My husband, who built our house and much of its furnishings, suggested that
'buá um' regarding a ship drawn up on shore in the last translation could be
reconciled between the two translations of prepared for winter and fenced
round. He suggests that it could mean that props or cribbing would have
been placed to help support a ship drawn up on its keel.



The last translation went much better than this one. I had much difficulty
here.

Grace







Kona ein var við vatnit ok þó lérept sín. Hon sér ferð
One woman was near the water and washed her clothes. She sees trades-



manna. Griðkona sjá sópar saman léreptunum ok hleypr
men. This serving woman sweeps together the clothes and runs



heim. Hon kastar þeim niðr úti hjá viðarkesti, en hleypr inn.
home. She casts them down outside by (the) wood pile, but (and) runs
inside.



Hrafnkell var þá eigi upp staðinn, ok nökkurir vilðarmenn
H. was not then up from bed, and certain favored retainers



lágu í skálanum, en verkmenn váru til iðnar farnir. Þetta var 725
lay in the hut, but workers were about working at ????. This was



um heyjaannir.
in hay-making time.



Konan tók til orða, er hon kom inn: 'Satt er flest þat, er
(The) woman took to words, when she came in, "It is most truth, which



fornkveðit er, at svá ergisk hverr sem eldisk. Verðr sú lítil
is said of old, that so (he) grows faint-hearted he who grows old. This one
(is) worth



virðing, sem snimma leggsk á, ef maðr lætr síðan sjálfr af með
little respect, as early was acquired, if a man allow then himself from
with?



ósóma ok hefir eigi traust til at reka þess réttar nökkurt sinni, 730
dishonor and has not confidence to pursue this certain lawful claim of his,



ok eru slík mikil undr um þann mann, sem hraustr hefir verit.
and were such great shame about that man, as had been brave (before).



Nú er annan veg þeira lífi, er upp vaxa með föður sínum, ok
Now is another way of their lives, when (the sons?) grow up with their
father, and



þykkja yðr einskis háttar hjá yðr, en þá er þeir eru frumvaxta,
think you quite clear (how?) you conduct (yourselves) here, but then when
they

were in their prime,



fara land af landi ok þykkja þar mestháttar, sem þá koma þeir,
take land from (their) countrymen ??? and think there most remarkably,

as then they come ???,



koma við þat út ok þykkjask þá höfðingjum meiri. Eyvindr 735
come out with it and think themselves then the better leaders. E.

Bjarnason reið hér yfir á á Skálavaði með svá fagran skjöld, at
B. rode here over (the) river to S. with so fine a shield, that



ljómaði af. Er hann svá menntr, at hefnd væri í honum.'
gleamed. He is so accomplished, that he were to take vengeance on him???"



Lætr griðkonan ganga af kappi.
(The) housemaid let go with great zeal.



Hrafnkell ríss upp ok svarar henni, 'Kann vera, at þú hjalir
H. rose up and answered her, "(It) can be that you chatter



helzti margt satt -- eigi fyrir því, at þér gangi gott til. Er nú 740
far too much truth - - not before it?, that your intentions are good
(Gordon). When now



vel, at þér aukisk erfiði. Far þú hart suðr á Víðivöllu eptir
well, that to you work is increased. Go you hard south to Wide Plain after



Hallsteinssonum, Sighvati ok Snorra. Bið þá skjótt til mín
Hallstein's sons, Sighvat and Snorri. Summon (them) then quickly to me



koma með þá menn, sem þar eru vápnforir.'
(that they should) come then with men, that there are bearing weapons."
Fred and Grace Hatton
Hawley Pa