Skáldskaparmál
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"How should the heaven be periphrased? Thus: call it Skull of Ymir, and hence, Giant's Skull; Task or Burden of the Dwarves, or Helm of Vestri and Austri, Sudri, or Nordri; Land of the Sun, of the Moon, and of the Stars of Heaven, of the Wains and the Winds; Helm, or House, of the Air and the Earth and the Sun. So sang Arnórr Earls'-Skald: So large of gifts ne'er mounted And as he sang again: Bright grows the sun at dusking, Thus sang Bödvarr the Halt: For never 'neath the Sun's Plain And as Thjódólfr of Hvin sang: Jörd's Son drove to the steel-play Even as sang Ormr Barrey's-Skald: Lady of Draupnir's gore-streak, Even as the skald Bragi sang: He who threw the dead eyes And as Markús sang: 'Tis long since the dear-loved Warder Even as Steinn Herdísarson sang: I sing the holy Ruler And as Arnórr Earls'-Skald sang: Help, dear King of Heaven, And as Arnórr sang further: Soothfast King of the Sun-Tents, And as Hallvardr sang: Knútr wards the land, as the Ruler As Arnórr sang: Michael, wise of understanding,
"How should one periphrase the earth? Thus: by calling her Flesh of Ymir, and Mother of Thor, Daughter of Ónarr, Odin's Bride, Co-Wife of Frigg and Rindr and Gunnlöd, Mother-in-law of Sif, Floor and Bottom of the Storm-Hall, Sea of Beasts, Daughter of Night, Sister of Audr and of Day. Even as Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler sang: Now the beaming gold is hidden As sang Hallfredr Troublous-Skald: In council 't was determined And he said further: The Raven-Abode's brave Ruler Even as Thjódólfr-sang: The Ruler, glad in Warriors, As Hallfredr sang: Full loath to let the Land slip Thus sang Thjódólfr: Far off the dart-slow sluggard
"How should one periphrase the sea? Thus: by calling it Ymir's Blood; Visitor of the Gods; Husband of Rán; Father of Ægir's Daughters, of them who are called Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blódughadda, Hefring, Udr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Bára, Kolga; Land of Rán and of Ægir's Daughters, of Ships and of ships' names, of the Keel, of Beaks, of Planks and Seams, of Fishes, of Ice; Way and Road of Sea-Kings; likewise Encircler of Islands; House of Sands and of Kelp and of Reefs; Land of Fishing-gear, of Sea-Fowls, and of Fair Wind. Even as Ormr Barrey's-Skald sang: On the gravelly beach of good ships As Refr sang: The mild deer of the masthead beareth Even as Steinn sang: When the fallow fell-wall's Whirlwinds And as Refr sang: Gymir's wet-cold Spae-Wife It is said here that Ægir and Gymir are both the same. And he sang further: And the Sea-Peak's Sleipnir slitteth As Einarr Skúlason sang: The stern snow-wind has thrust out And as he sang further: Many a stiff rowlock straineth, And he sang yet further: The gray Isle-Fetter urges And he sang again: The Isle-Rim autumn chilly And thus also: The cool lands' Surging-Girdle As Snæbjorn sang: They say nine brides of skerries Here the sea is called Amlódi's Churn. As Einarr Skúlason sang: The sturdy drive-nails weaken
"How should one periphrase the sun? By calling her Daughter of Mundilfari, Sister of the Moon, Wife of Glenr, Fire of Heaven and of the Air. Even as Skúli Thorsteinsson sang: Glenr's god-blithe Bed-Mate wadeth Thus sang Einarr Skúlason: Whereso the lofty flickering
"How should the wind be periphrased? Thus: call it Son of Fornjótr, Brother of the Sea and of Fire, Scathe or Ruin or Hound or Wolf of the Wood or of the Sail or of the Rigging. Thus spake Sveinn in the Nordrsetu-drápa: First began to fly
"How should one periphrase fire? Thus: call it Brother of the Wind and the Sea, Ruin and Destruction of Wood and of Houses, Hálfr's Bane, Sun of Houses.
"How should winter be periphrased? Thus: call it Son of Vindsvalr, Destruction of Serpents, Tempest Season. Thus sang Ormr Steinthórsson: To the blind man I proffer Thus sang Ásgrímr: The warlike Spoil-Bestower,
"How should one periphrase summer? Thus: call it Son of Svásudr and Comfort of Serpents, and Growth of Men. Even as Egill Skallagrímsson sang: We shall wave our swords, O Dyer
XXXIX. Mannkenningar ok kvenkenningar "How should man be periphrased? By his works, by that which he gives or receives or does; he may also be periphrased in terms of his property, those things which he possesses, and, if he be liberal, of his liberality; likewise in terms of the families from which he descended, as well as of those which have sprung from him. How is one to periphrase him in terms of these things? Thus, by calling him accomplisher or performer of his goings or his conduct, of his battles or sea-voyages or huntings or weapons or ships. And because he is a tester of weapons and a winner of battles,--the words for 'winner' and 'wood' being the same, as are also those for tester' and 'rowan,'--therefore, from these phrases, skalds have called man Ash or Maple, Grove, or other masculine tree-names, and periphrased him in such expressions in terms of battles or ships or possessions. It is also correct to periphrase man with all the names of the Æsir; also with giant-terms, and this last is for the most part for mocking or libellous purposes. Periphrasis with the names of elves is held to be favorable. "Woman should be periphrased with reference to all female garments, gold and jewels, ale or wine or any other drink, or to that which she dispenses or gives; likewise with reference to ale-vessels, and to all those things which it becomes her to perform or to give. It is correct to periphrase her thus: by calling her giver or user of that of which she partakes. But the words for 'giver' and 'user' are also names of trees; therefore woman is called in metaphorical speech by all feminine tree-names. Woman is periphrased with reference to jewels or agates for this reason: in heathen times what was called a 'stone-necklace,' which they wore about the neck, was a part of a woman's apparel; now it is used figuratively in such a way as to periphrase woman with stones and all names of stones. Woman is also metaphorically called by the names of the Ásynjur or the Valkyrs or Norris or women of supernatural kind. It is also correct to periphrase woman in terms of all her conduct or property or family.
"How should gold be periphrased? Thus: by calling it Ægir's Fire, and Needles of Glasir, Hair of Sif, Snood of Fulla, Freyja's Tears, Talk and Voice and Word of Giants, Draupnir's Drop and Rain or Shower of Draupnir, or of Freyja's Eyes, Otter's Ransom, Forced Payment of the Æsir, Seed of Fýris-Plain, Cairn-Roof of Hölgi, Fire of all Waters and of the Hand, Stone and Reef or Gleam of the Hand.
Go to: 31 - 32 - 33 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 37 - 38 - 39 - 40 Skáldskaparmál XXXI-XL–Old Norse
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