GRÕPLUR I

9. Olaf was a mighty Prince
Who governed Hˆrthaland.
The brave folk dwelling along the coast
He guarded with his hand.

10. Gnˆthar-Asmund, the Prince's father,
A peerless man was he;
By many a battle he reft from Kings
Their land and territory.

11. In the stern of the King's ship Kari stood,
And of heroes many another;
In strength of limb had he never a peer;
And ÷rnulf was his brother.

12. The King and his warriors reddened their swords
In the blood of wicked men;
But no man travelling with merchandise
Got any hurt from them.

13. The Prince brought joy to his followers' hearts,
With Draupnir's beautiful blood.
A franklin who better were named a burgess
Beside the princes stood.

14. Grip was a man who stirred up strife,
Eager with blade for slaughter.
This hero's wife was a good woman:
Of Hrok the Black was she daughter.

15. Grip and Gunnlˆth, his good wife,
They had nine sons in all:
(Clever verses are made about them)
And _Hrˆk_ did they every one call!

16. Hromund was a son of Grip,
Eldest of the brothers was he;
His heart knew never aught of fear,
Nor faltered his valiancy.

17. Hrolf must I add, Hˆgni, Haki and Gaut,
And Thrˆst with the other five;
Angantyr and Helgi whose lot it was
In the fortunes of war to thrive.

18. Logi was youngest (a tiny lad)
Of the sons of the worthy pair;
Hromund alone sallied forth to fight in battle,
And the rest stayed at home where they were.

19. The hero feared neither fire nor sword
When shields clashed in the fray;
His shoulders were broad, and shining his hair.
And kindly and keen was his eye.

20. He never fled or deserted the host,
But poured forth darts on the shield;--
Faithful and true in courage was he
As a hero should be in the field.

21. His wicked foe did he slay with might--
He knew no fear of pain;
And all his noble courage and valour
From his kinsman Hrˆk did he gain.

22. Two villains were there with the King,
Deep-versed in magic arts.
I swear those brothers Bild and Vali
Both had evil hearts!

23. The King of Vali council takes,
And a sad mistake made he;
A name had he gained for courtesy and valour,
But he never donned byrnie.

24. Less trusty warrior in the field
I never look to find;--
False he was and treacherous,--
Full of deceit his mind.

25. The Prince's troop, the Niflung men,
Along Norway's coast did sail,
Until they came to the Skerries of the Elf,--
Nor did their courage fail.

26. The troop had prepared for a mighty battle,
And against a promontory
Olaf's men in their warships there
Lay at anchor in the bay.

27. "Over the Island do ye go,"--
Thus to Kari spoke he,--
"To see if ye come on the vikings' ships,
And if they are like to fight fiercely."

28. Kari and Ornulf, clothed and armed,
With shield and polished blade
Examine the coast, and hastily
A search through the island made.

29. Six tall warships soon they see,
Under the sea-cliffs lay they;
And a '_Dragon_' carved in wondrous wise
Beside the warships lay.