The Complete

Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda

Legendary Sagas of the Northland

in English Translation

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Sörla Saga Sterka The Saga of Sorli the Strong
 "Survives only in paper manuscripts, none earlier than
the middle of the 17th century"
Translated by George L. Hardman
© 2011
1. Frá Sörla ok ætt hans Chapter 1: Of Sorli and his Lineage

Í Þann tíma, sem Hálfdan konungr Brönufóstri stýrði Svíþjóð inni köldu, er hann vann af Agnari inum auðga, en setti Astró, mág sinn, yfir England ok gerði hann hertuga þar yfir, réð sá konungr Upplöndum, er Erlingr hét. Hann stýrði þriðjungi Noregs, en Haraldr konungr Valdimarsson tveim hlutum ríkis. Erlingr konungr þótti höfðingi mikill ok stórauðigr, því at hann hafði lengi verit með Knúti konungi inum ríka ok hafði öðlazt af honum mikinn auð, fé ok góða gripi.

Drottning konungs hét Dagný, komin af Æsum. Með henni átti hann tvá sonu ok eina dóttur, er Ingibjörg hét. Konungr lét gera henni eina höll með sterkum steinmúr ok vel vönduðum skíðgarði. Þar settist konungsdóttir með mikinn skara inna fríðustu meyja ok herligra hofþénara.

Sá eldri sonr konungs hét Sig valdi, en inn yngri Sörli. Þeir váru báðir inir gerviligstu menn ok vel at íþróttum búnir, en þó helt konungr meir til Sörla en Sigvalda, því at hann var maðr fríðari sýnum, en svá rammr at afli, at honum komst engi til jafns um allan Noreg ok þótt enn lengra væri leitat. Konungr fekk honum einn mann, sem hann mennta skyldi. Hann hét Karmon. Hann kenndi Sörla konungssyni allar listir, þær sem einn karlmann mátti framast prýða. Ok er Sörli var fimmtán ára gamall, var hann í flestum listum vel lærðr ok svá rammr at afli, at sá var engi maðr í Noregi, at hann þyrfti við nema aðra hönd sína í senn, bæði til vápnaviðskipta ok allra annarra íþrótta, en svá var hann þungr fyrir vaxtar sakir, at engi hestr bar hann nema hálfan dag, svá at eigi spryngi þeir af mæði. Var hann því Sörli inn sterki kallaðr.

In that time, when King Halfdan Bronufostri ruled Sweden the Cold, which he won from Agnar the Wealthy, and set Astro, his in-law over England and made him duke over it, there was a king ruling the Uplands, who was named Erling. He ruled a third of Norway, and King Harald Valdimarsson two parts of the kingdom. King Erling was considered a great chieftain, and was very wealthy, since he had, for a long time, been with King Knut the Rich, and had gained from him many riches, cattle, and good treasure.

The king’s queen was named Dagny, who came from the hinterlands. He had two sons with her, and one daughter, who was named Ingibjorg. The king had a hall built for her, with strong stone walls and a well made stockade. There the king’s daughter stayed with a large troop of the most beautiful maidens and splendid servants.

The king’s older son was named Sigvald, and the younger Sorli. They were both the most accomplished of men and well versed in sports. However, the king favored Sorli more than Sigvald, since he was better looking in appearance, and so strong, that there was no-one who was his equal in all of Norway, or even searching more widely. The king got him a man who was supposed to mentor him. He was named Karmon. He taught Sorli all of the arts, which might befit a gentleman most. And when Sorli was fifteen years old, he was well trained in most of the arts, and so strong in his power, that there was no man in Norway that he had need for, except his other hand at the same time, both in dealing with weapons and all other sports. He was so heavy because of his size, that no horse could carry him for more than half a day, without breaking down in exhaustion. Thus he was called Sorli the Strong.

2. Sörli barðist við blámenn Chapter 2: Sorli Battles with the Blue-men  

Einn dag mælti konungsson við föður sinn: "Svá lízt mér," sagði hann, "at lítill frami mundi þat fyrir mér at liggja heima hér hjá yðr sem munkr í klaustri eða mær til kosta. Því sé yðr kunnugt, at þegar í stað vil ek ór landi halda með fimm skip ok margt vaskra manna. Skal ok Karmon, fóstri minn, fylgja mér með svá mikinn farargreiða sem þörf gerist."

Ok er konungsson endaði sína ræðu, mælti konungr: "Þetta allt, sem þér um biðið, skal gjarnan yðr veitt vera."

Fekk hann nú syni sínum fimm skip ok margan vel vaskan dreng. Karmon, fóstri Sörla, var í ferð með honum. Kvaddi Sörli föður sinn ok alla borgarmenn, áðr hann færi í burt, helt síðan ór landi ok hafði sigr í hverri orrostu, er hann til ætlaði. Ok er mjök var á sumar liðit, hafði konungsson fengit átta skip, öll vel hlaðin með gull ok dýrmæta gripi ok allt, hvat er kjósa mundi. Hafði hann ok fengit fjölda röskra manna. Vill nú konungsson því aptr snúa til Noregs. Tóku þeir sér stefnu rétta leið til austrs ok undu upp hvert segl við húna, er á var skipunum.

Ok er þeir höfðu svá siglt í nokkur dægr, laust á fyrir þeim svá mikilli þoku, at engi sá neitt til réttrar leiðar. Gekk þetta svá nú í nokkura daga, at engi vissi, hvat þeir halda mundu, ok um síðir þóttust þeir vita, at þeir væri at landi nokkuru komnir. Spurði þá konungsson, hvárt nokkurr sinna manna vissi skil á, hvar þeir væru at komnir, en engi var sá, sem frá kunni greina. Bað konungsson þá kasta akkeri ok búa um skipin, kveðst þar dvelja vilja, þar til þeir sæi sér færi burtferðar. Var nú svá gert sem konungsson sagði fyrir. Ok er þat var albúit, kvaðst Sörli á land ganga vilja ok vita, ef þeir kynni at líta mannabyggðir.
 

Gekk konungsson nú á land við tólfta mann. Veðr var allblítt. Sáu þeir, at landit var mjök skógi vaxit. Þeir gengu áfram, þangat til þeir kómu í nánd fjallshlið einni. Nam konungsson þar staðar í einu rjóðri ok menn hans ok hafði eigi nema sverð sitt.

 

Í þessu bili sjá þeir tólf menn stefna á móti sér, forkunnar stóra ok ólíka öðrum mennskum mönnum. Svartir váru þeir ok illigir ásýndum, ekkert hár á höfði, brýnnar hengu allt á nef niðr, augun gul sem í ketti, en tennrnar sem kalt járn. Þeir höfðu allir járnrennda skildi ok stórar stengr, stáli spengdar. Ok er þeir litu konungsson ok hans menn, tóku þeir allir at hrína mjök grimmiliga ok eggjandi hverr annan, en konungsson bað menn sína eigi blygðast við þetta, heldr verða við vaskliga; ok gengu nú hvárir í mót öðrum.

En sem konungsson mætti þessum miklu blámönnum, sló í inn sterkasta bardaga með stórri atsókn, svá at allt þótti sundr bresta. Nam hvert þeira högg staðar í jörðu, ok eigi leið langt, áðr konungssonar menn váru allir fallnir, en hann sjálfr svá ákafliga móðr, at honum helt við spreng. Sóttu þá blámenn at honum með mikilli eggjan ok ólmligum hljóðum ok öskri, en hann varðist vel ok drengiliga ok hljóp í lopt upp yfir þeira stóru högg. Þar með skipti hann í höggum sverði ok skildi ok greip þat ýmsum höndum, er honum sýndist, ok sáu þeir lítt við því. Stýfði hann nú af þeim hendr ok fætr, brynjur ok búka, svá at engi þeira hlíf dugði þeim meir en brunnit hálmstrá, ok svá lék hann við þá sem león við sauði, ok eigi létti hann fyrr en hann hafði alla þá af dögum ráðit. Var hann þá orðinn ákafliga móðr, en lítt sárr. Ok er þetta var af staðit, sem nú var sagt, settist konungsson niðr í rjóðrinu ok lét sér renna mæði um stundar sakir, hyggr nú til skipa at ganga.

One day the king’s son said to his father: “It seems to me,” he said, “that there is little future for me staying at home here with you like a monk in a cloister, or to chose a maiden. Therefore, I would like you to know that I would rather go abroad with five ships and many stalwart men. Also, Karmon, my foster-brother, will follow me with as many conveyances as needed.”

And when the king’s son stopped talking, the king said, “All that which you ask will gladly be granted to you.”

 He now got five ships and many valiant men for his son. Karmon, the foster-brother of Sorli, was on the journey with him. Before he traveled away, Sorli bade farewell to his father and all of the people of the town, and then left the land and was victorious in every battle that he set himself to. And when most of the summer had passed, the king’s son had gotten eight ships, all fully laden with gold and precious treasure, and everything that one could desire. He had also captured many brave men. Now the king’s son wished to turn back to Norway. They headed straightaway to the east, and hoisted every sail on the ship up onto the masthead.

When they had sailed for a few days, a thick fog suddenly came upon them them, so that no-one could see the correct course. It went this way for a few days, so that no one knew where they were going and after a while, they realized that they had come to some land. The king’s son asked, if any of his men had any idea where they were, but no one could recognize anything. The king’s son then ordered the anchor to be cast, and the ship laid up, and said that he wanted to stay there, until they could see how to proceed. It was now done as the king’s son had ordered. And when that was done, Sorli said that he wanted to go on land and see if they could find any settlements.

The king’s son now went on land with twelve men. The weather was quite mild. They saw that the land was heavily forested. They went forward, until they came to the vicinity of a mountainside. The king’s son and his men took position there in a clearing in the forest, and his men had nothing but their swords.

At that moment, they saw twelve men setting out toward them, remarkably large, and unlike other human beings. They were black, and ill-looking, no hair on their heads, brows hung down to their noses, eyes golden as a she-cat, and teeth like cold iron. They all had iron-rimmed shields and great spears, tipped with steel. When they saw the king’s son and his men, they all began to squeal quite fiercely and egged each other on, but the king’s son ordered his men not to be put to shame by that, but to respond bravely; and they all now went toward one another.

When the king’s son met these gigantic blue-men, there was a huge battle and a great onslaught, so that everything seemed to burst apart.  Every one of their blows took hold in the earth, and it was not long before all of the men of the king’s son were fallen, and he himself was quite weary, so that he nearly died. The blue-men attacked him with much urging and savage and horrible sounds, but he defended himself well and bravely, and leaped into the air over their great blows. Thereupon he exchanged blows with his sword and shield, and gripped them in one hand or the other, as it seemed fit to him, and they did not defend much against this.  He now cut off their hands and feet, byrnie and trunk, so that none of their protection served them any more than bright straw, and attacked them like a lion attacks sheep, and did not let up until he had killed them all. By then he had become terribly tired, but only slightly wounded. And when it was over, as now is told, the king’s son sat down in a clearing and allowed himself to recover from his exhaustion for a while, and decided go aboard the ship.

3. Viðreign við jötun ok kerlingu Chapter 3: An Encounter with a Giant and an Old Woman

Þessu næst heyrir hann dunur ok dynki stóra mjök nærri sér ok fýsir nú at vita, hverju slíkt gegnir. Gengr hann nú nokkut lengra fram á skóginn með fjallshlíðinni, þar til er hann kemr at helli stórum. Hann lítr nú um gluggann, er var á hellinum, ok sér um hann allan. Lítr hann einn hræðiligan jötun liggja í sinni rekkju. Aldri hafði konungsson sét stærra mann. Hans búkr tók beggja veggja á milli með svo herfiligri ásýnd ok óskapligri, at konungsson undraðist þat stórliga. Hann sá þar ok eina kerlingu heldr stórmannliga. Hún stóð við þverpall einn ok var at brytja þar niðr mannakjöt ok hrossa ok var harðla stórvirk at þessu.

Síðan heyrði konungsson, at kerling mælti við karl sinn - ok nefndi hann Skrímni - á þessa leið: "Nú eru eigi," sagði hún, "matvæli meiri í helli okkrum en nú hefi ek búit til máltíðar.

Skrímnir kvað slíkt eigi ólíkligt, ok sagði þat vel enzt hafa, - "ok þat skalt þú vita," sagði hann, "at, þótt ek liggi nú lágt, skal enn þá nokkut fyrir verða, nær piltar okkar koma heim í kveld, því at nú eru hér skip at landi komin, eigi færi en átta, ok er þat at mínum vilja, því at ek gerði þeim megnan vind með þoku, svá at þeir skyldu hingat villast, ok skulu þeir allir helju gista, áðr en þessi dagr er á enda."

Kerling gladdist mjök við þetta ok gekk síðan í einn afhelli.

Nú sprettr konungsson upp af hellisglugganum ok gengr í hellinn. Berr hann nú sitt spjót í hægri hendi, en sverðit í vinstri, ok leggr síðan spjótinu báðum höndum í kvið risans, svá at út gekk oddrinn um bakit. Í öðru lagi eða sinni leggr konungsson báðum höndum sverði sínu í kjapt risans, en risinn, er hann fekk lagit, brauzt um með öskri ok ólmligum hljóðum, þar til er sængin brotnaði, en risinn steyptist á gólf niðr með stórum umbrotum.

Ok í þessu bili kemr kerling aptr í hellin ok sér nú, hvat um er. Grípr hún þá eina bitrliga skálm, bregðr henni síðan, ok höggr framan at konungssyni, svá at hún klauf allan hans skjöld at endilöngu, ok nam oddrinn brjóstit, svá at í beini stóð. Höggr hún þá hvert högg at öðru, svá at konungsson hopaði á hæl við sér hvert, ella hefði hann dauða beðit, ok svá ákafliga fast fylgdi hún sér, at því ólmari var hún, er hún sótti lengr. Var hún með beli ok háum hljóðum, svá at eldr þótti brenna ór augum hennar ok kjapti. Ok svá mikil ógn stóð konungssyni af óvin þessum, at eigi þorði hann í mót at sjá þeim eldliga anda, er af hennar kjapti gaus, ok eigi gat hann staðizt þau ógnarligu hljóð, sem hún hafði.

Sér nú konungsson eina gjá í hellisgólfinu svá djúpa, at hann hyggr þeim dauða búinn, er þar í fellr. Er hann nú svá sem kominn á gjáarbarminn ok hyggr, at skessan muni vilja bægja sér í gjána. Snarar hann nú sínu sverði ok hleypr undir tröllkonuna, en hún þreif í mót allgrimmliga ok rak klærnar allt inn at beini. Kómu nú í með þeim harðar sviptingar, ok hrakti hún konungsson um hellinn. En þó at hún væri mjök trylld at afli, þá gat hún þó aldri komit honum af fótunum. Hafði konungsson nát hryggspennu á henni ok sá nú eigi annat vísara fyrir en bæði skyldu þau í gjána falla. Sté þá tröllkonan í gólfit allt til knjánna ok togaði konungsson at sér, svá at hann kom nú engri hreysti við. Numu þá hælar hennar við gjáarbarminn, ok hljóp Sörli nú í fang henni svá hart, at bæði duttu þau í gjána, svá at þau kómu djúpt niðr, ok numu staðar við stall einn, er í var gjánni. Varð Sörli nú efri. Kerling hafði læst sína aðra hönd í hári konungssonar, en aðra í hans brjósti, ok með því henni varð ósvipt við byltuna, þá sleppti hún þeiri hendinni, er hún helt í hárit með. Tók Sörli þá báðum höndum fyrir kverkar henni ok dró eigi af. Lét hann nú kné fylgja kviði.

Dró þá allt megn ór henni, svá at hún tók til at biðja sér griða ok mælti: "Gef mér grið, konungsson, ok skal ek allt til vinna, þat er þú vilt, at ek geri, upp á þat ek haldi lífinu."

En konungsson kvað þat fjarri fara, at hann léti hana lifa, ok sagði hana í þessari gjá skyldu deyja án allrar dvalar it snarasta, en hún bað sér á marga vega lífsins, sem hún kunni.

En um síðir mælti Sörli: "Á þat mun ek hætta, at þú haldir lífi þínu með slíkum skilmála, at þú sækir mér herklæði svá góð, at aldri kunni neitt sverð á þeim festa, ok sverð þat, er eins bíti stál sem stein, ok þat skaltu gert hafa innan mánaðar. Fylgja skal hér með ok liðsemd þín, nær sem ek vil ok með kann þurfa."

Kerling mælti: "Allt skal þetta gert, sem þér biðið, ok öllu til kosta, at ent verði."

Lét konungsson hana þá upp standa, ok gengu nú bæði um hellinn. Beiddi hún þá, at hann liðsinnti sér at koma karlinum dauða í gjána, ok þat veitti hann henni. Ok er því starfi var lokit, lét kerling einn hlemm yfir gjáarmunnann. Síðan leiddi hún konungsson til sængr, ok þótti honum sú sæng svá vel til reidd sem einum konungssyni mundi vel hæfa at sofa. Tók nú kerling eitt horn ok bað hann af því drekka, ok svá gerði hann. Þóttist hann þá lítt kenna meina ok sofnaði skjótt.

Next he heard a din and a great clattering of hooves quite nearby, and wished very much to know who was going thusly. He went a bit further into the wood along the mountainside, until he came to a large cave. He looked through the cave window, and all around him. He saw a terrifying giant lying in his bed. The king’s son had never seen such a huge man. His body extended from one wall to the other, with such a wretched and unshapely appearance, that the king’s son was quite amazed. He also saw there a rather grand old woman. She stood by the high floor at the end of the hall and was chopping up human flesh and horsemeat, and was hard at work at this.

Then the king’s son heard the old woman speaking with her man – who was named Skrimnir – in this manner: “Now there are no more,” she said, “stores of food in our cave, now that I have prepared meals.” 

Skrimnir said that that was to be expected, but that things had ended well, -- “and you shall know,” said he, “that although I am down and out now, there will still be something at hand when our lads come home this evening, since there is a ship that has come ashore with no fewer than eight men, and it is my desire, since I gave them a strong wind and fog, so that they would get lost here, and they shall all be in Hel before this day ends.”

The old woman was very happy about that, and then went into a side cave.

Now the king’s son sprang up from the cave window and went into the cave. He carried his spear in the right hand, and sword in the left, and thrust the spear with both hands into the belly of the giant, so that the point went out the back. Once again, the king’s son thrust the sword with both hands into the jaw of the giant, and the giant, when he got the thrust, fought with a horrible and savage sound, until the bed broke, and the giant was cast down to the floor with a huge and violent struggle.

At that moment, the old woman came back into the cave, and saw what was happening. She then grabbed a short sharp sword, drew it, and struck forward at the king’s son so that she clove his whole shield from one end to the other, and the point took hold in his breast so that it stuck in the bone. She then struck one blow after another, so that the king’s son retreated and turned every which way, to avoid being killed. She followed him so amazingly quickly that she became more savage, the longer she attacked him. She bellowed, and made high-pitched sounds, and fire seemed to burn from her eyes and jaw. The king’s son was in such terror at this hostility, that he did not dare to look at this fiery breath, which gushed from her jaw, and he could not stand the awful noise that she made.

The king’s son now saw a rift in the cave floor so deep, that he thought anyone who fell into it would be killed. He was now at the edge of the rift, and thought that he giantess would want to push him into the rift. He turned his sword and ran at the troll woman, but she pressed against him quite fiercely, and drove her claws all the way to his bone. There was then a pitched battle between them, and the king’s son chased her around the cave. But although she was as strong as a troll, she was never able to escape. The king’s son was able to grasp his arms around her back, and nothing seemed more certain, than that they would both fall into the rift. The troll woman rose on her knees on the floor and drew the king’s son toward her, so that they both seemed on the verge of death. Her heels reached the rim of the rift, and Sorli fell into her grasp so hard, that they both fell into the rift. They came down deeply, and ended up on a shelf that was in the rift. Sorli was now on top. The old woman had set one hand in the king’s son’s hair, and the other on his chest, but since she became motionless from the heavy fall, she let loose the hand with which she was holding his hair. Then Sorli took both hands around her throat and did not let go. He then pushed his knee into her belly.

All of her strength left her, so that she began to beg for mercy, and said: “Give me mercy, king’s son, and I will do everything that you want, so that I can save my life.”

The king’s son said that by no means would he spare her life, and told her that she would die in this rift without any delay, most quickly, but she beseeched him for life in as many ways as she could.

But after a while Sorli said: “I will take the risk, that you should keep your life, with the condition that you find me battle clothes so good that no sword can ever fasten on to them, and a sword that cuts steel as well as stone. You must do that within a month. Added to that shall be your assistance, whenever I want and need it.”

The old woman said: “Everything that you ask shall be done, and all that shall be fulfilled in every respect.”

The king’s son allowed her to stand up, and now they both went out of the cave. She asked him to assist her to put the dead man in the rift, and he granted her that. And when the task was done, the old woman set a trap door over the mouth of the rift. She then led the king’s son to the bed, and he thought that the bed was so well made up that a king’s son might well find it suitable to sleep. The old woman now took a horn, and bade him drink from it, and he did so. He thought that it didn’t taste bad, and he soon fell asleep.

4. Kerling veitti Sörla Chapter 4: The Old Woman Helps Sorli
En at morgni, er konungsson vaknar, litast hann innar um hellinn ok þykkist nú sjá þar nægð auðæfa, hugsar nú með sér, at eigi muni meiri ríkdómr í Arabíaríki í einum stað saman komit en nú sá hann.

Kom þá kerling at sænginni ok mælti: "Hversu hefir yðr, konungsson, sofnazt í helli mínum þessa nótt?"

Hann svarar: "Ærna vel."

Spyrr hann þá kerling at, hvert land þetta sé, er hann er á kominn, en hún segir honum þetta sé Bláland ok því stjórni sá konungr, er heitir Estróval inn mikli, einn inn mildasti herra í þessum parti heimsins, - "en mitt nafn er Mána," sagði hún. "Höfum vit Skrímnir minn haldit helli þennan í fjörutigi ár ok æ nokkut til matfanga orðit, því at á hverju ári höfum vit seitt hingat þrjú skip með mönnum. Höfum vit ok einninn byggðir rændar hestum, úlföldum ok ösnum allra mest. Þar með höfum vit ok töfrat hingat marga góða gripi frá ýmsum herrum, ok get ek nú," sagði hún, "sýnt yðr hér til nokkur merki."

Sörli kvað hana kunna sér margt at greina. Klæddist hann síðan skjótt. En er hann var klæddr, settist hann undir borð, ok bar kerling fram dýrliga fæðu með alls konar ilmandi drykk. Dúkar váru þar af pelli ok purpura, en ker ok skálir af gulli með gimsteinum sett. Ok er Sörli hafði etit ok drukkit sem hann lysti, leiddi kerling hann í afhelli einn ok sýndi honum þar stóra nægð gulls ok gimsteina, ok þar af gaf hún honum eitt tafl af gulli gert, ok þóttist hann aldri þvílíkt sét hafa annat. Skikkju gaf hún honum hlaðbúna í skaut niðr ok gullhring einn, sem at var saman skrúfaðr í níu stöðum, ok mælti: "Berir þú þenna hring á þinni hendi, munt þú hvárki á sjó né landi villast mega."

Þá mælti Sörli: "Aldri þáða ek slíka gjöf fyrr af nokkurum manni," ok þakkaði henni nú gripina með fögrum orðum ok mörgum. Síðan bjóst hann til burtferðar, ok fylgdi hún honum langt á leið. Þá mælti kerling: "Far þú nú vel, ok ger annathvárt, at þú bíð hér við land, þar til ek hefi gripina útvegat, ella at þú halt heim til Noregs, ok vitja svá hingat aptr, nær þér sýnist."


Konungsson kveðst svá gera mundu. Helt nú konungsson aptr til sinna manna, ok urðu honum allir fegnir, en kerling fór heim til hellis síns. Innti þá Sörli mönnum sínum allt af sinni ferð ok spyrr Karmon, fóstra sinn, hvat honum þykkir ráðligast þar um, at hann heldi þegar heim til Noregs eða bíði þar við land, til þess kerling hefði gripina útvegat. En honum þótti bezt fallit, at hann dveldist þar um mánuð næstan, til þess er kerling hefði gripina útvegat, ok leið nú svá þessi tími, fram til þess at konungsson hugði at vitja gripanna.

In the morning, when the king’s son awoke, he looked inside the cave and saw vast wealth there. He thought to himself that there would not be more riches collected in any one place in Arabia, than he saw now. 

The old woman then came to the bed and said: “How did you sleep, king’s son, in my cave last night.”  

He answered; “Well enough.”

He then asked the old woman, what land this was that he had come to. She told him that it was Blueland, and that it was ruled by a king named Estroval the Great, one of the most munificent men in this part of the world  -- “but my name is Moon,” she said. “Skrimnir and I have held this cave for forty years and always had stores of food, since each year we have brought three ships with men here by enchantment. We have also likewise robbed a few villages of horses, camels and most of all she-asses. With them we have brought here by magic many good treasures from various lords and now I can,” she said, “show you a few tokens here.” 

Sorli said that she must have many things to tell. He then immediately got dressed. When he was dressed, he sat at the table, and the old woman brought in splendid food with all sorts of savory drink. There were tablecloths of costly stuff and silks, and goblets and bowls of gold set with gemstones. And when Sorli had eaten and drunk his fill, the old woman let him into a side cave and showed him a great abundance of gold and gemstones, and from them she gave him a chess game made of gold, and he thought that he had never seen the like of it. She gave him a cloak embroidered in ornamented lace below, and a gold ring, which was engraved in nine places, and said: “Carry this ring on your hand, and you will never become lost, either on sea or on land.”  

Then Sorli said: “I have never received such a gift from anyone,” and thanked her now for the treasure with many fair words.

Then he prepared for the journey, and she followed him for a long time. Then the old woman said: “Fare thee well, and either wait here in the land, until I have procured the treasure, or go home to Norway, and so come back here again, when you see fit.”

 The king’s son said that he would do that. He then returned to his men, and they were all glad to see him, and the old woman went home to her cave. Sorli told his men all about his journey, and asked Karmon, his foster brother, what he thought most advisable; whether he should go back to Norway, or wait there on land, until the old woman had procured the treasure. He thought it was best that he should wait there for the next month, until the old woman had procured the treasure, and so the time passed, until the king’s son decided to fetch the treasure.

5. Sörli veitti Mánu lið Chapter 5: Sorli Brought Help to Moon

Einn dag í allblíðu veðri kvaddi Sörli konungsson með sér tólf menn ok hugði nú at finna kerlingu at máli. Gengu þeir allir ásamt, til þess at þeir fundu hellinn. Gekk konungsson þá inn fyrstr. Ok er hann kemr inn um dyrrnar, heyrir hann brak mikit í hellinum ok skarkala, svá at honum þótti sem allt léki á þræði, þat er var í nánd. Ok því næst sér hann, hvar tvær flagðkonur eru at glíma með stórum atgangi, ok reif hvár af annarri hár ok klæði, svá at báðar váru þær alblóðigar. Þykkist hann nú kenna, at önnur þeira er Mána flagðit, vinkona hans, ok þat þóttist hann sjá fyrir víst, at hún mundi inn lægra hlut ór býtum bera ok at hún væri næri því at þrotum komin af mæði. Var ok víða klipit hold hennar frá beinum.

Bregðr Sörli þá sverði sínu it skjótasta ok býðr sínum mönnum at veita lið Mánu. Höggr hann framan at skessunni á brjóstit, svá at í beini stóð. Við þetta ólmaðist hún svá mjök, at hún setti sínar klær fyrir brjóst Mánu, ok við þat fellr Mána í óvit niðr. Greip tröllkonan þá einn ás ok lamdi með honum alla menn konungssonar til dauðs í einu höggi, en konungsson höggr tveim höndum á vanga skessunnar, svá at af tók alla vangafilluna, ok hljóp þar út af sverðit, svá at þat tók sundr í miðju ás þann, er hún varðist með. Við þetta ólmast hún ok setr sínar klær fyrir brjóst Sörla, svá at hann fellr við í óvit, ok í því kom Mána á fætr aptr ok réðst í móti skessunni. Raknar þá Sörli við ok lagði sínu sverði í kvið skessunnar, svá at út gekk oddrinn um bakit, ok varð þat hennar bani.

Varð nú Mána harðla fegin ok þakkaði konungssyni mörgum fögrum orðum liðveizluna. Bað kerling hann þá með sér ganga ok kvað honum mál þykkja mundu at sjá gripina.

One fine day Sorli, the king’s son, summoned twelve men to him, and decided now that he would find the old woman to speak to her. They all went together to find the cave. The king’s son went there first. And when he came in the door, he heard a strong crack and creaking noise in the cave, so that it seemed to him that everything nearby was hanging by a thread. Next he saw, where two giantesses were wrestling with great energy, tearing each other’s hair and clothes, so that they were both covered with blood. Now he realized that the second of them was the ogress Moon, his lady friend, and he thought for certain that she would be defeated, and that she was close to exhaustion. The flesh was also widely cut from her bones.

Sorli then quickly drew his sword and ordered his men to give assistance to Moon. He struck the giantess in the front of the breast, so that it stuck in the bone. With that, she became so enraged, that she set her claws in Moon’s breast, and at that point Moon fell down unconscious. The troll woman then grabbed a thick pole and with it flogged all of the king’s son’s men to death in one blow, but the king’s son struck with two hands on the cheeks of the giantess, so that it took off all of the skin and flesh of the cheeks, and the sword rebounded, so that it took apart in the middle of the thick pole, that she defended himself with. With that, she became enraged and set her claws in Sorli’s breast, so that he fell unconscious, and at that point Moon got back on her feet and attacked the giantess. Sorli then came to and thrust his sword in the belly of the giantess, so that the point went out the back, and that was her death.

Moon was now very happy, and thanked the king’s son with many fair words for his assistance. The old woman bade him go with her and told him that it seemed to be high time to see the treasure.

6. Sörli fekk gripina Chapter 6: Sorli Got the Treasure

Síðan tók kerling upp herklæði ok sverð bitrligt. "Þessi herklæði," sagði hún, "sótti ek út á Serkland til Maskaberts keisara, ok þau bar forðum inn mikli kappi Pantíparus, sem eptir Agamemnon keisara stýrði Grikklandi. Eru þau svá góð, at aldri mun nokkut sverð á þeim festa, hvar sem þú fram kemr undir mennskra manna eða trölla höndum, ok engi vætta mun svá heitt eitri spýja eða eldi, at þeim granda kunni, en sverðit bítr allt eins stál sem strá."

Konungsson tók nú við gripunum ok þakkaði henni með mörgum orðum þessa útvegu. Leiddi kerling hann út með sæmiligum gjöfum, ok skildu þau með vináttu. Sté konungsson þegar á skip ok sigldi it beinasta sem byr gaf heim til Noregs. Hitti hann þar föður sinn heilan á húfi ok alla vini sína. Sagði þá Sörli allt it sanna af sínum ferðum ok þeim frægðum, er hann vann á Blálandi.

Sat konungsson nú heima hjá föður sínum um vetrinn, ok bar eigi neitt til frétta.

After that, the old woman took up the battle dress and keen sword. “I sought out this battle clothing,” she said, “in Serkland, for Kaiser Maskabert, and they were formerly worn by the great champion Pantiparus, who ruled Greece after Kaiser Agamemnon. They are so good, that no sword can fasten onto them, whether wielded by human men or troll hands, and no being will spray such hot poison or fire that can harm them, and the sword cuts steel as if it was straw.”  

The king’s son now accepted the treasure, and thanked her profusely for procuring it. The old woman led him out with costly gifts, and they parted with friendship. The king’s son then boarded his ship and sailed home to Norway as quickly as the breeze allowed. There he met his father, safe and sound, along with all of his friends. Sorli told all about his journey, and the fame that he won in Blue-land.  

The king’s son now stayed home with his father for the winter, and there was nothing to report.

7. Berserkir kómu í Noreg Chapter 7: The Berserks Come to Norway

Nú víkur sögunni til Haralds konungs Valdimarssonar, er stýrði tveim hlutum Noregs á móts við Erling konung, sem fyrr er um getit, at einn dag, sem hann sat við drykkjuborð, gengu tólf menn í höllina ok kvöddu konung snjöllu máli svá mælandi: "Tveir bræðr eru hér komnir við land þitt utan allt af Morlandi með tólf þúsundir manna vaskra til stríðs. Annarr þeira bræðra heitir Garðarr, en annarr Tófi. Vill nú Garðarr festa dóttur þína, Steinvöru, ok er þat allra manna mál, at aldri fái hún vaskara mann. Gef þú, herra konungr, skjótt svar til ræðu minnar," sagði sá, sem fram bar erendin.

Konungr svarar: "Fyrr skal hverr maðr hér í Noregi dauðr at velli hníga en ek gefi svá leiðu trölli ok mögnuðum berserk dóttur mína, ok seg þú þeim bræðrum, at ek muni koma til móts við þá strax at morgni með allan minn stríðsafla."

Sendimenn gengu nú til tjalda ok kunngerðu þeim bræðrum sín erendislok. En Haraldr konungr lét herboð uppskera ok bað hvern mann koma til móts við sik, er skildi kynni at valda. Fekk konungr vel fjórar þúsundir stríðsmanna. Helt konungr nú út af borginni með allan þenna her móti þeim bræðrum. En er þeir urðu slíks varir, heldu þeir þegar á móti með allan sinn her, ok slógu nú saman fylkingarnar. Urðu þar skjót umskipti, ok er þat fljótast af at segja, at þeir bræðr eyddu svá fljótt liði konungs, at fátt stóð eptir lífs af hans hermönnum. En sem konungr sér þetta, býðr hann sínum mönnum, sem eptir eru, at snúa heim til borgarinnar. Hafði hann þá eigi meira en þrjár þúsundir, ok hleypti konungr undan með þetta lið í borgina, en þeir bræðr eltu flóttann allt at borgarportum, ok lauk svá stríðinu.

Now the story turns to King Harald Valdimarsson, who governed two parts of Norway opposite King Erling, about whom was spoken earlier. One day when he sat at the drinking table, twelve men went into the hall and greeted the king eloquently, speaking thus: “Two brothers have come here to your land, out of all of Morland, with twelve thousand brave men for battle. One of the brothers is named Gardar, and the other Tofi. Gardar wishes to be betrothed to your daughter, Steinvora, and everyone says that she will never get a braver man. Sir king, give a quick answer to my request,” said the messenger.

The king answered: “Sooner shall every man here in Norway fall dead on the battlefield, than I would give my daughter to such a loathsome troll and warlike berserk, and tell the brothers, that I will come against them first thing in the morning with all force of battle.”

The messengers now went to the tent and informed the brothers of the results of their mission. King Harald had a war summons decreed, and ordered every man who could wield a shield to come to meet him. The king got at least four thousand fighting men. The king then went out of the town with all of the army against the brothers. But when they became aware of it, they met with all of the army and the troops skirmished together. Things changed rapidly, and it was soon reported that the brothers so quickly laid waste to the troops of the king, that few of his retainers remained alive. And when the king saw that, he ordered his men, those who were left, to turn home to the town. He had no more than three thousand, and the king retreated with this army to the town, and the brothers chased them all, fleeing to the city gates, and so the conflict ended.

8. Frá bardaga Chapter 8: Of the Battle

Haraldr konungr helt nú ráðstefnu við lið sitt, hvat til bragðs skyldi taka í þeim vanda ok nauðsynjum, er þeim váru nú at höndum komnar, en þat gerðist á þeira stefnu, at öllum þótti ráðligast vera, at sent væri til Upplandaríkis ok gerð orð með skrifligum boðskap Erlingi konungi ok sonum hans, svá at þeir kæmi þeim til hjálpar með svá miklum her, er þeir kynni til at fá it snarasta, ok var nú þetta staðfest.

Sendi konungr nú tólf menn til Upplandaríkis. Tókst þeim vel ferðin, ok báru þeim feðgum bréfin, en þeir brugðu við skjótt, er þeir fengu þenna boðskap, ok heldu af stað frá Upplöndum ok léttu eigi fyrr en þeir fundu Harald konung. Urðu nú fyrir þeim blíðar kveðjur, ok bjuggust þegar ásamt allir til bardaga, riðu síðan út af borginni í móti þeim bræðrum, en þeir bræðr kómu senn í móti þeim frá herbúðum sínum með blámenn ok bannsettar hetjur.

Einn maðr í liði þeira bræðra hét Loðinn. Hann bar merki þeira. Hann var af Pólen. Stórr var hann sem risi ok ólíkr öllum mönnum fyrir sakir afls ok illiligrar ásýndar. Hans spjót var sex álna á lengd, en þriggja spanna á digrð. Hann reið einum fíl ok lamdi með sinni stöng bæði menn ok hesta, svá at öllum stóð af þessum óvin mikill ótti. Ganaði hann langt undan hernum ok var orðinn fimmtán manna bani, áðr en fylkingar kómu saman. En er Sörli sá þetta, reið hann þangat at, sem Loðinn var fyrir, ok lagði til hans með sinni stöng. Vegr hann síðan Loðin upp ok snarar honum ór söðlinum meir en fimmtán fet, svá at brotnaði í honum hvert bein.

En sem þeir bræðr líta, at Loðinn fellr, tóku þeir til ákafliga at ólmast með því æði, at menn hugðu eigi annat en þeir ólmir væri orðnir, ok ríðr Tófi þá þar at, sem Sigvaldi konungsson var fyrir, ok hyggr, at hann skyldi sitt líf láta. En í þessari svipan kemr at Sörli inn sterki ok höggr til Tófa, en þetta var sem ógert, því at eigi beit á hans bannsettan búk meir en á stein kæmi, ok nú stíga þeir báðir af sínum hestum ok gangast at knáliga, svá at hvárrgi sparði annan. Hafði Tófi brögð í frammi á ýmsa vega ok óð nú jörðina allt til knjánna sem blautan snjó, en Sörli stóð öll brögð hans af sér hreystiliga.

Þá mælti Sörli: "Þat hugða ek at sögnum, at engir í heiminum mundu meiri menn en þeir af Afríka, en nú lízt mér þat lygar ok it mesta drafl, ef þú hefir eigi meira þrótt en nú hefir þú í frammi látit, svá mikill garpr sem þú þykkist vera."

Ok við þetta hamaðist Tófi sem mest hann kunni. Þá mælti Sörli: "Þú, it blauða fól ok in fordæmda fýla, skalt nú þat reyna, hvat vér norskir veitum slíkum gestum sem þú ert, svá at þá þurfi síðr at langa til fundar við oss."

Þreif Sörli þá í eyra á Tófa ok reif í burt af honum alla vangafilluna ok skeggit allt niðr at bringu. Varð Tófi þá mjök ófríðr ásýndar. Brást hann þá í dreka líking, af því at hann var mjök hamrammaðr, ok blés nú framan at Sörla svá miklu eitri, at undrum gegndi, með svartri svælu, en Sörli hjó í þessu drekann sundr, ok lét Tófi þar líf sitt. Fell Sörli þá í óvit fyrir hans umbrotum ok eitrsblæstri.

En er Garðarr sér sinn bróður at velli hníga, varð hann ofrmáta trylltr ok reið nú þar at, sem Erlingr konungr var fyrir. Leggr hann þá til konungs sínu spjóti ok snarar honum ór söðlinum meir en tuttugu fet, svá at þrjú rifin brotnuðu í annarri síðu konungs. Í þessu raknar Sörli við, ok er hann sér föður sinn felldan, reið hann þangat at, sem Garðarr var fyrir, ok höggr til hans sínu sverði, svá at hann klauf höfuðit ok búkinn allt at söðli niðr, ok fell Garðarr þá dauðr af hestinum. Ráku þeir nú þegar flóttann bræðr, Sörli ok Sigvaldi, ok drápu hvern, er þeir náðu, svá at fátt eitt komst með lífi á burt.

King Harald now held a meeting with his troops, what steps they should take in the difficulty and time of need, which was now at hand. The result of the meeting was that everyone thought it would be most advisable, to send to Uppland and written word given to King Erling and his son, so that they could come to their aid with as great an army as they could assemble quickly, and that was now decided.
 
The king now sent twelve men to Uppland. The journey went well for them, and they bore a letter to the father and son, and they set off immediately, when they got that message, and set out from Uppland and did not stop until they met King Harald. They greeted each other happily, prepared together for battle, rode then out of the town against the brothers. But the brothers soon came against them from their camps with blue-men and accursed heroes.

One man in the army of the brothers was named Lod. He was their standard bearer. He was from Poland. He was as large as a giant, and unlike all other men by virtue of his strength and hideous appearance. His spear was six ells in length, and three measures across. He rode an elephant and maimed both men and horses with his spear, so that everyone stood in fear of this enemy. He rushed among the troops and caused the deaths of fifteen men before the platoon came together. But when Sorli saw that, he rode to where Lod was, and attacked him with his spear.  He then lifted up Lod, and threw him more than fifteen feet from his saddle, so that every bone in his body was broken.

When the brothers saw that Lod had fallen, they became savagely angry, and men could think of nothing else but their rage. Tofi rode there where Sigvald, the king's son, was, and intended that he should lose his life. But Sorli the Strong joined in the fight, and struck at Tofi, although that was ineffective, since it did not cut his detestable body any more than a stone. Now they both dismounted and went after each other briskly so that neither spared the other. Tofi used cunning in various ways, and brought the whole world to its knees like melting snow, but Sorli withstood all of his trickery valiantly.

Then Sorli said: "I thought from the report that no one in the world would be a better man from Africa than you, but now it seems to me to be lies and the most idle of talk, if you don't have any more strength than you have put forth now, such a bold man as you think yourself to be."

With that, Tofi raged as much as he could. Then Sorli said: "You, cowardly fool and doomed wretch, shall now learn what we Northmen grant to such guests as you are, so that you will need, sooner or later, to meet with us."

Sorli then poked Tofi in the eye, and tore off all of the flesh from his cheeks, so that his beard was all down  to his chest. Tofi was then very unpleasant to see. He then changed into the shape of a dragon, since he was able to change shape by magic, and blew so much poison toward Sorli, that he went down in black choking smoke. But Sorli struck this dragon to pieces, and Tofi lost his life there. Sorli fell unconscious before his violent struggle and poison cloud.

But when Gardar saw his brother bent down on the field, he was enraged beyond measure, and rode to where King Erling was. He threw his sword at the king and tossed him from his saddle more than twenty feet, so that three ribs broke in the other side of the king. At that, Sorli recovered his senses, and when he saw his father fallen, he rode to where Gardar was, and struck him with his sword, so that he clove his head and trunk all the way down to the saddle, and Gardar fell off his horse dead. Then the brothers, Sorli and Sigvald, pursued the fleeing host, and killed any that they could get, so that only a few came away alive. 

9. Boð Haralds konungs við Sörla Chapter 9: King Harald's Offer to Sorli

Síðan hurfu þeir aptr til valsins ok létu kanna valinn. Váru þá heim færðir til borgarinnar konungarnir, Haraldr ok Erlingr, ok þat sárra manna, er græðandi var, ok var þeim öllum græðsla fengin. Urðu þeir brátt heilir sára sinna konungarnir, Haraldr ok Erlingr, ok var þá þegar tilbúin ágæt veizla öllu stórmenni. Þakkaði konungr þeim feðgum frægiligt fylgi, þó einna mest Sörla inum sterka. Þótti þá eigi á Norðrlöndum vera frægri maðr en Sörli.

Haraldr konungr mælti til Sörla: "Hver laun vilið þér nú af oss kjósa fyrir yðra liðveizlu, sem þér hafið oss sýnt, því at ef vér hefðum eigi yðar vaskleiks at notit, mundi Noregr allr ór hendi oss. Skal nú yðr þat kunngera, at engan hlut veit ek þann í minni eigu, er yðr skal of góðr vera, hvers sem óska vilduð."

Var þat allra manna mál, at konungr mundi vilja gifta Sörla dóttur sína, ef hann vildi hana kjósa, en Sörli svaraði máli konungs á þessa leið: "Herra konungr," sagði hann, "eigi em ek svá naumlátr sem þræll þurfandi, at ek vili mútur taka á afli mínu. Þætti oss heldr meiri sómi, at vár frægð mætti sem víðast út borin verða heldr en þiggja gjafir af yðr hér fyrir, þat er í fjarlægar álfur færast mætti." Eptir þetta var lokit veizlunni, ok heldu allir höfðingjar á burt, hverr til síns heimkynnis.

Fór Erlingr ok synir hans til Upplandaríkis ok váru áðr með sæmiligum gjöfum út leiddir af Haraldi konungi. Ok sat nú Sörli um kyrrt þenna vetr.

Then they looked after the fallen heroes, and searched the field for the slain. They were carried home to the towns of the kings, Harald and Erling, along with the wounded men who were healing, and they were all cared for. The kings, Harald and Erling, soon recovered from their wounds, and then a grand feast was prepared for all of the great men. The king thanked the father and son for their honorable support, most of all Sorli the Strong. They thought that no one in the Northlands was a more renowned man than Sorli.

King Harald said to Sorli: "What reward will you now choose from us for your assistance, which you have shown to us, since if we have not had the benefit of your bravery, all of Norway would have been lost to us. I shall now make known to you that no part of my possessions shall be too good for you, whatever you wish.”

It was the opinion of everyone, that the king would wish to give his daughter in marriage to Sorli, if he wished to choose her, but Sorli answered the king's words in this manner: "Your majesty," he said, "I am not so stingy as a needy slave, that I would take a pittance for my strength. It would seem more befitting to us, that we should have our fame broadcast as widely as possible, rather than to accept gifts from you here, that can be taken to the farthest regions."

After that, the feast ended, and all of the noblemen went on their way, each to his household. Erling and his sons went to the Uppland Kingdom, and before they left, they were given worthy gifts by King Harald. Sorli stayed and rested that winter.

10. Frá hernaði Sörla Chapter 10: Of Sorli's Plundering

Er er vára tók, lét Sörli búa til skip sín ok lýsti því yfir, at hann vildi í hernað halda um sumarit. Sigldi hann síðan burt af Noregi. Var Karmon, fóstri hans, með honum sem fyrr. Herjaði Sörli nú um vestrátt veraldar ok helzt um Affríkam, allt út at Rauðahafi. Fénuðust honum margir góðir gripir á sjó ok landi. Hafði hann nú fengit tólf skip, öll hlaðin með gull ok dýrmæta gripi, ok valit fólk it vaskasta. En er mjök var áliðit sumarit, vildi konungsson heim aptr snúa til Noregs.

Þat var eitt kveld mjök seint, at þeir kómu við Morland it eystra. Þar tók Sörli strandhögg mikit, herjaði á borgir ok kauptún ok rænti slíku er fyrir varð, en hjó til bana hvern, er fyrir stóð. Þar tók Sörli konungsson tólf menn ok tvá bræðr, er hétu Börkr ok Bölverkr. Þeir váru in mestu illmenni ok einninn hamrammir mjök. Þaðan helt Sörli konungsson til Danmerkr ok allt at Eyrarsundi. Köstuðu þeir þá akkerum ok lágu af um nóttina.

When spring came, Sorli had his ship prepared, and proclaimed that he wished to go out plundering for the summer. He then sailed off from Norway. His foster-brother Karmon was with him as before.  Sorli plundered toward the west and most of all to Africa, all the way to the Red Sea. He gained many good treasures on sea and on land. He had by now gotten twelve ships, all laden with gold and precious treasure, and the most valiant heroic folk. But when a good part of the summer had passed, the king's son wished to return home to Norway.

It was quite late one evening when they came to East Morland. Sorli took much booty there, plundered in the villages and market towns, and robbed whatever was to be had, and struck everyone dead who stood before him. Then Sorli the king's son took twelve men and two brothers, who were named Bork and Bolverk. They were the greatest scoundrels, and great wizards who could change shape.  From there Sorli the king's son proceeded to Denmark, and all around the Eyrarsund. They cast anchor and decamped for the night.

11. Viðreign Sörla ok Hálfdanar Brönufóstra Chapter 11: The Encounter of Sorli and Halfdan Bronufostri

En at morgni, er menn vakna á skipum konungssonar, sjá þeir inn á sundinu lengra liggja sjau skip, ok þar í er svá lystiliga skrautligr dreki, at hans líka þóttust þeir aldri fyrr sét hafa, hvárki at stærð né búnaði. Allr var hann stáli sleginn ok gulli laugaðr fyrir ofan sjómál, þar með stafnar hans út skornir með miklum meistaradóm ok prýddir inu skærasta gulli ok víða svá í skurðina silfri smelt. Hann var ok fagrliga steindr ok málaðr með alls konar ýmisligum litarhætti, grænum ok hvítum, gulum ok bláum, bleikum ok svörtum. Á þessum fríða knerri stóð maðr við siglu, mikill at vexti ok aldraðr at líta. Hann var í kápu þeiri, er öll var hlöðum búin. Sverð hafði hann í hendi bjart ok bitrligt.

Ok er Sörli nálgaðist drekann, heilsar hann upp á þenna mikla mann ok spyrr: "Hverr er þessi inn stolti maðr, er fyrir þessum stóra dreka ræðr, er svá fram brunar með mikilli prýði ok prakt, at engan hefi ek slíkan fyrr sét?"

Inn mikli maðr, er á drekanum stóð, mælti: "Þessi mun einn sá vera, at eigi mun þik óttast né hræddr vera fyrir þér eða þrælum þínum, er þér fylgja, ok mun ek yðr lítit fleira segja."

Sörli mælti: "Þat þykkjumst ek heyra, at þér þykkizt of góðir til at mæla við oss, en hverr sem þú ert, munum vér þora at sjá yðr, áðr en úti er, en þat er helzt minn grunr, at þetta muni vera Hálfdan konungr Brönufóstri Hringsson af Svíþjóð inni köldu, hverja þú vannst af Agnari inum auðga, föðurbróður mínum, en gerðir hann at slá. Ætti mér því eigi at þykkja kosta vant við þik. Vil ek nú bjóða yðr þann kost at gefa á mitt vald þenna góða dreka ok þér farið, hvert þér vilið."

Hálfdan konungr mælti: "Lengi höfum vér þessum dreka stýrt, ok hefir hann ætíð happsamr verit. Hefir mér ok opt meira fyrir hann boðizt en gefa hann á burt fyrir enga muni, ok þótt ek hafi land unnit af föðurfrænda þínum, muntu svá búit hafa verða."

Var þá konungr æfar reiðr orðinn, ok gekk hann þá aptr ok fram um drekann. Bauð hann mönnum sínum, at þeir it snarasta byggist til orrostu móti þessum þrjótum ok dræpi þá it fyrsta. Var þá mikit hark á drekanum, ok var skotit fyrst stórum ásum ok grjóti, flettiskeptum ok örvum, gaflokum ok öxum, kesjum ok pálstöfum ok allra handa vápnum. Varð nú mikit mannfall, ok leið eigi lengi, áðr öll skip Sörla váru eydd ok í sundr brotin utan þat eitt, er hann sjálfr stýrði, en Hálfdan konungr hafði misst þrjú.

Einn var sá maðr með Hálfdani konungi, er Þórir hét inn sterki. Hann var sonr Þorviðs jarls ok var fimmtán vetra at aldri, en þó it mesta mannval ok fullhugi, svá at engi var hans jafningi at hreysti ok drengskap um allt Svíaveldi.

Nú er at segja frá Sörla, at þegar hann sér, at eigi mátti svá búit standa, þá hleypr hann upp á drekann, er minnst varði, ok þeir Börkr ok Bölverkr með honum kómust upp í öðrum stað en Sörli, ok börðust þeir nú allir drengiliga, eptir því sem hverr hafði þrek til ok karlmennsku. Hjó Sörli ok lagði hvern, sem fyrir stóð, ok þyrmdi engum, en þeir Börkr ok Bölverkr gengu með öðru borði, þar sem Þórir var fyrir. Hálfdan konungr Brönufóstri sér nú þetta, at þeir eru upp komnir á drekann. Æðir hann nú fram móti Sörla, ok höggvast þeir í ákafa. Mátti þar sjá bæði mörg högg ok stór. Gekk þat svá langan tíma, at hvárrgi þeira hopaði á hæl it minnsta fyrir öðrum, en þó kom heldr svá um síðir, at Hálfdan konungr tók at mæðast, því at hann var maðr mjök mikilliga gamall, en Sörli var því lystugri til höggorrostunnar sem hann sóttist lengr. Tók nú at berast föll á Hálfdan konung, svá at hann hörfaði aptr at lyptingunni ok var nær því sem at þrotum kominn af mæði.

Þá mælti Sörli: "Þigg nú grið, Hálfdan konungr, ok sættumst vit. Vil ek þat eiga undir drengskap yðrum, hverja sæmd þér vilið mér gera."

Konungr mælti: "Nú finn ek með þér gerla bleyðuhug, ok mun þik nú hræðsla standa sem fleiri norska frændr þína, ok skaltu svá við búast, at þar ek hefi aldri geð mitt lægt við nokkurn mann, þá mun svá enn vera við þik."

Sörli mælti: "Þú munt, konungr, ráða verða, en þó segi ek þér griðin vís." Síðan tóku þeir enn aptr at berjast í annat sinn svá ákafliga, at hvárrgi sparði annan, ok varð þat langa hríð. En svá fór sem fyrr, at konungr hopaði ok var því nær sem kominn at aptara stafni drekans, ok sigraði hann þá svá mikilliga mæði, at varla mátti hann halda sverðinu.

Þá mælti Sörli: "Enn býð ek þér grið, konungr, ok sættumst vit. Vil ek þat eiga undir drengskap yðrum, hverja sæmd þér vilið við mik auka."

Hálfdan konungr mælti: "Fordæmdr verði sá, sem þiggr nokkur þín boð, ok fyrr skal ek lífit láta með hreysti ok drengskap en ek ganga at þessum þínum boðum."

Þá mælti Sörli ok kvað hann engrar æru verðan af sér upp frá þessu. Hjó hann þá svá hart ok títt, at konungr kom engri vörn við fyrir mæði sakir, til þess at sverðit hraut ór hendi hans. Henti Sörli þat þegar á lopti, ok lagði því í gegnum konung. Hafði Hálfdan konungr aldri fengit sár né knésig af nokkrum manni. Lét konungr þar líf sitt með góðan orðstír.

In the morning, when the men on the king's son's ship awoke, they saw seven ships lying in the long sound, and among them a showy and magnificent dragon ship, the like of which they thought they had never seen before, neither in size nor decoration. It was all mounted with steel and overlaid with gold above the high water mark, with its boards carved out with great skill and adorned with the brightest gold and inlaid with silver in the carvings. It was both beautifully colored and painted with all sorts of different hues, green and white, yellow and blue, fawn colored and black. A man stood at the sail of this beautiful boat, great to look at in stature and age. He was wearing a cape, which was all ornamented in lace. He had a bright and keen sword in his hand.

And when Sorli approached the dragon ship, he greeted this large man and asked: "Who is this proud man, who commands this large dragon ship, which rushes forward with great ornament and pomp, such as no-one has seen before?"

The large man, who stood on the dragon ship, said: "This will still be so, that no-one will fear you nor be afraid of you or your slaves, which follow you, and I will say little else to you."
Sorli said: "I have heard that you consider yourself too good to speak to us, but whoever you are, we will dare to see you, before it is over, but I rather suspect, that this must be King Halfdan Bronufostri Hringsson from Sweden the Cold, which you won from Agnar the Wealthy, my uncle, and slew him.  I would not be obliged because of that to think that you have no choices. I will now offer you the opportunity of giving me command of this good dragon ship, and you can go wherever you want."

King Halfdan said: "We have steered this dragon for a long time, and it has always been lucky. I have often been offered more for it, than to give it away for nothing, and although I have won land from your father's kin, you will just have to accept it."

The king became very angry, and went back and forth along the dragon ship. He bade his men to prepare for battle as soon as possible against this defiant one, and kill him as soon as possible. There was then a great tumult on the dragon ship, and soon large beams and stones were shot, javelins and arrows, pitchforks and axes, halberds and heavy missiles, and all sorts of weapons. There were now many casualties, and it was not long before all of Sorli's ships were emptied and broken apart, except for the one which he commanded himself, and King Halfdan had lost three.

 There was a man with King Halfdan, who was named Thorir the Strong. He was the son of Earl Thorvid, and was fifteen years old, but the greatest hero and dauntless so that no-one was his equal in valor and manhood in all of Sweden. 

Now to tell of Sorli, that when he saw that things could not go on as they were, he ran up on the dragon ship, where it was least protected, and Bork and Bolverk came up with him at another spot from where Sorli was, and they all fought valiantly, since each had courage and bravery.  Sorli struck down everyone who stood before him, and spared no-one, but Bork and Bolverk went to the other side of the ship, where Thorir was. King Halfdan Bronufostri saw now that they had come up on the dragon ship. He became furious at Sorli, and they struck each other fiercely. Many strong blows could be seen there. It went on for a long time, that neither retreated the least from the other, but it finally ended up after a while, that King Halfdan became exhausted, since he was a very old man, and Sorli was all the more delighted at the battle of blows which he had long sought. King Halfdan staggered, so that he disappeared back to the raised deck, and was just about at the end of his endurance.

Then Sorli said: "Accept mercy, King Halfdan, and we will be reconciled. I wish to depend on your manliness, what redress you will give me."

The king said: "I think you are quite cowardly and now you will stand terrified, as many of your Norwegian kinsmen, and so you will have to accept the fact that I have never held my temper with any man, and so it will yet be with you."
Sorli said: "You may, king, decide, although I offer you mercy."
Then they started to fight a second time so fiercely, that neither spared the other, and it went on for a long time. And as before, the king retreated, and had almost come back to the rear of the dragon ship, when he was overcome by such great exhaustion, that he could hardly hold his sword.

Then Sorli said: "I will still offer you mercy, king, and let us be reconciled. I will depend on your manliness, what reconciliation you will offer me.”

King Halfdan said: "Let those be damned, who accept your offer, and I would rather leave my life with valor and manliness than to accept you offer."

Then Sorli spoke, and said that he would get no honor from this. He struck so hard and frequently, that the king had no defense against him due to fatigue, so that the sword flew from his hand. Sorli grabbed it in flight, and charged at the king. King Halfdan had never gotten any injury or been forced to his knees from any man. The king lost his life there with good fame. 

12. Sörli eignaðist drekann Chapter 12: Sorli Takes Possession of the Dragon Ship

Nú er at greina frá Þóri sterka, at hann hjó niðr menn Sörla sem hrátt hrís væri, svá at öllum var dauðinn víss, er eigi hopaði á hæl fyrir honum. Nú sér Börkr þetta, ryðst nú fram ok höggr til Þóris sem mest hann kann. En er Þórir sér vísan dauða sinn, hleypr hann í lopt upp aptr á bak yfir slána, ok kom þar niðr í sverðit ok varð þar fast. Varð Berki seint um at ná aptr sverðinu. En er Þórir sér þat, greip hann upp mikit tré, er hjá honum var, ok laust því í höfuð á Berki, svá at haussinn brotnaði. Laut nú Þórir við höggit, ok í því hjó Bölverkr um þverar herðar honum, svá at Þórir var nær sem fallinn, en eigi beit á hans brynju. Nú snerist Þórir við Bölverki, greip sinni hendi um hvárn fót á honum ok slengdi honum niðr, svá at haussinn brotnaði í smámola. Var þá svá margt lið Sörla komit á drekann, at Þórir sá sitt óvænna ok at hann mundi brátt ofrliði borinn verða, ok þar með sér hann Hálfdan konung fallinn. Tók hann þá þat ráð, at hann hljóp fyrir borð á drekanum ok syndi it beinasta til lands, þess er réð fyrir Sigurðr, sá er lengi hafði fylgt Hálfdani konungi Brönufóstra, ok tók hann við honum allvel.

En eptir bardagann tók Sörli drekann á sitt vald ok alla þá gripi, er Hálfdan konungr hafði átta. Sigldi hann nú heim til Noregs ok hitti brátt föður sinn, frændr ok vini heila á húfi, ok varð þar fagnaðarfundr. Innir þá Sörli konungsson allt it ljósasta af sínum ferðum, ok þótti mörgum honum mikil frægð aukizt hafa í þessari ferð. Girntust þá sem flestir at sjá drekann Skrauta. Var þat allra manna mál, at eigi mundi finnast betra eða vegligra skip, hvárki at stærð né búnaði.

Now to tell of Thorir the Strong, that he struck down Sorli’s men as quickly as if they were brushwood, so that all met certain death who did not retreat before him. Now Bork saw that, and rode forward and struck at Thorir as much as he could. But when Thorir saw his certain death, he leaped up in the air on top of the lanky fellow, and came down on the sword and was stuck there. Berki was soon trying to get the sword. But when Thorir saw that, he seized a huge tree, which was next to him, and struck at Berki’s head, so that his skull was shattered. Thorir reeled from the blow, and at that, Bolverk struck him across the shoulders, so that Thorir came close to falling, but it did not cut his byrnie. Now Thorir turned toward Bolverk, grabbed each foot with his hands, and threw him down, so that his skull broke into tiny pieces. At that point, so many of Sorli’s troops had come onto the dragon-ship, that Thorir thought that he would be unlikely to succeed, and that he would soon be overcome. At that point he saw that King Halfdan had fallen. He decided then, that he would jump overboard from the dragon-ship, and swim straightaway to land, where Sigurd ruled, who had followed King Halfdan Bronufostri for a long time, and gave him quite a hearty welcome.

And after the battle, Sorli took the dragon ship under his command, and all the treasure that King Halfdan had owned. He now sailed home to Norway, and soon met his father, kinsmen and friends safe and sound. The meeting was well received. Prince Sorli told them everything most clearly about his journey, and many people thought that he had increased his already great fame during this journey. Most of them wanted to see the dragon-ship Skrauti. It was everyone’s opinion that a better and grander ship could not be found, either in size or ornamentation.

13. Frá liðsafnaði Chapter 13: Of the Gathering of Troops

Eitt sinn var þat, at þeir gengu á tal feðgar, Erlingr konungr ok Sörli. Þá mælti Erlingr konungr, at svá mætti Sörli við búast sem at brátt mundi honum ófriðar ván af þeim bræðrum, Hálfdanar sonum, er fregnuðu líflát föður síns. Var nú skjótt við brugðit, ok söfnuðu þeir feðgar liði um allan Noreg. Gerðu þeir ok Haraldi konungi orð, at hann sendi þeim nokkurn liðsafla. Ok er þessu var öllu ráðit, höfðu þeir sterkan vara á sér dag ok nótt ok væntu á hverri stundu ófriðar.

It happened one time that the father and son, King Erling and Sorli, were talking together. King Erling said that Sorli should prepare, since soon hostility might be expected on the part of the brothers, Halfdan's sons, who were informed of the death of their father. The father and son immediately started to collect troops from all over Norway. King Harald also sent word to them, that he would send them some troops. And when this was all prepared, they had a strong foreboding day and night, and expected conflict at any time.

14. Frá Hálfdanarsonum Chapter 14: Of the Sons of Halfdan

Hins er nú at geta þessu næst, at Þórir sterki komst til lands, sem fyrr var frá sagt, hitti Sigurð konung ok innti honum allt it sanna um fráfall Hálfdanar konungs. Þótti þeim öllum stirðar fréttir ok þó einna mest Sigurði konungi. Dvaldist Þórir þar eigi lengi, áðr konungr fekk honum skip ok menn til Svíaríkis. Sigldi Þórir þá it beinasta til Svíþjóðar ok tók höfn næri borginni Litidorum, er þá var höfuðstaðr ríkisins. Hálfdan konungr átti þar tvá syni. Hét annarr Högni, en annarr Sigmundr. Dóttur átti hann, sem Marsibil hét sem móðir hennar.

En er Þórir hitti menn at máli, fregnar hann, at Högni er sigldr ór landi til Astró, hertogans af Englandi. Gengr nú Þórir heim til hallarinnar ok síðan inn fyrir Sigmund konungsson, þar eð hann sat með höfðingjum öllum ok vildislýð. Kveðr þá Þórir konungsson, en hann spyrr þegar frétta ok hvárt Hálfdan konungr væri með heilu ok höldnu aptr kominn, en Þórir svarar máli hans svá: "Mikil ok ill tíðendi er nú at greina af várum ferðum, fráfall Hálfdanar konungs, föður yðvars, rán ok missi drekans Skrauta ok allra konungsins dýrgripa."

Innir nú Þórir allt it sanna frá, hversu at Hálfdan konungr var felldr af Sörla inum sterka ok allir hans menn deyddir. Brá öllum mjök við þessi tíðendi ok allra helzt drottningu, því at hún fekk hvert ómegin eptir annat, til þess at hún sprakk af harmi. Varð nú enn meiri sorg en áðr. Var hún heygð at fornum sið virðuliga ok erfi drukkit eptir þau bæði, konung ok drottningu. Var þar mörgum innanlands höfðingjum til boðit.

 
Ok at afrunninni inni mestu ókætinni ok harminum eptir þau konung ok drottningu, þá helt Sigmundr konungsson ráðstefnu um þat, hvat tækiligast væri í slíku tilfelli sem nú var þeim á höndum. En öllum þótti ráðligast, at sent væri bréf með boðskap á fund Högna ok hertugans Astró til Englands sem skjótast. Var nú svá gert. Fóru sendimenn sína leið ok sigldu til Englands. Tókst þeim vel ferðin ok báru bréfin þeim Högna ok hertuganum. En er Högni fekk tíðendin, lét hann sitt skip it snarasta tilbúa ok bað hertugann eptir koma með svá mikinn her sem mest hann kynni til at fá. Játaði hertuginn því brátt, at svá vera skyldi.

The next thing to happen was that Thorir the Strong came to land, as was previously told, met King Sigurd and told him everything truthfully of the death of King Halfdan. They all thought that it was harsh news, most of all King Sigurd. Thorir did not stay there very long, before the king got him a ship and men to go to Sweden. Thorir then sailed straight to Sweden, and took the harbor close to the town of Litidor, which was at that time the main city of the kingdom. King Halfdan had two sons there. One was named Hogni and the other Sigmund. He had a daughter, who was named Marsibil, after her mother.
 
When Thorir met the men for a council, he learned that Hogni had sailed from the land to Astro, the duke of England. Thorir now went home to his hall, and then in before Sigmund, the king's son, where he sat with all his chieftains and best men. Thorir then greeted the king's son, and he asked the news and whether King Halfdan was faring hale and hearty, but Thorir answered his question thusly: "I have many ill tidings to tell of our journeys, the death of King Halfdan, your father, seizure of property, and the loss of the dragon ship Skrauti, and all of the king’s treasure.”
 
Thorir then told everything truthfully, how King Halfdan was felled by Sorli the Strong, and all of his men dead. Everyone was quite angry about this news, and most of all, the queen, who fell into one swoon after another, and died of grief. There was now even more sorrow than before. She was buried honorably according to the ancient custom, and funeral libations drunk in honor of both of them, the king and the queen. Many chieftains from inland were invited there.

And with this most unfortunate misery and harm to the king and queen, the king's son Sigmund held a council to decide what would be the most proper course would be, given the circumstances now at hand. Everyone thought it would be most advisable to send a letter to England requesting a meeting with Hogni and Duke Astro as soon as possible. This was now done. The messengers went on their way and sailed to England. The journey went well, and they bore the letter to Hogni and the Duke. When Hogni got the news, he had his ship readied as quickly as possible, and bade the Duke to come along with as much of an army as he could muster. The Duke immediately agreed that it would be done.  

15. Frá Marsibil Hálfdanardóttur Chapter 15: Of Marsibil, Daughter of Halfdan

En áðr en Högni skyldi til skips ganga, fór hann at hitta drottningu Marsibil, er átti Astró hertuga, ok innir henni allt um fráfall Hálfdanar konungs, föður þeira. En er hún heyrði þat, varð hún svá reið ok sorgbitin, at hún fell í óvit hvert at öðru. En er hún vitkaðist ok raknaði við, bað hún þangat kalla hertugann, ok kom hann jafnsnart á hennar fund. Tók hún þá til máls ok sagði: "Glöggt þykkjumst ek þat sjá, at hvárugum ykkar Högna finnst mikit til um fráfall föður míns, ok er þat auðsét, at allr dugr mun ór ykkr vera at vekja hefndir eptir hann, ok sú skömm mun uppi vera, á meðan Norðrlönd byggjast, ok í allra minnum höfð at aldatali, at Hálfdan konungr hafi eptir sik látit svá dyggðarlausar lyddur ok leiðar geitr sem þér eruð, er allt kunnuð hræðast sem inn blauðasti heri, ok væri þat nær mínu skapi, at þér fengjuð mér vápn ok herklæði, ok mundi þá aldri kunna miðr at fara en yðr ferr nú öllum hans vandabundnum. Mætti þat svá vera, at öllum yðr mundi þat til óendanligrar skammar ok svívirðu snúast, svá lengi sem lifðuð, ok sem meira þó um er vert eptir dauðann, ok væri þá betra með sæmd at vera fallinn fyrir vápnum óvina sinna."

Ok er henni var runnin in mesta reiði, stóð hún upp, tók hertugann í fang sér ok lagði hendrnar um háls honum grátandi ok mælti: "Virð þú til elsku mína ok manndóm sjálfs þín, at þú hefnir föður míns á þeim ljóta ok leiða þýjarsyni, sem hann hefir af dögum ráðit."

Þá mælti Högni: "Vertu dæl, systir, því at svá skulum vér hefndir vekja eptir föður várn, at þér skal vel líka." Hún mælti: "Helzt treysti ek þér, bróðir, hér til, at þér muni bezt fara hér um af náungum várum."


Eptir þetta kvaddi Högni hertugann ok systur sína ok sigldi heim til Svíaríkis. Dró hann nú saman múg ok margmenni, ok síðan mælti Högni: "Ek mun á burt verða heðan ok vita, hvat ek kann finna til Sörla ins sterka, því at eigi mun hann vísari vera í Noregi en annars staðar, en Sigmundr, bróðir minn, skal hafa hér landstjórn ok halda stríð við hann, kunni hann hingat vitja, með styrk Þóris sterka ok annarra höfðingja ok vera við honum búnir nótt sem dag, ef hann kann hér at at bera, en ek mun it snarasta aptr koma, er færi gefst." Öllum þótti þetta bezt fallit vera, sem Högni mælti fyrir. Sigldi hann nú burt af Svíþjód, ok heldu it beinasta undir Noreg.

But before Hogni boarded his ship, he went to see Queen Marsibil, who had married Duke Astro, and told her everything about the death of King Halfdan, their father. And when she heard that, she became so angry and distressed, that she fell into one swoon after another. But when she came to and recovered her senses, she asked him to call the Duke there, and he immediately came to meet her. She then spoke to him and said: "I think I can see clearly, that neither of you are very much affected by the death of my father, and it is evident that you have lost all strength to wreak vengance for him, and the shame will live while the Northern lands are inhabited, and in all men’s minds through the ages, that King Halfdan has left behind such a wicked lazy villain and loathed goat as you are, who are all afraid like the most cowardly hare, and it would be my intent, if you got me a weapon and battle clothes, and it could never be worse than what you did to all of his allies. May it be, that you might all be turned to endless shame and disgrace, as long as you live, and even more after death, and it would be better to have fallen with honor before the weapons of your enemies."
 
And when her greatest anger had run its course, she stood up, took the Duke in her grasp, and laid her arms around his neck, weeping, and said: "Will you, for the sake of my love and your manhood, avenge my father on those ugly and loathed sons of servants, and put them to death."
 
Then Hogni said: "Be at peace, sister, since we shall undertake vengeance for our father, so that you will be well pleased."
 
She said: "I would rather trust you, brother, that you would be the best of our neighbors to carry out revenge."
 
After that, Hogni bade farewell to the Duke and his sister, and sailed home to Sweden. He drew together many men in a crowd and then Hogni said: "I must go away from here and learn what I can find out about Sorli the Strong, since he can't be any wiser in Norway than in other places, and Sigmund, my brother, shall rule the land here, and make war with him, if he comes here, with the strength of Thorir the Strong and the other chieftains. Be prepared for him by night and day if he brings battle here, and I will come back as soon as I can.”
 
Everyone thought it suited best, as Hogni declared. He then sailed away from Sweden, and made straightaway for Norway.

16. Högni vann drekann góða Chapter 16: Hogni Won the Good Dragon Ship

Hins er nú at geta, at Sörli konungsson sat heima hjá föður sínum í Upplandaríki, ok höfðu þeir feðgar saman dregit ógrynni hers. Einn dag mælti Sörli konungsson við föður sinn: "Nú vil ek," sagði hann, "heðan burt sigla til Svíþjóðar ok leita um sættir við þá bræðr, ef kostr er á, en þér skuluð hér eptir vera með helming liðsins ásamt Haraldi konungi ok Sigvalda, mínum bróður, en drekinn Skrauti skal útskipaðr liggja til varnar hér fyrir staðnum." Öllum þótti þetta ráðligt.

 

Eptir svá talat sigldi Sörli konungsson inn sterki burt af Noregi austr fyrir land ok allt at eynni Mostr, sú ey er lukt hömrum stórum ok skógi vaxin, sigldi millum landsins ok eyjarinnar. En í þeim sama punkt sigldi Högni konungsson framanvert við eyna, ok fórust svá hjá, at hvárugir hittu aðra. Sigldi Sörli beint at Svíaríki ok tók höfn nærri borginni, ok lét hann þar reisa herbúðir sínar.

Nú er hins at geta, at Högni konungsson sigldi beint undir Noreg. Gaf þeim vel byri ok kómu við land at höfnum þeim, er lágu í nánd Upplandaríkis. Ok er þeir nálguðust, litu þeir þar fyrir sér liggja fjörutíu skip, ok sáu þeir þar ok kenndu drekann Skrauta.

Kom þá reiði ok grimmd í hjarta á Högna, ok mælti hann síðan: "Auðsét er þat nú, at heima mun vera Sörli inn sterki, því at hér kenni ek drekann Skrauta."

Bað Högni þá skjótt leggja at skipunum, ok svá var gert.

Sá maðr, er yfir var settr drekann, hét Ívarr. Hann var af Finnmörk austan, einn góðr riddari.

Þá mælti Högni: "Þér inir leiðu þrælar skuluð þat vita, at ek býð tvá kosti. Annarr er sá, at þér gefið á mitt vald þenna góða dreka, en sá annarr, ef þér vilið eigi þenna, at þér verið þá fé ok fjör, meðan þrek til vinnst, fyrir oss."

Ívarr svaraði hans máli ok sagði þat enga ván, at hann upp gæfi drekann. Við þetta varð Högni æfar reiðr. Tókst nú at skömmum fresti með þeim inn snarpasti bardagi, ok var þá eigi at sökum at spyrja.

 

Eggjaði þá Högni sína menn til atsóknar ok mælti við einn sinna manna, er Svalr hét: "Þat hugða ek, at þú mundir vera góðr riddari, en nú vill mér eigi þat reynast."

 

Svalr mælti: "Ef engi þinna manna, konungsson, gengr tæpiligar fram en ek, þá má ek makliga sneypu líða."


Ok í þessu hljóp Högni fyrstr upp á drekann ok með honum Svalr. Hjó Högni þá ok lagði hvern, sem fyrir stóð, ok þyrmdi engum, en Svalr gekk með öðru borði. Kom Ívarr þá í móti Sval ok höggr til hans, svá at Svalr fell flatr niðr ok blóð rann ákaft af munni hans ok vitum.

Þá mælti Ívarr: "Segðu heim til Svíþjóðar, þá þú kemr þar, at þú hafir hitt oss norska fyrir, ok vil ek nú þó bæta þér, ef þér þykkir eigi duga."

Þá mælti Svalr: "Lítt veiztu þat, löðrmenni, hvárt vit erum skildir at svá búnu eða eigi."

Spratt nú Svalr fimliga á fætr, greip sinni hendi um hvárn fót Ívari ok slengdi honum niðr, svá at haussinn brotnaði í smátt. Þá mælti Svalr: "Svá plögum vér svenskir at gera refunum, nær þeir ganga í gildruna, ok hlægir mik þat, at eigi munir þú fréttir heim segja Erlingi konungi."

 

En er Ívarr var fallinn, hafði Högni gagnrutt drekann, ok var þetta allt jafnsnart í senn. Gengu nú allir á hönd Högna, sem eptir váru. Tók Högni þá drekann á sitt vald, sigldi síðan heim til hafnar ok lét nú þegar reisa herbúðir sínar skammt frá borginni Erlings konungs.

Now to speak of how Sorli, the king's son, stayed at home with his father in Uppland, and the father and son had collected an unlimited army. One day Sorli, the king's son, said to his father: "Now I wish," he said, "to sail away from here to Sweden and seek reconciliation with the brothers, if possible, but you should remain here with a half of the army, together with King Harald and Sigvald, my brother, and the dragon-ship Skrauti shall lie here unloaded before the city for defense." Everyone thought that that was a good idea.
 
After saying that, Sorli the Strong, the king's son, sailed away from Norway east along the coast and all the way to the island Mostr, which is closed in by great cliffs and grown with forests, sailed between the land and the islands. But at the same point, Hogni the king's son, was sailing toward the island, and traveled so that each met the other. Sorli sailed straight toward Sweden, and took the harbor near the town, and set up his camps there.

Now it so happened, that Hogni, the king's son, sailed straight toward Norway. They had a good breeze, and came to land at the harbor, which lay in the neighborhood of Uppland. And when they approached, they saw forty ships lying in front of them, and they saw there and recognized the dragon-ship Skrauti.
 
Hogni became angry and grim in his heart, and then said: "It is now certain that Sorli the Strong must be at home, since I recognize here the dragon-ship Skrauti.”
 
Hogni then ordered them to make straight for the ship, and so it was done.
 
People saw that a man named Ivar had been placed in command of the dragon-ship. He was from the east of Finnmark, and a good knight.
 
Then Hogni said: “You loathed slaves should know, that I offer two choices. One is, that you give to my power that good dragon-ship, and the other, if you refuse, that you shall be like cattle and sheep while our strength lasts.”
 
Ivar answered, and said that there was no hope that he would give up the dragon-ship. Hogni became very angry at that. With little delay, they set to a fierce battle, and there was nothing to tell of the matter.
 
Hogni egged on his men to attack, and spoke to one of his men, who was named Svalr: "I think, that you will be a good knight, but I don’t want to test that now."
 
Svalr said: "If your men, king's son, advance more boldly than I, then may I deservedly suffer disgrace."
 
And at that Hogni ran right up on the dragon-ship and Svalr with him. Hogni struck, and laid low everyone who was before him, and showed mercy to no-one, but Svalr went to the other side. Then Ivar came against Svalr and struck at him, so that Svalr fell flat down and blood ran copiously from his mouth, and he lost consciousness.
 
Then Ivar said: "Say at home in Sweden, when you get there, that you have met us Norwegians before, and I will now make up for it, if you think we are not strong enough.”
 
Then Svalr said: "You know little, wretches, whether we are strong enough for that or not."

Svalr then sprang nimbly to his feet, grasped his hands around each of Ivar's feet, and threw him down, so that his skull broke into small pieces. Then Svalr said: "We Swedes are used to doing that to foxes, when they go into a trap, and it makes me laugh, that you won't be able to take any news home to King Erling.”
 
And when Ivar had fallen, Hogni had cleared out the dragon-ship, and it was all at once just as swift as before.  All that were left now went into the hands of Hogni. Hogni took the dragon-ship under his command, sailed then home to the harbor, and then set up his camp a short distance from the town of King Erling.

17. Svalr flutti orðsending Högna Chapter 17: Svalr Carries Hogni's Message

En at morgni komanda, er lítt var ljóst, sendi Högni tólf menn til hallarinnar, ok var Svalr fyrir liði þeira. Bað Högni, at þeir segðu þeim Sörla inum sterka ok Erlingi konungi, föður hans, at hann byði þeim bardaga þegar samstundis. Fóru nú sendimenn ok létta eigi fyrr en þeir koma í höllina, þar eð Erlingr konungr inni sat með öllum sínum höfðingjum ok lendum lýð.

 

Heilsar Svalr upp á konung ok mælti svá: "Högni, sonr Hálfdanar konungs, hefir oss hingat sent ok lætr kunngera þér, konungr, at hann býðr Sörla inum sterka bardaga, ef hann er hér innan lands, ella sjálfum þér, ef hann er eigi heima, ok vill nú Högni hefna á ykkr feðgum makligra svívirðinga. Uggir mik eigi muni ykkr betr fara en þeim leiðu þrælum, er verja skyldu land þitt ok drekann Skrauta, hverir fljótt fellu fyrir oss sem ragar skógargeitr. Lítast mér þínir menn, konungr, heldr huglausir vera ok heldr hentir til at þjóna hér í höll þinni heldr en bardaga halda við vaska stríðsmenn þá af Kúrlandi ok Köldu-Svíþjóð. Því er þat mitt it bezta ráð, at þú gefir þik fanginn ok allt þitt ríki á vald Högna, undir þá miskunn, sem honum þykkir þú makligr til vera at þiggja."

Þá mælti Erlingr konungr: "Eigi var lukkan frá horfin Högna, er hann náði einum þvílíkum sem þú ert, því at mörgum mundi miðr fara at flytja erindi herra síns en þér. Skrafar þú eigi hug ór oss norskum með stóryrðum þínum ok drembilæti. Væri þat makligast ek léti hengja þik á gálga fyrir djörfung þína ok kenndi þér svá at leika eigi þvílíkt við fleiri."

Svalr mælti: "Eigi er ek hræddr um þat eða fyrir því, þótt fram komi. Mundi þín þá at illu meir ok framar getit vera en annarra höfðingja allra sem þú síðr grið gæfir sendimönnum."

 

Erlingr konungr mælti: "Gakk burt ok seg Högna, at vér munum koma til móts við hann."

Gekk Svalr þá ór borginni ok hitti Högna at máli. Greindi hann honum þá inniliga frá viðræðum þeira Erlings konungs, en eptir þat at Svalr var burt ór höllinni, árnuðu honum allir ills, þeir er eptir váru.

When morning came, and it was a little brighter, Hogni sent twelve men to the hall, and Svalr was at the head of their troop. Hogni ordered, that they should say to Sorli the Strong and King Erling, his father, that he would offer them simultaneous battle. The messengers set out and did not stop until they came to the hall where King Erling sat inside with all of his chieftains and landed men.

Svalr greeted the king and spoke thus: "Hogni, the son of King Halfdan, has sent us here to inform you, king, that he challenges Sorli the Strong to battle, if he is here in this land, or you yourself, if he is not at home, and now Hogni wishes to avenge on you, father and son, the most deserved disgrace. I don’t think you are going to fare any better than the loathed slaves who defended your land and the dragon-ship Skrauti, which swiftly fell before us like a cowardly forest-goat. It seems to me, king, that your men are rather faint hearted and suited rather to serve here in your hall, than to do battle with brave fighting men, from Kurland and Cold-Sweden. Thus it is my best advice that you give yourself up as a prisoner, and all of your kingdom into the power of Hogni, under his mercy, which seems to him proper to accept.”
 
Then King Erling said: “Good luck had not deserted Hogni, to have gotten someone like you, since many would be less inclined to carry out the business of his master than you. Don’t chatter on, though, about us Norwegians with your big words and haughty manners. It would be most proper that I should let you hang on a gallows for your boldness and teach you not to play in such a way against many.”
 
Svalr said: “I'm not afraid of that, or of you, whatever happens. You would be remembered for something worse than all of the other chieftains, who customarily grant mercy to messengers.”
 
The king said: “Go back and tell Hogni, that we will come against him.”
 
Svalr then went out of the town and met Hogni in a conference. He told him precisely of the conversation with King Erling, and after Svalr had left the hall, he prayed for him all of the misfortunes that followed.

18. Frá orrostu Chapter 18: Of the Battle

Nú sem Högni hafði þetta heyrt, sem nú var frá sagt, klæddist hann skyrtu einni, er engi járn kunnu á at bíta, ok spennti sik sverði því, er Sigrljómi hét ok forðum átti Hrólfr konungr kraki. Síðan kvaddi Högni allan sinn her til orrostu ok stóð nú fremst sinna manna. Kom nú Erlingr konungr ór borginni með allan sinn her ásamt Haraldi konungi ok Sigvalda, syni sínum.

 

Maðr sá, er merkit bar fyrir Erlingi konungi, hét Sverrir. Hann var af Finnmörk austan, góðr riddari. Högni reið nú fram í fylkingar Noregs manna, hjó ok lagði hvern, er fyrir varð, ok þyrmdi engum, ok í þessari svipan mætti hann Sverri, merkismanni Erlings konungs, ok hjó til hans með sínu sverði, en Sverrir brást í jörð niðr. Ríðr nú Högni um þverar fylkingar ok fellir hvern um annan. En sem hann er ákafastr at höggva niðr liðit, kemr svá mikit león upp ór jörðunni, at öllum stóð felmtr af ógn þeiri. Snerist leónit þá brátt í móti Högna ok laust sínum hala á hest hans svá hart, at Högni hraut langt í burt ok í einn skógarrunna. Nú spratt Högni fljótt ok fimliga á fætr ok höggr í móti dýrinu, en þat var sem ógert, því at eigi beit it minnsta á leónit, ok tók þat við hverju hans lagi. Nú snarar Högni sínu sverði, ræðr í móti dýrinu, ok sviptast nú harðliga, svá at allt gekk ór lagi, þat sem fyrir varð, jafnvel eikrnar af stofnunum. Stóð þessi glíma um heilar þrjár stundir. Neytti þá konungsson orku ok ills kraptar, tók dýrit upp á bringu sér ok slengdi því niðr við einn eikarstofn, svá at í sundr fór í því hryggrinn, en við þetta spýr dýrit eitri með ógurligum frýsingum ok dimmri svælu, en skyrtunnar dugnaðr hlífði konungssyni, at hann sakaði ekki, en þó leið hann í ómegin ofan á leónit. Erlingr konungr sér nú þetta ok ríðr þangat, sem Högni lá, ok hjó þvert urn herðar hans þrjú högg, en eigi at heldr beit á hann sverðit.

 

Nú sem konungr verðr þess víss, at eigi bíta hann vápn, þá kallar hann á einn sinna manna, er Gellir hét, ok bað hann ljósta Högna til dauðs með kylfu sinni. En er Svalr sér Erling konung standa yfir Högna með nöktu sverði, þá setti hann hest sinn á skeið sem mest mátti hann, reið at Erlingi konungi, lagði til hans sínu spjóti, er minnst varði, ok snaraði konungi ór söðlinum meir en fjörutíu fet, svá at brotnaði í honum hvert bein. Nú snerist Gellir í móti Sval, hefr upp kylfuna ok vildi ljósta hann til dauðs. Sér Svalr þá vísan bana sinn, ef á kæmi. Hljóp hann því ór söðlinum aptr á bak, ok kom kylfan á hestinn, svá at í sundr gekk hryggrinn. Nú ræðr Svalr á Gelli, ok sviptast þeir harðliga, þar til er Gellir fell til jarðar.

 

Þá mælti Gellir: "Nú vilda ek fóstra mín kæmi."

 

Því næst fann Svalr, at kippt var í herðar honum heldr óþyrmiliga á bak aptr, svá at nú varð Svalr undir, en Gellir ofan á, ok hugði nú Gellir, at Svalr skyldi lífit láta. Í þessu raknar Högni við, grípr sverð sitt ok höggr Gelli sundr í miðju. Komst Svalr á fætr við þetta, þótt hann leikstirðr væri. En er Högni laut við höggit, hjó Haraldr konungr þvert um herðar á honum, svá at Högni var nær sem fallinn. Nú snerist Högni við, reiðir upp sverðit ok höggr til Haralds konungs, svá at hann klauf hann allt at söðli niðr. Síðan reið Högni þangat at, sem Sigvaldi var fyrir, ok setti sverðit á háls honum, svá at af tók höfuðit. Var nú fátt eptir orðit af þeim norsku, en þeir, sem eptir stóðu, flýðu allir í borgina ok inntu drottningu allt um fráfall konunganna ok Sigvalda. Var nú svá mikil sorg í borginni, at engi gáði hvárki svefns né matar at neyta.

Now that Hogni had heard the reports, he dressed himself in a shirt that no iron could bite, and clasped his sword, which was called Sigrljomi, and which King Hrolf Kraki had had in former days. Then Hogni spurred all of his men on to battle, and stood now at the head of their ranks. King Erling now came out of the town with all of his troops, together with King Harald and Sigvald, his son.

A man named Sverri bore the standard in front of King Erling. He was from east Finnmark, and was a good knight. Hogni now rode forward in the phalanx of the Norwegian men, and struck and laid low everyone before him, and spared none. In this fight he met Sverri, the standard bearer of King Erling, and struck at him with his sword, and Sverri crashed down to the ground. Now Hogni rode across the platoon and felled one after the other. But when he was striking down the troops most vehemently, a huge lion came up out of the earth, so that all stood paralyzed with fear. The lion immediately turned against Hogni and struck his tail on his horse so hard, that Hogni was thrown far away into a forest shrub. Now Hogni sprang quickly and nimbly onto his feet and struck at the beast, but that was as if nothing had been done, since the lion was not hurt at all, and withstood all of his blows. Now Hogni brandished his sword, rode against the beast, and wrestled ferociously, so that everything was in chaos, wherever he went, even the oaks from their stumps. This wrestling lasted a full three hours. The king's son’s strength was consumed, and he weakly took the beast up on his chest and threw it down against an oak stump, so that its back was broken, and at that, the beast spewed poison with a terrible whinny and dim, choking smoke, but the shirt succeeded in protecting the king's son, so that he was not harmed, although he was passed out with fatigue over the lion. King Erling saw that, and rode there, where Hogni lay, and struck three blows across his shoulders, but the sword did not harm him any the more.
 
Now when the king realized that the weapon would not cut him, he called to one of his men, who was named Gellir, and ordered him to beat Hogni to death with his club. But when Svalr saw King Erling standing over Hogni with a bare sword, he set his horse to running as fast as he could, rode at King Erling, attacked him with his spear where he was least protected, and threw the king from his saddle more than forty feet, so that every one of his bones was broken. Then Gellir turned against Svalr, raised his club, and intended to beat him to death. Svalr saw his approaching death, if it hit. He thus leaped back out of his saddle, and the club came down on the horse, so that its back was broken. Now Svalr charged at Gellir, and they fought fiercely, until Gellir fell to the ground.
 
Then Gellir said: “Now I wish that my foster brother would come.”
 
Next Svalr felt a rather urgent tugging back on his shoulders, so that now Svalr was under and Gellir on top, and Gellir thought now that Svalr was going to lose his life. At that, Hogni recovered his senses, grasped his sword and struck Gellir apart in the middle. At that, Svalr came to his feet, although he was stiff from the battle. And when Hogni reeled from the blow, King Harald struck him across the shoulders, so that Hogni was almost fallen. Now Hogni turned around, brandished his sword, and struck at King Harald, so that he clove him entirely down to the saddle. Then Hogni rode to where Sigvald was, and set his sword on his neck, so that his head was taken off. There were now few of the Norwegians left, and those who survived fled into the town and told the queen everything about the death of the king and Sigvald. There was now so much sorrow in the town that no one could either sleep or eat. 

19. Högni sigldi heim með sigri Chapter 19: Hogni Sailed Home Victorious

At morgni eptir orrostuna, sem lítt var ljóst, bjóst Högni í borgina með öllu liði sínu. Gekk hann fyrst í höll konungsins ok fann þar engan mann inni utan tilkomulausa þræla. Frétti Högni þá at, hvar drottning væri, en þeir sögðu hana gengna í höll dóttur sinnar. En er þeir Högni hugðu þangat at vitja ok þeir váru komnir at þeim skíðgarði, er var í kring skemmuna, laust á svá mikilli þoku, at engi sá annan, ok fundu þeir hvárki skíðgarðinn né skemmuna. Fetuðu þeir þá hvergi. En um síðir varð svá mikil móða fyrir hernum, at margir duttu þar ofan í á kaf ok svömluðu þar svá innan um þá nótt alla með stórum erfiðismunum. Varð þeim torsótt at klifrast neðan þá hamra, er tveim megin váru móðunnar. Gekk þetta allt til dags. En sem dagaði, sjá menn enga móðu, ok höfðu þeir verit at klórast neðan skíðgarðinn allt um kring, þar þeir hugðu hamra vera, duttu svá þar ofan fyrir ok gátu eigi at gert.

 

Ok er þeir sáu slíkt óefni í hafa orðit, bauð Högni at brjóta portin ok ná hurðinni af hjörunum. En er þat var gert, ganga þeir Högni í skemmuna, ok er þeir kómu þar, sáu þeir engan mann. Tók þá flesta at stanza af slíku. Lét Högni þá upp brjóta allar féhirzlur ok taka þaðan gull ok silfr ok dýrleg klæði. Fór hann síðan á burt með öllu liði sínu. Ok er þeir váru skammt komnir mjök, verðr Högna aptr litit ok sér á múrnum standa konu ófríða ok mjök aldraða ásýndum ok hjá henni eina jómfrú svá fagra ok dæilega ásýndum, at Högna fell vel til geðs hennar prýði.

 

Þá mælti Högni til Svals: "Hver grunar þik, at þessi sé in fagra, sem þar stendr hjá þeiri ljótu kerlingu á múrnum?"

Svalr mælti: "Þat mun vera dóttir Erlings konungs, Ingibjörg, ok fóstra hennar, ok munu um brögð búa við þik ok vilja oss feiga."

Högni mælti: "Aptr skulum vér hverfa ok ná þeiri inni fögru mey."

 

Svalr mælti: "Eigi má svá vera, herra, því at í nótt fengum vér hrakning með stórum erfiðismunum, en nú munum vér fá dauðann vísan, ef vit aptr snúum."

Högni bað þá, at Svalr ráða skyldi. Riðu þeir nú til tjalda ok skipta öllum sínum herbúðum. Síðan stigu þeir á skip, létu frá landi ok sigldu burt af Noregi sínum skipaflota. Váru þau fimmtíu at tölu með drekanum Skrauta. Sigldu þeir nú beinleiðis hægan byr, allt til þess þeir kómu til Svíaveldis.

The morning after the battle, when it was just becoming light, Hogni camped in the town with all of his troops. He went first into the hall of the king’s son, but found no-one inside except a few inconsequential slaves. Hogni asked where the queen was, and they said that she had gone into the hall of her daughter. But when Hogni and his men decided to go there, and had come to a wooden fence, which surrounded the bower, suddenly such a great fog came on, that no one could see anyone else, and they could not find either the wooden fence or the bower. No one could find his way. And after a while there was such a large river before the army that many fell down in a dive and swam in it all night with great difficulty. It was difficult to climb the cliffs, which were on both sides of the great river, from below. It lasted until day. And when day broke, men saw no river and they had been scratching beneath the wooden fence all around, where they thought the cliff was, and so they all tumbled down, and could not accomplish anything.
 
And when they saw how precarious the situation had become, Hogni bade them break the gate and take the door off its hinges. When that was done, Hogni and his troops went into the bower, and when they came there, they saw no-one at all. Many were amazed at such a state of affairs.  Hogni then had all of the treasure broken open and took from there gold and silver and splendid clothes. He then went away with all of his troops. But when they had hardly gone very far, Hogni looked back and saw a woman standing at the wall, ugly and quite old in appearance, and next to her a maiden of such beautiful and pleasant features, that Hogni took a strong liking to her beauty.
 
Then Hogni said to Svalr: "Who do you think this beautiful woman is, who is standing there by the wall next to that ugly hag?"
 
Svalr said: "That must be Ingibjorg, the daughter of King Erling, and her foster mother, and they must be plotting some trick against you, and wish us to die."
 
Hogni said: "Afterward we shall disappear, and seize that beautiful maiden."
 
Svalr said: "That cannot be, master, since at night we will be injured from great exertion, and now we will get certain death, if we turn back."
 
Hogni ordered that Svalr should decide. They rode now to the tent and dispersed all the camp. Then they boarded the ship, set off from land, and sailed away from Norway with his fleet of ships. There was a count of fifty with the dragon-ship Skrauti. They sailed now straight with a fair wind, until they came to Sweden.

20. Fall Sigmundar Hálfdanarsonar Chapter 20: The Fall of Sigmund Halfdanarson

Hins er nú at geta, er áðr var frá horfit, at Sörli konungsson kom í Svíaríki. Tók hann höfn nærri borginni ok lét reisa þar sínar herbúðir. Hann hafði í sínu liði margt vaskra manna. Tveir bræðr váru með honum finnskir. Hét annarr þeira Falr, en annarr Fróðel. Þeir váru báðir vel menntir í kyngikröptum öllum ok forneskju, svá at nær þeim sýndist, váru þeir aðra stund í jörðu, en svá þótti mönnum sem ör flygi af hverjum þeira fingri ok fyrir hverri ör maðr til dauða kjörinn. Með Sörla váru þeir þrír bræðr aðrir, sem aldri höfðu mæðzt né sigrazt í neinni orrostu. Þeir hétu Ámundi, Austmundr ok Arnljótr gauzki.


En er þeir höfðu sínar herbúðir sett, konungsson ok hans menn, sendir hann tólf menn til hallarinnar, ok var Sverrir formaðr ferðarinnar. Ok er sendimenn inn kómu í höllina, þar er Sigmundr sat með sínum höfðingjum, þá mælti Sverrir: "Sörli inn sterki, sonr konungsins af Noregi, hefir oss hingat sent ok lætr þér kunngera, at hann býðr þér sátt ok sæmd fyrir konunginn Hálfdan, föður þinn, ok þat allt fé, er konungr átti, þar með vináttu sína ok fóstbræðralag ok alla þá sæmd, er hann kann frekast at veita ykkr bræðrum."

Ok er Sigmundr heyrði þessi orð ok boð, þá varð hann óðr ok ærr með ákafri grimmd ok forsugu hjarta ok mælti svá: "Pakkið yðr skjótt heðan ok innið þat þessum níðingi, er þér eruð frá sendir, at hann skal höggvinn verða fyrir hund ok hrafn ok síðan á eldi brennast, bæði han ok allr hans herr."

Sverrir mælti: "Eigi mun Sörli hræðast þessar hótanir."

 Sigmundr mælti: "Verið skjótt burt frá augum mínum, þér leiðu þrælar, ok innið slíkt Sörla, at hann á engrar vægðar ván af oss, ok skal hann fordæmdr fá maklig laun sinna skammarligra hryðjuverka, þau sem fæsta skal eptir langa."

Gekk Sverrir nú burt ok innir Sörla allt af viðræðu þeira Sigmundar, svá sem til bar, ok kveðr engra sátta framar ván vera meðal þeirra.
Eptir þetta svá talat býr Sörli inn sterki allan sinn her til orrostu, en þeir Sigmundr ok Þórir sterki þeystu sitt lið allt út af borginni, ok var nú it mesta heróp gert af hvárumtveggjum með miklum lúðraþyt ok trumbuhljóðum. Ok er fylkingar kómu saman, hjó Sörli ok lagði hvern, er fyrir stóð, ok rauf hann fylkingu Sigmundar mörgum sinnum bæði um þvert ok at endilöngu.

En er Sigmundr konungsson sá þat, hugði hann at rétta við fylkingararminn ok reið nú fram ákafliga, mætti þá í hernum þeim bræðrum, Fal ok Fróðel, ok sá hann þeir drápu svá liðit niðr, at undrum gegndi. Vildi nú Sigmundr hefna sinna manna, reiddi upp sverðit ok hjó til Fróðels, en hann brást í jörð niðr við höggit. Náði Sigmundr þá til hans í því ok vildi hann upp toga. Kom þá Falr at í þessu neðan ór jörðinni á bak til við Sigmund ok lagði hann neðan í kviðinn undir brynjuna, svá at þat varð hans bani. Fell nú Sigmundr dauðr niðr, ok fór þar allr hans ofsi.

En er Þórir inn sterki leit þetta ok sá, at eigi mundi tjá at berjast lengr við Sörla, þá flýði hann aptr í borgina með þat fátt liðs, er eptir var orðit.

Now to go on about what was previously heard, that Prince Sorli came to Sweden. He took the harbor near the town and set up his camp there. He had many valiant men in his troops. Two Finnish brothers were with him. One was named Falr and the other Frodel. They were both well educated in all magical powers and witchcraft, so that it almost seemed that they were from another lineage, and so people thought that arrows flew from each of their fingers, and a man was chosen for death by each arrow. There were three other brothers with Sorli, who had never become exhausted nor been conquered in any battle. They were named Amundi, Austmund, and Arnljot from Gautland.
 
When they had set up their camp, the prince and his men, he sent twelve men to the hall, and Sverri was the leader of the travelers. And when the messengers came into the hall, where Sigmund sat with his chieftains, Sverri said: "Sorli the Strong, the son of the king of Norway, has sent us here to inform you that he offers you agreement and compensation for injury for King Halfdan, your father, and all of the treasure that the king had, with his friendship and foster-brotherhood, and all the compensation, which he can offer you brothers."
 
When Sigmund heard these words and the offer, he became frantic and furious with terrible wrath and angry heart, and spoke thus:  “Get out of here immediately, and tell this scoundrel, who sent you here, that he shall be struck for the dogs and ravens, and then burned in fire, he and all his troops.”
 
Sverri said: "Sorli will not be afraid of all this threatening."
 
Sigmund said: "Out of my sight at once, you loathed slaves, and tell this to Sorli, that he will get no mercy from us, and he shall be damned with a suitable reward for his shameful and foul deeds, such as would be least desired."
 
Sverri now went away and told Sorli everything of his conversation with Sigmund, and how it went, and said that there would be no truce between them.
 
After that conversation, Sorli the Strong prepared all of his troops for battle, and Sigmund and Thorir the Strong rushed all their troops out of the town, and there was great tumult made by each, with much noise and sounding of trumpets. And when the armies came together, Sorli struck and killed everyone in his way, and broke up Sigmund's army many times both crosswise and at full length.
 
But when Prince Sigmund saw that, he thought that he would recover the arm of the platoon. He now rode forward furiously, and met the brothers in the rank, Falr and Frodel, and so they killed him, as well as the troops under him. Sigmund now wished to avenge his men, and raised his sword and struck at Frodel, and he fell down to the earth from the blow. Sigmund then reached him and struck him down in his belly under his byrnie, and thus was his death. Sigmund now fell down dead, and all of his arrogance left him.
 
But when Thorir the Strong saw them and saw that it was no use to battle any longer against Sorli, he fled back to the town, along with his few remaining troops. 

21.  Sörli færði herbúðir sínar Chapter 21: Sorli Removes His Camp

En er Sörli sá þat, færði hann sínar herbúðir nær borginni, ok gengu nú at með oddi ok egg at brjóta múrinn, en Þórir ok hans menn báru út á þá af múrnum vellanda bik ok brennistein, svá at Sörli fekk þar af mikit mannspell. Lét hann þá aptr upp taka sínar herbúðir ok færa þær lengra í burt frá borginni, þangat er fyrst höfðu þær staðit.

When Sorli saw that, he moved his camps near the town, and proceeded now with point and edge to break the walls. But Thorir and his men poured boiling pitch and sulfur out from the walls, so that Sorli’s troops suffered much loss of life. He then gathered his troops and took them far away from the town, to where he had first stopped.

22. Frá Astró hertoga Chapter 22: Of Duke Astro
Nú sem þetta var tíðenda, kemr hertoginn Astró af Englandi með óflýjanda her á mörgum skipum, ok tókst nú af nýju in snarpasta orrosta með þeim Sörla konungssyni. Fell þá svá liðit niðr af hvárumtveggjum sem hrátt hrís, nær þat er í skógi kvistat. Reið nú Sörli inn sterki fram ákafliga ok felldi lið á báðar hendr ok slíkt it sama hertoginn Astró aptr í mót. Stóð sú orrosta í næstu tvá daga, svá at ósýnt þótti, hvárir sigra mundu.

At that news, Duke Astro came from England with his advancing army in many ships, and the bitterest battle began anew with the king’s son, Sorli. The troops fell down on both sides like fresh brushwood, near to where it is cut in the forest. Sorli the Strong rushed forward and felled troops on both hands, and likewise Astro in return. The battle raged thus for the next two days, so that it was not clear who would be victorious.

23. Heimkváma Högna Chapter 23: Hogni's Return Home

Ok er inn þriði dagr kom, sáu menn mörg skip af hafinu sigla ok þangat at landi stefna. Þau váru öll vel búin, en þó bar eitt langt af öllum öðrum. Þar þóttust menn kenna drekann Skrauta, ok gátu menn þá til, at þetta mundi ferð Högna Hálfdanarsonar Brönufóstra.

En er Sörli vissi þetta, brá honum svá nokkut við ok mælti: "Nú munu þau umskipti nokkur vera orðin í Noregi, er oss munu enn eigi opinber, því at ek kenni hér drekann Skrauta, ok mun þá enn eigi enduð deila vár á meðal. Skulum vér fyrr falla með hreysti en vér ragir reynumst."

 

Allir hétu konungssyni hér um góðu, at honum fylgja skyldu ok eigi við hann skilja, fyrr en dauðinn skildi þá.

Bar nú þessi skip brátt at landi, ok lagði Högni drekanum á góða höfn sem næst borginni, ok svá gerðu allir skipstjórnarmenn. Lét nú Högni akkerum kasta í grunn sævar, ok eptir þat lét hann tjalda sínu gullofnu silkitjaldi ok gekk þar inn síðan með öllum sínum vildustu mönnum. Drukku þeir þar ok váru glaðir.

Nú er þeir sjá þetta hertoginn Astró ok Þórir sterki, at Högni er við land kominn, ok þeir þekktu þat gerla, at drekinn Skrauti var fyrir landi, þá urðu þeir mjök glaðir við kvámu hans. Riðu nú til herbúða Högna, ok varð þar mikill fagnaðarfundr meðal þeira allra. Innir nú Þórir Högna allt frá viðskiptum þeira Sörla ok Sigmundar, bróður hans, ok svá um boð þau, er Sörli bauð Sigmundi. Högni hlýddi á þetta ok lagði fátt til. Eptir þat gengu þeir allir með liðit heim til borgarinnar ok drukku lystilega í þrjá daga ina næstu í höllinni ok váru glaðir ok kátir.

But when the third day dawned, men saw many ships sailing from the harbor and straight to land. They were all well equipped, but one stood out far above all of the others. Men thought that they recognized the dragon-ship Skrauti, and supposed that it would be the journey of Hogni Halfdansson Bronufostri.
 
And when Sorli realized that, he became quite angry, and said: “Now there must have been some upheaval in Norway, that we don’t know about yet, since I recognize here the dragon-ship Skrauti, and the fight is not over. We should better fall with valor, than prove to be cowards.”
 
All promised the king’s son plenty of troops, and that they would follow him, and not desert him, before death parted them.
 
This ship now made straight for land, and Hogni steered the dragon-ship into a good harbor near the town, and so did all of the ship captains.  Hogni now had the anchor cast to the bottom of the sea, and after that he had his gold woven silk tent set up, and then went into it with all of his chosen men. They drank there and were merry,
 
Now when Duke Astro and Thorir the Strong saw that Hogni had come ashore, and fully recognized that the dragon-ship Skrauti was near land, they rejoiced at his arrival. They then rode to Hogni’s camp, and there was a great welcoming among them all. Thorir now told Hogni of all of the dealings between Sorli and Sigmund, his brother, and about the offer that Sorli had made to Sigmund. Hogni listened to that, but did not make much of it. After that, they all went home to the town with their troops, and drank merrily for the next three days in the hall, and were happy and contented.

24. Enn frá bardaga Chapter 24: More About the Battle

En þá inn fjórði dagr kom, sendi Högni tólf menn til herbúða Sörla ok bað hann við búinn vera at mæta sér ok hefja enn af nýju orrostu, kvað nú þenna dag enda skyldu verða á þeira máli.

En er Sörli heyrði þetta, kvaðst hann í stað til reiðu vera ok eigi dvelja skyldu. Fylktu þá þegar hvárirtveggju sínu liði, ok varð nú hörð orrosta ok grimmilig. Ok með því at flest var manna fallit af liði Sörla, þá hallaðist brátt á hann bardaginn, en fátt var lið hans á fæti eptir. Þórir sterki reið þá þar at, sem fyrir var Karmon, fóstri Sörla, ok veitti honum bana. En er Sörli sá þat, varð hann æfar reiðr ok hleypti sínum hesti eptir Þóri ok hugði hann skyldu bana hljóta eða sjálfr sitt líf láta, ok er þat sér Högni, mælti hann: "Þat mun nú ráð, Sörli, at vit reynum með okkr, því at eigi mun seinna betra."

Sörli lézt þess albúinn vera.

But when the fourth day came, Hogni sent twelve men to Sorli’s camp, and bade him prepare to meet him, and begin the battle anew, and that the day would end the affair.
 
When Sorli heard that, he ordered his men to be ready at once, and not to delay. Each of them drew up troops, and there was now a hard and fierce battle, and few of the troops survived. Thorir the Strong rode to where Karmon, Sorli’s foster brother was, and gave him death. When Sorli saw that, he was very angry, and spurred his horse after Thorir, and was determined that he would either suffer death, or that he himself would leave his life.
 
And when Hogni saw that, he said: “It may be best, Sorli, that we make a trial of one another, since later will not be better.”
 
Sorli said that he was quite ready.
 

25. Sætt Högna ok Sörla Chapter 25: The Reconciliation of Hogni and Sorli

Reið nú hvárr þeira svá hart í móti öðrum, at hestarnir beggja váru nær sem fallnir, ok hjuggu þeir nú sundr hvárr annars hest í bógunum, en hvárrgi kom sári á annan, því at herklæðin hlífðu þeim svá ágæta vel, ok var þat lengi, at þeir hjuggust þanninn, ok hvárugan var at áfrýja um vörn ok sókn.

 

Nú sér Sörli, at eigi muni tjá at skipta lengr höggum við Högna. Snarar hann þá sverðinu langt frá sér í burt ok ræðr þegar á Högna, en hann grípr í mót af öllu afli, ok sviptast þeir nú harðliga. Þurfti þá eigi at sóknum at spyrja. Hirti þá hvárrgi friðar né griða annan biðja, ok var þeira atgangur inn grimmiligasti, svá at engir þóttust slíkar sviptingar sét hafa fyrr millum tveggja mennskra manna.


Nú lítr Sörli einn lækjarfarveg mjök djúpan þar skammt frá sér ok hyggr, at Högni skuli þar í falla, kippir nú Högna at sér sem harðfengiligast, er þeir nálguðust skurðinn. En er Högni sér, hvat hann muni áformat hafa, þá hleypr hann sem harðast í fang honum, er hann mátti. Var nú meira kastit á Sörla en hann átti til ván, ok fellr hann þá öfugr á bak aptr, ok hleypr nú Högni á hann ofan ok lætr kné fylgja kviði.

Þá mælti Högni: "Fjarri mér er nú sverðit Sigrljómi, er ek þess helzt vid við parf, ok mun þat þykkja illa at unnit, ef ek bít þik á barkann, sem tröll gera, ok ef svá er sem sagt er, at þú sért manna hugaðastr ok fullhugi kallaðr, þá liggðu hér nú kyrr ok bíð mín, á meðan ek tek sverðit."

Stóð Högni þá upp ok gekk þangat, sem sverðit lá, en Sörli lá kyrr sem áðr. Sér nú Högni þat, at hvergi dignaði hjarta Sörla við þetta, ok mælti hann þá: "Eigi á ek, Sörli, stórrar svívirðingar á þér at hefna, ok kalla ek nærri jafnteflt með okkr. Skaltu nú þiggja af mér líf, ef þú vilt, ok skal þat mest í ríkja, at þú bauðst þrisvar líf föður mínum, enn þótt hann eigi þín boð þiggja vildi, ok var þér þar várkunn á, þótt svá lenti með ykkr sem forlögin höfðu fyrir hugat. Fór þér ok allvel í boðum þínum við Sigmund, bróður minn, enn þótt hann eigi þekkjast vildi. Býð ek því þér nú hér á ofan vináttu mína ok fóstbræðralag, ok gef þú mér svör í móti boðum mínum, hversu þér líkar þetta."

Sörli mælti: "Engi mundi mér slíkt boðit hafa, ok mun mér sæmd vera í at þiggja þessi boð af slíkum manni sem ek hygg þik vera munu."

Ok eptir þetta lét Högni hann upp standa. Sættust þeir þá sín á milli heilum sáttum. Gengu þeir nú þar til, sem hertoginn Astró ok Þórir sterki váru, ok sætti Högni Sörla inn sterka við báða þá, svá at nú líkaði hvárumtveggjum betr en áðr. Hér eptir gengu þeir allir saman heim til hallarinnar ok drukku nú glaðir ok kátir í marga daga ina næstu, svá at öll styrjöld var á burt horfin.

Each of them now rode fiercely against the other, and both horses were close to collapsing, and they struck asunder each other’s horses at the shoulder, but neither could wound the other, since their battle clothes protected them so remarkably well. They struck at each other that way for a long time, and neither could be reproached about their defense or attack.
 
Now Sorli saw that that it would be useless to exchange blows with Hogni any longer. He then cast his sword far away from himself, and then rode toward Hogni, but he grasped him in return, with all of his strength, and they battled fiercely. There was no need to ask about the matter.  Neither of them cared to offer the other peace nor pardon, and their fighting was then most fierce, and no one thought to have seen such combat before between two men.
 
Now Sorli saw the bed of a very deep brook a short distance before himself, and intended that Hogni should fall in there, and pulled Hogni toward him most valiantly when they approached the ditch. But when Hogni saw what he intended to do, he ran as fast as he could into his grasp. He had more momentum than Sorli had expected, and he fell backwards, and Hogni now rushed toward him from above, and thrust his knee into his belly.
 
Then Hogni said: “My sword, Sigrljomi, is now far away, when I most need it, and it would seem ill won if I bite your throat, as trolls do, and if it is to be said that you would be called the most courageous and dauntless man, lie here quietly and wait for me, while I fetch the sword.”
 
Hogni stood up and went there, where the sword lay, but Sorli lay quietly as before. Hogni saw that Sorli did not lose heart at that, and then said to him: “I do not have, Sorli, great shame to avenge against you, and I call us nearly equal to one another. You must now accept life from me, if you will, and the greatest factor will be, that you offered life to my father three times, although he did not want to accept your offer, and you were merciful, although it came to an end with you as fate had preordained. Likewise you gave offers to Sigmund, my brother, even though he did not want to accept them. Thus I offer you, from here on, my friendship and foster-brotherhood, and give me your answer to my offer, how it pleases you.”
 
Sorli said: “No one else would have given me such an offer, and it will be an honor to me to accept this offer from such a man as I think you to be.”
 
And after that, Hogni let him stand up. They came to a sincere agreement between them. They then went to where Duke Astro and Thorir the Strong were, and Hogni reconciled Sorli the Strong with both of them, so that they now liked one another more than ever. Afterward they all went home to the halls together and drank happily and merrily for the next several days, so that all thoughts of war had vanished.

26. Þeir fóstbræðr settust at ríkjum Chapter 26: The Foster Brothers Settle in the Kingdom

Síðan sigldu þeir af Svíþjóð á burt ok kómu til Englands. Gaf þeim vel byri ok kómust með heilu ok höldnu þangat it fyrsta. Ok er Högni hittir at máli systur sína, drottningu Marsibil, segir hann henni allt frá viðskiptum þeira Sörla ins sterka ok svá þat með, at nú eru þeir sáttir ok fóstbræðr orðnir.

En er hún heyrði þat, varð hún svá full harms ok reiði, at engi fekk hana stillta. Lét hún þá, at aldri mundi hún til friðs verða upp frá þeim degi, fyrr en Sörli væri af dögum ráðinn, ella hann skyldi í sundr drafna ok aldri frið hafa.

Sörli heyrði nú þetta, þar eð hann sat, ok mælti nú þetta með sjálfum sér hljótt, svá at engi heyrði: "Þat vilda ek nú, at Mána kerling, vinkona mín, væri komin at stilla ofsa þinn."

 

Ok eptir þat gekk Sörli þangat at, sem drottning sat, ok lagði höfuð í kné henni. Mælti hann þá: "Svá er nú komit, drottning, at hér máttu fá at líta Sörla inn sterka, er menn kalla, ok ger nú til við hann, hvat þér líkar."

En sem drottning sá hann, rénaði henni öll reiði ok varð með öllu orðfall. Síðan sætti Högni Sörla við drottningu, systur sína, ok var nú drukkit lystugt vín ok leikar framdir með kurt ok hæversku í ina næstu þrjá daga.

En at liðinni veizlunni sigldu þeir burt til Noregs ok sóttu þangat þær Ingibjörgu ok Steinvöru, konungsdætrnar Erlings ok Haralds Valdimarssonar, sigldu síðan af Noregi aptr ok heim til Svíaríkis með öllu sínu föruneyti. Var þá haldin veizla dýrlig ok at boði gengit. Fekk Högni þá Ingibjargar, systur Sörla, en Sörli fekk hans systur aptr í móti, ok er hún eigi nefnd, en Þórir sterki fekk Steinvarar, dóttur Haralds konungs Valdimarssonar. Váru þessi brullaup öll haldin í einu með gleði ok góðum fagnaði ok alls konar lystiligri skemmtan, er þá var tíð mönnum í því landi. Ok at endaðri veizlunni helt Sörli aptr heim til Noregs ok gerðist þar konungr yfir, en Högni gerðist konungr yfir Svíaríki ok stýrði því allt til dauðadags. Gerði hann Þóri sterka at jarli þar í ríkinu. Þeir Högni ok Sörli slitu aldri sína vináttu, meðan þeir lifðu báðir, ok er eigi getit þar um, hvárt þeim hafi barna auðit orðit eða eigi eptir sik.

Lýkr hér nú sögunni af Sörla inum sterka ok hans miklu afreksverkum með svá sögðu niðrlagi ok endalykt.

They then sailed away from Sweden and came to England. There was a fair wind, and they soon arrived safe and sound. And when Hogni met his sister, Queen Marsibil in council, he told her all that had happened with Sorli the Strong, and also that they had made peace and become foster brothers.
 
When she heard that, she was so full of grief and anger, that she could not be calmed. She let it be known that she would never be at peace from that day on, until Sorli was put to death, or that he should rot to pieces, and never have rest.
 
Sorli now heard that, where he was staying, and said to himself in a low voice, so that no one heard him: “I now wish that the witch Moon, my lady friend, should come and quiet your arrogance.”
 
And after that, Sorli went to where the queen was sitting, and put his head on her knee. He spoke thus: “So it has now come to pass, oh queen, that you may here be able to gaze on Sorli the Strong, as he is called, and do with him now as pleases you.”
 
When the queen saw him, all of her anger subsided, and she was completely dumbstruck. Then Hogni sat Sorli next to the queen, his sister, and wine was eagerly drunk, and games begun with chivalry and courtesy for the next three days.
 
When the feast was over, they sailed away to Norway and there sought Ingibjorg and Steinvar, the daughters of King Erling and Harald Valdimarsson, and then sailed away from Norway and home to Sweden with all of their company. A splendid feast was then held and people went to the banquet. Hogni married Ingibjorg, Sorli’s sister, and Sorli married Hogni’s sister in return, although she is not named. Thorir married Steinvar, the daughter of King Harald Valdimarsson. All of these weddings were held at once with joy and good welcome, and all sorts of delightful pleasures, which were fashionable in that land. And at the end of the feast, Sorli returned home to Norway, where he became king over the land, and Hogni was made king of Sweden and ruled there until his death. Thorir the Strong was made an earl there in the kingdom. Hogni and Sorli never wavered in their friendship, while they both lived, but it is never mentioned in those lands, whether they were granted any children, or not.
 
Here now closes the saga of Sorli the Strong, and his great valiant deeds, and such is the conclusion and end.

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SCHOLARSHIP & COMMENTARY
Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia, 1993: "This saga is related to several fornaldarsögur (Hálfdanar saga Brönuföstra, Hálfdanar saga Eysteinssonar, and Örvar-Odds saga) concerned wither marginally or centrally with Hálfdan's great ship; it is only tangentially related to Sörla þáttr eða Heðins saga ok Högna, while Sörli appears only in the introduction.
"...Sörla saga sterka survives only in paper MSS, none earlier than the middle of the 17th century. Four of them (AM 168 fol., AM 171a fol., AM 560d 4to, Rask 32) are in the Arnamagnæn collection, which one (NkS 1806 4to) in the Royal Library in Copenhagan and three more in Stockholm. HB 82b 4to in the University Library in Iceland served as the basis for Björner's editio princeps (1737); Rafn's 1829-30 edition follows suit, supplying variants from the AM MSS."
Catalogue of Romances in the Department of Manuscripts
 in the British Museum, Vol. II, 1893:

3. Sorla Saga Sterka. Story of Sorli the Strong, a fabulous adventurer in Africa: in 19 chapters, f. 61.
Two copies of this saga are in Add. 11,108 (ff. 116,139). Published, in 26 chapters, as No. 10 of Nordiska Kampadater, edited by Erik Julius Bjorner with Swedish and Latin translations (Stockholm, 1737); and again in Fornaldar Sögur, vol. iii. pp. 408-452.