Prose Edda - Brodeur Trans.
Skáldskaparmál
summer till the equinox. The month next before winter is called Harvest-Month; the first in winter is the Month of Cattle-Slaughter; then Freezing Month, then Rain-Month, then the Month of Winter's Wane, then Gói; (1) then Single-Month, then Cuckoo-Month and Seed-Time, then Egg-time and Lamb-Weaning-Time; then come Sun-Month and Pasture Month, then Haying-Season; then Reaping Month.] (2)
LXIII. "What are the simple terms for men? Each, in himself, is Man; the first and highest name by which man is called is Emperor; next to that, King; the next thereto, Earl: these three men possess in common all the following titles: All-Ruler, as this song showeth:
I know all All-RulersHere he is called War-Prince also; for this reason he is called All-Ruler, that he is sole Ruler of all his realm.
East and south, o'er the Ships' seat:
Sveinn's son in proof is better
Than any other War-Prince.
Host-Arrayer, as Gizurr sang:
The Host-Arrayer feedeth1. I cannot find the meaning of this word.
The wolf and the raven in folk-mote;
Oláfr gladdens, in Skögul's sharp showers
Of battle, the geese of Odin.
2. "This passage, which U lacks, is clearly a later addition." Jónsson, Copenhagen ed. (1900), p. 138, footnote.
226
"A King is called Host-Arrayer because he divides his war-host into companies.
Leader, as Ottarr the Swarthy sang:
The Leader takethLord or Lording, as Arnórr sang:
Odin's loved Wife,
The lordless land;
His a warrior's life.
The Lord of Hjaltland, highestAn earl is called Host-Duke, and a king also is so termed, forasmuch as he leads his host to battle. Thus sang Thjódólfr:
Of heroes, gained the victory
In every thunderous sword-clash:
The bard will extol his glory.
He who put to shame the Host-DukeSignor, or Señor, as Sigvatr sang:
Thrust out the eyes of prisoners,-
He who speeds the sacrifices;
In song I chant his praises.
O Norway's gracious Signor,Munificent One, as Markús sang:
Grant the wretched, as the happy,
May now enjoy thy wise laws;
Give greatly, hold thy word!
227
The Munificent Prince brought fire's destructionIllustrious One, as Hallvárdr sang:
O'er the base people; to the pirates
Death was fated: Thief-Compeller,
South at Jóm highest flame-glow kindle!
No Illustrious One nearerLand-Driver, as Thjódólfr sang:
Under Earth's Hazel liveth
Than thou, 0 Monks' Upholder:
The Gold-Minisher Danes protecteth.
The guileless Land-Driver sprinklesas was written before; (1) he is called so because he drives his host about the lands of other kings, or drives a host out of his own land.
Kraki's gleaming barley,
LXIV. "There was a king named Hálfdan the Old, who was most famous of all kings. He made a great sacrificial feast at mid-winter, and sacrificed to this end, that he might live three hundred years in his kingdom; but he received these answers: he should not live more than the full life of a man, but for three hundred years there should be no woman and no man in his line who was not of great repute. He was a great warrior, and went on forays far and wide in the Eastern Regions : (2) there he slew in single combat the king who was called Sigtryggr. Then he took in
1. See page 173.
2. That is, in the lands bordering the Baltic.
228
marriage that woman named Alvig the Wise, daughter of King Eymundr of Hólmgardr: (1) they had eighteen Sons, nine born at one birth. These were their names: the first, Thengill, (2) who was called Manna-Thengill; (2) the second, Ræsir; (3) the third, Gramr; (3) the fourth, Gylfi; (3) the fifth, Hilmir: (3) the sixth, Jöfurr; (3) the seventh,Tyggi ; (3) eighth, Skyli (3) or Skúli; (3) the ninth, Harri (3) or Herra. (3) These nine brothers became so famous in foraying that, in all records since, their names are used as titles of rank, even as the name of King or that of Earl. They had no children, and all fell in battle. Thus sang Óttarr the Swarthy:
In his youth stalwart ThengillThus sang Markús:
Was swift and staunch in battle:
I pray his line endureth;
O'er all men I esteem him.
The Ræsir let the Rhine's Sun shimmerThus sang Egill:
From the reddened Skull's ship on the Sea-Fells.
The Gramr the hood hath liftedThus sang Eyvindr:
From the hair-fenced brows of the Singer.
He played with the land-folk1. Russia.
Who should have defended;
2. This word means Prince or King; Manna-Thengill = Prince of Men.
3. All of these words are poetic names for a Prince or King.
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