THE LAY OF HELGI HJORVARTHSSON

HELGAKVIÐA HJORVARÞSSONAR

It is obvious that this poem is not of a piece, but consists of fragments of
lays joined together by the Collector whose Prose is here even more awkward,
rambling, and absentminded than is usual with him.  By the relative
copiousness of its Prose, the poem forms a transition stage, as it were,
between the heroic lay on the one hand and the legendary saga on the other.
In the latter one may often doubt whether the interspersed stanzas and lays
are meant to serve as an authentication of the narrative, or the narrative, to
explain and connect these stanzas or lays.
The first two fragments are in no sense notable efforts.  The almost elegiac
note, which distinguishes the stanzas on Helgi´s death in fragment IV, reminds
one, in a way, of "Hjálmar's Death Song" in the Hervarar saga, but there is
too little imaginative energy, and the main figures are too faintly outlined
to awakn our sympathy.  A late (thirteenth century?) origin is likely for this
part.
Internal evidence makes it rather certain that the "flyting," or word-duel,
of Atli with the giantess Hrímgerth (Fragment III), which also stands out by
the different metre (ljóðaháttr), is of a later date than the other fragments.
It may be well to remind the reader that here, as in the 'Lokasenna," however
offensive its coarseness to the more delicate taste of a later age, the genre
as a whole is not devoid of a certain interest, showing as it does the animal
side of the Viking Age, as contrasted with the frequently stilted and
stereotyped idealisations of Heroic Poetry.  In this particular case, a
robustious, though low, humor redeems what elsewhere degenerates into a mere
scolding match.


I

Hjorvarth was the name of a king, and he had four wives.  One was called
Alfhild, whose son by him was called Hethin;  another, Særeith, whose son was
Humlung;  a third, Sinrjóth, whose son was Hymling.  King Hjorvarth had vowed
to marry the handsomest woman he could find.  Now he had heard that King
Sváfnir (1) had a most fair daughter, hight Sigrlinn.  (It had happened in
this wise:)  one day Atli, (2) the son of his earl Ithmund, was standing by a
clump of trees, but a bird (3) sate in the branches above him which had heard
how the king's men had called Hjorvarth's wives the fairest of all women.  The
bird twittered whilst Atli listened to what it said.

1. "Hast seen Sigrlinn,   Sváfnir's daughter,
the fairest maiden in Munarheim---(4)
handsome though be      Hjorvarth's women
In Glasir Grove,            and goodly withal?"

Atli said:
2. "Wilt to Atli,    Earl Ithmund's son,
wise bird on bough,    unburden thee?"

The bird said:
"I will if thou       wilt worship me,
and of Hjorvarth's chattels              I may choose at will."

Atli said:
3. "Choose thou nor Hjorvarth, nor Hjorvarth's sons,
nor the folk-warder's     fair-haired women,
the winsome women of the war leader; (5)
let us fairly deal,            as friends seemeth."

The bird said:
4. "Choose I hallowed shrines and holy places,
golden-horned kine (6)        from the king's stables,
in his arms if sleeps Sváfnir's daughter,
and not unwilling              wends with the king."

Atli dwelled throughout the winter with King Sváfnir. (7)  Fránmar was King
Sváfnir's earl who had fostered up Sigrlinn.  His own daughter was hight Álof.
The earl counseled the king not to give Sigrlinn to King Hjorvarth;  so Atli
journeyed home.

But when he came home the king asked what tiding he had and, he said:
5. "No welcome word   rewards my toil,
our horses wearied on high mountains;
swift Sæmorn's flood      we forded then,
nor fetched whom we sought,    Sigrlinn, for thee,
the ring-bedight           daughter of Sváfnir."

The king bade him fare a second time, and rode along himself.  And when they
came over the mountain they saw in Svávaland great fires, and great clouds of
dust raised by horses.  Then rode the king down from the mountain into the
land and halted for the night by some river.  Atli stood guard and set over
the river.  He found a house, and on it sate a large bird, guarding it, and
was fast asleep.  Atli killed the bird with his spear, but in the house he
found Sigrlinn, the king's daughter, and Álof, the earl's daughter, and took
them both with him.  It was Earl Fránmar who had taken on the form of an eagle
and warded them from the foes by witchraft;  but Hróthmar was the name of the
king who had vainly sought the hand of Sigrlinn and had slain the king of
Svávaland and harried and burned the land.  King Hjorvarth took Sigrlinn to
wife, and Atli, Álof.


II


Hjorvarth and Sigrlinn had a son who was large of body and handsome.  He
spoke little, and no name would cling to him. (8)  One time he sate on a hill
and saw nine valkyries riding by.  One of them was the stateliest.

She said:
6. "Not soon wilt, Helgi, (9)         hold sway over rings
nor, reddener-of-swords,           o'er Rothulsvoll---
screamed the eagles early (10)--- if ay thou sayest naught;
though stouthearted,     hero, I ween thee!"

Helgi said:
7. "What gift goes with    the given name (11)
which, white-armed maid,           on me hast bestowed?
Bethink thee well            what thou wilt say:
I'll have none of the name,                if not eke thee."

The valkyrie said:
8. "Swords know I, lie in Sigarsholm, (12)
a full fifty but four, I ween;
of the bitter brands the best is one,
a wound-dealing wand       all wound with gold. (13)

9. "There is Praise (14) in the hilt,    Power in the blade,
Awe in the edge,               for whoso owns it;
on the blade winds him          a blood-hued worm, (15)
but on the sword-guard        a snake lies coiled."

Eylimi was the name of a king, and his daughter was hight Sváva.  She was a
valkyrie and rode through the air and over the sea.  It was she who had given
Helgi his name, and she often afterwards shielded him in battles.

Helgi said:
10. "Thou takest not, Hjorvarth, wholesome counsel,
leader-in-war---         though wide thy fame---
sacking with fire           the seats of kings
who hardly have            done harm to thee;

11. "But Hróthmar lettest     lavish gold rings
which that our kin in keeping had:
but little fears he              that foemen live,
but deems he wields    dead men's riches."

Hjorvarth answered that he would help Helgi with an army if he wished to
avenge his mother's father.  Then sought Helgi the sword which Sváva had told
him of, and fared forth with Atli.  They felled Hróthmar and did many a great
deed.


III


Helgi killed the giant Hati, (16) whom he found sitting on a rock cliff.
Helgi and Atli had moored their ships in the Hatafirth.  Atli kept watch
during the first part of the night.

Hrímgerth, Hati's daughter, said:
12. "Who be the heroes     in Hatafirth?
Are the ships tented with shields; (17)
unflinching ye fare, seem to fear but little:
make known the name of your king!"

Atli said:
13. "He is Helgi hight, and no harm whate'er
canst thou do the doughty leader;
iron-clad (18) is        the atheling's fleet,
so no witches may work us ill."

Hrímgerth said:
14. "What art thou hight, thou haughty man,
and of what kin art come?
Much faith in thee the folk-leader hath,
that thou dwell'st in the fair ship's forecastle." (19)

Atli said:
15. "Atli am I, and awe thee (20) I shall,
most hateful am I to hags;
in the brine-washed bow        was my berth full often,
when night riders (21) did I to death.

16. "Of what kin art thou, corpse-greedy orgress?
What father had'st thou, hag?
Full nine leagues should'st                be beneath the earth,
thy bosom o'ergrown with bushes." (22)

Hrímgerth said:
17. "Am I Hrímgerth hight,        was Hati my father,
mightiest of all the etins;
many's the maid            he made off with,
ere Helgi sent him to Hel."

Alti said:
18. " 'Twas thou, hag, then,           who held up his ships,
in the firth as thou lay'st before us;
to Rán (23) would'st have given     the ring-breaker's men,
if his spear had not spitted thee.

Hrímgerth said:
19. "Mistaken art,        tricked by a dream,
now thou wrinklest thy brow in rage:
'twas my mother           who moveless held you:
drowned I Hlothvarth's sons in the sea. (24)

20. "Thou would'st gambol and neigh           if gelt thou were not,
now Hrímgerth tosses her tail;
I ween thy heart               in thy hinder part be,
though strong like a stallion's thy whinny." (25)

Atli said:
21. "A stallion in strength,         if I stepped on land,
and frisky, thou would'st find me;
I would beat thee so, if but I wished,
thou would'st lower thy tail in a twinkling,"

Hrímgerth said:
22. "On land step then,    if thy strength thou trustest:
in Varinsfirth I'll wait thee;
I shall stave thy ribs, steersman Atli,
if thou comest within reach of my claws."

Atli said:
23. "I may not go      ere the men awake
who have watch and ward of my lord;
small wonder were it   if, witch, of a sudden
thou camest up under our keel."

Hrímgerth said:
24. "Awake, Helgi,           and to Hrímgerth atone
for felling Hati, her father;
if one night she slept with the warder-of-men
she would hold her harm made good."

Helgi said:
25. "Lothin (26) shall wed thee, hag loathly to men,
the thurs that in Tholl Isle (27) dwells,
that wisest etin          and worst of trolls:
there is mate who is meet for thee."

Hrímgerth said:
26. "Wilt have her, (28) rather, who the haven scanned
mail-clad, last night, with thy men!
the gold-dight maiden   is mightier than I;
here stepped she from ship on to strand,
and made fast your fleet.
'Tis owing to her             that I cannot
slay the sea king's men."

Helgi said:
27. "Hearken, Hrímgerth, if thy harm I make good,
then tell me truly:
was it one valkyrie who warded the ships,
or fared they all in a flock?"

Hrímgerth said:
28. "Thrice nine maidens were they,       although one led,
a white-armed maiden 'neath helm;
when their steeds stirred them,      astride as they sate,
[ran dew from their manes in deep dales,
fell hail into high woods;
thence come to men good crops:] (29)
'twas hateful for me to behold."

Atli said:
29. "Look east (30) now, Hrímgerth;       hath Helgi now
dazed thee with deadly runes:
in the haven safe             lies the sea king's fleet,
and safe are his men also."

Helgi said:
30. " 'Tis day now, Hrímgerth,              thy death it is
that Atli hath held thee here:
as harbor mark,           mocked by sailors,
standeth thy likeness in stone."


IV


King Helgi was a mighty warrior.  He fared to King Eylimi and asked for the
hand of his daughter.  Helgi and Sváva sware oaths to each other, and their
love was great.  Sváva stayed at home with her father, but Helgi was in the
wars;  yet was Sváva a valkyrie as before.  Hethin was at home with his
father, King Hjorvarth, in Norway.  One time Hethin was coming home alone from
the forest on Yule eve.  He met a troll woman riding on a wolf, with snakes as
reins.  She asked his leave to keep him company, but he would not.  She said:
"That shalt thou rue when drinking from the hallowed cup."  In the evening
vows were made:  the sacrificial boar was led in, men laid their hands on him
and sware dear oaths as they drank from the hallowed cup. (31)  Hethin made a
vow that he would have Sváva, Eylimi's daughter, the maiden beloved by Helgi,
his brother; but he forthwith rued it so greatly  that he hastened South on
wild ways till he found his brother Helgi.

Helgi said:
31. "Hail to thee, Hethin!      What hast to tell
of weighty news             from Norroway?
Why hast, hero,            hastened away
and fared alone          to find me here?"

Hethin said:
32. "A wretched wrong I wrought on thee,
(far greater, brother, than good I can make): (32)
on holy beaker        in banquet hall
thy bride I chose me,    the child of kings."

Helgi said:
33. "Taunt thee no more, for true will come
thy vow on beaker, for both of us:
on holm I was bidden (33)           by hero bold;
in three days' time we there shall meet.
I much fear me        that from it I wend not;
then without harm all may happen to us."

Hethin said:
34. "Thou heldest, Helgi,    Hethin worthy
of great gifts from thee,        thy good will to have.
More seeming it is thy sword to redden,
than thy fell foeman     feebly forgive." (34)

Helgi had spoken thus because he thought himself fey, and believed that it
was his wraith (35) Hethin had met with when he saw the woman riding on the
wolf.  King Álf, the son of Hróthmar, had challenged him to do battle with him
on 'Sigar's Field' on the third day.

Then said Helgi:
35. "A witch woman                on wolf did ride
in the gloaming,              wished to go with Hethin:
full well saw she              that soon would fall
Sigrlinn's son       on Sigarsvellir."

There was a great battle, and Helgi was mortally wounded.

36. Sent then Helgi              Sigar, to fetch
King Eylimi's         only daughter:
"Bid her quickly             come hitherward
if her lord she        alive would find."

Sigar said:
37. "Helgi hath me        hitherward sent
to say to thee,     Sváva, these words:
he longeth sorely             to see thee, ere
the bold baron's           breath have left him."

Sváva said:
38. "What harmed Helgi,     King Hjorvarth's son?
Most heavy is           my heart with sorrow:
if sea him swallowed,        or sword wounded,
my wrath shall reach     the wretch full soon."

Sigar said:
39. "He fell this morn               at Freka Stone, (36)
under heaven who was           of all heroes best;
'tis Álf hath won              in the weapon-play. (37)
In evil hour     it all happened."

Helgi said:
40. "Hail to thee, Sváva!    Sorrow thou not,
though nevermore we meet together;
in the blood of my wounds               I welter here:
all too near the steel struck to my heart.

41. "I beg thee,   my bride, weep not;
but to my words, Sváva,       I beseech thee, hearken:
with my brother             thy bed share thou,
let young Hethin          have thy love."

Sváva said:
42. "That vow made I in Munarheim,
when Helgi gave me gold rings many,
that never would I, if not in his,
in unfamed hero's arms lie willing."

Hethin said:
43. "Kiss me, Sváva:             I come not ever,
Rógheim to see,         nor Rothul-fells,
ere avenged I have King Hjorvarth's son,
under heaven who was           of all heroes best."

Of Helgi and Sváva it is said they were born again. (38)
_________________

1. The King of Svávaland (see the Prose following St. 5), which is to be
identified, it seems, with the original home of the Suevi, now Brandenburg.
Sváfnir's daughter is here called Sigrlinn, but the name is probably to be
interchanged with that of Sváva.  The Prose following had to be somewhat
rearranged, to make sense.
2. As to his name, see St. 15, Note 20.
3. The bird is evidently the same Earl Fránmar in disguise who later, for
reasons of his own, opposes both Hjorvarth's and Hróthmar's suits.  After the
latter invades Sváfnir's lands, Atli surprises and slays Fránmar.  See the
Prose after St. 5.
4. "The Home of Love" (?);  one of the many names which are probably symbolic
occurring in the Helgi lays.  Glasir, "the Resplendent."
5. Atli, by the restrictions he places on possible demands, is intent on
saving his king from the plight of Jephthah.
6. It was not unusual to gild the horns of favorite animals.  See
"Þrymskviða," St. 23.
7. Custom demanded that the more important the errand, the longer the guest
remained before broaching the matter to his host.  The refusal of the suit is
typically regarded as an insult, provoking hostilities.
8. Possibly, because the name given him at birth did not suit the nature of
the indolent (?) and tongue-tied youth.  He sits "on a hill," here as a
shepherd, being regarded as an "ashiepattle."
9. "The Hallowed"; that is, one dedicated to the gods.
10. Eagles screaming early betoken the birth of a hero.  See "Helgakviða
Hundingsbana" I, St. 1.
11. He who bestowed a name or cognomen, whether on a child or an adult, was
expected to add a gift.  This custom off "name-fastening" is frequently
attested in the Northern monuments.
12. "Sigar's Island."
13. The hilts of swords were often gilded or wound with gold wire.  "Wand-of-
wounds" is a kenning for sword.
14. Accepting Grundtvig's emendation.
15. The red snake annulation probably indicates demascening.  The other
properties are given the sword by the appropriate magic runes engraved on it.
16. "The Hateful";  the firth is named after him.
17. To be on the alert the warriors sleep under their shields instead of under
the awnings usually covering undecked warships at night for the crew to sleep
under.
18. Probably not to be taken literally:  the iron-clad beak of the ships and
the iron bosses of the shields were taken to be sufficient protection against
evil spirits.
19. The stafnbúi, or forecastleman, on a man-of-war had the place of greatest
responsibility and honor as leader in battle and as spokesman.  See
"Helgakviða Hundingsbana" I, St. 33.
20. In the original, there is a play on the supposed meaning of Atli's name,
"the Grim, "the Awful."
21. That is, witches riding on sticks.  See "Hávamál," St. 155.
22. Compare the curses in "Skírnismál."
23. The sea god Ægir's wife.  She gathers up the drowned in her net.
24. Nothing further is known of them.  A stanza seems missing here in which
Atli likens Hrímgerth to a mare, a term of particular opprobrium in the North.
25. Accepting Bugge's emendation, there would be a pun in the original here.
26. "Hairy."
27. "Pine Island."
28. Sváva, who, unbeknown to Helgi, had guarded him against malignant powers.
29. It would seem that these lines had crept in from some description of the
valkyries, as in "Voluspá," 
St. 30.
30. At the rising sun which transforms a dwarfs and trolls into stone.  See
"Alvíssmál,"  St. 35.
31. The above is a concise description of the pagan Yuletide feast, celebrated
at the time of the winter solstice.  This was the occasion for making vows for
the coming year.  The boar, symbol of fertility, is sacred to Frey.  See
"Hyndluljóð,"  Sts. 5-7.  See the same source for the wolf as the mount of
witches.  The troll woman proves to be Helgi's wraith;  se the Prose following
St. 34.
32. Supplied, following Bugge.
33. The single combats were fought on holms ("river islands"), in plain view
of the hostile armies.
34. The meaning probably is, "Cut me off, do not weakly forgive me!"
35. That is, Helgi's.  According to northern belief, every person was born
with a fylgja, an accompanying tutelary spirit (here translated by "wraith")
which left him when he was "fey," choosing another person to follow and
protect.
36. "Wolf Stone."
37. A kenning for "battle."
38. As Helgi the Hunding-Slayer and Sigrún.  See the Introductory Prose of
"Helgakviða Hundingsbana" II.