Njála, 019

Chapter 19

There was a man whose name was Gunnar. He was one of Unna's kinsmen, and his mother's name was Rannveig. Gunnar's father was named Hamond.

Gunnar Hamond's son dwelt at Lithend, in the Fleetlithe. He was a tall man in growth, and a strong man - best skilled in arms of all men. He could cut or thrust or shoot if he chose as well with his left as with his right hand, and he smote so swiftly with his sword, that three seemed to flash through the air at once. He was the best shot with the bow of all men, and never missed his mark. He could leap more than his own height, with all his war-gear, and as far backwards as forwards. He could swim like a seal, and there was no game in which it was any good for anyone to strive with him; and so it has been said that no man was his match. He was handsome of feature, and fair skinned. His nose was straight, and a little turned up at the end. He was blue-eyed and bright-eyed, and ruddy-cheeked. His hair thick, and of good hue, and hanging down in comely curls. The most courteous of men was he, of sturdy frame and strong will, bountiful and gentle, a fast friend, but hard to please when making them. He was wealthy in goods.

His brother's name was Kolskegg; he was a tall strong man, a noble fellow, and undaunted in everything. Another brother's name was Hjort; he was then in his childhood. Orm Skogarnef was a base-born brother of Gunnar's; he does not come into this story. Arnguda was the name of Gunnar's sister. Hroar, the priest at Tongue, had her to wife.

Kafli 19

Gunnar hét maður. Hann var frændi Unnar. Rannveig hét móðir hans og var Sigfúsdóttir Sighvatssonar hins rauða. Hann var veginn við Sandhólaferju. Faðir Gunnars hét Hámundur og var sonur Gunnars Baugssonar. Við þann er kennt Gunnarsholt. Móðir Hámundar hét Hrafnhildur. Hún var Stórólfsdóttir Hængssonar. Stórólfur var bróðir Hrafns lögsögumanns. Sonur Stórólfs var Ormur hinn sterki.

Gunnar Hámundarson bjó að Hlíðarenda í Fljótshlíð. Hann var mikill maður vexti og sterkur, manna best vígur. Hann hjó báðum höndum og skaut ef hann vildi og hann vó svo skjótt með sverði að þrjú þóttu á lofti að sjá. Hann skaut manna best af boga og hæfði allt það er hann skaut til. Hann hljóp meir en hæð sína með öllum herklæðum og eigi skemmra aftur en fram fyrir sig. Hann var syndur sem selur og eigi var sá leikur er nokkur þyrfti við hann að keppa og hefir svo verið sagt að engi væri hans jafningi. Hann var vænn að yfirliti og ljóslitaður, rétt nefjaður og hafið upp í framanvert, bláeygur og snareygur og roði í kinnunum, hárið mikið og fór vel og vel litt. Manna kurteisastur var hann og harðgjör í öllu, fémildur, stilltur vel, vinfastur og vinavandur. Hann var vel auðigur að fé.

Bróðir hans hét Kolskeggur. Hann var mikill maður og sterkur, drengur góður og öruggur í öllu. Annar bróðir hans hét Hjörtur. Hann var þá í barnæsku. Ormur skógarnef var bróðir Gunnars laungetinn; er hann ekki við þessa sögu. Arngunnur hét systir Gunnars. Hana átti Hróar Tungugoði, son Una hins óborna Garðarssonar. Sá fann Ísland. Son Arngunnar var Hámundur halti er bjó á Hámundarstöðum.