Sólarljóð: The Song of the Sun
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The Icelandic poem Sólarljóð is a Christian vision utilizing both indigenous and Christian concepts. The date of Sólarljod is uncertain, though the period just before or after 1200 has been suggested.
1998 Kurt Matthew Sager
 Death and Wisdom in Solarljóð
"Sólarljóð is an Old Icelandic poem in which a deceased father advises his son from beyond the grave. The poem consists of a series of parables and proverbs, a moving description of dying, and accounts of both heaven and hell. Solarljoð is concerned with eschatological mystery, and this mystery is reinforced by the poet through the use of obscure imagery and enigmatic presentation."
2005 Margaret Clunies Ross
A History of Old Norse Poetry and Poetics
"Sólarljóð is a powerful dream vision, in which a dead father appears to his son and advises him on how to conduct his life and achieve salvation, after having given a striking account of his own death, his otherworld journeys and his vision of Christ as the sun of righteousness. This poem thus combines the didactic and visionary modes and reinterprets pagan wisdom and prophetic compositions like Hávamál and Völuspá within a Christian context."
Sólarljóð: The Manuscripts

Guðni Jónsson
bjó til prentunar

Sólarljóð
 

I.

1. Fé ok fjörvi
rænti fyrða kind
sá hinn grimmi Greppr;
yfir þá vegu,
er hann varðaði,
náði engi kvikr komask.

2. Einn hann át
oft harðla,
aldri bauð hann manni til matar,
áðr enn móðr
ok meginlítill
Gestr af götu kom.

3. Drykks of þurfi
lézk inn dæsti maðr
ok vanmettr vera;
hræddu hjarta
hann lézk trúa,
þeim er áðr hafði vályndr verit.

4. Mat ok drykk
veitti hann þeim, er móðr var,
allt af heilum hug;
guðs hann gáði,
góðu honum beindi,
því hann hugðisk váligr vera.

5. Upp hinn stóð,
illt hann hugði,
eigi var þarfsamliga þegit;
synð hans svall,
sofanda myrði
fróðan, fjölvaran.

6. Himna guð
bað hann hjálpa sér,
þá hann veginn vaknaði;
en sá gat
við synðum taka,
er hann hafði saklausan svikit.

7. Helgir englar
kómu ór himnum ofan
ok tóku sál hans til sín;
í hreinu lífi
hon skal lifa
æ með almáttkum guði.

*****************************

8. Auð né heilsu
ræðr engi maðr,
þótt honum gangi greitt;
margan þat sækir
er minnst of varir,
engi ræðr sættum sjálfr.

9. Ekki þeir hugðu
Unnarr ok Sævaldi,
at þeim myndi heill hrapa;
nakðir þeir urðu
ok næmðir hvívetna,
ok runnu sem vargar til viðar.

*****************************

10. Munaðar ríki
hefir margan tregat,
oft verðr kvalræði af konum;
meingar þær urðu,
þó inn máttki guð
skapaði skírliga.

11. Sáttir þeir váru
Sváfaðr ok Skartheðinn,
hvárrgi mátti annars án vera,
fyrr enn þeir æddusk
fyr einni konu:
hon var þeim til lýta lagin.

12. Hvárskis þeir gáðu
fyr þá hvítu mey,
leiks né ljóss daga;
engan hlut
máttu þeir annan muna
en þat ljósa lík.

13. Daprar þeim urðu
inar dimmu nætr,
engan máttu þeir sætan sofa;
en af þeim harmi
rann heift saman
millum virkðavina.

14. Fádæmi verða
í flestum stöðum
goldin grimmliga;
á hólm þeir gengu
fyr it horska víf
ok fengu báðir bana.

*****************************

15. Ofmetnað drýgja
skyldi engi maðr,
þat hefik sannliga sét,
því at þeir hverfa,
er honum fylgja,
flestir guði frá.

16. Rík þau váru
Ráðný ok Véboði
ok hugðusk gott eitt gera;
nú þau sitja
ok sárum snúa
ýmsum elda til.

17. Á sik þau trúðu
ok þóttusk ein vera
allri þjóð yfir;
en þó leizk
þeira hagr
annan veg almáttkum guði.

18. Munað þau drýgðu
á marga vegu
ok höfðu gull fyr gaman;
nú er þeim goldit,
er þau ganga skulu
milli frosts ok funa.

*****************************

19. Óvinum þínum
trúðu aldregi,
þó þér fagrt mæli fyrir;
góðu þú heit,
gott er annars
víti hafa at varnaði.

20. Svá honum gafsk
Sörla inum góðráða,
þá er hann lagði á Vígúlfs vald;
tryggliga hann trúði,
- en hinn at tálum varð, -
sínum bróðurbana.

21. Grið hann þeim seldi
af góðum hug,
en þeir hétu honum gulli í gegn;
sáttir létusk,
meðan saman drukku,
en þó kómu flærðir fram.

22. En þá eftir
á öðrum degi,
er þeir höfðu í Rýgjardal riðit,
sverðum þeir meiddu,
þann er saklauss var
ok létu hans fjörvi farit.

23. Lík hans þeir drógu
á leynigötu
ok brytjuðu í brunn niðr;
dylja þeir vildu,
en dróttinn sá
heilagr himnum af.

24. Sál hans bað
inn sanni guð
í sinn fögnuð fara;
en sökudólgar
hygg ek síðla muni
kallaðir frá kvölum.

II.

25. Dísir bið þú þér
dróttins mála
vera hollar í hugum;
viku eftir
mun þér vilja þíns
alt at óskum ganga.

26. Reiðiverk,
þau er þú unnit hefr,
bæt þú eigi illu yfir;
grættan gæla
skaltu með góðum hlutum,
þat kveða sálu sama.

27. Á guð skal heita
til góðra hluta,
þann er hefir skatna skapat;
mjök fyrir verðr
manna hverr,
er seinar finna föður.

28. Æsta dugir
einkum vandliga
þess er þykkir vant vera;
alls á mis verðr,
sá er einskis biðr;
fár hyggr þegjanda þörf.

29. Síðla ek kom,
snemma kallaðr,
til dómvalds dyra;
þangat ek ætlumk,
því mér heitit var:
sá hefir krás, er krefr.

30. Syndir því valda,
at vér hryggvir förum
ægisheimi ór;
engi óttask,
nema illt geri;
gott er vammalausum vera.

31. Úlfum glíkir
þykkja allir þeir,
sem eiga hverfan hug;
svá mun gefask,
þeim er ganga skal
þær inar glæddu götur.

32. Vinsamlig ráð
ok viti bundin
kenni ek þér sjau saman;
görla þau mun
ok glata aldregi,
öll eru þau nýt at nema.

III.

33. Frá því er at segja,
hvé sæll ek var
ynðisheimi í,
ok hinu öðru,
hvé ýta synir
verða nauðgir at náum.

34. Vil ok dul
tælir virða sonu,
þá er fíkjask á fé;
ljósir aurar
verða at löngum trega;
margan hefir auðr apat.

35. Glaðr at mörgu
þótta ek gumnum vera,
því at ek vissa fátt fyrir;
dvalarheim
hefr dróttinn skapat
munafullan mjök.

36. Lútr ek sat,
lengi ek hölluðumk,
mjök var ek þá lystr at lifa;
en sá réð,
sem ríkr var;
frammi eru feigs götur.

37. Heljar reip
kómu harðliga
sveigð at síðum mér;
slíta ek vilda,
en þau seig váru;
létt er lauss at fara.

38. Einn ek vissa,
hvé alla vega
sullu sútir mér;
Heljar meyar
er mér hrolla buðu
heim á hverju kveldi.

39. Sól ek sá,
sanna dagstjörnu,
drúpa dynheimum í;
en Heljar grind
heyrðak ek á annan veg
þjóta þungliga.

40. Sól ek sá
setta dreyrstöfum;
mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;
máttug hon leizk
á marga vegu
frá því sem fyrri var.

41. Sól ek sá,
svá þótti mér,
sem ek sæja göfgan guð;
henni ek laut
hinzta sinni
aldaheimi í.

42. Sól ek sá,
svá hon geislaði,
at ek þóttumk vættki vita;
en gylfar straumar
grenjuðu annan veg,
blandnir mjök við blóð.

43. Sól ek sá
á sjónum skjálfandi,
hræðslufullr ok hnipinn;
því at hjarta mitt
var harðla mjök
runnit sundr í sega.

44. Sól ek sá
sjaldan hryggvari;
mjök var ek þá ór heimi hallr;
tunga mín
var til trés metin,
ok kólnat at fyrir utan.

45. Sól ek sá
síðan aldregi
eftir þann dapra dag,
því at fjalla vötn
lukðusk fyrir mér saman,
en ek hvarf kallaðr frá kvölum.

46. Vánarstjarna flaug
- þá var ek fæddr, -
brott frá brjósti mér;
hátt-at hon fló,
hvergi settisk,
svá at hon mætti hvíld hafa.

47. Öllum lengri
var sú in eina nótt,
er ek lá stirðr á stráum;
þá merkir þat,
er guð mælti,
at maðr er moldu samr.

48. Virði þat ok viti
in virki guð,
sá er skóp hauðr ok himin;
hversu munaðarlausir
margir fara,
þótt við skylda skili.

49. Sinna verka
nýtr seggja hverr;
sæll er sá, sem gott gerir;
auði frá
er mér ætluð var
sandi orpin sæng.

*********************************

50. Hörundar hungr
tælir hölða oft,
hann hefir margr til mikinn;
lauga vatn
er mér leiðast var
eitt allra hluta.

51. Á norna stóli
sat ek níu daga,
þaðan var ek á hest hafinn;
gýgjar sólir
skinu grimmliga
ór skýdrúpnis skýjum.

52. Utan ok innan
þóttumk ek alla fara
sigrheima sjau;
upp ok niðr
leitaða ek æðra vegar,
hvar mér væri greiðastar götur.

*********************************

53. Frá því er at segja,
hvat ek fyrst of sá,
þá er ek var í kvölheima kominn:
sviðnir fuglar,
er sálir váru,
flugu svá margir sem mý.

54. Vestan sá ek
fljúga Vánar dreka,
ok fell á glævalds götu;
vængi þeir skóku,
svá víða þótti mér
springa hauðr ok himinn.

55. Sólar hjört
leit ek sunnan fara,
hann teymðu tveir saman;
fætr hans
stóðu foldu á,
en tóku horn til himins.

56. Norðan sá ek
ríða niðja sonu,
ok váru sjau saman;
hornum fullum
drukku þeir inn hreina mjöð
ór brunni Baugregins.

57. Vindr þagði,
vötn stöðvaði,
þá heyrða ek grimmligan gný;
sínum mönnum
svipvísar konur
mólu mold til matar.

58. Dreyra steina
þær inar dökku konur
drógu daprliga;
blóðug hjörtu
hengu þeim fyrir brjóst utan,
mædd við miklum trega.

59. Margan mann
sá ek meiddan fara
á þeim glæddu götum;
andlit þeira
sýndusk mér öll vera
rýgjar blóði roðin.

60. Marga menn
sá ek moldar gengna,
þá er eigi máttu þjónustu ná;
heiðnar stjörnur
stóðu yfir höfði þeim
fáðar feiknstöfum.

61. Menn sá ek þá,
er mjök ala
öfund um annars hagi;
blóðgar rúnar
váru á brjósti þeim
merkðar meinliga.

62. Menn sá ek þar
marga ófegna,
þeir váru villir vega;
þat kaupir sá,
er þessa heims
apask at óheillum.

63. Menn sá ek þá,
er mörgum hlutum
véltu um annars eign;
flokkum þeir fóru
til Fégjarnsborgar
ok höfðu byrðar af blýi.

64. Menn sá ek þá,
er margan höfðu
fé ok fjörvi rænt;
brjóst í gegnum
renndu brögnum þeim
öflgir eitrdrekar.

65. Menn sá ek þá,
er minnst vildu
halda helga daga;
hendr þeira
váru á heitum steinum
negldar nauðliga.

66.
Menn sá ek þá,
er af mikillæti
virðusk vánum framar;
klæði þeira
váru kynliga
eldi um slegin.

67. Menn sá ek þá,
er margt höfðu
orð á annan logit;
heljar hrafnar
ór höfði þeim
harðliga sjónir slitu.

68. Allar ógnir
fær þú eigi vitat,
þær sem helgengnir hafa;
sætar syndir
verða at sárum bótum;
æ koma mein eftir munuð.

*********************************

69. Menn sá ek þá,
er margt höfðu
gefit at guðs lögum;
hreinir kyndlar
váru yfir höfði þeim
brenndir bjartliga.

70. Menn sá ek þá,
er af miklum hug
veittu fátækum frama;
lásu englar bækr
ok ymna skrift
helgar yfir höfði þeim.

71. Menn sá ek þá,
er mjök höfðu
hungri farit hörund;
englar guðs
lutu öllum þeim;
þat er æðsta unað.

72. Menn sá ek þá,
er móður höfðu
látit mat í munn;
hvílur þeira
váru á himingeislum
hafðar hagliga.

73. Helgar meyjar
höfðu hreinliga
sál af syndum þvegit
manna þeira,
er á mörgum degi
pína sjálfa sik.

74. Hávar reiðir
sá ek með himnum fara,
þær eiga götur til guðs;
menn þeim stýra,
er myrðir eru
alls fyrir engar sakir.

75. Inn máttki faðir!
Inn mæzti sonr!
Heilagr andi himins!
Þik bið ek skilja,
er skapat hefr,
oss alla eymðum frá.

IV.

76. Hringvör ok Listvör
sitja í Herðis dyrum
organs stóli á;
járn dreyri
fellr ór nösum þeim,
sá vekr fjón með fyrðum.

77. Óðins kván
rær á jarðar skipi,
móðug á munað;
seglum hennar
verðr síð hlaðit,
þeim er á þráreipum þruma.

78. Arfi, faðir
einn þér ráðit hefi
ok þeir Sólkötlu synir
hjartar horn,
þat er ór haugi bar
inn vitri Vígdvalinn.

79. Hér eru rúnar,
sem ristit hafa
Njarðar dætr níu:
Böðveig hin elzta
ok Kreppvör hin yngsta
ok þeira systr sjau.

80. Bölvi hverju
þeir bellt hafa
Sváfr ok Sváfrlogi;
blóð þeir vökðu
ok benjar sugu
illum ey vana.

V.

81. Kvæði þetta,
er þér kennt hefik,
skaltu fyrir kvikum kveða:
Sólarljóð,
er sýnask munu
minnst at mörgu login.

82. Hér vit skiljumk,
ok hittask munum
á feginsdegi fira;
dróttinn minn
gefi dauðum ró,
en hinum líkn, er lifa.

83. Dásamligt fræði
var þér í draumi kveðit,
en þú sátt it sanna;
fyrða engi
var svá fróðr um skapaðr,
er áðr heyrði Sólarljóðs sögu.
 
  Benjamin Thorpe
T
ranslation 1866

The Song of the Sun


I.

1. Of life and property
a fierce freebooter
despoiled mankind;
over the ways
beset by him
might no one living pass.

2. Alone he ate
most frequently,
no one invited he to his repast;
until weary,
and with failing strength,
a wandering guest
came from the way.

3. In need of drink
that way_worn man,
and hungry feigned to be:
with trembling heart
he seemed to trust
him who had been so evil_minded.

4. Meat and drink
to the weary one he gave,
all with upright heart;
on God he thought,
the traveller's wants supplied;
for he felt he was an evil_doer.

5. Up stood the guest,
he evil meditated,
he had not been kindly treated;
his sin within him swelled,
he while sleeping murdered
his wary cautious host.

6. The God of heaven
he prayed for help,
when being struck he woke;
but he was doomed the sins of him
on himself to take,
whom sackless he had slain.

7. Holy angels came
from heaven above,
and took to them his soul:
in a life of purity
it shall ever live
with the almighty God.

*****************************

8. Riches and health
no one may command,
though all go smoothly with him.
To many that befalls
which they least expect.
No one may command his tranquility.

9. Unnar and Sævaldi
never imagined
that happiness would fall on them,
yet naked they became,
and of all bereft,
and, like wolves, ran to the forest.

*******************************

10. The force of pleasure
has many a one bewailed.
Cares are often caused by women;
pernicious they become,
although the mighty God
them pure created.

11. United were
Svafud and Skarthedin,
neither might without the other be,
until to frenzy they were driven
for a woman;
she was destined for their perdition.

12. On account of that fair maid,
neither of them cared
for games or joyous days;
no other thing
could they in memory bear
then that bright form.

13. Sad to them were
the gloomy nights,
no sweet sleep might they enjoy:
but from that anguish
rose hate intense
between the faithful friends.

14. Hostile deeds
are in most places
fiercely avenged.
To the holm they went,
for that fair woman,
and each one found his death.

***********************************

15. Arrogance should no one entertain:
I indeed have seen
that those who follow her,
for the most part,
turn from God.

16. Rich were both,
Radey and Vebogi,
and thought only of their well_being;
now they sit
and turn their sores
to various hearths.

17. They in themselves confided,
and though themselves alone to be
above all people;
but their lot
Almighty God was pleased
otherwise to appoint.

18. A life of luxury they led,
in may ways,
and had gold for sport.
Now they are requited,
so that they must walk
between frost and fire.

*****************************

19. To thy enemies
trust thou never,
although they speak thee fair:
promise them good:
'tis good to have another's injury
as a warning.

20. So it befell
Sörli the upright,
when he placed himself in Vigolf's power;
he confidently trusted him,
his brother's murderer,
but he proved false.

21. Peace to them he granted,
with heart sincere;
they in return promised him gold,
feigned themselves friends.,
while they together drank;
but then came forth their guile.

22. Then afterwards,
on the second day,
when they in Rýgiardal rode,
they with swords wounded him
who sackless was,
and let his life go forth.

23. His corpse they dragged
(on a lonely way,
and cut up piecemeal) into a well,
and would it hide;
but the holy Lord
beheld from heaven.

24. His soul summoned home
the true God
into his joy to come;
but the evil doers
will, I ween, late
be from torments called.

II.

25. Do thou pray the Disir
of the Lord's words
to be kind to thee in spirit:

for a week after,
all shall then go happily,
according to thy will.

26. For a deed of ire
that thou has perpetrated,
never atone with evil:
the weeping thou shalt
sooth with benefits:
that is salutary to the soul.

27. On God a man
shall for good things call,
on him who has mankind created.
Greatly sinful is
every man
who late finds the Father.

28. To be solicited, we opine,
is with all earnestness
for that which is lacking:
of all things may be destitute
he who for nothing asks:
few heed the wants of the silent.

29. Late I came,
though called betimes,
to the supreme Judge's door;
thitherward I yearn;
for it was promised me,
he who craves it shall of the feast partake.
30. Sins are the cause
that sorrowing we depart
from this world:
no one stands in dread,
if he does no evil:
good it is to be blameless.

31. Like unto wolves
all those seem
who have a faithless mind:
so he will prove
who has to go
through ways strewed with gleeds.

32. Friendly counsels,
and wisely composed, seven
I have imparted to thee:
consider thou them well,
and forget them never:
they are all useful to learn.

III.

33. Of that I will speak,
how happy I was
in the world,
and secondly,
how the sons of men
reluctantly become corpses.

34. Pleasure and pride
deceive the sons of men
who after money crave;
shining riches
at last become a sorrow:
many have riches driven to madness.

35. Steeped in joys
I seemed to men;
for little did I see before me:
our worldly sojourn
has the Lord created
in delights abounding.

36. Bowed down I sat,
long I tottered,
of life was most desirous;
but He prevailed
who was all_powerful:
onward are the ways of the doomed.

37. The cords of Hel
were tightly
bound round my sides;
I would rend them,
but they were strong.
'Tis easy free to go.

38. I alone knew,
how on all sides
my pains increased.
The maids of Hel each eve
with horror bade me
to their home.

39. The sun I saw,
true star of day,
sink in its roaring home;
but Hel's grated doors
on the other side I heard
heavily creaking.

40. The sun I saw
with blood_red beams beset:
(fast was I then from this world declining)
mightier she appeared,
in many ways
than she was before.

41. The sun I saw,
and it seemed to me
as if I saw a glorious god:
I bowed before her,
for the last time,
in the world of men.

42. The sun I saw:
she beamed forth so
that I seemed nothing to know;
but Giöll's streams
roared from the other side
mingled much with blood.

43. The sun I saw,
with quivering eyes,
appalled and shrinking;
for my heart
in great measure was
dissolved in languor.

44. The sun I saw
seldom sadder;
I had then almost from the world declined:
my tongue was
as wood become,
and all was cold without me.

45. The sun I saw
never after,
since that gloomy day;
for the mountain_waters
closed over me,
and I went called from torments.

46. The star of hope,
when I was born,
fled from my breast away;
high it flew,
settled nowhere,
so that it might find rest.

47. Longer than all
was that one night,
when stiff on my straw I lay;
then becomes manifest
the divine word:
"Man is the same as earth."

48. The Creator God can
it estimate and know,
(He who made heaven and earth)
how forsaken
many go hence,
although from kindred parted.

49. Of his works
each has the reward:
happy is he who does good.
Of my wealth bereft,
to me was destined
a bed strewed with sand.

*********************************

50. Bodily desires
men oftentimes seduce,
of them has many a one too much:
water of baths
was of all things to me
most loathsome.

51. In the Norns' seat
nine days I sat,
thence I was mounted on a horse:
there the giantess's sun
shone grimly
through the dripping clouds of heaven.

52. Without and within,
I seemed to traverse all
the seven nether worlds:
up and down,
I sought an easier way,
where I might have the readiest paths.

*********************************

53. Of that is to be told,
which I first saw,
when I to the worlds of torment came:_
scorched birds,
which were souls,
flew numerous as flies.

54. From the west I saw
Von's dragons fly,
and Glæval's paths obscure:
their wings they shook;
wide around me seemed
the earth and heaven to burst.

55. The sun's hart I saw
from the south coming,
he was by two together led:
his feet stood on the earth,
but his horns
reached up to heaven.

56. From the north riding I saw
the sons of Nidi,
they were seven in all:
from full horns,
the pure mead they drank
from the heaven_god's well.

57. The wind was silent,
the waters stopped their course;
then I heard a doleful sound:
for their husbands
false_faced women
ground earth for food.

58. Gory stones
those dark women
turned sorrowfully;
bleeding hearts hung
out of their breasts,
faint with much affliction.

59. Many a man I saw
wounded go
on those gleed_strewed paths;
their faces seemed
to me all reddened
with reeking blood.

60. Many men I saw
to earth gone down,
who holy service might not have;
heathen stars
stood above their heads,
painted with deadly characters.

61. I saw those men
who much envy harbour
at another's fortune;
bloody runes
were on their breasts
graved painfully.

62. I there saw men
many not joyful;
they were all wandering wild:
this he earns,
who by this world's vices
is infatuated.

63. I saw those men
who had in various ways
acquired other's property:
in shoals they went
to Castle_covetous,
and burthens bore of lead.

64. I saw those men
who many had
of life and property bereft:
through the breasts
of those men passed
strong venomous serpents.

65. I saw those men
who the holy days
would not observe:
their hands were
on hot stones
firmly nailed.

66. I saw those men
who from pride
valued themselves too highly;
their garments
ludicrously were
in fire enveloped.

67. I saw those men
who had many
false words of others uttered:
Hel's ravens
from their heads
their eyes miserably tore.

68. All the horrors
thou wilt not get to know
which Hel's inmates suffer.
Pleasant sins
end in painful penalties:
pains ever follow pleasure.

*********************************

69. I saw those men
who had much given
for God's laws;
pure lights were
above their heads
brightly burning.

70. I saw those men
who from exalted mind
helped the poor to aid:
angels read
holy books
above their heads.

71. I saw those men
who with much fasting had
their bodies wasted:
God's angels
bowed before them:
that is the highest joy.

72. I saw those men
who had put food
into their mothers' mouth:
their couches were
on the rays of heaven
pleasantly placed.

73. Holy virgins
had cleanly washed
the souls from sin
of those men,
who for a long time had
themselves tormented.

74. Lofty cars I saw
towards heaven going;
they were on the way to God:
men guided them
who had been murdered
wholly without crime.

75. Almighty Father!
greatest Son!
holy Spirit of heaven!
Thee I pray,
who hast us all created;
free us all from miseries.

IV.

76. Biugvör and Listvör
sit at Herðir´s doors,
on resounding seat;
iron gore
falls from their nostrils,
which kindles hate among men.

77. Odin's wife
rows in earth's ship,
eager after pleasures;
her sails are
reefed late,
which on the ropes of desire are hung.

78. Son! I thy father
and Solkatla's sons
have alone obtained for thee
that horn of hart,
which from the grave_mound bore
the wise Vigdvalin.

79. Here are runes
which have engraven
Niörd´s daughters nine,
Radvör the eldest,
and the youngest Kreppvör,
and their seven sisters.

80. How much violence
have they perpetrated
Svaf and Svaflogi!
bloodshed they have excited,
and wounds have sucked,
after an evil custom.

V.

81. This lay,
which I have taught thee,
thou shalt before the living sing,
the Sun_Song,
which will appear
in many parts no fiction.
 

82. Here we part,
but again shall meet
on the day of men's rejoicing.
Oh Lord!
unto the dead grant peace,
and to the living comfort.

83. Wonderous lore
has in dream to thee been sung,
but thou hast seen the truth:
no man has been
so wise created
that has before heard the Sun-Song.

The Lay of the Sun
translated from the Icelandic by Alan Boucher, 1985

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