Egla, 87: Difference between revisions

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'''Thorstein goes to a feast'''
'''Thorstein goes to a feast'''


There was a man named Thorgeir, a kinsman and friend of Thorstein: he dwelt then at Swan-ness. <ref>'''...friend of Thorstein: he dwelt...:''' "“The Egilssaga ends with the statement that Skuli was the best of the sons of Thorstein at Borg, but it gives no account of why this should be true. […] The most enduring part of him is his seven dróttkvætt and helmings." (p. 176).</ref>Thorgeir was wont to have a harvest feast every autumn. He went to Thorstein Egil's son and asked him to his house. Thorstein promised to come, and Thorgeir went home. But on the appointed day Thorstein made him ready to go: it wanted then four weeks of winter. With Thorstein went an Easterling, his guest, and two house-carles. There was a son of Thorstein named Grim, who was then ten years old; he too went with Thorstein, thus they were five in all. And they rode out to Foss, there they crossed Long-river, then out, as the road lay, to Aurrida-river. On the outer bank of that river Steinar was at work, and Aunund, and their house-carles. And when they perceived Thorstein they ran to their weapons, then pursued his party. On seeing Steinar's pursuit, these rode outside Long-holt. There is a hillock, high and bare of wood. Thorstein's party dismounted there, and climbed the hillock. Thorstein bade the boy Grim go into the wood, and not be present at the encounter. As soon as Steinar and his company came to the hillock they set upon Thorstein's party, and there was a fight. There were in Steinar's band six grown men in all, and a seventh was Steinar's son, ten years old. This encounter was seen by those who were on the meadows from other farms, and they ran to part them. But by the time they were parted both Thorstein's house-carles had lost their lives, one house-carle of Steinar's had fallen, and several were wounded.
There was a man named Thorgeir, a kinsman and friend of Thorstein: he dwelt then at Swan-ness.<ref>'''...friend of Thorstein: he dwelt...:''' "“The Egilssaga ends with the statement that Skuli was the best of the sons of Thorstein at Borg, but it gives no account of why this should be true. […] The most enduring part of him is his seven dróttkvætt and helmings." (p. 176). [[Wood, Cecil. Skúli Þórsteinsson]] (p. 176).</ref> Thorgeir was wont to have a harvest feast every autumn. He went to Thorstein Egil's son and asked him to his house. Thorstein promised to come, and Thorgeir went home. But on the appointed day Thorstein made him ready to go: it wanted then four weeks of winter. With Thorstein went an Easterling, his guest, and two house-carles. There was a son of Thorstein named Grim, who was then ten years old; he too went with Thorstein, thus they were five in all. And they rode out to Foss, there they crossed Long-river, then out, as the road lay, to Aurrida-river. On the outer bank of that river Steinar was at work, and Aunund, and their house-carles. And when they perceived Thorstein they ran to their weapons, then pursued his party. On seeing Steinar's pursuit, these rode outside Long-holt. There is a hillock, high and bare of wood. Thorstein's party dismounted there, and climbed the hillock. Thorstein bade the boy Grim go into the wood, and not be present at the encounter. As soon as Steinar and his company came to the hillock they set upon Thorstein's party, and there was a fight. There were in Steinar's band six grown men in all, and a seventh was Steinar's son, ten years old. This encounter was seen by those who were on the meadows from other farms, and they ran to part them. But by the time they were parted both Thorstein's house-carles had lost their lives, one house-carle of Steinar's had fallen, and several were wounded.


After they were parted Thorstein sought for Grim. And they found him sore wounded, while Steinar's son lay there by him dead. And when Thorstein leapt on his horse, then Steinar called after him, 'You run now, Thorstein the white.' Thorstein answered, 'You shall run further ere a week be out.'
After they were parted Thorstein sought for Grim. And they found him sore wounded, while Steinar's son lay there by him dead. And when Thorstein leapt on his horse, then Steinar called after him, 'You run now, Thorstein the white.' Thorstein answered, 'You shall run further ere a week be out.'

Revision as of 08:05, 19 January 2016


Chapter 87

Thorstein goes to a feast

There was a man named Thorgeir, a kinsman and friend of Thorstein: he dwelt then at Swan-ness.[1] Thorgeir was wont to have a harvest feast every autumn. He went to Thorstein Egil's son and asked him to his house. Thorstein promised to come, and Thorgeir went home. But on the appointed day Thorstein made him ready to go: it wanted then four weeks of winter. With Thorstein went an Easterling, his guest, and two house-carles. There was a son of Thorstein named Grim, who was then ten years old; he too went with Thorstein, thus they were five in all. And they rode out to Foss, there they crossed Long-river, then out, as the road lay, to Aurrida-river. On the outer bank of that river Steinar was at work, and Aunund, and their house-carles. And when they perceived Thorstein they ran to their weapons, then pursued his party. On seeing Steinar's pursuit, these rode outside Long-holt. There is a hillock, high and bare of wood. Thorstein's party dismounted there, and climbed the hillock. Thorstein bade the boy Grim go into the wood, and not be present at the encounter. As soon as Steinar and his company came to the hillock they set upon Thorstein's party, and there was a fight. There were in Steinar's band six grown men in all, and a seventh was Steinar's son, ten years old. This encounter was seen by those who were on the meadows from other farms, and they ran to part them. But by the time they were parted both Thorstein's house-carles had lost their lives, one house-carle of Steinar's had fallen, and several were wounded.

After they were parted Thorstein sought for Grim. And they found him sore wounded, while Steinar's son lay there by him dead. And when Thorstein leapt on his horse, then Steinar called after him, 'You run now, Thorstein the white.' Thorstein answered, 'You shall run further ere a week be out.'

Then Thorstein with his company rode out over the moor, taking with them the boy Grim. And when they came to the holt that is there, the boy died; and they buried him there in the holt, called since Grimsholt. And the place where they fought is called Battle-hillock.

Thorstein rode to Swan-ness that evening, as he had intended, and sat there at the feast three nights, after which he made him ready to go home. Men offered to go with him, but he would not; so he and his Easterling friend rode two together.

That same day Steinar, expecting that Thorstein would be riding home, rode out along the shore. But when he came to the dunes below Lamba-stead he lay in wait there. He had the sword named Skrymir, an excellent weapon. He stood there on the sandhill with drawn sword and eyes turned one way, for he saw Thorstein riding out on the sand. Lambi, who dwelt at Lamba-stead, saw what Steinar was doing. He left the house and went down the back, and, when he came to Steinar, he gripped him behind between the shoulders. Steinar tried to shake him off, but Lambi held fast, and so they went from the sandhill on to the level, and just then Thorstein and his friend rode by on the path below. Steinar had ridden thither on his stallion, which was now galloping inwards along the seashore. Thorstein and his friend saw this, and wondered, for they had perceived nothing of Steinar's coming. Then Steinar turned to regain the bank (for he saw not that Thorstein had ridden by). And as they came on the edge of the bank, Lambi suddenly threw Steinar from the sandhill down on to the flat sand, and himself ran home. As soon as he could get to his feet Steinar ran after Lambi. But when Lambi reached his house-door, he dashed in and slammed the door after him, Steinar aiming a blow after him so that the sword stuck in the wood of the door. There they parted, and Steinar went home.

But when Thorstein came home, he sent next day a house-carle out to Leiru-brook to bid Steinar move house beyond Borgar-hraun, else would he take advantage of this against Steinar when he had more power on his side, 'and you will then,' said he, 'have no choice of migration.' So Steinar prepared to go out to Snæfells-strand, and there he set up his household at a place called Ellida. And thus ended the dealings between him and Thorstein Egil's son.

Thorgeir Blund dwelt at Anabrekka. He proved a bad neighbour to Thorstein in every way that he could do so. On one occasion, when Egil and Thorstein met, they talked much about Thorgeir Blund their kinsman, and they both agreed about him. Then Egil sang:

'Steinar my word erewhile
Stript of his fruitful acres:
So did I hope to help
The heir of Geir and Kettle.
False, though he promised fair,
My sister's son hath failed me.
Blund now (whereat I wonder)
Withholds him not from ill.'

Thorgeir Blund left Anabrekka, and went south to Floka-dale; for Thorstein saw he could not get on with him, and yet wished to be forbearing. Thorstein was a man with no trickery, just, and never aggressive on others, but he held his own if others attacked him. But it proved disastrous to most to match their force with him.

Odd was then head-man in Borgar-firth, south of White-river. He was temple-priest, and ruled over that temple, to which all paid tribute within Skards-heath.

References

  1. ...friend of Thorstein: he dwelt...: "“The Egilssaga ends with the statement that Skuli was the best of the sons of Thorstein at Borg, but it gives no account of why this should be true. […] The most enduring part of him is his seven dróttkvætt and helmings." (p. 176). Wood, Cecil. Skúli Þórsteinsson (p. 176).

Kafli 87

Heimboð við Þorstein

Þorgeir er maður nefndur. Hann var frændi Þorsteins og hinn mesti vin. Hann bjó í þenna tíma á Álftanesi. [1] Þorgeir var vanur að hafa haustboð hvert haust. Þorgeir fór til fundar við Þorstein Egilsson og bauð honum til sín. Þorsteinn hét ferðinni og fór Þorgeir heim.

En að ákveðnum degi bjóst Þorsteinn til farar og voru þá fjórar vikur til vetrar. Með Þorsteini fór Austmaður hans og húskarlar hans tveir. Grímur hét son Þorsteins. Hann var þá tíu vetra og fór og með Þorsteini og voru þeir fimm saman og riðu út til Foss og þar yfir Langá, síðan út sem leið lá til Aurriðaár.

En fyrir utan ána var Steinar á verki og Önundur og húskarlar þeirra. Og er þeir kenndu Þorstein þá hljópu þeir til vopna sinna og síðan eftir þeim Þorsteini. Og er Þorsteinn sá eftirför Steinars þá riðu þeir út af Langaholti. Þar er hóll einn hár og óvíður. Þar stíga þeir Þorsteinn af hestunum og sækja upp á hólinn. Þorsteinn mælti að sveinninn Grímur skyldi fara í skóginn og verða eigi við staddur fundinn. Og þegar er þeir Steinar koma að hólnum þá sækja þeir að þeim Þorsteini og varð þar bardagi. Þeir Steinar voru sex saman vaxnir menn en hinn sjöundi son Steinars, tíu vetra gamall. Þenna fund sáu þeir menn er voru á engiteigum af öðrum bæjum og runnu til að skilja þá. Og er þeir voru skildir þá voru látnir húskarlar Þorsteins báðir. Fallinn var og einn húskarl Steinars en sárir sumir.

Og er þeir voru skildir leitar Þorsteinn að hvar Grímur var og finna þeir hann. Var Grímur þá sár mjög og son Steinars lá þar hjá honum dauður.

Og er Þorsteinn hljóp á hest sinn þá kallaði Steinar á hann og mælti: „Rennur þú nú Þorsteinn hvíti?“ segir hann.

Þorsteinn segir: „Lengra skaltu renna áður vika sé liðin.“

Síðan riðu þeir Þorsteinn út yfir mýrina og höfðu með sér sveininn Grím. Og er þeir komu út í holt það er þar verður þá andast sveinninn og grófu þeir hann þar í holtið og er það kallað Grímsholt en þar heitir Orustuhvoll sem þeir börðust.

Þorsteinn reið á Álftanes um kveldið sem hann hafði ætlað og sat þar að boði þrjár nætur en síðan bjóst hann til heimferðar. Menn buðust til að fara með honum en hann vildi eigi. Riðu þeir tveir saman.

Og þann sama dag er Steinar vissi von að Þorsteinn mundi heim ríða þá reið Steinar út með sjó. Og er hann kom á mela þá er verða fyrir neðan Lambastaði þá settist hann þar á melinn. Hann hafði sverð það er Skrýmir hét, allra vopna best. Hann stóð þar á melnum með sverðið brugðið og horfði þá á einn veg því að hann sá þá reið Þorsteins utan um sandinn.

Lambi bjó á Lambastöðum og sá hvað Steinar hafðist að. Hann gekk heiman og ofan á bakkann og er hann kom að Steinari þá greip hann aftan undir hendur honum. Steinar vildi slíta hann af sér. Lambi hélt fast og fara þeir nú af melunum á sléttuna en þá ríða þeir Þorsteinn hið neðra götuna. Steinar hafði riðið stóðhesti sínum og hljóp hann inn með sjó. Það sáu þeir Þorsteinn og undruðust því að þeir höfðu ekki varir orðið við för Steinars. Þá þveraðist Steinar fram á bakkann því að hann sá eigi að Þorsteinn hefði um riðið. Og er þeir komu á bakkann framanverðan þá hratt Lambi honum fyrir melinn ofan en það varaðist Steinar ekki. Hann rasaði ofan á sandinn en Lambi hljóp heim. Og er Steinar komst á fætur þá rann hann eftir Lamba. En er Lambi kom að dyrum þá hljóp hann inn en rak aftur hurðina. Steinar hjó eftir honum svo að sverðið stóð fast í vindskeiðunum. Skildust þeir þar. Gekk Steinar heim.

En er Þorsteinn kom heim þá sendi hann um daginn eftir húskarl sinn út til Leirulækjar að segja Steinari að hann færði bústað sinn um Borgarhraun en að öðrum kosti mundi hann njóta þess við Steinar ef hann ætti fleira mannaforráð „og mun þá eigi kostur brottferðar.“

En Steinar bjó ferð sína út á Snæfellsströnd og þar setti hann bú saman er heitir að Elliða og lýkur þar viðskiptum þeirra Þorsteins Egilssonar.

Þorgeir blundur bjó að Ánabrekku. Hann veitti Þorsteini illar búsifjar í öllu því er hann mátti.

Það var eitt sinn er þeir hittust, Egill og Þorsteinn, að þeir ræddu margt um Þorgeir blund, frænda sinn, og komu allar ræður ásamt með þeim. Þá kvað Egill:

Spandi eg jörð með orðum
endr Steinari úr hendi.
Ég þóttumst þá orka
arka Geirs til þarfar.
Mér brást minnar systur
mögr, hétumst þá fögru.
Mátti eigi böls of bindast
Blundr, eg slíkt of undrumst.

Þorgeir blundur fór í brott frá Ánabrekku og fór suður í Flókadal því að Þorsteinn þóttist ekki mega við hann eiga en hann vildi þó vægjast þar við.

Þorsteinn var maður órefjusamur og réttlátur og óáleitinn við menn en hélt hlut sínum ef aðrir menn leituðu á hann enda veitti það heldur þungt flestum að etja kappi við hann.

Oddur var þá höfðingi í Borgarfirði fyrir sunnan Hvítá. Hann var hofsgoði og réð fyrir hofi því er allir menn guldu hoftoll til fyrir innan Skarðsheiði.

Tilvísanir

  1. ...hinn mesti vin. Hann bjó...: "“The Egilssaga ends with the statement that Skuli was the best of the sons of Thorstein at Borg, but it gives no account of why this should be true. […] The most enduring part of him is his seven dróttkvætt and helmings." (p. 176).

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