up the child of a man in a better position than himself. Seventhly, let him always be cheerful towards one who comes for hospitality. Eighthly, he should never lay Tyrfing on the ground.—Yet he will not get any benefit from this advice."
His mother repeated these maxims to him.
Heithrek replied: "This advice must have been given me in a spiteful spirit. It will not be of any use to me."
His mother gave him a mark of gold at parting, and bade him always bear in mind how sharp his sword was, and how great renown had been won by everyone who had borne it—what great protection its sharp edges afforded to him who wielded it in battle or single combat, and what great success it always had.—Then they parted.
He went on his way; and when he had gone a short distance he came upon some men who were leading a man in bonds. Heithrek asked what the man had done, and they replied that he had betrayed his liege lord. He asked if they would accept money as his ransom, and they said that they were willing to do so. He ransomed the man for half his gold mark.
The man then offered to serve him, but Heithrek replied:
"You would not be faithful to a stranger like me, seeing that you betrayed your liege lord to whom you owed many benefits."
Shortly after he again came upon some men, of whom one was in bonds. He asked what this man had done, and they replied that he had murdered one of his comrades. He freed him with the other half of his gold mark. This man also offered to serve him, but Heithrek declined.
After that he went on his way till he came to Reithgotaland, where he went to the King who ruled there. His name was Harold, and he was an old man at the time. Heithrek remained for a time with the King, who gave him a cordial welcome.

Tveir jarlar höfðu herjat fyrr á ríki Haralds konúngs, ok lagt undir sik, ok af því at hann var gamall, þá lauk hann þeim skatt á hverju ári. Heiðrekr kom sér í vináttu við konúng, ok svá kom um síðir, at hann gerðist formaðr herskapar konúngs, ok lagðist hann í hernað, ok gerðist brátt víðfrægr ok sigrsæll; hann herjar nú á jarla þá, er undir höfðu lagt ríki Haralds konúngs, varð með þeim hörþ orrusta. Heiðrekr vá með Tyrfingi, ok stóðst ekki við honum nú sem fyrr, þvíat þat beit svá stál, sem klæði; ok um síðir drap hann jarlana báða, en allt þeirra fólk flýði; ok fór hann síðan yfir ríkit, ok lagði undir Harald konúng, ok tók þar gisla til, ok fór hann síðan heim; ok gekk sjálfr Haraldr konúngr móti honum með miklum veg, ok varð hann mjök frægr af þessu; konúngr gipti honum dóttur sína, er Helga hét, ok gaf honum hálft ríki, ok varði Heiðrekr landit fyri báða þá, ok fór svá fram um hríð.

Haraldr konúngr átti sun í elli sinni; en annann sun átti Heiðrekr, sá hét Angantýr. Síðan kom hallæri mikit á Reiðgotaland, þat heitir nú Jútland, ok horfði til landsauðar. Síðan var felldr blótspánn, ok gekk svá fréttin, at eigi mundi fyrri koma ár á Reiðgotaland, enn þeim sveini væri blótat, er æðstr væri. Heiðrekr segir sun Haralds konúngs vera æðstan; en konúngr kallaði sun Heiðreks vera æðstan; en ór því máli mátti engi leysa, utan Höfundr, þvíat þar voru allar órlausnir trúar. Heiðrekr fór þá á fund föður síns, ok var honum þar vel fagnat; beiddi hann nú föður sinn dóms um þetta mál; Höfundr sagði hans sun æðstan vera í því landi. Heiðrekr mælti: Hvat dæmir þú þá mér fyri minn skaða? Höfundr segir: Þú skalt skilja þér ímóti annannhvern mann í hirð Haralds konúngs; síðan þarf engi at kenna þér ráð at slíkum her ok þínu skaplyndi. -

Síðan fór Heiðrekr heim, ok kvaddi þings, ok sagði dóm föður síns; -at hann dæmdi sun minn til blóts, en mér til hugganar dæmdi hann mér annannhvern mann, þann er með Haraldi konúngi er, ok vil ek, at þér sverið mér þetta; ok svá gerðu þeir; þá báðu bændr, at hann léti fram sun sinn, ok bætti árferð þeirra.

Heiðrekr mælti þá við sína menn, síðan skilt var liðit, þá beiðist hann af nýju trúnaðareiða af sínum mönnum, ok þeir gerðu þat, at þeir sóru honum, at fylgja honum utan lands ok innan til þess, er hann vildi.

Hann mælti þá: Svá lízt mér goldit muni vera Óðni fyrir einn svein, ef þar kemr fyrir Haraldr konúngr ok sun hans, ok herr hans allr; hann bað nú setja upp merki sitt, ok veita Haraldi konúngi atgaungu, ok drepa hann ok allt liðhans, kveðst hann þetta fólk gefa Óðni fyri sun sinn, ok lét rjóða stalla blóði konúngs ok Hálfdánar, sunar hans; kona hans fór sér í dísar sal.

Var nú Heiðrekr til konúngs tekinn yfir allt þat ríki; hann tók sér til frillu dóttur Humla hertoga af Húnalandi, er Sifka hét; þeirra sun hét Hlöðr; hann vóx upp með móðurfeðr sínum.

VII. There were two Earls who had plundered the kingdom of King Harold and made it subject to them, and because he was old he paid them tribute every year. Heithrek grew intimate with the King, and eventually it came about that he became the commander of his army and betook himself to raiding, and soon made himself famous for his victories. He proceeded to make war on the Earls who had subdued King Harold's kingdom, and a stiff fight took place between them. Heithrek fought with Tyrfing and, as in the past, no-one could withstand it, for it cut through steel as easily as cloth; and the result was that he slew both the Earls and put all their army to flight. He then went throughout the kingdom and brought it under King Harold and took hostages, and then returned home. And as a mark of great honour, King Harold went himself to meet him, and he acquired great fame from this. The King gave him his daughter Helga in marriage and with her half his kingdom. Heithrek had the defence of the whole realm in his hands; and this arrangement lasted for a time.
King Harold had a son in his old age. Heithrek also had a son, who was called Angantyr. Presently a great famine began in Reithgotaland (which is now called Jutland) and it threatened to destroy all the inhabitants. So they tried divination, and the answer was that there would be no plenty in Reithgotaland until the noblest boy in the land had been sacrificed. Heithrek said that that was King Harold's son, but the King declared that Heithrek's son was the noblest; and there was no escape from this dilemma save by referring it to Höfund, whose decisions were always just.
Thereupon Heithrek went to visit his father, who made him welcome. He asked his father's decision about this question. Höfund pronounced Heithrek's son to be the noblest in that land.
"What compensation do you adjudge to me for my loss?" asked Heithrek.
"You shall claim for yourself in compensation every second man in the retinue of King Harold. Beyond that there is no need to give you advice, considering your character and the army that you have under you."
Then Heithrek went back and summoned a meeting, and told them his father's opinion:
"He decided that it was my son who must be sacrificed; and as compensation to me he adjudged to me every second man of those who are with King Harold, and I want you to swear an oath that this shall be done."
And they did so. Then the people demanded that he should give up his son and get them a better harvest. Heithrek then talked with his men after the force had been divided, and demanded fresh oaths of allegiance from them. These they gave, swearing to follow him whether at home or abroad, for whatever purpose he wished.
Then said he: "It appears to me that Othin will have been well compensated for one boy if he gets in place of him King Harold and his son and all his host!"
He then bade his men raise his standard and make an attack on King Harold and slay him and all his host, declaring that he was giving this host to Othin instead of his own son. He caused the altars to be reddened with the blood of King Harold and his son Halfdan, while the Queen took her own life in the temple of the Dís.
Heithrek was now accepted as King throughout the realm. He made love to Sifka the daughter of Humli, a prince from the land of the Huns. Their son was called Hlöth. He was brought up with his mother's father.

Heiðrekr konúngr fór í hernað, ok kom við Saxland; hann hafði mikinn her; konúngr af Saxlandi sendi honum menn, ok gerðu þeir frið sín ímilli, ok lét konúngr bjóða Heiðreki til veizlu, ok þat þá hann; at þeirri veislu bað Heiðrekr dóttur konúngs, ok fékk hennar með miklu fé ok ríki, ok við þat fór Heiðrekr heim í ríki sitt. Hún beiddist opt at finna föður sinn; hann lét þat eptir henni, ok fór með henni Angantýr, stjúpsun hennar.

Ok eitt sinn, er Heiðrekr kom ór hernaði, lá hann við Saxland í einu leyni; hann gekk um nótt á land upp, ok kom hann í þá skemmu, er drottning hans svaf í; einn maðr gekk með honum; varðmenn allir sváfu; hann sá fagran mann í sæng hjá konu sinni; hann tók sun sinn, Angantý, ok hafði með sér; hann skar ór legg ór hári þess manns, ok fór síðan til skips.

Um morguninn lagði hann í konúngslagi, ok gekk þá allt fólk móti honum, ok var honum þá búin veizla; litlu síðarr lét hann þing stefna, ok spurði, hvat menn vissi til sunar hans; drottning sagði, at varð bráðdauðr; hann bað fylgja sér til leiðis hans; drottning sagði, at þat mundi auka harma hans; hann kveðst ekki þat hirða; var þá tilleitat, ok var þar hundr sveipaðr í dúki. Heiðrekr kvað eigi sun sinn vel hafa skipazt; lét hann nú leiða fram sveininn á þingit, ok segir þá allan atburð um framferð drottningar; lét konúngr þá leiða fram þann mann, er í hvílunni hafði verit, ok var þat þræll einn; Heiðrekr sagði þar skilit við drottningu, ok fór heim síðan í ríki sitt.

Eitt sumar er Heiðrekr var í hernaði, kom hann í Húnaland, ok herjaði þar; Humli, mágr hans, flýði undan; tók Heiðrekr þar herfáng mikit, ok dóttur hans, er Sifka hét, ok fór hann síðan aptr í ríki sitt, ok var þeirra sun Hlöðr, sem fyrr var ritat; ok litlu síðarr sendi hann hana heim. Hann tók enn af Finnlandi at herfángi konu þá, er enn hét Sifka; hún var allra þeirra kvenne fríðust, er menn höfðu sét.

Eitt sumar sendi hann menn austr í Hólmgarða, at bjóða Rollaugi konúngi barnfóstr, er þá var ríkastr konúngr, þvíat Heiðrekr konúngr vildi öll ráð föður síns á bak brjóta. Sendimenn koma til Hólmgarðs, ok segja konúngi sín erendi. Konúngr átti sun ungan, er Herlaugr hét; konúngr svaraði: Hver ván mun þess, at ek senda honum sun minn til fóstrs, þar sem hann sveik Harald konúng, mág minn, ok aðra frændr sína ok vini?

Drottning mælti: Afsvarið þessu ekki svá skjótt, þvíat víss er þér ófriðr, ef þú þiggr eigi þetta boð; vænti ek at þér fari sem flestum öðrum, at þúngr verði hans ófriðr; hefir hann ok sverð þat, er ekki stenzt við, ok sá hefir jamnan sigr, er berr.

Tók konúngr þat til ráðs, at senda sun sinn til Heiðreks, ok tók Heiðrekr vel við honum, ok fæddi hann upp, ok unni mikit.

Þat hafði faðir hans enn ráðit honum, at segja eigi frillu sinni leynda hluti sína.

VIII. King Heithrek went out raiding and marched against the land of the Saxons with a great host. The King of the Saxons sent men to meet him and they made peace with one another, and the King invited Heithrek to a banquet. Heithrek accepted the invitation. The result of this banquet was that Heithrek sought the hand of the King's daughter and married her, receiving much property and land as her dowry; and with that King Heithrek went home to his kingdom. She often used to ask to go to visit her father, and Heithrek was indulgent to her in this matter. Her stepson Angantyr used to go with her.
On one occasion when Heithrek was returning from a raid, he lay in hiding off the land of the Saxons. He landed during the night and entered the building in which his wife was sleeping. He had only one companion with him. All the sentries were asleep. He found a handsome man asleep beside his wife. He took his son Angantyr and carried him away with him, and returned to his ship, having first cut off a lock of the man's hair.
Next morning he lay to in the King's berth, and all the people went to greet him; and a feast was prepared in his honour. A little later he had a meeting called and asked if anything was known of his son. The Queen alleged that he had died suddenly. He asked her to guide him to his tomb, and when she said that that would only increase his grief, he replied that he did not mind that. A search was made accordingly, and a dog was found wrapped in a shroud. Heithrek remarked that his son had not changed for the better. Then the King caused the man whom he had found asleep to be brought forward, and he proved to be a bondman. Thereupon Heithrek put away his wife, and then went home to his kingdom.
One summer as Heithrek was away raiding, he went into the land of the Huns and harried there, and Humli his father-in-law fled before him. Heithrek there captured great booty and also Sifka, the daughter of King Humli, and then returned home to his kingdom. Their son was called Hlöth, as we said before. He sent her home shortly after. He also captured another woman called Sifka from Finland. She was the loveliest woman ever seen.
One summer he sent men east to Holmgarth to offer to bring up the child of King Hrollaug, the most powerful king of the time. This he did because he was anxious to act exactly contrary to the whole of his father's advice. Messengers came to Holmgarth and told their errand to the King, who had a young son called Horlaug.
The King replied: "Is it likely that I shall send him my son to bring up, when he has betrayed King Harold his father-in-law and his other relatives and friends?"
But the Queen urged: "Do not be so hasty in refusing this, for if you do not accept his offer the result will certainly be war. I expect it will fare with you as with many another, and war with him will be no trifle. Moreover he has a sword which nothing can withstand, and the man who wields it will always be victorious."
So the King resolved to send his son to Heithrek; and Heithrek was pleased with him and brought him up and loved him much.
Heithrek's father had also counselled him not to tell secrets to his sweetheart.

Sumar hvert fór Heiðrekr konúngr í hernað; jamnan fór hann í austrveg, ok átti friðland með Rollaugi konúngi. Einn tíma bauð Rollaugr honum til veizlu. Heiðrekr réðst um við vini sína, hvárt hann skyldi þiggja boð konúngs. Flestir löttu, ok báðu hann minnast heilræða föður síns. Hann svarar: Öll hans ráð skal ek rjúfa. Ok sendi þau orð konúngi, at hann mundi sækja veizluna. Heiðrekr skipti liði sínu í þrjá staði, einn lét hann gæta skipa, annarr fór með honum, þriðja bað hann gánga á land, ok leynast í skógi hjá bænum, þar sem veizlan skyldi vera, ok halda njósn til, ef honum yrði liðs þörf. Heiðrekr kom til veizlunnar, og annann dag, er konúngar voru komnir í sæti, þá spurði Heiðrekr, hvar vera mundi konúngs sun, fóstri hans. Leitat var hans, ok fannst hann eigi. Heiðrekr var mjök ókátr, ok gekk snemma at sofa; en er Sifka kom þar, spurði hún, hví hann var ókátr.

Hann svarar: Vant er um þat at tala, þvíat þar liggr við líf mitt, ef upp kemr.

Hún kveðst leyna mundu, ok ger fyrir ást okkra, ok seg mér.

Hann segir: Ek reið í gær á skóg, at skemta mér, ok sá ek einn villigölt, ok lagða ek hann með spjóti, en þat beit ekki, ok brast sundr skaptit. Ek hljóp þá af hestinum, ok brá ek Tyrfingi; hann beit sem vant var, ok drap ek göltinn, en er ek sá um mik, þá var engi maðr nær mér utan konúngs sun, en sú náttúra fylgði Tyrfing, at hann skal slíðra með vörmu mannsblóði, ok drap ek þá sveininn. Nú er þetta minn bani, ef Rollaugr konúngr spyrr, þvíat vér höfum hér lítinn her.

En um morguninn, er Sifka kom til drottningar, spurði drottning, hví Heiðrekr var ókátr. Hún kveðst eigi þora at segja. Drottning taldi henni hughvarf, svá at hún sagði drottningu allt þat, er Heiðrekr hafði henni sagt. Hún svarar: Mikil tíðindi, ok gekk brott með harmi miklum, ok sagði konúngi: en þó hefir Heiðrekr eigi gert þetta eptir vilja sínum.

Konúngr mælti: Nú gáfust mér ráð þín, sem ek hugsaða. Gengr konúngr nú út ór höllinni, ok biðr nú sína menn vápnast. Heiðrekr þóttist vita, hvat Sifka hafði sagt, ok segir mönnum sínum, at þeir herklæddist leyniliga: ok gángið svá úti í riðlum, ok vitið, hvat títt er.

Litlu síðar kom Rollaugr konúngr inn, ok bað Heiðrek gánga með sér á einmæli, ok er þeir komu í einn grasgarð, þá hlupu þar menn at Heiðreki, ok gripu hann, ok settu fjötr á fætr, ok bundu hann sterkliga. Tveir menn voru þar, er fastast bundu hann, ok kendi hann þá, at þat voru þeir menn, er hann hafði leyst undan bana. Konúngr bað flytja hann til skógar, ok hengja hann. Þeir voru tvö hundruð manna, en er þeir komu í skóginn, þá hlupu eptir þeim menn Heiðreks konúngs með vápnum hans ok merki ok lúðri, ok blésu þegar, er þeir komu eptir þeim. Þat heyrðu þeirra kumpánar, er á skóginum leyndust; þá sóttu þeir móti þeim. En er þetta sá landsmenn, þá flýðu þeir allir, er lífit þágu, en flestir voru drepnir. Tóku Gotar þar konúng sinn ok leystu. Síðan fór Heiðrekr til skipa, ok hafði með sér konúngs sun, þvíat hann lét hann vera hjá þeim mönnum, er í skóginum leyndust. Rollaugr konúngr samnar nú her, ok varð mjök fjölmennr, en Heiðrekr herjaði í hans ríki, hvar sem hann fór.

Rollaugr konúngr mælti þá til drottningar: Illa hafa mér ráð gefizt; ek hefi spurt, at sun okkar er með Heiðreki, ok svá sem hann er nú reittr, þá mun honum með illvirki sín lítit þikkja fyrir at drepa hann, þar sem hann drap bróður sinn saklausan.

Drottning mælti: Halztí höfum vér verit auðtrygg; sátti þegar vinsæld hans, er engi vildi fjötra hann, nema 2 illir menn, en sun okkar er vel haldinn; hefir þetta verit prettr hans ok tilraun, en þér vilduð illa launa honum barnfóstr; ger nú menn til hans, ok bjóð honum sætt, ok slíkt af ríki þínu, sem ykkr semr, ok bjóð honum dóttur þína með ríki, ef við nám syni okkrum, heldr enn þið skilizt ósáttir. En þó at hann eigi ríki mikit, þá á hann eigi konu jamfríða. Konúngr segir: Eigi hafða ek ætlat at bjóða hana nokkurum, en af því at þú ert vitr, þá skaltu ráða.

Voru nú sendir menn til Heiðreks konúngs, at leita um sættir, ok var komit á stefnulagi, ok sættust þeir með því at Heiðrekr fékk Hergerðar, dóttur Rollaugs konúngs, ok fylgði henni heim heiman Vindland, er næst liggr Reiðgotalandi, ok skildust þeir sáttir; fór Heiðrekr konúngr heim í ríki sitt með konu sinni.

Einn tíma er konúngr reið bezta hesti sínum, er hann skyldi láta flytja Sifka heim, þat var síð um kveld; ok er konúngr kom at á einni, þá sprakk hestr hans, ok litlu síðar kom hún milli herða honum; hann kastaði henni þá ofan, ok braut í henni fótlegginn. Síðan settist Heiðrekr konúngr at í ríki sínu, ok gerðist spekingr mikill.

X. They had a daughter called Hervör who was brought up by a man called Ormar. She was a most beautiful girl, but as tall and strong as a man, and trained herself in the use of bow and arrows.
There was a great man in Reithgotaland called Gestumblindi, who was not on good terms with King Heithrek.
In the King's retinue there were seven men whose duty it was to decide all the disputes that arose in that country.
King Heithrek worshipped Frey, and he used to give Frey the biggest boar he could find. They regarded it as so sacred that in all important cases they used to take the oath on its bristles. It was the custom to sacrifice this boar at the 'sacrifice of the herd.' On Yule Eve the 'boar of the herd' was led into the hall before the King. Then men laid their hands on his bristles and made solemn vows. King Heithrek himself made a vow that however deeply a man should have wronged him, if he came into his power he should not be deprived of the chance of receiving a trial by the King's judges; but he should get off scot free if he could propound riddles which the King could not answer. But when people tried to ask the King riddles, not one was put to him which he could not solve.
The King sent a message to Gestumblindi bidding him come to him on an appointed day; otherwise the King said that he would send to fetch him. Neither alternative pleased Gestumblindi, because he knew himself to be no match for the King in a contest of words; neither did he think he had much to hope from a trial before the judges, for his offences were many. On the other hand, he knew that if the King had to send men to bring him it would cost him his life. Then he proceeded to sacrifice to Othin and to ask his help, promising him great offerings.
One evening a stranger visited Gestumblindi, and said that he also was called Gestumblindi. They were so much alike that neither could be distinguished from the other. They exchanged clothes, and the landowner went into hiding, and everyone thought the stranger was the landowner himself.
This man went to visit the King and greeted him. The King looked at him and was silent.

Gestumblindi said: "I am come, Sire, to make my peace with you."
"Will you stand trial by the judges?" asked the King.
"Are there no other means of escape?" asked Gestumblindi.
"If," replied the King, "you can ask me riddles which I cannot answer, you shall go free."
"I am not likely to be able to do that," replied Gestumblindi; "yet the alternative is severe."
"Do you prefer the trial?" asked the King.
"Nay," said he, "I would rather ask riddles."
"That is quite in order," said the King, "and much depends on the issue. If you can get the better of me you shall marry my daughter and none shall gainsay you. Yet I don't imagine you are very clever, and it has never yet happened that I have been unable to solve the riddles that have been put to me."
Then a chair was placed for Gestumblindi, and the people began to listen eagerly to the words of wisdom.
Gestumblindi began as follows:

Hervarar Saga og Heiðreks [R]

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat drykki,

er ek drakk í gær,

var-at þat vín né vatn

né in heldr mungát

né matar ekki,

ok gekk ek þorstalauss þaðan?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar lagðist þú í forsælu, er dögg var fallin á grasi, ok kældir svá varir þínar ok stöðvaðir svá þorsta þinn."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn hvelli,

er gengr harðar götur

ok hefir hann þær fyrr of farit,

mjök fast kyssir,

sá er hefir munna tvá

ok á gulli einu gengr?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er hamarr sá, er hafðr er at gullsmíð; hann kveðr hátt við, er hann kemr á harðan steðja, ok þat er hans gata."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

ókvikvir tveir

andalausir

sáralauk suðu?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat eru smiðbelgir; þeir hafa engan vind, nema þeim sé blásit, ok eru þeir dauðir sem annat smíði, en fyrir þeim má líkt smíða sverð sem annat."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

fætr hefir átta,

en fjögur augu

ok berr ofar kné en kvið?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er köngurváfur."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

höfði sínu vísar

á helvega,

en fótum til sólar snýr?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er laukr. Höfuð hans er fast í jörðu, en hann kvíslar, er hann vex upp."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyr Dellings durum;

horni harðara,

hrafni svartara,

skildi hvítara,

skapti réttara?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

Heiðrekr mælti: "Smækkast nú gáturnar, Gestumblindi, hvat þarf lengr yfir þessu at sitja? Þat er hrafntinna, ok skein á hana sólargeisli."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Báru brúðir

bleikhaddaðar

ambáttir tvær

öl til skemmu;

var-at þat höndum horfit

né hamri at klappat,

þó var fyrir eyjar utan

örðigr sá, er gerði.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar fara svanbrúðir til hreiðrs síns ok verpa eggjum; skurm á eggi er eigi höndum gert né hamri klappat, en svanr er fyrir eyjar utan örðigr, sá er þær gátu eggin við."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær rýgjar

á reginfjalli,

elr við kván kona,

þar til er mög of getr,

ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat eru hvannir tvær ok hvannarkálfr á milli þeira."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Fara ek sá

foldar moldbúa,

á sat naðr á nái;

blindr reið blindum

brimreiðar til,

þá jór var andar vanr.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þar fanntu hest dauðan á ísjaka ok orm dauðan á hestinum, ok rak þat allt saman eptir ánni."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverir eru þeir þegnar,

er ríða þingi at

sáttir allir saman;

lýða sína

senda þeir lönd yfir

at byggja bólstaði?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er Ítrekr ok Andaðr, er þeir sitja at tafli sínu."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær brúðir,

er sinn drottin

vápnlausan vega;

inar jarpari hlífa

um alla daga,

en inar fegri fara?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er hnettafl; inar dekkri verja hnefann, en hvítar sækja."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn eini,

er sefr í ösgrúa

ok af grjóti einu gerr;

föður né móður

á sá inn fagrgjarni,

þar mun hann sinn aldr ala?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er eldr fólginn á arni, ok tekr ór tinnu."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn mikli,

er líðr mold yfir,

svelgr hann vötn ok við;

glygg hann óast,

en gumna eigi

ok yrkir á sól til saka?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er myrkvi; hann líðr yfir jörðina, svá at ekki sér fyrir honum ok eigi sól, en hann er af, þegar vind gerir á."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat dýra,

er drepr fé manna

ok er járni kringt utan;

horn hefir átta,

en höfuð ekki,

ok fylgja því margir mjök?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er húnn í hnettafli."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat dýra,

er Dönum hlífir,

berr blóðugt bak,

en bergr firum,

geirum mætir,

gefr líf sumum,

leggr við lófa

lík sitt guma?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er skjöldr; hann verðr opt blóðugr í bardögum ok hlífir vel þeim mönnum, er skjaldfimir eru."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær leikur,

er líða lönd yfir

at forvitni föður,

hvítan skjöld

þær of vetr bera,

en svartan of sumar?"

"Þat eru rjúpur; þær eru hvítar um vetr, en svartar um sumar."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær snótir,

er ganga syrgjandi

at forvitni föður;

mörgum mönnum

hafa þær at meini orðit,

við þat munu þær aldr ala?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat eru Hlés brúðir, er svá heita."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær meyjar,

er ganga margar saman

at forvitni föður;

hadda bleika

hafa þær, inar hvítfölduðu,

ok eigu-t þær varðir vera?"

"Þat eru bylgjur, er svá heita."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær ekkjur,

er ganga allar saman

at forvitni föður;

sjaldan blíðar

eru þær við seggja lið

ok eigu þær í vindi vaka?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat eru ægis ekkjur, svá heita öldur."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Mjök var forðum

nösgás vaxin,

barngjörn sú er bar

bútimbr saman;

hlífðu henni

hálms bitskálmir,

þó lá drykkjar

drynhraun yfir."

"Þar hafði önd búit hreiðr sitt í milli nautskjálka, ok lá haussinn ofan yfir."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverr er sá inn mikli,

er mörgu ræðr

ok horfir til heljar hálfr;

höldum bergr

ok við jörð sakast,

ef hann hefir sér vel traustan vin?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er akkeri með góðum streng; ef fleinn hans er í grunni, þá bergr þat."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverjar eru þær brúðir,

er ganga í brimskerjum

ok eiga eptir firði för;

harðan beð hafa þær

inar hvítfölduðu konur

ok leika í logni fátt."

"Þat eru bárur, en beðir þeira eru sker ok urðir, en þær verða lítt sénar í logni."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Sá ek á sumri

sólbjörgum á,

bað ek vel lifa

vilgi teiti,

drukku jarlar

öl þegjandi,

en æpanda

ölker stóð.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þar drukku grísir gylti, en hún hrein við."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hvat er þat undra,

er ek úti sá

fyrir Dellings durum;

tíu hefir tungur,

tuttugu augu,

fjóra tigu fóta,

fram líðr sú vættr?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

Konungr mælti þá: "Ef þú ert sá Gestumblindi, sem ek hugða, þá ertu vitrari en ek ætlaða. En frá gyltinni segir þú nú úti í garðinum."

Þá lét konungr drepa gyltina, ok hafði hún níu grísi, sem Gestumblindi sagði. Nú grunar konung, hverr maðrinn mun vera.

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Fjórir hanga,

fjórir ganga,

tveir veg vísa,

tveir hundum varða,

einn eptir drallar

ok jafnan heldr saurugr.

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Góð er gáta þín, Gestumblindi, getit er þessar. Þat er kýr."  

XI. I would that I had that which I had yesterday. Guess O King, what that was:—Exhauster of men, retarder of words, yet originator of speech. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it.—Give him some ale. That is what confounds many people's reason. Some are made garrulous by it, but some become confused in their speech.

Gestumblindi said:
I went from home, I made my way from home, I looked upon a road of roads. A road was beneath me, a road above and a road on every side. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. You went over a bridge, and the course of the river was beneath it, and birds were flying over your head and on either side of you; that was their road; you saw a salmon in the river, and that was his road.

Gestumblindi said:
What was the drink that I had yesterday? It was neither wine nor water, mead nor ale, nor any kind of food; and yet I went away with my thirst quenched. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. You lay in the shade and cooled your lips in dew. But if you are the Gestumblindi I took you for, you are a more intelligent man than I expected; for I had heard that your conversation showed no brains, yet now you are setting to work cleverly.

Gestumblindi said:
I expect that I shall soon come to grief; yet I should like you to listen a while longer.

Then he continued:
Who is that clanging one who traverses hard paths which he has trod before? He kisses very rapidly, has two mouths and walks on gold alone. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is the goldsmith's hammer, with which gold is forged.

Gestumblindi said:
What is that huge one that passes over the earth, swallowing lakes and pools? He fears the wind, but he fears not man, and carries on hostilities against the sun. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is fog. One cannot see the sea because of it. Yet as soon as the wind blows, the fog lifts; but men can do nothing to it. Fog kills the sunshine. You have a cunning way of asking riddles and conundrums, whoever you are.

Gestumblindi said:
What is that huge one that controls many things and of which half faces towards Hell? It saves people's lives and grapples with the earth, if it has a trusty friend. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is an anchor with its thick strong cable. It controls many a ship, and grips the earth with one of its flukes which is pointing towards Hell. It is a means of safety to many people. Greatly do I marvel at your readiness of speech and wisdom.

Gestumblindi said:
Ah, but I am now almost at the end of my riddles; yet everyone is eager to save his life.—What lives in high mountains? What falls in deep valleys? What lives without breathing? What is never silent? King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. A raven always lives in high mountains, and dew falls in deep valleys, a fish lives without breathing, and the booming waterfall is never silent.

Things are now becoming serious, said Gestumblindi, and I do not know what is going to happen.—What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It points its head towards Hell and turns its feet to the sun. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a leek. Its head grows down into the ground, and its blades upward into the air.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway?—Two restless, lifeless things boiling a wound-leek. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is the smith's bellows which have breath, yet not life.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway?—White fliers smiting the rock, and black fliers burying themselves in sand! King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. But now your riddles are growing trivial. That is hail and rain; for hail beats upon the street; whereas rain-drops fall into the sand and sink into the earth.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? I saw a black hog wallowing in mud, yet no bristles were standing up on his back. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a dung-beetle. But we have talked too long when dung-beetles come to exercise the wits of great men.

Gestumblindi said:
"It is best to put off misfortune"; and though there are some who overlook this truth, many will want to go on trying. I myself too see now that I shall have to look out for every possible way of escape. What is the marvel that I have seen outside Delling's doorway? This creature has ten tongues, twenty eyes, forty feet, and walks with difficulty. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That was a sow with nine little pigs.
Then the King had the sow killed and they found they had killed with her nine little pigs, as Gestumblindi had said.

Then the King said:
I am beginning to suspect that I have to deal with a cleverer man than myself in this business; but I don't know who you can be.

Gestumblindi said:
I am such as you can see; and I am very anxious to save my life and be quit of this task.
You must go on asking riddles, replied the King, till you have exhausted your stock, or else till I fail to solve them.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It flies high, with a whistling sound like the whirring of an eagle. Hard it is to clutch, O King. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is an arrow, said the King.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It has eight feet and four eyes, and carries its knees higher than its body. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
I notice firstly that you have a long hood; and secondly that you look downwards more than most people, since you observe every creature of the earth.—That is a spider.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It shines upon men in every land; and yet wolves are always struggling for it. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. It is the sun. It gives light to every land and shines down on all men. But the wolves are called Skalli and Hatti. Those are the wolves who accompany the sun, one in front and one behind.

Gestumblindi said:
What is the marvel which I have seen outside Delling's doorway? It was harder than horn, blacker than the raven, whiter than the membrane of an egg, straighter than a shaft. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. You saw an agate, and a sunbeam penetrated the house and shone upon it. But since you seem to be a learned man, can you not propound your riddles without always beginning them in the same way?

Then said Gestumblindi:
Two bond-women, fair-haired brides, were carrying ale to the store-room. The cask was not turned by hands, nor clinched by hammers; and he who made it strutted about outside the islands. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. These are eider duck laying their eggs. The eggs are not made with hammer or hands, and the hand-maidens put the ale into the egg-shell.

Gestumblindi said:
He who has got but a little sword and is very short of learning has to look out for help. I would like to talk still further.—Who are those ladies of the lofty mountain? A woman begets by a woman; a maid has a son by a maid; and these good-wives have no husbands. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. They are two Angelicas joined together, and a young angelica shoot is growing between them.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the girls who fight without weapons around their lord? The dark red ones always protect him, and the fair ones seek to destroy him. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a game of chess. The pieces smite one another without weapons around the king, and the red assist him.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the merry-maids who glide over the land for their father's pleasure? They bear a white shield in winter and a black one in summer. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. Those are ptarmigan.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the damsels who go sorrowing for their father's pleasure? These white-hooded ladies have shining hair, and are very wide awake in a gale. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. Those are the billows, which are called Ægir's maidens.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the maidens who go about many together for their father's pleasure? They have brought trouble to many; and these good-wives have no husbands. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. Those are billows like the last.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the brides who go about the reefs and trail along the firths? These white-hooded ladies have a hard bed and do not play much when the weather is calm. King Heithrek read me this riddle.

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. Those again are Ægir's maidens; but your pleading has now become so weak that you will have to stand trial by the judges.

Gestumblindi said:
I am loath to do so; and yet I fear that it will very soon come to that. I saw a barrow-dweller pass by, a corpse sitting on a corpse, the blind riding on the blind towards the ocean-path. Lifeless was the steed. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. It is that you came to a river; and an ice-floe was floating along the stream, and on it a dead horse was lying, and on the horse was a dead snake; and thus the blind was carrying the blind when they were all three together.

Gestumblindi said:
What is that beast which slays people's flocks and is girt around with iron? It has eight horns, yet no head, and it runs when it can. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is the Hunn in chess. It has the same name as a bear. It runs as soon as it is thrown.

Gestumblindi said:
What is that beast which protects the Danes? Its back is bloody, but it shields men, encounters spears and saves men's lives. Man fits his hand to its body. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a shield. It protects many people and often has a bloody back.

Gestumblindi said:
A 'nose-goose' (i.e. duck) in former days had grown very big when eager for young. She gathered together her building timber: 'biters of straw' sheltered her, and 'drink's echoing cavern' was above her. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. There a duck was sitting on her eggs between the jaws of an ox, which you call 'biters of straw.' The 'echoing cavern' is the skull, and the 'building timber,' the nest.

Gestumblindi said:
Four walking, four hanging, two pointing the way, two warding off the dogs, one, generally dirty, dangling behind! King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a cow. She has four feet and four udders, two horns and two eyes, and the tail dangles behind.

Gestumblindi said:
Who is that solitary one who sleeps in the grey ash and is made from stone only? This greedy one has neither father nor mother. There will he spend his life. King Heithrek, read me this riddle.

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a spark struck by a flint and hidden in the hearth.
Gestumblindi said:
I saw a horse standing....

Then the King said:
My retinue shall read this riddle.
They made many guesses, but not particularly good ones. And when the King saw that they could do nothing he said:
What you call a 'horse' is a piece of linen, and his 'mare' is the weaver's rod; and the linen is shaken up and down.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are the thanes who ride to the meeting, sixteen of them together? They send their men far and wide to make homes of their own. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is 'King Itrek's game.'

Gestumblindi said:
In summer time at sunset I saw the King's body-guard awake and very joyful. The nobles were drinking their ale in silence, but the ale-butts stood screaming. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. That is a sow with her litter. When the little pigs are feeding, she squeals and they are silent.—But I can't imagine who you are who can compose such things so deftly out of such unpromising materials!
The King then silently made a sign that the door of the hall was to be closed.

Gestumblindi said:
I saw maidens like dust. Rocks were their beds. They were black and swarthy in the sunshine, but the darker it grew, the fairer they appeared. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. They are pale embers on the hearth.

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Sat ek á segli,

sá ek dauða menn

blóðugt hold bera

í börk viðar."

"Þar sastu á vegg ok sátt val bera æði í hamra."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Hverir eru þeir tveir,

er tíu hafa fætr,

augu þrjú

ok einn hala?

Heiðrekr konungr,

hyggðu at gátu."

"Þat er þá, er Óðinn ríðr Sleipni."

Þá mælti Gestumblindi:

"Segðu þat þá hinst,

ef þú ert hverjum konungi vitrari:

Hvat mælti Óðinn

í eyra Baldri,

áðr hann væri á bál hafiðr?"

Heiðrekr konungr segir: "Þat veistu einn, rög vættr."

Ok þá bregðr Heiðrekr Tyrfingi ok höggr til hans, en Óðinn brást þá í valslíki ok fló á brott. En konungr hjó eptir ok af honum vélifiðrit aptan, ok því er valr svá vélistuttr ávallt síðan. 

Óðinn mælti þá: "Fyrir þat, Heiðrekr konungr, er þú rétt til mín ok vildir drepa mik saklausan, skulu þér inir verstu þrælar at bana verða." Eptir þat skilr með þeim.  

Gestumblindi said:
I sat on a sail, and saw dead men carrying a channel of blood in the bark of a tree. King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
Your riddle is a good one, Gestumblindi. I have guessed it. You sat on a wall, and watched a hawk flying and carrying an eider duck in its claws.

Gestumblindi said:
Who are those two who have ten feet, three eyes and one tail? King Heithrek, read me this riddle!

Heithrek replied:
You are hard up when you have to turn back to things of long ago to bring forward against me. That is Othin riding his horse Sleipnir. It had eight feet and Othin two, and they had three eyes—Sleipnir two and Othin one.

Gestumblindi said:
Tell me lastly, Heithrek, if you are wiser than any other prince, what did Othin whisper in Balder's ear, before he was placed upon the pyre?

The King replied:
I am sure it was something scandalous and cowardly and thoroughly contemptible. You are the only person who knows the words which you spoke, you evil and wretched creature.

Then the King drew Tyrfing, and struck at Gestumblindi; but he changed himself into a falcon and flew out through the window of the hall. And the sword struck the tail of the falcon; and that is why it has had a short tail ever since, according to heathen superstition. But Othin had now become wroth with the King for striking at him; and that night he was slain.

Þat er sagt, at Heiðrekr konungr átti þræla nokkura, þá er hann hafði tekit í vestrvíking. Þeir váru níu saman. Þeir váru af stórum ættum ok kunnu illa ófrelsi sínu. Þat var á einni nótt, þá er Heiðrekr konungr lá í svefnstofu sinni ok fátt manna hjá honum, þá tóku þrælarnir sér vápn ok gengu fyrir konungs herbergi ok drápu fyrst útvörðuna. Því næst gengu þeir at ok brutu upp konungs herbergit ok drápu þar Heiðrek konung ok alla þá, er inni váru. Þeir tóku sverðit Tyrfing ok allt fé þat, er inni var, ok höfðu á brott með sér, ok engi vissi fyrst, hverir þetta höfðu gert eða hvert hefnda skyldi leita.

Þá lét Angantýr, sonr Heiðreks konungs, kveðja þings, ok á því þingi var hann til konungs tekinn yfir öll þau ríki, er Heiðrekr konungr hafði átt. Á þessu þingi strengdi hann heit, at aldri skyldi hann fyrr setjast í hásæti föður síns en hann hefði hefnt hans.

Litlu eptir þingit hverfr Angantýr á brott einn saman ok ferr víða at leita þessa manna. Eitt kveld gengr hann ofan til sjávar með á þeiri, er Grafá hét. Þar sá hann þrjá menn á fiskibát, ok því næst sá hann, at maðr dró fisk ok kallar, at annarr skyldi fá honum agnsaxit at höfða fiskinn, en sá kveðst eigi laust mega láta.

Hinn mælti: "Taktu sverðit undan höfðafjölinni ok fá mér," en sá tók ok brá ok sneið höfuð af fiskinum, ok þá kvað hann vísu:

"Þess galt hún gedda

fyr Grafár ósi,

er Heiðrekr var veginn

und Harvaða fjöllum."

Angantýr kenndi þegar Tyrfing. Gekk hann þá brott í skóg ok dvaldist þar, til þess er myrkt var. En þessir fiskimenn reru at landi ok fara til tjalds þess, er þeir áttu, ok lögðust til svefns. En nær miðri nótt kom Angantýr þar ok felldi á þá tjaldit ok drap þá alla níu þræla, en tók sverðit Tyrfing, ok var þat þá til marks, at hann hafði hefnt föður síns. Ferr Angantýr nú heim.

Því næst lætr Angantýr gera veislu mikla á Danparstöðum á þeim bæ, er Árheimar heita, at erfa föður sinn. Þá réðu þessir konungar löndum, er hér segir:

Ár kváðu Humla

Húnum ráða,

Gizur Gautum,

Gotum Angantý,

Valdar Dönum,

en Völum Kjár,

Alrekr inn frækni

enskri þjóðu.

Hlöðr, sonr Heiðreks konungs, fæddist upp með Humla konungi, móðurföður sínum, ok var allra manna fríðastr sýnum ok drengiligastr. En þat var fornt mál þann tíma, at maðr væri borinn með vápnum eða hestum. En þat var til þess haft, at þat var mælt um þau vápn, er þá váru ger þann tíma, at maðrinn var fæddr, svá ok fé, kykvendi, yxn eða hestar, ef þat var þá fætt, ok var þat allt fært saman til virðingar tignum mönnum, sem hér segir um Hlöð Heiðreksson:

Hlöðr var þar borinn

í Húnalandi

saxi ok með sverði,

síðri brynju,

hjálmi hringreifðum,

hvössum mæki,

mari vel tömum

á mörk inni helgu.

Nú spyrr Hlöðr fráfall föður síns ok þat með, at Angantýr, bróðir hans, var til konungs tekinn yfir allt þat ríki, sem faðir þeira háfði átt. Nú vilja þeir Humli konungr ok Hlöðr, at hann fari at krefja arfs Angantý, bróður sinn, fyrst með góðum orðum, sem hér segir:

Hlöðr reið austan,

Heiðreks arfi,

kom hann at garði,

þar er Gotar byggja,

á Árheima

arfs at kveðja,

þar drakk Angantýr

erfi Heiðreks.

Nú kom Hlöðr í Árheima með miklu liði, sem hér segir:

Segg fann hann úti

fyr sal hávum

ok síðförlan

síðan kvaddi:

"Inn gakktu, seggr,

í sal hávan,

bið mér Angantý

andspjöll bera."

Sá gekk inn fyrir konungsborð ok kvaddi Angantý konung vel ok mælti síðan:

"Hér er Hlöðr kominn,

Heiðreks arfþegi,

bróðir þinn

inn böðskái;

mikill er sá maðr ungr

á mars baki,

vill nú, þjóðann,

við þik tala."

En er konungr heyrði þetta, þá varpaði hann knífinum á borðit, en sté undan borðinu ok steypti yfir sik brynju ok hvítan skjöld í hönd, en sverðit Tyrfing í aðra hönd. Þá gerðist gnýr mikill í höllinni, sem hér segir:

Rymr var í ranni,

risu með góðum,

vildi hverr heyra,

hvat Hlöðr mælti

ok þat, er Angantýr

andsvör veitti.

Þá mælti Angantýr: "Vel þú kominn, Hlöðr bróðir, gakk inn með oss til drykkju, ok drekkum mjöð eptir föður okkarn fyrst til sama ok öllum oss til vegs með öllum várum sóma."

Hlöðr segir: "Til annars fóru vér hingat en at kýla vömb vára." Þá kvað Hlöðr:

"Hafa vil ek hálft allt,

þat er Heiðrekr átti,

al ok af oddi,

einum skatti,

kú ok af kálfi,

kver þjótandi;

þý ok af þræli

ok þeira barni.

Hrís þat it mæra,

er Myrkviðir heita,

gröf þá ina helgu,

er stendr á götu þjóðar;

stein þann inn mæra,

er stendr á stöðum Danpar,

hálfar herváðir,

þær er Heiðrekr átti,

lönd ok lýða

ok ljósa bauga."

Þá segir Angantýr: "Eigi ertu til lands þessa kominn með lögum, ok rangt viltu bjóða." Þá kvað Angantýr:

"Bresta mun fyrr, bróðir.

in blikhvíta lind

ok kaldr geirr

koma við annan

ok margr gumi

í gras hníga

en ek mun Humlung

hálfan láta

eða Tyrfing

í tvau deila."

Ok enn kvað Angantýr:

"Ek mun bjóða þér

bjartar vigrar,

fé ok fjölð meiðma,

sem þik fremst tíðir;

tólf hundruð gef ek þér manna,

tólf hundruð gef ek þér mara,

tólf hundruð gef ek þér skálka,

þeira er skjöld bera.

Manni gef ek hverjum

margt at þiggja,

annat æðra

en hann á ráði;

mey gef ek hverjum

manni at þiggja,

mey spenni ek hverri

meyju at hálsi.

Mun ek um þik sitjanda

silfri mæla,

en ganganda þik

gulli steypa,

svát á vega alla

velti baugar;

þriðjung Goðþjóðar,

því skaltu einn ráða."

XII. It is said that King Heithrek had some slaves, nine in all, whom he had taken in a freebooting expedition in the West. They came of noble families, and chafed against their captivity. One night, when King Heithrek lay in bed, attended by only a handful of men, the slaves armed themselves and went to the building in which he lay. They first slew the sentries, and then went and broke into the King's chamber, and slew the King and all who were within. They took the sword Tyrfing, and all the treasure that they found there, and carried everything off with them.
For a while, no one knew who had done the deed or how vengeance was to be taken. Then Angantyr the son of King Heithrek had a meeting called, and by that assembly he was proclaimed King over all the territories that King Heithrek had held. And at the same meeting he swore a solemn oath that he would never sit on his father's throne until he had avenged him.
Shortly after the meeting, Angantyr went away by himself and travelled far and wide searching for these men. One evening he was walking down to the sea along a river called Graf. There he saw three men in a fishing-boat, and presently he saw one of the men catch a fish, and heard him call to one of his companions to hand him a bait-knife to cut off the fish's head. The man replied that he could not spare it. Then the first man said:
"Take down the sword from over there by the rudder, and hand it to me."
And he took it and unsheathed it, and cut off the fish's head, and then spoke a verse: 

Then Hlöth learnt of the death of his father, and also that his brother Angantyr had been made King over all the territory which their father had held. Then King Humli and Hlöth resolved that Hlöth should go and request his brother Angantyr to allow him a share of his father's property, and that he should try first by fair words—as is said here:

Gizurr Grýtingaliði, fóstri Heiðreks konungs, var þá með Angantý konungi ok var þá ofrgamall. Ok er hann heyrði boð Angantýs, þótti honum hann of mikit bjóða ok kvað þá:

"Þetta er þiggjanda þýjar barni, barni þýjar, þótt sé borinn konungr; þá hornungr á haugi sat, er öðlingr arfi skipti."

Hlöðr reiddist nú mjök, er hann var þýbarn ok hornungr kallaðr, ef hann þægi boð bróður síns, ok sneri hann þá þegar í brott með alla sína menn, til þess er hann kom heim í Húnaland til Humla konungs, frænda síns, ok sagði honum, at Angantýr, bróðir hans, hefði eigi unnt honum helmingaskiptis. Humli spyrr nú allt tal þeira; varð hann þá reiðr mjök, ef Hlöðr, dóttursonr hans, skyldi ambáttarsonr heita, ok kvað þá:

"Sitja skulum í vetr ok sælliga lifa, drekka ok dæma dýrar veigar; kenna Húnum hervápn búa, þau er fræknliga skulum fram bera."

Ok enn kvað hann:

"Vel skulum þér, Hlöðr, herlið búa ok framliga fylki týja með tólf vetra mengi ok tvævetrum fola, svá skal Húna her of samna."

Þenna vetr sátu þeir Humli ok Hlöðr um kyrrt. Um várit drógu þeir her saman svá mikinn, at aleyða var eptir vígra manna í Húnalandi. Allir menn fóru tólf vetra ok ellri, þeir er herfærir váru at vápnum, ok hestar þeira allir fóru tvævetrir ok ellri. Varð svá mikill fjöldi manna þeira, at þúsundum mátti telja, en eigi færi en þúsundir í fylkingar. En höfðingi var settr yfir þúsund hverja, en merki yfir fylking hverja, en fimm þúsundir í hverri fylking, þeira er þrettán hundruð váru í hverri, en hvert hundrað fernir fjórir tigir, en þessar fylkingar váru þrjár ok þrír tigir.
Sem þessi herr kom saman, riðu þeir skóg þann, er Myrkviðr heitir, er skilr Húnaland ok Gotaland. En sem þeir kómu af skóginum, þá váru byggðir stórar ok vellir sléttir, ok á völlunum stóð borg ein fögr. En þar réð fyrir Hervör, systir Angantýs konungs, ok Ormarr, fóstri hennar; varu þau sett þar til landgæslu fyrir her Húna, ok höfðu þau þar mikit lið.

XIII. Gizur, a liegeman from the Grytingar, King Heithrek's foster-father, was with King Angantyr. He was a very old man at that time. And when he heard King Angantyr's suggestion, he thought that he was offering too much and said:

Þat var einn morgun í sólarupprás, at Hervör stóð upp á kastala einum yfir borgarhliði. Hún sá jóreyki stóra suðr til skógarins, svá at löngum fal sólina. Því næst sá hún glóa undir jóreyknum, sem á gull eitt liti, fagra skjöldu ok gulli lagða, gyllta hjálma ok hvítar brynjur. Sá hún þá, at þetta var herr Húna ok mikill fjöldi.

Hervör gekk ofan skyndiliga ok kallar lúðrsvein ok bað blása saman lið. Ok síðan mælti Hervör: "Takið vápn yður ok búist til orrostu, en þú, Ormarr, ríð í mót Húnum ok bjóð þeim orrostu fyrir borgarhliði inu syðra.

Ormarr kvað:

"Skal ek víst ríða

ok rönd bera,

Gota þjóðum

gunni heyja."

Þá reið Ormarr af borginni ok í mót hernum. Hann kallaði hátt ok bað þá ríða til borgarinnar, - "ok úti fyrir borgarhliðinu suðr á völlunum þar býð ek yðr til orrostu; bíði þeir þar annarra, er fyrr koma."

Nú reið Ormarr aptr til borgarinnar, ok var þá Hervör albúin ok allr herr. Riðu þau nú út af borginni með hernum móti Húnum, ok hófst þar allmikil orrosta. En með því at Húnar hafa lið miklu meira, sneri mannfallinu í lið þeira Hervarar, ok um síðir fell Hervör ok mikit lið umhverfis hana. En er Ormarr sá fall hennar, flýði hann ok allir þeir, er lífit þágu. Ormarr reið dag ok nótt, sem mest mátti hann, á fund Angantýs konungs í Árheima. Húnar taka nú at herja um landit víða ok brenna.

Og sem Ormarr kom fyrir Angantý konung, þá kvað hann:

"Sunnan em ek kominn

at segja spjöll þessi:

sviðin er öll mörk

ok Myrkviðar heiðr,

drifin öll Goðþjóð

gumna blóði."

Ok enn kvað hann:

"Mey veit ek Heiðreks,

systur þína,

svigna til jarðar;

hafa Húnar

hana fellda

ok marga aðra

yðra þegna.

Léttari gerðist hún at böð

en við biðil ræða

eða í bekk at fara

at brúðar gangi."

Angantýr konungr, þá er hann heyrði þetta, brá hann grönum ok varð seint til orða ok mælti þetta um síðir:

"Óbróðurliga vartu leikin,

in ágæta systir."

Ok síðan leit hann yfir hirðina, ok var ekki margt liðs með honum. Hann kvað þá:

"Mjök váru vér margir,

er vér mjöð drukkum,

nú eru vér færi,

er vér fleiri skyldum.

Sék eigi mann

í mínu liði,

þótt ek biðja

ok baugum kaupa,

er muni ríða

ok rönd bera

ok þeira Húna

herlið finna."

Gizurr gamli sagði:

"Ek mun þik einkis

eyris krefja

né skjallanda

skarfs ór gulli;

þó mun ek ríða

ok rönd bera,

Húna þjóðum

herstaf bjóða."

Þat váru lög Heiðreks konungs, ef herr var í landi, en landskonungr haslaði völl ok lagði orrostustað, þá skyldu víkingar ekki herja, áðr orrosta væri reynd. Gizurr herklæddist með góðum hervápnum ok hljóp á hest sinn, sem ungr væri. Þá mælti hann til konungs:

"Hvar skal ek Húnum

hervíg kenna?"

Angantýr kvað:

"Kenndu at Dylgju

ok á Dúnheiði,

ok á þeim öllum

Jassarfjöllum;

þar opt Gotar

gunni háðu

ok fagran sigr

frægir vágu."

Nú reið Gizurr í brott ok þar til, er hann kom í her Húna. Hann reið eigi nær en svá, at hann mátti tala við þá. Þá kallar hann hári röddu ok kvað:

"Felmtr er yðru fylki,

feigr er yðarr vísir,

gnæfar yðr gunnfáni,

gramr er yðr Óðinn."

Ok enn:

"Býð ek yðr at Dylgju

ok á Dúnheiði

orrostu undir

Jassarfjöllum;

hræ sé yðr

at hái hverjum,

ok láti svá Óðinn flein fljúga,

sem ek fyrir mæli."

Þá er Hlöðr hafði heyrt orð Gizurar, þá kvað hann:

"Taki þér Gizur

Grýtingaliða,

mann Angantýs,

kominn af Árheimum."

Humli konungr sagði:

"Eigi skulum

árum spilla,

þeim er of fara

einir saman."

Gizurr mælti: "Eigi gera Húnar oss felmtraða né hornbogar yðrir."

Gizurr drap þá hest sinn með sporum ok reið á fund Angantýs konungs ok gekk fyrir hann ok kvaddi hann vel. Konungr spyrr, hvárt hann hefði fundit konunga.

Gizurr mælti: "Talaða ek við þá, ok stefnda ek þeim á vígvöll á Dúnheiði í Dylgjudölum."

Angantýr spyrr, hvat mikit lið Húnar hafa.

Gizurr mælti: "Mikit er þeira mengi:

Sex ein eru

seggja fylki,

í fylki hverju

fimm þúsundir,

í þúsund hverri

þrettán hundruð,

í hundraði hverju

halir fjórtaldir."

Angantýr spyrr nú til Húna hers. Þá sendi hann alla vegu menn frá sér ok stefndi hverjum manni til sín, er honum vildi lið veita ok vápnum mætti valda. Fór hann þá á Dúnheiði með lið sitt, ok var þat allmikill herr. Kom þá á móti honum herr Húna, ok höfðu þeir lið hálfu meira.

XIV. It happened one morning at sunrise that as Hervör was standing on the summit of a tower over the gate of the fortress, she looked southwards towards the forest, and saw clouds of dust arising from a great body of horse, by which the sun was hidden for a long time. Next she saw a gleam beneath the dust, as though she were gazing on a mass of gold—fair shields overlaid with gold, gilded helmets and white corslets. Then she perceived that it was the Hunnish host coming on in vast numbers. She descended hastily and called her trumpeter, and bade him sound the assembly.
Then said Hervör: "Take your weapons and arm for battle; and do thou, Ormar, ride against the Huns and offer them battle before the Southern Gate."
Ormar replied: "I will certainly take my shield and ride with the companies of the Goths. I will challenge the Huns and offer them battle before the Southern Gate."

Then Ormar rode out of the fortress against the Huns. He called loudly bidding them ride up to the fort, saying:
"Outside the gate of the fortress, in the plains to the south—there will I offer you battle. Let those who arrive first await their foes!"
Then Ormar rode back to the fortress, and found Hervör and all her host armed and ready. They rode forthwith out of the fort with all their host against the Huns, and a great battle began between them. But the Hunnish host was far superior in numbers, so that Hervör's troops began to suffer heavy losses; and in the end Hervör fell, and a great part of her army round about her. And when Ormar saw her fall, he fled with all those who still survived. Ormar rode day and night as fast as he could to King Angantyr in Arheimar. The Huns then proceeded to ravage and burn throughout the land.
And when Ormar came into the presence of King Angantyr, he cried:

When King Angantyr heard that, he drew back his lips, and it was some time before he spoke. Then he said:

"In no brotherly wise hast thou been treated, my noble sister!"
Then he surveyed his retinue, and his band of men was but small; then he cried:

It was a rule with King Heithrek that if his army was invading a land, and the King of that land had set up hazel stakes to mark the spot on which the battle was to take place, then the vikings should not go raiding till the battle had been fought.
Gizur armed himself with good weapons and leapt on his horse as if he had been a young man. Then he cried to the King:
"Where shall I challenge the host of the Huns to battle?"
King Angantyr replied:

"Challenge them to battle at Dylgia and on Dunheith, and upon all the heights of Jösur, where the Goths have often won renown by glorious victories!"

Then Gizur rode away until he came to the host of the Huns. He rode just within earshot, and then called loudly, crying:

When Hlöth heard Gizur's words, he cried:

"Lay hold upon Gizur of the Grytingar, Angantyr's man, who has come from Arheimar!"

King Humli said: "We must not injure heralds who travel about unattended."

Gizur cried: "You Hunnish dogs are not going to overcome us with guile."
Then Gizur struck spurs into his horse and rode back to King Angantyr, and went up to him and saluted him. The King asked him if he had parleyed with the Huns.
Gizur replied: "I spoke with them and I challenged them to meet us on the battle-field of Dunheith and in the valleys of Dylgia."

Angantyr asked how big the army of the Huns was.

"Their host is very numerous," replied Gizur.

"There are six legions in all, and five 'thousands' in every legion, and each 'thousand' contains thirteen 'hundreds,' and in every 'hundred' there are a hundred and sixty men."

Angantyr asked further questions about the host of the Huns.

He then sent men in all directions to summon every man who was willing to support him and could bear weapons. He then marched to Dunheith with his army, and it was a very great host. There the host of the Huns came against him with an army half as big again as his own.

At öðrum degi hófu þeir sína orrostu ok börðust allan þann dag ok fóru at kveldi í herbúðir sínar. Þeir börðust svá átta daga, at höfðingjar váru enn heilir, en engi vissi manntal, hvat margt fell. En bæði dag ok nótt dreif lið til Angantýs af öllum vegum, ok þá kom svá, at hann hafði eigi færa fólk en í fyrstu.

Varð nú orrostan enn ákafari. Váru Húnar allákafir ok sá þá sinn kost, at sú ein var lífs ván, ef þeir sigruðust, ok illt mundi Gota griða at biðja. Gotar vörðu frelsi sitt ok fóstrjörð fyrir Húnum, stóðu því fast, ok eggjaði hverr annan. Þá er á leið daginn, gerðu Gotar atgöngu svá harða, at fylkingar Húna svignuðu fyrir. Ok er Angantýr sá þat, gekk hann fram ór skjaldborginni ok í öndverða fylking ok hafði í hendi Tyrfing ok hjó þá bæði menn ok hesta. Raufst þá skjaldborg fyrir Húna konungum, ok skiptust þeir bræðr höggum við. Þá fell Hlöðr ok Humli konungr, ok þá brast flótti á Húnum, en Gotar drápu þá ok felldu svá mikinn val, at ár stemmdust ok fellu ór vegum, en dalir váru fullir af hestum ok dauðum mönnum ok blóði.

Angantýr konungr gekk þá at kanna valinn ok fann Hlöð, bróður sinn. Þá kvað hann:

"Bauð ek þér, bróðir, basmir óskerðar, fé ok fjölð meiðma, sem þik fremst tíddi; nú hefir þú hvárki hildar at gjöldum ljósa bauga né land ekki."

Ok enn:

"Bölvat er okkr, bróðir, bani em ek þinn orðinn, þat mun æ uppi, illr er dómr norna."

XV. Next day they began their battle, and they fought together the whole day, and at evening they went to their quarters. They continued fighting for eight days, but the princes were then still all unwounded, though none could count the number of the slain. But both day and night troops came thronging round Angantyr's banner from all quarters; and so it came about that his army never grew less.
The battle now became fiercer than ever. The Huns were desperate, for they now saw that their only chance of escaping annihilation lay in victory, and that sorry would be their lot if they had to ask for quarter from the Goths. The Goths on the other hand were defending their freedom and their native land against the Huns; so they stood fast and encouraged one another to fight on. Then towards the close of the day the Goths made so fierce an attack that the line of the Huns recoiled before it. And when Angantyr saw that, he pressed forward from behind the rampart of shields into the forefront of the battle and grasping Tyrfing in his hand, mowed down both men and horses. Then the ranks fell apart in front of the Kings of the Huns, and Hlöth exchanged blows with his brother. There fell Hlöth and King Humli, and then the Huns took to flight. The Goths cut them down and made such a great slaughter that the rivers were dammed with the bodies and diverted from their courses, and the valleys were full of dead men and horses. Angantyr then went to search among the slain, and found his brother Hlöth. Then he cried:

Angantýr var lengi konungr í Reiðgotalandi. Hann var ríkr ok hermaðr mikill, ok eru frá honum komnar konunga ættir.

Sonr hans var Heiðrekr úlfhamr, er síðan var lengi konungr í Reiðgotalandi. Hann átti dóttur, er Hildr hét. Hún var móðir Hálfdanar snjalla, föður Ívars ins víðfaðma.
Ívarr inn víðfaðmi kom með her sinn í Svíaveldi, sem segir í konunga sögum, en Ingjaldr konungr inn illráði hræddist her hans ok brenndi sik sjálfr inni með allri hirð sinni á þeim bæ, er á Ræningi heitir. Ívarr inn víðfaðmi lagði þá undir sik allt Svíaveldi. Hann vann ok Danaveldi ok Kúrland, Saxland ok Eistland ok öll austrríki allt til Garðaríkis. Hann réð ok vestra Saxlandi ok vann hlut Englands; þat er kallat Norðumbraland.

Ívarr lagði þá undir sik allt Danaveldi, ok síðan setti hann þar yfir Valdar konung ok gifti honum Álfhildi, dóttur sína. Þeira sonr var Haraldr hilditönn ok Randvér, er fell í Englandi. En Valdarr andaðist í Danmörk; tók þá Randvér Danaríki ok gerðist konungr yfir. En Haraldr hilditönn lét gefa sér konungsnafn í Gautlandi, ok síðan lagði hann undir sik öll framar nefnd ríki, er Ívarr konungr inn víðfaðmi hafði átt.

Randvér konungr fekk Ásu, dóttur Haralds konungs ins granrauða norðan ór Noregi. Sonr þeira var Sigurðr hringr. Randvér konungr varð bráðdauðr, en Sigurðr hringr tók konungdóm í Danmörk. Hann barðist við Harald konung hilditönn á Brávelli í eystra Gautlandi, ok þar fell Haraldr konungr ok mikill fjöldi liðs með honum. Þessar orrostur hafa í fornum sögum frægastar verit ok mest mannfall orðit ok sú, er Angantýr ok hans bróðir börðust á Dúnheiði.

Sigurðr konungr hringr réð Danaríki til dauðadags, en eptir hann Ragnarr konungr loðbrók, sonr hans.

Sonr Haralds hilditannar hét Eysteinn inn illráði. Hann tók Svíaríki eptir föður sinn ok réð því, þar til er synir Ragnars konungs felldu hann, svá sem segir í hans sögu. Þeir synir Ragnars konungs lögðu þá undir sik Svíaveldi, en eptir dauða Ragnars konungs tók Björn, sonr hans, járnsíða Svíaveldi, en Sigurðr Danaveldi, Hvítserkr Austrríki, Ívarr inn beinlausi England.

Synir Bjarnar járnsíðu váru þeir Eiríkr ok Refill. Hann var herkonungr ok sækonungr, en Eiríkr konungr réð Svíaríki eptir föður sinn ok lifði litla hríð. Þá tók ríkit Eiríkr, sonr Refils; hann var mikill hermaðr ok allríkr konungr. Eiríks synir, Bjarnar sonar, váru þeir önundr uppsali ok Björn konungr. Þá kom Svíaríki enn í bræðra skipti; þeir tóku ríki eptir Eirík Refilsson. Björn konungr efldi þann bæ, er at Haugi heitir; hann var kallaðr Björn at Haugi. Með honum var Bragi skáld. Eiríkr hét sonr önundar konungs, er ríki tók eptir föður sinn at Uppsölum; hann var ríkr konungr. Á hans dögum hófst til ríkis í Noregi Haraldr hárfagri, er fyrstr kom einvaldi í Noreg sinna ættmanna. Björn hét sonr Eiríks konungs at Uppsölum; hann tók ríki eptir föður sinn ok réð lengi. Synir Bjarnar váru þeir Eiríkr inn sigrsæli ok Óláfr; þeir tóku ríki eptir föður sinn ok konungdóm. Óláfr var faðir Styrbjarnar ins sterka. Á þeira dögum andaðist Haraldr konungr inn hárfagri. Styrbjörn barðist við Eirík konung, föðurbróður sinn, á Fýrisvöllum, ok þar fell Styrbjörn. Síðan réð Eiríkr Svíaríki til dauðadags. Hann átti Sigríði ina stórráðu. Óláfr hét sonr þeira, er til konungs var tekinn í Svíþjóð eptir Eirík konung. Hann var þá barn, ok báru Svíar hann eptir sér; því kölluðu þeir hann skautkonung, en síðan Óláf sænska. Hann var lengi konungr ok ríkr. Hann tók fyrst kristni Svíakonunga, ok um hans daga var Svíþjóð kölluð kristin.

Önundr hét sonr Óláfs konungs sænska, er konungdóm tók eptir hann ok varð sóttdauðr. Á hans dögum fell Óláfr konungr inn helgi á Stiklastöðum. Eymundr hét annarr sonr Óláfs sænska, er konungdóm tók eptir bróður sinn. Um hans daga heldu Svíar illa kristnina. Eymundr var litla hríð konungr.

Steinkell hét ríkr maðr í Svíaríki ok kynstórr; móðir hans hét Ástríðr, dóttir Njáls Finnssonar ins skjálga af Hálogalandi, en faðir hans var Rögnvaldr inn gamli. Steinkell var fyrst jarl í Svíþjóð, en eptir dauða Eymundar konungs tóku Svíar hann til konungs. Þá gekk konungdómr ór langfeðgaætt í Svíþjóð inna fornu konunga. Steinkell var mikill höfðingi. Hann átti dóttur Eymundar konungs. Hann varð sóttdauðr í Svíþjóð nær því, er Haraldr konungr fell á Englandi.

Ingi hét sonr Steinkels, er Svíar tóku til konungs næst eptir Hákon. Ingi var þar lengi konungr ok vinsæll ok vel kristinn. Hann eyddi blótum í Svíþjóð ok bað fólk allt þar kristnast, en Svíar höfðu of mikinn átrúnað á heiðnum goðum ok heldu fornum siðum. Ingi konungr gekk at eiga konu þá, er Mær hét. Bróðir hennar hét Sveinn. Inga konungi þokknaðist enginn maðr svá vel, ok varð hann í Svíþjóð inn ríkasti maðr. Svíum þótti Ingi konungr brjóta forn landslög á sér, er hann vandaði um þá hluti, er Steinkell hafði standa látit. Á þingi nokkuru, er Svíar áttu við Inga konung, gerðu þeir honum tvá kosti, hvárt hann vildi heldr halda við þá forn lög eða láta af konungdómi. Þá mælti Ingi konungr ok kveðst eigi mundu kasta þeiri trú, sem rétt væri. Þá æptu Svíar ok þröngdu honum með grjóti ok ráku hann af lögþinginu.

Sveinn, mágr konungs, var eptir á þinginu. Hann bauð Svíum at efla blót fyrir þeim, ef þeir gæfi honum konungdóm. Því játa þeir allir; var Sveinn þá til konungs tekinn yfir alla Svíþjóð. Þá var fram leitt hross eitt á þingit ok höggvit í sundr ok skipt til áts, en roðit blóðinu blóttré. Köstuðu þá allir Svíar kristni, ok hófust blót, en þeir ráku Inga konung á brott, ok fór hann í vestra Gautland. Blót-Sveinn var þrjá vetr konungr yfir Svíum.

Ingi konungr fór með hirð sína ok sveit nokkura ok hafði lítinn her. Hann reið austr um Smáland ok í eystra Gautland ok svá í Svíþjóð. Hann reið bæði dag ok nótt ok kom óvart Sveini snemma morguns. Þeir tóku hús á þeim ok slógu eldi í ok brenndu lið þat, er inni var.

Þjófr hét maðr lendr, er þar brann inni; hann hafði áðr fylgt Sveini. Blót-Sveinn gekk út ok var þegar drepinn.

Ingi tók svá konungdóm yfir Svíum ok réttleiddi þá enn kristnina ok réð ríkinu til dauðadags ok varð sóttdauðr.

Hallsteinn hét sonr Steinkels konungs, bróðir Inga konungs, er konungr var með Inga konungi, bróður sínum. Synir Hallsteins váru þeir Philippus ok Ingi, er konungdóm tóku í Svíþjóð eptir Inga konung gamla. Philippus átti Ingigerði, dóttur Haralds konungs Sigurðarsonar; hann var skamma stund konungr.

XVI. Angantyr ruled Reithgotaland as King for a long time. He was powerful and generous and a great warrior, and lines of kings are sprung from him.
He had a son called Heithrek Wolfskin who ruled after him for a long time in Reithgotaland. Heithrek had a daughter called Hild, who was the mother of Halfdan the Valiant, the father of Ivar Vithfathmi. Ivar Vithfathmi went with his army into the Swedish kingdom, as is told in the Sagas of the Kings. And King Ingjald the Wicked was panic-stricken at the approach of his army, and burned the roof over himself and all his retinue at a place called Ræning. Ivar Vithfathmi then conquered all Sweden. He also subdued Denmark and Courland and the land of the Saxons and Esthonia, and all the eastern realms as far as Russia. He also ruled the land of the Saxons in the West and conquered the part of England which was called Northumbria.
Then he conquered all Denmark and set over it King Valdar, to whom he married his daughter Alfhild. Their sons were Harold Hilditönn and Randver who afterwards fell in England. And when Valdar died in Denmark, Randver got possession of the Danish kingdom and made himself King over it. And King Harold Hilditönn got himself proclaimed King of Gautland, and he afterwards conquered all the kingdoms already mentioned, which King Ivar Vithfathmi had held.
King Randver married Asa, the daughter of King Harold of the Red Moustache from Norway. Their son was Sigurth Hring. King Randver died suddenly, and Sigurth Hring succeeded to the Kingdom of Denmark. He fought against King Harold Hilditönn at the Battle of Bravöll in East Gautland, and there King Harold fell, and a great multitude of his army with him. This battle and the one which Angantyr and his brother Hlöth fought at Dunheith are the battles which have been most famous in stories of old. Never were any greater slaughters made.
King Sigurth Hring ruled the Kingdom of the Danes till the day of his death; and his son Ragnar Lothbrok succeeded him.
Harold Hilditönn had a son called Eystein the Wicked, who succeeded to the Swedish Realm after his father, and ruled it until he was slain by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, as is related in the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok. The sons of Ragnar Lothbrok conquered all the Swedish Kingdom; and after the death of King Ragnar, his son, Björn Ironside, inherited Sweden, and Sigurth Denmark, Hvitserk the Eastern Realm, and Ivar the Boneless England.
The sons of Björn Ironside were Eric and Refil. The latter was a warrior-prince and sea-king. King Eric ruled the Swedish Realm after his father, and lived but a short time. Then Eric the son of Refil succeeded to the Kingdom. He was a great warrior and a very powerful King. The sons of Eric Björnsson were Önund of Upsala and King Björn. Then the Swedish Realm again came to be divided between brothers. They succeeded to the Kingdom on the death of Eric Refilsson. King Björn built a house called 'Barrow,' and he himself was called Björn of the Barrow. Bragi the poet was with him. King Önund had a son called Eric, and he succeeded to the throne at Upsala after his father. He was a mighty King. In his days Harold the Fair-haired made himself King of Norway. He was the first to unite the whole of that country under his sway.
Eric at Upsala had a son called Björn, who came to the throne after his father and ruled for a long time. The sons of Björn, Eric the Victorious, and Olaf succeeded to the kingdom after their father. Olaf was the father of Styrbjörn the Strong. In their days King Harold the Fair-haired died. Styrbjörn fought against King Eric his father's brother at Fyrisvellir, and there Styrbjörn fell. Then Eric ruled Sweden till the day of his death. He married Sigrith the Ambitious. They had a son called Olaf who was accepted as King in Sweden after King Eric. He was only a child at the time and the Swedes carried him about with them, and for this reason they called him 'Skirt-King,' and then, later, Olaf the Swede. He ruled for a long time and was a powerful King. He was the first king of Sweden to be converted, and in his days, Sweden was nominally Christian.
King Olaf the Swede had a son called Önund who succeeded him. He died in his bed. In his day fell King Olaf the Saint at Stiklestad. Olaf the Swede had another son called Eymund, who came to the throne after his brother. In his day the Swedes neglected the Christian religion, but he was King for only a short time.
There was a great man of noble family in Sweden called Steinkel. His mother's name was Astrith, the daughter of Njal the son of Fin the Squinter, from Halogaland; and his father was Rögnvald the Old. Steinkel was an Earl in Sweden at first, and then after the death of Eymund, the Swedes elected him their King. Then the throne passed out of the line of the ancient kings of Sweden. Steinkel was a mighty prince. He married the daughter of King Eymund. He died in his bed in Sweden about the time that King Harold fell in England.
Steinkel had a son called Ingi, who became King of Sweden after Haakon. Ingi was King of Sweden for a long time, and was popular and a good Christian. He tried to put an end to heathen sacrifices in Sweden and commanded all the people to accept Christianity; yet the Swedes held to their ancient faith. King Ingi married a woman called Mær who had a brother called Svein. King Ingi liked Svein better than any other man, and Svein became thereby the greatest man in Sweden. The Swedes considered that King Ingi was violating the ancient law of the land when he took exception to many things which Steinkel his father had permitted, and at an assembly held between the Swedes and King Ingi, they offered him two alternatives, either to follow the old order, or else to abdicate. Then King Ingi spoke up and said that he would not abandon the true faith; whereupon the Swedes raised a shout and pelted him with stones, and drove him from the assembly.
Svein, the King's brother-in-law, remained behind in the assembly, and offered the Swedes to do sacrifices on their behalf if they would give him the Kingdom. They all agreed to accept Svein's offer, and he was then recognised as King over all Sweden. A horse was then brought to the assembly and hewn in pieces and cut up for eating, and the sacred tree was smeared with blood. Then all the Swedes abandoned Christianity, and sacrifices were started again. They drove King Ingi away; and he went into Vestergötland. Svein the Sacrificer was King of Sweden for three years.
King Ingi set off with his retinue and some of his followers, though it was but a small force. He then rode eastwards by Småland and into Östergötland and then into Sweden. He rode both day and night, and came upon Svein suddenly in the early morning. They caught him in his house and set it on fire and burned the band of men who were within.
There was a baron called Thjof who was burnt inside. He had been previously in the retinue of Svein the Sacrificer. Svein himself left the house, but was slain immediately.
Thus Ingi once more received the Kingdom of Sweden; and he reestablished Christianity and ruled the Kingdom till the end of his life, when he died in his bed.
King Steinkel had, besides Ingi, another son Hallstein who reigned along with his brother. Hallstein's sons were Philip and Ingi, and they succeeded to the Kingdom of Sweden after King Ingi the elder. Philip married Ingigerth, the daughter of King Harold the son of Sigurth. He reigned for only a short time.

The Saga of Hervör and Heithrek is found in two vellums, the Hauksbók (a.m. 544), dating from c. 1325, which for convenience is usually called H; and ms. 28451 in the Royal Library at Copenhagen, dating from the fifteenth century, and generally called R. Besides these there are a number of papermss. (h) dating from the seventeenth century. According to Bugge2, these have no independent value and can contribute nothing to our knowledge of the text up to the point at which the vellums break off. They are useful however as continuing the Saga beyond this point. H comes to an end with Gestumblindi's second riddle, while R breaks off just before the close of ch. 12. Beyond this point we are entirely dependent on the paper mss. One of these (a.m. 345 written in 1694) was adopted by Rafn3 as the text for his edition of the Saga, though he gives H in full as an Appendix.
The mss. differ considerably among themselves. For instance R omits the first chapter of the Saga, but contains Hjalmar's Death Song. Here, too, many of the riddles are wanting, and the order of the rest[pg 80]is quite different from that of h. Finnur Jónsson4 is of the opinion that R is the best text throughout; but Heusler5, like Valdimar Ásmundarson, keeps the order of the riddles as in h. Petersen6 regardsH as the best text and follows it so far as it goes; but when it breaks off he follows R mainly, although he considers the latter ms. to be defective in many places, "at the beginning, middle and end." He has supplied the lacunae in it from Arn. Magn. 192, the paperms. which comes nearest to it, and also from others but with greater reservation. Valdimar Ásmundarson, like Petersen, and no doubt influenced by him, has followed H very closely in his edition of the Saga7till it breaks off, and after that the paper mss. (h) most closely related to it. He does not appear to have used R, and therefore omits the details of the fight on Samsø and Hjalmar's Death Song. Ásmundarson's version has been followed closely in the translation given below, but one or two interesting passages omitted by H have been translated separately (see Appendix on pp. 144-150) from the text printed fromR in Wimmer's Oldnordisk Læsebog8 and from some short excerpts from h printed at the close of Petersen's edition of the Saga.
For a full bibliography of the texts, translations, and literature dealing with this saga the reader is referred to Islandica, Vol. v, pp. 22-26.
In this saga we have what appears to be the history of a certain family for more than four generations. From the point of view of construction, the story can hardly be regarded as a success. Yet it contains scenes at least equal to any others which can be found among sagas of this kind. It also embodies a considerable amount of poetry which is not found elsewhere. Some of this is of high merit, and one piece, dealing with the battle between the Huns and the Goths, is evidently of great antiquity.
The Saga opens in a purely mythical milieu—with Guthmund in Glasisvellir, to whom we have already had reference in the story of Nornagest. Next we have a typical story of the Viking Age—the adventures of the sons of Arngrim and their fight on Samsø. This story is known to us from other sources, the earliest being the poem Hyndluljóth (str. 24), which according to Finnur Jónsson9 cannot be later in date than the latter part of the tenth century, though Mogk10 is inclined to doubt this. Other references occur in the Saga of Örvar-Odd, Saxo's Danish History, the later ballads translated below, etc.
We then pass on to the account of Hervör, the daughter of Angantyr (which is only found here and in the ballads), and the striking poem in which she is represented as visiting her father's grave-mound to obtain his sword.
The next and longest section contains the life of Hervör's son Heithrek, which is peculiar to this saga and which in its earlier part likewise seems to be a story of the Viking Age. Towards the end, however, it gradually dawns upon us that there has been an unconscious change of scene, and that Heithrek instead of being a Viking prince of the Northern coasts, is now represented as a King of the Goths, somewhere in the East of Europe—apparently in the neighbourhood of the Dnieper. In the last section of the story, dealing with the adventures of Angantyr and Hlöth, the sons of Heithrek, there is no longer any reminiscence of the Viking Age or the North of Europe. Here we are away back among the Goths and Huns in the fifth or the latter part of the fourth century.
Throughout this strange concatenation of scenes a connecting link is afforded by the magic flaming sword, which is handed on from generation to generation, and which can never be sheathed without having dealt a death wound.
It is abundantly clear that the latter part of the story is of a totally different origin from the first part, and in reality many centuries earlier. The prose here is for the most part little more than a paraphrase of the poem, which probably has its roots in poetry of the Gothic period. But how this story came to be joined on to a narrative of the Viking Age is far from clear.
It is also interesting to note that some of the characters in the saga are repetitions of one another. At all events what is said about Hervör the daughter of Heithrek in the latter part of the story bears a strong resemblance to the description of the more prominent Hervör, the daughter of Angantyr, in the first part.
Three poems of considerable length are preserved in the story. The Riddles of Gestumblindi, though somewhat tedious as a whole, afford a better specimen of this type of composition than is to be found elsewhere in early Norse literature. They cannot fail to be of considerable interest to anyone who studies the Anglo-Saxon Riddles, though unlike the latter they are wholly Teutonic in spirit and form. Direct Latin influence appears to be entirely absent.
Gestumblindi's Riddles, while they belong essentially to popular literature, yet contain many arresting phrases which show a minute observation of nature. They illustrate the condensed, proverbial type of wisdom that prevails in a primitive state of society, as well as its keen interest and delight in the little things of life. They can hardly be called literature as we understand the term; they are rather the stuff of which literature is made. But though it is a far cry from these little nature verses to the more beautiful and more ambitious nature poems of Burns and Tennyson, yet Gestumblindi's loving interest in "every creature of earth" surprised even King Heithrek into comment. The keen and whimsical observation that noted that even a spider is a "marvel" and that it "carries its knees higher than its body" is the same spirit that inspired a poem to the "Wee sleekit, cowrin', tim'rous beastie."
The poet who noticed that water falling as hail on rock looks white by contrast, yet forms little black circles when it falls into the sand as rain, had much in common with one who noticed that rock and sand yield opposite sounds when struck by the same object—

Low on the sand and loud on the stone
The last wheel echoed away.

But though these things are pleasing in themselves, they are, of course, slight. Gestumblindi cannot rise to the heights of true poetry reached by Burns or Tennyson.

Besides the Riddles, this saga has preserved for us two far finer poems—in fact two of the finest Norse poems that we possess—the dialogue between Hervör and Angantyr at the Barrows of Samsø, and the narrative of the great battle between the Goths and the Huns, the Chevy Chase of the North. The ruthlessness and barbaric splendour of the Hunnish leaders, the cruelty and the poetry of warfare a thousand years ago, are here vividly depicted in Norse verse at its simplest and best.
We may notice too the little vignettes that appear from time to time both in the poetry itself and in the prose narrative, some of which is evidently derived from lost verses.—Hervör standing at sunrise on the summit of the tower and looking southward towards the forest; Angantyr marshalling his men for battle and remarking drily that there used to be more of them when mead drinking was in question; great clouds of dust rolling over the plain, through which glittered white corslet and golden helmet, as the Hunnish host came riding on.
The dialogue between Hervör and Angantyr, despite a certain melodramatic element in the setting, is treated with great delicacy and poetic feeling, and an atmosphere of terror and mystery pervades the whole poem. The midnight scene in the eerie and deserted burial-ground, the lurid flickering of the grave fires along the lonely beach, the tombs opening one by one as the corpses start to life—all these work on the imagination and create an atmosphere of dread. The poet understood the technique of presenting the supernatural, and he is deliberately vague and suggestive. Much more is implied than is stated, and much is left to the imagination.
The greatest charm of the poem, however, lies in the sympathetic treatment of Hervör. The Hervör of the prose narrative is perfectly consistent with the Hervör of the poem, but at the same time the poem—which is probably more than a century older than the saga—would lead us to conclude that her character was not correctly understood by the writer of the saga. Obviously unsympathetic, he denounces her with an indignation which would have made the writer of the poem smile.
"She grew up to be a beautiful girl ... but as soon as she could do anything it was oftener harm than good; and when she had been checked she escaped to the woods.... And when the Earl heard of it he had her caught and brought home."
The picture which the poem presents to us is that of a high-spirited girl, headstrong and impulsive, not unlike Brynhild in the Völsung story. When she goes to the barrows, every nerve is strung up to gain the treasure that has fired her imagination:

What care I though the death-fires blaze,
They sink and tremble before my gaze,
They quiver out and die!
But a reaction comes when she holds the sword in her hands at last:
Surely in terror I drew my breath
Between the worlds of life and death
When the grave fires girt me round.

Surveying the saga as a whole, perhaps the most striking feature is its extraordinary diversity of interest. It would be difficult to find elsewhere in Norse literature—or indeed perhaps in any literature—so great a variety of subjects and of literary forms brought together within such narrow limits.
Of the poems contained in the saga, the first is romantic, the second gnomic, the third heroic—and the prose narrative itself is not less varied in character. The conclusion of the saga appears to be purely historical; indeed it is generally regarded as one of the most important authorities for early Swedish history. Elsewhere also historical elements are probably not wanting, but they are interwoven in a network of romance and folklore. Thus whoever King Heithrek may have been, the part which he has come to play in the saga is chiefly that of linking together a number of folk-tales and illustrating popular saws. As regards chronology, the war described in ch. 12-15 must belong to a period nearly seven centuries before the incidents related at the close of the saga. Still more strange is the fact that the victor in this war, the younger Angantyr, would seem to have lived some four or five centuries before his great grandfather and namesake who perished at Samsø—if indeed the latter story rests on any genuine tradition. In spite of these and[pg 87]similar inconsistencies, however, the saga is on the whole perhaps the most attractive of all the Fornaldarsögur.

Footnote 1: This ms. is identical with the one referred to as A in the Introduction to the Tháttr of Nornagest (cf. p. 11 above).
Footnote 2: Quoted by Heusler, Eddica Minora (Dortmund, 1903), p. vii.
Footnote 3: Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda (Copenhagen, 1829), Vol. i; Antiquités russes etc. (Copenhagen, 1850-2), Vol. i.
Footnote 4: Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie, Vol. ii, p. 839 f.
Footnote 5: Eddica Minora, pp. 106-120.
Footnote 6: Cf. Forord to N. M. Petersen's edition of Hervarar Saga ok Heithreks Konungs (published by the 'Nordiske Literatur-Samfund,' Copenhagen, 1847).
Footnote 7: See Fornaldarsögur Northrlanda (Reykjavík, 1891), Vol. i, pp. 309-360.
Footnote 8: Copenhagen, 4th edition, 1889.
Footnote 9: Oldnorske og Oldislandske Litteraturs Historie, Vol. i, p. 201.
Footnote 10: Geschichte der Norwegisch-Isländischen Literatur (Strassburg, 1904), p. 605.]