Here´s my translation. Any comments welcomed, particularly on underlined text.
Kveðja
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: norse_course@yahoogroups.com [mailto:norse_course@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Fred and Grace Hatton
Sent: Wednesday, 31 May
2006 8:51 AM
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [norse_course] Njal 1st half second chapter
2. kafli
Chapter 2
Það var einu hverju sinni að þeir bræður riðu til alþingis, Höskuldur og
That was (happened) at one certain time that those brothers rode to (the) Althing, Höskuld and
Hrútur. Þar var fjölmenni mikið.
Hrút. A great multitude of people was there.
Þá ræddi Höskuldur við Hrút: "Það vildi eg bróðir að þú bættir ráð þitt og
Then Höskuld spoke with Hrút: ‘I would want that, brother, that you would better your condition and
bæðir (subj of biðja?) þér konu."
seek yourself a wife.’
Hrútur svarar: "Lengi hefir mér það í hug verið og hefir mér þó tvennt um
Hrút answers: ‘(For) a long time has that been in my mind and yet (it) has seemed to me double(-edged).
sýnst. En nú vil eg gera að þínu skapi eða hvar skulum við á leita?"
But now I want to do as per your inclination - so where shall we look?.’
Höskuldur svaraði: "Hér eru nú höfðingjar margir á þingi og er gott um að
Höskuld answered: ‘Many chieftains are now here at (the) Thing and (it) is good (array)
velja en þó hefi eg í einum stað á stofnað fyrir þína hönd. Kona heitir
to choose from but still I have in one (particular) respect arranged for your hand (ie on your behalf). (There) ia a woman called
Unnur og er dóttir Marðar gígju, hins vitrasta manns, og er hann hér á þingi
Unn and (she) is daughter of Mörð ‘Fiddle’, that most wise man, and he is here at (the) Thing
og svo dóttir hans og mátt þú nú sjá hana ef þú vilt."
and also his daughter and you might now see her if you want.’
Og annan dag eftir er menn gengu til lögréttu sáu þeir konur úti hjá
And (the) second day after (ie the next day) when men went to (the) law-pen (court), they saw women outside by
Rangæingabúð, vel búnar.
(the) booth of the Rang River folk, well attired.
Þá mælti Höskuldur við Hrút: "Þar er hún nú Unnur er eg sagði þér frá eða
Then Höskuld spoke with Hrút: ‘There she is now, Unn, whom I spoke to you about - so
hversu líst þér á hana?"
how seems (it) to you about her (How does she look to you)?’
"Vel," sagði hann, "en eigi veit eg hvort við eigum heill saman."
‘Well,’ he said, ‘but I know not whether we will possess luck (ie be happy) together.’
Síðan ganga þeir til lögréttu. Mörður gígja mælti lögskil að vanda sínum og
Afterwards they walk to (the) law-pen (court). Mörð ‘Fiddle’ recited (the) legal proceedings as (was) his custom and
gekk heim til búðar sinnar. Höskuldur stóð upp og Hrútur og gengu til búðar
went back to his booth. Höskuld stood up and (then) Hrút and (they) went to Mörð´s booth
Marðar og inn í búðina. Mörður sat í innanverðri búðinni. Þeir kvöddu hann.
and inside into the booth. Mörð sat in the more inner (section of the) booth. They greeted him.
Hann stóð upp í mót þeim og tók í hönd Höskuldi og settist hann niður hjá
He stood up in a meeting to (ie to meet) them and took Höskuld in hand (shook hands) and set him down by
honum en Hrútur sat hið næsta Höskuldi.
him but Hrút sat the nearest (ie next) to Höskuld.
Síðan töluðu þeir margt og komu þar niður ræður Höskulds að "eg mæli til
Afterwards they spoke much and Höskuld´s discussions came down (culminated) there with ‘I propose
kaupa (inf verb or gen pl noun?) við þig. Vill Hrútur gerast mágur þinn og kaupa dóttur þína og skal eg
bargains with you. Hrút wants to be made (become) your son-in-law and to buy your daughter and I shall
eigi mitt til spara."
not spare my (contribution) to (that end).’
Mörður svaraði: "Veit eg að þú ert höfðingi mikill en bróðir þinn er mér
Mörð answered: ‘I know that you are a great chieftain but your brother is to me
ókunnigur."
unknown.’
Fred and Grace Hatton
Hawley Pa
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