From: llama_nom
Message: 5288
Date: 2005-05-17
> --- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, Haukur Þorgeirssontwo
> <haukurth@...> wrote:
>
> > "Golli Gautrekr þótti
> > góðr illr kyni þjóðar,
> > saddr varð svanr, en hræddisk
> > seint, skjótt, konungr, Þróttar."
>
> I was a bit unsure about which words go with which in the first
> lines. In particular I wondered about what is beingcalled 'illr'.
> But here's my guess:in
>
> To kin of people [tautology for people?] Gautrek seemed good
> [generous] with gold. Odin's bad swan [raven] got full fast. The
> king was slow to fear [understatement for he wasn't scared at all].
>
> Theoretically I think it could mean the opposite: raven got full
> slowly; the king was quick to fear. But I'll bet on politeness--
> the words of Han Solo, "It's not wise to upset a wookie."
>
> Llama Nom