Upp skalt á kjöl klífa
by Þórir Jökull Steinfinnsson
Þórir was captured following the Battle of Örlygsstaðir, fought on August 21, 1238. He was executed
along with five others, whose names are recorded in the Íslendinga saga, included in the Sturlunga saga.
Also given are the names of the about fifty combatants who were killed on that day. Þórir’s executioner
was a man allowed to perform the execution to avenge Þórir’s killing of his brother at the Battle of Bær,
which occurred on April 28, 1237.
Upp skalt
á1 kjöl klífa;
up must you onto keel climb2
Köld es sjávar3 drífa;
cold is sea spray
Kostaðu hug þinn4 at5 herða;
try you spirit+your to harden
hér muntu6
lífit
verða;
here are going to life+the lose
Skafl beygjattu7,
skalli8,
gums do not bend/bow “baldy” (i.e. don’t grimace - don’t show concern or fear)
þótt
skúr
á
þik
falli9,
though shower on/upon you shall fall
ást
love
hafðir
þú
had/possessed you
meyja,
of maidens
eitt sinn skal
hverr
deyja
one time must each person/everyone die (i.e. everybody’s gotta go sometime)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2-way preposition - acc. “onto”, dat. “on”
This means as much as “you’re in deep trouble”
genitive construction
heart, mind, courage, bravery, etc. - hugr -acc. form hug, þinn suffixed form of definite article
at - full infinitive form in ON - i.e. at her›a
Modal verb expressing high probability of future happening
Imperative form of verb + “du” form - baugr + infixed negative particle (poetic device only)
He’s addressing himself here, using a knock on himself to show his distain for death
subjunctive
Exerpts from the Hávamál
Hávamál ("Sayings of the high one") is presented as a single poem in the Poetic Edda. The poem, itself a collection
of poems, largely presents advice for living and survival; some verses are written from the perspective of Odin.
Hávamál is both practical and metaphysical in content. This is particularly apparent towards the end of the poem, as
the poem shifts into an account of Odin's obtaining of the runic alphabet and obscure text relating to various charms
and spells Odin knows.
#16
Ósnjallr maðr
foolish man/person
hyggsk munu ey lifa,
thinks shall ever live
ef hann við víg varask;
if he
with battle avoids
en elli
gefr hánum engi frið,
but old age gives him no peace
þótt hánum geirar gefi.
that to him spears give
"A foolish person thinks he's going to live forever
if he avoids battle;
but age give him no quarter
Even if spears give him mercy"
#55
Meðalsnotr
middling wisdom
skyli manna hverr,
shall man each (have)
æva til snotr sé;
never too wise may be (pres. subj. of vera)
því
at snotrs manns hjarta verðr
sjaldan glatt,
because in smart man's heart
becomes seldom glad
ef sá er alsnotr, er á.
if who is very wise has it
"Each man must be moderately wise
but may he never be too wise;
because the wise man's heart is seldom glad
if he who owns it is completely wise"