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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 Ólaf the Saint asked his skald (Thórmóth Kólbrunarskálld) to intone a song; whereupon he recited the Old Biarkamól (Biarkamól 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 (Húskarla hvot). In the Legendary Saga of Ólaf we are told, furthermore, that when the king asked Thórmóth 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. This answer is in the very spirit of the Biarkamól; 2 as was the poem singularly well chosen, from out of the many Thórmóth no doubt knew, to fit the occasion, for it is a high song of devotion unto deathand every one felt the king s to be a Lost Cause.
Unfortunately, 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 s spirited, but very free and wordy, translation into Latin hexameters,3 and on the prolix and novelistic account of the late Hrólfs 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 málaháttr, 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 movementwhether 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).
Putting together the accounts of Saxo and of the saga, the action is as follows: The great hero-king Hrólf kraki,5 the son of Helgi (and nephew of Hróar), 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, Hrólf s own sister (or daughter). Hialti, a youthful champion in Hrólf s 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, Hrólf falls, but his warriors continue to fight. The castle is fired, it seems by Hrólf s own men. Meanwhile, Biarki, his greatest champion, who has risen from poverty and finally married Hrólf s sister Hrút, lies in the hall in profound sleep, superinduced by Skuld s magic. He wakes at Hialti s third call and plunges into battle. But it is too late. Biarki sinks at his beloved chieftain s head, Hialti at his feet. When the battle dies down the mortally wounded Biarki is found by Hrút and made to see Óthin riding over the battle field. Dying, he defies him.6
The king remains throughout in the background, yet is the invisible center, worthy of the loyalty unto death of such warriors. They but reflect his gloryBiarki, 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 s magic sleep. Sharp lights fall even on the lesser characters, living and deadon wicked Skuld, by evil norns for ill created, and her husband Hiorvarth, swayed by her to his kin to be false, his king to betray ; on the fierce warrlor Agnar who laughs toward death ; on wretched King HrSrek and gold-greedy King Athisl. Scelles of the present and the past flit by Hialti s and Biarki s inner vision, in their supreme hourthe 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.
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HIALTI |
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1 |
Awake, arise,rally, friends! All ye foremostathelings of Hrólf! Awake not to winenor to your wives converse, but rather to Gondul s7game of war. |
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BIARKI |
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(drowsily responds, calling out to a thrall:) |
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2 |
Bring a fardel of fagotsto kindle the fire! Brush thou the hearthand blow in the embers! p. 6 Let the kindling crackleto kindle the logs: tis winsome, with warm handto welcome friends. 8 |
(He relapses into sleep; but Hialti exhorts the housecarls and plunges into battle with his king:)
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HIALTI |
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3 |
Our great-hearted kinggave to his housecarls rings, helms, short-swords,and shining mail-coats; his gifts in peacemust be gained in war; in war is provedwhat was pledged over ale.9 |
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4 |
The ruler of Daneschose him the doughty; courage is knownwhen the craven flee; in the tumult of battlehe needs trusty fighters: conquest follows kingwho may count on his men. |
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5 |
Hold firm your hilts,ye chosen housecarls, shield flung on shoulder,to show ye are men; breast open gainst breastoffer we to our foemen: beak against beak,so shall battle the eagles. |
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6 |
Foremost among fightersbold Hiorvarth10 fares, glorying in swordplay,in gold-helm dight; after him are marchingmartial hosts of Gauts, with ring-laid11 helmsand rattling spears. |
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7 |
Skuld him egged on,the Skioldung12 queen, to his kin to be false,his king to betray; p. 7 raving she isand bereft of reason, by evil nornsfor ill created. |
(The tide of battle turns against Hrólf and he falls. Hialti continues:)
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8 |
Now their last cupfor kingsmen is poured, after his liege-lordshall no one live but he show him fearfuland shrink from blows, or be too listlesshis lord to avenge. |
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9 |
Our byrnies are slitand sundered our limbs; blows of the billhave broken the king s shield; wide gapes the gate,and the gallant flee, the baleful battle-axegnaws men s brows. |
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10 |
Lift thou now, Hrút,thy light-haired brow, leave thy bower,for battle is nigh. |
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*** |
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the towers are tumbling,the castle-gates tremble. |
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(Hialti and his men fire the castle. They discover Biarki in profound sleep:)
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HIALTI |
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11 |
Bidest thou yet, Biarki?Do sleep-runes13 bind
thee? Come forth now with meere thee fire assail! We fend off our foesas we do bearswith firebrands:14 the castle crumbles,the king s hall flames. |
(As Biarki still tarries, Hialti once more rallies his warriors:)
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HIALTI |
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12 |
Let us rally our ranksas Hrólf us taught, the hero who hewed downthe ring-hoarder. p. 8 Wretched was HrSrekthough he riches owned: but gold he gathered,not gallant men. |
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13 |
Hrólf harried on HrSrek.He ransom offered before the gates disgorgedhis purse its gold: he strewed before strongholdstores of treasure.15 Then was lavished on foewhat on friends was saved. |
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14 |
Though our liege him slew:he allotted the hoard among faithful followers,refused it himself. Nothing him gladdenedbut he gave it to them: to award it to warriorsnaught was too welcome. |
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15 |
The most large-hearted lordlifeless has sunk; lost is the lifemen will longest remember: he ran to the sword-playas river toward sea, fared against foelike the fleet-footed stag. |
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16 |
A burn of bloodfrom the battle-field flows, as Hiorvarth arnong hostsHild s-play16 speedeth. But the sword-giver smilesin his sleep of death, as at bountiful banquethe beakers emptied. |
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17 |
Fróthi
s kinsman17on the Fýri Plains his gold rings sowed,glad in his mind; him we joyfully followon his journey to Hel, manly of speechand firm of mettle. |
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18 |
Blows of our brandsshall back our faith, the glory of great deedsnever is forgotten. Latched and lockedthe hall still is right. A third time, Biarki,I bid thee come forth! |
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BIARKI |
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19 |
Eagerly doest thou, Hialti,egg on Hrólf
s kinsman;18 but to vaunting wordsfit valiant deeds. Bide thou whilst Biarkihis byrnie fastens; little he liststo be burned alive. |
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20 |
On an isle was I born,barren and little; twelve demesnes gave meHrólf to master, realms to rule,and ruddy gold, too his sister to wife;here s worth to requite. (He plunges into battle:) |
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21 |
Shields on your shoulders,if ye shun not death! Only the cravencovers him now. Bare your breasts!Your bucklers fling down!19 Gold-weighted armthe glaive best wields.20 |
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22 |
With my steel erst I struckthe wild stag 21 in battle, with my short-sword slew himwhich Snirtir is named. Hero s name got Iwhen its hilt I gripped when Agnar Ingialdsson slife I ended. |
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23 |
Gainst my head he hewed,but HSking22 broke, on Biarki s browhis blade was shattered. Then raised I Snirtir,through his ribs thrust him, his right hand and right legI lopped with one blow. |
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24 |
Never was there, I ween,a more warlike hero than when, sword-hewn,sank the son of Ingiald: lifeless he layand laughed toward death; to Valholl s gateshe gleefully hied him. |
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25 |
To his heart I hewedthe hero but now, young in yearsbut unyielding in spirit; p. 10 through his buckler I battered,naught booted him his hauberk: my Snirtir but seldomslackens its blow. |
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26 |
Guard you now,ye gallant Gautish chieftains! Athelings onlyenter this battle! |
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*** |
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27 |
His loved son now losesmany a lord; but for barons, not bondmenHel s bars will be lowered. More closely comesthe clash of battle, three blows I getfor one I give. |
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28 |
Alone in the strifeI stand amongst the slain. A bulwark I build meof fallen bodies. Where is now hewho whetted me before, and tempted me sore,as though twelve lives he had? |
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HIALTI |
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29 |
Few are the followers,but far I am not. strong is now needof stout-hearted men; battered is my buckler,broken and shattered yourself may see it:sight goes before hearsay. Doest battle now, Biarki,as thou bidedst before? |
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BIARKI |
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30 |
Thy spiteful speechspurs me no longer: not I am the causethat tardy I came. Now a Swedish swordsorely has struck me; through my war-weeds it wentas though water it cleft. |
(Biarki s wife Hrút has found her mortally wounded husband on the battle field, where the conflict is now dying down.)
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31 |
But where is Óthin,the one-eyed grey-beard? Say now, Hrút, swiftly:Seest thou him nowhere? |
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HRÚT |
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32 |
Lower thy eyeand look through my arm,23 sign then thy viewwith victory-runes: unscathed shalt thou, Biarki,then scan with thy glance and fasten thy eyeson the father of victory. 24 |
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BIARKI |
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33 |
Could I fasten my eyeson Frigg
s husband24 now, the swift shield-swingerand Sleipnir s rider, his life would losethe war-god at Leire25 blood for blood thenwould Biarki crave. |
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34 |
Here by my chieftain
shead I shall sink now, thou26 by his feetshalt find thee a rest. Booty-seekers on battle fieldshall bear me out: the great-souled king s giftseven the dead forget not. |
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35 |
Soon greedy eagleswill gorge on our bodies, ramping ravenswill rend our limbs. to high-minded, hardyhero it is seeming dying to dwellby his king rich in deeds. |
1 The housecarls of the Scandinavian kings correspond to the hird of the Anglo-Saxons. They formed the bodyguard of select warriors.
2 Axel Olrik, The Heroic Legends of Denmark (English trans., 1916) p. 169.
3 Gesta Danorum, book II.
4 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.
5 The matter of Hrólf s rise, but not his fall, is briefly alluded to in various passages of Bowulf.
6 For a detailed and searching analysis the reader is referred to Olrik s work, pp. 202 f.
7 (Or Hild), one of the Valkyries. In Snorri s account, the beginning is as follows:
| The day has come,claps the cock his wings: tis time for thrallsto go to their tasks. Awake, ye friends,be aye awake, all ye best menof Athil s board. |
| Hár the hard-gripping,Hrólf the bowman, men of noble racewho never flee; I wake you not to winenor to women s converse, but rather to the hardgame of Hild. |
But for reasons, fully discussed by Olrik, op. cit., pp. 183 f, these stanzas cannot have been the beginning of the Old Biarkamól.
8 It is uncertain whether he thinks guests are coming or ironically bids the enemies welcome with fire (cf. stanza 11).
9 Almost all the phrases in this stanza, and many others in the following exhortation, recur verbally in W+glf s exhortation of Bowulf s men to support him against the dragon (Bowulf, 11, 2663-2660); and much occurs of the same import in the Battle of Maldon.
10 Equivalent to Anglo-Saxon Heoroweard. Other names, in the lay, have the following Anglo-Saxon equivalents: Helgi, Hlga; Hróar, HrMthgr; Hrólf, HrMthulf; the Gauts (Gautar), Gatas; HrSrek, Hrthr+k; Ingiald, Ingeld; Athils, adgils.
11 Helmets adomed with chains of rings.
12 Skioldungs (Anglo-Saxon, Scyldingas), the royal race of Denmark, whose progenitor is Skiëld (Anglo-Saxon, Scyld).
13 Cf. the magic runes fettering Sigrdrífa, Sigrdrífumël, Prose after stanza 4.
14 In Saxo: igne ursos arcere licet. Possibly, an allusion to Biarki s name, which is a short-name for a name compounded with -biërn, bear. He has by some scholars been identified with Bowulf.
15 In order to purchase peace.
16 One of the valkyries; hence, Hild s-play, a kenning for battle.
17 I.e., Hrólf.The allusion is to an expedition of Hrólf to King Athils of Sweden. When treacherously pursued by Athils on the Fýri Plains (i.e., the region of Upsala) Hrólf stopped him by scattering gold rings which Athils and his men greedily picked up.
18 Biarki himself.
19 Cf. Hákonarmól, stanza 4.
20 I.e., the golden arm-ring, by reminding warriors of the generosity of their lord, will cause them to fight more spiritedly.
21 A kenning, it seems, for warrior.
22 Agnar s sword. Its name signifies the sword owned by Hók.
23 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 Sigrdrífumól, stanza 7.
24 Óthin, who has been aiding the enemy and is now collecting the dead warriors for Valholl. He rides the eight-footed steed Sleipnir. Cf. Grímnismól, stanza 44.
25 Old Norse Hleithrar, the capital of the Danish kingdom in prehistoric times.
26 Hialti.