Tópi ok ópi,
Madness and howling,
 
tiösull ok óþoli,
tearing affliction and unbearable desire,
 
vaxi þér tár með trega!
may your tears grow with grief!
 
Seztu niðr,
Sit down,
 
en ek mun segia þér
and I shall describe to you
 
sváran súsbreka
a heavy sea of sorrow
 
ok tvennan trega:
and a double grief.