Thus sang Einarr: The stark prince lets Hildr's Shield-Sails As Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang: The mail-sarks of the warriors, The seemly youths 'gainst Högni's Even as here: They set the Point-Net's edge-band And again: 'Neath eagles' claws the king's foes XLVIII. "Weapons and armor should be periphrased in figures of battle, and with reference to Odin and the Valkyrs and host-kings: one should call a helmet Cowl, or Hood; a birnie, Sark, or Kirtle; a shield, Tent; and a shield-wall is termed Hall and Roof, Wall and Floor. Shields, periphrased in figures of warships, are called Sun, or Moon, or Leaf, or Sheen, or Garth, of the Ship; the shield is also called Ship of Ullr, or periphrased in terms of Hrungnir's feet, since he stood upon his shield. On ancient shields it was customary to paint a circle, which was called the 'ring,' and shields are called in metaphors of that ring. Hewing weapons, axes or swords, are called Fires of Blood, or of Wounds; swords are called Odin's Fires; but men call axes by the names of troll-women, and periphrase them in terms of blood or wounds or a forest or wood. Thrusting weapons are properly periphrased by calling them by names of serpents or fishes. Missile weapons are often metaphorically termed hail or sleet or storm. Variants of all these figures have been made in many ways, for they are used chiefly in poems of praise, where there is need of such metaphors. So sang Víga-Glúmr: With the Hanged-God's helmet The bravest held the venture. Thus sang Einarr Tinkling-Scale: Helm-folded strife-bold Búi,- Sigvaldi offered battle. Sark of Ródi, as Tindr sang: and din-swift When came the birnied Hákon To cast away the ring-rent Streaming Sark of Odin, Ródi's rocking sea-steeds were cleared. Hamdir's Kirtle, as Hallfredr sang: The war-sleet hard and streaming Of the foremost wave-deer's warriors. Sörli's Garments, as he sang further: Thence the bright Weeds of Sörli Shields are called Tents of Hlökk, as Grettír sang: Hlökk's Tent-Raisers held their noses Of the Rain-Storm of Hildr's Shield-Wall Ródi's Roof, as Einarr sang: Ródi's Roof's great Ice-Lump His age my lord so useth. Wall of Hildr, as Grettír sang, and as we have written before. Ship-Sun, as Einarr sang: In the sea Ólafr's Kinsman Reddens the flame of the Ship-Sun. Moon of the Ship's Cheek, as Refr sang: Fair was the day, when Scatterers Ship's Garth, as here: The swift Sweller of the Spear-Crash He was a bitter battler. Ash of Ullr, as here: The Snow-Gusts of Ullr's Ash-Ship With fullness, where are tossing The fearsome covered spike-spars. Blade of Hrungnir's Foot-Soles, as Bragi sang: Wilt hear, O Hrafnketill, How I shall praise the Sole-Blade Bragi the Skald sang this concerning the ring on the shield: Unless it be, that Sigurdr's In good kind for the ring-nave Of the Ringing Wheel of Hildr. He called the shield Wheel of Hildr, and the ring the Nave of the Wheel. Ring-Earth, as Hallvardr sang: The Chief of ranks of Combat It is also sung: A ring befits the shield best; A sword is Odin's Fire, as Kormákr sang: The fight swelled, when the Warrior, Fire of the Helm, as Úlfr Uggason sang: The very mighty Maiden Of the Mountain made the Sea-Horse Roll forward, but the Champions Of Odin's Helm-Fire felled her Wolf-Steed. Fire of the Birnie, as Glúmr Geirason sang: At that the Land-Protector Let the Birnie's Streaming Fire whine, |