Skáldskaparmál

205

LIV. "How are the gods named? They are called Fetters, as Eyjólfr the Valiant
Skald sang:

     Eiríkr draws the lands beneath him
     At the pleasure of the Fetters,
     And fashions the Spear-Battle.

And Bonds, as Thjódólfr of Hvin sang:

     The skilful God-Deceiver
     To the Bonds proved a stern sharer
     Of bones: the Helmet-Hooded
     Saw somewhat hindered seething. (1)

Powers, as Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

     I say, the Mighty Powers
     Magnify Hákon's empire.

Jólnar, (2) as Eyvindr sang:

     We have fashioned
     The Feast of Jólnar,
     The Prince's praise-song,
     Strong as a stone bridge.

Deities, (3) as Kormákr sang:

1. See page 130.
2. This word, in the singular, is one of the names of Odin. I can find no
etymology for it.
3. A rare and doubtful word. According to Cl.-Vig., the word occurs only twice:
Yngl. S., ch. ii, and here. Cl.-Vig. holds that the word probably means
priests: "The díar of the Yngl. S. were probably analogous to the Icel. godi,
from god (deus)" (p. 1oo).


206

     The Giver of Lands, who bindeth
     The sail to the top, with gold-lace
     Honors him who pours Deities' verse-mead;
     Odin wrought charms on Rindr. (1)

LV. "These names of the heavens are recorded (but we have not found all these
terms in poems; and these skaldic terms, even as others, are not meet for use
in skaldic writing, methinks, unless one first find such names in the works of
Chief Skalds): Heaven, Hlýrnir, Heidthornir, StormMímir, Long-Lying, Light-
Farer, Driving, Topmost Sky, Wide-Fathom, Vet-Mímir, Lightning, Destroyer,
Wide-Blue. The solar planet is called Sun, Glory, Ever-Glow, All-Bright, Sight,
Fair Wheel, Healing Ray, Dvalinn's Playmate, Elfin-Beam, Doubtful-Beam,
Luminary. The lunar planet is called Moon, Waxer, Waner, Year-Teller, Mock-Sun,
Fengari, (2) Glamour, Haster, Crescent, Glare.

LVI. "Which are the simple terms for Earth? She is called Earth, as Thjódólfr
sang:

     The hardy Point-Rain's Urger
     Oft caused the harsh sword-shower,
     Ere under him the broad Earth
     With battle he subjected.

Field, as Óttarr sang:

     The Prince guards the Field:
     Few kings are so mighty;

1. See page 100.
2. "Byzant. feeggŁri; an Ľp. leg." (Cl.-Vig., p. 151).


207

     Óleifr fattens the eagle,-
     Foremost is the Swedes' King.

Ground, as Hallvardr sang:

     The broad Ground, 'neath the venom-cold Adder
     Bound, lies subject to the Warrior
     Of the Island-Fetter's heaped gold;
     The Hone-Land's Lord the hoard dispenseth.

Haudr, (1) as Einarr sang:

     Brave heroes are defending
     The hard Haudr of famous princes
     With the sword; oft splits the helmet
     Before the furious edge-storm.

Land, as Thórdr Kolbeinsson sang:

     The Land, after the battle,
     Was laid low from Veiga northward
     To Agdir south, or farther:
     Hard is song in conflict.

Fief, as Óttarr sang:

     Thou, fierce War-Staff, maintainedst
     The Fief despite two Monarchs
     With heroes' kin, where the ravens
     Starved not; keen-hearted art thou. (3)

1. "Etymology not known" (Cl.-Vig., p. 241).
2. See pages 180, 181.


208

Hlödyn, (1) as Völu-Steinn sang:

     I remember how murky earth yawned
     With graven mouth for the Sender
     Of the Gold-Words of the Giant
     Of the hard bones of Green Hlödyn.

Country, as Úlfr Uggason sang:

     But the flashing-eyed stiff Edge-Rope
     Of the Earth stared past the gunwale
     At the Rowan-Tree of the Country
     Of Stone, the Giant-Tester. (2)

Fjörgyn, (3) as is said here:

     I was faithful to the free Payer
     Of the stream-bed of Fjörgyn's Serpent;
     May honor be closely guarded
     By the Giver of the Giant's Stream-gold.

LVIII. "It is correct to periphrase blood or carrion in terms of the beast
which is called Strangler, (4) by calling them his Meat and Drink;, it is not
correct to express them in terms of other beasts. The Strangler is also called
Wolf. As Thjódólfr sang:

     Enough guesting to the Ravener
     Was given, when the Son of Sigurdr

1. A personification.
2. See page 179.
3. Cf. Goth. fairguni ( a mountain) and A.-S. fyrgen. A personification:
Fjörgynn is father of Frigg and of Jörd (Earth).
4. Vargr; cf. A.-S. wearg, Ger. -würgen.



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