Oddrúnargrátr

Oddrún's Lament

Oddríns klagan

34 stanzas

Summary

A

Oddrúnargrátr is an elegiac monologue by Oddrún, Atli's sister. She comes to help Borgný through a difficult childbirth. After the birth, Oddrún tells her own story.

She loved Gunnarr, her brother's enemy. They met in secret. Atli discovered the affair and cast Gunnarr into the serpent-pit. Oddrún tried to save him.

She heard Gunnarr's harp-playing from the pit. A serpent, sent by Atli's mother, killed Gunnarr before Oddrún could reach him. The poem is one of the most personal and elegiac in the Edda.

The story

Heyrt hefk þess getití heimsögumat mær komitil Mornalands;engi máttiHlésveyjar þarBorgný leysanema Oddrún ein.

I have heard it toldin tales of the worldthat a maid cameto Mornaland;none couldat Hlésö theredeliver Borgnýbut Oddrún alone.

English translation: own translation.

Borgný hét súer þar þurfti hjálpar,vinkona Oddrúnar;Vilmundr hétsá er hana hafðiat sinni kvánof sæingjar hlé,nema mér segir.

Borgný was she calledwho needed help there,Oddrún's friend;Vilmundr was he calledwho had kept heras his wifein the shelter of the bed,unless another tells me.

English translation: own translation.

Hon sat at kválukona ins ríka,þat varð at sönnuþjóð at segja,svá at þær genguþingmannlegarmeð öllu liðsafnium heimilit.

She sat in agony,the powerful man's woman,it was trulya people's tale to tell,that they walkedin the assembly's mannerwith all their companyaround the homestead.

English translation: own translation.

Reið hon þáof rastar slóðirtil þess er leitá há lopt;setti niðr Oddrúnok þjóðvitnis sonvið göngu liðsok gyðjufars.

She rode thenalong the mile-tracksuntil she lookedtoward the high sky;Oddrún dismountedand Tjodvitnir's sonat the troop's marchand the goddess-journey's mooring.

English translation: own translation.

Inn gekk þáOddrún in frœknaok settisk niðrá bekk sofa;þar lét honaf líðr vel farinnaf svefni vaknarsystir Atla.

In walked thenthe brave Oddrúnand sat downon the bench to rest;there she letfrom sweet sleepthe one wakened from slumberAtli's sister.

English translation: own translation.

Gól þá Oddrún,gól galdra stórafyrir Borgný konabjarga lífs;lifðu þarleikr ok lífmær ok mögraf morðsorgar.

Then Oddrún sang,sang mighty charmsfor Borgný the woman,to the rescue of life;there lived thenplay and life,maid and boy,from death-sorrow's grip.

English translation: own translation.

Þá mælti Borgný,bráðlunguð kona:'Munu þat aldriaftr gjaldaþau er þú hefirþér at hjálpi gefit,svá sem hefr Geirmundgóðum þér.'

Then spoke Borgný,the hot-hearted woman:'Never can thatbe repaidwhat you havegiven to me as help,as Geirmund has givengoodness to you.'

English translation: own translation.

Þá mælti Oddrún,Atla systir:'Hví spurðir þúeigi at þessum hlut?Ek man þérþessa þjónar gjaldasvá sem mérat mörgu skyldi.'

Then spoke Oddrún,Atli's sister:'Why did you notask about this matter?I remember that Ishall repay you these servicesas it ought to be doneto me in many things.'

English translation: own translation.

Settusk þærok sögðusk til,þær in hugfullduharm at segja:'Minnk þér, Borgný,hvat mér bœtisk,er þú sat sorgfullá sæingjar blœti?'

They sat downand told each other,the courageous women,their sorrow to speak:'Do you remember, Borgný,what befell me,when you sat in griefat the blood of the bed?'

English translation: own translation.

Fóstr minn varFáfnis systir,hon hét Brynhildr,born til vígs;Atli kvaðat æva skyldikonungr finnakona at vígi.

My fostermother wasFafnir's sister,she was called Brynhildr,born to battle;Atli declaredthat never shoulda king finda woman for war.

English translation: own translation.

Réð þat Atli,ríkr af móðr,at hann minnmyndi aldrihitta Gunnarné heilsa þeim,þótt mér myndimyrkr at þykkja.

Atli decreed it,mighty in anger,that he would neverallow meto meet Gunnarror greet them,though for meit seemed dark.

English translation: own translation.

En þeir Gunnarrgoðum líkirfundu mikat fornum leik,seldu mérat sæingjar blœtigull ok góðargjafar margar.

Yet Gunnarrand his men, like unto gods,found meat the old games,they gave meat the bed's pledgegold and goodgifts many.

English translation: own translation.

Hét hann mérat hitta skylduleyndum vegiLyngva borg;vark þar sjausumur samanok hann méreitt sinni kvaddi.

He promised methat we should meetby hidden waysat Lyngvi's stronghold;I was there sevensummers togetherand he greeted mebut a single time.

English translation: own translation.

Þá frétt Atliat vér fundum,sendi hann þásér til fylgðarVingi enn svinniseggr inn hvati,hann er mérat meini varð.

Then Atli learnedthat we had met,he sent thenon his behalfthe clever Vingi,the quick-witted man,he who becamemy ruin.

English translation: own translation.

Sat hann hjáSaxa konungi,drakk þar mjoðaf miðri nótt;gaf hann þeimgullin stafaren Gunnarrgorðisk at fara.

He sat withKing Saxi,drank mead thereat midnight;he gave themgolden stavesand Gunnarrmade ready to travel.

English translation: own translation.

Vildu þeir hannaf vígi fá,nam hann þánornir kveðja,fann hann þarfœðing dísirsettar á stólaof sæingjar hlé.

They wished to hold himfrom the fight,he called uponthe norns then,he found therethe birth-dísirseated on chairsat the shelter of the bed.

English translation: own translation.

Þá mælti Guðrún,Gjúka dóttir:'Hvat er yðr mannamálsefni at?Hví erut svá fúsirá ferð at fara,Gunnarr minnok Gjúka synir?'

Then spoke Guðrún,Gjuki's daughter:'What is it that you menhave to discuss?Why are you so eagerto set out on a journey,my Gunnarrand Gjuki's sons?'

English translation: own translation.

Þá svaraði Gunnarr,gumna dróttinn:'Viljum vér faraat vitja Atla;hann bauð ossat bœ sér,gullstafigorðr at fara.'

Then answered Gunnarr,lord of men:'We wish to goto visit Atli;he invited usto his estate,golden stavessent for the journey.'

English translation: own translation.

Þá mælti Guðrún,Gjúka dóttir:'Þykki mér þatþína sök veraat þú ferrat finna Atla;ok mun þámikit vel mega.'

Then spoke Guðrún,Gjuki's daughter:'It seems to meto be your affairthat you travelto meet Atli;and much goodmay come of it then.'

English translation: own translation.

Fóru þeir Gunnarrgumnar flestirtil Atla búðarbráðum stígi;fundu þarfáar glæðirok gátugeysia margt.

Gunnarr and his men,most of the warriors,travelled to Atli's hallat a quick pace;they found therefew fires of joyand encounteredexceedingly much.

English translation: own translation.

Váru þeirof vápn teknir,bindit þarBurgunda konungr;þar let Atlienn inn ríkifylgja Gunnarat fjörtum stafi.

They were seizedof their weapons,bound therethe king of the Burgundians;there Atlithe mightylet Gunnarr be ledto the serpent-stake.

English translation: own translation.

En inn horskiHunna dróttinnlét þar Gunnaganga til rekkja;harpan tókinn hugfullr konungrok lék viðá leggjarfœti.

And the cleverlord of the Hunslet Gunnarrgo to his bed;the harp he tookthe great-hearted kingand played itwith the soles of his feet.

English translation: own translation.

Svá nam Gunnarrgígjum sláat jarlar grétu,jarar né þyrftu,ey fann hann strengistáls ens hvassaharðliga fœtrat hörpu slá.

So Gunnarr playedupon the stringsthat the jarls wept,though they had no need to,ever he found stringsof the keen steel's making,hard feetto strike upon the harp.

English translation: own translation.

Þá mælti Atlamódur in fróða:'Gakk þú upp, Grimhildr,góðvina Gunnar;sestu þúat serpent hlé,bít þú Gunnabráðfengum tannum.'

Then spoke Atli'swise mother:'Go up, Grimhildr,Gunnarr's good friend;sit you downat the serpent's shelter,bite Gunnarrwith swift-biting teeth.'

English translation: own translation.

Hon fló at Gunnigífr in gamla,beit hann at hjartaharðan tannum;þar lét lífinn liótr ormrGunnar enn horskigumna dróttinn.

She flew at Gunnarr,the old troll-woman,bit him to the heartwith hard teeth;there the grim serpenttook the lifeof the clever Gunnarr,lord of men.

English translation: own translation.

Hlakkaði þáHunna dróttinnok hugnaðiskat harmi mínum;lifðu nú systirsem ek vildi,sá er þú ertAtla systir.

Then the lord of the Hunslaughed outand was pleasedat my grief;live now sisteras I wished,you who areAtli's sister.

English translation: own translation.

Hlæja þá Gunnargeysa margten honum þóttiþat þó lítt:'Gjörðu þatgeysa margt,sem ek þikþó lítt vildi.'

Gunnarr laughedexceeding muchand yet to himit seemed little:'Do thatexceeding much,as I wishedyou yet little.'

English translation: own translation.

Muna ek þérþessa þjónar gjalda,er þú líttléztu mér ljúfa;gaf ek þérgullin stafaren þú mérgnógar þjónar.'

I do not recallrepaying you these services,when you littlelet me enjoy;I gave yougolden stavesand you meplentiful services.'

English translation: own translation.

Þat mun ek þérþínum mæla,þótt þú þatþiggja skyldir:sák þína systursáran hugi,er hon grétat Gunnar dauðum.

This I shallsay to your benefit,though you shouldreceive it:I saw your sisterwith a wounded spirit,when she weptover dead Gunnarr.

English translation: own translation.

Svá skyldi Atlialdri njótalands né líðsné lífs ok fjár,er hann bræðrþína barnat hafðiok þik sváþrungit hafði.

So should Atlinever enjoyland or hostor life and wealth,for he had leftyour brothers childlessand had pressedso hard upon you.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðtu þúRindar dóttirsvá at þú verðirrík ok fróð;man ek þérá mína dagalengst at þykkjalítt of þrungit.

Counsel yourself,daughter of Rindi,so that you becomepowerful and wise;I shall remember youthrough my daysto long seemlittle oppressed.

English translation: own translation.

Þat es sagtat sér kvámuat dísir þærdísablóti,þær er mérsœmdar skyldurbiðja mikat blótum fara.

It is saidthat to themselves camethe dísir atthe dísablót,those who owed mehonourasked meto go to the sacrifice.

English translation: own translation.

Þat mætti ek þérþenna dag segja,hvat mér varðat vígi þessum;minn es sá harmrer Gunnarr er dauðr,en þú lifirat líkni mér.

That I may tell youthis very day,what befell meat this conflict;mine is that griefthat Gunnarr is dead,yet you liveas a comfort to me.

English translation: own translation.

Þetta eruþær illur tíðindier Oddrún kvaðum Atla systur;mun ek þataf minni segjaþvíat ek þatþeygi hef gleymt.

This isthe grim tidingsthat Oddrún sangof Atli's sister;this I shalltell from memoryfor thatI have not forgotten.

English translation: own translation.

Key concepts

Oddrún , Atli's sister whose forbidden love for Gunnarr provides a unique personal perspective on the Gjúkung cycle
Gunnarr , the beloved hero in the serpent-pit; his harp-playing is heard by Oddrún as a final bond

Interpretive traditions

A What we know

Oddrúnargrátr is preserved in Codex Regius.

The poem's frame narrative (childbirth aid) and inner monologue (Oddrún's love story) create a double narrative structure unusual in Eddic poetry.

Gunnarr's harp-playing in the serpent-pit is confirmed by several independent sources (Atlakviða, Völsunga saga, Viking Age pictorial art).

B What we think we know

Oddrún is otherwise unknown in Norse tradition outside this poem. Whether the figure is a poetic creation or reflects a lost saga tradition is debated.

The poem's late dating (probably 12th-13th c.) is supported by its psychological introspection and relatively late linguistic features.

C What we do not know

Whether the birth-charms (stanzas 7-9) reflect actual medieval midwifery practice or are a poetic convention cannot be determined with current evidence.

Sources and further reading

Primary sources

Neckel, Gustav, och Hans Kuhn. 1983. Edda: Die Lieder des Codex Regius nebst verwandten Denkmälern. 5. uppl. Heidelberg: Winter.

Translations

Bellows, Henry Adams (trans.). 1923. The Poetic Edda. New York: The American-Scandinavian Foundation. (PD)
Larrington, Carolyne (trans.). 2014. The Poetic Edda. Rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Scholarly works

Lindow, John. 2001. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Simek, Rudolf. 1993. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Translated by Angela Hall. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer.
de Vries, Jan. 1956–1957. Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte. 2 vols. Berlin: de Gruyter.
Turville-Petre, E. O. G. 1964. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.