Chapter XXII: Part II (1)

DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATING THE STORIES IN _BEOWULF_, AND THE _OFFA_-SAGA.

A. THE EARLY KINGS OF THE DANES ACCORDING TO SAXO GRAMMATICUS

Saxo, Book I, ed. Ascensius, fol. iii b; ed. Holder, p. 10, l. 25.

Uerum a Dan, ut fert antiquitas, regum nostrorum stemmata, ceu quodam
deriuata principio, splendido successionis ordine profluxerunt. Huic
filii Humblus et Lotherus fuere, ex Grytha, summae inter Teutones
dignitatis matrona, suscepti.

Lecturi regem ueteres affixis humo saxis insistere, suffragiaque
promere consueuerant, subiectorum lapidum firmitate facti constantiam
ominaturi. Quo ritu Humblus, decedente patre, nouo patriae beneficio
rex creatus, sequentis fortunae malignitate, ex rege priuatus euasit.
Bello siquidem a Lothero captus, regni depositione spiritum mercatus
est; haec sola quippe uicto salutis conditio reddebatur. Ita fraternis
iniuriis imperium abdicare coactus, documentum hominibus praebuit, ut
plus splendoris, ita minus securitatis, aulis quam tuguriis inesse.
Ceterum iniuriae tam patiens fuit, ut honoris damno tanquam beneficio
gratulari crederetur, sagaciter, ut puto, regiae conditionis habitum
contemplatus. Sed nec Lotherus tolerabiliorem regem quam militem egit,
ut prorsus insolentia ac scelere regnum auspicari uideretur; siquidem
illustrissimum quemque uita aut opibus spoliare, patriamque bonis
ciuibus uacuefacere probitatis loco duxit, regni aemulos ratus, quos
nobilitate pares habuerat. Nec diu scelerum impunitus, patriae
consternatione perimitur; eadem spiritum eripiente, quae regnum largita
fuerat. {130}

Cuius filius Skyoldus naturam ab ipso, non mores sortitus, per summam
tenerioris aetatis industriam cuncta paternae contagionis uestigia
ingeniti erroris deuio praeteribat. Igitur ut a paternis uitiis
prudenter desciuit, ita auitis uirtutibus feliciter respondit,
remotiorem pariter ac praestantiorem hereditarii moris portionem
amplexus. Huius adolescentia inter paternos uenatores immanis beluae
subactione insignis extitit, mirandoque rei euentu futurae eius
fortitudinis habitum ominata est. Nam cum a tutoribus forte, quorum
summo studio educabatur, inspectandae uenationis licentiam impetrasset,
obuium sibi insolitae granditatis ursum, telo uacuus, cingulo, cuius
usum habebat, religandum curauit, necandumque comitibus praebuit. Sed
et complures spectatae fortitudinis pugiles per idem tempus uiritim ab
eo superati produntur, e quibus Attalus et Scatus clari illustresque
fuere. Quindecim annos natus, inusitato corporis incremento
perfectissimum humani roboris specimen praeferebat, tantaque indolis
eius experimenta fuere, ut ab ipso ceteri Danorum reges communi quodam
uocabulo Skioldungi nuncuparentur....

Saxo then relates the adventures of Gram, Hadingus and Frotho, whom he represents as respectively son, grandson and great-grandson of Skioldus. That Gram and Hadingus are interpolated in the family is shewn by the fact that the pedigree of Sweyn Aageson passes direct from Skiold to his son Frothi.

Saxo, Book II, ed. Ascensius, fol. xi b; ed. Holder, p. 38, l. 4.

Hadingo filius Frotho succedit, cuius uarii insignesque casus fuere.
Pubertatis annos emensus, iuuenilium praeferebat complementa uirtutum,
quas ne desidiae corrumpendas praeberet, abstractum uoluptatibus animum
assidua armorum intentione torquebat. Qui cum, paterno thesauro
bellicis operibus absumpto, stipendiorum facultatem, qua militem
aleret, non haberet, attentiusque necessarii usus subsidia
circunspiceret, tali subeuntis indigenae carmine concitatur:

Insula non longe est praemollibus edita cliuis,
Collibus aera tegens et opimae conscia praedae.
Hic tenet eximium, montis possessor, aceruum
{131}
Implicitus giris serpens crebrisque reflexus
Orbibus, et caudae sinuosa uolumina ducens,
Multiplicesque agitans spiras, uirusque profundens.
Quem superare uolens clypeo, quo conuenit uti,
Taurinas intende cutes, corpusque bouinis
Tergoribus tegito, nec amaro nuda ueneno
Membra patere sinas; sanies, quod conspuit, urit.
Lingua trisulca micans patulo licet ore resultet,
Tristiaque horrifico minitetur uulnera rictu,
Intrepidum mentis habitum retinere memento.
Nec te permoueat spinosi dentis acumen,
Nec rigor, aut rapida iactatum fauce uenenum.
Tela licet temnat uis squamea, uentre sub imo
Esse locum scito, quo ferrum mergere fas est;
Hunc mucrone petens medium rimaberis anguem.
Hinc montem securus adi, pressoque ligone
Perfossos scrutare cauos; mox aere crumenas
Imbue, completamque reduc ad littora puppim.

Credulus Frotho solitarius in insulam traiicit: ne comitatior beluam
adoriretur, quam athletas aggredi moris fuerat. Quae cum aquis pota
specum repeteret, impactum Frothonis ferrum aspero cutis horrore
contempsit. Sed et spicula, quae in eam coniecta fuerant, eluso
mittentis conatu laesionis irrita resultabant. At ubi nil tergi duritia
cessit, uentris curiosius annotati mollities ferro patuit. Quae se
morsu ulcisci cupiens, clypeo duntaxat spinosum oris acumen impegit.
Crebris deinde linguam micatibus ducens, uitam pariter ac uirus
efflauit.

Repertae pecuniae regem locupletem fecere....

Saxo, Book II, ed. Ascensius, fol. xv b; ed. Holder, p. 51, l. 4.

His, uirtute paribus, aequa regnandi incessit auiditas. Imperii cuique
cura extitit; fraternus nullum respectus astrinxit. Quem enim nimia sui
caritas ceperit, aliena deserit: nee sibi quisquam ambitiose atque
aliis amice consulere potest. Horum maximus Haldanus, Roe et Scato
fratribus interfectis, naturam scelere polluit: regnum parricidio
carpsit. Et ne ullum crudelitatis exemplum omitteret, comprehensos
eorum fautores prius {132} uinculorum poena coercuit, mox suspendio
consumpsit. Cuius ex eo maxime fortuna ammirabilis fuit, quod, licet
omnia temporum momenta ad exercenda atrocitatis officia contulisset,
senectute uitam, non ferro, finierit.

Huius filii Roe et Helgo fuere. A Roe Roskildia condita memoratur: quam
postmodum Sueno, furcatae barbae cognomento clarus, ciuibus auxit,
amplitudine propagauit. Hic breui angustoque corpore fuit: Helgonem
habitus procerior cepit. Qui, diuiso cum fratre regno, maris
possessionem sortitus, regem Sclauiae Scalcum maritimis copiis
lacessitum oppressit. Quam cum in prouinciam redegisset, uarios pelagi
recessus uago nauigationis genere perlustrabat.

Saxo, Book II, ed. Ascensius, fol. xvi a; ed. Holder, p. 53, l. 16.

Huic filius Roluo succedit, uir corporis animique dotibus uenustus, qui
staturae magnitudinem pari uirtutis habitu commendaret.

_Ibid._, ed. Ascensius, fol. xvii a; ed. Holder, p. 55, l. 40.

Per idem tempus Agnerus quidam, Ingelli films, sororem Roluonis, Rutam
nomine, matrimonio ducturus, ingenti conuiuio nuptias instruit. In quo
cum pugiles, omni petulantiae genere debacchantes, in Ialtonem quendam
nodosa passim ossa coniicerent, accidit, ut eius consessor, Biarco
nomine, iacientis errore uehementem capite ictum exciperet. Qui dolore
pariter ac ludibrio lacessitus, osse inuicem in iacientem remisso,
frontem eius in occuput reflexit, idemque loco frontis intorsit,
transuersum hominis animum uultus obliquitate mulctando. Ea res
contumeliosam ioci insolentiam temperauit, pugilesque regia abire
coegit. Qua conuiuii iniuria permotus, sponsus ferro cum Biarcone
decernere statuit, uiolatae hilaritatis ultionem duelii nomine
quaesiturus. In cuius ingressu, utri prior feriendi copia deberetur
diutule certatum est. Non enim antiquitus in edendis agonibus crebrae
ictuum uicissitudines petebantur: sed erat cum interuallo temporis
etiam feriendi distincta successio; rarisque sed atrocibus plagis
certamina gerebantur, ut gloria potius percussionum magnitudini, quam
numero deferretur. Praelato ob generis dignitatem Agnero, tanta ui
ictum ab eo editum {133} constat, ut, prima cassidis parte conscissa,
supremam capitis cuticulam uulneraret, ferrumque mediis galeae
interclusum foraminibus dimitteret. Tunc Biarco mutuo percussurus, quo
plenius ferrum libraret, pedem trunco annixus, medium Agneri corpus
praestantis acuminis mucrone transegit. Sunt qui asserant, morientem
Agnerum soluto in risum ore per summam doloris dissimulationem spiritum
reddidisse. Cuius ultionem pugiles auidius expetentes, simili per
Biarconem exitio mulctati sunt. Utebatur quippe praestantis acuminis
inusitataeque longitudinis gladio, quem Loeui uocabat. Talibus operum
meritis exultanti nouam de se siluestris fera uictoriam praebuit. Ursum
quippe eximiae magnitudinis obuium sibi inter dumeta factum iaculo
confecit: comitemque suum Ialtonem, quo uiribus maior euaderet,
applicato ore egestum belluae cruorem haurire iussit. Creditum namque
erat, hoc potionis genere corporei roboris incrementa praestari. His
facinorum uirtutibus clarissimas optimatum familiaritates adeptus,
etiam regi percarus euasit; sororem eius Rutam uxorem asciuit, uictique
sponsam uictoriae praemium habuit. Ab Atislo lacessiti Roluonis
ultionem armis exegit, eumque uictum hello prostrauit. Tunc Roluo magni
acuminis iuuenem Hiarthwarum nomine, sorore Sculda sibi in matrimonium
data, annuoque uectigali imposito, Suetiae praefectum constituit,
libertatis iacturam affinitatis beneficio leniturus.

Hoc loci quiddam memoratu iucundum operi inseratur. Adolescens quidam
Wiggo nomine, corpoream Roluonis magnitudinem attentiori contemplatione
scrutatus, ingentique eiusdem admiratione captus, percontari per
ludibrium coepit, quisnam esset iste Krage, quem tanto staturae
fastigio prodiga rerum natura ditasset; faceto cauillationis genere
inusitatum proceritatis habitum prosecutus. Dicitur enim lingua Danica
'krage' truncus, cuius semicaesis ramis fastigia conscenduntur, ita ut
pes, praecisorum stipitum obsequio perinde ac scalae beneficio nixus,
sensimque ad superiora prouectus, petitae celsitudinis compendium
assequatur. Quern uocis iactum Roluo perinde ac inclytum sibi cognomen
amplexus, urbanitatem dicti ingentis armillae dono prosequitur. Qua
Wiggo dexteram excultam extollens, laeua per pudoris simulationem post
tergum {134} reflexa, ridiculum corporis incessum praebuit, praefatus,
exiguo laetari munere, quem sors diutinae tenuisset inopiae. Rogatus,
cur ita se gereret, inopem ornamenti manum nulloque cultus beneficio
gloriantem ad aspectum reliquae uerecundo paupertatis rubore perfundi
dicebat. Cuius dicti calliditate consentaneum priori munus obtinuit.
Siquidem Roluo manum, quae ab ipso occultabatur, exemplo reliquae in
medium accersendam curauit. Nec Wiggoni rependendi beneficii cura
defuit. Siquidem arctissima uoti nuncupatione pollicitus est, si
Roluonem ferro perire contingeret, ultionem se ab eius interfectoribus
exacturum. Nec praetereundum, quod olim ingressuri curiam proceres
famulatus sui principia alicuius magnae rei uoto principibus obligare
solebant, uirtute tirocinium auspicantes.

Interea Sculda, tributariae solutionis pudore permota, diris animum
commentis applicans, maritum, exprobrata condicionis deformitate,
propulsandae seruitutis monitu concitatum atque ad insidias Roluoni
nectendas perductum atrocissimis nouarum rerum consiliis imbuit, plus
unumquenque libertati quam necessitudini debere testata. Igitur crebras
armorum massas, diuersi generis tegminibus obuolutas, tributi more per
Hiarthwarum in Daniam perferri iubet, occidendi noctu regis materiam
praebituras. Refertis itaque falsa uectigalium mole nauigiis, Lethram
pergitur, quod oppidum, a Roluone constructum eximiisque regni opibus
illustratum, ceteris confinium prouinciarum urbibus regiae fundationis
et sedis auctoritate praestabat. Rex aduentum Hiarthwari conuiualis
impensae deliciis prosecutus ingenti se potione proluerat, hospitibus
praeter morem ebrietatis intemperantiam formidantibus. Ceteris igitur
altiorem carpentibus somnum, Sueones, quibus scelesti libido propositi
communem quietis usum ademerat, cubiculis furtim delabi coepere.
Aperitur ilico telorum occlusa congeries, et sua sibi quisque tacitus
arma connectit. Deinde regiam petunt, irruptisque penetralibus in
dormientium corpora ferrum destringunt. Experrecti complures, quibus
non minus subitae cladis horror quam somni stupor incesserat, dubio
nisu discrimini restitere, socii an hostes occurrerent, noctis errore
incertum reddente. Eiusdem forte silentio noctis Hialto, qui {135}
inter regios proceres spectatae probitatis merito praeeminebat, rus
egressus, scorti se complexibus dederat. Hic cum obortum pugnae
fragorem stupida procul aure sensisset, fortitudinem luxuriae
praetulit, maluitque funestum Martis discrimen appetere, quam blandis
Veneris illecebris indulgere. Quanta hunc militem regis caritate
flagrasse putemus, qui, cum ignorantiae simulatione excusationem
absentiae praestare posset, salutem suam manifesto periculo obicere,
quam uoluptati seruare satius existimauit? Discedentem pellex
percunctari coepit, si ipso careat, cuius aetatis uiro nubere debeat.
Quam Hialto, perinde ac secretius allocuturus, propius accedere iussam,
indignatus amoris sibi successorem requiri, praeciso naso deformem
reddidit, erubescendoque uulnere libidinosae percunctationis dictum
mulctauit, mentis lasciuiam oris iactura temperandam existimans. Quo
facto, liberum quaesitae rei iudicium a se ei relinqui dixit. Post
haec, repetito ocius oppido, confertissimis se globis immergit,
aduersasque acies mutua uulnerum inflictione prosternit. Cumque
dormientis adhuc Biarconis cubiculum praeteriret, expergisci iussum,
tali uoce compellat:

Saxo's translation of the _Bjarkam['a]l_ follows. The part which concerns students of _Beowulf_ most is the account of how Roluo deposed and slew Roericus.

Saxo, Book II, ed. Ascensius, fol. xix a; ed. Holder, p. 62, l. 1.

At nos, qui regem uoto meliore ueremur,
Iungamus cuneos stabiles, tutisque phalangem
Ordinibus mensi, qua rex praecepit, eamus
Qui natum Boeki Roericum strauit auari,
Implicuitque uirum leto uirtute carentem.
Ille quidem praestans opibus, habituque fruendi
Pauper erat, probitate minus quam foenore pollens;
Aurum militia potius ratus, omnia lucro
Posthabuit, laudisque carens congessit aceruos
Aeris, et ingenuis uti contempsit amicis.
Cumque lacessitus Roluonis classe fuisset,
Egestum cistis aurum deferre ministros
Iussit, et in primas urbis diffundere portas.
{136}
Dona magis quam bella parans, quia militis expers
Munere, non armis, tentandum credidit hostem;
Tanquam opibus solis bellum gesturus, et usu
Rerum, non hominum, Martem producere posset.
Ergo graues loculos et ditia claustra resoluit
Armillas teretes et onustas protulit arcas,
Exitii fomenta sui, ditissimus aeris,
Bellatoris inops, hostique adimenda relinquens
Pignora, quae patriis praebere pepercit amicis.
Annellos ultro metuens dare, maxima nolens
Pondera fudit opum, ueteris populator acerui.
Rex tamen hunc prudens, oblataque munera spreuit,
Rem pariter uitamque adimens; nec profuit hosti
Census iners, quem longo auidus cumulauerat aeuo.
Hunc pius inuasit Roluo, summasque perempti
Cepit opes, inter dignos partitus amicos,
Quicquid auara manus tantis congesserat annis;
Irrumpensque opulenta magis quam fortia castra,
Praebuit eximiam sociis sine sanguine praedam.
Cui nil tam pulchrum fuit, ut non funderet illud,
Aut carum, quod non sociis daret, aera fauillis
Assimulans, famaque annos, non foenore mensus.
Unde liquet, regem claro iam funere functum
Praeclaros egisse dies, speciosaque fati
Tempora, praeteritos decorasse uiriliter annos.
Nam uirtute ardens, dum uiueret, omnia uicit,
Egregio dignas sortitus corpore uires.
Tam praeceps in bella fuit, quam concitus amnis
In mare decurrit, pugnamque capessere promptus
Ut ceruus rapidum bifido pede tendere cursum.

Saxo, Book II, ed. Ascensius, fol. xxi a; ed. Holder, p. 67, l. 1.

Hanc maxime exhortationum seriem idcirco metrica ratione compegerim,
quod earundem sententiarum intellectus Danici cuiusdam carminis
compendio digestus a compluribus antiquitatis peritis memoriter
usurpatur.

Contigit autem, potitis uictoria Gothis, omne Roluonis {137} agmen
occumbere, neminemque, excepto Wiggone, ex tanta iuuentute residuum
fore. Tantum enim excellentissimis regis meritis ea pugna a militibus
tributum est, ut ipsius caedes omnibus oppetendae mortis cupiditatem
ingeneraret, eique morte iungi uita iucundius duceretur.

Laetus Hiartuarus prandendi gratia positis mensis conuiuium pugnae
succedere iubet, uictoriam epulis prosecuturus. Quibus oneratus magnae
sibi ammirationi esse dixit, quod ex tanta Roluonis militia nemo, qui
saluti fuga aut captione consuleret, repertus fuisset. Unde liquidum
fuisse quanto fidei studio regis sui caritatem coluerint, cui
superstites esse passi non fuerint. Fortunam quoque, quod sibi ne unius
quidem eorum obsequium superesse permiserit, causabatur, quam
libentissime se talium uirorum famulatu usurum testatus. Oblato Wiggone
perinde ac munere gratulatus, an sibi militare uellet, perquirit.
Annuenti destrictum gladium offert. Ille cuspidem refutans, capulum
petit, hunc morem Roluoni in porrigendo militibus ense extitisse
praefatus. Olim namque se regum clientelae daturi, tacto gladii capulo
obsequium polliceri solebant. Quo pacto Wiggo capulum complexus,
cuspidem per Hiartuarum agit, ultionis compos, cuius Roluoni
ministerium pollicitus fuerat. Quo facto, ouans irruentibus in se
Hiartuari militibus cupidius corpus obtulit, plus uoluptatis se ex
tyranni nece quam amaritudinis ex propria sentire uociferans. Ita
conuiuio in exequias uerso, uictoriae gaudium funeris luctus
insequitur. Clarum ac semper memorabilem uirum, qui, uoto fortiter
expleto, mortem sponte complexus suo ministerio mensas tyranni sanguine
maculauit. Neque enim occidentium manus uiuax animi uirtus expauit, cum
prius a se loca, quibus Roluo assueuerat, interfectoris eius cruore
respersa cognosceret. Eadem itaque dies Hiartuari regnum finiuit ac
peperit. Fraudulenter enim quaesitae res eadem sorte defluunt, qua
petuntur, nullusque diuturnus est fructus, qui scelere ac perfidia
partus fuerit. Quo euenit ut Sueones, paulo ante Daniae potitores, ne
suae quidem salutis potientes existerent. Protinus enim a
Syalandensibus deleti laesis Roluonis manibus iusta exsoluere piacula.
Adeo plerunque fortunae saeuitia ulciscitur, quod dolo ac fallacia
patratur.

* * * * *

{138}

B. HR['O]LFS SAGA KRAKA, CAP. 23

(ed. Finnur J['o]nsson, Koebenhavn, 1904, p. 65 ff.)

S['i]dhan f['o]r B[o,]dhvarr leidh s['i]na til Hleidhargardhs. Hann kemr til konungs atsetu. B[o,]dhvarr leidhir s['i]dhan hest sinn ['a] stall hj['a] konungs hestum hinum beztu ok spyrr engan at; gekk s['i]dhan inn ['i] h[o,]llina, ok var thar f['a]tt manna. Hann sez utarliga, ok sem hann hefir verit thar litla hr['i]dh, heyrir hann thrausk n[o,]kkut utar ['i] hornit ['i] einhverjum stadh. B[o,]dhvarr l['i]tr thangat ok s['e]r, at mannsh[o,]nd kemr upp ['u]r mikilli beinahr['u]gu, er thar l['a]; h[o,]ndin var sv[o,]rt mj[o,]k. B[o,]dhvarr gengr thangat til ok spyrr, hverr thar vaeri ['i] beinahr['u]gunni; th['a] var honum svarat ok heldr ['o]framliga: "H[o,]ttr heiti ek, Bokki saell." "Hv['i] ertu h['e]r, segir B[o,]dhvarr, edha hvat gerir th['u]?" H[o,]ttr segir: "ek geri m['e]r skjaldborg, Bokki saell." B[o,]dhvarr sagdhi: "vesall ertu thinnar skjaldborgar." B[o,]dhvarr thr['i]fr til hans ok hnykkir honum upp ['u]r beinahr['u]gunni. H[o,]ttr kvadh th['a] h['a]tt vidh ok maelti: "n['u] viltu m['e]r bana, ger eigi thetta, sv['a] sem ek hefi n['u] vel um b['u]iz ['a]dhr, en th['u] hefir n['u] r['o]tat ['i] sundr skjaldborg minni, ok hafdha ek n['u] sv['a] gert hana h['a]va utan at m['e]r, at h['u]n hefir hl['i]ft m['e]r vidh [o,]llum h[o,]ggum ykkar, sv['a] _at_ engi h[o,]gg hafa komit ['a] mik lengi, en ekki var h['u]n enn sv['a] b['u]in, sem ek aetladhi h['u]n skyldi verdha." B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "ekki muntu f['a] skjaldborgina lengr." H[o,]ttr maelti ok gr['e]t: "skaltu n['u] bana m['e]r, Bokki saell?" B[o,]dhvarr badh hann ekki hafa h['a]tt, t['o]k hann upp s['i]dhan ok bar hann ['u]t ['u]r h[o,]llinni ok til vats n[o,]kkurs, sem thar var ['i] n['a]nd, ok g['a]fu f['a]ir at thessu gaum, ok th['o] hann upp allan. S['i]dhan gekk B[o,]dhvarr til thess r['u]ms, sem hann hafdhi ['a]dhr tekit, ok leiddi eptir s['e]r H[o,]tt ok thar setr hann H[o,]tt hj['a] s['e]r, en hann er sv['a] hraeddr, at skelfr ['a] honum leggr ok lidhr, en th['o] thykkiz hann skilja, at thessi madhr vill hj['a]lpa s['e]r. Eptir that kveldar ok dr['i]fa menn ['i] h[o,]llina ok sj['a] Hr['o]lfs kappar, at H[o,]ttr er settr ['a] bekk upp, ok thykkir theim s['a] madhr hafa gert sik aerit djarfan, er thetta hefir til tekit. Ilt tillit hefir H[o,]ttr, th['a] _er_ hann s['e]r kunningja s['i]na, thv['i] _at_ hann hefir ilt eitt af theim reynt; hann vill lifa gjarnan ok fara aptr ['i] beinahr['u]gu s['i]na, en B[o,]dhvarr heldr honum, sv['a] _at_ hann n['a]ir ekki ['i] burtu at fara, thv['i] _at_ hann th['o]ttiz ekki jafnberr fyrir h[o,]ggum theira, ef hann naedhi thangat {139} at komaz sem hann er n['u]. Hirdhmenn hafa n['u] sama vanda, ok kasta fyrst beinum sm['a]m um thvert g['o]lfit til B[o,]dhvars ok Hattar. B[o,]dhvarr laetr, sem hann sj['a]i eigi thetta. H[o,]ttr er sv['a] hraeddr, at hann tekr eigi mat n['e] drukk, ok thykkir honum th['a] ok th['a] sem hann muni vera lostinn; ok n['u] maelti H[o,]ttr til B[o,]dhvars: "Bokki saell, n['u] ferr at th['e]r st['o]r hn['u]ta, ok mun thetta aetlat okkr til naudha." B[o,]dhvarr badh hann thegja; hann setr vidh holan l['o]fann ok tekr sv['a] vidh hn['u]tunni; thar fylgir leggrinn medh; B[o,]dhvarr sendi aptr hn['u]tuna ok setr ['a] thann, sem kastadhi ok r['e]tt framan ['i] hann medh sv['a] hardhri svipan, at hann fekk bana; sl['o] th['a] miklum ['o]tta yfir hirdhmennina. Kemr n['u] thessi fregn fyrir Hr['o]lf konung ok kappa hans upp ['i] kastalann, at madhr mikil['u]dhligr s['e] kominn til hallarinnar ok hafi drepit einn hirdhmann hans, ok vildu their l['a]ta drepa manninn. Hr['o]lfr konungr spurdhiz eptir, hv['a]rt hirdhmadhrinn hefdhi verit saklauss drepinn. "Thv['i] var naesta," s[o,]gdhu their. K['o]muz th['a] fyrir Hr['o]lf konung [o,]ll sannindi h['e]r um. Hr['o]lfr konungr sagdhi that skyldu fjarri, at drepa skyldi manninn--"hafi thit h['e]r illan vanda upp tekit, at berja saklausa menn beinum; er m['e]r ['i] thv['i] ['o]virdhing, en ydhr st['o]r sk[o,]mm, at gera sl['i]kt; hefi ek jafnan raett um thetta ['a]dhr, ok hafi thit at thessu engan gaum gefit, ok hygg ek, at thessi madhr muni ekki alll['i]till fyrir s['e]r, er th['e]r hafidh n['u] ['a] leitat, ok kallidh hann til m['i]n, sv['a] _at_ ek viti, hverr hann er." B[o,]dhvarr gengr fyrir konung ok kvedhr hann kurteisliga. Konunga spyrr hann at nafni. "Hattargridha kalla mik hirdhmenn ydhar, en B[o,]dhvarr heiti ek." Konungr maelti: "hverjar baetr viltu bj['o]dha m['e]r fyrir hirdhmann minn?" B[o,]dhvarr segir: "til thess gerdhi hann, sem hann fekk." Konungr maelti: "viltu vera minn madhr ok skipa r['u]m hans?" B[o,]dhvarr segir: "ekki neita ek, at vera ydharr madhr, ok munu vit ekki skiljaz sv['a] b['u]it, vit H[o,]ttr, ok dveljaz naer th['e]r b['a]dhir, heldr en thessi hefir setit, elligar vit f[o,]rum burt b['a]dhir." Konungr maelti: "eigi s['e] ek at honum saemd en ek spara ekki mat vidh hann." B[o,]dhvarr gengr n['u] til thess r['u]ms, sem honum l['i]kadhi, en ekki vill hann that skipa, sem hinn hafdhi ['a]dhr; hann kippir upp ['i] einhverjum stadh thremr m[o,]nnum, ok s['i]dhan settuz their H[o,]ttr thar nidhr ok innar ['i] h[o,]llinni en theim var skipat. Heldr th['o]tti m[o,]nnum ['o]daelt vidh B[o,]dhvar, ok er theim hinn mesti ['i]hugi at honum. Ok sem leidh at j['o]lum, {140} gerdhuz menn ['o]k['a]tir. B[o,]dhvarr spyrr H[o,]tt, hverju thetta saetti; hann segir honum, at d['y]r eitt hafi thar komit tv['a] vetr ['i] samt, mikit ok ['o]gurligt--"ok hefir vaengi ['a] bakinu ok fl['y]gr that jafnan; tvau haust hefir that n['u] hingat vitjat ok gert mikinn skadha; ['a] that b['i]ta ekki v['a]pn, en kappar konungs koma ekki heim, their sem at eru einna mestir." B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "ekki er h[o,]llin sv['a] vel skipudh, sem ek aetladhi, ef eitt d['y]r skal h['e]r eydha r['i]ki ok f['e] konungsins." H[o,]ttr sagdhi: "that er ekki d['y]r, heldr er that hit mesta tr[o,]ll." N['u] kemr j['o]laaptann; th['a] maelti konungr: "n['u] vil ek, at menn s['e] kyrrir ok hlj['o]dhir ['i] n['o]tt, ok banna ek [o,]llum m['i]num m[o,]nnum at ganga ['i] n[o,]kkurn h['a]ska vidh d['y]rit, en f['e] ferr eptir thv['i] sem audhnar; menn m['i]na vil ek ekki missa." Allir heita h['e]r g['o]dhu um, at gera eptir thv['i], sem konungr baudh. B[o,]dhvarr leyndiz ['i] burt um n['o]ttina; hann laetr H[o,]tt fara medh s['e]r, ok gerir hann that naudhugr ok kalladhi hann s['e]r st['y]rt til bana. B[o,]dhvarr segir, at betr mundi til takaz. Their ganga ['i] burt fr['a] h[o,]llinni, ok verdhr B[o,]dhvarr at bera hann; sv['a] er hann hraeddr. N['u] sj['a] their d['y]rit; ok thv['i] naest aepir H[o,]ttr sl['i]kt, sem hann m['a], ok kvadh dyrit mundu gleypa hann. B[o,]dhvarr badh bikkjuna hans thegja ok kastar honum nidhr ['i] mosann, ok thar liggr hann ok eigi medh [o,]llu ['o]hraeddr; eigi thorir hann heim at fara heldr. N['u] gengr B[o,]dhvarr m['o]ti d['y]rinu; that haefir honum, at sverdhit er fast ['i] umgj[o,]rdhinni, er hann vildi bregdha thv['i]. B[o,]dhvarr eggjar n['u] fast sverdhit ok th['a] bragdhar ['i] umgj[o,]rdhinni, ok n['u] faer hann brugdhit umgj[o,]rdhinni, sv['a] _at_ sverdhit gengr ['u]r sl['i]dhrunum, ok leggr thegar undir baegi d['y]rsins ok sv['a] fast, at st['o]dh ['i] hjartanu, ok datt th['a] d['y]rit til jardhar dautt nidhr. Eptir that ferr hann thangat sem H[o,]ttr liggr. B[o,]dhvarr tekr hann upp ok berr thangat, sem d['y]rit liggr dautt. H[o,]ttr skelfr ['a]kaft. B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "n['u] skaltu drekka bl['o]dh d['y]rsins." Hann er lengi tregr, en th['o] thorir hann v['i]st eigi annat. B[o,]dhvarr laetr hann drekka tv['a], sopa st['o]ra; hann l['e]t hann ok eta n[o,]kkut af d['y]rshjartanu; eptir thetta tekr B[o,]dhvarr til hans, ok ['a]ttuz their vidh lengi. B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "helzt ertu n['u] sterkr ordhinn, ok ekki vaenti ek, et th['u] hraedhiz n['u] hirdhmenn Hr['o]lfs konungs." H[o,]ttr sagdhi: "eigi mun ek th['a] hraedhaz ok eigi thik upp fr['a] thessu." "Vel er th['a] ordhit, H[o,]ttr f['e]lagi; f[o,]ru vit n['u] til ok reisum upp d['y]rit ok b['u]um sv['a] um, at adhrir aetli at kvikt muni vera." {141} Their gera n['u] sv['a]. Eptir that fara their heim ok hafa kyrt um sik, ok veit engi madhr, hvat their hafa idhjat. Konungr spyrr um morguninn, hvat their viti til d['y]rsins, hv['a]rt that hafi n[o,]kkut thangat vitjat um n['o]ttina; honum var sagt, at f['e] alt vaeri heilt ['i] grindum ok ['o]sakat. Konungr badh menn forvitnaz, hv['a]rt engi saei l['i]kindi til, at that hefdhi heim komit. Vardhmenn gerdhu sv['a] ok k['o]mu skj['o]tt aptr ok s[o,]gdhu konungi, at d['y]rit faeri thar ok heldr geyst at borginni. Konungr badh hirdhmenn vera hrausta ok duga n['u] hvern eptir thv['i], sem hann hefdhi hug til, ok r['a]dha af ['o]vaett thenna; ok sv['a] var gert, sem konungr baudh, at their bjuggu sik til thess. Konungr horfdhi ['a] d['y]rit ok maelti s['i]dhan: "enga s['e] ek f[o,]r ['a] d['y]rinu, en hverr vill n['u] taka kaup einn ok ganga ['i] m['o]ti thv['i]?" B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "that vaeri naesta hrausts manns forvitnisb['o]t. H[o,]ttr f['e]lagi, rektu n['u] af th['e]r illmaelit that, at menn l['a]ta, sem engi krellr n['e] dugr muni ['i] ther vera; far n['u] ok drep th['u] d['y]rit; m['a]ttu sj['a], at engi er allf['u]ss til annarra." "J['a]," sagdhi H[o,]ttr, "ek mun til thessa r['a]dhaz." Konungr maelti: "ekki veit ek, hvadhan thessi hreysti er at th['e]r komin, H[o,]ttr, ok mikit hefir um thik skipaz ['a] skammri stundu." H[o,]ttr maelti: "gef m['e]r til sverdhit Gullinhjalta, er th['u] heldr ['a], ok skal ek th['a] fella d['y]rit edha f['a] bana." Hr['o]lf konungr maelti: "thetta sverdh er ekki beranda nema theim manni, sem baedhi er g['o]dhr drengr ok hraustr." H[o,]ttr sagdhi: "sv['a] skaltu til aetla, at m['e]r s['e] sv['a] h['a]ttat." Konungr maelti: "hvat m['a] vita, nema fleira hafi skipz um hagi th['i]na, en sj['a] thykkir, en faestir menn thykkjaz thik kenna, at th['u] s['e]r enn sami madhr; n['u] tak vidh sverdhinu ok nj['o]t manna bezt, ef thetta er til unnit." S['i]dhan gengr H[o,]ttr at d['y]rinu alldjarfliga ok hoeggr til thess, th['a] _er_ hann kemr ['i] h[o,]ggfaeri, ok d['y]rit fellr nidhr dautt. B[o,]dhvarr maelti: "sj['a]idh n['u], herra, hvat hann hefir til unnit." Konungr segir: "v['i]st hefir hann mikit skipaz, en ekki hefir H[o,]ttr einn d['y]rit drepit, heldr hefir th['u] that gert." B[o,]dhvarr segir: "vera m['a], at sv['a] s['e]." Konungr segir: "vissa ek, th['a] _er_ th['u] komt h['e]r, at f['a]ir mundu th['i]nir jafningjar vera, en that thykki m['e]r th['o] thitt verk fraegiligast, at th['u] hefir gert h['e]r annan kappa, thar _er_ H[o,]ttr er, ok ['o]vaenligr th['o]tti til mikillar giptu; ok n['u] vil ek _at_ hann heiti eigi H[o,]ttr lengr ok skal hann heita Hjalti upp fr['a] thessu; skaltu heita eptir sverdhinu Gullinhjalta." {142}

Then Bothvar went on his way to Leire, and came to the king's dwelling.

Bothvar stabled his horse by the king's best horses, without asking leave; and then he went into the hall, and there were few men there. He took a seat near the door, and when he had been there a little time he heard a rummaging in a corner. Bothvar looked that way and saw that a man's hand came up out of a great heap of bones which lay there, and the hand was very black. Bothvar went thither and asked who was there in the heap of bones.

Then an answer came, in a very weak voice, "Hott is my name, good fellow."

"Why art thou here?" said Bothvar, "and what art thou doing?"

Hott said, "I am making a shield-wall for myself, good fellow."

Bothvar said, "Out on thee and thy shield-wall!" and gripped him and jerked him up out of the heap of bones.

Then Hott cried out and said, "Now thou wilt be the death of me: do not do so. I had made it all so snug, and now thou hast scattered in pieces my shield-wall; and I had built it so high all round myself that it has protected me against all your blows, so that for long no blows have come upon me, and yet it was not so arranged as I meant it should be."

Then Bothvar said, "Thou wilt not build thy shield-wall any longer."

Hott said, weeping, "Wilt thou be the death of me, good fellow?" Bothvar told him not to make a noise, and then took him up and bore him out of the hall to some water which was close by, and washed him from head to foot. Few paid any heed to this.

Then Bothvar went to the place which he had taken before, and led Hott with him, and set Hott by his side. But Hott was so afraid that he was trembling in every limb, and yet he seemed to know that this man would help him.

After that it grew to evening, and men crowded into the hall: and Rolf's warriors saw that Hott was seated upon the bench. And it seemed to them that the man must be bold {143} enough, who had taken upon himself to put him there. Hott had an ill countenance when he saw his acquaintances, for he had received naught but evil from them. He wished to save his life and go back to his bone-heap, but Bothvar held him tightly so that he could not go away. For Hott thought that, if he could get back into his bone-heap, he would not be as much exposed to their blows as he was.

Now the retainers did as before; and first of all they tossed small bones across the floor towards Bothvar and Hott. Bothvar pretended not to see this. Hott was so afraid that he neither ate nor drank; and every moment he thought he would be smitten.

And now Hott said to Bothvar, "Good fellow, now a great knuckle bone is coming towards thee, aimed so as to do us sore injury." Bothvar told him to hold his tongue, and put up the hollow of his palm against the knuckle bone and caught it, and the leg bone was joined on to the knuckle bone. Then Bothvar sent the knuckle bone back, and hurled it straight at the man who had thrown it, with such a swift blow that it was the death of him. Then great fear came over the retainers.

Now news came to King Rolf and his men up in the castle that a stately man had come to the hall and killed a retainer, and that the retainers wished to kill the man. King Rolf asked whether the retainer who had been killed had given any offence. "Next to none," they said: then all the truth of the matter came up before King Rolf.

King Rolf said that it should be far from them to kill the man: "You have taken up an evil custom here in pelting men with bones without quarrel. It is a dishonour to me and a great shame to you to do so. I have spoken about it before, and you have paid no attention. I think that this man whom you have assailed must be a man of no small valour. Call him to me, so that I may know who he is."

Bothvar went before the king and greeted him courteously. The king asked him his name. "Your retainers call me Hott's protector, but my name is Bothvar."

The king said, "What compensation wilt thou offer me for my retainer?" {144}

Bothvar said, "He only got what he asked for."

The king said, "Wilt thou become my man and fill his place?"

Bothvar said, "I do not refuse to be your man, but Hott and I must not part so. And we must sit nearer to thee than this man whom I have slain has sat; otherwise we will both depart together." The king said, "I do not see much credit in Hott, but I will not grudge him meat." Then Bothvar went to the seat that seemed good to him, and would not fill that which the other had before. He pulled up three men in one place, and then he and Hott sat down there higher in the hall than the place which had been given to them. The men thought Bothvar overbearing, and there was the greatest ill will among them concerning him.

And when it drew near to Christmas, men became gloomy. Bothvar asked Hott the reason of this. Hott said to him that for two winters together a wild beast had come, great and awful, "And it has wings on its back, and flies. For two autumns it has attacked us here and done much damage. No weapon will wound it: and the champions of the king, those who are the greatest, come not back."

Bothvar said, "This hall is not so well arrayed as I thought, if one beast can lay waste the kingdom and the cattle of the king." Hott said, "It is no beast: it is the greatest troll."

Now Christmas-eve came; then said the king, "Now my will is that men to-night be still and quiet, and I forbid all my men to run into any peril with this beast. It must be with the cattle as fate will have it: but I do not wish to lose my men." All men promised to do as the king commanded. But Bothvar went out in secret that night; he caused Hott to go with him, but Hott did that only under compulsion, and said that it would be the death of him. Bothvar said that he hoped that it would be better than that. They went away from the hall, and Bothvar had to carry Hott, so frightened was he. Now they saw the beast; and thereupon Hott cried out as loud as he could, and said that the beast would swallow him. Bothvar said, "Be silent, thou dog," and threw him down in the mire. And there he lay in no small fear; but he did not dare to go home, any the more. {145}

Now Bothvar went against the beast, and it happened that his sword was fast in his sheath when he wished to draw it. Bothvar now tugged at his sword, it moved, he wrenched the scabbard so that the sword came out. And at once he plunged it into the beast's shoulder so mightily that it pierced him to the heart, and the beast fell down dead to the earth. After that Bothvar went where Hott lay. Bothvar took him up and bore him to where the beast lay dead. Hott was trembling all over. Bothvar said, "Now must thou drink the blood of the beast." For long Hott was unwilling, and yet he did not dare to do anything else. Bothvar made him drink two great sups; also he made him eat somewhat of the heart of the beast.

After that Bothvar turned to Hott, and they fought a long time.

Bothvar said, "Thou hast now become very strong, and I do not believe that thou wilt now fear the retainers of King Rolf."

Hott said, "I shall not fear them, nor thee either, from now on."

"That is good, fellow Hott. Let us now go and raise up the beast, and so array him that others may think that he is still alive." And they did so. After that they went home, and were quiet, and no man knew what they had achieved.

In the morning the king asked what news there was of the beast, and whether it had made any attack upon them in the night. And answer was made to the king, that all the cattle were safe and uninjured in their folds. The king bade his men examine whether any trace could be seen of the beast having visited them. The watchers did so, and came quickly back to the king with the news that the beast was making for the castle, and in great fury. The king bade his retainers be brave, and each play the man according as he had spirit, and do away with this monster. And they did as the king bade, and made them ready.

Then the king faced towards the beast and said, "I see no sign of movement in the beast. Who now will undertake to go against it?"

Bothvar said, "That would be an enterprise for a man of true valour. Fellow Hott, now clear thyself of that ill-repute, {146} in that men hold that there is no spirit or valour in thee. Go now and do thou kill the beast; thou canst see that there is no one else who is forward to do it."

"Yea," said Hott, "I will undertake this."

The king said, "I do not know whence this valour has come upon thee, Hott; and much has changed in thee in a short time."

Hott said, "Give me the sword Goldenboss, Gullinhjalti, which thou dost wield, and I will fell the beast or take my death." Rolf the king said, "That sword cannot be borne except by a man who is both a good warrior and valiant." Hott said, "So shalt thou ween that I am a man of that kind." The king said, "How can one know that more has not changed in thy temper than can be seen? Few men would know thee for the same man. Now take the sword and have joy of it, if this deed is accomplished." Then Hott went boldly to the beast and smote at it when he came within reach, and the beast fell down dead. Bothvar said, "See now, my lord, what he has achieved." The king said, "Verily, he has altered much, but Hott has not killed the beast alone, rather hast thou done it." Bothvar said, "It may be that it is so." The king said, "I knew when thou didst come here that few would be thine equals. But this seems to me nevertheless thy most honourable work, that thou hast made here another warrior of Hott, who did not seem shaped for much luck. And now I will that he shall be called no longer Hott, but Hjalti from this time; thou shalt be called after the sword Gullinhjalti (Goldenboss)."

* * * * *

C. EXTRACTS FROM GRETTIS SAGA

(ed. G. Magn['u]sson, 1853; R. C. Boer, 1900)

(_a_) _Glam episode_ (caps. 32-35)

Th['o]rhallr h['e]t madhr, er bj['o] ['a] Th['o]rhallsst[o,]dhum ['i] Forsaeludal. Forsaeludalr er upp af Vatnsdal. Th['o]rhallr var Gr['i]msson, Th['o]rhallssonar, Fridhmundarsonar, er nam Forsaeludal. Th['o]rhallr ['a]tti th['a] konu, er Gudhr['u]n h['e]t. Gr['i]mr h['e]t sonr theira, en Thur['i]dhr d['o]ttir; thau v['a]ru vel ['a] legg komin. Th['o]rhallr var vel audhigr {147} madhr, ok mest at kvikf['e], sv['a] at engi madhr ['a]tti jafnmart ganganda f['e], sem hann. Ekki var hann h[o,]fdhingi, en th['o] skilr['i]kr b['o]nd['i]. Thar var reimt mj[o,]k, ok fekk hann varla saudhamann, sv['a] at honum thoetti duga. Hann leitadhi r['a]dhs vidh marga vitra menn, hvat hann skyldi til bragdhs taka; en engi gat that r['a]dh til gefit, er dygdhi. Th['o]rhallr reidh til things hvert sumar. Hann ['a]tti hesta g['o]dha. That var eitt sumar ['a] althingi, at Th['o]rhallr gekk til b['u]dhar Skapta l[o,]gmanns, Th['o]roddssonar. Skapti var manna vitrastr, ok heilr['a]dhr, ef hann var beiddr. That skildi medh theim fedhgum: Th['o]roddr var forsp['a]r ok kalladhr undirhyggjumadhr af sumum m[o,]nnum, en Skapti lagdhi that til medh hverjum manni, sem hann aetladhi at duga skyldi, ef eigi vaeri af thv['i] brugdhit; thv['i] var hann kalladhr betrfedhrungr. Th['o]rhallr gekk ['i] b['u]dh Skapta; hann fagnadhi vel Th['o]rhalli, thv['i] hann vissi, at hann var r['i]kr madhr at f['e], ok spurdhi hvat at t['i]dhendum vaeri.

Th['o]rhallr maelti: "Heilraedhi vilda ek af ydhr thiggja."

"['I] litlum foerum em ek til thess," sagdhi Skapti; "edha hvat stendr thik?"

Th['o]rhallr maelti: "That er sv['a] h['a]ttat, at m['e]r helz l['i]tt ['a] saudham[o,]nnum. Verdhr theim heldr klakks['a]rt, en sumir gera engar lyktir ['a]. Vill n['u] engi til taka, s['a] er kunnigt er til, hvat fyrir b['y]r."

Skapti svarar: "Thar mun liggja meinvaettr n[o,]kkur, er menn eru tregari til at geyma s['i]dhr th['i]ns fj['a]r en annarra manna. N['u] fyrir thv['i], at th['u] hefir at m['e]r r['a]dh s['o]tt, th['a] skal ek f['a] th['e]r saudhamann, thann er Gl['a]mr heitir, aettadhr ['o]r Sv['i]thj['o]dh, ['o]r Sylgsd[o,]lum, er ['u]t kom ['i] fyrra sumar, mikill ok sterkr, ok ekki mj[o,]k vidh alth['y]dhu skap."

Th['o]rhallr kvaz ekki um that gefa, ef hann geymdi vel fj['a]rins; Skapti sagdhi [o,]dhrum eigi vaent horfa, ef hann geymdi eigi fyrir afls sakir ok ['a]raedhis; Th['o]rhallr gekk th['a] ['u]t. Thetta var at thinglausnum.

Th['o]rhalli var vant hesta tveggja lj['o]sbleikra, ok f['o]r sj['a]lfr at leita; af thv['i] thykkjaz menn vita, at hann var ekki mikilmenni. Hann gekk upp undir Sledh['a]s ok sudhr medh fjalli thv['i], er ['A]rmannsfell heitir. Th['a] s['a] hann, hvar madhr f['o]r ofan ['o]r Godhask['o]gi ok bar hr['i]s ['a] hesti. Br['a]tt bar saman fund theira; Th['o]rhallr spurdhi hann at nafni, en hann kvez Gl['a]mr heita. Thessi madhr {148} var mikill vexti ok undarligr ['i] yfirbragdhi, bl['a]eygdhr ok opineygdhr, ['u]lfgr['a]r ['a] h['a]rslit. Th['o]rhalli br['a] n[o,]kkut ['i] br['u]n, er hann s['a] thenna mann; en th['o] skildi hann, at honum mundi til thessa v['i]sat.

"Hvat er th['e]r bezt hent at vinna?" segir Th['o]rhallr.

Gl['a]mr kvadh s['e]r vel hent at geyma saudhfj['a]r ['a] vetrum.

"Viltu geyma saudhfj['a]r m['i]ns?" segir Th['o]rhallr; "gaf Skapti thik ['a] mitt vald."

"Sv['a] mun th['e]r hentust m['i]n vist, at ek fari sj['a]lfr['a]dhr; thv['i] ek em skapstyggr, ef m['e]r l['i]kar eigi vel," sagdhi Gl['a]mr.

"Ekki mun m['e]r mein at thv['i]," segir Th['o]rhallr, "ok vil ek, at th['u] farir til m['i]n."

"Gera m['a] ek that," segir Gl['a]mr; "edha eru thar n[o,]kkur vandhoefi ['a]?"

"Reimt thykkir thar vera," sagdhi Th['o]rhallr.

"Ekki hraedhumz ek flykur thaer," sagdhi Gl['a]mr, "ok thykkir m['e]r at ['o]dauflig[r]a."

"Thess muntu vidh thurfa," segir Th['o]rhallr, "ok hentar thar betr, at vera eigi alll['i]till fyrir s['e]r."

Eptir that kaupa their saman, ok skal Gl['a]mr koma at vetrn['o]ttum. Sidhan skildu their, ok fann Th['o]rhallr hesta s['i]na, thar sem hann hafdhi n['y]leitat. Reidh Th['o]rhallr heim, ok thakkadhi Skapta sinn velgerning.

Sumar leidh af, ok fr['e]tti Th['o]rhallr ekki til saudhamanns, ok engi kunni skyn ['a] honum. En at ['a]nefndum t['i]ma kom hann ['a] Th['o]rhallsstadhi. Tekr b['o]ndi vidh honum vel, en [o,]llum [o,]dhrum gaz ekki at honum, en h['u]sfreyju th['o] minst. Hann t['o]k vidh fj['a]rvardhveizlu, ok vardh honum l['i]tit fyrir thv['i]; hann var hlj['o]dhmikill ok dimmraddadhr, ok f['e]it st[o,]kk allt saman, thegar hann h['o]adhi. Kirkja var ['a] Th['o]rhallsst[o,]dhum; ekki vildi Gl['a]mr til hennar koma; hann var ['o]s[o,]ngvinn ok tr['u]lauss, stirfinn ok vidhskotaillr; [o,]llum var hann hvimleidhr.

N['u] leidh sv['a] thar til er kemr atfangadagr j['o]la. Th['a] st['o]dh Gl['a]mr snemma upp ok kalladhi til matar s['i]ns.

H['u]sfreyja svarar: "Ekki er that h['a]ttr kristinna manna, at mataz thenna dag, thv['i]at ['a] morgin er j['o]ladagr hinn fyrsti," segir hon, "ok er thv['i] fyrst skylt at fasta ['i] dag."

Hann svarar: "Marga hindrvitni hafi th['e]r, th['a] er ek s['e] til enskis koma. Veit ek eigi, at m[o,]nnum fari n['u] betr at, heldr {149} en th['a], er menn f['o]ru ekki medh sl['i]kt. Th['o]tti m['e]r th['a] betri sidhr, er menn v['a]ru heidhnir kalladhir; ok vil ek mat minn en engar refjur."

H['u]sfreyja maelti: "V['i]st veit ek, at th['e]r mun illa faraz ['i] dag, ef th['u] tekr thetta illbrigdhi til."

Gl['a]mr badh hana taka mat ['i] stadh; kvadh henni annat skyldu vera verra. Hon thordhi eigi annat, en at gera, sem hann vildi. Ok er hann var mettr, gekk hann ['u]t, ok var heldr gustillr. Vedhri var sv['a] farit, at myrkt var um at litaz, ok fl[o,]gradhi ['o]r dr['i]fa, ok gn['y]mikit, ok versnadhi mj[o,]k sem ['a] leidh daginn. Heyrdhu menn til saudhamanns [o,]ndverdhan daginn, en midhr er ['a] leidh daginn. T['o]k th['a] at fj['u]ka, ok gerdhi ['a] hr['i]dh um kveldit; k['o]mu menn til t['i]dha, ok leidh sv['a] fram at dagsetri; eigi kom Gl['a]mr heim. Var th['a] um talat, hv['a]rt hans skyldi eigi leita; en fyrir thv['i], at hr['i]dh var ['a] ok nidhamyrkr, th['a] vardh ekki af leitinni. Kom hann eigi heim j['o]lan['o]ttina; bidhu menn sv['a] fram um t['i]dhir. At oernum degi f['o]ru menn ['i] leitina, ok fundu f['e]it v['i]dha ['i] f[o,]nnum, lamit af ofvidhri edha hlaupit ['a] fj[o,]ll upp. Thv['i]naest k['o]mu their ['a] tradhk mikinn ofarliga ['i] dalnum. Th['o]tti theim thv['i] l['i]kt, sem thar hefdhi gl['i]mt verit heldr sterkliga, thv['i]at grj['o]tit var v['i]dha upp leyst, ok sv['a] j[o,]rdhin. Their hugdhu at vandliga ok s['a], hvar Gl['a]mr l['a], skamt ['a] brott fr['a] theim. Hann var daudhr, ok bl['a]r sem Hel, en digr sem naut. Theim baudh af honum ['o]thekt mikla, ok hraus theim mj[o,]k hugr vidh honum. En th['o] leitudhu their vidh at foera hann til kirkju, ok g['a]tu ekki komit honum, nema ['a] einn gilsthr[o,]m thar skamt ofan fr['a] s['e]r; ok f['o]ru heim vidh sv['a] b['u]it, ok s[o,]gdhu b['o]nda thenna atburdh. Hann spurdhi, hvat Gl['a]mi mundi hafa at bana ordhit. Their kv['a]dhuz rakit hafa spor sv['a] st['o]r, sem keraldsbotni vaeri nidhr skelt thadhan fr['a], sem tradhkrinn var, ok upp undir bj[o,]rg thau, er thar v['a]ru ofarliga ['i] dalnum, ok fylgdhu thar medh bl['o]dhdrefjar miklar. That dr['o]gu menn saman, at s['u] meinvaettr, er ['a]dhr hafdhi [thar] verit, mundi hafa deytt Gl['a]m; en hann mundi fengit hafa henni n[o,]kkurn ['a]verka, thann er tekit hafi til fulls, thv['i]at vidh th['a] meinvaetti hefir aldri vart ordhit s['i]dhan. Annan j['o]ladag var enn til farit at foera Gl['a]m til kirkju. V['a]ru eykir fyrir beittir, ok g['a]tu their hvergi foert hann, thegar sl['e]ttlendit var ok eigi var forbrekkis at fara. Gengu n['u] fr['a] vidh sv['a] b['u]it. Hinn thridhja dag f['o]r prestr medh theim, ok leitudhu allan daginn, {150} ok Gl['a]mr fannz eigi. Eigi vildi prestr optar til fara; en saudhamadhr fannz, thegar prestr var eigi ['i] ferdh. L['e]tu their th['a] fyrir vinnaz, at foera hann til kirkju; ok dysjudhu hann thar, sem th['a] var hann kominn. L['i]tlu s['i]dhar urdhu menn varir vidh that, at Gl['a]mr l['a] eigi kyrr. Vardh m[o,]nnum at thv['i] mikit mein, sv['a] at margir fellu ['i] ['o]vit, ef s['a] hann, en sumir heldu eigi vitinu. Thegar eptir j['o]lin th['o]ttuz menn sj['a] hann heima thar ['a] boenum. Urdhu menn ['a]kafliga hraeddir; stukku th['a] margir menn ['i] brott. Thvinaest t['o]k Gl['a]mr at r['i]dha h['u]sum ['a] naetr, sv['a] at l['a] vidh brotum. Gekk hann th['a] n['a]liga naetr ok daga. Varla thordhu menn at fara upp ['i] dalinn, th['o]at aetti n['o]g oerendi. Th['o]tti m[o,]nnum thar ['i] heradhinu mikit mein at thessu.

Um v['a]rit fekk Th['o]rhallr s['e]r hj['o]n ok gerdhi b['u] ['a] j[o,]rdhu sinni. T['o]k th['a] at minka aptrgangr, medhan s['o]largangr var mestr. Leidh sv['a] fram ['a] midhsumar. Thetta sumar kom ['u]t skip ['i] H['u]navatni; thar var ['a] s['a] madhr, er Thorgautr h['e]t. Hann var ['u]tlendr at kyni, mikill ok sterkr; hann hafdhi tveggja manna afl; hann var lauss ok einn fyrir s['e]r; hann vildi f['a] starfa n[o,]kkurn, thv['i](at) hann var f['e]lauss. Th['o]rhallr reidh til skips ok fann Thorgaut; spurdhi ef hann vildi vinna fyrir honum; Thorgautr kvadh that vel mega vera, ok kvez eigi vanda that.

"Sv['a] skaltu vidh b['u]az," segir Th['o]rhallr, "sem thar s['e] ekki veslingsm[o,]nnum hent at vera, fyrir aptrg[o,]ngum theim, er thar hafa verit um hr['i]dh, en ek vil ekki thik ['a] t['a]lar draga."

Thorgautr svarar: "Eigi thykkjumz ek upp gefinn, th['o]at ek sj['a] sm['a]v['a]fur; mun th['a] eigi [o,]dhrum daelt, ef ek hraedhumz; ok ekki bregdh ek vist minni fyrir that."

N['u] semr theim vel kaupstefnan, ok skal Thorgautr gaeta saudhfj['a]r at vetri.

Leidh n['u] af sumarit. T['o]k Thorgautr vidh f['e]nu at vetrn['a]ttum. Vel l['i]kadhi [o,]llum vidh hann. Jafnan kom Gl['a]mr heim ok reidh h['u]sum. That th['o]tti Thorgauti allk['a]tligt, ok kvadh, "thraelinn thurfa mundu naer at ganga, ef ek hraedhumz." Th['o]rhallr badh hann hafa f['a]tt um; "er bezt, at thit reynidh ekki medh ykkr."

Thorgautr maelti: "Sannliga er skekinn thr['o]ttr ['o]r ydhr; ok dett ek eigi nidhr milli doegra vidh skraf thetta."

N['u] f['o]r sv['a] fram um vetrinn allt til j['o]la. Atfangakveld j['o]la f['o]r saudhamadhr til fj['a]r. {151}

Th['a] maelti h['u]sfreyja: "Thurfa thoetti m['e]r, at n['u] foeri eigi at fornum br[o,]gdhum."

Hann svarar: "Ver eigi hraedd um that, h['u]sfreyja," sagdhi hann; "verdha mun eitthvert s[o,]guligt, ef ek kem ekki aptr." S['i]dhan gekk hann aptr til fj['a]r s['i]ns. Vedhr var heldr kalt, ok fj['u]k mikit. Thv['i] var Thorgautr vanr, at koma heim, th['a] er h['a]lfroekkvat var; en n['u] kom hann ekki heim ['i] that mund. K['o]mu t['i]dhamenn, sem vant var. That th['o]tti m[o,]nnum eigi ['o]l['i]kt ['a] horfaz sem fyrr. B['o]ndi vildi leita l['a]ta eptir saudhamanni, en t['i]dhamenn t[o,]lduz undan, ok s[o,]gdhuz eigi mundu haetta s['e]r ['u]t ['i] tr[o,]llahendr um naetr; ok treystiz b['o]ndi eigi at fara, ok vardh ekki af leitinni. J['o]ladag, er menn v['a]ru mettir, f['o]ru menn til ok leitudhu saudhamanns. Gengu their fyrst til dysjar Gl['a]ms, thv['i]at menn aetludhu af hans v[o,]ldum mundi ordhit um hvarf saudhamanns. En er their k['o]mu naer dysinni, s['a]u their thar mikil t['i]dhendi, ok thar fundu their saudhamann, ok var hann brotinn ['a] h['a]ls, ok lamit sundr hvert bein ['i] honum. S['i]dhan foerdhu their hann til kirkju, ok vardh engum manni mein at Thorgauti s['i]dhan. En Gl['a]mr t['o]k at magnaz af n['y]ju. Gerdhi hann n['u] sv['a] mikit af s['e]r, at menn allir stukku brott af Th['o]rhallsst[o,]dhum, ['u]tan b['o]ndi einn ok h['u]sfreyja. Nautamadhr hafdhi thar verit lengi hinn sami. Vildi Th['o]rhallr hann ekki lausan l['a]ta fyrir g['o]dhvilja sakir ok geymslu. Hann var mj[o,]k vidh aldr, ok th['o]tti honum mikit fyrir, at fara ['a] brott; s['a] hann ok, at allt f['o]r at ['o]nytju, that er b['o]ndi ['a]tti, ef engi geymdi. Ok einn t['i]ma eptir midhjan vetr var that einn morgin, at h['u]sfreyja f['o]r til fj['o]ss, at mj['o]lka k['y]r eptir t['i]ma. Th['a] var allj['o]st, thv['i]at engi treystiz fyrr ['u]ti at vera annarr en nautamadhr; hann f['o]r ['u]t, thegar l['y]sti. Hon heyrdhi brak mikit ['i] fj['o]sit, ok beljan [o,]skurliga; hon hlj['o]p inn oepandi ok kvaz eigi vita, hver ['o]doemi um vaeri ['i] fj['o]sinu. B['o]ndi gekk ['u]t ok kom til nautanna, ok stangadhi hvert annat. Th['o]tti honum thar eigi gott, ok gekk innar at hl[o,]dhunni. Hann s['a], hvar l['a], nautamadhr, ok hafdhi h[o,]fudhit ['i] [o,]dhrum b['a]si en foetr ['i] [o,]dhrum; hann l['a] ['a] bak aptr. B['o]ndi gekk at honum ok threifadhi um hann; finnr br['a]tt, at hann er daudhr ok sundr hryggrinn ['i] honum. Var hann brotinn um b['a]shelluna. N['u] th['o]tti b['o]nda eigi vaert, ok f['o]r ['i] brott af boenum medh allt that, sem hann m['a]tti ['i] brott flytja. En allt kvikf['e] that, sem eptir var, deyddi Gl['a]mr. Ok thvinaest f['o]r {152} hann um allan dalinn ok eyddi alla boei upp fr['a] Tungu. Var Th['o]rhallr th['a] medh vinum s['i]num that [sem] eptir var vetrarins. Engi madhr m['a]tti fara upp ['i] dalinn medh hest edhr hund, thv['i]at that var thegar drepit. En er v['a]radhi, ok s['o]largangr var sem mestr, l['e]tti heldr aptrg[o,]ngunum. Vildi Th['o]rhallr n['u] fara aptr til lands s['i]ns. Urdhu honum ekki audhfengin hj['o]n, en th['o] gerdhi hann b['u] ['a] Th['o]rhallsst[o,]dhum. F['o]r allt ['a] sama veg sem fyrr; thegar at haustadhi, t['o]ku at vaxa reimleikar. Var th['a] mest s['o]tt at b['o]ndad['o]ttur; ok sv['a] f['o]r, at hon l['e]z af thv['i]. Margra r['a]dha var ['i] leitat, ok vardh ekki at g[o,]rt. Th['o]tti m[o,]nnum til thess horfaz, at eydhaz mundi allr Vatnsdalr, ef eigi yrdhi boetr ['a] r['a]dhnar.

N['u] er thar til at taka, at Grettir ['A]smundarson sat heima at Bjargi um haustit, s['i]dhan their V['i]gabardhi skildu ['a] Th['o]reyjargn['u]pi. Ok er mj[o,]k var komit at vetrn['o]ttum, reidh Grettir heiman nordhr yfir h['a]lsa til V['i]dhidals, ok gisti ['a] Audhunarst[o,]dhum. Saettuz their Audhunn til fulls, ok gaf Grettir honum oexi g['o]dha, ok maeltu til vin['a]ttu medh s['e]r. Audhunn bj['o] lengi ['a] Audhunarst[o,]dhum ok var kynsaell madhr. Hans sonr var Egill, er ['a]tti ['U]lfheidhi, d['o]ttur Eyj['o]lfs Gudhmundarsonar, ok var theira sonr Eyj['o]lfr, er veginn var ['a] althingi. Hann var fadhir Orms, kapil['a]ns Thorl['a]ks biskups. Grettir reidh nordhr til Vatnsdals ok kom ['a] kynnisleit ['i] Tungu. Thar bj['o] th['a] J[o,]kull B['a]rdharson, m['o]dhurbr['o]dhir Grettis; J[o,]kull var mikill madhr ok sterkr ok hinn mesti ofsamadhr. Hann var siglingamadhr, ok mj[o,]k ['o]daell, en th['o] mikilhoefr madhr. Hann t['o]k vel vidh Gretti, ok var hann thar thrj['a]r naetr. Th['a] var sv['a] mikit ordh ['a] aptrg[o,]ngum Gl['a]ms, at m[o,]nnum var ekki jafnt['i]dhroett sem that. Grettir spurdhi inniliga at theim atburdhum, er h[o,]fdhu ordhit; J[o,]kull kvadh thar ekki meira af sagt en til vaeri hoeft; "edha er th['e]r forvitni ['a], fraendi! at koma thar?"

Grettir sagdhi, at that var satt.

J[o,]kull badh hann that eigi gera, "thv['i] that er gaefuraun mikil; en fraendr th['i]nir eiga mikit ['i] haettu, thar sem th['u] ert," sagdhi hann; "thykkir oss n['u] engi sl['i]kr af ungum m[o,]nnum sem th['u]; en illt mun af illum hlj['o]ta, thar sem Gl['a]mr er. Er ok miklu betra, at f['a]z vidh mennska menn en vidh ['o]vaettir sl['i]kar."

Grettir kvadh s['e]r hug ['a], at koma ['a] Th['o]rhallsstadhi, ok sj['a], hversu thar vaeri um gengit. {153}

J[o,]kull maelti: "S['e] ek n['u], at eigi tj['a]ir at letja thik; en satt er that sem maelt er, at sitt er hv['a]rt, gaefa edha gervigleikr."

"Th['a] er [o,]dhrum v['a] fyrir dyrum, er [o,]dhrum er inn um komit; ok hygg at, hversu th['e]r mun fara sj['a]lfum, ['a]dhr l['y]kr," kvadh Grettir.

J[o,]kull svarar: "Vera kann, at vit sj['a]im b['a]dhir n[o,]kkut fram, en hv['a]rrgi f['a]i vidh g[o,]rt."

Eptir that skildu their, ok l['i]kadhi hv['a]rigum annars sp['a]r.

Grettir reidh ['a] Th['o]rhallsstadhi, ok fagnadhi b['o]ndi honum vel. Hann spurdhi, hvert Grettir aetladhi at fara; en hann segiz thar vilja vera um n['o]ttina, ef b['o]nda l['i]kadhi, at sv['a] vaeri. Th['o]rhallr kvaz th[o,]kk fyrir kunna, at hann vaeri thar, "en f['a]m thykkir sloegr til at gista h['e]r um t['i]ma; muntu hafa heyrt getit um, hvat h['e]r er at vaela. En ek vilda gjarna, at th['u] hlytir engi vandraedhi af m['e]r. En th['o]at th['u] komiz heill ['a] brott, th['a] veit ek fyrir v['i]st, at th['u] missir hests th['i]ns; thv['i] engi heldr h['e]r heilum s['i]num fararskj['o]ta, s['a] er kemr."

Grettir kvadh gott til hesta, hvat sem af thessum yrdhi.

Th['o]rhallr vardh gladhr vidh, er Grettir vildi thar vera, ok t['o]k vidh honum b['a]dhum h[o,]ndum. Var hestr Grettis laestr ['i] h['u]si sterkliga. Their f['o]ru til svefns, ok leidh sv['a] af n['o]ttin, at ekki kom Gl['a]mr heim.

Th['a] maelti Th['o]rhallr: "Vel hefir brugdhit vidh th['i]na kv['a]mu, thv['i]at hverja n['o]tt er Gl['a]mr vanr at r['i]dha h['u]sum edha brj['o]ta upp hurdhir, sem th['u] m['a]tt merki sj['a]."

Grettir maelti: "Th['a] mun vera annathv['a]rt, at hann mun ekki lengi ['a] s['e]r sitja, edha mun af venjaz meirr en eina n['o]tt. Skal ek vera h['e]r n['o]tt adhra ok sj['a], hversu ferr."

Sidhan gengu their til hests Grettis, ok var ekki vidh hann glez. Allt th['o]tti b['o]nda at einu fara. N['u] er Grettir thar adhra n['o]tt, ok kom ekki thraellinn heim. Th['a] th['o]tti b['o]nda mj[o,]k vaenkaz. F['o]r hann th['a], at sj['a] hest Grettis. Th['a] var upp brotit h['u]sit, er b['o]ndi kom til, en hestrinn dreginn til dyra ['u]tar, ok lamit ['i] sundr ['i] honum hvert bein.

Th['o]rhallr sagdhi Gretti, hvar th['a] var komit, ok badh hann fordha s['e]r: "thv['i]at v['i]ss er daudhinn, ef th['u] b['i]dhr Gl['a]ms."

Grettir svarar: "Eigi m['a] ek minna hafa fyrir hest minn, en at sj['a] thraelinn." {154}

B['o]ndi sagdhi, at that var eigi bati, at sj['a] hann, "thv['i]at hann er ['o]l['i]kr n[o,]kkurri mannligri mynd; en g['o]dh thykki m['e]r hver s['u] stund, er th['u] vilt h['e]r vera."