{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/onp/onp03.htm","path":"neu/onp/onp03.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/onp/onp03.htm","text":"IN A famous passage of his great book on the History of the Norwegian Kings (Heimskringla), Snorri relates how, early at morn, before the fatal battle of Stiklastad (1030), King \u00d3laf the Saint asked his skald (Th\u00f3rm\u00f3th K\u00f3lbrunarsk\u00e1lld) to intone a song; whereupon he recited the Old Biarkam\u00f3l (Biarkam\u00f3l hin fornu) so that all the army could hear it, and all were pleased; and the men called the lay the Exhortation of the Housecarls1 (H\u00faskarla hvot). In the Legendary Saga of \u00d3laf we are told, furthermore, that when the king asked Th\u00f3rm\u00f3th what boon he desired, that loyal heart asked for naught better than to be allowed to go before his king in battle, and that it might be granted to him not to survive his lord. \u201cThis answer is in the very spirit of the Biarkam\u00f3l;\u201d2 as was the poem singularly well chosen, from out of the many Th\u00f3rm\u00f3th no doubt knew, to fit the occasion, for it is a high song of devotion unto death\u2014and every one felt the king\u2019s to be a Lost Cause.\nUnfortunately, only inconsiderable fragments have come down to us of this proud lay, though once it was known all over the North. For a conception of the whole poem we are now dependent on Saxo\u2019s spirited, but very free and wordy, translation into Latin hexameters,3 and on the prolix and novelistic account of the late Hr\u00f3lfs saga kraka. Taking these as his basis, aided by a strong poetic imagination, and with a profound knowledge of Old Norse poetry as a corrective, the Danish scholar, Axel Olrik, essayed to reconstruct the lay in its original form. As to the success of this difficult piece of restoration, one may question a detail, here and there, and yet agree that it is in the main true to the type, and rejoice in the successful p. 4 restoration of a noble poem. For its meter Olrik chose the m\u00e1lah\u00e1ttr, irregularly varying with fornyrthislag, which is seen in the few rests preserved. As to structure the poem consists of three long and chiefly lyrical parts of about equal size, separated from one another by brief dramatic interludes. In this decided preponderance of lyric over dramatic elements, as also in the leisurely breadth of the lyric passages, the lay reminds one of the Anglo-Saxon epics rather than of the poems of the Edda with their firmer structure and more energetic movement\u2014whether now this be due to Danish origin or to the early date of the Icelandic lay used by Saxo. This is estimated by Olrik to be from about 900; but other scholars incline to a much later date (ca. 1200).\nPutting together the accounts of Saxo and of the saga, the action is as follows: The great hero-king Hr\u00f3lf kraki,5 the son of Helgi (and nephew of Hr\u00f3ar), is assailed in his hall at Leire during the night by his vassal Hiorvarth, the ruler of the Gauts, who is incited to this treachery by his wife Skuld, Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s own sister (or daughter). Hialti, a youthful champion in Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s hird, arouses the inmates, and with taunting speeches exhorts them to fight and die for their generous lord, rallying them again and again. After a bitter struggle, Hiorvarth bursts through the castle gate, Hr\u00f3lf falls, but his warriors continue to fight. The castle is fired, it seems by Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s own men. Meanwhile, Biarki, his greatest champion, who has risen from poverty and finally married Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s sister Hr\u00fat, lies in the hall in profound sleep, superinduced by Skuld\u2019s magic. He wakes at Hialti\u2019s third call and plunges into battle. But it is too late. Biarki sinks at his beloved chieftain\u2019s head, Hialti at his feet. When the battle dies down the mortally wounded Biarki is found by Hr\u00fat and made to see \u00d3thin riding over the battle field. Dying, he defies him.6\nThe king remains throughout in the background, yet is the invisible center, worthy of the loyalty unto death of such warriors. They but reflect his glory\u2014Biarki, towering up over the p. 5 rest of them, the stern warrior, unyielding in death and defying even the king of the gods; beside him, brisk and steadfast, Hialti, his younger companion at arms, whose ringing alarums are thrice repeated, thanks to the happy retarding device of Biarki\u2019s magic sleep. Sharp lights fall even on the lesser characters, living and dead\u2014on wicked Skuld, \u201cby evil norns for ill created,\u201d and her husband Hiorvarth, swayed by her \u201cto his kin to be false, his king to betray\u201d; on the fierce warrlor Agnar who \u201claughs toward death\u201d; on wretched King Hr\u0153rek and gold-greedy King Athisl. Scelles of the present and the past flit by Hialti\u2019s and Biarki\u2019s inner vision, in their supreme hour\u2014the glorious and deed-filled life of the housecarls in field and in banquet hall, under the eyes of the hero-king. Through their speeches we sense the hurly-burly, and feel the progress, of the battle. We learn of all the noble qualities which the upstanding, manly warrior-life of old allowed to unfold, and above all we appreciate that there may be glory in defeat.\n| HIALTI | | \n| 1 | \u201cAwake, arise,\u2003rally, friends! All ye foremost athelings of Hr\u00f3lf! Awake not to wine nor to your wives\u2019 converse, but rather to Gondul\u2019s7 game of war.\u201d | \n| BIARKI | | \n| (drowsily responds, calling out to a thrall:) | | \n| 2 | \u201cBring a fardel of fagots\u2003to kindle the fire! Brush thou the hearth and blow in the embers! p. 6 Let the kindling crackle to kindle the logs: \u2019tis winsome, with warm hand to welcome friends.\u201d8 | \n(He relapses into sleep; but Hialti exhorts the housecarls and plunges into battle with his king:)\n| HIALTI | | \n| 3 | \u201cOur great-hearted king\u2003gave to his housecarls rings, helms, short-swords, and shining mail-coats; his gifts in peace must be gained in war; in war is proved what was pledged over ale.9 | \n| 4 | \u201cThe ruler of Danes\u2003chose him the doughty; courage is known when the craven flee; in the tumult of battle he needs trusty fighters: conquest follows king who may count on his men. | \n| 5 | \u201cHold firm your hilts,\u2003ye chosen housecarls, shield flung on shoulder, to show ye are men; breast open \u2019gainst breast offer we to our foemen: beak against beak, so shall battle the eagles. | \n| 6 | \u201cForemost among fighters\u2003bold Hiorvarth10 fares, glorying in swordplay, in gold-helm dight; after him are marching martial hosts of Gauts, with ring-laid11 helms and rattling spears. | \n| 7 | \u201cSkuld him egged on,\u2003the Skioldung12 queen, to his kin to be false, his king to betray; p. 7 raving she is and bereft of reason, by evil norns for ill created.\u201d | \n(The tide of battle turns against Hr\u00f3lf and he falls. Hialti continues:)\n| 8 | \u201cNow their last cup\u2003for kingsmen is poured, after his liege-lord shall no one live but he show him fearful and shrink from blows, or be too listless his lord to avenge. | \n| 9 | \u201cOur byrnies are slit\u2003and sundered our limbs; blows of the bill have broken the king\u2019s shield; wide gapes the gate, and the gallant flee, the baleful battle-axe gnaws men\u2019s brows. | \n| 10 | \u201cLift thou now, Hr\u00fat,\u2003thy light-haired brow, leave thy bower, for battle is nigh. | \n| *\u2003*\u2003* | | \n| | the towers are tumbling,\u2003the castle-gates tremble.\u201d | \n(Hialti and his men fire the castle. They discover Biarki in profound sleep:)\n| HIALTI | | \n| 11 | \u201cBidest thou yet, Biarki?\u2003Do sleep-runes13 bind thee? Come forth now with me ere thee fire assail! We fend off our foes as we do bears\u2014with firebrands:14 the castle crumbles, the king\u2019s hall flames.\u201d | \n(As Biarki still tarries, Hialti once more rallies his warriors:)\n| HIALTI | | \n| 12 | \u201cLet us rally our ranks\u2003as Hr\u00f3lf us taught, the hero who hewed down the ring-hoarder. p. 8 Wretched was Hr\u0153rek though he riches owned: but gold he gathered, not gallant men. | \n| 13 | \u201cHr\u00f3lf harried on Hr\u0153rek.\u2003He ransom offered\u2014 before the gates disgorged his purse its gold: he strewed before stronghold stores of treasure.15 Then was lavished on foe what on friends was saved. | \n| 14 | \u201cThough our liege him slew:\u2003he allotted the hoard among faithful followers, refused it himself. Nothing him gladdened but he gave it to them: to award it to warriors naught was too welcome. | \n| 15 | \u201cThe most large-hearted lord\u2003lifeless has sunk; lost is the life men will longest remember: he ran to the sword-play as river toward sea, fared against foe like the fleet-footed stag. | \n| 16 | \u201cA burn of blood\u2003from the battle-field flows, as Hiorvarth arnong hosts Hild\u2019s-play16 speedeth. But the sword-giver smiles in his sleep of death, as at bountiful banquet he beakers emptied. | \n| 17 | \u201cFr\u00f3thi\u2019s kinsman17\u2003on the F\u00fdri Plains his gold rings sowed, glad in his mind; him we joyfully follow on his journey to Hel, manly of speech and firm of mettle. | \n| 18 | \u201cBlows of our brands\u2003shall back our faith, the glory of great deeds never is forgotten. Latched and locked the hall still is right. A third time, Biarki, I bid thee come forth!\u201d | \n| p. 9 | | \n| BIARKI | | \n| 19 | \u201cEagerly doest thou, Hialti,\u2003egg on Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s kinsman;18 but to vaunting words fit valiant deeds. Bide thou whilst Biarki his byrnie fastens; little he lists to be burned alive. | \n| 20 | \u201cOn an isle was I born,\u2003barren and little; twelve demesnes gave me Hr\u00f3lf to master, realms to rule, and ruddy gold, too\u2014 his sister to wife; here\u2019s worth to requite. (He plunges into battle:) | \n| 21 | \u201cShields on your shoulders,\u2003if ye shun not death! Only the craven covers him now. Bare your breasts! Your bucklers fling down!19 Gold-weighted arm the glaive best wields.20 | \n| 22 | \u201cWith my steel erst I struck\u2003the \u2018wild stag\u201921 in battle, with my short-sword slew him which Snirtir is named. Hero\u2019s name got I when its hilt I gripped\u2014 when Agnar Ingialdsson\u2019s life I ended. | \n| 23 | \u201c\u2009\u2019Gainst my head he hewed,\u2003but H\u0153king22 broke, on Biarki\u2019s brow his blade was shattered. Then raised I Snirtir, through his ribs thrust him, his right hand and right leg I lopped with one blow. | \n| 24 | \u201cNever was there, I ween,\u2003a more warlike hero than when, sword-hewn, sank the son of Ingiald: lifeless he lay and laughed toward death; to Valholl\u2019s gates he gleefully hied him. | \n| 25 | \u201cTo his heart I hewed\u2003the hero but now, young in years but unyielding in spirit; p. 10 through his buckler I battered, naught booted him his hauberk: my Snirtir but seldom slackens its blow. | \n| 26 | \u201cGuard you now,\u2003ye gallant Gautish chieftains! Athelings only enter this battle! | \n| *\u2003*\u2003* * * * | | \n| 27 | \u201cHis loved son now loses\u2003many a lord; but for barons, not bondmen Hel\u2019s bars will be lowered. More closely comes the clash of battle, three blows I get for one I give. | \n| 28 | \u201cAlone in the strife\u2003I stand amongst the slain. A bulwark I build me of fallen bodies. Where is now he who whetted me before, and tempted me sore, as though twelve lives he had?\u201d | \n| HIALTI | | \n| 29 | \u201cFew are the followers,\u2003but far I am not. strong is now need of stout-hearted men; battered is my buckler, broken and shattered\u2014 yourself may see it: sight goes before hearsay. Doest battle now, Biarki, as thou bidedst before?\u201d | \n| BIARKI | | \n| 30 | \u201cThy spiteful speech\u2003spurs me no longer: not I am the cause that tardy I came. Now a Swedish sword sorely has struck me; through my war-weeds it went as though water it cleft.\u201d | \n(Biarki\u2019s wife Hr\u00fat has found her mortally wounded husband on the battle field, where the conflict is now dying down.)\n| 31 | \u201cBut where is \u00d3thin,\u2003the one-eyed grey-beard? Say now, Hr\u00fat, swiftly: Seest thou him nowhere?\u201d | \n| p. 11 | | \n| HR\u00daT | | \n| 32 | \u201cLower thy eye\u2003and look through my arm,23 sign then thy view with victory-runes: unscathed shalt thou, Biarki, then scan with thy glance and fasten thy eyes on the father of victory.\u201d24 | \n| BIARKI | | \n| 33 | \u201cCould I fasten my eyes\u2003on Frigg\u2019s husband24 now, the swift shield-swinger and Sleipnir\u2019s rider, his life would lose the war-god at Leire25\u2014 blood for blood then would Biarki crave. | \n| 34 | \u201cHere by my chieftain\u2019s\u2003head I shall sink now, thou26 by his feet shalt find thee a rest. Booty-seekers on battle field shall bear me out: the great-souled king\u2019s gifts even the dead forget not. | \n| 35 | \u201cSoon greedy eagles\u2003will gorge on our bodies, ramping ravens will rend our limbs. to high-minded, hardy hero it is seeming dying to dwell by his king rich in deeds.\u201d | \n1 The housecarls of the Scandinavian kings correspond to the hird of the Anglo-Saxons. They formed the bodyguard of select warriors.\n2 Axel Olrik, The Heroic Legends of Denmark (English trans., 1916) p. 169.\n3 Gesta Danorum, book II.\n4 Among other things, it may be doubted whether the lay was a pure dialogue poem and not, as were the oldest lays, interspersed with narrative.\n5 The matter of Hr\u00f3lf\u2019s rise, but not his fall, is briefly alluded to in various passages of B\u0113owulf.\n6 For a detailed and searching analysis the reader is referred to Olrik\u2019s work, pp. 202 f.\n7 (Or Hild), one of the Valkyries. In Snorri\u2019s account, the beginning is as follows:\n| The day has come,\u2003claps the cock his wings: \u2019tis time for thralls to go to their tasks. Awake, ye friends, be aye awake, all ye best men of Athil\u2019s board. | \n| H\u00e1r the hard-gripping,\u2003Hr\u00f3lf the bowman, men of noble race who never flee; I wake you not to wine nor to women\u2019s converse, but rather to the hard game of Hild. | \nBut for reasons, fully discussed by Olrik, op. cit., pp. 183 f, these stanzas cannot have been the beginning of the Old Biarkam\u00f3l.\n8 It is uncertain whether he thinks guests are coming or ironically bids the enemies welcome with fire (cf. stanza 11).\n9 Almost all the phrases in this stanza, and many others in the following exhortation, recur verbally in W\u012bgl\u0101f\u2019s exhortation of B\u0113owulf\u2019s men to support him against the dragon (B\u0113owulf, 11, 2663-2660); and much occurs of the same import in the Battle of Maldon.\n10 Equivalent to Anglo-Saxon Heoroweard. Other names, in the lay, have the following Anglo-Saxon equivalents: Helgi, H\u0101lga; Hr\u00f3ar, Hr\u014dthg\u0101r; Hr\u00f3lf, Hr\u014dthulf; the Gauts (Gautar), G\u0113atas; Hr\u0153rek, Hr\u0113thr\u012bk; Ingiald, Ingeld; Athils, \u0112adgils.\n11 Helmets adomed with chains of rings.\n12 Skioldungs (Anglo-Saxon, Scyldingas), the royal race of Denmark, whose progenitor is Ski\u01ebld (Anglo-Saxon, Scyld).\n13 Cf. the magic runes fettering Sigrdr\u00edfa, Sigrdr\u00edfum\u01ebl, Prose after stanza 4.\n14 In Saxo: igne ursos arcere licet. Possibly, an allusion to Biarki\u2019s name, which is a \u201cshort-name\u201d for a name compounded with -bi\u01ebrn, \u201cbear.\u201d He has by some scholars been identified with B\u0113owulf.\n15 In order to purchase peace.\n16 One of the valkyries; hence, \u201cHild\u2019s-play,\u201d a kenning for \u201cbattle.\u201d\n17 I.e., Hr\u00f3lf.\u2014The allusion is to an expedition of Hr\u00f3lf to King Athils of Sweden. When treacherously pursued by Athils on the F\u00fdri Plains (i.e., the region of Upsala) Hr\u00f3lf stopped him by scattering gold rings which Athils and his men greedily picked up.\n18 Biarki himself.\n19 Cf. H\u00e1konarm\u00f3l, stanza 4.\n20 I.e., the golden arm-ring, by reminding warriors of the generosity of their lord, will cause them to fight more spiritedly.\n21 A kenning, it seems, for \u201cwarrior.\u201d\n22 Agnar\u2019s sword. Its name signifies \u201cthe sword owned by H\u00f3k.\u201d\n23 One who possesses second-sight can make others see what he sees by letting them look through his bended arm supported on his hip. The victory-runes are the same, apparently, as those referred to in Sigrdr\u00edfum\u00f3l, stanza 7.\n24 \u00d3thin, who has been aiding the enemy and is now collecting the dead warriors for Valholl. He rides the eight-footed steed Sleipnir. Cf. Gr\u00edmnism\u00f3l, stanza 44.\n25 Old Norse Hleithrar, the capital of the Danish kingdom in prehistoric times.\n26 Hialti.","title":"THE OLD LAY OF BIARKI [BIARKAM\u00d3L HIN FORNU]","type":"page"}