Svipdagsmál

The Lay of Svipdag (Grógaldr + Fjölsvinnsmál)

Svipdags tal (Grógaldr + Fjölsvinnsmál)

66 stanzas

Summary

A

Svipdagsmál consists of two originally separate poems, Grógaldr and Fjölsvinnsmál, which together tell Svipdag's love-quest.

In Grógaldr, Svipdag wakes his dead mother Gróa from her burial mound. His stepmother has set him the task of seeking Menglöð. Gróa chants nine protective spells for his journey.

In Fjölsvinnsmál, Svipdag arrives at a mighty fortress guarded by the watchman Fjölsviðr. In a long question-and-answer dialogue, the fortress's wonders are revealed: the tree Mímameiðr, the rooster Víðópnir, the sword Lævateinn, the giantess Sinmara.

Finally Svipdag reveals his name. Menglöð has waited for him since time immemorial. The gates open and they are reunited. The poem ends with mutual blessing.

The story

Vaki þú, Gróa,vaki þú, góð kona!Vek ek þik dauða dura;ef þú þat mant,at þú þinn mǫg bæðirtil kumls kviðju koma.
Wake, Gróa,wake, good woman!I wake you at the door of death;if you remember this,that you bade your soncome to the gravemound's edge.

English translation: own translation.

Minnstu þess, mǫðir,at þú mér sagðir,áðr þú til Helvegar fórt,at þú mér galdra gæðir,þás mik nauðir knýja,nú es mér nauðr of kominn.
Remember this, mother,that you told me,before you went the road to Hel,that you would grant me your spellswhen necessity pressed me;now necessity has come upon me.

English translation: own translation.

Stépmóðir mínstígr mér of hart,gengr mér at gǫngu varðar;fara hét hon mértil Menglǫðar,fór ek at finna hana.
My stepmothertreads too hard upon me,she stands against me on the road;she commanded me to travelto Menglöð,so I set out to find her.

English translation: own translation.

Mun ek þér galdra gala,þá er þú góðs þarft,ek mun þér at gǫngu gegna;Urdarbrunns vatnfœri ek þér at meini,sem ek þér galdr um gol.
I will sing you spells,those you need for good fortune,I will walk with you on the road;the water of Urðr's wellwould I bring to harm youif I sang you ill spells.

English translation: own translation.

Gefk þér þann galdr,er gól RindurRani konungi:haltu þér aftr,haltu þér frá,haltu þér frá hveimr.
I give you that spellwhich Rindr sangfor king Rani:hold yourself back,hold yourself aside,hold yourself away from every man.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér annan,ef þú á angrvegisér skulu ganga víðr;Urðar lokurskyli þér at liðum verðaá ǫllum vegum.
The second I sing for you,if you on the road of sorrowmust travel far;Urðr's locksshall be as limbs to youon all your ways.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér þriðja,ef þik þjóðár berrok þú á fǫðm falli straums;vatn ok vágrsnúisk þér til lands,ok komi þú heil at hǫlðum.
The third I sing for you,if a great river carries youand you fall into the stream's embrace;water and waveshall turn toward land for you,and may you come whole to shore.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér fjórða,ef þik fjándr standaá gálgavelli víðr;hugr þeira hneigisktil þíns heilla,ok snúisk þeira skaði.
The fourth I sing for you,if enemies standagainst you on the wide gallows-field;their minds shall be benttoward your good fortune,and their harm turned aside.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér fimmta,ef þik fjǫturr þykkileggja at limar þínar;loysigaldrgel ek þér fyr lúðrs ljóðum,ok þér losnar hvers hǫfts.
The fifth I sing for you,if you feel fettersbeing laid upon your limbs;a loosing-spellI sing for you with the lúðr's songs,and every bond shall loosen for you.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér sétta,ef þik á sjá berrvildum viðri meiren karlmaðr viti;vindr ok vatnsnúisk þér til handa,ok lægisk sjár þinn.
The sixth I sing for you,if the sea carries youin wilder weatherthan any man has known;wind and watershall turn into your hands,and your sea shall grow calm.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér sjaunda,ef þik á snjáfjallikvelr of kulða meiren karlmaðr viti;frostkválarskolu eigi at þér festa,ok haldi líkamr þinn.
The seventh I sing for you,if on a snow-mountainyou are tormented by coldmore than any man has known;the pains of frostshall not fasten upon you,and your body shall hold.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér átta,ef þik á náttarleiðmyrkriðendr mœta;hugr þeira hneigiskok heimr þeira verðrvandliga þér undir.
The eighth I sing for you,if on your night-roadthe dark-riders meet you;their minds shall be bentand their world becomecarefully subject to you.

English translation: own translation.

Þann gel ek þér níunda,ef þik nifldrekidrepr at deyja náliga;orðin mínskolu þér at meini verða,ok forðum þú at faðmi hans.
The ninth I sing for you,if the mist-dragonstrikes you near to death;my wordsshall not be to your harm,and flee you from his embrace.

English translation: own translation.

Nú scaltu, Svipdag,sœkja lítt hvat þér líðrat þú skalt Menglǫðar biðja,þó at hon séþórn gulli þrungin,þú munt hana þó geta.
Now you shall, Svipdag,grieve little for what befalls youas you go to seek Menglöð;though she besurrounded by golden thorns,you shall yet win her.

English translation: own translation.

Farðu nú vel, sonr,ok far þú heill!Lát eigi hugr þinn hvika;þvíat ek galda góler þú þarfnast þeiraok þú þeirra þarfnarðr.
Go now well, son,and travel in health!Let not your spirit waver;for I sang the spellsthat you shall need of themand you are in need of them.

English translation: own translation.

Ef þú þat gerir,sem ek þér kveð,at þú mér hlýðir,þá mun þér heill verða,ok vel mun þér ganga,ok koma þú heil af ferð.
If you do thatwhich I speak to you,that you heed me,then good fortune shall be yours,and all shall go well for you,and may you come whole from the journey.

English translation: own translation.

Löngu líðráðr ek landi næmk,er ek gekk of grœna vega;hvar er sá salr,er ek sjá má,umb alla dyrr gullnar?
Long I traveledbefore I reached the land,as I walked along the green ways;where is that hallwhich I can see,with golden doors all around?

English translation: own translation.

Hverir ræðr þeim ranniok þeim ríkja hlutumer ek sé hér fyr augum?Hví rennr eldrumb rann þitt alltok brenn á nótt ok dag?
Who rules over that halland those mighty thingsthat I see here before my eyes?Why does fire runaround your whole houseand burn both night and day?

English translation: own translation.

Hví stendr geiriá grindar hverjumok brenn á nótt ok dag?Segðu mér, Fjǫlsviðr,þat er ek þik fregna mun,satt ek vilja vita.
Why stands a spearon every gateand burns both night and day?Tell me, Fjölsviðr,what I shall ask you,the truth I wish to know.

English translation: own translation.

Fjölsviðr kvað:Hvat er þat manna,er á myrkvið ræðrok gengr at grjótgarðs durum?Váttr ertu vottr,ok þú í veg þinn snúðr,þvíat hér áttu engi vinr.
Fjölsviðr spoke:What manner of man is thiswho moves through the dark woodand walks toward the stone-wall's doors?Drenched you are, drenched,so turn yourself on your way,for here you have no friend.

English translation: own translation.

Svipdag kvað:Hvat er þat manna,er at morki stendrok letur mik líðu í?Vindkaldr heitik,son Várkalda,þess Fjölkalda faðir.
Svipdag spoke:What manner of man is thiswho stands at the forest's edgeand will not let me pass?Vindkaldr I am called,son of Várkaldr,whose father is Fjölkaldr.

English translation: own translation.

Fjölsviðr kvað:Gangu þér firr,ok gangtu þaðan,á leið þína þú lát ganga;hér er þér engi rúm,þvíat ek veit þína vegok þitt erindi ok þitt.
Fjölsviðr spoke:Go further away,and go from here,let yourself walk your road;here is no room for you,for I know your way,your errand and your purpose.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvert heitir sá salrer ek sé þar standainum gollvegum gǫfgaðan?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:what is that hall calledthat I see standing there,adorned with golden walls?

English translation: own translation.

Gastropnir heitir,en ek hann gerðaór Leirbrímis limum;svá hef ek hann studdanat hann standa munæ meðan ǫld lifir.
Gastropnir is its name,and I built itfrom the limbs of Leirbrimir;I have so propped itthat it shall standas long as the world endures.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hverir eigu þater þú sér inni búainum fáglýjaðum fleti?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:who are they that own it,those you see dwelling insideon the brightly glowing floor?

English translation: own translation.

Menglǫð heitir,en hana móðir gatvið Sváfþorins syni;svá hefr hon setitá Siðhötts bjargaæ meðan ǫld lifir.
Menglöð is her name,and her mother bore herwith Svafþorir's son;thus has she saton Siðhött's cragsas long as the world endures.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvert heitir þat tréer þess limar dreifastyfir alla verǫld?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:what is that tree calledwhose branches spreadover all the world?

English translation: own translation.

Mímameiðr hann heitir,en þat manngi veitaf hverium rótum renn;við þat hann fellrer flestar menn vita,fáir hann falla sjá.
Mímameiðr is his name,but no one knowsfrom what roots he grows;what will fell himmost men know,few see him fall.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hverr þess aldrs erer þú sér upp á,kvikr, sér hann hanga?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:what is its fruit,what hangs up there,alive in the branches?

English translation: own translation.

Aldrnari heitir,en hann af aldri tekrUrðar magr ok Heimdallr;þat mun líknaskþeim er líkr eru fœddir,kona þvíat kveðr at gǫrvum.
Aldrnari is its name,and Urð's kinsman and Heimdallrsustain it through the ages;it will give reliefto those born in likeness,for a woman carries it against her body.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hverr sitja þará þeim inum hávaMímameið uppi?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:who sits up therein that tallMímameiðr tree?

English translation: own translation.

Víðópnir hann heitir,en hann stendr valrá Mímameið uppi;einn mein þykkirSurt ok Sinmǫruat geta hans af grein.
Víðópnir is his name,and he stands like a hawkin the top of Mímameiðr;one thing only troublesSurtr and Sinmara:to get him from the branch.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt er þar svá gottat nǫkkurr megiVíðópni at vega?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:is there a weapon good enoughthat someone might useto slay Víðópnir?

English translation: own translation.

Hævateinn heitir,en hann gerði Lokifyr Nágrind neðan;hann er þar Sinmaraí Náströndvíðisníu lǫs geymir.
Hævateinn is its name,and Loki forged itbelow the gate of the dead;Sinmara keeps it therein Náströndvíðir'schest locked with nine locks.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárr þess færer fara villok Hævateinn hefja?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:who can obtain it,if one wishes to goand lift Hævateinn?

English translation: own translation.

Sinmara á þat,en hon í jǫtunheimumlíðr langan veg;níu lǫ́s eruá þeiri læstri kistu,þar er hon geymir þat.
Sinmara owns it,and she walks through the world of giantsalong long roads;nine locks are fastenedon that locked chestwhere she keeps it.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvat þú gefa mundirþeirri gygi til gagnsat hon gefi þér þat?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:what would you givethat giantess in paymentso that she gives you it?

English translation: own translation.

Þú skalt henni gefaþat er und Víðópni liggr,ljóma þann er af líðr;sextán hnotaskalt til hennar ljóstagullnar görvar allar.
You must give herthat which lies beneath Víðópnir,the brightness that flows from him;sixteen nutsyou must cast toward her,all fashioned of gold.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt þér líkistat þú fá megirfjǫðr ór Víðópnis vængjum?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:do you think it likelythat you could obtaina feather from Víðópnir's wings?

English translation: own translation.

Þat verðr þér fljóttef þú fregn at Sinmǫruhvat hún vilja þykki;hon mun þér gefaef þú henni férþat er hon langai.
It will come to you quicklyif you ask Sinmarawhat she wishes for;she will give it to youif you bring herthat which she has longed for.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvat þú segjastat sér hljóti velhundar þeir er þú geymir?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:what do you callthose watchful dogsthat keep guard with you?

English translation: own translation.

Gifr ok Geriheita þeir, en þeir geymavel um Menglǫðar set;báðar samanþær um nætr sofaok um daga vakna.
Gifr and Gerithey are called, and they guardwell around Menglöð's seat;both togetherthey sleep through the nightsand wake through the days.

English translation: own translation.

Seg þú mér þat, Fjölsviðr,er ek þik fregna munok ek vilja vita:hvárt sé nǫkkurr maðrsvá mikill ok djarfrat hann megi innganga?
Tell me that, Fjölsviðr,which I mean to ask youand which I wish to know:is there any manso great and daringthat he might enter?

English translation: own translation.

Engi er þesser inn megi gangaþenna hinn helga stað,nema þann einner Menglǫð segirat hon sjálf kjósa vill.
There is nonewho may enter into this holy place,save the one alonewhom Menglöð declaresthat she herself will choose.

English translation: own translation.

Eir ok Bil skulugefa Menglöðuhvat þær biðja blítt;þær sitja þará Lyfjabergi,ok era þat leyndr staðr.
Eir and Bil shall giveMenglöð whatever she askswith kindly prayer;they sit thereon Lyfjaberg,and that is no hidden place.

English translation: own translation.

Hlíf ok Hlífþrasa,Þjóðvara ok Björt,Blíð ok Blíðr,Frið ok Eir,Aurboða ok Gefn ok Göll;þær hjalpa hversþótt sjúkr sé.
Hlíf and Hlífþrasa,Þjóðvara and Björt,Blíð and Blíðr,Frið and Eir,Aurboða and Gefn and Göll;they help every manthough he be sick.

English translation: own translation.

Hverr er sá maðrer á myrkvið stendurok þorði hingat ganga?Hvat heitir þú?Hvat heitir faðir þinn?Ef fregna vilk þín heiti.
Who is that manwho stands at the dark forestand dared to come hither?What are you called?What is your father called?If I wish to ask your name.

English translation: own translation.

Svipdagr heitik,Sólbjartr hét minn faðir;rekinn em ek af kaldum vindum.Óðs meyjarheiti mér at finnaok þat of mjök at sakna.
Svipdagr am I called,Sólbjartr was my father's name;I am driven by cold winds.The maid of Óðrwas my fate to find,and for that I have longed too long.

English translation: own translation.

Skaltu nú, Fjölsviðr,fara inn á völlok segja Menglöðu þat:Kominn er maðrer sœkja villþín vináttu, gull.
You must now, Fjölsviðr,go inside to the courtand tell Menglöð this:A man has comewho wishes to seekyour friendship, golden one.

English translation: own translation.

Hvat mun ek segjaMenglöðu minnief hann komi til garðs?Margir hafahingat komitok fengit illt af þvi.
What shall I sayto my Menglöðif he has come to the garth?Many havecome here beforeand fared badly for it.

English translation: own translation.

Skaltu fara, Fjölsviðr,finna Menglöðuok segja at ek er þar;Svipdagr em ek,Sólbjarts son;þú kannst hon, ef hon þik rekr.
You must go, Fjölsviðr,and find Menglöðand say that I am here;Svipdagr am I,son of Sólbjartr;you will know, if she sends you away.

English translation: own translation.

Ganga mun ekok ganga skuluþeir er segja vilja;ok mun ek fréttaMenglöðu mínahvert er hennar hugr.
Go I shall,and go must thosewho have something to say;and I shall askmy Menglöðwhat her heart holds.

English translation: own translation.

Fjölsviðr mælti:'Heyri þú, Menglöð,maðr er kominnþér at sjá;gakk þú útef þú vilt sjá hann,hundar þína geyma þig.'
Fjölsviðr spoke:'Hear me, Menglöð,a man has cometo see you;go you outif you wish to see him;your hounds guard you.'

English translation: own translation.

Menglöð mælti:'Hvat heitir sá maðrer kominn erhingat til garðs?Ek veit at Svipdagrheitir sá maðrer mér er ætlaðr at hafa.'
Menglöð spoke:'What is the name of the manwho has comehere to the garth?I know that Svipdagris the name of the manwho is fated to have me.'

English translation: own translation.

Fjölsviðr mælti:'Svipdagr heitir,Sólbjartr hét faðir hans;rekinn er hann af kaldum vindum.Þú munt hann þekkjaef þú sér hann,þá er þú hann finnr.'
Fjölsviðr spoke:'Svipdagr is his name,Sólbjartr was his father's name;he is driven by cold winds.You will recognize himif you see him,when you meet him.'

English translation: own translation.

Menglöð mælti:'Rís þú upp, Svipdagr,ok gakk hingat til mín,ok fáum oss saman;lengi em eká Lyfjabergieptir þér beðin.'
Menglöð spoke:'Rise up, Svipdagr,and come here to me,and let us be joined together;long have Ion Lyfjabergawaited you.'

English translation: own translation.

Heil sé þú, Svipdagr,ok þú, sól, er skínn,nú er mér von of gengin.Lengi beið ekok langa tíðþíns kvámu, konungr.
Hail to you, Svipdagr,and to you, sun, that shines,now my hope has been fulfilled.Long have I waitedand for a long timefor your coming, king.

English translation: own translation.

Opnit er núok á opnum vegumskalt þú inn til mín ganga;fáum oss samaná fagran staðok unna okkar hvár öðrum.
It is opened nowand along open pathsyou shall walk in to me;let us join togetherin a fair placeand love each other.

English translation: own translation.

Lengi sat eká Lyfjabergibíðandi þín dag ok nótt;nú er þat orðiter ek ǫðlaðisk,at þú, ungr, kœmr hingat.
Long have I saton Lyfjabergawaiting you day and night;now it has come to passwhat I longed for,that you, young one, have come here.

English translation: own translation.

Þú munt mér unnaok ek þér elska,meðan vér líf lifum;þrá hefir mikþínar ástarmeðan ek dvalðak hér.
You shall love meand I love you,as long as we both live;longing has tormented mefor your lovewhile I dwelt here.

English translation: own translation.

Svipdagr mælti:'Ek em nú kominnok fann þik at lokum;langan veg fór ekok leiddir mikmóðurleg orð til þín.'
Svipdagr spoke:'I am now comeand found you at last;a long road I traveledand guided mea mother's words to you.'

English translation: own translation.

Menglöð mælti:'Heilir augu þíner sér mik,ok heill sé sáer mik sér;lengi beið ek þín, ungr.'
Menglöð spoke:'Blessed are your eyesthat see me,and blessed is hewho sees me;long have I waited for you, young one.'

English translation: own translation.

Þvíat einn þú ertþeira mannaer ek ann mest af öllum;þú mátt vitaat ek þik unna munmeðan vit lifum bæði.
For you alone areof all menthe one I love most;you may knowthat I shall love youwhile we both live.

English translation: own translation.

Svipdag mælti:'Getask skal ek núgaman við þik,ok unna okkar hvár öðrum;þat er skapater skapat var,at vit sömnuðum hér.'
Svipdagr spoke:'Joy shall I nowfind with you,and we shall love each other;what was fatedhas come to pass,that we are joined here.'

English translation: own translation.

Lengi sat eká Lyfjabergiok vántuðu þik dœgr ok dœgr;nú er þat orðiter ec ǫðlask þráðaat þú ert kominn til mín.
Long have I saton Lyfjabergand hoped for you day after day;now it has come to passwhat I longed for with yearning,that you have come to me.

English translation: own translation.

Nú er funditþat er finna skyldi,ok hittask vér saman;heill sé þú, Svipdagr,ok ek þér heil;vit munum gaman mega.
Now is foundwhat was meant to be found,and we meet together;hail to you, Svipdagr,and hail to me for you;we shall know joy.

English translation: own translation.

Key concepts

  • Gróa , Svipdag's dead mother woken from the grave to chant protective spells; also known from Snorri's Edda
  • Menglöð , the beloved in the fortress, sometimes interpreted as an aspect of Freyja; her name means 'necklace-glad'
  • Fjölsviðr , the fortress watchman whose name ('the very wise') suggests a supernatural figure, possibly Óðinn
  • Lævateinn , the magical sword forged by Loki, guarded by Sinmara; a mythic paradox where weapon and target are mutually dependent

Interpretive traditions

A What we know

Svipdagsmál is preserved in paper manuscripts from the 17th century, not in Codex Regius. The two parts (Grógaldr and Fjölsvinnsmál) were first linked by Bugge (1867).

Gróa's nine spells follow a formulaic pattern typical of ljóðaháttr poetry.

Fjölsvinnsmál's question-and-answer structure has parallels in Vafþrúðnismál and Alvíssmál.

B What we think we know

Whether Grógaldr and Fjölsvinnsmál were originally a single poem or two separate compositions secondarily joined is debated.

Menglöð's identification with Freyja is based on the name's semantics and parallels with the Brísingamen myth, but is not proven.

The poem's dating is uncertain. The late manuscripts do not exclude a medieval composition, but cannot confirm it either.

C What we do not know

The circular paradox in Fjölsvinnsmál (Víðópnir's feather is needed to obtain Lævateinn, which is needed to fell Víðópnir) may be a deliberate mythic riddle, a textual corruption, or an incompletely preserved episode. With current evidence, none of these explanations can be excluded.

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.