-
-
-
I.
1. Fé ok fjörvi
rænti fyrða kind
sá hinn grimmi Greppr;
yfir þá vegu,
er hann varðaði,
náði engi kvikr komask.
2. Einn hann át
oft harðla,
aldri bauð hann manni til matar,
áðr enn móðr
ok meginlítill
Gestr af götu kom.
3. Drykks of þurfi
lézk inn dæsti maðr
ok vanmettr vera;
hræddu hjarta
hann lézk trúa,
þeim er áðr hafði vályndr verit.
4. Mat ok drykk
veitti hann þeim, er móðr var,
allt af heilum hug;
guðs hann gáði,
góðu honum beindi,
því hann hugðisk váligr vera.
5. Upp hinn stóð,
illt hann hugði,
eigi var þarfsamliga þegit;
synð hans svall,
sofanda myrði
fróðan, fjölvaran.
6. Himna guð
bað hann hjálpa sér,
þá hann veginn vaknaði;
en sá gat
við synðum taka,
er hann hafði saklausan svikit.
7. Helgir englar
kómu ór himnum ofan
ok tóku sál hans til sín;
í hreinu lífi
hon skal lifa
æ með almáttkum guði.
8. Auð né heilsu
ræðr engi maðr,
þótt honum gangi greitt;
margan þat sækir
er minnst of varir,
engi ræðr sættum sjálfr.
9.
Ekki þeir hugðu
Unnarr ok Sævaldi,
at þeim myndi heill hrapa;
nakðir þeir urðu
ok næmðir hvívetna,
ok runnu sem vargar til viðar.
10. Munaðar ríki
hefir margan tregat,
oft verðr kvalræði af konum;
meingar þær urðu,
þó inn máttki guð
skapaði skírliga.
11. Sáttir þeir váru
Sváfaðr ok Skartheðinn,
hvárrgi mátti annars án vera,
fyrr enn þeir æddusk
fyr einni konu:
hon var þeim til lýta lagin.
12. Hvárskis þeir gáðu
fyr þá hvítu mey,
leiks né ljóss daga;
engan hlut
máttu þeir annan muna
en þat ljósa lík.
13. Daprar þeim urðu
inar dimmu nætr,
engan máttu þeir sætan sofa;
en af þeim harmi
rann heift saman
millum virkðavina.
14. Fádæmi verða
í flestum stöðum
goldin grimmliga;
á hólm þeir gengu
fyr it horska víf
ok fengu báðir bana.
15. Ofmetnað drýgja
skyldi engi maðr,
þat hefik sannliga sét,
því at þeir hverfa,
er honum fylgja,
flestir guði frá.
16. Rík þau váru
Ráðný ok Véboði
ok hugðusk gott eitt gera;
nú þau sitja
ok sárum snúa
ýmsum elda til.
17. Á sik þau trúðu
ok þóttusk ein vera
allri þjóð yfir;
en þó leizk
þeira hagr
annan veg almáttkum guði.
18. Munað þau drýgðu
á marga vegu
ok höfðu gull fyr gaman;
nú er þeim goldit,
er þau ganga skulu
milli frosts ok funa.
19. Óvinum þínum
trúðu aldregi,
þó þér fagrt mæli fyrir;
góðu þú heit,
gott er annars
víti hafa at varnaði.
20. Svá honum gafsk
Sörla inum góðráða,
þá er hann lagði á Vígúlfs vald;
tryggliga hann trúði,
- en hinn at tálum varð, -
sínum bróðurbana.
21. Grið hann þeim seldi
af góðum hug,
en þeir hétu honum gulli í gegn;
sáttir létusk,
meðan saman drukku,
en þó kómu flærðir fram.
22. En þá eftir
á öðrum degi,
er þeir höfðu í Rýgjardal riðit,
sverðum þeir meiddu,
þann er saklauss var
ok létu hans fjörvi farit.
23. Lík hans þeir drógu
á leynigötu
ok brytjuðu í brunn niðr;
dylja þeir vildu,
en dróttinn sá
heilagr himnum af.
24. Sál hans bað
inn sanni guð
í sinn fögnuð fara;
en sökudólgar
hygg ek síðla muni
kallaðir frá kvölum.
II.
25. Dísir bið þú þér
dróttins mála
vera hollar í hugum;
viku eftir
mun þér vilja þíns
alt at óskum ganga.
26. Reiðiverk,
þau er þú unnit hefr,
bæt þú eigi illu yfir;
grættan gæla
skaltu með góðum hlutum,
þat kveða sálu sama.
27. Á guð skal heita
til góðra hluta,
þann er hefir skatna skapat;
mjök fyrir verðr
manna hverr,
er seinar finna föður.
28. Æsta dugir
einkum vandliga
þess er þykkir vant vera;
alls á mis verðr,
sá er einskis biðr;
fár hyggr þegjanda þörf.
29. Síðla ek kom,
snemma kallaðr,
til dómvalds dyra;
þangat ek ætlumk,
því mér heitit var:
sá hefir krás, er krefr.
30. Syndir því valda,
at vér hryggvir förum
ægisheimi ór;
engi óttask,
nema illt geri;
gott er vammalausum vera.
31. Úlfum glíkir
þykkja allir þeir,
sem eiga hverfan hug;
svá mun gefask,
þeim er ganga skal
þær inar glæddu götur.
32. Vinsamlig ráð
ok viti bundin
kenni ek þér sjau saman;
görla þau mun
ok glata aldregi,
öll eru þau nýt at nema.
III.
33. Frá því er at segja,
hvé sæll ek var
ynðisheimi í,
ok hinu öðru,
hvé ýta synir
verða nauðgir at náum.
34. Vil ok dul
tælir virða sonu,
þá er fíkjask á fé;
ljósir aurar
verða at löngum trega;
margan hefir auðr apat.
35. Glaðr at mörgu
þótta ek gumnum vera,
því at ek vissa fátt fyrir;
dvalarheim
hefr dróttinn skapat
munafullan mjök.
36. Lútr ek sat,
lengi ek hölluðumk,
mjök var ek þá lystr at lifa;
en sá réð,
sem ríkr var;
frammi eru feigs götur.
37. Heljar reip
kómu harðliga
sveigð at síðum mér;
slíta ek vilda,
en þau seig váru;
létt er lauss at fara.
38. Einn ek vissa,
hvé alla vega
sullu sútir mér;
Heljar meyar
er mér hrolla buðu
heim á hverju kveldi.
39. Sól ek sá,
sanna dagstjörnu,
drúpa dynheimum í;
en Heljar grind
heyrðak ek á annan veg
þjóta þungliga.
40. Sól ek sá
setta dreyrstöfum;
mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;
máttug hon leizk
á marga vegu
frá því sem fyrri var.
41. Sól ek sá,
svá þótti mér,
sem ek sæja göfgan guð;
henni ek laut
hinzta sinni
aldaheimi í.
42. Sól ek sá,
svá hon geislaði,
at ek þóttumk vættki vita;
en gylfar straumar
grenjuðu annan veg,
blandnir mjök við blóð.
43. Sól ek sá
á sjónum skjálfandi,
hræðslufullr ok hnipinn;
því at hjarta mitt
var harðla mjök
runnit sundr í sega.
44. Sól ek sá
sjaldan hryggvari;
mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;
tunga mín
var til trés metin,
ok kólnat at fyrir utan.
45. Sól ek sá
síðan aldregi
eftir þann dapra dag,
því at fjalla vötn
lukðusk fyrir mér saman,
en ek hvarf kallaðr frá kvölum.
46. Vánarstjarna flaug
- þá var ek fæddr, -
brott frá brjósti mér;
hátt-at hon fló,
hvergi settisk,
svá at hon mætti hvíld hafa.
47. Öllum lengri
var sú in eina nótt,
er ek lá stirðr á stráum;
þá merkir þat,
er guð mælti,
at maðr er moldu samr.
48. Virði þat ok viti
in virki guð,
sá er skóp hauðr ok himin;
hversu munaðarlausir
margir fara,
þótt við skylda skili.
49. Sinna verka
nýtr seggja hverr;
sæll er sá, sem gott gerir;
auði frá
er mér ætluð var
sandi orpin sæng.
50. Hörundar hungr
tælir hölða oft,
hann hefir margr til mikinn;
lauga vatn
er mér leiðast var
eitt allra hluta.
51. Á norna stóli
sat ek níu daga,
þaðan var ek á hest hafinn;
gýgjar sólir
skinu grimmliga
ór skýdrúpnis skýjum.
52. Utan ok innan
þóttumk ek alla fara
sigrheima sjau;
upp ok niðr
leitaða ek æðra vegar,
hvar mér væri greiðastar götur.
-
[Note: Guðni Jónsson divides the poem differently
than Boucher from this point]
-
-
-
53. Frá því er at segja,
hvat ek fyrst of sá,
þá er ek var í kvölheima kominn:
sviðnir fuglar,
er sálir váru,
flugu svá margir sem mý.
54. Vestan sá ek
fljúga Vánar dreka,
ok fell á glævalds götu;
vængi þeir skóku,
svá víða þótti mér
springa hauðr ok himinn.
55. Sólar hjört
leit ek sunnan fara,
hann teymðu tveir saman;
fætr hans
stóðu foldu á,
en tóku horn til himins.
56. Norðan sá ek
ríða niðja sonu,
ok váru sjau saman;
hornum fullum
drukku þeir inn hreina mjöð
ór brunni Baugregins.
57. Vindr þagði,
vötn stöðvaði,
þá heyrða ek grimmligan gný;
sínum mönnum
svipvísar konur
mólu mold til matar.
58. Dreyra steina
þær inar dökku konur
drógu daprliga;
blóðug hjörtu
hengu þeim fyrir brjóst utan,
mædd við miklum trega.
59. Margan mann
sá ek meiddan fara
á þeim glæddu götum;
andlit þeira
sýndusk mér öll vera
rýgjar blóði roðin.
60. Marga menn
sá ek moldar gengna,
þá er eigi máttu þjónustu ná;
heiðnar stjörnur
stóðu yfir höfði þeim
fáðar feiknstöfum.
61. Menn sá ek þá,
er mjök ala
öfund um annars hagi;
blóðgar rúnar
váru á brjósti þeim
merkðar meinliga.
62. Menn sá ek þar
marga ófegna,
þeir váru villir vega;
þat kaupir sá,
er þessa heims
apask at óheillum.
63. Menn sá ek þá,
er mörgum hlutum
véltu um annars eign;
flokkum þeir fóru
til Fégjarnsborgar
ok höfðu byrðar af blýi.
64. Menn sá ek þá,
er margan höfðu
fé ok fjörvi rænt;
brjóst í gegnum
renndu brögnum þeim
öflgir eitrdrekar.
65. Menn sá ek þá,
er minnst vildu
halda helga daga;
hendr þeira
váru á heitum steinum
negldar nauðliga.
66.
Menn sá ek þá,
er af mikillæti
virðusk vánum framar;
klæði þeira
váru kynliga
eldi um slegin.
67. Menn sá ek þá,
er margt höfðu
orð á annan logit;
heljar hrafnar
ór höfði þeim
harðliga sjónir slitu.
68. Allar ógnir
fær þú eigi vitat,
þær sem helgengnir hafa;
sætar syndir
verða at sárum bótum;
æ koma mein eftir munuð.
-
-
-
69. Menn sá ek þá,
er margt höfðu
gefit at guðs lögum;
hreinir kyndlar
váru yfir höfði þeim
brenndir bjartliga.
70. Menn sá ek þá,
er af miklum hug
veittu fátækum frama;
lásu englar bækr
ok ymna skrift
helgar yfir höfði þeim.
71. Menn sá ek þá,
er mjök höfðu
hungri farit hörund;
englar guðs
lutu öllum þeim;
þat er æðsta unað.
72. Menn sá ek þá,
er móður höfðu
látit mat í munn;
hvílur þeira
váru á himingeislum
hafðar hagliga.
73. Helgar meyjar
höfðu hreinliga
sál af syndum þvegit
manna þeira,
er á mörgum degi
pína sjálfa sik.
74. Hávar reiðir
sá ek með himnum fara,
þær eiga götur til guðs;
menn þeim stýra,
er myrðir eru
alls fyrir engar sakir.
75. Inn máttki faðir!
Inn mæzti sonr!
Heilagr andi himins!
Þik bið ek skilja,
er skapat hefr,
oss alla eymðum frá.
-
IV.
-
76. Hringvör ok Listvör
sitja í Herðis dyrum
organs stóli á;
járn dreyri
fellr ór nösum þeim,
sá vekr fjón með fyrðum.
77. Óðins kván
rær á jarðar skipi,
móðug á munað;
seglum hennar
verðr síð hlaðit,
þeim er á þráreipum þruma.
78. Arfi, faðir
einn þér ráðit hefi
ok þeir Sólkötlu synir
hjartar horn,
þat er ór haugi bar
inn vitri Vígdvalinn.
79. Hér eru rúnar,
sem ristit hafa
Njarðar dætr níu:
Böðveig hin elzta
ok Kreppvör hin yngsta
ok þeira systr sjau.
80. Bölvi hverju
þeir bellt hafa
Sváfr ok Sváfrlogi;
blóð þeir vökðu
ok benjar sugu
illum ey vana.
V.
81. Kvæði þetta,
er þér kennt hefik,
skaltu fyrir kvikum kveða:
Sólarljóð,
er sýnask munu
minnst at mörgu login.
82. Hér vit skiljumk,
ok hittask munum
á feginsdegi fira;
dróttinn minn
gefi dauðum ró,
en hinum líkn, er lifa.
83. Dásamligt fræði
var þér í draumi kveðit,
en þú sátt it sanna;
fyrða engi
var svá fróðr um skapaðr,
er áðr heyrði Sólarljóðs sögu.
|
I. Parables
l. Of money and life
the merciless Grepp[1]
cheated the children of men;
over the ways
where he would watch
no living soul dared stray.
2. Alone most often
he broke his bread;
with no man shared his meat;
until, all weary
and weak appearing,
one Guest arrived at his gate.
3. Drink he wanted,
that weary one,
and hungry he was as well;
with timid heart
he seemed to trust
one ever wont to betray,
4. Who meat and drink
to this weary man
then gave with a right good will;
in the name of God
gave all things good,
finding himself most foul.
5. Up stood the other
with ill intent;
gave little grace for the giving;
now swelled with sin
sleeping he slew
the wise and watchful one.
6. He cried for help
to God most high,
waking with mortal wound
While he that slew him
assumed his sins
who fell without any fault.
7. Holy angels
from Heaven descending
soon received his soul,
who in sheer
delight shall dwell
with God Almighty ever.
8. Good health and luck
let none hold granted,
walking the narrow way;
many meet
what is least looked for;
none decrees his own doom.
9. All unsuspecting
were Unnar and Sævaldi[2]
that their fortune would fail;
or that, quite naked
and everywhere outcast,
they would flee like wolves in the forest.
10. Many are made
mournful by pleasure;
woe is earned often of women;
they cause misfortune,
although the Almighty
fashioned them first without flaws.
11. Firmest friends
were Svavad and Skarthedin;[3]
neither the other might miss;
till both waxed wild
for the one woman.
She was born for their bane.
12. Than that damsel white
naught deemed they dearer;
not daylight nor any delight;
no other image
their minds might own
but of that bright body.
13. Dreary for them
the dim night watches,
no sweet sleep affording;
while to their rue
this rage now rent
these faithful friends asunder.
14. Too fierce a fire
of passion ' s fever
reaps a hard reward;
on the holm they fought
for the fair dame
where each his death did earn.
15. Let no man ever
be over ambitious,
for sooth, I have seen myself
that most folk
who follow pride
soon find themselves far from God.
16. All-ruling once
were Radny and Vebodi;[4]
deemed that they did all well;
but both now sit
and bake their wounds
in turn before the fire.
17. On their might relying,
above all men
they believed themselves to be;
but otherwise
their worth was rated
pin the Almighty eye.
18. All sweet desires
they did indulge
and gave gold for delight;
but now in full
are they paid, and fare
through pains of frost and fire.
19. To believe your foes,
my friend, be slow,
though fairest words are not wanting;
when promises
are plentiful,
be warned by another's woe.
20. So was it when Sorli,
wise in counsel,
put all in Vigulf’s power;[5]
trusting, believed
his brother's killer,
cruelly to be betrayed.
21. According quarter
with all good will,
in payment was promised gold;
drank fellowship
in good faith,
though a villain~ ruse was revealed.
22. For soon after,
on the second day,
as they rode down Ladysdale
all harmless him
with swords they hacked
and let his life flow fort)
23. By devious ways
his corpse was drawn;
pitched piecemeal down a well.
They thought to hide it,
but from high Heaven
the Holy Lord did heed it.
24. The one true God
then told his soul
to go forth into glory;
but long, methinks,
those miscreants
may feel the hot flames of Hell.
II. Good Counsels
25. Bid the holy
handmaids[6] of God
intercede for your sake;
a week later,
and all you long for
shall be done as you desire.
26. When you have wrought
acts of wrath,
add not evil to ill;
cherish the weeper
with good cheer
for your soul's own solace.
27. Call upon God
for all things good,
him who has made mankind;
much the misfortune
of every man
who fails to find the Father.
28. With all your soul
it serves to pray
for what is sorely wanted;
nor is aught got
without the asking;
none know of the dumb man's need.
29. Early called
and late I came[7]
to the dire judge's door;
thither I venture,
for it was vouched
that bliss shall be had for the bidding.
30. Sins are the cause
of our sad going
out of this awful world.
None need dread
that has done no ill;
it is good to be free from flaw.
31. As of wolves
seem all the ways
of men with treacherous minds;
such-is the mark
of all that march
the highroad in to Hell.
32. Counsels friendly
and full of sense
have I taught you, seven all told;
hold to them fast
and never forget,
for well will they serve the study.
III. Life and Death
33. Let me declare
with what delight
in this sweet world I sojourned,
and besides
how the sons of men
must soon become cold corpses.
34. Those folk by pleasures
are fooled, and pride,
that for gold are greedy;
shining coins
cast shadows of care,
and money makes apes of many.
36. Men I held
in most things happy,
so little my wisdom was;
a dwelling-place
did the Lord design
charged with all choice delights.
36. Bowed I sat
and bent was my head;
great my longing to live;
but God Almighty
ordered my goings;
plain lies the path to the grave.
37. The bands of death
were tightly drawn,
bound close about my sides;
I strove to break them,
but too strong ;
though fain I would be free.
38. Alone I knew
how all around
sore sorrows me assailed;
the maids of death[8]
did now display
new horrors every night.
39. The sun I saw,
true star of day,
sink to the stormy sea;
on the other hand
the gates of Hell
I heard groan heavily.
40. The sun I saw
set bathed in blood
(direly my life declined),
that mightier was
in many ways
than it had been before.
41. The sun I saw;
to me it seemed
god-like in its glory;
to it I framed
my last farewell
made in the world of men.
42. The sun I saw,
so bright it blazed
that I was much bemused;
but ocean billows
raged before it,
reddened with beams of blood.
43. The sun I saw
shake on the sea;
was filled with gloom and fear;
more than a trifle
torn apart,
I felt my heart in fragments.
44. The sun I saw,
seldom sadder
(direly my life declined);
slow was my tongue
and stiff as wood,
my body seemed cold as stone.
45. The sun I saw,
but seen no more
after that mournful day;
mountainous billows
closed about me,
parted from all my pains.
46. Then straightway
the star of hope
flew from my breast re-born;
high it flew,
but nowhere found
a spot where it might settle.
47. Longer than any
that night lingered,
while I lay stiff on the straw;
then may be seen,
as God has said,
that man is of very mould.
48. He knows only
and understands
who made the earth and heavens,
how many a man
must die alone
though leaving dear kith and kin.
49. Of his deeds
each gathers his due;
they whose are good may be gay.
For me, from riches
far removed,
a bed of sand was sprinkled.
50. Desires of the flesh
often delude;
pleasures for many are poison;
waters of penance
of all potations
on earth were least to my liking.
51. Nine days I sat
on the seat of the Norns,[9]
whence on a horse[10] I
was heaved;
the witches' moon
gleamed with malice
out of dismal clouds of darkness.
52. Through the seven spheres
I seemed to pass,
in and out of them all,
up and down
my path direct
to reach the highest region.
IV. In the Infernal Realm
53. Now is to say
what first I saw
when passed through the portals of pain;
scorched birds
were the souls of men
that flew as many as midges.
54. From the west I saw
the sea-dragon[11] fly
and light in the Gleam-yielder's[12]
way;
their wings they shook
so it seemed surely
the earth and skies would be sundered.
55. From the South I saw
the Sun-Hart[13] step;
leading him, two together;
light his hooves
on the hills below,
his horns reached high to the heavens.
56. From the North I saw
the Sons of Light[14]
soar near, and seven their number;
out of brimming horns
bright mead they drank,
drawn from the Well of Wisdom.[15]
57. The winds were silent,
the waters still,
then heard I a horrible din:
to feed their lovers
faithless wives
were grinding earth for gruel.
58. Gory grindstones
those grim females
turned with tearful faces;
on their breasts
their bloody hearts
lay torn and great their grief.
59. Many a man
I saw go maimed
upon those fiery paths;
their faces seemed
to me all stained
with wanton women's blood.
60. Many a man
to mould consigned
I saw, no rites received;
overhead
stood heathen stars
with awful omens stained.
61. Men I saw then
that had nursed
envy of others' fortune;
on their breasts
were bloody runes
to their great scathe inscribed.
62. Men I saw then
many most woeful
who had wandered from the way;
such is the meed
of all made apes
by the world's deceiving wiles.
63. Men I saw then
that by foul means
gained hold of the goods of others;
in mobs they scrambled
to Mammon's city,
laden with burdens of lead.
64. Men I saw then
who had most foully
robbed many of money and life;
through the breasts
of these bold fellows
baleful dragons were boring.
65. Men I saw then
that had no mind
for holding any day holy;
to hot stones
their hands were nailed;
little it was to their liking.
66. Men I saw then
most puffed with pride
who dressed with unseemly display;
in marvellous fashion
their clothes they found
all wrapped in fiery flames.
67. Men I saw then
that with malice
lied to another's loss;
out of their heads
ravens of Hell
avidly pecked the eyes.
68. You may not hear
of all the horrors
that shall distress the damned;
sweet sins
win a sour reward;
pleasures are fallowed by pain.
V. In Paradise
69. Men I saw then
Who had marked well
and kept to God's commandments;
clear candles
kindled above them
burned ever bright overhead.
70. Men I saw then
that, single-minded,
served the poor with compassion;
above them hymns
and holy scriptures
angels sang without ceasing.
71. Men I saw .then
that mortified
and afflicted their flesh with fasting;
God's bright angels
bowed before them;
such is their dear delight.
72. Men I saw then
that in most need
put food in their mothers' mouths;
on heavenly beams
their beds were hung,
giving them greatest ease.
73. Pure had holy
maidens purged
souls of men from sin,
many days
of penance done
and all desires denied.
74. I saw high wagons
ply the skyways
leading to the Lord;
those who drove them
men that died,
killed without a cause.
75. Almighty Father~
Son most high~
Holy Ghost of Heavent
You that made us
of your mercy
part us from all pains.
VI.
76. At Loki's door[16]
Lying and Lusting
sit in the seat of Greed;
from their noses wells
the blood of war-fare,
breeding bale among men.
77. Odin's bride[17]
plies the earth-boat
in ardent pursuit of pleasure;
not soon shall her sails
on taut sheets thrumming
be struck - of that I am certain.
78. Heir, thy father
for thee only,
with the sons of the sun,
the hart's horn revealed
which out of the vault
the wise War-Dvalin[18]
has won.
79. On it the runes
that were written
by the nine daughters of Njord:[19]
Bodveig the eldest,
Kreppvor the youngest
and all their sisters seven.
80. All evil
their acts were ever,
Svafr and Svafrlogi;
blood they drew
and men drained dry,
wedded to wicked deeds.[20]
VII. Conclusion
81. This text
that I have taught you
let the living now learn;
a Lay of the Sun
that shall be seen
of all fictions least lied.
82. For here we must part
to meet once more
on the morning of mankind's joy.
May the Lord God
give rest to the dead
and loving grace to the living.
83. Untranslated
|