{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/onp/onp05.htm","path":"neu/onp/onp05.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/onp/onp05.htm","text":"THIS FINE but difficult retrospective monologue is unique in Old Germanic literature; not so much in manner as in matter. Its hero is, to be sure, the Danish national champion, Starkath, celebrated in song and story (though this lay is the only extant poetic treatment of the theme in the original language); but in this episode he has undergone a change to the sinister and demonic. The stern warrior and unbending protagonist of the olden simplicity of morals and customs, such as he appears in the Lay of Ingiald and elsewhere, has here become an uncouth half-troll of superhuman strength and somewhat dubious, Ahasveric nature. But the lay bespeaks an unexpected sympathy for this composite character of mixed heroism and baseness. His crime, the most heinous, according to Old Germanic ethics, of treacherously slaying his leader and foster brother to whom he is, moreover, genuinely attached because he owes to him his awakening to the heroic life\u2014this crime is not to be expiated by \u201crepentance.\u201d To be sure, the accompanying story, both in the Gautreks saga, in which the lay is interwoven, and in Saxo seeks at least to motivate, and thus palliate, the deed by laying the blame on \u00d3thin1\u2014in all the Starkath lays he is the instigator to strife. But, of course, it is the troll nature that reveals itself finally, making him a \u201cnithing.\u201d\nAs to the prose of the Gautreks saga and the similar story of Saxo,2 it seems to occupy a middle ground in technique: it is not mainly supererogatory and explicatory stage direction, as in the oldest lays\u2014say, the Lays of Skirnir, of Volund; nor a wordy setting for lays elaborating, and based on, themes taken from it\u2014as, say, the Lay of Hi\u00e1lmar; but has an independent value beside the lay, furnishing legendary facts which the lay may not even hint at, just as the lay in its turn is independent p. 19 of the prose. Hence a full account is given below of the somewhat complicated story.\nThere is hardly a question about the Icelandic origin, say in the twelfth century, of this vigorous and pithy poem. The poor state of transmission necessitates a number of drastic emendations. Fornyrthislag, with a few kvithuh\u00e1ttr lines interspersed, is the meter employed.\nAs the H\u00e1lf\u2019s saga relates, in its first chapter, the sacrifice of V\u00edkar to \u00d3thin came about in the following manner: Beautiful Geirhild managed to be taken as wife by King Alrek of Horthaland3 through \u00d3thin\u2019s help, on condition that she should call on the god in all difficulties. King Alrek was married already to Signy, the daughter of another king. The two wives could not agree, and Alrek promised that he would retain as his queen her who brewed the best ale against his return. Signy called on Freya, and Geirhild on \u00d3thin. He added his spittle for yeast and said that for his help he must have that which was between her and the vat. Her ale proved to be the best. Then said Alrek:\n| \u201c\u2009\u2018Beware, Geirhild!\u2003Good is this ale, if not any evil follow: on high gallows hanging I see thy son, Geirhild, given to \u00d3thin.\u2019 \u201d | \nThat same year was born their son V\u00edkar.\nAs to Starkath\u2019s origin and youth, we learn from the Gautreks saga, Chapter 3, that his grandfather, the giant Starkath, robbed a princess. Her father called for aid on Th\u00f3r, inveterate enemy of the giant tribe, who slew Starkath and led her back to her father. She gave birth to St\u00f3rvirk\u2014\u201ca handsome man, though black of hair, larger and stronger than other men.\u201d He becomes right-hand man of King Harold of Agthir. In his turn, St\u00f3rvirk abducts Unni, Earl Freki\u2019s daughter. This deed is avenged in time by the earl\u2019s two sons, Fiori and F\u00fdri. They burn St\u00f3rvirk and Unni in their hall, but the infant Starkath survives the fire and is adopted by King Harold. When three years old he is taken thence and fostered by an old man called Hrossh\u00e1rsgrani p. 20 (i.e., \u00d3thin) at Ask,4 where he grows to the age of twelve, uncouth and huge of strength, but unaware of his powers. Under the same fosterage, and as hostage, grew up also V\u00edkar, the son (here) of the same King Harold who, meanwhile, was treacherously slain by a neighboring king, Herthi\u00f3f. V\u00edkar becomes a great leader and, joined by Starkath, whom he arouses to action, and eleven other young warriors, he avenges his father on Herthi\u00f3f and wins back his kingdom. On all his various ensuing expeditions Starkath is his trusted friend and companion and distinguishes himself by deeds of valor.\nOne time, V\u00edkar is held back with his fleet by contrary winds. They consult the oracle, which pronounces that \u00d3thin must be appeased by the sacrifice of a man. The lot falls on King V\u00edkar. That same night, Hrossh\u00e1rsgrani comes to Starkath and bids him follow him. They row to land. In a forest close at hand the gods are assembled, debating Starkath\u2019s fate. \u00d3thin, his foster father and protector, bestows on him all manner of good things, among them, the gift of poetry and three lives; but Th\u00f3r, \u00d3thin\u2019s antagonist, who moreover hates Starkath by reason of his giant origin, adds a misfortune to each gift: in each life he is to commit some dastardly deed. \u00d3thin, in return for his gifts, bids Starkath send him V\u00edkar. He consents. On the morrow, Starkath proposes to the fleet to make a mock sacrifice of V\u00edkar to \u00d3thin. He induces the king to let him fasten about his neck the soft guts of a calf, which he attaches to a slender branch of a tree. Then Starkath touched him with a reed and said: \u201cnow I give thee to \u00d3thin,\u201d and let go of the branch. But the branch lifted V\u00edkar up quickly, the guts did their service, and the reed became a spear and pierced him.5 Starkath is outlawed and flees to the Swedish court where the taunting of inferior men arouses the \u201cspeechless poet\u201d to unburthen his heart in the following monologue.\n| 1 | \u201cA boy was I\u2003when they burned in hall, with my father, the warrior host\u2014 not far outside the firth of Thruma.6 | \n| 2 | \u201cWas Harold of Agthir\u2019s\u2003host overthrown\u2014 had his kinsmen bewrayed the ring-breaker, Fiori and F\u00fdri, earl Freki\u2019s heirs. Were they Unni\u2019s brothers, my own mother\u2019s; | \n| 3 | \u201cthe time Herthi\u00f3f7\u2003Harold betrayed, betrayed the king who trusted in him. He robbed of his life the liege of Agthir, and fetters fastened for his twain sons. | \n| 4 | \u201cMe three winters old\u2003thence did bring Hrossh\u00e1rsgrani8 to Horthaland; at Ask gan I grow and strengthen, saw none of my sib for nine summers. | \n| 5 | \u201cStrength gat I mighty,\u2003grew stalwart my arms, and long my legs, loathly my head; as a gaby, dozing I gaping sate, listless and lazy, on lower bench.9 | \n| 6 | \u201cThen V\u00edkar wended,\u2003from watch-fire faring,10 Herthi\u00f3f\u2019s hostage, into the hall. He knew me again by name and bade me up to arise and answer him. | \n| 7 | \u201cWith hands and fingers\u2003he fathomed me: were all my arms (much etin-like,)11 p. 22 to the wrists downward (rough and hairy,)11 and my face bearded from brow to chin. | \n| 8 | \u201cThen Harold\u2019s heir12\u2003the host gathered: Sorkvir and Grettir and Hildigr\u00edm, Erp and Ulf, \u00c1n and Sk\u00fama, Hr\u00f3i and Hrotti, which were Herbrand\u2019s sons, | \n| 9 | \u201cSt\u00fdr and Steinth\u00f3r\u2003from Stath13 in the North, gathered also old Gunn\u00f3lf blesi.14 Were then of us thirteen together: a hardier host will hardly be found. | \n| 10 | \u201cTo Herthi\u00f3f\u2019s hall\u2003we hied us then, shook its door-posts, broke down its gates, shattered its bars, brandished our swords where stood seventy stalwart warriors.15 | \n| 11 | \u201cWe vied with each other,\u2003V\u00edkar to follow16 since first and foremost in the flock he stood; we hewed helmets and the heads that bore them, sundered byrnies and broke through shields. | \n| 12 | \u201cWas great glory\u2003granted to V\u00edkar, but Herthi\u00f3f paid for his hateful deed: some we wounded, and slew others; not far was I stead17 when fell the king. | \n| 13 | \u201cOn the V\u00e6nir18 wert not\u2003with V\u00edkar then, east in the land at early morn, p. 23 in the field when we fought with S\u00edsar:19 were those doughty deeds of undying fame. | \n| 14 | \u201cWith his sword did he\u2003sorely wound me\u2014 sharp-edged was it\u2014 through my shield cleaving. My helm he hewed from off my head, my chin he cleft clean to the jawteeth.20 | \n| 15 | \u201cAnd on one side\u2003with his sword he cut me\u2014 mightier than I\u2014 the midriff above; but through the other he thrust his spear, the cold iron, within it stood.21 | \n| 16 | \u201cWith my sword, S\u00edsar\u2019s\u2003side I cut then with bitter brand, his belly athwart. So wrathfully I raised my sword that all my strength I bestowed on it. | \n| *\u2003*\u2003*22 | | \n| 17 | \u201cMuch Welsh gold\u2003gave me V\u00edkar\u2014 the red-gold ring which on wrist I wear, of three marks\u2019 weight;23 I Thruma24 gave him. I followed the king fifteen summers. | \n| 18 | \u201cI followed the king\u2003whom foremost I knew: my life did I like best then. \u2019T was ere we fared\u2014 did foul trolls drive us\u2014 to Horthaland: this happened last. | \n| p. 24 | | \n| 19 | \u201cThe outcome this,\u2003that Th\u00f3r gave me a nithing\u2019s25 name, unnumbered woes\u2014 | \n| *\u2003*\u2003* | | \n| | I was fated fell things to do. | \n| 20 | \u201cIn high tree was I\u2003to hallow V\u00edkar, to give to the gods Geirthiof\u2019s26 slayer. Through his heart I thrust the thane with my spear: of all my works most woeful this! | \n| 21 | \u201cOn wilding ways\u2003I wandered thence, by the Horthar27 hated, with heart rueful, bereft of rings and robbed of honor, leaderless, forlorn in mind. | \n| 22 | \u201cNow have I sought\u2003the Swedish lands, the Ynglings\u201928 seat, Uppsala halls. A speechless poet,29 the prince\u2019s sons did let me stay\u2014 as long I shall. | \n| 23 | \u201cThey set me here\u2003brash30 swains between, who scornfully scoff at the aged skald; gleefully girding, they make game of me, and lewdly laugh at the liege\u2019s poet. | \n| 24 | \u201cThey ween they see\u2003on my own self the etin mark of eight arms, p. 25 the time Hl\u00f3rrithi31 Hergr\u00edm\u2019s slayer32 reft of his arms in the outmost North. | \n| 25 | \u201cThe men laugh\u2003when looking at me\u2014 at my loathly mug and long snout, my wolf-grey hair and hanging arms, my scurvy neck and wrinkled skin.\u201d | \n1 Cf. also the Second Lay of Helgi, 34: \u201cof all evil is \u00d3thin father.\u201d It is instructive to compare the Herakles of Euripides in this respect.\n2 Who derives it from Norwegian sources.\n3 The southwestern district of Norway, as Agthir (below) is the southernmost.\n4 On the island of Fenhring, near the present city of Bergen. The implied hostility of these divinities, and \u00d3thin\u2019s assumption, on an island, of the tutelage of his favorite in sinister arts, recall the story of Geirr\u0153th in the prose of Gr\u00edmnism\u00e1l.\n5 This story, told similarly by Saxo, is a reminiscence of the human sacrifices\u2014by hanging and piercing with a spear\u2014which belonged to the worship of \u00d3thin, the \u201cgod of the hanged\u201d (H\u00e1vam\u00e1l, 139.) The circumstances of the sacrifice resemble closely that of the sacrifice of Iphigenia in Greek lore.\n6 The present Trom\u00f6-sund, a sound between the island of Trom-\u00f6 and the mainland, near Arendal, on the southeast coast of Norway.\n7 It appears that he joined forces with Freki, and fell upon both King Harold and Starkath\u2019s father. We are not told who V\u00edkar\u2019s brother was.\n8 \u201cMan with a mustache of (or like) horse hair\u201d: \u00d3thin, who is frequently pictured as a greybeard.\n9 Where the strvants ate: Starkath as a youth grows up as the typical ashiepattle, huge of body, who conceals his wits (and his plans of revenge?) under the guise of a tongue-tied zany. Cf. Helgi in the Lay of Helgi Hiorvarthsson.\n10 Herthi\u00f3f had instituted beacon signals to warn of hostile raids, and V\u00edkar was set over one of them.\n11 Lines lacking in the original and supplied here by guess of the translator.\n12 V\u00edkar.\n13 The promontory in the west of Norway.\n14 \u201cWhite-face.\u201d\n15 The MSS add the following (later?) lines:\n| \u201cunafraid of the fray,\u2003before their king. Were there also all of the thralls, the working men and water-carriers.\u201d | \n16 In the original, \u201cit was hard to follow,\u201d etc., a somewhat unusual thought.\n17 Litotes: Starkath slays him.\n18 V\u00e6nir is the great Swedish lake on whose frozen surface this, and other, battles were fought. The following is more particularly addressed to the king\u2019s man who had taunted Starkath.\n19 This redoubtable antagonist bears the name of the Russian Czar (from Cisari, C\u00e6sar).\n20 The MSS add:\n| \u201cmy right collar-bone he crushed with a blow.\u201d | \nThe description of mortal and disfiguring wounds and of other blemishes is peculiar to the poem.\n21 The MSS add:\n| \u201ccanst see on me the marks yet, healed.\u201d | \n22 At this point, the original contains eight stanzas, inferior in value and quite evidently interpolated, dealing with further deeds of V\u00edkar, but speaking of Starkath in the third person.\n23 A \u201cmark\u201d was eight ounces.\n24 Which island King Harold had given Starkath \u2019s father.\n25 \u201cBase villain and coward\u201d; a term difficult to render in English with one vocable. The stanza is defective, but evidently the happenings on the island to which \u00d3thin took Starkath in the night are referred to. The broken style betrays the agitation of the speaker.\n26 Another king, Herthi\u00f3f\u2019s brother, slain by V\u00edkar.\n27 The inhabitants of Horthaland.\n28 The royal race of Sweden, descended from the god Yngvi-Frey.\n29 The exact meaning of Old Norse thulr (here translated \u201cpoet\u201d) is not certain, especially in this passage. If the meaning generally attributed to it, and here followed, is correct, then we may surinise that the gift of poetry given Starkath by \u00d3thin was denied utterance by Th\u00f3r. The princes allow Starkath to remain silent, brooding over his treachery. For once, he bursts out\u2014with self-accusation, not in repentance. And he means to relapse into silence, for a long time.\n30 The \u201cwhite-browed\u201d of the original I take to refer to their immaturity, contrasted with Starkath\u2019s swart hairiness.\n31 Th\u00f3r.\n32 The older Starkath.","title":"THE LAY OF V\u00cdKAR [V\u00cdKARSB\u00c1LKR]","type":"page"}