THE LAY OF INNSTEIN

p. 46

THE LAY OF INNSTEIN

THIS LAY is found in the mythic-heroic Hálfs saga, a typical fornaldarsaga, or tale of the olden times, consisting of narrative with interspersed poems, which in this instance preponderate. The prose is largely commentary, or furnishes connecting links, for the many lausavísur (single stanzas) and other poems that make up the bulk of the saga.1 Indeed, in our lay it might be dispensed with altogether, for the action is admirably brought out in the dialogue and ensuing monologue. Though pleasing in invention and smooth in diction and versification (fornyrthislag), the stereotyped phrasing and evident borrowings from such older poems as Biarkamól, Vikarsbálk, and perhaps, Atlamól, betray its late origin (thirteenth century). Only one stanza, the sixteenth, stands out in peculiar vigor as though a remnant of some nobler edifice.

The saga deals chiefly with the life of the famous sea-king Hálf and his chosen band, the Hálfsrekkiar. When after eighteen years of Viking life, he returns with his fleet to his native kingdom of Horthaland, his stepfather, Ásmund, who had ruled it in his stead, feigns submission and invites Hálf to his hall with half his company; and he accepts, against the earnest warnings of Innstein, his old companion at arms. They are made drunk, the hall is fired over their heads; but the heroes rouse themselves and break out of the hall. In the struggle outside they fall to a man, not wishing to survive their beloved leader; at least, this is clearly the intention of the lay. A later poet, to be sure, allowed several of Hálf s men to escape and avenge him in time. About them, we have in the saga the lays of Útstein 2 and of Hrók, in a somewhat similar vein.

INNSTEIN said:

1
Up to Ásmundwould all of us
from our dragons hie them,most doughty men:
p. 47 In their hall let usburn the host of warriors,
and send to HelÁsmund s heroes!

HÁLF said:

2
Let half, only,of our host
on our errandto Ásmund fare:
hath he offered us,most open-handed,
many wroughten ringsof reddish gold.

INNSTEIN said:

3
You guess not, ring-giver,the guile of Ásmund:
is that crafty kingcunning in mind.
If, war-lord, thouour warning heedest,
put little faithin thy stepfather!

HÁLF said:

4
Hath Ásmund swornoaths full many,
and made pledges,as men do know:
will a good liege notgive the lie to his oaths,
nor one athelingthe other bewray.

INNSTEIN said:

5
Hath Óthin grownangry with thee,
since all too wellthou Ásmund trustest:
by wicked wileshe will undo us,
unless on guardagainst him art!

HÁLF said:

6
Aye words of fearart fain to utter:
that prince will notthus break his pledge.
Gold we ll get there,and goodly things
to have and to hold,from his hoard of rings.

INNSTEIN said:

7
This dream had Ito heed it were wise!
that flames flickeredfiercely about us,
p. 48 whence hard was it to hack our way.
What deem st thou, king,this dream betokens?3

HÁLF said:

8
A guilded helmetshall I give to each
of the fearless heroesthat follow me:
would they seem to flashas though fire did blaze
on the hair-hillocks 4of the hardy men.

INNSTEIN said:

9
Still another dreamI after had:
that fire methoughtto flame on my shoulders;
I guess that littlegood it bodeth.
What deem st thou, king,this dream betokens?

HÁLF said:

10
Golden byrnieson the backs rattle
of war-workerswho in wedges array them:5
the shield-bearers shouldersthey will shine upon,
bright to beholdlike blazing fire.

INNSTEIN said:

11
A third time stillI this did dream:
that in deepest seawe had sunk together;
great tidings thismust betoken.
What deem st thou, king,this dream bodeth?

HÁLF said:

12
Be done with dreamsand doting talk:
I deem that naughtthy dreams betoken.
Say thou no morein my hearing
of these thy dreamsfrom this day onward.

p. 49

INNSTEIN said:

13
Ye Hrók brothers,in the host of the king,
and Útstein eke:I utter warning!
Let all of usgo up to the hall,
and listen notto the liege s words!

ÚTSTEIN said:

14
Our brave chieftainshall choose for us,
the foremost in war,how fare we shall:
as the liege likethso let us, brother,
risk our lives nowand the leader follow!

INNSTEIN said:

15
Did our lord listen,in the wars as we lay,
many a timeto my counsel;
but now, ween I,he will in naught
give heed to me,since hither we came.

Then went King Hálf with the half of his ship company to the hall of King Ásmund. There they found a great host. Great plenty reigned at the feast, and the drink was so strong that Hálf s men fell fast asleep. King Ásmund and his men set fire to the hall. Then said Innstein:

16
There s smoke o er hawks 6in the hall of the king:
I wait me the dripof wax from swords.7
Tis time to dealout treasure and gold
among Hálf s heroes,and helmets eke.

17
That would I nowthat Hálf awake:
are fires kindledunquenchable.
To Ásmund oughtest,wise atheling,
to the grim-minded,his gifts requite!8

p. 50

18
Let us bravely batterthe beer-hall s walls!
Gape even nowthe gable walls;
will ever be sung,while earth lasteth,
how Hálf s heroeshardily fared.

19
Briskly forward,nor back a foot!
Will the war-workers 9have to wield their swords:
will themselves be searedwith sore gashes
and sore wounds,ere the battle is stilled.

20
Let the warriors wendtheir way quickly
out of the firewith the atheling!
Forever livethnot any man:
will the folk-wardernot fear to die.

It is told that King Hálf and his men made their way out of the blazing hall and that he was overwhelmed by the greater host outsidehe and his men. When the king was fallen, Innstein said:

21
Here saw I all,equally bold,
fearlessly followthe folk-warder:
well met, again,when after we meet!10
Than death, life isnot lighter to bear!

Then those men joined the fray who had stayed by the ships. There fell many of Hálf s warriors. The battle lasted till night, ere Innstein fell. He said:

22
Is Hrok fallenwith Hálf the king
the fearless oneat the feet of his lord;
but ill owe weto Óthin now
who overthrewa thane so brave.

23
Eighteen summers 11I did follow
the ruler, roving,to redden spears;
p. 51 no other kingeager for war
shall I ever have,to grow old with him.

24
Will Innstein hereto the earth sink dead,
whole-hearted henchman,by the head of his king.
will men e er afterto mind call it
that laughing diedthis lord of men.

Footnotes

p. 46

1 As, e.g., in the Reginsmól-Fáfnismól of the Edda.

2 As to the names of Innstein and his brother, Útstein, they seem to be connected with the royal estate of Útstein in Horthaland; cf. Haraldskvæthi 9 and note.

p. 48

3 Cf. the dreams of Kostbera, Atlamól, 4 ff.

4 Kenning for head.

5 Reference is here made to the wedge formation favored by many Germanic tribes in battle.

p. 49

6 I.e., warriors.

7 Swords were dipped in wax to protect them against rust (and witchcraft).

8 Ironic allusion to fires kindled for the welcome, and presents given at the departure, of guests.

p. 50

9 Ásmund s men.

10 I.e., after death, in Valholl.

11 The Viking expeditions took place only in summer.

INNSTEIN said:
1	Up to Ásmundwould all of us from our dragons hie them,most doughty men: p. 47 In their hall let usburn the host of warriors, and send to HelÁsmund s heroes!
HÁLF said:
2	Let half, only,of our host on our errandto Ásmund fare: hath he offered us,most open-handed, many wroughten ringsof reddish gold.
INNSTEIN said:
3	You guess not, ring-giver,the guile of Ásmund: is that crafty kingcunning in mind. If, war-lord, thouour warning heedest, put little faithin thy stepfather!
HÁLF said:
4	Hath Ásmund swornoaths full many, and made pledges,as men do know: will a good liege notgive the lie to his oaths, nor one athelingthe other bewray.
INNSTEIN said:
5	Hath Óthin grownangry with thee, since all too wellthou Ásmund trustest: by wicked wileshe will undo us, unless on guardagainst him art!
HÁLF said:
6	Aye words of fearart fain to utter: that prince will notthus break his pledge. Gold we ll get there,and goodly things to have and to hold,from his hoard of rings.
INNSTEIN said:
7	This dream had Ito heed it were wise! that flames flickeredfiercely about us, p. 48 whence hard was it to hack our way. What deem st thou, king,this dream betokens?3
HÁLF said:
8	A guilded helmetshall I give to each of the fearless heroesthat follow me: would they seem to flashas though fire did blaze on the hair-hillocks 4of the hardy men.
INNSTEIN said:
9	Still another dreamI after had: that fire methoughtto flame on my shoulders; I guess that littlegood it bodeth. What deem st thou, king,this dream betokens?
HÁLF said:
10	Golden byrnieson the backs rattle of war-workerswho in wedges array them:5 the shield-bearers shouldersthey will shine upon, bright to beholdlike blazing fire.
INNSTEIN said:
11	A third time stillI this did dream: that in deepest seawe had sunk together; great tidings thismust betoken. What deem st thou, king,this dream bodeth?
HÁLF said:
12	Be done with dreamsand doting talk: I deem that naughtthy dreams betoken. Say thou no morein my hearing of these thy dreamsfrom this day onward.
p. 49
INNSTEIN said:
13	Ye Hrók brothers,in the host of the king, and Útstein eke:I utter warning! Let all of usgo up to the hall, and listen notto the liege s words!
ÚTSTEIN said:
14	Our brave chieftainshall choose for us, the foremost in war,how fare we shall: as the liege likethso let us, brother, risk our lives nowand the leader follow!
INNSTEIN said:
15	Did our lord listen,in the wars as we lay, many a timeto my counsel; but now, ween I,he will in naught give heed to me,since hither we came.

16	There s smoke o er hawks 6in the hall of the king: I wait me the dripof wax from swords.7 Tis time to dealout treasure and gold among Hálf s heroes,and helmets eke.
17	That would I nowthat Hálf awake: are fires kindledunquenchable. To Ásmund oughtest,wise atheling, to the grim-minded,his gifts requite!8
p. 50
18	Let us bravely batterthe beer-hall s walls! Gape even nowthe gable walls; will ever be sung,while earth lasteth, how Hálf s heroeshardily fared.
19	Briskly forward,nor back a foot! Will the war-workers 9have to wield their swords: will themselves be searedwith sore gashes and sore wounds,ere the battle is stilled.
20	Let the warriors wendtheir way quickly out of the firewith the atheling! Forever livethnot any man: will the folk-wardernot fear to die.

22	Is Hrok fallenwith Hálf the king the fearless oneat the feet of his lord; but ill owe weto Óthin now who overthrewa thane so brave.
23	Eighteen summers 11I did follow the ruler, roving,to redden spears; p. 51 no other kingeager for war shall I ever have,to grow old with him.
24	Will Innstein hereto the earth sink dead, whole-hearted henchman,by the head of his king. will men e er afterto mind call it that laughing diedthis lord of men.